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Georgia at Tennessee
10/10/09
In this matchup we have two SEC East teams who desperately need a win after
losing tough games last week. Georgia has been one of those most inconsistent
teams in the SEC. One game their offense puts up 500 yards of total offense then
the next game they can barely find the end zone. In their last game against LSU
their offense couldn’t get anything going until the 4th quarter, and when they
did the Georgia defense couldn’t stop LSU late and suffered their second loss of
the season. They are 2-1 in conference play and with Florida also in the East
they cannot afford to drop another conference game and still have a chance at
the SEC East title. Tennessee also falls under the inconsistent category. They
go from looking like a legit SEC contender against Florida, and then they lose
to Auburn in a game where they couldn’t stop Auburn at all. With this being
their first year under Coach Lane Kiffin, this is a rebuilding year for this
Volunteer team, but they need to get things going soon to start building for the
future. A win over Georgia would help do just that.
THE PRIMETIME MATCHUP
Jonathan Crompton vs. Georgia’s Defense
To say Tennessee’s QB Jonathan Crompton has struggled this year would be an
understatement. When Tennessee needed to drive the ball down the field last week
against Auburn Crompton was unable to do it. The good news for Crompton is that
Georgia is 11th in the SEC in pass defense allowing 237 yards per game. Earlier
in the year they gave up over 400 yards passing to Ryan Mallet and Arkansas’
offense. If there is one game where Crompton might be able to have some success
it’s this one. Also Tennessee has a great RB in Montario Hardesty, but teams
know if they stop him and Tennessee’s running game that they stop Tennessee, so
Hardesty has been having trouble being as effective as he can be. Crompton has
got to keep Georgia’s defense honest otherwise they are going to stack the box
and force him to beat them with his arm, and as we have seen so far this year
that is a lot to ask. With this Georgia offense struggling in their past few
games they really need their defense to step up. Georgia has always been known
for a solid defense, and it seems this defense is finally starting to come
around. They were embarrassed in their first two games defensively and it seems
like they finally are finding their rhythm. They need to create turnovers and
give their offense good field position to get this win.
THE FINAL VERDICT
The good news for Georgia fans is that this Georgia defense has been getting
better. You know Georgia will always have the athletes to get the job done they
just needed the experience. I expect to see a better Georgia defense then we
have seen all year which is bad news for this Volunteer offense. I expect
Georgia to stack the box and stop the run from the start. Crompton is going to
be put into throwing downs where the Georgia defense knows it is coming, so I
expect Georgia to get multiple turnovers on defense, and give their offense good
field position all night. Joe Cox has been streaky this year, but he is capable
of scoring points. They have arguably the best WR in the country and at times he
has been unstoppable, and I expect them to find him early and often, and I
expect Georgia to take advantage of their good field position and score TD’s. If
they are able to do that I don’t see QB Jonathan Crompton and this Tennessee
offense being able to keep up with Georgia.
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