Georgia’s ascent to SEC title game is positive sign for future
Mark Richt has Georgia back in SEC title game for first time since 2005. (Brant Sanderlin/AJC)
In Mark Richt’s first five seasons at Georgia, the Bulldogs played in three SEC championship games. In the next five, they played in zero. So this somewhat qualifies as a welcome back to relevancy.
But does the euphoria of playing in the conference title game against LSU on Saturday project to long-term significance?
If Georgia’s 10-game winning streak wasn’t the mere residue of a soft schedule, if Richt once again truly is in command of this program, if the relative off-the-field peace – let’s put Isaiah Crowell aside for a moment – isn’t some aberration, then the Dogs can celebrate much more than a division title.
Georgia may suddenly find itself in a position to flip the power structure in the conference.
That’s not to suggest LSU or Alabama may implode any time soon. (They won’t.) But given the Dogs’ youth and ascent, the maturity and resiliency following the 0-2 start, returning talent, and an expected impact on recruiting, completing for SEC titles may be the norm again. And competing for SEC titles means relevancy on the national landscape, as well.
Athletic director Greg McGarity isn’t that far removed from having to ponder making a coaching change after this season. So he has been careful not to be overly effusive in praise or make grand proclamations in recent weeks. But he didn’t hesitate when asked about the future.
“The potential is there for us to build on what we’ve established this year,” he said. “Things are definitely going in the direction we want them to be going in. But you can never stop having a sense of urgency.
Isaiah Crowell (center), the subject of rumors in recent days, will suit up, but Richt wouldn't address status of his running backs. (Brant Sanderlin/AJC)
“I think we’ve seen in this conference that you can turn things around quickly. That’s evidenced by what Steve [Spurrier] did at Florida. It’s evidenced by what [Nick] Saban has done at Alabama, and what he and [Les] Miles did at LSU. The difficult thing is staying competitive. If your recruiting falls off or you have [coaching] turnover, you can fall behind in a hurry. Look at what happened at LSU before Nick got there. Look at Tennessee now.”
The Dogs don’t need to upset LSU in the Georgia Dome to validate their season. But not getting blown out would help. And they have a legitimate shot to win this. Aaron Murray is playing that well. So are his receivers. So is the defense.
The biggest problem is the running game in general and Crowell in particular. He has been a cyber-rumor with ears in the past few days. Pick one: He malingered at practice; he feuded with teammates; he quit; he got suspended. The only certainty is that his health (lately his ankle) has been an issue all season.
Crowell was at the Dome with his teammates Friday. He is on the “dress-out” list. Richt again declined to comment on the status of any of his running backs. But McGarity chuckled when asked about the suspension rumor, saying he knows nothing of it and commenting, “I’d know, wouldn’t I?”
If the situation is weighing on Richt, he hid it well. He seemed at peace. He referenced his 100th career win at Tennessee, the comeback against Florida, the wins over Auburn, Kentucky and Georgia Tech. It was a news conference of reflection for Richt, which is unusual for him during the season.
“We’ve had a lot of really special times with this team this year,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed it maybe as much as any season that I’ve coached.”
He referenced the 0-2 start, the 6-7 record in 2010 and “all of the things I knew were swirling around, which I’m sure intensified. I didn’t pay a lot of attention to it, but I knew it was out there.”
When a national writer asked Richt if he felt vindicated, he responded: “This year in particular I’ve been very thankful for everything that’s happened. I’m thankful for a group of men who bought in back in January and went through all the things you have to go through to create team atmosphere and chemistry.”
It got them to the title game. It could get them to more in the future.
By Jeff Schultz
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608 comments Add your comment
DawgInaTruck
December 2nd, 2011
7:16 pm
Bob, did you think we would beat Carolina? I thought we would start our season 1-1 with the loss to SC. I admit it, I underestimated Boise State.
5150 UOAD
December 2nd, 2011
7:17 pm
DawginaTruck the Problem with that is Crowell is a STAR student ATHLETE and he is not afforded the chance to be young & stupid without people watching.
thank you greg mcgarity
December 2nd, 2011
7:17 pm
1. for replacing the skirt chaser we had as athletic director.
