A.J. Green says Georgia ready to ’shock people’ in Auburn
A.J. Green had two touchdowns. Later, he had a message for Auburn. (Brant Sanderlin/AJC)
ATHENS – On the same day Georgia commemorated the 30th anniversary of the 1980 national championship team, the current incarnation of the Bulldogs had to embrace something significantly south of that: bowl life.
When a team starts 1-4, even Birmingham starts to look like the promised land.
But forget Birmingham or Nashville or Memphis. There’s an opportunity for the Dogs to celebrate something far more significant a third-tier bowl game — and certainly more tantalizing than Saturday’s 55-7 win over a Division I-AA punching bag, Idaho State.
Hello, Auburn.
“I know we’ve got a chance to win,” A.J. Green said Saturday. “I feel like they haven’t faced anybody else like me and [quarterback] Aaron [Murray] with our offense. We’re really going to show them. We’re going to shock a lot of people.”
This might be the first time in recorded history a player on a 5-5 team has thrown down the gauntlet against potentially the best team in country. But you’ve got to admire the spunk.
Georgia’s quest this season has long since been reduced to that of a spoiler. Embracing that is the Dogs’ best chance for mental and physical survival.
Last week’s overtime loss to Florida hit this team hard emotionally.
Green: “I still carry it with me.”
It was a foregone conclusion they would beat Idaho State. The Bengals are bad even by I-AA standards, having now lost eight straight and 33 of their past 36. Put it this way: Idaho State (No. 206 in Jeff Sagarin’s computer rankings) entered the week ranked lower than even Georgia State’s opponent (Lamar at 204), and lower than the first-year Panthers (185).
Idaho State accepted a $525,000 payment in exchange for the likelihood of getting pounded. That’s precisely what happened.
Upsetting Auburn (10-0) wouldn’t nearly make up for losses in Starkville and Boulder and every other headache associated with this season. But it would ease the pain of the big picture. Imagine being jobless and then hitting a $10,000 scratch-off lottery ticket..
Green again: “A lot of people are probably going to favor them. But that’s just talk.”
“They’re going to be ranked No. 1 or No. 2 in the nation, and we haven’t beaten a ranked team all year,” Murray said. “Our last two games [against Auburn and Georgia Tech] are against teams with winning records. We can still salvage a lot.”
Murray threw for 228 yards and three touchdowns. Green caught two of those scores and finished with six receptions for over 100 yards. Each played only one possession in the second half.
The Dogs, however, were not without some early hiccups. They started this game like their heads were somewhere else. Jacksonville, probably.
Georgia’s first three offensive possessions produced only two field goals and a punt. Some fans booed, particularly when coach Mark Richt chose to go for three points on fourth-and-2 from the Idaho State 20 on the opening possession.
The score was only 6-0 after the first quarter. I’m not sure, but I think I saw Todd Grantham give Mike Bobo a choke sign.
But any sense of drama left the building in a 35-point second quarter. A partially blocked punt set up the Dogs at the Idaho State 43. Six plays later, Caleb King ran in from 3 yards out. Bacarri Rambo had an interception and returned it 39 yards for a touchdown soon after. Then came another interception, this by Brandon Boykin, and one play later Murray threw a 3-yard scoring pass to Green. Georgia scored 21 points in 2:15. The rout was on.
Here’s the big picture in the SEC: Seven teams are bowl eligible. Georgia isn’t one of them. An upset of Auburn would change that. It also would give the Dogs something significant this season: a highlight.
It’s an obvious long shot. But a team clings to what it can.
♦
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1,074 comments Add your comment
South Georgia
November 6th, 2010
8:49 pm
Alabama has lost two SEC games now. According to the ajc sportswriter line of reasoning, Nick Saban ought to be on the hot seat. He has been outcoached by Spurrier and Miles. Alabama has a very predictable offense and has been subject to give up many long pass plays.
