Every game week, Mike Stowe gives you a heads up about which opposing player Georgia Football should be most worried about.
Related Story: Mike makes his 2017 season predictions.
Game week is finally here, Dawg fans. Finally, time to put cleats on grass. 1st on the slate for the Georgia Football team this season is Sun Belt Conference member Appalachian State (10-3, 1st in Sun Belt in 2016). The Mountaineers have taken on a “giant killer” reputation ever since they went into the Big House in 2007 and shocked the world by upsetting the Michigan Wolverines. They also took the Tennessee Volunteers to overtime last season in a loss. These are the 2 games that seem to always be discussed when fans talk about having to play App. State.
So who is the one Mountaineer player who could make this game a lot closer and tougher than it should be? That would be senior quarterback Taylor Lamb. Lamb has plenty of motivation to play well Saturday. He is a Georgia boy out of Calhoun Ga. and has plenty of family in the area. Most notable of those from a football standpoint would be his father, Mercer head football coach Bobby Lamb.
Remember when the Dawgs played them in Athens? I doubt it because if you do that would make you about 125 years old. The Mercer Bears are starting their fifth season of restored football this year(the football program was cut but was brought back in 2013) but fortunately for Coach Lamb they play Thursday night. So he will get to watch as his son gets to lead his team against the University of Georgia Bulldogs in one of the most heralded college football stadiums in the south, Sanford Stadium.
What will our defense be dealing with when Taylor Lamb rolls into Athens Saturday?
He’s a mobile quarterback who isn’t necessarily the fastest but can escape a pass rush and create plays with his feet. His arm strength is nowhere near what Jacob Eason’s is, but he is very accurate when given ample time within 20 yards of the line of scrimmage. The main thing that separates Lamb from a lot of quarterbacks is his experience, though. He’s entering his 4th year as a starter and has passed for over 7000 yards in his career. His success at the QB position isn’t just recent, either. He played well enough to win Sun Belt Freshman of the year in 2014. He also knows how to win. A lot. He is one of the winningest quarterbacks in the nation with 27 which is second only to Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield. He’s currently on the Manning Award watch list.
So we have an experienced quarterback who can make plays with his arm and feet. He’s smart and efficient. He knows how to win, even if the majority of those wins came against Sun Belt opponents.
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How do Mel Tucker and Kirby Smart deal with him? It’s pretty simple, actually. Unleash the beasts. Send blitzes. Mix up the defense. The Dawgs defensive line is a definite mismatch for the Mountaineers offensive line. So a big game from the UGA defense on Saturday will equal a long night for Taylor Lamb. As talented as he may be, he can’t win this game on his own.