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David Pollack Q&A: D’Andre Swift ‘has to have an enormous game if Georgia wants to win’

ATLANTA Georgia football legend David Pollack has proven to be as aggressive and direct with his analysis as he once was as an All-American pass rusher, and Friday was no different. Pollack emphasized the importance of UGA tailback D'Andre Swift and dished out criticism aimed at Bulldogs quarterback Jake Fromm on Friday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. RELATED: Kirby Smart Friday press conference in Atlanta, updates D'Andre Swift Asked to rate the importance of Swift in Georgia's game against LSU at 4 p.m. on Saturday on a scale of one to 10, Pollack replied, '15,' and explained why. 'One of the keys would be to get him and Brian Heroine the ball out of the backfield, because LSU is not covering backs,' said Pollack, a two-time SEC Player of the Year and three-time All-American during his UGA career (2001-2004). 'I think (Swift) has to have an enormous game if Georgia wants to win, and it needs to be inside and outside. It needs to be screens, it needs to be finding ways to get him the ball he's the best back in the country in space.' Pollack also said Fromm, the first quarterback since Florida's Danny Wuerffel to lead his team to three straight SEC title game appearances, is 'not playing his best football' this season. Here's more from Pollack's Q&A on Friday: Can Georgia hold LSU's offense? POLLACK: Define hold?Kirby and Company are going to have to check their egos at the door and understand that from 20 to 20, have all the yards you want, make it a slow death, and then make them be really efficient in the red zone and kick field goals. I don't think anybody can stop this offense. I think Joe Burrow is operating on a level that, his worst game is 71 percent, I think. It's not human. It's an offense where it has great answers for everything you do and great weapons and a running game. And not only that, there's a quarterback who buys time and scrambles and breaks tackles and makes big plays. There are gonna get theirs, and Jake is going to have to play really well. What would you say to Georgia fans who have had questions about the Bulldogs' offense? POLLACK: You should. I Tweeted about being excited about old school versus new school, because it used to be defense wins championships. I don't think it's defense wins championships anymore. I think you have to have a great offense to win a college football championship, and the game has changed so much. We'll get to see if old school defense can still reign supreme. This is a Big 12 offense. This is not an offense that reinvented and does new amazing things that nobody else does. It's just an offense that has answers that spread out so it can throw the football to a lot of different weapons. They are gonna get theirs.' What role do you think Jake Fromm plays for Georgia's offense? POLLACK: He's not playing his best football. I can look at him and watch him, his mechanics need to improve. He's fading away throwing the football way too much. That's the kind of stuff for a three-year starter, where you can't do that. He's definitely culpable. He's missed a lot of throws that are wide open. I think the system and the scheme is getting to know each other still and hasn't really clicked together great yet, and it needs to do that this week. It will change a little bit more. It has done well at times, but it hasn't put together a complete game and it needs to do that.' The SEC West has had three teams in three years, Georgia has won three straight in the East, what does that say? POLLACK: Florida is doing OK. Florida is back to back 10 win seasons for the first time since 2008, so Florida is doing their share and doing well But Georgia is three times in a row here, that's pretty dad gum good. If you had told Georgia fans that when Kirby got hired, they would have said sign me up for that. How about three straight years ending where you're in the conversation for the college football playoff? That's pretty dad gum good. It's still a pretty good young team, that's not going to lose much on defense, offensive line who leaves early? Who leaves early, Swift will leave early. When he leaves, how many leave will be the better questions. So it shows a lot about Kirby and how he has been able to recruit and restore. What is the trick about this LSU offense that has made it that unstoppable? POLLACK: 'There ain't no trick, Bro. It's not a trick, they know how to execute, they know exactly if you blitz them, they have their answers, and if you want to play Cover One they are going to hit deep overs and they are going to hit fades, and gos they do a good job if you are going to pay dime and nickel they are going to run duos all day and run the football at you. They do a really good job of knowing how to attack every level of a defense. The offense (once) trended toward Golden State, it was threes and dunks, it was gos and screens and they do a good job with their mid-range and attack. They do everything well. That's why it's hard to say I'm going to take this away, or that away. Every time you do, they have an answer for it. I think Kirby, as brilliant as he is defensively, can up with something to make a few plays. Tua (Tagovailoa) last year had a roll going coming into the Dome, and cooled off big time, got hurt too. It's what can you find that can slow them down for a possession and you win. Auburn tried the tower approach tried to go with three down and bring in a bunch of speed, it kind of worked, but what can you bring in and slow down just for a little bit, and hold the rope and hopefully your offense makes plays and hold the ball a little bit and works together. Could Coach Orgeron win Coach of the POLLACK: Year? POLLACK: In the league, or nationally? Yeah, Ryan Day, he's done a heck of a job, and you look at P.J. Fleck and Baylor's Matt Rhule, he's definitely in there. How about his record against Top 10 teams, and the hire of the offseason, nobody can debate that. I know who the Broyles Award winner is, I don't think anybody else is nominated, it's just go ahead and give it to Joe Brady. Can Joe Burrow lose the Heisman Trophy? POLLACK: Sure, I mean people have those moments when they start to have doubts and questions. He's by far and away commanding the lead, but what if he struggles mightily and limps to the finish and then all the sudden, you see a huge game from Justin Fields, or somebody like that, it can jump up, maybe. It's a small, small chance. I think Joe Burrow has done enough throughout the season. But it's a big-time stage where you have to prove things, but I think some people could have some doubts, still. I find it very hard to believe he'd lose it. LSU's Grant Delpit says he's close to 100 percent, is that what you've seen on film from him? POLLACK: I'm trying to measure my words here. He hasn't had his best year, this year. I think the secondary on a whole, you see a ton of talent, but you've also see more big plays than you're accustomed to seeing, more missed tackles than you're accustomed to seeing. Yeah, they are getting healthier, but they've got to play better. That's why Ohio State is No. 1. You can nitpick and say Cincinnati is a Top 25 team, or whatever, Ohio State has been more dominant, their defense has been more dominant. That's the difference between LSU and Ohio State. I could also swing the pendulum and say who has Ohio State played offensively that's any good? Even Cincinnati is not very good, Penn State is not very good, Wisconsin's offense, those all leave a lot to be desired. Michigan is a pretty good, and had some success. I think defensively it's very interesting we are sitting on championship weekend and we're pointing the finger at LSU and it's at their defense.' How important is it for Georgia to keep Joe Burrow in the pocket? POLLACK: 'I don't know, it doesn't matter. You better cover really well, and you better get him to the ground. I don't care about where you keep him, when you get your hands on him, you got to get him to the ground. He's strong, he's physical, but he's so dad gum tough. He doesn't give up. He's not like a Manning back in the day, you saw people get close to them, they would kind of take a dive. That's not a shot at them, but Joe Burrow is going to physically go through anybody he needs to. When he runs the football, he lowers his shoulder, he's going to make plays. So when Georgia gets here, whoever that is, get your hands on him and get him to the ground. I think another key will be batted passes. You want to take away some of those throws over the middle, when I'm a pass rusher and I know I can't get to the QB, I get my hands up and knock the ball down. Now maybe it's second-and-10 and you've got a better chance.' Is this game important to determine if Georgia has the right offensive identity? POLLACK: 'We'll see. I think that it's pretty proven now that offenses win, and you have to score. You have to win a championship game, a playoff game and another playoff game to be a champion. And to do that, you're going to play offensive juggernauts, and you better be able to score points. If you can't score points, and you can't be an explosive offense, it's very hard to win that many games in a row. It's like the NFL being in the playoffs, and you have to string three together, that's a tough thing to do.' #Georgia has named Jake Fromm, J.R. Reed and D'Andre Swift as game captains seemingly a good indication that Swift (shoulder) will play, although.. But, Brian Herrien was a game captain for South Carolina and he didn't play in that game (back spasms). Mike Griffith (@MikeGriffith32) December 6, 2019 Georgia football DawgNation Kirby Smart compares Jake Fromm to Tim Tebow CBS analyst Gary Danielson says key for Georgia not Jake Fromm 7 Georgia players to watch vs. LSU Why D'Andre Swift is the most important player for UGA vs. LSU LSU coach Ed Orgeron brings great confidence into matchup Georgia aware of Tigers dangerous running back Kirby Smart relays how LSU represents greatest challenge James Cook could provide offensive spark vs. LSU Statistical comparison of Georgia-LSU in SEC title game VIDEO: Kirby Smart shares feelings on George Pickens WATCH: Jake Fromm zeroes in on LSU David Pollack The post David Pollack Q&A: D'Andre Swift has to have an enormous game if Georgia wants to win' appeared first on DawgNation.

