Alabama-Georgia could be a battle for field position

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Hurricane Joaquin is destined for the Carolinas (North and South) and Virginia, but it will leave behind a high rain percentage this weekend at Athens, Ga. About two to three inches of precipitation has been predicted for Saturday’s game between Alabama and Georgia. Wet conditions are a calling card for two concepts, a strong run game and field position.

The leg strength and technique of Georgia’s Collin Barber and Alabama’s JK Scott will be imperative. Barber, a senior, has averaged 40.1 yards per punt through four games.

He has pinned opponents’ inside the 20-yard line on four of 12 attempts. Scott, a sophomore, has averaged 38.8 yards per boot with six of his 17 attempts being downed inside the 20.

Coverage on special teams will serve as one of few X-factors this weekend. The team that is forced to drive the length of the field could have a difficult time creating a tempo on offense.

Place kickers Marshall Morgan and Adam Griffith have to excel, as both team look to lean on the run game. Morgan, a senior, has nailed four of six field goals with two coming from between 20-29 yards. His long on the season is 47 yards, an attempt that came against Southern.

Griffith, a junior, has seen his confidence steadily return with each made attempt. He has connected on his last three field goal tries, including a 40-yard kick against Louisiana-Monroe last week. A strong outing from him this week gives Alabama more stability on special teams.

Expect some drives to stall under horrid field conditions.

Saturday can very well be a game for specialists.

Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine.

You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @ESPN_Future.