#12 Ark vs Georgia (Week 3)

[Dossenator]

Arkansas makes the trip to Athens Georgia to take on the Bulldogs this next Saturday.

The Hogs bring the #4 overall defense in the nation and the #10 overall offense in the nation (they rank #1 in both categories in the SEC). However, they have only played Tenn Tech and Louisiana Monroe.

Hogs must avoid a slow start like the past two weeks. The offense has shot themselves in the foot early in games with poor o line play, dropped passes, and penalties. They have corrected these problems in the 2nd half of games. However, you can't do that against good opponents and win often. Ark WR's dropped 6 passes in the first half against Louisiana Monroe.

Hogs defense is improved. How much....not sure yet? We will know in the next 2 weeks (Georgia and Bama.) The d line is causing havoc and the team is flying to the ball....and tackling well. 2 years ago (Petrino's first 2 games) the Hogs had to have miracles last minute drives to beat a FCS school and then Louisiana Monroe. Fast forward 2 years later and the Hogs blow those teams out and only give up 3 points in game 1 and 7 points in game 2. Halfway through the 4th quarter last night Louisiana Monroe had a whopping 85 yards of total offense and 0 points. The Hogs second unit defense gave up a TD on LM's only sustained drive of the game.

Hogs offense has not shown anything new. They have been pretty vanilla so far. I think we will see some new wrinkles against Georgia. Arkansas has focused on the short to intermediate passing plays....working on Mallett's touch. The run game has been disappointing...however, I am not too concerned yet. Both TT and ULM stacked the box to try to take away half of Ark's offense. That's fine if all teams do that all year....play the Ark WR's one on one and Mallett and company will put up yards and points through the air.

Road games are always tough, Georgia is coming off a loss and will want to play well....this game will probably be close. If the Hogs D line continues to play well I think Ark wins this game.

What does everyone else think?

[Brian Roastbeef]

Arkansas should win, but they would be mistaken to assume that they can take Georgia lightly because of last week. I'll be curious of the line. I could see it being inflated to something crazy after the S.C. game. Actually, Arkansas is 0-2 ATS this season, though mostly because they haven't run up the score on their weak early season opponents.

They'll need to find a running game to keep balanced though - not rely on Mallett as much as they did this week.

[Dossenator]

Arkansas should win, but they would be mistaken to assume that they can take Georgia lightly because of last week. I'll be curious of the line. I could see it being inflated to something crazy after the S.C. game. Actually, Arkansas is 0-2 ATS this season, though mostly because they haven't run up the score on their weak early season opponents.

They'll need to find a running game to keep balanced though - not rely on Mallett as much as they did this week.

I agree....however, ULM stacked the box and dared Ark to beat them through the air. And well...they did. Petrino in his post game interview said that should have thrown the ball on every down because ULM had so many guys in the box. He said he was being stubborn throwing in some runs. I think you will see more running the next couple of weeks. Georgia and Bama will play the Hogs differently and will try to disrupt the passing game....I expect lots of blitzes ect out of Georgia. Hogs should be able to run a little. I also expect the Hogs to run more screens then they have thus far (another way to get the running backs more into the game).

Believe me, the Hogs are not taking the Bulldogs lightly. Since joining the SEC, the Hogs are 1-7 versus Georgia (with the only win in 1993 in Athens). Hogs record is quite good against LSU, Bama, Auburn, etc....but Georgia and Florida have caused the Hogs all kinds of trouble.

I actual think that Georgia will be favored in this game. I have not seen the line but I would think that it will be Georgia by 2 or 3.

[Dossenator]

I guessed it right....Georgia is a 3 point favorite right now.

http://www.vegasinsider.com/college-foo ... m/arkansas

[Brian Roastbeef]

Yep. Seems about right, considering it is in Georgia. Now we will see if the bettors pound Arkansas because of what happened Saturday, and shift the line. I still think Arkansas will win if they are focused, but I wouldn't play this one.

[Derek]

This will be a good game...I was offered tickets, but I can't make it...I'll be in Orlando. I would have liked to have met RazorHawk, or was it Doss that was going to be at the game??

This is make or break for Ga, a loss here and the season is over (metaphorically speaking) and the season has NEVER been over by Week 3 before.

The grumblings will grow with a loss. You do NOT play sub .500 ball at Ga, even after 3 weeks.

[RazorHawk]

This will be a good game...I was offered tickets, but I can't make it...I'll be in Orlando. I would have liked to have met RazorHawk, or was it Doss that was going to be at the game??

