I think the general consensus is that Tennessee’s green offensive line is going to have its hands full with pass protection Saturday. The big question is how the Vol coaches scheme to help Worley stay upright in the pocket.
One obvious way would be to run the ball. The problem with that is that to date the running game been a weakness for Tennessee’s offense and stopping the run is one thing Georgia’s defense does at least competently.
Another possibility would be to throw a lot of quick, short passes to keep Georgia’s pass rush from having the time to get to the quarterback. If you listen to the last episode of the Seth and Gentry Show (it starts at about the 20:30 mark), that’s what a media observer of the Tennessee program suggests for the Vols. And, statistically speaking, that appears to be the nature of UT’s passing game, anyway, as the Vols are averaging 240 passing yards a game, but only averaging 5.9 yards per attempt.
The problem I see with that approach is that it appears to play into another area Georgia’s been competent in, at least after the first half of the Clemson game. Georgia’s pass defense has done alright defending the underneath stuff, even against South Carolina. Where the secondary has continued to look vulnerable has been with the intermediary and deeper pass plays, where receivers have had enough time to find the holes in Pruitt’s zone defense, or to exploit breakdowns in man-to-man coverage. But having enough time brings Tennessee back to the issue of pass protection.
To me, it looks like a classic damned if you do, damned if you don’t choice. I suspect UT tries a little of everything to see what sticks to the wall, but that’s pure guesswork on my part.
Get The Picture 
Looking at the passing from the Cory Brinson offensive link you provided the other day, Worley is flinging at the count of two on most patterns. The DE/OLBs/DTs need to have their Hands up.
On the other hand, Worley might not finish the game.
LikeLike
I expect them to move the ball down the field on the first scripted drive (everyone we have played this year has done so to include Troy) and probably score. What will be interesting to see is if Pruitt can make adjustments to what they do well on that drive while continuing to stuff the run and put pressure on Worley. As much as I hate the OBC you have to give him credit for slinging the ball in the first half forcing the defense to put in the smaller, faster LB’s and then running it in the second half. I don’t thing the Vowels are as talented as the Chickens but I could see them at least trying the same thing. This game is definitely on the defense as I think the offense will have success moving the ball and scoring.
LikeLike
Can they throw it deep(er) like USC? I don’t think short passes will be enough.
LikeLike
Good point, and I suspect you’re right.
~~~
LikeLike
Or they do what Clemson did in the first half and South Carolina did all game which is whatever they want. I hate noon kickoffs.
LikeLike
They will pass for 350 yards and rush for 12.
LikeLike
Since we have yet to stop anyone from pretty well passing at will on us, I expect to see more of that. Quick drops and short passes of 5-10 yards will be the UT order of the day. They will throw in some running plays to keep the pass rushers honest, but passing will be the name of the game.
We made Worley look like Peyton Manning last year, I expect they will try the same thing and hope the end turns out different this year.
LikeLike
UT had a much better o-line last year which played a big role in their success. I think we are going to put a 21+ pt beating on them.
LikeLike
I think so too. But I expect them to test us downfield. If they’re successful, they’ll keep doing it.
~~~
LikeLike
They could run a bunch of bootlegs.
🙂
LikeLike
2007 anyone.
LikeLike
Wrong year, 07 was the wheel route of death (they scored on 2 long wheel routes that I’m pretty sure were not even attempted to be covered.)
The bootleging to death occurred in 09, that was Kiffin making Willie look like an idiot. He had no answer for a QB bootleg.
LikeLike
He made Willie “look like” and idiot? How about he “exposed Willie” as an idiot.
LikeLike
Be nice, he is in the fifth best Defensive Coordinators Richt has had at UGA.
LikeLike
Why wouldn’t they throw the ball against Georgia? Hell, I’m assuming everyone we play will see that as their first, best option.
LikeLike
If the pass rush gets home, then everything else will take care of itself. I don’t believe Worley can consistently throw down the field if the knows Thea going to get hit. But he has to know it. Gotta knock him down some.
LikeLike
I’d stick to what spurrier did. Throw enough screens and outside stuff to make us stay honest, then pound the deep middle (that’s what she said) and outside.
LikeLike
That might work, except UT’s line isn’t in the same time zone, quality-wise, as South Carolina’s.
LikeLike
Our defense claimed it didn’t try to go all out to get to SC’s qb because they were worried about screens and underneath stuff. I’m dubious of the explanation, but if true then a similar game plan should work, and should work for a lot of teams presuming decent WRs and a qb capable of throwing 15-20 to soft spots in a cover 2 or tampa 2 along the outside.
LikeLike
what you’ll see is middle of the field passing if 2 safety, or sidelines if one on one. south carolina didn’t run a lot of screens, it was expected, but didn’t happen. and sc ran the ball suprisingly well, especially late, then again their oline is one of the best in the ncaa.
