We’re live from Georgia: Hello, is anybody home?
I took this two hours before the game. Not sure how many of these seats will remain empty.
ATHENS — Georgia returns to Sanford Stadium today. Is anybody home?
I mean that in two ways. First, there’s a lot of speculation as to how many empty seats there will be in Sanford Stadium today. The reasons are fairly obvious: 1) The Bulldogs are 4-4 and possibly headed to a third-tier bowl; 2) The opponent is Tennessee Tech, which generally isn’t detectable even with radar. The fact it’s homecoming and parents’ weekend for several of the fraternities and sororities seems like an afterthought.
I’ll post a comment after the game starts to let you know about the crowd size, if you’re interested.
As for the team — well, aren’t we all a little bit curious what Georgia looks like today?
This week included coach Mark Richt suggesting starting freshman Aaron Murray with an eye toward next season would be “like quitting.” He then dismissed any speculation that he was too nice, as if his personality has somehow led to the program’s decline.
But here’s the bottom line: regardless of the reason, the Bulldogs are only 10-7 going back to the Alabama loss last season. Something is off.
This is a game the Dogs not only need to win but need to win impressively. That means don’t turn the ball over, limit penalties, run an efficient offense and don’t miss tackles or blow coverages on defense. The basics. All that should be doable, given they’re playing a 1-AA opponent. Tennessee Tech lost 49-7 earlier this season to a Kansas State team that is currently 5-4 (and lost to Louisiana-Lafayette).
Georgia still needs two wins to become bowl eligible — and I realize that sentence doesn’t go down easily. But what does the future hold if the Dogs don’t look good today? Can we assume wins over Auburn and Kentucky in the next two weeks? (Let’s leave the Georgia Tech game alone for now.)
So here’s my pre-game question for you: What are you looking for today? Is anything short of dominance acceptable?
Before getting started, here are a few bullet points on today’s game.
♦ Georgia and Tennessee Tech have met only once before. The Dogs won 63-0 in 1943. If anybody needs any details, let me know and I can phone Furman Bisher.
♦ Tim Tucker has a great chart in today’s paper of the 23 games Tennessee Tech has played against Division 1-A opponents. The Golden Eagles are 0-23. Twenty of the 23 losses have been decided by over 20 points. The only SEC team they’ve played is Auburn in 2007 (35-3 loss).
♦ After last week’s 41-17 loss to Florida, the Dogs have fallen to 11th in the SEC and 97th in the nation in total offense (328.6 yards per game) and ninth and 68th, respectively in total defense. Georgia also is last in the conference and 119th (out 0f 120 teams) in the nation in turnover differential at minus-15. The only school behind them is Miami of Ohio (minus-18).
Miami’s record: 1-8. Sorry. Didn’t mean to deflate you.
I’ll check back in a bit.
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600 comments Add your comment
Delbert D.
November 7th, 2009
11:58 am
I am here.
Chester Lucks
November 7th, 2009
11:58 am
Good luck UGA
Chester Lucks
November 7th, 2009
11:59 am
Should be a wipe out today even with all of the negativity
Ben
November 7th, 2009
12:00 pm
think I’m first.
La Jolla Dawg
November 7th, 2009
12:04 pm
I cannot believe this game is on DirecTV today.
Necromancer
November 7th, 2009
12:08 pm
Richt’s “good guy” personality may be his downfall.
Oh yeah…also his stubborness on retaining Martinez and keeping Cox as the starting QB.
bulldogmike
November 7th, 2009
12:09 pm
You idiots who keep asking to see more of Logan Grey are no judge of talent at all. Grey is not a quarterback at the DIV 1A level…..and never will be. He may have a place on the team but not at quarterback. Defensive back maybe. Cox is adequate to win games, but not by himself. I don’t know of a quarterback that ever played the game that could overcome the problems UGA exhibits on the field (maybe Michael Vick). CMR needs to get those freshmen QB’s some experience for next year…damn the redshirt!! If he doesn’t, he will be answering the same questions next year that he’s NOT answering this year. And it may ultimately cost him his job and UGA an excellent coach. Look what happened to the JAX JAGUARS after they fired Tom Coughlin during a period of transition in QB. Tom went on to win Championships with another team, while the JAGS wallowed in mediocrity. Same can be said for the Tony Dungy/Tampa Bay Bucs and will be said about the Auburn/Tuberville situation in the future. CMR is a good coach many would be honored to play for, be he is letting pride get in the way of common sense.