Heisman chase and playoff race cross paths in champ weekend

The Heisman Trophy chase and playoff race have become intertwined. Since the College Football Playoff started in 2014, four of five Heisman winners have played on teams selected to play in the semifinals. That makes championship weekend especially important as voters focus on contenders making closing arguments. Presumptive front-runner Joe Burrow of LSU heads into the Southeastern Conference title game against No. 4 Georgia with what seems like a commanding lead in the Heisman race. Who will join the Tigers' quarterback as finalists when the trophy is handed out Dec. 14 is still unclear. The real race is likely for second place. Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts, Wisconsin tailback Jonathan Taylor, Utah quarterback Tyler Huntley and a handful of players from Ohio State and Clemson may be able to use conference championship games this weekend as springboards to New York. ''It certainly has become much more impactful,' said Heisman historian Chris Huston, who runs Heisman.com for the Heisman Trust. Since 2014, 14 of the 17 Heisman Trophy finalists have played on championship weekend. The Heisman hopefuls who aren't playing on the final weekend before votes are due need to have been especially spectacular — think Lamar Jackson from Louisville in 2016 — or they will be forgotten. “'Because of the attention on the playoff it’s become ‘the best player on one of the best teams' and that's a lazy way of doing it,” said Heisman voter Brett McMurphy of Stadium. This season, there are 926 members of the media and former Heisman winners voting for the award. The trust asks voters to submit their top three in order. Most votes are cast online. The deadline is Monday afternoon and the finalists are announced that night. In the latest Heisman straw poll conducted by The Athletic, Burrow received 50 of 51 first-place votes. Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields was second, followed by Buckeyes defensive end Chase Young, Hurts and yet another Buckeye, running back J.K. Dobbins. Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown (seventh) did best among those not playing this weekend. The playoff's influence on Heisman voting has amplified a trend that started with the Bowl Championship Series, which decided the national champion from 1998-2013. During those 16 seasons, 10 Heisman winners played for teams that made the BCS championship game, including 10 of the last 14. Teams that played for the BCS title accounted for 27 of the 71 finalists (38%) over that period. Two notable exceptions were Johnny Manziel of Texas A&M in 2012 and Robert Griffin III of Baylor in 2011. Both of those teams entered November with multiple losses, but had stellar final months, highlighted by memorable victories in high-profile games. Johnny Football and the Aggies knocked off No. 1 Alabama. RGIII and the Bears beat No. 5 Oklahoma, snapping a 20-game losing streak to the Sooners. So if you are not in the national championship mix, scrambling the race late in the season can get the attention of Heisman voters. Not showing up at all in The Athletic's straw poll was Alabama star Tua Tagovailoa. The junior quarterback has missed a third of the season (three full games, two halves) because of injuries but is easily among the best players in the country. He leads the nation in efficiency rating at 206.93, which will break the single-second NCAA record he set last year. Tagovailoa is second in yards per attempt at 11.3, behind Hurts at 11.7. His 33 touchdown passes is tied for fifth in the nation and at 315.6 yards passing per game, he is fourth. ‘’Will I consider Tua? Yes. But his injury is a major, major negative point,' said Matt Baker from the Tampa Bay (Florida) Times. ‘’I've voted for players who have missed games due to injury before but only when their overall body of work was so overwhelmingly positive that I could look past an absence or two. Baker's position was echoed by several Heisman voters contacted by AP. Others had already made up their minds. “”The injury makes him a nonfactor in my mind,' said Robert Cessna of the Bryan-College Station (Texas) Eagle. Baker also noted that Ohio State's Young was in a similar position “for a different reason.' Young missed two games (both blowouts by the Buckeyes) because of an NCAA violation. McMurphy believes the trust should expand Heisman voting to a top five and have a minimum of five finalists every season. Currently, the minimum is three and others are determined by voting margin. “'I’m not a participation trophy guy, but here you have a chance to promote the sport,' McMurphy said. ''It won’t have an impact on who wins and it will allow other schools and players to be showcased.'' ___ Follow Ralph D. Russo at https://twitter.com/ralphDrussoAP and listen at https://podcastone.com/AP-Top-25-College-Football-Podcast ___ More AP college football: https://apnews.com/APTop25CollegeFootballPoll and https://apnews.com/Collegefootball and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25

