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
a fan
September 25th, 2010
11:38 pm
I’m rooting for Georgia Southern this year. Georgia and Georgia Tech are both pathetic this year. They are just making this state look bad and there is no reason for that. The state is ususally in the top 3 when it comes to producing D1 talent. They just need to be recruited and coached properly. They need to fix this now!
Monkey says:
September 25th, 2010
11:38 pm
Jeff,
You got the Headlline correct. Embarrassment. If anyone really believes this current staff will turn around a program that is what 3-8 in its last 11 SEC games( that may not be right). However this program does not have an abundance of quality players. The players that are there have not been coached very well and every coach on UGA’s schedule this year has circled the UGA game as “WInnable” or “a WIN”.
Coaches who get the call for firing, retiring, resigning more often than not are shown the door sooner than later, and if the blogs on here are representative of the “Mob” mentality, then Mark Richt is as good as gone. Now we all know he will not go anywhere until after the season is over, but after releasing(firing) his defensive staff last year we all know that firing his Offensive staff is a “JOB SAVING” last stand. Those type of things do not work, look at Bobby Bowden with his sons, or Steve Spurrier with his sons, or even Phil Fulmer at Tennessee, sooner or sooner the Head Coach gets forced out, fired, or retires. The “Dawg Nation” is now beyond mad and nothing short of a new head coach and staff will be accepted by a program that started out Number 1 just 3 short seasons ago with numerous 1st round NFL players on it roster.
Time has ran its course with this “Good Christian Man” and he has lost his edge and the support of the Bulldog Nation.
Herschel Walker
September 25th, 2010
11:38 pm
Guess what Thuga fans. Even with A.J. Greene coming back, you still will lose to Colorado. Your next win comes against Idaho State.
jellybeandawg
September 25th, 2010
11:38 pm
Dawg 88 you can shove your stupid comments about Schultz up your ass. Schultz speaks the truth however fans such as yourself are too stupid and too inbred to comprehend it. Keep your head buried in the sand if you want, but Richt is done.
augustadawg
September 25th, 2010
11:39 pm
BOOBOO has been out coached again……………….. He has never earn the Off. cord. job!!! What a joke when on first down he calls runs 85% of the time……Our competion doesn’t have to watch much film on BOBO…………….Even worse inside the red zone when the off. line and run hasn’t work all year………………………………………He still runs up the gut.. No play action…….Just plain VANILLA. high school plays………… He should have been fired along with Martinez last year……..
SatillaDawg
September 25th, 2010
11:39 pm
Enough with all the CMR apologists.
His time has passed.
This is not a winning program anymore.
Why are we losing so many good Georgia natives to other teams?
Recruiting, plain and simple.
There is no excuse for it.
CMR is being out-recruited and out-coached, and it’s time for him to go.
The SEC has passed him by.
Thanks for all you’ve done, CMR, but I no longer believe in you.
No more money from this alum until you’re out of here.
Chuck Uga
September 25th, 2010
11:39 pm
Another thing that highlights Richt’s incompetence is the continued changes with pre-season preparations, game week preparations, off-season activities, etc. Just nothing but inconsistency and a search for an answer. the Bobby Bowden days died years ago, The Florida State methodology NO LONGER WORKS. Richt needs to resign! Time for CHANGE!
AJ Greene
September 25th, 2010
11:39 pm
If weeze wins nex weak aginst Coloraddo I will beez sellin my game jerzee on da ebays to da highist bidder.
MS Bully
September 25th, 2010
11:39 pm
For all you that predicted UGA would beat the real Bulldogs of the SEC, guess again. I give credit to Coach Richt for taking that cheap shot artist (#61) out of the game after he intentionally tried to injure a Miss. State player after the game was decided. I hope you sleep well tonight #61.
DamntheButcher
September 25th, 2010
11:39 pm
All you people that make fun of Ray Goff should shut the hell up. Did RG only win 2 of 9 SEC games at any point?
georgiagirl
September 25th, 2010
11:40 pm
True merrelldawg.
Dawgs lost tonight big disappointment.
BoBo play calling everyone knows, hell I’m a women and sit there and said their going to run it.
But Great Day watching the Gamecocks lose, love it.
BAMA BEATS THE HOGS, LOVE IT.
