Latest / Dawgs Down South / Episode 127: Georgia vs. Alabama Weather Outlook, History, Statistical Overview, What Ifs...
Transcript
- Ted Turner: Good evening, everyone. Welcome to Dogs Down South. I'm your host, Ted, and I hope you're having a great evening. We have a plus one show for Bama Hate Week. I'm here with my man Rich Man and we're gonna talk some in-depth Alabama tonight. Rich man, what's up, my friend? How are you? Richman: Good, good, how you doing? Ted Turner: I'm good, man. How's the weather up there in North Georgia? We're gonna talk a little bit about weather and how it may affect the game on Saturday, but how's your weather? Richman: Man, it was nice today. I enjoyed it. It wasn't too hot. It wasn't too cold. It was pretty. yeah. Ted Turner: It was raining like crazy here, man. Like it's been raining constantly all day long. Like we're expected to get like it's been raining throughout the entire like month of September, it feels like. But yeah, man, three to five inches expected today and parts of tomorrow. So wild, man. Richman: I know we're supposed to be getting rain. It's been overcast a good bit since last week and, but it's rained around and about, but it hasn't rained on me everywhere I've been. I'm like, Hey, it's not raining. Ted Turner: Right. That's probably a good thing. You're probably like, you know, travel and what you're doing depending on especially in that in the North Georgia area. Richman: Yeah. Ted Turner: It's like it definitely impedes the weather definitely impedes how you travel. So speaking of Richman: Yes. Ted Turner: like impeding things like we have, you know, rumor. I have some pictures here. This is the best last minute news I can come up with is take a few pictures to kind of process all this, but not even sure. It's hot off the presses and when I'm pronouncing the name right, but possibility this weekend now breaking news of a tropical depression slash hurricane. I think this the name is Isaiah, if it forms. so we're looking at this coming off the Mexico coast, the eastern Mexico coast around Richman: you Ted Turner: today. I'm sorry, tomorrow around two p.m. It will be fully in that Gulf area and this is looking to be something to keep an eye on as it enters into the Gulf, but a lot of models have it turning directly north, kind of in on that Mississippi, Alabama line around Friday at two PM, it should be off the shores somewhere in the middle of New Orleans slash Mobile. So I don't know. So, you know, lot going on right here. The SCC has said that too early to actually kind of deem anything or make any decisions. But I mean, Rich, we've had these things go on before. I mean, I can't remember exactly when, but I'm sure we've had these things. But what are the I mean, what are you thinking? What the possibilities of how this could affect the seven thirty start time on Saturday night for Georgia, Alabama? Richman: You know, I saw a thing today and they were talking about they might have to reschedule or cancel and I was like what? Yeah, that... I don't know man, that would be a bummer. Because we're already, man. Ted Turner: Yeah, I mean it's definitely a possibility. Richman: I mean this is really the beginning of the season for us, well for a lot of teams, for Alabama. We're ready to get it on. Ted Turner: Yeah. And I mean, you know, you kind of look at it. I don't know, and I should have probably done my homework, but I was trying to get this couple of pictures pulled up and this was all this is all really kind of new because this has just been within the last thirty-six hours that a lot of this has happened. and so I think tomorrow around two is when we'll really see like how this thing's jumping into the Gulf and Things of that nature. And, you know, I was telling my wife earlier, you know, we're getting ready to head up for George Auburn next week. And I'm like, three years ago at this time, we had to cancel. I think it was because of Milton. Milton came right over from this same area, took a different path, came right up around Tampa, up through the Gulf and straight up into areas where we couldn't fly out and things of that nature. But let's just talk what ifs. I mean, I think I think Richman: If this thing becomes full bore, do you think they would move it over to the bins? Or is it too late to do something like that? Could they do that? Ted Turner: I mean, I don't that's a it's a great question. Like, I mean, if you move it to Friday, I think you're still gonna see I mean, how much travel does that affect and I mean, how much preparation time and how much time I mean, this is probably right now for both teams and pr maybe for college football right now this year, one of the biggest games I would say outside of L S U and Ole Miss earlier on is probably one of the biggest games of the year so far. And so obviously a lot of TV time and money to be made if they keep that 730 slot. But of course we're going to err towards safety and things of that nature. But you never thought, you know, I never thought I would be starting the show tonight with is there a possibility this game? I don't know. Like, is there an A B C is is A the fact of how how much do they look and see, okay, the possibilities of this happening and giving the opportunity for people in that area to maybe get out of town? I don't think they're gonna be having a game if they're having, you know, if if they're kind of saying, hey, like this is a natural disaster possibly and people are gonna be heading out of town. I don't think that would be a good look for the SEC. But also, you know, you go, well, if you move it to Friday, does that make a whole lot of sense? I don't see them moving it up as early as Thursday. I think that's impossible. I think Sunday and Monday are Richman: What? Ted Turner: built for the NFL. I don't know how that comes Richman: Would they, Ted Turner: into play, but Richman: I mean, could they move it to the bins for Ted Turner: When do you play it? Richman: Saturday? Ted Turner: Maybe. And I would say that would be your opportunity there is do you move it to the bins? And secondly, if you don't play this game, where does this game get stuck? Because bye weeks don't they don't line up. I mean, I don't think they do. Richman: They don't line up. Ted Turner: so it's a little puzzle, man. I I I didn't even I know we were we were even behind stage a minute ago talking and I didn't bring this up, so you probably didn't even know I was gonna come out with this, but it definitely is on the radar. So this is something that is brewing, is kind of breaking news. It's something to keep an eye on for tomorrow afternoon. I think there's gonna be a lot of decisions have to be made as early as tomorrow afternoon because a lot of things change when you're talking about game day is going to be there Saturday night at seven. I mean, well, Saturday Richman: So. Ted Turner: morning. You got travel, you have news crews, you have I mean you just have a lot of money on the line. Richman: Yeah, they're gonna either they're either gonna have to make a decision quick if it's even possible to move it to the