Published September 2, 2011 - 8:22pm
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How the Georgia Bulldogs can beat the Boise State Broncos
1. Get pressure on Kellen Moore early and often. If Moore is allowed time to hang around in the pocket he will pick apart any secondary. In Boise State’s only loss last year to Nevada they knocked him around and really disrupted the timing with his wide receivers. He is not known for great legs; so, if UGA’s front three can get any kind of pressure, the linebackers will be free to blitz.
2. Control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. UGA’s offensive and defensive line averages 50 lbs per man heavier than the smaller Bronco lines. Although the Bronco’s have had success against bigger lines in the past, it is hard to imagine they will last all four quarters getting pushed around.
3. Establish the running game. With the tandem of Richard Samuel and Isaiah Crowell, UGA will look to eat yardage and game clock, keeping the high-powered Bronco offense on the bench. It will also make the secondary of Boise’s 4-2-5 defense respect the play action and hold any safeties from creeping into the box for run support. I believe if UGA can rush for 100 yards they will win the game.
4. Win the Special teams battle. Top kick return specialist Brandon Boykin has dared Boise State to kick the ball to him. He leads the SEC with three 100-plus yard returns for touchdowns. Place kicker Blair Walsh and punter Drew Butler are some of the best in the nation. A game that comes down to field position or the kicking game heavily favors UGA.
How the Broncos can beat the Bulldogs
1. Score early. The UGA majority crowd will be loud early, but a quick score by Boise State will take the wind out of their sails. Just like last year against Virginia Tech, the Broncos raced out to a quick lead and held onto win.
2. Limit turnovers. The last time the Broncos played UGA in Athens in 2005, they had six turnovers, and it killed any momentum they had. Giving UGA more opportunities to score is disaster for the Broncos.
3. Stuff the run. The Broncos run defense a year ago was in the top 10 in the country. Making Georgia one-dimensional will allow the two Bronco linebackers to pin their ears back and harass Aaron Murray trying to get the ball to his inexperienced wide receivers.
