LIVE from Dogs-Gators, and everybody’s feeling the heat
Georgia's Mark Richt and Florida's Urban Meyer greet each other before the game (Brant Sanderlin/AJC)
JACKSONVILLE — Time to play.
Was thinking last night — while Tim Tucker and I strategically avoided “The Landing” area — about the enormous pressure on certain individuals in today’s Georgia-Florida game. It’s odd only in that both teams are unranked going into this contest for the first time since 1979. So much for national ramifications.
But think about the pressure on . . .
♦ Mark Richt: Georgia has won three straight but you can’t just wipe out a 1-4 start. If the Dogs lose, they are absolutely, positively dead in the SEC East (I think) because they would lose tiebreakers with both Florida and South Carolina. They also would need to win two of their final three games (Idaho State, at Auburn, Georgia Tech) just to become bowl eligible.
♦ Urban Meyer: Think he’s not feeling some heat? Here’s a guy who appeared to have a serious health issue, suddenly retired, then even more suddenly unretired. He explained his chest pains as “esophageal spasms” and some immediately wondered about truthfulness. We can’t know if Meyer’s heath has affected the way he’s gone about his job this season but we know this: The Gators have lost three straight and they rank 89th in the nation in total offense. Florida can still win the East but if they lose they’ll be 2-4 in the East and all but cooked. For those Dogs’ fans looking for a possible omen, here you go: The last time Florida lost four straight was in 1988. The fourth loss in that streak came to Georgia 16-3.
Uga VIII was out on the town. (Kidding. It's not him.)
♦ John Brantley: It can’t be easy replacing Tim Tebow, but the Gators’ quarterback was expected to be better than this. In his defense, the offensive line and running game have been awful. But nobody could have expected these numbers through seven games: six touchdown passes, five interceptions, 10 sacks. Brantley had four touchdowns and zero interceptions against Miami (Ohio) and South Florida so you can do the math on the five SEC games.
♦ Aaron Murray: He has been great this season. But he never has played in this stadium or a game of this magnitude. Richt planned to talk to the freshman during the week about trying to maintain his composure. Also, Florida’s defense is still pretty good.
♦ Chris Rainey: Not too much pressure on him, huh? Mr. Time To Die Guy shouldn’t even be in this game (my opinion) but Meyer believes he has paid a big en0ugh price for texting a death threat to his estranged girl friend. He won’t have his phone during the game so he’ll actually have to speak his threats.
One last thing on Rainey: If you have no problem with him coming back because you believe he deserves another chance, that’s fine. But the worst — and most prevalent — excuse I’ve heard is that athletes used to do these dumb things all the time and we never knew about it. The point? I have no doubt that star athletes got away with things before that they can’t now. But that doesn’t make what happened before right. Fact is, that was wrong. Coaches never should be allowed to go pick up his star player from the sheriff’s office and say, “I’ll take care of it. He’ll run steps.” Pretty sure the science teacher isn’t doing the same thing for his students. (”Oh, he’ll just do extra experiments.”)
♦ Caleb King: He’s coming back from a two-game suspension after being arrested for failing to appear in court for a speeding ticket. The fact Washaun Ealey has a sprained knee may necessitate King taking on a major role. By the way: Funny line this week by Richt. He noted the Dogs are undefeated this year when they have a running back suspended (3-0 during King and Ealey suspensions). When asked Tuesday if any player has been suspended yet this week, Richt cracked: “It’s early.”
Fortunately, everybody made it through the night without handcuffs. One less thing to worry about. I’ll be back later with a few shots from the stadium and any updates, but I figured I would post a blog early.
Meanwhile, Freddie Mercury and David Bowie provide an appropriate tune …
♦
Our photographer, Brant Sanderlin, took a little video of the scene in The Landing last night and stumbled on this unsanctioned fight between Georgia and Florida fans:
♦
Catching up on Georgia-Florida week
♦ Weekend Predictions: Dogs go down to Gators again
♦ Urban Meyer slammed again for Chris Rainey decision
♦ This is the week Georgia’s defense needs to step up
♦ Dogs’ key to beating Gators: QB, defense or something else?
♦ Early Georgia-Florida primer (and why Meyer is catching heat)
♦
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2,829 comments Add your comment
DIT
October 30th, 2010
11:58 am
I’d love to see Murray pass for about 350 yeards today and at least one of our backs go over 100 yards rushing. I just hope that our defense does not decide to make Brantley look like Crompton in last years UT game.
DEFENSE MUST BE ON EARLY!!!!
DIT
October 30th, 2010
11:59 am
Oh and let’s utilize our TE’s today. We have two of the best TE’s in the SEC. USE THEM!!!
Sanford Drive
October 30th, 2010
11:59 am
I have never been nervous before a GT game.
Even last year I knew their lines didn’t match up well with ours.
This season, we have our bye week before, and we all know what happens when teams have time to prepare for that Mickey Mouse offense.
Justin Houston dreams of Nesbitt and night, and Aaron Murray is licking his chops while dreaming of Tech’s defense.
Bill Stanfill
October 30th, 2010
12:01 pm
Rainey? Urban Meyer has never let principles get in the way of winning.
