LIVE BLOG: Georgia tries to avoid ‘trap’ against Tennessee
Bulldogs safety Bacarri Rambo goes through warmups at Sanford Stadium. (Brant Sanderlin)
ATHENS – So is this affirmation week or trap week?
Georgia plays Tennessee today. Honestly, I was a little surprised when the Glantz-Culver line (adopted by the AJC and Weekend Predictions, Inc. as the official point spread ) opened with the Bulldogs as a 15-point favorite and it immediately dropped to 13½ (though it has inched back up to 14).
The Dogs are ranked No. 5, and look like legitimate
Alec Olgetree, along with Bacarri Rambo, returns from a four-game suspension. (Brant Sanderlin/AJC)
title contenders. Other than some first-half hiccups in the SEC opener at Missouri, they have looked strong defensively and leveled Vanderbilt 48-3 last week. Tennessee isn’t as bad as some people think – Derek Dooley inherited a mess and really isn’t doing a bad job – but for the Volunteers’ defense to give up 555 yards at home in a 37-20 loss to Florida speaks to where the program is.
The “trap” concerns come from the fact Georgia plays at No. 6 South Carolina next week, in a game that conceivably could decide the SEC East. And, fact is, Georgia has laid some eggs against Tennessee in the past: a 45-19 loss at Knoxville in 2009, 35-14 loss at Knoxville in 2007, 51-33 loss in Athens in 2006, 19-14 loss in Athens in 2004.
But I think it’s more about this: People are waiting for something to go wrong. Georgia is 4-0, including 2-0 in the conference. It hasn’t started this strong since 2008, when it was 4-0 going into the infamous “blackout” game against Alabama, only to be body-slammed 41-30 at home.
In fact, the Dogs have not won their first three conference games in a season since 2005, when they started 5-0 (7-0 overall). Quarterback D.J. Shockley was injured and they lost the next game to Florida 14-10, as well as Auburn the following week. But they still won the SEC title that season.
The biggest news going into today’s game is the expected return of both safety Bacarri Rambo and linebacker Alec Ogletree. Coach Mark Richt has played coy on the subject all week but it has been widely reported that both players had been suspended for four games.
That’s all I’ve got for now. Time to open the cyber-venting lines. I’ll be back to chat shortly.
What are you thoughts about today’s game?
By Jeff Schultz
•
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1,545 comments Add your comment
Tampa Gator
September 29th, 2012
5:27 pm
God……Dawg fans turn on their team faster than any fan group in the country.
When will Mark Richt win a National Title @ UGA
September 29th, 2012
5:27 pm
WILL Todd give the “choke” sign?
Hairy Dawg
September 29th, 2012
5:27 pm
The second half doesn’t have to be 100% different. Just stop turning the damn ball over.
short memories
September 29th, 2012
5:27 pm
nobody is afraid of Richt, no consequences , no discipline, just playing not to lose Bobo
Mike
September 29th, 2012
5:27 pm
It’s obvious when we play a good team, we fold. No way we beat anybody else.
meagain
September 29th, 2012
5:27 pm
@Bill
“If the 2nd half isn’t a 100 percent different, the CMR hot seat just got turned on again.”
So you will not donate your $5? Shut up clown.
Chas
September 29th, 2012
5:27 pm
Is it too late to get rid of Bobo?
eddie willers
September 29th, 2012
5:27 pm
I’ve been watching the Dogs since Wally Butts. This is one of the more talented. I think we can repeat the first quarter. I do not think Tennessee can repeat their second.
Big Crimson 75
September 29th, 2012
5:27 pm
Tampa — Who do you think is the best QB in the SEC?
katherine
September 29th, 2012
5:28 pm
stop with the fire richt nonsense…we will regroup at halftime
Tampa Gator
September 29th, 2012
5:28 pm
Listen to yourselves now…..and when you win by 10 or 20 at the end of the game…..listen to yourselves then…..what is the truth???
Patrick
September 29th, 2012
5:28 pm
Time to start talking Braves again???
DAWGFAN
September 29th, 2012
5:28 pm
It will get blocked and they will score again!
meagain
September 29th, 2012
5:28 pm
@Mike
“It’s obvious when we play a good team, we fold. No way we beat anybody else.”
I thought you were “done”.
GeorgiaDAWG93
September 29th, 2012
5:28 pm
Hey TAMPAGATOR…we haven’t won SHI* since 1980! I think we are due! We are frustrated! Florida has won what, 3 National Championships in last 5 years?
When will Mark Richt win a National Title @ UGA
September 29th, 2012
5:28 pm
Tampa Gator… like I said… there are plenty of band wagon fans in the ATL.
private plane watching
September 29th, 2012
5:29 pm
CMR needs his F-150!
Hairy Dawg
September 29th, 2012
5:29 pm
I can’t imagine why Dawg fans wouldn’t turn on their team. They’re used to seeing them get off the bus looking like the best thing since sliced bread and then watching ‘em get sliced up.
