After Boise State, Murray foresaw Georgia in SEC title game
Aaron Murray brings something to Georgia's offense far more important than statistics. (Brant Sanderlin/bsanderlin@ajc.com)
ATHENS – Several weeks ago, when Georgia was looking like Liberty Bowl bait and Mark Richt was waiting for that first thrown rock through his office window, Aaron Murray did something rather unexpected. He prophesied an SEC championship game for the Bulldogs.
We can’t be certain if this should be attributed to Murray’s unwavering confidence or the fact that he had just been hit in the head 37 times by Boise State. But the sophomore quarterback walked out of the Georgia locker room after the Bulldogs had just laid a 35-21 egg against Boise State at the Georgia Dome to open the season, met up with his former high school coach and uttered these words: “Coach, we’re going to the SEC championship.”
At that point, Robert Weiner, Murray’s coach at Plant High School resisted temptations to alert medical personnel who might still in the Georgia Dome. He had seen this side of Murray before, like when the quarterback was sprawled on the field with an apparent broken ankle during his senior season at Plant and he told Weiner, “Get me ready for the second half.” (Didn’t happen. But Murray made it back from a four-month injury in seven weeks, in time for the playoffs.)
So how did Weiner respond to Murray’s comment?
“I just said, ‘Alright, Aaron,’” he said, laughing. “I wasn’t too sure. But I’ve seen what Aaron can do. With most people, you blow off a comment like that as blind optimism. But Aaron started going through the rest of the schedule with specifics on each game. He said, ‘You’re coming back here to the Georgia Dome at the end of the year to see us.’ I guess he was prophetic.”
Murray said he felt confident because he saw talent and heart. “We just weren’t ready for that game yet,” he said.
When asked about his prediction, he said, “Based on how we played that game, I would’ve thought I was crazy, too.”
One 10-game winning streak later, Bellevue is firmly in the rearview mirror.
The Bulldogs are 13-point underdogs to unbeaten LSU in Saturday’s SEC championship game. Murray is the X-factor. He has been great lately and he will have to be great against LSU because there’s no guarantee of a decent running attack with the hobbled Isaiah Crowell.
But his strength is his calm demeanor. At 0-2, the house was burning down and Murray was brushing the ashes off his jersey. All Georgia players get credit for not caving early, but the quarterback is the one in the middle of the huddle.
“I understand that even though I’m only a sophomore, there are players who are looking at me,” Murray said. “When you play the quarterback position you have to stay even-tempered.”
Weiner, who drilled that into him, said, “I never doubt two things about Aaron: His will to win and his ability to mobilize the people around him.”
That’s how football teams win 10 straight after losing two. The Dogs didn’t suddenly become faster or stronger. But they grew up and found ways to win. Murray battled some consistency problems earlier this season but leadership and resolve never were problems.
Said Richt, “If things are going rough and your quarterback spits the bit, you’re in big trouble. But if you can stand in a gap and stay strong and keep fighting, your quarterback can pull you out of a bad situation. Nobody questions Aaron’s toughness, mentally or physically. No one questions his dedication. He’s got everybody’s respect.”
Murray is likely to be a four-year starter. By the time he leaves Athens, he’ll likely own every career passing mark at the school. But he said earlier this week, “Championships [are] all that matters. My goal is to win a few while I’m here, and my first one, my first opportunity, is this weekend.”
The odds are long. But the odds were long on Georgia getting here. To most people, anyway.
By Jeff Schultz
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446 comments Add your comment
5150 UOAD
November 29th, 2011
6:39 pm
What kind of Pass Protection do you think CROWELL will provide Murray? If Crowell does play I don’t think you will see much passing with Crowell in the backfield unless Figgins is there too.
1962 DAWG
November 29th, 2011
6:39 pm
Tide is a rollin.
Alabama only played 2 quality opponents this season, Arky and LSU,
Lost one of those. Now Nick Saban on tv crying like a baby, whinning, afraid sombody’s gonna expose Bama’s weak ass schedule this season.
Nations leading Heisman canidate can’t even cross the goal line against LSU. Hell Arky crossed it twice.
Missed 4 fieldgoals against LSU? Alabama had their shot and failed.
Saban can cry and whine all he wants.
Old Coot
November 29th, 2011
6:46 pm
They say that Nick Saban’s tears can cure cancer, but nobody has yet tested the theory, since Nick Saban does not cry.
