
An empty doghouse. It has been that kind of season in Athens.
ATHENS — They got bruised in Stillwater, blindsided in Knoxville and humbled in Jacksonville. Also, their dog died.
Put it all together and Georgia’s season is a like country-western song.
So here’s my question for you: If you’re still watching, what is it you’re hoping this team can still accomplish?
The Dogs play their final home game of the season tonight against

Mark Richt has tried to keep everybody focused on the season, not what comes after.
Kentucky. The backdrop isn’t what this team’s seniors were hoping for, especially after what seemingly was projected two years ago when Georgia finished the season ranked No. 2 in the nation. But there are still some tangible goals left.
I’m guessing if Bulldog fans could lay out a perfect finish to an imperfect season, it would go something like this (in order of priority):
1) Beat Georgia Tech next week.
2) Win the season’s final three games (Cats, Jackets, bowl opponent) to finish a respectable 9-4.
3) Blow up the coaching staff.
I’m adding the last one because I’m guessing that even closing the season strong would not eliminate the bitter taste left by the 4-4 start and all that came with it.

This could be Willie Martinez's last home game as defensive coordinator.
Most of you still believe in coach Mark Richt — as you should — but want changes in his staff and/or some of his methods.
Pure my speculation here, based on no inside information, other than what I see and hear and how Richt is now reacting to questions about his off-season plans: 1) Defensive coordinator Willie Martinez is gone; 2) There will be other changes on the staff, mostly on the defensive side of the ball and possibly with the strength and conditioning coach; 3) Some or all of these changes may be announced fairly quickly, possibly soon after the Georgia Tech game and before the bowl game.
I would be stunned if Richt made no changes. I would be surprised if he makes only one.
Let me add one more thing: While Martinez’s shortcomings as a defensive coordinator have been debated for a while, I still believe the team’s problems run deeper than one assistant coach. The problems start at the top with accountability. That’s Richt’s department. I thought his decision last week to pull out any players who committed a bad penalty was a terrific first step.
Now, about tonight’s game. Kentucky is in that, “We should beat them,” category. But this game won’t be easy. The Wildcats have won four of their last five and beat Auburn (21-14) by the same margin as Georgia (31-24). They’re averaging over 200 rushing yards per game and the defense, while not great, is among conference leaders with 13 interceptions. They’ve also committed about half as many penalties (46) in 10 games as the Dogs (89).
So here we go. Let me know what you’re looking for tonight and I’ll be back shortly.
2,054 comments Add your comment
Mike Foster
November 21st, 2009
6:59 pm
Jeff Schultz
why would you ask if we are still watching? OF COURSE WE ARE WATCHING! THIS IS UGA FOOTBALL, NOT GEORGIA TECH. We watch each game that comes on TV with the same fire and passion and love for our beloved Dawgs!!
You are a loser of an analyst.
Finger N Cider
November 21st, 2009
7:00 pm
Hey Spiller Time ……. lets see if Clemson chokes on the chickens next week..
a soft willie
November 21st, 2009
7:00 pm
coach um up
SOUTHGADAWG88
November 21st, 2009
7:00 pm
I think both ACC title game teams will be coming off a loss to end the season.
Pi$$onaDawg
November 21st, 2009
7:00 pm
Ole Miss needs a stop. but LSU has to go for 2 just to tie on the raod. LES ain’t no Pul Johnson.
Alabama Jack
November 21st, 2009
7:00 pm
hey dawgs, we’ll send you a postcard from Tampa. Which Shreveport motel will y’all be in?
SMALL JOHNSON
November 21st, 2009
7:01 pm
Pi$$onaDawg
I better not have to say Bah Humbug next Saturday
Jeff Schultz
November 21st, 2009
7:01 pm
Mike Foster: I love you too.
Paul Johnson's breaf stanks
November 21st, 2009
7:02 pm
LSU Doesnt Tie
Pi$$onaDawg
November 21st, 2009
7:03 pm
BS the Reciever put his arms out first and shoved the DB for sure. That was justice on the no good 2 pt try.
Jeff Schultz
November 21st, 2009
7:03 pm
Buckhead Bulldog — Just our usual one, as far as I know.
SMALL JOHNSON
November 21st, 2009
7:04 pm
Alabama Jerk
I will send you a get well card after another loss to FL in 2 weeks
your season won’t matter like ours after that
what is your address
Jeff Schultz
November 21st, 2009
7:04 pm
Falcon 71 — It’s dry here
SOUTHGADAWG88
November 21st, 2009
7:05 pm
LSU still in it!
Paul Johnson's breaf stanks
November 21st, 2009
7:05 pm
LSU Recovered onside KICK WOW
snapshot
November 21st, 2009
7:05 pm
mutts should win this one even without the dog. Kentucky=not very good.
