SEC Championship game talk

The task is not complicated, but not simple or easy.

The key to this game is blocking Auburn’s DL. While we looked at the first game and had doubt creep in about our progress, we saw last night that an inability to block their front 7 is a problem a lot of teams have. They did the same thing to ‘Bama that they did to us... put into passing situations, Jalen Hurts could barely get his feet set before he had pressure.

So how do we block these guys? 1st, we can’t just straight up block one on one with any consistency. That is just not going to happen. We’ve got to chip, trap, move the pocket, etc. Plus we’ve got to slow them down with play-calling. Straight handoff up the middle on 1st and 2nd downs until it’s 3rd and 9 will end in a similar result as the 1st game.

On defense we just have to play smarter and not let it get away from us. I expect a much bettwr effort on D this time.

Let the discussion begin, and Go Dawgs.

I think we'll have to use the pass to loosen up their defense. I don't see anyone running much on that defense.

Here're the plays we used on our first scoring drive against Abuurn:

1. Run - result = 1 yard.
2. Pass to TE - result = 2 yards.
3. Pass to WR - result = 27 yards.
4. Pass to WR - result = 27 yards.
5. Run - result = 8 yards.
6. Run - result = 5 yards.
7. Run - result = 1 yard.
8. Run - result = 1 yard, TD.

Most of that game, Abuurn completely SOLD OUT against the run. I think we can pass on Abuurn and loosen them up. Going back and (reluctantly) watching that game again, it really looks like we just shot ourselves in the foot and the game, which was close most of the way, turned ugly when we lost our composure.

I think it'll be tough for Abuurn to continue to play at the extremely high level they've been playing at for the last three weeks, ESPECIALLY away from home. But if they CAN do that and beat us . . . then a tip of the cap to 'em.

I agree thriller.

We’ve got to pass some on 1st and second down, and we also need to look past pages 1 and 2 of the playbook and find a tunnel or straight screen or a trap play... something we haven’t shown much of that can be used against an aggressive D-line.

The 5 plays we used against them the 1st time are all predicated on having an O-line that can just win 1 on 1 blocking matchups, and not allow penetration. We just kept running them over and over and over expecting a different result that never came. We saw how well that worked out and if we do the same again I swear my head will explode.

I watched HS football this weekend where the OC’s showed more versatility, adaptability, and willingness to adjust than I saw during out 1st matchup with these guys.

thriller wrote: I think we'll have to use the pass to loosen up their defense. I don't see anyone running much on that defense.

Agreed wholeheartedly on this point. Auburn did to us what they knew it was going to take to beat us: they made us pass the ball and got tons of pressure on Fromm. They'll do it again Saturday too. We aren't going to beat Auburn on the ground unless our passing game becomes a factor in this game. Georgia hadn't faced a fast and physical team like Auburn until they played Auburn, and I do believe lessons were learned from that game. But, you can guarantee that same fast and physical team is going to show up in Atlanta next week and we're going to have to get creative for ways to take the "fast" part away.

I actually like Fromm over Eason going into this game. Much has been made in the last 24 hours about how Fromm's lack of arm strength is beginning to show. Fair enough, it is. However, two things that Fromm seems to do exceptionally well that will be absolutely necessary if we're to win this game Saturday

1. He is very cool under pressure and keeps his focus
2. He has an incredibly quick release from his drop back under center.

You can bet there's going to be a full team effort by Auburn to get the QB heat cranked up early, and Fromm can counteract that by his quick release. The dropped passes we had on the plains can't repeat themselves this game. If you look at what Fromm did flawlessly for the first 9 games of the season, it was the fast drop back and hitting the quick slants. Play action in this game will be incredibly limited if not non-existent because Auburn's line is probably going to run over us.

Another obvious thing, which is so obvious I'm hesitant to mention it, is the undisciplined play we saw on the plains. I actually believe this is the easiest correction and will be corrected for the game next Saturday. We got the jitters out and now it's time to focus. We simply cannot melt down, lose our composure, and give up the stupid penalties like we (and Alabama) did against Auburn.

If we want any success on the ground, we're going to have to get the passing game going. Chaney had better forget the run up the middle because those doors are closed. The ground attack will be on the perimeter and in the flats. Jet sweeps, power toss, quick slants, etc. This game is going to be Chaney's make-or-break moment at UGA. If we come out looking as ridiculous as we did vs. Auburn last time, running the same futile crap we tried last time, game over. Forget it.

thriller wrote: ]Most of that game, Abuurn completely SOLD OUT against the run. I think we can pass on Abuurn and loosen them up. Going back and (reluctantly) watching that game again, it really looks like we just shot ourselves in the foot and the game, which was close most of the way, turned ugly when we lost our composure.

Agreed. We can pass on them. Question remains can we catch on them. Was glad to see Hardman making his big catch against the Nerds to gain some confidence going into Atlanta. We're going to need him, and Wims, and probably some magic from an unexpected hero in that game. But we simply cannot have the dropped passes, nor can we have the errant throws we've been seeing Fromm launch against Kentucky & Tech. Fromm has had a season now to adjust to life in the SEC. Its his stage. What he will do with it rests on how well the coaches prepare him and how well he keeps the pressure at bay. With Fromm, I'm confident that the pressure won't be too much. Fromm doesn't need a gunslinger performance to win this game, what he needs is the sound, fundamental passing game that got UGA to 9-0. Quick passes, smart throws for short 10-15 yard gains. Move the chains. What scares me is that I'm starting to see Fromm take a lot of risky chances that his arm isn't capable of making happen. He should have been picked twice against Tech and twice against Kentucky.

thriller wrote: I think it'll be tough for Abuurn to continue to play at the extremely high level they've been playing at for the last three weeks, ESPECIALLY away from home.

This is the one thing I hear the pundits speaking very little about because they're sloppy drunk on Auburn love right now. It is incredibly difficult to keep playing out of your mind like Auburn has been doing over the last few weeks, particularly on a big stage away from home. I absolutely believe this game will be a different beast than the last game was. The crowd will be a huge factor against Auburn in this game. But it's going to take REAL COACHING from the entire staff to devise a gameplan to slow Auburn down. Kirby blamed himself and the coaching staff for the loss on the plains and it's valid blame. This is his chance to redeem himself as well, because his last effort looked like a rookie coach and his staff being out-coached in every facet of the game. I don't believe we'll see an encore of that type of performance. This coaching staff is resilient and he's been in this position many, many times as a DC.

Auburn losing Kerryon Johnson is huge, and I don't know what factor he will be in the game if he has a dislocated shoulder or if he will even take a snap at tailback in that game.

Totally in agreement with what’s been posted in this thread....

We are learning just how detailed oriented our HC is..... getting out coached by CPJ and losing to

The Nerds last year brought focus to the task of beating Tech...

Proacted....creativity in a practice period each Monday during the season to prepare to play Tech

Huge.... expectations he will respond to our loss to Assburn.... gears shifted about 7:30 last night

Not having to deal with the hype of playing his old team ya da ya da.....

Few more climbing on the bandwagon..... Ut...UF.... Vandy.... Tech.... business taken care of..

Assburn.....urange...... game in Atlanta..... giving the Wolfpack a second chance...hmmmmm

Go Dawgs