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
Kb
November 18th, 2011
3:10 pm
Tech fans are eaten up with dawg envy.Man that tech offense is something there averaging 21.2 poinst per game and 343 yards total offense over the past the past 5 games.4 of the seven wins against teams with a total of 7 wins, beat duke and thats 5 wins against teams that have won 10 games, Damn impressive.And palying a weaker schedule the defense gives up 100 yards per game more than Georgias d. They’ve held , well no they haven’t rally held anyone (#75 rushing defense in the country) this beating 4 teams with 7 wins among them.
Kramer
November 18th, 2011
3:10 pm
Grantham’s defense will choke against tech. They will choke the abilty to run their high school offense and beat them like the red headed step children that they are. Choke on that there!
Real Dawg Fan
November 18th, 2011
3:11 pm
@ Tech
So now your an LSU fan? Actually we’re ranked #14
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/ncaa/polls/bcs/
I didnt see Tech on there…hmmmm
Sincerely,
Still Ranked
Tech Mastery
November 18th, 2011
3:12 pm
I can’t wait until the Doobie Brothers stumble onto the field in Atlanta…
You're Joking, Right?
November 18th, 2011
3:12 pm
“Imploded?” South Carolina “imploded,” JS? In another 24 hours, the “imploding” Gamecocks will be 9-2, including a victory over the supposedly Fabulous Dawgs. Yeah, SC stubbed their toe against Auburn, but who exactly again has UGA beaten? The “signature” wins are Auburn and Florida, and they got beaten by the two ranked teams they played this year.
Will look forward to the opinion pieces emanating from here after the GA Tech/SECCG/Bowl game trifecta, when they’ll have actually played a few more teams with a pulse. And if the Dawgs hack up an o’fer? What then?
JB
November 18th, 2011
3:13 pm
The Blogger “2010 BCS Champs” BEFORE the Auburn game……” you guys will get to play some real SEC players this Saturday”……….I would love to tell you what he said after the game, but his PC must of crashed.
Wikijunkie
November 18th, 2011
3:14 pm
I really like how Tech fans like to point out how weak our schedule is but admit their path has been much easier than ours. Why is no one talking about how weak Bama’s schedule has been. They have played about the same quality of teams as Georgia with the exception of LSU.
BOBBY
November 18th, 2011
3:14 pm
UGA SHOULD BE 9-1 RIGHT NOW THEY BLEW THAT GAME AGAINST SOUTH CARLIONA THEY HAD 3 COSTLY TURNOVERS AND A FAKE PUNT FOR A TOUCHDOWN ALL YOU PEOPLE ON HERE KNOW THAT IF THE 3 TURNOVERS AND FAKE PUNT FOR A TOUCHDOWN DON’T HAPPEN THEY WIN THAT GAME WITH EASE.
Tech Mastery
November 18th, 2011
3:14 pm
I saw “The Smoking Gun” on the far right blogroll and I figured it was about Isiah Crowell ?
Tech Mastery
November 18th, 2011
3:15 pm
Bobby, and if apes had wings they could fly…
BOBBY
November 18th, 2011
3:15 pm
THOSE TURNOVERS WERE TWO DEFENSIVE TOUCHDOWNS AND A FUMBLE THAT WAS RETURNED TO THE FIVE YARD LINE THE SET UP A EASY TOUCHDOWN.
Kramer
November 18th, 2011
3:16 pm
QUIT YELLING BOBBY!!
DIT
November 18th, 2011
3:17 pm
Bobby, chill out Bro. We lost that game. Plain and simple. It sucks, but it’s reality.
You're Joking, Right?
November 18th, 2011
3:17 pm
Bobby, you lost that game. Live with it.
Real Dawg Fan
November 18th, 2011
3:17 pm
@ Tech
I cant wait either. So I can see them run against your #74 ranked rush defense
Sincerely,
#4 Defense in Nation
Real Dawg Fan
November 18th, 2011
3:19 pm
@ Bobby
Its cool man, we lost the game. We still have the SECCG to play.
Tech lost to VA Tech and their season is over.
No sweat.
Wikijunkie
November 18th, 2011
3:19 pm
Do you Tech fan really think your team is as good or better than UGA? Just face it, Tech doesn’t have the talent or depth on the field to compete with Georgia, especially running the triple option against one of the best run defenses in the country.
