Sugar Bowl Preview: Hawaii vs. Georgia

Marty  Z by Correspondent Written on December 14, 2007
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UGA's defensive front have got to be licking their chops with the opportunity to go at a QB who will be dropping back 60-70 times in this game. Georgia will definitely try to blitz hard to get to Brennen and make him uncomfortable in the pocket. This seems like the best strategy over the past two years against Hawaii. A battle in the trenches which will be interesting—UGA NT Geno Atkins against UH OC Estes.  Although only a sophomore, Atkins was a beast this year and probably the second best defensive interior lineman in the SEC behind Glenn Dorsey of LSU. Estes has anchored the UH line all year after moving inside from his guard position last year. If Atkins can collapse the pocket back into Brennan and force him to scramble, this will help disrupt the timing of this offense. 

Marcus Howard, DE for UGA, will probably see a lot of single blocks so it will be up to him to get to Brennan. Rennie Curran leads a pack of exceptional linebakers who have been the leaders of the defensive unit.  This same group contrained Tebow and co. and held them to the lowest output of the season. Over the last couple of games, UGA DC Martinez turned LB Ellerbe loose as well and will most likely use him on various blitz packages. It will be up to RB Libre, Pilares, or Wright-Jackson to pick them up. In UH’s last game against UW, it took a while for the backs to pick up the outside blitzers, which led to the first fumble of that game. They made the proper adjustments about a quarter in, but the RB and their ability to pick up the free rusher, will be a huge part on the overall success of the Warrior passing game.

I believe the best way for UGA to defend Hawaii is to only rush the four down linemen and play press coverage on the WRs and disrupt the timing of the passing game.  Brennan is so accurate, but the offense is predicated on timing and precision.  This will allow the LBs to drop back and eye Brennan and sniff out all of the quick, short underneath passes which is a staple of the Hawaii ofense. Disrupting the routes of the wideouts, having Brennan hold onto the ball for a second or two longer will benefit UGA greatly, giving their guys a chance to hit and rattle the star QB.

If UGA keeps getting hits on Brennan, bad things are in store for UH—hurried passes, fumbles, interceptions, and tipped balls just to name a few. I think that they will definitely get to Brennan a few times (UGA leads the SEC with 34 sacks), but the times they don't, expect to see a lot of seven to 12 yard completions from Bess and Grice-Mullen.Icon

When Georgia gets to Brennan for sacks, will he hold on to the ball or fumble it?

It will all come down to turnovers.

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written on December 14, 2007 Sports

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