Even Independence Bowl can tell us something about Georgia
Mark Richt entertained the horde of media (slight exaggeration) in Shreveport this week.
Let’s start with two facts. 1) Seven SEC teams landed in better bowl games than Georgia: Alabama (BCS), Florida (Sugar), LSU (Capital One), Mississippi (Cotton), Tennessee (Chick-fil-A), Auburn (Outback), Kentucky (Music City); 2) Only 6,800 of the Bulldogs’ 12,000-ticket allotment to the Independence Bowl was sold, which of course leads to the obvious question: How did they find 6,800 people to go to Shreveport?
So it’s safe to assume that most of you are not thrilled with the fact that the final memory of the 2009 season will be the Dec. 28, 5 p.m. time slot tonight on ESPN 2. (Programming note: The Independence Bowl follows the Premier League soccer game between Wolverhampton and Manchester City.)
But I’m here to tell you that tonight’s game does mean something for Georgia’s season. Besides, it’s worth watching if for no other reason than more updates from the minds of Urban Meyer.
This is what a win over Texas A&M tonight accomplishes. It leaves Georgia at 8-5, which aesthetically is a more pleasing than 7-6. It also means the Bulldogs will have gone 4-1 in their final five games after the Florida loss, including the win over Georgia Tech. (The lone defeat came to Kentucky, a development so stunning that even Rich Brooks is going to retire.) A win keeps recruits who are on the fence about Georgia at least still on that fence, or maybe even pushes them over it. A loss possibly tips them in the wrong direction.
The biggest problem with tonight’s game is it doesn’t give Georgia fans a true preview of next season. Next season’s quarterback won’t be playing, which stems from coach Mark Richt’s decision not to take the redshirt off of freshmen Aaron Murray or Zach Mettenberger. In a sense, next season’s defense also won’t be playing because Richt hasn’t hired a defensive coordinator yet (nor at least two other assistants).
But what you can take from tonight’s game is seeing what underclassmen are making plays tonight. Who looks like they are treating the game as a bonus and not a booby prize?
We can also find out something about Richt. This will be the first game he has coached since he fired Willie Martinez. Given the pressures and time constraints stemming from the job search, as well as recruiting, I want to see where the man’s level of energy and enthusiasm is at coaching a football game.
It’s not the game you wanted. It’s not the day or time slot you wanted. But it’s not a game devoid of meaning.
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395 comments Add your comment
SOUTH GA DAWG FAN
December 28th, 2009
3:09 pm
I agree with John that the reason there is not a new DC is because if the georgia D has a strong showing the statement out of athens will be after a long and exhausting search and many many interviews we have found the best man for the job coach Rodney Gardner! we will have a press conference in 6 months have a great new year dawg fans i know you are excited about the new DC . Wait for it it could happen
doesn’t look like there has been much of a search at all
any way GO DAWGS !!!!!!!!!!
How2fish
December 28th, 2009
3:10 pm
Good luck to the Dawgs as ACC “Champs” we need to make our best showing of the year! And Jeff your right there is a ton we can learn about next year tonight.
The Lone Trumpeter
December 28th, 2009
3:10 pm
This team better come ready to play because A&M will.
Dog Dawg
December 28th, 2009
3:10 pm
It really does smell kind of musky here. Must be from the Red River
Dog Dawg
December 28th, 2009
3:12 pm
Anything new from the Urban Meyer saga?
norman
December 28th, 2009
3:12 pm
Jeff- What do you think of the rumors of John Chauvis of LSU coming to UGA as DC?
GayRay from South Beach
December 28th, 2009
3:13 pm
It’s easy to pick out the Tech fans that are coming into town.
They are all men, no women. Most are middle aged, fat, pasty and smelly with thinning hair combed over the tops of their crusty heads. They are wearing outdated bermuda shorts, dark, dress socks and sandals. They have on festive gold, short sleeve shirts emblazoned with that moronic, little bee and whatever greasy crap they had for breakfast. The rest are late teens, early 20’s, same attire but with acne infested faces and green teeth.They walk around babbling and giggling incoherently, gawking at the women and trying to get them to pose for pictures. The majority are Middle Easterners and Asians.
