CFB51 College Football Fan Community
The Power Five => SEC => Topic started by: utee94 on December 01, 2024, 01:53:00 PM
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(https://i.imgur.com/5EvE23I.jpeg)
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My only analysis is-- this time I hope Georgia doesn't appear to know every play we're about to run, before we even run it.
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This stands to be a frustrating game to watch. Two teams I've rarely seen play to their max level, who appear to shoot themselves in the foot and/or lose interest or something and make the game way closer than it needs to be.
When they're hitting on all cylinders, they're frightening. Other times, it looks like even we could take them. From a neutral observer standpoint, I hope they both play clean, inspired, and ruthless, for 60 minutes.
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Which Georgia will show up? The one that plays like a NC team, or the one that lost to Bama, Ole Miss, and nearly lost to GT?
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As long as it's not the Georgia that knows every play before we run it, I think we'll be okay. Might even win the game.
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They could play three times. Which is going to make me not like the 12 team playoff too much if so...
UGA has been playing uninspired. Slacking, in fact. They "can" beat anyone- but their sense of entitlement, as if other teams should lay down for them, will bite them soon... Texas doesn't seem to have that issue and their running game is legit - and will bail them out when their passing game is stubbed.
ESPN has seemed to replace the Saban worship with Smart worship... and the refs like them too. A lot. They benefit from eyes both sharp and dull, in every damn game. Something really should be done about officiating in this league.
Texas will win round two methinks.
Bama will be later, if not UGA once again.
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As long as it's not the Georgia that knows every play before we run it, I think we'll be okay. Might even win the game.
We feel the same way.
When Kirby is dialed in, you ain’t moving the ball on them. So damn frustrating.
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They could play three times. Which is going to make me not like the 12 team playoff too much if so...
UGA has been playing uninspired. Slacking, in fact. They "can" beat anyone- but their sense of entitlement, as if other teams should lay down for them, will bite them soon... Texas doesn't seem to have that issue and their running game is legit - and will bail them out when their passing game is stubbed.
ESPN has seemed to replace the Saban worship with Smart worship... and the refs like them too. A lot. They benefit from eyes both sharp and dull, in every damn game. Something really should be done about officiating in this league.
Texas will win round two methinks.
Bama will be later, if not UGA once again.
I've never liked the 12-team playoff. There aren't ever 12 teams that are worthy, it's just too many, and it creates stupid bye-weeks for the top teams. I was fine with 4, but 8 would have been more than enough, and no stupid byes.
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Texas 30. UGA 13.
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Texas 30. UGA 13.
I see what you're trying to do. Your reverse voodoo jinx isn't going to work here!
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UGA 24
Tex 20
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Texas has more ways to win this than Georgia; the rematch presents Georgia with multiple headaches against Texas.
How much is Georgia, especially their DL, worn down after GT pushed them to 7 OTs in a hard fought game? Georgia's defense gave up 563 yds to include 260 rushing yards to GT. With the Texas OL playing better since their loss to Georgia, and holding off a furious A&M front seven, I can see Georgia's front seven tiring out as the game moves along, especially against the run.
In watching last Saturday's Texas-TXA&M game, the big success A&M was able to score against Texas was stressing out Quinn Ewers enough to force timely mistakes deep in the Red Zone that allowed the Aggies and their home crowd to shut Texas out in the 2nd half and hang around in a game where Texas dominated the TOP and nearly doubled up A&M on total yards.
Similarly, even if the Bulldogs make Ewers work hard, Texas can shift to their ground game with strong run blocking and their deep RB room, led these last few weeks by Wisner plowing for over 150 yds Vs Kentucky and A&M. If Texas makes a point to run (and they should) I don't see how Georgia's DL stands up to it without fatigue setting in through the 2nd half. Several of the Longhorns WRs disappeared at times Vs A&M and for as good as DBs like Malaki Starks are, I'm not sure WRs like Bolden and Bond (did he play Vs A&M?) remain as quiet.
On the other side of the ball, the Longhorns defense is hardly fooled. It's worth pointing out how well the Texas Linebackers game planned for Marcel Reed, almost always snuffing out Reed's inclinations to tuck and run. By now there is a ton of game tape on Carson Beck's highs and lows for the Texas defense to study all week.
I expect the Longhorns defense to design a strategy that forces Carson Beck to beat them because of Georgia's uninspiring running attack, ranked towards the bottom of the SEC going into the GT game. And the Texas DL is better than I expected after losing All-Americans Byron Murphy II & T'Vondre Sweat, and has played better as the season has gone on, with players like Vernon Broughton emerging.
The wholeness of Texas gives Georgia no room for their season long inconsistencies to strike.
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I think it has to do with Texas' intensity and urgency on offense. If they play super chilled and laid back, as is often their vibe, UGA could win again. Some teams excel with that mindset, this Longhorn team isn't one of them. If they play inspired, urgent and focused ("hair on fire" doesn't seem to be a mode this team has, but neither do they really need it), they will be really, really hard to beat.
