Dogs’ key to beating Gators: QB, defense or something else?
Urban Meyer was more relaxed before last year's Georgia game than he will be Saturday.
ATHENS — Just arrived in Happy Town, where the football team has won three straight, the basketball team is considered a conference dark horse and the outside of Stegeman Coliseum is almost completely encircled by glass panels. (OK. Still looks like an old barn with a new shine. But not bad.)
It’s Mark Richt news conference day and I’m planning on writing something about Georgia-Florida later. The focus will be on what I believe is the key to not only this game but the key to affirming that the Bulldogs really are headed in the right direction this season and beyond.
Loading ...The answer is . . . well, you’ll just have to wait. I know. I’m such a tease.
If you haven’t heard, the Dogs actually are favored in this game for the first time since 2004, according to Todd Fuhrman of the Caesars Place Race and Sportsbook in Las Vegas. That year, they were 6½ point favorites and won (and covered) 31-24.
This year Georgia is favored by three. Sounds strange, doesn’t it, given that the Dogs have lost 17 of the last 20 meetings and the last two by a combined score of 90-27? But a winning streak (even over the soft competition of Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Kentucky) has altered some perceptions in Athens and, maybe more importantly, the Gators are a train wreck. They’ve lost three straight regular season games for the first time since 1988 and coach Urban Meyer’s vaunted offense is ranked 89th in the nation.
So here’s the question of the day, until I post the column later: What is the biggest key to beating Florida? I’ve put up a poll, but here are the choices. You can only pick one.
♦ QUARTERBACK: Aaron Murray (12 touchdowns, three interceptions, 1,766 yards) has been great for Georgia. John Brantley (six touchdowns, five interceptions, 1,266 yards) has been mediocre for the Florida. Is it as simple as Murray outplaying Brantley?
♦ RUNNING GAME: The formerly suspended Washaun Ealey, starting the last two games for the suspended Caleb King, rushed for 280 yards and six touchdowns against Vanderbilt and Kentucky. Florida has struggled to run the ball. Is it as simple as the Dogs controlling the ball with the running game and winning?
♦ DEFENSE: What to think? Florida is struggling (they scored seven points in a loss to Mississippi State and six in a loss at Alabama) and there’s no question Georgia has made some progress. But how worrisome is it that Kentucky rolled up 31 points and 423 yards (353 passing) last week? Clearly there are still some holes.
♦ SPECIAL TEAMS: Rivalry games often turn on freakish plays like a long return or a blocked punt.
♦ TURNOVERS: See special teams.
So those are your choices. I know which way I’m going. Until then, what do you think? I’ll check back shortly.
♦
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351 comments Add your comment
dawgforlife
October 26th, 2010
2:41 pm
I don’t think either team has much to crow about this year…I think we “can” win most definitely…but, with Fla always positioning itself with its bye week specifically to beat Ga, and the fact the game is an away game for Ga every year…even with a down Fla team…its not gonna be easy. (and for those who say it is a neutral site…what state hosts the game?)
gdawginkalamazoo
October 26th, 2010
2:43 pm
TimDawg, third and long? LMAO! Call it a fumbled punt, that sounds better.
TimDawg
October 26th, 2010
2:44 pm
Amen dawgforlife on the neutral site crap. Lets do home and home or Jax and ATL!
bravesfansince66
October 26th, 2010
2:46 pm
The DAWGS better teach number 18, 19 and 25 how to cover in the secondary. They were pitiful with the exception of Cummings interception in the end zone. We were abysmal at 3rd downs on defense as well…we let UK convert way too many 3rd and long.
NYC Dawg
October 26th, 2010
2:47 pm
JEFF- This is a rivalry game. It comes down to passion and heart in games like this one. We’ll need to match Florida’s intensity from the start if we want to win. They’ll be desperate and fired up early, and we’ll need to come out and set the tone. If I had to choose one of your five, I go with running game all day. It’s all about setting the tone, hitting hard, fighting for extra yards, and running that clock. GO DAWGS!
David
October 26th, 2010
2:48 pm
Believe it or not this one will be very tight, back and forth, I believe Georgia will get the ball last with less than two minutes move the ball down the field and kick a winning field goal with about two second left in the game. Georgia 31 Florida 30
Hutson Mason
October 26th, 2010
2:51 pm
Put me in coach! I don’t want to wait another three years to play one year!
UCF Dawg
October 26th, 2010
2:51 pm
TURNOVERS!! Every game the Dawgs have won this year, they’ve won the turnover battle. I hope we have guys on the field with nasty looking beards by the end of the season with the turnover deal from Richt. If Georgia wins the turnover battle, they win the game.