bins or I Guess scratch it and see if they can play at end of the season but the end of the season is getting kind of crazy with with all the playoff games Ted Turner: I mean, I would tell you this would be huge if they had to move this game to the end of the season. I mean, and Richman: Yeah. Ted Turner: I don't even know, like I said, I don't even know if there's a possibility, but imagine these teams don't play. This big scenario is imagine these teams don't play and they they finish the season. I mean, there here's the possibility. What if both teams were to finish the season undefeated in the SEC, which is we've talked earlier in the year and it's highly unlikely. Richman: and then they could Ted Turner: And and that and they're just gonna play the SEC championship and call it the The regular season game, right? Richman: Yeah, yeah, that would be kind of interesting. Just let him play the SEC Ted Turner: I it's it's a bet, right? Richman: Championship and let it go with that. Ted Turner: I mean, it's kinda one of those things where the S C C's gonna like, All right, let's hope that these two teams go undefeated 'cause that's our only like one up scenario. Richman: I take, mean, I was sitting here looking at this and I was kind of reading some stuff. know, if Bama was to beat Georgia, they're pro, in my opinion, I think they might be better than Texas. I just think they, I think they got a better team. I think they're playing balanced football a little bit more consistent than some of the stuff I've seen with Texas. Ted Turner: Right. Richman: So, This game has lot of consequences to it. We're both close. Ted Turner: Yeah. I agree. Well, let's let's hop off weather and let's let's hop into you know, I really wanna I mean we're gonna preview Alabama, but but you know, Rich, I thought for me and you tonight what would be really good to talk about was, you know, how this game has consistently kind of reformed the SEC as far as records and playoff implications and SEC titles. I mean you look at the history and you look at the Georgia taking, you know, winning some of the playoff, not being able to finish the drill in a lot of these regular season games. And we thought it was a Nick Saban curse, but it's turned in very quickly to a Kaylin Dabor as well curse. And I was even pulling some of the clips last year of I did my interview with Hudson Mason last year. And I thought it was supposed to be a Monday morning where we were going to be talking Alabama and finally just talking about that first win and We were more talking about how we came out so unexplosive and we turn the ball over and fourth and one, we have cash in the game and we go for it and don't kick the field gold and we don't get the first down and and we end up we're we're we're end up talking through a loss again. But I would say that the the game always feels different, right? How how do you remember like some of these games? I and that's one I remember is last year, fresh on my mind and I remember some games where, you know, as a kid, you know, in the in the earlier days of and I say as a kid, but you know, as an avid dog fan that didn't watch every second of the games earlier on in my dog career, you know, I would some of these Alabama games I was in Nick Sabin, like I just remember turning them on and like we were already down seventeen zero. I think the for me Richman: Well, one of the things that's interesting is when Kirby, Kirby came in and we were playing Alabama and we would jump all over him like with all four feet and just beat the crap out of him in the first half and then just like lose it in the second half. And then Ted Turner: Right. Richman: we went through that, I don't know about how many times, but it was two, three, four times. And then, Kirby addressed that and then we became the team that owns the second half. Ted Turner: Mm-hmm. Richman: this year, this team, I don't think we fully know what this team is yet. I mean. Ted Turner: Hmm. Well I'm gonna Richman: One thing I mean we learned last week was that if they want to load the box and shut down the run, Gunner's comfortable going at them through the air. I mean Ted Turner: I agree. I agree. Richman: we had quite a few explosives last week and we were able to win that game by throwing the ball and having explosive plays. So that, and also the vertical, I mean, we had a couple of really nice vertical throws from Gunner. those things, at least from my perspective, have been addressed. I don't know that Alabama's gonna try to shut the box down on us. I don't know what they're gonna do, but. Ted Turner: Yeah. Well, I mean, that's been the storyline for the years. I mean, I think Alabama's always done a really good job of scheming against what they think if they they they're they're betting on if they can take away one facet of the game. They feel like they can go head to head with you against the other and win. I mean, I I had some notes down here that I thought would be fun to kind of talk through. you know, some top ten moments. I'm gonna not go into detail of all of them, but let's see how many you remember. this will be painful, but I thought it would be fun to do it. you remember the 2015, I'm sorry, 2018 SEC championship. Alabama 35-28. Georgia was leading 28-14. This isn't what you're talking about, right? Alabama Richman: Yup. Ted Turner: scored three unanswered. Jalen Hurts eventually came in after Tua Tungavalowa was injured, ran the Brandon for the game winning touchdown. Georgia controlled so much of that game. But Alabama found a way to finish. And then eight, these were kind of similar. Alabama 41-24. Georgia jumped out to a 24-17 lead. Then Alabama took over. Devontae Smith had the huge game, Mac Jones. This was one that flew under the radar for me, but these three right here are the ones that stand out because we had the lead in all of these. And then it's towards the, like you said, towards the backside of these games, I think number seven was 2021 SEC Championship, 41-24 Alabama. this one hurt because Georgia entered the game number one in the country undefeated. We led 10-0. Then Bryce Young went nuclear, man. Like he threw 421 yards, broke a record. Jamison Williams had 1504 84 yards. The defense had been historically dominant that year, and then suddenly we We couldn't get off the field. And then just kind of as we as we head into like one, two, and three for me, it tells the side of the story you were talking about. You know, you look at number one on my list, which was 2025 SEC Championship. you know, Georgia 28 7, that was last year, right? Completely didn't squeak by Alabama, like controlled the first quarter. so it so it shows you the nuance. Then you look at 2018 national championship. Alabama was was was ahead early. We couldn't come back. You look at 2021 national championship when Georgia won, was early, was we got ahead early. We tried to let them squeak back in there. And then it's in the same thing with 2024, where Alabama won 4134, maybe the craziest one, right? Because Georgia fell behind 28-0, right? This was the regular season game. This is when Carson