Richt and Georgia have a chance to alter perceptions
Mark Richt is only 2-8 in his past 10 games against ranked teams. (Brant Sanderlin/AJC)
ATHENS – It wasn’t Mark Richt’s intention to contrast the recent state of two college football programs Tuesday when he praised Boise State. But the words just sort of tumbled out that way.
“They know what they’re doing, they believe in what they’re doing,” the Georgia coach said Tuesday. “Teams with a habit of winning are hard to beat.”
When the Bulldogs face Boise State on Saturday night in the Georgia Dome, it will be an opener like no other Richt has had. That’s not merely because most believe this season will determine his future. It’s just that nobody can be sure what to make of the Georgia program right now.
We know athletes still flock to the program because recruiting services tell us so. We know they can still sell tickets and romance donors and build wonderful facilities. But are they still a player where it counts most? Richt went 48-18 (.727) in 66 SEC games beginning in 2002 but is only 5-9 (.357) since. The Bulldogs went 24-11 against ranked opponents from 2002 through mid-2008 but are 2-8 since.
Boise State begins this season ranked fifth. The last time Georgia defeated an opponent that highly ranked was in 2006 (37-15 over Auburn). Since then, the Dogs have lost four consecutive to top 5 opponents by 39, 7, 24 and 18 points.
Georgia has had a number of habits in the past two seasons, but winning is not one of them. Losing Saturday won’t necessarily stamp this season as a lost cause any more than winning the game would ensure success. But perceptions swing heavily this week, and they should. If you choose to embrace the endless blather about how an SEC team should beat a bunch of spud boys from Idaho who play home games on blue turf and in a weak conference, fine. But what exactly has Georgia done of late, other than lose to Colorado and Central Florida?
“I don’t personally think the season’s riding on the one game,” Richt said Tuesday. “It’s really not. But it’s a game we absolutely want to win. It’s a game that we expect to win. It has no bearing on the Southeastern Conference race. But what I do think it will do is give us a pretty good feel for what we’re made of. It will give us a pretty good idea what it’s going to take down the road.”
Richt knows. His players, his program and his fan base are in no position to mock diminish Boise State’s accomplishments. Or mock anybody. They finished 6-7 last season and did not beat a team last season that finished with a winning record. Two years ago, Richt fired several assistant coaches, including defensive coordinator Willie Martinez. This year, he demoted strength coach Dave Van Halanger and promoted Joe Tereshinski.
He is running out of scapegoats.
Nobody questions Georgia’s talent. For Georgia to defeat Boise State or South Carolina next week, it will need to excel in areas that it simply hasn’t of late. Playing smart. Playing tough. Blocking and tackling. Showing some semblance of resolve.
Tight end Orson Charles said the first two games “will make or break our season. We’ll definitely know where we stand.”
Quarterback Aaron Murray said, “We want to be the kind of team that’s beating these top teams. We need to go out and prove it.”
Richt struggled to answer why Georgia fizzled in so many games last season.
“Is it because of the physical nature?” he said. “Is it because a guy couldn’t make a play or the ball bounced the wrong way? That may be. But we just need to get beyond that.”
After a while, the wrong things can become habitual. They begin to define a program. If Georgia wants to alter perceptions, it needs to start this week.
By Jeff Schultz
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281 comments Add your comment
Delbert D.
August 30th, 2011
5:13 pm
Lowcountry Bulldawg – I was just tusslin’ with you. Everybody takes it to mean the end of a career.
AP
August 30th, 2011
5:19 pm
Too early for predictions? Blair Walsh will hit a game winning field goal from 40+ yards and the Dawgs win 33-31. Crowell goes for 110 on 22 carries. What say you?!!!!
rob
August 30th, 2011
5:20 pm
Trite and poorly edited. Maybe you can stary writing clean columns starting this week…
Abnerish
August 30th, 2011
5:20 pm
You say losing this game doesn’t make this season a lost cause, which is true, but if Georgia loses big (and I mean embarrassingly big), it will be the beginning of the end of Richt’s regime. I don’t want Georgia to lose (I’m an Alum) and I really don’t want Richt to lose (he’s a great representative of our University), but I have a really bad feeling about this season. I hope I’m wrong…
Yellow Fuzz
August 30th, 2011
5:22 pm
Yellow Fuzz 21
DawginLex 0
Let the "BIG" Dawg eat!!
