LIVE: Georgia tries to overcome hangover, finish strong
Don't expect the Bulldogs to remain scoreless for long today against Idaho State.
ATHENS — Welcome to Hangover Week. Most of us just lie on the couch. Georgia plays Idaho State.
Seriously, this was intended to be Relax and Rejoice Week. When the schedule was made, the Bulldogs’ hope was that they would be coming off a victory over Florida and would use this Division 1-AA (FCS) opponent as a relative bye week before having to go to Auburn, as it looked to secure a spot in the SEC title game.
The only thing that held form was that this game still should be a walkover. Idaho State isn’t even a good Division 1-AA team. The Bengals won their season opener over Montana-Western (an NAIA school with an enrollment of 1,290). But they’ve lost seven straight since. They’re 3-32 since October of 2007. They’re 1-14 against Division 1 (FBS) opponents since 2000.
In other words, don’t expect any drama today. Georgia not only should win but should be able to flood the field with backups by the second quarter. It would be surprising if No. 2 quarterback Hutson Mason didn’t play half the game.
The bigger question about the Dogs is the mindset from this game forward. They played poorly at the outset last week against Florida, then fought back from a 21-7 halftime deficit to tie it in the fourth quarter, only to lose in overtime, 34-31.
That leaves them 3-4 in the SEC and 4-5 overall, which means hopes for an SEC East title or an upper-tier bowl game are cooked. They would have to win their final three games (Idaho State, at Auburn, Georgia Tech) to have any shot at a good bowl like the Chick-fil-A.
More likely, they are headed for the Birmingham or Liberty bowl (the last two in the SEC pecking order). That’s assuming they go anywhere. They need two more wins just to qualify but that seems more likely now that Tech quarterback Joshua Nesbitt is out after suffering a broken arm Thursday night at Virginia Tech.
Back to the mindset thing: How the Dogs play these last few weeks could indicate more about next season than this one. If they play hard, smart and show some resolve, it’s a positive sign. If not, it leads to more questions about the program’s direction going into the offseason.
Finally, a word about coach Mark Richt. As much as his future has been debated in blogs and on message boards, I still don’t believe he’s on the firing line. Now, that could change in the next few games. But my sense of the situation right now is the same as it was before the season — that if the Dogs had a bad season (and this is a bad season), Richt would be on the so-called “hot seat” next year.
The only way I see that changing is there’s a complete implosion in the last three games. Again, that’s just my opinion. As always, I welcome yours.
I’ll be back shortly to start live blogging. Meanwhile, about that hangover: Has anybody ever run into Mike Tyson after too many beers?
“This is my favorite part”
♦
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724 comments Add your comment
Ga Dawg 97
November 6th, 2010
2:00 pm
Borodawg, and turnovers get you beat. Murray is no Brees my friend. I can’t believe you made that comparison.
UGA buys a win for $525,000
November 6th, 2010
2:01 pm
UGA OL going to be hurting in 2011
Party school
November 6th, 2010
2:01 pm
I don’t know what town Idaho State is in but I wonder if their players have ever seen this many people.
jack bull
November 6th, 2010
2:01 pm
6!!! thats 6
Varsity urnge
November 6th, 2010
2:01 pm
you would have thought sometime this year, a pass play from logan gray would have been utilized
always a silver lining
November 6th, 2010
2:01 pm
Joey You need to tell that to Tony Barnhart- he has been pumping for Ga to go to the SEC CG all dang year. It took 5 losses for him to shut the SECCG wagon down.
mcgdawg
November 6th, 2010
2:02 pm
Preach it BORODAWG!
Yellow Jacket 89
November 6th, 2010
2:02 pm
Without our QB, UGA will beat us by at least 30 points.
Bulldawg78
November 6th, 2010
2:03 pm
This game is a joke.
Why don’t they just play Clarke Central High School.
Jeff Schultz
November 6th, 2010
2:03 pm
I see no reason to keep starters in. Good timing: 1:01 left in half.
ReddJonn68
November 6th, 2010
2:03 pm
I for one am not calling for Mark Richts head, I am requesting he do it the honorable way & resign. With everything that has happened in the offseason & what this program is going thru during the season it is very clear to the faithful of UGA, this man no longer has control of this team. 2 & 8 against your most hated rivalry FLA ??? Need I say more ?
Tech Man
November 6th, 2010
2:04 pm
If you think you have a better chance to beat Tech because Nesbitt out….You better think that over again!!!!!
jack bull
November 6th, 2010
2:04 pm
OL line hurting in 2011? lets see, center-B Jones(returning 3 yr starter), guards-C Glenn(3 yr starter), T Strickland(has started) tackles T Sturdivant(starter) and K Gates(now starting at guard as a freshman)..looks pretty good to me..
Jeff Schultz
November 6th, 2010
2:04 pm
JSS — I was thinking a housecat.
Alphare
November 6th, 2010
2:05 pm
Jeff, can ISU only play the first half without the 2nd half? Can they simply accept defeat and get the check?
Justafan
November 6th, 2010
2:05 pm
What a damn Joke!
UGA should refund ticket prices to watch this crap. What ever makes UGA feel good…and save Richts job.
UGA buys a win for $525,000
November 6th, 2010
2:05 pm
Mark Richt not leaving UGA…. no time soon.
Borodawg
November 6th, 2010
2:05 pm
I was not comparing Murray to Brees I was just stating that height is not an issue in college for a QB. Unlike you I am not judging the kid off of one game against UF. Before that game he had 3 picks I think? How about you reserve judgement at the end of next year and get back to me on your jumping to retarded conclusions.
