South Carolina vs Georgia Game Week Thread

[SacFalcFan]

Figured Id go ahead and pop my head in since its been a while. Ill be in Athens to watch our victory on Saturday.

you show up confident and happy and leave dejected and sad.. :P :lol: read you im tomorrow when you get a chance.

[IveyLeaguer]

Short Passes have been a thorn in our tail for over 2 years now.

Yes, and at the time he was hired, Grantham said we wouldn't see receivers running free through zones anymore. It was one of the things that got me so excited about him being here.

I think our staff needs to have a solid plan for this. If it means bring J Jones to the inside then thats ok. We cannot have a lb in the middle lost or confused against the Ole Ball Coach.

I agree, but both Grantham and Richt have said that Jarvis will stay where he is. Maybe they are just blowing smoke. But we have to assume that they're getting Gilliard ready, and preparing Herrera or Wilson or Sulek to back him up. Or vice versa, who knows. One thing we do know, is we were told, time and again, about the value of cross-training those guys in order to get the best players on the field, and provide needed depth.

So why no backup was prepared for the Boise game is still an inexcusable mystery.

~~~

[IveyLeaguer]

So, we need to spread the field, run a ball control passing game, mostly short, roll Aaron out for the sideline routes, let him run if he has the chance. Pass 40 times, run 20. Our best offensive weapon is our quarterback so let him make plays. If he can't, we're gonna lose either way.

Bobo has said we'll continue running the spread and there'll be more of it this week. I guess I believe that, because if he decided we couldn't run straight at Boise, it's only logical that he won't try to run straight at South Carolina. Not saying I agree with it, but it looks as if we've abandoned our pro-style, play-action offense for the spread.

I'd play man coverage, blitz, and make Garcia/Jeffery beat me deep. Not saying they can't do it, but that's what I'd force. I'd put Sanders Commings on Jeffery.

Me too. And put a safety who can tackle in the box, if we have one.

Defensively, I don't think we can hold up for an entire game in afternoon heat; not enough depth. Offensively, I don't think Bobo is smart enough to come up with a winning game plan ... One very positive sign; I haven't seen any bravado from the players (this week). I almost never see an advantage from a cocky attitude, so humility is a welcome change ... But it's early in the season and things can turn around, so I'll be cheering the Dawgs on (in front of my tv) as I have for years.

So will I. Having company for the game. But I agree with all of that.

~~~

[IveyLeaguer]

We'll see on Saturday, but I wouldn't be surprised to see more passing and less rushing than last weekend. I'm fairly confident we won't see the 37 carries by Lattimore like last year, since that's so fresh on our minds. Instead we may get a lot of play action fakes to Lattimore.

I expect the play-action. But I also expect Spurrier to run Lattimore right at us. All day. I know I would, if I had a back like that. We couldn't tackle last year, and our best (if not only) good tackler is gone (well, I guess we still have Jarvis Jones, and maybe several others will show up). But we're going to see what we're made of defensively this week, see if we have any heart. Good tackling takes heart, and Lattimore is as tough as they come.

IMO, Spurrier knows if Rambo comes up in the box, he should keep running Lattimore right at him. If Williams is the primary safety in the box, he should make more attempts to go over Rambo's head with the play-action.

If I was a defensive coordinator in a tight game against Georgia, I'd keep a pocket calculator and a play counter. Once Bobo gets a few points outside of his run-pass mix on either side, you'll have a better idea what's coming next.

