Impose our Will? Run the Dang Ball!

#1
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BruinVol

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#1
Run the dang ball with a run heavy game plan has been something I have wanted this program to be able to do for along time against elite teams and I can’t believe I am saying this but I don’t think this week is the time to try it.



Hear me out as I have looked closely at what most here would agree was a great offensive outing against Mizzu and the formula for that success.


Here is why I think we must pass to set up any chance to run in Athens.



While we hit some solid runs on 1st down against mizzu we really weren’t able “to impose our will” and run it down their throats. We had 18 rush attempts on 1st down and were stuffed for less than 3 yards in over half of those. We did have 3 runs over 10yards which made the yards per rush a very respectable 5 yards a carry but none the less we weren’t consistently staying ahead of the chains.



Here is reason we must play balanced football on 1st down and not be afraid for 2nd and 10 if we have an incomplete pass. We ran the ball on 2nd and 10 six times for gains of 6,10,11,13 and 9 yards for right at a 10yard average. That down and distance was clearly a successful time to run the ball.




With all that said I think it’s clear we must set up the pass to be able to run the ball in Athens. Even with our great OL I don’t think we can run the ball with great success against that elite defense the dawgs has if we try to be a run heavy team Saturday.



We must run when they are expecting pass and pass when they are playing the run imo to get a rhythm going on O.
 
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#5
#5
Admiral Farragut said it best, "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead."
I believe General Neyland would agree.
 
#6
#6
While i agree with this weather may cause for a run heavy game plan... And it may have to be under center, to avoid bad snaps over head with a slippery ball as we are in the about 90 percent of our offense, besides would we be comfortable throwing the ball 20 to 25 times in a downpour that may be in play.
 
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#7
#7
tennesseepride84 said:
While i agree with this weather may cause for a run heavy game plan... And it may have to be under center, to avoid bad snaps over head with a slippery ball as we are in the about 90 percent of our offense, besides would we be comfortable throwing the ball 20 to 25 times in a downpour that may be in play.
Click to expand...


Good point on the weather being a game changer


If it turns out to a sloppy slug fest I agree that my op is out the window
 
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#9
#9
Most of the buzz about the OL has been based on the resume of the individual pieces -- four 5-stars and good depth. We've seen flashes, but not their full potential.

I keep thinking about the last TD in the 4th quarter against Mizzou, 1st and goal on the 3 and pounding it straight up into the teeth of the defense on four consecutive runs. I kept thinking Guarantano could've faked a hand-off, rolled out and walked into the end zone.

But the toughest steel is forged in the hottest fire. I think the coaches wanted to challenge the OL and give them some confidence. Maybe it'll be remembered as just another set of downs. But I'd like to believe we'll see even more consistent production this week because of it.
 
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#13
#13
I think it's going to come down to which side can mix it up better. Our run game will have better success that UGA's first 2 opponents, but we just can't rely on ramming down their throats. Play calling is going to determine a lot in who wins this.
 
#15
#15
I agree. If we line up and try running it on first down most the time like usual, or in strong running situations, we’ll not have a good day offensively. I think Georgia coaches will stack the box, take away the run, and make JG beat them with correct reads and accurate passes. Something he’s done at times, but not consistently by any means. Also the WRs will have to win some one on one battles against some good corners.
I think matching up our RBs against their LBs should be a focus area in the passing game and an area we can hit some good plays.
IMO, this game will come down to JGs accuracy and consistency in the passing game to keep the D honest and backed off from stacking the box, and our D’s ability to pressure their QB.
Chaney is a good enough OC to game plan and call a good game, I look forward to seeing what he comes up with.
 
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#16
#16
VOLFan65 said:
Two things that we have: 1) Speed at WR, 2) JG, though inconsistent, has shown he can throw a nice deep ball. We can't let that defense stack the box. Need to stretch them with some deep balls. Even if they aren't complete, it will set up the run.
Click to expand...
Our WR speed is a net zero vs. their secondary. They are faster than us.
If our WR are running good routes, and they have been so far (so I expect the Smart crew to be attacking our WRs at the line of scrimmage) we can execute the pass game. JG's good when the routes are crisp. Some QBs can do it when the route is busted(Peyton, Schuler at college, Bray, Clausen(the good one)), others fail to adapt the throw. The WR routes will probably be a mess with this weekend's weather and UGA's bumping at the line.

