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
My Dawgs are Just Horrible
December 31st, 2010
4:56 pm
We are where we deserve to be. We have gotten worse and worse each year since our mini run and with the recruits we have lined up it will not be any better in 2011. We play to the level of our competition.
Losing our seniors and a couple of stud of juniors we will be lucky to win 6 or 7 games in 2011. Our only consolation is the fact that the rest of the east will be just as bad or us.
What do you guys think?
YAD
December 31st, 2010
4:57 pm
BOOOOOOOOOOOO
Logan Booker
December 31st, 2010
4:57 pm
When will all of the 4 and 5 star athletes show up? I thought UGA was more talented.
rilo
December 31st, 2010
4:57 pm
Enter your comments here
Jeff Schultz
December 31st, 2010
4:57 pm
Way to play it conservative.
FLA DAWG
December 31st, 2010
4:57 pm
Kat,
UF just hired Muschamp and word now is they are trying to get Weiss.
If so, they will have reloaded post haste. If they can make hires at this time why can’t we?
Answer: We are giving Richt yet another year to produce a demoralized, poor executing and underachieving team.
3 – 3 at halftime vs UCF – did I mention we stink on ice?
Katherine
December 31st, 2010
4:57 pm
obviously this hasn’t been a good season for the dawgs…my point was firing the coach sounds good all all when a team is down..but who do you bring in? You can’t just bring in anyone…and no one seems to have anyone in mind..they just say fire him. That isn’t too smart IMO
Bippity Boppity Boo Boo
December 31st, 2010
4:57 pm
Wow love the fire works and Mark Richt lets the clock run out. what a wusssssssssss
To make matter worse....
December 31st, 2010
4:57 pm
Now we have to listen to Robert Smith guffawing at halftime.
That guy has hated UGA since the Garrison Hearst days.
Dawg555
December 31st, 2010
4:57 pm
Who would have ever predicted a 3-3 half. Geez
Katherine's words of wisdom
December 31st, 2010
4:58 pm
The Thugs should be proud to be hanging wiith the 25th ranked mighty CF! Way to run that clock out at half time. Saint Mark has those boys ready to go in the 3rd quarter. Hold on to those red panties!
Ex Dawg Fan
December 31st, 2010
4:58 pm
Coach looks like he is on Valium…what word of wisdom.
5150 P.O.A.D.
December 31st, 2010
4:58 pm
45ACP
Nice to have you. Have you been tailgating at the house? Did you do ribs or something? I did most of my precooking for tomorrow. The Ham is in the Smoker
Georgia tied at 3 @ half.That's tough UGA Football for you!
December 31st, 2010
4:58 pm
LOL!
1eyedJack
December 31st, 2010
4:58 pm
Murray has to play better in 2nd half. Depth should become a factor by the 4th. Go Dawgs!!
Nub
December 31st, 2010
4:58 pm
Booooooiiiiii We suc!!!!!
Herry Perry
December 31st, 2010
4:58 pm
THRILLER IN MEMPHIS!
YAD
December 31st, 2010
4:58 pm
Gonna settle him down before we try anything fancy (such as completing a high percentage pass)
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
December 31st, 2010
4:59 pm
Katherine
Chris Peterson
Kirby Smart
Gus Malzon
The TCU coach
Jim Harbough if available
Brian Van Gorder if he can hire good staff
There are a few for you
But if we keep the status quo like you love they will all be gone i.e Muschamp
Keeping drinking the kool-aid looser, life and success passes drunks by
Chuck
December 31st, 2010
4:59 pm
All I wanted for Christmas was a new Offense coordinator and I’m still waiting.
Fire it up
December 31st, 2010
4:59 pm
FireMarkRicht.com, FireGrantham.com, and FireBobo.com are up and running….Let the whining begin…..
Bippity Boppity Boo Boo
December 31st, 2010
4:59 pm
Looks like UGA will be joining Tech and Clemson for a 6 – 7 season. Way to wallow in the mire Dawgs !
Fire it up
December 31st, 2010
5:00 pm
Y’all lay off Saint Mark. His hair looks nice today.
How about...
December 31st, 2010
5:00 pm
Kirby Smart as head coach?
He turned down the defensive job last year, but surely would take the head spot.
Katherine
December 31st, 2010
5:00 pm
well at least you have a few ideas…….
RO GA Dawg
December 31st, 2010
5:00 pm
CMR on our QB at the end if the half, “We are going setlle Murray down before we let him do anything fancy.”