Brady, Patriots face Mahomes, Chiefs in AFC title rematch

Tom Brady wanted to make one thing clear: He did not injure his toe during a tryout to become the New England Patriots’ new placekicker. 'Nope, that’s not how I hurt it and I’m not the new kicker,' the star quarterback said. The 42-year-old Brady actually has kicked in the NFL. He's punted three times in 20 seasons, with a long of 48 yards against Denver in the 2011 playoffs. But the Patriots’ search for a new place-kicker — and they still did not have one present at practice on Friday following the release of Kai Forbath earlier in the week -- will have to go on without Brady, who is focusing his preparation on the Kansas City Chiefs’ defense prior to Sunday’s home game. It’s a rematch of last season’s AFC championship game, a 37-31 New England victory in overtime at Arrowhead Stadium. The Patriots enter at 10-2, having lost 28-22 at Houston last Sunday. The Chiefs are 8-4 and have won their last two games. The Patriots traditionally bounce back well from losses, and Brady said it was because Bill Belichick puts the team in the proper frame of mind. 'There’s been a lot of urgency, I think, both when we win and when we lose,' Brady said. 'Coach puts us right back into the mode of preparation, and gets us ready to play a game. This is a big one, it’s on our schedule next, and it’s a big challenge for us.' Brady said there are changes in the Chiefs’ defense from last year’s AFC title game, which was to be expected with the hiring of Steve Spagnuolo as defensive coordinator. 'They have a lot of playmakers and have added some guys that are making a lot of plays for them,' Brady said. '(Defensive end) Frank Clark, (safety) Tyrann Mathieu, and they have guys that have been there, (safety Daniel) Sorenson, (cornerback Bashaud) Breeland’s a good player, (cornerback Charvarius) Ward was there last year, so, I’ve got a lot of respect for this defense. They make you earn it.' In the midst of his film study, however, Brady said he couldn’t help but be impressed by the play of his opposite number, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. 'There’s a lot of great traits, as a player and a leader,' Brady said. 'There are things that he does that are hard to teach.' Despite missing two games with a dislocated right kneecap, Mahomes has thrown for 2,983 yards and 20 touchdowns with just two interceptions, completing 64.5% of his passes. Brady is averaging 26 fewer passing yards per game and has thrown 18 TD passes with six interceptions, completing 61.1 percent of his tosses. 'He sees plays to make that a lot of other quarterbacks wouldn’t see, just because of his ability to do it,' Brady said of the third-year veteran. 'He’s just a phenomenal player, and he picked up this year where he left off last year.' Brady, 18 years older than Mahomes, went out of his way at Arrowhead last year to seek out his young foe in the lockers and speak at length with him, something he couldn’t do on the field. 'He’s a great player and he had a great season,' Brady said. 'I think that with the celebration and so forth that went on on the field after the game, I didn’t get a chance to tell him that. We’re all in this sport and we all watch each other play a lot of football. We study everyone and you kind of gain admiration for what they do and how they do it.' 'It’s not a big group of guys that are doing it at one particular time,' he said, 'and for five months of my life, I’m pretty much totally dedicated to football and watching tape, and watching quarterbacks do things. We have a lot of things in common.' ___ More AP NFL coverage: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL

DJ Shockley: UGA needs to allow Jake Fromm ‘let it all hang out’

Former SEC quarterbacks and current SEC Network analysts D.J. Shockley and Tim Tebow probably don't agree on much after all, they were on opposite sides in the 'World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party' rival with Shockley attending Georgia and Tebow playing at Florida. But Shockley and Tebow concur on one thing that the Bulldogs should turn it loose with UGA quarterback Jake Fromm in the SEC Championship game. 'In this game, you've got to let it all hang out. You don't get another opportunity like this, to be in a ballgame like this, playing in a game that everybody in the country is looking at,' Shockley said at the East Atlanta Kids Club charity event on Thursday. 'I think he's just got to trust those guys and play within himself. Do what he does as far as letting it fly.' Both Fromm and UGA offensive coordinator James Coley have shared the majority of blame for the team's offensive words, but both Shockley and Tebow brought up other issues. Both ESPN analysts cited Georgia wide receiver core as a reason for Fromm's statistical dip in 2019. Senior Lawrence Cager has been terrific, but he's been in and out of the lineup since the middle of October and won't be playing against No. 1 LSU in the SEC Championship Game. While freshman George Pickens has shown flashes of brilliance as well, he won't be playing in the first half of Saturday's game either because of an ejection against Georgia Tech last week. That puts Fromm in a difficult spot against LSU. Regardless of who is playing receiver, though, Shockley says Fromm needs to trust those young guys,' and Georgia must spread it out' and let Fromm go. Tebow said that Fromm is 'going through his reads' and 'playing well' this season. He also added that not just Georgia's receivers, but Fromm's entire offensive cast needs to be better. 'I don't know that it's necessarily Jake (Fromm) getting his groove back, I think it's the support. I think it's the receivers winning in man-to-man coverage, being able to get more of a running game going, being able to support him,' Tebow said Thursday. 'Fromm has been a lot better in big games that people give him credit for. He hasn't had the numbers this year, and there's the criticism. I hear it, but if you really watch him play, he needs some receivers to step up.' Shockley and Tebow both volunteered as part of the 'SEC Good Works Day of Service' at the East Atlanta Kids Club charity event Thursday in Atlanta. The project was designed to improve indoor and outdoor facilities in Brownwood Park Recreation Center. 'We have an opportunity to come out here with AllState and have a big part of putting a community together, helping kids, and kind of rejuvenating a certain park or area, and the opportunity today to come out here and do that is pretty tremendous,' Shockley said. 'We'll get to see some kids later on today. We're putting the work in now, early in the morning, early afternoon, and then kids come out in the afternoon and see all the hard work, and it makes their day full of joy. It's definitely one of the more enjoyable times of year.' The post DJ Shockley: UGA needs to allow Jake Fromm let it all hang out' appeared first on DawgNation.