Beck. In the offense, we like we went nuclear and then Dylan Bell caught the ball that we thought was winning the game, and then Ryan Williams, we just allow that Ryan Williams catch, and then it that was the most that was the craziest one. So I think you're right. I think this whole series has been a tale of the first half, right? So do so my question out of all this is like icebreaker for the night is is like if you could come into this game going if there was one thing that was blimp you. that needed to happen. I know mine is, is like I really think it's gonna be a tale of two halves. It's gonna be which team is gonna make the right adjustments and which team is going to be ready to go right out of the right out of the gates. What's your what's your take on that? Richman: I think the, I really think the biggest thing is gonna, I think, you know, I'm still looking at paper, but I think these two teams are better matched with quality athletes than any other teams out there, or at least on our schedule. And I think it's gonna be big plays. I mean, I think we have to- I because I suspect it's going to be a really tight game, big plays are going to be part of it. That's what really worries me is giving up big plays. Now we haven't given up big plays. We haven't given up 25 yard big plays all season, but who we're going to play, they got tons of them. I mean, their Ted Turner: Yeah. Well I know Richman: receivers are on fire and that quarterback to be a freshman is insane. And that's one of the things, what scares me really is the quarterback because you know, what beats us? It's always these quarterbacks that play Georgia and it's like, they play the best game of their life and everything they throw hits, you know, and they're running around and you think, okay, they're out of the pocket. It's going to be a low percentage pass and, know, out of nowhere, they make the play and you're like, what the heck? Ted Turner: Right. Richman: It was like the Ole Miss game last year. It was insane. Ted Turner: Yeah. Yeah, no, I I I agree. H here's another thing. I mean, we're gonna talk about I have a whole section just about like psychologically, like what is going on with Georgia. Like what you know fans are like, all right, is there's this some psychological hex, but I wanted to throw this in for you because we've been talking about explosiveness, but you know, as I've been Just preparing notes throughout the week. we I I went live on Sunday night and did the Vandy recap and I've been developing notes. this, you know, we're doing this show tonight. Thursday night, we're gonna do our normal weekly show where we do picks and things of that nature. but I pulled up a statistic today that is gonna be a real hot take for a lot of people. Now, I'm gonna tell you where I got this statistic from. I was interviewing Hudson Mason last year, the day after the Alabama game. And like I said, we were hoping my hope was this was going to be, you know, the first regular season victory in a long, long time, Georgia over Alabama. It was going to be a great conversation with Hudson. we were going to be able to talk about some of his playing days. And we ended up really di I even listened to the recording today again just to kind of dive in. And the conversation was really good because I can use I used a lot of those notes this week to really prepare on some of the conversations we're going to have. And this is the one that stuck out to me. Now Asked Hudson about his time with Bobo and I asked him about, you know, how his what he recollected and things of that nature. And one of the things he mentioned last year, okay, was the fact that when a team is averaging somewhere in the 12, 13, or 14 yards per passing play, they are considered explosive. Okay. They're considering it a third year. And we talked about it last year because we we came away from that conversation going, what's gonna get Georgia after leaving this Alabama game, what's gonna get them back to kind of, you know, the playoffs? Obviously we made the playoffs, won the SEC championship. But the thing that was said was is he said there that that offenses, good offenses have a third gear, right? And the third gear is the explosive mark. Now, everybody knows that Kirby's been talking about explosive plays. We want to be able to create havoc on the defensive side of the ball. And we want to be able to create explosive plays. I thoroughly will tell you that's why we're five and right now. We're winning the turnover battle. We're creating a lot of turnovers, actually, and we we are able to create explosives. Now, here's the narrative I pulled, and I want you to dig into this real quick because for listeners, you're you're going to be shocked to hear this. Through five games in 2025, last year. Remember, this is the year of Mike Bobo can't do nothing but throw a screen pass. You know, everything was horizontal. it wasn't vertical. It was that branch trying to get him out. Four point four yards per rushing attempt, Richman: you Ted Turner: ten point seven yards per reception was the average through five games, five point yards per offensive play, totaling four hundred and two point four yards of offense per game through five games. This was twenty twenty-five. Now, remember what remember what Hudson Mason said? 12, 13, and 14 yards is considered explosive in a third gear for the top tier of the top 10% of the offenses in college football. This year, through five games in 2026, 6.5 yards per rushing attempt, 13.6 yard per reception, 7.9 yards per offensive play, averaging 478.8 yards per game. That stat right there. Richman: Wow. Ted Turner: Kind of tells the tape on what the difference is possibly in this game coming up against Alabama and where Georgia is at offensively, than they were last year. Because it was funny because that clip, I paused it right there and I'm like, wait a minute. I'm like, what are we averaging this year? Because that was the key. I mean, that was a key we both agreed on last year. So when you look at that, Rich, like, what do you, what is that, what jumps out at you right there coming into the Georgia Alabama game that was different than last year? Richman: And that that's explosiveness and I believe that because I mean just the Vandy game and the bill and what gunner did in the Vandy game was so impressive and now and we had the explosives we had the verticals down the field and those are things people were questioning last year because we never had that So that's super exciting. I've kind of sensed and felt like we were more explosive, but I didn't have the stats that you just put out. That's incredible. That's a... Ted Turner: Yeah, I it that I literally pulled that today because I was going back and listening and I was like, and and and we have me and and me and Rich for all the viewers, we have really animated conversations through text on the weekends, and it's all good. It's all out of love. But I I will go back, Rich, and say this now. I do agree when I went back and watched it the second time. I w I went and watched Brooke Austin. I'm excited tonight to go watch