2. for putting the gun to mark richt’s head……and, keeping it there no matter what the outcome of tomorrow’s game or ’smiling mike’ likes to say.
3. for scheduling boisie state…..a splash of cold water on a lethargic program and fan base.
4. for working with ACC and UGA police to solve off the field issues….since our coaching staff couldn’t.
5. for hiring a nutritionist for our football team (since our coaching staff didn’t think it was important)
6. for breathing the life into a football program that was on life support.
i’ve seen things this year that i haven’t seen in 10 years…..if it takes richt being on the ‘hot seat’ to get us there….let’s keep that seat as warm as possible…….
SSIgator
December 2nd, 2011
7:19 pm
“In Mark Richt’s first five seasons at Georgia, the Bulldogs played in three SEC championship games. In the next five, they played in zero.”
Wow, it is a good thing UGA played at the Dome already this year so they know how to get there. Otherwise the would need a map and GPS to fin their way. Six years is a long time. But not as long as since 1980.
MS. Bully
December 2nd, 2011
7:21 pm
Can’t wait to see the articles after UGA loses the last two games of the season.
Let's talk about UGA!
December 2nd, 2011
7:22 pm
“Georgia’s ascent to SEC title game is positive sign for future”
What does ‘ascent’ mean?
I recognize the word ‘future’
Y’all talkin’ ’bout time-travel again?
We’re all whiners, uh, I mean, winners on this blog.
Go Dawgs!
Sic ‘em!
Woof! Woof! Woof!
sammiamm
December 2nd, 2011
7:23 pm
MS. Bully –
You mean the post season.
Sorry that your season is over.
We’ll enjoy our extra games and recruiting opps.
Sam
December 2nd, 2011
7:25 pm
Amazing video of a high school senior from Columbia TN who kicks the ball dead straight 75-80 yards in the air. He was successful on 54 of 54 attempts this season….100%. Now he needs a college team.
Watch for yourself…it is unreal!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_JKwgwFY3g
DawgInaTruck
December 2nd, 2011
7:26 pm
Thats how we as fans see him but he is flesh and bone like any other human and some humans grow up faster than others. He is also being chellenged athletically for probably the first time in his life. He is a living, breathing example of why so many coaches prefer to redshirt players at certain so called “skill positions” as if they are all not skilled.
What encourages me so much about our future is the number of freshman and sophomores we are playing (and winning) with, depsite the mistakes you know kids that age will make. Yes, IC needs to mature but, if he had the luxury of learning the college game and our system without all the attention and spotlight that comes with a major program playing for a championship, all of this would be a non-issue.
We knew we were asking a lot of him and knew what the risks were. Hopefully the reward is worth it in the long run.
DawgInaTruck
December 2nd, 2011
7:30 pm
@ thank you
Those red panties were the best thing to ever happen for our football team. CMR and DE had significant disagreements for the last couple years of DE’s tenure. Richt wanted more money for S&C but DE wanted to win championships in various sports. It got so bad, UGA head coaches in other sports tried to convince Evans that the football program, as the major producer of revenue, had to have the assistance Richt requested but he wouldn’t budge.
The first thing CMR requested of McGarity was the same thing he had been asking for all along and it got corrected right away.
Let's talk about UGA!
December 2nd, 2011
7:31 pm
By the way, we need more money for SEC tickets. Me and mama have decided to sell our half-bulldog/half-chihuahua. We call him ‘Uga VIII’s little white-trash cousin’.
He looks adorable in his little knitted UGA doggie-sweater!
Any takers?
Go Dawgs!
Sic ‘em!
Woof! Woof! Woof!
5150 UOAD
December 2nd, 2011
7:31 pm
Will UCLA play hard since they can’t save their coaches job?
Joel
December 2nd, 2011
7:32 pm
And the beat goes on….the hate, the stupid retarded comments…..on and on and on it goes….
kral
December 2nd, 2011
7:33 pm
slightly a gator…good thing you will probably not need a garmin for awhile
Let's talk about UGA!
December 2nd, 2011
7:35 pm
Hey Joel,
Are you commin’ over to mama’s trailer again tonight?
FLA DAWG
December 2nd, 2011
7:36 pm
What the heck is going on with Crowell?
I think the kid should have spent another year in high school or at least redshirted this year but I guess we needed him.
