Georgia has far better than ‘puncher’s chance’ against LSU
Aron White, Christian Robinson punctuate UGA's return with school flag . (Johnny Crawford)
This is the column that I didn’t think I would be writing six weeks ago, when Georgia fizzled and nearly self-destructed at Vanderbilt, and a five-game winning streak seemed like the furthest thing from Mark Richt’s mind.
This is the column that didn’t seem plausible three months ago when I looked up at the scoreboard and saw, “Boise State 35, Georgia 21” after looking down on the Georgia Dome field to see a Bulldogs team get beat physically by a Mountain West Conference team and play flat emotionally — the worst possible exacta for a hyped-up season opener.
This is the column that says Georgia can beat LSU.
This is not to diminish anything LSU has accomplished this season. How can one diminish an SEC team going 12-0? The Tigers have played and beaten seven teams that were ranked at the time they played. That includes No. 3 Oregon to start the season (40-27), No. 2 Alabama in Tuscaloosa (9-6 in overtime) and No. 3 Arkansas (41-17). LSU is as legitimate and proven as any No. 1 team that has come along in years.
Which doesn’t mean it can’t lose.
No. I’m not drunk on the Kool-Aid. Something changed in Athens. Maybe the 33-28 escape at Vanderbilt was a wake-up call. Maybe it was just a case of a young team slowly gaining confidence. At the very least, we know players reaffirmed that they believed in — and would follow — their head coach. Because a team doesn’t just rally from a 17-3 deficit to beat its nemesis (Florida), destroy Auburn 45-7 and spin a 10-game winning streak after a 0-2 start because it’s suddenly getting bounces.
After the body-slamming of Auburn, when it became clear the Dogs would win the SEC East, many felt they would have a “puncher’s chance” in the conference title game against the winner of the West, LSU or Alabama. But that short-changes Georgia.
When I hear puncher’s chance, I think George Foreman vs. Michael Moorer. In 1994, when Moorer was the heavyweight champion, he won nine straight rounds against the unranked 45-year-old Foreman. Then he got stupid. Foreman suckered him in. He landed a concrete right hand to Moorer’s porcelain chin. When Moorer looked up from the canvas, he saw little blue songbirds circling above him.
Three months after the loss to Boise State, the Bulldogs return to the Georgia Dome Saturday against LSU. They don’t need to rely on one lucky punch to win. They have become that good. They are playing with a rhythm, a confidence and an edge that we haven’t seen since 2007.
A year ago, when I wrote that Richt deserved to come back this season because of what he had accomplished in Athens, there was a backlash. Many fans wanted him fired. I wasn’t ready to make that leap. But neither did I share the confidence of Richt’s defenders, particularly after the season’s first two games. An unraveling seemed imminent. So did a job change. Clearly, that’s not happening now.
LSU is rolling. But so is Georgia. Aaron Murray is the best quarterback the LSU defense will face this season, and in the last four games he has completed 68 percent of his passes for 14 touchdowns and two interceptions. The offense is loaded with receivers: Orson Charles, Malcolm Mitchell, Tavarres King, et al. (Just when Georgia Tech figured it had everybody covered Saturday, a freshman, Chris Conley, popped open in the end zone. Chris Conley? He’s UGA’s sixth-leading receiver.)
The assumption here is that with Isaiah Crowell being held out Saturday with an ankle injury, he and Carlton Thomas (who had only a few carries against Tech) will be ready for LSU and provide balance to the offense.
Defensively, the Dogs get better by the week. They throttled the Tech’s option offense Saturday and held the Jackets to 10 points until a meaningless touchdown in the final minutes.
Boise State and South Carolina combined for eight offensive touchdowns in the first two games. In the 10 since, Georgia has allowed only 12 offensive touchdowns. That includes one or none in seven of the 10 games. This is the second-best defense LSU will face this season. They managed only three field goals (one in overtime) against the only opponent with a better one, Alabama.
Georgia doesn’t have a mere puncher’s chance in the SEC championship. Georgia has a legitimate chance. The team that will play in the Georgia Dome on Dec. 3 is not the same one that played there on Sept. 3.
