LIVE from Georgia (with a really good QB and Big Bad Bruce)(UPDATED)
The house remains empty, as the suspense builds.
(UPDATED PHOTOS BELOW!!!)
ATHENS — Good morning. No Uga VIII (or excommunicated Russ) sightings yet but I’ll keep you up to date on this world-changing event. I wasn’t sure what to wear so I went with the usual California cool look of jeans, a light sweater and a blazer.
(I mock because I care.)
OK, Uga is cool. There, I said it. I just feel so bad for Russ. It doesn’t seem fair to me that the old mutt is being kicked to the
In case you were wondering: Coronation is at 12:10.
curb on Homecoming Day. (Russ, if you’re reading this: I have a nice big backyard in Johns Creek for you to play and run free in. You’ll just have to share floor space with Abby, our lab-boxer mix who’s getting a little cranky in her old age.)
We now return to football. There are story lines other than Uga’s coronation today (scheduled for 12:10):
♦ The return of running back
No suspense here: We know Murray is good.
Washaun Ealey to the starting lineup, replacing the suspended Caleb King.
♦ The continuation of the unstoppable force that is A.J. Green, who in only two games has 13 receptions for 215 yards, three touchdowns and a team-long, 40-yard run on an end-around.
♦ The chance for Georgia to win consecutive games for the first time since last November and the consecutive SEC games for the first time in 13 months. Yes, it’s true. The Bulldogs, coming off last week’s 41-14 win over Tennessee, hasn’t won two straight SEC games since Sept. 12 and 19 of last season over South Carolina and Arkansas (ironically, the first two conference losses this year).
But to me, the biggest story has been the play of quarterback Aaron Murray. Most didn’t know what to expect from Murray, but he has been the Dogs’ best player, despite average-to-mediocre play by the offensive line and a lack of stability at running back.
Murray has completed 61.8 percent of his pass attempts (97 for 157) for 1,366 yards, 10 touchdowns and only three interceptions. In the win over Tennessee, he was 17 for 25 for 266 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. His biggest statistical problem is the sack total: 14. Part of that is poor pass protection; part is on Murray for holding onto the ball too long at times, which is common for a young quarterback.
But he is getting noticed. Chris Low, ESPN’s tireless and talented SEC blogger, came out with his ranking of SEC quarterbacks this week. He had Murray fourth — even ahead of South Carolina’s Stephen Garcia, and trailing Cam Newton (Auburn), Ryan Mallett (Arkansas) and Greg McElroy (Alabama). Low had Murray eighth before the season started. Below are Low’s current rankings and his preseason rankings:
Low’s current rankings:
1. Cam Newton, Auburn 2. Ryan Mallett, Arkansas 3. Greg McElroy, Alabama 4. Aaron Murray, Georgia 5. Stephen Garcia, South Carolina 6. Jeremiah Masoli, Ole Miss 7. Mike Hartline, Kentucky 8. John Brantley, Florida 9. Chris Relf, Mississippi State 10. Matt Simms, Tennessee 11. Jarrett Lee, LSU 12. Larry Smith, Vanderbilt 13. Jordan Jefferson, LSULow’s preseason rankings:
1. Ryan Mallett, Arkansas 2. Greg McElroy, Alabama 3. Jeremiah Masoli, Ole Miss 4. John Brantley, Florida 5. Stephen Garcia, South Carolina 6. Jordan Jefferson, LSU 7. Cam Newton, Auburn 8. Aaron Murray, Georgia 9. Mike Hartline, Kentucky 10. Chris Relf, Mississippi State 11. Matt Simms, Tennessee 12. Larry Smith, Vanderbilt♦
Regardless of any other issues right now, Murray is the best sign for Georgia’s future. As for how significant last week’s win was (other than ending a four-game losing streak), we’ll find out today and in the coming weeks. Consecutive games against Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Kentucky affords the Dogs a chance to get well quick, going into Florida week. Talk of running the table is premature and a tad optimistic but it’s certainly not too late to finish with a winning record and go to a decent bowl game.
That’s it for now. If I locate Uga VIII or Russ before the ceremonies, I’ll post a photo or two — and I’ll give both your best.
♦
UPDATE:
We have new stunning behind-the-scene photos:
Here's Russ. He has chained himself to his house and refuses to leave!
♦
Behind these doors, "Big Bad Bruce" (Uga VIII) is going over his acceptance speech!