August 30th, 2011
5:24 pm
Yeah mike, or let’s not dump him like Auburn did TUBBS, and win a national championship in the new coaches 2nd season. It’s time to put up or shut up for Richt, BoBo, and especially Boykin and Christian Robinson. Hanging onto a coach that has a losing record in the SEC the past 2 seasons doesn’t sound like a good idea to me, especially when you consider how terrible the team looked on the field, and how terrible they were prepared by the coaches. Hope Richt has what it takes to turn this sinking ship around,but i seriously doubt that he does. You can’t take stripes off a zebra, and Richt’s offense with Bobo is the most predictable offense in the SEC, and the finesse offense UGA runs will get you beat in the SEC now. If Richt can finally after 11 years realize you have to be able to run the ball to win in the SEC or in any bigtime conference then i’m all for him staying around, if he continues to allow Bobo to run this B.S offense that only puts up points against inferior defenses, then, i hope he is gone after this season. Time will tell.
DawgInaTruck
August 30th, 2011
5:25 pm
@ GTT August 30th, 2011 5:10 pm:
You’re right on the money dude. The fact that The Bear would not survive in today’s environment proves how ridiculous our expectations have become in too many cases.
For this Dawg, I’ve never lost faith in Coach Richt. This is going to be a fun team to watch and a great year for Dawgs eveywhere.
Mike
August 30th, 2011
5:30 pm
Georgia’s defense is where the issues lie. If Richt had started with the same defense he has had since 2008, he would have been lucky to last longer than Donnan did. The offense hasn’t been brilliant, but neither was it every game with David Greene at QB. But Greene’s offense could afford an off game because the D was so brilliant. Stafford, Cox, and Murray have not had that luxury the last three years. They have often been called on to try to outscore the other team which is not what this offense does best.
They can fire Richt and bring in someone else, but if he doesnt bring the defense with him, nothing will change.
oldbird
August 30th, 2011
5:35 pm
I think that the second year running the 3-4 should show a lot of improvement on the D. That first year transition without having a true nose tackle is tough. Our nose tackles outweigh Boise’s center a good 60 lbs. That should be an interesting matchup.
Paddy
August 30th, 2011
5:36 pm
Top Dawg….don’t believe sexual activity causes groin injuries. You may want to consult a text book. You may be doing something wrong!!!
Frank the Tank
August 30th, 2011
5:36 pm
Lets to this thing UGA
Paddy
August 30th, 2011
5:40 pm
Top Dawg…..Bloody tuesday started for Coach Vince once the season was started. Not before the first game!
Bob
August 30th, 2011
5:40 pm
Let me add to Richt’s statement…”teams with good coaching are hard to beat, too”. I like our chances when we’re prepared and ready to play, and when we arn’t too stubborn to make adjustments, offensively or defensively.
I'm Praying for You JT
August 30th, 2011
5:43 pm
GATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATAGATA
My momma says
August 30th, 2011
5:45 pm
My momma says Alligators are ornery b/c their medulla obligata.
Z. Itchy
August 30th, 2011
5:51 pm
Scapegoats? I think that’s a cheap shot. I think the changes that were made, were made for good reason. The defense has already begun to show it. This year we’ll see if the conditioning improves our 4th qtr performance.
Vince
August 30th, 2011
5:52 pm
Gooooo Dawgssssssssssssssss. We love you!!!
Carlton
August 30th, 2011
6:07 pm
Really “I See Veins”? You don’t see the change that Joe T.’s conditioning (not to mention) nutrition program has done to get the player’s heads right for this season? It may be won in the 4th quarter, but I’m sure it will this season..
Yet, you didn’t even address my original point. Where was the “pool day” this off-season that replaced a regular practice? Didn’t see one. Richt’s got it straight. Boise will lose. South Craolina’s a toss-up because they’re so loaded this year (as well as Stephen Garcia, he seems loaded whenever he shows up for a team function). But I won’t be too hurt if we lose to Boise. I’m sure the coaches have been watching more SC tape anyway..
JB
August 30th, 2011
6:13 pm
Plenty of reasons why Georgia has falterd the last two years, not all directly lead to Richt, but the buck does start with him
1. Poor evaluation of talent in recruiting. Yes, we have some studs, but they have missed on Many
2. A staff not up to par with the SEC powers. opinion only, but I think it’s real
3. A culture of entitlement and comfort on the staff. They’re comfy.
4. Poor physical training. Hopefully that has changed.
5. Hell bent on using the playbook he brought from FSU, on the down and distance it’s scripted to be called and work.
6. Allowing bad apples to infect the team and stay to long.
7.All this equals Georgia should NEVER lose to Colorado or UCF. EVER!