Sanford Drive
October 30th, 2010
12:02 pm
I expect the Dawgs to go down 10-0 early, then adjust (which Grantham isn’t getting enough praise for this year) and win 27-17
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
October 30th, 2010
12:03 pm
get houston to brantley early…the rest will take care of itself.
Joey
October 30th, 2010
12:05 pm
SOUTHGADAWG88,
You are right, but win or lose, I’d take Murray over anybody I’ve seen in a long time. I, for one, couldn’t wait for Stafford to leave early, cause I had seen enough of him shrugging of big-game losses like he couldn’t care less.
Aaron Murray has a heart twice as big as Stafford. Not only is he smart, got a strong arm, a quick release, and enough guts for the whole team (how many times has he slid this year to avoid contact?), he left central Florida to be a Dawg.
He’s my boy, no matter how many games Bobo’s playcalling causes him to lose. The losses won’t be on him.
Yellow Fuzz
October 30th, 2010
12:06 pm
Alright fine Mutts.
I am 16. I am in all honors science and math classes, and will be applying to Tech about this time next year.
I expect my volvano at the science fair during the Georgia State Fair in Perry this Fall will gain me some attention from the Tech admissions board.
I cannot WAIT to get to Tech in a couple years, so I can DOMINATE in the “Humans vs Zombies” that they play on Tech’s campus!!
here is my older brother to give you a taste of what you Mutts aremissing out on in this incredible game!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEdkLVzHUO4
DIT
October 30th, 2010
12:06 pm
Who can tell me how serious Ealy’s injury is? How bad will it affect his play today? I would much rather him getting the majority of the runs than King. (that did not come out right did it?)
SOUTHGADAWG88
October 30th, 2010
12:07 pm
I’m glad the Gators have all their weapons and have had the extra week to prepare and get healthy.There will be no excuses
Yellow Fuzz
October 30th, 2010
12:07 pm
22
Graduate GT next Fall
Winston Wolfe
October 30th, 2010
12:08 pm
Yellow boy……get off the computer, fix yourself a drink, pat your girlfriend on the……., and go outside and enjoy some great Fla and Ga fans. Wear your tech gear if you want.
DIT
October 30th, 2010
12:10 pm
Joey -
Agree about Stafford. World of talent, but could not lead a mule to water. The guy has zero leadership qualities. I remember at the beginning of the year there were people complaining about Murray being the QB. I kept saying that he was the real deal and will surprise people. I live in Tamps so I got to witness his talent. This kids a great QB and knows how to be a leader on the field as well. That’s what gave Tebow the “it” factor. Not saying he is as good as or better than Tebow, just saying that he has the “it” factor himself
Go Dawgs!
Sanford Drive
October 30th, 2010
12:14 pm
If Murray gets the win for the Dawgs today, i would expect him not to lose a Cocktail Party as long as he starts.
dap01
October 30th, 2010
12:18 pm
It is surprising that Jeff S. is blogging on an UGA game. I figured that he would rather cover the Yellow Jackets. Why are the Yellow Jacket fans on this blog? It is an overused word but “NERD” is the best way to describe them.
Yellow Fuzz
October 30th, 2010
12:20 pm
“Winston Wolfe
October 30th, 2010
12:08 pm
Yellow boy……get off the computer, fix yourself a drink, pat your girlfriend on the……., and go outside and enjoy some great Fla and Ga fans. Wear your tech gear if you want”.
Way ahead of you little old timer. Been tailgating with wireless for about two hours now. Tech baseball cap, 3 Bud Lites (so far), made fun of numerous dog fans who would rather sqat and pee by our tent instead of walking 200 yards to a port a john. “Patted” my girlfriend last night, twice! She’s a dog fan and calls it uga.
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
October 30th, 2010
12:21 pm
need Tenn to win against the Chickens!!!
Joey
October 30th, 2010
12:23 pm
Yep, DIT, even in the first game, he had control of the huddle. Football players know who’s talking the talk, and who’s walking the walk. At least two hits Murray has taken this year woulda put most QBs on the bench, but he didn’t miss a play.
I keep thinking back to what Colt McCoy said about Murray around the first of the year, when he was asked about the QBs coming up this season. The first thing he said was, “UGA’s Aaron Murray is gonna be a star.”
I just hope we can get a real OC who can build an agressve, Oregon-type, offense to take advantage of his talents.
Yellow Fuzz
October 30th, 2010
12:24 pm
Just kidding. That video was from last years game
Joey
October 30th, 2010
12:24 pm
How about your face, Willy. Can you send us a pic of your handsome mug?
missouridawg
October 30th, 2010
12:25 pm
hey buzzzzzzz,
sounds like u have peni$ envy! hahahahaha
Joey
October 30th, 2010
12:27 pm
Yellow Fuzz,
She told me she calls “it” uga becuse it’s really short . . .
DIT
October 30th, 2010
12:28 pm
Joey – agree
We do need a new OC that can utilize ALL of the talent on the field. I just don’t get why we have not thrown to the two studs we have at TE position. Little delays from them will open huge holes! Of course I’m not a coach, just an Alumnus, but tend to think that most of us see that lack of throwing to our TE’s as well.
