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
Big Crimson 75
September 29th, 2012
5:57 pm
bad pass
UGA Football 30 + Years of Failure
September 29th, 2012
5:58 pm
ARdawg- that 30 + Years of Failure is killing you and mutt nation.Enjoy loser!
BobDawg
September 29th, 2012
5:58 pm
Finally some decent field position…. I think TAMPA said it best… The TN QB can zing it and you never know what will be the outcome….
Big Crimson 75
September 29th, 2012
5:58 pm
These rugby style kickers are awful
Silly Bloggers
September 29th, 2012
5:58 pm
I’m still amazed at these comments. Tampa Gator is not the problem..he is not SSI Gator, just talking ball. Richt is not the problem. Bobo is not the problem. The problem is Murray giving away 14 points and gift wrapping momentum. It isn’t overly complicated. It is big game Murray at his finest. Thankfully, it is the first half and not the 2nd…but I don’t have a better alternative than Murray in the middle of the game unfortunately. Neither Mason or Lemay is going to save us without prep.
oldfart
September 29th, 2012
5:59 pm
Mitchell out at punt returner. Better late than never.
Tampa Gator
September 29th, 2012
5:59 pm
Bray will explose….and not in a good way. That is what he does.
dawglova
September 29th, 2012
5:59 pm
Y’all want to see what bad coaching is you should have watched the tech game. Moobsy is fired
rivercard
September 29th, 2012
5:59 pm
While I have criticized Georgia D let me even things out and say I am completely unimpressed with Bray. Strong arm is where it begins and ends with him.
Georgia has Tenn beat on team speed so bad that it is almost funny to watch plays to outside develop.
Let the rout begin
Big Crimson 75
September 29th, 2012
6:00 pm
Tampa — I second what blackie said earlier, hats off to the Gators.
I knew Weiss leaving was a blessing for you guys.
Wet Willie...keep on smiling
September 29th, 2012
6:00 pm
At scme point you folks will understand talent is big no doubt but coaching and discipline are bigger. Your players can’t wait to celebrate instead of taking one play at a time. Must be something in the water at the High Schools in Georgia. Gurley is a fine looking player but he he needs a knot jerked in his behind by the HC. The other RB is a bit better than average. Then again you folks go ahead and make them world champs as ususal. UT is a short talent and no depth at all. Run the ball then run it again and again until UT is done then again Richt doesn’t have any discipline himeself.
Dawgz81
September 29th, 2012
6:01 pm
Thank you Wet Willie. Period.
Tampa Gator
September 29th, 2012
6:01 pm
That was such a horroble call by Bobo….fire him
harold
September 29th, 2012
6:01 pm
BOTH TEHESE TEAMS SUCK. LOOKS LIKE THE PAC 12. CBS GIVING UGA AND TN HELL. UGA ONCE AGAIN ALL BARK—–NO BITE.
I AM CHANGING TO THE RYDER CUP!
Tampa Gator
September 29th, 2012
6:01 pm
…..and Gurley horrible….send him to South Alabama.
Jeb
September 29th, 2012
6:01 pm
murray best not screw up anymore. The D needs to start playing like a real D.
BobDawg
September 29th, 2012
6:01 pm
BC75… you are right…Gurley pounding it for us..
Tampa Gator
September 29th, 2012
6:02 pm
…..maybe….now…..Richt will play Gurley most of the time.
Brownies for everyone
September 29th, 2012
6:02 pm
This is how you play. Wide open on every play..
dawglova
September 29th, 2012
6:02 pm
Damn tampa …..I thought I was the only one.
Keith
September 29th, 2012
6:02 pm
Pass the ball! Dang, that is what helps opening the running lanes!
Tampa Gator
September 29th, 2012
6:03 pm
……Georgia will wear Tennessee down with Gurley……and then run all over them with Marshall later. But go with Gurley now.