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I like both of these teams as well as one can without being a fan, and I typically hardly ever root against them. This time I'm finding it hard to root for either, purely because I'm a hater. I don't really want UGA to win because I'm tired of them at this point and I'm not keen on another Bama-type dynasty. I don't really want Texas to win, because it's their first year here and can you imagine how insufferable an already arrogant fanbase would be if they won it all in their first try? Plus that just makes all our claims about how those teams would have multiple losses if they played in the SEC look silly, and we can't have that. Rooting for the meteor is my instinct.
otoh, I have to sleep next to a Longhorn, and she's quite good with kitchen knives. Therefore I am rooting for Texas. Possibly under duress, but nevertheless.
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Eh, happy wife, happy life. You'll be rooting for Texas, for your own survival if nothing else. :)
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https://twitter.com/SEC_Chuck/status/1863678384200466473?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1863678384200466473%7Ctwgr%5E907ba8df9d5143317faec5bdfa8759d5f00bb1b5%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.surlyhorns.com%2Fboard%2Findex.php%3Fapp%3Dcoremodule%3Dsystemcontroller%3Dembedurl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2FSEC_Chuck%2Fstatus%2F1863678384200466473
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I obviously haven't watched all their games, but the first game went contrary to what I've observed in a limited sample:
UGA usually looking like hot garbage in the first half, then kicking ass in the 2nd half (vs Florida, vs GT, perhaps others, idk).
In the games I've watched Texas play, they get out ahead to a comfy lead and then cruise control it the rest of the way, letting teams get back in it (Arky, A&M-ish).
So idk what to think. They're both very good AND very flawed.
And if any pair of teams plays 3x, I'm out. I'm watching Florida only and will not subject myself to NFL-lite. F- that noise.
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I obviously haven't watched all their games, but the first game went contrary to what I've observed in a limited sample:
UGA usually looking like hot garbage in the first half, then kicking ass in the 2nd half (vs Florida, vs GT, perhaps others, idk).
In the games I've watched Texas play, they get out ahead to a comfy lead and then cruise control it the rest of the way, letting teams get back in it (Arky, A&M-ish).
So idk what to think. They're both very good AND very flawed.
And if any pair of teams plays 3x, I'm out. I'm watching Florida only and will not subject myself to NFL-lite. F- that noise.
Yeah this game seems to be a bit of a mystery. I guess the only thing that would surprise me is a blowout in either direction.
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If I'm a Texas fan (I am) hoping something will be different (I am), I'm focusing on a couple of things. 1. Quinn's brain, and likely rib cage, still wasn't healed. While he's not the superstar we'd imagined even when healthy, he wasn't ready to play that game. 2. Texas didn't trust their OL to run inside. The big Texas power back is season-ending hurt, and Sark didn't want to test UGA's tackles. Georgia set its defense on the edges to contain the speed game, and played deep safeties to clog the home run ball.
Really, point #2 is the big one. Texas spent every game since that one running inside to great effect. They should be confident now to use the entire field. I'm not predicting immense success running on those tackles, but keeping the defensive deployment honest should open up options.
This is the 13th game of the year, so I think it's fair to say the Texas defense doesn't let the other team score unless our own offense helps out. That said, I think frankly UGA's touchdown drive to answer the mis-hit 2nd half KO touchdown Texas got was heroic. If Texas got that stop, it's game on. Instead, the hill became a mountain again. That's the one series this season I really want back.
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If I'm a Texas fan (I am) hoping something will be different (I am), I'm focusing on a couple of things. 1. Quinn's brain, and likely rib cage, still wasn't healed. While he's not the superstar we'd imagined even when healthy, he wasn't ready to play that game. 2. Texas didn't trust their OL to run inside. The big Texas power back is season-ending hurt, and Sark didn't want to test UGA's tackles. Georgia set its defense on the edges to contain the speed game, and played deep safeties to clog the home run ball.
Really, point #2 is the big one. Texas spent every game since that one running inside to great effect. They should be confident now to use the entire field. I'm not predicting immense success running on those tackles, but keeping the defensive deployment honest should open up options.
This is the 13th game of the year, so I think it's fair to say the Texas defense doesn't let the other team score unless our own offense helps out. That said, I think frankly UGA's touchdown drive to answer the mis-hit 2nd half KO touchdown Texas got was heroic. If Texas got that stop, it's game on. Instead, the hill became a mountain again. That's the one series this season I really want back.
Totally agree. That's the one defensive series all season long where I just felt like the other team whipped us. Everything else in that game was pretty easy for the Georgia offense, with our own offense choking and delivering them short fields time and again. But that one drive, ended the game, and represented the one time this season where our defense truly just came up short in a situation where it mattered.
THAT drive is why I worry about this game. Not the first half. That one drive.