the defensive side of this because offensive side was played on Sunday night. I think the defensive side comes out tonight. But and I did see some of the the blunders and the things that, you know, we could look at. And I tend to look at the more positive sometimes, but also you have to look at what is rearing its head sometimes that could become things that it's like, if we don't get on these things and they become habits, you know, it's Kirby says it all the time. What do you look like on tape? You know, he's like, what are you putting on tape? Richman: Yeah. Like, like Ernest Green had a rough day, you know, and part of that, he had bad footwork and he was letting people cross his face that, he wasn't positioning himself properly. And if that happens against Alabama, it's going to be a long day. but I don't expect, mean, Ernest, Green's had, he has shown over the years to be proficient. And so I think that'll get coached up and I think he'll be focusing and have a good game. the big takeaway was can Gunnar handle the offense if they shut down the run? And the answer was yes. Now if If that happens with Alabama, I don't know what that looks like. Alabama is going to have some better corners. They're probably going to play man. Actually, I don't expect Alabama to try to shut down the box like that. mean, they're going to try to shut it down, but they're not going to put eight, nine people in the box. I don't think they're going to do that. I think they think that they've got good enough guys up there on the front and they're linebackers to handle that. Ted Turner: Yeah, and if and if you've ever thought about like we've talked about it for weeks and we don't think Kirby's this type of coach at all, but maybe he is. I mean, I said it the other night. I think Kirby's been a completely different coach this year. I think he's very methodical. I think his interviews on Mondays are very much more, I mean, much more Nick Saban esque. They're very mundane. They're very like, this is just, I'm just here so I don't get fined type stuff. I mean, he is very serious this year. Richman: Well, there's a couple of things. I don't know if you heard Nick Saban Saturday said that before the season started or early in the season, Kirby had told him that this was the first time in years that he had enough depth to practice the way he wants to practice. And the other thing that I said last year, said, think Kirby has tried to figure this thing out and I think this is the year he's going for it. He's got blood in his eyes and he's going for it. He wants to win another championship and he wants to prove that it can be done in this era because it's definitely a new era. He's trying to prove his methodology is what I see and he's very focused. He's on fire. That's what he is. Ted Turner: Yeah. And Richman: I would Ted Turner: and you Richman: also go and say if we're not successful this year or next year, I don't know that he's going to coach that many more years. That's just me guessing. Ted Turner: I mean, I I don't think I don't think Kirby is I mean I I mean the one thing I will tell you is is that Kirby's son Andrew is coming through the ranks. I think he's a pretty talented kid. I mean I could definitely see I mean, you know how c I know how Kirby will be, but I could definitely see him as somebody that, you know, why would you not want that to be something a part of what you're doing at UGA is to have your son? But that's a whole nother story. But I think Kirby will be at Georgia for I I definitely don't think the NFL is for him. And I know fans would probably be like at the end of the day, they're like, hey, don't don't curse that. But I really don't I don't think it is. But I do think at the end of the day that you're right. I think kinda like Nick, I think NIL and some of these other things bother him. They get on his nerves and frankly they piss him off and and hope Richman: Yeah, I agree. And he's got this system where he brings in a few with the NIL, but he's trying to develop athletes. And I just feel like that if he gets to a point where the kids don't want to be developed, they're not interested in my way, then I don't know that he's going to coach until he's 65 years old like a lot of guys do. You know what I'm saying? Ted Turner: Right. Right. No, I agree. Richman: And I, I mean, you know, I love what Kirby's done for University of Georgia and I hope that he finds this system that works. I that's the thing too about this game with Alabama. I I don't, I'm not convinced we're going to go in there and win, but I'm not convinced that we're going to lose either. I think this is going to be clash of the Titans. I think it's going to be a close game. You know, I think, I think it's going to go down to the wire. Could be a big play that makes the difference. I'm not sure, but Ted Turner: Yeah. Richman: I'm excited. mean, this is the first game of the season I've really been excited to see. And I hope we get to see it. I hope this storm, maybe the storm will Ted Turner: Yeah. Yeah, I mean in Yeah, no, I agree. Richman: turn and go, maybe it'll go to Houston or something. Ted Turner: Maybe. That that'll be the the likelihood. And I'm gonna be honest, like, I mean, I think the call would be this early on is to move it to Atlanta. I mean, you gotta worry about this is a game you can't just not play. It really isn't. Richman: I know, that's kinda... So much hinges on this. Ted Turner: Yeah. Yeah, I agree. To end off this segment, I would say that when we go back to the explosiveness, the reason I brought this up was because the increase in all this is, you know, through five games, Georgia has thirteen hundred and twenty nine passing yards, ninety eight completions, which works out to thirteen point five six yards per completion. So my what jumps out to me is as I compare this Georgia offense to last year's team, last year Georgia averaged about four point four yards. And 10.7 and this year it's more like six point five and thirteen point six. So that that jumps into explosive, but is this the difference that finally changes the Alabama game? I mean, is this the missing piece that has been holding Georgia back from having to, I don't know, like sometimes just it feels like in years past, Georgia had to drive the length of the field and just gut it out. And it was like it had to go their way twelve times to get on the scoreboard. And so if you look at it this way, do you think when you talk about Alabama this year, the problems in these games is they couldn't finish drives and create enough explosive plays. Now this is theirs. So is this potentially the biggest factor to the difference in this game this year? Richman: Well, the factor could be the explosiveness of the offense and the defense. I'm still, we feel like we've got one of the best defenses we've had in a long time. So that's going to be the. That's going to be a big issue on Saturday. Ted Turner: Yeah. I'll give you another little plus. Go ahead. Richman: I would say I'm more worried about the defense on Saturday than the offense. that's an unusual position for me to be in. Ted