Run support from safeties:
Kentucky is not going to beat Georgia through the air. There, I’ve said it. No, I’m not being disrespectful of their offense of their QB. I’m just pointing out what all of the statistics and film tells us. This is a run first, second and third team. They pass when desperate but their receivers are not going to beat UGA over the top. Deandre Baker might not see a single pass thrown his way and Tyson Campbell should be able to hold his own. Tyreke McGee had a bounce-back game against Florida and so I think that even over the middle of the field, Georgia should be able to stop big plays.
That should free up JR Reed and Richard LeCounte to make plays in the running game. Reed, in particular, has struggled a bit in deep pass protection this season. He has however excelled in run support and I’m sure that he’ll be the guy who is the 8th man in the box early, trying to stop the run. That’s a better use of his talents and it’s one of the reasons I feel good about UGA’s chances in this game. Kentucky does not have the firepower to force Reed into coverage. That should help him have one his best games of the season.
LeCounte should also offer good run support when needed. He’s a ferocious tackler with excellent closing speed. On running plays, LeCounte has the ability to shut down holes quickly and bring Snell down. One of the things that has most impressed me this season with him is that he has not missed many tackles at all. That’s exactly what you want from your last line of defense against Kentucky. When needed, he should be able to stop Snell from going any further and limit the damage.