What's that smell
November 6th, 2010
8:49 pm
Ok, Ok…….all these major media’s reporting on the Cam issue – not true? Perhaps not. BUT, how many times has the truth come out 12 months after the story broke? And, how in the world has AU pulled off such great recruiting the last two years in a row with a relative “unknown” coach. Heck, Lattimore almost went there also? just askin….?
Headley Lamar
November 6th, 2010
8:49 pm
MIss St was going to get a cut to sign Cam.
I wonder if AU got a discount too or if they had to pay full price?
SOUTHGADAWG88
November 6th, 2010
8:50 pm
TampaGator has returned.AJ is not the offense sport.
Katherine
November 6th, 2010
8:50 pm
what is with my posts not showing up….grrrrrrr
Bandito
November 6th, 2010
8:50 pm
Defense rocked the house.
3 intercpetions, 2 pick 6’s, 1st team D played an incredible game.
do-dah do-dah
November 6th, 2010
8:50 pm
Here’s what I suggest- let’s all meet here next Sat evening after the game. And then I want to hear all you folks eat your crow about Mason starting in Auburn- in his FIRST ever start!!!! Give me a break
crabapplejoe
November 6th, 2010
8:51 pm
@Katherine & Nature Boy: Jamarcus Russell was the number one pick overall…he still su@ked as a college and NFL QB. Wes Welker was not drafted and was cut by his first NFL team, but has caught more passes than anyone else in the NFL the past three years…..just sayin’
Katherine
November 6th, 2010
8:51 pm
lol i’m still laughing at how trisha said nothing that happened before 1984 matters….she can’t be serious.
Phil
November 6th, 2010
8:51 pm
I told you guys Alabama would not repeat.
Saban chokes after a great year, always.
Should have listened to me.
TrishaDishaWarEagle
November 6th, 2010
8:52 pm
@However, I doubt Auburn, or anyone else from the SEC has the ability to move past TCU when it all comes down….
TCu is already below AU in the BCS and not leapfrogging as long as we win out
superDawg
November 6th, 2010
8:52 pm
Taze me bro!
Upset!
November 6th, 2010
8:52 pm
After that blowout of idaho, the Dawgs are back baby!!!! Mark it down—the Dawgs will upset Auburn and shock the college football world next week. UGA 30 AU 26!!!!!!!
Katherine
November 6th, 2010
8:53 pm
crabapplejoe
November 6th, 2010
8:51 pm
@Katherine & Nature Boy: Jamarcus Russell was the number one pick overall…he still su@ked as a college and NFL QB. Wes Welker was not drafted and was cut by his first NFL team, but has caught more passes than anyone else in the NFL the past three years…..just sayin’
you can hate on uga all you want but you have to admit aj is a very good player. all I was saying is that if you are drafted in the top 10 you are making some serious money….sheesh
The Natue Boy...@Lou Holltz just made me vomit
November 6th, 2010
8:53 pm
Oregon, TCU, and Boise St…….I can’t even finish typing….
crabapplejoe
November 6th, 2010
8:53 pm
Meanwhile, out West Boise State and TCU won big today….
Katherine
November 6th, 2010
8:54 pm
boise state doesn’t play anyone..they shouldn’t even be in this converstaion IMO
wildbill
November 6th, 2010
8:54 pm
AJ, you have fallen into the “BIG TALK, LITTLE DO” trap. Has somebody dropped Murray on his head or what. He looked in a daze the first quarter and didn’t improve a whole lot in the second. High Scoring yes, but Warner Robbins High School could have taken Idaho State to the cleaners today. Auburn is gonna ream these doggies a new one. I did wear my Dawg hat all day but didn’t make the game. I figured the score would be higher…………..I wonder what the spread will be.
Katherine
November 6th, 2010
8:55 pm
*conversation
do-dah do-dah
November 6th, 2010
8:55 pm
Joey They all looked great today- against IDAHO STATE!!!!! Good Lord.
