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
Willie Martinez
December 28th, 2009
6:33 pm
Looks like Rambo is playing the way I taught him.
Great block!
Barkin'Dog
December 28th, 2009
6:33 pm
And it gets even more interesting…..
dawgfan13
December 28th, 2009
6:34 pm
What a crazy game! We still look pathetic! LOL
Willie Martinez
December 28th, 2009
6:35 pm
Bobo and offense is doing a great job.
One TD by special teams and one TD set-up by the D and special teams.
Barkin'Dog
December 28th, 2009
6:35 pm
How ’bout our D and special teams!!??
Willie Martinez
December 28th, 2009
6:36 pm
I taught them well!
Barkin'Dog
December 28th, 2009
6:36 pm
All we need now is a pick-6
Wondering
December 28th, 2009
6:39 pm
Why is this game being played so early?
Why not wait and start at 7:00PM or 8:00PM to get a bigger audience.
Wondering
December 28th, 2009
6:40 pm
Attention Willie,
It looks like you taught our D well.
What is the deal with Bobo?
Billy Bad Boy
December 28th, 2009
6:45 pm
Looks like the officials gave us a big break to end the first half.
Barkin'Dog
December 28th, 2009
6:47 pm
This is a sad game. It’s obvious by the blog comments. And UGA’s offense in non-existent. Kickoff TD and blocked punt put the score where it is. Hopefully, CMR and Bobo will adjust and score a few TDs in the 2nd half… like the Falcons did yesterday, to put it away. Time for another drink.
Snorkel (the forgotten Split)
December 28th, 2009
6:51 pm
Maybe Rodney Garner deserves a shot a DC… and my God do we have problems on the O-line!!! Is Shultz sick of us already… or do they have him repairing the toilets at the AJC because the had to fire the custodial staff?
Mike Bobo
December 28th, 2009
7:00 pm
Have no fear!
We’ll score 38 points in the second half…it was all part of my master plan to lure the Aggies into a false sense of security!
Vince Dooley
December 28th, 2009
7:09 pm
Can any of you come over tomorrow and help with the rebuilding of my home?
I’m stuck here but I should be back by tomorrow afternoon.
Pi$$onaDAWG
December 28th, 2009
7:59 pm
Did UGA paint your COX Black and put it in the Texas A&M huddle? Joe SUX looks like he is playing for A&M.
GTMan:
December 28th, 2009
8:02 pm
I don’t know which team looks more pathetic? hmmmm…..Is it UGAG or the Aggies. I think it’s UGAG, coz they suck azz! Congrats on an awesome season and a 8-5 record. I still think that Joe Phallic should have won the Heisman. By the way, hows the smell at t he TERD BOWL? THWG! Enjoy watching a real game on 1/5/2010.
Pi$$onaDAWG
December 28th, 2009
8:02 pm
No WORRIES UGA will still show-up and just win by a missed FG and think they are STILL THE GODS of the SEC. HAHAHAHAHH
Pi$$onaDAWG
December 28th, 2009
8:08 pm
can we just put a little more HE in the UGABURG to make the DAWGS think they will not crash in epic FIREBALL
Pi$$onaDAWG
December 28th, 2009
8:16 pm
A dawg has to be ready to talk som crap. Come sell how great your school is.
Take the Buyout
December 28th, 2009
8:20 pm
Enter your comments here
Tom, Resident Georgia Fan
December 28th, 2009
9:05 pm
All you smart asses can eat your own words now.
Dog Dawg
December 28th, 2009
9:10 pm
That was the worst game I have ever witnessed
Johnny Test
December 28th, 2009
9:17 pm
PI$$.. I know you are mad the Dawgs won…glad you care though. 30 to 24 baby… glad it hurts so bad. 5 bowl wins in a row. 13 8 win seasons in a row. Any way you measure the program it is head an shoulders above Tech even in a down year..Glad it hurts so bad.
Big Ol' Dog
December 28th, 2009
9:18 pm
This game is only shows that we will win the National Championship next year!!!!!!!! Go Dawgs!!!!
True Dawg Fan.
December 28th, 2009
9:29 pm
GO DAWGS ! ( FOREVER) no matter what ……………………………..
Historian
December 28th, 2009
9:33 pm
Someone’s post said this Independence Bowl was a “waste.” Raises the question: With only 6,800 UGA tickets sold, and the school’s athletic department bearing the expenses it did, how much $$ did Georgia LOSE by going to this game?
southgadawg
December 28th, 2009
9:52 pm
What up now mofos. UGA wins. Beats the crap out of Texas A&M. How bout them dawgs! Richt gets his 90th win in 9 years. 4th best coach of the decade.
sec fan
December 28th, 2009
10:03 pm
nice win….where were all of our fans? very poor showing. nice to end on a win though. worth the hun I lost. GO DOGS
sec fan
December 28th, 2009
10:04 pm
6800 tickets is that a fact? how sad is that . Please keep that # under your Ga cap please
SE GA LADY
December 28th, 2009
10:29 pm
This is a sad commentary on the lives of mainly males in GA. A good blog about teams and football stats would be fantastic, but all these boys can do is cuss and moan. I’m finished with all these Tech and some UGA guys acting so dumb.