LikeLike
Me too. Big time. All week I keep hearing (not here) our pass rush characterized as “awesome”, “great”, and “fierce”. And I think, ‘you mean the one that was shut out by South Carolina’? Another explanation, from some coaches, was their Tackles were good. And they were. I get that. Still remember what a good Tackle looks like.
So I guess our PR is fierce and awesome, unless we’re playing an OL with good Tackles. I’ve always been high on Leonard Floyd. But early this week, Floyd called out the Tennessee OL (good going, just what we need). So now I’m calling him out. Let’s see Worley harassed and pressured all day so he doesn’t have time to throw.
Like you, I think Worley will be getting the ball out fast. And it’ll be interesting to see what defenses Pruitt calls. Cover 2, for example, opens up some deep spots as well, and Tennessee has great receivers.
~~~
LikeLike
Yep, I’m concerned. If we don’t get to Worley, early and often, it’s going to be a long day and a tight game. Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, our secondary coverage is simply not very good (at least not in the first three games).
Watched the Troy replay again last night and came away alarmed at how open their receivers repeatedly were, especially at 12-18 yards in the middle of the field….just like in Columbia. Obviously, got away with it against Troy–a bad OL, backup QB making his first start, couple of early turnovers/mistakes, and overall out-matched opponent, etc. But unless we tighten up our coverage and/or have a dominating pass rush, I’m afraid a decent QB and good receivers are going to eat our lunch. UT has both.
LikeLike
Dang it MD, now you got me all worried again.
LikeLike
Spurrier got out ilb’s in pass cov a few times against a wr or te. Seemed to work. Also threw towards A Davis successfully. And we have struggled in the red zone off and 3rd downs first 2 games.
LikeLike
I’m OK with Davis at Safety, but worry about him at Corner. But I guess he’s our best option right now.
Shattle’s out of the picture. Rico isn’t ready (I think, but that might change soon if it hasn’t this week) and not sure about Parrish as a Corner. I like Rico’s talent and I like Parrish as an athlete, but these guys are true freshmen. Geez.
All good points, though. I guess we’ll be vulnerable on the corners all year. Sure would like to have a good game when it comes to 3rd downs. We need some confidence there.
~~~
LikeLike
Expect them to get chunks and scores in the first half. This is gonna be like the Clemson game all over again. Don’t get mad because we’re pounding them with all our RBs. Gurley will get the touches in the 4th and slam the door on ’em.
(I hope)
LikeLike
Agree with the clemson comparison. Teams are gonna keep passing those intermediate routes til we stop it. And like clem, ut has a lot of RB and OL questions.
LikeLike
Off topic here, but does anyone know of a site or clearinghouse to trade in Athens Hotel Rooms? I want to take the family to Athens for Vandy weekend. Of course everything has been booked well in advance. I get a blast email where folks trade rooms, but those have been going fast. Thanks in advance for any ideas.
LikeLike
Bootlegs and short passing game is where they probably will go. If so, I like our chances with Pruitts focus on fundamentals.
They may test us deep and in the middle early (aka South Carolina) if they think they have a shot at blocking us. If our D-Line doesn’t show, it’ll be a shootout.
Then there’s always the “Georgia Factor” of baffling luck, poor officiating and a breakdown here or there at inopportune times that might come into play that could also make the game close.
I feel confident about this game however, since they don’t have Spurrier play calling and an offensive line that enables them to exploit our weaknesses.
LikeLike
I’ve had a cautious feeling about this game all year, and this week it’s turned somewhat eery. But today you, Cannon, Bluto, et.al., have me feeling a little better.
I still think we can beat Tennessee, the officials, bad luck, and everything else if we play solid and don’t give the game away. But that’s just it. So far, we’ve been pretty solid. Not great, overall, but pretty good and much different this year.
That’s probably where my eeriness is coming from. I can handle getting beat – all day. Just hate giving games away. We may get Tennessee’s best shot, and those freshmen could play well, but it won’t be enough unless we give the something.
~~~
LikeLike
I haven’t worried about this game like I did South Carolina. However, I’ve thought since preseason that Tennessee would win a big SEC game this year. I just hope it’s not this one. Under the right conditions–GA playing poorly, a big play early for UT, UT hanging around through 3 quarters–this is a game they could win. If this game hangs in the balance until the very end, I could see UT winning it. I don’t feel as good about our winning a close game in the late stages as I once did. Still, I think we win, but I’m nonetheless wary.
LikeLike
UT will win a big game; but it won’t be on the road. they’ll upset someone at home
LikeLike
in the pass rush vein,why haven’t we heard Leonard Floyd’s name more often this year ,the sacks I’ve seen seem to have come up the middle. IMHO as athletic as our ends are they maybe slightly underweight. More stunts these guys ain’t running on us.