5150 P.O.A.D
October 26th, 2010
2:52 pm
TT
I want so of the Lawn Turff you engineered at UGA that you must be smoking if you think it will be UGA 41 Gators 17.
Dogs Smell
October 26th, 2010
2:55 pm
NO Way Ga holds UF under 2 touchdowns ! Look for UF to take out some anger against the tail sniffers 38 -13. I dont like Florida but you homers need a reality check ! You beat UT and Vandy and a good KY but you will not get by UF ! When was the last time GA beat UT and UF in the same year ? Wont be this year either !
BIGDOG24
October 26th, 2010
2:57 pm
If your a dog fan and your going to Florida I suggest you download this song for the trip.
http://www.jfareal.com the song is called Go Dawgs by j. fareal or you can just google him.
76-DAWG
October 26th, 2010
3:01 pm
Our pass defense will be the key. Florida will throw 50 times with the run defense that we have and most of that will be right at Cuff. I just wish we could play South Carolina again with the way our run defense has played.
gbal
October 26th, 2010
3:04 pm
Always more than 1 Key to any game… Need to get a little more sophisticated in the polling AJC ….
Can usually count on winning the game if you win the turnover by +2. So that is important.
However that alone will not win this game for us. Gotta have a balanced attack on O (BoBo) that utilizes all of our strengths …. AJ, tight ends, and a good dose of running WE and CK that keeps the UF D somewhat guessing and off balance. A one deminsional running attack with our 3-4 basic running plays and I am afraid the UF D will eat our lunch. Mix up …Open up the Offense.
Our D also has to tighten up and play smart, especially in the secondary. We all know that UM has studied our weaknesses and found a number of plays that will try to exploit each one. Gotta man up on D and limit the breakdowns.
We can win the QB battle IF the O line protects Murray.
We win the special teams so long as we dont try to suprise UF with going back to the short kick offs.
gomdawg
October 26th, 2010
3:04 pm
Georgia starts this year 4 years in a row. Go Dawgs
DawginTX
October 26th, 2010
3:07 pm
THE KEY: It’s a tie for red-zone efficiency and 3rd down defense. When we get the ball inside their 20, we need to come away with TDs 75% of the time, and FGs the rest of the time. And for God’s sake, get off the field on 3rd down. Early in the year, teams were converting too many on the ground. Now that we’ve shored that up a bit, they’re converting too many through the air on 3rd and long. We need to hold them under 40% on 3rd down. And it wouldn’t hurt if we had some help from “old lady luck.”
gomdawg
October 26th, 2010
3:07 pm
H. Walker will be giving Georgia a Pep talk before game . Maybe him and Tebo can do a little kick boxing at half time
SawThat1nce
October 26th, 2010
3:09 pm
The biggest key to Ga. beating Fla. is for the Bulldogs to score more points than the Gators.
If they can do that, then the Dogs should be fine, and they will probably win the game.
GaGator
October 26th, 2010
3:16 pm
I think you will see a different Gator team than has played the past 4 weeks. They should have most of their players healthly for the 1st time in awhile and the 3 best offensive players (Demps, Rainy & Gillslee) will play for the 1st time over a month.
I thought even in the preseason this will be a close game and turn-overs will determine the winner.
SECWasteManagement
October 26th, 2010
3:25 pm
“The biggest key to Ga. beating Fla. is for the Bulldogs to score more points than the Gators.
If they can do that, then the Dogs should be fine, and they will probably win the game.”
Did John Madden just blog that? Funny though.
Gator Bob
October 26th, 2010
3:29 pm
SERIOUSLY – do not fool yourself – The cocktail party this year features two slumping programs – so plenty of alcohol will be consumed as both teams are drowning their sorrows!
AS for Florida – really like our chances!!
Why?
– off week to prepare and freshen some legs!!
– A bad Florida team is still superior to a good UGA team.
– This is a BAD UGA team – and Dogs will get blown out in the second half.
Is UGA improving?
– maybe a little – but the pass defense is really bad and Florida will exploit, exploit, exploit.
– UGA Defense gives up yards and points early and late. I predict the same this Saturday.
I really think last years UGA team would beat this years UGA team. Honest opinion. UGA will be 3-5 in the SEC when all is said and done.
is a bad team – and yes, while
5150 P.O.A.D
October 26th, 2010
3:29 pm
I hope the announcers really do their homework before this game. With all the players wearing Orange jumpsuits with their Inmate # on the back it is going to be a nightmare knowing who is who.
