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
Evansdawg
November 18th, 2011
3:44 pm
Tech fans are so envious of Dawg fans that they stay on our blogs instead of the ones that would make more sense. They are obsessed with the Dawgs paying more attention to our season than their own. Of course, the yawn factor in the ACC is exponentially higher so perhaps there is an explanation afterall.
Mad Dog One
November 18th, 2011
3:46 pm
Tiger paw – we didn’t dodge any one we played everone on our sch.we even got a tougher team for our first game. Didn’t help but we actualy tried to better our sch. That sch. is done by the SEC not UGA the same as all SEC schools. When we had the toughest one I didn’t hear any crying for us then so TS we have won 8 in a row. As always GO DOGS & GATA
JB
November 18th, 2011
3:46 pm
” THEY BEAT the fabulous Dawgs in Athens”…………….According to Spurrier, lucky to get out with the 3 point win. special teams cost us that game, not the “core” of the game…………But hey , we lost….and haven’t since. Carolina as usual, folds like a cheap beach chair. Never fails………..Go ahead and tell us about Lattimore being hurt….boohoo.
5150 UOAD
November 18th, 2011
3:52 pm
Evansdawg…….when did Schultz start writing a UGA Blog?
kb
November 18th, 2011
3:53 pm
Tech fans actually believe they are a good team and they are for the 7th best team in the ACC.
Clemson, VT, Fl State, Wake,Miami, Virginia, then Tech not saying much since 2 or the teams behind them have a total of 5 wins.
greg@capewineventures.com
November 18th, 2011
3:53 pm
I keep seeing this posted: #4 Defense in the nation
What does this mean…the teams you beat have a combined losing record. South Carolina’s offense sucks and Boise State…the only team GA played with a good offense… hung 35 on you.
You're Joking, Right?
November 18th, 2011
3:54 pm
“Core” or not, you lost that game, chief. Learn to live with it, as that’s two in a row now, and you get to come to Columbia next year and have that “cheap chair” take you down a third straight year.
But hey, don’t worry, there are still plenty of Coastal Carolinas and New Mexicos out there for ya to sooth the ego!
Like I said- looking forward to seeing how these New and Wonderful Dawgs handle things against teams playing something better than .200 ball.
ARdawg
November 18th, 2011
3:54 pm
Yeah, this year we’ve had a pretty weak schedule. What a shame Tech isn’t any good and won’t help us there either.
UF in a mirror is FU
November 18th, 2011
3:54 pm
Alabama is the most overrated team, watch them lose to Auburn. Hey bamers, did AU out bid you for a kicker too? Great to have all that defensive talent, but maybe the greatest coach EVER needs to save a few scholorships for offensive linemen that help their RBs score TDs. O wait he is going to be the new coach at TEXAS where there fan base does not have too take out second mortages on their trailors to pay a coach!
Yellow World
November 18th, 2011
3:55 pm
I get it!!! It seems that whenever doggie fans are down, they always want to pick on Tech because they are scared to pick on teams (Alabama, LSU) who they know have dominate lineman who have a great shot at beating them… or perhaps is it because while Tech Grads are working decent jobs, Redneck fans will still spend their whole lives waiting (and waiting) for a championship that may never come in their lifetimes…. Truth Hurts!!!!!!
ARdawg
November 18th, 2011
3:55 pm
Oh the irony. Usually, the Tech game is the weakest part of our schedule and, well this year it’s no different
buckheaddawg
November 18th, 2011
3:58 pm
@ Tech mastery
tech lost to Virginia. Have fun in the Sun Bowl d*ckhead.
ARdawg
November 18th, 2011
3:58 pm
Yellow World
I think it’s great you love your job and all but, I wouldn’t say head fry cook at Burger King and assistant griddle master at Waffle House are really decent jobs. C’mon
slydog
November 18th, 2011
3:58 pm
A question of common sense: How many times have the pundits, experts, sports reporters, and fans of football, in general, picked at another team’s schedule? It doesn’t matter whether it’s HS, College, or Pro. If the team has that winning “itch”, it can beat anybody, regardless of who they have played. It’s all about match ups, plain and simple. Sure, UGA hasn’t seen an LSU all season, but LSU hasn’t played one team like UGA. Alabama, stop it; they are challenged offensively. Oregon, stop it; Plenty of speed but no defense and they are just too small as a team overall ( a west coast Arkansas). West Virginia; accomplished nothing since R. Rodriguez left and not enough athletes period. How many times has a wild card NFL team, that barely made it to the playoffs, beaten the “superior” team? Even Boise St. beat a team with Adrien Peterson on the roster. Sports is all about match ups and UGA definitely matches up. That’s not kool-aid, that’s football analysis.
oledawg
November 18th, 2011
3:58 pm
Tech has as much chance beating Georgia this year, or the next several years,( just keep PJ), as Penn State does in opening a children’s day care.