Lack of discipline
September 25th, 2010
11:40 pm
As I have been saying for the last several years – UGA’s primary problem is lack of discipline – and that comes from coaching. UGA lacks discipline on and off the field. It’s ironic that someone just recently called Florida a “dirty” team because of all the arrests – which amounted to 28 in the last 8 or 9 years. What does that make UGA? They have had that many arrest just in the last 3 (THREE) years. And ALL of this starts at the top – which is even further ironic because of the man of integrity that CMR is SUPPOSED to be. Maybe he doesn’t know how to instill discipline – but it is a problem ON and OFF the field. CMR is responsible for that
Brian Asselstine
September 25th, 2010
11:40 pm
I really like CMR and wish him well.He provided UGA something they desperatly needed when he was hired. Know this program is in shambles. I never thought I would agree but this program needs an overhaul. If UGA does not land a decent running back, the offense will not get any better. I know the staff loves Murray and he is trying to pull off a Eric Zeir imitation but LeMay will take over as the QB when he gets to campus and Crowell if UGA still has a chance. But who know who will be where next year. This is a mess.
bill
September 25th, 2010
11:40 pm
Richt makes too much to deliver these results. If he swept floors for a living this poorly he would have been canned long ago.
G8TR
September 25th, 2010
11:40 pm
Dawgs: Ron Zook never had this kind of tailspin at UF. Come to think of it, he’s available if you’re looking to improve.
ozzfest
September 25th, 2010
11:40 pm
IT’S ME…REPORTING LIVE FROM THE DAYS INN IN STARKVILLE.
MARK RICHT HAS LOST CONTROL OF THE TEAM…WHAT THE HELL WAS BEN JONES DOING???
GREG MAGGARITY….WELCOME TO THE BIGGEST EFFING MESS I HAVE EVER SEEN.
IF BOBO GETS ON THE PLANE TO DENVER, WE ARE BIG-TIME SCREWED. THE DUDE HAS GOT TO BE FIRED. NOT AFTER THE SEASON…I MEAN TOMORROW MORNING.
MS Bully
September 25th, 2010
11:40 pm
The only remedy is MORE COWBELL!!!!
The Dawgnation
September 25th, 2010
11:40 pm
Enough with Mark Richt’s poor leadership skills and lack of vision! Enough with his lack of control over his players, resulting in high numbers of embarrassing arrests! Enough with his mounting losses. Mark Richt is now leading the University of Georgia football program into a steep decline.
Richt must be replaced with someone capable. He has now proven without a doubt that he is not!
Hairy Dawg
September 25th, 2010
11:41 pm
5-7 or 6-6 is looking likely.
In fact, 6-6 would be an upset at this point.
Rocky Top NOLA
September 25th, 2010
11:41 pm
The comments on here remind me of the comments being made on the Tennessee fan boards 2 years ago when Fulmer & Clawson had a Volunteer team that played not to lose but yet found creative ways to blow games. Our low point was when Wyoming came into Neyland and embarrassed us. Coach Fulmer was a great guy, he bled Orange for most of his life & he led our Vols to a NC but that was way back in 1998. That NC got Fulmer an extra few years in Knoxville but he wasn’t able to win without Cutcliffe as his OC. I don’t think Richt will find any magic elixir for the UGA program as he is taking the Dawgs down the same path that Fulmer took us. Being a great guy & a choir boy doesn’t translate into victories in the SEC. It wasn’t too long ago when TN vs UGA was a clash of Top 20 programs fighting for the SEC-East title. Now when we meet in Athens it will be a battle to see if one team wants to win a SEC game this season. We have better days ahead under Coach Dooley but I wonder about UGA as long as you have Richt. Good luck figuring out how to turn the program around as it is a real hazardous task.
Winderdogg
September 25th, 2010
11:41 pm
Dawg 88 – you are probably trying to sell your extra’s on craiglist for $100 a ticket…those day are done…start seeing what is going on in Athens
DrewF77
September 25th, 2010
11:41 pm
UGA fans are funny.. Richt has won over 75% of his games and has probably been the best coach in UGA history but two bad years your “loyal” fans want him fired. Forget the Top 5 finishes, the SEC titles etc.
beatdowns galore
September 25th, 2010
11:41 pm
Wow looks like the dawgs will lose to Tenn and Vandy too.
Macclenny_dawg
September 25th, 2010
11:41 pm
Bobo and Searls need to be fired!!! Bobo doesn’t trust our 1 shining star on offense!! Guess he has listened to all of our chatter!!! The offensive line will be a strength this year!! Really it never was a strength last year just a admiration!! Look at the defenses we played last year when we was running the ball!!! The pass sets up the run these days!!! Richt is gone unless he takes play calling duties back over and lets Murray throw the ball out of shotgun!!!! If Richt doesn’t take play calling over this week he needs to find the door out of here!!!
country time tech fan
September 25th, 2010
11:41 pm
we run this state!
Richt has become incompetent
September 25th, 2010
11:41 pm
He must be fired ASAP!
Herschel Walker
September 25th, 2010
11:41 pm
I guess the impressive showings against South Carolina and Arkansas don’t mean much now, huh?
