SEC Kickoff: Everything you need to know for Georgia at Arkansas

Here’s everything you need to know about Saturday’s SEC cross-divisional clash between No. 10 Georgia and Arkansas in Little Rock, Ark.

When: Today
Where: War Memorial Stadium; Little Rock, Ark.
Game time: 4:00 p.m. ET
TV: SEC Network
Current line: Georgia (-3.5)

Game buzz: Georgia is coming off a huge win last week against Missouri and is now in the driver’s seat of the SEC East. However, the celebration can’t last long. They now face an Arkansas team on the brink of pushing through and claiming its first SEC win. The Hogs are hungry and they’ve come close, but have yet to close out a game. Georgia is a good team, but the Razorbacks won’t be kept down for long and the Bulldogs may just be their first SEC victim.

SATURDAY DOWN SOUTH PREVIEWS

• UGA legend Herschel Walker speaks out about Todd Gurley
• UGA athletic department updates Todd Gurley status
• Lack of talent means SEC East is Georgia’s to lose
• Limiting run game, time of possession crucial for ‘Dawgs success vs. Arkansas
• By utilizing Chubb, Georgia still a league champion threat without Gurley
• Video Preview: Georgia at Arkansas
• Film Study: Hogs about to give ‘Dawgs all they can handle
• One play could change the course of Arkansas’ season

NO. 10 GEORGIA BULLDOGS

Players To Watch:

• QB Hutson Mason
• RB Nick Chubb
• WR Malcolm Mitchell
• TE Jeb Blazevich
• OL John Theus
• OL Kolton Houston
• LB Leonard Floyd
• LB Jordan Jenkins
• CB Damian Swann
• LB Amarlo Herrera

Keys For Georgia:

• Ride Nick Chubb. It’ll be another week without Todd Gurley as the Heisman hopeful is not traveling with the team to Little Rock, Ark. With Gurley out again, the ‘Dawgs need to feed the rock to Nick Chubb. The true freshman averaged just under four yards per carry last week, but his physical running style could certainly wear down a defense over time. He’s capable of carrying the load today and Georgia should let him do just that.
• Take advantage of the middle of the field. Georgia could get a huge break today with Arkansas linebacker Brooks Ellis likely out due to injury. Without Ellis’ presence in the middle of the field, Georgia should have an advantage in the middle of the field. Look for tight end Jeb Blazevich to get involved in the passing game. Without Ellis in coverage, the UGA receivers should have some holes to exploit in the middle of Arkansas’ defense.
• Set the tone early. Part of Georgia’s success last week against Missouri came from the tone that was set early by UGA’s defense. Whether it’s on offense or defense, UGA needs to come out strong and give Arkansas a big punch in the mouth early. UGA’s front-seven probably won’t get as much pressure this week with the Hogs’ talented offensive line, but a big play early on offense or defense should help neutralize a raucous crowd.

Glaring weakness to watch: UGA offensive line. The offensive line isn’t necessarily the biggest weakness for UGA, but against Arkansas’ defensive line, the Bulldogs will be tested. Trey Flowers, Darius Philon and Taiwan Johnson are just three of the Hogs’ talented lineman the ‘Dawgs will be tasked with stopping. It could be a long day for Hutson Mason.

Most interesting part of the game: Can Chubb do it again? The true freshman running back touched the ball 42 times last week and in a very tough, physical effort. Without Gurley, Chubb will tasked with shouldering the offense for the second week in the rode. Can he match the 143-yard performance from a week ago? Or will the large amount of carries wear him down?

Team buzz: Georgia pushed through Gurley’s absence last week and played arguably its best game of the season. Chubb’s talent is for real and Mason looks to be improving. With UGA’s defense clicking, the ‘Dawgs are playing their best football and are in a prime position to keep things rolling without their star running back.

ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS

Players To Watch:

• RB Alex Collins
• RB Jonathan Williams
• QB Brandon Allen
• WR Keon Hatcher
• TE A.J. Derby
• DE Trey Flowers
• CB Tevin Mitchel

Keys For Arkansas:

• Control the line of scrimmage. Georgia boasts one of college football’s best defensive fronts, so it’ll be key for the Razorbacks to use its girth on the offensive line to control the line of scrimmage. If the Bulldogs are able to create pressure on Brandon Allen or crowd running lanes, it could be a long day for Arkansas.
• Capitalize on big plays in the passing game. Georgia’s defense has been vulnerable against long plays in the passing game. If Arkansas is going to win the game, Allen will need to take advantage of big play opportunities through the air. The Bulldogs have a lot of youth in the secondary; it’s Allen’s time to make a play to get his team over the hump.
• Stay ahead of the chains. The success of Arkansas’ offense is predicated upon staying ahead of the chains. Positive yardage on first downs set the tone for the Hogs’ offensive drives. If Georgia has success putting the Razorbacks in 2nd-and-long and 3rd-and-long, the ‘Dawgs will be able to pin its ears back and get after Allen.

Glaring weakness to watch: The secondary. Georgia quarterback Hutson Mason had his best game last week against Missouri, but still does not pose a significant threat throwing the ball downfield. How does the Hogs’ secondary attack Georgia at the skill positions? The Razorbacks have some youth in the back end of the defense, but are beginning to hit stride.

Most interesting part of the game: How much success does Nick Chubb and the Georgia running game have against the Hogs’ run defense? Arkansas held a very good Alabama backfield to under 100 yards rushing last week. The Bulldogs are one-dimensional on offense, so if Arkansas can repeat that performance, this game could get away from Mark Richt and company early.

Team buzz: The Hogs are close. Still searching for their first SEC win under Bret Bielema, Arkansas has held fourth quarter leads in four of their last five conference outings. Many experts believe today is the day the Razorbacks get over the hump. Can they go out and make the plays?

Drew Laing

Drew Laing will be providing analysis and insight on Florida, Georgia, Missouri and South Carolina.