So a well-executed blocking scheme keeps us in the game. My big concern is Cimaglia. When does he straighten it up? I never worried about him until now. Cimaglia vs Jack Podlesny may be the story. If Cimaglia is going to come around, now is the time.
 
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#21
#21
We can't not try and impose our will. There's a reason we have all those studs up there. It's to dominate the line of scrimmage. We can't be skerrdd of them.

Do need JG to make some plays with his arm. Don't need him to become Peyton or anything, but he's gotta continue to limit his mistakes and get us some good chunk plays. We also need to force a few turnovers to get it done. Make Stetson Bennett look more like a 4th stringer
 
#22
#22
You don’t build the O Line and RBs that we have and go into a game afraid to run the ball. UGA has an excellent run defense, but they haven’t seen anything like this so far. We will be running all afternoon. UGA has very big 300+ pound defensive lineman. Trey Smith and Cade Mays are going to have to prove their ratings Saturday. With time JG is a serviceable QB, and we have seen what chandler and Gray do when there is actually a lane. Georgia is very good at disguising pressure, so in addition to pounding the ball, we’re going to need to see some blocking from those guys as well. JG will be throwing against and excellent secondary, he’s going to need that extra second to make the right read.
We don’t need JG to win the game with his arm, but it’s critically important that he not lose the game with turnovers.

Georgia is also going to be pounding the ball. White is a powerful runner, and despite being relatively inexperienced, the Oline has been playing well. Bennett has improved through week 2, but he is still not an elite QB, and honestly is probably about equal to JG. Like Pruitt, Smart will want to win this game on the ground. No way he trusts his QB to go out and win the game. Bennett tends to sling the ball around a bit under pressure, especially on 3rd. Luckily for him, he has one of the best receivers in Pickens. Honestly he’s lucked out of a few picks so far. Hopefully with a little more healthy secondary we can take advantage of a QB with limited SEC experience. Safeties staying true to pass defense and being willing to give up some yards on the ground will be a key to keeping things close. Tennessee has to keep Georgia’s offense in front of them, Bennett has accuracy on the long ball and will burn is if we let a receiver free.

Tennessee is still a step below UGA talent wise. However, it’s now a much smaller step than it’s been in a long time. Pruitt will bring a team ready to play at the limit of their ability. On its own, I don’t think it’s enough to win, but if we can cause just one mistake....that’s probably enough for the upset. Tennessee must prove they can run on one of the best defenses in the country, and JG needs to understand that he likely won’t be the key to victory, but could easily be the key to defeat, and play a clean game. Leave us in a position to fight again on another down or series, don’t force it. Pruitt brought a team into Neyland that never gave up against the dawgs last year, even while never really being in the second half. If we play with that intensity in Athens....it’s going to be a great game. Go Vols, and I’m going to go with my heart on this one 28-27 Vols.
 
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#23
#23
We must establish the run and they know that, so first play will be a play action pass for a big gainer to take the wind out of their sails. Chaney knows they will be looking for the run early. I told you first...... Book it.
 
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#24
#24
SpookyAction said:
Our WR speed is a net zero vs. their secondary. They are faster than us.
If our WR are running good routes, and they have been so far (so I expect the Smart crew to be attacking our WRs at the line of scrimmage) we can execute the pass game. JG's good when the routes are crisp. Some QBs can do it when the route is busted(Peyton, Schuler at college, Bray, Clausen(the good one)), others fail to adapt the throw. The WR routes will probably be a mess with this weekend's weather and UGA's bumping at the line.

So a well-executed blocking scheme keeps us in the game. My big concern is Cimaglia. When does he straighten it up? I never worried about him until now. Cimaglia vs Jack Podlesny may be the story. If Cimaglia is going to come around, now is the time.
Click to expand...

Concerned as well. We need him to get back to his usual self.

Well that's what we paid Tee Martin the big bucks for. Hopefully we can continue to run good routes, and though he's young, Hyatt, may need to be called upon to stretch them. I feel like he can be an x-factor. Hate putting pressure on Freshmen in big games like this, but if he can stretch them like he's capable of. then they would be forced to at least watch the deep ball. Hardly believe that they have someone in that secondary that can run line for line with him, and a few others of these young guys. As for our starters, yea they have to get off those jams at the line.
 
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