Destin Dawg
August 30th, 2011
6:16 pm
this is our year… 4 days… football starts .. B.S. stops… Nasty Junk Yard defense and great kicking game will give offense good field position…. I like our chances… it’s exciting to have 2 huge games right off the bat… Go Dawgs !!!
Athens Dawg
August 30th, 2011
6:18 pm
Let’s do this
JB
August 30th, 2011
6:23 pm
Got a chance Saturday to erase a lot of pain. Go Dawgs. I think we play physical and kind of stun them a little in the first quarter.
Trip
August 30th, 2011
6:29 pm
Not gonna happen. Richt’s winless vs. ranked team in 10, Peterson’s like 5 out of last 6 vs. ranked teams. Look for a 1st half blowout and then for our guys to just give up once their will is broken.
Destin Dawg
August 30th, 2011
6:33 pm
Trip.. I said B.S. stops.. lets talk Mon. ??
PearGuy
August 30th, 2011
6:37 pm
I’ll tell you why they lost so many games last year.
1- No good run scheme
2- Not practicing enough in high pressure situations that emulate game like conditions due to fear if injury, aka, choking n the 4th quarter against good teams (not conditioning–big difference)
3- Bad offensive gameplan against SC, MSU, & UCF
4- Bad defensive gameplan against Colorado, Auburn, UF, Ark
5- Last in turnover margin against ranked teams in SEC
PearGuy
August 30th, 2011
6:38 pm
I believe the team was soft. Nothing to do with workouts, lack of mental side, not Bama-like.
PearGuy
August 30th, 2011
6:39 pm
This is our year?
Yeah, I said that in 2008, 2009, and 2010, we won less games every year.,
Red Stick (formerly Jumbeauxtiger)
August 30th, 2011
6:40 pm
Per Phil Steele:
#5 BOISE ST VS #19 GEORGIA
Despite this being a “neutral site” game, GA will clearly have the crowd edge in their own backyard (Atlanta). In 2005 Georgia was #13 and Boise #18 as Boise was the sheik upset pick coming in all summer while UGA was well motivated. They took advantage of Jared Zabransky’s horrible day with TO’s and UGA won 48-13 in Athens w/a 574-292 yd edge. This time Boise has a QB that won’t have those turnover problems as Kellen Moore has just 9 int’s the last 2 years and led the NCAA in pass eff in ‘10. He guided Boise to a win in VT’s back yard LY in the opener. Boise has 14 ret st’rs and a win here could eventually land them in the title game. Boise is just as strong as LY’s 12-1 tm but GA is much better than LY’s 6-7 and my pick to win the SEC East this year. Georgia has a big game on deck vs South Carolina while Boise has a bye and that could be the difference.
PHIL’S FORECAST : BOISE ST 28 GEORGIA 27
PearGuy
August 30th, 2011
6:46 pm
Dude, hello, the team went from 11 wins, to 10 to 8 to 6 wins. Are you seeing a pattern there?
PearGuy
August 30th, 2011
6:47 pm
what was our record against ranked teams last year? Seems like 0-5 kind of rings a bell.
Loyal Dawg
August 30th, 2011
6:48 pm
Jeff, we don’t care what you think, and we would prefer that you attempt to write about another school. We don’t respect your opinions. I was half way down the article, when I asked, “Who wrote this nonsense?” Naturally, it was you. Please go write about buzz or something. Wasting my time reading your nonsense is time I can never get back. What a waste!
PearGuy
August 30th, 2011
6:48 pm
Did I mention in his 40 starts, Moore has won 38 games, and the 2 losses were by less than a field goal?
Stinger '95
August 30th, 2011
6:50 pm
Not only are we UGA’s b…..now Air Force owns us………TWEET THAT PJ…..
Dabo
August 30th, 2011
6:52 pm
Walt Deptula who has a radio show in Clemson said the Dawgs will go 0 – 2. He is usually right . He says Georgia ’s problem is Mark Richt and I think he is right about that too.
Dawgbreath
August 30th, 2011
6:54 pm
Needs to beat BSU because we won’t beat Spurrier.
Googly Dawg
August 30th, 2011
7:07 pm
Alter perceptions of UGA? To do that, Richt would have to start recruiting legitimate students who have at least a prayer of graduating with a serious college degree. Then get driver’s licenses for them. Then take away the booze from thousands of students, especially the underage ones. Then fire every left-wing professor in Athens – oops, that’s most of them, including Cynthia Tucker.
