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
Follow me on Twitter (@JeffSchultzAJC). Friend me on Facebook (Facebook.com/JeffSchultzAJC).
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,469 comments Add your comment
red hill
November 27th, 2011
4:11 pm
LSU is a terrific team. I don’t know what kind of chance we have but we do have a chance. It will be settled on the artificial turf at the dome. Best of luck to LSU. I hope both teams bring their A games and that it is one for the ages. Go Dawgs!!
Joseph
November 27th, 2011
4:11 pm
I really am tired of all the talk about an Alabama, LSU rematch. Please. No rematch, that is unless they both win their respective conference championship, as will not be the case here. Also sickening is the speculation that should LSU lose in the SEC championship, they would still be rewarded with a shot at the National Title. In the words of Coach ‘Smiles, “if you don’t win your conference championship, how can you play for the National Championship”? He was able to convince the voters then to put LSU over Georgia in the National Championship game. However, now, he would have to do an about face if his Tigers were to lose to UGA in the SEC championship. He would certainly agree that no matter what, Bama shouldn’t get a do over. Get it right for a change! By the way, Go Dawgs!
jack
November 27th, 2011
4:12 pm
the margin of victroy record that auburn set last year will be broken. After ending the season on a 2 game losing streak the fire richt chants will begin once again.
SLim
November 27th, 2011
4:13 pm
LSU will crush UGA…it’s that simple.
Super Committee
November 27th, 2011
4:14 pm
LSU has been tested more than the Dawgs.. Oregon, West Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas…. However, when you look at common opponents (Miss.State and Auburn) the results were about the same… Alabama actually out played LSU but couldn’t score (missed field goals).
On paper LSU looks unbeatable…. UGA has to stop their running game or at least slow it way down and the offense has to put in some trickery to keep their defense off balance… we can’t run right at them and we have to protect Murray… the outcome of this game will hinge on our ability to move the ball and play flawlessly, no easy scores..
TampaGator
November 27th, 2011
4:14 pm
Destin Dawg….
You really have Gator phobia, don’t you? You keep on ranting about a team that has beaten your team (or is FSU your team) 18 out of the last 22 times. One bad year does not establish a trend. If you don’t believe me, check Georgia’s performance last year. And, yes, Florida has all but one of its defensive players back for next year…and they are very good. And, yes, Florida has to fix the problems on offense….and that will happen when they no longer have spread offense wide receivers and running backs. Muschamp and company are doing a very good job of bringing in those kind of players….just check the commits on the recruiting sites….and there are a bunch more big time recruits coming to join those who are already committed. Florida will be back…and very soon. So, be civil, and enjoy your moment in the sun….it will be harder to earn it next year.
Jeff Schultz has a better chance of winning the lottery
November 27th, 2011
4:15 pm
Than the puppies beating LSU…how delusional are you? What a clown….
Cohutta Dawgman
November 27th, 2011
4:15 pm
It ain’t how you drive but how you arrive. Get on the Bus! GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dap01
November 27th, 2011
4:16 pm
AugustaJacket: You act like a loser and you blog like a loser. UGA is miles better than Tech and you are having a bad day (year, decade)
Mel
November 27th, 2011
4:16 pm
Not gonna happen.
LSU > Puppies: Fact
November 27th, 2011
4:16 pm
You’ve played no one….seriously, you should not be on the same field with us….you have not beat a top 10 ranked team….you’ve accomplished nothing other than playing a soft schedule and winning in a soft division and against WEAK non-conference teams…seriously, stop with the smack talk…
Finebalm
November 27th, 2011
4:17 pm
I think Dawgs win it easily. Further, I think we should be considered for the NC game.
Saints and LSU own the Falclowns and Puppies
November 27th, 2011
4:17 pm
FACT!
