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Positional Notes

How much has Stafford progressed this year? Last year he had one game where he threw 2 TD passes (MSU) and he only had two games (after the gained the starting job) where he threw at least as many TDs as INTs (AU and GT both with 1/0). This year? Through 9 games he’s thrown 2 or more TDs in 6 games and has thrown for more TDs than INTs in all but two games (SC – 0/1 and Bama- 2/2). Sure it hasn’t been the explosive development many thought it would be, but the kid is actually playing really well.

If Weston can’t go that’s a huge absence in the interior of our DL. He’s really been a rock lately, but right now, DT might be our deepest position on the D, especially with the emergence of Atkins as a big time disruptor. Owens has been solid as usual and Irvin is logging quality minutes as well.

Depth at safety will be an issue this week. CJ Byrd and Reshad Jones will likely start and usual starter Kelin Johnson will probably be available but the other member of the two deep is out, with Quintin Banks getting injured on Troy’s late LATE scoring drive.

Thomas Brown appears set to return to the lineup after missing the last several games due ot a broken clavicle. His return is HUGE from a depth standpoint as Knowshon won’t have to worry as much about pacing himself (the coaches too for that matter).

Random Thoughts

Alright, I said it was over and I really thought it was, but Steve Perry just won’t leave me alone. The first song I hear when I walked into the stadium was Separate Ways (yep, same one from the video). Then at half time the redcoats start playing…that’s right, Journey tribute. What’s the deal there? Earlier this year they were doing a James Brown tribute. How did we go from the godfather of soul to the godfather of the mullet?

We need some serious work on the mic guy (and girl) that try to get the crowd going prior to the games now. The have to pick up the pace on those chants…like double time. Folks in our section wanted to join in but the rhythm was just way off…so they just quit.

Big, big kudos to the pre-game video folks. Excellent job on the inclusion of the UF game highlights into the video. Just perfect. Maybe the biggest cheer all day outside of the 80-yard scamper.

About the blackout…look, I can count on one hand the number of times the football team has made a request of the fans (and I mean specific, not just to show up and cheer). If they want me to wear black, I can handle that…it is, after all, one of our school colors.

I’m pretty sure the upper deck of the south stands is about 15-20 degrees cooler than anywhere else in the state when it’s in the shade. Somehow it turns into a wind tunnel.

I’ve avoided this until now, but basically the way this works out is we have to win our next two games (AU and UK) and UT has to lose one of its remaining 3 games (Ark, Vandy and UK) for us to win the east. Given how well UT’s played at home, our best shot might be UT’s lone remaining road game (@UK), especially when you consider that with ND’s loss to Navy, I think UT-UK might be the longest win streak over a single opponent in football. UT has won 20+ in a row over UK and this year is clearly the year to break suck streaks. Of course, the way Arkansas is playing they could easily win this weekend too.

Speaking of ND, they have 1 win on the year, against UCLA and that was when UCLA had a walk-on 3rd string QB starting (if I’m not mistaken). Without that hallmark win, ND would have a real shot at going from BCS bowl to winless season. Good thing they nailed Weis down with that extension before the NFL started calling.

You think some UGA fans have been frustrated with out defense? Imagine being Nebraska. They just gave up 76 to Kansas. In football. Nebraska has already given up more points this season than in any previous complete season in their history (if I read that Sportscenter blurb right last Saturday).

Have a safe weekend,
Jody