How to Beat the Cocks

The Dawgs annual 15 round slugfest with the South Carolina Gamecocks will kick off in 12 hours from when I am writing this. The big news all week has been the 4 game suspension of star receiver AJ Green. This has been a distraction for sure, but SC has a few players suspended for this game as well - TE Weslye Saunders and LT Jarriel King. So neither team is at full strength. Now what?

If Georgia wins the toss, I think they would defer and likely start on defense. Dawg fans would be excited to see Grantham's Dawgs GATA early and often. But, I would not be disappointed if we start on offense because we often have a well-scripted first series of plays and I would love to see our offensive line come out and set the tone early and get points on the board.

This game is always close. Always. Except when it isn't. Barring a rash of turnovers by one team, I would bet on this one also being close. The margin for error will be teensy. In the Dawgs last two losses to Carolina, we dropped three TD passes - not going to name names. Of course, in several of our recent wins, Carolina turned it over deep in UGA territory late in the game. A blocked extra point and a batted ball on 4th and goal saved our hides last year.

For the Dawgs to win, the following needs to happen:
- Relentless pressure on Garcia with containment to keep him from getting outside the ends. - Capitalize on turnover opportunities (ie. no dropped INT chances.)
- Maintain the golden ratio in offensive balance: 66% runs and 34% passes.
- Stretch the field a few times to keep their safeties honest and hopefully connect on a big one to T. King or Wootentheballcarrier.
- Use our tight ends often.

What I am looking for tomorrow:
- A big day from our tight ends because SC will be without injured LB Shaq Wilson, who had a monster game against us last year. There should be many mismatch opportunities for our TEs and they were virtually unused last week.
- At least one big return from Boykin or Smith. Yes this happened last year and I would like to see lightning strike twice.
- Magic Number for our defense is 5 - combination of sacks, Int's and fumble recoveries. If we hit this number, we will win. I think we will. In fact, I predict 3 sacks, 1 Int and 1 fumble recovery.
- 150 yards combined rushing from Ealey, King and Thomas. Ealey will lead the way with 85 yards on 12 carries.
- 3rd down conversion rate: Last year we converted a whopping 55% against SC while holding them to 35%. I can't imagine we will have a 20% spread again in this stat with a freshman QB and no AJ, but if we can produce a 10% spread - it will be enough. Look for something like 45% against 35%.

I will be a wreck when this game begins. How nice would it be to get a quick early lead and maintain a comfortable margin throughout the game? Well, we won't find out tomorrow... Dawgs prevail in a war: 27 - 20. Let's go Dawgs! GATA!