Odermatt takes Beaver Creek super-G for 1st World Cup win

Marco Odermatt’s fellow racers watched from the top as he went too straight around one turn and nearly crossed his skis before another. They marveled at his ability to recover. They admired his capacity to stay composed. Above all: They know this 22-year-old from Switzerland will be a factor for quite some time. Odermatt went on a wild ride to finish the technical Birds of Prey course in 1 minute, 10.90 seconds Friday to earn his first World Cup victory. Aleksander Aamodt Kilde of Norway was second, 0.10 seconds behind, and Austrian Matthias Mayer took third. “It was a perfect day for me, with a nearly perfect run,” Odermatt said. “I was really on the edge. I was lucky.” Or skillful. He nearly went out in two spots only to recover and keep on cruising to the finish line. In doing so, Odermatt snapped Austria’s string of four straight World Cup super-G wins at Beaver Creek. He needed a run just like this, too — barely on the verge of control around several turns. “It’s whoever is willing to take the most risk and then pull it off,” said Travis Ganong, who finished sixth for the top finish among the Americans. “Odermatt, he took way too much risk and somehow it worked out. That’s a one out of 100 run.” Odermatt was the second racer to take the hill, which can be a benefit or a detriment. On the positive side, the snow is still fresh. On the down side, there’s no course report. The consensus was that going that early and making that sort of mistake was a benefit for Odermatt, because he was indeed able to recover on a cleaner track. The one thing he didn’t do was panic. “I just didn't want to break there and so I went full speed there and lost not so much speed,” said Odermatt, who was sure they were celebrating in his hometown of Buochs, Switzerland. “So it was possible to do a good run.” His run earned the admiration of Kilde, who was among those watching Odermatt from the top of the course. Then again, Kilde’s been singing the praises of this new kid on the scene for a while. This was Odermatt’s third career World Cup podium and first in speed. He took second and third places in giant slalom competitions last season. Odermatt also won four titles at the 2018 world junior championships in Switzerland. “It looks so easy when he skis,” Kilde said. “Today, he really charged. I knew that was going to be really fast.” Like Odermatt, Kilde made a tiny mistake. But he still turned in a fast time as the No. 17 racer. “I knew,” Kilde said, “I had to charge myself ...” “And he did,” Odermatt playfully interrupted. “... And I did,” said Kilde, who finished in a three-way tie for third place last season during the super-G at Beaver Creek. “One mistake here, and he has one mistake and together we were one and two. He’s for sure the guy for the future. He's going to be the guy for Beaver Creek for the next 20 years.” Mayer had a strong run despite a sore hip. He crashed in a giant slalom training session Tuesday and wasn’t sure how the hip would respond. Mayer won the opening super-G race of the season in Lake Louise, Alberta, last weekend. “My hip is better,” Mayer said. “I’m pretty happy about third place.” For German racer Thomas Dressen, this was about getting comfortable on the course again and not so much his place (27th). He crashed a year ago in Beaver Creek and tore the ACL in his right knee. Dressen, who won the downhill in Lake Louise last weekend, feels even more comfortable ahead of Saturday’s downhill. “It’s not the course’s fault that I crashed. It’s mine,” Dressen said. “If you’re honest with yourself, you can learn from your mistakes. I like the course a lot. It's one of my favorites.” There were several “DNFs” — did not finish — on the technical course, including the first racer of the day, Adrien Theaux of France. “Today was especially challenging with the set,” Ganong said. “Really high speeds into some big fall-away turns, super bumpy. ... It was fun.” ___ More AP sports: https://apnews.com/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Georgia coach Kirby Smart: SEC Championship Game an expectation, but not taken for granted

ATLANTA Kirby Smart said the expectation at Georgia was to be back back at the SEC Championship Game for a third straight season, but by no means is it taken for granted. 'I'm excited to be here because I love the venue and the opportunity to play in it,' Smart said Friday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. 'It means you accomplished something and won your division, you don't ever take that for granted. 'It's earned, it's not something we take lightly or for granted, it's something we expected to do, and we're going to always set that as a bar, because this is where you go to take the next step.' The No. 4-ranked Bulldogs (11-1) are a touchdown underdog against No. 2 LSU (12-0) in the 4 p.m. game on Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Tigers feature Heisman Trophy front runner Joe Burrow along with two 1,000-yard receivers. 'They've broke about every record there is in the SEC, and I know our guys are excited,' Smart said. 'It will be a challenge for us.' LSU beat Georgia 36-16 last season in Baton Rouge, but Smart said the Tigers' offense has undergone a complete makeover. 'It's extremely different, you can see remnants, small elements, but the unique thing now is they are doing whatever they want to do,' Smart said. 'Last year they were a little bit more predictable and had more of a run element.' Georgia's offense, meanwhile, is largely the same. The Bulldogs look to be efficient throwing the football and feature a power element on the ground. Smart didn't offer much of an update on tailback D'Andre Swift, who left last Saturday's game with a shoulder injury but hasn't missed any practice time. 'It's hard to measure from practice, because at this point of the season you don't go live and hit,' Smart said. 'He's practiced and done everything we asked him to do.' LSU coach Ed Orgeron said the Tigers expect to see Swift. 'We're planning for him to play,' Orgeron said on Friday. 'Just like other great players we play, I'm assuming this guy is a great competitor, and I'm assuming he's going to play.' Smart said he's confident his team can handle playing on the big stage 'In the SEC, these games are championship games every week,because if you don't win them, you're not in the championship game,' Smart said. 'It's another week you have to go out and play, and you're playing the best from the other side in LSU.' Georgia football DawgNation Kirby Smart compares Jake Fromm to Tim Tebow CBS analyst Gary Danielson says key for Georgia not Jake Fromm 7 Georgia players to watch vs. LSU Why D'Andre Swift is the most important player for UGA vs. LSU LSU coach Ed Orgeron brings great confidence into matchup Georgia aware of Tigers dangerous running back Kirby Smart relays how LSU represents greatest challenge James Cook could provide offensive spark vs. LSU Statistical comparison of Georgia-LSU in SEC title game VIDEO: Kirby Smart shares feelings on George Pickens WATCH: Jake Fromm zeroes in on LSU The post Georgia coach Kirby Smart: SEC Championship Game an expectation, but not taken for granted appeared first on DawgNation.