JB
November 18th, 2011
3:58 pm
Chief? Really……………….3 points………………….How did you guys do against Auburn this year. I was out of town?’
UF in a mirror is FU
November 18th, 2011
3:58 pm
Hey shoutout to all our Gamecrock buddies, keep paying attention to UGA blogs to find out how much fun it is to win an SEC championship. Why? because you never have nor never will win one, your just a doormat to Clemson who is just a doormat to BOTH UGA and GT!!!!!
Dodger Dawg
November 18th, 2011
3:59 pm
@GO DAWGS !: check your information before you post. UGA and LSU have played 4 of the same opponents and 4 teams ranked similarly nationally in Total Offense (Boise-15th and W. Virginia-13th, NMSU-38th and Bama-34th, Vandy-99th and W. Kentucky-106th, Mississippi-113th and Kentucky-118th). The only major off-set to the opponents are Oregon-8th and South Carolina-86th. So the arguement that the UGA Defense has not faced a similiar challenge as LSU is a myth. On the other hand the UGA Offense a similar defensive challenge as has LSU’s and is ranked nationally at 4th (LSU is 79th). Outside of the same common opponents, non common opponents that share similar defensive rankings are S. Carolina-7th and Alabama-1st, Boise-21st and W. Virginia-28th. UGA has faced the 22nd, 94th and 112th defenses while LSU has the 60th, 63rd, and 66th. Statistically it looks like UGA is the more complete team.
Dr. Morpheus
November 18th, 2011
4:01 pm
It’s true: the proof this season will be in the SEC Championship game (let’s admit we’re going to beat KY, it’s only a question of by how much). I, for one, can hardly wait, and would love nothing more than to face Bama or LSU. Sure, they have great defenses but I believe we are very close on that side of the ball. Then, there’s offense… Go Dawgs! Sic ‘em!
Wikijunkie
November 18th, 2011
4:02 pm
You’re Joking, Right?
Who have ya’ll played this year that Georgia didn’t. Arkansas! We beat Auburn, you lost to them. Other than that we have played exactly the same schedule. How was that game against 4-6 East Carolina (SC allowed 37), or Navy. Do you really expect Melvin, Alshon, and Gilmore to be back next year. Keep dreaming!
slydog
November 18th, 2011
4:05 pm
BTW, LSU sure did line up a bunch of powerhouse programs to play this season…lol. Someone tell me IF UGA, this year only, could have beaten Oregon, UWV, McNeese St., or for that matter, Alabama? I say yes. I see nothing that is so, so, superior about any of those teams, save Alabama. But they can’t score unless their defense shortens the field. There is no dispute about that.
collegeballfan
November 18th, 2011
4:05 pm
First. The schedule you have this year, set a decade ago or set by the conference, is the schedule you play.
Second. Where are all the “fire Bobo” and “fire Richt” people the last few weeks?
Georgia is going to end up winning 10 straight games. They lost to the two teams they were supposed to lose to. They have won, or will win, the games they were/are supposed to win.
And they have a another shot at an upset in the SECCG.
I am a Tech fan and I have more faith in the Dawgs than half of the alleged Dawg fans.
Joey
November 18th, 2011
4:07 pm
0 for October.
You know who you are.
We all know 3 UGA football players flunked a drug test. You need to get some new materal . . .
Lindsey
November 18th, 2011
4:08 pm
I heart CMR!!! GO DAWGS, we are so proud have the entire team!! Beat the Cats this weekend and we are headed to the Dome, its great to be a GA Bulldog!!!
slydog
November 18th, 2011
4:08 pm
collegeballfan
Thanks for having common sense.
ARdawg
November 18th, 2011
4:11 pm
College footballfan
Georgia was suppose to lose to Boise and SC? How do you figure? Because they were preseason ranked lower? Nah, Georgia was suppose to lose to either of those teams. Certainly not Boise but they did. Out played by Boise and couldn’t get out of their own way with SC but, they were not “suppose” to lose either. Expected to lose 1 of 2 maybe. Losing both was worse case scenario
True Dawg
November 18th, 2011
4:11 pm
The vandebilt mess is one big reason why we are getting better-Grantham has fire and stood up for his players-they know that and will fight for him. Grantham balances well with Richt we need to keep him
5150 UOAD
November 18th, 2011
4:12 pm
Fire Richt and Promote Bobo……………is that better “Collegeballfan”?
