Georgia Bulldogs Game 7 Preview: Arkansas Razorbacks

The No. 10 Georgia Bulldogs (5-1, 3-1 SEC) continue on the road this week, as they travel to Little Rock, Ar. to take on the Arkansas Razorbacks (3-3, 0-3 SEC) in another crucial SEC matchup.

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Date: 10/18/2014
Kickoff Time: 4:00 pm
Venue: War Memorial Stadium – Little Rock, Ar.
Series Record: Georgia leads, 9-4
Last Meeting: Sept. 18, 2010 – Arkansas 31, Georgia 24 (Athens, Ga.)
Radio: Georgia Bulldog Sports Network from IMG;
TV: SEC Network
Internet Stream: GTV on Georgiadogs.com

Latest Line: Georgia by 3.5

Georgia continues its long road stretch with a first ever trip to War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. The Dawgs and Hogs have met five previous times in neutral locations, with Georgia holding a 3-2 lead (9-4 overall against the Razorbacks).

The Razorbacks are a much improved team, and are staying close in most of their games, and Bulldogs should not take their 0-3 conference record lightly. Arkansas is staring down the barrel of a 16th straight conference loss, a fact which should make Georgia keenly aware of how hungry this team is.

Keys to the game:

For Georgia, they must run the ball as successfully as they have all season and control the clock. Nick Chubb and Brendan Douglas will have a little extra support available (if needed) in the backfield with J.J. Green being moved back to tailback availability for this game.

The Bulldogs defense needs to continue their improved play, and build on the SEC-leading +9 turnover margin (5th nationally) they’ve created so far this season. The other team can’t score if you take the ball away.

Protecting Hutson Mason against a very underrated Arkansas defensive front will also be a priority.

Sep 20, 2014; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks running back Alex Collins (3) carries the ball during a game against the Northern Illinois University Huskies at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Arkansas defeated NIU 52-14. Mandatory Credit: Beth Hall-USA TODAY Sports

The game plan for the Hogs is going to look very similar. They’re a team who prefers to run the ball (one of the best in the nation at it), but have the ability to move the ball in the air if the run game is shut down, as they showed against Alabama last week. Running back Alex Collins is their version of Gurley, and will be a tough one to stop.

Their defense is more opportunistic than spectacular, but they make big plays and can come up with them when needed.

Strengths and Weaknesses:

If ever there were a case of irresistible force meeting immovable object on the football field, this might be it.

Both teams run the ball exceptionally well, with Arkansas sitting at 11th in the nation in rushing offense, putting up 278.67 yards per game, and Georgia just behind at 12th in the nation, running for 275.67 per game. That’s about as close as you can get.

Neither team cares to pass the ball a lot, as the Razorbacks are 107th in the nation in passing offense, throwing for a mere 180.8 yards per game, and the Bulldogs close behind at 112th in the nation, picking up 170 yards per game in the air.

Defensively, there is a little more separation, and that’s where this game might be won. Both teams defend the run pretty well, with Arkansas giving up 127.17 ypg on the ground (39th nationally), and Georgia only giving up 101.67 (12th nationally). For two teams who love to run the ball that much, it might end up looking like a stalemate on the ground.

But the Dawgs much improved pass defense (despite a paper thin secondary full of freshman and backups) is only surrendering 202 yards per game, while Arkansas tends to bend a little more against the pass, giving up 246 yards per game. While the difference isn’t much, it could be more than enough if Georgia can continue to take the ball away.

It’s pretty evident by these stats why the spread is only 3.5 points.

Prediction:

This is a very difficult game to call. On the road, in a neutral (but hostile) environment, against a team who hasn’t won a conference game in over two years – that’s tough sledding. The Dawgs will once again be without Todd Gurley, who could have been a huge difference-maker in this game.

Take the Bulldogs to win, but they don’t cover the 3.5. A late field goal by Marshall Morgan and a one-point win.