Thunder Road
November 21st, 2009
7:05 pm
That Ranblin Wreck ts a well tuned machine ready for some tiger road kill in Tampa.
Buckhead Bulldog
November 21st, 2009
7:05 pm
Willie….looks like we have another poet laurete in our midst. Small Johnson = a master of prose!
Pi$$onaDawg
November 21st, 2009
7:05 pm
SM Johnson I can get you 45yrdline tickets in the Club level for the UF BAMA game. Parking pass included. 4 together on one sid and another 2 on the other side of the DOME.
Alabama Jack
November 21st, 2009
7:06 pm
No Johnson – I’d love to see Bammer lose, almost as much fun as watching you dawgs flailing around in a cluster.
SMALL JOHNSON
November 21st, 2009
7:06 pm
did you see how stupid of a play that mccluster just let happen
Thunder Road
November 21st, 2009
7:06 pm
RAMBLIN WRECK is 10-1
Pi$$onaDawg
November 21st, 2009
7:06 pm
LSU can make the kick form here
Finger N Cider
November 21st, 2009
7:07 pm
LSU on 30 yd line of OLE Miss
SMALL JOHNSON
November 21st, 2009
7:07 pm
if LSU wins he wouldn’t play the rest of the season
Jeff Schultz
November 21st, 2009
7:07 pm
Go Dogs — I think most of the jokes are not about Uga’s death but the reaction to Uga’s death. Big difference. And that’s all I’m saying about that. (did I just sound like Forrest Gump?).
Pi$$onaDawg
November 21st, 2009
7:08 pm
THAT should be OLE MISS GAME
Paul Johnson's breaf stanks
November 21st, 2009
7:08 pm
BIG SACK by OLE MISS
SMALL JOHNSON
November 21st, 2009
7:10 pm
Yes Willie I am a poet laurete
And I am in your midst
GT knocking
November 21st, 2009
7:10 pm
Nesbitt and Dwyer are thunder and lightning,
crushing people.
Pi$$onaDawg
November 21st, 2009
7:10 pm
Jeff hav you tried to see Baylie and Mark Symms “CUZ” please see you can get hein to stop by at the half and update the Bloggers on Baylies’ day in Athens.
Paul Johnson's breaf stanks
November 21st, 2009
7:10 pm
LSU lose & yards 4th down on 46
Paul Johnson's breaf stanks
November 21st, 2009
7:11 pm
HODDY TODDY
Paul Johnson's breaf stanks
November 21st, 2009
7:12 pm
WOW
Pi$$onaDawg
November 21st, 2009
7:12 pm
WTF just happened?
Jeff Schultz
November 21st, 2009
7:12 pm
Big Dawg 89
1) If hiring Mickey Andrews is the only change, that’s not going to appease the masses. Plus, Andrews’ resume notwithstanding, Florida State has one of the worst defenses in the nation this year.
2) I can’t vouch for the veracity of the rumor. But I can tell you several people have brought up the Van Halanger thing to me.
Pi$$onaDawg
November 21st, 2009
7:12 pm
LES is f…….ing STUPID
SOUTHGADAWG88
November 21st, 2009
7:13 pm
Miles is stupid
SMALL JOHNSON
November 21st, 2009
7:13 pm
LSU FANS
I hope you wake up and realize Miles aint your coach
Paul Johnson's breaf stanks
November 21st, 2009
7:14 pm
A RICHT BLUNDER by LES
GT knocking
November 21st, 2009
7:14 pm
Les Miles needs to attend the Paul Johnson school
of clock management.
Go DOGS
November 21st, 2009
7:14 pm
Was BimBobo calling in the LSU plays? Wow!
Pi$$onaDawg
November 21st, 2009
7:14 pm
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAAHAH………….WTF was that by a top 10 team? WTF?
Paul Johnson's breaf stanks
November 21st, 2009
7:15 pm
Houston is a NuTT !
Jeff Schultz
November 21st, 2009
7:16 pm
Bat — I never ask anybody to shut up on blogs, unless they cross the obscenity/race line.
jesse james
November 21st, 2009
7:16 pm
Houston is a lucky nutt!
Pi$$onaDawg
November 21st, 2009
7:16 pm
Well time to strap it on and get ready for the Dawgs and Cats.
Pi$$onaDawg
November 21st, 2009
7:18 pm
Houston we ain’t got no problem.
Finger N Cider
November 21st, 2009
7:18 pm
Van Halanger is an Idiot. Vandy has a better conditioning program than UGA
Pi$$onaDawg
November 21st, 2009
7:19 pm
Jeff thank you for letting me out of Blogger’s Jail I will be a good blogger I promise.