Georgia’s embarrassment grows more historical by week
Mississippi State's Arceto Clark leaps high to catch a touchdown pass over Branden Smith, one of many plays to not go Georgia's way Saturday. (AP photo)
STARKVILLE, Miss. – Was this convincing enough? Georgia just made Mississippi State look like a major force in the SEC. It’s seldom a force even within state borders.
Last week the Bulldogs lost to Arkansas for the first time in 17 years. This time they lost to another conference opponent for the first time in 36 years.
Doesn’t that suggest this isn’t some aberration?
The Bulldogs are 0-3 in the SEC. They stand alone in the conference in that regard. Behind Mississippi State, behind Vanderbilt, behind the schools you used to joke about. They are no longer the team that can beat everybody except Alabama and Florida. They are the team that can lose to every team well below Alabama and Florida.
After a 24-12 loss to Mississippi State on Saturday night, Georgia is 2-7 in its past nine SEC games. That’s not trivial, and it’s certainly not an aberration. The opponents in those seven losses are LSU, Tennessee, Florida, Kentucky, South Carolina, Arkansas, Mississippi State.
Such widespread failure screams this isn’t about missing one suspended player, no matter how good A.J. Green is.
“We’ve got to fix a lot of things,” said the maligned offensive coordinator, Mike Bobo. “It’s not just A.J. Green. We got beat on the field. You’ve got to go earn it.”
Turn back the clock. Cover your faces. The Dogs just lost to Mississippi State for the first time since 1974 and the first time in Starkville since 1951. Their humiliation becomes more historical by the week.
Embarrassed?
“It’s one of those things where you’re not embarrassed to be a Georgia Bulldog,” wide receiver Kris Durham said, “but we’re embarrassed at the way we’re playing.
“Our season could turn into a catastrophe if we don’t stay together.”
Georgia was coming off losses to South Carolina and Arkansas. Mark Richt remained optimistic (of course). He didn’t believe his team would come into Starkville in a funk. But in the first three minutes of the game, the Dogs went three-and-out on offense and allowed Mississippi to drive 53 yards to a touchdown in four plays.
If that’s not a funk, it’s the early stages of rigor mortis.
Offensive-line play remains mediocre, particularly in the running game. The offense had three red-zone possessions in the first half, resulting in a net of six points (two field goals, one fumble). Georgia’s only touchdown came with less than two minutes left.
At least give Bobo credit for throwing himself under the bus: “You can’t turn the ball over, and you can’t have penalties. That’s coaching. It’s our fault.”
Starkville is cowbell central. Think vuvuzelas, only slightly less obnoxious, thanks to an SEC rule that allows fans to ring their bell only during the pregame, timeouts and following Mississippi State touchdowns and field goals. The video board at Davis Wade Stadium even carries the message, “Respect the bell.”
Regardless, coach Dan Mullen implored Mississippi State fans to make life as miserable for Georgia as possible. Just 15 minutes before kickoff, he stood in the end zone with a microphone and yelled: “Our team is ready to go, and I know our students are ready to go!”
Glad somebody was.
Many of Georgia’s early problems were self-inflicted. Washaun Ealey fumbled at the Mississippi State 1 following a 20-yard run after he was clocked by safety Nickoe Whitley. The Dogs also fumbled when a Mississippi State punt inadvertently was touched by Bacarri Rambo, then quickly recovered by the home team.
The offense has gone from a mild concern to a five-alarm blaze. Bobo has replaced Willie Martinez, the departed defensive coordinator, as fans’ primary punching bag.
But this is about more than one assistant coach or one suspended player. Once again, Richt did not have his team ready to play. The Dogs should have played desperate. They didn’t. They certainly didn’t play smart or play well.
They are 0-3, having lost three in a row under Richt for the first time. They are somewhere south of ordinary. And it’s not a blip.
