Arkansas Week: Three Keys

ATHENS - Josh Kendall takes a look at three keys to Georgia's game with Arkansas.

Tackle, tackle, tackle

Defensive coordinator Willie Martinez estimated the Bulldogs missed more tackles against Vanderbilt than they had in the previous two or three games combined. Missed tackles against Arkansas’ speedy backs will mean touchdowns.

Pile up points

The Razorbacks’ running game is bound to score a decent amount on a defense missing starters at both tackle positions and at middle linebacker. Georgia’s offense must take advantage of a porous Arkansas defense to keep the pressure off its defense.

Prove something

There will be plenty of people in the stands who are talking about the BCS and what if Georgia goes undefeated. The Bulldogs have to prove they’re only thinking about today, and they can do that by playing a neat, well-executed game.

One to watch

This will be Greg Blue’s type of game. The Razorbacks will force the issue in the running game, and the Bulldogs’ senior safety loves to come up and support the run. That’s the good news for Georgia. The bad news is, since the Bulldogs are missing both starting defensive tackles and their middle linebacker, the running backs might not be stopped by anybody if they’re not stopped by Blue.

Forecast

This is a very dangerous game for the Bulldogs. They have spent most of the week answering questions about what happens if they go undefeated throughout the season. They have mostly given the right, and boring, answers, but it’s clear some of them are thinking ahead. That’s OK on a Tuesday or a Wednesday, but not on a Saturday. On top of that, Georgia plays Florida next week in a game that basically will decide the SEC East title. Arkansas has enough home run ability to beat the Bulldogs ifthey aren’t focused.

Winner: Georgia