Delbert D.
November 29th, 2011
6:48 pm
It might get interesting if Oklahoma beats Oklahoma ST. and if Southern Miss beats Houston in the C-USA CG.
ARdawg
November 29th, 2011
6:50 pm
Delbert
The Sugar bowl if losing the SEC champ will still be compelled to take the best record SEC team. If UGA loses the SEC champ game that will leave either AR or Carolina to Sugar and UGA to the Cap1 bowl. Sugar committee choice. They’ll likely go with AR again, they’re close and travel well. The pecking order is Sugar, Cap1. Outback and Cotton. Cotton can opt away from SEC if they so choose with the 1&2 playing in the BCSCG
Delbert D.
November 29th, 2011
6:52 pm
Od Coot – Arizona St. was the popular pick for the Sun Bowl, but they lost again and Erickson got fired.
VaBeachDawg
November 29th, 2011
6:57 pm
Here’s the way the bowl situation shakes out. Top 2 in NC game. If LSU wins, assume that LSU and Bama are in NC. Georgia wouldn’t go to a BCS bowl. Arky probably goes to Capital One. Ga drops to Outback or Cotton. Because the Sugar Bowl lost its host team (SEC champ) to the NC game, Sugar gets first pick of at large bids to replace “host” team. Assume Sugar would pick 10-2 Michigan team who travels well. Next pick goes to Fiesta (for at large, probably Stanford) then Sugar (probably Houston) then Orange (stuck with Cincinnati). Now, if Georgia wins SEC game, things get interesting. Georgia goes to Sugar, probably plays Houston because Sugar would have to pick between Houston and Cincinnati. BUT, the likelihood is that BCS voters would NOT put LSU and Bama, both one loss teams and not conference champs, in the title game. LSU would get the nod bc they beat Bama. NC game probably would be LSU vs. Ok. State (assuming they beat Ok). In that case, Bama can’t be in a BCS bowl because the SEC already has two teams (LSU and Ga). Result? If Georgia beats LSU, Bama may well drop to the Capital One Bowl!!! Mickey Mouse, meet Nick Saban.
Delbert D.
November 29th, 2011
6:58 pm
ARdawg – Some of those contracts specify “best record or highest ranked team.” Either way, I can’t see S. Carolina jumping Arkansas either way.
VaBeachDawg
November 29th, 2011
7:01 pm
ARdawg: Sugar Bowl is not compelled to take the best record SEC team if they lose the SEC champ. They can pick an at large replacement team. In fact, if LSU and Bama are in NC and Georgia loses SEC championship game, the Sugar Bowl would have to pick a non-SEC team. The only way you can have more than two from a conference in BCS bowls is if two teams OTHER THAN the conference champion are playing in the National Championship game.
Destin Dawg
November 29th, 2011
7:02 pm
I predicted ” DOME TO DOME ” back in Aug… now I predict UGA SEC Champs 2011…. go Dawgs.. beat LSU !!
5150 UOAD
November 29th, 2011
7:02 pm
here is who the bowl will workout.
Most will lose money.
There are too many that are crap.
They play too long after New Year’s Day
They play too many in the middle of the week.
WHO REALLY CARES about most of the games if your team isn’t in the game.
5150 UOAD
November 29th, 2011
7:04 pm
yes we will watch most of these game because it will be the last of college football games for 7 months. So even the crappy games we will watch some of, but don’t really care who wins.
Idiot Dawg
November 29th, 2011
7:04 pm
VaBeachDawg, I hope we win just cause I’m sick of those crybaby balaama fans. They had their shot and lost. ‘Next”! And Ok. St would be alright with me. I’d like to see SEC spill some other conf. blood on the field.