Turner: Hmm. Let's entertain let's entertain that in a second, but I want to throw this one out there to you, too, before we leave offense. another thing I read was that Georgia's offensive line has started the same five starters in every game this season. Did you know that? Which is unheard of, really, for Georgia. So Ernest Green, Dontro Glover, Drew Bobo, Zyke Helton, Juan Gaston has been the starting five in every game. And what I'm bringing up that, bringing that up for is if you want to talk about What may actually be the second thing I think about that could win this game is just the total physicality, right? We just don't talk Yes. Yes. Richman: and the continuity of those guys working together for so long. Ted Turner: Because you gotta think, can Alabama slow down an offense that's averaging thirteen point six yards every time it completes a pass and six point five yards a carry? If I'm doing either of these things, I have a hard time going, which one do I should I do? Because if you're Richman: Yeah, yeah. Ted Turner: running the ball at that rate and you're passing the ball at that rate, we become very, very hard to prepare for. And Kirby said it without saying it. They asked him, they're like, look, this is the second game where ten or more players have have possessed the ball. What is that? Like, what is give me a little take on that? And he's like, that makes us very hard to prepare for. It makes us Richman: Yeah, there was 10 different receivers that caught the ball. I'm telling you, man, Gunner's on fire. I mean, he's very accurate and he's so smooth. Like, he's not... He's just a little bit more refined. I mean, obviously the game has slowed down for him and he's seeing the field. Ted Turner: Yeah. Yeah, I agree. Well, let me ask you this, and we're gonna talk a defense too, because I think it would be it's it's warranted because you said something about that, but let's talk about the psyche really quick. Like what does Alabama do to Georgia? I know that sounds weird, but like what does Alabama do to Georgia that makes this like a psychological nightmare? 'Cause we always say it, fans always talk about it. It's pretty much ingrained in our brain, right? I think this matchup is different from almost every other game Georgia plays on their schedule. 'Cause when you play Alabama, you know one mistake can become seven points. When you play Alabama, you know that one bust can can become a seventy yard touchdown. You I mean, these are things that roll through your mind. And if you don't like it's a psychological game for these guys. Like they have to be able to come into this game and play every down. We've seen what can be done in the first half and how it can be completely reversed in the second half. And if it doesn't come down to one play in the second half, you've erased everything you've done in that half to battle back possibly from where you came from. You know that if you're nervous, Alabama can literally sense that. And you're going into Brian Denny. We as far as we know right now, you're going into Brian Denny. You got game day there. But this has also been a stage when you minus Alabama out of this, Rich, that we've been in before with Texas the last two years. And we've been we've been up against the green. We've been Game day there. Everybody picking Texas, but it's Alabama, right? So let's talk about what nerves do, right? Richman: I think that, I don't know how the coaches approach this, the way I look at it is, think Alabama needs to beat us worse than we need to beat Alabama, is what I think. Ted Turner: Yeah. I love that, say, love that. Richman: And if there's a way to, keep your players from getting too amped up. It's funny you say that because there was a team when I played ball that had that psychological advantage over us. I'm 62 years old, I still look back and shake my head. I don't know what it was, but it was there. But I think a couple things. I think that the advantage for us too in this game, I don't know if I'm hearing, know, from like Austin, when he broke down Alabama, you he was talking about how balanced they are and how physical they are. But I just, don't know that they're going to be more physical than a Kirby team. I just, I don't think they, I don't think they are. I know that they have the talent match. and they're playing good balanced football, but I don't think they have the physical advantage over a Kirby team. so that, know, going out from the get-go and being physical, that's the best way to break that psychological. Ted Turner: Yeah. Well well Richman: That monkey that's on your back. Ted Turner: Yeah. And when you think about that, like you talk about the psychological piece. You think about these things. You think about you rush throws, right? It can get Gunner into this thing that he's not been in all year, right? jumping offside, the penalty battle, right? It's gonna be loud and Bryant Denny. Miss tackles. We've tackled really well this year, right? These are things that just get the psyche out of character from what George has been all year. Abandon the Richman: Right. Ted Turner: run. We don't need to like We need to do the opposite because we're not going to talk full game plan because we're going to do it Thursday night, but abandon the run. We got to go in there and run the football. Period. You have to go on when you go on the road in the SEC, you have to be able to establish the run. You can't be one dimensional because if you are, the unpredictability flies out the window and the f and the and Richman: Yep. Ted Turner: the crowd comes into play and you're done, right? force the football any with anything. Richman: Yep, Yeah, I think if you become one dimensional, it's going to be a long day and ugly. Ted Turner: Yeah. To any team. And not just Alabama, but on top of the psychological battle, it doesn't help. And the last two I have is you take unnecessary chances, which we've seen Carson Beck do two years ago that got us into, I mean, you got to think about when you go back to that first half, that daunting first half two years ago in Tuscaloosa, the last time we were there, in the first half, it was like we felt there was a feeling from Carson Beck like we had to get it all back. And then we just kept digging ourselves in a hole more and more. And then we came out the second half, did not allow a point, and should have probably won the game. Like I thought when Dylan Bell caught that pass, it was over with, you know? And then the last thing is, is like you can't we cannot get into a play not to lose mentality. We have to come in there and and Richman: Okay. Ted Turner: eat. That's who we are, you know? Kirby's not Richman: Yeah. Thank Ted Turner: built around, hey, we gotta make sure we don't do anything to to to lose the game. No. Like Kirby said it before. Saturdays are not for the coaches. Saturdays are for the players, right? It's Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday that are for the coaches. At that point, the players got to go out there and play. And you can't look at them and be like, guys, why are we fumbling the ball? Why