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
TampaGator
December 31st, 2010
7:41 pm
UGAKev….because we love college football. But…we usually enjoy watching good college football.
O'Leary owns UGA
December 31st, 2010
7:41 pm
I guess the dogs needed a few more bones on the youth league helmets. I hope someone’s Mother brought juice boxes and ding dongs to make the doggies feel better.
SIMON SAINT
December 31st, 2010
7:42 pm
((((((((((((10-6))))))))))))
((((((((((((3-5))))))))))))))
((((((((((((6-7))))))))))))))
((((((((11 arrests))))))))
((no wins vs teams with winning record))
TampaGator
December 31st, 2010
7:42 pm
danydawg….
Why don’t you call him up and call him a liar….please!
first tier program
December 31st, 2010
7:42 pm
and he has another year hahahahahahahahaLOL
AU Bonehead
December 31st, 2010
7:43 pm
War Cam Eagle -
Get ready… without your laptop stealing, preacher wheeling and dealing Newton your going to find out what it’s like to sit at the bottom of the SEC West in 2011. How many Seniors are you losing? LOL… say good bye to cheap shot Fairly too, because that thug is going to the NFL with Newton.
Bad Dawg, Bad Dawg
December 31st, 2010
7:43 pm
I love it! All the big talk from Dawg fans, Top 5 classes, SEC, etc. etc. and the ONLY SEC games you win are UK, Vandy and to a bad UT team. You are at the bottom, absolutely bottom. 6-7. You were man handled by George O’Leary…..AGAIN!!!!
v8 cat
December 31st, 2010
7:43 pm
George O’Leary – my hero is a dog killer.
MaconSportsFan
December 31st, 2010
7:43 pm
War Cam Eagle we look like we have $180,000 more in our pocket then Auburn does hahhahhaha gotta pay players to win!! Cheating scummmmmm
BUZZ
December 31st, 2010
7:43 pm
Steve, all the local papers were represented for the Dawgs in Memphis. They all will report
on your SIX points scored and loss to UCF.. It is even better that a former GT coach took you out. I am still wondering how theDawgs slithered away from GT this year. Look forward to the local paper reports Saturday..
Dawg Hater
December 31st, 2010
7:43 pm
Gimme a L!
Gimme a O!
Gimme a S!
Gimme a E!
Gimme a R!
Gimme a S!
What do they spell?
I don’t know. My degree’s from UGA, the country’s No. 1 party school.
Grim Reaper
December 31st, 2010
7:43 pm
DANDYDOG? DeputyDawg? Nasty Gator fans? 18 of last 21, now that is NASTY! TALKIN SMACK HOW YOU GONNA BEAT THE GATORS? YOU BETTER GO MEDIEVAL AND BEAT THE KNIGHTS FIRST!
Snoop Dawg
December 31st, 2010
7:43 pm
Florida is yucking it up for pawning that loser McCavity on UGA. He is lame, too cowardly to fire Markt Wrecked. All you stupid Apologists, I hope you are happy now. You have utterly destroyed the once proud UGA football team. They will not get another penny of mine until we have an entirely new coaching staff.
We cussed Urban Meyer, but Richt does not compare. Meyer was proud and did what was best for the institution. We will have to get the Georgia State Patrol to physically remove da Preacha Man and Water Girrrl from their millionaire mansion.
If UGA was the federal govenrment there would be a Congressional investigation of fraud waste and abuse of how we got absolutely nothing in return for three million dollars a year. The administration is utterly incompetent and Adams needs to hit the road too. He is too imperial…
Richt is an idiot. It’s all on his shoulders, and his shoulders alone.
J-Man
December 31st, 2010
7:43 pm
Hire Kirby Smart NOW!!!!!!
dandydawg
December 31st, 2010
7:44 pm
Let’s me spell it out… Conference USA #1 team / SEC #9 team… what did you expected? Surely one would have thought 31-17 UCF… We know that we are weak. The only problem I had with this game is that UGA didn’t show up…
GIVE ME LIBERTY OR GIVE ME GEORGIA
December 31st, 2010
7:44 pm
I STILL CANT BELIEVE GEORGIA JUST GOT BITCH SLAPPED BY A CONFERENCE USA TEAM
TampaGator
December 31st, 2010
7:44 pm
danydawg….and I AM real smart. He said he would not have left Texas for any other job. For the record….he is as big a devoted Christian as your Mark Richt…..so….I believe him.