Turd Ferguson
September 29th, 2012
6:03 pm
you Ga fans are a bunch of Cry Babies,its just a game not the end of your life. or is it? HA HA HA . GOOOOOOOO VOLSSSSSSSSSSS. and i am a Kentucky fan.its you Ga Fans that make me pull for who ever is playing the Pups.and i have lived in Ga for 27 years.GOOOO VOLSSSS
dawglova
September 29th, 2012
6:03 pm
Yeah because Marshall is just awful…….
Jeb
September 29th, 2012
6:05 pm
I cant even cheer knowing our D is coming on the field
Tampa Gator
September 29th, 2012
6:05 pm
Told you…..goodbye Tennessee. Not enought depth on the Vols side of the ball.
Keith
September 29th, 2012
6:05 pm
What did I tell you all! Pass he ball and then let the dawgs run!
Brownies for everyone
September 29th, 2012
6:05 pm
Awww.. Life is good again!!!!
Here we go again...
September 29th, 2012
6:05 pm
Makers Mark works really well. I would have sworn the Dawgs just drove the ball for a touchdown without fumbling to Tennessee…
Jeff Schultz
September 29th, 2012
6:06 pm
Georgia comes out with a 6-play TD drive in second half to regain lead 37-30. Of course, that’s more than safe. (Sarcasm)
Tampa Gator
September 29th, 2012
6:07 pm
Gurley is one of those backs…..like Trent Richardson…….that come to college football once in a while and stand out above all other RBs. The pro teams are already wishing they will be in position to draft him in 3 years.
Here we go again...
September 29th, 2012
6:07 pm
I’d like to hand grenade the Sonic dorks…
Keith
September 29th, 2012
6:07 pm
Now we need to blitz, blitz, and blitz until Bray gets his jersey dirty!
dawglova
September 29th, 2012
6:07 pm
That was some of the worst coaching I have ever seen on that drive…oh wait what did you say happened?
BobDawg
September 29th, 2012
6:07 pm
Amazing what field position does in football.. Let’s see if TN can go the length and score….
Jeb
September 29th, 2012
6:08 pm
Hey Turd, Crybabies? We just realize that the stars are alighned for a Natl Championship run and our schedule is favorable to achive the goal we have been waiting for over 40 frikin years. Playing close to the gay Vols is not condusive to our nationship goal.
Tampa Gator
September 29th, 2012
6:08 pm
Bennett will play in the NFL too…..reminds me of the Falcon’s receiver a few years back…but better.
BobDawg
September 29th, 2012
6:09 pm
Frosh had better grow up quick on special teams……
Tampa Gator
September 29th, 2012
6:09 pm
Georgia will pick one of those….very soon. That is what Bray does.
Brownies for everyone
September 29th, 2012
6:09 pm
Tampa gator. Please past the brownies..
Go Vols
September 29th, 2012
6:09 pm
My Vols are putting up a bit of a fight. Go Vols!!
oldfart
September 29th, 2012
6:09 pm
Keep throwing ‘em into crowds Bray.
RunninWithTheDawgs
September 29th, 2012
6:10 pm
Makers Mark sounds great. Johnny Walker is keeping me company.
Tampa Gator
September 29th, 2012
6:10 pm
……told you….almost
Dawgz81
September 29th, 2012
6:10 pm
Jeb….thank you. Finally, someone with some sense…
Tampa Gator
September 29th, 2012
6:11 pm
Bray looks like an NFL QB on one play…..and the worst QB in the country the next.
katherine
September 29th, 2012
6:11 pm
ok im back….lets go dawgs
Tampa Gator
September 29th, 2012
6:11 pm
…….make that two plays in a row….that he is the worst.
Brownies for everyone
September 29th, 2012
6:12 pm
Our d looks bad in secondary..
Go Vols
September 29th, 2012
6:12 pm
To quote Jeb “our schedule is favorable to achive the goal ” Nothing truer said. Y’all have a marshmallow schedule.