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A great offense is going to score on a great defense. Using the NFL as a model, where the players are all elite, an outstanding defense's job against an outstanding offense is to limit the damage. But damage will be done. A cornerback may win 50% of the time covering routes against a star WR, and that's spectacular. The other 50% of the time is going to wind up in points, if the offense as a whole is similarly talented and cohesive. When the offense is less than spectacular--or even just "good"--that defense may well put the clamps on an opposing offense all game. In college, they might do that most of the season, as most offenses can't stand up to them.
But a truly elite offense? Is going to score on a truly elite defense.
UGA can be elite on offense, but it has to be said that a lot of the time they aren't. I haven't put my finger on what the formula is for predicting when they flip the switch and when they don't. I feel mostly the same way about UGA's defense. When they're on, they can put the brakes on most teams and at least slow down pretty much anyone. But sometimes they're off, and they become listless, a bit like their offensive counterparts.
The Texas defense, I have yet to see them "off." I expect them to force UGA's offense to be "on" all game, and if they're not, UGA's best shot will be UT's propensity to not turn domination into points. There haven't been many games this season where Texas didn't hold up their foot, put a shotgun to it, and tell the competition "Hey, watch this." Without that aspect of the Longhorns, they likely would've been one of those teams who went 50-0 several times in a season, instead of 27-10 or somesuch.
It all makes a game between the two hard to predict, even with round 1 to inform us.
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...ah hell......
UT 50
UGA 0
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Ha! Sure, why not?
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https://twitter.com/MBStadium/status/1864316906745823559?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1864316906745823559%7Ctwgr%5E70daf868b79501bf87cb8fa618ed9802511c5d53%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.surlyhorns.com%2Fboard%2Findex.php%3Fapp%3Dcoremodule%3Dsystemcontroller%3Dembedurl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2FMBStadium%2Fstatus%2F1864316906745823559
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Looking at the total season for each team Texas appears to be much more even-keeled. It's hard to really compare the two teams completely because they only faced a few of the same teams outside of the game they played against each other.
Check that, actually they did play several of the same teams. Looks like they each played UK, Miss St, and Florida.
Ga 13 UK 12 Big head scratcher here. Ga should have beat them by 21.
Tex 31 UK 14 Expected result.
Ga 34 Fla 20 Fla hung tough for a bit, Ga took over 2nd half if I remember the game correctly.
Tex 49 Fla 17 not even that close.
Ga 41 Miss St 31
Tex 35 Miss St 13 As I recall Tex started slow in this game, half was much closer, but Texas took over in the 4th.
And then of course, the H2H in Austin, Ga won 30-15.
I think overall, Ga played a much tougher schedule than Texas. They beat a 9-win, CFP contender Clemson 34-3.
They played Alabama, fell behind big time in the first half, then roared back only to lose at the very end. The same Alabama team that looks like it will make the playoffs again (oof).
They played a 9-win, good Ole Miss team and lost.
Texas is #2 overall in total defense in NCAA. I didn't realize they were that good. I knew they were decent this year, I had no idea they were that elite. Ohio State is #1, ND #3 and Ole Miss #4.
Ga surprisingly is not in the Top Ten in total defense. In fact, they're not even in the top 20. Their defense charts closer to A&M's.
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I think there's a lot to be said about how Texas should have dominated some games by much more than the score showed, and I'm not quite sure what to make of it. They should have won the A&M game by much more than 10 points. I'm still surprised that they held our offense scoreless in that game, and then I'm even more surprised that our defense held them scoreless in the 2nd half after giving up 17 points quite easily. I really don't closely follow Texas' running game, but they ran the ball really well against us, especially in the first half. We had them 3rd and long several times and they picked up the first down and more just by running the ball, it was so frustrating to watch.
All this analysis said, I think Georgia, when they play their A game, is the better team. The problem is they spend much of the time being the C or B team. Texas is a much more consistent team.
I wonder if the game being in Atlanta will be favorable for Georgia? They've been there a bunch, including last season, and they should have plenty of home fans in attendance. I expect Texas fans will travel well too.
I honestly think Kirby out-schemed Texas in the first game, and I don't think that will happen again. I think Texas will easily win this game, 35-17 ish.
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I'm honestly not expecting many Texas fans to make the trip to Atlanta. At this point, Texas is already pretty much guaranteed to be in the playoffs, win or lose. The folks I know are saving their money for playoff games.
I expect this to become more common as the years go on. I won't be at all surprised to see half-empty stadiums for CCGs as the norm.
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How sad about the CCGs.
As for UGA in ATL in the SECCG, in my experience--and we've met them there several times over the past couple of decades--if they're not the better team, their crowd advantage and less distance traveled does not translate to game advantage. When they're not the better team, they don't win. If they are, they do.
As for the comparisons, you kind of have to throw out the UF for data points. UF had no QB when they played UT, they did vs. UGA. Not really the same team.
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Kentucky this season had a very salty defense. They preferred to run the clock and take their chances in low scoring games. Georgia, like several other SEC teams, is prone to offensive power failures. Against UK, Beck was cross-eyed. He gave Kentucky a chance by stalling the UGA offense.