Tom, Resident Georgia Fan
November 7th, 2009
12:13 pm
Well said Bulldog MIke!!!
brewdawg
November 7th, 2009
12:15 pm
I’m honestly surprised the AJC sent someone to this game. Is it that slow of a Saturday? And what did you do to deserve this assignment Jeff? This has “loser of a bet” written all over it. You should have just cut your grass in a dress Jeff. It would have been more interesting.
Not Disappointed
November 7th, 2009
12:18 pm
Well, I’m on the Flats at Grant Field trying to stay warm, but Fire from the grill is great and so is the Coffee. With alittle khalua. Clear Atlanta is the best Mobil internet.
Good luck pups, but I’m sure you don’t need it today! Ramblin Wreck!
Pi$$onatechie
November 7th, 2009
12:19 pm
if Georgia can get a couple of turnovers there is a good chance of a big upset and run away with a huge win over TT and one win closer to be a bowl eligibility
Good day to you, sir!
November 7th, 2009
12:21 pm
I think Tenn Tech will give the Dawgs a game.
G8TR
November 7th, 2009
12:22 pm
We’re looking to figure out which off-field issue UGA uses this week to distract themselves from their program’s steady decline. A bad celebration call? Jersey and helmet color choice? How much they dis-respect other SEC coaches? It’ll be something, except whatever’s obviously wrong (Richt).
Good day to you, sir!
November 7th, 2009
12:23 pm
Schultz, were you scheduled for this? Or did you make your boss very angry?
bob horner stayed hurt
November 7th, 2009
12:25 pm
Jeff…what are the dawgs wearing today..???
Lake
November 7th, 2009
12:28 pm
What a horrible game to have to sit through. Clearly Bradley is getting a bigger bonus this year Schultz.
4th Place - SEC East Dawg
November 7th, 2009
12:28 pm
Lookin forward to a good close game. Dawgs win 13 – 10
Dawgsblowwwww
November 7th, 2009
12:30 pm
LOL. The puppies should pull one out for once…probably the last victory of the year.
Maretta
November 7th, 2009
12:31 pm
With the talent we have, UGA is struggling because of that over-paid, unimaginative, no-talent coaching staff. They need to give back their undeserved salaries and leave UGA immediately. Those kids deserve better than what they have.
Rusty
November 7th, 2009
12:33 pm
It’s on DirecTV?
RichtGoAway
November 7th, 2009
12:33 pm
CMR, pull your retard staff and go to FSU, go to Miami…just go.
Trembing Chihuahua
November 7th, 2009
12:34 pm
We’re number 119!!
Jeff Schultz
November 7th, 2009
12:34 pm
This fashion update: Dogs today are wearing red helmets, red jerseys, gray pants.
Frank
November 7th, 2009
12:35 pm
Jeff: How has Ga gone 17-10 since the Alabama game last year? We lost 3 games last year and four (thus far) this year. We won 10 last year, and four this year (thus far).
BT
November 7th, 2009
12:37 pm
How many points will the “Defensive Master” Martinez give up?
What ever it takes
November 7th, 2009
12:38 pm
Of course UGA looks to “rebound” this weekend – with such a cupcake team like TN-Tech. I bet GA trys to run it up to make their stats look better. Good luck puppies – just don’t dance after this give-me game.
Papadawg
November 7th, 2009
12:39 pm
What makes me not wanting folks to know I’m a DAWG fan is all the poor mouthing wussies claiming to be fans. Grow a pair and get thru the bad times and shut the H__L up with all the negative. Go ahead and pull for Tech or somebody and quit embarassing the REAL DAWG FANS
WhopperDawg
November 7th, 2009
12:39 pm
Jeff, nothing you can write can deflate anymore than the product put on the field. If there was ever anything more obvious than 1/4 Willie and Mike “The Fade” Bobo needing to go, it was the second coming of the Swamp Fox Marion Campbell.
1/4 Willie comes up big today and holds Tenn Tech UNDER our average points given up per game. TT scores a mere 25.