Vick=Dog killing Thug
December 28th, 2009
11:32 pm
How bout them dawgs ?
How bout that D
Bye Bye Willie.. Have a nice life….
Got to get excited for next year. Tip of the hat to Cox but glad he’s gone. Lot of heart and guts but just not the man for a major league program like UGA
Hell ya… Looking forward to the bugs getting stomped by Iowa !!
Louis Lasky
December 28th, 2009
11:50 pm
Georgis’s defense was great in last nights year ending bowl game. Still — the team needs to blitze a ‘whole lot’ more. The linesmen on defense were super as stated but the team as a whole needs to think more outside the box. Its called ‘creative’ defensive play calling . More blitzes coming more often from all angles!!!
The offense is another story . Repeated straight ahead plunges, off the tackle and guard positions, will just not do. A&M was deflated and demoralized by the 3rd period – plaged by errors and penelties.. This in fact along with some creativity allowed Ga. to move the ball almost at will. Anyone could see just how tired the opposition became..So it is – the team needs creative calls that are not constantly inside the box. First and foremost get a new, creative offensive play callinh coach.
U of G needs an entirerly new offenive coaching staff.One with imagination.
I for one am tired of seeing Mr Richt play not to lose rather than playng to win.
.
bugsquacher
December 29th, 2009
12:28 am
jeff youre an idiot
Joe Cox Better than Marino & Brady
December 29th, 2009
12:29 am
Joe Cox stands up well against some of the greatest QB’s:
——————————————
Tom Brady 1998 Michigan
131 Effic., 15 td’s, 12 int’s, 2636 yards
Joe Cox 2009 Georgia
138 Effic, 24 td’s, 15 int’s, 2584 yards
——————————————-
——————————————-
Dan Marino, Pittsburg, 1982
58% completion, 2432 yards, 17 td’s, 23 int’s, 67 pass rating
Joe Cox, Georgia, 2009
56% Completion, 2584 yards, 24 td’s, 15 int’s, 138 pass rating
——————————————–
Countdown doom: Leach's closet, Tiger effect, Dogs' 'honor' | Jeff Schultz
December 29th, 2009
8:47 am
[...] Independence Bowl; 2) Um… OK, yes it was a good thing Georgia dumped Texas A&M Monday night. The potential positives of a win were outlined here before the game. But Independence Bowl champions T-shirts? Sweatshirts? Hats? Seriously? Yes. Here’s the link. [...]
Papadawg
December 29th, 2009
8:55 am
Not at all happy with what bowl we went to but very happy we won it.
NC Dawg
December 29th, 2009
9:27 am
544th! Who cares if you’re first? Dorks!
Mark PRicht
December 29th, 2009
9:27 am
Shreveport Champions
Bud
December 29th, 2009
9:47 am
It is better to win than lose. Why can’t Tech put together a decent team? Are’nt they tired of being the door mat in Georgia. Are’nt the Tech fans tired of loosing?
Pi$$ona DAWG
December 29th, 2009
9:53 am
Can anyone help me get this dick out of my mouth
north ave. crackheads
December 29th, 2009
10:03 am
where are all the piss ant Tech fans today? Georgia won as they have done 8 of 10 times in the last decade. Looked at Tech’s bowl record recently? and they will continue their less than spectacular run of bowl appearances when Iowa runs and throws up and down the field at will……
CHARLOTTE DAWG
December 29th, 2009
12:16 pm
I love Pi$$Boy. I really do. Glad he’s out of hiding now.
30-24…”hurts so good…..come on baby now it hurts so good..cause sometimes the Dawgs just ruin it for Tech, yeah…HURTS SO GOOD!” (SING ALONG WITH ME NOW!)
Ed Jordan
December 29th, 2009
12:29 pm
thanks for a great game. Dont belittle the independence bowl if you didnt like it you should leave the trphy here along with the $1,100,000 payout. We inclourage all Georgia and A&M fans to enjoy yourselves while in Shreveport and please dont go home with your money.
Independence Bowl Gameday « SEC Gridiron Girl!
January 4th, 2010
8:35 pm
[...] This Independence bowl game will tell us a lot about the Bulldogs. [...]
WarRailtrhill
January 5th, 2010
9:27 am
It is very interestingly written, to the author thanks.