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.
♦
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
1,247 comments Add your comment
Deepdiver
September 25th, 2010
11:22 pm
Disgruntled Fan,
Have a fan out on a black out day. Richt will learn what people really think about him.
NoBoBo
September 25th, 2010
11:22 pm
Please read the blog Mark Richt, playing with your headset is not going to help BoBo get in his face and in his ear! Or get back to work!
Tville Dawg
September 25th, 2010
11:22 pm
Only one answer – Peterson – whatever it takes….
Frank Lane
September 25th, 2010
11:22 pm
Brandon Boykin is an embarrassment. Time after time, I saw him avoid contact, even jump out of a runner’s way once. I cannot figure out what’s wrong. this team started the game looking frightened and then they proved there was a reason.
This is the worst effort I have ever seen with a Georgia team.
Add to that the fact that Dan Mullen outsmarted Ted Grantham time and after time on third down. We were outplayed and out-coached. I am not sure who to feel sorry for but a couple of player seems to be really trying, Murray, Gray, and a few defensive players, not Boykin and not Rambo who also seemed to be watching people run by him and holding out his arms.
athensdawg
September 25th, 2010
11:22 pm
the athens ladies flag football club and bible study group continues to prance through the sec schedule………
at least with donnan, we could beat mississippi state.
Big Harry
September 25th, 2010
11:23 pm
Richt waited too long before trying to fix a glaring problem on defense…how much longer will he wait to fix the offense? He needs to fire or demote Bobo…
Consider the last time we were doing anything Richt was calling the plays…what’s he doing now? Seriously, what is he doing?
timboy6
September 25th, 2010
11:23 pm
I’m afraid the coaches have lost this team. Defense quit late in the fourth quarter.
DamntheButcher
September 25th, 2010
11:23 pm
People.. Why do you keep saying fire Mike Bobo? Was Mike Bobo on the field when MS ST went for it on 4th down on its on side of the field?
DawgStyle
September 25th, 2010
11:23 pm
I have been a CMR supporter..but times they are a changing..2 bad years is enough..he has to go. Kirby Smart? is that the best we can do? he is riding sabans coat tails. we need a proven head coach. uga has the resources to hire just about anyone they want..its time to put those resources to good use!
PissedDawg
September 25th, 2010
11:23 pm
I agree maybe we need better Pay lol
680 buck says
September 25th, 2010
11:23 pm
We were only 2 plays away from winning tonight.
Alabama Jack
September 25th, 2010
11:23 pm
What is the over/under on the 1-3 Idaho State Bengals versus the 1-3 Georgia team?
Michael
September 25th, 2010
11:23 pm
Methinks some Dawg fans would’ve fired Vince Dooley. Mark Richt has won about 10 more games after the same number of seasons. Same number of SEC titles. NO losing seasons, no .500 seasons. Go back and look. That’s the man whose name many want to put on the stadium.
NoBoBo
September 25th, 2010
11:23 pm
Please go BoBo!
Wallydawg
September 25th, 2010
11:23 pm
Soft coaches + soft practices = soft team.
SatillaDawg
September 25th, 2010
11:24 pm
Thank God Munson got out in time.
His talents would have been wasted on this hapless team.
Greg, welcome back to Bulldog Nation.
Now, fire the whole coaching staff.
You know it’s gotta be done.
No more excuses.
merrelldawg
September 25th, 2010
11:24 pm
i usually just read but after watching that i must say time for a change from top to bottom
Big Fan
September 25th, 2010
11:24 pm
No creativity on offense! Defense looks like they have no idea where to go and they are trying to read their assignments instead of playing football! No identity on either side of the ball. Play-calling is too predictable and if the fans know what play is coming, don’t you think the other team;s coaches that study film 20 hours a day can figure it out as well? Not sure where this season goes from here, but someone has to step up on the field and take some leadership responsibilities on each side of the ball. Otherwise, every week will continue to look the same and this program will be down there with the bottom of the SEC for some time to come! Just an honest assessment of the program and I hate watching a team that plays with no emotion!
coachKR
September 25th, 2010
11:25 pm
I am ok with letting Richt and the rest of the under-achieving coaching staff go. But who, besides Smart and Muschamp, could we get? I would be shocked if we could get the boise State coach. I don’t think Richt is capable of hiring a quality coach! He just got lucky with BVG! The rest have been busts!!!!
hedgeboy
September 25th, 2010
11:25 pm
just pathetic!!! CMR must be counting the days. you had a good run coach but now it’s time to move on. we want a winning team… so get ta steppin”
Buford T. Pusser
September 25th, 2010
11:25 pm
Take that last slug of Heaven Hill and reality will slip away. You and UGAy are not as pitiful as your trailer park existence and their 1-3 record suggests. Try to stay positive. The Sheriff has spoken.
OldDAWG
September 25th, 2010
11:25 pm
This is just depressing. Do I have to start rooting for the “bumblebees” now? At least they’re competitive. This is just sad.
John Dawg
September 25th, 2010
11:25 pm
Kevin Sumlin. Kevin Sumlin. Kevin Sumlin. All you need to know is we’re 9-14 in the SEC the last 3 years. Oh and by the way, we had the FIRST and 13th player taken in the NFL draft. Come on! Uh Bobo, hey man, can you spare a dip. DIPS**T
NoBoBo
September 25th, 2010
11:25 pm
Come on 680 six points till 2 minutes left and then you start passing to the good hands man.
