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
Demetre Baker
September 26th, 2010
11:04 am
CMR told us we learned a very valuable lesson last night – not sure what it was but it was a very valuable lesson.
bamaguy
September 26th, 2010
11:04 am
MSU did play Auburn right down to the wire, and look what they have done since.
Snake Doc
September 26th, 2010
11:05 am
Remember Richt said he would evaluate everything at the end of last season. His answer to that statement. Fire WM and the defensive staff. a start but not all thats needed to fix this program!
He will say the same thing this year. However, make no mistake about it, he runs the offense, its his play book, its his game plan. So he fires Bozo and Searles, does that cure the issue. No! No great Offensive genius will come here to run this pee wee league offense. So does firing Bozo and a few coaches really solve the problem.
We all thought WM was the issue.
It starts and ends with MR. Its mourning Georgia and MR must go!
Joe Dirt
September 26th, 2010
11:05 am
Dang!!!!!!!!!!!
JB
September 26th, 2010
11:05 am
I’m afraid we are going to have to go the Tennessee route….After told no by the “names”, we will give someone the biggest break of their life…..Tenn. had plenty of money….money ain’t it………repairing a train wreck on a short rope is a tall order…….Watch those Vol fans next year after another 6-6 year.
It’s not a picnic….Mark won’t be fired because of the rosy,warm climate in Athens.
Reality Dawg
September 26th, 2010
11:06 am
Just got a call from Sky. He just threw in a “One-on-One With a Celebrity Pass” at his bar for the next UGA player to get in a bar-fight. Rumor has it, the celebrity will be Michael Stipe. Enjoy that one-on-one Aaron Murray!
Demetre Baker
September 26th, 2010
11:06 am
I think I need a drink or two or three or …
K. Wittingham
September 26th, 2010
11:06 am
@Dontavious – This staff would’ve been fired or demoted 2 years ago if this were the real-world. No corporation would allow such poor performance for such an extended amount of time.
missouridawg
September 26th, 2010
11:07 am
Mstateboy77—-No doubt, you have a better team than us. We are just lamenting the fact that after TEN or so years of top ten recruiting classes how can we play so poorly as a team. We are not bad mouthing you guys at all.
Texasdawg
September 26th, 2010
11:07 am
MIKE LEACH for Offensive Coordinator, problem solved.
K. Wittingham
September 26th, 2010
11:08 am
What is the spread in the CO game? Surely to god UGA is not favored.
Joe Dirt
September 26th, 2010
11:08 am
Dang!
Snake Doc
September 26th, 2010
11:08 am
Fox Sports – Had the who is the best 0 loss team in the SEC last night!
And the Winner is? – THUGA-U
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
September 26th, 2010
11:09 am
this is going to be a wonderful season, another arrest to add icing to the cake. time to clean house.
Joe Dirt
September 26th, 2010
11:10 am
The warden has lost control of the prisoners……….
Snake Doc
September 26th, 2010
11:10 am
@ TexasDawg – Good idea, but won’t happen.
This is MR’s playbook and his offense.
No great offensive mind will come here to run a pee wee league offense!
Loran, whatdayagot?
September 26th, 2010
11:11 am
`
. . . Bo-bo needs to Go-go . . .
K. Wittingham
September 26th, 2010
11:11 am
The ONLY fix to this problem is a new start. Auburn, Florida, UT, Miss St, Ark have all done it in the last 5-6 years and ALL of those team have beaten UGA in that same time. I am your savior, hire me.
-Kyle Wittingham
Reality Dawg
September 26th, 2010
11:11 am
I can’t take it anymore… I am going to go out and beat the hell out of somebody! Just let some saw-offed little fraternity boy talk some trash to me… I am about to explode with anger!!! Is anybody with me? Am I the only one this angry? Where are the Junkyard Dawgs of old?
Demetre Baker
September 26th, 2010
11:12 am
Support? I have gotten nothin but support like “you’re one of the boys now” and “#10 is something to be proud of.” Its great to be in such a supportive and encouraging environment from the top on down.
jerry
September 26th, 2010
11:12 am
To me the UGA problem seems so simple, assuming Richt has his DC. Ditch the current offensive scheme and bring in a qualified OC who knows what he is doing. Hiring another jackleg won’t cut it.
Reality Dawg
September 26th, 2010
11:13 am
Hey Demetre… meet me at Skyy’s bar in 30 minutes.
Snake Doc
September 26th, 2010
11:14 am
@ Jerry – That means MR will have to give up control of the offense. Do you think he’s capable of doing that?
You have the right idea, i just don’t think the spray on tanned one’s ego would allow that!
Joe Dirt
September 26th, 2010
11:14 am
Lets start from scratch . How bout’ it……..
K. Wittingham
September 26th, 2010
11:15 am
@Jerry – You’re not thinking in ’simple’ terms. The WHOLE staff must go. That is simple!
5150 P.O.A.D.
September 26th, 2010
11:15 am
If you missed it the UGA v MSU game is being replayed right on CSS. Hurry a watch the DAWGS play their best football of the young season.
Demetre Baker
September 26th, 2010
11:15 am
I appreciate all the guidance and wisdom CMR has given me. I think I have put it to good use.
Hey, Brice Hunter
September 26th, 2010
11:15 am
Come on big mouth name some names, if you’re so much in the know! You’re hiding behind a keyboard so no one will know who you are! Other players come out in print and support Murray, the latest being T. King, prior to that Durham, Green, and I’d have to do YOUR research to get the other names. Not saying Met wasn’t liked, but how anyone on this sorry team taht say’s anything negative on Murray and his leadership needs to look in the mirror and ask themselves what are they doing to help get out of this funk. Perhaps you are correct, because if Murray’s work ethic and enthusiasm for the game was making me look bad at every practice and again on game-day, then I guess that I would have something to say. Heck, Met was happy go lucky and probably would just brush off the loses with the boys and have a cold one. Murray gets up the next day and goes over film to try and make the team, and himself better. Met is gone and I wish him the best, but being the QB at this level isn’t a personality contest.