Dawgfact
September 25th, 2010
11:42 pm
Maybe Jim Harbaugh would like to coach in the big leagues. He’s done a good job recruiting the state of GA already. Look what he’s done with Stanford.
jellybeandawg
September 25th, 2010
11:42 pm
Hahaha!! more cowbell INDEED!
Mark Richt
September 25th, 2010
11:42 pm
I am not going to church tomorrow because I am drinking a case of Mad Dog 2020
Herschel Walker
September 25th, 2010
11:42 pm
I just talked to Buck Belue. He says Thuga will be just fine next year. This year is a rebuilding year with that Senior lead offensive line.
Herschel Walker
September 25th, 2010
11:43 pm
Anybody going to Colorado to see the next loss? The plane leaves Thursday.
Richt's program is on a fast decline!
September 25th, 2010
11:43 pm
Richt has been steadily losing control of the football program since 2008 when his team was vastly overrated at pre-season no. 1. His failure of leadership has now been proven! The Richt Era ia almost over at UGA.
Chuck Uga
September 25th, 2010
11:43 pm
I also do not give a DAMN if any of the prima donna high school sissies want to decommit or head elsewhere because the coaching staff is changed. Go ahead kiddies, go somewhere else. Those in power over the UGA program are going to find a coaching staff that is going to build a better program on the backs of players who want to come to UGA to play football, not parade around downtown Athens and other places waving their damn 5* Scout write-ups.
kj
September 25th, 2010
11:43 pm
Reading these comments calmed me down…I don’t want to sound like an a$$ like the majority. With that said, Bobo is predictable and the game plan next week is to start off by throwing to AJ then run up the middle for the next three quarters. Richt stopped calling plays in 2005, the last SEC championship year. Maybe he needs to return to it.
Jaydawg
September 25th, 2010
11:43 pm
Michael 11:15 made the stupidest comments I have ever read on this blog.You sir are clueless!
SOS Dawg
September 25th, 2010
11:44 pm
CMR will have the dawgs bowling a good game tonite in Stark Vegas…
DamntheButcher
September 25th, 2010
11:44 pm
I will NOT be going to Jacksonville. I will not spend $1000 on FL to help the economy there.
Ouch
September 25th, 2010
11:44 pm
DrewF77… well said. Couldn’t agree more. Who would want to coach at UGA?
PissedDawg
September 25th, 2010
11:44 pm
Why do we have coaches that sucked in college themselves. David Greene for OC, and Pollack for Head Coach.
@Dawg88
September 25th, 2010
11:45 pm
You are directing your anger at the wrong person. Schultz didn’t call the crappy plays for the offense. Schultz isn’t running an undisciplined and uninspired team. You are correct in calling someone an embarrassment though…..it is CMR. So get your crap together and put the blame where it is really due.
DamntheButcher
September 25th, 2010
11:45 pm
Type…. in FL
country time tech fan
September 25th, 2010
11:45 pm
schultz is right.
i’m damn proud to be a tech fan tonight.
KenDog
September 25th, 2010
11:45 pm
Nine off-season arrests, your best player suspended for four games and now this? Someone’s (or many someone’s) head has to roll….
Herschel Walker
September 25th, 2010
11:45 pm
How many cars will Wayshon hit this week?
The decline of Richt's program
September 25th, 2010
11:46 pm
Rick last won a SEC title in 2005. That’s 5 years ago. Right now he has won 8 out of his last 16 games. That’s 8-8!!!! Richt is losing control of the program and it shows.
jellybeandawg
September 25th, 2010
11:46 pm
Buck Belue is an idiot. All of his “inside information” is bogus and his toupee looks outright ridiculous. Its obvious that he wears it WAY too tight because it is cutting off circulation to his already pea size brain.
Herschel Walker
September 25th, 2010
11:46 pm
The guy A.J. Greene sold the jersey to is a drug dealer. Does that bother any of you Georgia fans?
PMC
September 25th, 2010
11:47 pm
Meh, This edition of Georgia Football without it’s best player… and a few others… simply isn’t all that good. They don’t have much depth. They aren’t dominant or capable of being dominant. MSU is a team on the rise, they have an excellent head coach and defensive coordinator and they were playing at home.
Maybe it’s sad to say for a once proud Georgia team… but right now they are what their record says they are.
This is who they are going to be for a while… no reason to kick them when they are trying as hard as they can.
I will say though… I’ve seen just about enough of Washaun Ealey in college. I’m not sure he’s good enough to be in the SEC.
Herschel Walker
September 25th, 2010
11:47 pm
Vince Dooley says Richt will be wearing red panties this week.