2030 Week Nine Preview - #2 Georgia (7-0) @ #1 Oklahoma (8-0)
Boone Tillman // Sooner Born • Published: October 25th, 2030
For the first time since 2019 the first and second ranked teams in the nation will square off during the regular season when the #2 Georgia Bulldogs take their 7-0 record into Gaylord Family Memorial Stadium and attempt to dethrone the reigning National Champion Oklahoma Sooners.
Both squads have looked nearly unstoppable to start the season, so we're not going to waste any time getting right down to business. Lets take a quick look at how these two heavyweights match up and then we're diving right into the "Schooner Scoop" with Coach Leon in preparation for what many believe to be the "Game of the Year."
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#1 Oklahoma Sooners (8-0) | Description | #2 Georgia Bulldogs (7-0) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 99 Overall // 99 Offense // 99 Defense | Team Rating | 97 Overall // 96 Offense // 99 Defense Armando Leon (34-4) | Head Coach | Kirby Smart (169-32) Spread | Offensive Scheme | Multiple Offense 3-3-5 | Defensive Scheme | 3-3-5 Tite 46.6 (2nd) | Offensive Points Per Game | 41.8 (8th) 16.0 (5th) | Defensive Points Per Game | 20.9 (23rd) 509.0 (5th) | Offensive Yards Per Game | 453.7 (26th) 291.4 (5th) | Defensive Yards Per Game | 367.6 (56th)
Oklahoma Sooners | Description | Georgia Bulldogs --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 54-30 | Combined Record | 46-30 Oregon (3-3) W 44-14 | Week One | Clemson (6-1) W 42-24 @ Oklahoma State (5-1) W 49-30 | Week Two | FCS W 63-7 @ Nebraska (3-3) W 56-21 | Week Three | Ohio State (4-2) W 35-21 @ Mississippi State (1-6) W 55-13 | Week Four | Kentucky (3-5) W 28-21 Texas A&M (4-2) W 33-7 | Week Five | BYE Alabama (6-2) W 55-6 | Week Six | South Carolina (3-3) W 39-34 Texas (4-4) W 37-21 | Week Seven | Ole Miss (4-4) W 37-22 @ Ole Miss (4-4) W 44-27 | Week Eight | @ Vanderbilt (2-4) W 49-28
Oklahoma Sooners Georgia Bulldogs ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HB Dillon Slye (90) Foot Fracture (6 Weeks) | Injuries | DT Daryl Charles (84) Dislocated Hip (7 Weeks) TE Dexter Olson (76) Foot Sprain (2 Weeks) | Injuries | L Marquise Burgess (92) Torn Bicep (8 Weeks)
Oklahoma Sooners Georgia Bulldogs --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FR Markelle Nickey (79) 181/263 (69%), 2,259 Yds, 29 TD, 8 INT| QB | JR(RS) George Okoye (93) 175/261 (67%), 2,346 Yds, 23 TD, 0 INT JR Terrance Butcher (96) 92 Att, 749 Yds, 4 TD | HB | SR(RS) John Omenihu (93) 115 Att, 603 Yds, 13 TD SO TE Maurice Lucky (79) 26 Rec, 420 Yds, 6 TD | WR | JR(RS) Avery Bigsby (95) 66 Rec, 975 Yds, 10 TD SR(RS) Floyd Canaday (89) 21 Rec, 284 Yds, 5 TD | WR | SO George Ekejiuba (84) 34 Rec, 475 Yds, 3 TD SR MLB Alan Breckner (88) 55 Tkl, 14 TFL, 6 Sacks | DEF | JR(RS) CB Baraka Euhus (89) 47 Tkl, TFL, 2 INT JR MLB Gordon Paul (86) 45 Tkl, 10 TFL, 2 Sacks | DEF | JR DT Armond Stallworth (84) 22 Tkl, 6 TFL, 2 Sacks SR LB Tyler Jacques (88) 26 Tkl, 14 TFL, 7.5 Sacks | DEF | SO(RS) DE Connor Feeley (85) 21 Tkl, 6 TFL, 4.5 Sacks SR(RS) SS DeMarco Slayton (90) 42 Tkl, 2 TFL, Sack, 3 INT | DEF | JR CB Quandre Leslie (88) 44 TKl, 4 INT
SEC Week Nine Schedule
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Schooner Scoop
BT: "The last two times the #1 and #2 teams faced off in the regular season, it was LSU and Alabama. The first matchup was what many consider to be the "Game of the Century" when the LSU Tigers outlasted the Alabama Crimson Tide 9-6 in overtime. The next matchup, nearly eight years later, was an electric showdown that saw LSU outlast a furious Alabama comeback in a 46-41 victory. Do you think this year's showdown between the top two teams in the nation is going to look more like the slobber-knocker in 2011, or the electric offensive showcase of 2019?"
