With Lattimore out, Dogs’ hopes rest on Florida game
Mark Richt didn't like what he saw at Vanderbilt but his team's in a good situation.
Not that anybody wants to see a great athlete have his season ended by an injury. But could anything more possibly go right for Georgia?
South Carolina has lost running back Marcus Lattimore for the season with a torn knee ligament. Lattimore was the key to the SEC East title last season. It was reasonable to think the Gamecocks might be able to overcome the personal and career meltdowns of quarterback Stephen Garcia and still win the division if they could get reasonable play from backup Connor Shaw. But losing Lattimore might be too much.
What does that mean for the Bulldogs? Just this: Beat Florida in two weeks and there’s a good chance they’ll be in the SEC championship game (against either Alabama or LSU).
Consider the top three teams in the East and the remaining schedule:
• SOUTH CAROLINA (4-1): The Gamecocks hold a tiebreaker edge over the Dogs for their win in game two. They probably will still win their game at Tennessee in two weeks, but sweeping the final two games at Arkansas and home against Florida will be difficult. Actually, they could lose both of those games. A split leaves them at 6-2. But minus Lattimore, 5-3 may be more likely.
• GEORGIA (4-1): If the Dogs sweep their final three conference games against Florida, Auburn and Kentucky – all at home – they’ll almost certainly win the division with a 7-1 record. If they beat the Gators, they’ll eliminate Florida and likely finish at least 6-2 (assuming a win over Kentucky). In that scenario, they would need South Carolina to lose to both Arkansas and Florida (assuming a win over Tennessee). If the Dogs to Florida, they probably would drop a game back, allow the Gators back in the race and lose tiebreakers to both division competitors. They could finish 7-1, 6-2 or 5-3.
• FLORIDA (2-3): The Gators need to sweep their final three games to have a shot in the East. That’s possible, particularly if injured quarterback John Brantley comes back from a leg injury. (Coach Will Muschamp said he hopes to get Brantley back for the Georgia game.) After Georgia, Florida’s only remaining SEC games are against Vanderbillt and South Carolina. They’ll finish 5-3, 4-4 or 3-5.
Most of the Dogs’ shortcomings were on display at Vanderbilt Saturday night. Mistakes and the lack of discipline upset coach Mark Richt. But they’ve won five straight and getting back to the SEC title game now may hinge on just beating Florida. Which, of course, has been a problem over the last two decades.
By Jeff Schultz
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374 comments Add your comment
TampaGator
October 16th, 2011
8:55 pm
Kerryb….
Florida has ONE player who runs track…..and his name is Demps (and he has been hurt for two games)….and he is a fairly good football players. Florida is 73% freshmen and sophs…..that is the problem right now….along with a hurt starting QB.
Spike
October 16th, 2011
8:55 pm
TampaGator.. How much do you want to bet?
TampaGator
October 16th, 2011
8:57 pm
Spike…..
18 out of my last 21 cents.
Columbus
October 16th, 2011
8:59 pm
Yeah but its depth at linebacker which is great not so much the individual impact so I agree with you. But Crowell will be ready to run like crazy after basically having 3 weeks off. he will be mostly healed and STRONG with the time off and the easy night at Vandy. Crowell does have to grow up, but anybody who knows anything about him, knew that when he was still in High School. He certainly will under Richt if he wants to. Lets hope he wants to! I do think Crowell will have a huge day against Florida. The guys need to stay out of trouble these next 2 weeks and think abotu nothing but putting it on the Gators! Go Dawgs!
TampaGator
October 16th, 2011
8:59 pm
Well…..wife says it is time to put on the movie out on the deck. The debate will continue for two weeks, I guess.
Michael
October 16th, 2011
9:00 pm
Florida down and the Dawgs with two weeks to prepare. That’s the usual recipe for our once a decade win over UF.
kerryb
October 16th, 2011
9:01 pm
Debate will be over 2 weeks from tonight when a team that couldn’t score a TD against Auburn’s sorry pass defense is handled.
Southgadawg88
October 16th, 2011
9:09 pm
Well TampaGator QB’s have a hard time sitting out games and coming back and having an impact right away too don’t they?Brantley had a pretty serious injury…If he does play against UGA he definetly won’t be 100 percent.I think our D will be licking their chops to get after a gimpy leg Brantley in his 1st game back.
Troll Power Ratings
October 16th, 2011
9:11 pm
Sad, really. TECH fans take it up the a** with the loss to a sister in the ACC (Virginia) but manage to be the first posters on a UGA blog. Thanks for caring, TECHtrolls.
Spike
October 16th, 2011
9:14 pm
TampaGator says his wife won’t let him play anymore.
