Georgia seizing chance to put problems in distant past
Mark Richt's team has won eight straight since going 20-17 from early in 2008. (Brant Sanderlin)
Every win pushes the agony a little further back into history. Every significant moment – the comeback against Florida, the domination of Auburn – quiets the anger just a little bit more.
Georgia has positioned itself to clinch the SEC East on Saturday against Kentucky in Athens. But of greater significance actually is what the program may be starting to show about the future.
The Bulldogs likely have four games remaining: Kentucky, Georgia Tech, the SEC championship and a bowl game. How they perform in those four will say a lot about where things are headed and to what extent the fan base can again become unified, as it was from Mark Richt’s arrival through 2007 – and until the “blackout” game against Alabama in 2008.
If the Dogs defeat Kentucky, it will secure a division title unlike any other under Richt. He won a conference championship in only his second season in 2002. He won the East again in 2003 (losing the SEC title game to LSU) and 2005 (this time beating LSU). But over the past few years, the good feelings had been eroding, losses had been increasing, doubt had been growing.
When Steve Spurrier punctuated his postgame comments following South Carolina’s win over Florida last week with, “We’ll see what Georgia does when they know they have to win,” it wasn’t the nonsensical ramblings from the SEC’s most notorious tweaker. Fact is, Spurrier had a point. The Bulldogs had something to prove.
The danger signs were far more widespread than Georgia coming off its first losing season under Richt (6-7). After a 4-0 start in 2008, the Bulldogs were drilled at home by Alabama — the black jerseys were quickly put back into a box –and went only 20-17 in their next 37 games (0-2 to start this year) and 12-12 in the SEC.
Through this season’s second-week loss at South Carolina, Georgia was 5-10 in its past 15 SEC games. It had lost not only to recent conference powers Alabama and Florida, but LSU, Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas, Mississippi State, Auburn and South Carolina (twice).
The resulting perception: Georgia hadn’t only slipped on the national landscape – losing 10 of 12 to ranked teams — but also was falling dangerously behind the curve in the SEC.
That’s not even addressing losing to Colorado and Central Florida.
Is that all buried now? Maybe. It’s easy for skeptics to point out the East is weak, favored South Carolina imploded and the 2011 schedule lacked the SEC’s three toughest teams: LSU, Alabama and Arkansas. (Georgia plays at Alabama next season.) But an eight-game winning streak is remarkable under any circumstances, let alone in a season that began with losses to Boise State and South Carolina.
The Dogs found themselves trailing 17-3 in the second quarter to Florida. They came back to win 24-20.
They had struggled against ranked teams before last week, even modestly ranked ones like Auburn (No. 24 by AP). But they left no doubt, winning 45-7.
They are showing a toughness and resilience that has been missing in Athens.
Richt was pleasantly surprised this week when a scuffle broke out at practice Tuesday. “We had a very spirited practice,” he said. “We actually had to pull a couple of guys off each other.”
When is the last time you sensed that kind of hunger?
Aaron Murray is coming off his most impressive game of the season. The defense under Todd Grantham seems to get better each week and has risen to No. 4 in the nation. The Bulldogs are second only to LSU in the SEC (tied for eighth nationally) with a plus-9 turnover differential.
I think some folks have even pulled darts out of Mike Bobo’s picture.
When the season opened, Georgia looked disturbingly unprepared against Boise State. But Richt has succeeded in putting out fires, from the 0-2 start to the failed drug tests of three running backs to the postgame mess at Vanderbilt. He has dealt with the immaturity issues of Isaiah Crowell.
Players are responding to him. That’s more than half the battle in coaching.
All are positive signs for the future. This is Georgia’s chance to affirm this hasn’t been an aberration. With up to four remaining games, this is the Dogs’ chance to put all that preceded this winning streak far into the past.
By Jeff Schultz
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430 comments Add your comment
JB
November 18th, 2011
1:42 pm
tiger paw………maybe so, but I would bet the house that Miles would rather play Carolina than us. Go ahead and take us lightly….and I hope the Tigers do also.
Silly Bloggers
November 18th, 2011
1:45 pm
Well said JB.