No. 3 Clemson, No. 22 Virginia square off for ACC title

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney is happy his players can finally make the case for themselves that they are a championship-caliber team. The third-ranked Tigers (12-0; No. 3 CFP) take on No. 22 Virginia (9-3; No. 23 CFP) for the Atlantic Coast Conference championship on Saturday night, knowing a win cements their fifth consecutive appearance in the College Football Playoff. Swinney has spent much of his year defending his team's schedule, quarterback Trevor Lawrence's health and making the case that Clemson is worthy of being in the playoffs with a chance to defend its national title. “People should spend more on who we are and not on who we so-call play,' Swinney said. “I could understand if we were a new kid on the block, but we've been around here for a long time.' Clemson has won two of the past three national titles and, with a win over Virginia, would become the first program with five straight championship game “No one has ever done that,' Lawrence said. “That will be a lot of motivation for us. Just the things we set out to do, team goals.' Lawrence has not worried about outsider opinions, focusing in improving each week as the Tigers close in on the playoffs. Lawrence has picked up his game the second half of the season. He had throw eight touchdowns and five interceptions interceptions in Clemson's first five games. Lawrence has passed for 22 touchdowns and just three picks in the final seven games heading into the championship game. “Trevor is I think an every-10-year type of talent,” former Florida State quarterback and ACC Network analyst EJ Manuel said. Manuel said earlier in the year Lawrence's interceptions surprised many who expected the sophomore to be perfect. “If you win games, if you win championships, that's how you're evaluated,' he said. Lawrence will have plenty of offensive help with tailback Travis Etienne — named the ACC player of the year earlier this week, and receivers Tee Higgins and Justyn Ross, who have combined for 1,568 yards and 17 touchdowns. “Basically everyone that touches the ball is very skilled, very capable,' Virginia coach Bronco Mendenhall said. “Clemson's ranking and their success is not accidental.' Some other things to know about Virginia-Clemson matchup in the ACC championship game: HANDLING THE STAGE Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence said the key to handling the big stage is not letting it get too big, and Bronco Mendenhall said he addressed that with his team. “We have not been on the stage, nor are we pretending that we have and I think just saying that to the team alleviates all this extra stuff. We have not been there. They have. It’s new for us. It’s not new to them. ... When we get there, we’ll play football, which is what we know how to do.” PERKING UP Virginia quarterback Bryce Perkins is among three players this year with at least 2,900 passing yards and 600 rushing yards, joining Oklahoma's Jalen Hurts and Louisiana-Monroe's Caleb Evans with that distinction. Perkins leads the ACC in total offense with 3,636 yards. FAST FRIENDS Clemson's Dabo Swinney and Virginia's Tony Bennett have developed a friendship rooted in their national championships. Bennett's basketball team played at Clemson last January when Swinney and the Tigers were celebrating their national title and the two spoke briefly. But in March Swinney had an urge to call Bennett in the midst of the NCAA Tournament and tell him the Cavaliers would win a crown of their own. The two have chatted since, although Swinney does not expect to hear from Bennett before the ACC championship game. STRANGE SERIES Clemson won the first 29 times the two schools played football, but things have been much more even since that run ended in 1989 with the Tigers holding a 9-8-1 edge since. This is the first meeting between the schools since Clemson's 59-10 victory in 2013. EARNING RESPECT Swinney's not the only one seeking respect this season. Virginia linebacker Zane Zandier said people don't give the Cavaliers much of a chance, even though they were the Coastal Division preseason favorite. “We're going to try and win the game,”he said. 'We're not just going to sight-see. ___ AP Sports Writer Hank Kurz in Richmond, Virginia, contributed to this report. ___ More AP college football: https://apnews.com/Collegefootball and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25

Charlo aiming for short night in title defense vs Hogan

Jermall Charlo has a perfect record and eye-popping power, though those aren't the only reasons he's a star in his sport. For Stephen Espinoza, Showtime's sports president, there's another way to judge a boxer's status. “You never hear, or almost rarely do you hear another middleweight call out Jermall Charlo,' said Espinoza, whose network will televise the card. “When it’s time to set up fights all of the sudden there’s a lot of amnesia going around. And the name Jermall Charlo doesn’t get mentioned and for good reason.' The line to fight him doesn't figure to get any longer if Charlo delivers the performance he promises Saturday. Charlo (29-0, 21 KOs) defends his version of the 160-pound title against Dennis Hogan at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, where he stopped opponents in consecutive bouts in 2017-18. But Charlo's last two fights have gone the distance and he wants to end that streak. “I’m going to come with a vicious attack,' Charlo said. “If he can hold it, then I’m going to try again later in the night. However the game plan plays out, I’m going to stop him.' Charlo spent most of his career at 154 pounds, where twin brother Jermell still fights, before moving up to middleweight. He was eventually made the WBC's middleweight champion when the organization promoted Canelo Alvarez to its “franchise” champion. Alvarez and Gennadiy Golovkin are the stars of the division, though both along with fellow middleweight champion Demetrius Andrade are aligned with DAZN. That makes it complicated for Charlo to get a fight with any of them, but he plans to keep on searching. “In due time, you will see me get all of the biggest fights,' he said. This is his second defense of that title and Charlo doesn't want it to take too long, after he had to settle for a unanimous decision when the Houston product defended the belt against Brandon Adams in his hometown in June. “I’m going on two consecutive 12-rounders, and I don’t feel good about that,' Charlo said. “I’m ready to get back to my thing, which is knocking them out and getting them out of there.' Hogan (28-2-1, 7 KOs) lacks the champion's power, but thinks he will have more pop now as, like Charlo previously, he moves up from 154 to 160 pounds. “It’s not about how hard you throw a punch, it’s about how hard can you land a punch and that’s the difficulty people have with me,' Hogan said. “That’s one of my best attributes. When I land clean, they tend to realize I mean business and don’t want to come forward. I feel 20% more powerful and he’s going to feel my punches.' Hogan, a native of Ireland now living in Australia, fell just short in a title bid in in his last outing, losing to junior middleweight champion Jaime Munguia in April. Hogan was boosted by solid fan support in the Mexican's home country and expects that to be the case again Saturday at Barclays Center, even though Charlo considers the arena a second home in what will be his fourth appearance in his last five fights. “I’m going to feel like I’m fighting in front of my home crowd Saturday night,' Hogan said. Charlo plans to send those fans home unhappy. He recently became a father again, another reason he says his focus is heightened as he looks ahead. “My daughter’s birth has given me even more motivation to knock this guy out and when you come to Brooklyn, you’re coming to my house,' Charlo said. “There’s nothing he can do and nothing he can say. They all say the same thing until they have to get in there with me.