UGA in Milton
October 16th, 2011
9:21 pm
I know we were all crying last year about Nick Fairley and him almost killing Murray but I was pretty upset how that game ended to Vandy…We have a DC almost getting in a fight and then the players trying to get into it…We looked like a bunch of goobs out there…
GatorAde
October 16th, 2011
9:22 pm
Gators 45, Dawgtards 17
Another looooooooong miserable drive home from Jacksonville.
JB
October 16th, 2011
9:24 pm
Getting to the Dome to face LSU or Bama for the Dawgs would be like exposing your Swamp family to you beautiful fiancee From LA before the wedding. Nothing good could come of it. Pray it ain’t Bama, for we were exposed once all ready on a National stage, and that team was somewhat loaded. These impostors that played Vandy Saturday night would look pretty awful if that effort was on display at the Dome. The entire Eastern Conference would be holding their breath.
kerryb
October 16th, 2011
9:25 pm
Gators couldn’t score 45 points on anyone if their life depended on it. They couldn’t score 45 points on Ole Miss right now.
kerryb
October 16th, 2011
9:26 pm
JB, Blah Blah Blah. Heard stupid comments like that a hundred times already
BobDawg
October 16th, 2011
9:28 pm
So let’s say ur team wins the SEC East and all you have to do is play 60 minutes of football with the #1 or 2 team in the country. Not the best of 3 or best of 5. Haven’t we all seen the football bounce for the underDawg before?
kerryb
October 16th, 2011
9:30 pm
Like I said before. All you can ask for is a chance to play for it no matter what happens.
BobDawg
October 16th, 2011
9:31 pm
kerryb… This is the Gators “bowl” game this year at Jax. Please try to play nice with them for the next 2 weeks
JB
October 16th, 2011
9:32 pm
BobDawg, so you think that team that beat Vandy Saturday just needs the ball to bounce their way with Bama or LSU, Lathered up going for a National title, While Richt is worrying his FG kicker is “on” that night.
kerryb
October 16th, 2011
9:33 pm
JB, I may be wrong but, are you a UGA fan? I can’t tell.
45 ACP
October 16th, 2011
9:34 pm
It’s really sad that the jacket’s lose and all they can do is lash out at a Dawgs victory. Perhaps you should redirect that anger toward your own team and coaches.. just sayin….
MarineDog
October 16th, 2011
9:35 pm
Wouldn’t UGA and SC have to both lose to FL plus they each would have to lose another game besides the FL game if FL is to win the east?
rational
October 16th, 2011
9:35 pm
There has probably never been an easier route to the SEC championship game for any team then the one UGA has now. Richt better hope they take advantage of it.
JB
October 16th, 2011
9:35 pm
Vandy , who had scored 3 points the previous 2 games and little offense, rolls up 349 yards and 21 second half points on us. And Bama and LSU will do what to us?. Have Mercy as a fellow conference member I hope.
kerryb
October 16th, 2011
9:36 pm
JB, are you a UGA fan?
JB
October 16th, 2011
9:37 pm
Kerryb, class of 1976 and 15 year season ticket holder. Gave them up for just purely got tired of going. I love Georgia. I hate what’s happening. Mark and UGA need a change of scenery
BobDawg
October 16th, 2011
9:38 pm
JB, I still remember the ‘98 falcons beating the Vikings with half of The Twin cities having made reservations in Miami. Ask any Viking fan about that game and tears start pouring out
kerryb
October 16th, 2011
9:39 pm
HArd to tell you even went there. You’re about the most negative person I’ve ever seen on here. will not look for anything positive always waiting to find something negative to harp on. Just turn in your degree and go get it from Alabama or LSU.
JB
October 16th, 2011
9:40 pm
BobDawg……LSU & Bama?… I don’t know if this bunch can’t beat the worst Florida team in 20+ years.
JB
October 16th, 2011
9:43 pm
Kerryb, I’m not alone. Just this country, The Dawg nation is split on this. I’m very involved in My Bulldog Club chapter, and I HAVE TO ENCOURAGE THEM. I hope and pray you are not a shut in, but you need to get out and talk to some folks.
kerryb
October 16th, 2011
9:43 pm
I remember a 2007 Georgia team that had a Soph QB and a first year RB that lost two early games. They went to Vandy and struggled and almost lost. They had to have the Vandy RB fumble on our 15 yard line with about 2 mnutes to go. They came back down the field a kicked a winning FG. coach Richt had to push them off the field like last night. They had 2 weeks off before playing UF. Came back looking like a different team and didnt lose the rest of the year.