Some things you just don’t see coming.
By Jeff Schultz
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1,469 comments Add your comment
Vain Jangling
November 27th, 2011
8:33 pm
Sure, LSU is good, but they’re not the freaking 85 Bears.
LSU is undefeated, but they only have two noteworthy wins. They beat Oregon at home (in the season opener), and of course they beat Bama by 3 in overtime in Tuscaloosa. Of those, the win at Alabama is way more impressive. Otherwise, they’ve beaten teams they should’ve beaten. Good grief, they beat West Virginia, who went on to lose to Syracuse and Louisville. Arkansas has been ranked way too high all year, and LSU exposed them for what they were. LSU’s remaining schedule looks strangely like Georgia’s.
All in all, as a Dawg fan I’d much rather play LSU than Alabama.
RMikel58
November 27th, 2011
8:33 pm
Offensively i think we can match their athletes but without Crowell in there, we become more 1 dimensional. Crowell is proned to be injured alot, from mild injury to an injury 8th graders get. He’s very timid when it comes to getting hurt that i’d worry if a hang nail would sideline him.
The more and more he takes himself out of games the more i tend to believe he’s actually afraid of getting hit hard.
“Them boy’s hit harder than Highschool”. Time to start looking for another tailback im sorry to say. Crowell wont be a factor in this game. It’ll come down to protection on the Offensive line. Can they give Murray time in the pocket to throw?
LSU has a very good front 4 and is solid at DB’s. Look for alot of passing from Georgia. This will come down to Special Teams and Turn-Overs.
If Murray doesnt throw interceptions, or we dont fumble the ball and if we cover kick-offs and punts then it should be close.
Georgia’s Defense has got to stop the run, yeah i know were ranked #2 against the run but throw out statistics. The whole key is pass rush and not allowing LSU to establish the run.
Our Defense should yet again lead the charge and dictate the momentum of the game. Force them to pass where there just average at best.
Yes we can beat them!
But if we dont protect Murray and we dont do well on special teams, and we turn the ball over then we could lose by 24 points.
Which team will show up is the question? Are they focused? This to me is the National Championship Game for Georgia.
Losing is out of the question. Showing a Nationally televised game that youre better than what everyone saw with Boise St. and S. Carolina is what its about.
Forget the bowl game, focus solely on LSU and shut them down!
They have nothing to prove cause their No.#1, yes they want to win the SEC but im thinking their more focused on who they’ll play for the National Championship because they think Georgia hasnt played anyone thats good besides Boise.
Dont let up! Play like theres no tomorrow! This could put a “UMPH” on this season and place a Bulldog Team where none has been before.
Dawg48
November 27th, 2011
8:34 pm
Tampa gator
The game did not sell out till Friday.
And the way it looked FSU fans picked up the tickets.
All the reports I saw it did not sell out till Friday cause fla fans not happy with will.
Scholarship
November 27th, 2011
8:34 pm
TampaGator
November 27th, 2011
8:29 pm
Scholarship?????
Lack of Florida fans in Gainesville last night????? There were approx. 84,000 of them and 10,000 or so FSU fans….as normal……..the place was completely sold out…..and very, very loud. I am not sure where you get your information. My brother had my tickets and told me the place was packed and as loud as ever…..very loud.
Hate to break this to you, but it was more like 25,000 FSU fans there, I was there and stayed the entire game and as a Gator grad I was embarrassed that many FSU fans were sitting in seats normally held by Gators.
It was our worst showing of fans since Coach Zook.
BIG MIKE
November 27th, 2011
8:34 pm
The way the BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP was set up and has been implemented from the very beginning, prohibit a rematch between two opponents in the same division of a two division conference from playing. Particulary since the two teams played at the end of the season. What can be gained from those two playing again? If you have two great teams playing in the same division…..it is understood not only between those two teams, but the fans and voters as well……when they play during the regular season, that game is their fair shot at a NATIONAL TITLE. There will be no second chances. How could there be with so many other competitive teams to consider. If LSU is to win the National Championship, they have to punch the same ticket as anyone else. WIN YOUR CONFERENCE. There are no gimme’s in football.
