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)
♦
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
2,829 comments Add your comment
Andy in Blairsville
October 30th, 2010
8:32 pm
1 of 100 reasons why Kirby Smart will never come to UGA to be a head coach: UGA has a proven fair-weather fan base.
As inbred as the state of Alabama is, they live and die by Auburn and Alabama football.
Georgia fans on the other hand jump on the bus of whoever has a winning record this season whether it’s UGA, GT, Falcons or the Braves. Those same fans will kick you out of the bed like a $2 ho if you start losing. That’s just the general fans in the state of Georgia. UGA fans are even more fickle!
defacto
October 30th, 2010
8:32 pm
That’s sweet Mario, comparing driving violations to threats against women. Bet you’re a big tough guy who just loves knocking ‘em around.
GATA FAN
October 30th, 2010
8:33 pm
CMR should have, done like CUM did with Rainy, and reinstated the thug players just to get a win that is the kind of coach you dawgs NEED not someone who is a good man
REALITY CHECK
October 30th, 2010
8:33 pm
FLAT TIRE-Who u going to replace Richt with?
Losing to UF sucks, but who’s better that UGA can actually get?
Not A Dawg Fan
October 30th, 2010
8:34 pm
You Georgia fans kill me…If georgia wins, you are all talking about how you can get back to Atlanta for the SEC Championship game…then when you lose, you talk about firing your head coach. Good grief make up your mind already.
Jeff
October 30th, 2010
8:34 pm
Don’t worry Dawgs–the loss won’t be nearly as heartbreaking next year.
Party school
October 30th, 2010
8:34 pm
30-24
October 30th, 2010
8:03 pm
Yellow Jackets can be attracted with the main components of a douche.
Guess that’s why they’re on your blogs, lol
Jeff
October 30th, 2010
8:34 pm
I am over it all. This staff is unable to get this or any team ready for a big game. Murray and his fuc….intercepions is yet the latest gaff. I am sick and tired and my money is done going to a fu…..program that I hope and PRAY like hell that we finish this year with alosing record. MAYBE that will force something to be done
Macclenny_dawg
October 30th, 2010
8:35 pm
Andy in Blairsville
Remember Tommy Tuberville????? Its just not in GA its all over in sports!!! Its in Alabama 2!!
harley
October 30th, 2010
8:35 pm
dont you just love the crybaby dogs. go fla
5150 P.O.A.D.
October 30th, 2010
8:35 pm
Called it just the wrong team
3-4 point win on huge special teams play. I think having your punter kick the game winning field goal works. I did think it was going to be UGA kicker or a punt/kick return.
Can UGA make it to a bowl with a win over a FCS team being the 6th win?
picassokat
October 30th, 2010
8:35 pm
Tip of the hat. Schultzie you picked it right again.
SB
October 30th, 2010
8:36 pm
When T. King stood there with his hands on his hips after that first TD, I was afraid we might be in trouble. Just too cocky – too early on. And did you see the Gator kicker look at our fans and do the same thing after the game winning kick. hate to say it, but we had that coming.
Kid @ door dressed as UGA Football Player
October 30th, 2010
8:36 pm
with bag over his head. SWEET!
Black And Red
October 30th, 2010
8:37 pm
We totally would have won if we had worn black jerseys and black helmets.
go cubs
October 30th, 2010
8:37 pm
dawgs are going to beat the gators.
cubs will winn the world series.
dream on people. you are two of a kind.
Andy in Blairsville
October 30th, 2010
8:37 pm
Either way, Kirby Smart as HC at UGA is a wet dream.
GATA FAN
October 30th, 2010
8:37 pm
I bet Rainey’s girlfriend will sleep better tonight knowing we won and he will be in a good mood
Party school
October 30th, 2010
8:38 pm
POAD, if Idaho State is an FCS team I don’t think it counts toward win total. So they’d have to beat Tech and Auburn.
CHOKE! THE OFFICAL DRINK OF THE GEORGIA BULLDAWGS
October 30th, 2010
8:41 pm
KEEP TELLING YOU DUMB REDNECKS THAT FOR HOW MANY YEARS NOW?
