From Athens- Game Day FRiday # 6

TN Dawg wrote: Good article. Two points I picked up on which will be important.

The other key factor in the Bulldogs’ defensive surge is that they’ve been able to get off the field on third down. They’re second nationally in third-down defense, as opponents are converting just 25.4 percent of the time (18-of-71).

Third down will be huge on Saturday, because Tennessee is tied for first nationally when it comes to converting on third down. The Vols are 36-of-58 (62.1 percent).

I think (hope) that might be a bit of a "ghost" stat though TN Dawg...they are tied for first, but they've only played one defense on our level (FL) and went, I believe, 4 for 12 or 13 on 3rd downs. I have no doubt Bray is accurate and has the release to get the ball out quickly on 3rd down, I just think a good bit of the over-inflated 3rd down stats (and offensive stats in general) is due to the fact that they were playing Montana, Cincy, and Buffalo...just a thought.

Mike Honcho wrote:

TN Dawg wrote: Good article. Two points I picked up on which will be important.

The other key factor in the Bulldogs’ defensive surge is that they’ve been able to get off the field on third down. They’re second nationally in third-down defense, as opponents are converting just 25.4 percent of the time (18-of-71).

Third down will be huge on Saturday, because Tennessee is tied for first nationally when it comes to converting on third down. The Vols are 36-of-58 (62.1 percent).

I think (hope) that might be a bit of a "ghost" stat though TN Dawg...they are tied for first, but they've only played one defense on our level (FL) and went, I believe, 4 for 12 or 13 on 3rd downs. I have no doubt Bray is accurate and has the release to get the ball out quickly on 3rd down, I just think a good bit of the over-inflated 3rd down stats (and offensive stats in general) is due to the fact that they were playing Montana, Cincy, and Buffalo...just a thought.

Very good point. Argument can be made on both sides of the ball. They has faced 1 SEC team and we have faced 3. I believe our stats hold a little more believability because of our games.

From where I sit, we have more talent on both sides of the ball.

Tennessee has home field advantage.

Think it was mentioned that we are favored by a couple of points.

Not being ugly. Appears to me that it comes down to coaching.

There will always be turnovers that make everyone go batty.

Do not know how much AM is allowed to change plays at the line. I would take his play calling over Bobo's in an instant. Players return to the huddle, they give AM a quick rundown. If AM has no choice but to run the play called or signaled in, can't agree with that. Hard for me to figure out over the past couple of years just exactly what is going on. Apparently Richt agrees, said something needs to be done on O side of the ball at his presser.

I sincerely hope that poor coaching decisions don't decide the outcome of this game.

Feel we have enough talent on both sides of the ball to win by more than a couple of points.

We won last year by more than a couple, hard for me to believe personnel have changed that much on the Tennessee side to warrant only a two or three point advantage for UGA.

This is not the same defense that Tennessee played against last season. Not the same personnel. A lot more depth and team play.

Still going with 12 point victory.

Too many plusses on our side for me to accept the home field advantage, a quarterback, a receiver and noisy folks making this game only a two or three point victory. If it comes down to that, I have some serious questions and answers that will be brought forward.

If we can't beat Tennessee with the group of athletes we have right now, we sure as heck do not need to talk about going to Atlanta. Pretty simple.

Grantham has already told their quarterback how good he is. Love it. This man is a pro. UGA should have a field day in the orange backfield Saturday night. Watched him pretty closely last year, for sure he likes to get rid of the ball quickly, does not like getting hit. Tough like AM, NOT.

Go Dawgs!

Have to say this, watched Richt on a site that not all get to see, don't think I am wrong here. He seems to have that quiet, self assured confidence that he once had at FSU. Maybe all of this coaching hot seat business has settled in and now the time has come to turn some things around.

Did not think I would say this but . . . . . Richt is going to Tennessee to kick some butt. What do I think has happened . . . . I think that some of the coaching changes he has made, whether he wanted to or not, have shown to be the right decision. Basically talking about one coach, but more than one coach has left his hire. Grantham is good for Richt.

Yes I know there is one more move that needs to be made. Really need for this young bunch of pups to stand tall, play to their capabilities and we win by . . . . . 12 or more. ogredawg said 12.

Richt will be working his headset tomorrow. I hope I see what I think that I saw watching him speak.

Go Dawgs! Send that bunch of 'possum eating Tennessee folks home to an elegant dinner.

Appears that VD is not giving Richt a lot of wiggle room. . . . . A lot of folks feel the same way.


Former Georgia coach Vince Dooley isn't interested in the politics nor drama of the obvious conflict presented before him when Tennessee plays the Bulldogs in Neyland Stadium on Saturday.

But breaking down the game and the SEC Eastern Division is different; it's strictly an analysis, with no split feelings, no emotions.

Vince Dooley said that he believes Georgia is the favorite to win the SEC Eastern Division, and the Vols face a mighty challenge against the Bulldogs.

"Georgia, right now, if you had to pick a team with the best opportunity to win the East, it would be them,'' said Dooley, who coached Georgia for 25 years and led the Bulldogs to the 1980 national championship. "I've seen their talent; they have a freshman running back that is blossoming, a quarterback with all-around ability that might be the best in the league, and a defensive coordinator that's proven.

"The last two games, I don't think they have given up more than 2 yards average (per rushing attempt). They have the two best kickers on one team in the country.''

As for his thoughts on Georgia winning the SEC Eastern Division, Dooley indicated that is a byproduct of scheduling, as well as talent.

"They don't play Alabama, and they don't play LSU,'' he said. "Their biggest threat is Florida, and Florida all the sudden isn't Florida with that quarterback (injured).''

Dooley said he believes Tennessee will need to play it's best game of this season to beat Georgia.

"They'll have to play a clean game, and not make any mistakes in any phase of the game,'' he said. "It will have to be a complete game, their best game.''

Dooley, like his son, UT coach Derek, believes the loss of receiver Justin Hunter goes beyond UT being one man down.

"Losing that receiver ... he would have given them a better chance to win games like this, and maybe even surprise a few people,'' Vince Dooley said. "Having two (receivers) like that, and having that quarterback (Tyler Bray), it changes things.''

Last one, old fart trying to get ready for what I think is a huge game in Knoxville tomorrow.

espn.go.com/blog/sec/post/_/id/29867/vid...gia-dc-todd-grantham

Tried to post Grantham giving some classroom work out. No go, ESPN not allowing it. Might want to try their site and watch the video.

Good night folks, crossed fingers for UGA tomorrow.