GUNGA DIN
November 27th, 2011
4:18 pm
if the DAWGS that played Auburn show up, then they have a chance. however, if it’s the team that played Kentucky, LSU by 21 !!!
gDawg
November 27th, 2011
4:18 pm
Uhh I’m pretty sure there has only been 4 teams all year win 10 in a row. LSU, Okl St, Houston, and UGA! We definitely have a chance.
JB
November 27th, 2011
4:18 pm
I”m very very proud of this Georgia team. They have grown during the season to be a pretty good team. Some of these young players have grown up……………But, we will not beat LSU. They will not run over our Defense, but we will struggle offensively. We can’t run block very well and none of our backs “stand out” against a defense much better than our own…………..LSU 35 Dawgs 17. Still proud of them.
archaeopat
November 27th, 2011
4:18 pm
I believe that UGA will match up much better against LSU than it would have against Bama. Yes UGA can win this game.
Anna
November 27th, 2011
4:18 pm
Great Article Jeff….I completely agree with you. Go Dawgs! I believe(:
1969 Graduate
November 27th, 2011
4:20 pm
I read a columnist today who said LSU would win just by mailing it in for their game against Georgia!
When I read stuff like that, I love it. Keep writing it. I hope all the LSU players read it, and get it into their heads. LSU is beyond belief great.
It’s true, right.
We all know that LSU has a great team. No doubt about that. How many times have we seen a great team lose, a team that was supposed to be unbeatable, and was maybe already crowned. It’s happened every year, and usually more than once, but this LSU football team is in another world of greatness. They are guaranteed to beat anybody. Always.
The talking heads, and the columnists are not disinterested, nor necessarily expert. Which of the experts predicted Oklahoma State’s loss? Which predicted the National Championship Game blowouts of the invincible Ohio State team?
None of those guys are saying that LSU has any chance of losing!
So, of course LSU can’t possibly lose. They have already been crowned. They’re so great that even if a miracle happened, and UGA won, well it would still be LSU vs Alabama in the Big Championship Game. LSU will always be No. 1! Hail, LSU…
For Georgia to win we’ll have to play very, very well, playing a perfect, error free game, and have a ton of luck, and a bunch of favorable decisions by the men in stripes, too. So, the experts say it can’t happen, and won’t happen, and LSU can go ahead and order their rings.
Last I looked, the games are all won on the field of play.
Go, Georgia Bulldogs!
shane#1
November 27th, 2011
4:20 pm
You can’t win the lottery if you don’t buy a ticket. UGA bought a ticket. I am glad the Dawgs got this far. Maybe it’s a slim chance to win, but a slim chance beats no chance. I have never been more proud of a team.
randy
November 27th, 2011
4:20 pm
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fire-Mark-Richt/153649181335216?sk=wall&filter=12
JB
November 27th, 2011
4:21 pm
Who would of thought the night after the south Carolina loss, that Richt would be on the verge of an extension and being toasted while Tennessee and Florida have real doubts about their coach’s?
Old Dog
November 27th, 2011
4:21 pm
I love the Dawgs, but I am a realist. Unless LSU plays really badly (like GT did), I don’t see us haing a chance.
Most likely we will see Richt handed his extension, and then… mediocre football seasons.
I hope I am wrong. I still haen’t forgiven Richt for the past three years (when my daughter was at UGA) while he forgot how to coach. It takes him a long time to realize such basics as we need strong special teams. Oh, he does come around after several near disasters.
Former Georgian
November 27th, 2011
4:22 pm
What everyone keeps forgetting about 0-2 vs. 10-2 is that Georgia is playing the 5th greatest number of freshman in the nation(I think FL is tied with us at 5th, AU and TN are like 2nd and 4th, I think) Clearly, the coaching staff has done a better job with our freshman than some of the other SEC schools have done with theirs. I don’t know that they’re ready to tackle(literally) LSU, but if all the stars aligned, perfectly a Georgia win is possible(but not probable).