The Natue Boy...@ Crabapplejoe
November 6th, 2010
8:55 pm
and your thoughts on that..????? they’ve played NOBODY
Beast from the East
November 6th, 2010
8:57 pm
What in the world is AJ Green thinking??
That kid is a total idiot. How can you talk smack when your team is 5-5 and you are playing one of the top 2 teams in the country?
Richt would have been better served to kick that kid off the team. He continues to prove he doesn’t have a clue when it comes to using good judgment. Everyone knows that UGA has a puncher’s chance but you just don’t say things like that. Like Auburn needs any extra motivation. Dumb, dumb, dumb.
do-dah do-dah
November 6th, 2010
8:57 pm
Katherine You’re right- top 10 pick means big bucks!!!
AUBC
November 6th, 2010
8:57 pm
Thanks a.j.green…just got back to Fayetteville Ga from seeing the Tigers play in Jordan-Hare and listening to the game bama lost. I’m less concerned about the uga game because of your comments. The AU Tiger players and fans will be even more focused on winning the game and ending the uga series win streak. Your words will be heard all over campus and be particularly strong in the athletic dorm.
The Natue Boy...@ Kat
November 6th, 2010
8:58 pm
Boise St could beat me on a blue field……I’d be all confused…Football fields should be green….yes..??…
Headley Lamar
November 6th, 2010
8:59 pm
and be particularly strong in the athletic dorm.
The only thing strong around the AU athletic dorm are the checks from Bobby Lowder being passed around.
crabapplejoe
November 6th, 2010
8:59 pm
@Katherine who wrote: “you can hate on uga all you want but you have to admit aj is a very good player”
Darlin’…I went to UGA and hope they beat Auburn next week. But, “me” players like “A.J.” are not what I want in Athens. He has been the most overrated, overhyped player to ever attend UGA….maybe the most overhyped WR in college football history. I will agree with you that he is a “good player”…but a bad teammate. On one forum where I post I have to argue with folks that claim he is “the most dynamic player in college football”…..LMAO at the hype over the 124th leading receiver in the country.
Yellow Fuzz
November 6th, 2010
8:59 pm
DawginLace:
Not too many dog fans ripping “Kansas” any more after they beat Colorado today 52-45. Hahahahaha. See you between the hedges little man!
THE CATHOLIC HAMMER
November 6th, 2010
8:59 pm
Trisha, TCU beat an actual opponent today, and quite badly (if you don’t think Utah is legitimate, ask the folks across-state, in Tuscaloosa what happened the last time they played Utah, in the Sugar Bowl). I wouldn’t be surprised if the computers don’t give the edge to TCU come tomorrow.
Regardless, when Auburn loses to 2-loss Alabama, things will look quite down. If Auburn loses to UGA next week (which is possible), the SEC will be out of the NC game, entirely. Pray that’s the case, otherwise you will be embarrassed against Oregon.
Katherine
November 6th, 2010
9:00 pm
Beast from the East
November 6th, 2010
8:57 pm
What in the world is AJ Green thinking??
That kid is a total idiot. How can you talk smack when your team is 5-5 and you are playing one of the top 2 teams in the country?
Richt would have been better served to kick that kid off the team. He continues to prove he doesn’t have a clue when it comes to using good judgment. Everyone knows that UGA has a puncher’s chance but you just don’t say things like that. Like Auburn needs any extra motivation. Dumb, dumb, dumb.
Are you insane? He wouldn’t kick him off the team..and he isn’t a bad kid. lots of players have made a bad decision or two…on auburn as well. He is trying to fire up his team…thats it. Maybe his team needs some extra motivation. Time will tell if it was dumb or not.
do-dah do-dah
November 6th, 2010
9:00 pm
Phil Alabama is nowhere near as good a team as they were last year. They lost too much talent. and the offensive line has not done well and the defense is still learning and trying to recover from losing about 8 or 9 starters. They are good but they are not top 10 this year.
But can they read?