ROTFLMAO. So true. But with this new spread offense, I don't know how Bobo will play it.

~~~

Edited September 8, 2011 by IveyLeaguer

[GAbred]

I just watched the Boise game for the first time and I think we have a shot this weekend. The defense was okay, but a lot of credit has to go to a well prepared quarterback who knew where to go with the ball and is very accurate in delivering the ball. I don't think we see any QB like that the rest of the year. Offense was terrible though. The line play makes it hard to do much of anything. Even with that the game plan could have been better. No idea if that changes this week. Jarvis Jones is awesome. If we can get IC a little space he will be the same.

As disappointed as I am, it's only one game. Coming in everyone had to know there was a good possibility of starting out 0-2. So I don't see the need to give up on the season or call for jobs just yet. Go Dawgs!!

[IveyLeaguer]

Reading that link, just makes me sick that we couldn't go back to regular offense after the spread/no-huddle stuff was obviously failing...

I know. That was one of the worst offensive plans I've ever seen. Still can't believe it. And even with this plan, we didn't try to attack the middle zone of the field, as we haven't for several years now in the pro-style.

What's so interesting about it is Georgia had the best no-huddle, hurry-up, offense in the League in the early Richt years. Maybe the best in the country. It was so good, and efficient, that they made a rule to slow us down, at which point Richt (rightly) abandoned it. Since then, the rules have been modified again, and a lot of teams have been doing it. We've had trouble defending it for the last 3 years or so, keeping up with it, but have, until now, resisted the temptation to take advantage of it ourselves.

So now, when we finally decide to do it, we get away from what we've done best in the past, change our offense, and try to copy Auburn and Malzahn's style of doing it. Of course we weren't able to pull it off against Boise, and I've no idea why we thought we could. I was already worried sick about about being well-prepared with the offense we already knew. Knowing us, I thought that was challenge enough.

But what do I know, I'm just a stupid fan. Maybe we'll be able to do it this week.

it is nice that rambo is willing to say my bad.. now get on the field and show us something.

Agree. After last year, when Rambo was unwilling to engage Lattimore several times in the first half, he was called out, decisively, by the announcing team several times. And then called out again, for the same thing, at halftime by Holtz/May and again by several others. On national TV. One of the few times I've seen that done to a college player.

If he doesn't want to redeem himself, and show himself for this game, he never will. I would love to see him do it, because it could be the difference in the game. But I have to admit, I've seen no indication that he can.

~~~

[IveyLeaguer]

Clowney does seem like he will be a force as he is very, very fast, quick, and aggressive. But teams could take advantage of that quickness by running into his lane when he tries to go around the OT in an effort to get to the qb.

I noticed that too, especially if we line up one of our FB's slotted to Clowney's side. He's more likely to go around in that situation. I wish I could say you guys should be worried about us taking advantage of that. I wish I could tell you that.

~~~

[IveyLeaguer]

It's getting ridiculous at this point.

BTW it really makes me angry that the coach's once again are passing the buck and blaming everything on execution. Is execution a big part? Of course its the biggest but it doesn't help when you're constantly putting the players behind the 8-ball.

I wholeheartedly agree. It's Bobo's job to see to it that his players are properly prepared and that they execute. And it's Richt's job to make sure Bobo does his job.

~~~

[IveyLeaguer]

The thing is you can run a no huddle hurry up style and use any formation. You can run the I just as easy as the three wide out sets from the no huddle.

Very true.

I also am tired of hearing spread offense, its just a base offense out the shot, we are not running a spread offense.

Technical point noted. But that is what Bobo is calling it, so I suspect that's why many of us are doing the same.

~~~

[IveyLeaguer]

We lose by about 17-20, IMO. Hope to be wrong. Confidence in this staff is completely shattered.

Hope you're wrong too, Pick. But I wouldn't bet against it.

~~~

[IveyLeaguer]

We can be as ticked as we want that we had a poor offensive game against Boise, but with the talent we have I wouldn't sleep on planning a defense against this team. Crowell, Mitchell, Orson, Marlon Brown, Murray not to mention Boykin and Branden Smith potential... you don't just go on the road and beat an offense with that talent by being there.

Point well taken and I agree with it. But it's also true that Johnson is an outstanding DC. The Carolina defense will be prepared. The question is, will our offense be equally prepared?

~~~

[IveyLeaguer]

Given how thin we know our OL depth is and how sluggish and heavy they looked last week, I just don't get the hurry-up. It'll be at least 10 or 15 degrees warmer this week too.

Yeah, the hurry-up is supposed to tire the defense, not the offense. I hate talking about it, but we were sluggish, no question about it. Glenn was so sluggish that I'm still alarmed about it.

~~~

[IveyLeaguer]

Ive just adapted a wait and see approach. It was the first game and we saw how bad we really were and stuff to fix. Granted a lot of teams like lsu and usf and boise and baylor were actually prepared and ready to win, but there might still be hope for us winning the east, especially if we win saturday

That's as good of an approach as any. We'll know by Saturday night.

~~~

[Dawgfanbrock]

Very true.

Technical point noted. But that is what Bobo is calling it, so I suspect that's why many of us are doing the same.

~~~

Did we run anything across the middle Saturday? It seemed like boise ran 80% slants at us? Did we run one at all? I think I was so blinded by frustration i should watch the game again. I dont mind hurry up or the spread, my issue is that BOBO nor Richt have any experience in that type offense- what makes them think it/they can be successful at it? To me that is reaching- I hope the talk of it continuing is just coach speak.

[IveyLeaguer]

Dang, Bobo's playbook went from a Waffle House napkin to an Etch-a-Sketch...