Obvious that Florida is a different team with DJ Lagway. He went out in the 2nd half of the UGA game, and the results showed immediately. Texas was the beneficiary of that injury.
Bama goes as Milroe goes. For all his athletic gifts, he's still a youngster that doesn't know how to change game momentum. Bama needs a "Plan B" for when things aren't on track.
Texas certainly needs to be committed to better offensive play, but the defense sets the tone. The Longhorns basically feel like a 17 point lead wins the game. I'm not pretending like their 2nd half failures are planned, calculated, or acceptable, but there's a certain understanding of not putting the game in jeopardy needlessly by that point. Most of this season's opponent scoring occurred when the Texas offense helped out by shortening the field themselves.
A game where we see "good Beck" and "good Ewers" could be entertaining. We may have two more chances this season.
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(https://i.imgur.com/IUlrLBf.png)
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For those of us worried about our QB turning the ball over-- and fans of both teams should be-- here are the numbers for the season. Can't take credit, somebody on surlyhorns did the math.
As many turnovers as Beck has had, Quinn is actually more turnover prone this year than Beck.
Beck- 435 pass att and 53 rushes- 14 turnovers (12 ints and 2 fumbles) or 1 turnover every 34.9 touches
Ewers- 306 att and 36 rushes- 11 turnovers (7 ints and 4 fumbles) or 1 turnover every 31.1 touches.
The Qb that takes care of the ball probably wins this game.
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Texas just needs to RTDB and make UGA prove that won't work.
Sark loves his creative and inventive plays. They're frequently not UT's best option.
What I liked in the A&M game was the first series or two where Sark was Sarking out as usual, and as I shook my head and said "do you not notice that running plays are going for chunks and the passing plays are getting you behind the chains?" Immediately as I said it, Texas started running more, and dominating more. It was early, too, so it didn't take him long that time to get out of his preferred mode and go full Les Miles on A&M (and hey, when you're playing A&M, who better to model your game on than a guy who never lost to them?).
Whether that will work on UGA, I have no idea. But I wouldn't bet against the Longhorns on it, and I think that should be the strategy until the Dawgs prove it's not going to work.
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Texas just needs to RTDB and make UGA prove that won't work.
Sark loves his creative and inventive plays. They're frequently not UT's best option.
What I liked in the A&M game was the first series or two where Sark was Sarking out as usual, and as I shook my head and said "do you not notice that running plays are going for chunks and the passing plays are getting you behind the chains?" Immediately as I said it, Texas started running more, and dominating more. It was early, too, so it didn't take him long that time to get out of his preferred mode and go full Les Miles on A&M (and hey, when you're playing A&M, who better to model your game on than a guy who never lost to them?).
Whether that will work on UGA, I have no idea. But I wouldn't bet against the Longhorns on it, and I think that should be the strategy until the Dawgs prove it's not going to work.
If nothing else it'll force Georgia to stay honest against the run and not just crash the line to rush the passer, like they did (quite successfully) for much of the first game.
I suspect Texas will come out and play a much better game this time, than the first time. I don't know if it'll be enough to win, but I don't expect folks to be talking about Georgia "dominating" Texas, like they were after the first meeting.
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As many turnovers as Beck has had, Quinn is actually more turnover prone this year than Beck.
Beck- 435 pass att and 53 rushes- 14 turnovers (12 ints and 2 fumbles) or 1 turnover every 34.9 touches
Ewers- 306 att and 36 rushes- 11 turnovers (7 ints and 4 fumbles) or 1 turnover every 31.1 touches.
The Qb that takes care of the ball probably wins this game.
If sark would just get Qwin to stop throwing into triple coverage we'd see a big reduction in turnovers
single coverage - all day
double coverage - sometimes
triple coverage - no way
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If sark would just get Qwin to stop throwing into triple coverage we'd see a big reduction in turnovers
single coverage - all day
double coverage - sometimes
triple coverage - no way
Sadly I don't think Sark can do anything about that. It's up to Quinn to recognize the coverages. He really seems to struggle with that at times.
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The best analysis of Beck I saw was that he felt compelled to force throws because he was regarded as a first rounder who could make those throws. He got too confident in himself, and perhaps last year Bowers and McConkey saved him a few times. He MAY have backed away from that the last few games. He has a very strong arm, and I think it's like a pitcher with a 99 mph fastball that blows people away at the A ball level.
One of his receivers, Dillon Bell, has been pretty reliable for him, and the tight ends while not Bowers are decent. Arian Smith has lightning speed but has dropped a lot of balls in his lap and can fumble. I think Beck had to learn he can't throw fastballs all the time. He may be pretty similar to Ewers in that respect.
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It would be "interesting" if UT played a better, cleaner game this time in Georgia's backyard than they did on their home field.