Moot Point
September 25th, 2010
11:26 pm
Who should be Georgia’s next head coach? DDW has an idea.
http://dealingdominiquewilkins.blogspot.com/
North Shores Dawg
September 25th, 2010
11:26 pm
Let’s start w/ Wash-O-Mat Ealey, shall we? CHER could hold on to the ball better, and if “I could turn back time” I’d have us never recruit this dumb-dumb Knowshon wannabe
Next, can someone please name a coach that COMBS HIS HAIR AND ADJUSTS HIS HEADSET more than CMR??? Didn’t think so . . .
Finally, I dare someone to find a more inept OC than MIKE BIMBO.
THE ATHENS PD SHOULD ARREST THE ENTIRE COACHING STAFF UPON RENTERING THE CITY LIMITS
dan mullen
September 25th, 2010
11:26 pm
http://www.keepmarkricht.com
Jerry Glanville
September 25th, 2010
11:26 pm
Hey! Thug-Dawg fans…..I am tan, rested, and ready.
Spike
September 25th, 2010
11:26 pm
Disgraceful. This is Ray Goff football. Just awful.
DamntheButcher
September 25th, 2010
11:26 pm
GA makes more money than all but 1 school. TX. How can Alabama pay a coach to win and GA can’t?
PissedDawg
September 25th, 2010
11:26 pm
I’m sick of these fans who post motivational crap. We need a culture of accountability!!! Fire the coaches and get someone in there to kick some ass
bruce mac
September 25th, 2010
11:27 pm
The worst coached team in America right now. Lead the world in idiot plays every week. Please, please, please just stop the season now, I can’t stand it anymore.
Peterson?
September 25th, 2010
11:27 pm
Will you people stop saying get Chris Peterson here? Why would he do it? There is no way. He has turned down better offers.
BamaFan
September 25th, 2010
11:27 pm
Anyone hear Mack Brown’s postgame conference? Said he was embarrassed and that he was responsible for the whole program down to the trainers, the coaches, the walk ons, everyone. Went on to say it wasn’t fair to the TX fans or players and he has to do a better job. Richt is not going to man up like that.
Herschel Walker
September 25th, 2010
11:28 pm
The Buffaloes were off this week and are licking their chops. Thuga will soon be 1 and 4.
1stcav
September 25th, 2010
11:28 pm
You people make me sick. Can’t you people remember all Coach Richt has done for this program. I would hate to have had you in my fox hole in Viet Nam. You would have turned tail and run at the slightest bad day. Again, you make me sick. We need loyalty, not mad ranting.
Spike
September 25th, 2010
11:28 pm
Vance Cuff sucks too.
BoBo the clown
September 25th, 2010
11:28 pm
i think i just read a post of someone defending bobo? get your head out of your azz!
Big Harry
September 25th, 2010
11:28 pm
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying FIRE RICHT…but the program has floundered since removing himself from running the offense.
All the goodwill Richt has built up was when HE was calling the plays and running the offense. Since Bobo has been running it they have done nothing short of under-achieved…
the tide is in
September 25th, 2010
11:28 pm
5 and 6 is a real possabilty.
DamntheButcher
September 25th, 2010
11:29 pm
Correct. Why would Chris Peterson want to take a step down in football programs to go from BS to UGA. GA is not in the same conversation with BS.
Nut Job
September 25th, 2010
11:29 pm
What? Another 2nd and 10 inside hand off call? Why are you guys saying fire Mike Bobo? He is an offensive play calling Guru!
Richt hired him as part of an outreach program to adults with special needs. Everyone who watches the game can see this.
rez
September 25th, 2010
11:29 pm
I don’t think Richt is the problem… but Bobo and Searles need to go.
the tide is in
September 25th, 2010
11:29 pm
excuse me thats5 and 7
Joe
September 25th, 2010
11:29 pm
My Gamecocks lost tonight, but they are much better than the Bulldogs. Hello Athens for your bowl game. You’ll be staying at home!
Cold Birmingham at best.
DAWG68332
September 25th, 2010
11:29 pm
BOBO lost his MOJO, may be time to GOGO!!
Winderdogg
September 25th, 2010
11:29 pm
This is bad really bad….do the right thing CMR. Some of us enjoy winning….winning with a fired up coach and team is a plus…at this point winning seems far away…we have fallen to second and third tier teams that even if we had beaten should not be impressive…this is Georgia Football…we are supposed to win. We are supposed to challenge the best. We are not close…CMR do the right thing and let us bring glory back to UGA Football. You did a lot of great things, but your time is up…Will Muschamp see you soon – we hope!
SuperB
September 25th, 2010
11:29 pm
Enough is enough! For what the Dawgs are paying– Mark Richt HAS TO GO!
(Last week, 3rd and 4 vs. Arkansas, Georgia’s receivers run long routes!!!!?????!!!! Murray is sacked, poor punt, worse pass coverage, 31-24.) And now this? It’s been a long time since Georgia’s FB season ended in September! (I’m putting my CMR-autographed football in a closet–right this second!)
Hunker down
September 25th, 2010
11:30 pm
Where’s the hunkering??? All I’m asking for is a little hunkering, mostly down. Is it too much to ask for a little hunkering?
dan mullen
September 25th, 2010
11:30 pm
Dawg – you are not the laughingstock of the SEC – nobody notices you. The real interest is in those 4 teams that won national titles in the past 5 years. Not a bunch of also-rans. People will laugh at you when they care. Take heart – you may be the laughingstock of Clarke County or north GA, but not the SEC.