ARdawg
November 29th, 2011
7:04 pm
Delbert
Agreed. SC won’t jump AR at this point anyway but, Sugar Bowl Loves AR. When Sugar doesn’t get the SEC Champ, they have options although it is not wise for the Sugar to turn it’s back on the SEC at anytime. Michigan/Houston or other at large is not an option Sugar would pursue
ARdawg
November 29th, 2011
7:06 pm
VABeach
LOL…see my last post
bobby
November 29th, 2011
7:07 pm
ATLANTAINSIGHT MURRAY WILL BE HERE FOR 2 MORE YEARS, ATLANTAINSIGHT MURRAY IS A GOOD QUARTERBACK BUT THIS YEAR AGAINST SOUTH CARLIONA, OLE MISS, MISS STATE, KENTUCKY, FLORIDA, AND TENNESSEE MURRAY WAS AVERAGE AND ALSO I DON’T THINK THE NFL SCOUTS WILL BE PROJECTING HIM AS A FIRST ROUND PICK AFTER HIS JUNIOR SEASON. MURRAY HAS ALL THE ABILITY AS FAR AS ARM STRENGTH, AND MOBILITY BUT HE’S ONLY ABOUT 5-11 OR 5-11 1/2 HE’S GOT A GOOD CHANCE OF PLAYING IN THE PROS BECAUSE OF GUYS LIKE DREW BREES WHO MURRAY IN MY OPINION HAS MORE NATURAL TALENT THAN AND A STRONGER ARM THAN JEFF GARICA BECAUSE BREES IS 6 FEET AND GARICA WAS NO MORE THAN 5-11.
bulldawgs
November 29th, 2011
7:08 pm
Zach Mettenberger was kicked off the UGA football team for messing with one of the cheerleader. richt did the right thing by kicking him off the team
VaBeachDawg
November 29th, 2011
7:09 pm
ARdawg: I agree that Sugar Bowl would take AR if they could but the rules won’t let them if LSU and Bama are in the NC. That’s why they end up picking Michigan and then on their second pick get stuck with Houston (Houston gets an auto bid if they stay ranked where they are).
GTBob
November 29th, 2011
7:10 pm
In other words, after getting pummeled by Boise Murray looked at the rest of the schedule and realized there was nearly no chance that UGA wouldn’t make the title game.
born and bred bulldog red
November 29th, 2011
7:10 pm
All the Mark Richt haters and Bobo haters need to get a life. STOP with the same ole tune. Go cheer on your daughters soccer team or something. Mark Richt ALWAYS has a top 10 recruiting class EVERY year and he hit a rough patch the last two years. There are WAAYYYYYYYYY more reasons for him to stay than for him to go. It’s no wonder why people think UGA are fair weathered fans…there are some real punks out here claiming to be a UGA fans, but never miss an opportunity to bash UGA if something goes wrong. Richt is a proven winner and that isn’t going to change anytime soon so find a new hobby haters.
born and bred bulldog red
November 29th, 2011
7:12 pm
@bulldawgs…And Les Miles took him. That and the Jefferson scandal this year are perfect examples of how LSU has no class.
ARdawg
November 29th, 2011
7:14 pm
VABeach
The BCS rules have a stipulation that if #1 and 2 come from the same conference #3 of that conference can qualify for BCS
5150 UOAD
November 29th, 2011
7:15 pm
Bulldawgs……………No Mettenbuger didn’t. He was at a bar near Statesboro and she was a waitress. You don’t know much about the Dawgs for a fan.
ARdawg
November 29th, 2011
7:15 pm
“can” being the buzzword there
ARdawg
November 29th, 2011
7:17 pm
5150
“Bulldawgs……………No Mettenbuger didn’t. He was at a bar near Statesboro and she was a waitress. You don’t know much about the Dawgs for a fan.”
It was a bar in Remerton at Valdosta, she was a patron, not a waitress and Metz was way out of line
Sonny B. Layne
November 29th, 2011
7:18 pm
I had rather be playing Sat. than sitting at home. Win or lose, it is better than not getting there.
http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL916/480237/17453568/399744958.jpg
born and bred bulldog red
November 29th, 2011
7:18 pm
AND LES MILES TOOK HIM ONTO THE TEAM
Delbert D.
November 29th, 2011
7:19 pm
Who has been hired other than Meyer and Davie? I wonder if Davie is kicking himself for jumping on New Mexico too soon.
Now, who are the prospects for Penn St., Arizona St., Illinois, Kansas and others yet to pull the plug?
Chris Peterson ? (some schools have their fingers crossed, big time)
Gary Patterson x (just got promoted to Big 12)
Mark Mangino x (should be wearing an ankle bracelet somewhere)
Dennis Erickson ? (aging, and does anybody remember his Miami days?)
Butch Davis ? (does anybody remember *his* Miami days?