Party school
November 6th, 2010
2:05 pm
As of the 2000 census the population of Pocatello was 51,466 (2006 estimate: 53,932)[2] with a metro population of 83,303.
So, I guess their players haven’t seen this many people before.
always a silver lining
November 6th, 2010
2:06 pm
Jeff that is a huge flaw in Richt’s coaching to me. He NEVER gets the backup QB playing time during the season. So you end up with Shockley, Cox and Murray all playing their first year at QB with virtually NO playing experience in a prior year.
AJ
November 6th, 2010
2:06 pm
I gots to get outta here man, theys leaving me in against Idaho St? Don’t they know I will be a top 5 pick in the draft?
JSS
November 6th, 2010
2:06 pm
All of you GA Southern fans should remember the Idaho State field well… Jog any memories yet?
jack bull
November 6th, 2010
2:06 pm
wow, we gave up a 1st on 3rd and long..imagine that
UGA buys a win for $525,000
November 6th, 2010
2:07 pm
Jack Bull- same results in 2011 as this year
Russ's Revenge
November 6th, 2010
2:08 pm
It’s a shame schools like Idaho State schedule games that are CERTAIN defeats. Total lack of regard for their players.
Party school
November 6th, 2010
2:08 pm
Idaho State should have started their second stringers to keep the starters from getting hurt. Maybe they did.
jack bull
November 6th, 2010
2:09 pm
you don’t just look at the int’s, you gotta look at all the misses too..(and there’s a lot of those)
Jeff Schultz
November 6th, 2010
2:09 pm
Some halftime numbers:
(Georgia-IdahoSt)
Score 41-0.
First downs: 18-2
Total yards: 302-41
Turnovers: 0-2
Time of possession: 20:59-9:01
UGA buys a win for $525,000
November 6th, 2010
2:09 pm
Ford should fire Mark Richt. ASAP!
Joey
November 6th, 2010
2:09 pm
Ga Dawg 97,
We have the same goal, but I think you are under-estimating Murray. Strong arm, quick release, fast, smart – and how many football folks complain about Drew Brees’ height? Same height.
Murray had an up and down game vs UF, but his stats are heads and shoulders better than any first year starting QB for UGA. Also check his stats against other first year starting QBs this season: UF’s Brantley, Texas’ Gilbert, ND’s Crist.
He’s better than all of them. And they all have really good OCs. Murray has Bobo, a QB coach promoted to OC by his buddy Richt.
always a silver lining
November 6th, 2010
2:10 pm
The SEC has turned “buying games” into an art form. I know all teams do to some extent but the SEC is the absolute worst at scheduling a bunch of weak sisters every dang year.
RW
November 6th, 2010
2:10 pm
This is disgusting.Cheering this victory would be like applauding a man pushing an old woman down a flight of stairs.
jack bull
November 6th, 2010
2:10 pm
525K,, with that QB, maybe, but not because of the OL…care to put 5K on it?
dawgfan
November 6th, 2010
2:11 pm
Ala & LSU at 3;30 CBS…that will be a game to watch. Turn your clock back tonight..enough of this BS game. Good day. Can’t believe we play teams like this.
Harley Race
November 6th, 2010
2:11 pm
The age of consent in Idaho is 14….that’s kinda young…isn’t it..??
always a silver lining
November 6th, 2010
2:11 pm
Russ’s Revenge They do it because they need the money- big time. Why not blame the the schools like Ga that schedule them???
For what its worth
November 6th, 2010
2:11 pm
I believe there was a NFL Quarter Back who was only 5′ 10″ anyone remember Doug Flutie?
AJ
November 6th, 2010
2:11 pm
Borodawg, for every one short QB there are 10 great ones that are 6′3 or taller. How tall was Tebow, how tall is Newton, how tall is Mallett? Wait till next year when he doesn’t have AJ and Durham to throw to. I just hope Lemay gets a fair chance to be the starter.
JSS
November 6th, 2010
2:12 pm
All the Housecats I know are indoor living bada$$es! Sir, those are kittens!
SOUTHGADAWG88
November 6th, 2010
2:12 pm
Shockley won a SEC championship
Party school
November 6th, 2010
2:13 pm
RW, what if the man pushed the old woman down really well? Wouldn’t that count for something?
UGA buys a win for $525,000
November 6th, 2010
2:13 pm
BBVA Compass Bowl crew in Athens scouting The Bulldawgs. GO DAWGS!
Russ's Revenge
November 6th, 2010
2:13 pm
Some halftime numbers:
(Georgia-IdahoSt)
Score 41-0.
First downs: 18-2
Total yards: 302-41
Turnovers: 0-2
Time of possession: 20:59-9:01″
Sorta like our numbers would be against an elite team..
Jeff Schultz
November 6th, 2010
2:14 pm
Alphare — Good question.
dawgfan
November 6th, 2010
2:15 pm
what is a bbva compass?
Party school
November 6th, 2010
2:15 pm
Harley Race
November 6th, 2010
2:11 pm
The age of consent in Idaho is 14….that’s kinda young…isn’t it..??
Don’t worry, all their players are over 14 so no one gets arrested after the game.
UGA buys a win for $525,000
November 6th, 2010
2:15 pm
Harley Race…..those Brisco Brothers kicked your ass!
JSS
November 6th, 2010
2:15 pm
@ Harley…
What do you think the age is in GA? If you’re “Knocked up,” go look it up…
dawg
November 6th, 2010
2:16 pm
Jeff you can return to Atlanta and relax have a drink, make up a story and enjoy your Family.
SOUTHGADAWG88
November 6th, 2010
2:16 pm
Man..the Bama / Georgia State game could get real ugly