Pessimism reigns by Georgia fans about Florida game (video added)
Mark Richt and Dogs beat Florida last season but they're underdogs this year. (Jason Getz/AJC)
Remember how high optimism was about Georgia football before this season? Well, that seems to have eroded.
The recent loss to South Carolina, several unimpressive victories – including the latest win at Kentucky — and a perceived talent-loaded defense that hasn’t nearly lived up to expectations has led to many Georgia fans expecting the worst when the Bulldogs face Florida in Jacksonville next Saturday.
Loading ...How do I know this? Because when I relayed via Twitter that Florida was anywhere from a 3½ to 4½ point favorite at most sportsbooks, the responses could all be reduced down to these three words: “Is that all?”
In fact, as I type this, I have yet to find a reader who would take that bet (Georgia plus the points).
Georgia is 3-8 against Florida under Mark Richt, including last year’s win. But Florida is 7-0, ranked No. 2 in the BCS standings and destroyed South Carolina 44-11.
On Betonline.com, the Gators opened as 3½ point favorites, the line dropped to 3, then went up to 4½. Vegasinsider.com lists the consensus line at 3.5. The Las Vegas Wynn opened with Florida at 4½ and it went up to 5.
Here is the early feedback on the point spread. Feel feel to weigh in below with your thoughts and I’ve put up a simple poll question: Does Georgia win or lose?
Your responses on Twitter
• “That ain’t enough Jeff. It should be at least 7.5.” — @pierceoutlaw
• “If I was going to bet, I’d bet on Fla.” — @wrigmuff
• “Should be 21.” — @johnarwinhart
• “Should be 7 or 8 or 21.” — @therealclutch
• “I’ll take Florida up to 10. Amazing how far we have fallen from preseason hopes.” — @wwatl34
• “Smart money on UF” — @CharlesMcCollum
• “I’d say it should be 10 points.” — @rwsportscards
• “They know something we don’t I reckon.” — @J_T_Hoffman
• “I’ll take Florida up to -6.5.” — @Tony Mission
• “Way too low for me. We had trouble run-blocking Kentucky last night and stopping their backs. Florida far superior to UK.” — @RedDevilDawg
• “Depends on if the determined to prove themselves Dawgs show up or the i’m down with whatever the hype says Dawgs show up!” — @GeorgiaGunOwner
• “I agree. I’d say gators by 10. I’m a Dawg fan. Hoping for the best but expecting the worst like most Cocktail Party endings.” — @NikkiFree
• “How often are the guys in and around Vegas are wrong? Personally, I do think it is low.” — @vsu96sdd
• “Surprised it’s not 14.” — @jltdawg
• “If we only lose by 4.5 I’ll be very happy. Another SC performance and its time for a change.” — @bulletstheman
• “Could be that Vegas still doesn’t know what to make of the Florida offense and their inconsistent play.” — @DavidMaldridge
• “If UGA can avoid costly turnovers, they should be able to keep it close.” — @MattBankston
• “UGA grad here and I’d have the line at least 7.5.” — @VinylmationKing
• “Umm have you been watching this year?” — @ChandlerRDB
• “When we beat Kentucky by just 5 points, we know we are going to get blown out in Jacksonville.” — @TylerBurgess
• “Really surprised it’s not at least a touchdown. I thought 10 or so.” — @jbcincy512
• “Dogs will be crushed like a bug by the gators.” — @rbray1
• “Good for the Dawgs. Vegas is dangling that small spread so people will jump on FL.” — @TheJoeyBrowning
• “Sadly, with how unfocused/underperforming Dawgs are this year, 2012 game has 2008 potential. Grantham sold us a Monorail.” — @SideshowRhett
• “Should be gators by 14.5 the way the dawgs defense has been playing. #fromadawgfantoo” — @Zack_H_Martin
• “The spread is way too low. There is no indication the game will be that close. And that is coming from Dawg fan.” — @MarlerMedia
• “Jeff I’m a dog fan and I just put 1500 on Florida, what is Vegas thinking, did they see Kentucky and Carolina game, d is bad” — @ParrishV
• “About 10 pts to low…uga fan here” — @MattAnthem
• “I think Florida should be -7 but Vegas wants people to bet both sides of that -4.5. #godawgs” — @KoodenAaron
• “UGA fan here. I would’ve guessed Fla -6.5. Wouldn’t take the dawgs at +7.” — @Hookey12
• ” What’s the over/under? I think it needs to be 7.5, but I could see them winning 42-35. They will hang 35+ on our D.” — @Litigatingdawg
• “It’ll be bet up closer to -4.5 or 5 by Saturday.” — @ParrishWalton
• “Casinos are smart & in the business of making money. They made the line low so people will bet on #UGA, the sure loser.” — @UGABugKiller
• “I had it around -9 for florida. UGA’s d can’t stop anyone. Only solid Defensive effort was vs Vandy.” — @JDB426
• “Uneven stats/score from SC game have obscured public projections for UF. I think -5 is the max line.” — @RittyRich
• “Florida should be a 13.5 point fav” — @BostonDawgsfan
• “I was thinking AT LEAST 14″ — @GillmanD
• “Mentality of GA fans is perplexing. Most pessimistic I can ever remember, even under Goff.” — @TrevinB
OK, we have our first Tweeter who takes Georgia:
• “I hope you didn’t have me confused. I’ll take that line.” — @Mitchelldavenpo
By Jeff Schultz
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624 comments Add your comment
claytondawg
October 23rd, 2012
11:16 am
Why shouldn’t ‘Dog fans be pessimistic? All we have to do is look at this season and seasons before with the ‘Dogs lack of focus and intensity. Sure, Florida is coming off a tremendous emotional victory over SC; and, some think FL will have somewhat of a let down. Not-so. FL has improved in EVERY game, while the ‘Dogs have not improved in any category. I don’t think it will be a 51-3 beatdown–just a 48-10 blow-out.