are we doing this? It just makes them feel more like these guys are built around going out there and just playing free. And so that's why, I mean, you look at some coaches and you go, you see the product Kirby gives, but you also want to scratch your head and go, What does Lane Kiffin have that makes his guys so like loose, right? I mean, obviously the music at the practices, the the the looseness of warm-up, everything's not so serious. But you could tell yourself there is a reason why a Lane Kiffin might can be very explosive on offense, have some really great seasons, do some really nice things as a football coach, but he hasn't won the big one and he's never done it back to back. Richman: So. Ted Turner: So you gotta look and you gotta go, can you get both done? And I think I think Kirby's the closest coach to be able to do that besides possibly Kirk Signetti, but I think I think Kirk Signetti's AI. I don't even think he's real. So so Richman: I think he's a flash. Ted Turner: But Georgia can't do that, man. Any of these things right here, if we get into any of this stuff, that's when we sit back in our chair and go, All right, either we're this is gonna be a long game. And I'm gonna be honest with you, like if these things start to happen, you can shut your TV off and go to bed. Because this is not how Kirby has formed this team. And if they get into this thing, they're not gonna know how to act because it's not how they practice. It's not how they play. It is what we just call the the beginning of the topic. It's just a psyche that you can get. Richman: Yep. Ted Turner: As far as Alabama goes, and they can screw with you. Georgia is five and They're supposed to be here. Richman: you Ted Turner: They're number two in the country, and they just beat Alabama 28 7 last year in the playoffs. I'm sorry, to to get into the playoffs, win the SC championship. There's no reason Georgia shouldn't walk out into this game intimidated. They gotta walk out, not overconfident, just understanding that they have what it takes and they're built the right way. And I'm not saying that because they need to be reminded, but I am saying it to fans who sometimes are I mean, you can you can go on the chats right now, man, and it's just like, I'm a little scared of Alabama. And it's like, why? I mean, I I get it. We haven't beat them in the regular season in a little while. I get it. But like Bama had one really good week. That's it. And I would beg to differ if the fact of Camario Taylor giving him three miracles on last Saturday, if that game's not closer. I mean, he threw two picks. He decided he couldn't grip the ball on another and threw it on the floor. Ground, sorry, it was a fumble. Richman: Yeah, I saw some stats too and like, you know, Alabama's playing at a real high level, but the stats of the teams that they've played, every one of those teams, and I can't remember, think it was defensive stats. All of those defenses that they've played against were like... anywhere from like 50 to over 100 in Ted Turner: Mm-hmm. Richman: the NCA. So they hadn't played a quality defense yet. Ted Turner: Yeah. Well, speaking of that, you you mentioned the defense. I wanna talk really really quick. I wanna the last two things we talk about tonight, I wanna talk about the defense a little bit. You said you had concerns. I think that's valid. And then I kind of want to end the show tonight. you know, what can we learn from the losses in the past and how things kind of I mean, I have some things written down, but I want to go through that and kind of talk about like who has the upper hand. I like to give fans a little to chew on throughout the week. I do feel like, you know, for the team it was good to have that val have that Vanderbilt game happen, right? For the Richman: Yeah. Ted Turner: fans, it wasn't, right? For the fans, it's like Richman: I think it was actually, mean, for me it was great because Ted Turner: Yes. Richman: I mean, what my takeaway was, wow, you know, we get, get 10 guys in the box, nine guys in the box and we can still, and we still can win, you know, we still can take it to the air and air it out. And you know, then that's always been the question, you know, if Gunner gets shut down like that, can he go? And the answer Ted Turner: Right. Richman: is yes. Ted Turner: Right. Well let Richman: So. Ted Turner: me ask you this. What scares you on de like what scares you on defense? I know we're opening up a can of worms, but Richman: Well, the only thing that scares me on defense is just how these quarterbacks, when we get beat, it's always one of these crazy quarterbacks that has the most incredible day you've ever seen. And that's what my little concern, this quarterback they got, this freshman, Ted Turner: Mm-hmm. Richman: dude, he's tearing it up. And so I'm wondering, are we going to put a spy in to... you know, keep an eye on him and try to keep him from breaking away on these 40 yard runs that he's been doing. And the other thing is, know, like in Kirby's philosophy is he wants a balanced rush. He doesn't necessarily want the super edge rusher that makes some sacks during the game, but flushes people out and lets them, you know, then get the 40 yard runs on you. So. I know our defensive line is built to contain like that. Really, that's my biggest concern is how are we going to handle this quarterback issue? Ted Turner: Yeah. So Richman: Our D-Vacs, they had some mistakes Saturday, but I don't think it was anything fundamental. think it was they took some bad angles. got caught with their eyes in the wrong place. So I think that stuff gets coached up and I think by Saturday they're gonna be focusing. I'm expecting our defensive backs and our linebackers to be solid. My bigger concern Ted Turner: Right. Richman: is just that rush on the quarterback and the containment or are we gonna use a spy? How are they gonna approach that? Ted Turner: Right. Well, l let me you watched you watched the Brooke Sauston breakdown on YouTube of Alabama, is and my I'm hearing that. Richman: Yeah, I watched some of it, Ted Turner: Okay. So I thought it would be very key to say this because I'm glad you brought it up. I was gonna bring it up, but we both kind of collided with it. But the key thing that I thought he said that Georgia I think needs to turn on the YouTube video for is Mississippi State did a very, very poor job of trying to everybody was trying to be a hero and get to the quarterback. And his mention was is that in turn When you weren't disciplined in your pass rush, you left him all types of lanes that were unrecoverable. And I'm and I thought that Richman: Yeah, yeah, exactly. Ted Turner: was key. He said we have to be a unit. We have to stifle that pocket consistently and make it almost claustrophobic to him instead of when we when we lose leverage one direction, stop trying to be a hero and win it another direction. Like just go ahead and assume the fact that if we are getting our part of the pocket done, we are we are as a team creating what we want, and that's containing him so that the D B's have to they have to cover