Georgia Bulldogs: 5 Defensive Players to Watch Vs. Alabama
By John Buhler
Sep 26, 2015; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs cornerback Malkom Parrish (14) blocks the punt by Southern University Jaguars place kicker Greg Pittman (18) during the first quarter at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
The #8 Georgia Bulldogs will host the #13 Alabama Crimson Tide at Sanford Stadium Saturday Afternoon in a rare SEC matchup. Kickoff is at 3:30 PM ET as the CBS Game of the Week.
This is the game we’ve all been dying to see, Dawg Nation. All that stands before us and teeing it up Between the Hedges versus Bama is two days and change. Even with one loss, Alabama is still a very dangerous team to welcome to the Classic City. Bama is in must-win mode after losing a tough game at home to #3 Ole Miss in Week 3.
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For Georgia to contain the Tide, DC Jeremy Pruitt will need to have his players working together to bring out the best in each other. Alabama OC Lane Kiffin likes to air it out on play action post patterns, should he have confidence in his passer. If he could do it with RS Senior Blake Sims last year, I’m sure he’ll at least try to stretch the field vertically with new QB Jacob Coker at some point on Saturday.
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However, where I think Alabama is strongest on the offensive side of the ball is in the ground and pound game. Their offensive line is massive, their RB Derrick Henry is one of the best in the SEC, and TE O.J. Howard is a huge target at 6’6”. How UGA looks in the front seven could decide if the offense needs to prepare for shootout mode or stay the course.
Thankfully, the Georgia Bulldogs have the 13th best defense in the country and have done will in both stopping the run and the pass in 2015. Then again, the Dawgs haven’t gone against a well-oiled SEC offense like the Alabama Crimson Tide yet.
Saturday’s game is the biggest test to date for the Georgia Bulldogs defensively. While technically Georgia could still control its own destiny despite a home defeat to Bama, I’d like to believe the Red and Black could not be more fired up to play Alabama on Saturday. Here are the five players I see making a big impact for UGA on the defensive side of the ball in Week 5.
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