LIVE: Georgia looks to make quick work of Buffalo, move on
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
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1,078 comments Add your comment
Big guy
September 1st, 2012
3:07 pm
Murray is saving the pick 6’s for Missouri
Jeff Schultz
September 1st, 2012
3:07 pm
TD … Nice play by Michael Bennett (he’s also been good, as has T-King). Now 22-point lead (38-16). Still 15.5 short in Las Vegas.
GATiger
September 1st, 2012
3:09 pm
Dawgs have just over 100 yds. rushing in the 4th qtr. against the mighty Bulls. Typical CMR.
5150 UOAD
September 1st, 2012
3:09 pm
Do you think the Gators will LET Bowling Green look this good?
DawgNole
September 1st, 2012
3:09 pm
Need to get Murray out of there now and get somebody else some reps.
fair Weather Fan
September 1st, 2012
3:10 pm
Time to sub
Here we go again...
September 1st, 2012
3:10 pm
Gotta like the play of Merritt Hall, Gurley and Marshall today. The receivers have been solid outside a couple of slips in the first half.
Rantastic Dawg
September 1st, 2012
3:10 pm
The Gameclucks got their feathers plucked, yet they are running their beaks nevertheless, lol. I didn’t know a Gamecock could lay an egg, lmaoff…
dawggirl
September 1st, 2012
3:10 pm
I was just thinking the same thing, DawgNole. Time for Murray to call it a day.
Big Crimson 75
September 1st, 2012
3:10 pm
dawggirl — btw, kerryb is an infamous dwag supporter who has a “I don’t know when to shut up” tendency.
Plus, no one is quite sure if it’s male or female!!
Dr J
September 1st, 2012
3:10 pm
Georgia is a passing team. That’s obvious. But I’d love to have one game where we just wear a team out with the run using Gurley and Marshall.
fair Weather Fan
September 1st, 2012
3:10 pm
Glad I didn’t bet heavy to cover.
5150 UOAD
September 1st, 2012
3:11 pm
Is it time for LeMay to actually see the Turf?
Rantastic Dawg
September 1st, 2012
3:12 pm
Go Dogs.
fair Weather Fan
September 1st, 2012
3:12 pm
Testing
Dr J
September 1st, 2012
3:12 pm
Our defense has locked down on them after the 1st half. Just needed to settle down. We’re okay.
5150 UOAD
September 1st, 2012
3:13 pm
Lemay should have been in with the 1st team long ago but blame that on Bobo’s play calling and the Junkyard D
UGA worst fans
September 1st, 2012
3:14 pm
You guys Buffalo doesn’t get to play a school like UGA often so of course those guys are going to get up to play. Larger schools often have first game problems with smaller schools. UGA is for the most part playing two true freshmen running backs and a true freshman on the OL. Point spreads such as you see in this game are so large because the bookies want equal betting on both teams. It has nothing to do with how large the final margin of victory will be.
Big Crimson 75
September 1st, 2012
3:14 pm
Uh-oh…the TV announcers are going over the dwag players under suspension……this might take the rest of the telecast!!
1969 Graduate
September 1st, 2012
3:15 pm
I see some improvements compared to last year – backs are more solid as a group for sure, passing game shows signs of real competence at times, but this was true last year, too, kicking game may be improved a tad (but hard to tell since this is Buffalo), overall level of hustle and intensity certainly look better, 2nd half so far is a lot better than first half, coaches haven’t taken the foot off the gas pedal (damn good thing) – but this does not look like a top twenty team right now.
Defense looks good sometimes, but isn’t consistent either, unless Buffalo is a lot better than I think.
We have a chance to learn something, and really improve before we hit the big time. We also have a chance to lose a lot of SEC games if we don’t. I think it mostly a coaching issue.
A true championship team has to be better coached than this for the first game. I’m so glad we’re aren’t paying a solid SEC team today.
I like the hard play by our boys, but it’s also our boys who are absent, or gone, because of bad behavior.
It sure looks like a sure win, but, considering the talent differential, why isn’t this the scrimmage predicted. Why we almost make Buffalo look good.
Go, Dawgs!
The Grinch
September 1st, 2012
3:15 pm
5150 TOAD
September 1st, 2012
3:13 pm
Why not get on your batphone and straighten out Bobo…..
Virginia Dawg
September 1st, 2012
3:15 pm
Bennett is a yeoman….good blocker and great possession receiver.