DawginLEXington, blue grass country
October 16th, 2011
9:43 pm
Great game for UGA. Way to hold on boys. Everyone knew Vandy would mount a strong effort. Keep up the great play, maybe we can give the Gators a good fight. Now what about that wunderkid from PORTERDALE, NEWTON COUNTY. The name is Wylee Gathers. He’s a defensive end. Google the name!, Watch the tapes, this kid can’t miss.
Bogey
October 16th, 2011
9:45 pm
All of you well informed posters on here that say the East winner has no chance against Bama or LSU are ignoring the upsets that are certainly part of the history of this game. I don’t like any of the three against them but I won’t say they have no chance–it is football after all.
BobDawg
October 16th, 2011
9:46 pm
JB… I have therapy sessions available this week. Sounds like you need a DAwg shrink
JB
October 16th, 2011
9:47 pm
Bama 34-Vandy 0…………….Dawgs hang on a fight for a last second win……. Naw, no difference to see here.
kerryb
October 16th, 2011
9:47 pm
JB, Im not always negative. I see a young team that has learned how to win over the last 5 weeks. A team that was banged up after playing 7 games in a row and was missing some key players. If Murray hadnt overthrown two TD passes we would not have even been talking about a close game. 2 weeks from now we will get back Mitchell, Crowell, Washinton, and Ogletree. They will look a lot better then.
dawg4u
October 16th, 2011
9:48 pm
I really believe the Dawgs would need to win out against Florida, Kentucky and Auburn. Auburn will be tough having beaten SC in Columbia with Lattimore. The only game I can see SC definitely losing is to Arkansas. They should beat both Tennessee and Florida. The winner of the SEC East will probably lose the championship game to LSU or Bama by at least 17 points.
JB
October 16th, 2011
9:49 pm
I don’t need therapy, I just want a new regime in Athens… And I’ve met Mark and like him and he’s a good man blah blah blah…….But at #8 at 3.5 mil, the man is stealing money.
JB
October 16th, 2011
9:51 pm
kerryb, I defended him all last year and all off season and drank the kool aide. It just ain’t happening.
BobDawg
October 16th, 2011
9:51 pm
Where were your tickets, JB??? You might want some again with all these young-uns growing up. before our eyes. Next few years will be fun
kerryb
October 16th, 2011
9:51 pm
Jb, Please don’t identify yourself as a UGA fan any longer. You are not. You’re just a fair weather idiot. I didnt even go to school there but I am more of a fan than you.
kerryb
October 16th, 2011
9:53 pm
BobDawg, No, it wont matter JB will still find something negative to say about them.
JB
October 16th, 2011
9:54 pm
BobDawg, gave them up about 20 years ago. Work and kids more important.
JB
October 16th, 2011
9:55 pm
I hope we beat Florida…..How bout that kerryb
BobDawg
October 16th, 2011
9:56 pm
Look how great all the coaching transitions have gone for Tn and Fla. We finally have our D fixed and I don’t want to start over
JB
October 16th, 2011
9:57 pm
North stands, about the 20 yard line, lower level, row 34…..pretty good seats. Say every Herschel home game by the way just buying tickets from scalpers before I took the plunge.
Myanmar Shave
October 16th, 2011
9:58 pm
Five In A Row!
It’s Sweet As Candy
Thank God That We
Escaped From Vandy
Our Defense Is Suspect
Giving Up Too Much Ground
And Our DC Is Crazy
As A Dawg In Da Pound
We Ain’t Got Much Offense
We Can’t Really Run
But Our Backup Quarterback
Should Be The One©
We’re Saving Him Now
And Using Him Later
He’s Our Secret Weapon
To Pull On A Gator
But Gators Are Mean
And They Don’t Play Fair
So I Don’t See Us Having
Much Luck Down There
Bradley Is Lame
But He’s Healing Each Day
I’m Afraid That He’s Gonna
Be Ready to Play
So Goodbye SEC
Goodbye East Division
Perhaps That Will Spur
An Overdue Decision?
Myanmar Shave©
JB
October 16th, 2011
9:58 pm
Tru dat Bob, and look at Auburn. National title year 2, just say’n.
BobDawg
October 16th, 2011
9:59 pm
…a little more enthusiasm, JB! And that will be 300.00. Bill is in the mail.
JB
October 16th, 2011
10:02 pm
Lot’s and lot’s of coach’s get fired EVERY year……………..FOR NOT WINNING. PAID TO win and play for conference titles and National titles. If he wants to mold and save young men, there are many places to serve to do that. That should be the BY PRODUCT, not the mission, at 3.5 mil per by the way.