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
katherine
September 29th, 2012
4:08 pm
geez do baylor or west virginia even field a defense?
Mike
September 29th, 2012
4:08 pm
If Tennessee doesn’t run the ball they won’t win. That simple.
katherine
September 29th, 2012
4:09 pm
well i do feel bad for the tech fans though….that has to hurt
30 + Years of Failure. That's UGA Football
September 29th, 2012
4:09 pm
Mutts as always overe rated.
BobDawg
September 29th, 2012
4:10 pm
Vowels better run for show and pass for dough… Duh, Verne…. get it right…
katherine
September 29th, 2012
4:10 pm
the announcer didnt even know where first down was…fail
Patrick
September 29th, 2012
4:10 pm
Little early to get on Murray’s back–plenty of time for that later if he folds. Hopefully he’s far enough in the year to have that behind him. We’ll see.
Mike
September 29th, 2012
4:11 pm
Bray is slinging it. Come on D!
katherine
September 29th, 2012
4:11 pm
30 plus years…what is your problem? are you a disgruntled tech fan?
Mike
September 29th, 2012
4:12 pm
Tech is just so pissed they lost to MTSU they want us to lose. Misery loves company.
RunninWithTheDawgs
September 29th, 2012
4:13 pm
75 — Well put. Pricktrino should be banned from coaching anywhere. Ark needs to make a coaching change NOW.
rivercard
September 29th, 2012
4:13 pm
3rd down call was so stupid . Why get cute there?
Mike
September 29th, 2012
4:13 pm
Good D! Just don’t give up 6!
THE Dixie Redcoat Band
September 29th, 2012
4:13 pm
Don’t worry about Verne the announcer, better worry about the Vols!
Mike Franklin
September 29th, 2012
4:13 pm
My TV must be lying because it looked like that ball went just outside the left upright
katherine
September 29th, 2012
4:14 pm
Im not worried about the vols….rambo made a mistake but he hasnt played in 4 games so Im thinking he needed to knock the rust off
Stone Cold ET
September 29th, 2012
4:16 pm
Do they keep kleenex in the CBS booth to clean up after Gary Danielson
katherine
September 29th, 2012
4:16 pm
I thought that too mike franklin
oldfart
September 29th, 2012
4:16 pm
I wish the tv director would stop getting cute with the field level shots on the kickoffs. It’s like having bad end zone seats.
Patrick
September 29th, 2012
4:16 pm
I’m thinking Verne should have followed Keith Jackson’s lead and retired when he was still on top of the game. He certainly ain’t now.
Mike
September 29th, 2012
4:17 pm
Offense will be fine as long as we take care of the football.
afan
September 29th, 2012
4:18 pm
Mike I’m a GT fan and I was the first to say we got our a@@ beat and CPJ was on his way out. I have said nothing else because I also pull for dawgs. Mike you are the one that keeps cutting down GT and saying GT fans wish UGA to lose etc. You need to look in the mirror and just pull for your dawgs. We know we in touble and nobody is happy.
Mike
September 29th, 2012
4:18 pm
Too easy almost.
Jeff Schultz
September 29th, 2012
4:18 pm
Great adjustment on that route by King.
katherine
September 29th, 2012
4:19 pm
im sorry afan…i would be so upset
afan
September 29th, 2012
4:20 pm
Oh MTSU had a very good team and I tip my hat to them. The Jackets quit in 1st q..it was sad.
rivercard
September 29th, 2012
4:20 pm
I don’t want to take away from GA offense because they do look good, but my god Tenn D is non existent.
They better forget about establishing the run. Their only hope is a shootout.
Big Crimson 75
September 29th, 2012
4:21 pm
I believe I’d give it to either #3 or #4.
BobDawg
September 29th, 2012
4:21 pm
JEFF S. – you said in the column that we are “waiting for something to go wrong “… for the season?? I’m more confident the more I see this team…. I think we can play with anyone right now…
Mike
September 29th, 2012
4:21 pm
Tennessee doesn’t have a defense. If it wasn’t for Murray’s tipped pass, it would be 14-3, working on 21-3, if we take care of the ball, we’re fine.
katherine
September 29th, 2012
4:22 pm
was that a touchdown or a fumble?
Mike
September 29th, 2012
4:22 pm
TOUCHDOWN! Tavarres King drags the Tennessee pile!
Mike
September 29th, 2012
4:23 pm
It wasn’t a fumble because he was down. It’s just a matter of whether he got in or it’s on the 1 inch line.
Mike
September 29th, 2012
4:23 pm
It wasn’t a fumble because he was down. It’s just a matter of whether he got in or it’s on the 1 inch line.
Big Crimson 75
September 29th, 2012
4:23 pm
Now time for #3 or #4.
katherine
September 29th, 2012
4:23 pm
i think its down at the half yard line too
Patrick
September 29th, 2012
4:24 pm
Yep….close but no cigar.
Jeff Schultz
September 29th, 2012
4:24 pm
Remember, ruling on field was TD. Replay has to be conclusive.
oldfart
September 29th, 2012
4:24 pm
Great effort but dangerous move by King.
katherine
September 29th, 2012
4:25 pm
i agree…he almost got that taken away
BobDawg
September 29th, 2012
4:25 pm
If you can’t tell from one camera angle.. How can you take it away???
Mike
September 29th, 2012
4:25 pm
Well even if it is short, punch it in with Gurley or Merritt Hall. Simple. Maybe QB sneak.
Jeff Schultz
September 29th, 2012
4:25 pm
Reversed. Ball at half-yard line.
katherine
September 29th, 2012
4:26 pm
thanks for you wisdom vern…hes so annoying
afan
September 29th, 2012
4:26 pm
Katherine, I respect your opinion because you are a very smart lady. I remember you on blog before and with Braves, very good comments. GT will I hope make changes..but now lets win this game..go dawgs.
Mike
September 29th, 2012
4:26 pm
Got it! 21-10!
katherine
September 29th, 2012
4:26 pm
touchdown yay
BobDawg
September 29th, 2012
4:26 pm
Like Crimson says… give it to #3 or # 4…..
katherine
September 29th, 2012
4:27 pm
thanks afan
VP
September 29th, 2012
4:27 pm
Who is the guy in the Tennessee shirt right behind coach Richt? Grantham was yelling at him earlier.