This is make or break for Ga, a loss here and the season is over (metaphorically speaking) and the season has NEVER been over by Week 3 before.

The grumblings will grow with a loss. You do NOT play sub .500 ball at Ga, even after 3 weeks.

I was going to the game with a good friend in Atlanta. He had the tickets and now cannot go because of some family health issues. He offered me the tickets, but I did not feel like making the trip alone. Looks like now the only game I might see, in person, will be the South Carolina game.

[Dossenator]

Arkansas' most experienced...and some say #1 back....Dennis Johnson is out indefinitely (he also served as the returner on kick offs). He came out of the ULM game with an injury after returning a kick off. He told coaches that he fell on the ball. He had surgery today for a bowel injury (specific injury not disclosed). There is no time table for when he will be back. Definitely out for awhile...so he will not be available for Georgia or Bama (and probably many more games).

http://www.arkansassports360.com/19887/ ... wel-injury

Also, anyone heard how the AJ Green appeal is going?

[RazorHawk]

Arkansas' most experienced...and some say #1 back....Dennis Johnson is out indefinitely (he also served as the returner on kick offs). He came out of the ULM game with an injury after returning a kick off. He told coaches that he fell on the ball. He had surgery today for a bowel injury (specific injury not disclosed).
http://www.arkansassports360.com/19887/ ... wel-injury

Also, anyone heard how the AJ Green appeal is going?

Wonder how he fell on the ball to create such an injury?

[Derek]

NCAA Hypocritical?? No...LOL!!

http://www.jocklife.net/news/ncaa-continues-get-it-wrong-suspension-aj-green-37209

The NCAA has become nothing more than a hypocritical governing body that operates as a non-profit, but carries out its operations as if it were a for-profit entity. The NCAA continues to bring in billions of dollars while making sure that college athletes perform at high levels to bring in more money for schools.

But to answer the question...It looks like they will appeal it tomorrow.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5565951

[Yeofoot]

I think Arkansas wins as long as the receivers hold onto the ball (both sticky hands, and Mallett puts touch on the ball).

I would say the 2nd thing would be as long as the DBs don't give up the big plays, but I don't think it'll be an issue with Green out.

Arkansas 27 Georgia 17

[Dossenator]

I think Arkansas wins as long as the receivers hold onto the ball (both sticky hands, and Mallett puts touch on the ball).

I would say the 2nd thing would be as long as the DBs don't give up the big plays, but I don't think it'll be an issue with Green out.

Arkansas 27 Georgia 17

I hope your right Yeofoot. I have heard several of the talking heads pick this game....so far every single person has picked Georgia.

[Dossenator]

AJ ruled ineligible for the game, and Georgia RB Caleb King is not expected to play with an ankle injury. Ark will be without RB Dennis Johnson.

I can't wait for the game. 13 more hours!!!!!

[WoVeU]

Doss I wouldn't worry about what Ark hasn't shown yet on O. We saw this last year, it is by design. When you go all high flying and your O is greatly different than other in your conference...then early on, you are really playing poker....showing the big stuff is really jeopardizing. I'd go so far as to say they'd like not to lay a whole lot out against Georgia, but to get by with this against a good squad in their house means they could brake out a few of their dynamic and most effective plays early (perceived) to jump on top and then tuck it back some. * I have just seen RR, J. Jones, and others do this because it just means more in certain schemes. But today we learn somethings either way!

I like Georgia and Ark, but I think Ark has got a cannon loaded for the Dawgs. I can't wait for the Hogs to unleash it on the other SEC teams I don't like!

[RazorHawk]

Doss I wouldn't worry about what Ark hasn't shown yet on O. We saw this last year, it is by design. When you go all high flying and your O is greatly different than other in your conference...then early on, you are really playing poker....showing the big stuff is really jeopardizing. I'd go so far as to say they'd like not to lay a whole lot out against Georgia, but to get by with this against a good squad in their house means they could brake out a few of their dynamic and most effective plays early (perceived) to jump on top and then tuck it back some. * I have just seen RR, J. Jones, and others do this because it just means more in certain schemes. But today we learn somethings either way!

I like Georgia and Ark, but I think Ark has got a cannon loaded for the Dawgs. I can't wait for the Hogs to unleash it on the other SEC teams I don't like!

I think this may be true. Bobby Petrino is no dummy. I was scheduled to travel to Athens this weekend but had some stuff come up, that made me cancel my trip. TV will be tuned and Hogs will be called.