Thomas Brown
October 23rd, 2012
11:19 am
Thank you for ignoring every other poster on here and all they have said, all, every post replying to you is the same as I have said.
Pick on me.
Go ahead.
And, attempt to ignore all these other posts.
Ignore Shaun Williams too, while you are at it.
To Thomas Brown, et al
October 23rd, 2012
11:26 am
Thomas Brown, et al, means you and all of them. If you can’t take it, start dishing something useful. Whining is useless.
Thomas Brown
October 23rd, 2012
11:34 am
Shaun Williams is the leader of our Defense whining we’re playing soft and there is nothing he can do about it or the coaches playing the wrong players. Sorry to report to you; it is not I.
Steve Crumley Toe Tapper
October 23rd, 2012
11:36 am
Solution: Dan Mullin. We’d compete for a title inside of three years with him as coach. #1…he’ a great coach, #2…he’s a great recruiter. #3…He actually wants to win. #4…He’d take the job.
You want solutions? Here is an easy one.
If we go the Kirby Smart route we will soon find ourselves in Ray Goff 1994 purgatory.If we stay with Richt it will never get any better than it is right now. He’s our John Cooper.
what of it?
October 23rd, 2012
11:56 am
I don’t think some these people understand how a spread works. If they wanted people to take the Dogs, they would make the line higher, so that Florida would have to put up more points
Jeff, surely you’re familiar with the annual deluded hopes of dawg fans by now
To Thomas Brown, et al
October 23rd, 2012
12:08 pm
Thanks Toe Tapper. See, Thomas, that’s how it works, not whining, “but, but, every one else … Shaun Williams …”
Thomas Brown
October 23rd, 2012
12:24 pm
Rhetorical question from someone who changes his handle to my handle and expects me then to reply to him, of dearie who could we possibly hire, who would even want to come here and coach us, and don’t tell me Nick Saban or Les Miles or Ron Zook or Ur Ban My er or any of the 8 SEC teams’ coaches in the 12-year Mark Richt era who all 12 have done better against teams who made the top 10 than Mark Richt, himself.
Good Lord.
Anyone is better than what we have. A washed up coach who has no desire to do anything, His players running to the press this morning, whining the coaches are playing the wrong players and I want this guy and this other guy out there playing instead. Oh dear, just who in the heck could we possibly hire to this God-Forsaken Top 10 Football Program All-Time ?
See how that works TB ? You just up and answer my question, while I avert your questions. Do what I tell you to do. See TB ? Nincompoop.
Corn Dawg
October 23rd, 2012
12:45 pm
Houston Nutt would be an upgrade for UGA.
Big Difference
October 23rd, 2012
1:22 pm
is Florida has Boise State’s Offensvie Coordinator and we have Bobo. There is no comparison.
The Ghost of Wally Butts
October 23rd, 2012
1:30 pm
This Just In…..
The game doesn’t start for another 3.5 days, but Florida has already scored on our defense…it’s 7-0, and the Gators are threatening again….
Stay tuned….
Hell, at least our defense held the Bye Week scoreless.
Aaron Burr
October 23rd, 2012
2:11 pm
I’m dropping a Hamilton on the Dawgs.
DawgNole
October 23rd, 2012
2:22 pm
Thomas Brown
October 23rd, 2012
6:47 am
I am slightly fixated on DawgNole for a moment UGA89.
_______________________
Ya think?! Thanks for confirming the obvious. Fortunately for the rest of us, there are places for such creeps. You and Sandusky have fun in there.
Yes, you are definitely mathematically challenged if you consider 2012 one season ago, 2011 two seasons ago, etc. The fact that you can’t comprehend that is what makes your claim of being top 5% in your class so laughable. Let’s see if you can find anyone else on the blog who believes the current season is actually one season ago.