DIT
November 18th, 2011
3:20 pm
Have to admitt, if tek knew how to throw the football I would be concerned next week. Our L-Backers are beasts against the run. Should be a loooooong day for that tek offense. Dawgs roll by 21!!
Kb
November 18th, 2011
3:20 pm
Yeah, Johnson really showed LSU how that triple option, spread ,veer gimmick offense works.
scored 3 points vs a five 5 loss LSU?
Dawgs rule nerds
November 18th, 2011
3:21 pm
I miss Reggie Ball. He was one of UGA’s best players. Go back to your halo or dungeons and dragons game, nerds.
outkasted
November 18th, 2011
3:21 pm
Who has alabama beaten? oh thats right they beat arkansas who was missing their best DLineman and Running back and greg childs their best receiver who hasn’t been the same since his injury last season… North Tx 4-6, Kent St. 4-6 penn st sucks will not win another gm, TN 4-6, Vandy 5-5, Florida 5-5, ole miss 2-8, Miss. st. 5-5…. so again who has alabama beaten????????
SSIgator
November 18th, 2011
3:22 pm
When is the last time you sensed that kind of hunger?
No, the question is when did the Doobie Brothers backfield sense that kind of hunger?
Answer: Right after they finished smoking a few before the Florida game and then tore into the Doritos and Twinkies.
Since 1967
November 18th, 2011
3:22 pm
Since Dodd Left
Compared with UGA
Tech winnining per centage .539 UGA .694
10 or more win years 3 UGA 13
one win seasons 3 UGA ZERO
Major bowls 0-2 UGA 10 4-6
Conference titles 1 UGA 8
top 10 finishes 2 UGA 15
Vs SEC 30-72-2
Vs UGA 12-32
Historical fact in 11 decades of playing against one another Tech has only had more wins than losses against UGA in only 3 of those decades.
Real Dawg Fan
November 18th, 2011
3:22 pm
@DIT
still not worried. Rambo is ranked #2 in country for interceptions.
Sincerely,
#4 Defense in the Nation
reebok
November 18th, 2011
3:23 pm
Bobby…quit yelling…point taken, you could’ve beaten South Carolina, but you also easily could have lost to Vandy…as a very wise man once said, ‘You are what your record says you are.’
Real Dawg Fan
November 18th, 2011
3:24 pm
@SSIGaytor
Welcome to the blog…Your team has also lost and is IRRELEVANT but thanks for showing up.
Sincerely,
Still Ranked
Bubba Grump
November 18th, 2011
3:24 pm
I still blame the Boise State loss on those FUGLY uniforms!! We shoulda, coulda, woulda beat South Carolina if we coulda held on to the ball!!
Go DAWGS!!
BobbyDodd
November 18th, 2011
3:27 pm
My apologies, UGA fans. Back in the day when he had some class, we didn’t act like the disgusting and anonymous lot you see here. They don’t know how to let their play do the talking. When engineers just used slide rules, we didn’t have these problems. I’m going over to do some Oklahoma drills with Steve Jobs right now.
DIT
November 18th, 2011
3:28 pm
Those were some butt ugly uni’s
ARdawg
November 18th, 2011
3:28 pm
Kramer
This choke defense as you call it, is faster than any defense GT has seen since UGA’s 03-04. What did yall score in 04, 3 points or was it 6?
DIT
November 18th, 2011
3:30 pm
ARdawg is believe that you just pissed on Kramer’s wheaties!
Mad Dog One
November 18th, 2011
3:30 pm
To all my trade school fr– bro– what evers i have taken the time to check your body of work on the gridiron for the 2011 season thus far.
W- Catamounts – 1 & 9
W- Blue Raiders – 2 & 7
W- KU Jayhawks – 2 & 8
W_ NC – 6 & 5
W_ NCS – 5 & 5
W- M. Terps – 2 & 8
L- VA – 7-3
L- Mi. – 5 – 5
W- Clemson – 9-1 — Good Win
L- VA. T – 10-1
Now please tell me what you have to crow about except Clemson and they play in the weak sister league you do. Hate to bother you with facts but it could be the polls have it right and you don’t matter what so ever ot any one except your self. As always GO DOGS & GATA
ARdawg
November 18th, 2011
3:31 pm
SSIgator
What was it exactly that slowed down Rainey in the Georgia/Florida game? Was it the Georgia defense or was it his monitoring ankle bracelet?
Wikijunkie
November 18th, 2011
3:31 pm
There is no reason UGA should not bring at least nine defenders on every play the whole game. Put Sanders or Brandon on their one receiver and blitz all day.