Georgia Sports News

WR Jones, TE Hooper, G Lindstrom return to Falcons' offense

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) - Receiver Julio Jones, tight end Austin Hooper and first-round pick Chris Lindstrom are returning to the Atlanta Falcons' offense for Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers. Coach Dan Quinn made the announcement after Friday's practice. Jones missed the Thanksgiving night loss to the New Orleans Saints with a shoulder injury. Hooper will be back on the field after sitting out three games with an injured knee. Lindstrom has been activated off the injured list and will start at right guard for the Falcons (3-9). Lindstrom, the No. 14 overall pick, hasn't played since breaking his right foot in the season opener at Minnesota. He is expected to share time with Matt Gono. Offensive linemen Ty Sambrailo (hamstring) and James Carpenter (concussion) won't play against the Panthers (5-7). Punter Matt Bosher (right groin) and safety Sharrod Neasman (shoulder) are questionable. ___ More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL
David Pollack Q&A: D’Andre Swift ‘has to have an enormous game if Georgia wants to win’

ATLANTA Georgia football legend David Pollack has proven to be as aggressive and direct with his analysis as he once was as an All-American pass rusher, and Friday was no different. Pollack emphasized the importance of UGA tailback D'Andre Swift and dished out criticism aimed at Bulldogs quarterback Jake Fromm on Friday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. RELATED: Kirby Smart Friday press conference in Atlanta, updates D'Andre Swift Asked to rate the importance of Swift in Georgia's game against LSU at 4 p.m. on Saturday on a scale of one to 10, Pollack replied, '15,' and explained why. 'One of the keys would be to get him and Brian Heroine the ball out of the backfield, because LSU is not covering backs,' said Pollack, a two-time SEC Player of the Year and three-time All-American during his UGA career (2001-2004). 'I think (Swift) has to have an enormous game if Georgia wants to win, and it needs to be inside and outside. It needs to be screens, it needs to be finding ways to get him the ball he's the best back in the country in space.' Pollack also said Fromm, the first quarterback since Florida's Danny Wuerffel to lead his team to three straight SEC title game appearances, is 'not playing his best football' this season. Here's more from Pollack's Q&A on Friday: Can Georgia hold LSU's offense? POLLACK: Define hold?Kirby and Company are going to have to check their egos at the door and understand that from 20 to 20, have all the yards you want, make it a slow death, and then make them be really efficient in the red zone and kick field goals. I don't think anybody can stop this offense. I think Joe Burrow is operating on a level that, his worst game is 71 percent, I think. It's not human. It's an offense where it has great answers for everything you do and great weapons and a running game. And not only that, there's a quarterback who buys time and scrambles and breaks tackles and makes big plays. There are gonna get theirs, and Jake is going to have to play really well. What would you say to Georgia fans who have had questions about the Bulldogs' offense? POLLACK: You should. I Tweeted about being excited about old school versus new school, because it used to be defense wins championships. I don't think it's defense wins championships anymore. I think you have to have a great offense to win a college football championship, and the game has changed so much. We'll get to see if old school defense can still reign supreme. This is a Big 12 offense. This is not an offense that reinvented and does new amazing things that nobody else does. It's just an offense that has answers that spread out so it can throw the football to a lot of different weapons. They are gonna get theirs.' What role do you think Jake Fromm plays for Georgia's offense? POLLACK: He's not playing his best football. I can look at him and watch him, his mechanics need to improve. He's fading away throwing the football way too much. That's the kind of stuff for a three-year starter, where you can't do that. He's definitely culpable. He's missed a lot of throws that are wide open. I think the system and the scheme is getting to know each other still and hasn't really clicked together great yet, and it needs to do that this week. It will change a little bit more. It has done well at times, but it hasn't put together a complete game and it needs to do that.' The SEC West has had three teams in three years, Georgia has won three straight in the East, what does that say? POLLACK: Florida is doing OK. Florida is back to back 10 win seasons for the first time since 2008, so Florida is doing their share and doing well But Georgia is three times in a row here, that's pretty dad gum good. If you had told Georgia fans that when Kirby got hired, they would have said sign me up for that. How about three straight years ending where you're in the conversation for the college football playoff? That's pretty dad gum good. It's still a pretty good young team, that's not going to lose much on defense, offensive line who leaves early? Who leaves early, Swift will leave early. When he leaves, how many leave will be the better questions. So it shows a lot about Kirby and how he has been able to recruit and restore. What is the trick about this LSU offense that has made it that unstoppable? POLLACK: 'There ain't no trick, Bro. It's not a trick, they know how to execute, they know exactly if you blitz them, they have their answers, and if you want to play Cover One they are going to hit deep overs and they are going to hit fades, and gos they do a good job if you are going to pay dime and nickel they are going to run duos all day and run the football at you. They do a really good job of knowing how to attack every level of a defense. The offense (once) trended toward Golden State, it was threes and dunks, it was gos and screens and they do a good job with their mid-range and attack. They do everything well. That's why it's hard to say I'm going to take this away, or that away. Every time you do, they have an answer for it. I think Kirby, as brilliant as he is defensively, can up with something to make a few plays. Tua (Tagovailoa) last year had a roll going coming into the Dome, and cooled off big time, got hurt too. It's what can you find that can slow them down for a possession and you win. Auburn tried the tower approach tried to go with three down and bring in a bunch of speed, it kind of worked, but what can you bring in and slow down just for a little bit, and hold the rope and hopefully your offense makes plays and hold the ball a little bit and works together. Could Coach Orgeron win Coach of the