Turner Gill ? (maybe back to the MAC or C-USA or …)
Ron Zook ? (”He’s a great recruiter”)
slydog
November 29th, 2011
7:20 pm
Murray foresaw a title game berth because the Bulldogs were suppose to be there. It’s common sense they were more talented than anyone in the SEC East, at least this year. CMR has been there 11 seasons. It should be expected. The problem is earning it.
Dawg48
November 29th, 2011
7:20 pm
Bout to start pulling for northwestern to smack down the jackets!
5150 UOAD
November 29th, 2011
7:20 pm
AR i thought they said she was a waitress and he was hitting on her most of the night. I knew it was a small town near a college. I assumed Ga Southern and Stateboro. Who the hell goes to party in Valdosta? LOL
5150 UOAD
November 29th, 2011
7:22 pm
48 bite me.
It is on ESPNU & I don’t get it. I might just listen on the radio.
ARdawg
November 29th, 2011
7:22 pm
Delbert
I heard today talks with Dan Mullen and Penn St are hot, heavy and progressing nicely
slydog
November 29th, 2011
7:23 pm
I bet Rich Rodriguez and Davie feel really stupid now. But they can still resign and open the process back up again. They are sleeze balls anyway and unlike the players, they can quit and pick another job at will. R. Rodriguez would have been perfect for UCLA OR Arizona State or North Carolina. Bob Davie for North Carolina actually because he fits that straight-laced atmosphere they want.
slydog
November 29th, 2011
7:24 pm
Why the heck are we talking about Mettenberger? He plays next year, maybe!!!
Dawg48
November 29th, 2011
7:24 pm
It’s 10 to 4 nw
ARdawg
November 29th, 2011
7:25 pm
5150
Remerton is a small town completely engulfed by Valdosta. The word from some present was that he totally embarrassed the girl accosting her, everyone saw it, other patrons called the law
Dawg48
November 29th, 2011
7:26 pm
Wow and I thought the seats are always empty at grant……
5150 glad your not watching….
Buckhead Bulldog
November 29th, 2011
7:26 pm
5150 UOAD – so did you get any confirmation on Larry being married/divorced?
Delbert D.
November 29th, 2011
7:26 pm
I think somebody is getting Mettenberger confused with Roethlisberger, and that was near Milledgeville.
jack bull
November 29th, 2011
7:27 pm
just a few years ago, N Saban was saying you should have to win your conference to play in the National Championship game, now he’s saying, “well, it should be the two best teams”….
Who’s worse, Saban or Urban Crier?
ARdawg
November 29th, 2011
7:28 pm
jack bull
Saban and Meyer both look quite creepy and lyin bastids right now, don’t they?
Delbert D.
November 29th, 2011
7:28 pm
@slydog “Why the heck are we talking about Mettenberger?”
Musberger has already announced him as the starter. Now they gotta do it.
LakeDawg
November 29th, 2011
7:30 pm
I’ve got a sneaking suspicion about this game…GO DAWGS!
OkieDawg
November 29th, 2011
7:30 pm
ARdawg has the correct scoop on Met. It was at a bar in Remerton, a small town near Valdosta.
Dawg48
November 29th, 2011
7:31 pm
AR dawg
I saw on dawgs247
Saban is the top candidate for Jacksonville HC job.
jack bull
November 29th, 2011
7:31 pm
the Dawgs are only as good as Murray is. Go back and watch the games, when he struggles, we struggle. When he plays good, we look like we can play with anybody.
The Nature Boy
November 29th, 2011
7:31 pm
@ Dilbert..Rothlesbuger was rough on a college girl 8yrs his junior at a M,ville bar…..Mettenburger tried to feel up a girl at Valdosta bar….and I failed spelling
VaBeachDawg
November 29th, 2011
7:32 pm
ARdawg: Beg to differ. The ONLY way three teams from the SEC can make the BCS bowls is if two non-champion teams from the SEC are ranked 1 and 2 in the country. If that happens this year, it means Georgia would have won the SECCG and therefore gets the automatic bid to the Sugar Bowl. Here’s the rule: “No more than two teams from a conference may be selected, regardless of whether they are automatic qualifiers or at-large selections, unless two non-champions from the same conference are ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the final BCS Standings.” Therefore, there’s no way Arkansas is going to a BCS bowl this year.
Delbert D.
November 29th, 2011
7:32 pm
Dawg48 – I thought you were saying Northwestern vs. Ga. Tech in the Sun Bowl. That would be a good matchup, but I couldn’t figure out how they’d get 2 safeties.