Mike Bobo 17 INT
October 26th, 2010
3:30 pm
The key for Florida is to just show up, then allow the beatdown to ensue. This is going to be an easy walkover, then when is all said and done on Monday, everyone will be looking to next year and attempting to avoid Auburn.
GaGator
October 26th, 2010
3:31 pm
I beg to differ on the rushing, Demps, Rainy and Gillslee will out rush King and Easley just like they did last year. Defense and turn-overs will determine the winner.
I will make 1 prediction, the dawgs fans will be so estatic that Georgia is favored by 3, they will flood the bookies with bets and run the line up to 6-7 points. Should the Gators win, there will be alot of poor Georgia bookies.
Mike Bobo 17 INT
October 26th, 2010
3:33 pm
Classy move with UGA fans targeting the officiating crews. Yes, most crews do hate UGA because they hold alot on the line, a slew of personal fouls and basically the entire team is based on the work-release program.
What about all of those beatdowns over the years that Florida has given UGA, I suppose officiating comes into play also? Good lord, give me a break, you UGA fans always point the finger at something other than your horrible program, top to bottom.
Terra Firma
October 26th, 2010
3:33 pm
5150, I see you on here a lot so I wish you were funnier, but you’re just not.
LHardingDawg
October 26th, 2010
3:35 pm
The key to winning this game is to get some yards on first down, 2nd. and short and you run the ball, 2nd. and long, you have to throw the ball. Keep out of third and long. Ball control is vital to keeping the ball at least 35 minutes. We win easily if we do that.
Mike Bobo 17 INT
October 26th, 2010
3:43 pm
The key to UGA winning this game is to scrub the football program and just call it a day. Losing 17 of the last 20 is an embarssment to the state of Georgia and only galvanizes the fact that Florida owns this program.
Nothing that UGA can say, do or even try to predict removes the fact that Florida, LSU, Alabama, Texas, and even Miami are superior championship programs.
MURPHY
October 26th, 2010
3:43 pm
Mike Bobo 17 INT,
Every fan makes excuses for their teams,Im pretty sure you do as well.Just curious what UF used for excuses back in the day when UGA was dominating your Gators.I mean if we are talking bout all those beatdowns over the years. See my man it goes both ways!
Dawg Whisperer
October 26th, 2010
3:44 pm
Turnovers will make the difference between two relatively equal squads. It’s all about emotion and preparedness, and somehow, the team with the most usually wins the turnover battle.
Chickasaw
October 26th, 2010
3:44 pm
There’s rarely a “one thing,” Jeff, as you know. But if you must put it in those terms, let’s say “Turnovers.” If Ga keeps playing “good hands” ball, they win. I think Addazio (quite logically) decides to put pressure on our secondary, but Brantley’s nerves betray him in another big game and that results in a couple of picks. Murray apparently is nerveless, so our only worry is whether the running backs cough it up, and lately they have not. I do not agree with others that this is a particularly bad UF team (they beat UK worse than we did and kept MSU closer), but the Turnover battle gives it to the Dawgs. And take the points, even if they get run up to 10.
DawginLex
October 26th, 2010
3:49 pm
Shutup interceptionn idiot. No one on here cares anything about reading your crap.
You don’t know enough about college football to fit into a thimble. Your hatred for UGA blinds your ability to watch anything and actually take anything from it. All you know is that you want UGA to lose.
I watch the games and get to go to a couple every year and I pull for the Dawgs. We win some and we lose some but my loyalty remains. You spend all of your time waiting to bash UGA. What a miserable existence you must lead.
I-90 Drifter
October 26th, 2010
3:50 pm
The biggest hurdle in Jacksonville is Gator home cookin’. That game has needed to be on a “home & home” basis for years. It is ridiculous.
Ghost of Erk
October 26th, 2010
3:51 pm
Long gator, WHO HAS FLORIDA BEAT?? UK? UT? USF? wow BIG wins right there
Mike Bobo 17 INT
October 26th, 2010
3:51 pm
MURPHY
Granted UGA owns the overall record, but the endzone dance and the beatdown from last year is what everyone remembers the most. Florida has more titles, more recent and just an overall better program.
Hell, you even had to get your AD from Florida after your AD was fired for having panties in his lap. The UGA program is like checkbook, you always think you have more money until you run the register. When you run all the problems with the UGA program you realize, as I have, that the program is deeply tanked and not getting any better.
Just a few wins, and everyone is happy with CMR. Keep up the great work!
Mike Bobo 17 INT
October 26th, 2010
3:52 pm
Florida has already their statement with national titles, what has UGA done since 1980? Nothing, that’s right, absolutely nothing.