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It would be "interesting" if UT played a better, cleaner game this time in Georgia's backyard than they did on their home field.
Would be tough to play a worse game than the Horns did, IMO.
Texas played Georgia the week after playing OU. Georgia played Texas the week after playing Mississippi State. Not only did Texas likely have some hangover from playing its most hated rival the week before, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if Georgia was able to start early and put a little more practice time into preparing for Texas, than Texas could for Georgia.
Plus the atmosphere around the game was an absolute circus in Austin for the entire week leading up to it, including all of the excitement about the Formula 1 race on the same weekend. Lots of additional celebrities on the sidelines for UT, lots of distractions. Sark commented during the week that one of his top priorities that week was to try and maintain focus. Apparently it didn't work that well.
Anyway, not trying to make excuses, just pointing out some differences between this time, and last time, from the Texas perspective. Ultimately the o-line has to do a better job keeping the pocket clean, and Ewers will have to do a better job using that pocket and taking what the defense gives him.
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https://twitter.com/orangebloods_/status/1864757731275559161?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1864757731275559161%7Ctwgr%5E21e2b1ebb6dd15e9159d5469b53db08e748347c7%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.surlyhorns.com%2Fboard%2Findex.php%3Fapp%3Dcoremodule%3Dsystemcontroller%3Dembedurl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2Forangebloods_%2Fstatus%2F1864757731275559161%3Fs%3D4626t%3DCvk6PFBSR7ID90AyUwJn2Q
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That's anti-bovism, and I'm against it.
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I think the question we all want to know is: Will Matthew McConaughey be on the sideline?
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I think the question we all want to know is: Will Matthew McConaughey be on the sideline?
I'd imagine so. And my i s c & a aggie wife certainly doesn't mind camera shots of him.
Personally I'd rather see Padme on the Texas sideline...
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/b7/af/d3/b7afd335acdfd99129811bd621223310.gif)
(https://townsquare.media/site/88/files/2012/10/Natalie-Portman.jpg?w=780&q=75)
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I've been fairly constant about my observation of Texas not wanting to run inside against UGA. I think they limited that part of their offense when Baxter was lost in fall camp to his injury. They thought he was their "power" back. I think Georgia knew this and cheated their defense to shut down the Horn speedy outside game. That loss kind of created a blueprint for slowing down the Texas offense.
I believe Sark saw that and went to work fixing it. Georgia is a big, strong team, and I'm not predicting easy running inside. I'm saying that doing so will allow Texas to run a more complete offense.
I also think Arch Manning will be throwing out of the RPO at some critical point.
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I'd imagine so. And my i s c & a aggie wife certainly doesn't mind camera shots of him.
Personally I'd rather see Padme on the Texas sideline...
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/b7/af/d3/b7afd335acdfd99129811bd621223310.gif)
(https://townsquare.media/site/88/files/2012/10/Natalie-Portman.jpg?w=780&q=75)
I've seen her featured at UT football games over the years (maybe only once, but it seems like more). What is the tie-in? I didn't think she's an alumnus.
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I've seen her featured at UT football games over the years (maybe only once, but it seems like more). What is the tie-in? I didn't think she's an alumnus.
As far as I know that was the only time, but Longhorn fans certainly love to post the images from it, for obvious reasons... :)
She was shooting a movie at the time and they wanted a sideline shot for whatever reason. I have no idea what movie it was. I should probably check into that...
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A quick Google search reveals the movie was called "Song To Song" and was about the Austin music scene. That bit was shot in 2012, the movie was released in 2017.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2062700/
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(https://i.imgur.com/j8zpWM8.jpeg)
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Careful, or your gonna bring out the Dawgs with their adorable story about Uga barking at Mike the Tiger and Mike running away.
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(https://media.giphy.com/media/yv3Qp8T0anGP5LLU09/giphy.gif)
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Texas usually runs the ball well, UGA defends the run poorly often as not. Therein lies the game along with turnovers. I think UGA needs to be +2 at least in TOs to stay in the game.
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More sandbagging! I see what you're trying to do!
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I doubt my musings will have any material impact on the outcome. Texas is favored for a reason.
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Almost everyone picked Texas the last time.
We're DOOMED!
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Almost everyone picked Texas the last time.
We're DOOMED!
they wont let BEVO in to see the carnage
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The whole darn thing is a travismahockery!
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Congrats to CD and the Georgia Bulldogs. Best of luck in the CFP.
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My prediction was incorrect, again. Both teams were weird.
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This time I'm finding it hard to root for either...I don't really want UGA to win because I'm tired of them at this point and I'm not keen on another Bama-type dynasty. I don't really want Texas to win, because it's their first year here and can you imagine how insufferable an already arrogant fanbase would be if they won it all in their first try? Plus that just makes all our claims about how those teams would have multiple losses if they played in the SEC look silly, and we can't have that.
