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
Ed (The Original)
November 6th, 2010
11:25 am
I’m glad we get to watch Georgia stink it up for another year before Richt is fired.
SEC Championship Game
November 6th, 2010
11:25 am
At least UGA helped to set up a huge game in the Swamp next week.
Darren
November 6th, 2010
11:26 am
Can’t wait until next year when Georgia gets a real quarterback, Lemay. No way lemay loses to a team like Colorado, or coughs up four to’s to Florida.
EDawg71
November 6th, 2010
11:26 am
Ladies and idiots, see “ylojkt”s post at 11:25 am for an example of an intelligent response. Thank you “ylojkt”.
Taylor
November 6th, 2010
11:27 am
What a game to schedule. Pathetic.
Michael
November 6th, 2010
11:28 am
Wonder how many interceptions Joe Cox Jr. will throw this week? Can he even see his receivers? He’s kind of short for a quarterback. Hopefully, he’ll only thrwo 2 interceptions and cough up 1 fumble this game, a 25% improvement over last week’s Joe Cox Jr tribute by Aaron “Too short to see his WR’s” Murray.
ylojkt
November 6th, 2010
11:28 am
you’re welcome EDawg!
EDawg71
November 6th, 2010
11:28 am
Enter your comments here
Decatur Dawg
November 6th, 2010
11:29 am
Murray will be a great QB at Appalachian State next year, where all the short guys go. He’s just not div 1 quality.
No, he’s not. Last week’s game was evidence of that.
Anyone have Zach’s phone number?
ATL XMAN
November 6th, 2010
11:29 am
i like UGA going 3-0 the next 3 to finish with a 7-5 record and a bowl win to make it 8-5. this year will be richts last 8-5 season for at least another 8-9 years. richt is a winner,,always has and always will be. with all the great players in GA coming in and a few from other states, the future is pretty darn good for UGA. UGA can beat AUB as long as they keep the turnovers down. less than 2 or 3 would be great. AUB has no defense and with UGA ball control keeps Cam on the sideline. UGA can win 28-14 or 31-17 somthing like that.
You Ain't-Know Gaily Whacker
November 6th, 2010
11:30 am
The Reporter: Mr. McGarity, does our team have an assistant to help put on their shoes ?
Greg: What a weird question, why do you ask ?
The Reporter: I just made this video, I was concerned that the players might have the same problem as the fans.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Au_8GMUxVs
Grady
November 6th, 2010
11:30 am
Hopefully, Grantham will coach em up better than Saban coached up Bama in 07′ against LMonroe, Bama gave up 21 points, and 280+ yard, and about seven 1st downs. We’ll see if Grantham can keep pace.
Don
November 6th, 2010
11:32 am
Jeff,
Are you in Athens to find something new to criticize the program for and to write more unwarranted, negative articles about Richt?
Saint Jan
November 6th, 2010
11:33 am
Attention, everyone, especially dawgtards. Before the game begins, we will observe a mandatory moment of silence in memory of Saint Jan Kemp, who exposed the shameful practices at UGA that were initiated and carried out by slimeball Vince Dooley. Dooley’s image as a coach and a nice guy were forever shattered during the trial, not to mention the one million dollars that dawgtards had to pay Saint Jan. These practices of recruiting morons and coddling them for four years, them tossing them out like garbage, are still going on, but at least the world knows what’s happening in Athens now.
And now, the moment of silence…
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Thank you, you may resume your normal activities now.
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November 6th, 2010
11:33 am
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Grady
November 6th, 2010
11:34 am
Jeff-
Predicting a win for Georgia? Really? Not a student of the game. Saban got beat 21-14 to L Monroe in his first year putting in the 3-4 defense, and Georgia has a freshman QB who can’t hit the side of a barn, unless it’s the other team’s barn.
I mean, if Georgia wins, and holds Idaho St. to less than 21 points, and less than 280 yards, that means Grantham’s ahead of where Saban was in his first year getting the 3-4 goign, and I don’t think you’re saying Grantham’s better than Saban, right?
If Grantham’s worse than Saban, Grantham’s D will give up 21+, and over 300 yards to Id St. today.
Flo-Ri-Duh!
November 6th, 2010
11:38 am
Don’t make negative remarks against AJC’s Schultz – you will be banned from the Georgia vent.
