Rankings prove Georgia has lost benefit of doubt
Georgia's Mark Richt doesn't have to wonder what it's going to take to pass Georgia Tech and Paul Johnson: win. (AJC photo)
(Last update: 2:10 p.m.)
In two weeks, this becomes less about perception than reality.
Games start, the season unfolds, myths get busted, the guy on the bar stool who never said a word before suddenly says I told you so, a Big 12 coach locks a player in the broom closet and eventually we get to January and scream about the BCS. It’s college football’s circle of life.
But for now, it is about perceptions, and this much has become clear: Pollsters believe Georgia Tech has passed Georgia on the football field.
This is what consecutive years of failed expectations and a five-loss season will do to a program.
When last season ended in Shreveport, the Bulldogs were not ranked in the final Associated Press poll for the first time since 1996. That also left them behind the Jackets (13th) for the first time since 2000.
When this season begins, Georgia will trail Tech in the preseason polls for the first time since 2001, which is the year Mark Richt was hired. The AP’s preseason rankings were released Saturday. They’re similar to the coaches’ poll that came out two weeks ago, which had Tech ranked 17th and Georgia 21st. The gap in the AP poll is a bit wider: The Jackets are 16th and the Dogs are No. 23.
It’s worth nothing that the AP is no longer part of the BCS formula, having pulled out after the 2004 season because of the illogical selection process, to say nothing of the fact orchestrating a No. 1 vs. No. 2 game and rendering all other bowls relatively insignificant is just a bad idea. But the AP still is the most watched preseason and in-season poll, and it fuels what many previously believed:
Georgia has lost the benefit of the doubt.
This bit of reality won’t go over well in Athens. Richt inherited a program that hadn’t won an SEC championship since 1982. He proceeded to win two in his first five seasons. Then Georgia finished strong in 2007 to end the year at No. 2. Such cachet tends to carry over in polls from year to year.
But a preseason No. 1 ranking in 2008 turned out to be only a gateway to lopsided losses to Alabama and Florida, and a home upset by Georgia Tech (in coach Paul Johnson’s first season). Then came last year’s tumble to 8-5. Richt began to feel some heat for really the first time in his tenure. The Dogs now are at a prove-it stage. At Tech, most assume the arrow is pointed up. In Georgia, few are assuming anything.
The Jackets are 20-7 in Johnson’s first two seasons and went 11-3 with an ACC championship last season. They lost four stars (Demaryius Thomas, Jonathan Dwyer, Derrick Morgan, Morgan Burnett) to the NFL draft. But perceptions remain that they’re better than Georgia. Why?
“We won more games than they did last year,” Johnson logically concluded Saturday morning, when asked about the recent coaches’ poll.
Asked if he cared about perceptions, he gave the expected response: “Not really. I just worry about what I perceive and what actually happens. I’m more worried about what happens at the end of the year. Being ranked before somebody at the beginning might be nice, but I’d rather be ranked in front of them at the end.”
Since the non-ranking in 2001, the Dogs have ranked No. 8, 11, 3, 13, 15, 13, 1 and 13 in the preseason under Richt. At 23, they’re now closer to the “others receiving votes” category with Connecticut, Temple and Middle Tennessee State.
“I am thankful we are ranked,” Richt said Saturday when asked about the AP poll. He added, “I hope we play well enough to move up. That’s the plan.”
That’s the way to play this. Richt raised the expectation level at Georgia. This shows how missteps in consecutive seasons can significantly alter public opinion. Georgia finished out of the rankings four consecutive seasons (1993-96), but when it finished 10th in 1997, the Dogs suddenly were back in the preseason rankings in 1998 (19th) for the first time in five years.
It figured there would be a hangover after last season. The preseason rankings might be cause for debate, but that’s what rankings are all about. There’s no reason for Georgia to scream. In two weeks, the games start, and the Dogs will have a chance to change perceptions.
♦
Follow me on Twitter @JeffSchultzAJC and Facebook.com/JeffSchultzAJC
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
688 comments Add your comment
GIVE ME A BREAK
August 21st, 2010
1:20 pm
Why is UGA even ranked? They haven’t done anything in 30 years.
Rabun Dawg
August 21st, 2010
1:21 pm
Athens Dawg, you nailed it better than I. Thanks!!
how2fish
August 21st, 2010
1:23 pm
Dawgtards ruin this state glad to see that the mudhole stomping of last year still hurts…more to come brother more to come.
GIVE ME A BREAK
August 21st, 2010
1:23 pm
More student arrests for drinking in Athens. Go GEORGIA. You are #1.
