Monday, September 23, 2013

The Battle Between The Hedges: LSU/UGA

        In a game that could be a possible SEC Championship match-up, the battle between the hedges in Athens, Georgia will be a good one when the LSU Tigers and Georgia Bulldogs take the field in Sanford Stadium.

        LSU will be looking to remain undefeated, while the Dawgs will be looking to show they are still a top-5 team despite falling to Clemson in the season opener.

        The Dawgs have already been battled teams winning two of their three match-ups against top-10 teams, with LSU's toughest encounter coming this past weekend in Auburn, who they defeated 35-21.

        This game will feature two special running backs with Todd Gurley of Georgia, and Jeremy Hill of LSU.

        The Dawgs have the advantage at the quarterback position with Aaron Murray, but Zach Mettenburger has been making strides, showing he's not the quarterback who often struggled at times last season.

        Many would prefer the combo of Murray/Gurley rather Mettenburger/Hill, and rightfully so, but don't count out the Tigers.

        We already know both teams are going to commit to the run, meaning both defenses will have to be prepared to tackle.

        The Dawgs will go into Saturday's match-ups allowing 29.7 points on defense, with the Tigers only giving up 19.5 points.

        The x-factor will come down to the receiving cores, Odell Beckham and Jarvis Landry of LSU combined have 10 receiving touchdowns outnumbering Justin Wesly and Chris Conley of Georgia who together have two receiving touchdowns on the season.

        Murray may be the more polished passer of the two quarterbacks, but the Tigers hold the advantage when it comes to having the weapons on the outside.

        If your looking for a prediction, I have the Tigers of LSU improving to 5-0 defeating the Georgia Bulldogs, LSU who has a stable of running backs, two play-making receivers and a young but solid defense, will be too much for the Dawgs to handle in the long run.

        Who will you be picking to come out on top  Saturday afternoon? LSU or UGA?


Justin Tyree

ESPN 730 Charlotte Bobcats Insider and College Football Blogger

Twitter:  @JTyree704

Facebook:  www.Facebook.com/SportsFromMyEyes

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

College Football Is Back & A Week Two Preview

        The opening week of the college football season didn't disappoint with Jameis Winston giving Florida State fans hope, Johnny Manziel being Johnny, and UGA falling to Clemson in a 38-35 thrilling.

        Jameis Winston lived up to the hype in his season debut, throwing five touchdowns on 354 yards completing 92 percent of his passes. Jimbo Fisher has known to be great with quarterbacks, and Winston has the potential to be the best to ever play the quarterback position at FSU, but its only week one, his first true test will come October 19th when the Noles travel to Clemson, the winner will play in the ACC Championship Game.

        Johnny Manziel where do I begin?

        Manziel who was suspended by the NCAA for the first-half against Rice, came to play in the second half going six of eight on 94 yards with three touchdowns, solid performance, but that’s not the issue. The issue at hand has never been about Manziel’s play on the field, it’s his attitude, after getting flagged for an unsportsmanlike conduct for taunting, Manziel walked by Kevin Sumlin when trying to talk to him. I’m not a fan of it, but that’s “Johnny being Johnny”, as the majority of the nation would say.


        Dawg fans are in a state of frenzy already, losing to Clemson was a big-time game and a big-time lost, but the story wasn't the Dawgs losing, but Malcolm Mitchell UGA’s number one receiver getting hurt, Mitchell will miss the remainder of the season will a torn ACL after celebrating with Todd Gurley after his 75-yard touchdown run.

                It doesn't end there.

                Not only is UGA 0-1 and without their best receiver, but they welcome the South Carolina Gamecocks to Athens, the Dawgs are 0-3 against the Gamecocks since 2010. It doesn’t look good for the Dawgs seeing Jadeveon Clowney has been a thorn in Aaron Murray’s side for the past two seasons.

                Will the Dawgs answer the call? Or will the Gamecocks continue to flex their muscle on UGA?

                Kickoff is at 4:30 in Athens, Georgia.

                As most of the nation will be looking forward to the UGA/SC game with Notre Dame and Michigan being the headliner later that night, I have the Florida Gators on upset alert when they travel to Miami to take on the Hurricanes, in a noon kickoff.

                The Gators defeated Toledo 24-6, but it wasn't over the chart impressive. In a game that should be played every year in the state of Florida UF/UM the Hurricanes have a talented roster with heralded recruits all over the field, I’m not saying the Gators will fall to the Hurricanes, but don’t be shocked if the Hurricanes pull the upset.

                Did you enjoy week one of the college football season?

                Week two shouldn't disappoint, I have the Michigan Wolverines defeating the Fighting Irish in the Big House.


Justin Tyree

ESPN 730 Charlotte Bobcats Insider and College Football Blogger

Twitter:  @JTyree704

Facebook:  www.Facebook.com/SportsFromMyEyes