Cuz
November 7th, 2009
12:41 pm
Jeff, that is “Silver Britches” to the faithful.
What ever it takes
November 7th, 2009
12:41 pm
Hey Bulldogmike – if “Grey is not a quarterback at the DIV 1A level…..” then why did Georgia – with that GREAT recruiting staff – recruit him?? Maybe there’s something wrong with those supposed geniuses at GA when it comes to recruiting.
RichtGoAway
November 7th, 2009
12:42 pm
Papadawg
Why don’t you shove it? Keep your mouth shut.
Cuz
November 7th, 2009
12:43 pm
Whatever, the other teams in the SEC have inflated their numbers by playing cupcakes. Maybe we should throw out Florida’s stats in the 63-0 win.
UGA ALL THE WAY
November 7th, 2009
12:44 pm
So Jeff, i take it you will be blogging about the game?…or no. i was hopin it be you or Mark…
Dawgs Man
November 7th, 2009
12:45 pm
Is the game on Cable TV today?
RilesUGA
November 7th, 2009
12:46 pm
Dawgs Man
Don’t ask such stupid questions. If you don’t know the answer to that, you don’t need to be watching anyway you moron.
TGT
November 7th, 2009
12:46 pm
I don’t think the issue is Joe Cox. Does anybody remember Buck Belue? How about John Lastinger? What about Greg Talley? They were not great quarterbacks either, but they also had help from their respective defenses, and they weren’t forced to throw as much as Joe Cox has had to being behind so much this season(Does anybody remember Belue’s stats in the 1980 Sugar Bowl-I don’t think he completed more than 2 passes the entire game). I was at UGA in Dooley’s last 2 years, and for the first 2 years of Goff, so I have been down this path before. We need to correct the turnovers, penalties, and the execution lapses if there is any hope of a winning season. Lay off Cox! He’s a hell of a lot better quarterback than any of us sitting on the couch!
Doyle Hargraves
November 7th, 2009
12:47 pm
Jeff, what was the Dawg Walk like? Could you smell anything special in the air?
RilesUGA
November 7th, 2009
12:49 pm
Doyle
What kind of freaking question is that? Go sit in the nail saloon Doyle.
Bulldog Joe
November 7th, 2009
12:52 pm
START WITH STRONG DEFENSE; ADD A GREAT KICKING GAME; THEN RUN THE BALL UNTIL THE OTHER TEAM DROPS. THIS IS WHAT DOOLEY DID.
UGA ALL THE WAY
November 7th, 2009
12:53 pm
PPV dawgs man… or espn360.
georgiafan4ever
November 7th, 2009
12:54 pm
If you are really a true DAWG fan you will take the good with the bad. We all know there are issues that must be resolved but if you are tried and true blue fan you will carry on as usual, scream, yell and cheer and continue to support your Dawgs. We can just wait and pray the the end of the season brings changes. No DAWG fan is happy with our current situaiton. If you give big money then hold back .. that can only send the message of your unhappiness. Let’s just not spew ugliness all over the place and prove that we are classless fans like other un-named SEC teams have. Every team has good years and bad years and we just have to keep supporting these kids. Ugly or not they are still working hard. So chin up true DAWG fans….keep supporting them!!! Otherwise just jump off the bandwagon you came from and be a Gator or an Elephant or whatever. We don’t need fair weather fans!! Goooo DAWGS….sic ‘em!
Dawgs Man
November 7th, 2009
12:55 pm
RilesUGA. FU strong letter to follow. Fool.
KB81
November 7th, 2009
12:58 pm
So the mighty SEC East plays another cupcake. Wow! Impressive. Tenn Tech this late in the year? The tough SEC East has some real problems playing real competition. UGA at least played OKie State and Ariz State. But now Tenn Tech with a month to go?
FL? They played Troy and Charleston Southern. Yet to go, Florida International. Whew! Sure that’ll be a tough one.
South Carolina? Fla Atlantic. Citadel.
Tennessee? Western Kentucky. Ohio.
The “tough” SEC East beats up on cupcakes and then claims to be the supreme conference, but this Jacket knows better. A cupcake at the first of the year, that’s fine. Your conference? You have no choice on that. Start playing a real schedule and see how you do.
