How does Georgia handle Oklahoma State's Bowman?

Updated: August 30, 2007, 2:17 PM ET

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By Todd McShay
Scouts Inc.
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It doesn't take an X's-and-O's genius to predict that Oklahoma State wants to speed up the tempo of Saturday's game, while host Georgia will look to take a more conservative approach. The Cowboys ranked 89th nationally in total defense last season and I don't expect a miraculous turnaround from that unit this fall. The Bulldogs don't project to be an offensive juggernaut in 2007, either. So it's logical to think this game will be decided on the other side of the ball. If that's the case, Oklahoma State will give Georgia all it can handle between the hedges.

Everyone in Athens seems to be downplaying the loss of CB Paul Oliver, who left school due to academic issues and was subsequently a fourth-round pick by the Chargers in the NFL's 2007 supplemental draft. Oliver's draft stock slipped after performing poorly for NFL scouts during personal workouts, which generated even more concerns regarding his maturity level and work ethic. But the reason he wasn't in peak condition was because he was in academic scramble mode this summer in order to gain eligibility. After going back and studying tape of Georgia's defense in 2006, Oliver was emerging as one of the premier cover corners in the nation by seasons' end and he could have become a first-round pick in the 2008 draft if he carried over that momentum.

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