Fair and Balanced
November 6th, 2010
11:38 am
If we lose to Tech – Richt goes! For sure we will lose to Auburn. This game with Utah is another practice game. If I were CMR and if I wanted to stay in Athens – I would be practicing for Tech for the next 3 weeks. “Implosion” – GA has already done that. This whole season is an implosion. Even if we had won vs FL, we still would not have beaten a good team. There is not 1 solid victory this year. We only have 1 chance left to get one vs Auburn and we won’t get that. A victory over Tech keeps Richt in town, but it won’t be a victory over a good team. This year is an implosion!
Jim
November 6th, 2010
11:38 am
Saban lost the last 4 games of the season in 2007 at Alabama, in a row.
L, L, L, L.
1st year with 3-4 is bad.
Georgia will lose the last 4 games in 2010 in their 1st year putting in the 3-4 too, like Saban did at Alabama in 2007.
ATL XMAN
November 6th, 2010
11:38 am
grady/ or greg you must be on drugs..haha enjoy them and techs next three losses.
Dawgtards ruin this state
November 6th, 2010
11:38 am
Jeff – Please don’t get mugged by a student-athlete, ex-AD or Defensive coordinater, they have some drinking and anger issues. Good luck on your safe return from thUGA.
ylojkt
November 6th, 2010
11:39 am
And I thought the people talking smack on the Jackets boards were idiots, must be the same group on both boards.
Jeff Schultz
November 6th, 2010
11:39 am
No on winning the SEC East. But scoring 80 points on Idaho State will really influence the computer polls. (Kidding.)
MURPHY
November 6th, 2010
11:40 am
Cant believe all the remarks stating Murray is not a good Q.B. That’s just crazy! I think he has done a good job.I dont think our coaches have done even a mediocre job with him. Our coaching staff always finds a way to recruit a good athelete then not be able to get the most out of them,or not play them accordingly. Why in the world we sat him last year is a mystery to me.We should have let him take his lumps last year.To blame Murray for the state this football team is in is downright stupid. The guy is very talented and if our coaches will somehow learn to better him he will be awesome.
Jeff Schultz
November 6th, 2010
11:40 am
Alphare — Line on Idaho State-Buford would be ISU minus-17.
ATL XMAN
November 6th, 2010
11:41 am
uga wins by a 30 today and i doubt they give up any points in doing so.
Jeff Schultz
November 6th, 2010
11:41 am
Atltrafficqueen — Before or after beer?
ATL XMAN
November 6th, 2010
11:42 am
murphy those remarks are from the same guy just posting under 4 names. pay no attention
H Town
November 6th, 2010
11:42 am
Murray’s 4 to’s lost the game to Florida. He gets all the blame. He’s the worst record at QB Richt has ever had. Just loses a lot.
azdawg
November 6th, 2010
11:42 am
CMR lost his best coach when Van Gorder left. He doesn’t know to hire or what to look for in asst coaches. thats why GA’s football program is where it is today. Next season will be as bad or worse due to graduation and some juniors opting to go pro. With the current coaching staff and attrition there’s not much to look forward to next season except more of the same. 2011 will probably be Richt’s last season at UGA.
Zebra
November 6th, 2010
11:44 am
Today I want to talk about what kind of scum tries to ruin another man to sell newspapers. I would never name names but I think that is the bottom of the barrel scum that makes his living like that. What say you folks?
Jeff Schultz
November 6th, 2010
11:44 am
Murphy — I understand your reasoning. I just don’t think he’ll walk away after this year, unless, like I said, something catastrophic happens down the stretch. On the coaching staff: I can’t imagine a change because who would leave a good job to come here knowing Mark’s future is uncertain?
BobDog
November 6th, 2010
11:44 am
I remember the Auburn trip four years ago. We went over there thinking the Dogs would get killed. Our freshman QB, I think his name was Stafford, had a breakout game and we cruised. You just never know in that game.
As far as Bobo, how much can we criticize him right now with all the points our O has put up. We should have beat Florida with 31 points.
ATL XMAN
November 6th, 2010
11:44 am
joe cox was better than true freshman murry. just think how many losses uga would have had with a true freshmen backfield and sophs on the line with only aj who misses 4 games as well. uga would have only won 3 games last year. i have no problem with uga redshirting qb when they are not the best qb on the team.
