Dogs Defense Tougher Than Advertised
The stats are ugly. 'Dogs are last in the SEC in Scoring Defense. Oklahoma State got 24 and South Carolina got 41. The 'Dogs are giving up over 30 points a game, right? That's not accurate. And it's not right. How does the 'Dog defense get credit for Cox throwing an interception that comes back for six? Nothing fair about that.
Basically, the Georgia defense allowed 22 points to South Carolina. Against Oklahoma State, it was more like 17. Say what, you say? Yeah, they've been put in some tough spots.
In case you haven't noticed the opponent has been getting some free gifts. Carlton Thomas fumbled against Oklahoma State and the Cowboys got the ball at the Georgia 8 yard line...'Dogs held them to a FG! The KO cover team gives up a big return and the Cowboys get the ball at the Georgia 24. Cox fumbles and the Cowboys get the ball at the Georgia 32. How do you hang all those points on the defense?
Against South Carolina, subtract that Cox "pick six", the Branden Smith KO return fumble (Gamecocks got at the Georgia 8) where the 'Dogs hold them to a FG, the bad snap on a punt good for a safety, and the A.J. Green fumble (SC got it at the GA 23) and they allow 22 points. Forced 5 FGs in the game.
The guy that's saying the 'Dogs defense sucks is just wrong. For the most part, they've played tough.
Real criticism would point out that they have lacked pressure from the front 4 on the QB. That has been a problem. Maybe Justin Houston being back help changes that. We are desperate for a legitimate pass rusher at DE.
But everwhere else the 'Dogs are solid. At CB, Boykin, Prince MIller, Cuff and Branden Smith have been pretty good. They've help up. Jones and Evans at safety are a good tandem. Curran and Gamble are one of the top LB duo's in the SEC. D-Tackle is one of the best situations in CF.
Sure would be nice to see Houston hanging all over Mallett Saturday night.
Basically, the Georgia defense allowed 22 points to South Carolina. Against Oklahoma State, it was more like 17. Say what, you say? Yeah, they've been put in some tough spots.
In case you haven't noticed the opponent has been getting some free gifts. Carlton Thomas fumbled against Oklahoma State and the Cowboys got the ball at the Georgia 8 yard line...'Dogs held them to a FG! The KO cover team gives up a big return and the Cowboys get the ball at the Georgia 24. Cox fumbles and the Cowboys get the ball at the Georgia 32. How do you hang all those points on the defense?
Against South Carolina, subtract that Cox "pick six", the Branden Smith KO return fumble (Gamecocks got at the Georgia 8) where the 'Dogs hold them to a FG, the bad snap on a punt good for a safety, and the A.J. Green fumble (SC got it at the GA 23) and they allow 22 points. Forced 5 FGs in the game.
The guy that's saying the 'Dogs defense sucks is just wrong. For the most part, they've played tough.
Real criticism would point out that they have lacked pressure from the front 4 on the QB. That has been a problem. Maybe Justin Houston being back help changes that. We are desperate for a legitimate pass rusher at DE.
But everwhere else the 'Dogs are solid. At CB, Boykin, Prince MIller, Cuff and Branden Smith have been pretty good. They've help up. Jones and Evans at safety are a good tandem. Curran and Gamble are one of the top LB duo's in the SEC. D-Tackle is one of the best situations in CF.
Sure would be nice to see Houston hanging all over Mallett Saturday night.
It’s too early, probably, but I checked out the NCAA stats on Monday. Two things jumped out:
– 1. Among major-college teams that have played two games, Georgia ranks next-to-last in turnover margin.
The Bulldogs are minus-5, meaning they have lost five more turnovers than they have gained (6-1), and only one team has a worse turnover margin through two games, Virginia at minus-6.
Georgia lost the turnover battle 3-0 against Oklahoma State -– and lost the game 24-10. Georgia lost the turnover battle 3-1 against South Carolina –- but won the game 41-37. The six Georgia turnovers in the two games have led to 26 opposition points, or 23 more points than the Dogs have gotten off their opponents’ lone turnover.
– 2. Georgia is back in familiar territory in penalty stats, which is to say near the bottom. The Dogs currently rank 108th among the 120 major-college teams in yards penalized per game.
Through two games, Georgia has been penalized an average of 83 yards per game — 108 yards (on 13 penalties) vs. South Carolina after 58 yards (on 7 penalties) vs. Oklahoma State.
The average per game is actually higher than last year, when the Bulldogs finished the season with an average of 72.2 penalty yards per game, which ranked 115th among major-college teams.
It’s just a two-game sample, yes, but these two stats surely set off some alarms.
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Buck,
we miss you covering sports down here.
I think you are spot on! not to discount the other 2 but I think boykin and smith could both wind up being called "shut down corners".
regarding the DE spot I hope Houston shows up like he did in the G-day game.
when do you think we might see Robinson in the game, i've heard he is really fast off the corner.
thanks and keep up the good articles, i look forward to your take.
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