This is the week Georgia’s defense needs to step up
Georgia defenders tried to psyche themselves up during warm-ups last year but still got rocked.
ATHENS — This isn’t about losses. This is about humiliation.
Losses come by a field goal or a touchdown. Humiliation comes when an opponent regularly rolls up point totals in the 30s and 40s and is so comfortably ahead so early that the opposing quarterback is waving a towel and leading cheers in the third quarter.
The problem with the Georgia-Florida “rivalry” is that scores like 45-13, 52-17 and 49-10 don’t scream rivalry — they just scream, like the creepy Edvard Munch painting of the same name. That pale-looking creature with his hands on his face and his mouth hanging open resembles the average Bulldogs fan traveling home from Jacksonville.
The Bulldogs have a chance to change that this week. They go into the Florida game with the better quarterback, the better running attack and certainly the better recent results. But Saturday may be less about Aaron Murray, Washaun Ealey and the contrasting directions of the Dogs (three-game winning streak) and Gators (three-game losing streak) than it is about this: defense.
This guy just came from the last Georgia-Florida game.
Florida has won the last two meetings by scores of 49-10 and 41-17. They have won 17 of the last 20 meetings, scoring 30 or more points 12 times, 40 or more six times and 50-plus twice. In only three of the last 20 meetings has the Georgia defense held Florida under 20.
During and since the Dogs’ four-game slide, coach Mark Richt has stressed the need for his team to be more aggressive and physical. He brought in defensive coordinator Todd Grantham in part to help that cause. Too often under Willie Martinez, Georgia was too easy to play against.
If the Bulldogs truly want to end the humiliation, it starts on defense.
They’ll never have a better chance. Urban Meyer doesn’t have Tim Tebow any more, and his offense has tumbled to 89th in the nation. The Gators are looking up to Kansas, Louisiana-Lafayette and Eastern Michigan.
Mark Richt hopes Todd Grantham has the right plan this year.
Mississippi State held Florida to seven points. That’s 34 less than Georgia held it to last year.
Cornerback Sanders Commings said of that 41-17 loss, “It was sickening, really.”
His lingering memory from the last meeting wasn’t a Florida touchdown but Tebow leading the Gators fans in cheers.
“He was running up and down the sideline, pumping the fans up after they got a big lead on us,” he said. “It was like the third quarter and they were already celebrating.”
Most of Grantham’s background is in the NFL but he was aware enough about Georgia-Florida history to bring it up to players when he arrived in Athens.
“He brought up Florida even before we had played our first game,” Commings said. “He brought up Florida at our first meeting back in the summer.”
What did he say?
“It was, ‘If you want to kick Florida’s [rear], you better start working now.’”
The Dogs were run on by South Carolina (189 rushing yards) and passed on by Arkansas (380 yards). They allowed 11 touchdowns in the losses to Arkansas, Mississippi State and Colorado.
The defense has improved since. What we can’t know is to what degree Tennessee’s and Vanderbilt’s ineptitude impacted the lopsided wins of 41-14 and 43-0. Some concern returned last week when Kentucky converted nine of 15 third-down situations and rolled up four touchdowns and 353 passing yards.
When asked about Florida’s struggles, Richt wouldn’t bite. Allowing 90 points in two meetings would make any coach gun shy. He even called Florida a “great football team,” words not being spoken these days in Gainesville.
“Florida has won the East I don’t know how many years in a row,” he said.
Actually only two, Mark. It just seems longer.
Richt again: “They’re still a team that controls their own destiny. There’s no doubt we need to step it up [defensively]. The bottom line is we need to continue to improve. The last three weeks our goal has been to play better, to play more physical and practice more physical.”
This is the week to show it.
♦
Previous two Georgia-Florida posts
♦ Dogs’ key to beating Gators: QB, defense or something else?
♦ Early Georgia-Florida primer (and why Meyer is catching heat)
♦
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
227 comments Add your comment
5150 P.O.A.D
October 26th, 2010
7:06 pm
Wahoo 1st on the second page.
Nesbit for Heisman
October 26th, 2010
7:08 pm
Does GT even still have a football team?
Steve
October 26th, 2010
7:10 pm
5150 POAD “Wahoo 1st on the second page.” Wow what a dork!
Norm's Panties in a KNOT
October 26th, 2010
7:11 pm
I have a great idea. Why don’t all the UGA and GT fans that like to post on the AJC.com meet at the Atalnta Community Food Bank the Friday after Thanksgiving to help sort food, help the poor, and talk crap the day before the game. It would let all of us meet and drop some of the Behind the Screen hatred.
