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
JB at home
October 21st, 2012
9:31 pm
Mack Brown may be available also. He’s lost his 18 hour a day also mojo also. When you’ve been doing this 30 years and have 30 mil in the Bank, it’s hard to keep the same level of intensity up to keep a program at a higher plane. Richt lost it about 4 years ago after only 8 years.
GwinnettDad
October 21st, 2012
9:32 pm
CMR is 2-15 against teams that have finished ranked, my son wrote me. Yes, the Dawgs have beaten Florida, but only in Gator off years. CMR is a fine man that might be better suited as a pastor, actually. However, as a football coach, his teams choke. LSU last year outscored them 35-0 in the 2nd half. Alabama beat them 30-0 in a first half, a most obvious example of coaching talent. UGA rolled over a died 35-7 against a USC team that doesn’t appear to be among the SEC elite. How long can anybody deny that UGA under CMR sucks against good teams? Sucks just about EVERY game? Yes, can beat up on cripples, but rolls over and dies when the going gets tough.
Mr. T
October 21st, 2012
9:33 pm
Al Groh is available.
Hiawatha Berry
October 21st, 2012
9:34 pm
Florida has a great defense but they are in the middle of the pack in the conference on pass defense…..look for Murray to throw it 50 times…..Dawgs in an upset.
JB at home
October 21st, 2012
9:37 pm
He’ll have to pass. We won’t have but around 100 yards rushing…..and that will be on 35 attempts as Richt will refuse to abandon the run no matter how many times we’re stuffed and 3 and outs we have. We will attempt to pass on 3rd and long, and fla will blitz and it will work and we punt. This is too easy.
Marry Lunson
October 21st, 2012
9:38 pm
Loren…..whatta ya got? Well, Larry, seems like the dawgs just cant get anything going. End of the first quarter and we are already down by 35.
Abnerish
October 21st, 2012
9:39 pm
I think the initial optimism was warranted as is the current pessimism. At the beginning of the year, the defense was supposed to be a top 5 defense (if not better). The only questions about our team was the OL and the freshman RBs. So, with an experienced, effective QB and some talented WRs, the optimism was appropriate. Then the season started and the defense was replaced by members of Georgia State’s football team (or equestrian team). The offense has been as good as we could have expected, if not better. But to have the defense be the question mark on this team is very disconcerting, and thus the pessimism. Not to mention the general disappointment with the way Richt’s teams have played against top 10 teams the past 6 years. AND, the ingrained pessimism with this being the FLORIDA game. If you haven’t heard, wee’ve lost a few of these the games the past 2 decades.
Neil Honda Williamson
October 21st, 2012
9:40 pm
DAWGS 70 GATORS 3! WOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOO this DAWG-BERRY kool aid is goooooood!
William
October 21st, 2012
9:41 pm
On paper it doesn’t look good. But you don’t play on paper. If our D can do anything remotely like stopping the run then we have a chance. I think we can move the ball on Floriduh, especially with the pass. If special teams don’t kill us we have a chance. If we come out fired up, we have a chance. If Bobo can call a half decent game, we have a chance. Otherwise we don’t have a chance
Warhorse
October 21st, 2012
9:43 pm
Poodle fans obviously are the first ones out of the foxhole running for cover when the shooting starts. Talk big, but cut and run when it gets tough. Been that way for a decade or so and not likely to change.
dogoneit
October 21st, 2012
9:43 pm
floridia wins 41-21 take that to the bank
Werschel Hawker
October 21st, 2012
9:44 pm
Can I suit up? I have one more year of elgability since I kicked you guys to the curb for the NJ Generals.
GwinnettDad
October 21st, 2012
9:45 pm
Why do the Dawgs play in Jacksonville, FLORIDA anyway, and not Sanford stadium every other year? Maybe the Dawgs love the free booze down there more than winning football games? Or is it the fans? Besides, after losing for so many years, why would anybody but habitual losers want to continue playing there? I mean, football jokes are sometimes cruel and wrong. But the Dawgs playing in Jacksonville has to be among the most STUPID choices in all of college football.