They (LSU–ALABAMA) played their best and the best team won…..that day. If they played each other 10 times, who knows which team would come out ahead. That’s just not how the Championship in division 1A is decided with the exception of CONFERENCE TITLES.
GT Fan
November 27th, 2011
8:34 pm
You writers sure can “spin” it can’t you, Shultz?
Can’t wait to see what you write NEXT Sunday after LSU emphatically brings UGA back to reality. The same reality that most, sane, football fans know as the SEC being a 3-team league this season, followed by a 2-team (SC & UGA) junior varsity league, with the remaining 7 teams being a joke.
Fact is, Boise St would still beat UGA if they played tomorrow, and SC just might too.
If GT’s horrible D can just miss a sack (causing a Murray int), and get another sack, what in the holly-heck do you think LSU’s D is going to do to him?
Keep spinning’em, dude.
01HAWK
November 27th, 2011
8:34 pm
GA TECH is not in the top 25 in the HARRIS POLL FOR NOVEMBER 27TH.
Also UGA is # 12 and South Carolina is # 14 in Harris poll.
UGA has noT beaten anyone in the top 25 in HARRIS POLL
TampaGator
November 27th, 2011
8:35 pm
If LSU loses to Georgia and still goes to the NC game….then Bama will not be there. No way they put two one loss SEC teams in that game….no way……
The only way LSU goes to play Bama in my opinion….is if they beat Georgia. I think, if LSU loses, it could be OSU and Stanford for the NC…..or even Boise State or Va Tech in the game if they win the ACC. Bama needs LSU, probably.
5150 UOAD
November 27th, 2011
8:36 pm
48………..you figure Will to be on a short leash and especially since he was a Dawg player?
Scholarship
November 27th, 2011
8:37 pm
BIG MIKE
November 27th, 2011
8:34 pm
The way the BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP was set up and has been implemented from the very beginning, prohibit a rematch between two opponents in the same division of a two division conference from playing. Particulary since the two teams played at the end of the season. What can be gained from those two playing again? If you have two great teams playing in the same division…..it is understood not only between those two teams, but the fans and voters as well……when they play during the regular season, that game is their fair shot at a NATIONAL TITLE. There will be no second chances. How could there be with so many other competitive teams to consider. If LSU is to win the National Championship, they have to punch the same ticket as anyone else. WIN YOUR CONFERENCE. There are no gimme’s in football.
They (LSU–ALABAMA) played their best and the best team won…..that day. If they played each other 10 times, who knows which team would come out ahead. That’s just not how the Championship in division 1A is decided with the exception of CONFERENCE TITLES.
I have never read MORE WRONG statements in one post than the one above.
You need to stop being such a homer and get your facts straight before you realize what you write is pure garbage.
01HAWK
November 27th, 2011
8:38 pm
BIG MIKE ………………………..You are wrong again.
BCS was created to get the 2 best teams and it is obvious that BAMA and LSU are the 2 best teams.
I thought you knew college football. You do not have to win your conference championship.
5150 UOAD
November 27th, 2011
8:39 pm
01Hawk…………….the BCS poll USC is ahead of UGA and tech is 23. The Harris is just a part of the BCS. It is the BCS poll that matters at this date and time.
GT Fan
November 27th, 2011
8:40 pm
Good Luck Dawgs. Though I doubt you really need it.
After running off your impressive 10-game winning streak over 2.5 cupcakes (the .5 being N Mex St), and 7 SEC squads with a combined Conf record of 14-42, it’s hard to see how any team could be you.
I’ve never seen a more impressive win streak, especially when you take in the stud teams you rolled over during the process.
Go Dawgs! 14-0 in 2012!!