OkieDawg
November 18th, 2011
1:47 pm
Headlines: Georgia Seizing Chance to Put Problems in Distant Pass
The headlines are followed by a photograph of Coach Richt silhouetted by a slightly blurred Carlton Thomas and Isaiah Crowell in the background. Is there a tie between the headlines and the photograph? I wish it would have been CMR with Ealey and King in the background. I do not want Thomas and Crowell to become to distant a pass. UGA does not need to be a feeder school for Jacksonville State.
Mr. Dawg
November 18th, 2011
1:48 pm
I won’t count this win until it’s in the bag. But as a vocal supporter behind Mark Richt I will say that a victory Saturday to clinch the SEC East this year will be one of the most satisfying wins I’ve witnessed since I started rooting for the Bulldogs as a teenage kid in the 70’s.
5150 UOAD
November 18th, 2011
1:48 pm
We beat somebody named Dabo but you hired somebody named Bobo.
Munson
November 18th, 2011
1:49 pm
UGA strength of schedule is ranked 42nd
Georgia Tech strength of schedule is 63rd
Time to shut up now Techtards!
Lucky Dawg
November 18th, 2011
1:50 pm
When the Dawgs monkey-stomp them next weekend, all the Techies will revert to whining about how tough it is to recruit players because of their rigorous academic standards. Because we all know that Reggie Ball, Stephon Marbury, and Javaris Crittendon are probably busy working on their doctorate thesis as we speak!
Fair and Balanced
November 18th, 2011
1:50 pm
It is true that Ga schedule is weak. Personally, I prefer a weak schedule to a strong one. I like winning. How would we think of the team if it was 5-5 but lost to 5 ranked teams? Would we be saying, “We haven’t won many games but we have a tough schedule!”. No, I like winning….hope next year’s schedule proves to be weak also.
DJDAWG
November 18th, 2011
1:51 pm
@tiger paws
keep running your mouth!!!! Lets play the game and see what happens!
Silly Bloggers
November 18th, 2011
1:51 pm
To piggyback on what JB said, I do not expect UGA to beat LSU…assuming both teams make it. I do believe both will be there but LSU has a much harder task in Arkansas that UGA vs. Kentucky; however, college football is full of games that the underdog wins, and big games at that. Boise State over Oregon, Boise State over Oklahoma, Pitt over West Virginia (to keep them out of the MNC game), Utah over Alabama, TCU over Wisconsin, West Viriginia over UGA (big spread at the time and WV was unknown), GT over UGA (once in 10 years
)…the list goes on and on. If UGA is on its A game and LSU loses the turnover battle, the game could definitely swing.
Dawg Fud
November 18th, 2011
1:52 pm
Dabo,
Sammy Watkins is the REAL deal. I love watching that guy play….but he could not beat us singlehandedly.
I married into a Clemson family actually from the town of Clemson. The similarities between the Dogs and Tigers is quite amusing. We’re like cousins.
jsmooth
November 18th, 2011
1:53 pm
SatchelBuzz:
First off, what is behind the name? You tech guys are something else. You can only win or lose to the teams on your schedule, whether your UGA, GT, UA or LSU? Does that get through that pinhole brain of yours. If you want to rant, go on your own site and chat about the small, porous defense GT is putting out on the field and also, the MM offense. See you next week at the Joke by the Coke!
Dawgschmitt
November 18th, 2011
1:53 pm
Hey @tiger paws
Bleaux me!
GTBob
November 18th, 2011
1:53 pm
Fair and Balanced, so would you like to move to Conference USA then? You will win alot there. The SEC east is pretty similar to it these days anyways.
JB
November 18th, 2011
1:57 pm
Yes, I know this is not the place, but I must vent. This is your main stream in tank press. Clinton and Obama cronies given over 200 million in Bonuses for driving Frannie/Freddie into a mountain. Nothing said. Newt takes 1.5 mil to try to help them over time, and they want him strung up or exported. Geez.
reebok
November 18th, 2011
1:58 pm
resepctfully disagree, bamaguy, i don’t think ‘Bama gets to the (mythical) National Championship game under any circumstances.
nolabigdawg
November 18th, 2011
1:59 pm
Tigerpaws is no doubt a Tech fan. I live in Nawlins and have not heard any self respecting LSU fan talking trash like that. They know that facing a resurgent UGA in the Dome will not be an easy task. I expect a very tough, hard nosed, close fought game.