Well, maybe he’ll surpise us all and run through some holes I hope the O line with open.
J C
December 2nd, 2011
7:37 pm
BS it is. It’s a sign of what can happen when you play the easiest sec schedule in history. They still needed sc to lose to get in the game. Half the acc could have gone 7-1 against that schedule.
DawgInaTruck
December 2nd, 2011
7:37 pm
I don’t know enough about UCLA to speak with any authority but I think they will try but they are just so overmatched I don’t think it will matter. From the outside looking in (and I follow UGA only), that situation just makes you feel bad for everyone involved.
Joel
December 2nd, 2011
7:37 pm
See what I mean. It really is sad….
HDS
December 2nd, 2011
7:38 pm
You think you can run against lsu when you could’t against tech? lol
Crowell will fall over on the first hit of the game. poosie
DawgInaTruck
December 2nd, 2011
7:38 pm
Out for a bit dudes. Me and Dawg, Jr. are batchin’ it tonight and I am gonna spend some time with him.
SSIgator
December 2nd, 2011
7:39 pm
Mark Richt’s Check List for Tomorrow:
1) Spray-onTan – I better bring two bottles
2) Sunglasses – Darn, I forgot. The game is indoors
3) Doritos and Twinkies – For the Doobie Brothers
4) My “I Love Ford Trucks” undershirt – Better bring my Ford hat also
5) My “Cutting Edge Football” book – Dang. I wish I had read all of it
6) A really big shovel – To dig out from under all of the confetti that will be raining down on us after LSU annihilates our team
Crash
December 2nd, 2011
7:39 pm
Oregon 41
Ucla 20
Lsu 34
Ga 14
Vt 27
clem 13
Ok 36
Ok St 31
Joel
December 2nd, 2011
7:40 pm
A blog about the future of UGA and the childish bloggers just can’t help themselves.
Breeno
December 2nd, 2011
7:45 pm
@GTBob…only 12 SEC championships? Thats third in the SEC behind Bama (22) and Tenn (13). Great point. Will Tech get their pathetic ACC championship back?
SSIgator
December 2nd, 2011
7:45 pm
Joel -
The future of UGA football is 1980. Go rewind your VHS tape.
5150 UOAD
December 2nd, 2011
7:47 pm
Well, Walton has already scored and Lassiter with a great KO return. This GHSA game might be better than the UCLA v Oregon game.
DawgDad
December 2nd, 2011
7:47 pm
Players like Crowell often rise to the occasion in games like these, as long as something really bad doesn’t happen early like a fumble or reaggravating a nagging injury. The guys who really hurt the team are Ealey and King.
The only way I see LSU blowing out UGA would be a combination of costly turnovers and big plays. I’ll be surprised if LSU is able to power run over UGA and control the game, and I will not be surprised if Murray goes on one of his completion streaks at some point. Jefferson worries me; one key missed tackle or gap assignment and he can break a long one. Special teams may decide the game, but I look for UGA to beef up their lineups on special teams. All-said, protection for Murray is definitely the key – if he has time he’ll carve up LSU.
Let's talk about UGA!
December 2nd, 2011
7:48 pm
Hey folks,
Why all the doom and gloom? Iowa State beat Oklahoma State.
Things are possible. I am not comparing my beloved dawgs to Iowa State.
Well, I guess I am.
Go Cyclones!
Go Dawgs!
Sic ‘em!
Woof! Woof! Woof!
P.S.
Joel,
Mama says she misses you.
Patrick
December 2nd, 2011
7:48 pm
Get some gloves for Crowell so he won’t be on national TV biting his nails on the sideline. Simply disgusting.
@Crash– think you’re spot on!
Dawg48
December 2nd, 2011
7:51 pm
5150 UAOD says
What is the OVER-UNDER on the number of plays Crowell will carry the ball before he comes out or is out of the game?
Crowell seems to be about himself too much.
You are correct sir! I mean look at the above picture he does not even have on the same color shoes as the rest of his team mates!
He needs to go!
sammiamm
December 2nd, 2011
7:52 pm
Joel –
Future is bright. No argument with Schultz on that pont. Also no argument that it’s never a cakewalk.