Dan Mullen
September 26th, 2010
11:15 am
BLAIR WALSH SHOULD BE THE HEISMAN
Demetre Baker
September 26th, 2010
11:16 am
I’m watching the replay right now – think I’ll get another drink. Wait – where did I park?
How bout those Dawgs
September 26th, 2010
11:16 am
LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL
Woof Woof
StillProudDawg
September 26th, 2010
11:16 am
You may be upset about the team right now, but you should always be proud to be DAWG!!! Remember our winning tradetion, our 5 National Championships! We may be a bit down, but it won’t last long. Our tradetion and our fans will get the Dawgs back on top very soon. The season is not lost. It’s a tough sport – and I know because I was going to play for the Dawgs but I blew out my knee my softmore season in high school.
Keep supporting the DAWGS – we’l be back!
Hunker down
September 26th, 2010
11:16 am
C’mon man. We can still go 9-3, maybe even get to the SEC championship game. We need to stay the course and support the team and CMR.
Hunker down
September 26th, 2010
11:17 am
Enter your comments here
Snake Doc
September 26th, 2010
11:17 am
@ Hey, Brice Hunter – Good job. Murray is a real QB and leader. One of the few players on this team that give 110% on every play.
Brice Hunter is boob who doesn’t have the mental capacity of a gnat!
Reality Dawg
September 26th, 2010
11:17 am
Hey, Brice Hunter… you pipe down over there or else you can meet me and Demetre at Skyy’s bar in 30 minutes.
Breaking News
September 26th, 2010
11:17 am
UGA beats Miss St in the replay on Fox Sports South. 1 and 2 in the SEC ain’t bad?
jerry
September 26th, 2010
11:18 am
Snake Doc: I would hope Richt’s ego wouldn’t stand in the way but to admit that he made mistakes on Willie and Bobo and that his offense as currently designed isn’t working would take a lot. And you were right on about Mora.
Coaches Show tomorrow night!!!!!!!!
September 26th, 2010
11:18 am
…….A must listen indeed …..what excuses will CMR make this time?
K. Wittingham
September 26th, 2010
11:18 am
You say “Tradetion.” I say “Tradition.” Let’s call the whole thing off?
Hunker down
September 26th, 2010
11:19 am
We need to teach these players about responsible drinking. After a loss like that there is no way that player should have been driving. He should have been passed out on a couch somewhere like the rest of us. Dang, I need another Goody’s powder, maybe a little “hair of the dawg”, go dawgs!
5150 P.O.A.D.
September 26th, 2010
11:20 am
I just turned on the TV and UGA ia already down 7 to nothing. Haven’t I seen this before?
How do you spell Delusional?
September 26th, 2010
11:20 am
Hunker Down! ..still go 9 and 3?
Dawg Kool Aid has been replenished, keep drinkin it puppies, lot easier to turn your back than face reality, Dawgs suck.
Dan Mullen
September 26th, 2010
11:21 am
WATCHING THE REPLAY OF MSU VS GEORGIA HAS TOO BE TORTURE FOR THE MUTT FANS
Reality Dawg
September 26th, 2010
11:21 am
That’s what I’m talkin’ about Hunker Down. Maybe you could beat your wife or girlfriend just prior to passing out to complete the UGA stereotype… I’m just saying….
larry
September 26th, 2010
11:21 am
this team should have to wear all black uniforms until they prove worthy of wearing red & silver
Snake Doc
September 26th, 2010
11:22 am
@ Jerry: It was his ego that wouldn’t allow him to fire WM. Its his ego that keeps Bozo on the staff. Its his ego thinking that he can recruit thugs and turn them into gentlemen!
MR is a good man, but not a great coach!
I hate to say it, I believe his ego is part of the problem! He believes he’s an offensive genius, there is no one smarter then he! And that will prevent him from doing whats right for this team and HIS program!
jerry
September 26th, 2010
11:22 am
All the Falcons have to do is lose and Loserville is a perfect 0-3.
trey
September 26th, 2010
11:22 am
I would think after the taliban got whipped by Kansas (lol) and NcState 45-28 (LMAO) that they’d have enough IQ not be here trying to give us guidance on the direction of a football program.
To the poster who says Bobo is OC because he married Dooley’s niece. You would be wrong. There was a lot of talk that he got playing time as QB because he was dating her and many felt he got his initial stint on the team as admin assistant due to those connections (he worked on the football team in 98 and 99). But his connection to her has nothing to do with his current promotion to OC. Bobo was QB coach at Jacksonville State when Coach Richt called him up and offered him the QB job at UGA. Richt and Bobo are close and Richt has a lot of respect for him as a person, a family man, and a christian. And therein lies the problem in part: Richt can’t separate his personal feelings and allow himself to see the work failures of his coaches. It was the same thing with Willie. Always an excuse to cover for his ineptness. It’s the same cycle now for Bobo. And these reasons he admires Bobo are the same reasons why Richt won’t be able to fire him without pressure. I do think BooBoo is a goner. But only because Richt will be forced to do it.
5150 P.O.A.D.
September 26th, 2010
11:22 am
To the Dawgs just waking up, no that is not a HANGOVER you are just still hearing the Cow Bells ringing in your head from last nights awsome showing by the UGA dawgs.