Furd Burfle
October 21st, 2012
9:46 pm
Oh would you look at the fleas falling from the sky? Who would have thought we would get beat by 70? Loren, whatta ya got?
pepper rodgers
October 21st, 2012
9:47 pm
Every August, ya’ll are gonna play for the national championship, an every Oct/Nov, the opposite happens!!!! At least we suck consistently at Tech….
Chene Gitizik
October 21st, 2012
9:47 pm
Hey, it could be worse.
Gator Bit
October 21st, 2012
9:47 pm
I say 44-12 Gators. Murray throws 3 picks and has 1 fumble (normal numbers against the good teams). Jarvis Jones asks to transfer back to USC. UGA kicker misses two extra points and misses two kickoff attempts & 3 field goals. Richt sugar coats loss as “We were thinking about Ole Miss & Ga. Southern”. Todd Grantham resigns. Ogletree,J.Jones,Commings,Jenkins call up I. Crowell and ask for a few joints to heal the pain…
Dat Pye
October 21st, 2012
9:48 pm
Ya’ll ain’t man enough to beat Florida.
Whopper Dawg
October 21st, 2012
9:51 pm
When I checked about an hour ago (CST) , it was 6.5 which sounds about right. 6.5 to 7.5 is where it will land.
Smart money on the gators.
Todd Grantham
October 21st, 2012
9:53 pm
I will have a shouting contest with Will Muschamp if he’ll agree to let the loser of it forfeit the game! That way we’ll have a chance!
Stray Dawg
October 21st, 2012
9:55 pm
We all know whats coming on Saturday.
Dirty Dawg
October 21st, 2012
9:56 pm
We got em where we want em.
ESPN 8, The "Ocho"
October 21st, 2012
9:57 pm
Hi folks! Just a reminder for you all to tune in at 8 A.M. November 3rd for Georgia vs. Ole Mess from Athens, GA!
Tech Wisdom
October 21st, 2012
9:58 pm
The little doggies will run home screaming and yelping from Jacksonville ! They won’t even stop to hike a few legs on fire hydrants. Muzzled,chained,and unfed they will get Gator bitten. Here’s the difference between UGA & UF. Dawggies get 5 star recruits that play like 2 star recruits. Gators get 5 star recruits that play like 5 star recruits. Its the coaching. It has to be. Go Yellow Jackets !
Eddie Haskel
October 21st, 2012
10:00 pm
You could always fire Richt and hire Bobby “The Bike” Petrino
DAWG with two bags over head
October 21st, 2012
10:04 pm
0-11 versus top 10 here we come. On national TV no less. Our finest stage (not).
Beast from the East
October 21st, 2012
10:04 pm
October 21st, 2012
7:14 pm
Gator fans returned 4000 tickets to UT because of their pessimism. Point is, the season evolves as do teams.
That is not true. Gator fans chose to travel to College Station as opposed to Knoxville. We’ve all been to Knoxville and we have beaten the Vols 7 years in a row. Which one would you choose to travel to, if you could only make one trip?
Bill
October 21st, 2012
10:07 pm
UF by at least 14 and maybe 21..UF wants it more and their “D” is much better than our dawgs. “O” is not that bad..Agree if we lose Richts needs to go!
lil pips
October 21st, 2012
10:08 pm
Silly pups. FL in a walk.
Pissimistic Pete
October 21st, 2012
10:09 pm
The picture Jeff has here says it all. Dawgs are happy they beat Kentucky and celebrate. Bama & Gators expect an easy win just leave the field without any celebration after destroying Kentucky.
Dawg Style
October 21st, 2012
10:09 pm
Love the attempts to use stats to give us hope, but the only UF stat that matters is 7-0. They are built after Muschamp – grinders that wear you down and play fundamental football. Unfortunately, we also are a reflection of our coach’s personality…
Resident Georgia Fan
October 21st, 2012
10:09 pm
Here’s the GD SOB Deal CMR delivers: I am selling my four tix cause I ain’t going to Jaxville to be embarrassed. To hell with the point spreads. The travel expenses and embarrassment spread is my deal. Sick of the Christian too kind to be mean shit.
Bill
October 21st, 2012
10:10 pm
UF has best coach..period!
USMC
October 21st, 2012
10:12 pm
“Pessimism reigns by Georgia fans about Florida game”–JEFF SCHULTZ
Based on what we have all seen on the field, Are you really surprised?!?
