Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Yes size does matter...in the SEC

The big opening kickoff game between No. 5 Boise State and No. 19 Georgia will not turn on the fact that Boise is 61-5 in the last five years while Georgia had a losing season last season, nor will it be won or lost on quarterback style points or the slashing abilities of a this or that tailback.

The game will be won, as it usually is, by the big men up front, the inglorious linemen in their three-point stances, their barrel-sized girths forming the first line of attack.

Size matters in these things, and it is on that point where an upset could be in the making.

Boise is favored to win, and if you look at their experience in key positions, especially at quarterback, it's easy to see why. But Georgia has an advantage that doesn't show up on any highlight reel: The Bulldog offensive line is, on average, two inches taller and 47.4 pounds heavier than the Broncos' defenders.

Georgia offensive linemen average 6-foot-4 and 329.4 pounds. Contrast that with Boise's offensive front five, which weighs an average of 289.8 pounds. There is a high likelihood the Broncos tasked with blocking Georgia defensive tackles Kwame Geathers and John Jenkins will be giving up 70 pounds per man.

That is where games are turned. If Murray has all day to scan the field and make plays, he'll look like Tom Brady.

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