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1,247 comments Add your comment
DawgSqueeze
September 26th, 2010
1:28 am
UGA needs to stop signing these 5 star felons. They bring in 18 year old kids who have been coddled their entire life because they can play football, and you expect them to play a team sport? Maybe the reason UGA gets some of these players is because other schools wouldn’t touch them with a 10 foot pole. These kids have never had to respect authority (coaches, teachers, parents), and then you expect them to play major D1 football and follow a game plan? Playing division 1 football takes a TEAM commitment, discipline, and faith in your coaching staff, and if I were a betting man, I would bet you that is what is missing on this team.
Start signing ATHLETES that will give the TEAM 110% effort, and stop getting kids that play for the name on the back of the jersey instead of the front of the jersey.
I can’t stand UGA or anything associated with UGA, so I have really enjoyed the season so far.
That is my 2 cents.
Monkey says:
September 26th, 2010
1:28 am
Whoever wrote this , it is funny as hell:
Saban: “Hey Isiah, its me Coach Saban, How you doing?
Crowell: “Fine coach.”
Saban: “Did you see how we utilize our running backs and how our offensive line blocked today?”
Crowell” “Yes, Sir, you guys really pounded on Arkansas in the second half.”
Saban: “Well Isiah, that will be you next year if you come to Alabama. I know you hugged Coach Richt last week, but we would put you to work and make you one of go to guys here at Alabama.”
Crowell: “Coach, that was a GOODBYE Hug, I saw them the past 3 weeks and I expect Coach Richt to be calling plays in Virginia next year. I think I really like Alabama now as my favorite.”
Saban: “Looking forward to seeing you line up in our backfield next year.”
Crowell: “Yes Sir, I am too. That Georgia O-line will get me killed, and I will get hurt before I make to the NFL at Georgia.”
Saban: ” Isiah, we will take care of you here, see you at the Florida Game.”
Crowell: ” Okay Coach, see you then, and ROLL TIDE!
Saban: “Roll Tide Isiah, Goodbye
Coach Van Halanger
September 26th, 2010
1:29 am
Steve, I am the S and C coach. How the heck do you expect me to get these guys stronger when Coach Richt won’t let me use the ‘roids man??? Those coaches working for Saban and Meyer have it so easy.
tan salon
September 26th, 2010
1:30 am
you know I have to say this because it is true and you all know it, if you were four and oh, not even one of you would give a d@mn about the 9 arrest..it would be perfectly fine and underplay it like it means nothing..now all of a suddent it matters, hypocrites
Wreckmaniac
September 26th, 2010
1:30 am
Famous Koolaid Dog Fan comments from Aug 3
Tim Dog: Phil Steele, the nations most accurate college foot ball predictor, has Georgia scoring 38 points per game. Great job Phil.
Georgia D ! : Florida’s going down this year. UGA will beat FL and win the SEC east. TAKE IT TO THE BANK ! ( I will)
RTX Dawg: Dawgs start out strong with EASY wins over SC, ARK, and MISS STATE and A (get this)
BLOWOUT over TN. What was I missing here ?
Brogens Hero
September 26th, 2010
1:30 am
GT BABy really the bugs gave up how many yards of offense? You play in the pathetic ACC which can’t sell out its “Championship” game or beat anyone of significance outside of your basketball conference. You can’t fill your crap hole of a stadium , yeah GT the North Ave School for Nerds. Seriously go play with your erector set and slide rule. GT what a joke!!!!!!
tan salon is dead on
September 26th, 2010
1:30 am
you are absolutely right…this stuff only comes to the surface when you are losing
dylandawg
September 26th, 2010
1:31 am
I don’t know wait’s sadder….teh way we played tonight or fans of other teams that come on a UGA blog to make fun of us…the lifes they lead must be sadder than Bobo’s play calling
Chomp
September 26th, 2010
1:32 am
Isn’t it time for you moron’s to start your favorite mantra: Wait Until Next Year!