BobDawg
September 29th, 2012
5:29 pm
You are right Tampa… some of us need to take a chill pill….Bad 4 minutes is all
Mike
September 29th, 2012
5:29 pm
I just want to win. That’s all. I don’t care if it’s by one point. We gotta regroup before next week or SC is going to eat us alive.
Silly Bloggers
September 29th, 2012
5:29 pm
This is not Richt or Bobo’s fault…or the defenses. It begins and ends with Murray. He giftwrapped 14 points for Tennessee and set the precedent. I don’t believe Lemay or Mason is necessarily the answer, but Murray is an embarassment on turnovers in key situations.
kerryb
September 29th, 2012
5:30 pm
If we stop turning the ball over we’ll score another 21. That’s the only way they can get points.
Patrick
September 29th, 2012
5:30 pm
@katherine—Don’t think CMR has the fire to regroup. Wish he did but just haven’t seen it in a while…..
Big Crimson 75
September 29th, 2012
5:30 pm
Florida has won what, 3 National Championships in last 5 years?
—
Try 1.
meagain
September 29th, 2012
5:30 pm
Big Crimson 75
“Tampa — Who do you think is the best QB in the SEC?”
It’s not the guy that plays behind the best OL in the country. They have him as a heiseman candidate. Funny.
katherine
September 29th, 2012
5:30 pm
good qb’s have a bad half….doesnt mean they arent good
kenneth phillips
September 29th, 2012
5:30 pm
I have been a long time supporter of cmr, but after watching the most pathetic half of football in ga history, I believe cmr and mike bobo sould be fired tomorrow if not sooner.
Predictor
September 29th, 2012
5:30 pm
I think it’s nice of the Dawgs to relieve the sting of Tech’s humiliating loss for them like this.
Tampa Gator
September 29th, 2012
5:30 pm
Best QB……or the QB with the best skill set right now. The best QB is Wilson at Arkansas. But he does not have a supporting cast. Driskel may have the best skill set….but he is developing the mental part still. Murray is one of the best. Bray has the best arm…but not the best brain. The QB at Bama is the best leader and executes his offense the best.
BehindEnemyLines
September 29th, 2012
5:30 pm
LOLZ and LOLZ and LOLZ
I’m not certain that the Vols could beat MTSU … but they’ve certainly managed to make for an interesting first half today.
BobDawg
September 29th, 2012
5:30 pm
50 harder… I’ll take that…. Bandwagon fans can get off the bus NOW!!!!
Mike
September 29th, 2012
5:30 pm
Regroup in the 2nd half and play some got damn defense you stinkin Hairy Dawgs!
GeorgiaDAWG93
September 29th, 2012
5:31 pm
There’s the HS All-American! Great kicker!!
GeorgiaDAWG93
September 29th, 2012
5:31 pm
There’s the HS All-American! Great kicker!!
meagain
September 29th, 2012
5:31 pm
@
kerryb
September 29th, 2012
5:30 pm
If we stop turning the ball over we’ll score another 21. That’s the only way they can get points.
Yep.
short memories
September 29th, 2012
5:31 pm
Tennessee was tied with the 1-3 Akron Zips at halftime. At least we are in good company
dawglova
September 29th, 2012
5:31 pm
This is not the same old Georgia. Turnovers have killed us.
When will Mark Richt win a National Title @ UGA
September 29th, 2012
5:31 pm
In the last 10 years, Bama,LSU and UF all have won NC. Why can’t Georgia?
Russa
September 29th, 2012
5:31 pm
clearly outplayed in the first half will be fun to see how they top it in the second half
oldfart
September 29th, 2012
5:31 pm
He can kick 50 yarders, just not extra points.
atlfalconsfan0125
September 29th, 2012
5:31 pm
The game is all the offense’s fault. Gotta stop the damn turn overs.
eddie willers
September 29th, 2012
5:31 pm
Tie game. Do you not think we can win at home….with two superior running backs? We will score 4 more times. Tennessee won’t.
DAWGFAN
September 29th, 2012
5:32 pm
Really this game is abnout adjustments! When Tenn adjusted to Georgias run Georgia should have opened up the game a little with somne passes! They kept trying to run the same BS. the defense looks awful! With all the so called starters back this defense looks worse than it did the last four games!
Patrick
September 29th, 2012
5:32 pm
Derek is right–fundamental football. Tell that to the UGA staff…..
Tampa Gator
September 29th, 2012
5:32 pm
Florida has won three national titles since 1995…….two since 2006.
Vesaversa
September 29th, 2012
5:32 pm
Just go to show that you don’t start playing conservative football in the first half . Coach had Tenn. on the ropes and decide not to turn his QB lose.
Jimmy
September 29th, 2012
5:32 pm
I was getting used to seeing us win comfortably. This is Georgia football now!
When will Mark Richt win a National Title @ UGA
September 29th, 2012
5:32 pm
KAT- BRING ME A BEER BABY DOLL!
Blackoutanyone?
September 29th, 2012
5:32 pm
Two fine defenses on display…. Lol
Big Crimson 75
September 29th, 2012
5:32 pm
Define it how you wish — Who’s the best QB in the SEC?