DAWG@heart
09-29-2004, 01:52 PM
Games of Interest: Oct 2nd, 2004
Game of the Week:
It would have been #13 LSU @ #3 Georgia, but as we know, this is not an undefeated match-up like we all thought it would be.
The game of the week is #9 Auburn @ #8 Tennessee. The game showcases two highly ranked, undefeated SEC teams. With an edge in the SEC standings at stake, this is a must win for both teams.
What to expect:
Expect some old-fashioned smash mouth football. Both teams are going to frantically try and run the ball. The running game has looked good from Tennessee, but the only defense they faced this year worth mentioning is Florida and they are very, very young. However, Auburn brings a seasoned and tough D-Line to Knoxville and it will be difficult for Tennessee to put up high numbers on the ground against this defense. Expect the Tennessee offense to be a little unbalanced in the first half. They will run 60% of their plays and pass for 40% of their plays. However, in the second half, expect Erik Ainge to come out slinging. We will really get to see what he is made of then.
Expect Auburn to run, run, run, and run some more. They are going to come right out of the gate and test Tennessee’s front seven. If they have success, it will be a long night for Tennessee as veteran Jason Campbell will be able to open up the passing game.
What will Happen:
Tennessee is at home, if Phillip Fulmer is smart, he should play conservative for the first couple of offensive series in order to get his young QB’s loose. However, I can almost guarantee he will be confident enough to go out gunning. By that I mean, run, run, and go deep. Auburn is going to play Man to Man unless Tennessee can get the passing game going, then Auburn will switch to Man Zone and Man Cover 2 with blitzes in between.
I don’t expect Tennessee to blitz that much. The running game Auburn has will keep them honest. I don’t know what to expect from Tennessee’s defense. They should play Man to Man until halftime and then make adjustments if necessary.
Tennessee is at home and that is always a plus, but I believe Auburn here has the edge because of that running game. That and the leadership and experience of Jason Campbell will lead Auburn to a victory over the Vols in Knoxville.
Auburn – 21
Tennessee – 17
#13 LSU @ # 3 Georgia
This really is a must win for LSU. If they have any hope of defending their SEC crown then they have to win and they know it, which makes them a dangerous team from here on out. LSU comes to Athens with two quarterbacks that have never faced a crowd like the one at Sanford Stadium. It will be interesting to see if they can keep their composure with 93,000 hungry fans that want revenge, as well as Thomas Davis and Odell Thurman breathing down their necks. Also, can the running game get going for LSU. Rest assured they will not run to David Pollack’s side often. If any kind of running game is going to show up for LSU, they will attack the middle or left side of the offensive line.
What to Expect:
Expect LSU to bring the kitchen sink and then some against David Greene. Expect UGA to try and establish a running game before throwing a single pass. UGA will run draws and screens to keep the heat off the QB and try using their cutback and zone running schemes to let Greene throw downfield later in the game. LSU is going to run a Man to Man defense all game while blitzing Greene to death. If Greene gets time, look out, big plays could happen. Expect UGA to play their style of defense, a few blitzes here and there and Man Zone coverage in the secondary.
What will Happen:
This is going to be a defensive game. UGA has all the weapons to open up a can, but have yet to do so this year. LSU will struggle to get anything going offensively. This is due to where they are playing and the QB’s for LSU. Defensively, LSU is gonna blitz, blitz, blitz, and blitz some more. This is a seasoned offensive line that UGA has. They know what to expect from the LSU defensively and I believe they will be able to exploit that during the game. Fundamental football is necessary for both teams and any turnovers are going to be huge in this game. However, I believe that this is Georgia’s game to lose. All the cards are in there hands. They are at home, have a veteran team, a stingy defense, and tons of offensive weapons. Can LSU call UGA’s hand and win it. I don’t think so.
UGA – 20
LSU – 10
Arkansas @ #16 Florida
Arkansas has proved all of us wrong so far this year. They can make a statement by beating Florida this week. Any team that has to go to the Swamp is automatically considered the underdog. But Arkansas gave up only 20 offensive points against Texas and only 10 against Alabama. Noted, both games were at home, but Arkansas has the leadership it needs in Matt Jones. If Arkansas can continue to play good offense along with the superb play of the defense, then they will win this game because of the youth of the Florida defense. Chris Leak will keep Florida in this game, but in the end, I think Arkansas comes in and pulls an upset. This game will set us all up for the Arkansas/Auburn match-up later on in the season that could determine the West champion.
Arkansas – 31
Florida – 28
Most Interesting Game of the Week to Watch:
South Carolina @ Alabama
South Carolina goes to Tuscaloosa for a defining game. Is South Carolina for real? If they beat Alabama, you can rest assured they will not be taken lightly by anyone left on their schedule. The loss of Brodie Croyle was crucial to Alabama. Marc Guillon has not looked very good. Alabama has a good running game, but South Carolina has a good run defense. Neither offenses are stellar and both defenses are about the same. This will be a defensive battle and the intangibles will play a big role in who will win this game. Turnovers will be huge and in that case, the edge goes to South Carolina. 9th in the country in total defense with 14 defensive points, the Cocks look like they might get some help from the defense. As much as I like Alabama at home, I have to give this one to South Carolina.
South Carolina – 24
Alabama - 14
Just for Kicks:
Vandy over Miss. St.
Purdue over Notre Dame
Arizona St. over Oregon
Minnesota over Penn St.