The refs were quick to throw flags against Texas, to the point I bet upset Longhorns fans are accusing the SEC of biased officiating. SEC traditionalists did not want to see a newcomer win the conference year one, for the reason bolded above. Especially Texas. Various Big 12 fanbases bemoaned the outsized sway Texas had in the conference, to the point schools like Missouri and Texas A&M were glad to get away. Some of this was overblown, perhaps a reaction to the money Texas had, although A&M has "the money" too.
One specific warning against Texas was "they think they run the Big 12." And that Texas would expect the SEC to line up and answer to them. Except the SEC has too many heavyweights to be collectively pushed around by any single school, especially by a newcomer. So given those rumblings, allow me to push a conspiracy theory: yesterday's officiating was meant to make it clear to Texas - you don't get to sit at the head of the table yet!
(https://i.imgur.com/ITnEBjA.png)
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Plenty of Texas fans are pointing out the officiating. It would be hard for an honest person to watch that game and think that it was evenly called.
But even with that, if Texas' field goal kicker makes either of those 2, the Horns win the game.
I'd feel pretty good about a third game between the two teams, since SEC officials would be prohibited from calling the game.
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It might happen anyway, but even I would have a hard time making myself watch that. If Texas didn't beat UGA the first two times, why should a win in a third round reward them? And if they don't beat UGA in the third try, why did we make UGA have to go through it again? In some way, the surest way I know the games have been devalued now is precisely because several ESPN personalities this weekend spent so much lung-wind trying to subtly convince the audience how much more meaningful games are now with the expanded playoff.
Anyway, the Longhorn OL doesn't appear to be able to push the UGA defensive front around like they do other teams. I thought there might be mitigating reasons for not sticking with the run the first time. The second time, well, shame on me, as the saying goes. Texas could try not shooting itself in the foot to achieve victory in a hypothetical round 3, but at this point, I think it's just in the makeup of this team. And I have a hard time picking a team I don't think can run on the opponent. This time Texas committed to it and kept a healthy mix of run looks that kept the run game from being too predictable or vanilla. It just didn't help much.
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It might happen anyway, but even I would have a hard time making myself watch that. If Texas didn't beat UGA the first two times, why should a win in a third round reward them? And if they don't beat UGA in the third try, why did we make UGA have to go through it again? In some way, the surest way I know the games have been devalued now is precisely because several ESPN personalities this weekend spent so much lung-wind trying to subtly convince the audience how much more meaningful games are now with the expanded playoff.
Anyway, the Longhorn OL doesn't appear to be able to push the UGA defensive front around like they do other teams. I thought there might be mitigating reasons for not sticking with the run the first time. The second time, well, shame on me, as the saying goes. Texas could try not shooting itself in the foot to achieve victory in a hypothetical round 3, but at this point, I think it's just in the makeup of this team. And I have a hard time picking a team I don't think can run on the opponent. This time Texas committed to it and kept a healthy mix of run looks that kept the run game from being too predictable or vanilla. It just didn't help much.
Meh. The game went into OT. Any single break out of about 37 going in Texas' way instead of the opposite would have resulted in a Texas victory.
I guess you could say Texas was snake-bit. Or, you could say something else entirely, about how that game proceeded over the course of 60 minutes.
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I suspect Texas would be favored in any third game, especially if Stockton is the UGA QB (which seems likely).
Vol fans whined loudly about officiating at UGA but the outcome remains on the books. Maybe the officiating was awful, and then what?
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Nobody's disputing the result is in the books. Certainly the officiating was awful, at least in one direction. It would be dishonest for me to say otherwise. Nothing else to really say. Best of luck in your future games.
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I'm hard pressed to believe officials are intentionally making biased calls in games, I could be naive. I've said before that if I thought the "league office" asked officials to be biased to one team over another, I'd stop watching the sport. Obviously, they miss calls, and at times the misses can be one sided in a game. Was that intentional? Was there a "plot" to throw the game one way or the other?
I can't say there wasn't, it's certainly possible. The other possibility is that some key calls were one sided because of just randomness. Was UGA holding more than usual? Maybe, I wasn't able to notice it, I'm sure they held and didn't get called at times.
Vol fans are convinced the refs were one sided favoring UGA in their contest. If so, this is akin to pro rastlin.
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Didn't see the UTenn-Georgia game, I have no opinion on that.
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Controversy Ensues in SEC College Football Game After Blatant Officiating Bias Angers Fans - EssentiallySports (https://www.essentiallysports.com/ncaa-college-football-news-georgia-bulldogs-tennessee-controversy-ensues-in-sec-college-football-game-after-blatant-officiating-bias-angers-fans/)
There was a LOT of fan talk about it, more than usual. I personally do not believe the officials go into a game wanting to favor Team A over B. Maybe it happens, I just don't think it does. I do agree at times officiating ends up favoring Team A. That doesn't mean it was intentional or planned or called by the office.
I guess it's blowing off steam etc. and like the event where Kirby pushed the opposing QB, it ends up meaning nothing.
