As others have pointed out, an interesting dynamic going into this one as it is the first game all season that we’ve been a betting line underdog going in. Were we a favorite against Washington last year in the CFP? If so, the Alabama game in September of 2023 might be the last time we were an underdog. Hoping we will respond to the challenge the way we did that night, particularly the offense, where Quinn actually hit a couple of deep balls, and we ran the ball down their throats to end the game. When our running game is clicking, our whole offense is so much more consistent and supports our defense. That HAS to happen for us to have a shot in this game.
That having been said, the only defense we’ve seen comparable to this one is UGA’s and they shut our running game down, so I’m not real optimistic about this one. Jim Knowles plays the three-high look that has given Sark fits over the years, with a great DL and safeties. They also have the best passing attack we have seen by far this year, so unless they try to be stupid and prove their manhood by running at us over and over, they are going to score some points. I think they probably learned their lessons against Michigan that that approach isn’t their strength. Maybe it will help our offense to know that they can’t depend on the defense to bail them out over and over.