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
GTBob
November 18th, 2011
4:58 pm
Oregon destroy UGA? They must prove they can beat anybody east of the Rockies first clown
UGA fans really have convinced themselves that they are one of the best teams in the country because of the Auburn win haven’t they? Oregon just slaughtered a top 5 team on the road. They put up 27 points on LSU while turning the ball over 4 times. You can’t seriously think that a team that a team that got blown out by Boise St, lost to South Carolina, and almost lost to Vandy would be able to hang with Oregon.
ARdawg
November 18th, 2011
5:02 pm
North ave. Faithful
Hello there friend. Good to see you a rational GT fan, on the blog. Helps to offset these deranged GT fans with some of intelligence
OkieDawg
November 18th, 2011
5:04 pm
I need for some of you South Carolina fans to cancel your room at the OMNI Hotel for the SECCG. We are going to beat KY and I’m on a waiting list at the OMNI because South Carolina advanced booked all the rooms. Please cancel ASAP so I can finalize my plans for the SECCG……and thanks.
Carolyn
November 18th, 2011
5:04 pm
Anyone know of a Sports Bar in the BuckHead vicinity where we can watch the Ga/Tech game next week? We’re driving up from Fla for T’giving. Go, you hairy Dawgs!
ARdawg
November 18th, 2011
5:06 pm
Georgia would no doubt in my mind, whip Oregon like the rented mule it is. Oregon’s defeat of Stanford is as much paper tiger as GT’s defeat of Clemson. Pretenders period, Clemson and Stanford. LSU was a little lax in the 1st half against Oregon, WVA and just about everyone they’ve played. LSU beat Oregon by 20 and it could have been worse. Quit trying to hide behind Oregon GTBob. Have you nothing to state about your own team?
5150 UOAD
November 18th, 2011
5:08 pm
Okie just sleep on the greyhound on your way here. You can find some woods in the park to sleep in. You will feel right at home.
5150 UOAD
November 18th, 2011
5:09 pm
Why go to a bar? Go to the game live!
DawgDad
November 18th, 2011
5:09 pm
This season has been very enjoyable past the first two weeks and the first half against Florida. Dawgs are a young, talented team and the schedule has provided the needed opportunity to learn on the job. Boise was just too good (at the moment) and too experienced to deal with in the opener. Good life lesson. SC was the real wake-up call; the Dawgs were just as good and could have won that game but they made far too many mistakes and played horribly soft at critical moments. They needed time to develop, and they’ve done that. How far they’ve come will soon enough be apparent.
Richt and Bobo are among the best at developing quarterbacks and showcasing offensive skill players. Grantham appears to have addressed coaching, attitude, and discipline issues on defense, and the seniors are anchoring a productive offensive line. I don’t expect them to win the SEC Championship this year, but I do expect the Dawgs will compete and show well, and open some eyes around the country.
ARdawg
November 18th, 2011
5:11 pm
Who needs 4 hotdogs and 4 cokes, the chance of getting mugged and shot trying to make it to Grant? I’d rather have beer and hot wings at Applebees than walk through that crime infested place
timbo
November 18th, 2011
5:12 pm
So, since UGA beat….they beat…..who did they beat? Yeah, I guess ARdawg pretty much wins that argument. Oh, they did beat Central Florida a few……ooops, nope…cancel that.
5150 UOAD
November 18th, 2011
5:13 pm
carolyn. the game is Sat. and Thanksgiving is Thursday. Dawgs say bobby Dodd will not tbe full just get a ticket. Try STATS near the Olympic Park downtown. There is a bar called “Bulldogs” on Peachtree Street Downtown too.
ARdawg
November 18th, 2011
5:13 pm
DawgDad
Hopefully, we can get off to a better start next year. A full slate of experience and more hotshots from recruiting and most of all, no fire Richt talk.
5150 UOAD
November 18th, 2011
5:15 pm
ARDawg is a scared Lil boy. He is afraid of the Big Bad City. I am sure your wife will hold you hand and protect you RDawg.
Jeff Schultz
November 18th, 2011
5:19 pm
Just checking back after a trip to the dog park . . .
Jeff Schultz
November 18th, 2011
5:19 pm
WDE . . . Thanks.
ARdawg
November 18th, 2011
5:20 pm
timbo….and your point was? (drum roll)….ah that’s right, you don’t have one.
Uoad
I’ve been there to Bubby Dud and downtown Atlanter many times. I have no fear but, I wouldn’t recommend it to my friends or even people I hate
5150 UOAD
November 18th, 2011
5:20 pm
ARDawg why would you be afraid to walk in downtown Atlanta? Are you that scared of people on the street? I mean really a noon game and you are scared? Dude stay at home on the computer it is safer for you.
