Place: Stillwater, Okla.
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Line: Oklahoma State by 5
Three reasons Georgia will win
For Richt, line play is a foundation.
1. Line of scrimmage, part I: Inconsistency plagued Georgia’s young offensive line last year—every hint of development cancelled by injury or poor play. Coach Mark Richt chalked up the issues to inexperience. If he’s right and the big guys stay healthy, this year’s group should rank among the best in the SEC. The Bulldogs’ line can dominate the Cowboys upfront, setting up a series of inside runs and play-action passes that could demoralize OSU. And their play grows even more important with news of projected starting quarterback Joe Cox’s illness; if Cox can’t go, sophomore Logan Gray, a part-time punt returner in 2008, will get the nod.
2. Line of scrimmage, part II: Both Georgia’s starting defensive tackles, Geno Atkins and Jeff Owens, could be preparing for NFL season openers this weekend. Owens was an All-America candidate in ‘08 before a preseason injury ended his year; Atkins lacks huge numbers but disrupts the game as much as anyone at his position. The Cowboys possess some of the nation’s strongest skill players, but Owens and Atkins can combine to lock down RB Kendall Hunter and make OSU one-dimensional. That’s bad news for the hosts.
3. SEC pride: The logic goes like so. If the SEC has the best teams in the country, and the Bulldogs rank in the top half (and …
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