And unlike you, coward, I’ve never posted under a different handle.
Keep posting lies and distortions, TB. Maybe you can get yourself banned here, too.
DawgNole
October 23rd, 2012
2:31 pm
To Thomas Brown, et al
October 23rd, 2012
10:00 am
It’s just whining and moaning until you offer a solution.
To Thomas Brown, et al
October 23rd, 2012
11:03 am
Still just whining and moaning. Knew you had no answers.
To Thomas Brown, et al
October 23rd, 2012
11:26 am
Thomas Brown, et al, means you and all of them. If you can’t take it, start dishing something useful. Whining is useless.
To Thomas Brown, et al
October 23rd, 2012
12:08 pm
Thanks Toe Tapper. See, Thomas, that’s how it works, not whining, “but, but, every one else … Shaun Williams …”
______________________
In the case of Thomas, you can add lying and distorting to that whining and moaning. These–along with his admittedly being “fixated” on men–are truly his areas of expertise.
Wet Willie...keep on smiling
October 23rd, 2012
2:44 pm
I think UF will take the Dawgs but I hope Bama could get to Atlanta and play Richt’s team. Talk about a beatdown. Saban and team would fix the Richt issue for you guys no doubt. Football is a serious game at Bama and a Church social at UGA. Remember any player not holding his nose while jumping in the pool will only get one scoop of ice cream. Now that is some tuff discipline by any standard.
Escaped from Email Purgatgory
October 23rd, 2012
4:25 pm
Ten Ways the Dawgs Can Win On Saturday
1. Tainted shellfish ingested at pre-game dinner Friday night renders UF players unfit for competition (among other things)
2. Dawgs defense breaks into gangnam style dance routine after first TD scored by UF
3. Herschel Walker inspires the team by gnawing the head off a live alligator in pregame peptalk
4. UF consents to gentlemen’s agreement not to return punts or kickoffs for touchdowns
5. UF players caught looking ahead to Halloween night
6. The Law of Averages – UGA’s bound win a big game sooner or later
7. Honey Boo Boo – UGA Honorary Captain – swallows the coin during mid-field toss. Game delayed waiting for Nature to take it’s course. UF forfeits.
8. Herschel Walker inspires the team by doing 5,000 push ups during pregame pep talk
9. CMR performs pantomime to recording of inspirational song Desiderata for the team – there wasn’t a dry eye in the locker room. CMR was crying anyway. He’s very deep.
10. Honey Boo Boo finally passes the coin. Ref refuses to touch it. UF forfeits
To Thomas Brown, et al
October 23rd, 2012
4:59 pm
The handle is not your handle. It is a message to you and everyone else posting drivel like you. Anyone is better? Bill Curry? Chan Gailey? Ray Goff? You got less than no game. Buh-bye.
Johnny Robinson
October 23rd, 2012
6:39 pm
Come on people. This is a rivalry game. Georgia vs Florida. Dawgs vs Gators.
All the marbles on the line. Georgia will show up. It is going down to the last whistle.
I will take Georgia and the points in a heartbeat.
Go Tech
October 23rd, 2012
7:16 pm
The dogs got out of playing Oregon as quick as they could. They are avoiding playing the better programs because they want to pad their won/loss record against cupcakes. The only ones who are fooled by this are dog fans.
Gators will win. Didn’t you see that USC game?
DawgNole
October 23rd, 2012
8:07 pm
To Thomas Brown, et al
October 23rd, 2012
4:59 pm
The handle is not your handle. It is a message to you and everyone else posting drivel like you. Anyone is better? Bill Curry? Chan Gailey? Ray Goff? You got less than no game. Buh-bye.
________________________
True enough about his handle. No one else posts drivel quite like he does, though, so your message effectively is to him and him alone.
“You got less than no game.” Good message. Hopefully it will sink in, but I wouldn’t count on it.
Big Difference
October 23rd, 2012
8:31 pm
is the Gators have Boise State’s OC and we have Bobo. The Gators have the edge. No comparison.
63dawg
October 24th, 2012
8:23 pm
Erk Russell took a NO talent defense and turned it into the famous Junkyard Dawgs. Richt has a super talented defense that couldn’t stop the Sisters of Mercy
faked punter
October 26th, 2012
8:09 pm
Georgia has a chance as long as the punter does not forget how to be an ACTOR !!!!!!
Hugh
October 26th, 2012
11:46 pm
Expect Aaron Murray to throw one pick six and loose at least one fumble – and that could be a scoop and score. Do not expect him to scramble for any first downs. Bobo doesn’t want Murray to get hurt – as if this sawed off QB will find safety in the pocket. Bobo has no imagination and no guts. And the defense is undisciplined, poorly coached, and soft. I’m envious that UF has a fighter for a coach. If you can’t be smart, for goodness sakes, be tough.