Thoughts on the Defense against UGA?

May 6, 2014, 10:57 AM

WE're going to be playing a UGA team that returns most of their offensive talent. The only key lossses I can see are on the OL, and the lose of Murray.

I think our D will look something like this:

WDE: Beasley/Ebo
DT: Reader/Watkins/Pagano
DT: Jarett/Watson/Williams
SDE:Lawson/Barnes
(Note: Crawford is suspended for being stupid)

WILL: Steward/Boulware
MIKE: Anthony/Goodson
SAM: Burrell/O'Dainel
(Note: We have crazy depth at LB so this is my best guess)

CB: Alexander/Baker
CB: Tankersly/Jenkins
FS: Kearse/Blanks
SS: Smith/Wiggins

I look for our D to come out very strong with so much talent and returning experience. Everything I've seen and heard leads me to think that Alexander is the truth and would have started day 2 last year had he stayed healthy.

The key to beating UGA will be stopping the run. I have seen very little that makes me fear Mason as a QB and them losing 3 starters on the OL spells doom against our deep and talented DL. Gurshall will have a long day against our DTs and the threat of Bealsey and Lawson coming off the ede means that double teams will be hard to come by.

The young secondary is going to be tested and has to keep their eyes out of the backfield worrying about UGA's RBs. That being said. I expect a lot of quick screens out of Mason to get him comfortable and to stymie the pass rush that they know is coming. Our DBs will have to tackle well and more importantly jam their WRs to disrupt the timing of their routes. Last year was the first time I saw us do such a thing in a while and it gives me faith in coach Reed and Venables to get the boys ready.

LBs just need to trust their eyes and the two new starters should have enough experience by this point to make a good impact. I can't wait to see them cut loose and as long as out DT's hold their gap the LBs will have a field day.

All in all I think with better safety play last year our D would have been even more impressive then it was. This year with four returning starters with more experience the safety position should at least be solid if not a strength by mid season.

As long as they guys come out focused I could see us holding UGA to under 28 points.

Thoughts?

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