Richard
October 30th, 2010
8:41 pm
I hear ya Jeff, so effing frustrating, UGA needs to get a bye week every year in addition to some new coaching. CMR is good but its going to take something radical to change the series betwween UF. I say wait till someone good is available and then get a new coach. I HATE FLORIDA!!!
DOGS ARE THE BEST
October 30th, 2010
8:41 pm
2011—-Murray for Heisman and Dawgs should be PRESEASON #1
…………….as in #1 ball-lickers—-hahahahahahaha—–u run this state—in embarrassments!!!!!
red panties—-red panties—–red panties
cover up those redneck ball-heads with RED PANTIES
and BBQ BIG BAD BRUCE—–HE IS A BIG JUICY PU$$Y——-GETTING READY TO GET STUNG!!!!!!!!!
harley
October 30th, 2010
8:42 pm
fla rules ga
Macclenny_dawg
October 30th, 2010
8:42 pm
DAn Mullen has accepted the Dawgs head coaching job on 12-28-10!!!!
triggert
October 30th, 2010
8:42 pm
Enter your comments here
5150 P.O.A.D.
October 30th, 2010
8:43 pm
Party School
That is what I thought to.
Mirk Racht
October 30th, 2010
8:43 pm
Serious Dawg fans need to start organizing and demanding that Richt be fired. Otherwise, sports writers will be asking the same question this time a year from now.
Richt represents mediocrity. Saban and Meyer represent excellence and championships. Richt simply isn’t in their class, nor will he ever be. Richt would have to be incredibly lucky to win the division, and the odds against him winning the SEC championship would be at least 50:1.
Those are the simple facts, and there’s no amount of enthusiasm or cheerleading or Top 5 recruiting classes that can get around it.
As they say in poker, “Read ‘em and weep.”
Coffee Bluff DAWG
October 30th, 2010
8:44 pm
No, Rainey was not the issue – TOs were the issue. You can’t have 4 and beat a good SEC team.
Mario,
And PLEASE no, don’t compare threatening violence against a women to leaving a speeding ticket unpaid. That is moronic.
stendek
October 30th, 2010
8:44 pm
Hello Mark. Jesus here. Have been attempting to get your attention. Believe you have been too involved in endorsements and pizza parties to be aware. Your services, along with those of Mike Bobo, required immediately in Outer Mongolia. Critical missionary work will not wait. Please leave immediately. Do not forget Bibles. Prayers have assured me neither of you will be missed in Athens. Bless. JESUS
Plenty off Georgia Flags on I-10 & I-95
October 30th, 2010
8:44 pm
I wonder why?
g8rb8
October 30th, 2010
8:46 pm
Hey you hairy dawgs- Enjoy Shreveport!
atrain
October 30th, 2010
8:46 pm
Its common sense to throw to your all american WR more than 5 times in a game. Murray didnt look to go to him all night!!!! BOBO needs to have at least 10-15 plays that go to AJ every game!! I mean look at any other OC they will get the ball in there best players hands but BOBO has no clue. He couldnt even get his high school team in thomasville to hire him. We need to get a new OC what about Jeff Hatcher that took Valdosta State to a division 2 National champ!!!!
AFDawg
October 30th, 2010
8:46 pm
Bring in June Jones from SMU — he could go toe to toe with Spurrier, Meyer, Saban and Miles in the SEC. Trust me on this one.
Freddie G
October 30th, 2010
8:46 pm
Catlady,
You are so right, when I saw that it reminded me of 2007 when they were dancing to soulja boy on the sidelines during the Auburn game. These are some of the things I want to see cleaned up, their focus should be on the game plan and not those extra acivities.
Sickdawg
October 30th, 2010
8:47 pm
ANOTHER GAME THAT CMR LOOKS STUPID
Murray the Midget
October 30th, 2010
8:48 pm
Guys I am wearing my Gators Tim Tebow jersey and parting @ The Landing. I blend in well with all those Gators fans.
Andy in Blairsville
October 30th, 2010
8:48 pm
Seeing how UGA hasn’t been able to beat FL for the better part of 2 decades, why continue to play them? Why renew the TV contract?