Objects in the Rear View
August 21st, 2010
1:25 pm
The only thing getting passed by on the field will be 11 Jacket defenders in Caleb King’s dust.
Tanner
August 21st, 2010
1:25 pm
The Scout/fox Sports Poll has Georgia at #3 pre-season, and Georgia Tech at #40.
Looks about right.
Proves Georgia Tech has lost the benefit of the doubt, and Georgia is still perceived as a top 3 program.
http://cfn.scout.com/2/990835.html
HanDAWG
August 21st, 2010
1:25 pm
Just to be ranked while starting a frosh QB, after a five-loss debacle, actually shows the respect Richt and the program do get. He has the 3rd-highest winning percentage of any active college football head coach and has never had two down seasons in a row. UGA will be back in the Top 10, as we will run the ball effectively and have AJ Green to stretch teams; Tech’s offense will not be nearly as versatile or strong without Bay-Bay and Dwyer, and they will finish 3rd or 4th in ACC and lose the state title…again. Which will be 9 of 10!!! http://www.bighairyblawg.com
FalconUGAFan
August 21st, 2010
1:26 pm
Wow Jeff-this blog went south quickly but then the UGA/GT ones usually do…anyway completely agree with you on this one. GT did lose some big names but they had a better record and went to a BCS. UGA lost some of their cachet and I think the current ranking is about right.
Termigator I actually agree with you. I have alot of respect for CMR but I think he grew a bit comfortable. Maybe McGarity will light the fire a wee bit. I for one am not happy with “just” beating the ACC champ.
No Jackets Required
August 21st, 2010
1:26 pm
I’d rather go to jail for partying than go to the morgue after getting stabbed.
Tanner
August 21st, 2010
1:27 pm
Note:
Athlon or Steele doesn’t rank Georgia Tech in top 25 either, these are some of the most accurate.
Both rank Georgia in top 20.
Meatloaf
August 21st, 2010
1:28 pm
Don’t be sad…
24 out of 30 ain’t bad.
Delbert D.
August 21st, 2010
1:28 pm
9 outta 10 – I don’t think 8 out of 12 is relevant. That was just in response to your 9 out of 10, which is meaningless. Whatever. In the current era, it is 1-1, CPJ vs. CMR. Gailey, Donnan, O’Leary…those guys are gone, checked out.
1-1, Georgia has the bragging rights.
Rabun Dawg
August 21st, 2010
1:29 pm
The Jet, the reason I read this article is too see the delusional Dawg fans come on here and brag about what UGA did back when and spout off about great “we will be”. I stopped drinking the cool aid some time ago! But hey, it gives fans something to talk about, and this time of year we all are ready for the season to get cranked up. Baseball, golf, tennis, all ok, but nothing like 1st Sat. in Sept!!
GIVE ME A BREAK
August 21st, 2010
1:29 pm
Good job, Jeff. Only an idiot would call you an idiot. “GO JACKETS”
Destin Dawg
August 21st, 2010
1:30 pm
Parade mag “College A List”.. this week… UGA #3 in Large Public Schools… “you don’t need to go to a fabled Ivy school to get a big league education” …. Top 7 colleges in 10 Categories.. GSU was mentioned, no GT or Fla. schools…. Go academic Dawgs !!!
jumbeauxtiger
August 21st, 2010
1:31 pm
Good article Jeff.
The voters have a short memory and if UGA starts off 3-0 they will be in the top 15 very quickly.
That said, beating SC and Ark will be tough but the Dawgs have the potential to win both. UGA is like LSU, SC, Auburn and Arkansas. Any of them could be anywhere from 6-6 to 10-2. This is going to be a wild year in the SEC.
Geaux Tigers
Go SEC
dentaldawg
August 21st, 2010
1:34 pm
Jeff your brilliance never ceases to amaze. A preseason ranking motivates you to proclaim tech has passed Georgia by. Do you recall the GA-tech game last year? Do you recall it being one of the most devastating losses in GT history? Of course you don’t because you are back on your paul johnson love train. Perhaps a career working for the gt athletic dept would be a better fit for you because you surely suck as a columnist.
Run-N-Run
August 21st, 2010
1:36 pm
I can see why the Scout poll had UGA at #3. If you look at the kind of seaosn Coach Richt had in 2009, it was a lot like the kind of seasons he had in 2001, and again, in 2006. Those were bad seasons, by Coach Richt’s standards.
But, in 2002, and again in 2007, Coach Richt showed his mental toughness by rebounding with a #3 finish in 2002, then a #2 finish in 2007.