Gotta get out a put a few hours of work in before the game!
GO DAWGS!
jumbeauxtiger
October 30th, 2010
12:29 pm
Yellow Fuzz,
Delbert D. is not a UGA homer and is one of the best posters on here.
You on the other hand…..well I won’t waste my time.
Hey Yellow Fuzz
October 30th, 2010
12:30 pm
why are you on a blog about the GA/FL game? if anyone needs to STFU ”
because it’s a GA/FL blog”, it you. We own you. 8 out of 9. I know it hurts because
you know in your heart it will be 9/10 soon enough. You want more than anything
for GA to lose so it somehow makes you feel better about yourself. Sorry, you are still
a loser. Perhaps you will mouth of in person to some Dawg fan and Jax and you
will get what you deserve. A good ole Azz whipping GA style.
Delbert D.
October 30th, 2010
12:33 pm
@Sanford Drive – “I expect the Dawgs to go down 10-0 early, then adjust (which Grantham isn’t getting enough praise for this year) and win 27-17″
Florida has won 28 consecutive games when the Gators scored before their opponent. That doesn’t predict anything, though.
JRay
October 30th, 2010
12:34 pm
Feel the heat,
Wild and sweet…
Dawgs lose 42-17.
Delbert D.
October 30th, 2010
12:35 pm
jumbeaux – Many thanks for that.
Yellow Fuzz
October 30th, 2010
12:35 pm
Deldo:
Sorry to confuse you with some of the AH’s here from the dog nation!
Hey Yellow Fuzz aka JRay
October 30th, 2010
12:35 pm
Florida will not score 20.
GA defense wins this game.
October 30th, 2010
12:37 pm
The georgia def will win this game. 20-13. GA wins.
Yellow Fuzz
October 30th, 2010
12:38 pm
Joey
October 30th, 2010
12:27 pm
Yellow Fuzz,
She told me she calls “it” uga becuse it’s really short . . .
Hahaha. I like that. She told me it’s because it’s built low to the ground.
SOUTHGADAWG88
October 30th, 2010
12:38 pm
Murray is the real deal…Richt’s offense is more dynamic to me with a QB who is a legit run threat(Ward/Shockley)
Winston Wolfe
October 30th, 2010
12:40 pm
Yellow Fuzz…..well put that laptop down, have about 5 more bud lights and enjoy the atmosphere. You’ll see not ALL Ga fans are idiots. Just jealous I’m not at the game myself.
Delbert D.
October 30th, 2010
12:40 pm
On the other hand, since October 2007 Florida has played 14 games in which its opponent has scored first, and the Gators have a 7-7 record in those games.
Schultz for brains
October 30th, 2010
12:42 pm
Buzzzz: Are you kidding me? “What a bunch of kids does on saturdays” You truly are an example of a trade school product. Simply amazing.
GATA
Sugg Id
October 30th, 2010
12:45 pm
F Florida. That is all.
Joey
October 30th, 2010
12:46 pm
Haha, Fuzz, you got me!
You’re probably okay, if you’d just come on here and talk football, instead of insulting us rednecks. Try it sometime.
Delbert D.
October 30th, 2010
12:48 pm
Virginia just about killed Jacory Harris on a sack. The U’s 319 lb average OL is porous against a pretty bad team.
Delbert D.
October 30th, 2010
12:50 pm
I’m switching over to Tennessee-SC.
Since Vince
October 30th, 2010
12:58 pm
After today this season is OVA for UGA. Urban Meyer will once again out coach Mark Richt.
Joey
October 30th, 2010
1:04 pm
Wow, Since Vince, you really went out on a limb with that prediction . . .
how2fish
October 30th, 2010
1:07 pm
I don’t care who plays for the Gators, what city they play in or any of that excuse BS..line up kick off make plays and BEAT THE GATORS nothing else matters don’t give a damn about anything else BEAT THE GATORS !
cheap seats
October 30th, 2010
1:07 pm
Tennessee playing SC TOUGH! GO DOGS!
Sanford Drive
October 30th, 2010
1:07 pm
The word of the day is VICARIOUSLY. As in:
The down and out Florida State fanbase will be VICARIOUSLY living through the Dawgs today.
The down and out Georgia Tech fanbase will be VICARIOUSLY living through the Gators today.
Burma Shave
October 30th, 2010
1:14 pm
In west Texas…
The oil does ooze…
Next up…
The dawgs will lose.
Burma Shave
how2fish
October 30th, 2010
1:14 pm
SC just scored a TD..impressive drive that time.
Fabio
October 30th, 2010
1:16 pm
Gators 35, Dawgs 24.
Over and out.
SOS Dawg
October 30th, 2010
1:16 pm
Well looks like SC will take control of the EAST. SC people ! How in the heck is that happening? These clowns should be ran out of Athens. Better Facilities, Better tradition and supposedly better recriuting classes.
how2fish
October 30th, 2010
1:16 pm
Burma Shave that truly sucked…who writes that crap for you Jray ?