Primetime College Football: AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl
TALENT
The 34th anual AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl see the Texas A&M Aggies of the Big 12 take on the Georgia Bulldogs of the SEC at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Texas A&M is making its 31st bowl appearance, the most recent of which was a trip to the 2007 Alamo Bowl. Mike Sherman’s Aggies enter this tilt with a modest 6-6 overall record and 3-5 in conference finishing fifth in the Big 12 South Division. The Aggies are making their third appearance in the Independence Bowl and their first since 2000. The Aggies didn’t go to a bowl game last year and their last was in 2007 when they lost 24-17 to Penn St. in the Alamo Bowl.
It is somewhat surprising that Texas A&M is 6-6 considering the fact that the team averages 33 ppg and 465.3 total ypg. The Aggies have scored 52 offensive touchdowns in 12 games, and the team can move the ball equally as well on the ground and through the air. Jerrod Johnson is a standout at the quarterback position, as he has 37 total touchdowns to his credit. As a passer, Johnson has thrown for 3,217 yards and 28 scores while completing 60.8 percent of his throws. The fact that he was only intercepted 6 times in 439 pass attempts during the regular season was tremendously impressive. As a runner, Johnson added 8 touchdowns. Christine Michael has rushed for 767 yards and 9 touchdowns for A&M, and Ryan Tannehill leads a balanced receiving corps with 44 catches.
Defensively, Texas A&M is allowing 32 ppg and 431.3 total ypg. The Aggies have struggled in their efforts to stop the run, as they have permitted 26 scores on the ground and yielding 262.8 ypg through the air. A&M does a great job of pressuring opposing quarterbacks, as the club has posted 36 sacks. Von Miller is one of the best defensive players in the nation. The Texas A&M standout has posted a staggering total of 17 sacks, and has 21 tackles for loss. Trent Hunter leads the Aggies with 87 total tackles, and Jordan Pugh has recorded 3 interceptions.
As for Georgia, it made its only previous appearance in the Independence Bowl back in 1991. The program is making its 45th all-time bowl appearance, sixth most of any team in the nation, and the Bulldogs are 25-16-3 in the previous 44 showings. The Bulldogs beat Michigan St 24-12 in last years Champs Sports Bowl. This season has been a bit of a struggle, as the club’s 7-5 overall record and 4-4 SEC mark is undoubtedly disappointing. The team decided recently not to retain three defensive assistant coaches. Willie Martinez, the defensive coordination, was a member of Mark Richt’s original staff in 2001, but couldn’t get the job done in the 2009 season, so he was fired.
The Bulldogs are scoring 27 ppg to go with 361.8 total ypg and have posted 36 offensive touchdowns, only 14 of which have come on the ground. Washaun Ealey, a talented freshman, leads a balanced group of runners with 639 yards, while fellow tailback Caleb King has run for 5 touchdowns and 534 yards. The Georgia passing game features wideout A.J. Green, one of the most talented receivers in the nation as he has racked up 751 yards and 6 touchdowns on just 47 catches. Joe Cox has completed 56.1 percent of his passes for 2,426 yards and 22 touchdowns against 14 interceptions.
Georgia is giving up 26 ppg and 328.4 total ypg, explaining why the three coaches were let go. The Bulldogs have limited foes to 3.4 yards per attempt but have struggled against the pass, having permitted 23 touchdowns and an average of 12.8 yards per completion. Rennie Curran’s has made 122 tackles, 54 more than any other player on the team. Reshad Jones and Brandon Boykin have recorded three interceptions apiece, and Justin Houston has 15 tackles for loss to his credit.
Texas A&M holds a 3-1 series lead over Georgia, and the teams haven’t met since 1980.
PICK: Texas A&M University Aggies
Primetime College Football: Bulldogs vs Jackets
TALENT
Georgia Tech can earn its first trip to a BCS bowl with a victory in the ACC championship game. Considering how it’s fared at home against Georgia recently, though, it has something else to prove first.
Paul Johnson Yellow Jackets won a thriller in Athens last season to snap a seven-game skid in the series, and they’ll look for their first home win over the Bulldogs in a decade as the area rivals meet Saturday.
Georgia Tech (10-1) clinched the Coastal Division with a 49-10 win at Duke on Nov. 14. That set up a rematch of its 30-27 victory over Clemson on Sept. 10 next Saturday in Tampa for the right to represent the conference in the BCS.