Jeff Schultz
November 18th, 2011
5:22 pm
GTBob — Drinking the Koolaid? Interesting take.
GTBob
November 18th, 2011
5:22 pm
Georgia would no doubt in my mind, whip Oregon like the rented mule it is.
And this folks is why people laugh at UGA fans. We heard this same talk all summer about Boise St.
St. Simon's Daddy
November 18th, 2011
5:25 pm
I see the usual haters are out in full force today. Do any of you actually have a job? Is your life so dull that it makes you feel good to come on here and try to infuriate the UGA faithfull? You liitle people are sad. I hope you go and support your team tommorrow. 9 out of 10, 61-37 is all you need to know.
ARdawg
November 18th, 2011
5:28 pm
GTBob
Yes, we are fans of our team
you should try that sometime of your own team
ARdawg
November 18th, 2011
5:31 pm
Jeff
One thing Bob isn’t, is original
Alphare
November 18th, 2011
5:32 pm
Skitty Fritty,
You asked “What happens when UGA beats LSU?”
Well, “Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while.”
5150 UOAD
November 18th, 2011
5:33 pm
Jeff……………..anybody doing Live High School game blogs tonight?
ARdawg
November 18th, 2011
5:34 pm
GTBob
Cheering one’s own team I find infinitely more fun than fueling hatred of another team. You should try that sometime
Jeff Schultz
November 18th, 2011
5:36 pm
5150 — Do we do live HS blogs?
GTBob
November 18th, 2011
5:38 pm
GTBob — Drinking the Koolaid? Interesting take.
Maybe not drinking the koolaid, but if you are thinking an 8 game win streak is remarkable considering the teams they have played then you are certainly giving them more credit then they deserve. They were favored in all of those games. Most by double digits.
5150 UOAD
November 18th, 2011
5:39 pm
I don’t know but 2 big recruits are playing tonight. I don’t if AJC does High School or not?
KeepDreaming
November 18th, 2011
5:41 pm
I wouldn’t call that ‘08 loss to Alabama a “drilling.” They dominated the first half, but we kept it respectable in the second half.
GTBob
November 18th, 2011
5:41 pm
ARDawg, I love my team and cheer hard for them in every game they play. I’m not going to start claiming they can beat all of the best teams in the country though. I try to remain somewhat realistic.
Mad Dog One
November 18th, 2011
5:44 pm
Timbo if your team could play & win some games we would have beaten someone with a good record. I am assuming that timbo is for the crybaby from the gayturds. As always GO DOGS & GATA
P.S. TRADE SCHOOL YOU KNOW WHAT IS COMMING
Northern Sympathizer
November 18th, 2011
5:44 pm
With Saint Simons retired, GTBob has become the newly appointed leader of the dawg-bashing bloggers. Good luck. It seems to me that GTBob is scared that Georgia is actually good. Why don’t you talk some smack about your own team (not Oregon and LSU) and how the GT option-attack will destroy us…or maybe you realize this isn’t a blog for pure fiction.
ARdawg
November 18th, 2011
5:45 pm
GTBob
I remember a much more different line you spewed when your team was at 5-0. You already planned the GT’s path to the BCSNCG. Did you reserve your room?
GTBob
November 18th, 2011
5:48 pm
ARdawg, care to point me to a blog where I claimed we would win the MNC? I never thought that or posted it.
ARdawg
November 18th, 2011
5:52 pm
Ah sweet GTBob, mired in your denial of the delusion. I expected no less from you. Why do you think I would keep copies of your posts, a troll from the blogs? Not hardly but, my sharp memory has to piz you off a bit. I remember you Bob, you remember it too. I once thought you were a bigger than than you obviously are not
this dawg want hunt!!
November 18th, 2011
5:52 pm
Still have doubts about Bobo against a quality defense, and if he is matched up against LSU’s D.C. who was at Tenn. when Fulmer was there, it is still a scary thought. But, i will say that Grantham is the real deal, and he has the athletes to play with anyone, and that includes LSU and Bama. People can say whatever they want about LSU and Bama’s defensive talent, but UGA’s defensive talent is as good as either of them. UGA’s front 7 on defense is as big and as talented as Bama, and probably better than LSU. UGA haters might want to study UGA and LSU, LSU is ranked 2nd on defense, and UGA is ranked 4th. W.Virginia threw for over 400 yards against LSU’s mighty defense, Boisy St. only threw for around 275 yards against UGA, and Boisy St is light years ahead of W.V. when it comes to offense. Add to that the fact that UGA ranks 30th in total offense, and LSU ranks 79th in total offense. Bottomline, UGA’s defense will shut down LSU’S offense like Bama did, they question is can LSU stop UGA’s offense which is superior to Bama’s offense. The answer is no, UGA will score touchdowns on LSU, and Bama couldn’t, LSU want score t.d’s against UGA. So keep saying LSU will destroy UGA in Atlanta, want happen, and come on this blog after SECC game and brag about mighty LSU.
