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
College Football Expert
October 30th, 2010
7:58 pm
> Dawgs made their bowl plans today. They’re gonna watch them on TV.
Funny!
UGA sux
October 30th, 2010
7:58 pm
ROFL LMAO… let’s see… 3 wins in 21 years. Guess all you ignorant hillbillies and trailer trash will be sucking down the Pabst Blue Ribbon and turning to your farm animals for a little affection to feel better.
30-24
October 30th, 2010
7:59 pm
Bear Bryant played dress up with J Edgar Hoover and everybody knows it
He’s also the biggest cheater to ever walk on a football field
GatorGuy
October 30th, 2010
7:59 pm
Can somebody please get Ray Goff to call Coach Richt, and tell him its ok to lose all the close ones to UF. I have Eric Zeier on hold and he is trying to call Coach Richt as well. But on the good side, Coach Richt will be signing autographs at the Chick-Fil-A in Toccoa this Monday. Free nuggets to the first 100 UGA fans. No truth to the rumor that he will be running the Chick-Fil-A, but you never know. Finally, Lindsey Scott does not want to be bothered. It was 30!!!!!!!! yrs ago. Fughedaboutit.
MY O MY
October 30th, 2010
7:59 pm
Is the Georgia AD going to shell out millions again this year to get a fifth choice for OC or maybe even head coach? How has spending all that money last winter worked out for you so far?
CHDawg
October 30th, 2010
7:59 pm
Oops. We have a lot of talent; unfortunately, we never got it cranked up. Maybe the extra time off in late Fall will produce a bumper crop for recruiting. When you have a losing season, you have to figure the Freshman all have a chance to play!
Swampdog
October 30th, 2010
7:59 pm
GA Dawg 97,
Then what do you call a UF player who sends death threats to his girlfriend?
GATORSTUD
October 30th, 2010
7:59 pm
Even when we suck we beat the dwgs. The stink of this loss will be on your hands all year long – sniff it up you sorry dwgs. Sniff it up
He Hate Gator
October 30th, 2010
7:59 pm
Patrick why do accept being a loser?
Not a Techie
October 30th, 2010
7:59 pm
Yeah, Fuzzybee…”2011 National Champs” is again the battle cry.
THWG
October 30th, 2010
7:59 pm
Dawgs cans still win the SEC East if….HELL FREEZES OVER!!!!
I AM DONE WITH THE DOGS
October 30th, 2010
7:59 pm
than old rednecks with “G”s painted on their head.
College Football Expert
October 30th, 2010
8:00 pm
two more losses to go
Hershel
October 30th, 2010
8:00 pm
Hershel Walker for coach!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dawg2010
October 30th, 2010
8:00 pm
It’s time for some new blood. CMR must go 2 wins in 10 years is not going to cut it.
30-24
October 30th, 2010
8:00 pm
and 73-66 douche nozzles
Andy in Blairsville
October 30th, 2010
8:00 pm
Hey Richt, when the fair-weather fans and boosters run you off I have a great career choice for you! Today I drove the new Ecoboost V-6 F-150 at Six Flags and I think that would be the perfect job for you! Go from major city to city driving F-150’s with some really cool overachievers. Just think $50K/yr plus all those Comfort Inn points you can use to take the Mrs on vacation!
TowDawg
October 30th, 2010
8:00 pm
I’ve been aboard the “fire MR” train, but I honestly can’t pin this one on him.
He Hate Gator
October 30th, 2010
8:00 pm
Swampdog…Caleb King threatened his girlfriend over that loan…
Richt's Gotta Go and BooBoo too
October 30th, 2010
8:00 pm
Until MARK RICHT IS FIRED the Techie bloggers should be treated with respect because they have a far superior coach and accomplish more with far less… I’m a UGA grad from 1984 and I just can’t put up with a coach that can’t beat Fla…
JOD
October 30th, 2010
8:00 pm
hey, they do it, so i will do it as long as UGA fans come to our boards and talking smack.
jsmuga
October 30th, 2010
8:01 pm
MR must go
boo hoo
October 30th, 2010
8:01 pm
all is not lost, you still have Idaho
Ed
October 30th, 2010
8:01 pm
That was rough, but hey, at least we arent Georgia Tech.
jack bull
October 30th, 2010
8:01 pm
not Richt’s fault,,,unless you blame him for kicking our best QB off the team in the spring…everybody’s All-American sux…he single handidly lost us this game!!! no and,if or butts!!!! plus, our defense sux azz!! hired the wrong guy..Manny Diaz sure is looking the man right now!!!!
THWG
October 30th, 2010
8:01 pm
Dawgs…a lot of talent…..great coaching….4-5! Hahahahahahahahah!