for shorter amount of time. But once you Richman: Right. Right. Ted Turner: get him to a spot where you're giving him an uncontrolled lane, he has the most options he ever has. He has a lane to run in, he has a lane to start to run in and then watch us collapse and probably create an explosive through the air. And then he just downright can make the decision, if somebody's open, to just have more time to throw a better football. So I thought that was very key that I heard. So it kind of lines up, but I totally agree with you. I think Kirby's mantra and is has has been we've always had a problem with a with a mobile quarterback, right? I mean, you saw it with Berlowitz on Saturday, right? He threw the ball best when he was on the run. But but the adjustments the second half, I mean, what do you think the biggest adjustments were not only in Vanderbilt this year, but also in you know, last year and the year before with, you know, Milro and I don't think what is what's his name? Ty Simpson. I mean, he wasn't a runner, Richman: mill roads to be honest. Ted Turner: but he could run. Richman: Yeah, didn't we use some spies on them, I think? Ted Turner: We did. We did. Richman: But I, know, what exasperates me so much about the whole thing is, I mean, go back to the Ohio, when we played Ohio State and the quarterback, I can't remember his name, he plays in the pros now, I think for the Houston. Dude, that dude played the best game he's ever played in his life and every time he threw the ball up, it came down somebody's arms and I mean, it was insane. I mean, we won the game, but that dude just ripped us. And same with Trinidad last year in the playoffs. The throws he made were just insane. And I'm like, I want to play a big game where the quarterback doesn't play out of his, you know, out of this world. I want to play a big game where we go in there and take care of the quarterback. you know, we look, we look like all world. You know what I'm saying? Ted Turner: Yeah. I think I think the biggest advice I would give, because I'm gonna do this as well, but I did last year was the biggest advice I would give to Georgia fans is if you have the time before Saturday, go you go YouTube up the twenty eight to seven SEC championship game from last year and watch what the difference was in our pass rush. Watch the look at the defensive game plan. That should give you hope. And and the reason I say that was because I watch two quarters of it. I want to watch the whole game. But the reason why my mindset is is that everything I said earlier about the confidence we should have is is that that's the same defensive coordinator with the same, I mean, we have the same scheme. I feel like we have even I think Chris Cole and Justin Williams and I agree. Richman: I think we got more speed on defense this year too. Ted Turner: Yeah, I agree. I think we have more. I mean, getting Jordan Hall and and Gabe back on that, we didn't have that. We didn't have that last year. I Do we have Gabe? I couldn't remember. We didn't have Gabe for Ole Miss. I don't know if we had him for Alabama. But I think you have a a more mature Elijah Griffith. I think you have a Jordan Hall that's playing out of his mind right now. I mean, these are differences in the game right now that we didn't have going in last year. So take a peek at that game, I would say. But, you know, with that being said, Rich, you know, as we close tonight, I think it a lot of stuff going on, obviously, right? Let's get into like the natural low of getting into hump day tomorrow. But you know, it's Alabama is Georgia, right? There's a lot of Alabama fans. I mean, I posted a video on TikTok and bro, you tag Alabama and they come out of the woodwork, man. But Alabama is always gonna feel like they they're always gonna feel good about their team until they don't have a reason to feel good about their team. Now, is that every team? I don't know. I think that's just Alabama, right? I mean, I think they always feel like these are people that come out of the woodwork. They couldn't tell you how to pronounce Calen De Boer's name. All they could all they could say is roll tide. But they feel like they own Georgia. They feel like they own Georgia, and that gives them a huge advantage every single game. It wouldn't matter if they were unranked and Caleb De Boer was two and four going to this game and his job was on the line. Alabama would still feel like they have the upper hand from the fact that. they've owned us during the regular season. So my question to you is, is who has the upper hand this year if there is any one of them? Now, I will tell you that you can look at either two things that I think are quarterback play from Keelan Russell. The home field advantage, is that part of Alabama's advantage? Or what I just mentioned ago, Georgia's Richman: Wha- What think? Ted Turner: come Georgia's coming off a twenty eight to seven victory in the SEC championship and the same game plan might be something that could hurt them going into this game and the physicality but the more explosiveness. What do you think what do you think that looks like on both sides? Richman: Well, think Alabama is going to have an advantage because it's a home game and they're fielding a team that's on the rise and it's balanced. But Georgia's coming in with the advantage, think. I think we're going to be, the physicality of a Kirby team is an advantage. And I think the advantage also, I think we might slightly have the advantage with talent. But, you know, and then with Gunner, I mean, I don't know. I think we have the advantage, but I think that, I mean, maybe it's a toss up, man. But maybe it's a toss up. But Ted Turner: have a toss up, bro. You can. You can, but you know. Richman: maybe it's a toss up. But I'm leaning towards Georgia for Ted Turner: Listen. Richman: You know, for several reasons, one, the talent level, one is Kirby's, you know, physicality of his teams. And the fact that Gunner's just like on fire, man, and he's got so many weapons. I just think if our offense goes in there and does what it's been doing and our defense can play, you know, I just think our defense can hold them enough. That's what I'm thinking. Ted Turner: Yeah. If it comes to if it comes down to kicking, man, I'm waiting. I'm waiting on somebody to test Peyton Woodring. Put him on the line, Richman: Yeah. Ted Turner: man, because like the the kid is just steady Eddie. maybe that's a bad word. Maybe that's a bad name for him because he's not Eddie. Maybe he's I don't know, man. Maybe he's keep it on pace. Peyton? I don't know, man. I'm I'm trying to figure out a name like Patience Peyton. I mean, I I just think Give this man the shot to win the game. I he's he's due some history, man. I mean, he's definitely a guy who has been very consistent. And if it came down to that, I'm confident, man. But I'm gonna give you a qu I'm gonna I'm gonna finish with this because I think it's good, but I want to give you the question first. So I'll give you this. I'm gonna do the if Alabama and if Georgia for you, okay? If Alabama does this, they win. What is