Top Questions vs. ULL

My top questions going into Georgia's season opener vs. Louisiana Lafayette.  In no particular order...

1.  Will Hutson Mason play?
I'd like to see us get a big enough lead that Mason could see action through the entire 4th quarter.  Yes, Murray needs snaps, but you never know when the back-up QB will be needed.  Remember the 2006 trip to Columbia?  Joe Tereshinski started the game and lasted about fours plays before injuring his ankle.  Mason needs snaps, and there might not be another opportunity to give him significant minutes until the Colorado game.

2. Will we bring the pain on defense?
Grantham talks the talk, and so do his players.  However, this group of returning linebackers was positively wretched last year. Over the past five years, Georgia played 10 vs. 11 when it was in the 4-3 defense against the pass because the SAM linebacker spot was one of the least productivity positions in the SEC outside of Mississippi State's quarterback.  Against the run, we often played 10 vs. 11 because the MIKE linebacker (other than Ellerbe's run from mid-'07 through the ASU game in '08) was staggeringly tentative.  When the MIKE refuses to run into the hole in favor of standing 3-4 yards down field and waiting to be run into, you can't stop the run.  Will the LBs find religion and bring the violence to the opponent?  Will they deliver the blow or receive it?  That's what I'm looking for.  The good news is I believe Belin might be the best linebacker coach in the SEC.

3. How will Aaron Murray play?
I can't sugar coat it. ULL has a pillow case defense.  He should be able to pick them apart very quickly, and hit AJ Green for some deep plays.  Will he look like David Greene as a redshirt freshman in the 2001 season opener against Arkansas State where he ran the no huddle flawlessly and dazzled us?  Or will he look like Matt Stafford against UAB or Colorado where he looked completely clueless.

4. How will the OLine look?
For all the talk about this group's dominance, Cordy Glenn and Ben Jones have each missed a month of practice. Trinton Sturdivant is recovering from a two year long knife fight with a surgeon, and Chris Davis has a worse hip than a Golden Girl cast member.  This group should punish the ULL defensive line, but will they?  They should've punished Ok State last year, and didn't.  I expect Glenn, Jones and Sturdy will all see limited action on Saturday.  In fact, the entire OL will heavily rotate fresh players due to the heat, and it being the last opportunity to evaluate the youngsters.  They have the talent to be exceptional, but will they?  Are they healthy enough and conditioned enough (due to injuries) to be great?

Those are my questions?  What are yours?

PWD

Previewing UGA vs. ULL

Our new Athletic Director stated publicly today that he's a fan of the "Florida model" of scheduling whereby the Gators play 1 tough non-conference game per year in state plus 3 tomato cans (my phrase not his).  With that boring and unambitious glimpse into our season ticket buying future out of the way, I'm sure he'll cherish this Saturday's match-up against Louisiana Lafayette.

The Ragin Cajuns weren't particularly good at anything last year.  They ranked near the bottom of nearly every statistical category including:

Rushing Offense - 71st
Passing Offense - 49th (not bad actually)
Total Offense - 76th
Scoring Offense - 93rd
Sacks Allowed - 14th

Rushing Defense - 99th
Passing Defense - 70th
Total Defense - 92nd
Scoring Defense - 97th

Not shockingly their strongest unit was their punting team.

As Dean Legge pointed out earlier in the week, these guys are going to spread us out running 4 and 5 wide receivers.  Which means we're not going to see much of our base 3-4 in favor of nickle packages like the 4-2-5.  With our personnel, I'd personally prefer to see a 3-3-5 look with both the OLBs staying in the game.  But that's neither here nor there.

On paper, you would think that we'd see a bunch of sacks, but the ULL QB will be coached to get rid of the ball extremely quickly.  For us to get sacks, our CBs are going to have to press at the line of scrimmage and throw off the initial timing of the play.  We haven't played quality press coverage in a very, very long time.  This could create a true test of technique more than a test of actual talent.

Overall, I'm hopefully that we show up to the game awake and motivated for a change.  This will be my 21st year as a season ticket holder in Athens, and I can say with great authority that I probably haven't seen 10 great GATA efforts from our players for games starting at 1:00 pm or earlier.  The 1991 Auburn game stands out in my mind as a solid effort at an early hour, but I'm currently struggling to name another quality effort for an early start.

I will be positively THRILLED if we open this game with the violence and tempo of Richt's earlier years.  We have the physical strength, size and speed to maul the ULL squad, and anything less than 35-7 would be a great disappointment to me.

What are you expecting to see on Saturday?

PWD

(Top Questions I'd like to see Answered on Saturday will be in the next post)

Dispatch from the Dept. of Irony

Yesterday morning a Total Tithead Person driving a truck emblazoned with GTU football propaganda crashed into a building at the intersection of Peachtree and Roswell roads in Buckhead. Ironically, the truck sign says "Brace for Impact," which one can only hope will serve as a harbinger/metaphor for GTU's 2010 season.

