RipperIII
Senior Member
My assessment:
As most people believe, I also think this game is won or lost in the trenches where UGA has a marked advantage in the offensive line relative to BAMA's offensive line.
UGA's line is experienced and good, BAMA's line has 3 new starters and an unproven blocking TE...Big Edge to UGA
However, O-lines don't play against each other.
BAMA's D line is almost 3 deep, and all very good, so in the match up of BAMA's D line vs. UGA's O-line I give the Tide a slight advantage.
UGA's D-line vs. BAMA's O-line, I'd give slight edge to UGA because of the edge pressure they can generate, and BAMA has shown weakness on LB gap blitzes and even some edge rushes.
UGA's LB's are some of the best, quick and speedy to the ball as are BAMA's LB's...I think BAMA has more depth at the position and I'd give a slight edge to BAMA even though BAMA may be a step slower than UGA at that position, BAMA is deeper and bigger which bodes well against the run of UGA's O
Secondary,...can't say a lot about UGA's simply because I haven't seen them play much, I assume that they are adequate...BAMA's secondary has greatly improved and they have changed coverage schemes to reflect the talent there,...no more big hulking safety, these guys are track stars in the off season with great ball skills,...they are better than most people think and it takes a perfectly thrown pass to beat them most times. I'm gonna say the secondary is a push with a BIG Caveat...UGA's QB has had more game experience and more success this year than BAMA's QB has had, Coker can make all the throws, and if not for 5 dropped passes last week, his stats would be greatly improved, but there in lies the problem, BAMA's receivers are young, talented, but young, still I like BAMA's secondary vs. UGA's receivers as well as I like BAMA's receivers vs UGA's secondary...so a push.
RB's I have to give the edge to UGA,...but not by much, UGA's backs get the benefit of a great O-line and in many cases aren't touched until they've hit the 2nd level, not so with BAMA's backs, if BAMA's o-line can generate some push and re-establish the run game(and that is a significant "if") then I'd say it's a push...but I'll give UGA the edge based on their O-line.
Special teams?...BAMA's Jekyl and Hyde, I know UGA has a good return game and historically good kickers so I'd say UGA has the edge there.
QB's...this is interesting...Coker has looked awful at times, and untouchable at other times,...but he has been baptised in a crucial game already, Ole Miss defensively is as good if not better than UGA at all levels, and if not for a goofy play, BAMA wins that game....that was at home to be sure, so we'll see how he does in Athens.
Lambert has looked fantastic against lesser opponents, be interested to see how hes does against BAMA's D
I'll give the edge to UGA here
at first blush it would appear that UGA should be a heavier favorite, being at home with the more experienced O-line and a great tandum of RB's, as well as a much improved D...not to mention the frustration of the last 2 meetings between the 2 teams, the FPI index surely favors the Dawgs
I feel like UGA will win, but last time BAMA was in Athens, UGA had the better talent by far and couldn't win it so who knows.
If Coker gets it together, and the O-line improves a bit, then BAMA has a chance at the upset, otherwise I give the edge to the favorite, UGA.
ROLL TIDE!
As most people believe, I also think this game is won or lost in the trenches where UGA has a marked advantage in the offensive line relative to BAMA's offensive line.
UGA's line is experienced and good, BAMA's line has 3 new starters and an unproven blocking TE...Big Edge to UGA
However, O-lines don't play against each other.
BAMA's D line is almost 3 deep, and all very good, so in the match up of BAMA's D line vs. UGA's O-line I give the Tide a slight advantage.
UGA's D-line vs. BAMA's O-line, I'd give slight edge to UGA because of the edge pressure they can generate, and BAMA has shown weakness on LB gap blitzes and even some edge rushes.
UGA's LB's are some of the best, quick and speedy to the ball as are BAMA's LB's...I think BAMA has more depth at the position and I'd give a slight edge to BAMA even though BAMA may be a step slower than UGA at that position, BAMA is deeper and bigger which bodes well against the run of UGA's O
Secondary,...can't say a lot about UGA's simply because I haven't seen them play much, I assume that they are adequate...BAMA's secondary has greatly improved and they have changed coverage schemes to reflect the talent there,...no more big hulking safety, these guys are track stars in the off season with great ball skills,...they are better than most people think and it takes a perfectly thrown pass to beat them most times. I'm gonna say the secondary is a push with a BIG Caveat...UGA's QB has had more game experience and more success this year than BAMA's QB has had, Coker can make all the throws, and if not for 5 dropped passes last week, his stats would be greatly improved, but there in lies the problem, BAMA's receivers are young, talented, but young, still I like BAMA's secondary vs. UGA's receivers as well as I like BAMA's receivers vs UGA's secondary...so a push.
RB's I have to give the edge to UGA,...but not by much, UGA's backs get the benefit of a great O-line and in many cases aren't touched until they've hit the 2nd level, not so with BAMA's backs, if BAMA's o-line can generate some push and re-establish the run game(and that is a significant "if") then I'd say it's a push...but I'll give UGA the edge based on their O-line.
Special teams?...BAMA's Jekyl and Hyde, I know UGA has a good return game and historically good kickers so I'd say UGA has the edge there.
QB's...this is interesting...Coker has looked awful at times, and untouchable at other times,...but he has been baptised in a crucial game already, Ole Miss defensively is as good if not better than UGA at all levels, and if not for a goofy play, BAMA wins that game....that was at home to be sure, so we'll see how he does in Athens.
Lambert has looked fantastic against lesser opponents, be interested to see how hes does against BAMA's D
I'll give the edge to UGA here
at first blush it would appear that UGA should be a heavier favorite, being at home with the more experienced O-line and a great tandum of RB's, as well as a much improved D...not to mention the frustration of the last 2 meetings between the 2 teams, the FPI index surely favors the Dawgs
I feel like UGA will win, but last time BAMA was in Athens, UGA had the better talent by far and couldn't win it so who knows.
If Coker gets it together, and the O-line improves a bit, then BAMA has a chance at the upset, otherwise I give the edge to the favorite, UGA.
ROLL TIDE!
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