BigTimeTECHFan
November 27th, 2011
4:22 pm
the only way they can beat LSU is if the refs give them the game like they did against Georgia Tech
Holding every passing down and half the runs not call
Call Tech for phantom Chop block
16 false starts by UGA not called
randy
November 27th, 2011
4:22 pm
shane#1 you should be embarrassed by this team. You’ve beat who???? How many of those teams have winning records????
Go look in the mirror and tell yourself that. the rest of us are laughing.
FootballTopFan
November 27th, 2011
4:22 pm
We would like to offer our deepest regret and apology to Coach Richt for our insensitive and knee jerk comments after the Bulldogs 0-2 start.
Mark Richt is a great football coach.
FootballTopFan@Yahoo.com
Aubie-won-knobi
November 27th, 2011
4:23 pm
I can remember this time last year when Dawg fans were, well “dawging” Auburn about how the Gamecocks would tear us a new one in the SECCG and then after that win you said the same thing about Oregon…So how did THAT work out for ya. So NOW everyone is telling the Dawgs that LSU will tear YOU a new one in the SECCG. Not so fun when it’s happening to YOU, is it? But I’ll refrain being one of THOSE and just say, we’ll see what happens next Saturday. Auburn has been in your position many a time and know what it’s like to “get no love”….
Dawg4life
November 27th, 2011
4:23 pm
Get on the bus Dawg fans, and believe!
Hunker down you dirty dawgs…
RNB
November 27th, 2011
4:23 pm
All we want is a chance. I have seen bigger upsets in my time of watching college football. Yes Georgia will need a little help from LSU but I believe we can hang around. Lets get behind them and give it all we have. Just proud Georgia in back in the mix.
Rob
November 27th, 2011
4:24 pm
The Dawgs need to make sure they have the correct spikes for the GA dome turf this time out. They slipped around/down a lot against Boiste State. Can afford any of those little problems this Saturday.
BG
November 27th, 2011
4:24 pm
GO DAWGS!
Dumbo
November 27th, 2011
4:24 pm
To all the Tech Turds…it’s still 31-17…enough said …………GT Losers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Intown DAWG
November 27th, 2011
4:25 pm
TampaGator
Why stop at 18 of 22 or whatever?
Why no mention that with all those years of domination, GA still leads the series by 8 games?
Guess stats are only good for you when they meet your criteria
Oh well…. nothing new
getreal
November 27th, 2011
4:25 pm
What is the Dogs signature win in their 10 game win streak? Tennessee, Florida, Vanderbilt, Kentucky, New Mexico State, Mississippi, Mississippi State, Auburn, Coastal Carolina or Georgia Tech. Richt’s job was saved with not having to play Alabama, LSU, and Arkansas and only having to play 4 away games out of 12. Someone upstairs is looking out for Richt…….
dawgfan
November 27th, 2011
4:25 pm
SIXTEEN false starts not called?!?!?!? If you’re going to be an effective crybaby sore loser Techie it helps to come with a little credibility. 2 or 3 false starts is much more believable. That’s just Lying 101 Techie. Any good Techie knows how to tell a lie. You’ve got a lot of work to do pal.
JB
November 27th, 2011
4:25 pm
Has Vegas come out with a line yet?
Dawg4life
November 27th, 2011
4:26 pm
To BigTimeTECHfan-
Be sure to thank Paul Johnson for the extra 3 points that he gave us before the half.
On another note- GA Tech fans are sore losers.
Supes
November 27th, 2011
4:26 pm
I think LSU fans are scared deep down inside, this game frightens them to their very soul more so than a re-match with mighty Alabama would. It’s because THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO win BIG…so you hear all the same old recycled BS…”UGA hasn’t played anybody, they barely beat so and so…they were lucky”…well you know what…WHATEVER you have to TELL yourselves LSU fans (and UGA haters…so mainly bitter nerds and gaytors). Fact is…UGA is in the SEC championship game, they earned it on the field by winning 10 straight games, they’ve improved as a TEAM from week to week and are peaking at the right time.
