CAN BULLDOGS TAKE DOWN THE BEARS IN NEW ORLEANS?

FILE – Baylor quarterback Charlie Brewer passes the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kansas, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, in Lawrence, Kan. (FILE – AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

FILE – Georgia defensive lineman Malik Herring (10) and defensive back J.R. Reed (20) hit LSU quarterback Joe Burrow (9) during an NCAA college football game for the Southeastern Conference championship Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, in Atlanta, Ga. (FILE – C.B. Schmelter/Chattanooga Times Free Press via AP)

BUCK BELUE
ATLANTA, Ga – This looks like a dangerous match-up for Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. Coach Smart better figure out a way to get this team to play its best, because Baylor is going to bring it!

After studying the match-up, there were some concerns from a Georgia perspective.

Question #1: Who is going to block #93?
The Bears defensive lineman James Lynch is a grown man, with a top-end motor! This guy is an NFL caliber defensive lineman. He plays DE but can slide down to tackle on pass downs. Lynch is strong, quick and ultra-competitive. This is a big challenge. Does Jamaree Salyer step in at right tackle and take this beast on? And who do the Bulldogs play at right guard? Justin Shaffer? The educated guess is that Cade Mays plays left tackle. These highly-rated guys have waited and worked…now its time to step up. But will they?

By the way, Baylor can rush the passer (school record 46 sacks), so Jake Fromm’s safety is a concern.

Question #2: What is the ball distribution at RB look like?
Is Swift going to play? I hear Brian Herrien is out. What about Cook? Sounds to me like Zamir White is finally set to be the lead ‘Dog. I must say, I’ve been waiting to see Zamir get a bigger workload…wondering if that would turn him loose, as far as making big runs. Can’t wait to see how he plays. Is he special? We’re about to find out. I have a hard time seeing the Bulldogs win, without Zamir having a big night.

Question #3: Will George Pickens be a difference-maker in New Orleans?
George needs to show up big in the Big Easy! Jake Fromm will be looking for him to win those 50/50 balls down the field. Obviously, the wide receiver position is severely limited in this game. If George doesn’t deliver…it could be ugly out wide.
On the other side of the ball, I’ve only got one big question.

Question #4: Are the Bulldogs going to defend the pass better than they did against LSU?
The Tigers carved up the ‘Dogs secondary in the SEC Title Game. Burrow threw for 350 yards. Now, the Bears QB Charlie Brewer gets his turn. He must be licking his chops! Brewer is legit. He can spin it and run with it. The Bears are a balanced offense, so the Bulldogs defense will be challenged.
Azeez Ojulari and Nolan Smith better get pressure on Brewer! Nakobe Dean needs to make an impact. Eric Stokes & DJ Daniel need to hold up on the edge. For Georgia to win, these guys are going to have to be making plays. Georgia needs turnovers out of its defense. That might be asking too much.

Seems like the Bulldogs are counting on a lot of young players to lead the way against Baylor. That worries me. This might not go well. Unless, the new dudes deliver big performances. And that’s what they were recruited to do.

Stay tuned to 680 The Fan for more on the Sugar Bowl match-up

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