Based on what is known about Georgia and Oklahoma State, I can understand why the Cowboys are favored. They are a proven and powerful offensive team. Also, they feature upperclassmen as their stars. Couple this with the game being played in their brand new stadium and the Cowboys, according to Las Vegas, are a six point favorite to defeat the Bulldogs.
On the other hand, Georgia is a team of potential. The Bulldogs have potentially one the of best offensive lines in the country. The Dogs potentially have one of the best receiver corps in the country. And then there's the defense. Last year was an aberration that I never want to see again. There was something systemically wrong with the defense. It just wasn't Georgia. Mark Richt has stated that the problem was due to no hitting in practices. This certainly contributed but it is not a satisfactory explanation.
If Georgia is to beat the Cowboys, certain things must happen:
1) The offensive line must dominate the line of scrimmage. The surest route to victory for Georgia is ball control.
2) The defense must play like Georgia. Tough play between the tackles and an effective pass rush will keep it close.
3) Turnovers and take-aways are critical.
Now you might say that all these things apply to every game and to every opponent. And you would be correct. But remember the "potential" that we talked about earlier. Potential needs time to percolate. The 2009 Georgia defense believes that they are not last year's Bulldogs. Joe Cox knows that this is not the 2008 Georgia offense but he is confident in his potential. Each side of the ball needs time to validate their beliefs on the field. The first series in each half for the Georgia offense and defense will be critical.
The Bookies in Las Vegas don't believe in potential. They want to see the stats. The talking heads don't care about potential. Potential doesn't provide highlights. But college football is the best regular season in all of sport because of potential. Potential is like magic, when it happens, it's astonishing: remember Boise State and Oklahoma - magic.
Go Dogs. Play to your potential. To paraphrase Kipling, "...if you can fill the unforgiving minute with sixty seconds worth of distance run, yours is the Earth and everything that's in it; and which is more you may win the SEC, my friend.