The old, fat ones keep hitting on me and giving me their room numbers.
Disgusting, all of them.
Dog Dawg
December 28th, 2009
3:13 pm
This stadium looks like a 1940’s bridge, sort of rickety
re: Russ, the Temporary Mascot
December 28th, 2009
3:14 pm
You’re not funny. Zero percent of your posts have even made me begin to chuckle. Give it up.
Dog Dawg
December 28th, 2009
3:14 pm
Seen some pretty decent Aggie women
Paul's Johnson
December 28th, 2009
3:14 pm
Do they sell Makers Mark in Shreveport? As Mutt fans know, brown liquor helps.
Dog Dawg
December 28th, 2009
3:15 pm
seen some aggie cows too
Dog Dawg
December 28th, 2009
3:15 pm
NOT the chick filet types either
Bob
December 28th, 2009
3:15 pm
And in our first year with a new system, we smacked around your team, preseason #1 ranking and all.
Final score
Aggies 33
Dogs 23
Rex
December 28th, 2009
3:15 pm
I forget, who won the Georgia – Georgia Tech game?
Dog Dawg
December 28th, 2009
3:16 pm
Man, we are really out numbered.
Dog Dawg
December 28th, 2009
3:17 pm
Just saw a couple of dawgs. Were in the right place
JB
December 28th, 2009
3:18 pm
No SEC team will be in Shreveport after this year. New contract calls for Mountain West team Vs. ACC team. So Tech, call your Dawg friends for advice next year.
Dog Dawg
December 28th, 2009
3:18 pm
NOT, those were two guys walking around playing dueling banjos. The fat one walked awkwardly and had a red ear
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 28th, 2009
3:20 pm
The lastest on Meyer is he will now reportedly sumbit to being placed into a state of suspended animation.
Winder Dawg
December 28th, 2009
3:20 pm
ouch
Russ, the Temporary Mascot
December 28th, 2009
3:20 pm
I was lured back to the blog by re: Russ the Temporary Macot. I am not a full time mascot so I can’t be funny like a real UGA VIII. I do the best I can as a temporary. If this is the number 8 SEC bowl I’d hate to see number 9. Reminds me of number 2. Smells that way, too.
Greg
December 28th, 2009
3:21 pm
Hey how2. Does this mean that boise and byu are pac 10 champs?
You stupid acc champs comments are worth about as much as a cup of coffee.
If you played in the acc, you would not have won. In fact, you would have had at least 3 losses. You only beat us because willie was leaving. Today it will be back to the same mistake prone, missed tackling, ga football. And to think gt still nearly beat you. LOL
Not Disappointed
December 28th, 2009
3:21 pm
Good luck pups against the aggies. Beat them and make the state proud.
Ramblin Wreck for life! Howdy to CUZ and 45ACP!
Happy Holidays!
Dog Dawg
December 28th, 2009
3:22 pm
I just saw a super model walking with a guy who’s shirt said “Yellow Fuzz was right” on the back of it.
Greg
December 28th, 2009
3:22 pm
I also suppose that means fsu was sec champs all throughout the 90’s and early 2000’s when they beat uf.
Max Sizemore
December 28th, 2009
3:23 pm
Prediction: the UGA defense will show a number of new wrinkles: more stunts, more blitzing. OK, maybe not new stuff, but rarely utilized under Willie. I think Richt wants to see how his players respond, since they prefer being more aggressive. The only problem is the UGA defensive backs can’t cover (Evans) or even tackle (Jones, Cuff) Sonny Clusters.
Russ, the Temporary Mascot
December 28th, 2009
3:23 pm
Yes, the SEC has lost Shreveport. UGA will be the last SEC team to play in the last place SEC bowl. Somehow, that’s very special.
jack bull
December 28th, 2009
3:23 pm
i really hate that the bowl games are more about business than matchups(although as a business man i understand).. sure do wish we could’ve played Clemson last night..or maybe even Va. Tech here in Atl…when picking bowl games winners, the first thing you should look at is,,,which team is happier to be where they’re at… with that said, i kinda think A&M is a whole lot happier to be playing in shreveport than UGA is…and that scares me a lil bout this game..
wouldn’t mind seeing the freshmen play at least one series, they could still redshirt after that, but i doubt it would happen..
