It would be easy to dismiss Campbell University's 70-0 walkover of Division III Methodist College last week as a mismatch in competition, but Saturday's game with Georgetown figures to be a competitive game for both teams. For while it sometimes seems Georgetown is caught in a "Groundhog Day" scenario where every season is a lot like 2004 , again and again, this is a Campbell proving on the way up.
Having revived its program in 2008, Campbell is moving to the scholarship Big South conference next season, and carry 66 redshirts on the active roster in preparation for full scholarship football to come.
Senior QB Anthony Robbins is expected to start while sophomore Elijah Burress recovers from a spring injury. Burress is this on Saturday's depth chart, but is an elusive runner who, when healthy, gives Campbell a real boost. With the graduation of two of its best RB's, Campbell is likely to go to a one back set behind redshirt sophomore Josh Jones, who rushed for only 61 yards last season. The backfield is a question mark for the Camels even after a 281 yard effort versus methodist, and if Georgetown can keep the Camels WR's in check, the field will tighten and play to Georgetown's strengths on the defensive end. Campbell is also replacing three of five along the offensive line, where they held Methodist without a sack last week.
Defensively, Campbell replaces six starters from 2016 with a lot of new faces in the secondary. Up front is a priority for the Camels, where sophomore Emanual Olenga (10 tackles versus Methodist) and the only freshman starter, 6-0, 290 lb. Jamah Mitchell, seek to control a Georgetown running game that has tended to peak early in seasons when competition is not as strong. The Camels' defense struggled with third down containment last season (37 percent) and need their newcomers to step up for a second week, having held Methodist to 3 for 16 on third down. Anything close to that for Georgetown on Saturday portends another long year of futility on offense.
Fifth year senior Tim barnes returns at QB and while that's good news for Barnes, it's not good for the depth chart. With Clay Norris stalled in his development and Brock Johnson having transferred to UC-Davis, it's Barnes' offense until further notice. The Hoyas will need some running support and cannot rely on the quick out passes that are eventually overwhelmed by stronger defenses. Senior Alex Valles may be able to get some early gains against the younger Campbell line, but GU's continuing misses in recruiting for the backfield eventually catch up with them--if not in week 1, by late September when the Ivy games come to the schedule.
Georgetown's defense should have the upper hand in this game, and could really shut the Camels down if it controls the passing lanes. A veteran secondary figures to be the difference in this one, one way or the other.
The Hoyas have struggled in early season games, dropping three of its last four openers and has not won an opener to a team not named Davidson since 2008. The bye week may provide a respite from early season blues, but they are facing a team coming off a high-voltage victory and whose hopes for a second win are as strong as they could be. Georgetown's hopes lie in a stronger running game and a strong defensive effort in the secondary. With that, it's the Hoyas, not the homestanding Camels, that can take hold of its early season schedule.