DawginLex
October 26th, 2010
3:52 pm
Miami? Talk about living in the past.
The interception idiot thinks Mark richt is leaving UGA after next year and is going to go coach Miami.
Move his family from Athens to Miami.
Think about it idiot.
Even you can’t be that stupid.
Can You Dig It
October 26th, 2010
3:53 pm
What’s wrong with Florida? How about losing Charlie Strong and Dan Mullen…..Its clear that Meyer is a lousy coach…he always has been….he NEVER gave any credit to Strong or Mullen when they were coaching at Florida..Meyer is a pompous assh_le and always has been….I can’t wait to hear his excuses after Saturdays loss to the Dawgs…I’m sure he’ll point fingers at everyone except himself…always has….Can You Dig It!
DawginLex
October 26th, 2010
3:54 pm
Hey idiot,
Painted your Pinto Oregon green and gold yet?
Since Boise won’t be playing in the BCS title game, don’t you have to support the front-runner?
Maybe a crimson stripe?
Dawg_Mike
October 26th, 2010
3:55 pm
Herschel Walker giving our pep talk?
Hell, at 48 he could still suit up. he does have one year of eligibility left, right??
Best Dressed
October 26th, 2010
3:58 pm
It’s all about the costume………..Black helmets or red helmets? Black, white or red shirts? Black or silver pants? No more gimmicks……….just a good ole’ fashion beat down of the Izods
Dawg_Mike
October 26th, 2010
3:58 pm
Here is Tebow’s motivational pre game speech for Saturday. Better cross off the undefeated season yet again ……
“To the fans and everybody in Gator Nation, I’m sorry. I’m extremely sorry. We were hoping for an undefeated season. That was my goal, something Florida has never done here. I promise you one thing, a lot of good will come out of this. You will never see any player in the entire country play as hard as I will play the rest of the season. You will never see someone push the rest of the team as hard as I will push everybody the rest of the season. You will never see a team play harder than we will the rest of the season. God bless.”
Dawg_Mike
October 26th, 2010
3:59 pm
I just threw up a little …
Mike Bobo 17 INT
October 26th, 2010
4:00 pm
Dawginlex, you must be a Terry College Special Needs Student, therefore, I will tend to curve you.
Miami, 5 national titles in the last 25 years, more and more recent than UGAY. Boise has nothing to do with the conversation, we need to focus on the special needs of your tanked football program. Fix your own house, then you can toss rocks.
Typical ignorant UGA fan….please everyone curve Dawginlex speaking from his single-wide in Oconee county.
GaGator
October 26th, 2010
4:01 pm
Can You Dig It —————— Hi Patrick-same jerk as usual
If the dawgs don’t get the Gators this year and they have their best chance in years, plan on more years of misery in the years to come. The #1 class in the nation will have a year of SEC experience and Florida’s 2011 class just moved to #3 in the nation with 2 big pickup yesterday and today.
See rivals.com, the dawgs are currently #12.
Mike Bobo 17 INT
October 26th, 2010
4:02 pm
Update: Caleb King passed his Jim Harrick exam, so he is moving nicely towards his degree. Caleb is definitely the brains of this footbal operation.
DawginLex
October 26th, 2010
4:03 pm
Oconee county? I guarantee you I don’t live in a double wide like you do.
I live in Lexington Kentucky you moron.
I’d invite you up for an in person a@@ kicking but the game was last weekend and your Pinto probably wouldn’t make it that far up I-75 anyway.
go to he!!
Mike Bobo 17 INT
October 26th, 2010
4:04 pm
UGA has been playing scout squad for the past 3 weeks, now they are back to a normal schedule. I recall some media outlets indicating UGA was going to run the table this year due to their easy schedule, which just shows how horrible this program really is.
DawginLex
October 26th, 2010
4:05 pm
The only horrible thing around here is you, your breath and your 400 pound donut eating lard a@@.
DawginLex
October 26th, 2010
4:06 pm
Ask Steve spurrier about that scout team from Lexington that just beat his team.
You are too stupid to even realize how dumb you really are.
Mike Bobo 17 INT
October 26th, 2010
4:07 pm
Dawginlex, classy response…nice, real nice. You should consider pulling for a local team instead of UGAY, hell, even UK is a classier program than the Dogs.
Dogs suck, and will continue to suck year, after year, after year, after year, after year, after year, after year, after year, after year, after year, after year, after year, after year, after year, after year, after year, after year, after year, after year, after year, after year, after year, after year, after year, after year, after year, after year, after year, after year, after year.