AL: "I'd shoot for the middle ground, Boone. We've both got explosive offenses, but the defenses on both sides are equally as talented as well. I know I'm in the minority here, but that 2011 game just doesn't measure up for me. Great defenses, and I love a good defense, but for as hyped as that game was, those offenses were horrific to watch at times. I definitely think both Georgia and ourselves are going to have some opportunities to make plays, especially with how different the game is now compared to 2011, but I expect both defenses to make a huge impact too. Going into the game, Coach Mack and I really think the magic number is 28. I have enough faith in my defense to hold them under that number, so we just have to execute like I know we can."
BT: "How do you and Coach Mack plan on hitting that number? The Bulldogs give up their fair share of yards, but also rank in the upper echelon in terms of turnover differential, so that's allowed them to limit the number of points they've ultimately given up. Knowing that, are you and Coach Mack going to lean on the trio of stallions in the stable, or are you going to continue to put your trust in Markelle Nickey despite his rising interceptions?"
AL: "Hold on, Boone. I've seen that circulated a few times now, so we're going to lay that to bed real quick. Nick has eight interceptions in eight games, as a true freshman, with us putting way more of the game plan on his shoulders than originally intended. There are some senior quarterbacks who have been starting for three years with more picks than a young man entering his ninth start. We have absolutely no worries about Nick being able to handle the moment. That being said, you also have to understand—he is still learning out there. You don't want to unnecessarily put him in a position where things could snowball and all of a sudden, he's questioning himself. We have a stable of running backs, we have a quarterback we believe in, and some of the most dynamic weapons on offense in the country. Trust me, we plan on turning our yards into points, unlike our predecessors."
BT: "I mentioned the Bulldogs' sterling turnover differential and while their defense does its fair share of contributions, George Okoye's ball security plays a huge role in that. To this point the junior has yet to surrender the ball, and the Bulldogs as a team only have two offensive turnovers all season. Your team hasn't been overly reliant on turnovers, instead leaning on your superb pass rush to force second and third-and-long situations. Do you think ultimately, whoever comes out ahead in the turnover differential will be crowned the victor?"
AL: "That would be a pretty lukewarm take, Boone. Pretty sure if you run the numbers, it heavily favors the team that wins the turnover battle, usually wins the game. I would say the team that makes the most out of their opportunities is going to come out on top, and that doesn't always mean turnovers. Big returns, sacks that force the opponent to punt instead of kicking a field goal, stops deep in enemy territory where you get the ball in an advantageous situation; those are the plays that are going to determine the game."
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Let me be clear, before we continue—I do not agree with Coach Leon about the 2011 LSU and Alabama clash. I wholeheartedly believe that was the best game of football some of us may ever see, loyalties aside. But I can see where he is going with it; you expect your offense to be able to muster at least a touchdown.
Leon said they believe their sweet spot is 28, meaning they expect to hold an offense averaging 41.8 points per contest to be held to 27 or less. It may not be the boisterous statement we're used to hearing nowadays, but if you really pay attention that speaks volumes. Not only are they expecting to hold the Bulldogs two touchdowns shy of their average, but they're also expecting Georgia to be able to do the same.
Now, this may be my bias showing, but it almost feels like a passing of the guard type of game. Georgia has become the new Alabama, for all intents and purposes. They overcame Nick Saban, ruled the roost for a while, and while they haven't won in nearly seven years, they're still considered one of the premier teams in the country. Leon has his National Championship, but he's never faced Kirby Smart, or Alabama until earlier this year. If he can knock them both off, within weeks of each other, it may be time to start considering Oklahoma as the new King of the SEC.
But, before we put the wagon ahead of the horse, he has to clear that final hurdle. And I think he gets it done.
28 Georgia, 31 Oklahoma.
