[3]
Key Matchup to watch when they have the ball: They do a lot of different things to neutralize pressure…3 step drops, rolling the pocket, etc. Even in these cases our DL can do some things to disrupt their O in terms of knocking them back off the ball and getting their hands up to disrupt passing lanes. Bottom line, if Brennan has all day, he’ll make us pay. On downs they go straight drop and stay in the pocket, we have to pressure him. Their WRs are too good and Brennan too accurate for us to hold coverage too long. Given the ability of guys like Howard and Atkins to get after the QB and the athleticism and strength of Owens, I think we should be able to get pressure on occasion.
As much press as the Hawaii [4] offense gets, this team has played a pretty decent amount of defense this year and is probably underappreciated by anyone not from the Aloha State. As a unit they’re in the high 30s, low 40s in most of the major defensive categories. Much of that can again be contributed to their schedule though. The DI teams they played on the season averaged 71 in scoring offense and 63 in total offense. They gave up 44 to Louisiana Tech (99th in scoring offense), 37 to Utah State (101st in scoring offense) and 35 to San Jose State (103rd in scoring offense). Those aren’t good numbers. They have played extremely well at times, with arguably their best effort coming in their season finale against Washington. Yes they gave up 28 points in that game, but none came in the last 2.5 quarters as they mounted a huge comeback to win it late.
The
Hawaii DL has some interesting players. The most productive DE is All WAC performer
David Veikune. The 6-3, 252 pound junior leads the team in sacks with 7, not
bad for a guy that doesn’t start. Look for Veikune in passing situations.
Senior Amani Purcell is a beefy 6-4, 277 pounder that is strong against the
run. Inside, DT Mike Lafaele is the anchor. Another all-conference player on
D (they have 5), Lafaele is a bowling-ball sized lineman at 6-1, 302. He’s
not the type of DL to rack up a ton of stats (he only has 20 tackles on the
season and 3.5 sacks), but he’s tough to move and he eats up space and
blockers, freeing up their active LBs to get after the ball carrier.
LB Solomon Elimimian is like the Hawaiian version of Rennie Curran. Undersized at 5-11, 218, the junior leads the team in tackles (an impressive 132) and is an all WAC player. He’s one of those Dat Nguyen type MLBs, undersized but with a big heart and always seems to be around the ball. His 11 TFLs are tied for the team lead. Buck LB Adam Leonard is also an All WAC performer, with 100 tackles 11 TFLs and an incredible 4 INTs. Those two form the core of an impressive LB group. Their D scheme funnels plays to these guys and they execute. Sounds easy, but when you funnel guys like Southerland and Moreno/Brown somewhere you might not necessarily like what happens when they get there.
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I am not counting a UGA blowout, I expect the score to be in the 45-30 neighborhood. Hawaii will score their points, we have to outscore them. I know they basically played a high school schedule, but they are still good. Our defense has to step up and make plays, and our offense will need to score early and often. My prediction, UGA wins 45-30. Go Dawgs!!! We will win the SEC the next year and be in the BcS title game.
Comments
I have appreciated your column for some time and just wanted drop a line in thanks. I believe your piece allows me to objectively assess the situation our beloved DAWGS face in NOLA. I've noticed that a good grip on the facts seems to be the most solid base from which to form expectations. (It must be my Cobb County public school education). Again, thanks Jody.
In my opinion, UGA will play this game with a chip on their shoulder. That attitude is completely justified. The DAWGS have been subjected to disrespect by the ESPN clowns. It's too bad we can't set the DAWGS loose on the set at ESPN. I would dearly love to see them maul Granny, May and Herbstreit. That won't happen. But, someone has to pay and that someone is the UH football team.
This is a statement game for the UGA program. It is the response to Herbstreit and ESPN for abusing their position. It is a paragigm shift for all non-DAWGS who watch this game. It is the launch pad at Cape Canaveral and the DAWGS are the new Space Shuttle. Look for CMR not to throttle back when the DAWGS have shredded UH thoroughly. Look for 60+ points from the DAWGS and a horrendous beating for the UH Warriors. This is the game which will set the tone for 2008, The Year of the DAWG.