UGAKev
December 31st, 2010
7:44 pm
Ok haters we suck right now…so what ?? your not going to have someone come to your house and blow you for us sucking ?? what do you really get out of it for us sucking…its not like we believe your university is better than ours just because we suck in football. GO DAWGS — the hell with the haters
TDone
December 31st, 2010
7:44 pm
I am a Tech fan. Someone please tell me how we lost to you people.
Loyal Dawg Fan Forever
December 31st, 2010
7:44 pm
UGA 4-7 against Div 1 teams.
David Vitter Louisiana Republican School of Mud-Blowing Diaper Love does not count.
Bulldykes
December 31st, 2010
7:44 pm
Say what you want, but O’Leary owns us bulldykes.
How about our great defense too?
We so should be playing OR in the NC game. Bulldykes unite!
Definition of delusional:
December 31st, 2010
7:44 pm
SECElite
December 31st, 2010
7:36 pm
Grim Reaper
December 31st, 2010
7:44 pm
Kirby Smart is too Smart to take the Gagga job now! 18 of 21
classof69
December 31st, 2010
7:45 pm
Embarrassed enough? No motivation. No preparation. Fire Richt now.
Texas Wreck
December 31st, 2010
7:45 pm
Well, there it is!! Both in-state Georgia teams have a stinko year. Where is old BAHAHHAHAHAHAH at today? Did he croke from anger? Is he gone yet? Maybe he left the state? We can only hope. Good luck next year, all of us!!
Tripple Lindy
December 31st, 2010
7:45 pm
Embarrassing. I’ve resisted saying this, but its time for a regime change. Dooley and Muschamp have gone to Tennessee and Florida; we better hire Kirby Smart before Georgia Tech takes him. Mark Richt, I love you as a person, but its time to move on. To roughly quote Fran Tarkenton, “when you hear the names Nick Saban and Urban Meyer, what do you think? ‘Great coaches.’ When you hear the name Mark Richt, what do you think? ‘Nice guy.’ Nuff said.”
Boise State is going to kill us in the Dome next September.
Auburn Tigers Fans show UGA how to win
December 31st, 2010
7:45 pm
Muschamp has not not won a game yet, he had a pitiful season with the best rated talent in the country and has ZERO Credibility. 9 months and 3 days until we can fully get feel just how pitiful of a Head Coach he will be. He thinks CW is the answer for OC, LMAO, Charlie the bad Leg has done nothing since his hey day with the Cheating Patriots who taped the Defenses signals….
Jim Donnan
December 31st, 2010
7:45 pm
My @ss got fired when I had a losing season
TampaGator
December 31st, 2010
7:45 pm
Snoop Dawg….
If you don’t want your new AD…please send him back to Gainesville. He is nothing but terrific and will do great things leading your program.
WAR CAM EAGLE
December 31st, 2010
7:46 pm
MaconSportsFan
December 31st, 2010
7:43 pm
War Cam Eagle we look like we have $180,000 more in our pocket then Auburn does hahhahhaha gotta pay players to win!! Cheating scummmmmm
HAHAHA YEAH AJ GREEN PROVES WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DONT. WHAT DOES MY AZZ LOOK LIKE FROM WAY DOWN THERE WHERE YIOU ARE?
5150 P.O.A.D.
December 31st, 2010
7:46 pm
Russ got screwed. .500 in bowl games and 4-5. Russ you deserved better. Urinate in Big Bad Bruce’s House as your going away present.
5 stars equals 7 losses and 11 arrest
December 31st, 2010
7:46 pm
once again, the Biggest 6 AND 7 LOSER OF ALL TIME IS: UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA
YES, GT IS 3rd runner up, TN is 2nd runner up and Clemson is 1st runner up but you SOUTH EASTER CHUMPS ARE THE WINNERS HANDS DOWN
CENTRAL FLORIDA, REALLY? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Craig Scroggs
December 31st, 2010
7:46 pm
I will always support my Dawgs but it is time for a change. I truly believe that CMR has lost the fire that is needed now in college football. His team reflects his stoic and complacent attitude and I just do not believe you can win without some sort of fire in the belly. I hope CMR goes and makes a wonderful missionary and wins many souls for the kingdom of God, but I do not see many more wins for UGA with him at the helm.
dandydawg
December 31st, 2010
7:46 pm
Grim…
I am not concern about beating them nasty boys from UF. That will all happen in our life time… just watch. That UF ain’t sh!t. the only folks y’all can beat is my weak UGA. Show me something…
Grim Reaper
December 31st, 2010
7:46 pm
Dabdy Dawg, Gagga hasn’t shown up since Hushel, wait….