Papadawg
November 7th, 2009
12:58 pm
Richtgoaway, Yep you’re one of them
Jeff Schultz
November 7th, 2009
12:58 pm
La Jolla – The thing’s on PPV locally. What are they charging – anybody?
Brewdawg – Late fall. Lawn’s not growing. But I could be raking leaves I suppose.
Good day to you sir – I always anger my bosses. It’s what I live for.
Bob Horner – Red jerseys
Lake – Yes, he schmoozed to get Tech-Wake. Oy. (Actually, I requested this game. Meeting my son later. He lives in Athens.)
Frank – That was a typo, since fixed. Should’ve been 10-7.
Cuz – Silver sounds so glittery though, don’t you think?
Dogbyte
November 7th, 2009
12:59 pm
The Dogs will win easily but I hope that unlike Vandy, they won’t feel that all the problems have been solved by beating up on a cupcake.
Jeff Schultz
November 7th, 2009
12:59 pm
UGA all the way – yep, I’m here.
Doyle – missed it.
Dawg Days
November 7th, 2009
1:01 pm
They are charging $29.95.
Doyle Hargraves
November 7th, 2009
1:04 pm
I have no idea what a “nail saloon” is. Do you think they have the game on tv there, you big time internet bad ass?
UGASlobberknocker
November 7th, 2009
1:05 pm
Yawn!!! Wake me up when its over.
big bad john
November 7th, 2009
1:06 pm
dawgs suck and I love it, thats right my friends, dogs suck!!!
C
November 7th, 2009
1:07 pm
pretty freaking bad when we can’t see the dogs on tv. Thats what happens when you lose, guess I will watch SC and Ark.
Chopper
November 7th, 2009
1:07 pm
Any empty seats?
big bad john
November 7th, 2009
1:08 pm
29.95, wow, how many takers will they get? maybe a hand full
Bryan G.
November 7th, 2009
1:08 pm
Anyone else having problems with the signal to the game?
dawg
November 7th, 2009
1:09 pm
let go dawgs
Harrison Rogers
November 7th, 2009
1:09 pm
Hooked on Dawgs but not at $29.95. Any online radio or TV web links?
George
November 7th, 2009
1:10 pm
$135 for the game???WTF???
George
November 7th, 2009
1:10 pm
ComCast PPV says $135!
Hillbilly Deluxe
November 7th, 2009
1:11 pm
But I could be raking leaves I suppose.
If God didn’t want the leaves on the ground, He wouldn’t have put them there. I’m not one to interfere with His plan, so I’ll just spend the day being lazy.
Larry
November 7th, 2009
1:12 pm
Dammit. ESPN 360 is blacked out in GA. and my proxy wont work.
George
November 7th, 2009
1:12 pm
ComCast sucks worse than our Defense!
dawg
November 7th, 2009
1:13 pm
when will we see marlon brown
KB81
November 7th, 2009
1:13 pm
George, ComCast PPV figures that if every UGA alum with the means to do so, pitched in a days wages, say $1.00, then ComCast could get $135.00. Obviously they overshot their projections…
mike28212
November 7th, 2009
1:14 pm
I’m pretty sure you can watch it online at georgiadogs.com for $19.95
big bad john
November 7th, 2009
1:14 pm
I love hearing all you dawg nationers whine, afterall its not that often that it gets to this point, but when it does, its very entertaining!! hahahahahaha
KB81
November 7th, 2009
1:15 pm
But it is the first of the month, so maybe some of the welfare check hasn’t been spent on beer yet, so there might be more money out there than ComCast thinks.
Jeff Schultz
November 7th, 2009
1:15 pm
Anybody here who paid $29.95? If so, did you charge your friends or are they bringing food?
Durham Dawg
November 7th, 2009
1:16 pm
Jeff, how’s the crowd? A lot of empty seats???
Jeff Schultz
November 7th, 2009
1:16 pm
That was a fairly easy drive — If I count correctly, 9 plays, 69 yards. … Early observation: Tennessee Tech is overmatched up front. Shocking, I know.
Larry
November 7th, 2009
1:16 pm
yeah you can watch it a georgiadogs for a one time subscription payment of 19.95.
meh.
no thanks. scott howard is fine.
Gerald Lancaster
November 7th, 2009
1:17 pm
If I were in Georgia today I would be there…
Larry
November 7th, 2009
1:17 pm
if anyone in woodstock ordered the game and wants company let me know. i will bring some peanuts or beer or something.
