Georgia Bulldogs vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys
College Football Opener Matches Pair of Ranked Teams
The game, scheduled to be telecast by ABC at 3:30 p.m. EST, in one of the top matchups of college football’s opening Saturday.
Oklahoma State (9-4 last season) brings back most of an offense that gained 488 yard per game in 2008, while Georgia (10-3) boasts a deep, experienced defensive unit.
But can the Bulldogs adequately place quarterback Matthew Stafford, who was the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft? Star running back Knowshon Moreno has also departed from a team that capped its 2008 campaign with a 24-12 win over Michigan State in the Capital One Bowl.
And can the Cowboys shore up a defense that yielded more than 400 yards per game last season? Their vulnerabilities were exposed by high-powered Big 12 Conference foes last season, as well as by Oregon in a 42-31 win over Oklahoma State in the Holiday Bowl.
Oklahoma State Preview
The Cowboys ranked sixth in the nation in offense in 2008, and it should be up there again in 2009.
Zac Robinson is back after throwing for 3,064 yards with 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, and completing 65 percent of his passes. He also ran for 562 yards, with eight TDs.
But the rushing load will be carried by Kendall Hunter, who garnered 1,555 yards and scored 16 touchdowns, averaging 6.5 yards per carry. Hunter has a strong backup in Keith Tolston (694 yards, 8 TDs, 6.7 yards per attempt).
In addition, wide receiver Dez Bryant is back after making 87 catches for 1,480 yards and 19 TDs.
Tight end Brandon Pettigrew is gone, along with his 42 receptions. So coach Mike Gundy must find another consistent pass-catching threat among a group that includes wide receivers DeMarcus Conner, Justin Blackman and Damian Davis, and tight end Justin Youman.
The offensive line looks sound, with tackles Brady Bond and Russell Okung returning, as well as center Andre Lewis.
Bill Young steps in as defensive coordinator after serving in the same capacity at Miami in 2008. He spent the previous six seasons as defensive coordinator at Kansas.
Young will have the Cowboys’ top two tacklers returning in linebackers Andrew Saxton and Orie Lemon. Saxton had 100 tackles and Lemon made 90 in 2008.
The Cowboys also retain three defensive linemen – Derek Burton, Ugo Chinasa and Jeremiah Price – as well as cornerback Perrish Cox and linebacker Patrick Lavine.
It’s nice that Oklahoma State allowed just 16 sacks last season, but the Cowboys made just 15, ranking 102nd in the nation. Price was the only player who managed three.
Georgia Preview
It’s hard to believe that Bulldogs won’t miss Stafford, who led the nation’s No. 22-ranked offense last season. But their new starting QB, Joe Cox, has proven to be efficient in three seasons as a backup. In his career, he’s completed 33 of 58 passes for 432 yards, with five touchdowns and one interception.
Cox will have a lethal target in A.J. Green (56 catches, 963 yards, 8 TDs), and another experienced wide receiver in Michael Moore (29 catches, 451 yards, 2 TDs).
Moreno’s departure left a void at running back, where Richard Samuel, Caleb King and Carlton Thomas will vie for playing time.
A deep offensive line, that was plagued by injuries last season, includes tackles Clint Boiling and Trinton Sturdivant, and center Ben Jones.
The Bulldogs might not be able to match last season’s numbers, when they averaged 426 yards per game. But luckily for coach Mark Richt, they might not have to.
That’s because Georgia has nine players with starting experience returning to a defense that was pretty darned good in 2008.
Georgia gave up 312 yards per game last season, ranking just sixth in the defense-rich Southeastern Conference, but 22nd in the nation.
The Bulldogs’ unit appeared strong even before standout defensive tackle Jeff Owens decided to return for his senior season. Owens missed almost all of the 2008 season because of a knee injury after starting the previous two campaigns.
Meanwhile, Rennie Curran returns to his linebacker position, where he recorded a team-high 115 tackles, along with 10.5 tackles for losses and three sacks. And Reshad Jones is back at safety, after making 76 tackles and five interceptions in 2008.
Further stability will be provided by the likes of defensive linemen Geno Atkins, Roderick Battle and Justin Houston, linebacker Akeem Dent, safety Bryan Evans and cornerback Prince Miller
Georgia-OklahomaState Series History
The teams will meet for the second time in three seasons, but for just the third time overall.
Georgia has won all three contests, including a 35-14 decision in 2007. The previous meetings took place in 1946 and 1947.
Oklahoma State will have four home games to open the season, taking on Houston, Rice and Grambling State before traveling to Texas A&M.
Georgia’s home opener will be Sept. 12, 7 p.m. EST, vs. South Carolina. That game will be telecast by ESPN2.
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