So, yes, by Coach Richt’s standards, 2009 wasn’t a good season, but we know for sure how he always responds, with a run at the National Championship the next season.
So, in this case, the Scout poll putting UGA at #3 got it right.
DOCTOR DEATH
August 21st, 2010
1:40 pm
11-0-1 1990 National Champs:
Chopped poll with Colorado also national champs….Don’t talk about Kentucky when your Yellow Jackets couldn’t get it done at the “Little House” on November 28….As for GT being ranked ahead of Georgia, who cares….I am personally voting them national champs today….they gonna win it all….
3rd Down
August 21st, 2010
1:40 pm
If Georgia BLOWS OUT South Carolina & Arkansas, you’ll have to launch them into the top 10. It’s important Georgia doesn’t just win, but DOMINATES South Carolina, Arkansas, and Florida and wins by 20 points or more.
This Georgia offense is the best ot ever play in the SEC. This Georgia offense will average 40+ points a game, and go for over 500 yards a game average. It’s going to be a sight to behold.
DOCTOR DEATH
August 21st, 2010
1:47 pm
Red Panties Rick:
That will always be your excuse when you get your butts beat….We got choirboys at Georgia Tech and the awful guys go to Georgia and get in trouble riding a motor scooter the wrong way down a one way street…Or maybe ride the scooter without a helmet..Things that get you put in prison…..Tech guys drink the booze just like the Georgia guys do but got a better way of camouflage….Prediction here is that Pugnacious Paul wins the National Championship this year and rides off with Schultzie into the sunset…..
Mike Bobo 17 INT
August 21st, 2010
1:48 pm
athensdawg
You have my utmost respect and remind of the 70’s during the Dooley era. Dogs were respected, admired and won, plain and simple.
Big time?? Not
August 21st, 2010
1:49 pm
Reality…..four tickets, four hot dogs, four cokes
St. Clarkston
August 21st, 2010
1:52 pm
Yeah we had a lousy 2009 season, obviously UF has dominated the season longer than I would like to remember, but for anyone to think a team that has lost to the Dawgs 9 out of the last 10 games, is the superior program truly is an idiot.
collegeballfan
August 21st, 2010
1:58 pm
Jeff you wrote: “But perceptions are that Georgia Tech has passed Georgia on the football field.”
This may be true. But then, all polls are nothing but perceptions. One simply cannot examine a team and predict how that team will perform.
One can examine a program and a coach and make a fairly accurate prediction how that years team will perform. Fairly accurate.
UGA plays a pretty easy schedule. They should easily win 9 games at a minimum.
GT has a really tough schedule. They will be lucky to win 9 games.
My perception.
Dawg Whisperer
August 21st, 2010
1:58 pm
UGA doesn’t deserve a top pre-season ranking. When they can prove it on the field again, they’ll get the respect they deserve. I don’t really care where they are ranked in the pre-season poll. If they go undefeated this year, they will be in contention for the national title. It’s the Ws that count, not talk.
Ed
August 21st, 2010
1:59 pm
I almost don’t care what the W-L record will be this year or the outcome of specific games, I’d just like to see Georgia recapture what it had from ‘01-’05: toughness, mental and physical. We used to be hell to score on, and offensively used to be able to mount a drive when needed. The ‘06-’09 version which its porous defenses, bad special teams, wimpy offenses, and complete lack of discipline didn’t look anything like Richt’s earlier teams. Worse of all, a lot of Richt’s recent teams have QUIT after things go bad. The ‘02 Auburn game (dramatic come-from-behind win on the road) would end up a blowout loss today. We need to get some players who can respond after getting punched in the mouth early. We need coaches who don’t have to resort to desperate endzone celebrations or cheesy uniform changes to motivate the team. If playing Florida, Tennessee, Auburn or Georgia Tech isn’t motivation enough, you have no business wearing a Georgia uniform.
Bookie
August 21st, 2010
2:07 pm
Its hard to get the benefit of doubt when your QB’s last start was for Plant HS,FLorida and your DC was wig wagging sets to Dallas Cowboy linebackers-Dawgs are Top Ten!
Jeff Francoeur
August 21st, 2010
2:07 pm
Man we are spoiled brats here. Some states have several Div.1 Teams and they cant make a poll if they grew there on forest
How would a forrest help a team make a poll?
Heywood Jablowme
August 21st, 2010
2:07 pm
Hey Delbert… It’s actually 15 out of 19…1991-2009….
