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
private plane watching
October 30th, 2010
9:15 pm
The Weedeater Bowl is looking good!
GEORGIA FANS EATS IDIOT SANDWICHES
October 30th, 2010
9:16 pm
“FU TECH AND FLORIDA”" Just read his post.
College Football Expert
October 30th, 2010
9:16 pm
No bowl for you!
Andy in Blairsville
October 30th, 2010
9:16 pm
You may see UGA fans calling for a coaching change. But you will never see them flip teams and cheer for GT.
But I have witnessed FSU fans form the early 90’s jump ship and start routing for the UF after FSU started loosing.
We may be loosing but we are true to the Red and Black.
=============
Apparently you never went to a UGA home game in the 90’s when the students that actually went to the games had their backs to the game and were talking up the stands during the game. That didn’t change until Richt showed up.
hey stockdale
October 30th, 2010
9:17 pm
hey tech fans, get it in while you can. . . you live vicariously through Florida. pretty sad, really.
tech sucks and always will. florida always beats uga just as uga always beat the bees.
stendek
October 30th, 2010
9:17 pm
Friend always told me of wait till next year UGA football motto. Passed away prior to season. Wait till next year. Hmm. Which year exactly? Just asking. STENDEK
stendek
October 30th, 2010
9:18 pm
Been wait till next year in Athens since 1981! STENDEK
Freddie G
October 30th, 2010
9:18 pm
What is almost as frustrating as another loss to the hated Florida Gators, is to turn to the Radio to listen the post game show and hear all the excuses, like if Ealey was healthy, and if this was that and on and on. There is no reason for this team to lose to Florida this year.
Can someone tell me of another team who gets the ball first in the history of college Football, since this format was introduced, that did not at least get a field goal attempt. The first attempt in OT was a poor throw by Murray, a better throw would have resulted in a touchdown. Bobo called a run on 2nd down, and a pass on third down, why take the chance when you are already in field goal range.
I have been convinced that Bobo is not right for Georgia, and I will be the first to say I was one of his big supporters when he was first named OC. I was saying Richt should be given another couple of years to right the ship, but unless he replaces Bobo after this season then he should be relieved also. CMR is like unto Les Miles at LSU, neither have any clue but may be good recruiters, therefore he needs people who are good in X,s and O,s. Coaches who can observe mismatches and devise plays to exploit them to the advantage of his team.
I am tired of losing to Florida, especially when we have players capable of winning but the coaches are not putting them in position to do so.
GEORGIA FANS EATS IDIOT SANDWICHES
October 30th, 2010
9:18 pm
You Georgia rednecks needs to invest in a spell checker.
private plane watching
October 30th, 2010
9:18 pm
Next year! Next Year! Wait until we get another 5 Star!!! I promise we will be good NEXT year!!! Have you seen our next recruiting class!!! Where are you Lownes25??? Crowell is coming to UGAY right??? As long as CMR is there!!!
College Football Expert
October 30th, 2010
9:19 pm
Time to reminisce about 1980 because this year is gone
Party school
October 30th, 2010
9:19 pm
TrishaDishwareagle, congrats on a great season so far. I really hope you beat Bama. These dawgs will never win it all because they don’t respect anyone. Can’t win it all if you always underestimate your opponent.
Party school
October 30th, 2010
9:19 pm
TrishaDishwareagle, congrats on a great season so far. I really hope you beat Bama. These dawgs will never win it all because they don’t respect anyone. Can’t win it all if you always underestimate your opponent.
Will Stockdale
October 30th, 2010
9:19 pm
34-31….. HAHAHAHAHA who is the LOSER ??? EAT IT LOSER !!! HAHAHAHAHA
Corch Myer
October 30th, 2010
9:20 pm
Party school The Dawg fans are having a really hard time with this loss- because so many of them thought that they would beat Florida by 40 points this tiime-FINALLY. Just because Florida has struggled this year and lost 3 in a row, and Ga had scored 120 points against the absolute WORST 3 teams in the SEC, they thought this was their year to crush the Gators. They forgot that the Dawgs are not a very good team this year either!!
private plan watching
October 30th, 2010
9:20 pm
sorry, i am a jacka$$ wantabe florida fan.
i love tech. i just hate it that we ALWAYS lose to UGA.
Thus, I root for Florida. That is my solution. Root for another team that actually can beat UGa.
The only thing I beat is my own meat b/c I am a loser.
JetBuzz
October 30th, 2010
9:21 pm
Tough loss but exciting game, mutts. Hope we bring our A+ team to the hedges in four weeks – we’ll need it.
Wait Till Next Year
October 30th, 2010
9:21 pm
Play that same broken record every year Georgia fans.
private plane watching
October 30th, 2010
9:22 pm
I thought CMR butt cut looked good today… the fake tan was awesome as well. Maybe the swim team needs a diving coach!
College Football Expert
October 30th, 2010
9:22 pm
Fire richie richt now. He’s too interested in selling trucks and converting players than coaching.
private plan watching
October 30th, 2010
9:23 pm
yeah, so I admit it. i have a crush on richt. can’t help it when he beats
our butt every year. kinda of like it actually. go jackets.
