LIVE BLOG: Georgia seeks bowl bid (and revenge vs. Tech)
Georgia players, angered by a home loss to Tech in 2008, planted the "G" flag after last year's win at Bobby Dodd Stadium.
(This will serve as the Georgia live blog when the game starts. We’ll also have a Tech live blog on, as they say, another network.)
ATHENS — Hello and welcome to the last game this season that anybody at Georgia or Georgia Tech will remember.
The Jackets (6-5) still have a low-level bowl game to play. The Dogs (5-6) hope to still have a low-level bowl game to play. But tonight’s meeting is really about the final opportunity for either school to create a highlight in a
The memory of Tech players (like wide receiver Andrew Smith) mangling the hedges lingers with Georgia players.
mostly miserable season.
As Georgia defensive end Demarcus Dobbs said, alluding to the last four years of his senior class: “I don’t know if we’ve left a legacy. But I know if we don’t make it to a bowl game, that will be one legacy that we leave. … We’ve done a lot as a class. But the only thing that matters is how you finish. Nobody going to talk about the Sugar Bowl. They’re going to talk about what we did our senior year.”
Kickoff is still several hours away. But there’s no reason to wait until then to start the banter. This will serve as your live Bulldogs’ blog during the game. I’ll update it later when I get to the stadium.
A few thoughts before kickoff:
♦ Georgia is favored by as much as two touchdowns. Sounds about right. While strange things happen in rivalry games, the only absolute about either team is that the Dogs can put up points, led by the Aaron Murray-to-A.J. Green connection. In the last six games, Georgia has put up point totals of 41 (Tennessee), 43 (Vanderbilt), 44 (Kentucky), 31 (Florida), 55 (Idaho State) and 31 (Auburn). I realize Mike Bobo bashing is a favorite pastime of fans but offense hasn’t been the problem, defense has. And about defense . . .
♦ The only way I see Tech winning this game — other than via multiple Georgia turnovers and penalties — is if the Jackets run for a ton a yards and dominate in time of possession, keeping Georgia’s offense off the field. So the onus is on defensive coordinator Todd Grantham and the Dogs’ defensive front. The Jackets are without starting quarterback Joshua Nesbitt and their offense isn’t nearly as fluid with backup Tevin Washington.
♦ Tech coach Paul Johnson knows his team is undermanned this game. He’ll have to “steal” a possession or two. So a couple of trick plays, like a fake punt, wouldn’t be surprising.
♦ Neither team has a win over a quality opponent. The difference is Georgia still needs a win to become bowl eligible. If it can’t beat Tech, it doesn’t deserve a bowl. The Jackets had lost three straight until having to scramble to beat 3-8 Duke last week.
Now, about this rivalry. The road school has won the last three meetings. Tech has split two since Johnson’s arrival. But if the high point for this Georgia senior class was going 11-2 and winning the Sugar Bowl in 2007, one of the low points was losing to Tech at Sanford Stadium two years ago.
To punctuate the upset, Jackets’ players tore off pieces of the hedges — something Georgia coach Mark Richt has reminded his players of this week.
“Coach Richt’s definitely been quick to tell us about that,” guard Clint Boling said. “We’ve got pictures all over the locker room. We definitely know what they did last time they were in Sanford Stadium.”
Wide receiver Kris Durham, another senior, said: “That sticks out more to me than [beating Tech] last year. It’s something you remember. You can still Google and see the pictures. They’re very vivid online.
“Those [hedges] are sacred to us. That gets to you a little bit. We didn’t protect our own house. We didn’t protect the hedges. We can’t say anything bad about them tearing up our field because we didn’t prove it between the lines and they did. They beat us.”
OK, that’s it for now. If you missed it, here’s a link to my interview with athletic director Greg McGarity earlier in the week. He’s standing behind Richt and says the coach will be back next season, and I agree. While I’ve been critical of Richt and the direction of the program in the last two years, my view is he has earned the chance to turn this around.
I’ll check back later.
♦
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2,645 comments Add your comment
Richie_Rich1986
November 27th, 2010
6:44 pm
@ Jeff,
Thanks I talked to him last week and he said he was banged up but he’s going to go. I mean the guy came back with a cast on his foot in the Florida Highschool Playoffs to lead his team to another State Championship in 4 weeks after breaking it!! He’s one tough kid. Just wondering if you knew something he wouldn’t tell me. I dont really wanna see Logan Gray back there lol.
5150 P.O.A.D.
November 27th, 2010
6:44 pm
Jeff did you say that the Refs are an ACC Crew right?