Barry Jay
November 7th, 2009
1:18 pm
I’m in east podunk Alabama. I can’t get anything with the game on it. I’m not willing to pay for Tennessee Tech either. So you guys will have to keep us all updated.
Barry Jay
November 7th, 2009
1:19 pm
Score?
UGA ALL THE WAY
November 7th, 2009
1:20 pm
I gotta sneak a peak every now in then. im watchin it at work(which my boss HATES)but i gotta support my DAWGS. im lucky enough i get to watch it on ESPN360. May be delayed but thats why im happy Jeff is bloggin.
BuzzzzzzzzzzBeeeeee
November 7th, 2009
1:20 pm
Schultz,
Why is the gametracker on your AJC website such a JOKE? Its so far behind its ridiculous and has the wrong score.
Jeff Schultz
November 7th, 2009
1:21 pm
Barry — 7-0 Georgia. Scored on their first possession. … Tenn Tech now punting for second time.
Big XII
November 7th, 2009
1:22 pm
HAHAHAHA…..Hillbilly football is not on TV!
UGA ALL THE WAY
November 7th, 2009
1:22 pm
U can always watch it on espn360 barry jay…
UGA ALL THE WAY
November 7th, 2009
1:22 pm
thats what im doin. on here and watching the game.
Jeff Schultz
November 7th, 2009
1:22 pm
Prince Miller punt return for TD — but a flag is down.
Jeff Schultz
November 7th, 2009
1:22 pm
Holding .. it’s coming back
UGA ALL THE WAY
November 7th, 2009
1:24 pm
TOUCHDOWN……. no FLAGS!!!!!!!
Jeff Schultz
November 7th, 2009
1:26 pm
3rd play of drive — Cox to Orson Charles for TD .. 14-0 (after PAT) .. This could get ugly early
Jeff Schultz
November 7th, 2009
1:27 pm
This’ll be interesting. Even in good years, Georgia hasn’t been a blowout-the-opponent team under Mark Richt. Curious to see how far he’ll let this go.
Yawner
November 7th, 2009
1:27 pm
What’s the crowd size looking like, Jeffie ?
Larry
November 7th, 2009
1:28 pm
ok glad i didnt pay for this
Barry Jay
November 7th, 2009
1:28 pm
I hope it will be a harbinger of things to come…let’s blow’em out.
KB81
November 7th, 2009
1:29 pm
cupcake smashing time, I know UGA fans are proud
RxDawg
November 7th, 2009
1:29 pm
Ya know, sometimes it’s nice to have the TV off and listen to the Bulldog network. I do miss ol’ Munson though. Here’s a shout out to ya Larry!
Durham Dawg
November 7th, 2009
1:29 pm
Maybe we’ll see more of Gray at QB.
Barry Jay
November 7th, 2009
1:30 pm
In the past two seasons we’ve played down to our opponents level. I sure hope this is a sign that we have gotten past that.
I know we have played some tough games already and usually, we are playing these cupcakes to start the season. We need to really blow this team out.
C
November 7th, 2009
1:30 pm
I really expected to hear after the Florida A%% whooping that there would be some coaching changes. Bring Dooley back.
Yawner
November 7th, 2009
1:31 pm
Ah, the old radio days. Munson & the Dawgs on one AM station, Ciraldo calling the Tech game on the other. Pretty good times.
Ben
November 7th, 2009
1:31 pm
Still curious about the crowd Jeff.
Barry Jay
November 7th, 2009
1:32 pm
Durham, I hope we do see Logan…but if he is not going to play QB in UGA’s future, then lets use him in creative ways. Let him play some wide receiver and wildcat.
Does anyone know Logan’s 40 time?
Larry
November 7th, 2009
1:32 pm
i really miss Larry Munson today.
*sniffle*
Jeff Schultz
November 7th, 2009
1:33 pm
Unofficial estimate by a few of us as we look around: About 7,000 empty seats, not nearly as bad as many of us projected. But there’s a ton of people outside stadium who we think are dumping tix for very little $$$.
Barry Jay
November 7th, 2009
1:34 pm
Yeah…Munson going to the sideline. “Whadda ya got Lorne?”