What a great fall this will be in Atlanta, finally maybe you obnoxious UGAY fans will take down all those G’s and shut the H up about how your are going to be contenders. All I heard in ATL in the off season was how much better the D was going to be with a new coach and how good Murray was. Guess what? Your team is the same mediocre team it always is. You haven’t been relevant since your one fluke season almost 30 years ago.
Mixed emotions
September 26th, 2010
1:32 am
As a Georgia alum I don’t like the losing. However, when GA was winning big in Richt’s first few years, his Christianity was often being talked about and we seemed to always see his wife kissing him. Where are those things now? I guess Jesus is rooting against the Dawgs. And Mrs. Richt is withholding the love.
dylandawg
September 26th, 2010
1:32 am
enjoy the typos….some superiority can be claimed there too
Mediocre
September 26th, 2010
1:40 am
I resent being compared to the Georgia offensive line.
builder dawg
September 26th, 2010
1:41 am
Pepper Rodgers told me a long time ago that if you have alot of your players in pro football AND can’t produce championships when they were in school , its not the players fault, its the coaches.Time for a change. If ANY of us preformed our jobs as ineptly as CMR , Bobo, HELL, ALL OF THE COACHES, we would all be unemployed on Monday.
Wreckmaniac
September 26th, 2010
1:42 am
Tan Salons: Great comment. If the Dawgs were 4-0 we would all hear that “everybody does it” BS.
Maybe the church going coach should look for players in church. And I don’t mean to be churlish. I’m serious. There are a huge number of quality young men for a guy like CMR to recruit. I have a
high school nephew who is being recruited by TCU right now and anyone who gets this kid is going to have someone to be proud of.
Ed
September 26th, 2010
1:42 am
“The offense has gone from a mild concern to a five-alarm blaze. Bobo has replaced Willie Martinez, the departed defensive coordinator, as fans’ primary punching bag.”
The fans are fools. The problem is Richt. Hopefully the Athletic Director realizes that.
Kyle
September 26th, 2010
1:43 am
I guess if you are going to be this pathetic this is the way to do it. At least we know before October this team couldn’t beat Stone Mountain High.
Ralph Kramden
September 26th, 2010
1:44 am
Georgia played tonight like Georgia Tech played years ago……VERY BADLY.I’ve been bashing the Bulldogs for a few weeks now and I’m not a Georgia fan BUT, they have serious problems this year. If they were temporary, they would have cleared up by this time in the season.Georgia will have a losing season this year and people will call for Richt’s removal. Is it REALLY his fault ? The TEAM has serious problems…… maybe get rid of…..well….. the bad ones….. (for lack of a better or cleaner phrase)
Can Georgia State put UGA on the schedule?
September 26th, 2010
1:44 am
That’s an automatic in the win column.
thwg
September 26th, 2010
1:45 am
0-3 in the SEC. We couldn’t have made this up. It’s great to be a Jacket. At least we lost to a team that is likely to end up in the top 20. MS State? Are you kidding. And you puppies haven’t even gotten to the meat of your schedule. Can’t wait to see the FL, Auburn, KY and TN games. I smell at GT blowout of the puppies in Athens.
SICKDAWG
September 26th, 2010
1:45 am
IT’S TOO LATE – TOO LITTLE (DEFENSIVE COACHES, ETC) – TOO LATE. RECRUITING, DISCIPLINE, CONDITIONING, PREPARATION – NON EXISTANT. SHOW ME 11 + COACHES WHO CARE ABOUT UGA, WE’D RATHER LOSE THAT WAY.
thwg
September 26th, 2010
1:47 am
UGA is alias for ‘irrelevant’. Worse record in the SEC – I love it.
GATORS FOR RICHT....
September 26th, 2010
1:48 am
Keep Mark Richt forever.. Fine coach.
thwg
September 26th, 2010
1:49 am
Couldn’t agree with you more GATORS – please keep Richt. We’ll all contribute to that cause.