POLLACK: Year? POLLACK: In the league, or nationally? Yeah, Ryan Day, he's done a heck of a job, and you look at P.J. Fleck and Baylor's Matt Rhule, he's definitely in there. How about his record against Top 10 teams, and the hire of the offseason, nobody can debate that. I know who the Broyles Award winner is, I don't think anybody else is nominated, it's just go ahead and give it to Joe Brady. Can Joe Burrow lose the Heisman Trophy? POLLACK: Sure, I mean people have those moments when they start to have doubts and questions. He's by far and away commanding the lead, but what if he struggles mightily and limps to the finish and then all the sudden, you see a huge game from Justin Fields, or somebody like that, it can jump up, maybe. It's a small, small chance. I think Joe Burrow has done enough throughout the season. But it's a big-time stage where you have to prove things, but I think some people could have some doubts, still. I find it very hard to believe he'd lose it. LSU's Grant Delpit says he's close to 100 percent, is that what you've seen on film from him? POLLACK: I'm trying to measure my words here. He hasn't had his best year, this year. I think the secondary on a whole, you see a ton of talent, but you've also see more big plays than you're accustomed to seeing, more missed tackles than you're accustomed to seeing. Yeah, they are getting healthier, but they've got to play better. That's why Ohio State is No. 1. You can nitpick and say Cincinnati is a Top 25 team, or whatever, Ohio State has been more dominant, their defense has been more dominant. That's the difference between LSU and Ohio State. I could also swing the pendulum and say who has Ohio State played offensively that's any good? Even Cincinnati is not very good, Penn State is not very good, Wisconsin's offense, those all leave a lot to be desired. Michigan is a pretty good, and had some success. I think defensively it's very interesting we are sitting on championship weekend and we're pointing the finger at LSU and it's at their defense.' How important is it for Georgia to keep Joe Burrow in the pocket? POLLACK: 'I don't know, it doesn't matter. You better cover really well, and you better get him to the ground. I don't care about where you keep him, when you get your hands on him, you got to get him to the ground. He's strong, he's physical, but he's so dad gum tough. He doesn't give up. He's not like a Manning back in the day, you saw people get close to them, they would kind of take a dive. That's not a shot at them, but Joe Burrow is going to physically go through anybody he needs to. When he runs the football, he lowers his shoulder, he's going to make plays. So when Georgia gets here, whoever that is, get your hands on him and get him to the ground. I think another key will be batted passes. You want to take away some of those throws over the middle, when I'm a pass rusher and I know I can't get to the QB, I get my hands up and knock the ball down. Now maybe it's second-and-10 and you've got a better chance.' Is this game important to determine if Georgia has the right offensive identity? POLLACK: 'We'll see. I think that it's pretty proven now that offenses win, and you have to score. You have to win a championship game, a playoff game and another playoff game to be a champion. And to do that, you're going to play offensive juggernauts, and you better be able to score points. If you can't score points, and you can't be an explosive offense, it's very hard to win that many games in a row. It's like the NFL being in the playoffs, and you have to string three together, that's a tough thing to do.' #Georgia has named Jake Fromm, J.R. Reed and D'Andre Swift as game captains seemingly a good indication that Swift (shoulder) will play, although.. But, Brian Herrien was a game captain for South Carolina and he didn't play in that game (back spasms). Mike Griffith (@MikeGriffith32) December 6, 2019 Georgia football DawgNation Kirby Smart compares Jake Fromm to Tim Tebow CBS analyst Gary Danielson says key for Georgia not Jake Fromm 7 Georgia players to watch vs. LSU Why D'Andre Swift is the most important player for UGA vs. LSU LSU coach Ed Orgeron brings great confidence into matchup Georgia aware of Tigers dangerous running back Kirby Smart relays how LSU represents greatest challenge James Cook could provide offensive spark vs. LSU Statistical comparison of Georgia-LSU in SEC title game VIDEO: Kirby Smart shares feelings on George Pickens WATCH: Jake Fromm zeroes in on LSU David Pollack The post David Pollack Q&A: D'Andre Swift has to have an enormous game if Georgia wants to win' appeared first on DawgNation.
Georgia football podcast: A possible glimpse at how Kirby Smart might defend Joe Burrow

Georgia football is the No. 1 topic every day on DawgNation Daily the daily podcast for Georgia Bulldogs fans. Catch up on everything happening with UGA athletics with host Brandon Adams and the DawgNation experts as they break down the latest Georgia football recruiting news and discuss coach Kirby Smart's quest to return the Bulldogs to the top of the SEC. On episode No. 1,089 (Dec. 6, 2019) of the podcast, Georgia fans can hear a discussion about how Georgia coach Kirby Smart might defend LSU quarterback Joe Burrow. Georgia football podcast: A possible glimpse at how Kirby Smart might defend Joe Burrow Beginning of the show: Georgia coach Kirby Smart and his defensive staff have a tough task in front of them in Saturday's SEC championship game attempting to craft a game plan to stop (or possibly just slow down) LSU quarterback Joe Burrow. A video recently shared on Twitter might provide a possible glimpse at how Smart could approach the challenge. I'll discuss more on that topic on today's show, and explain why at least one national media member recently highlighted the Bulldogs penchant for performing well in the underdog role. 10-minute mark: I'll discuss a recent article from an LSU site about the possible lack of rivalry between UGA and LSU. 15-minute mark: DawgNation's recruiting insider Jeff Sentell joins the show to discuss 4-star tight end Theo Johnson's upcoming commitment announcement and to preview the SEC championship game. 30-minute mark: I take a look at some other conference championship games including the Pac 12, Big 12, Big 10 and ACC. 35-minute mark: Former UGA quarterback D.J. Shockley discusses his memories of UGA's 2005 SEC championship win against LSU and what current Bulldogs quarterback Jake Fromm needs to play effectively this weekend against the Tigers. End of show: I admit to giving in to a superstition and share the Gator Hater Updater. The post Georgia football podcast: A possible glimpse at how Kirby Smart might defend Joe Burrow appeared first on DawgNation.
DJ Shockley: UGA needs to allow Jake Fromm ‘let it all hang out’