LikeLike
I think a lot will depend on how pinned back our ears are from the word “go,” on this one. If we come out slow, whether in the stands or on the field, they could hang a couple on us before we know it. Come out aggressive on O (yeah, I’m liking the ball in the air with them thinking “Gurley” all the time) and D, and take control early, we might actually cover. Otherwise, a long day.
LikeLike
The whiny “we can’t get drunk” crowd will be late and flat.
LikeLike
defense has come out slow first 2 games, hopefully that’s corrected.
LikeLike
Hey Senator, you forgot the South Caro Spurrier plan, throw it well, run it at will. Tenn has as much talent.
LikeLike
But not as much experience, UGA should win, but it might be close like last year. Or could me an upset if Tenn follows thew Spurrier plan.
LikeLike
Senator mentioned the the Spurrier plan relied on solid blocking from the o-line. Tenn line is not that good, so hopefully if they come with something similar, we should be able to disrupt it better.
LikeLike
We need to blitz on their first offensive play and then every play there after. I’m not the “just blitz” type but if there was ever a time….
LikeLike
No way UT has as much talent as SCU, neither on the roster or as a play caller. We were thisclose to turning last year’s game into a runaway before the 4th quarter Benny Hill routine we pulled. For whatever reason, I actually feel a lot better about this game than I normally would. I thought SC was a nightmare matchup, I just don’t get that feeling about this one. Now, that back to back to Missouri and Arkansas on the other hand….
LikeLike
Yeah, and those two games are on the road. If the UT game was in Knoxville, I’d be doom and gloom. But we get these guys in Athens, GA.
It’s not that they can’t win, and I expect them to score enough points to be vaguely embarrassing, but I can’t really make myself get worried about this Saturday.
I’m saving that up for October.
LikeLike
Yeah, those two games worry me, too. Mizzou may not be as good as advertised given the loss to Indy but Mizzou is still a very good team. Arky, like UT, is going to beat someone they are not supposed to beat–I just hope its not us.
LikeLike
I agree, they’re both very dangerous games.
I think Mauk is the most dangerous QB in the League, and he has great receivers. Like Minnesota said above about Saturday’s game .. “unless we tighten up our coverage and/or have a dominating pass rush, I’m afraid a decent QB and good receivers are going to eat our lunch.”
That’s my biggest concern as well. About all these games. That, and not playing smart (though we’ve been pretty solid this year).
~~~
LikeLike
We’re 3 games into the season at 2-1 and we still don’t really know what we have. The first Georgia win came against a team everybody said would be good but which is 1-2 after 3 games with its only win coming against a D-IAA school. The other Georgia win came against the worst team in the Gulf Coast Conference. Georgia’s sole loss at this point came at the hands of an SEC team whose coach says his team plays “awful.” This UT game will tell us a lot. I am afraid of what it will tell us, though.
LikeLike
“I am afraid of what it will tell us, though.”
It will be like birthing a baby but easier and without as much detail
https://mobile.twitter.com/pourmecoffee/status/515122321741598720
LikeLike
Agree. This game will tell us a lot and I’m anxious to see where we are.
I’m really curious about our pass rush. And I’m hoping for improvement in the secondary. I mean, I think it’s possible to tighten things up considerably back there, even with all the freshmen. It always takes time for new guys, but if the coach is a good teacher … And unlike last year, I’m confident in this teacher’s ability to bring his young pups along.
What we lack in ability, we just lack. But we can tighten things up considerably with just with good teaching and game experience, IMO.
I getcha. But the only thing I’m really afraid of is bad habits, sloppy football, not playing smart, etc. – that is to say, giving games away. I just want so badly to be that kind of team – a team that plays smart, disciplined ball – and cease being like we’ve been for most of the past 10 seasons.
We’ve been pretty good in that regard, so far. I’d give us a B to this point, maybe even A-. But I think Saturday’s game will tell us a lot about that as well. So, in that sense – yeah, me too.
~~~
LikeLike
I’ve got a hunch that CJP’s defense, esp. the DBs, will show up this weekend and be improved. They should be getting better each week and this is the week they will show that they can play. I so hope I don’t have to eat this post.
LikeLike
Attaboy, Ugly.
HEY ASSHOLES! We have freshman and walk ons (on’s O’ns?? Thanks speelchecker) in the defensive backfield. They handled their business just fine against Clemson, SOS has a Richt/Bobo voodoo doll. They will be fine and improve every week.
In fact, I will make a prediction; Georgia will face TA&M in the championship, and lose. But it will be a helluva game. I for one am looking forward to it.
LikeLike