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

Jimmy

November 21st, 2009
8:21 pm

I hate this triple option wildcat type offense.

SMALL JOHNSON

November 21st, 2009
8:21 pm

Way to go Fabris

there on the 37 you and willie need a 3rd class ticket out of the state

Delbert D.

November 21st, 2009
8:22 pm

Does Brooks have frostbite?

jeffrey d

November 21st, 2009
8:22 pm

Enter your comments here Jeff Moron

Whoops…good try there champ.

Whatever for

November 21st, 2009
8:22 pm

After UGA decides to kick the field goal rather than going for it on 4th at the 2, it leads me to ask the question: What would CPJ have done?? I bet he wouldn’t have kicked it.

bugsquacher

November 21st, 2009
8:22 pm

DEFENSE IS LOOKING BETTER

icedawg

November 21st, 2009
8:22 pm

We don’t have to worry. Our defense will hold them, no one pushes us around, well sort of.

Pi$$onaDawg

November 21st, 2009
8:22 pm

Stanford’s #7 Gerhart is the best player in the country this year. He will not win John’s Trophy but he should.

45ACP

November 21st, 2009
8:22 pm

willie you better shore up that run defense

bugsquacher

November 21st, 2009
8:22 pm

THERE YOU GO!

Buckhead Bulldog

November 21st, 2009
8:22 pm

“Lets go to Wendy in the studio”….Jeez! Anyone got the o/u on how many times that will be said during the game?

45ACP

November 21st, 2009
8:22 pm

That’s very very good

Dawg Nation 09

November 21st, 2009
8:22 pm

Nice sack by Owens.

buzzDawg

November 21st, 2009
8:23 pm

Way to go Jeff Owens!

Jeff Schultz

November 21st, 2009
8:23 pm

Defense is getting good pressure.That’s loss of 7 on sack by Owens.

Technophobia

November 21st, 2009
8:23 pm

That’s one inexperienced QB Ky has

Good eats Dawg

November 21st, 2009
8:23 pm

Hey Jeff O good tackle you fatty!

bugsquacher

November 21st, 2009
8:23 pm

GOOOOOOOOOO DAWGS

Jimmy

November 21st, 2009
8:23 pm

Good D. Miller almost broke it. If our special teams were better…no telling how many big plays we’d get.

NewnanDawg

November 21st, 2009
8:24 pm

again….why isnt Miller taking every punt return????

bugsquacher

November 21st, 2009
8:24 pm

Jeff Schultz

November 21st, 2009
8:24 pm

Everybody grab a partner!

bugsquacher

November 21st, 2009
8:24 pm

FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT

Pi$$onaDawg

November 21st, 2009
8:25 pm

Tech be ready UGA is going to play hard and DIRTY for sure in Atlanta. If the Dawgs don’t get 4 Personal fouls against TECH i will be suprised.

Delbert D.

November 21st, 2009
8:25 pm

What is CMR looking at? The clock isn’t running.

Whatever for

November 21st, 2009
8:26 pm

This is the primary reason CMR should be fired – his player hits a QB who is well out and he allows the player to stay in. Now – what kind of message did he send his players??

chuck

November 21st, 2009
8:26 pm

The kickoff teams need to run a whole bunch of sprints.

SMALL JOHNSON

November 21st, 2009
8:27 pm

71 is a prime example of why this team is undisciplined

do you not know when to back off

no you just keep on and don’t care if the team is penalized

godawgs

November 21st, 2009
8:27 pm

Caleb King–fumble! Nice. Where’s Ealey?

Paul Johnson's breaf stanks

November 21st, 2009
8:27 pm

CMR is looking at his tan…..

45ACP

November 21st, 2009
8:27 pm

boots

November 21st, 2009
8:27 pm

This game is on a pace to end around 11:00.

SMALL JOHNSON

November 21st, 2009
8:27 pm

again 71 is a prime example of why this team is undisciplined

do you not know when to back off

no you just keep on and don’t care if the team is penalized

bugsquacher

November 21st, 2009
8:27 pm

td

November 21st, 2009
8:28 pm

Evans is still playing because Rambo is out and we just do not have a 4th safety ready to play.

SOUTHGADAWG88

November 21st, 2009
8:28 pm

buzzDawg

November 21st, 2009
8:28 pm

Ealey can catch, too.

dawg555

November 21st, 2009
8:28 pm

45ACP

November 21st, 2009
8:28 pm

Not to be confused with John Doe or Jane Doe

Pi$$onaDawg

November 21st, 2009
8:28 pm

What is the FLAG for after that EALEY run?

Jimmy

November 21st, 2009
8:28 pm

Can’t believe they are calling this on UGA

goldwreck

November 21st, 2009
8:28 pm

I was wondering if you’d catch that. I saw it at the split-second I hit submit. I enjoy your column and your comments.

boots

November 21st, 2009
8:28 pm

Nice play calling by Bobo so far, but our stupid penalties are canceling out some good plays.

bugsquacher

November 21st, 2009
8:28 pm

godawgs

November 21st, 2009
8:28 pm

Ealey back–whew! Ealey makes nice catch and first down–Yes!

Delbert D.

November 21st, 2009
8:28 pm

30 and counting…

Technophobia

November 21st, 2009
8:28 pm

Dirty Dawgs!

Buckhead Bulldog

November 21st, 2009
8:28 pm

When is BimBobo gonna run the WILD DAWG?

WILD DAWG, WILD DAWG, WILD DAWG,WILD DAWG, WILD DAWG, WILD DAWG

Paul Johnson's breaf stanks

November 21st, 2009
8:29 pm

No discipline

SMALL JOHNSON

November 21st, 2009
8:29 pm

wow another personal foul

disciplined team

3million a year