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Eh, Kirby Smart is an incredible jackass and the SEC office is weak and insipid. We learned plenty from that altercation.
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Nobody's disputing the result is in the books. Certainly the officiating was awful, at least in one direction. It would be dishonest for me to say otherwise. Nothing else to really say. Best of luck in your future games.
Welcome to the SEC.
Georgia and Bama WILL get the calls.
And believe it, or not, I am not, and have never been, a "blame the refs guy."
Just the facts.
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Welcome to the SEC.
Georgia and Bama WILL get the calls.
And believe it, or not, I am not, and have never been, a "blame the refs guy."
Just the facts.
It is what it is. We can't say we weren't warned.
It was interesting watching Sarkisian's face and body language change from frustration and fury in the first half, to resignation and acceptance in the second half. He knew what was up.
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The problem with assuming that there's no referee bias because referees don't go into games intending to favor Team A over Team B is that it assumes intentionality is necessary for biased calls. It isn't.
Alabama vs. LSU were prime examples over the years. Many LSU fans thought referees were in the bag for the Gumps, and eventually the issues were obvious enough to grab the attention of media who openly questioned calls. (The same media who likely created the problem I'm about to describe.) Personally, I don't think the referees ever tried to tank LSU's games against the Tide. I think referees are people like the rest of us who are subject to the constant barrage of "information" on certain things, and like the rest of us, it can't help but color our opinion. The studies of the effects of propaganda on people who know they're being inundated with propaganda are clear. Even when we're aware of it, it affects us.
So when Alabama's OL has a reputation for being amazing and they are amazing without having to commit holds, does a referee have to be in the bag to miss holding calls? I don't think so. But believing without realizing it that this OL does what it does without holding may lead to seeing something that makes you say "Was that holding. Eh...it was questionable, I'll let it go."
I've said this a number of times as an illustration, but also to show I'm attempting to not be biased, I think the same thing was true of LSU DBs for a long time. For a decade, LSU was considered DBU, or one of the DBUs at least, and not without reason. But I noticed that our DBs got away with more grabby behavior than other teams got away with, and earlier contact with WRs than other teams got away with. There were many times our guys made a "good play" but I was convinced there was no flag because refs were used to not throwing flags on our DBs. It didn't have to be "I'm rooting for LSU so I will not throw a flag." Maybe it's more "These LSU DBs keep going high in the draft and becoming NFL stars and they're so well coached, look how they defend right to the edge of what's allowed." When maybe sometimes it was just PI.
Granted, Alabama seemed to have more instances of that working in their favor, but I'm just pointing out how narratives affect calls. I doubt the officials were intentionally biased toward UGA, but I raise my eyebrows when calls start getting a certain amount lopsided. UGA is the team now who loads the NFL with stars and has recently won two NCs and has all the narrative about it's great staff, coach, players, etc. I think it's naive to believe that has no effect on the referee crews. And the no-call on the late hit on Ewers was flat-out egregious, nobody but the homerest of homer UGA fans could say otherwise. I don't recall if it made a difference. But it was a horrible no-call on an obvious PF.
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It is what it is. We can't say we weren't warned.
It was interesting watching Sarkisian's face and body language change from frustration and fury in the first half, to resignation and acceptance in the second half. He knew what was up.
pretty obvious
I wonder where the refs are from for the Clemson game
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Eh, Kirby Smart is an incredible jackass and the SEC office is weak and insipid. We learned plenty from that altercation.
Maybe "we" learned something, but it ended up being forgotten and irrelevant to anything at all.
And maybe refs are influenced by the "image" of certain groups, that seems possible to me.
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The problem with assuming that there's no referee bias because referees don't go into games intending to favor Team A over Team B is that it assumes intentionality is necessary for biased calls. It isn't.
Alabama vs. LSU were prime examples over the years. Many LSU fans thought referees were in the bag for the Gumps, and eventually the issues were obvious enough to grab the attention of media who openly questioned calls. (The same media who likely created the problem I'm about to describe.) Personally, I don't think the referees ever tried to tank LSU's games against the Tide. I think referees are people like the rest of us who are subject to the constant barrage of "information" on certain things, and like the rest of us, it can't help but color our opinion. The studies of the effects of propaganda on people who know they're being inundated with propaganda are clear. Even when we're aware of it, it affects us.
So when Alabama's OL has a reputation for being amazing and they are amazing without having to commit holds, does a referee have to be in the bag to miss holding calls? I don't think so. But believing without realizing it that this OL does what it does without holding may lead to seeing something that makes you say "Was that holding. Eh...it was questionable, I'll let it go."
I've said this a number of times as an illustration, but also to show I'm attempting to not be biased, I think the same thing was true of LSU DBs for a long time. For a decade, LSU was considered DBU, or one of the DBUs at least, and not without reason. But I noticed that our DBs got away with more grabby behavior than other teams got away with, and earlier contact with WRs than other teams got away with. There were many times our guys made a "good play" but I was convinced there was no flag because refs were used to not throwing flags on our DBs. It didn't have to be "I'm rooting for LSU so I will not throw a flag." Maybe it's more "These LSU DBs keep going high in the draft and becoming NFL stars and they're so well coached, look how they defend right to the edge of what's allowed." When maybe sometimes it was just PI.
