Moore is the backup because of the upside of Nico. We’ve not necessarily seen that upside yet. Nico has been mediocre at best. I don’t think it’s that huge of a downgrade if Moore is the starter. Nico has thrown pics to….
Maybe I’m not giving Gaston the credit he deserves, but I highly doubt Georgia is doing anything special to prepare for him.I would not be surprised if we have people leaking information both ways here. If I were Heupel, I would have my guys put as much contrasting information out there to sources, list Nico as questionable, and leave everyone guessing until the last second.
I have seen a lot of comments about Nico being the dual threat that GM isn’t, but I would not be surprised if Nico isn’t a runner assuming he plays.
Agreed. Georgia isn’t doing anything special to prepare for Gaston Moore. There’s nothing he can do that Nico isn’t better at. He’s being coy because the concussion protocol is a multi step process that Nico isn’t out of yetThis is me just spitballing here, but what would Heupel gain by being coy about this situation? If Nico plays, they’ll (Georgia) have prepared for him anyway. If he doesn’t, then they don’t have to worry about putting a spy on him making their job that much easier. Just doesn’t seem to be any tactical advantage to not saying anything because I don’t imagine Georgia is doing special prep in order to counter Gaston. Just my thoughts
Agreed. Georgia isn’t doing anything special to prepare for Gaston Moore. There’s nothing he can do that Nico isn’t better at. He’s being coy because the concussion protocol is a multi step process that Nico isn’t out of yet
The cluster of 2 loss teams will almost certainly limit the SEC to 3 teams in.Here is my take FWIW......Nico will NOT play. Sports Illustrated and others have strongly suggested it is a concussion. May not even travel with team (although I think he does go on trip). They simply will not risk their "franchise" qb for his long-term future even if his concussion was marginal or mild.....his parents and his agent simply will not want to risk his future - and I cannot argue against that view. Look at the long term picture.
It is sad because Georgia is possibly"gettable" in Athens for the first time in years and years. And if Banks chooses NOT to use a 3 man defensive line like he did against MSU -and our immature linebackers make the wrong choice about every 3 runs up middle with no safeties behind them so you get several big chunk plays on runs up middle. Personally I'd play tons of tight "man defense" in secondary and put 5 on the line and force CBeck to beat me with his arm. Georgia's O Line is more suspect than it has been for years (yes, its still very good) but I'd test his arm and hope my D Line can bother him and force him into poor accuracy. He is not great with his feet in my opinion and gets anxious if pocket shrinks. If I was CJH, I'd announce on Fri that Nico wont play, and hope Georgia loses some o their focus because they already think they will win in a blowout - and maybe roll Gaston out and use run/pass option to give us a chance. We all know that when the Bulldogs focus, they are almost unbeatable especially at home and in fact very much a blowout risk.
And make no mistake......IF they blow us out even in Athens, and even without Nico, there is NO WAY the playoff committee nudges us into the playoffs. They are looking for any excuse NOT to have 5 SEC teams in, and would LOVE not to even place 4 SEC teams in.
There is nothing to base that on. There is no reason to believe that Sports Illustrated or anyone else has information that wouldn't be available to the local sports media in Knoxville. They are speculating, and doing so in a way that will attract attention and so are you. If Heupel says he will play, then that is what I would count on. As others have said, nothing is gained by lying here. Georgia isn't preparing for Gaston Moore either way.Here is my take FWIW......Nico will NOT play. Sports Illustrated and others have strongly suggested it is a concussion. May not even travel with team (although I think he does go on trip). They simply will not risk their "franchise" qb for his long-term future even if his concussion was marginal or mild.....his parents and his agent simply will not want to risk his future - and I cannot argue against that view. Look at the long term picture.
It is sad because Georgia is possibly"gettable" in Athens for the first time in years and years. And if Banks chooses NOT to use a 3 man defensive line like he did against MSU -and our immature linebackers make the wrong choice about every 3 runs up middle with no safeties behind them so you get several big chunk plays on runs up middle. Personally I'd play tons of tight "man defense" in secondary and put 5 on the line and force CBeck to beat me with his arm. Georgia's O Line is more suspect than it has been for years (yes, its still very good) but I'd test his arm and hope my D Line can bother him and force him into poor accuracy. He is not great with his feet in my opinion and gets anxious if pocket shrinks. If I was CJH, I'd announce on Fri that Nico wont play, and hope Georgia loses some o their focus because they already think they will win in a blowout - and maybe roll Gaston out and use run/pass option to give us a chance. We all know that when the Bulldogs focus, they are almost unbeatable especially at home and in fact very much a blowout risk.
And make no mistake......IF they blow us out even in Athens, and even without Nico, there is NO WAY the playoff committee nudges us into the playoffs. They are looking for any excuse NOT to have 5 SEC teams in, and would LOVE not to even place 4 SEC teams in.
If Nico is in the concussion protocol and not practicing then him sitting the 2nd half isn’t precautionary. The team doctors wouldn’t have allowed him to play any more.I think he will be playing. Just a gut feeling but I believe Heupel when he said sitting him the rest of the game Saturday was strictly precautionary.
That being said, should he not be available, I have faith with a week to prepare him and knowing how Heupel knows Gaston Moore, that he will be well prepared for Saturday. Whether it is Nico or Gaston, don't have to win the game for Tennessee, just don't lose it.