Before the Yellow Jackets renew that series, which dates to 1898 and has been played 74 times, they will face their oldest rival. Georgia’s Tech’s history with Georgia (6-5) extends through 103 games back to 1893 and has been given the nickname “Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate.”
The Bulldogs were ranked in seven of the last eight matchups and four times in the top 10. The Yellow Jackets were ranked four times, but never higher than 16th. This season, Georgia Tech is the ranked team with its eye on the BCS, while Georgia is not in the Top 25 entering the game for just the second time since the start of the 1996 season.
Quarterback Josh Nesbitt and tailbacks Jonathan Dwyer and Anthony Allen have run for 2,600 yards, more than 115 teams. Nesbitt had a season-low nine carries for 30 yards against the Blue Devils, but threw for 195 yards and two touchdowns. He completed one pass for 19 yards and was held to 40 on the ground in the victory over Georgia last season, but faced a Bulldogs defense that ranked 22nd in the nation at 312.0 yards allowed per game. The team possesses one of the ACC’s top wideouts in Demaryius Thomas, who leads the team in 950 receiving yards and 6 TD catches.
The key contributor to the Yellow Jacket pass rush is All-American candidate Derrick Morgan. The 6-4, 275-pound junior has been unstoppable, recording 17 tackles for loss and an impressive 12.5 sacks. Linebacker Brad Jefferson team-high 76 tackles, two forced fumbles.
Georgia has allowed an average of 354.6 yards against opponents this season and forced eight turnovers in 11 games fewest in the nation. Almost as bad is the Bulldogs’ tendency to give the ball away. They are tied for 11th in the country with 26 giveaways, leaving them 119th in turnover margin at minus-18. Georgia turned it over four times last Saturday against Kentucky in a 34-27 loss, its first to the Wildcats since 1977. Junior linebacker Rennie Curran has done everything he can this season, leading the team in tackles with 107 stops.
Mark Richt Bulldogs are also fourth in the nation with 94 penalties.
Senior quarterback Joe Cox has played to mixed reviews, completing 56.1 percent of his passes, for 2,350 yards, with 21 TDs and 14 INTs. Georgia leading receiver A.J. Green, second in the SEC at 83.4 yards per game, sat out last week with a sprained shoulder and is doubtful. He had four catches for 64 yards and a touchdown against Georgia Tech last season.
This is the 102nd meeting in this longstanding rivalry that dates back to 1893. Georgia has won seven of the eight games under Richt, to take a 59-37-5 series advantage.
The Yellow Jackets haven’t beaten Georgia in Atlanta since a 51-48 win in 1999.
PICK: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Primetime College Football: Wildcats vs Bulldogs
TALENT
Kentucky (6-4) has won four of its last five games to move to 6-4 overall. A closer look reveals that three of those victories have come over Vanderbilt, Eastern Kentucky and UL-Monroe, three rather weak opponents. Last weekend’s 24-13 triumph over Vandy marked just the second SEC win for Kentucky in six tries.
Georgia is 6-4 overall, but the Bulldogs have a more impressive 4-3 conference record. They have won their last two outings, including a 31-24 decision over Auburn last weekend. Of the five home games that Georgia has played this season, four have resulted in victory.
Georgia owns a 49-11-2 series advantage over Kentucky, which includes victories in 11 of the last 12 meetings.
Rick Brooks Wildcats are scoring 26.8 ppg this season to go along with 351.2 total ypg, solid numbers for a team with some dynamic offensive weapons. Randall Cobb, a versatile performer who now lines up at receiver and tailback after beginning his collegiate career as a quarterback. Cobb has 32 catches for 384 yards and 4 touchdowns, and he has also rushed for 396 yards and 7 scores. Derrick Locke is the team’s top ground gainer, as he has rushed for 741 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Kentucky is a fairly solid defensive team that is allowing 21. ppg and 343.2 total ypg. The Wildcats have permitted 25 touchdowns to opposing offenses, 13 of which have been of the rushing variety. The fact that they are surrendering 4.6 yards per rushing attempt and 12.7 yards per pass completion suggests that there is some room for improvement in both areas. Still, it should be pointed out that Kentucky has held opposing quarterbacks below a 50 percent completion rating with more interceptions than touchdowns. Micah Johnson has registered 74 total tackles for the Wildcats, and DeQuin Evans has 10.5 tackles for losses to his credit.