Geaux Home
November 18th, 2011
5:56 pm
The SEC East SUX balls this year. Doesn’t even matter who comes out on top.
GTBob
November 18th, 2011
5:59 pm
ARdawg, you don’t have to copy the blogs, they are right there. The magic of the internet. How about this. If you find a blog where I said we are going to win the MNC then I will disappear and never come back. Go ahead, prove to me that incredible sharp memory you have.
Northern Sympathizer
November 18th, 2011
6:00 pm
This Dawg will hunt-Is there anything Bobo can do to get the dawgs off his back? I have never seen us beat Auburn 45-7, and we are praising Grantham, the OLine coach, and even RUSS! What score does UGA need for Bobo to receive credit?
k483
November 18th, 2011
6:00 pm
I just think it’s kinda funny to be mentioning “UGA” and “scientists” in the same sentence……
Finebalm
November 18th, 2011
6:00 pm
What is going to be impressive is when we wip the NERDS
ARdawg
November 18th, 2011
6:02 pm
GTBob
You and it, isn’t at all worth the trouble for me to go back and read old blogs. You’re just not important to me GTBob. I hope you can survive that news. Thanks for playing.
this dawg want hunt!!
November 18th, 2011
6:02 pm
GT idiot, i mean Bob, your mighty high school program was favored over a powerhouse Virginia team, and it was a pickem game against another mediocre program Miami, but you laid an egg in both games. So for an idiot like you to come on this blog and say UGA won 8 games when they were favored shows how stupid you really are. Bottomline, Tech couldn’t win 8 in a row against it’s pitiful ACC schedule against teams it was favored. You are such an idiot, and you have no substance in any of your posts.All you are is a jealous clown, that gets his rocks off trying to put down a team that owns your team.You can only hope UGA gets beat by other teams, because you know your pathetic team has no chance. Go back to the varsity and eat a chilidog, and wait until next Saturday when you will be able to disappear from this blog after another ass whipping.
GTBob
November 18th, 2011
6:05 pm
You and it, isn’t at all worth the trouble for me to go back and read old blogs
Very nice. Try not to get caught making stuff up in the future. It makes you look a little foolish.
GTBob
November 18th, 2011
6:08 pm
Awe, I love you too this dawg want hunt!!. I can assure you though that regardless of who wins the GT/UGA game I will be around. You can’t get rid of me that easy.
GTBob
November 18th, 2011
6:10 pm
Sorry…gotta go…my Mom just called and my hot pocket is ready. I will be back down in my basement later since it si Friday night and I never have a date. I am afraid of girls.
The smell coming from Athens... thank goodness most of us are upwind of the foul odor
November 18th, 2011
6:11 pm
To put the season in better perspective, UGA has won games against teams that were barely any better than a good high school eleven. They’ve done it with players who are functionally illiterate and would not be admitted to any school with real standards. They’ve also won with scofflaws who think nothing of doing underage drinking, driving while intoxicated, and using illegal substances. Not to mention at least one who urinates anytime and any place he chooses (and I’m not talking about the mangy flea-bitten mutt).
A really sorry, stinking dump of an athletic program.
Gman84
November 18th, 2011
6:12 pm
Fun fact: the top 2 SEC teams in total offense? Texas A&M (8), Mizzou (12). Arkansas and UGA round out the top 30.
In total defense, UGA is 4th but Alabama is in a class all by themselves in terms of yards allowed and TDs surrendered.
While true that UGA got break by bypassing LSU (turns outvwe will likely play them) and Bama but throwing Arkansas in there as some unstoppable juggernaut is overstating their standing by a good bit. They are roughly our equal on offense but have virtually no defense at all.
Also, when talking about the aggregate records of the teams UGA has beaten, check out the aggregate record of the SEC teams Bama and LSU have beaten.
GTBob
November 18th, 2011
6:13 pm
My highschool trig teacher says I am the smartest boy in his class. GT…here I come…wooo hoo!
GTBob
November 18th, 2011
6:15 pm
Gman…stop talking logic…we do not understand that. We think we are better because we have a great coach.