Hunkerdown
October 21st, 2012
10:12 pm
I love my dawgs but wish I knew a bookie. I would give up the points and bet heavily. Regardless of the outcome of the game, either way I would therefore win.
DawginLex
October 21st, 2012
10:14 pm
Turnovers will decide it
If Florida only gas 200 yards of offense and Georgia us turnover free Georgia wins
I predict a shoot out though
Murray will play well and we can’t stop anyone
Murray will crap the bed once and that will be the difference
35-31 Florida.
OkieDawg
October 21st, 2012
10:15 pm
Per Florida AD Jeremy Foley…”What must be done eventually, must be done immediately.”
Mr. McGarity, did you learn anything under Foley’s tutilage?
Jackie
October 21st, 2012
10:18 pm
Is it possible that all our high potential NFL players are playing soft to keep from getting hurt? would not be the first time.
Disgusted
October 21st, 2012
10:21 pm
The Dogs have disappointed us to many times — especially in this series.
Why should we believe? This was their yr to run the table and for this level of talent the Dogs have underachieved.
bill
October 21st, 2012
10:22 pm
UGA hires Smart and he goes 10-2 first year. bloggers are ready to kill him as he does not win a national championship by the second year nor the third year. Time to fire him and bring in someone else. uga bloggers have the attention span of a gerbil and the patience of a tick on a dead deer.
harold
October 21st, 2012
10:22 pm
ALL THE NFL TALENT ON THIS TEAM? OBVIOUSLY THE PROBLEM IS NOT THE PLAYERS. BOBO AND GRANTHAM ARE HORRIBLE COORDINATORS. GRANTHAM HAS DONE NOTHING SINCE THE FIRST TWO QUARTERS OF THE LSU GAME LAST YEAR. HE IS AS BAD AS SAL IS AT TENNESSEE.
EVRYONE OUT OF DIAPERS KNOWS THAT RICHT IS “TOO NICE” TO FIRE ANYONE.
WE WILL SEE IF RICHT “CAN PROVE HIS WORTH” SATURDAY. HE CAN’T ALLOW MUSCHAMP TO BEAT HIM. CAN RICHT FINALLY PROVE HIS WORTH SATURDAY?
THE PROBLEM AT UGA IS NOT THE JIM’S AND JOE’S—-IT’S THE X’S AND THE O’S!
OkieDawg
October 21st, 2012
10:22 pm
I’m watching Cincinatti vs. Pittsburg. Geno Atkins is a BEAST!!! But what did he do under CMR? All that NFL talent…and what happens?
travis
October 21st, 2012
10:24 pm
dawgs gettin stomped after last yr these boys hungry for big wins and they takin em!
Big Dawg
October 21st, 2012
10:25 pm
Dawgs offense is superior no doubt, IF the D plays better & IF we don’t give them turnovers, Dawgs could very easily win @ Jax, Believe it! Woof woof woof.
Vampire Bill
October 21st, 2012
10:26 pm
I’m thinking that Richt has already resigned. He’s not a stupid man and he has to know he’s not getting the job done. I think maybe he met with senior staff after the Tenn game and threw in the towel.
UGA officials are waiting until after to season to announce.
Dick Enewe
October 21st, 2012
10:28 pm
ok
CMR is Lost
October 21st, 2012
10:30 pm
The team I saw on the field against USCe and KY will lose to UF by a minimum of 4 TD’s. They have no heart and no leadership. UGA football is a ship without a sail or rudder. It’s amazing how a talent-laden team could be reduced to what CMR and CTG have reduced it to. Amazing.
CMR is Lost
October 21st, 2012
10:31 pm
Big Dawg, are you watching the same team I am?!?!
Ed
October 21st, 2012
10:31 pm
I’d take Florida and give 3.5 any day. A close ballgame is certainly possible, but I think anything less than a 7 point Florida victory would be an upset.
Georgia’s won-loss record is very deceiving. We’ve played one good team (certainly not a great team as the last two weeks have shown), and got blasted.
Our only chance is for Florida to be very flat and very unlucky on Saturday.
Dawg Doo
October 21st, 2012
10:33 pm
Fulmer wants to get back into coaching. Hey – don’t laugh, he at least has a national championship ring, unlike the past 3 UGA coaches.