November 6th, 2010
9:00 pm
Who is AJ Green?
Les Miles
November 6th, 2010
9:01 pm
change your mind about me yet…3-3 vs Florida, 4-2 vs Bama, 4-2 vs Auburn, 3-1 vs Tennessee, and a championship ring from this century…just sayin…
Soulja Boy
November 6th, 2010
9:02 pm
No question about it. Georgia and AJ beat Auburn and dance to Lil’ Wayne in the end zone.
Katherine
November 6th, 2010
9:02 pm
umm crabapplejoe…don’t patronize me by callin me darlin like I don’t know what i’m talking about. I went to uga as well…so thanks for the pat on the head but I’m not an idiot.
The Natue Boy...@ Headly
November 6th, 2010
9:02 pm
Lowder still has money..??? people still want “quality wood”..??
Les Miles
November 6th, 2010
9:03 pm
and i’m 1-0 vs West Virginia…heck, i’ve won more big games in these last 2 posts than CMR has won in 10 years…
TrishaDishaWarEagle
November 6th, 2010
9:04 pm
TCU played 2 top 25 teams, we played 4, got 1 more to go..our schedule shames them..the mountain west is a joke..always has been, always will be
The Natue Boy...@ all SEC fans
November 6th, 2010
9:04 pm
We took a hit today…..can we agree on that..???
do-dah do-dah
November 6th, 2010
9:04 pm
Les Miles I gotta tip my hat to you pal- great job-AGAIN!!!
Headley Lamar
November 6th, 2010
9:04 pm
and i’m 1-0 vs West Virginia…heck, i’ve won more big games in these last 2 posts than CMR has won in 10 years…
Whats your record against UGA?
lulzyppl
November 6th, 2010
9:05 pm
It’s always a great idea to say you’re gonna beat the 2nd best team in the country. They’re definitely not going to prepare after you said they’re gonna lose. Great job, can’t wait to be “shocked” when I see how bad UGA loses.
Devil's Advocate
November 6th, 2010
9:06 pm
AJ, thank you soooooo much for making my job a lot easier. I was wondering how to get AU worked up, but you did it for me. Man, you will not be 5 feet tall after the game, those Tigers are gonna beat you into the ground, cover you up with dirt, and post a RIP sign over it. What with Parson Richt working against me full time, I thank you for making my job easier. I will likely get a raise after the game, so thanks AJ, I might even send you a get well card.
crabapplejoe
November 6th, 2010
9:06 pm
@Katherine: “Darlin’” is considered a term of endearment and certainly not “patronizing” here in the South….I simply used it as a means of respect to a fellow UGA fan…you must be one of those New Jersey transplants
THE CATHOLIC HAMMER
November 6th, 2010
9:07 pm
What happened the last time the Mountain West played an SEC powerhouse in the Sugar Bowl?
31-17, Utah over Alabama.
Trisha, you saying?
Dr. Dawg
November 6th, 2010
9:08 pm
Well, Schultz … you get the Pun-dick award for the day. I see the AJC (through you) cannot even let UGA savor a minor victory without reaching deep to find sarcasm. Do you guys never get it?
Katherine
November 6th, 2010
9:09 pm
lol i’ve never been to new jersey “darlin” and I have lived here in the south most of my life. Fail again.
Beast from the East
November 6th, 2010
9:09 pm
Katherine,
I disagree. You don’t trash to a superior team. Heck, you don’t talk trash to ANY team before you play them. Players that do that are idiots.
Blowing Rock NC Bulldog
November 6th, 2010
9:10 pm
Witha porous defense like Auburn has; anything is possible!
crabapplejoe
November 6th, 2010
9:10 pm
@TrishadishaWarEagle who wrote: “the mountain west is a joke..always has been, always will be”
Well now, the team that’s gonna beat Auburn on the last game of the season got hosed by a Mountain West team in the Sugar Bowl a couple of years back….I guess the “joke” was on the SEC that night. LMAO