ScoutDawg
November 27th, 2010
6:45 pm
And if I have to say it let me tell you what you can do with your Herbstreit or your May and especially your mushmouth holtz.
Richie_Rich1986
November 27th, 2010
6:46 pm
45ACP,
Ya we definitely had better defenses however our offense didn’t turn the ball over multiple times in our own terriotory. Richt knew how to move them chains. Bobo’s offense goes 3 and out so many times throughout a game it has to put its toll on the defense.
5150 P.O.A.D.
November 27th, 2010
6:46 pm
Arkansas is playing some TUFF Defense in the 4th. The got the ball back with an 8 point lead. Just don’t turn it over and get atleast 3 it could be all over.
todd grantham
November 27th, 2010
6:47 pm
http://www.open.georgia.gov/sta/search.aud
Prez Adams has a pretty nice public salary.
MS. Bully
November 27th, 2010
6:47 pm
The MS. set of Bulldogs will be pulling for the Georgia Bulldogs. Go Dawgs!!
ScoutDawg
November 27th, 2010
6:47 pm
Ritchie D!ck shut up you don’t know squat. You make us all look like awbarners.
Richie_Rich1986
November 27th, 2010
6:47 pm
can we get a countdown Jeff. Less than an hour away!
5150 P.O.A.D.
November 27th, 2010
6:50 pm
ScoutDawg must be DRUNK and looking for a Fight already people. Just leave him alone and he will go away and passout soon.
Richie_Rich1986
November 27th, 2010
6:50 pm
POAD,
can’t believe I’m saying this but Arkansas players look faster than LSU’s players. Arkansas is definitely looking like the better team. I’m having a feeling I’m going to have to apologize to David Green told him he was out of his mind if he thought arkansas was going to beat LSU.
Richie_Rich1986
November 27th, 2010
6:51 pm
POAD,
after dealing with HUH? I’m done wasting my time on worthless garabage that want to talk trash in a blog. It’s pretty sad.
ScoutDawg
November 27th, 2010
6:53 pm
Nope pi$$ just fed up with nerds like you. What time did you first post today? Damn, what did your wife leave you?
5150 P.O.A.D.
November 27th, 2010
6:53 pm
MS.Bully after Ben Jones trying to end the career of a MSU player I can’t understand how you can cheer for them. UGA fans will not EVER cheer for AUBURN after Fairley. Well, that is what most dawg fans have posted.
Arkansas is stright punching LSU in the Mouth right now. LSU’s D it just getting pushed around.
ScoutDawg
November 27th, 2010
6:55 pm
But I did just crack the Turkey, maybe your mom will give you a sip nerd.
saint simon
November 27th, 2010
6:55 pm
I’m baaaaack….
45ACP
November 27th, 2010
6:55 pm
Can’t believe how bad Florida and Texas are this year. Misery likes company.
5150 P.O.A.D.
November 27th, 2010
6:56 pm
Scout I did my morning stuff. Then I started watching games. I then had my afternoon stuff to do then I am back. Is that OK with you? Do I need to get your approval to live my life how I choose?
Richie_Rich1986
November 27th, 2010
6:56 pm
Fairley is definitely a cheap shot artist. The “play” he supposely hurt his shoulder was dirty. I mean he kept his foot in Murrays face for a good min. That big load wouldn’t get off of the kid. The refs definitely let him get away with a lot in that game.
saint simon
November 27th, 2010
6:58 pm
CPJ is going to punch CMR in the mouth
Winston Wolfe
November 27th, 2010
6:58 pm
Scout….P.O.A.D.’s actally pretty cool for a tech guy. He just EFF’s with folks on here for the fun of it. Don’t take him too seriously. Hey P.O.A.D…..drink a jack/coke for me dude
5150 P.O.A.D.
November 27th, 2010
6:58 pm
45ACP The Gators haven’t suprised me with losing Tebow and all he brought to them, but TEXAS i didn’t see coming for sure.
Richie_Rich1986
November 27th, 2010
6:58 pm
Arkansas just seal the deal for this upset. Even the Mad Hatter can’t come back on this one I don’t think.
saint simon
November 27th, 2010
6:58 pm
then dangle that turkey neck over his face
blazerdawg
November 27th, 2010
7:00 pm
ssi – does your sitter know you are online?
Richie_Rich1986
November 27th, 2010
7:00 pm
POAD, Not only Tebow but they Lost Dan Mullen. I really think he was a big loss for the Gators. Even Tebows senior year they looking slugish. The Gators offense didn’t excute like they did under Mullen and it was apparent when the Tide rolled them in the SEC championship.