Georgia is scoring 27 ppg this season, and the team is generating 344.0 total ypg. The Bulldogs have scored 30 offensive touchdowns, including 18 through the air. Joe Cox is responsible for all 18 of those scoring strikes, and he has completed 57.9 percent of his passes for 2,059 yards with 12 interceptions. A.J. Green is one of the best receivers in the nation, and he has made 47 catches this season for 751 yards and six touchdowns but has an injured shoulder and isn’t expected to play. Washaun Ealey has rushed for 379 yards and 3 touchdowns on 373 carries for the freshamn this season.
Opponents are scoring 25.9 ppg while gaining 334.1 total ypg against a Georgia defense that can best be described as mediocre. Mark Richt’s Bulldogs are tough against the run, yielding just 3.4 yards per carry. Unfortunately, they have allowed 19 passing scores with only seven interceptions and are surrendering 12.3 yards per pass completion. Rennie Curran continues to lead the Bulldogs with 94 total tackles, 41 more than his closest teammate. As for Justin Houston, he has 11.5 tackles for losses to his credit.
PICK: University of Kentucky Wildcats
Primetime College Football: Tigers vs Bulldogs
TALENT
The Auburn Tigers invade Athens this weekend for what figures to be a competitive SEC game against the hometown Georgia Bulldogs.
Auburn took a break from SEC play last weekend to post a 63-31 decision over Furman in front of the home crowd. That victory was the second in a row for the Tigers, who are now 7-3 overall to go along with a 3-3 SEC mark. While a conference title is out of reach, Gene Chizik’s team can certainly improve its bowl prospects with a victory over the Bulldogs.
Georgia has won two of its last three games to move to 5-4 overall, including 3-3 in SEC play. Like the Tigers, the Bulldogs played an FCS squad last weekend, and the result was a 38-0 decision over Tennessee Tech. Mark Richt’s team needs one more victory to earn bowl eligibility, so there is definitely something to play for on Saturday.
Auburn holds a narrow 53-51-8 advantage over Georgia in the all-time series.
Auburn possesses one of the most underrated players in the SEC, as tailback Ben Tate continues to quietly post big numbers. Through 10 outings, he has rushed for 1,142 yards and eight touchdowns while gaining 5.6 yards per carry. That level of production has certainly taken some pressure off Chris Todd, who has completed 58.6 percent of his passes for 1,958 yards and 17 touchdowns with only three interceptions. The top wideout on the team is Darvin Adams, who has certainly made the most of his 38 catches. Adams has 627 receiving yards and nine touchdowns to his credit, and he may see some added attention from Georgia defenders on Saturday. The offense had its way against Furman as expected last week, racking up 655 yards en route to 63 points. Todd was brilliant, completing 17-of-18 passes for 256 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions. Adams scored three times and had 115 yards on six catches, while Tate reached the end zone twice.
While Auburn is averaging 35.0 ppg and 450.3 total ypg, the club is allowing 26.6 ppg and 360.9 total ypg to the opposition. A total of 32 touchdowns have been permitted to opposing offenses through 10 games, including 20 rushing scores. Foes are gaining nearly 170 yards per outing on the ground at a clip of 4.4 yards per carry, so there is obviously room for improvement. The pass defense has been better for Auburn, which has the same number of interceptions (12) as touchdown passes allowed. Craig Stevens is an impact player for the defense who leads the way with 79 total tackles, including 7.5 TFLs. Antonio Coleman also deserves mention, as he has made 12.5 TFLs thus far, including 6.5 sacks. It is certainly somewhat concerning that Auburn allowed 31 points to Furman last week. True, all four of the Paladins’ touchdowns did come in the second half when the game was already out of reach, but even a second string SEC defense should play better against a non-FBS foe.
Georgia is averaging 27.1 ppg and 344.2 total ypg this season, and the offense can best be described as a mediocre unit with a true superstar in the fold. That superstar is wideout A.J. Green, who is expected to play this weekend despite injured ribs. Green has played in eight of the team’s games this season, starting just six, but he has made 44 catches for 732 yards and six touchdowns. Joe Cox, the team’s quarterback, has thrown for 1,886 yards and 17 touchdowns, but he has tossed 12 interceptions as well. There is not a standout back on the roster, as the Bulldogs have been unable to replace departed stud Knowshon Moreno. Last week against Tennessee Tech was one of the few games this season in which the ground attack excelled, but it is important to remember that the level of competition was low. Georgia finished with 304 rushing yards at a clip of 7.8 yards per carry, and Washaun Ealey led the way with 89 yards and two touchdowns on just seven carries.
