Sunday Morning Hangover: ASU-Georgia
Here are three things we think we think after ASU’s 27-10 loss to Georgia last night. What did you take away from the game?
(Photo courtesy East Valley Tribune)
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1. The Offensive Line is as Bad as We Feared
Prior to this season, starting tackles Jon Hargis and Adam Tello had never taken college snaps on the offensive line before. Center Thomas Altieri is replacing second-round NFL draft pick Mike Pollak. So perhaps it’s not shocking that against Georgia we gained just 29 yards on 15 running plays and Rudy Carpenter was sacked four times. And if we’re going to be without running back Keegan Herring for much longer, it may be time to seriously amend our preconceptions about the potency of this offense.
2. Where are the Turnovers?
In four games this season, ASU has forced just three turnovers—and all of them came after ASU already led 20-10 over Stanford. That’s right. A team that benefited from 26 turnovers last season absolutely cannot take the ball away this year. In 2007, safety Troy Nolan (pictured above) had six interceptions on his own. The Sun Devils shouldn’t need to create turnovers to beat UNLV, but they’re going to need to steal the ball against Pac-10 competition.
3. We’re Still Not Ready for Primetime
Dennis Erickson has ASU pointed in the right direction, but it’ll take time for him to recruit and develop the types of athletes we’ll need to compete with the nation’s elite programs. Let’s face it, once Bruce Snyder’s players had all left the program, Dirk Koetter was running a lot of Mountain West Conference talent onto the field. And that’s fine against the Stanfords and Arizonas of the world, especially at home. But against USC, Texas and Georgia, we just can’t compete—yet.
What’s Your Take, Sun Devils?
We want to know what you learned from the game. Post three things you’re taking away from last night in the comments below. And remember to drop your game photos on the Facebook page today.
Enjoy this article? Buy us a beer for just $4. (Credit Card / Paypal)New to Echo from the Buttes? Don’t miss:
Our lively debate on Tempe’s top five bars.
Our salute to the underrated, overlooked Keegan Herring.
Our introduction to Gerald Munns, one bad motha … shut yo mouth.
Our assessment of the divisive Rudy Carpenter’s legacy.
After watching the game over on video.. I will say Georgia really is awesome …….ASU was forunate
the final score was not much worse.
Georgia played like a top tier team even fighting some questionable calls….. They have the speed and talent to give USC all they would want..
Not picking on “Old Ball Coach” or wanting to start a flame but I really don’t think UGA is anywhere near as good as USC. But, that’s just my opinion.
What did I learn from this game? How about our offensive coaching is mediocre at best. After one quarter couldn’t we have figured out that we don’t have ANY running game without Keegan? And upon figuring that out, couldn’t play to OUR strengths? Namely, crazy talent in the receiving corp? I didn’t see anything that really took advantage of our superiority in receivers.
Also, and finally, how did our secondary get eaten up by the one or two receivers UGA has? That was silly.
What it comes down to is the lack of good play calling by our coaching staff. I hate to jump on band wagons but I’m all for Olson going back to the Cardinals or anyone else.
I’m not sure I’m ready to say Georgia would give USC anything more than a good game. On a neutral field, I think USC would be favored by a touchdown or so.
That said, I hope we get a chance to see them play one another — as long as USC enters the game with one loss >:)
Don’t give Georgia any praise yet. They get ALABAMA next and should be a much better game. I doubt Moreno gets over 50 yards against Alabama’s D
You’re just a bitter fan if you honestly think Moreno can’t get more than 50 yards against Bama. When fans teams get beat up on, the first they seem to do is not give enough credit to their oppenent. Did you not know that Moreno ran over the entire SEC last year as a freshman? Don’t forget, he bruised us for 149, give respect when it’s do.
I told a friend (a UA fan) before this game that if I didn’t have a rule where I don’t bet against my teams, I’d bet the house on Georgia covering -7 at ASU. I thought they’d comfortably win by about 14, and it was 17. And that was before I knew for sure Herring was out.
Can’t really argue with any of Nos. 1-3 up above, especially No. 1 — the o-line is horrendous. How can a team that’s supposed to contend (really, for the No. 2 slot) in the Pac-10 be starting two guys who’ve never before played offense? I think the defense will come around, but there’s a very real possibility of Rudy getting knocked out of a few games.
Back to “Georgia vs. USC,” which I realize is pure speculation, but here’s why it will remain so:
- No. 8 Alabama
- Tennessee
- No. 21 (!) Vandy
- @ (!) No. 5 LSU
- No. 4 Florida
- @ Kentucky
- @ No. 15 Auburn
- Georgia Tech
- Conference championship (“if”)
There’s no way Georgia’s going to run the table.
However: Purely for the sake of argument, if Georgia somehow did, could anyone think of a more deserved national title?
“the first they seem to do is not give enough credit to their oppenent.”
Perhaps he’s giving credit to ‘Bama’s D?
And considering Alabama gave up three yards a carry to Arkansas, and zero total rushing yards to Clemson, I think it’s pretty fair to say if any team is going to slow down Moreno this year, it’s going to be the Tide.
“Did you not know that Moreno ran over the entire SEC last year as a freshman? Don’t forget, he bruised us for 149, give respect when it’s do.”
Moreno only got 74 yards rushing on 17 carries last season vs. Alabama. Averaging 4.4 yards a carry in an overtime game. To me that is not torching someone.
Looks like, heading into the fourth, Moreno might be lucky to finish with 50 yards today.
Final Stat Line:
K. Moreno Rushing 9 carries 34 yards (3.8 Yards/carry)
Receiving 3 catches 14 yards
48 total yards
1 TD (2 yards and only touch of the drive)
I think that is enough info……. ROLL TIDE!!!
Wow. That was a friggin’ beat down. I bought a bottle of Knob Creek and set up the DVR and everything. What a drag of a Saturday night!