G-Dawg
November 18th, 2011
3:32 pm
I prefer gator meat after I smoke one!!
JB
November 18th, 2011
3:32 pm
Are these the “successful” Tech folk here 2 weeks ahead of time?
G-Dawg
November 18th, 2011
3:33 pm
LMAO ARdawg!!
ARdawg
November 18th, 2011
3:33 pm
JB they are here all year ’round. Until after the Georgia/Tech game. Then they are sighted about as much as Elvis
5150 UOAD The Richard Head
November 18th, 2011
3:34 pm
Stop it! Y’all are making me cry with you truths. Why does my team have to stink soooooooo bad?
ARdawg
November 18th, 2011
3:35 pm
G Dawg
I don’t think I could get any more than -4 yards rushing with an ankle bracelet on either
DIT
November 18th, 2011
3:35 pm
“Was it the Georgia defense or was it his monitoring ankle bracelet?”
Now that’s just funny right there. I don’t care who you are!
SILVER britches
November 18th, 2011
3:35 pm
Can we please stop wearing the khaki pants and go back to the silver britches?! This is ridiculous.
Evansdawg
November 18th, 2011
3:36 pm
Tech Mastery, are you kidding? You are chest beating certain UGA doom at the hands of Tech??? Have you not gotten used the notion that Tech doesn’t beat Georgia? You’ve won ONE in the last 9 and you still think that Tech will beat Georgia? Why? Is it the fact that we are playing in your “stadium.” It may be Tech’s stadium, but UGA fans will outnumber Tech fans in their own house. Every two years, that place is The Dawg’s House. Its not going to be close. If you can’t pass, you can’t beat UGA…and Tech CANNOT pass. If they could pass, they would have been able to come back in the 4th against VT. Don’t point to Clemson, either. They can’t stop the run to save their lives and thats all the Yellowjackets do. It won’t be so simple with The Dawgs. Don’t let beating “#8″ go to your fragile little head.
JB
November 18th, 2011
3:37 pm
I watched Tech 3 times this year (Yea, I know). They have TWO plays that have been working for them.
1. A real wide pitch to a speedy RB who catch’s the pitch at almost full speed and on the corner. Seems to break the corner before pursuit gets there.
2. The QB delay pitch on the corner ( their bread and butter play). It seems to work because a WR comes across from the other side and blide sides the DB who is responsible for the pitch man.
Stop those two plays and it’s lights out for them
BobbyDodd
November 18th, 2011
3:39 pm
Why aren’t all of my Tech fans over bashing the Blue Devils on the Duke blogs? Just think about that for a moment….
G-Dawg
November 18th, 2011
3:40 pm
HILARIOUS!!
You're Joking, Right?
November 18th, 2011
3:42 pm
JS – “Impoded?” South Carolina “imploded??” In 24 hours or so, SC will almost certainly be 9-2, so where exactly is that implosion? Yeah, they stubbed their toe against Auburn, but they also beat the Fabulous Dawgs IN ATHENS, and swept the rest of the SEC East along the way, despite losing their starting left tackle and heisman-quality running back, among others, along the way. The only other loss is to Arky on the road, which is no worse than losing to Boise state in Atlanta, so far as I can tell. So,again, where exactly is that “implosion”?
[waits....crickets chirps a bit....]
I’ll look forward to the columns coming our way after UGA has completed the GA Tech/SECCG/Bowl Game portion of the schedule, when the Dawgs actually play teams with winning records and a pulse. How’s the Kool-aid going to taste if they lose 2 out of three, say, or worse?
Wikijunkie
November 18th, 2011
3:42 pm
Is it just me or does all of college football just seem to be having an off year. Once you get passed LSU and Alabama the drop off in talent is extreme. SEC is having a relatively weak year, PAC-12 and Big 12 are top heavy as well. Big Ten has about eight teams still eligible for the conference championship, while the Big East and ACC are just plan out horrible. Furthermore, this has probably been the worst Heisman race in recent memory with no one really playing on that great level such as Tebow and Cam.
JB
November 18th, 2011
3:42 pm
Playing Duke is first cousin on a Saturday of taking your wife’s car to get it washed and filled with gas. In fact, this could be more fun if the weather is nice.
BobbyDodd
November 18th, 2011
3:43 pm
Einstein couldn’t have made it through freshman physics at GT. We have the toughest academics in the world.