SSIgator
November 18th, 2011
4:12 pm
“this is the Dogs’ chance to put all that preceded this winning streak far into the past”
Good thing too, UGA loves to live in the past. They still talk about 1980 like it happened yesterday. Well, I guess when you only have 1980 to talk about, thirty-one years ago really isn’t that long ago.
slydog
November 18th, 2011
4:14 pm
Nick Saban needs to get himself a real QB at some point. Everyone in the SEC, that is the ones who can get good athletes and players, have upgraded defensively, piggybacking off of his model. But for some reason, LSU, Tennessee, UGA,Florida, S. Carolina, and Arkansas all have better QB’s and an offense that’s light years more wide open. Geez, one would think Saban can get ONE elite QB recruit.
Steve Spurrier
November 18th, 2011
4:14 pm
Might wanna check those BCS standings JB.
SC = 12
UGAG = 14
5150 UOAD
November 18th, 2011
4:15 pm
Joey only 3 flunked a drug test? I figured most UGA players would Pass a drug test. I know most know what drugs are.
Wait only 3 players took the test. Now that is 100%.
5150 UOAD
November 18th, 2011
4:17 pm
SSI you heard UGA just released a new DVD of the 1980 season just in time for Christmas.
slydog
November 18th, 2011
4:17 pm
SSIgator
Who talks about 1980? It’s funny how Florida has no football history or memory before 1990
5150 UOAD The Richard Head
November 18th, 2011
4:18 pm
Yes I am
Joey
November 18th, 2011
4:21 pm
Good stuff, Doger Dawg. But don’t expect to change the hearts and minds of the techies on here, most disguised as fans of other teams.
And, contrary to popular belief, I think, if the game happens, UGA will give LSU fits . . .
DIT
November 18th, 2011
4:22 pm
Yep 5150, I get it that you must team up with a gator since your team has not had the luxury of beating UGA. Typical tekie, “Let’s hide behind another school that has had success beating them since we can’t.” Must stink to be a tekie!
timbo
November 18th, 2011
4:25 pm
Play a team with a winning record, then get back to me.
Joey
November 18th, 2011
4:28 pm
We’ll take our football program as it is, uoad.
We have more stringent suspension policies than the rest of the NCAA, including that 2-TIME, NCAA PROBATION THIS DECADE . . . . (drum roll please) . . . . . . .GIT.
PreyDawg
November 18th, 2011
4:29 pm
Isn’t it funny how none of the war chicken/plainsskanks/tiger cub/ trailier trash louts have been back on our board. TrishaDisha you loud mouthed big booty trashy sided gal you….where the heck are ya? I don’t see your annoying posts constantly now. What do you have to say now. See, we don’t talk about last year. We talk about this year. And this year we owned your team. That bought and paid for title seems a looonnnnngggg time ago now don’t it. For a whole year, we ya DADDY.
5150 UOAD
November 18th, 2011
4:34 pm
DIT………….I just ask if he heard about the NEW 1980 DVD that was all. Sensitive?
GTBob
November 18th, 2011
4:35 pm
Someone tell me IF UGA, this year only, could have beaten Oregon, UWV, McNeese St., or for that matter, Alabama? I say yes.
Oregon would destroy UGA.
slydog
November 18th, 2011
4:45 pm
GTBob
Oregon destroy UGA? They must prove they can beat anybody east of the Rockies first clown
slydog
November 18th, 2011
4:46 pm
Oregon couldn’t defend UGA with scooters attached to their feet.
North ave. faithful
November 18th, 2011
4:46 pm
I remember not that long ago that most of the dawg hate was aimed at CMR and CMB, thank god its aimed back at us again the way its supposed to be.
timbo
November 18th, 2011
4:47 pm
Looks like UGA will back its way into the SEC championship. You beat LSU, then you can talk smack. Until then, you are still a mediocre team playing in a weak division.
Gman
November 18th, 2011
4:50 pm
juice sourcer, what are the records of the teams that Alabama has beaten?
Gman
November 18th, 2011
4:50 pm
juice sourcer, what are the records of the teams that LSU has beaten?
Bruce Mac
November 18th, 2011
4:50 pm
I agree with all of you Yechsters, we have had serious benefit of schedule and after we beat your “all hat and no cattle” team for the 10th time in 11 tries (In Bobby Dudd stadium no less) we still will not have beaten anybody. GATA. And exactly when is your ACC Championship game. Oh, you lost to Virginia for goodness sake. Friggin Virginia. Nuff Said. I hope that Thug DB you have takes a big hay maker swing from behind at Murray’s head like he did against Va Tech. Grantham might yank one of those large nipples off of old Man Boobs.
That's funny
November 18th, 2011
4:54 pm
LSU Hasn’t seen anything like the DAWGS? Oh. My. God. What hubris! Illusions of grandeur so soon, my son?