Former SEC quarterbacks and current SEC Network analysts D.J. Shockley and Tim Tebow probably don't agree on much after all, they were on opposite sides in the 'World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party' rival with Shockley attending Georgia and Tebow playing at Florida. But Shockley and Tebow concur on one thing that the Bulldogs should turn it loose with UGA quarterback Jake Fromm in the SEC Championship game. 'In this game, you've got to let it all hang out. You don't get another opportunity like this, to be in a ballgame like this, playing in a game that everybody in the country is looking at,' Shockley said at the East Atlanta Kids Club charity event on Thursday. 'I think he's just got to trust those guys and play within himself. Do what he does as far as letting it fly.' Both Fromm and UGA offensive coordinator James Coley have shared the majority of blame for the team's offensive words, but both Shockley and Tebow brought up other issues. Both ESPN analysts cited Georgia wide receiver core as a reason for Fromm's statistical dip in 2019. Senior Lawrence Cager has been terrific, but he's been in and out of the lineup since the middle of October and won't be playing against No. 1 LSU in the SEC Championship Game. While freshman George Pickens has shown flashes of brilliance as well, he won't be playing in the first half of Saturday's game either because of an ejection against Georgia Tech last week. That puts Fromm in a difficult spot against LSU. Regardless of who is playing receiver, though, Shockley says Fromm needs to trust those young guys,' and Georgia must spread it out' and let Fromm go. Tebow said that Fromm is 'going through his reads' and 'playing well' this season. He also added that not just Georgia's receivers, but Fromm's entire offensive cast needs to be better. 'I don't know that it's necessarily Jake (Fromm) getting his groove back, I think it's the support. I think it's the receivers winning in man-to-man coverage, being able to get more of a running game going, being able to support him,' Tebow said Thursday. 'Fromm has been a lot better in big games that people give him credit for. He hasn't had the numbers this year, and there's the criticism. I hear it, but if you really watch him play, he needs some receivers to step up.' Shockley and Tebow both volunteered as part of the 'SEC Good Works Day of Service' at the East Atlanta Kids Club charity event Thursday in Atlanta. The project was designed to improve indoor and outdoor facilities in Brownwood Park Recreation Center. 'We have an opportunity to come out here with AllState and have a big part of putting a community together, helping kids, and kind of rejuvenating a certain park or area, and the opportunity today to come out here and do that is pretty tremendous,' Shockley said. 'We'll get to see some kids later on today. We're putting the work in now, early in the morning, early afternoon, and then kids come out in the afternoon and see all the hard work, and it makes their day full of joy. It's definitely one of the more enjoyable times of year.' The post DJ Shockley: UGA needs to allow Jake Fromm let it all hang out' appeared first on DawgNation.
Georgia coach Kirby Smart: SEC Championship Game an expectation, but not taken for granted

ATLANTA Kirby Smart said the expectation at Georgia was to be back back at the SEC Championship Game for a third straight season, but by no means is it taken for granted. 'I'm excited to be here because I love the venue and the opportunity to play in it,' Smart said Friday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. 'It means you accomplished something and won your division, you don't ever take that for granted. 'It's earned, it's not something we take lightly or for granted, it's something we expected to do, and we're going to always set that as a bar, because this is where you go to take the next step.' The No. 4-ranked Bulldogs (11-1) are a touchdown underdog against No. 2 LSU (12-0) in the 4 p.m. game on Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Tigers feature Heisman Trophy front runner Joe Burrow along with two 1,000-yard receivers. 'They've broke about every record there is in the SEC, and I know our guys are excited,' Smart said. 'It will be a challenge for us.' LSU beat Georgia 36-16 last season in Baton Rouge, but Smart said the Tigers' offense has undergone a complete makeover. 'It's extremely different, you can see remnants, small elements, but the unique thing now is they are doing whatever they want to do,' Smart said. 'Last year they were a little bit more predictable and had more of a run element.' Georgia's offense, meanwhile, is largely the same. The Bulldogs look to be efficient throwing the football and feature a power element on the ground. Smart didn't offer much of an update on tailback D'Andre Swift, who left last Saturday's game with a shoulder injury but hasn't missed any practice time. 'It's hard to measure from practice, because at this point of the season you don't go live and hit,' Smart said. 'He's practiced and done everything we asked him to do.' LSU coach Ed Orgeron said the Tigers expect to see Swift. 'We're planning for him to play,' Orgeron said on Friday. 'Just like other great players we play, I'm assuming this guy is a great competitor, and I'm assuming he's going to play.' Smart said he's confident his team can handle playing on the big stage 'In the SEC, these games are championship games every week,because if you don't win them, you're not in the championship game,' Smart said. 'It's another week you have to go out and play, and you're playing the best from the other side in LSU.' Georgia football DawgNation Kirby Smart compares Jake Fromm to Tim Tebow CBS analyst Gary Danielson says key for Georgia not Jake Fromm 7 Georgia players to watch vs. LSU Why D'Andre Swift is the most important player for UGA vs. LSU LSU coach Ed Orgeron brings great confidence into matchup Georgia aware of Tigers dangerous running back Kirby Smart relays how LSU represents greatest challenge James Cook could provide offensive spark vs. LSU Statistical comparison of Georgia-LSU in SEC title game VIDEO: Kirby Smart shares feelings on George Pickens WATCH: Jake Fromm zeroes in on LSU The post Georgia coach Kirby Smart: SEC Championship Game an expectation, but not taken for granted appeared first on DawgNation.