Oregon St. over California
Hope you like my insights. Please respond if you feel like doing so.
Game of the Week:
It would have been #13 LSU @ #3 Georgia, but as we know, this is not an undefeated match-up like we all thought it would be.
The game of the week is #9 Auburn @ #8 Tennessee. The game showcases two highly ranked, undefeated SEC teams. With an edge in the SEC standings at stake, this is a must win for both teams.
What to expect:
Expect some old-fashioned smash mouth football. Both teams are going to frantically try and run the ball. The running game has looked good from Tennessee, but the only defense they faced this year worth mentioning is Florida and they are very, very young. However, Auburn brings a seasoned and tough D-Line to Knoxville and it will be difficult for Tennessee to put up high numbers on the ground against this defense. Expect the Tennessee offense to be a little unbalanced in the first half. They will run 60% of their plays and pass for 40% of their plays. However, in the second half, expect Erik Ainge to come out slinging. We will really get to see what he is made of then.
Expect Auburn to run, run, run, and run some more. They are going to come right out of the gate and test Tennessee’s front seven. If they have success, it will be a long night for Tennessee as veteran Jason Campbell will be able to open up the passing game.
What will Happen:
Tennessee is at home, if Phillip Fulmer is smart, he should play conservative for the first couple of offensive series in order to get his young QB’s loose. However, I can almost guarantee he will be confident enough to go out gunning. By that I mean, run, run, and go deep. Auburn is going to play Man to Man unless Tennessee can get the passing game going, then Auburn will switch to Man Zone and Man Cover 2 with blitzes in between.
I don’t expect Tennessee to blitz that much. The running game Auburn has will keep them honest. I don’t know what to expect from Tennessee’s defense. They should play Man to Man until halftime and then make adjustments if necessary.
Tennessee is at home and that is always a plus, but I believe Auburn here has the edge because of that running game. That and the leadership and experience of Jason Campbell will lead Auburn to a victory over the Vols in Knoxville.
Auburn – 21
Tennessee – 17
#13 LSU @ # 3 Georgia
This really is a must win for LSU. If they have any hope of defending their SEC crown then they have to win and they know it, which makes them a dangerous team from here on out. LSU comes to Athens with two quarterbacks that have never faced a crowd like the one at Sanford Stadium. It will be interesting to see if they can keep their composure with 93,000 hungry fans that want revenge, as well as Thomas Davis and Odell Thurman breathing down their necks. Also, can the running game get going for LSU. Rest assured they will not run to David Pollack’s side often. If any kind of running game is going to show up for LSU, they will attack the middle or left side of the offensive line.
What to Expect:
Expect LSU to bring the kitchen sink and then some against David Greene. Expect UGA to try and establish a running game before throwing a single pass. UGA will run draws and screens to keep the heat off the QB and try using their cutback and zone running schemes to let Greene throw downfield later in the game. LSU is going to run a Man to Man defense all game while blitzing Greene to death. If Greene gets time, look out, big plays could happen. Expect UGA to play their style of defense, a few blitzes here and there and Man Zone coverage in the secondary.
What will Happen:
This is going to be a defensive game. UGA has all the weapons to open up a can, but have yet to do so this year. LSU will struggle to get anything going offensively. This is due to where they are playing and the QB’s for LSU. Defensively, LSU is gonna blitz, blitz, blitz, and blitz some more. This is a seasoned offensive line that UGA has. They know what to expect from the LSU defensively and I believe they will be able to exploit that during the game. Fundamental football is necessary for both teams and any turnovers are going to be huge in this game. However, I believe that this is Georgia’s game to lose. All the cards are in there hands. They are at home, have a veteran team, a stingy defense, and tons of offensive weapons. Can LSU call UGA’s hand and win it. I don’t think so.
UGA – 20
LSU – 10
Arkansas @ #16 Florida
Arkansas has proved all of us wrong so far this year. They can make a statement by beating Florida this week. Any team that has to go to the Swamp is automatically considered the underdog. But Arkansas gave up only 20 offensive points against Texas and only 10 against Alabama. Noted, both games were at home, but Arkansas has the leadership it needs in Matt Jones. If Arkansas can continue to play good offense along with the superb play of the defense, then they will win this game because of the youth of the Florida defense. Chris Leak will keep Florida in this game, but in the end, I think Arkansas comes in and pulls an upset. This game will set us all up for the Arkansas/Auburn match-up later on in the season that could determine the West champion.
Arkansas – 31
Florida – 28
Most Interesting Game of the Week to Watch:
South Carolina @ Alabama
South Carolina goes to Tuscaloosa for a defining game. Is South Carolina for real? If they beat Alabama, you can rest assured they will not be taken lightly by anyone left on their schedule. The loss of Brodie Croyle was crucial to Alabama. Marc Guillon has not looked very good. Alabama has a good running game, but South Carolina has a good run defense. Neither offenses are stellar and both defenses are about the same. This will be a defensive battle and the intangibles will play a big role in who will win this game. Turnovers will be huge and in that case, the edge goes to South Carolina. 9th in the country in total defense with 14 defensive points, the Cocks look like they might get some help from the defense. As much as I like Alabama at home, I have to give this one to South Carolina.
South Carolina – 24
Alabama - 14
Just for Kicks:
Vandy over Miss. St.
Purdue over Notre Dame
Arizona St. over Oregon
Minnesota over Penn St.
Oregon St. over California
Hope you like my insights. Please respond if you feel like doing so.