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 28th, 2009
3:24 pm
Meyer now reportly has plans to travel to India to meet with the Mahareeshe to study TM and the sitar.
Advisor
December 28th, 2009
3:24 pm
Georgia Tech could finally fill that tiny little Bobby Dodd Stadium to capacity if they held a cricket match, a camel race or a Star Trek Convention there.
Joe 5-Star Recruit
December 28th, 2009
3:26 pm
Yee-haw! Northwest Louisiana rocks baby!
Why would I want to take my thug attitude and my corn-row hair-do and my gansta-rap dance moves to prime-time in New Orleans on New Years when I could spend a MONDAY at 5 pm in Shreveport with a nice-guy coach who does high dives in place of summer practice time.
TH-UGA….here I come baby!
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 28th, 2009
3:26 pm
If you play the FLA/FSU game backwards it says “Spurrier is dead.”
dawgfan13
December 28th, 2009
3:26 pm
Is AJ Green Playing? If so, I thinbk Georgia will win a close game. The defense, who knows how they will play. There is so much unmcertainty on this side of the ball and it’s been that way all year. Georgia will give up several big plays and AM will score at least 24 but that means UGA will score 27 or 30. Georgia 30 AM 24. After the Sugar Bowl Georgia names Kirby DC.
Shreveport Mayor
December 28th, 2009
3:28 pm
To the 50 tailgating redneck uga fans. Please pick up your trash. The only trash we allow here is larry flynt. Thank you.
Russ, the Temporary Mascot
December 28th, 2009
3:28 pm
Dogs have a way of knowing. When we got to the team hotel I could tell that some dogs had been on that carpet long before I got there. I had to be on good behavior because I’m a temp and stand no chance at all of being selected if I wet the carpet. But I know I would not have been the first. I will be the last SEC dog to come to Shreveport though. They have upgraded the bowl for next year. I think we may be playing in Winder next year.
The Ghost of Doug Dickey
December 28th, 2009
3:29 pm
Never mind Urban Meyer’s issues….he was simply trying to channel his inner Brett Farve.
Hell, ESPN ought to turn Farve’s annual cry-baby retirement speech and now, Urban’s annual “yes, I’ll return, no wait, I need a vacation” speech into a pay-per-view.
I’d watch. Beats watching Georgia football anyday.
re: Russ, the Temporary Mascot
December 28th, 2009
3:29 pm
Good news. While still not funny, you are officially the second most annoying person on this blog. @Dog Dawg takes the cake.
This
December 28th, 2009
3:30 pm
wolves man city game will be more exciting than the toilet bowl on after.
jack bull
December 28th, 2009
3:30 pm
this just in…Meyer changed his mind after a really bad practice, says he’s leaving immediately…
SOUTH GA DAWG FAN
December 28th, 2009
3:30 pm
for the game today i predict 30-24 yep thats a pretty good final for a game.
GO DAWGS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Russ, the Temporary Mascot
December 28th, 2009
3:32 pm
I am a temp but I have standards. If they need me to help coach I can do it. I’ve been on the sidelines now enough times to be helpful to Coach Richt if he needs me. That would give him 3 good temporary coaches to work with during this important bowl game. He could do worse.
Ron Mexico
December 28th, 2009
3:34 pm
Here is a little something for those tech fans that are of course on a real teams blog running their mouths off about nothing – 38-3 LSU. Thats what happened to you losers last year. Enjoy.