Rantastic Dawg
September 1st, 2012
3:15 pm
Can’t believe the chickens are running that beak after laying an egg Thursday night. Didn’t know a “Gamecrock” could lay an egg. More like a hen.
EW
September 1st, 2012
3:16 pm
And Bobo leaves starters in against Buff to jack up stats.
45ACP
September 1st, 2012
3:16 pm
This is the time when you would expect UGA to pull away. Resting starters and the drop off from 1 – 2 favors the Dawgs.
5150 UOAD
September 1st, 2012
3:17 pm
Well you can guarantee the Richt call in radio show will not let callers through that want to call out the team.
35:55minute Murray didn’t look good until the Buffalo players were warn down by the dWags size.
Big Crimson 75
September 1st, 2012
3:17 pm
Classless.
5150 UOAD
September 1st, 2012
3:18 pm
Hahaha
LMAO
MURRAY is still playing?
Richt and BOBO are JOKES
Dr J
September 1st, 2012
3:18 pm
If Murray ever decides to connect on these long balls, teams better watch out!
WTFredi???
September 1st, 2012
3:18 pm
Yes, let’s get the linemen, WR, and starting QB hurt up 22 points in the 4th. Idiots
5150 UOAD
September 1st, 2012
3:18 pm
Molly Ringwald is Down
Under the Bleachers
September 1st, 2012
3:18 pm
Classless..up by 22 throwing deep with your starters in the 4th qtr….see an injury…just not smart.
Big Crimson 75
September 1st, 2012
3:18 pm
51 — the dwags are in shambles already!!
EW
September 1st, 2012
3:19 pm
Bobo, take out the starters–let’s cut down INJURIES!
Big Crimson 75
September 1st, 2012
3:19 pm
bleach — absolutely classless.
DawgNole
September 1st, 2012
3:19 pm
dawggirl
September 1st, 2012
3:10 pm
I was just thinking the same thing, DawgNole. Time for Murray to call it a day.
___________________
And have they taken him out? Hell no. Just padding his stats and putting him at increased risk for injury. Just like Theus, who also shouldn’t be in there any more. Idiots.
6th in the nation? HA !!!!
September 1st, 2012
3:19 pm
How did the Gamecocks lay an egg? They were up against a GOOD team with a GREAT coach. They pulled it out in the end, and I’m sure they are happy. You UGA fans had better not take Vandy too lightly; they should have beat y’all last year.
Rantastic Dawg
September 1st, 2012
3:20 pm
Crap:(
The Grinch
September 1st, 2012
3:20 pm
5150 TOAD
September 1st, 2012
3:18 pm
Takes a real man to mock a hurt player by referencing someone who played in “Pretty in Pink”.
AZDawg
September 1st, 2012
3:20 pm
ok that it….Stupid is as stupid does….Q4 1st down and throw the patented Murray Bomb….Bozo the Clown you are an idiot….can someone please help me understand what this Moron is calling….Run the Damn Football….
here we go again, boys and girls
September 1st, 2012
3:20 pm
Well, it’s official…hell is freezing over–I actually agree with something 5150 OOAD said…yikes!!!
6th in the nation? HA !!!!
September 1st, 2012
3:21 pm
How did they Gamecocks lay an egg Thursday night? They were up against an extremely well coached team who fought hard.
UGA worst fans
September 1st, 2012
3:21 pm
Classless..up by 22 throwing deep with your starters in the 4th qtr….see an injury…just not smart.
————————————————————————————————————————
One of dumbest comments yet on an afternoon full of them. You stop trying to score when the game is over!
Jefferson Davis Hogg
September 1st, 2012
3:21 pm
I really wish we would get Marshall to the outside with a sweep and see him run. I keep thinking of the way we used Carlton Thomas.
Ignition
September 1st, 2012
3:21 pm
Down 2 Linemen now … Smh
Virginia Dawg
September 1st, 2012
3:21 pm
1st team needs some game experience.
6th in the nation? HA !!!!
September 1st, 2012
3:21 pm
How did USC lay an egg? They were up against an extremely hungry and well-coached Vandy team
Rodster
September 1st, 2012
3:22 pm
Georgia does not look dominant against Buffalo like one would expect. But those two freshman running backs…whew! They are the truth!
Dawg Tired
September 1st, 2012
3:22 pm
Gurley is probably worn slam out with those 7 carries.
UGA
September 1st, 2012
3:22 pm
Why is Murray still playing?