It’s a little amazing to me that the SEC would choose to promote one of the more atrocious games in conference history.
It’s like making sure we’re all in on the same bad joke. Strange way to brand, but what do I know?
Daily Archives: September 13, 2019
More, from the annals of the fairly compensated
This is what chomping at the bit sounds like.
The idea that college stars won’t see a significant change in fortune if allowed to receive money for their names is a fantasy. A romantic one.
Filed under It's Just Bidness, The NCAA
The sure thing
I watched some of the Kentucky-Toledo game a couple of weeks ago and heard the announcers discuss Ahmad Wagner, a converted basketball player who’s 6-6 and now playing wide receiver for the ‘Cats. He’s obviously a good athlete, but the reason I paid attention was because of the absurd stats he’s compiled in a short time as a football player.
How absurd, you ask? This absurd ($$):
Since making the move to football, he has been targeted 14 times as a wide receiver. He’s produced a positive outcome 13 times: seven pass interference flags and six catches for 128 yards (21.3 ypc).
He is obviously a nightmare in coverage and Florida’s missing its top cornerback this week. So what would you do?
“Shit,” assistant coach Vince Marrow says, “I know what I’d be doing if I’m Sawyer Smith trying to get comfortable back there: Throw it to that guy. Something good always happens. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Filed under SEC Football
Some Arkansas State thoughts
Gotta game tomorrow, so gotta blog today about it. Let’s go with some bullet points.
- Advanced stats say ASU is Georgia’s toughest opponent of the season to date. SP+ ranks Arkansas State 59th, compared to Vandy’s 72nd. FEI goes 74th and 82nd, respectively. (Georgia ranks third in both.)
- Arkansas State’s receiving corps has been bolstered by transfers: “Kirk Merritt who transferred in from Oregon and who has been a dominant player for the Red Wolves. His catching ability over defenders and his breakaway speed are huge for Arkansas State. You also have Dahu Green, a transfer from Oklahoma, and Bubba Ogbebor, a Boise State transfer.”
- That looks impressive, but ASU’s top guy is Omar Bayless, who’s been studly through two games. (By the way, if his nickname isn’t Comin’, I’ll be seriously disappointed. But I digress.)
- If you’re looking for a broader based take, here’s Bill Connelly’s preview of the Red Wolves from March.
- Sagarin’s strength of schedule is 216th for Georgia and 75th for Arkansas State.
- Random stats through two games: Yards per rush, UGA 7.4 (5th), ASU 4.54 (55th); Passer rating, UGA 174.65 (22nd), ASU 141.24 (64th); Defensive yards per rush, UGA 2.44 (21st), ASU 3.86 (74th); Defensive passer rating, ASU 106.60 (22nd), UGA 111.35 (32nd); Offensive plays of 10+ yards, UGA 43 (5th); ASU 33 (37th); Defensive plays of 10+ yards, UGA 17 (25th), ASU 23 (52nd).
- Moar advanced stats here.
My overall impression of this week’s opponent is that of a well-coached team (note the consistency ASU has shown under Anderson, per Connelly’s preview) that isn’t going to match well in certain key areas, personnel-wise, which shouldn’t come as a particularly big surprise.
Georgia is going to do what Georgia’s done for the first two weeks, grind the opponent’s defense down running behind that big offensive line, pick its spots with Fromm and the passing game and hone its personnel groups on defense. With regard to that last point, I will be curious to see how the secondary handles those ASU receivers, who appear to be the deepest group Georgia’s faced so far. (Don’t forget that Murray State’s transfer from Florida had a good game last week.)
What I don’t expect to be an issue, although I know there’s been some chatter about it this week, is Georgia looking past ASU and ahead to the Notre Dame game. I don’t worry about that because I think Kirby’s put the fear of Gawd in the players about doing just that. What I do worry about is what’s been an issue in both games so far, Georgia easing out to a good start and relaxing for a stretch in the game.
