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
big bad john
September 26th, 2010
7:36 am
Lifelong, what are you talking about? your beloved program has been “down” for 3 straight years in a row. bottom line, the “dawg nation” needs to get used to mediocrity. Reset your expectations because they have been unrealistic for years now.
Message To
September 26th, 2010
7:44 am
Message to Ealy: When seeing a loose football in the end zone, please just don’t stare at it and let it stay there. Pounce on it, recover it. Having a Miss State player come out of nowhere from 5 to 10 yards out and recover, while your just sitting there on your knees was a pathetic scene.
Message to coaches/players. Please watch tape of any Saban coached Alabama team and learn the fundamentals of blocking and tackling.
Sid
September 26th, 2010
7:48 am
Bring on Georgia State…………………I think we can take em’……..!!
Sid
September 26th, 2010
7:49 am
…………….and then again………….maybe not….!!
jerry
September 26th, 2010
7:49 am
What happened to all those “great” tight ends that UGA recruited? What a total waste of talent.
Larry
September 26th, 2010
7:51 am
It was a mistake to “reward” last year’s feeble effort with a bowl game. This team already has forfeited any right to post season play. No one is thinking, hitting, hustling, caring. This team, from head coach to players to trainers, stinks. There is no desire whatsoever. They will be very lucky to win another game this; yes, Colorado and Idaho State are likely losses.
Ava Crowder's Butt
September 26th, 2010
7:53 am
The reason, IMHO Georgia is not a great team is Mark Richt doesn’t believe college football is bigger than life. He’s a decent and intelligent man that hasn’t bought into the crazy Lombardi notion of football. Because of that he’ll never have the intensity it takes to win an national championship. I, for one am fine with that but I know I’m in the minority. If you want a good, respectable, middle of the road program, CMR is your guy but if you want championships, you need a guy that has no life other than football.
RussDawg
September 26th, 2010
7:56 am
Wow it actually happened!
Welcome back Ray Goff !
Who are we kidding CMR gets another free pass
Freshman QB, New Defense, won at least 8 games every.. blah blah blah
Somewhere Coach Willie is smiling
4 ncs are better than 1
September 26th, 2010
7:57 am
Hahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We may suck, but your five star players suck a lot worse!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ree Roo
September 26th, 2010
7:59 am
This UGA team is truly an embarrassment. It’s hard to admit but this program has really declined over the past three seasons. Waiting until next year doesn’t cut it either. We need change before it declines any further.
BoWeevil
September 26th, 2010
8:01 am
Ava Crowder
I think that is where the problem is too.
After 2005, this is where this football program is :
Coach Richt is # 21 after 2005 in wins, recruiting in a state which finds only 3 with more high school players in the NFL and coaching for the # 11 football program in 1-A wins all-time.
This is the 5th year after 2005, for those who think this is 3 games, 2 years, or 3 years.
Year 5 after 2005.
Year 5, second half of the Coach Richt Era when Jim Donnan recruits were gone NFL
I point out that Year 5, second half of the Coach Richt Era when Jim Donnan recruits were gone NFL, that The University of Georgia Bulldogs are # 2 in Fulmer Cup over these 5 years too.
Coach Richt has compiled the worst “coaching staff” in America. Do they ALL sit down and PRAY with him ?
God Almighty, this is freaking football.
4 ncs are better than 1
September 26th, 2010
8:01 am
Just wait until next year!!!! Just wait until next year!!!! Just wait until next year!!!!
virginia dog
September 26th, 2010
8:03 am
like my name suggests,,, i live in Virginia. i watched USC / Auburn. the real problem is now talent. UGA is not as talent rich as it was a few years ago. As i have said many times Richt is living Phil Fulmers career. UT has no talent, and UGA is quickly heading that way.
Richt and UGA will be wise not to continue to follow this path any longer. But Richt is too soft to do what must be done. (fire Bobo) so it might be up to the new AD. Because you can see how unpredictable it is when you fire a coach. Just look at UT. It is in shambles. UGA will be in shambles next unless there is some serious steps made to stop this thing now.
ps: did anyone watch saben on the sideline. as a player i would have preferred to tackle Satan than get that type coach in my sh-t.
Herschel Walker
September 26th, 2010
8:04 am
Coach Richt wants everybody going to the Colorado game to wear red panties. Got to show some unity.
OMG - We're the mighty UGA and we lost! I'm confused?
September 26th, 2010
8:06 am
Enjoy your dose of humility. Your noses are held so high in the air I’m surprised you don’t drown when it rains. Go Tech!