Corch Myer
October 30th, 2010
9:23 pm
Jeff Maehl is the best receiver in the nation- not AJ Green.
Georgia fans eats boogers
October 30th, 2010
9:23 pm
they sure do
#1dawg
October 30th, 2010
9:23 pm
When we win everyone is happy. When we lose everyone wants to fire Coach Richt. Coach didn’t fumble the ball, he didnt throw a interception, he didn’t miss a tackle. He worked his butt off to win the game. Players didn’t get the job done. It was a great effort , with a little luck we would have won.
Have faith it will get better.
Jon Heisman
October 30th, 2010
9:23 pm
These pups sure can’t finish the drill.
Looking forward to bringing our boys to “trim” your hedges in a couple of weeks!
Army Vet
October 30th, 2010
9:24 pm
My son is in Iraq and you all are worried about a football game. Amazing.
will stockdale
October 30th, 2010
9:24 pm
damn if only Tech could do this. damn those jackets. we suck. we will NEVER beat Georgia.
College Football Expert
October 30th, 2010
9:25 pm
Time for a change in Athens. UGA needs a real coach.
Dawgs not Ford Tough
October 30th, 2010
9:25 pm
They don’t finish the drill……….they fold like a tent.
Why Georgia Why
October 30th, 2010
9:25 pm
Perhaps the most fascinating event of the night is watching our fans pass judgment on uf’s decision to play a criminal. Don’t get that. And seriously, we party more on a 5 yard run on 2nd and 10 than Miami did when they created the “look at me” mentality. Not to mention partying on d when we pop somebody even when they get a first down. If this was dancing with the stars we’d get a 10, but as far as football, well that British guy has nothin on what the gator fans are tearing us up with tonight. The lesson for us this season should be save the celebration for the W.
Herschel Walker
October 30th, 2010
9:26 pm
I thought you thuga fans were convinced you would win the East. At least you can still wear your red panties.
like2win
October 30th, 2010
9:26 pm
45 miles from coke theres a coach thats a big joke
College Football Expert
October 30th, 2010
9:26 pm
dancing with the stars!!!l lol
Alabama Jack
October 30th, 2010
9:27 pm
Go Vandals. kick some dawg butt !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
c,ehjg
October 30th, 2010
9:27 pm
#1 Dawg…if you fumble, miss tackles and throw interceptions all year (which you have) then it is the fault of the coaches for not getting it fixed
Tech 1-8 vs UGA
October 30th, 2010
9:27 pm
about to be 1-9 bees. you guys are pathetic fans coming a this site.
I give credit to Florida. Good game, Gators. Sorry we lost but I am man
enough to give you guys credit for a game welll played.
Too bad Tech fans make Gator fans look like jerks. I live in Gainesville for 5 years, I
know better. . .most of you have class. Good luck the rest of the year. Represent
the East well.
College Football Expert
October 30th, 2010
9:27 pm
Yeah, no one outside of Georgia gave UGA a chance to win the east
Herschel Walker
October 30th, 2010
9:27 pm
You thugs had a great 3 game win streak. What happened?
hj
October 30th, 2010
9:27 pm
politixcs keeps bobo at ga. in way over his head
freud
October 30th, 2010
9:28 pm
LIke I said at halftime- It’s psychological- Florida ALWAYS beats Georgia
College Football Expert
October 30th, 2010
9:28 pm
UGA under Richt is becoming irrelevant. Like Notre Dame.
Next year
October 30th, 2010
9:28 pm
Wait till next year… the butt lickers will be on top. Just wait, we have many 5 stars coming to the Athens… hopefully, only a few will be arrested for not having a drivers lisc.
ACC is pathetic
October 30th, 2010
9:29 pm
Is ANYONE from the ACC actually ranked? hahahahahahahaha
Herschel Walker
October 30th, 2010
9:30 pm
Why didn’t the thugs wear red panties?
Andy in Blairsville
October 30th, 2010
9:31 pm
You could tell Meyer wanted to win this game really bad. Richt not so much.
Tech is pathetic
October 30th, 2010
9:31 pm
At least UGA lost to Florida. Better than losing to the pathetic schedule Tech plays. Damn, perhaps UGA should be in the ACC. Easily an undefeated season.
stendek
October 30th, 2010
9:31 pm
It is evident Mark Wretch has lost his desire to coach. No dedication. No fire. No drive. Except in his truck endorsements of course. Time for guy to do honorable thing. Resign. What a TRUE Christian would do. Do right thing Wretch! STENDEK
#1dawg
October 30th, 2010
9:32 pm
The ACC didn’t cause us to lose. We beat ourselves.
c,ehjg
October 30th, 2010
9:32 pm
Tech is pathetic…………..you lost to Colorado…’nuff said
Will Stockdale
October 30th, 2010
9:32 pm
Hey… anybody here know who won the Florida-Georgia game ? AWWWWW>>>>> too soon ? hahahahahaha