Dawgs Can Re-Define Season Against LSU

For Georgia, there were a lot of unknowns coming into this season.  Would Joe Cox be an adequate replacement for Matt Stafford?  Would the King-Samuel-Thomas RB triumvirate be able to match Knowshon's production?  Could the defense get off the field?  Would the penalties and turnovers stop (or at least slow down)?

Many in the Bulldog Nation thought that the opening game against Oklahoma State would go a long way in answering those questions and defining this year's team.  As we all know, the Dawgs ended up losing 24-10.  Georgia turned the ball over 3 times, with 2 of those leading to 10 of Oklahoma State's 24 points.  The final turnover, a Joe Cox interception, would be the final time UGA would touch the ball.

The game was marked by inconsistency for the Dawgs.  Offensively, the first drive looked great.  The offense marched the ball right down the field, with Richard Samuel seemingly picking up where Knowshon left off.  The next 4 possessions resulted in punts, including one 3 and out.  The two fumbles came when Thomas (the first fumble) and Cox (the second) failed to protect the ball, despite the obvious imminent contact.  The interception was a forced throw that didn't need to be made.

The defense was likewise inconsistent.  While going into the game, it was the Cowboy passing attack that everyone was talking about, it turned out to be the run game that hurt the Bulldogs the most.  Oklahoma State managed only 135 yards through the air, but gained 172 yards on the ground.  While Georgia limited Dez Bryant to just 3 catches on the day, 2 of those were for touchdowns, and the defensive backfield looked completely lost on the first of Bryant's TD catches.

The rest of Georgia's season has largely mirrored that first game against Oklahoma State.  The offense looked unstoppable at times against South Carolina, and especially Arkansas.  Yet, that unstoppable offense has continued to turn the ball over and put the defense in bad positions (Georgia currently ranks 95th in the country in scoring defense, surrendering nearly 30 points per game).  That same offense managed only 20 points against a middle of the pack Pac-10 team.  Fortunately for Georgia, the defense played very well against the Sun Devils.  7 of Arizona State's 17 came courtesy of a Joe Cox pick 6, and the other Sun Devil touchdown came on a 37 yard drive that followed a Caleb King fumble.

To this point, the Georgia season has been defined by its inconsistency.  However, the Dawgs have a great opportunity to redefine who they are as a team on Saturday against LSU.  The offense and defense have played well this year, just not in the same game.  The key for UGA will be to have both sides of the ball show up this Saturday.  Georgia is very fortunate to be 3-1, and 2-0 in the SEC.  They are two blocked kicks away from potentially being 1-3 and 1-1 in the SEC.  With a complete TEAM game against LSU, Georgia can go from an inconsistent and mediocre looking team to a serious SEC title contender, capable of going toe-to-toe with Florida.  To do this, the offense will have to stop turning the ball over, and the defense will have to get off the field before the other team puts points on the board.  And of course, it would be nice if the coaches continue to let Blair Walsh put kicks in the back of the endzone.

-Dex