Florida just called another timeout in Jacksonville….
Harry the Hat
December 31st, 2010
7:46 pm
A few comments about the game:
1. It was obvious that neither the UGAy goons or coaches were ready for the game. It was obvious that UCF was.
2. The whole team sucked.
3. How much longer will dawg fans put up with this kind of crap with Richt as coach? More importantly, how long will McGarity put up with it?
4. Some of the UGAy players, and a lot of the fans were crying after the game ended. This was heartwarming for decent, intelligent people to see.
5. When the cameras zoomed in on some of the UGAy fans, it was very clear why most states have laws against incest. It was also clear why beer companies are so profitable.
6. How much stuff has A.J. Green sold already? How much is his stuff discounted when UGAy loses and he plays like crap? :-)
7. How is Russ taking the loss? Oh, I see, he’s crapping all over everybody. Sorry about that, coach Richt. I’m sure those stains can be removed from your pants.
8. Aaron Murray demonstrated how devastating it was to lose Zach.
9. Good news for the seniors playing their last game for UGAy – you’ll never have to spend another night in the Athens jail. The lawyers and bail bondsmen of Athens salute you.
10. Is there any doubt left that UGAy is totally irrelevant in the world of college football (as well as in everything else, including academics). Okay, I have to give it to them, they are the world’s #1 party school, and they did win the Fulmer Cup.
HAPPY NEW YEAR, DAWGTARDS!!!
UGAKev
December 31st, 2010
7:47 pm
SOMEONE TELL ME WHERE DO YOU GET THAT GEORGIA GETS TOP 5 RECRUITING CLASSES EVERY YEAR??? LOOK AT LAST YEARS RECRUITING CLASSES. DO YOUR HOMEWORK INSTEAD OF SAYING SOMETHING YOU HEAR FROM ANOTHER FAN. GEORGIA WAS IN THE UPPER TEENS ON SOME RECRUITING SITES LAST YEAR
m
December 31st, 2010
7:47 pm
TDone
December 31st, 2010
7:44 pm
I am a Tech fan. Someone please tell me how we lost to you people.
WE DIDN’T HAVE OUR STARTING QB AND THEY DID.
Paul Johnson
December 31st, 2010
7:47 pm
How in the he77 have I lost to you guys twice in a row.
older1
December 31st, 2010
7:47 pm
this is a game some years u win, some u don’t. UGA will be back. if u think this is the end of the world, u need to visit ST. JUDE childrens hospital and get a dose of reality. u never had it so good.
Hi, i'm Jan Kemp
December 31st, 2010
7:47 pm
MaconSportsFan
December 31st, 2010
7:43 pm
War Cam Eagle we look like we have $180,000 more in our pocket then Auburn does hahhahhaha gotta pay players to win!! Cheating scummmmmm
TampaGator
December 31st, 2010
7:48 pm
Auburn Fan….Muschamp was not the head coach of Texas and didn’t lose anything. Muschamp is considered by everyone in college football adminstrations as a brilliant football mind. And…yes….he still has to prove himself….but I think he will.
m
December 31st, 2010
7:48 pm
PLEASE PASS THE KOOLAID (QUICKLY)
Bad Dawg, Bad Dawg
December 31st, 2010
7:48 pm
Oh, I’m sure Dawgs will be a Pre-Season top 5 team next year. You are an afterthought!
81Dawg
December 31st, 2010
7:48 pm
A poor effort would be an overstatement for what was shown in Memphis tonight. I think it is time for a change of administration.
YellowJacket
December 31st, 2010
7:48 pm
UGA is finally beginning to understand how much they really suck, at everything, including governorship.
Scout
December 31st, 2010
7:48 pm
UGA gets four and five star athletes. By the time they are seniors they are coached down to two and three star calibur players
Grim Reaper
December 31st, 2010
7:49 pm
The website http://www.fireMarkRicht.com is listed on eBay, adios all, Happy New Year to all, well, except the chokin’ dawgs! Sold your souls for Hushel Walker, never gonna win again!!!!
30 year Dawg fan
December 31st, 2010
7:49 pm
@ TDone –
God’s will.
ChunkyMonkey
December 31st, 2010
7:49 pm
Did UGA have a single practice after the regular season ended? It sure didn’t look like it! They were not only sad, THEY WERE PATHETIC! UCF??????? Come on!! Richt may have a challenge filling the old home stadium next year.
If you are going to coach, then prepare your team! UGA WAS NOT PREPARED — and man did it show!