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

bugsquacher

November 21st, 2009
8:11 pm

Pi$$onaDawg

November 21st, 2009
8:11 pm

Big kid Charles nice play

Delbert D.

November 21st, 2009
8:12 pm

Davie’s trying to start the CMR to FSU rumors already.

buzzDawg

November 21st, 2009
8:12 pm

Great catch Orson Charles!

Jeff Schultz

November 21st, 2009
8:12 pm

Orson Charles is having a game.

Jimmy

November 21st, 2009
8:13 pm

Charles!!!! This guy is Mr. Everything

Paul Johnson's breaf stanks

November 21st, 2009
8:13 pm

godawgs

November 21st, 2009
8:13 pm

nice pass block Ealey to get Charles open!

bugsquacher

November 21st, 2009
8:13 pm

GREAT RUN,,,

Jeff Moron

November 21st, 2009
8:13 pm

Bring it Pi&& ant!

SouthTXDawg

November 21st, 2009
8:13 pm

Not perfectly clean, but a nice drive.

ubah

November 21st, 2009
8:13 pm

don’t get creative

Jeff Schultz

November 21st, 2009
8:14 pm

Dogs running a lot of bootleg. They look like the Falcons.

SOUTHGADAWG88

November 21st, 2009
8:14 pm

run the ball Mike

bugsquacher

November 21st, 2009
8:14 pm

QUIT PASSING THE BALL

Dawg Nation 09

November 21st, 2009
8:14 pm

Awesome run by Ealey, way to keep the legs moving.

Dawgs Man

November 21st, 2009
8:14 pm

Nice call Bobo.

bugsquacher

November 21st, 2009
8:14 pm

RUN THE BALL BOBO

Pi$$onaDawg

November 21st, 2009
8:14 pm

is BOB Davies just a tool or what?

Paul Johnson's breaf stanks

November 21st, 2009
8:14 pm

catlady

November 21st, 2009
8:15 pm

I, too, find the empty doghouse moving. Is the handler standing on the sidelines holding the leash with an empty collar? I miss the presence of the Dawg.

We need discipline, that’s for sure.

bugsquacher

November 21st, 2009
8:15 pm

THIS MAKES ME NERVOUS, BOBO WANTS TO PASS

bugsquacher

November 21st, 2009
8:15 pm

SOMEONE TAKE THE PLAY CALLING AWAY FROM BOBO

Paul Johnson's breaf stanks

November 21st, 2009
8:15 pm

Play Clock had Died

Paul Johnson's breaf stanks

November 21st, 2009
8:16 pm

Pi$$onaDawg

November 21st, 2009
8:16 pm

MORON why would I pi$$ on an ant that ain’t no fun the just dround. Now Dawgs like you just suck it up

Buckhead Bulldog

November 21st, 2009
8:16 pm

Sir Charles…the freshman TE beast from Tampa! I love it! That dude is built like a train.

Technophobia

November 21st, 2009
8:16 pm

so it’s 4th down, you feel lucky?

Paul Johnson's breaf stanks

November 21st, 2009
8:16 pm

well i was right 6 – 3

Jeff Schultz

November 21st, 2009
8:16 pm

Do you agree with this field goal decision?

SouthTXDawg

November 21st, 2009
8:16 pm

Our vaunted and experienced O-line comes through again.

goldwreck

November 21st, 2009
8:17 pm

Jeff,
What is it “your” hoping for? Don’t you mean,what is it “you’re” hoping for?
My elementary school English teacher woud roll over in her grave if she read that in the AJC.

Jeff Schultz

November 21st, 2009
8:17 pm

I’ll answer myself: from the 3, I guess so.

Pi$$onaDawg

November 21st, 2009
8:17 pm

NICE shot of UGA VII and very fitting

Delbert D.

November 21st, 2009
8:17 pm

Turn off the sound, unless you want to get real stupid. Davie never shuts up.

Paul Johnson's breaf stanks

November 21st, 2009
8:18 pm

Pathetic….. Van halanger is a tool

td

November 21st, 2009
8:18 pm

Jeff, This early in the game you put the points on the board.

hunker down

November 21st, 2009
8:18 pm

after that last stuff, yeah I agree with it

chuck

November 21st, 2009
8:18 pm

What idiot called the second down pass play after gaining 9 on a first down run? Sure enough, we have to settle for a field goal. CMR, take Bobo the dodo with you.

Jeff Schultz

November 21st, 2009
8:18 pm

Hey, Goldwreck: do you mean “would” roll over in her grave, not “woud.” Hah. See how I did that? Thanks, teach. I’ll fix.

SMALL JOHNSON

November 21st, 2009
8:18 pm

Bah Humbug

GOOOOOOOOOO WILLIE

Jeff Moron

November 21st, 2009
8:18 pm

Jeff,

Would you go for it on 4th and 2 after losing a yard?

Pi$$onaDawg

November 21st, 2009
8:18 pm

Well done ABC/ESPN at home fans liked the pic of UGA VII for sure

icedawg

November 21st, 2009
8:19 pm

take the pts at this pt

Georgia Tech fan down the r

November 21st, 2009
8:19 pm

Enter your comments here

Paul Johnson's breaf stanks

November 21st, 2009
8:19 pm

I told yall already 6 – 3 would be the score…

Jeff Moron

November 21st, 2009
8:19 pm

Enter your comments here

willie martinez

November 21st, 2009
8:20 pm

the field goal decision shouldnt have had to be made.

Paul Johnson's breaf stanks

November 21st, 2009
8:21 pm

37 yard line fabris is a tool

SouthTXDawg

November 21st, 2009
8:21 pm

No penetration by our kickoff team. It’s like they’re slow getting downfield