We’re live from Georgia — and are you still watching?

An empty doghouse. It's been that kind of season.

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 triedl to keep everybody focused on the season, not what comes after.

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.

Something tells me this will be Willie Martinez's last home game as defensive coordinator.

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

Paul Johnson's breaf stanks

November 21st, 2009
7:56 pm

DAMN GOOD D !

buzzDawg

November 21st, 2009
7:56 pm

A 3 and out!? Alright!

UGAVIII.5

November 21st, 2009
7:56 pm

Most of us are more familiar with Morgan Newton’s brothers: Wayne and Fig

bugsquacher

November 21st, 2009
7:56 pm

bugsquacher

November 21st, 2009
7:57 pm

RUN THE BALL, DAMN IT

Paul Johnson's breaf stanks

November 21st, 2009
7:57 pm

Where is LOOOOGAN ?

Pi$$onaDawg

November 21st, 2009
7:57 pm

WHAT a JOKE. Willie’s boys look like they know how to play with Joker’s play calling. Here comes an INT

Delbert D.

November 21st, 2009
7:57 pm

45ACP – Texas Tech hammered them.

hunker down

November 21st, 2009
7:57 pm

Willie did a great job on that first series. He even got Ky to run backwards.

bugsquacher

November 21st, 2009
7:57 pm

MR BOBO…….RUN THE BALL

Paul Johnson's breaf stanks

November 21st, 2009
7:57 pm

Come on BOO BOO RUN!!!!!

bugsquacher

November 21st, 2009
7:58 pm

OK RUN THE BALL AGAIN

UGAVIII.5

November 21st, 2009
7:58 pm

ESPN listed Impact Players and didn’t mention Uncle VII. Travesty.

Jeff Schultz

November 21st, 2009
7:58 pm

That pass was off target.

Delbert D.

November 21st, 2009
7:58 pm

Ouch! That’s gotta hurt.

bugsquacher

November 21st, 2009
7:59 pm

THERE YOU GO… 2 PASSES, 1 RUN, 3 AND OUT

Paul Johnson's breaf stanks

November 21st, 2009
7:59 pm

WTF? 3 and out

SMALL JOHNSON

November 21st, 2009
7:59 pm

3 and out

look out tech were coming to get you

bugsquacher

November 21st, 2009
7:59 pm

RUN THE BALL, STUPID BOBO

SouthTXDawg

November 21st, 2009
7:59 pm

I am so glad BooBoo is sticking with the run. And special teams sucks again.

Paul Johnson's breaf stanks

November 21st, 2009
7:59 pm

Fabris is a Tool No coverage

hunker down

November 21st, 2009
8:00 pm

see, Bobo’s the problem not willie

Bulldog in Ecuador

November 21st, 2009
8:00 pm

Complete and unadulterated speculation here, but should Weis get the axe, would you rather see Urban Meyer or Paul Johnson be called up? I know Johnson get had his contract extended…blah, blah, blah. I’m just throwing it out there for a fun debate.

SOUTHGADAWG88

November 21st, 2009
8:00 pm

45ACP

November 21st, 2009
8:00 pm

!@$%&%)*%^)^_*&_(*^&%&%$#&$@(

Delbert D.

November 21st, 2009
8:00 pm

There we go again. 15 yds.

SMALL JOHNSON

November 21st, 2009
8:00 pm

bugsquacher

November 21st, 2009
8:00 pm

THERE YOU GO….1ST FLAG

SouthTXDawg

November 21st, 2009
8:00 pm

Bryan Evans sabotages us again. Thank God he’s graduating

Paul Johnson's breaf stanks

November 21st, 2009
8:00 pm

BRYAN EVANS YOU THUG!!!!!!!

45ACP

November 21st, 2009
8:01 pm

Jeff Schultz

November 21st, 2009
8:01 pm

Richt didn’t take Evans out for late hit — so much for that policy.

Delbert D.

November 21st, 2009
8:01 pm

Technophobia

November 21st, 2009
8:01 pm

first down! and in FG range

Paul Johnson's breaf stanks

November 21st, 2009
8:01 pm

IM Sorry 4 that remark

Delbert D.

November 21st, 2009
8:01 pm

CMR is into his serious look already

bugsquacher

November 21st, 2009
8:01 pm

JESUS BOBO, TAKE YOUR TIME, RUN THE BALL, WE DONT HAVE TO SCORE IN TWO PLAYS

Paul Johnson's breaf stanks

November 21st, 2009
8:01 pm

Enter your comments here

Gr81

November 21st, 2009
8:01 pm

This game is making me sleepy already. Gotta be this ESPN crew. . . they suck!

SMALL JOHNSON

November 21st, 2009
8:02 pm

nice personal foul

good disciplined team yea

bugsquacher

November 21st, 2009
8:02 pm

Bulldawg Illustrated

November 21st, 2009
8:02 pm

Delbert D.

November 21st, 2009
8:02 pm

Technophobia

November 21st, 2009
8:02 pm

ubah

November 21st, 2009
8:02 pm

thank you evans for the assist

SouthTXDawg

November 21st, 2009
8:02 pm

Poor special teams play, soft willie, why o’ why?

Finger N Cider

November 21st, 2009
8:02 pm

CMR is checking out his tan on the Jumbotron

SOUTHGADAWG88

November 21st, 2009
8:02 pm

Not Disappointed!

November 21st, 2009
8:02 pm

Are you kidding Me?

bugsquacher

November 21st, 2009
8:03 pm

OH WELL, I GUESS WE HAVE TO SPOT THEM A COUPLE BEFORE WE SHOW UP,,,, AUBURN ALL OVER AGAIN