Connect the Dots, UGA fans
December 28th, 2009
3:34 pm
Recruiting: Based on all the recruiting websites information and recruits talking about where they stand, UGA is going to have a dismal close on it’s recruiting this year. Regardless of what Florida does. Simply put, the kids are going to programs that are up or on the way up. Georgia had a down year and is idle at best, for the moment at-least. If Georgia wants to keep its current top 10 class, especially with it’s defensive recruits, they need to make a big splash with a defensive coordinator hire and soon. On the offensive side of the ball, I am afraid the dawgs are not getting many bites from big name targets. Maybe the lack of focus on offensive recruiting this year and concentration on stacking-up the defensive side of the ball. I do know the dogs need another big time receiver beside D’Rick Rogers with AJ a season from being in the league. All signs show all the 4 and 5 star kids, especially receivers and backs not seriously considering UGA. As far as running back, Mack Brown says he is still all Gator, I don’t see Marquis Lattimore the running back from SC coming to UGA either. Recruits add UGA to their recruiting list as a safety net, not as a desired chose, why because UGA can’t break the consistency SEC slump and more importantly be in the hunt year in and our for NC. Beating Florida above .500 would go along way to establish that. Build it and the recruits will come.
The conclusion and answer. UGA needs to meet their needs with 3 star kids. Hire a great defensive coordinator, straighten out the defense and special teams this year. While the new quarterback is being groomed. Based on the following schedule listed below, it is possible we have a 8-4 team, maybe another 7-5. With much improvement as we do not get blown out of games. If the ball bonces our way, we could conceivable go 9-3.
The elixir to UGA problems is simply winning. Also style points, recruits pay attention to that. Does UGA make their players successful on the field. Which UGA has not over the past few years. Once players start playing at our above their potential due to coaching, it shows on Saturdays. Build it and they will come.
UGA fan for life. Former 1-aa football player.
WIN University of Louisiana-Lafayette Athens, Ga. TBD
WIN Sat, Sep 11 South Carolina * at Columbia, S.C. TBD
WIN Sat, Sep 18 Arkansas * Athens, Ga. TBD
LOSE Sat, Sep 25 Mississippi State * at Starkville, Miss. TBD
WIN Sat, Oct 02 Colorado at Boulder, Colo. TBD
LOSE Sat, Oct 09 Tennessee * Athens, Ga. TBD
WIN Sat, Oct 16 Vanderbilt * Athens, Ga. TBD
WIN Sat, Oct 23 Kentucky * at Lexington, Ky. TBD
LOSE Sat, Oct 30 Florida * at Jacksonville, Fla. TBD
WIN Sat, Nov 06 Idaho State Athens, Ga. TBD
LOSE Sat, Nov 13 Auburn * at Auburn, Ala. TBD
LOSE Sat, Nov 27 Georgia Tech Athens, Ga. TBD
* Conference Games
jack bull
December 28th, 2009
3:34 pm
never mind, meyer just changed his mind again, now he’s staying,,for now
Dog in Fla
December 28th, 2009
3:35 pm
Schultz is front-runner for whatever award is given in name of Grantland Rice or Furman Bischer, or both, for ‘Best 2009 Moment Captured by a Parenthetical Phrase’ :
“(The lone defeat came to Kentucky, a development so stunning that even Rich Brooks is going to retire)”
Ron Mexico
December 28th, 2009
3:39 pm
Connects the Dots guy, you need to learn how to read and write. I almost thought your comment had something to it, then I realized your a moron. So I stopped reading.
Russ, the Temporary Mascot
December 28th, 2009
3:39 pm
Well, two birds with one stone. Jeff was just in touch with me and I will be covering the game for the AJC. Temps can be very useful. Since I’m already here as a temporary mascot it makes sense for the AJC to let me cover the game as a temporary sportswriting temporary mascot. Some may say this in no job for a dog but I think the AJC has proved them wrong.
Dave in NC
December 28th, 2009
3:40 pm
First of all the game is starting at 5:00 Eastern so that it is over before Monday night football. Something about the business. Second, the way UGA played this year this is exactly what they deserved, but they will not lose to this team so for all of those touting 0-2 vs. the “Least 12″ quit smoking the pipe. TAMU travels very well and they really get into their football team, no matter the bowl or record. We will be much bette next year and the practice that these kids are getting will be invaluable in the long run. Old fashioned ball control offense will keep their O off the field, but the D definitely needs to GATA.
Bill
December 28th, 2009
3:40 pm
In Tim Tucker’s Preview of UGA bowl game today. Mr Tucker used GT in the review 4 times…Its a shame UGA only won one game to brag about.
If UGA don’t beat the Aggies they need to hang it up……………….