[ad_1]
ATHENS – The Georgia football team will face the pack Saturday night in Nashville with visions of a championship season behind its collective spirit.
Vanderbilt would appear to be only the first speed bender among many, the Bulldogs in 3rd place favored by three touchdowns in the 19:30. ESPN Showdown.
But there is a reason for the game to be played, and all it takes is to think about the story.
Georgia beat Vanderbilt from 421 yards to 171 yards and did not return the ball and missed a field goal in a shocking home defeat of 17-16 against the Commodores in 2016.
This is certainly an anomaly, but the history book describes it as a loss, and no one was consoled by the statistical dominance of the Bulldogs this afternoon.
It's a sure bet that Kirby Smart has not forgotten, and it's a good starting point with the five keys to Saturday's Georgia game:
RELATED: Football injury update in Georgia
1. Assume nothing
It's a pretty sure bet that an angry and motivated Bulldogs team will show up in Nashville, as Georgia have lost their last two games, including a 28-21 loss to Texas against the Sugar Bowl.
The Bulldogs are also aware that the Commodores are confident in their so-called "Big Three" playmakers, and they will wear all-black jerseys for what they hope will be a special occasion.
RELATED: Vandy plans to wake up all "sleepy" Georgia players
It's up to Kirby Smart and his coaches to create the right mindset.
2. Effectiveness of the red zone
The first step to prevent the story from repeating itself is not to repeat it.
In this 17-16 loss to Vanderbilt in 2016, the Bulldogs managed to score three goals instead of hitting the ball for touchdowns.
Jake Fromm has already said that one of the areas that the 2019 offensive in Georgia planned to improve was the efficiency of the Red Zone.
3. Balloon security
The surest way to upset a team is the turnaround, especially in a night game on the road in the SEC.
The Bulldogs should have about 70% of the fans in the stadium, but the 30% of Vandy supporters present will be heard at every opportunity.
The business numbers create and turn momentum, and the Commodores will seek to make the most of their breaks, recognizing the possibility of a moment of shock for the world on ESPN.
4. Hit deep
Vanderbilt will clog the line and do everything in his power to force Fromm to throw the ball into the field with the hope of creating a turnover.
Georgia's pro-style offensive aims to capitalize on the benefits of defense. It will be up to Fromm and his receivers to log in often enough for the Commodores to pay for their aggressive game defense.
Vandy kept the game tight last year by forcing UGA to make three consecutive passes in his first round, including two incomplete, in a three-and-a-side series.
On the next trip, Fromm contacted Terry Godwin with a 75-yard touchdown pass. At the end of the evening, five different UGA receivers recorded receptions of 20 yards or more, four of which went to the NFL.
Expect the same script from Georgia with new names inserted.
5. Play AND aggressive coach
This is another of the most obvious keys, but it's especially important against Derek Mason's reverse teams in the field.
Georgia is bigger, faster and stronger and has to play the same way. Coach Kirby Smart must also be a coach of this kind.
Coach Derek Mason claims to love Smart as a brother, but at the end of the match, he might feel differently if Smart is keeping his remarks to score more points this season.
RELATED: Derek Mason says Kirby "like a brother"
Too often, last year, Georgia lost its breath and ran out of play in the fourth quarter rather than letting the striker prioritize the placement of the ball in the end zone.
Smart would later talk about the youth of the 2018 defense, so he was probably trying to protect it by running his clock, more than anything else. But that came at a cost, as Georgia's offensive numbers were not up to the other playoff teams.
The guess is that "Do more" starts with Vanderbilt's coaching decisions.
Vanderbilt Game Week
Monty Rice is a big problem for Georgia this season
Jake Fromm's grandmother makes cake editors happy
3 Kirby Things: Style, Appointment, Monty Rice
Kirby Smart has a good nerd problem
DJ Daniel on the move to compete at the corner half
WATCH: Kirby Smart looking for the next playmaker
Jake Fromm suggests that Georgia could accelerate
Smart Kirby says Dean Nakobe on the way to repair
[ad_2]
Source link