I tell ya, that Grantham is quite the defensive coordinator!
DawgSqueeze
September 26th, 2010
1:50 am
Correct me if I am wrong, but didn’t Urban Meyer kick some DB off the team for his little brush with the law? It is all about discipline.
thwg
September 26th, 2010
1:50 am
Why in the world would AJ come back and go to the mat for this sinking ship and risk his NFL carrer?
Richt is at the end of the road
September 26th, 2010
1:51 am
John Cooper was hired as head coach with a winning record at both Tulsa and Arizona State University that stood out among his credentials, as did a victory over Michigan in the 1987 Rose Bowl. Cooper’s thirteen years as the Buckeyes’ head coach are largely remembered for a litany of negative statistics associated with him: a notorious 2–10–1 record against Michigan, a 3–8 record in bowl games, a five year losing streak to Illinois, and blowing a 15 point 3rd quarter lead and losing 28-24 against the unranked Michigan State Spartans in ‘98 after the Buckeyes had been ranked number 1 since the preseason. However, his tenure also included many positives: back-to-back victories over Notre Dame, two second-ranked finishes in the polls, and three Big Ten championships (albeit shared). Cooper also recruited fifteen players who were first-round draft picks in the National Football League.[14]
In January 2001, Ohio State University dismissed Cooper for a “deteriorating climate.” A loss in the 2000 Outback Bowl was a factor in his subsequent firing, as was negative publicity regarding player behavior before and during the game. Other contributing factors included his record against Michigan (which was actually considered by most people to be the biggest reason for his firing), his perceived inability to win “big games”, the lack of a national championship, the perception of him as an outsider by many alumni, the poor bowl game record, and finally a perceived lack of discipline on the team.[15]
Isn’t it obvious?
mack
September 26th, 2010
1:51 am
lets not give up on the season, there are better days ahead(when A.J. Returns). GO DAWGS!!!
Richt is at the end of the road
September 26th, 2010
1:52 am
Oh…and his successor was Tressell
Worked out great for tOSU. Won their first NC in 30 years.
I mean come on! This guys story and Richt’s are one in the friggin same!
Coach Red Beulieu
September 26th, 2010
1:55 am
Georgia’s offense is the worst I’ve seen since South Central Louisiana State’s of the late 90s. And it don’t have Bobby Bouche wreaking havoc on defense. Now get on outa here.
DawgSqueeze
September 26th, 2010
1:58 am
Hey ‘Richt is at the end of the road’, look at the Buckeyes now. Not only does Jim Tressel own Michigan, he has returned Buckeye football back to the glory days. And don’t forget, it was Tressel that kicked Maurice Clarrett off the team after OSU beat Miami for the National Championship. By doing that, Tressel showed the team the NO ONE is bigger then the TEAM!
Wreckmaniac
September 26th, 2010
1:59 am
AJ fooled everyone. He knew before the season that he was on a sinking ship and didn’t want to damage his NFL credentials for nothing. Hey, lets go find more 5 stars !!!
Ed
September 26th, 2010
2:01 am
“Finally, I dare someone to find a more inept OC than MIKE BIMBO.”
I found him. His name is Mark Richt.
Thomas
September 26th, 2010
2:01 am
Mark Richt good man. If y’all think he need to go u better think twice….. the power of ….. reigns
Richt is at the end of the road
September 26th, 2010
2:04 am
DawgSqueeze
That’s the point I was trying to make…?
Ed
September 26th, 2010
2:04 am
thwg, do they even play defense at Tech? I saw some of the NC State game today. Tech almost stopped NC State once. Almost. Hell, they made Georgia’s sorry offense look good last year, and that’s no easy feat.
Thomas
September 26th, 2010
2:07 am
He got ta beat dem GATORS……..Den he gat to go……
maroon dawg
September 26th, 2010
2:08 am
I love to read the whiny remarks of UGA fans when their great team loses.