Is this game required by law due to being forced to play by the legislature just like UF was forced to play Florida State?
Why continue the inevitable?
Buford T. Pusser
October 30th, 2010
8:48 pm
I hate when thUGA loses. I’ll be up all night answering wife-beating calls in trailer parks all over the county.
The Sheriff has spoken.
Flat Tire on I-95 Jacksonville
October 30th, 2010
8:48 pm
Reality Check
Urban Meyer
Jim Harbaugh
Nick Saban
Gene Chizik
Pete Carrol
Oregons Coach
Jim Tressel
Steve Spurrier
How about Dan Mullen
What do these coaches have in common. They were hired to turn their programs around from mediocrity.
Those programs had enough of the mediocrity, Ohio State was tired of loosing to Michigan every year for example and did something
But There are people out there but its people like you that as long as we beat Tech and have 10 wins your satisfied.
THE CATHOLIC HAMMER
October 30th, 2010
8:48 pm
Lucky for the SEC that the Gators pulled it off in the end.
Otherwise, one of their better teams would have lost to Colorado, earlier this year.
Regardless, the best team in the SEC got tied by Clemson, who lost to Boston College, earlier.\
Pray the War Eagles don’t meet the Ducks in the BCS Game. It’s going to be embarrassing. 1996 Fiesta Bowl embarrassing.
RedNecks?????
October 30th, 2010
8:49 pm
I keep see people post that UGA Fans are Rednecks. I leave in Jacksonville and there are alotttttttt of mullets around and wearing UF colors. So if you are suggesting only UGA fans are Rednecks you are retarded.
c,ehjg
October 30th, 2010
8:49 pm
Last week, all I heard was how UGA was 3 turnovers away from being 7-1. If that’s true (which I do not believe), then why after 1 loss is everyone wanting to fire Bobo and Richt?
Corch Myer
October 30th, 2010
8:49 pm
Does this mean the Dawgs can’t keep their beards??
Warhorse
October 30th, 2010
8:50 pm
I was surprised to see the UGA team dancing like a bunch of girlies before the OT. Perhaps they should have been working on football footwork instead of dance steps.
stendek
October 30th, 2010
8:50 pm
Look at Mark Wretch on sidelines. I know. Only briefly. Look at Florida coach on sidelines. Hmm. Not difficult to see which one wanted to win. Other waiting for quick exit to finish. Drill unfinished again. STENDEK
Where is DawgInLex and HarryTheRetardDawg at?
October 30th, 2010
8:51 pm
under their rock hiding?
Dawg Tell
October 30th, 2010
8:51 pm
Until we have discipline on the team(on and off the field)you will never see UGA compete for the SEC championship.We have serious problems in our program and anyone who says different is fooling themselves.Yes Richt will be given another season to pull down 3.2Million.Our fans will have high expectations going unto next season,but guess what; we will have the same outcome.Maybe 7 to 8 wins if we are lucky.I have seen all the crap that I want to see this season and for me and my money it will discontinue starting this year. I love UGA but this has to stop. WE are going down hill with the Administration having the same ole story Year after year.
Party school
October 30th, 2010
8:51 pm
It was actually a very hard fought good game but none of these classless dawg fans will give credit to UF for overcoming a 3 game losing streak, having a punter for a FG kicker and having to revamp their offense during an off wek. The georgia players have nothing to be ashamed of , their fans do.
Wreckmaniac
October 30th, 2010
8:51 pm
You people need some of Majic Marks Koolaid and you will see that UGA will win out the rest of the
season and still win the nat champ. By Tuesday you will all be predicting this. We can always count on
our beloved dawg fans to avoid reality and predict the impossible.
Redneck Bill from Trailerville
October 30th, 2010
8:51 pm
Well, I hear West Virginia is looking to get rid of a coach. He’s all yours for a $600,000 buyout. He ain’t worth a crap as a coach, but he sure makes funny faces during a game. And he loses alot better than Richt.
Anybody got any Viagra? We’re going to need alot of it in this state. I hear all the maternity ward heads are sending out memos for the nurses to take their vacations nine months from now.