Herschel Walker
September 26th, 2010
8:07 am
WSB just reported that the Mark Richt call in show has been canceled for lack of interested and replaced with a special about the Boys In The Hood.
Herschel Walker
September 26th, 2010
8:09 am
Wayshon hit two parked cars on the drive back to Athens last night. Richt says he’ll miss the first 10 minutes of the warmups for the Colorado game next week. Thats the discipline Thuga needs.
jerry
September 26th, 2010
8:09 am
There is no way that UGA can win without a great defense with this offense that Richt has installed. His offense has scored 20 or less thirty times vs SEC teams and nineteen times 14 or less. Even in the SEC championship years they were not a great offensive team. In 2003 they had scores of 10, 13, and 13 and in 2005 scores of 17 and 10. It is not entirely play calling, it is a poorly designed offense.
Michael
September 26th, 2010
8:11 am
As a double alum from the Goff years I have a simple question. Why do we need football anyway? What a waste of time, money, and real estate. Give 100 full ride scholarships with free room and board and intensive programs (like practice) to a bunch of scholars. There might be a return on investment with that.
Evans Volunteer
September 26th, 2010
8:12 am
This all started when BVG left in a huff. Work to change now, but get a quailty person, not just the best available. Alabama did it right; Tennessee did not with Kiffin. I hope October 2010 is bottom; may not be. Bad hires haunt you long after the culprit is gone.
The SEC was relatively weak when CMR had his run. He squanderd Greene and Pollock and that, to me, is enough to send him packing. Those guys are College Hall of Fame locks, and what hardware did they get? One SEC ring. Pitiful.
Raybud
September 26th, 2010
8:13 am
Wow….is all that i can say…Will this be Richt’s last year? The SEC by far is the toughest division in college footbal. But going 0-2 will have you on the hot seat for a national title hunt, but 0-3, you may as well settle to have you bowl game in the middle of December. We payed this extra money for a new defensive coordinator, yet the defense isn’t doing anything spectacular. The offense seems that it has difficulty moving the ball. where is our running game? I’m checking out early this year for UGA football…if there were two words that described how i feel right now, they would be “highly disappointed”
Michael
September 26th, 2010
8:15 am
“Defensive Coordinators” making $750K? Coaches making $3 million? Emory seems to get by without football superiority.
Fla Boy
September 26th, 2010
8:16 am
Cant wait for the ‘Cocktail Party” bring it!!
Munson's Toupee
September 26th, 2010
8:17 am
What Would Damon Do?
Freddy
September 26th, 2010
8:19 am
Another ARREST
http://dogbytesonline.com/georgia-freshman-linebacker-arrested-for-dui-5769/
Fla Boy
September 26th, 2010
8:19 am
Cant wait for the Fla vs Ga Game!!
Einsteindawg
September 26th, 2010
8:19 am
Just read in the AHB where a freshman LB was arrested this morning for DUI…arrest #10. We’ve already clinched the Fulmer Cup, so isn’t this like running up the score?
Herschel Walker
September 26th, 2010
8:19 am
A.J. Greene will be featured on the Bulldog Highlight show this week. There will be a special feature showing all the thugs on the team the best way to sell a jersey to a drug dealer in order to make the best deal.
jerry
September 26th, 2010
8:20 am
“In 2003 they had scores of 10, 13, and 13 and in 2005 scores of 17 and 10″
Correction” In 2002 they had scores or 13,13,18. Mea culpa.
Herschel Walker
September 26th, 2010
8:21 am
That freshman linebacker who was arrested for dui said he was driving because he was afraid Wayshon might hit too many parked cars.
Dawg Treats
September 26th, 2010
8:22 am
Mark clearly is not aggressive enough to be a college coach. I think he would be a great JV coach for a AAA high school team. BOBO??? How in the @#$% did he make the coaching staff. He was an embarrassment during his realm as a failed quarterback!
Michael
September 26th, 2010
8:23 am
Maybe if UGA paid every player handsomely for few years, won all the hardware, and then got the death penalty like SMU from the NCAA, then maybe this football lunacy will end.
Ex Ga Dog fan
September 26th, 2010
8:23 am
We are not even good enough to play in the POULAN Independance Bowl!!!!!!!!!!
The Inside Scoop
September 26th, 2010
8:25 am
Psssssst……..hey UGA…….you did not hear this from me……but Phil Fulmer is available. Since UGA won the un-coveted Fulmer Cup by a landslide this year it would only seem natural that he would take over the program once Saint Richt is tarred and feathered while being run out of town. By the way, does anyone know how many Krispy Kreme doughnut shops are in Athens?