Dawg48
November 27th, 2011
8:40 pm
5150
No………..florida needs three things
1 fullback
2 tightend
3 pro style running back or ( backs)
TampaGator
November 27th, 2011
8:41 pm
Scholarship……
I have been going to THE SWAMP for the FSU game for 30 years…..and Florida fans always sell tickets to FSU fans (many sit around me)…..same thing when the Gators go to Tallahassee. For example, a friend sold his 4 tickets for $150.00 each…..to a FSU group. They sat right behind my brother. Nothing unusual at all about last night. The playing of the war chant all night just makes it seem like there are more FSU fans than they really are…..the same was true for the Bama game this year….when the price for the ticket was even higher…….for Bama fans. Also….there are tons of Gator grads living in Jax….as in Tampa…..and that is why the Outback is always after the Gators as well….and why the Outback Bowl….when the Gators are in it….is a home game for the Gators. The same will be the case in Jax……and reminder…..Tampa is an economically depressed area right now….and the Outback was still packed with Gator fans last year…..after the 8-4 season.
BIG MIKE
November 27th, 2011
8:41 pm
Scholarship (to Podunk U)—————Go on and set me straight then. What part of what I wrote did you not understand?
01HAWK
November 27th, 2011
8:41 pm
TampaGator ………………………………….All BAMA has to do is sit back, relax and wait on LSU.
It is done.
OK STATE is # 5 this week. They are totally out and STANFORD IS # 3 and that will not happen.
The discussion is a mute point.
It has been decided.
5150 UOAD
November 27th, 2011
8:41 pm
48 Urban sure left the Cupboard Loaded didn’t he?
UGA
November 27th, 2011
8:42 pm
“I thought you knew college football. You do not have to win your conference championship”
Doesn’t Herbstreit just make you want to knock the ever loving crap out of him?
2007: “ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit, among many others, proclaimed that since Georgia did not win their conference, they would not deserve to play for the BCS title”
Scholarship
November 27th, 2011
8:42 pm
There is no way Oklahoma St jumps VT, Stanford or Alabama. Stanford is idle, VT is playing a crumbling Clemson team and Alabama is idle.
It is not happening. Look at the numbers, it will be LSU and Alabama in the BCS. They are the two best teams in the country and it does not matter how much any fan from any other school or conference jumps up and down and complains it is a done deal.
LSU could lose and still not fall beyond 2nd in the standings, just not going to happen.
BIG MIKE
November 27th, 2011
8:43 pm
WIN THE CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP???????????? ALABAMA’S NOT EVEN IN IT. They had their shot two weeks ago.
Jay
November 27th, 2011
8:43 pm
But the last “cupcake” win was the sweetest GT Fan.
TampaGator
November 27th, 2011
8:43 pm
01Hawk….
But I think that is a rule that will become one after this year…….or a plus one so a team like Bama can still play for the title without a computer determining that fact.
01HAWK
November 27th, 2011
8:46 pm
5150 UOAD ……………………….You are absolutely correct. Thanks
TampaGator
November 27th, 2011
8:46 pm
I personally don’t think Bama should go if LSU wins the SEC title. I think a conference champion should go………like when Florida went over Michigan against Ohio State in 2006. That was the right thing then….and it is now. I also think the entire country is better served if the NC does not have two teams from the same conference. But this is the screwed up BS system we now are entitled to. I hope that changes soon….has to be a plus one system at least.
The BCS Sux
November 27th, 2011
8:47 pm
I think ESPN just allowed Georgia to win the SEC Championship. They said that even a blowout loss would still send LSU to the Title game. That just told me that LSU can start sitting their star players after the half.
LSU has nothing on the line in that game …. they should take Alabama’s position. Don’t play any of your starters at all. It’s a pointless game for you, why risk injury or something?
Virginia Dawg
November 27th, 2011
8:47 pm
Alpha male – the SEC can have 3 teams in the BCS if the #1 & #2 teams do not win the conference. If UGA beats LSU they go to the Sugar Bowl no questions asked.
BIG MIKE
November 27th, 2011
8:48 pm
OKLA ST could definely leap frog the rest if they put the hammer down on Oklahoma. Voters have always held Oklahoma in high regard, giving them the benefit of the doubt year-in and year-out. Starting them off with a lofty top ten pre-season pick whether they’ve earned it or not.
Dawg48
November 27th, 2011
8:48 pm
Sholarship
I agree that it will be LSU and BAMA no matter what…..