TuckDAWG
November 6th, 2010
11:45 am
Hey Greg you are a jackass “beleagured Aaron Murray, no matter how bad the kid plays” you need to check the kids overall stats for the year seems pretty good to me better than any other freshman to come through in a long time. Once again Greg you are a jackass
Jeff Schultz
November 6th, 2010
11:45 am
Glory Glory — I’ll pass that along to all of the people who said hello to me.
jack bull
November 6th, 2010
11:46 am
Jeff, i guess i’ll get that ‘apology’ from you sometime soon. ya know, back in July, when i said Auburn would be 10-0 when they play UGA, you responded by saying, “put the pipe down, jack”…i’ll be looking thru-out the day..lol..btw, i’ve never used a pipe, nor papers, for that matter..
UGA-49, ISU-7,,,,Richt just doesn’t ‘run the score up’ on people since he came to UGA..i guess it’s easier to do that when you’re just the guy up in the box(behind the scenes) making the play calls. it’s always the head coach that gets ripped for doing that…
ATL XMAN
November 6th, 2010
11:46 am
i think we go 8-5 again which is not what i hoped for but is going to be way better than going 6-6 or 6-7
Flo-Ri-Duh!
November 6th, 2010
11:46 am
Decatur Dog – you are showing your lack of knowledge of the game. Murray is not to short – 6′1″. Drew Brees is 6′1″ and he won the Super Bowl. Joe Montana is 6′1″ and , guess what, he won the Super Bowl also. The difference between Murray and Cox is obvious but the most noticeable thing is that he can run. He made mistakes. Two of the interceptions were on him. On the fumbe no one blocked the blitzer. On the other interception the receiver should have caught the ball – right in his hands. Florida’s QB should have had two more interceptions on him but the DB’s couldn’t catch a ball right in their hands. The defense couldn’t recover two fumbles right in their hands. There is enough blame to go around. It is not all on Murray.
H Town
November 6th, 2010
11:47 am
Jeff-
Considering what happened to Saba in 07 against L Monore in 1st year with the 3-4, expectinga win from Georgia against Idaho State means you are WAY TOO OPTIMISTIC.
Reserve your optimism for team not in its’ 1st year putting in the 3-4, with a brand new defensive staff, who lost 3 DL to the NFL, and has a Freshman interception prone shorty at the helm at QB.
Georgia beats Idaho State today? Sure, like L Monore beat Alabama in 07′.
Dream on.
ATL XMAN
November 6th, 2010
11:48 am
jack-bull what will be aub record after they the next 3 games?
Jeff Schultz
November 6th, 2010
11:48 am
Don– Actually, I just came to Athens today to see you but I guess you couldn’t get off work. By the way, table 4 needs water.
ATL XMAN
November 6th, 2010
11:48 am
sorry,,after they play the next three games?
jack bull
November 6th, 2010
11:49 am
am i the only who thinks we may have missed on the hiring of a new DC last year..Manny Diaz has the MSU D ranked number 2 in the SEC…you mean to tell me they have better athelete’s in Starkville??
Jeff Schultz
November 6th, 2010
11:49 am
Grady — Yeah, I know. I’m really going out on a limb with that win prediction. Call me Mr. Danger.
Flo-Ri-Duh!
November 6th, 2010
11:50 am
Fair and (UN) balanced – Georgia is not playing Utah – they are playing Idaho State. By the way Utah is ranked #6 – no pushover.
Ed
November 6th, 2010
11:50 am
You guys are insane. Murray will be a top 3 draft pick by the time he graduates. His numbers are on par with Staffords first year at Ga, and he has a better completion %. He is a solid QB that happens to be surrounded by mediocre players and sub-par coaches.
and you people that say there is no one better than Richt to replace him with need to stop huffing cat litter. there are at least half a dozen candidates around the country that would jump at the chance. Gary Patterson and Mike Stoops are just 2, and there are many more.
Jeff Schultz
November 6th, 2010
11:50 am
Flo-Ri-Duh! — Nope. Only if you use naughty words.
Old Dawg
November 6th, 2010
11:51 am
Yellow Fuzz,
Where are you tailgaiting?
JSS
November 6th, 2010
11:51 am
Dang, there must be a good show at the 40 Watt or something tonight? There ain’t no d-a-r-n way I’d waste a Saturday afternoon in Athens watching this hot mess!