[Photo: John Spink/AJC]

Apparently the no-texting-while-driving law doesn't go far enough. If you want to keep Georgians safe from nerd-guided truck missiles, what we really need is a no-twelve-sided-dice-rolling-while-driving law.
[Insert Rambling Wreckage joke here]

HT: edsbs

Tech's new sportsmanship campaign

GTU has created a new sportsmanship initiative program called the Yellow Gold Standard. If there's one thing Tech is synonymous with, it would be sportsmanship and fair play...fan support... the smell of curry.

The Gold Standard's mission statement suggests raising awareness of sportsmanship at all Tech athletic events, "by increasing positive Yellow Jacket support; creating a sense of pride in Georgia Tech venues; events and traditions; promotion appreciation for the spirit of competition and providing a safe, healthy and respectful game day environment for all."

Newsflash! Tech Cheats Again!

Fans who sign the Gold Standard Pledge will have their name shown on the MegaJacketTron at the next home game. [ed. "MegaJacketTron"? Seriously? Stuff like this is why the rest of the planet mocks you] It appears from the Yellow Gold Standard web site that anyone can sign the pledge. For instance, just this morning "Jasper Was Down" signed the pledge, and shared some stories of bad sportsmanship in 1999. "Heywood Jablowme" signed right after Jasper. Perhaps you know some other people who would like to sign the pledge, and share a story about Tech fans?

GTU's legendary fan support

Meet James Wilder, Jr.

If you haven't seen this video of arguably the nation's #1 recruit, you should watch it.



I'll believe he commits to UGA when I see it... theoretically at 5:00 pm. But, it would be enormous. This kid is a football player. Remember when you're watching this tape that he's just a high school junior on these clips.

UGA moves back into the Top 20

USNews rankings of Top National Universities was announced yesterday. The University of Georgia moved up to 18th among public universities from 21st last year. Overall, the University moved up to 56th up from 58th. I think our all-time high was 52nd about eight or so year ago. Our academic peers (large, broad-based curriculum state schools) are:

53rd overall / 16th public - University of Florida
55th (Tie) / 17th - Syracuse University
56th (Tie) / 18th - Ohio State University
56th (Tie) / 18th - Purdue University
56th (Tie) / 18th - University of Georgia
56th (Tie) / 18th - University of Maryland

We're third in the SEC behind Vandy and the Gators. Georgia Tech ranked 35th this year. It's amazing that a state with such low high school ratings would produce two Top 20 public universities.

On McGarity

Greg McGarity will be introduced as Georgia's new athletic director this afternoon at 4PM.  This should surprise no one.  McGarity was endorsed by Vince Dooley (again), Dan Magill, Jack Kingston, Tony Barnhart, and T. Kyle King not long after the term "red panties" was uttered for the first time.  It seemed he was the obvious and default choice throughout the process.  His only potential roadblock, it was thought, were his ties to Vince, not Michael Adams.

Despite the perceived clashes with Adams, McGarity was the obvious default pick for a reason.  He's got an impressive Georgia pedigree as a former athlete, coach, and administrator.  When he left UGA to advance his career at UF, he joined what has become one of the best, most consistent athletic programs in the country.  McGarity served under Jeremy Foley while both oversaw the sustained uber-competitiveness of Gator athletics from 1992 until today.  He has a long history at a successful athletic program attached to a academically rigorous public university.  Again, the choice was obvious.

So, what does the decision mean and what does McGarity need to do?  First, I wouldn't read this decision as some profound statement of current politics in Georgia or the university.  I don't think Adams made his pick because he was scared of Roy Barnes.  I also don't think this alone means that Adams's power is eroding on campus.  Once it came to light that McGarity has not only applied for the job, but really, really wanted it, the choice became clear.  No other candidate could match him.  Adams made the call and got a guy with a great reputation and vast experience.  I've also heard that Adams isn't going to be our President for too many more years (by his choice, not yours) and he is becoming more concerned with the state of the university he will leave behind.  Thus, maybe he is more interested in competency and long-term success over hiring "his guy" for control.  I may be giving him too much credit, but it's a theory.

McGarity will have plenty of personnel decisions to make in the next few months.  Depending upon how a couple of our teams perform this year, he could have some coaching decisions to make this year (I'm not referring to Mark Richt).  Those are going to be big decisions, but I'm more interested in making sure McGarity and our athletic programs are on solid footing.  He is taking over a fiscally fantastic program, but the University of Georgia Athletic Department can improve in many ways.  Here's a few things McGarity should concentrate on:

1. Michael Adams: Every successful university athletics program is backed up by a committed and enthusiastic university administration.  Despite our considerable squabbles with the leadership of Michael Adams, you can't say he's not interested in intercollegiate athletics.  People might debate the helpfulness of that interest, but he is at least involved.  McGarity must make sure that our university administration remains committed to the ongoing development of the athletics arm of the university.  Damon and Adams got along well.  McGarity needs to not only get along with Adams, but push him for as much help as Adams and the academic side can give.