But remember when Ohio st and mich was #1& #2 ….
And every one expected a rematch and Florida jumped Michigan that last week….
If okie st beats Oklahoma they just beat a top 10 BCS team…..
May happen again
01HAWK
November 27th, 2011
8:48 pm
BAMA…………………………………Sit back and rest up and wait. Watch LSU -UGA game and see what worked for UGA if anything and go to work preparing.
BAMA could not have planned this any better.
Lazer
November 27th, 2011
8:49 pm
Can we all just get over an LSU v. Alabama rematch. The BCS National Championship does one thing…it matches the #1 and #2 teams. There is nothing about winning a conference championship in the formula. The argument, if one wants to make it, can be with the human polls and voters. If a voter believes that winning a conference championship elevates a team above non-conference champions, then they can vote that way. Obviously, some sort of playoff with conference champions and at-large wild cards could create a model more like professional sports.
5150 UOAD
November 27th, 2011
8:49 pm
the 07 Dawgs were not the Powerhouse Bama and LSU are today. They were right back in 07 that UGA didn’t deserve a shot at the BCS title.
UGA was not Head and Shoulders above all other teams as are bama and LSU are this year. How many ways can that be expressed for Dawg fans to understand. The Dawgs could pull an Upset but that in noway means UGA is the BEST team. UGA would be the best team THAT day not for the YEAR.
stoov
November 27th, 2011
8:49 pm
you have got to be kidding! LSU has heard all year long about great offenses and QB’s and LSU has beaten them all……badly
don’t be surprised if this game is like LSU vs Arky in a big blowout — sure UGA may be “on a roll” but so was Arky and frankly so is LSU
sorry UGA fans but LSU will stomp 45-21
TampaGator
November 27th, 2011
8:50 pm
Dawg48…..
The FSU game has been sold out since the first game of the year. Just a fact. There are always returned tickets (either student tickets or those from the opponent for the game) that sell on Friday before the game…..for any game. If you called the Gator ticket office last week, two weeks ago, two months ago, or in August…..they would have told you the game was sold out.
01HAWK
November 27th, 2011
8:50 pm
OK State will not make it due to a bad loss to a 7-5 IOWA STATE TEAM.
BAMA does not have a bad loss.
CASE CLOSED
Scholarship
November 27th, 2011
8:50 pm
Tampa Gator,
Apparently you were there and if you had opened your eyes you would have saw what we saw. I sit in a box with 20 plus other alumin and family and I had a former football trainer and former coach say to me that they had never, never not even under Zook have this many FSU fans in “our house”.
I was totally uncharacteristic and I WILL say this, we did not look like a team who deserve to be in any New Years Day bowl last night. I have been a season ticket box holder along with my father and three brothers for over 40 years( my father, myself for 19 years and my brothers 20 plus each) and that showing by our fans last night was totally out of balance. I am telling you, there were 25,000 plus fans there last night that were out and out right FSU fans and at times they were louder than we were and that is not even counting the band and support staff.
We did not show last night as fans and now the reports here on Jacksonville Television is that Auburn will get the invite. Just stating what is being reported and what I saw last night.
HardTruth Soldier for Life
November 27th, 2011
8:50 pm
Doubt, How can you doubt a team that’s won 10 straight? LSU is good, yes I give them that, but what QB have they faced? Murray is clearly the best QB in the SEC, Oregon plays a weak PAC TWELVE SCHEDULE with there North Champion UCLA getting blown out last night 50-0. So what does that say about that weak conference? Boise is good 1 lose, Carolina is good with 2 losses considering they play what was suppose to be there backup now, and there Coach clearly stated we beat them, but we “gave” them the game. Under Estimate GEORGIA IF YOU WANT, THEY WILL SHAKE UP THE BCS(BULLCRAP SYSTEM), and Bama wins a MYTH National Title.
Lazer
November 27th, 2011
8:51 pm
01Hawk…I’m pretty sure BAMA would prefer to be 12-0 and playing in the SECC game…oh wait…you were just trolling for UGA folks…my bad, continue my friend.
glacialspeed
November 27th, 2011
8:51 pm
Georgia fans: He just wrote this because he writes for the AJC and is not stupid. You will lose to LSU. Everyone knows this.