Granted, Alabama seemed to have more instances of that working in their favor, but I'm just pointing out how narratives affect calls. I doubt the officials were intentionally biased toward UGA, but I raise my eyebrows when calls start getting a certain amount lopsided. UGA is the team now who loads the NFL with stars and has recently won two NCs and has all the narrative about it's great staff, coach, players, etc. I think it's naive to believe that has no effect on the referee crews. And the no-call on the late hit on Ewers was flat-out egregious, nobody but the homerest of homer UGA fans could say otherwise. I don't recall if it made a difference. But it was a horrible no-call on an obvious PF.
I think this is all certainly part of it, at least.
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i reckon i watch things some don't, or read into things maybe i shouldn't. one of these is one of those:
Georgia is the 'anointed' heir to the saban affect... they're gong to get every break where officiating can make it happen. it's that simple. this doesn't make them invincible, but, it means you have to straight up beat them down.
there is something going on with carson beck... maybe it has to do with fancy cars being delivered, or the NIL fanfare in general that causes a rift on any team, but, UGA- despite their dominance- has played lousy most the season... only to maybe 75% of their potential. I hate that, but i believe it to be true, too. the first half of this game was owned by texas: they owned the mojo, AND they owned the pistol used to shoot themselves in the foot... after the half and when Beck was ambulatory, i thought Texas would roll... they didn't because an entirely different UGA came out and they had some pep in their step- slapping each other on the helmet and rallying... that has been missing all year... and they played hungry- and mean... and i'm not certain anyone can beat them in that state. it's my opinion when a roster as stacked as theirs (and as several other teams) are playing in their comfort zone and loose, where one player challenges another and they try to out-do each other happens- their opponent becomes themselves and ceases to be the wide eyed haggard looking bunch in different colors across the LoS.
the proof will be if Beck returns- to my knowledge the extent of his booboo hasn't been released... if it was season ending, whatever team UGA sends out will be a completely different animal in play call and tendency than we've seen this season- if not season ending, and if they fall back into the 'laxisdasical' effort as under Beck- there are several teams that can beat them... including Texas.
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Beck has a UCL tear, he is out at least for the first round. The good news is that Stockton will have plenty of time to prepare and he is talented, just inexperienced.
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The problem with assuming that there's no referee bias because referees don't go into games intending to favor Team A over Team B is that it assumes intentionality is necessary for biased calls. It isn't. ........................... no-call on an obvious PF.
here is the thing... there is no excuse within a conference, but there is a ton of room for excuse crossing conferences, imHo.
the PAC, with their 'west coast O' some years back were the recipient of BOTH a lot of missed PI calls and over scrutinized PI calls that were made... they let the interior hold like mugs unless the player was set to sack.... then, they'd call it. all that is well and good and it's adjusted for inside that conference. the B1G would have a lot of holding calls in the same era, a lot of false starts, but very few 'false starts because the Olineman was 'tricked'' as we seen called nowadays... the receivers would be in the flats or five yards downfield beating the hell out of the CB's, or, vice versa.. nobody cared, as that wasn't where the action was. SEC and it's playaction had it's drawbacks... and advantages... and nobody cared. it's how the game was played.
now, though, when the focus is all season long on national champions and conference doesn't hold the same weight anymore- and games which require refs from neutral conferences to officiate- you'll see what we'd call 'asinine' calls, or questionable call, or missed calls- because that isn't the way it's called in your 'home' conference.
... i've not studied other conferences this season- just the SEC... and there is zero doubt in my mind that refs aren't entering a game with a hedge on one team or another... and that has big psych impact on players. the UT players after the UGA game were blunt about it... we can see it plainly without their confirmation. and it all comes back to: it's a business and it's about the money, period. SCOTUS has even ruled that these leagues are such and can therefor do what they want to impact the outcome without penalty... folks forgot that, apparently... but it's so... and begs (at least presents) the question: why even concern over a decision such as that if it weren't happening?
and is why i won't wager on games. especially meaningful games.
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... i've not studied other conferences this season- just the SEC... and there is zero doubt in my mind that refs aren't entering a game with a hedge on one team or another... and that has big psych impact on players. the UT players after the UGA game were blunt about it... we can see it plainly without their confirmation. and it all comes back to: it's a business and it's about the money, period. SCOTUS has even ruled that these leagues are such and can therefor do what they want to impact the outcome without penalty... folks forgot that, apparently... but it's so... and begs (at least presents) the question: why even concern over a decision such as that if it weren't happening?
Given the rest of what you wrote, did you mean zero doubt that refs are entering a game with a hedge on a team? I'm not sure I followed your train of thought here.