♦
It's him! It's him! Uga VIII! Bruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuce! (Brant Sanderlin/AJC)
♦
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677 comments Add your comment
SOUTHGADAWG88
October 16th, 2010
2:40 pm
That’s why he’s AJ lite Jeff
Jeff Schultz
October 16th, 2010
2:41 pm
Dave — Without looking, I’m guessing Stafford had more interceptions at this stage.
jack bull
October 16th, 2010
2:41 pm
bad karma…thats what happens when your crew is making bad calls..
Ad wizards
October 16th, 2010
2:41 pm
Can Nike make some cleats that have lifts?
I’m liking Murray, but I think his height will cost him a game at some point.
Cousin Vicker
October 16th, 2010
2:41 pm
You can say that UT is down and “oh it’s just Vandy” or you can say that this is how UGA should be beating these teams. This may be another typical late season surge by a Richt-coached team (think ‘06).
SOUTHGADAWG88
October 16th, 2010
2:42 pm
Jack Bull you are brutal lol
John Lennon
October 16th, 2010
2:42 pm
Instant karma’s gonna get you (ref).
JSS
October 16th, 2010
2:42 pm
So what is the deal with Refs workers comp?
jack bull
October 16th, 2010
2:42 pm
3rd and 1,,,here comes CHAPAS..
Ted Striker
October 16th, 2010
2:43 pm
JSS, I was wondering the same thing. I hope they have insurance.
Jeff Schultz
October 16th, 2010
2:43 pm
Lost an official. Somehow I don’t think that will impact game.
UGA89
October 16th, 2010
2:43 pm
Sorry Dave and SadDawg, I have a higher expectation from my football team.
You guys probably think Vandy is a pretty good team too.
That first half was poor… plain and simple.
KB
October 16th, 2010
2:44 pm
T. King, look like he got killed at the end
JSS
October 16th, 2010
2:44 pm
Zone, zone, zone…
Switzerland
October 16th, 2010
2:44 pm
Cousin Vicker, I agree (and hope) this team COULD make a late run. Talent is talent, and they’ve got it. But you guys can’t blame people for people being worn down after the last few years. It’s only normal.
Dave
October 16th, 2010
2:44 pm
If Ealy would hang on to the ball, he’s a better runner than Caleb.
SOUTHGADAWG88
October 16th, 2010
2:44 pm
Bobo is getting a grove here
KB
October 16th, 2010
2:44 pm
Nice run by Thomas.
Dave
October 16th, 2010
2:44 pm
The Mighty Midget scores again!
jack bull
October 16th, 2010
2:45 pm
having his best game of his career,,,on a bad leg???
SOUTHGADAWG88
October 16th, 2010
2:45 pm
Groove
Jeff Schultz
October 16th, 2010
2:45 pm
JSS — I’m sure they have coverage for game. I mean, I’m assuming they do. Not sure if its through SEC or NCAA.
Chong
October 16th, 2010
2:45 pm
Flashback:
Is that Thomas Brown in Carlton Thomas’ jersey?
Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans
October 16th, 2010
2:46 pm
Think I’m gonna go. Falcons party tomorrow. Gotta cover some furniture with clear plastic in preparation for friends. Starts at 8 AM with breakfast, followed by several hours of getting wasted, BBQ lunch, and pregame shows. Even proper folks become mighty sloppy with a good buzz-on. And I’d hate to have to kick a dear friend’s ass for yapping-up Q on my sh!t..
UGA players
October 16th, 2010
2:46 pm
Yo! Where we goin’ after the game?
I’m drivin’!
SadDawg
October 16th, 2010
2:47 pm
UGA89, we need to just quit watching, huh? Terrible performance.
Jeff Schultz
October 16th, 2010
2:47 pm
Official has left ankle injury.
JSS
October 16th, 2010
2:47 pm
Yep, Striker… I hope so too!!! 66% of your pay ain’t going to get it done if his regular job requires movement and range of motion… It is one of the reasons I never get too mad at college officials and below…
Ugghhhh...
October 16th, 2010
2:47 pm
I would think that its through the Conf., instead of the Evil Emprire, as refs are representatives from their respective conferences, and rarely ref games outside conf. (except bowl games)
Mr. Turnip Green Jeans mother
October 16th, 2010
2:48 pm
Thanks for telling us your itinerary, dear.
We all appreciate it.
Jeff Schultz
October 16th, 2010
2:48 pm
Total yardage: 470-105 … Been a long time since I’ve seen a game this lopsided.
The Ghost of Wally Butts
October 16th, 2010
2:48 pm
Dang, we sure are good! We are really beating up on the last 2 teams we’ve faced….who’ve won a combined….uh….4 games between them.
Yeah boy, time for some sideline gansta dance moves.
