Top Dawg Blogs Game Preview: Arkansas
Georgia Football is finally back! We are less than 24 hours away from Georgia taking on the Arkansas Razorbacks in Fayetteville, Arkansas. An exciting, anticipated season is upon us.
What seemed unlikely just a few months ago has turned into reality. Georgia is just a day away from beginning their quest towards another SEC East title.
Georgia heads into this season with a lot unknown. The starting quarterback is still a question even though the game is Saturday. The offensive system is still a significant question mark for the Dawgs, even after the hiring of Todd Monken.
Kirby Smart said a few weeks ago; it will be a game-time decision when asked about the quarterback situation. Smart and the staff have been playing it day by day, mostly since the clearance of JT Daniels is not set in stone. Leaving D’wan Mathis, the redshirt freshman, the presumptive starting quarterback Saturday for the Bulldogs.
What Can We Expect Offensively?
We will likely see a simplified, laid back version of the Georgia offense. Kirby Smart and Monken will not want to show all of their cards in week one with teams like Auburn, Alabama, and Florida still to come later in the season.
The gameplan for Georgia will be one relying on the running game to carry them to victory. Zamir White and James Cooks will get most of the snaps as the primary tailbacks for Georgia. We could see Kenny McIntosh, Kendall Milton, and Daijun Edwards all sprinkled in this week.
With the running game likely the focus this week, we will not see anything too special in the passing game. Monken is known for being aggressive and attacking defenses with vertical passes down the field. Explosiveness is a trait of the Todd Monken. But you don’t need to throw the fly routes every time to be successful.
Expect Georgia to mix it up in the passing game with some short and intermediate throws along with a few shots downfield throughout the game. This game is time to get the younger, inexperienced players at receiver and tight end some valuable in-game reps.
Projected Offensive Starters
Players to Watch Offensively
D’wan Mathis and JT Daniels are two players that come to mind very quickly. Both are serious contenders for the starting job at QB this season and will be under an intense microscope in week one. Whether or not Daniels is cleared will tell us the plans at quarterback for this season.
With Mathis, I would watch for his pocket presence and his ability to read the defense and let the play develop before deciding. Once a decision is made, will he be confident or hesitant? The connection with the receivers will be critical this season for both quarterbacks.
With Daniels already having experience under his college belt, I would like to see him improve his decision-making. JT’s decisions in his freshman year at Southern Cal were questionable and cost him. I would like to see JT be confident with his choices and be smart with the football.
Owen Condon is the player to watch along the offensive line. Condon is the big unknown along the offensive line as we have not seen much of him in his short time in Athens. Condon is the expected starter at right tackle this season. Owen Condon will be a player to watch all season as he will have to fight off stiff competition for the starting role.
The offensive line as a whole is a unit that will be watched closely. With three new starters on the offensive line, we would like to see that group’s continued development.
What to Expect Defensively?
The Georgia defense is the most exciting side of the ball for Bulldog nation this year. Arguably the best defense in the country will be looking to keep their opponents off the board. Arkansas is stocked with young talent with high upside, paired with one of the youngest offensive minds in College Football, and son of Art Briles, Kendall Briles.
Briles is known for his high-powered, fast-paced offensive that likes to throw the ball around the yard. Kendall runs his father’s old offense the right way and will look to give Georgia trouble.
Kendall Briles and Sam Pittman will be working with a quarterback that Georgia is very familiar with. Former Florida Gator’s starting quarterback Feliepe Franks. Franks broke his leg last season during the Kentucky game, which provided an opportunity to current starter Kyle Trask, and as they say, the rest is history.
Franks is a strong-armed quarterback who has a big frame and can move around when given a chance to run with the football. Historically, Franks has struggled against a very tough and gritty Georgia defense that has gotten more aggressive tactically since the two last met.
Putting pressure on Feliepe will be essential for the Junkyard Dawgs this week. Franks has struggled with pressure in the past. Forcing Franks into quick decisions will keep the redshirt senior off balance, turning into turnovers for the Dawgs.
Don’t count the Hogs running game as they have a very talented running back in Rakeem Boyd. The former 'Last Chance U' star is making a name for himself after rising through the college ranks and settling at Arkansas.
Boyd is an agile back that works well in space. If Boyd finds a hole and has room to run, good luck catching the 6’0 206 pound senior. Keeping Boyd off the stat sheet will be a key for the Dawgs defense, who pride themselves on excellent run defense.
That’s not all Briles is a smart offensive mind who will look for ways to get his star back involved in the offense other ways. One of those ways is in the passing games, Boyd could be dangerous in the Hogs offense as a pass-catcher. If things don’t work out in the run game, watch for Boyd in the passing game.
Georgia Defensive Projected Starters
Defensive Players to Watch
Nakobe Dean is the expected starter at WILL linebacker. Dean is one of the most exciting young inside linebackers looking for a big season alongside Monty Rice. Dean’s contribution to pass coverage and potentially as a rusher will be welcomed.
DJ Daniel and Tyson Campbell are both players to watch in the secondary as they will battle it out for the spot lining up opposite of Eric Stokes as the number two cornerback on the field. Daniel played well last season when Campbell was hampered with an injury, but don’t count out Campbell, who made significant strides towards the end of his freshman season.
Final Thoughts
This will be an exhilarating game for fans around the world. Georgia should come with a chip on their shoulder after an offseason full of being overlooked by “experts.” I believe the Dawgs will dominate the Hogs for four quarters of football and win by three scores.