GTDog
October 26th, 2010
7:13 pm
Hmmmm, that’s an interesting idea KNOT…
5150 P.O.A.D
October 26th, 2010
7:20 pm
That could be fun KNOT. I don’t know if the Food Bank could survive it though. They would have to keep the fans from the caned foods I think.
Captain Obvious
October 26th, 2010
7:27 pm
Thanks GTDog, I’m also known by my other monker, Ed. Whenever I hear a talking head ask an analyst what the “keys to the game” are, my first though is always “score more points that the other team.” Instead, we get the usual banal chatter about “controlling the line of scrimmage,” “establishing the run to set up the play-action passes” and “converting on 3rd down.” Blah blah blah. Truth is, no one knows how a game will turn out or what factors will push one team over the top.
GTDog
October 26th, 2010
7:33 pm
I agree, that’s why you’ll never hear me talking trash, I’ve been on both sides of upsets before…
I really like that AFB idea, I might seriously do that, the day before the game…
GatorHater27
October 26th, 2010
7:42 pm
Georgia needs to take a play from Florida’s book. SCHEDULE AN OFF WEEK BEFORE THE GA-FL GAME. It’s no wonder the Gators have been so lucky even when the Dawgs had better talent. They are always well rested and prepared. We also need a defensive coordinator the likes of Erskine Russell.
superDawg
October 26th, 2010
7:45 pm
the uf defense is not good UGA needs to control the clock with the running game and hit #8 or #16 when needed.the D needs to be balls to the wall and make every one pay at point of impact.GATA DAWGS!
Bull
October 26th, 2010
7:46 pm
Schultz, that’s the best you got ? Wait…I forgot…no I didn’t…don’t even bother answering with your deductive logic. You’re even connected via brew, bros, hoes…how I love the paradox
Norm's Panties in a KNOT
October 26th, 2010
8:09 pm
UGA likes the week off before the Tech game so the players can really study hard for their real tough exams. They have to learn how many points a 3 point shot in basketball is worth.
jerry
October 26th, 2010
8:11 pm
Who cares, they are both 2010 football nobodies.
Norm's Panties in a KNOT
October 26th, 2010
8:23 pm
Man I would hate to be a fan of Boise St and have to watch them play home games on TV. Damn that is making my head hurt with the Blue uniforms on the Blue Turff.
» Blog Archive » Dogs regain bark _ and still have shot in SEC East - Seattle Times
October 26th, 2010
8:23 pm
[...] take-awaysAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Dogs playing up to preseason expectationsRed and BlackAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)all 379 news [...]
The Nature Boy
October 26th, 2010
8:25 pm
It’s not rocket science…the dawgs need to “man up”…and NOT play scared..we have the talent…our LB’s are “crazy” good they’ll be playing on Sunday soon…we have AJ on offense…and a decent O-Line…the sad thing is that there are very few players that can talk to our squad about how fun it is to win in Jacksonville…I guess my favorite win (excluding 1980) was when Robert Edwards put the team on his back..late 90’s…I loved that game….Good write up Jeff….I agree our D will be the key….(I love the over) but wouldn’t touch the 3pts…the Gators have had a week off….and Georgia has hurt me too much…
The Nature Boy @ Norm
October 26th, 2010
8:32 pm
Everytime I go to the bathroom Boise scores…..I feel like I’m watching a class AAAAA team playing an A team…the blue field annoys me….Idaho annoys me…..the age of consent in Idaho is 14….I’m just throwing that out there….in Georgia it’s 16….(and people call us rednecks)
You see POAD…I aint so bad….I just don’t like being bullied….
Norm's Panties in a KNOT
October 26th, 2010
8:34 pm
It better not be ROCKET SCIENCE we are talking about UGA after all.
Boise St 7 La Tech 7.
The Nature Boy @ Norm
October 26th, 2010
8:54 pm
Nice punch…you drew blood…POP Quiz..what Bowl did Ga Tech play in and got stomped on that blue field..???
5150 P.O.A.D
October 26th, 2010
9:03 pm
I would never travel to that bowl game for sure. I don’t snow ski and I see no other reason to go freeze my buns off to watch a football game.
OldTimer
October 26th, 2010
9:19 pm
This game reminds of a Sadie Hawkins dance.
OldTimer
October 26th, 2010
9:20 pm
Or maybe a Beyonce concert.
OldTimer
October 26th, 2010
9:22 pm
It’s nice to see Richt riding the wave, he’s back on his boogie board, this time it’s in the kiddie pool.
» Blog Archive » Dogs regain bark _ and still have shot in SEC East - Washington Post
October 26th, 2010
9:37 pm
[...] take-awaysAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Dogs playing up to preseason expectationsRed and BlackThis is the week Georgia's defense needs to step upAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)all 444 news [...]
Jeff Schultz
October 26th, 2010
9:57 pm
POAD – SECWasteManagement comment is out (as is yours that referenced it).
