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
DawgSEC
October 21st, 2012
10:33 pm
Watching the game last night, you would think the DAWGS couldn’t beat Savannah State. After sleeping on it, I am as fired up as ever. Bad teams lose those games. Good teams find a way to win. Don’t forget the DAWGS are 6-1 and still in the hunt for an SEC championship. You so-called DAWGS fans who criticize them will be watching the game just like I will(Although I will be there) and cheering your rear ends off like every true Dawg fan. We need to come together and pull those players through. This is the biggest game in a long time and the DAWGS will show up. Take Georgia and the points.GO DAWGS!
Frank Lane
October 21st, 2012
10:34 pm
Tonight I would not take UGA and 20. Has nothing to do with Florida. I just do not believe in the DAWGS and I am a die-hard fan for 60 years. Nothing to do with coaches. I think that the defense is playing not to get hurt and players are thinking more about the draft than the game.
JoePeezy
October 21st, 2012
10:36 pm
Any talk of Richt getting canned needs to stop. The dude is here for the long haul. They just signed him to an extension. Grantham isn’t going anywhere either. We are who we are, let’s just face it and try to get better.
GwinnettDad
October 21st, 2012
10:36 pm
Sad to say it, but in the SEC, there’s the defenders and then there’s the pretenders. Saturday should again reveal the truth about UGA, which has found all sorts of different ways to disappoint, humiliate, and sometimes, sadly, even disgrace their uniforms.
Buzz2011
October 21st, 2012
10:38 pm
How many yards did the Dogs get on the ground? 75? My gosh that should be hit
per quarter. I thought this was a big SEC poowerhouse.. They should have lost to the worst team in the SEC ..They will go down by 30 in the swamp!!
Tdawg
October 21st, 2012
10:39 pm
Let’s stop the BS. The dawgs only chance of winning this game is if the entire starting Gator team were to come down with an epidemic of the flu or some other debilitating illness. Even then against their backups the dawgs would be even odds at best to win. We have a QB who has without failure choked in every big game he has played. There is absolutely no fight in that pathetic defense and don’t even get me started on our choking staff, I mean coaching staff. You people are right. Florida’s offense is bad. Thing is, so was Buffalo’s and until South Carolina bitched slapped my dawgs around their offense wasn’t world beaters either. You’d have to give me the dawgs and at least 35 before I would even contemplate taking that bet. Anything less would be a suckers bet.
I mean look at it this way. UGA had everything to play for Saturday nite and Kentucky had nothing and the best these future pros could do was to hold on. Game will be history before halftime. Only good thing about this season is Spurrier won’t win it again.
Rick James
October 21st, 2012
10:41 pm
This is why most people work for a living instead of being professional gamblers.I have to take off my Georgia hat and say this..The line is clearly intended to attract suckers.Everbody saw how both teams played this weekend and most would take Florida and lay the points.Obviously the odds makers think this game will be close. But the suckers think Florida wins in blowout and thats where the money will go..If Florida comes out flat after yesterday anything can happen.Just ask Spurrier. I’ll take Georgia and the points.
Rick James
October 21st, 2012
10:45 pm
@Tdawg
I mean look at it this way. UGA had everything to play for Saturday nite and Kentucky had nothing and the best these future pros could do was to hold on. Game will be history before halftime. Only good thing about this season is Spurrier won’t win it again.
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I beg to differ..What did Georgia have to play for last night? Nothing! The players had one eye on Florida and wanted to get though the game no injuries..They play for everything in Jacksonville.
Sam Robards, Dawg Fan
October 21st, 2012
10:48 pm
I dunno who’ll win, but I just hope the players don’t come here and read the crap people say.
Based on the boards this weekend, the fans have given up on this team, which is 6-1 and has a top ten ranking. And if the fans have given up, why the devil should the players care? They’re expected to lose anyway (according to these boards), so why should they try?
And before people come out with a buncha BS, the fans’ perception of a team DOES influence that team.
I just know that in 2007, we got thumped by Tennessee on the road and skated by Vanderbilt before going to Jacksonville and beating a highly ranked Florida team. I don’t see why it can’t happen this year, too. Yeah, Florida’s good, but they’ve been on a real emotional high these past few weeks, which isn’t sustainable over the long run, and they’re probably letting things get to their heads a little bit.
So I think the Dawgs are in as good a position as any to get the win.
Will they do it? I dunno, but I’m not willing to give Florida the win until the game is actually played.
Go Dawgs!
Dr. Phill
October 21st, 2012
10:49 pm
One thing for sure, Florida will be the best coached.
Dr. Phill
October 21st, 2012
10:49 pm
One thing for sure, Florida will be the best coached.
Easy
October 21st, 2012
10:53 pm
Bet none of these critical dip wads are 6-1 at whatever (if anything) they do for a living. Go Dawgs!!
