Saturday Spotlight
(8) Arkansas Razorbacks at (2) Georgia Bulldogs
Arkansas: Last weekend was the first time I actually got to sit down and watch them. It’s easy to fly under the radar when you play in the SEC and a team named Alabama gets a majority of the attention. Sam Pittman has done a great job with this team. Against Texas A&M, they stuck with their game plan which was bottling up Isaiah Spiller who’s one of the best running backs in college football, they shut down Jalen Wydermyer and they were consistently making Zach Calzada run around throughout the game. On the offensive side, they play with a lot of balance. The entire time I’m watching KJ Jefferson, I said to myself he plays a lot like Cam Newton. KJ has even said he’s studied Cam and it shows. Entering the game against the Aggies, I was wondering how their passing game would attack the best secondary in the SEC and they did it with no issues. What I like about these Razorbacks is how their offense is built. They run the ball well, they hit the big play down the field, and they win turnover battles defensively. This morning, they will receive their toughest test of the season.
Georgia: This could be the strongest, yet most complete team Kirby Smart has had since taking the job in Athens as the head coach. After that win against Clemson in week one, I knew they would be a strong team. This is the best defensive football team in the country and numbers don’t lie. They have just allowed 23 total points in their first four games which include wins over Clemson, UAB, South Carolina and Vanderbilt. It’s just not the defense that’s handling business. Let me bounce over to the other side and give the offense some love as well. Just as I’ve said about the Wisconsin Badgers, there’s a few things I always connect with Georgia Bulldogs football. They always run the football and have one of the best ground attacks in college football. That will never change. Also, they have strong offensive lines such as the one they have this season. The Georgia offensive line has given both JT Daniels and Stetson Bennett plenty of time to work in the pocket. Many have considered this to be the biggest threat to the Alabama Crimson Tide in the SEC and I won’t say they’re wrong either. Then, you can’t forget about Florida either. Georgia is back home for a big showdown with an improved Arkansas team this morning.
Arkansas X-Factor: Treylon Burks– He is Jefferson’s go to guy on the offense in the passing game. If you don’t circle in on him, he’ll get free and make a play down the field. Treylon is a refined runner with the football in his hands. He lines up in the slot, on the outside and can even catch the ball out the backfield. I look for the Razorbacks to get him the ball on many opportunities.
Georgia X-Factor: Jordan Davis– He is Georgia’s most valuable defender! I’ve never seen a man his size move as quickly, yet fluidly as he does. Jordan is 6’6 and 330 pounds with a quick first step. What do I mean when I say he’s Georgia’s most valuable defender? He can play all over the defensive line and get a push up front on anyone trying to defend him. He’s that pocket pusher that I always describe.
Final Thoughts: October football is here ladies and gentlemen! This is an intriguing, yet big game in the SEC. Georgia has simply steamrolled their opponents this year while Arkansas is introducing themselves to the rest of the country. The Razorbacks are the only team in college football that rank in the top five in scoring offense and defense. KJ Jefferson leads the FBS with 18.5 yards a completion. He also has a tandem of deep threat receivers in Burks and Tyson Morris. This Georgia secondary has allowed just one passing touchdown all year long. I’ll be watching Arkansas’ offensive coordinator, Kendal Briles and his creativity to attack this stingy Georgia defense. For Georgia, they must keep KJ in the pocket and limit his mobility. Continue to do what you’ve done all season long and that’s dominate.
Prediction: Georgia 35, Arkansas 17
