LIVE: Georgia looks to make quick work of Buffalo, move on

Thirty minutes to kickoffs. Fans may want to get here quick before blowout starts.

Thirty minutes to kickoff. Fans may want to get here quick before the blowout starts.

ATHENS — For the first time since November, I can begin a blog with, “Good morning from Sanford Stadium.” The Georgia Bulldogs plan to have the Buffalo Bulls for a light lunch.

Let’s get to the important stuff:

• 1.) It’s humid. I mean, really stupidly humid. My iPhone right now says 81 degrees (projected high in Athens: 93). But it feels more like a sauna on July 1 than the almost-fall cooling temperatures of Sept. 1. Logic suggests this will affect Buffalo more than Georgia, not that we would have attached any trace of suspense to today’s outcome even if it was 72 degrees with a soft ocean breeze. (The point spread is 37½. I say the Dogs cover. See the rest of my picks here).

• 2.) This is the first game for Russ, The Temporary Mascot, as Uga IX. I’m hoping this ascension to full time means the poor dog finally gets insurance benefits. I had to crack up at athletic director Greg McGarity’s statement the other day: “Russ has endeared himself to the Georgia people over the last three years. His dedication to duty when called upon has been exemplary and it’s fitting that he takes his place in the official line of Georgia mascots.”

People. The dog is in a crate. What’s he going to do? Make a break for it and hop a bus to Starkville?

(You may now commence with your cyber attacks on me for making Uga jokes.)

• 3.) This is a good chance for Georgia to test its depth on defense and try some players in different situations. Five defensive starters are expected to miss the game: Cornerback-wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell (sprained ankle), cornerback Sanders Commings (suspended two games for domestic battery), linebacker Chase Vasser (suspended two games for DUI), linebacker Alec Ogletree (violation of team rules) and safety Bacarri Rambo (violation of team rules). Georgia has never confirmed reports that the Olgetree and Rambo both failed drug tests or that they have been suspended (and for how long).

• 4.) I’m most interested to watch the Dogs’ offense, particularly the play of the offensive line (which I believe ultimately will determine what kind of season they have) and the effectiveness of freshman tailbacks Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall. As much as the excommunicated Isaiah Crowell was undone by off-the-field issues, most recently felony gun charges, he easily was the best running back the Dogs had.

That’s it for now. I’ll post any updates on the lineup and suspensions as warranted. Now, I may head down for a pre-game chat with Russ.

Welcome back to college football.

The cyber venting lines are open.

By Jeff Schultz

1,078 comments Add your comment

Here we go again...

September 1st, 2012
2:56 pm

Missouri will hang 21 or 28 on the Dawgs by halftime. AM will be 5 for 18. He will have missed eight open recievers. After Gurley rips off a 50 run from scrimmage, Bobo will not call another running play with him in the game. He will be trying to prevent showing the following week’s opponent anything.

Derobb

September 1st, 2012
2:56 pm

It is said that teams show the greatest improvement from game 1 to game 2… Georgia better hope this is so!

here we go again, boys and girls

September 1st, 2012
2:57 pm

5150 UOAD, just wanted to say thanks so much for going out of your way to try and ruin this venue for the Dogs fans that come here to share about OUR team…man, you must be a very small person (you can’ possibly be a man) to go out of your way every week to be such a negative human being.

Under the Bleachers

September 1st, 2012
2:57 pm

WVU is trying to match their Orange Bowl offensive output against Marshall

The Grinch

September 1st, 2012
2:57 pm

5150 UOAD
September 1st, 2012
2:55 pm

Better update your scores.

phil

September 1st, 2012
2:57 pm

Fire Mark Richt!!

6th in the nation? HA !!!!

September 1st, 2012
2:57 pm

But several services picked Ohio to beat Penn State, so a close game isn’t that surprising. Nobody picked Buffalo to put up a fight against UGA

Wooten Aint Tootin'

September 1st, 2012
2:57 pm

No big defensive plays in the game like a 20 yard sack or interceptions. Defense is weak.

45ACP

September 1st, 2012
2:58 pm

Penn State is losing 14 – 17 to Ohio. Not State.

5150 UOAD

September 1st, 2012
2:58 pm

Still playing Starters on D……I love it

Junkyard D hahahah #5? against weak teams

CPJ for president

September 1st, 2012
2:58 pm

I actually like Richt as a head coach, but things aren’t looking good today. UGA may be ahead, but they don’t look good on offense or defense against a cupcake…..Actually the ‘cupcake’ came to play today. UGA looks like they’re thinking about the frat parties tonight.

Hot Err

September 1st, 2012
2:59 pm

Can we just make richt recruiting director and get a real coach?

Bill

September 1st, 2012
2:59 pm

I hear the CMR after-game comments all ready…”We’re just working real hard to get better every week”…yadda, yadda, yadda. Don’t we see this movie every year?

Under the Bleachers

September 1st, 2012
2:59 pm

This is when you get players injured in these type games

The Grinch

September 1st, 2012
2:59 pm

5150 UOAD
September 1st, 2012
2:58 pm

Please tell us more about Penn State winning their game at this time.

Hawg

September 1st, 2012
3:00 pm

Give it to gurley

nobody

September 1st, 2012
3:00 pm

GURLEY GURLEY GURLEY.

Here we go again...

September 1st, 2012
3:00 pm

Well, there is a MAJOR Bobo mistake! Gurley is averaging almost seven ypc and Bobo had him run the ball.