5150 P.O.A.D.
November 27th, 2010
7:00 pm
Hi Winston
Are you Fat Dumb and Happy from all the Turkey? Well, both the Eat and Drink Turkey? HAHAHAHAH 45 min and we are all in.
steve
November 27th, 2010
7:00 pm
I hope to goodness CMR has his players ready for the fake punt, fake field goal, on-side kick and/or fake forth and long tech tries tonight. You know it’s coming from CPJ. Richt needs firing if tech has any one of these successfully.
ScoutDawg
November 27th, 2010
7:01 pm
Nope don’t need my permission for anything, and maybe you are tainted by ST. Simons in my mind, but don’t throw stones at me NERD or I will 8 of 9 your house down.
toHELLwithTech
November 27th, 2010
7:02 pm
DAWGS win count on it!!!
5150 P.O.A.D.
November 27th, 2010
7:02 pm
Richie that is a good call and Charlie Strong too. The Gators are a very different team, but still loaded with talent still.
saint simon
November 27th, 2010
7:03 pm
8 of 9 or 8 of 12?
saint simon
November 27th, 2010
7:03 pm
8 of 13 still sounds nice, mutts
TrishaDishaWarEagle
November 27th, 2010
7:04 pm
WAR EAGLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Richie, uh..2 weeks ago..over..done..flagged..let it go..
UGA…eh..not even fun to pick on you this year anymore
TECH…If you take any cuttings this year from the shrubbery, be sure to put them in water quickly.
saint simon
November 27th, 2010
7:04 pm
I know a dog grad, he’s my personal chef. Highest paid UGA grad in America, I pay him $50k/year
45ACP
November 27th, 2010
7:04 pm
What if 6 turned out to be 9. Show Jimi some love…
Richie_Rich1986
November 27th, 2010
7:05 pm
Georgia has talent. What does that mean? lol I hate to say it but the Dawgs Coaches just don’t coach their players up anymore. I’m really looking forward to next season with this defense under CTG for a whole year. See what kind of players he brings in this offseason with recruits. If Justin Houston leaves. Man the DAwgs defense is going to be hurting bad next season.
5150 P.O.A.D.
November 27th, 2010
7:05 pm
Arkansas has let LSU move the ball down the field a little too easy on this drive.
DawgFan1
November 27th, 2010
7:05 pm
I thought this was a GA blog site.
Go Dawgs!!!
ScoutDawg
November 27th, 2010
7:06 pm
Durn that SCAM apologist and wannabee nerd trishawanta is back.
saint simon
November 27th, 2010
7:06 pm
fcuk those ugly shrubs, tech did you guys a favor with a little pruning… we’ll help you out again in about 4 hours…
TrishaDishaWarEagle
November 27th, 2010
7:07 pm
another typical LSU redzone performance..20 yrd loss on a bad snap
ScoutDawg
November 27th, 2010
7:07 pm
8 of 9 or 8 of 12? Does one really make you feel better NERD?
Richie_Rich1986
November 27th, 2010
7:07 pm
Dawgfan1,
That’s what I thought too. It’s not looking that way. I’m thinking about just going to Tech’s blog to see if they even have anyone posting on their own blogs. Does auburn even have a blog? I still haven’t gotten an answer for that one.
5150 P.O.A.D.
November 27th, 2010
7:08 pm
High Snap back to the 27. 3rd and goal from the 27 now they will try a pass and get it picked(please) or they don’t get it and have to settle for a Field Goal. Hold then Arkansas.
saint simon
November 27th, 2010
7:08 pm
OMG, i was listening in on AM750 during some bulldog call-in show, never knew Georgia had so many country bumpkins with telephones…. and I’ve lived here for 30 years…
Richie_Rich1986
November 27th, 2010
7:08 pm
Trisha,
are you really trying to talk crap when every single auburn win is going to be stripped from yal?
1eyedJack
November 27th, 2010
7:09 pm
Attention all Wizards, Zombies, and Night Elf Mohawks! You’ll be better entertained tonight studying for your calculus test. There goes Caleb!!!
TampaGator
November 27th, 2010
7:09 pm
Damn glad I did not go to Tallahasse…..man, the Gators are bad this year. Florida must have a change at offensive cooridnator and at QB for next year….and the 27 freshmen on this team need to get better for next year between now and next summer. All I know…the Gators can’t win with John Brantley at QB. He may be the most overrated QB in the history of Florida football.
Well…..I hope you rivarly good is a lot better than mine. It could not be worse…..and FSU had 100 recruits at the game…including most of those committed to the Gators or considering the Gators. Not good.
saint simon
November 27th, 2010
7:10 pm
Is English an elective at UGA? ?Things that make you go hmmmmm…..