LIVE from Liberty Bowl: A.J. and Russ are in, Uga is out
Russ is in the house! (Literally.) He's got his bowl game face on.
MEMPHIS — Welcome to the end of Georgia’s season. I know. The Liberty Bowl is not what you were expecting, and neither is the modest goal of trying to finish with a winning record. But Memphis is a nice place, particularly if you’re into barbecue, and I can recommend the ribs at the “Germantown Commissary” (albeit not a BBQ-sounding place).
I would’ve saved the bones for Uga VIII but, alas, he has a tummy ache and didn’t make the trip from his palace in Savannah. At least, that’s the word that the Seiler family is putting out. I’m more inclined to think Uga just didn’t want to make his bowl debut at a game so beneath his standards, particularly since he came in as such a highly touted recruit.
Or maybe Uga’’s just academically ineligible like Caleb King. Like everybody else, he lost interest after the Florida game. Like King, he missed five “academic-related appointments” (obedience school).
So, we have this significant change the depth chart: Russ, The Temporary Mascot, is back!
Don’t, worry. Russ has more bowl experience than Aaron Murray: He won the Independence Bowl last year. Come to think of it, maybe Georgia Tech should’ve borrowed Russ last week for its game in Shreveport. Does Russ get holiday pay for this? The poor mutt was probably happy in retirement, playing shuffleboard at the Daisy Hill Puppy Farm.
But this could be good news for the Dogs. Russ is only 4-4. But he’s 1-0 in bowls and won his last game over Tennessee. Also, Georgia is 3-1 when both Russ and A.J. Green are in the lineup. (Kudos to newshound Tim Tucker for supplying me with that statistic.)
Meanwhile, back here on earth . . .
A loss would give Georgia (6-6) its first losing season since 1996, when the Dogs went 5-6 in Jim Donnan’s first year. Ironically, the last time the Dogs lost in the Independence Bowl was to North Carolina State, which had Donnan at quarterback, in 1967.
Here’s the good news: Donnan is not in Memphis.
But do I think Georgia will lose this game? No. Central Florida will be able to put some points up but in the end I don’t think George O’Leary’s defense will have an answer for Murray-to-Green.
Take one last look at Green because this likely will be his final collegiate game. He most likely will be a top-five NFL pick and I don’t believe the threat of an NFL lockout has any significance. Remember, any college junior who comes out can always take a nice little $1 million loan from an agent to hold him over, just in case the league doesn’t play next season. The potential of a lockout affects mostly mid-to-low-round picks, not first-rounders.
As for the significance of this game, it’s obviously a much bigger deal if the Dogs lose (panic!) than if they win (expected). But going 6-2 after a 1-4 start would be a slight boost going into the offseason.
Not sure what kind of crowd this game will draw but I’m guessing not great. The last report was that the Dogs had sold only 5,000 tickets for this game and gave about 1,000 tickets away for staff and families. That would still leave about 4,000 from its 10,000-ticket allotment.
If you missed them, here are links to a couple of stories from the week worth looking at:
– Tucker’s story on Murray, who’s about to break every significant, single-season Georgia passing record as a freshman.
– Tucker’s piece on the homecoming and disappointing season by Marlon Brown, a highly touted receiver out of Memphis.
That’s it for now. I’ll be here to report on the game and all of Russ’s movements.
♦
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2,311 comments Add your comment
Jeff Schultz
December 31st, 2010
4:48 pm
Todd Grantham — You’ve watched Georgia this year, right?
Ghost of Christmas Future
December 31st, 2010
4:48 pm
Isn’t our first game Boise St. next year?
Ex Dawg Fan
December 31st, 2010
4:49 pm
Enter your comments here
Katherine's words of wisdom
December 31st, 2010
4:49 pm
3-0. Wow, that Bobo has had over a month to prepare and the mighty dawgs have 3 points.
