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Georgia @ Kentucky: Open Game Thread

Tru_tiny by Truzenzuzex on in Football Comment 263 comments

Georgia Bulldogs @ Kentucky Wildcats


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This is the official A Sea of Blue open game thread for Georgia @ Kentucky.

Now that the Saurian Demons from Gainesville have messily dispatched the two combatants who will meet today on Commonwealth Stadium's verdure, both teams have a lot to prove, if not a tremendous amount riding on that proof.

For Georgia, their hopes of an SEC championship have been largely crushed by critical injuries to the o-line and failure to overcome the Florida and the Tide, and have now receded to the point that they will be cheering for the likes of Vanderbilt and South Carolina to collectively rise up and smite the Gators back to back.  Given the way the Saurians have been playing of late, the Classic City Canines are about as likely to collectively win a Powerball jackpot as to witness a Florida collapse of that magnitude.  But with their overwhelming defeat at the hands of the Reptiles, the Dawgs' fate is no longer in their hands, and they must hope for a long shot to come in.

For Kentucky, an SEC championship was never a realistic goal, even less so now that injuries have decimated the team.  But a third straight trip to a post-season game was very much a goal, and one that the 'Cats have at least nominally achieved.  Of course, it is also a goal of Kentucky to equal or surpass last season's 7-5 mark, and that objective, while still very much in doubt, appears quite doable with Vandy at home and Tennessee away remaining on the schedule.

So with all that as a backdrop, let's look at five things that the 'Cats must do to win today, and five things that will make a Kentucky victory unlikely:

Five things the 'Cats must do in order to win:

  1. Defend the run -- When Knowshon Moreno runs for over 100 yards in games this year, the Dawgs are undefeated.
  2. Pressure Matthew Stafford -- If the Kentucky defensive line, newly augmented with at least a serviceable Myron Pryor, can get to Stafford a lot, it will make defending the run much easier.
  3. Score -- Kentucky must score consistently.  Touchdowns are better, but the 'Cats must come away with points every time they are in the red zone.  That has bee a huge bugaboo for the team this year, something UK fans are not used to seeing.
  4. Execute on special teams -- Georgia has a very capable punt return team, and this game figures to see quite a few Kentucky punts.  Keeping Georgia from coming away from punting situations with a short field is critical.
  5. Keep Georgia backed up -- Georgia has a tendency to stall on long drives, so the longer they have to go each time on offense, the better UK's chances.  Three and outs against UGA are going to be hard to get, so the defense must suck it up and play hard all the time.

Five things that will make a UK victory unlikely:

  1. Knowshon Moreno in the UK secondary -- I don't really need to expound on this, do I?
  2. Georgia big plays -- Georgia likes to throw the ball vertically, especially on second and five or less.  Unlike most teams, Georgia has two, not one, really dangerous receiving threats in A.J. Green and Mohamed Massaquoi.  Our defensive backfield needs its best game of the season, and our D-line needs to get in Stafford's face.
  3. Repeated 3-and-outs on offense -- To have a chance in this game, Kentucky cannot afford for its defense to be worn out in the first half by a lack of ball movement on offense.
  4. Special teams faux pas -- Kentucky can't afford any blocked kicks or breakdowns on special teams.  Georgia is just too good.
  5. Turnovers -- UK has won the turnover battle in most games.  To win, we must do so here as well.

That's it, guys and gals.  Enjoy the game.  Post your comments here.  I will be opening the thread about 30 minutes in advance of the game for some pre-game chatter.

This is a chance for UK to make a statement in front of the home crowd, and sail into a bowl guarantee.  Let's do the work.

Go, 'Cats!

0 recs | Comment 263 comments

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Ug

As in Ugly defense. Yiks.

Del Tha Funky Homosapien
formerly known as senowen

by Mr. Bob Dobalina on Nov 8, 2008 12:43 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Stop trying to be cute...

….on 3rd & short in your own territory.

Just get the first down, please. Go for the home run later…

by BBallSophist on Nov 8, 2008 12:44 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

What the hell ...

… was that third and one call?

Jeez.

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on Nov 8, 2008 12:44 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Bad..

Joker has done that a couple of times this year. They didn’t even run a play action pass. What about a bootleg if you’re gonna give it to Cobb to throw? This offense needs early success and there’s no reason to try to fake out Georgia with a pass on 3rd and short when a run up the middle with Allen will do just fine, thank you very much.

by BBallSophist on Nov 8, 2008 12:47 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Terrible

The play calling has been highly suspect in the last few games. It’s like they don’t know what to do with Cobb.

Del Tha Funky Homosapien
formerly known as senowen

by Mr. Bob Dobalina on Nov 8, 2008 12:45 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Once again ...