Bobby

September 1st, 2012
3:00 pm

6th in the nation? HA !!!! …what was I whining about d-wad? I was commenting on how your high school pudding pop post need to get on outta here. Since, after all you are d-wad to be on here talking crap in the 1st place.

6th in the nation? HA !!!!

September 1st, 2012
3:00 pm

@ 45ACP…..that is correct, but Ohio has a good team and that game was picked to go either way.

Red Underwear

September 1st, 2012
3:00 pm

Wow lots of empty seats in the cesspool. Looks like they may have to start offering free hot dogs and cokes to try and sell more tickets. Go Dwags!!

DawgNole

September 1st, 2012
3:01 pm

whatever
September 1st, 2012
2:47 pm

I would have rather played Oklahoma State and had some guts but I know I am in the minority…these coward fans would rather play 12 Buffalos as long as they can be in the top 10 and run their mouths on the radio how good they are, God what Morons
____________________

You might be in the minority, but you’re not alone. You can blame McGarity–as big a coward as there is as far as playing a decent OOC schedule.

5150 UOAD

September 1st, 2012
3:01 pm

Maybe K Marshall should red shirt. Looks like you will only need Gurley

Wooten Aint Tootin'

September 1st, 2012
3:01 pm

Jeff,whats the sober fans around you opinion of this game performance?

Dr J

September 1st, 2012
3:01 pm

If Gurley isn’t our starting RB from here on out, something is clearly wrong with our coaching staff.

Here we go again...

September 1st, 2012
3:01 pm

Bet that won’t happen again, once Bobo sees Gurley’s stats. Got to keep Ole Miss from seeing anything…

North ave. faithful

September 1st, 2012
3:01 pm

Look to me like they been reading the paper instead of getting in shape, obviously they are tired.

6th in the nation? HA !!!!

September 1st, 2012
3:02 pm

@ Bobby……actually the only “crap” I have “talked” was directed at your fans, and “choke” Grantham. I really haven’t said a thing about your team. Your whiney fans are saying all that themselves.

WTFredi???

September 1st, 2012
3:02 pm

If Gurley, Mitchell, and Malcome don’t get 75% of the plays next week, Bobo should be fired.

But Bobo passes to set up the run, instead of vice versa.

Dr J

September 1st, 2012
3:02 pm

Marshall could be used on 3rd downs as a scat back and to spell Gurley sometimes but Gurley is a beast. I’d let him run the ball 25-30 times a game. Workhorse.

evil empire

September 1st, 2012
3:02 pm

the MAC is showing up today…oh wait, against penn state and georgia…two programs who haven’t won anything in years…no big deal…

Big guy

September 1st, 2012
3:02 pm

Jerry Sandusky had a better defense.

Dawg Tired

September 1st, 2012
3:02 pm

Another 1/4 another 7 points against the Mighty Bulls from SUNY at Buffalo!

Todd Gurley has now carried the ball 6 times the entire game!

WE ARE GEORGIA111

southgadawg

September 1st, 2012
3:02 pm

Why would Murray throw more than 15 times a game when you have stud running backs? If the D plays like this the rest of the year, I can losses to Mizz., SC, TN, FL and Vandy. That isnt going to happen so I am assuming they took Buffalo for granted.

WTFredi???

September 1st, 2012
3:03 pm

sorry, Marshall.

AZDawg

September 1st, 2012
3:03 pm

starting Q4 and F’in Bozo the Clown still hasn’t figured out that he has 2 of the best Freshman RBs in the Country….the guy is an absolute idiot!!! Establish the run you Moron!!!! Good god it is not that complicated….grab a piece of chalk and write on the board “Ground and Pound”!!!!

Jeff Schultz

September 1st, 2012
3:04 pm

Outside of Todd Gurley — who’s clearly legit — not a lot for Dogs to hang their hats on this game. OL not dominating like should. Worse, DL, which should be a strength of defense, hasn’t been very impressive.

Dr J

September 1st, 2012
3:04 pm

Defense won’t play like this the rest of the year, you can bet on that. Grantham will make sure of that. With our defense and our running game with Gurley, no reason we can’t win a lot of games. If Bobo would stop calling pass plays that go to the sideline.

Wooten Aint Tootin'

September 1st, 2012
3:04 pm

Somebody put an APB out on Tavarres King he’s missing 3rd qtr.

Dan

September 1st, 2012
3:05 pm

Big Crimson 75

September 1st, 2012
3:06 pm

It might be a touch early crowning Gurley.

Dr J

September 1st, 2012
3:06 pm

Merritt Hall is a popper at FB.

Here we go again...

September 1st, 2012
3:06 pm

The only thing we’ve not seen from Murray’s repertoire today is the pick 6…

Dan

September 1st, 2012
3:06 pm

D is so vanilla today Jeff, have to keep something back for next week!

45ACP

September 1st, 2012
3:06 pm

Touch Down Dawgs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

dawggirl

September 1st, 2012
3:06 pm

Here we go again, do NOT jinx it.

Dr J

September 1st, 2012
3:06 pm

38-16. Make it 45 or 52-16 and it’ll look like we wanted it to look.

The Grinch

September 1st, 2012
3:07 pm

Yeah…..we should keep running the ball……..

5150 UOAD

September 1st, 2012
3:07 pm

35:55minute Murray’s Stats will look like Heisman quality but that is FAR from the case.

Big Crimson 75

September 1st, 2012
3:07 pm

12:58 left in the 4th & finally the dwags get a cushion.