Orange10
December 31st, 2010
4:49 pm
Chugga Chugga, Chugga Chugga, Aarron Murray is my name, throwin picks is my game, Chugga Chugga, Chugga Chugga.
Murray’s new Rap song!
FLA DAWG
December 31st, 2010
4:49 pm
Kat,
I’m a ‘79 alum, went to every game in ‘80 including the Miracle On Duval Street and The NCC Game in N.O. That was quite possibly The Greatest Post Season Defensive Game every played. Dooley was a Master.
Richt can’t wear his old shoes. If you think cheering for a team filled with talent and demorlized by fumbling coaches then you are a Koolaide Drinker who wants The Dawgs to remain as lousy as they are now.
The Grinch
December 31st, 2010
4:49 pm
Maybe this will wake the team up.
Herry Perry
December 31st, 2010
4:49 pm
Aaron is real sharp today
aint conVinceD
December 31st, 2010
4:49 pm
We still suck…..
Katherine
December 31st, 2010
4:50 pm
Katherine’s words of wisdom
December 31st, 2010
4:48 pm
Those fireMarkRicht.com people are mean.
No I didn’t say they were mean…I asked them a question…who do you want to take cmr’s place? Any ideas about who would be better? Learn to read dumbarse
Ex Dawg Fan
December 31st, 2010
4:50 pm
What’s the over/under for UGA player arrests after tonights game?
SonofaDawg
December 31st, 2010
4:50 pm
Happy New Year Jeff!
Jimmy Crack
December 31st, 2010
4:50 pm
The Librium Bowl.
SonofaDawg
December 31st, 2010
4:50 pm
That big boy can run!!
icedawg
December 31st, 2010
4:50 pm
DeMarcus hustled.
Katherine
December 31st, 2010
4:51 pm
The Grinch
December 31st, 2010
4:49 pm
Maybe this will wake the team up
Thats what i’m thinking.
Luke Skywalker
December 31st, 2010
4:51 pm
Don’t go to the dark side, Katherine. Stay positive. Use the force!!
Katherine's words of wisdom
December 31st, 2010
4:51 pm
Is it time for Grantham to give the Choke sign to the kicker yet?
Herry Perry
December 31st, 2010
4:51 pm
I would make Murry sit down a drive.
Mark Richt won with Donnan players and BVG
December 31st, 2010
4:51 pm
Im afraid next year will be CMR’s last at UGA.
80s Dawg
December 31st, 2010
4:51 pm
I really hope this is Bobo’s last game. Got the # 1 receiver in football and have gone deep to him once. If I were A.J. and Bobo stays, I would certainly head to the NFL
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
December 31st, 2010
4:51 pm
Katherine
Your husband is
13-12 in the SEC East in the last 5 yrs
2-8 vs FL
Needs FL to lose so he can go to an SEC championship
Cannot even appear in an SEC championship with Stafford, Moreno, Green, Maseqoui
Please lets all chip in and give him another raise to make him the 5th highest paid coach instead of the 6th
That way you can buy another Ford Truck
Katherine's words of wisdom
December 31st, 2010
4:51 pm
Is Wayshon driving the team bus for Thuga?
smart dawg
December 31st, 2010
4:52 pm
UCF QB is hobbling, ugay wins this one in the second half. And then the gloating will start. Somehow the victory will be transformed into an epic win for the ages.
The faithful will insist “We should be ranked in the top ten pre-season next year” “This is our year, national championship, nobody can beat us, blah blah blah.”
Boise will put an end to that crap and once again the mantra will be “Wait till next year”
AJ Green
December 31st, 2010
4:52 pm
Ummm…yeah…I think I made my decision, guys.
Hunker Down
December 31st, 2010
4:52 pm
Let’s go Dawgs!
icedawg
December 31st, 2010
4:52 pm
Look Murray’s had a great year. Yeah his thrown a few picks today. Don’t count him out.