Opponents are scoring 26.1 ppg against Georgia this season, and the club is permitting 332.0 total ypg. The Bulldogs have been solid against the run, limiting foes to 3.4 yards per attempt and seven touchdowns in nine games. Unfortunately, 17 passing scores have been allowed, and the ‘Dawgs have just five interceptions to their credit. The fact that Georgia has only six total takeaways is a major reason for the modest 5-4 record. Rennie Curran leads the team with 82 total tackles, 31 more than his closest teammate. Curran and company dominated Tennessee Tech last weekend, limiting the overmatched opponent to 55 total yards, including minus-13 rushing yards on 31 attempts. Six sacks certainly helped the cause.
PICK: Auburn University Tigers
Primetime College Football: Devils vs Bulldogs
TALENT
After getting shut down in a disheartening season-opening defeat, Georgia’s offense has bounced back with big performances to carry the team to wins the last two weeks. The Bulldogs may need another big outing from that unit to keep up with Arizona State.
Georgia suffered a major letdown in its opener, managing 257 yards in a 24-10 loss at Oklahoma State. Since then, coach Mark Richt’s Bulldogs (2-1) have more than worked out the kinks on the offensive side of the ball. They won a 41-37 shootout against South Carolina before piling up 530 total yards in a wild 52-41 victory at Arkansas.
Richard Samuel ran for 104 yards and a touchdown, but Georgia did most of its damage through the air against the Razorbacks. Joe Cox completed 18 of 25 passes for 375 yards and became the third Georgia quarterback to throw five touchdown passes.
The Sun Devils (2-0) have cruised to easy wins against over matched opponents in their first two games, beating Idaho State 50-3 and Louisiana-Monroe 38-14. Danny Sullivan was 19 for 31 for 220 yards and a touchdown, while Dimitri Nance ran for 82 yards and two TDs against the Warhawks. Omar Bolden had an interception and scored on an 89-yard kickoff return.
Though the early results have been good, head coach Dennis Erickson is eager to see how his squad stands up to stiffer competition. Since the start of the 2000 season, Arizona State is 3-27 against Top 25 opponents, with the losses coming by an average of 16.9 points. The Sun Devils are 0-4 all-time against the SEC.
In these teams’ first meeting last season, then-No. 3 Georgia beat Arizona State 27-10 at Tempe, out gaining the Sun Devils 461-212 overall and 176-4 on the ground.
The Bulldogs will also need to take better care of the football. They rank 116th in the nation in turnover margin with two turnovers forced and nine lost. The Sun Devils, by contrast, are first in the country, having forced eight turnovers and committed none.
PICK: University of Georgia Bulldogs
Primetime College Football: Cocks vs Bulldogs
TALENT
When offensive gurus Steve Spurrier and Mark Richt have squared off recently, it has been the defenses that have shined for South Carolina and Georgia.
In the past three games between the teams, the Gamecocks and Bulldogs each have just two touchdowns. Don’t expect anything different Saturday. Both coaches are trying to jump start offenses that struggled during the opener without changing things too radically.
The offenses for Georgia and South Carolina struggled in their openers, combining for 17 points. The Gamecocks (1-0) gained just 256 yards in a 7-3 win over North Carolina State, while the Bulldogs (0-1) had 257 yards in a 24-10 loss to Oklahoma State.
Georgia’s 18-0 win in 2006 is the only shutout of Spurrier since he arrived at South Carolina (the only other came at Duke in 1987). The 2007 Gamecocks are the only squad to keep a Richt-coached Bulldogs team out of the end zone.
The game has been decided by a touchdown or less six of the eight times Richt has been on the sidelines. It has often been a costly mistake that turned the tide.
With the Gamecocks, Spurrier’s gone 1-3 against Georgia, his team scoring less than 10 points a game and tallying just three offensive touchdowns in four contests. The Gamecocks head into Sanford Stadium with a running game that finished last in the SEC in 2008 and barely cracked 100 yards in the season opener.
PICK: University of Georgia Bulldogs