GTBob @ 1:53 We wouldn’t have to go as far as the BigEast to guarantee an undefeated season. We could just go to the ACC Coastal.
GO DAWGS!!! GATA
JB
November 18th, 2011
2:04 pm
If we get the Tech team that played Clemson, it’ll be a tough win. If we get that other goofy Tech team we have seen this year, It’ll be ugly. go Dawgs.
GTBob
November 18th, 2011
2:05 pm
We wouldn’t have to go as far as the BigEast to guarantee an undefeated season
If the Big East gets Boise St and Central Florida then you might want to stay away from that conference.
5150 UOAD
November 18th, 2011
2:08 pm
MUNSON…………….Tech fans don’t scream and Yell about the Conference like the dawgs do about the SEC.
Dawgone
November 18th, 2011
2:09 pm
Dabo Thats funny right there I dont care who you pull for
nolabigdawg
November 18th, 2011
2:10 pm
GT BOB, point taken. And your right, like I said, we’ll just stay in the ACC and be guaranteed a 12 win season!!! LOL
just for comparison
November 18th, 2011
2:13 pm
UGA can’t help that the teams on their schedule suck……USC and Boise are pretty good; Auburn is rebuilding (defending National Champs by the way), Florida is having a down year, and so it Tennessee and Miss. State…Not an easy schedule in any other year….But for comparison, here is Ga Tech’s AWESOME schedule (the teams they have beaten anyway):
Western Carolina 1-9
Middle Tennessee State 2-7
Kansas 2-8
North Carolina 6-5
N.C. State 5-5
Clemson 9-1
Might be wrong, but I only see one “quality” win in there??????
AIRDAWGGGG
November 18th, 2011
2:17 pm
just win baby……………
Tech Mastery
November 18th, 2011
2:24 pm
Our best win is over # 8 Clemson. The UGA mangy doggies best win is over unranked Auburn…
Tech Mastery
November 18th, 2011
2:25 pm
Just For Comparison, and UGA lost to the two good teams (SC & B.State) on their schedule…
North ave. faithful
November 18th, 2011
2:27 pm
Just wanted to say ive watched the dawgs improve all year long, and if and win they win saturday they have certainly earned the sec east title. No control over who they play, just line up and play. Also glad the dawg nation are not ready to run richt and murray out of town anymore, i really like that murray kid he has alot of heart. But there still aint nothin like some good old fashioned hate, a rivalry wouldnt be any fun without out it. Hpee yall stay healthy for the game at BD. hope the team that played clemson shows up and it should be a good game. PS Try not to feed GTJoe so much he loves it!
OkieDawg
November 18th, 2011
2:28 pm
And when we beat Tech, we will have beaten another team not in the BCS top 25. The schedule just gets weaker and weaker.
Real Dawg Fan
November 18th, 2011
2:31 pm
It amazes me that everyone is talking abt the ease of our schedule…Miss State, whom we dominated, almost beat LSU. Auburn, whom beat the fake USC and UF, we dominated. Vanderbilt gave the game away to Arkansas (West powerhouse according to Shultz) and we beat them.
Think of a new line, its getting old. #4 defense in the nation.
richie
November 18th, 2011
2:32 pm
Strange things happen in football ,has LSU played a good schedule this yr.Ala game was sorry excuse for a game,Or.have they had a good schedule, just asking.
Tech Mastery
November 18th, 2011
2:32 pm
No way you will come to Atlanta and beat us ! We will put 40 on UGA with 400+ yards rushing. Final score Engineers 40 Gas Station Attendants 17
Bob Marley
November 18th, 2011
2:33 pm
What a cool picture of Coach Richt with the Doobie Brothers behind him!
Tech Mastery
November 18th, 2011
2:35 pm
I recall Vandy throwing for the end zone almost beating UGA at the end of the game after a blocked punt. That’s escaping from sure death not beating a team up…
harold
November 18th, 2011
2:35 pm
THE EIGHT GAME WINNINING STREAK:
COASTAL CAROLINA-UNRANKED
NEW MEXICO STATE-UNRANKED
OLE MISS-UNRANKED
MISSISSIPPI STATE UNRANKED
TENNESSEE-UNRANKED
VANDERBILT-UNRANKED
FLORIDA-UNRANKED
AUBURN-UNRANKED
KENTUCKY-UNRANKED &HORRIBLE!