Etch-a Sketch. That's too funny.

~~~

[IveyLeaguer]

Did we run anything across the middle Saturday? It seemed like boise ran 80% slants at us? Did we run one at all? I think I was so blinded by frustration i should watch the game again.

I don't remember us attacking the middle zone at all, but I can't say for sure. I've tried to watch the replay several times, but just haven't been able to do it. So I understand.

But Boise made the adjustment to do just that after their first 3 possessions, because we took away their original attack. We never adjusted to them when they were successful with it, so they just kept on doing it.

I dont mind hurry up or the spread, my issue is that BOBO nor Richt have any experience in that type offense - what makes them think it/they can be successful at it? To me that is reaching - I hope the talk of it continuing is just coach speak.

I prefer the pro-style offense we had under Richt, because of it's flexibility, but am happy with anything that works. I've no idea what the plan will be Saturday. But I know one thing .. unlike last week, we better be prepared. And we better have more than one bullet in our arsenal.

~~~

[gamecocknfire]

you show up confident and happy and leave dejected and sad.. :P :lol: read you im tomorrow when you get a chance.

I doubt that. lol Are you talking about personal messages?

[TroubleDawg]

For some strange reason, I feel very good about this game now.

Dont have any real reasons to back it up (and maybe its just optimism).

UGA 31

S Carolina 20

[SacFalcFan]

I doubt that. lol Are you talking about personal messages?

yeah i meant pm.. not im.. i am sending it to you in a few minutes..

[romad_20]

So I have a question for everyone, what would it take to restore your faith in Mark Richt? For me, I would want them to run the table on this really good schedule and have a good showing in the sec championship. Even if that happens I still would like a change in OC. I think any more than 3 losses and it's a given he's gone.

Btw my realistic expectations at this point is 8 wins and another mid to low tier bowl.

[Billy Ocean]

Which Garcia 'do do you prefer?

http://www.thestate.com/2011/09/07/1961665/which-garcia-do-do-you-prefer.html#storylink=twt

[KGDawg710]

So I have a question for everyone, what would it take to restore your faith in Mark Richt? For me, I would want them to run the table on this really good schedule and have a good showing in the sec championship. Even if that happens I still would like a change in OC. I think any more than 3 losses and it's a given he's gone.

Btw my realistic expectations at this point is 8 wins and another mid to low tier bowl.

I still have faith in Richt, but in my opinion, I feel like we probably need to win at least 8 games minimum with a victory over Florida to prevent him from being fired. I know my opinion doesn't matter at all to the people in charge, but I feel like that would be enough for him to be our coach next year.

Edited September 8, 2011 by KGDawg710

[IveyLeaguer]

Which Garcia 'do do you prefer?

http://www.thestate....l#storylink=twt

Not sure. But I know which Herschel I preferred .. the one that showed up on football Saturdays. Even if he was angry inside.

~~~

[Carter]

Feeling good about this game... I think our defense is gonna play big for us and I'm looking for this no huddle stuff to get Carolina's defense off balance. Ready to get back to winning. Reeeeally ready. I just really really hope that our o-line can give Murray some time and create a little room for us to run. I watched the Boise game again and our guys were just slow to get off the ball all night... full credit to Boise's d-line, they're rock solid, but I know we can play better than that going forward. Little improvements here and there and everything should be manageable.

Gonna have a gaping hole over the middle with Tree out, though. Fully expecting that area to be a focal point for everyone to attack in the passing game. And I really really hope we are done with that soft zone crap, DB's playing 6-8 yards off the line of scrimmage. Get up in their face, jam them up, run with em. Playing that soft is how Boise got 1st down after 1st down along the sideline.

[IveyLeaguer]

So I have a question for everyone, what would it take to restore your faith in Mark Richt? For me, I would want them to run the table on this really good schedule and have a good showing in the sec championship. Even if that happens I still would like a change in OC.

I would want a new OC as well, no matter what, along with whatever staff he might bring with him. Thought that since last year but wanted to give Richt the benefit of the doubt, since he cast his hat, and his job, with Bobo.

Concerning faith in Richt .. for me personally, it's beating South Carolina, and then beating every other team we should beat, with no more than one slip-up, providing we still win the East. Even if we got embarrassed in the SECCG, I couldn't fire Richt, if he did that. To me, he would have already earned another year.

Understand I love the guy. I want him to be successful. But he's dug himself into a bad hole here, as Munson would say. He simply HAS to beat South Carolina. Because if we lose to them, we won't win the East. And we would likely lose other games we have no business losing.

~~~