Alter perceptions? Not bloody likely as long as Mark Richt, multimillionaire, is around.
GTBob
August 30th, 2011
7:09 pm
You mean the perception that he is a lousy coach and wastes more talent then most teams will ever see? Yeah, I don’t see him altering that one. People think he is going to win the division because of the dream team. He couldn’t win the division with Stafford, Moreno, and Green on the team so good luck with that hope.
JDawg1785
August 30th, 2011
7:16 pm
Here’s to hoping CMR and company get this thing turned around starting Saturday! GO DAWGS!!
Larry
August 30th, 2011
7:21 pm
With jackasses like Boykin mouthing off, there can be no good result this weekend.
dbc
August 30th, 2011
7:55 pm
Just hope the game doesn’t start and end like the Oklahoma State game. The offense looked great in the first series — much better than I expected — and then Bobo promptly stopped doing what was working. We all know the rest. Need to smack Boise from the first snap, keep them guessing, and keep the foot on the gas until 5 minutes after the game is over. If we start seeing our players gasping for breath, hands on hips, and tapping out of the game in the second quarter, we’ll know where we stand for the rest of the season.
4ever DawG
August 30th, 2011
7:55 pm
I f Ga can’t beat spud state, we are in trouble, with a flock of fowl chickens coming up next. I believe Dawgs beat the smurfs, and win a close one at home against the beaked ones. At that point, the sky is the limit. Go Dawgs!
dbc
August 30th, 2011
7:58 pm
Not sure if I agree with College Football News in their prediction. Interesting read nonetheless:
http://cfn.scout.com/2/1096739.html
FLA DAWG
August 30th, 2011
8:10 pm
Fact or perception – it matters not;
Win = Hope for the season.
Loss = Another miserable season under Richt.
vegas
August 30th, 2011
8:16 pm
BSU -3
kybodawg
August 30th, 2011
8:17 pm
youve got to rember THIS TEAM didnt lose to anybody last year let them play a game before you hang one on them. go dawgs
chilidawg
August 30th, 2011
8:18 pm
Don’t forget: CMR only has one job now. He doesn’t have to do Damon Evans’ too.
Mike Honcho
August 30th, 2011
8:18 pm
As a fan of UGA, I only wish we could hire one of the people in this blog to be our next head coach as you all obviously know so much more about college football than the highly-trained staff of professionals that currently coach the team. Heck, maybe we should just fire the whole staff and just have Murray check the AJC blogs for each weeks gameplan.
Point is this guys, everyone loves to come on here and p*ss and moan about Coach Richt this and Coach Bobo that. Have they made some bad calls before? Sure, but show me the head coach, Peterson of Boise included, who hasn’t. Granted I don’t remember every play from ‘10, and sure there were a few boneheaded coaching calls (as in any season) but you want to know what I remember the most? I remember our top player being out for 4 games because of his own selfishness; I remember HUGELY costly fumbles and penalties being key factors in the outcomes of games that were lost by a touchdown or less; I remember an offense that, despite having a first-time starter at QB, still managed to hang 30+ on some good teams. I also remember a FIRST YEAR DC IN A FIRST YEAR SCHEME improving our defensive stats over the previous season.
Richt and McGarity saw the downward trend and they’ve done the things necessary to curtail it. Instead of calling for the heads of our coaches, let’s have faith that the new S&C program, the new nutrition program, the new defensive scheme in it’s 2nd year, and the changes in attitude that CMR has demanded (get on the bus or get off) have the desired effect on the field. As far as I’m concerned, 2010 is gone and ain’t nuthin’ can be done about it. As for 2011, call me naive, but I see CMR with a staff and a team of highly motivated DAMN GOOD DAWGS ready to reinstill fear in the hearts of those that dare step between the hedges, and the sidelines of the GA Dome for that matter. GO DAWGS!!!!
Jimmy The Greek
August 30th, 2011
8:25 pm
Hey Rednecks……Vegas is giving you a gift with only making UGA a 3 point dog. Take your meth money this week and put it on Boise and lay the 3 points. You will WIN because Boise beats UGA by a guaranteed 2 scores.
itpdude
August 30th, 2011
8:28 pm
The only good thing about UGA starting 0-2 this year (and they will) is that Mark “We didn’t worry about penalties at FSU” Richt will be gone.
MICHAEL
August 30th, 2011
8:31 pm
!