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Thursday, September 18, 2008
Burning question for Dawgs: To blitz or not to blitz?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Five burning questions as we head into the weekend:
1. Will Georgia have to blitz in order to get to Rudy Carpenter?: At times in the fourth quarter last Saturday, South Carolina’s Chris Smelley looked way too comfortable throwing the ball against the Georgia defense. I heard from a number of fans who wanted to know why DC Willie Martinez didn’t blitz more in order to put pressure on Smelley. Part of the reason is that Steve Spurrier’s quarterbacks know exactly where the ball should go when the other team blitzes. And the last thing you want to do with a 14-7 lead is to give up a big play. It may be painful for the fans to watch, but that’s the percentage play.
Georgia faces an even more difficult situation Saturday night at Arizona State. Rudy Carpenter has been around forever and has seen just about every blitz you can throw at a quarterback. Arizona State gave up 55 quarterback sacks last season so Carpenter is not afraid to get hit. If Georgia can’t get enough pressure with its front four there will be some risk involved with sending an extra man. Carpenter is good enough to burn a blitz. So the smart thing may be to back off so as not to give up the big play. But the risk there is that your defense may stay on the field too long and get worn out. This will be the most interesting chess match in this game.
2. Will Tennessee punt the ball to Brandon James? After watching this guy for two years it should be obvious. You just don’t kick it to the punt return specialist from Florida. James took one 83 yards to the house against Tennessee last year and has the ability to break open a game every time he touches the ball. If Tennessee is going to have any chance against the Gators in Knoxville, the Vols can’t have any big plays go against them in the kicking game. Tennessee may have to give up some yardage by kicking away from him, but you just have to do it. Bottom line: If he touches the ball four times in this game, he’s going to break one. But here is a concern if you’re Tennessee. The Vols are still using backup punter Chad Cunningham while Britton Colquitt serves his five-game suspension. Cunningham had one blocked against UCLA. He is a tad slow in getting his punt off. Do you want him thinking about something other than kicking it straight down the field? In an effort to avoid kicking to James, does Tennessee risk getting another one blocked?
3. Can Wake Forest make it three in a row against Florida State? Florida State is still missing some starters because of the academic suspension but the Seminoles do get WR Preston Parker, their best playmaker, back for the ACC opener against the Deacons (2-0). Wake Forest beat Florida State 30-0 two years ago in Tallahassee and 24-21 last October. Florida State and their fans need a sign that the program has taken a step forward after two straight 7-6 seasons. Wake Forest is a very good team, but Florida State should win at home. But keep this in mind. Wake Forest is a very resourceful team that has already forced eight turnovers in two games. FSU can’t turn the ball over and expect to win.
4. Will LSU-Auburn be another nail biter?: History says yes. Here are the LSU-Auburn scores from the past four years: 2004-Auburn, 10-9; 2005-LSU, 20-17; 2006-Auburn, 7-3; 2007-LSU 30-24. If LSU had not thrown a touchdown pass with one second left last season, Auburn would have won that game 24-23. On paper LSU looks like more than a touchdown favorite because what may be the best offensive and defensive lines in college football. Auburn appears to be in trouble because they are having a tough time with Tony Franklin’s new spread offense. But you just know this one is going to be close.
5. Will Georgia Tech have two turnovers or less? The Yellow Jackets had three turnovers against Boston College and won. Last week they had three more at Virginia Tech and lost. Looks like the magic number is going to be three this season. Can Georgia Tech run the option for 60 minutes against a good Mississippi State defense and turn it over less than three times? If they do, the Yellow Jackets will win.