Have I missed something fancy in the first half?
dawginduluth
December 31st, 2010
5:00 pm
Richt knows how to put a great product on the field, doesn’t he?
Fire it up
December 31st, 2010
5:01 pm
Is it Fairley’s fault that Thuga is stinking up the bowl game?
YAD
December 31st, 2010
5:01 pm
Maybe if the UCF defense had an ounce of respect for the UGA running game, their pass defense would soften up.
Nub
December 31st, 2010
5:01 pm
“we have got to settle AM down” how bout wakin the freaking o-line Up…. We have become a Joke !!!
iTiSi
December 31st, 2010
5:01 pm
I said it then and will say it again at the end of the game when the DAWGS lose by 4 points. “You’re gonna be sorry, you wimp, for kicking a FG from the 2 with a 4th and inches”. How many times do you get to the two yard line? MR is a “wussified, pathetic, spineless wimp” !
TybeeDawg
December 31st, 2010
5:01 pm
Only mutt I see is your dorky mug at the top of the page, Shults, happy meal box.
SonofaDawg
December 31st, 2010
5:01 pm
C’mon Dawgs, we can’t end the year on a losing note! Wait…………..
Katherine for Heisman
December 31st, 2010
5:02 pm
The Dawgs are hanging tough with mighty Central Florida. Is that Central Florida High School?
Bippity Boppity Boo Boo
December 31st, 2010
5:02 pm
Katherine How come the Bamas, Florida’s and heck even Vandy arent afraid to fire folks? Change is needed. This is the same crap !
guy in neon yellow shirt
December 31st, 2010
5:02 pm
RO,
Apparently you missed Murray’s “fancy” gloves in the first half.
They were “fab-uloussssss”
Katherine for Heisman
December 31st, 2010
5:03 pm
Nub, whats with the “We have become a joke” comment? Thuga and its fans have been a joke to the rest of the nation for years now. Where have you been?
Recruit thinking about UGA
December 31st, 2010
5:04 pm
Ummmm…..
Bippity Boppity Boo Boo
December 31st, 2010
5:04 pm
so much for AM breaking records in this game for TDs.
Savannah, GA
December 31st, 2010
5:04 pm
Russ is a hard working dawg.
Bug Zapper
December 31st, 2010
5:04 pm
Toughness?….Built Ford tough?…….Finish the drill?…….Not seeing it today!……Keepin my Dodge!……Maybe I’ll get hit in the back of my head with a brick!…..
Katherine for Heisman
December 31st, 2010
5:04 pm
Don’t worry. The Red Panties will come off in the second half. Things will get real ugly after that….
Logan Booker
December 31st, 2010
5:05 pm
Let’s hope the Dream Team isn’t watching this game.
Katherine
December 31st, 2010
5:05 pm
Bippity…true. I don’t have an answer for that. I’m not the person who makes those decisions. If they fire cmr and get someone new…I will support that person. I personally think they will give him another year regardless of what you or I think about it.
Brooksdawg
December 31st, 2010
5:05 pm
Richt looks confused-lost-not interested—-so does the Dawgs
LakeDawg
December 31st, 2010
5:05 pm
Never have I seen a coaching staff get so little performance out of so much talent.
Jeff Schultz
December 31st, 2010
5:05 pm
Murray started game 7 for 7, then went 6 for 11 with 2 interceptions.
5150 P.O.A.D.
December 31st, 2010
5:06 pm
Smoked ham is smelling and looking GOOD.
Smoked DAWG is looking even better.
Anybody think Hutson will get some snaps today?
Markie Mark
December 31st, 2010
5:06 pm
I am grossly overpaid and in so far over my head it isn’t funny. I no longer deserve to wear the Red and Black. All of my apologists, I thank you. This IS NOT Georgia football.
takedowndawg
December 31st, 2010
5:06 pm
Today’s Game. The going for the field goal with 4″ to go at the two says it all for me. We will NEVER win a NC with Coach Richt. He has the proven personality of an accountant. Always worried, always too worried to WIN. His success in the past, in my opinion, is in spite of his personality rather than because of it. Plus, having one of the premier recruiting states in the country. Heck of a nice guy, but not the personality of a NC champion head coach. We do need a change. By the way, Coach Bobo, should look elsewhere for a job. Searles, would make a threesome. Our line does not perform on a national level. UGA should expect better.