5150 P.O.A.D
October 26th, 2010
10:03 pm
Thanks Jeff. Even I thought that was over the line. Nicki has nothing to do with football. I go to meet her and all the girls when my neice went to Tech Volleyball Camp this past summer.
GT Girl
October 26th, 2010
10:32 pm
5150 POAD – I knew what the POAD meant (I went to Tech). As for the 5150-I just thought you were a Van Halen fan! When did you graduate from Tech?
BTW Tech has a great volleyball team. Go Jackets!
5150 P.O.A.D
October 26th, 2010
10:37 pm
My father is a 60 ME grad. I went to North Georgia College and Kennesaw State actually.
5150 P.O.A.D
October 26th, 2010
10:38 pm
God I think my head is going to explode watching the Boise St team in Blue playing on the Blue Turff.
Gen Neyland
October 26th, 2010
10:42 pm
I’ll give Florida’s offense this : They’ll be a bigger challenge for UGA’s defense than UT, Vandy and Kentucky’s offenses. I’ll also say the Florida’s defense should be a bigger challenge for UGA’s offense than UT, Vandy and Kentucky.
VolsRule
October 26th, 2010
11:03 pm
No dog in this hunt – but I think the Gators will absolutely destroy Georgia. Game will be over late 3rd.
Nurse Rachet
October 26th, 2010
11:33 pm
Fla 27-17
Ga finishes 6-6 for the year
Shreveport in December- lighting strikes twice
NashDawg
October 26th, 2010
11:52 pm
28-10…..Dawgs win!!!
NashDawg
October 26th, 2010
11:54 pm
Dawgs finish 7-5 with a close game at Auburn. However, do not be shocked if the Dawgs beat Auburn. It can happen and usually does when the team is not suppose to win.
Just a thought from a nobody
October 26th, 2010
11:54 pm
I think this is a POAD – Schultz blog! Since Schultz gave POAD the ok to post anything he wants,,,, he will not stop ragging on the dawgs.
Norm's Panties in a KNOT
October 27th, 2010
12:06 am
Just a thought
maybe POAD works for Schultz just trying to get blog hits. I think I read where he said the dawgs would win this game. I could be wrong but I think POAD said Boykin has a return for a TD.
d
October 27th, 2010
2:06 am
Enter your comments here
drbasic1
October 27th, 2010
2:08 am
NURSE RATCHET
Get this straight before you speak…SHREVEPORT is NO LONGER a SEC bowl; but is now an ACC Mtn West bowl game….thus…………TECH will be there….get it???
kingsx7
October 27th, 2010
2:27 am
JUST WIN BABY !!!!!
Wagtheworld.com » Dogs regain bark _ and still have shot in SEC East – MiamiHerald.com
October 27th, 2010
2:46 am
[...] Journal Constitution (blog)Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -Red and Black -Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)all 374 news [...]
Wagtheworld.com » Dogs regain bark _ and still have shot in SEC East – Seattle Times
October 27th, 2010
3:56 am
[...] take-awaysAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Dogs playing up to preseason expectationsRed and BlackAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)all 381 news [...]
Eric C.
October 27th, 2010
3:56 am
GaGator, meyer is 16-1 in many situations at UF, not just after byes.
Eric C.
October 27th, 2010
4:00 am
Gen Neyland, no way dude…UF offense is absolutely NOT a bigger challenge than the UK offense. Agree with you on the defense.
Wagtheworld.com » Dogs regain bark _ and still have shot in SEC East – San Francisco Chronicle
October 27th, 2010
4:01 am
[...] take-awaysAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Dogs playing up to preseason expectationsRed and BlackAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)all 373 news [...]
Eric C.
October 27th, 2010
4:02 am
Vols Drool, not sure where your logic is…UF could certainly win, but destroy? Like they destroyed MSU?
Eric C.
October 27th, 2010
4:04 am
Btw, which team beat the Vols worse?
Eric C.
October 27th, 2010
4:07 am
Meanwhile, Meyer tosses and turns in his sleep…should Rainey play? Ha, yeah right – he’s not losing a bit of sleep over that decision.
Wagtheworld.com » Dogs regain bark _ and still have shot in SEC East – Washington Post
October 27th, 2010
4:18 am
[...] Dogs run away with a win thanks to take-awaysAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Red and Black -Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)all 381 news [...]
Inbred Dawg
October 27th, 2010
6:04 am
I thank we needs to change the name of hour teem to the “UGA Possums”. We always get killed on the rode.
Jeff Schultz Fan
October 27th, 2010
6:18 am
Jeff: Looking forward to your Friday predictions for this week. Since this
is UGA`s year to beat UF, I am thinking you will write some extra funny stuff.