GatorGuy
October 30th, 2010
8:02 pm
Dawg Fans
The Chilean miners are not available to provide a pep talk. You will have dig yourselves out of this one. But look on the bright side……………., its 365 until the next brutal heartbreak.
Corch Myer
October 30th, 2010
8:02 pm
Can’t wait to read Barnhart’s new story line for the Dawgs.
Georgia SEC East Scenarios
October 30th, 2010
8:02 pm
Jawjer can still get to Atlanta if…where is the Tech game being played this year?
Jordan
October 30th, 2010
8:02 pm
You improve the defense to people who can tackle and cover. Replace AJ and Durham after they leave and Georgia can be #1 in the country with Murray! Hes a winner and will make us proud. Go Dawgs!
browndog
October 30th, 2010
8:02 pm
Murray made mistakes, but he also made some great plays. This is his first year. Give the kid a break. We have more issues on the D than the O. Murray will be a great QB!
Rainey on Big Bad Bruce's Parade
October 30th, 2010
8:03 pm
I texted the UGA bench just before OT, telling the Dawgs they’d lose. Is that considered a threat? Am I gonna get suspended again?
War Eagle 30082
October 30th, 2010
8:03 pm
OK, I’ll answer for you: Auburn.
But I guess the Dawgs don’t really PLAY the Gators in successive years!
I'm just saying...
October 30th, 2010
8:03 pm
You little doggie fans should get a real life.
ramblinman
October 30th, 2010
8:03 pm
SOS different game. Sometimes I think CBS is pro UGA. Enough with the Lindsey Scott thing…(how many times do we have to see that!?) The announcers even got more excited when GA scored.
30-24
October 30th, 2010
8:03 pm
Yellow Jackets can be attracted with water and vinegar, the main components of a douche
NOT SURPRISING
Smart like a Fox
October 30th, 2010
8:03 pm
thats okay….you’ll get’em next week….lol
whatfor
October 30th, 2010
8:03 pm
Once again, THIS was supposed to be the YEAR to beat Florida – after all, FL had a 3-game losing streak and was 89th in the Nation in Offense (yes – that is right – FLORIDA WAS 89TH in the NATION in TOTAL OFFENSE). The nightmare has come true on Halloween. And think – most of this week – a lot of UGA fans and the AJC were still talking about UGA still having the chance to win the East. Well, so long for that.
jsmuga
October 30th, 2010
8:03 pm
Yeah read Scriptures to you your players after this loss. You will be 19-22…..
SOS Dawg
October 30th, 2010
8:03 pm
Im tired of Mark Richts Boys home program. He doesnt seem to want to win just smirks on the sideline. He is an overpaid buffoon.
ARdawg
October 30th, 2010
8:03 pm
@Hairydog
If we stay with the running game in OT and depend on a TD on the ground or Walsh’s foot versus Henry’s….who do you think wins?…Bad coaching going for the TD….period…idiot
Saint Simons Doggie
October 30th, 2010
8:04 pm
I told you Muarry was too short!!!!!!
bigboi
October 30th, 2010
8:04 pm
Dawgs played hard and tough. They could have quit at the half down 21-7. Freshman mistake cost them.
Michael
October 30th, 2010
8:04 pm
I thought it was a good game. GO DAWGS!
Not a Techie
October 30th, 2010
8:04 pm
Wonder what the over/under is on the number of UGA players that get arrested for DUIs by Monday morning???
jsmuga
October 30th, 2010
8:05 pm
I am an UGA alumni he must go…………
Bill
October 30th, 2010
8:05 pm
Even in the years when Florida really sucks, we find a way to suck a little bit more. I am so sick of these clowns.
Steve "The King" Spurrier
October 30th, 2010
8:05 pm
I score Florida a 85.7% on this one. Once again, the University has a crappy season but pulls out a win over the Athens gang. Georgia reminds me of the early 80’s Hurricane teams in terms of character and behavior. Unfortunately the dogs just don’t have the Hurricane’s athletic skills.
Keep your head up fellers. If you happen to beat up on the North Avenue losers later this month, you can still claim State Championship honors. A state championship is better than no championship at all. You ought to schedule Georgia Southern and Georgia State too and make your mark in history. You run the state!!
It was a shame the classless television crew shoved a camera in Murray’s face after he tossed the overtime interception. The tears in that towel would bring in some high bids on ebay!!
Savannah Fan
October 30th, 2010
8:05 pm
Please remember all of you that are staying on ST Simons -please clean up the beach
Be good puppies
srschirm
October 30th, 2010
8:05 pm
Wow, what a bunch of rednecks.