… our lack of solid tackling is a problem early.

Arm-tacking Moreno. What a joke.

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on Nov 8, 2008 12:54 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

UK has only averaged 14 points in SEC play

that tells how good the defense has to be each week for UK to win

by SevenRings on Nov 8, 2008 12:54 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Nice!

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on Nov 8, 2008 1:06 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

That changes things.

Down 7 is a lot better. D got some rest.

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on Nov 8, 2008 1:06 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Nice

Now wake up defense.

by BBallSophist on Nov 8, 2008 1:07 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I may have to eat my own words.

Offense starting to look good.

Del Tha Funky Homosapien
formerly known as senowen

by Mr. Bob Dobalina on Nov 8, 2008 1:07 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

UK ...

… needs a stop here in the worst way.

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on Nov 8, 2008 1:14 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Roll Tide.

I don’t like LSU’s offense to do enough against Bama. Defense is very good, but offense not so much.

by lacrosse_cat on Nov 8, 2008 1:26 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

LSU

with the upset.

The home crowd will be a major factor.

by BBallSophist on Nov 8, 2008 1:26 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Is it just me?

But the more I’ve seen on Tony Dixon this year, the more it screams at me that he is merely a situational back and not a primary ballcarrier. He excelled in that role, backing up Little, but when he is the main guy in the backfield (except goal line situations) he just rarely is producing decent gains.

by lacrosse_cat on Nov 8, 2008 1:24 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

You and me both.

I think that successfully getting outside is what has been helping open up the inside lanes too.

by lacrosse_cat on Nov 8, 2008 1:29 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Good call.

Exactly right.

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on Nov 8, 2008 1:30 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Well looky here...

…running to the edges suddenly seems like a great idea!?

I’ve been wanting that for weeks. I guess the WR are finally stepping up and blocking enough to make it effective.

by BBallSophist on Nov 8, 2008 1:30 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Heh.

If I had a nickel for every time I bemoaned the lack of running outside, I could retire. :-)

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on Nov 8, 2008 1:31 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Don't underestimate the improved edge blocking by the guards too.

I had barely seen a guard make a good pull block in weeks, but I’ve seen a couple already today.

by lacrosse_cat on Nov 8, 2008 1:31 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Wow!

Tie game. Great job Cats. Depite the fact that my Gators are best helped with a UGA victory, I can’t help but pull for the underdog… er, undercat… here.

Orange and Blue Hue: The World through GATOR-colored Glasses -- http://www.orangeandbluehue.com

by Gatorpilot on Nov 8, 2008 1:35 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Untouched!

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on Nov 8, 2008 1:35 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Stupid celebration penalties.

I hate them. I think they’re anti-American.

Orange and Blue Hue: The World through GATOR-colored Glasses -- http://www.orangeandbluehue.com

by Gatorpilot on Nov 8, 2008 1:36 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I knew

the refs were all commies.

Del Tha Funky Homosapien
formerly known as senowen

by Mr. Bob Dobalina on Nov 8, 2008 1:36 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

WOW

even game and I am impressed

by kykat51 on Nov 8, 2008 1:36 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

No reason...

‘Cats can’t win this game. These teams are evenly matched. WIN IT!

Orange and Blue Hue: The World through GATOR-colored Glasses -- http://www.orangeandbluehue.com

by Gatorpilot on Nov 8, 2008 1:36 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Haha, thanks gator...

…but let’s not get crazy with this “evenly matched” talk.

by BBallSophist on Nov 8, 2008 1:38 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

True, but...

When was the last time we were even this close to UGA’s talent level? This is more evenly matched talent than its been since Richt got there.

by lacrosse_cat on Nov 8, 2008 1:39 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Jarmon saw it coming

He motioned to everyone that it was a pass before the snap

by BBallSophist on Nov 8, 2008 1:44 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It is nice to see UK's offense click this first half

they are not throwing the ball beyond 8 yards and have still moved the ball well

by SevenRings on Nov 8, 2008 1:50 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Would seem to be very unlikely that you can consistently move it doing that.

Hope they make some adjustments at half though, because I really think they are going to have to stretch a little or we might see more plays like that 3rd & 2 where UGA sends the house to stop Cobb’s runs.

by lacrosse_cat on Nov 8, 2008 1:51 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Well ...

… if you had told me that we would go in at the half down seven, I would have said, “Take it!”

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on Nov 8, 2008 1:58 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Seiber ...

… finally finds the space between the yellow poles.

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on Nov 8, 2008 2:28 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Another great play by Jarmon!