So I guess even though we are supposed to get crushed, lose, get beaten around, be a glorified scrimmage for the MIGHTY LSU before their “rematch” with BAMA, I guess we’ll show up ANYWAYS and give it our best show and play the stinking game. You never know…there could be a big bar fight in a local strip joint the night before and honey badger along with drunken brawler QB could get arrested, suspended leaving the door slightly open and a 2% chance for a UGA upset over MIGHTY LSU
Procrastinator
November 27th, 2011
4:26 pm
Jeff, Good way to appease the rabble but between you and me we know what’s going to really happen.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
November 27th, 2011
4:27 pm
Losers are the only ones still bashing UGA at this point. “Randy” I think you need to go look in the mirror and understand what your name really means.
UGA's NC Game
November 27th, 2011
4:27 pm
This is UGA’s National Championship game…they need to take advantage of the opportunity to put the program back in the top tier of college football…a win here would go a long way to a NC next year and could even push them into the top 4 or 3 this year if they could win the sugar bowl. Either way, it is a difficult match up but both teams have had 12 games…fatigue and pressure has got to favor UGA with the easier schedule, and little expectation that they will win.
Aubie-won-knobi
November 27th, 2011
4:28 pm
Auburn has been in your place many a time and knows the feeling of “get no love”….now you find yourselves in the rotten position of defending why you deserve to be where you are. Maybe next time Auburn is on top you’ll remember what’s like when everyone is doubting you. And you may want to lay off the Gators as well. Teams are cyclical and all the crap some of you give TampaGator will be all for naught and rather embarrassing in a year or so once they rebuild.
Finebalm
November 27th, 2011
4:29 pm
Why are Gtu fans still flapping their gums?
JB
November 27th, 2011
4:29 pm
Gators in trouble. They are just whispering it now, but by this time next year, it’ll be total melt down. Coach Boom can’t coach. The offense they run needs a QB,RB,FB,TE and WR’s. None on campus. 10 freshman can’t do it. Coach Boom will be 6-6 next year and may think about sending his wife and kids to his Dads in North Georgia. Gonna get rough down there.
Supes
November 27th, 2011
4:29 pm
Tampa Gator
is more delusional if he thinks that “The Gators offense” will get fixed next year by bringing in “new recruits”. More like 2-3 more years…unless you bring in 4-5 quality JUCO transfers that can play your pro style offense SKILL positions.
After watching that game against FSU the main thing that I noticed (besides FLA getting beat around on offense) is that they are a LONG ways away…if FLA gets to 8 wins next year it will be a HUGE improvement all things considered.
SEC East race next year will once again be between South Carolina and UGA….Vandy is going to be more dangerous as well.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
November 27th, 2011
4:30 pm
Also note this game is perhaps a trap game for LSU. Even if LSU loses they probably will not drop lower than two in the BCS Standings. This is according to Brad Edwards from ESPN.
So lets say hypothetically that UGA does win. LSU and Bamma are 1-2 in the BCS standings. How does the BCS sort that mess out? The SEC Champion goes to a BCS game. Where does that then leave Bamma and LSU? 1-2 in the standings but neither being a conference champion? Very intriguing indeed.
Wet Willie...keep on smiling
November 27th, 2011
4:32 pm
LSU will be the dog sheet out of UGA. You will see just how far away UGA football is from the topshelf.Then go ahead and run that mouth for you do it so well.
betadog
November 27th, 2011
4:32 pm
Here we go, we,(UGA) football team) has more weapons than Alabama. Really?
Mark (another one)
November 27th, 2011
4:32 pm
I am hoping that Crowell will be healthy. We can beat Tech without our top three running backs but LSU is different. Crowell, Thomas and Malcome will need to be ready and amped.
LSU is and should be favored but Georgia has been improving each week and has great, young athletes. Any time you play, you have a chance, and I like the matchups. Murray and his receivers can drive people crazy, and I’m not sure LSU can cover all of them.
The real test will be our defense against the LSU running game. Their backs are all good, and they have so many they stay fresh.