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.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
395 comments Add your comment
SOUTHGADAWG88
December 28th, 2009
5:25 pm
Look at that D!!
SOUTHGADAWG88
December 28th, 2009
5:25 pm
Logan caught more balls than he threw this year
Chuckles™
December 28th, 2009
5:26 pm
What’s the weather like there? Have any trouble getting there?
Seems like I’ve always heard Shreveport mentioned as the punchline of a joke (heck, even Disney’s Princess & the Frog did it). Any thoughts about that fine Southern city?
Your trip seems much more sane than the expedition to the Jets game this time!
willie martinez
December 28th, 2009
5:29 pm
so far, so dull
willie martinez
December 28th, 2009
5:29 pm
bobo has the play calling imagination of a first grader
Dawg 1
December 28th, 2009
5:30 pm
Back to the same old play. At least we got one good game this year.
Barkin'Dog
December 28th, 2009
5:30 pm
Starting out slow, like the Falcons game yesterday. Hope it ends up the same way.
dawgfan13
December 28th, 2009
5:31 pm
It looks like we dont have an offensive coordinator! WTF! How is Jeff Owens the heart and soul of our defense? He had a horrible year! Can we Branden Smith take some snaps here? Joe Cox SUX!
Aggies
December 28th, 2009
5:32 pm
We will score on this drive.
Aggies
December 28th, 2009
5:32 pm
Must be sec refs
Cobb Dawg
December 28th, 2009
5:33 pm
I’m watching as one of Joe Cox’s passes, yet again, gets tipped at the line of scrimmage. Joe’s a good kid and should be commended for his loyalty to the program. But I’ve never seen a QB who telegraphed his passes any more than he does. Not only does the D-line know where he’s throwing, but everyone in the stadium does.
pilgrim
December 28th, 2009
5:35 pm
Punting clinic.
joe
December 28th, 2009
5:39 pm
dawgs are inept on offense… last game for Cox – - – thank god – - – wasted year – - should have been grooming the future QB this season
Dawgs2009
December 28th, 2009
5:40 pm
This is painful to watch.
Dawgs2009
December 28th, 2009
5:41 pm
The best thing about this season is this Joe Cox’x last game. THNAK GOD!
dawgfan13
December 28th, 2009
5:41 pm
With all the attention on AJ, Do we not have other receivers who can catch the D** ball? This offensive is what we have to look foward to in the future and now the defense will go back to their sorry ways!
dawgfan13
December 28th, 2009
5:42 pm
Curran being disciplined! Hmmmm what a joke, Can Richt fire himself?
dawgfan13
December 28th, 2009
5:43 pm
Prince Miller made a play……. WOW!
Dawgs2009
December 28th, 2009
5:46 pm
Joe Cox should have to take a Greyhound back to Athens, but he would probally miss that as well.
joe
December 28th, 2009
5:47 pm
only 3 more quarters . . till this joke of a season is finally over!!!
Dawgs2009
December 28th, 2009
5:47 pm
Good punishment. Punish the entire team by sitting the best player. A good “Up your’s” to the fans.
dawgfan13
December 28th, 2009
5:50 pm
Can someone tell me why we waste time running toss sweeps
dawgfan13
December 28th, 2009
5:51 pm
This offensive line is a joke man they are being manhandled!
dawgfan13
December 28th, 2009
5:52 pm
I am just try9ing to understand the play calling on this team!
dawgfan13
December 28th, 2009
5:53 pm
Caleb made a good blk on the blitz
Mitch (the one in Rome)
December 28th, 2009
5:53 pm
Dawgs2009, it is not a coaching staff’s job to run a team with fans in mind. As a coach I have to say that is the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. Have you ever played a down? Have you coached? Don’t be stupid. Curran should be glad he is playing. He is not above team rules. He plays by the same rules as everyone else.
Frankly, we’ve stopped A&M without him. Sit his a$$ for the half for that matter. He won’t do that crap anymore.
dawgfan13
December 28th, 2009
5:54 pm
If you know your offensive line is being manhandled, why keep trying to run the ball right up the middle. Be creative with the run. I forgot our OC has no creativity!
dawgfan13
December 28th, 2009
5:56 pm
Cox………. What a JOKE!
pilgrim
December 28th, 2009
5:58 pm
Green made no play on that ball. Reminds me of TO yesterday.
Independence Bowl
December 28th, 2009
5:59 pm
[...] Even Independence Bowl can tell us something about Georgia | Jeff … (blogs.ajc.com) – December 28, 2009Georgia plays Texas A&M in the Independence Bowl tonight, but we can still find out something about the Bulldogs in a meaningless game. [...]
willie martinez
December 28th, 2009
6:00 pm
no mystery as to why 99% of bozo’s pass calls are screens. cox cant throw the ball 10 yards past the line with any hope of a completion
dawgfan13
December 28th, 2009
6:00 pm
The ESPN scroll just said AM does not have any players draftable, and their backup Qb just caught a pass down the middle so why are we getting our asses kicked by this team who is ranked worse in defense than we are? Its hard being a bulldawg fan I am picking at every little thing here because I am frustrated.
Dawgs2009
December 28th, 2009
6:01 pm
Mitch (the one in Rome):
Good for you for being a coach. You must be a very special person. College Football is not high football or perhaps Pee Wee football in which you may be a coach, it is a business in which fans like me spend thousands of dollars.
That is just something you are going to have to deal with, Mitchy Boy.
over/under
December 28th, 2009
6:02 pm
was 67?????
dawgfan13
December 28th, 2009
6:12 pm
Bobo runs another play for the fullback! LOL Funny!
Kane337
December 28th, 2009
6:13 pm
Wow, both of these teams are awesome!!!
dawgfan13
December 28th, 2009
6:17 pm
ESPN loves to ride Florida’s JOCK!
Dawgs2009
December 28th, 2009
6:18 pm
UGA has the worst offense I have ever seen.
Dawgs2009
December 28th, 2009
6:20 pm
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Mike Bobo
December 28th, 2009
6:21 pm
I’m trying as hard as I can.
That lunch at Denny’s is not setting well now.
Mike Bobo
December 28th, 2009
6:22 pm
I am trying as hard as I can…this job is not easy!
joe
December 28th, 2009
6:23 pm
any chance Richt is stepping down after the game ?
Dawgs2009
December 28th, 2009
6:24 pm
THIS IS DREADFUL! HOW CAN WE BEAT TECH AND NOW SUCK SO BAD?
Mitch (the one in Rome)
December 28th, 2009
6:25 pm
Dawgs2009, get a job and get in the real world. Again, another guy who has never played and knows jack squat about football and thinks football revolves around fan frustration. No, it is not how it is, and believe me, CMR does not give a rip what you think. Just so you know.
Big L
December 28th, 2009
6:26 pm
We’re down 7-0.
We can’t blame this on Willie Martinez!
I know, we will blame it on the distraction of building Vince a new home.
dawgfan13
December 28th, 2009
6:26 pm
Why did Dowtin stop running with the receiver on that TD play? The secondary players are all yelling at each other! What a joke!
Big L
December 28th, 2009
6:28 pm
7-7.
All is right again!
Barkin'Dog
December 28th, 2009
6:29 pm
Going just like games of old (just this year). Match a score with a runback or TD from scrimmage. Boykin is the man!
Barkin'Dog
December 28th, 2009
6:29 pm
At least the game got a little interesting, huh??!!
Mitch (the one in Rome)
December 28th, 2009
6:32 pm
Did the clock not run on that 3rd down play?