2. Revenue: While Georgia is highly profitable, we do not generate as much revenue as our competitors.  According to 2007-2008 numbers, Georgia was sixth in the conference for athletic revenue.  We have to do better than that.  Our profitability is unmatched in conference, so if we can scale that up to the revenue numbers enjoyed by our competitors, all the better.  Florida seems to receive a lot of big donor money through its Bull Gator program for large annual donors.  I wonder if such a program is in the works for Georgia to increase donor revenue. Georgia recently signed a lucrative new media rights contract, so he'll have to look at other, inventive ways to maximize non-donor revenue.

3. Facilities: Most of UGA's current facilities are at or above the average SEC school, with one large exception.  Foley Field.  Ole Miss, LSU, and South Carolina have recently opened baseball palaces, and we're still sitting on a facility that seats less than 3,500 fans.  A big decision regarding Foley is coming and McGarity will be the man to make it.  You can add the less urgent, but omnipresent, indoor practice facility to that list as well.

4. Tone and Expectations:  Jeremy Foley doesn't put up with mediocrity.  McGarity shouldn't either.  There have been times in the past that I believed UGA would tolerate mediocrity.  One of the chief goals of our athletic department should be to turn a large profit, but big profits without championships is emptiness.  I'm all for making money, but money is secondary.  The goal is to offer our athletes a quality education and allow them opportunities to win games.  We seem to be doing fine with regard to educating our athletes, so I'll take that as a given.  But there should be just as much priority on winning as there is on profits.  We're real good at profits.  Let's get as good with wins.

Good luck, Greg McGarity.  Welcome home.

Quinton

UPDATE: Add one more to those challenges.  If we're going to stream a press conference, can we get a consistent stream that doesn't pause every two seconds? That was miserable. 

New Georgia Bulldog Video

Radi from UGASports.com says this will be the video played in game after the third quarter. Given that it's roughly four minutes long, I doubt that it'll be played in its full length. But it's good regardless.

Georgia Basketball Non-Conference Schedule (Updated)

Most of the Georgia Basketball Schedule is now clear. Here is the schedule as we believe it will pan out (Updated with more info at 6:19 pm. Added Nov. 4th preseason game and the Dec. 28th Charleston Southern game):

Nov. 4 (Thurs.) -- vs. Augusta State (EXHIBITION)
Nov. 12 (Fri.) -- vs. Mississippi Valley State (RPI: 325) (confirmed)

Nov. 16 (Tues.) -- vs. Colorado (RPI: 120) (confirmed)

Nov. 20 (Sat.) -- at Saint Louis (RPI: 87) (confirmed)

Nov. 25 (Thurs.) -- vs. Notre Dame (RPI: 49) in Orlando (confirmed)

Nov. 26 (Fri.) -- vs. Cal (RPI: 20) or Temple (RPI: 8) in Orlando (confirmed)

Nov. 28 (Sun) -- vs. TBD in Orlando (opponent based on bracket)

Dec. 3 (Fri.) -- vs. UAB (RPI: 45)

Dec. 7 (Tues.) -- at Georgia Tech (RPI: 33) (confirmed)

Dec. 18 (Sat.) -- vs. Arkansas State (RPI: 202)

Dec. 21 (Tues.) -- vs. High Point University (RPI: 254) (confirmed)

Dec. 23 (Thurs.) -- at Mercer (RPI: 221) (confirmed)

Dec. 28 (Tues.) -- vs. Charleston Southern (RPI: 285)
Dec. 31 (Fri.) -- vs. Eastern Kentucky (RPI: 155)

Feb. TBD -- vs. Xavier (RPI: 19) (opponent confirmed. Date TBD)

The information above is based on published reports or research by MemphisDog or myself. If the unconfirmed dates and opponents hold up, it's an exceptional slate for a couple of reasons.

1. Overall Strength -- Due to the bracket structure in Orlando, we will play 3 BCS teams there plus GT, Colorado and a Top 25 or so Xavier team. Six teams of that caliber in one season is exceptionally strong scheduling. When you add UAB at home, Saint Louis on the road and Mercer on the road (which softens the RPI blow of playing their squad), it's a very well structured group.

2. Weekend Non-Conference Games -- Last year was tough in terms of weekend scheduling. This year we get 4 games on Friday or Saturday at home plus 4 more games on the road/neutral on weekends or holidays. That makes it much easier to beef up attendance which is huge for the renovated Stegeman's seating.

3. It's an attention getter slate. -- There's more than enough juice to get pollster and pundit attention IF Georgia takes care of business. Last year, UGA got two games on ESPN or ESPN2 plus two more on ESPNU. This year I'm projecting 10-12 games on ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNU including SEC Play which is enormous for recruiting.

We're also hearing that the first SEC game will be Kentucky at home on a Saturday (hopefully at night). It's not unreasonable that we could be 11-2 going into that game, and the Cats lost seven players from last year's squad. Even if they replaced them all with rock stars, it will still be their first game on the road in SEC play.

This schedule presents an enormous opportunity for Georgia. The keys to next season will be can the team stay healthy? Can the team mentally mature enough to start winning on the road? Is Gerald Robinson as good as rumored?

The SEC slate should be released in a week or two.

What's your thought on this slate?

PWD