Each week the Daily Reveille teams up with beat writers from across the country to bring you the opposing view of LSU’s latest opponent. This week we talk to Cy Brown, the sports editor of Georgia’s Red and Black newspaper to preview the top 10 matchup between the Tigers and the Bulldogs.
1. With two of the biggest weapons in college football in quarterback Aaron Murray and running back Todd Gurley, who carries the majority of the offensive load on Saturday?
Brown: Although many people believe Gurley the better player than Murray, it is Murray who is the centerpiece of the offense. The coaching staff has complete faith in him and let the game flow through him.
Gurley will receive a bulk of the carries, but Keith Marshall sits right behind him. Marshall is every bit as capable as Gurley and will receive his fair share
touches.
2. What can LSU expect to see out of the Georgia defense this weekend, particularly in a secondary that lost so much entering the season?
Brown: Slowly but surely, the secondary is beginning to come together.
The problem against Clemson was the suspension of Josh Harvey-Clemons and some other injuries on the defensive backfield. Now, the secondary has had a few games together as a unit.
The problem was never a lack of talent. It was lack of experience.
Safety Tray Matthews and cornerback Brendan Langley are both true freshman starters. They’ve played a few games on a major level now and have improved since week one.
But don’t let that fool you. They are still a weak point on the UGA defense.
3. What kind of reception can LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger expect as he makes his return to Athens?
Brown: It won’t be friendly, but it won’t be overly vitriolic, either.
Expect to hear some boos when he is announced as a starter and maybe early in the game. In truth, I think it will be a storyline largely forgotten about once the game gets going.
4. North Texas kept Todd Gurley from surpassing the century mark last week. Was this just a fluke or did the Mean Green expose a weakness in potentially the country’s best running back?
Brown: Georgia was not on top of its game against the Mean Green last weekend. It was a wet, miserable afternoon and the players had probably written off North Texas and had their minds fixed on LSU.
I think it was a fluke. I would be surprised if Gurley didn’t get 100 yards this weekend.
5. Who are some unknown players LSU fans should keep an eye on Saturday?
Brown: Wide receivers Justin Scott-Wesley and Reggie Davis have established themselves as the offense’s long-ball threats in the absence of Malcolm Mitchell.
Fullback Quayvon Hicks is a strong blocker, but also has had a couple of big carries and receptions this season.
Defensively, freshman outside linebacker Leonard Floyd has started every game this season and recorded the first two sacks of his career against North Texas.
6. Prediction?
Brown: Georgia 37, LSU 31. I think this game goes the opposite of your classic SEC low-scoring affair and we get a shootout.
The game will be close the whole way and Georgia will make a late stop to secure the win.
Football: Georgia’s Red and Black sports editor answers questions
September 26, 2013