5150 P.O.A.D.
December 31st, 2010
4:52 pm
2 timeouts and they spike the ball to lose a down with 49 sec left. That was bad play calling. That could cost them 4 points. Not a smart move coach.
Katherine
December 31st, 2010
4:52 pm
and no one answers my question…since you want to fire everyone at uga..who do you think would be better? anyone in mind? just want to hire anyone?
MiDawg
December 31st, 2010
4:52 pm
Okay, so here is a team that has an injured QB, no depth, and plays a soft schedule man handling the mighty Georgia Bulldogs.
Katherine eats idiots sandwiches
December 31st, 2010
4:53 pm
Katherine my dear…..THUGA played several easy teams this year and LOST. ..Who has THUGA beat in 2010?
DamntheButcher
December 31st, 2010
4:53 pm
FIRE MARK RICHT FIRE MARK RICHT FIRE MARK RICHT
80s Dawg
December 31st, 2010
4:53 pm
What kind of Swag to the players get for the Liberty Bowl? I’ll be checking ebay for some bicentennial quarters.
WAR EAGLE BABY
December 31st, 2010
4:53 pm
WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW Tied up baby hahahahahahahahahaha
Herry Perry
December 31st, 2010
4:53 pm
I love Mark richt and I have been pulling for him just as hard as anyone else. The problem is this team has wasted so much talent over tthe past 5 years that it blows my mind.
Jeff Schultz
December 31st, 2010
4:54 pm
Wow. 3-3 with the first half almost over. Where to begin?
Logan Booker
December 31st, 2010
4:54 pm
Looks about right. Both teams are equally matched… for now.
THE TRUTH
December 31st, 2010
4:54 pm
I am sooo glad the UGA brass decided to keep Richt around!!! He is an amazing motivator!! The future looks so bright with this coaching staff! Florida is shaking in their boos beacuse of our INCREDIBLE coaching staff!! go dawgs forever!!!
Enrico Palazzo
December 31st, 2010
4:54 pm
The O’Jays performing at halftime?
They must be 80 years old!!
They’ll probably be in the halftime of the Superbowl then, too.
SonofaDawg
December 31st, 2010
4:54 pm
Only a Mike Bobo offense would be tied with Central Florida 3-3 at the half, LMAO!
Katherine
December 31st, 2010
4:54 pm
obviously this hasn’t been a good season for the dawgs…I am just trying to watch the game and cheer them on….you all are ridiculous.
Katherine's words of wisdom
December 31st, 2010
4:55 pm
That defense is looking awesome. Not bad against that mighty Central Florida because they are almost as good as Idaho State.
Katherine eats idiots sandwiches
December 31st, 2010
4:55 pm
THUGA should hire Katherine as their new HC. …..Only if she wears RED panties!
Mike Bobo's wife
December 31st, 2010
4:56 pm
Katherine, I’ll answer the question: make Mike Bobo the head coach!
We have a family to feed here!! All 18 of us!!
Herry Perry
December 31st, 2010
4:56 pm
Enjoy it now war geek everybody knows Auburn will be thier usual crappy self after the show boat leaves.
45ACP
December 31st, 2010
4:56 pm
Time for Murray to take the gloves off.
THE TRUTH
December 31st, 2010
4:56 pm
Jesus Georgia!! Move to Conference USA and stop embarrasing the SEC!!! Its obvious C USA is where this program belongs…
Vain Jangling
December 31st, 2010
4:56 pm
3-3 at the half? Taze me, bro.
greg
December 31st, 2010
4:56 pm
Jeff… I must have missed it but I did not see the article written by you or Bradley calling out GT after that awful showing in the bowl. Now I am sure the UGA article will be written… Probably my bad I must have missed it.
rilo
December 31st, 2010
4:56 pm
FYI…you don’t run play action 8 out of every 10 plays. Looks like USF was ready for Bobo’s predictable play calling. Horrible…Horrible…coaching