Herschel Walker
September 26th, 2010
8:26 am
Stubhub says they have been swamped with folks selling Thuga tickets. They have offered an 8 game package for 80 cents, including free shipping.
Clarke County Tax Comm.
September 26th, 2010
8:26 am
This is to inform you that home owners taxes are going to have to be raised again this year due to the county having to hire more police officers, buy tazers, police attack dogs, etc. in order to try and control the UGA football players.
Kimbo Dawg
September 26th, 2010
8:26 am
Jon Gruden is looking for a head coaching job!
Herschel Walker
September 26th, 2010
8:27 am
This just in from Channel 2 Action news. Wayshon just hit another parked car. Seems that defensive driving class didn’t do him any good. Film at 11.
Reality Stinks
September 26th, 2010
8:27 am
In my opinion
AJ Green, Washun Ealey you can sit the rest of the season
Scout team offensive line, suite up your playing the rest of the season
If anyone is arrested your off the team period
Bobo go back to being a QB’s coach or dust your resume off
Searls just dust your resume off
Gratham put someone in who doesnt get blowed off the line and can tackle or dust your resume off
Van Halenger dust your resume off
Richt you need find some players who are motivated to play at UGA and not motivated to design Team uniforms
Herschel Walker
September 26th, 2010
8:28 am
I think Mark needs to change his hair spray. I think I saw a couple of locks out of place on TV. That takes away from the red panties.
BUZZ ME
September 26th, 2010
8:28 am
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA…how bout them dawgies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They suck
Herschel Walker
September 26th, 2010
8:30 am
Buck Belue says don’t give up. He is suggesting that next week A.J. Greene will get Thuga fired up by stomping on the Colorado logo at midfield and then riding the Buffaloe to the End Zone. If that doesn’t work, there is always the option of another Black Out.
BirdDog
September 26th, 2010
8:30 am
Schultz, this is ALL your fault! Please stop picking UGA to win b/c since you have they have lost every game.
PappyHappy
September 26th, 2010
8:32 am
At least Bobo is man enough to admit there is a coaching problem. There are just a few other challenges that needs immediate and longer range effort:
*Recruiting
*Discipline
*More rigorous practices (this season in particular, the ‘O’ & ‘D’ lines just looked lethargic!)
*Significantly better coaching. (We were penalized late in the fourth quarter by a ‘delay of game’ call. WHERE WAS MARK RICHT?????????????? He appeared to be having his private pity party on the sidelines!)
*Leadership — and man, is this missing!
If I were the AD, would be looking around the nation for an outstanding coach with strong leadership skills — and a new moral compass!
BirdDog
September 26th, 2010
8:33 am
Buzz Me, go F*** yourself loser! Have you seen your team play?
Herschel Walker
September 26th, 2010
8:33 am
The linebacker who got arrested for DUI said he was drinking after watching Thuga lose to Miss State. That explains alot.
Bulls**t Dawg
September 26th, 2010
8:33 am
@ Herschel Walker…..you are right, CMR does need some new hairspray. Each week his hair (whats left) looks darker….I am thinking Grecian Formula maybe. He is always taking his headset off and running his fingers through his hair to make sure that either its still there or he just like to feel himself. So lets send him a can of spray shellac to hold his mane in place and maybe he will stop playing with it during the game. But the man does have a heck of a Perma-Tan going on.
Bring Back Ray Goff!
September 26th, 2010
8:34 am
Time to plan another whole team endzone celebration? Or maybe another black out?
TampaGator
September 26th, 2010
8:34 am
I just keep thinking back to the summer months when all Dawg fans were posting how your new DC was so much better than Florida’s and that Georgia had replaced Florida and Florida’s day was over. Well…reality sucks doesn’t it? The Swamp was again very hot last night….but the Gators just continue to run 2 and 3 deep, very talented players out on the field at every postion. And….folks….Trey Burton is the backup QB…backup FB….and backup almost everything…at Florida….and he scored 6 TD’s last night and John Brantley passed for 250 yards and looked great….the the OL and DLs dominated Kentucky…..who I think was overrated based on how they played last night….or is Florida that much better than people thought? Next week will tell…..cause Bama is not Kentucky. But Florida looks a lot better prepared to play Bama than before. It is going to be a good ball game if the offense shows up like they did this week. The defense…led by a really good DC….is tremendous. Nope….Florida’s day is not over….and it appears Georiga’s day is still back in the 1980s. And all you Urban Meyer bashers….he would not be 1-3 if he was coaching the talent on your football team…..he’s be 4-0….as are the Gators.
Herschel Walker
September 26th, 2010
8:34 am
BirdDog. A.J. Green will come back this week and Thuga will still lose.