Thomas
September 26th, 2010
2:11 am
Wine an kiss my anus!
Urbey
September 26th, 2010
2:18 am
Tech fans, you lost too, you really don’t have any room to talk trash fyi LOL
TOM BODETT
September 26th, 2010
2:22 am
I’m going to ask all of you Georgia Bulldog fans to STOP calling the Shreveport Motel 6 for those late December reservations. I’ve seen your team play and you will definitely NOT be in Shreveport this December. The Independence Bowl is for winners. You guys will have to settle for a far less prestigious bowl than the Independence Bowl. We will NOT be leaving the light on for you!
Howdy1942
September 26th, 2010
2:33 am
Haven’t seen AJ play yet this year, but all of us can rest assured that nobody else will be leaving early for the NFL. Also, we don’t need to worry about any bowl this year, so the good thing is that we can all make our holiday plans. This team and the coaching staff need a real gut check and prayer meeting!! Does this team have any pride left? Tonight, it left about 30% on the field. I think that they are better than they are playing, but they need to make that decision. Right now, I don’t see much NFL talent on this team so I hope that they are majoring in something that will allow them to get a real job after they leave Georgia.
Read all about it: Complete coverage of UGA’s loss to Mississippi State | UGA sports blog
September 26th, 2010
2:35 am
[...] Jeff Schultz’s column, which notes the Dogs are 2-7 in their past nine SEC games: The Bulldogs are 0-3 in the SEC. They stand alone in the conference in that regard. Behind Mississippi State, behind Vanderbilt, behind the schools you used to joke about. They are no longer the team that can beat everybody except Alabama and Florida. They are the team that can lose to every team well below Alabama and Florida. [...]
Thomas
September 26th, 2010
2:37 am
We (UGA) think u Tom BODECK…ET….T LOL…. CAN smotch where da sun don’t shine.
PlusSizeModel
September 26th, 2010
2:45 am
At least no one started calling Richt a “bible-thumping idiot” here. Did they? I heard that at the Widespead Panic show tonight, btw.
PlusSizeModel
September 26th, 2010
2:46 am
If I were AJ Green I’d come up with a mysteriously impossible to recover from hammy the rest of the season.
TrishaDishaWarEagle
September 26th, 2010
2:48 am
Thoughts on UGA losing to COWBELL U… GT losing to NCstate..
Larry Munson ” geez these jailbird whippersnappers suck hobnailed A**”
Ray Goff ” Don’t bother me, I’m counting my Zaxby cash”
Jim Donnan ” miss me now? suck it!”
Me “who cares, WAR EAGLE 4-0 and we beat spurrier!”
Mark Richt “we looked pretty good out there, it just takes time”
Erk Russell ” I’m freaking dead and I can coach better than this”
GT fans ” A los to NC state is a lot more respectable than a loss to Miss State”
Everyone with a brain responds..”Only in basketball”
Ben Franklin Beleu, Jr ” Maybe the answer is to pay the kids to play, like in my day”
Herschel Walker ” 2 of me liked this game, but the rest of us didn’t”
GA U Waaah Waaah Waaah
September 26th, 2010
2:52 am
Take a look at Rival’s recruiting team rankings for Georgia U the past few years:
2010 #15
2009 # 6
2008 # 7
2007 # 9
2006 # 4
Now, are these guys nuts, or is there a problem after the recruits hit the campus?
dick
September 26th, 2010
2:52 am
Here is an important fact. You can’t win in the SEC with field goals.
I think it is time to reload the staff.
Ben Richardson
September 26th, 2010
3:03 am
Bring in Chris Peterson!
GoldenDawg
September 26th, 2010
3:04 am
To bad we didn’t think this way when Dooley was HC, we would have fired him 3 or 4 times. We would have fired him before he won his NC. And for those of you that don’t know anything Chris Peterson will not leave BS because he has a child with special needs and the hospital there is one of the best for her.