Teams: Texas A&M (6-6) vs. Georgia (7-5)
Date: December 28, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern
Location: Independence Stadium, Shreveport, La.

Analysis

With a couple of unstoppable offenses and can’t-stop-‘em defenses, this game could very well see both teams in the 40s. The Independence Bowl has to be a disappointing destination for Georgia. No one expected the Bulldogs to challenge Florida in the SEC East, but this is a program that is expected to consistently finish above .500 in league play. The Aggies, on the other hand, are happy to be back in a bowl game in Mike Sherman’s second season. There were questions about whether Sherman’s job was in jeopardy midway through the season, but the emergence of quarterback Jerrod Johnson has made this an exciting team to watch.

When Texas A&M has the ball

Johnson had his coming out party against Texas in the Aggies’ final regular season game when he racked up 439 yards of total offense and four touchdowns. The Ags have been proficient all season on that side of the ball, though, ranking fifth nationally in total offense. Johnson’s 28-6 TD-INT ratio is quite impressive and he’s accompanied by a pair of 700-yard rushers in Cyrus Gray and Christine Michael.

The Bulldogs’ defense is far from vintage Georgia, ranking 70th nationally in scoring defense and giving up over 30 points in five of eight SEC games. That resulted in three Georgia defensive coaches being dismissed. With very little time for major changes to be made, you’ve got to like A&M’s chances of moving the ball here.

When Georgia has the ball

Oh, but that pesky Aggie defense prevented the team from winning a few more games. It allowed 30 points or more in all but one Big 12 game, including a whopping four games of 47-points allowed or more. Amazingly, this group is eighth in the country in sacks, led by the nation’s best, Von Miller, who racked up 17 total this year. That’s the Aggies’ best bet of slowing down a Georgia offense that showed it, too, can move the ball.

Joe Cox probably could have envisioned a better season to close out his career at Georgia, but statistically, he didn’t have an awful season., throwing for 22 touchdowns, but 14 interceptions. Even though Texas A&M has a poor pass defense, Georgia’s best bet is to keep the ball on the ground. The Dawgs have a couple of fine options to do just that in Washaun Ealey and Caleb King, who both rushed for over 180 yards in the season finale against Georgia Tech. Turnovers will be key. (When aren’t they?) Georgia is second to last in the country in turnover margin.

Special Teams

Georgia’s Blair Walsh hit 19-of-21 field goal attempts this season and punter Drew Butler led the nation with a 48.84-yard punting average. However small, that’s still a leg up on A&M’s kicking game, where Randy Butler only connected on two-thirds of his field goal opportunities.

NCAA Rankings (out of 120 teams)

Texas A&M
Rush Offense: 25
Pass Offense: 22
Scoring Offense: 15
Rush Defense: 87
Pass Defense: 111
Scoring Defense: 104
Turnover Margin: 66

Georgia
Rush Offense: 54
Pass Offense: 78
Scoring Offense: 58
Rush Defense: 41
Pass Defense: 33
Scoring Defense: 70
Turnover Margin: 119