Dawg48
November 27th, 2011
8:51 pm
Sholarship
How do we know bama is better than okie st?
GeauxCJ
November 27th, 2011
8:56 pm
Keep barking, dawgs. LSU 43 – UGA 14
Lazer
November 27th, 2011
8:56 pm
Obviously UGA will lose to LSU…after all, who’s ever heard of a #1 team losing? Also, upsets have now been forbidden by the BCS…plus this is college football, we all know that nothing crazy ever happens.
Kool-aid mustache
November 27th, 2011
8:56 pm
Les Miles is the greatest coach,of the greatest college team ever assembled, just ask ESPN, hope they check for polyps while they’re up there. ESPN will erect a 50′ bronze of Les Miles in Bristol as soon as the season’s over. No need for an SEC championship game, just average the predicted scores of the game by the analysts and give them the trophy.
DILLIGAF
November 27th, 2011
8:56 pm
I’m sure that it’s probably been said already in the previous 741 comments but if UGA were to beat LSU and then LSU were to go on and win the NC, then UGA beat the NC. On any given Saturday…
Concerned
November 27th, 2011
8:57 pm
Great article……………………WOW…………….we made it, and am I glad.
Delusional "Mutt" Fans
November 27th, 2011
8:57 pm
No offense, but a lot of you guys are complete idiots!!!! You beat an average GT team with very mediocre offensive and defensive lineman and you think you have done something? EVERY TEAM you mutts have played and beat…. You were suppose to beat and some of them you BARELY BEAT!!!!! Take a bow mutts, Yes… there is A chance you could win this Saturday (Lord Willing), but remember that you have only played ONE Team this entire year and you lost to them the first game of the season.
zbulldawg
November 27th, 2011
8:58 pm
NOT many TEAMS get the chance to play the No. 1 team in the country ! THE BULLDAWGS Earned that RIGHT !!! SO !! HERE KITTY KITTY !! GIVE me some SUGAR !! SICK EM
TMC DAWG
November 27th, 2011
8:58 pm
Win or lose Saturday. I am still proud of the dawgs. Also proud to live where there is the best college football in the land. SEC With another strong recruting class we should make a strong run at it next year.
01HAWK
November 27th, 2011
8:59 pm
Lazer……………………………If BAMA makes the BCS Championship game, then who cares about the SEC Championship game.
That would be a mute point. Who wouldn’t want to sit back and relax and have a chance to go to the BCS and not play the SEC Championship. Not get injuries, etc.
No brainer.
TampaGator
November 27th, 2011
9:00 pm
Dawg48…..
1. They have the FB….his name is Hunter Joyer…..a 245lb freshman who had a terrific year this year and will be a starter in the NFL after he leaves college. He was the top FB recruit in the country last year out of the Tampa Bay area…..his family lives in Wesley Chapel.
2. Jordan Reed is a future star at TE for Florida. He did not play last night due to an injured ankle. Played well against Georgia….and played TE for the first time this year….terrific athlete and has great hands. Just needs to learn how to block better. Played QB against Georiga last year. The Gators also have A.C. Leonard, another TE who is a true freshman. And they already have the commitment from the #1 TE in the country, Colin Thompson…and the #1 TE from Florida. And the #1 TE in Georgia is currently deciding between Bama and Florida…and he was in the SWAMP last night.
3. Matt Jones……the best power back in Florida at 6′2 and 220 is already committed to Florida and the player Bama wanted really badly…and had until Meyer resigned. Also….Mike Davis is on the way too….and his is an excellent inside outside runner as well.
4. Florida also needs more depth on the OL….and Chris Humphries and Jassmen Dunker are already on board…..and Humphries was in Gainesville trying to get Young to come to Florida as well…..and Avery was extremely impressed by the Gators last night (and grew up a Gator fan).
5. Finally, what the Gators need are the 72 percent of the current roster of freshmen and sophs to grow up fast…..especially the two young QBs…..Brissett and Driskell.