Wish he could have grabbed that one though.

by lacrosse_cat on Nov 8, 2008 2:34 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Special Teams!!!

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on Nov 8, 2008 2:35 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

YEEEEEESSSS!!!

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on Nov 8, 2008 2:36 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

UK

59 yards passing and 174 rushing

by SevenRings on Nov 8, 2008 2:51 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

We have ...

… to get this in for six.

Go "Cats!

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on Nov 8, 2008 2:58 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

YYYYEEEEEEEHAAA!

Go, Cats!

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on Nov 8, 2008 3:01 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Wow!

We’ve got a shootout on our hands!

by BBallSophist on Nov 8, 2008 3:01 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Who ...

… Woulda thunk it?

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on Nov 8, 2008 3:01 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yes he did say that

But I’m with you in that I figured Pulley’s running and less than ideal passing (at least for a pro style offense) would have eventually lead to this type scheme

by lacrosse_cat on Nov 8, 2008 3:04 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I never would have guessed...

31 points with only 67 passing yards

by lacrosse_cat on Nov 8, 2008 3:02 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Indeed.

Really good. Getting Justin Jeffries back healthy was huge.

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on Nov 8, 2008 3:04 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Neither team ...

… can stop the other.

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on Nov 8, 2008 3:06 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Not the way...

to give the defense a rest.

by hoboat33 on Nov 8, 2008 3:07 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Defense looking very tired

Del Tha Funky Homosapien
formerly known as senowen

by Mr. Bob Dobalina on Nov 8, 2008 3:08 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Knew ...

Guy was gonna break one.

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on Nov 8, 2008 3:10 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

YeS!~

These SEC officials are the worst.

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on Nov 8, 2008 3:14 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

UK ...

… has had a huge upset in each of the last 2 years. Georgia — LSU — Georgia?

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on Nov 8, 2008 3:17 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Turnover!!!!

Yess!

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on Nov 8, 2008 3:20 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Nice. A Stupid penalty on UGA

I’ve been wondering where those have been, they lead the SEC in penalties.

by lacrosse_cat on Nov 8, 2008 3:25 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

not that I care but

UGA fans have to be going crazy

by SevenRings on Nov 8, 2008 3:29 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Need the inside screen

like against Bama. Dawgs LBs are playing close

by hoboat33 on Nov 8, 2008 3:33 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Wow. Who taught Lanxter to catch?

Whomever it was, pat them on the back!

by lacrosse_cat on Nov 8, 2008 3:33 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Man ...

… wild game.

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on Nov 8, 2008 3:37 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Disagree

If we call timeout, they will still have a chance to run down the clock after the third down play. I would then be a waste of a timeout.

Del Tha Funky Homosapien
formerly known as senowen

by Mr. Bob Dobalina on Nov 8, 2008 3:42 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Exactly

Time to start a legend.

Del Tha Funky Homosapien
formerly known as senowen

by Mr. Bob Dobalina on Nov 8, 2008 3:45 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Bad call.

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on Nov 8, 2008 3:51 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Once again

questionable play call on the screen. Georgia was totally expecting it.

Del Tha Funky Homosapien
formerly known as senowen

by Mr. Bob Dobalina on Nov 8, 2008 3:55 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Mine as well.

Hard fought, guys played better than they have all year especially on offense. Have to wonder if the last couple of Georgia scores go down like that if Lindley isn’t sitting it out.

by lacrosse_cat on Nov 8, 2008 3:53 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Very tough loss

But I am very proud of our team.

by kykat51 on Nov 8, 2008 3:52 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Totally disappointed....

Ky had a chance and moral victories don’t exist. I guess we’ve arrived as a legitimate team. GO CATS!!

by hoboat33 on Nov 8, 2008 3:53 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

This is a team that is coming together!

Hartline should ask Chuck Heston when he can get his job back.

I am MORE than proud.

Hind sight is 20/20 but if they had mad the switch just ONE game sooner we might have pulled it out.

Looks like I may owe Tru some beverage after next week :-)

Then a week off to cut up UT video. We should send Phil off with a bang!

Changing how you think will change what you think.

by wilson452 on Nov 8, 2008 3:56 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

No moral victory here

just a game we should not have been in the way we had looked and now looking at the way Cobb is getting older before our eyes and getting more comfortable.

The confidence they played with was CRAZY. 3 gets in a row on 4th downs in ONE DRIVE! A SCORING drive at that.

There were some catches that have not been made all year made today.

This is not “moral victory” talk it is excitement for an offense that is looking like we SHOULD win out and eat, at minimum, some Chicken sandwiches.

Changing how you think will change what you think.

by wilson452 on Nov 8, 2008 4:02 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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