What I think most Dawg fans want is this: Can 2011 be a platform for MORE succes (i.e.: championships)? IOW, can we build and better from her vs. merely maintain or worsen (a la 2005 onward)?
Like Schultz stated, consistent coaching and recruiting are imperatives.
The AD (CEO) is in place.
Budgets are there.
Sucks to be a Tech fan in this return to the natural order.
So I believe so.
SSIgator
December 2nd, 2011
7:54 pm
Dawg48 -
Who cares about shoes? They are all smiling in that picture because Crowell just got a text that the new stash has come in. Parrrrty!!!
suwanee dawg
December 2nd, 2011
7:57 pm
S Slgator – that was actually pretty funny. Gang, please ignore GT Bob’s posts. This fuels him.
Finkle is Einhorn
December 2nd, 2011
7:57 pm
54th??? Yay! Richt should get a free pass to see if he can follow up with Dream Team 2. Then Kirby Smart will leave to coach North Carolina and we will have a chance. I have talked to lots of LSU fans and the last team they want to see again is Bama.
kral
December 2nd, 2011
7:58 pm
dang thanks…slight of a gator…got to check my list…got the pork chops….thick…got charcoal…lighter fluid….hey what you grilling for tomorrow
Joel
December 2nd, 2011
7:59 pm
I’m sure your Mothers and Wives are so proud that you post immature comments on a blog.
5150 UOAD
December 2nd, 2011
8:00 pm
Walton’s Defense was all over Prinz the 1st Pos.
Walton up 14 -0 Looking BAD for Lassiter
5150 UOAD
December 2nd, 2011
8:01 pm
48…………LOL…………I saw the Shoes first thing too.
Dawg48
December 2nd, 2011
8:02 pm
SSIgator
I guess janoris jerkins got him hooked up huh?
tiger7_88
December 2nd, 2011
8:02 pm
lulz lulz lulz lulz lulz
Let's talk about UGA!
December 2nd, 2011
8:02 pm
The picture was taken during recess at the Clarke County Jail.
I’m not knocking it.
I get alot of UGA autographs when I’m in jail there.
Go Dawgs!
Sic ‘em!
Woof! Woof! Woof!
Let's talk about UGA!
December 2nd, 2011
8:04 pm
Heck, Joel,
My mother is my wife. I’m a dawg fan!
Joel
December 2nd, 2011
8:04 pm
Can WE not have a civil discussion about the topic without all of the hate and venom? It really gets old.
5150 UOAD
December 2nd, 2011
8:06 pm
Let’s talk…. you should play cards for their Bologna and Mustard sandwich. Make them go hungry and be confused. That should be entertaining during your government paid vacation.
Lassiter moving the ball good this pos.
SSIgator
December 2nd, 2011
8:07 pm
Jeff -
“Georgia’s ascent to SEC title game”
Really? More like jogging in place while the rest of the SEC East crashed and burned around them. Oh well, at least dreamers can still dream.
Dawg48
December 2nd, 2011
8:08 pm
Let’s talk about uga!
Wow that was so funny! Your comments talking about uga are so original!
How did you ever come up with that?
Let’s all give this guy a big round of applause!
kral
December 2nd, 2011
8:09 pm
hey if we win tomorrow slightly gator tail will you buy the highlight dvd…or will you record us losing so that you will have something to make you feel warm during the winter
this dawg want hunt!!
December 2nd, 2011
8:10 pm
Hey ssigator, how many SECC games has Florida played in the past 10 years? This will be UGA’s 4th, and LSU has played in 5, your powerhouse gators aren’t that impressive anymore. And they want be as long as you have the worst coach in the SEC running his big mouth. You come on this blog and constantly brag about how much talent Florida has, and how great their young q.b’s are. Newsflash to you, Florida’s young Q.B’s are overrated, just like all the 5 star D.L. Powell, Floyd, Easley are nothing special, and they got their asses handed to them by UGA, Bama,LSU, and S.C. You keep dreaming, but Urban isn’t coming back, so your dream will turn into a nightmare that want end anytime soon.
Joel
December 2nd, 2011
8:10 pm
It looks like UGA has a great start on another top 10 recruiting class. Of course you never really know a guys character. It is a lot like hiring people for your company. You do the research but their job performance will tell the real story.