UGA vs. GT -- The Match-Ups

Our passing offense vs. their pass defense is a pretty good match-up as long as Stafford can get rid of the ball quickly. Auburn's Muschamp blitzed us straight up darn near every down. Stafford had a chance to read and react to the blitz and the man coverage behind it. Tenuta will hide his blitzes better, and they'll be harder to read zone blitzes. We have to catch the ball to make them pay, and the OL has to give him some time. Some song different verse. I'm expecting to see tons of shotgun with 1 TE and 1 RB staying in to block on passing downs.

(Image: Keep catching the ball)

Our rushing offense vs. their rush defense is not a favorable match-up. I think Dawg fans want to see us run right at them like Clemson did. We don't have Clemson's backs, and I don't think our OL scheme looks anything like theirs. But what do I know. I'm eager to see what we do to free Lumpkin up. The OL is healthier for this one than they've been for any game this year. So we've got that going for us.

Their rushing offense vs. our rushing defense. I think this is the worst match-up of the day. They run the ball fairly effectively, and we have been gutted at times via the run right up the middle. UK and Auburn both had tremendous success when they ran it.

Their passing offense vs. our passing defense. Last year Calvin had 1 catch for 2 yards and a TD. Otherwise, he was neutralized. Minter had him in man coverage last year, but Minter is gone. Everyone knows what Calvin is. Big, strong, fast and talented. We have to put pressure on Reggie, and let him lose the game for Tech before the ball makes it to Calvin. Clemson laid a wonderful blueprint for this. If we put the sort of pressure on Reggie that we put on Brandon Cox, we're fine. If not, they're going to have their chances. Luckily, GT doesn't have a stud Tight End.


Charles Johnson had an excellent game last year

The Wildcards
Mobile QB -- We've struggled with mobile QBs this year. We'll see a ton of the stretch play / bootleg / play action sets from under center, and we'll see a ton of the draw from the gun. How we handle Reggie's mobility is critical. Will our DBs and LBs maintain containment on the edges or get sucked in on the bootleg / play action? Moses and Johnson have to play much more disciplined than they did against Colorado and Ole Miss.

Punt Returns -- Last year Thomas Flowers had a huge game. Mikey Henderson is in the Top 5 nationally in punt returns. Tech's special teams are improved vs. last year, but this is still an area where we could break the game wide open.

Intangibles:
GT wants it bad, but all the pressure is on them. With us taking 12 of the past 15, we're in their heads as badly as UF is in ours. Does anyone really think that GT wins the ACC pouting their way into the game after a loss to Georgia?

A truck load of pressure was lifted off the Dawgs with the win over Auburn. I think the intangible edge goes to us...at least partially because of the whole Reggie thing.

(Image: Reggie's game film)

Bottom line:
If we turn the ball over three times, we will struggle MIGHTLY to win. If we protect the ball, pressure the QB, block, catch and tackle we win. But isn't that the key to every game ever played?

If we play our best game and they play their best game, I think we win.

If we give them the game that we gave SC, we win a squeaker. If we show 'em the AU effort, we win. If we give them the 2nd half we gave UF and the first half against UT, we win massive. If we give then the UK, Ole Miss, Vandy or MSU games, we lose.

Personally, I'm expecting a win. They've got Chan Gailey and Reggie Ball. We've got Mark Richt and Matt Stafford. I prefer that match-up over all others. But no outcome would shock me.

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