it? Remember, one thing can't be a lot of things. If Al what is the make or break? If Alabama does this, they win. Richman: If they can... If they can disrupt Gunner and get him off his game, they win. Ted Turner: And if Georgia does this, they win. Richman: the exact reverse of that. think if Gunner has a good game offensively, I don't think they can stop us. Ted Turner: Good stuff. I got I got a Richman: That's what I think. Ted Turner: yeah, I got a couple of I think if Georgia runs the football, I think if they protect Gunner, I think if the defense contains Keelan Russell, I I think those three things alone right there, it's a very decisive win. I think if we if we establish the run, protect Gunner, which that included, and and the defense contains Keelan Russell and makes him become I mean, I saw this with my own eyes. When Texas played Tennessee. Faison Brandon, granted, Faison is not he's a true freshman. Keelan's been in the program for a year, sat behind Ty Simpson and was in the program, but I watched Texas go in with a game plan. And if you don't think I might be throwing some keys out there for Thursday, but if you don't think Will Muschamp has been hanging out with Kirby on the phone this week, you're wrong. Because Texas And Faison Brandon at Tennessee, their Faison Brandon and Keelan Russell are very similar when it comes down to athleticism and strength and arm strength. I think Texas had a really great game plan against a Josh Hypel offense and Faison Brandon, who I think marry really well. And I think it's very similar to that. And so if I'm if I am as well as Will Stein, I'm sure Will Stein got a call from Kirby as well, because they had They had Alabama on the ropes for two quarters and caused three turnovers as well. But I think if you can, if you can get Keelan Russell to become a pocket passer and make him have to read defenses and actually be a a quarterback that has to do s some of the hard things at of the quarterback position and not things that come natural, I think Georgia's in the driver's seat. Now, if Alabama, like you said, if Alabama can jump out early, I think Georgia has to hit him with the hey. Don't worry about it. Like we've shown in the past, it's that that both teams are gonna be human. Don't worry about it. Let it roll. Go. Keep going. You're right. I like Georgia's chances. And if Georgia doesn't get nervous when Alabama punches first, they may punch first. But we've but but we know that we're supposed to be there. These are all the psyche things, plus the thing. Richman: You know, here's something else too that nobody said anything about. Keelan Russell, he's He's due to have a freshman game. And he hasn't played, I mean, this is going to be his first big contest. Right? Ted Turner: Yeah, I agree. I agree. Richman: I mean, mean, Gunners had a lot of big contests, but this is going to be his first big contest. And he's not had a game where he looked like a freshman. Where he had the Ted Turner: Yeah, I agree. Richman: freshman drop seas or the interceptions and, you know, so forth and just got lost out there. So, That's highly possible that that happens. Ted Turner: Georgia fans can't forget that Our like our team is built to take on pressure in situations like this. Our practices are very intense. Like very like I think some of our fans really don't understand if they were to sit in on a practice today. Today's practice is something that no other team, in my opinion, in college football experiences on a weekly basis. Richman: Not on Tuesdays and that's one of the things Gunner said, mean, Kirby said was, we finally got the depth to practice the way I want to. Well, what does that mean? That means that they're knocking heads seriously on Tuesday because they've got backup talent that if somebody goes down, they can stick that talent right back in there. Before, they didn't have the talent to replace talent with. They just had to put a body in there. That's a big difference right there. So yes, Ted Turner: Yeah. I agree, man. Richman: I doubt any teams in the whole country are practicing the way that Kirby's teams are practicing. hopefully that's going to pay off on Saturdays. Ted Turner: I agree. I totally agree. Rich, this will be the last time we hang before the game on Saturday. Hopefully if we play it on Saturday. Any any last thoughts? I know you said a lot and a lot of good things to for some of the listeners to really hone in on as they're driving into work and getting one more point of emphasis before Saturday. But final thoughts? Richman: I think I'm excited. I think it's going to be a great game and I don't think the season's over for either team that loses. Whoever loses, I think they still have a whole season ahead of them and can make the playoffs. So it's going to be, but Ted Turner: Yeah. Yeah, I agree. I totally agree. Richman: it should be a knockdown drag out. They always are. Ted Turner: I agree. I agree. Georgia, Georgia and Alabama last four games, this series is actually tied. This is a I'm gonna leave on a positive note. This series is actually tied in the last four series. It just so happens that Georgia leads those two wins in the postseason, and Alabama leads those wins in the regular season. This is a regular season bout. but maybe Georgia, Richman: Thank Ted Turner: hopefully Georgia turns the tides. There's gonna be one Monday where we hop in on a show. And we can talk about the regular season win Georgia over Alabama. And I will I will tell you that I've been waiting for a lot of those Mondays. And I'm hoping that this is the Monday. And I you have my promise, I'll start out the show just like that. It's been a long time coming waiting on to say those words after the regular season. but this game's right now 7:30 Saturday night game days there, bright and early Saturday morning. If everything goes as planned, if you're looking for up Richman: So, you. Ted Turner: I will start a little bit of a weather update on TikTok starting as early as tonight. And then taking us through our show on Thursday, I will do a couple of updates all the way from tonight to all the way Thursday morning for our regular show Thursday night. be a heavyweight matchup, man. Five and O's, number two versus number six. Rich Man, always a pleasure, man. Love hanging out. I hope we're sitting here next week. Richman: . Ted Turner: Or at least in the chats, celebrating, knowing that the games are going well and that everything comes out on our side this year. And looking forward to it, man. But always enjoy our time. listeners, if you haven't done so, please go and support us. We are on Apple Podcast Dogs Down South, YouTube Dogs Down South, as well as Spotify Dogs Down South, and about every other podcasting platform you can think about, we're on it. So make sure you go like and follow as well as TikTok. Check out the TikTok side. But that's a wrap for tonight. We will see you Thursday night for our picks and our in-depth preview of Alabama. for myself, for Rich Man, you guys have a great night. And as always on Dogs Down South, go dogs. Richman: Go, dogs. See ya! Not for you. Ahem.