I hate to say it, but I expect history to repeat itself in that regard, which is why I don’t think Georgia covers tomorrow. It won’t be a huge hiccup, but it’ll be just enough.
Your thoughts?
Filed under Georgia Football
What flavor of spread would you like to go with your offense?
Good primer from Ian Boyd here on the four types of spread offenses that prevail in college football these days, which he labels pro-spread, smashmouth spread, power-spread and spread-option. There are variations within each, of sorts, but his bottom line is coordinators pick a philosophy first and then a version of the spread to implement that choice.
The real key is what the offense wants to do in order to win. Do they want to control the ball with a power run game? Pile up points throwing play-action? Orient the game around key passing game matchups? Or spread you out and just distribute the ball to space?
It’s been fascinating watching what started as an offensive revolution over a decade ago turn into an offensive evolution that’s taken over the sport. We’re not arguing about whether the spread is better than traditional I-formation based football anymore; instead, the question is whether an offense is using a version of the spread best suited for its personnel. The last war is over. Long live the next one, I guess.
Filed under Strategery And Mechanics
No Mowins for you
In case you aren’t going to Athens tomorrow and are concerned Mickey’s going to foist a repeat of its broadcast crew on you, calm down.
Still not the Ocho…
Filed under Georgia Football
Amateurism, defined downward
We had an interesting discussion on California’s Fair Pay to Play Act yesterday. Some of you are convinced that the state doesn’t have a proverbial leg to stand on and that the NCAA will stand firm and eventually prevail. Others are convinced that the NCAA is the lesser of two evils.
Me? I think it’ll take a little time, but the NCAA and California will wind up meeting somewhere in the middle. If you doubt that, consider these words of wisdom from NCAA board of governors chair Michael Drake:
When asked if the NCAA’s current rules are fair, Drake said the rules need to evolve.
“Well, fair is an interesting word,” Drake said to ESPN. “We need to look at [NIL rules] carefully. My understanding broadly of name, image and likeness and the implications of those restrictions has changed really over the last several years and continues to evolve. We need to make sure our rules and guidelines evolve forward. We’re not the association of the 20th century. We need to make sure we have 21st-century rules.”
Folks, “fair is an interesting word” isn’t a signal that you’re standing on your hill to die on.
Amateurism is whatever the NCAA says it is. The only question here is whether the state gains additional leverage from other state legislatures and Congress passing similar bills. In any event ($$),
… if the Ackerman working group recommends what is expected – a modest liberalization of its “no NIL” rules, with a cap – and the full NCAA endorses that recommendation, then whatever happens vis-à-vis California, the needle will have moved further away from “amateurism” in college athletes.
Will that turn out to be a crisis for amateurism romantics? My bet is nah.
Filed under Political Wankery, The NCAA
Such a deal
Dawg fans, if you’re looking to take your kids to a game, the secondary market says you won’t get in more cheaply than tomorrow.
On a side note, looks like Notre Dame prices are steadily dropping. ‘Course, you can still buy seven Arkansas State tix for the cost of one a week later…
Filed under Georgia Football
The Greatest BSer of Our Era
I told Meyer he won’t have to chase jobs. We talked before USC athletic director Lynn Swann quit this week, but USC was already the school most speculated about for Meyer. Now a new AD may want to make a splash with a big hire. Whether it’s the Trojans or another school, the jobs will come to him for 2020 if he wants them. I think he will pass … for now.
“I’m not there at the moment,” Meyer said of a possible return. “Like you said, next year can I say that? We’ll talk again next year and we’ll see.”
Uh hunh, riiiight.
I don’t know about you, but I’m certainly on pins and needles about his decision.
(h/t)
Filed under Urban Meyer Points and Stares
The “P” word, again
I feel a great disturbance in the Force, Luke. It’s coming from Forbes.
That sound you hear is Greg McGarity reaching for his phone. Good thing he’s got Mike Griffith on speed dial.
Filed under Georgia Football, It's Just Bidness
Get The Picture 
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