Heywood Jablowme
August 21st, 2010
2:08 pm
Oh… & 35 out of the last 50…..
bamaguy
August 21st, 2010
2:12 pm
Mark only has two problems, and their names are Nick and Urban. He is about to have a third problem named Gene. If he coached in the ACC he would win 10 games every year, and if GT played in the SEC they would be lucky to be 6 and 6 every year (they are about equal to Mississippi State). That is why Tech can “win more games” than Georgia and be consistently beaten by them.
But this is all moot, kickoff is coming soon!
Greg
August 21st, 2010
2:17 pm
What a surprise. Homer Tony picks ga to be the surprise team this year on his little college football show. Total joke that guy has that job. He’s an idiot.
Ted
August 21st, 2010
2:19 pm
Ha, so now Uga bases a season success on beating tech. I guess they turned into gt.
Eddie Haas, Bob Weiss, and Dan Henning
August 21st, 2010
2:19 pm
I think Jeff is essentially right on here – Georgia does have something to prove this season, and Tech is perceived as being on the rise – but it is curious that there is no mention of the results of the head-to-head matchup last season or GT’s lopsided – I mean REALLY lopsided – bowl loss. I expect the Dogs to be ranked ahead of the Jackets by season’s end, but as Jeff indicates in his opening, it’s wait and see now.
bulldog 12
August 21st, 2010
2:21 pm
Jeff, The pre-season rankings mean nothing right now. Tech has lost to UGA 9 out of the last 10 times and will again this year. You will know when Tech has passed UGA when UGA starts giving out special rings for the accomplishment. Its expected to beat the Nerds every year. Kinda like the sun coming up every morning. And 11-0-1, when Tech can win a bowl game and put a winning streak of more than one againt UGA, the you can talk. Anyone can win the ACC. Kinda like finishing 3rd or 4th in one of the SEC divisions. Should be renamed Little Sisters of the Poor Conference.
Jeff Schultz
August 21st, 2010
2:26 pm
Kevin — You mentioned Tennessee. I don’t even want to think about the scene if Dogs lose to Vols this year. At home. To Derek Dooley.
Jeff Schultz
August 21st, 2010
2:27 pm
Carl — The Goff years took a lot out of poor Larry.
Jeff Schultz
August 21st, 2010
2:28 pm
Russ, the Temporary Mascot — How are you, pooch? All groomed and ready to go the season? Hey, any inside word on the permanent successor?
Jeff Schultz
August 21st, 2010
2:29 pm
Poopdawg — Winning changes everything, you’re right about that.
Delbert D.
August 21st, 2010
2:30 pm
dentaldawg “Do you recall it being one of the most devastating losses in GT history?”
Actually, no more than several others. There have been many close games in this series.
Jeff Schultz
August 21st, 2010
2:31 pm
Dawg Tired — You’re getting too deep into this. People who vote in polls look first at what the team’s record was the year before. That’s the point Johnson was making.
dawgfan
August 21st, 2010
2:32 pm
Schultz, I think there is a typo in your column. No mention of 30-24. I’m surprised the editors didn’t catch it.
Black Toenail
August 21st, 2010
2:33 pm
Schultzie -
You nailed it. Doesn’t matter what the locals think. They will contend UGA is deserving of top 10 annual ranking, no matter what. People who look at the program objectively have no reason to rank it high, year after year. If you look closely at recent history, UGA’s best seasons occurred when Florida, Alabama and Tennessee were having down years. I like Richt, nice man, but I don’t see the consistency of the other major SEC programs. The dawg crowd loves to beat their chests about beating GT and how much better they are. GT should not be their measuring stick. They should beat GT every year given their recruiting, facilities, friendly curriculum, etc…. If they are truly a big boy program, they should compare themselves to the Gators, Alabama, etc…. Those large state schools are more apples and apples, not a small engineering school.
TheTaxJacket
August 21st, 2010
2:34 pm
**** Nesbitt for Heismen ****
((( 45 – 42 )))
Jeff Schultz
August 21st, 2010
2:34 pm
Give me a break — Thanks. My goal remains to make it through one weekend without being called an idiot (even in my own house).
Jeff Schultz
August 21st, 2010
2:35 pm
Jumbeauxtiger — Agreed. Start 3-0 and they’ll climb (but from 23 to 15 would take quite a few losses by teams ahead of them).
Jeff Schultz
August 21st, 2010
2:36 pm
Dentaldawg — Cleansing breath, bud. Cleansing breath.
Jeff Schultz
August 21st, 2010
2:37 pm
Collegeballfan — I agree with your perception, at least to a degree.
Jeff Schultz
August 21st, 2010
2:38 pm
Bulldog 12 — That one game is big around here, no question, but poll voters care less about one game than the body of work over a full season. Just sayin’.