And, for what it’s worth, Mr. No-Show King doesn’t look too repentent on the sidelines. Looks like a light-hearted day for him. And this is supposed to be punishment?
Jeff Schultz
October 16th, 2010
2:49 pm
Question: If you’re Richt, how long do you play starters?
Fitten
October 16th, 2010
2:49 pm
tim – Florida is having trouble scoring points… but our D isn’t really that good and we can’t even run on Vandy. I think Florida wins, easy (maybe not by big points — but still an easy win)
Jeff – #1. Falcons think Meier is the heir apparent to Finn. How does a guy like Durham really make a team as a free agent? It’s just so tough.
#2. I think once Georgia starts playing teams who can push our OL around (aka most teams), then AJ has to still be productive. We’ve barely run on Tenn, Colorado, and Vandy. Go back and watch the first game, except for 2 long runs, we couldn’t run on Rajun Cajuns?!?!?
So if AJ can have these types of games against the Floridas & Auburns…. he’ll make All-America first team.
Jeff Schultz
October 16th, 2010
2:50 pm
Uggghh … You are correct. School official thinks they have coverage through conference, since they are technically SEC employees.
Barkin'Dog
October 16th, 2010
2:50 pm
Ad wizards
October 16th, 2010
2:41 pm
Can Nike make some cleats that have lifts?
I’m liking Murray, but I think his height will cost him a game at some point.
Murray is taller than Doug Flutie was, and he’s a virtual legend… succeeding at 3 levels (Coll, CFL & NFL). I think AM will far surpass what Flutie did when it’s all said and done.
TampaGator
October 16th, 2010
2:50 pm
With this impossible victory over a great Vandy team and last week’s win over the powerful Tennessee Volunteers….Muarry is the Heisman frontrunner and Georgia is again in the hunt for the national championship…..How ’bout ‘em Dawgs!!!
Seriously….your Dawgs have looked much better today.
Now…I am heading the for the garage and I-75 north for THE SWAMP to watch some football….really worried about Mullen and his Bulldogs. But I hope the Gators finally come out and play some football in the first half. They need to tonight for sure.
KB
October 16th, 2010
2:51 pm
Nice interception
Choose your own adventure
October 16th, 2010
2:51 pm
Unfortunately, people look at style points now….need to pad the stats, don’t they? For voters, for recruits.
You have to play them until the mid-4th don’t you?
JSS
October 16th, 2010
2:52 pm
By the way, that is a example why teams that can’t stretch the field can’t run the screen game…
Ted Striker
October 16th, 2010
2:52 pm
Re: Pulling starters. Start intermittently pulling them now.
Jeff Schultz
October 16th, 2010
2:53 pm
OK, stand corrected — The game officials are independent contractors responsible for their own insurance. So if that dude has a broken ankle, he’s on his own. Wow. You’d think with all money conferences make they could afford insurance.
jack bull
October 16th, 2010
2:53 pm
here comes the Jump ball to AJ in the corner.
NCAA
October 16th, 2010
2:54 pm
Screw the players, screw the refs.
Let ‘em make their own money. (wink, wink)
UGA89
October 16th, 2010
2:54 pm
SadDawg- i don’t care what you do. Based on your criteria, why don’t you go watch the Tech game at 3:30pm and pose as a tech grad and provoke those nerds. That seems to be your idea of “blog-fun” instead of actually paying attention to the game. a-hole.
Ted Striker
October 16th, 2010
2:54 pm
Bobo has called a good game. (I think).
Ugghhhh...
October 16th, 2010
2:55 pm
And as for the game, i believe UGA could put their entire 2nd string in on both sides of the ball in this one, and it really wouldn’t matter at this point. Outmanned. And suprisingly, UGA is very motivated, and it seems they are playing with a fire these last couple games. No letting up. No chance for insane comebacks from the other team (last year KY and the year before, the GT game)
KB
October 16th, 2010
2:55 pm
I am shocked Ealey held onto the ball
B. Jones
October 16th, 2010
2:55 pm
I refuse to act like I’ve been there before.
Fitten
October 16th, 2010
2:55 pm
Dave – From what I remember, Stafford was never good on completion percentage his freshman year. That rocket arm of his… the WRs had trouble catching it & he wasn’t accurate. Murray is shorter & doesn’t have the arm, so I believe we’ll be seeing him for all 4 years.
Jeff – Richt doesn’t put the scrubs in until late. So we’ll be seeing the starters for quite a while. Trinton Sturdivant is still missing some blocks, so I’d keep him out there the rest of the way. (But I note he’s been out several plays)