WHY ALL THE UGA EXCITEMENT. THEY WIN THE EAST WITH AN AVERAGE TEAM AT BEST & BECAUSE THEY DON’T PLAY ARK. BAMA OR LSU. OTHER SEC SCHOOLS ARE LAUGHING THEIR BUTTS OFF ABOUT ALL THIS!
Skitty Fritty
November 18th, 2011
2:36 pm
What happens when UGA beats LSU?
I guess LSU will be a crappy team then.
Real Dawg Fan
November 18th, 2011
2:37 pm
@harold
what was the teams rankings before we played them? left that off too.
Sincerely,
#4 defense in the nation
Tech Mastery
November 18th, 2011
2:37 pm
If that happens you will be able to ice skate in hell !
Real Dawg Fan
November 18th, 2011
2:39 pm
@ Tech Mastery
put it this way WIN=UGA…LOSS=Vandy…made easier for you Tech grads
Sincerely,
#4 defense in the nation
Silly Bloggers
November 18th, 2011
2:39 pm
Harold must be overcompensating for some sort of deficiency by typing in all caps. Wonder what it could be?
Skitty Fritty
November 18th, 2011
2:39 pm
Why do Tech fans love hell so much?
Tech Mastery
November 18th, 2011
2:40 pm
Harold has bulldawgitis. He was bitten by a mangy Dawg.
gbal
November 18th, 2011
2:42 pm
I am not predicting a UGA win over LSU…. But I do feel that UGA has a much better shot at winning the SECCG than most anti-uga bloggers here give us credit for.
Theres still some question about uga no doubt due to schedule early and mid season…. but we handled AU as convincingly as LSU…. And AU pulled the W over SC…. We have a great chance for the upset in my opinion…. IF…
1 The Doobie Brothers stay clean.
2 Murray stays focused and avoids turnovers.
3 CTG keeps the D focused and fired up!
These are not too much to ask or expect and I thinks LSU UGA is a close game!
DTC
November 18th, 2011
2:42 pm
Still@theKool-aidBAR, Bobo to head coach, somewhere else, please. This is what I have been hoping for all year long, that UGA would do good enough for him to be promoted out, because neither will Richt nor our AD dismiss him, and to be honest, they could not dismiss him now anyway, since we have had as good a year as we have. Please, someone take Bobo. I give him his credit for the good he has done. The problem is, this is probably the best he is going to be.
Dawgone Right
November 18th, 2011
2:42 pm
Hey Harold & Tech Materbaiter, go find the Tech blogs to cry about losing to Va Tech to…
Skitty Fritty
November 18th, 2011
2:43 pm
I know what’s wrong with Harold. He remembers Tech had Calvin Johnson but the QB throwing too CJ was Reggie Ball.
Even when Tech has success like winning the ACC, they lose to UGA. I would hate to be a Tech fan.
just for comparison
November 18th, 2011
2:43 pm
Well the beauty of all this Tech Mastery is Tech gets their shot next week…..what will the complaints be on November 28??? Still haven’t beaten a good team?????
Dawgone Right
November 18th, 2011
2:43 pm
I’ll add : If Blair Walsh can kick field goals.
G-Dawg
November 18th, 2011
2:44 pm
Why does every troll think LSU and Bama are the unbeatable? They’re good teams…but not great by any sense of the imagination!! As history puts it in the SEC..anyone can beat anyone on a given day! Lets see LSU play Oregon now…i’d bet there would be a completely different game. Oregon laid a duckfart in the first game of the season (on the road I might as well add)…and UGA laid a pile of dawgpoo on our first game! Other than that, LSU and Bama dont standout as unbeatable!!
Dawgone Right
November 18th, 2011
2:44 pm
You mean 4th down no timeouts ‘Timeout” Reggie Ball ? LMAO.
Tech Mastery
November 18th, 2011
2:46 pm
Blair Walsh will be playing for Tech when he misses those 3 field goals in a 40-17 loss…