Is Georgia Quarterback Matthew Stafford Receiving Too Much Hype?

The following week, UGA travels to Arizona State.  The Sun Devils started 7-0 last season, so this game is definitely not in the bag.

If the Bulldogs are fortunate enough to start the season 4-0, they then have to play Alabama, Tennessee, at LSU, in Jacksonville against Florida, and at Auburn. 

I'm very skeptical about the Bulldogs winning a National Championship with that schedule, especially with Stafford as quarterback.

Stafford is an above-average quarterback, but he is overrated.

It's fine when the media and fans say that Stafford can possibly win an SEC championship, but it gets ridiculous when people start comparing him to Florida quarterback Tim Tebow.

I wouldn't mind having Stafford lead my team, but he is nowhere close to Tebow's caliber.

Numbers don't lie, so let's take a gander, shall we?

In 2007, Stafford threw for 2,523 yards, completing 55.7 percent of his passes for 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.  This was Stafford's second year starting.

Those are solid numbers.

Tebow threw for 3,286 yards, completing 67 percent of his passes for 32 touchdowns and six interceptions.  This was Tim's first year starting.

Those numbers are the reason why Tebow was the youngest player to win the Heisman trophy.  Tebow was also accountable for another 23 touchdowns and 895 yards on the ground rushing.  All told, Tebow was responsible for 55 touchdowns.

Stafford ran for two touchdowns and -39 yards.  Ouch!

Tebow also has three things Stafford doesn't: the Heisman trophy, an SEC ring, and a National Championship ring. 

Comparing Tebow to Stafford is like comparing the intelligence of Bill Gates to the intelligence of Flavor Flav.  There is no comparison.

Stafford should be kissing the feet of his running back Moreno. 

Do you honestly think the Bulldogs would be where they are right now without Moreno?  Would 11 wins still be in the picture last season?  Without Moreno, I highly doubt that.

The only reason why Stafford is getting praised is because he was fortunate enough to get a running back who has been compared to Herschel Walker.  

Moreno was the heart of the Georgia offense, not Stafford.

If Georgia had an "average" running back, would they have made it to a BCS bowl last season?  C'mon, let's get real.  That's very unlikely.

My final thoughts: Stafford won't play to his high expectations.  Moreno, the savior of Stafford and Georgia football, will have another great year.  But overall, the Bulldogs will not reach the "Glory" that is expected of them in 2008.

The Georgia football team will be watching the SEC Championship game from their couches.

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