These two stories made me feel good about our game @ Okie State

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/football/ncaa/08/10/oklahoma.state/

Above is a scouting report for SI's #7 Oklahoma State, which talks about their one returning starter from the secondary, their new defensive coordinator, their 109th ranked defense last year (267.7 passing yards and 28.1 points per game allowed), and their 102nd ranked pass rush from last year (15 sacks in 13 games).

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/football/ncaa/08/11/georgia/

Above is the scouting report for SI's #13 ranked UGA.  It doesn't give a whole lot of statistical analysis, but does have an interesting story I hadn't heard before.  When individually asked who the leader of the team was, 106 Georgia players said it was Joe Cox.  Other than that, it is pretty much the standard Joe Cox stuff - beating Chris Leak's high-school records, leading the comeback against Colorado - but when comparing other facts we know about UGA to the above facts about Oklahoma State, I start to get happy. 

We return a very talented offensive line that, based on last year's stats for OSU, should dominate the game easily against a weak pass rush.  We also return one of the nation's best wide receivers, and a stable of other talented and experienced receivers who, based on last year's stats for OSU, should dominate the game against an unexperienced secondary learning a brand new scheme (which also happens to be the third new defensive scheme in five years under Coach Gundy).  Add in that Joe Cox's best attribute is his accuracy...well, I'm liking it.

Then you add in Coach Richt's road record.  Then you add in Coach Richt's road record against OOC opponents.  Then you add in Coach Richt's opening-day-big-game record.  Then you add in the fact that we'll travel decently (not as great as last year I don't think, but still pretty good considering).

I think it is safe to say we can mark this one as a W right now, barring something crazy happening between now and Sept. 5th.