The Auburn [4] game was one of the most unique game environments I’ve ever been a part of. It was a roller coaster of a ride that saw this improving UGA team dismantle a very good AU defense and saw Brandon Cox cement a place in the Reggie Ball Honarary Favorite Player From a Rival Hall of Fame. It was difficult to explain and nearly impossible to predict, but in the end it was a beautiful thing.

About the AU game

First off let me say that was probably the noisiest, most raucous crowd I’ve ever seen in Sanford Stadium. From the opening kickoff it was just something special with the whole crowd dressed all in black. I admit I was skeptical about the benefit of the crowd turning out in black but it seemed to have an effect on the crowd, lending a sense of solidarity to the whole program. It was amazing.

As for the game, what else can I say besides we saw how absolutely lethal this team can be. Offensively, the emergence of Knowshon at the same time Stafford starts connecting with receivers downfield provides a balance to this offense that is truly scary (at least for opposing DCs). It all boils down to the OL though. That group is simply playing tremendously; opening holes for the running game, giving Stafford time, just an all around great job by that young bunch. Defensively I think we’re walking a fine line right now between our new-found emotion and something a bit out of control. Look, I understand several of those personal foul calls were close, but things like that little jig that Kelin Johnson was doing are over the line. We have to understand that playing with emotion and having fun still need to be within some limits. Johnson is a leader. He should know better.

That being said, I thought the turning point of the game was the late hit on Stafford. Prior to that we had given up 17 unanswered points, were down 20-17, had done absolutely nothing on offense for the better part of a quarter and looked completely frustrated. Enter a late hit on the sidelines (about the hit…normally I’d say it was questionable but given the earlier questionable calls on such plays, the refs had to make it). That play ended up being as big a turning point as I’ve seen in an athletic event, maybe since Cru Jones hit that backflip at Helltrack (pat yourself on the back if you got that reference). The very next play Stafford connected to Bailey long down the sidelines and we were off. From that point on we scored 28 unanswered to close the game. It was like Stafford needed to get knocked back on track. He did and we did.

UK Offense

This UK offense is a scary one and they have the numbers, personnel, and balance to back it up. They average over 37 ppg (31 in SEC games). They are 1st in the Sec in passing offense and 4th in total offense and scoring offense. They’ve got a 1st round NFL talent at QB, some capable receivers and a solid running game. They’re not the gimmicky UK offenses we saw in the Hal Mumme days. These guys are just good.

Leading the UK attack is senior, preseason Heisman contender Andre’ Woodson. If you don’t know how good this guy is, you must’ve been under a rock for the last two years. He currently owns the NCAA record for consecutive passes without an INT somewhere north of 300. For the year he’s completing nearly 65% of his passes and in the last two seasons has thrown 60 TDs to only 14 INTs. He’s a big, athletic kid at 6-5, 230, but if he’s scrambling it’s to find someone downfield more than it is to pick up yards with his legs. He’s a very accurate passer with a strong arm that knows this system very well and executes it with ease. He’s scary. He reminds me a lot of last year’s first overall selection JaMarcus Russell from LSU [5]…big kid, incredible arm, always seems to throw a perfect spiral, fluid throwing motion, great touch.

At RB, UK may be getting back their senior star RB in Rafael Little who’s been injured off and on all year. The 5-10, 195 pound scatback is a solid SEC RB. On the year he’s averaging over 6 ypc and he has over 100 career pass receptions and 1,000 receiving yards so this guy is an integral part of all phases of their offense. He’s a threat to score every time he touches the ball but is also capable of being a workhorse back, going over 100 yards in 5 of the 7 games he’s played in this year despite his on and off injury status. The one benefit of his injuries has been the development of freshman speedster Derrick Locke from Oklahoma. The kid has come in and been a massive help to their depth chart. He’s yet to fill out, but he’s as fast as you’ll find and if he gets a hole he’ll scamper for a ways. While he did go for 76 yards against UF on only 14 carries, most of his best games have come against lesser competition. He’s averaging about 4.5 ypc in SEC competition. He’s yet to show himself to be the receiving threat that Little is.

As expected of a receiving corps with a QB the level of Woodson, there are more than a few options in the UK passing game. The top 3 WRs all have 40 or more receptions with none more than 48. They also each have a receiving TD of 50+ yards. Sr. Steve Johnson leads the team in yards (754), ypr (18.9) and TDs (9). He’s a big guy that isn’t the fastest guy on the team by his own admission but he makes all the important catches and always seems to get open. Fellow Sr. Keenan Burton leads the team in catches (48) after making 77 grabs for over 1,000 yards last season. He and Jr. Dicky Lyons have nearly identical stats on the year. All 3 are excellent options that help make Woodson look really, really good. Perhaps the most dangerous receiving option on the team is TE Jacob Tamme. Another senior, Tamme is the guy who always seems to spring open just enough on 3rd down to make the big catch. He’s averaging just over 10 ypc and has 38 grabs on the year.

The UK OL has struggled at times this year keeping Woodson upright, giving up nearly 2.5 sacks per game but considering the number of times they throw the ball it makes a little more sense. The unit is a mix of upper and underclassmen, starting 2 seniors, a junior and 2 sophomores. They’ve been a bit inconsistent in terms of their protection, struggling while giving up 6 sacks to UF and 3 each to Miss St and Vandy, yet they didn’t allow a sack against LSU even after 3 OTs. Size-wise, their interior looks a little small, going 285, 290 and 287 from left to right. Given how well Atkins and Owens have been playing up front, we might be able to get a push up there.