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The Thunder are at 2-5, playing very poorly and face another huge challenge with All-League LDE Mickey O'Donnell now out for the next six weeks with a knee injury.
Is there any cause for optimism?
Not really and in spite of the fact we are facing a Georgia team that has had it's own issues (1-6 overall and in the midst of a six game losing streak) this is the kind of game that could go either way.
Legendary Generals QB Bryant Bruce remains an elite player at his position but his productivity has taken a big hit this year after the departure of WR Dexter Crapo to division rival Texas. Last year the Bruce/Crapo connection was good for 1673 yards and 6TDs and FL Norm Foreman was good for over 1000 yards and 8TDs as well. This year Foreman has just 21 catches and 276 yards and 3TDs after seven games and 3rd year pro Donnell Manard has not come close to replacing the productivity of Crapo and is averaging just 5.00 yards per target.
If you need an explanation for Georgia's struggles you have it right there and it's a loss that is felt in other areas as well.
With a lack of targets in the passing game opposing defenses have been free to load up to stop RB Damon Beyer. With a career low average of 3.65 yards per carry and less than 300 yards on the season as we approach the halfway mark, Beyer's prospects of 6th 1000 yard season are well and truly in doubt.
But in spite of all this the Generals have had some bright spots. They have already finished the toughest part of their schedule with back to back games against the NC Division powerhouses. Indeed looking at those games they lost by only 3 points to Vancouver, by 10 against Salt Lake City and by 5 against Arizona.
In the first 7 games of the year their opponents have had a daunting .630 winning percentage while their opponents for the remainder of the season boast a combined record of just .430.
GM Donlooky has kept his team competitive in spite of the losing streak and has the ability to turn his season around. A wounded and out of form Little Rock team might be just the tonic that he needs.
KEY MATCHUPS:
Georgia QB Bryant Bruce vs Little Rock Pass Defense: The Thunder secondary has the numbers and talent to shut down the deep ball but will perennial all-pro and former league MVP Bruce be able to work the ball on the short and intermediate routes to keep his team moving?
Little Rock Defensive Line vs Georgia Offensive Line: With O'Donnell out the Thunder may be forced to start two rookies on their line. On the surface both lines would seem to be evenly matched and this could be all the difference that the Generals need to get their running game going.
Little Rock WR Sean Everett: After missing time in each of the past four years to injury, Everett is quietly putting together the best season of his career as he averages nearly 18 yards a catch. Facing a team that has struggled against the pass this year (currently ranked 22nd in yards per catch) Everett could be the playmaker that the Thunder needs to win this game.
Georgia P Luther Frederick vs Little Rock PR Pedro Franz: Fredrick has struggled all season long grossing 41.7 yards per punt on 42 attempts and netting 36.7 yards. Franz meawhile is averaging 12.6 yards per return setting the scene for a dangerous match-up for the Generals.
Georgia RB Damon Beyer: With Thunder DE O'Donnell on the sideline will this be the opportunity for Beyer to get his season on track? Last week Wolfpack RB Lorenzo Lang ran the ball for 111 yards (11 for 69 in the first half) providing a blueprint for what the Generals may try to do this week.
Little Rock LT Charles Footman: After missing time in 3 games due to concussion Footman makes a return to the field just in time for the Thunder after T.J. Marschalk gave up 4 sacks to Arizona while filling in at LT.
Little Rock QB Albert Gianettino: He's been hot and cold all season and he's alternated average performances with great ones all year. After last week's game (55% completion 0TD 71.6 QBR) he SHOULD be on fire this week but with Gianettino you just never know....
Point Spread:
Little Rock by 3
Head to Head:
This will be the 50th meeting of the teams and Georgia leads the series 33-25 with one tied game.
Last Meeting:
Week 10, 2030: Georgia 31 def Little Rock 24 at Little Rock
Is there any cause for optimism?
Not really and in spite of the fact we are facing a Georgia team that has had it's own issues (1-6 overall and in the midst of a six game losing streak) this is the kind of game that could go either way.
Legendary Generals QB Bryant Bruce remains an elite player at his position but his productivity has taken a big hit this year after the departure of WR Dexter Crapo to division rival Texas. Last year the Bruce/Crapo connection was good for 1673 yards and 6TDs and FL Norm Foreman was good for over 1000 yards and 8TDs as well. This year Foreman has just 21 catches and 276 yards and 3TDs after seven games and 3rd year pro Donnell Manard has not come close to replacing the productivity of Crapo and is averaging just 5.00 yards per target.
If you need an explanation for Georgia's struggles you have it right there and it's a loss that is felt in other areas as well.
With a lack of targets in the passing game opposing defenses have been free to load up to stop RB Damon Beyer. With a career low average of 3.65 yards per carry and less than 300 yards on the season as we approach the halfway mark, Beyer's prospects of 6th 1000 yard season are well and truly in doubt.
But in spite of all this the Generals have had some bright spots. They have already finished the toughest part of their schedule with back to back games against the NC Division powerhouses. Indeed looking at those games they lost by only 3 points to Vancouver, by 10 against Salt Lake City and by 5 against Arizona.
In the first 7 games of the year their opponents have had a daunting .630 winning percentage while their opponents for the remainder of the season boast a combined record of just .430.
GM Donlooky has kept his team competitive in spite of the losing streak and has the ability to turn his season around. A wounded and out of form Little Rock team might be just the tonic that he needs.
KEY MATCHUPS:
Georgia QB Bryant Bruce vs Little Rock Pass Defense: The Thunder secondary has the numbers and talent to shut down the deep ball but will perennial all-pro and former league MVP Bruce be able to work the ball on the short and intermediate routes to keep his team moving?
Little Rock Defensive Line vs Georgia Offensive Line: With O'Donnell out the Thunder may be forced to start two rookies on their line. On the surface both lines would seem to be evenly matched and this could be all the difference that the Generals need to get their running game going.
Little Rock WR Sean Everett: After missing time in each of the past four years to injury, Everett is quietly putting together the best season of his career as he averages nearly 18 yards a catch. Facing a team that has struggled against the pass this year (currently ranked 22nd in yards per catch) Everett could be the playmaker that the Thunder needs to win this game.
Georgia P Luther Frederick vs Little Rock PR Pedro Franz: Fredrick has struggled all season long grossing 41.7 yards per punt on 42 attempts and netting 36.7 yards. Franz meawhile is averaging 12.6 yards per return setting the scene for a dangerous match-up for the Generals.
Georgia RB Damon Beyer: With Thunder DE O'Donnell on the sideline will this be the opportunity for Beyer to get his season on track? Last week Wolfpack RB Lorenzo Lang ran the ball for 111 yards (11 for 69 in the first half) providing a blueprint for what the Generals may try to do this week.
Little Rock LT Charles Footman: After missing time in 3 games due to concussion Footman makes a return to the field just in time for the Thunder after T.J. Marschalk gave up 4 sacks to Arizona while filling in at LT.
Little Rock QB Albert Gianettino: He's been hot and cold all season and he's alternated average performances with great ones all year. After last week's game (55% completion 0TD 71.6 QBR) he SHOULD be on fire this week but with Gianettino you just never know....
Point Spread:
Little Rock by 3
Head to Head:
This will be the 50th meeting of the teams and Georgia leads the series 33-25 with one tied game.
Last Meeting:
Week 10, 2030: Georgia 31 def Little Rock 24 at Little Rock