OkieDawg
October 21st, 2012
10:54 pm
@Sam Robards, Dawg Fan…Get back with us next Sunday. I will look forward to your positive assessment of the WLODCP. Take off the rose colored glasses and step away from the koolaid.
bubba4dawgs
October 21st, 2012
10:55 pm
It’s a shame that the former strength of UGA has been…..I repeat, has been their defense. They appear to come to the game not ready to play. I place this squarely on the shoulders of TG. It’s his responsibility to get them ready and it ain’t happening. It’s OK to lose but they could at least make a showing. If he’s going to turn this thing around, now is the time to do it and finally gain some respect!
Question? Are the DAWGS going to go to Jacksonville to play? Their season is on the line!! It’s time to shock the world and especially the SEC and make Darth Visor throw his visor and stomp on it.
Tdawg
October 21st, 2012
11:02 pm
Wish that were true Rick James. What is there excuse for the debacle in Columbia, South Carolina? Fact is what is there excuse for most of the games they have played this season? I’ll be watching the game as I have all season and hoping that the team we were led to believe ,would be playing, will eventually show it. It won’t though. You won’t to know why? Because it already has. Go back to last season. LSU with a half arse decent offense beat the dawg defense like drum in the second half. Michigan State. Again a decent offense at best slapped the dawg defense silly in the second half. Heck we couldn’t even slow Vanderbilt down in the second half last season. Nope, last seasons second half break downs should have been a warning on what to expect this season. I bleed UGA red and have so for 45 years. I’ve seen some really bad teams in Athens but none with less heart. I’ve stood by Mark Richt through thick and thin up until the South Carolina game. I don’t care how UGA finishes the season. He needs to go and the sooner the better.
CFBobserver
October 21st, 2012
11:10 pm
Breaking news….. Nick Saban is going to have himself cloned so that fans at Georgia, Auburn, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Arkansas can enjoy some wins. Either that or we can watch the comedy of these schools fighting to hire a guy like Bobby Petrino as he is is rumored to be top choice at all of them. (even many Arkansas fans want to re-hire him). All these institutes of higher learning fighting over a guy with whom you would not trust the care of your daughter, your motorcycle, or your local NFL team. In the words of John L. Smith: “Smile!”
Flo-Ri-Duh
October 21st, 2012
11:10 pm
UGA will score some points as they are due to get some turnovers and Florida is due to have some. Every break in the books went Florida’s way last week. This will be a low scoring game on both sides because Florida will have at last two turnovers and UGA none. Say 10 – 7 at the half. Whoever scores the 1st TD will win the game. Florida has had two very physical games back to back and this is #3. UGA had a bye week and Kentucky. This time the 4th quarter will go to UGA.
Rick James
October 21st, 2012
11:15 pm
@Tdawg
October 21st, 2012
11:02 pm
Wish that were true Rick James. What is there excuse for the debacle in Columbia, South Carolina? Fact is what is there excuse for most of the games they have played this season? I’ll be watching the game as I have all season and hoping that the team we were led to believe ,would be playing, will eventually show it. It won’t though. You won’t to know why? Because it already has. Go back to last season. LSU with a half arse decent offense beat the dawg defense like drum in the second half. Michigan State. Again a decent offense at best slapped the dawg defense silly in the second half. Heck we couldn’t even slow Vanderbilt down in the second half last season. Nope, last seasons second half break downs should have been a warning on what to expect this season. I bleed UGA red and have so for 45 years. I’ve seen some really bad teams in Athens but none with less heart. I’ve stood by Mark Richt through thick and thin up until the South Carolina game. I don’t care how UGA finishes the season. He needs to go and the sooner the better.
—————————————————————————————————————————–
Like I said this is a bet for suckers..Oddsmakers are money makers not fans.If you think Florida will win by 21 points why would make the line 20? If Florida wins by 19 you lose right? I’m sure if Georgia had played South Carolina after they lost to LSU and had been at home there may have been a different outcome.Florida is good but not 33 points better than SC..This game wont be the blowout that most people and the fair weather Georgia fans think it will be..I know what’s next look at how Georgia played against SC.Its simple,when Georgia went up 27-10 they shifted in to low gear and had to fight for their lives to win.Tennesee really softened Georgia for SC and they came out flat.
Disgusted Dawg
October 21st, 2012
11:16 pm
I’m not a gamblin’ man. But I’ll betting my house on that spread. Are you kidding? That’s laughable. Florida by +30.
Disgusted Dawg
October 21st, 2012
11:19 pm
Delusional Georgia fans are hilarious. You guys are almost as good at Richt at making excuses. A spade is a spade you fools.
dddf's
October 21st, 2012
11:21 pm
3 1/2 to 4 1/2 is not the point spread, it is the number of uga players that are not expected to survive this beat down. Looks as though Florida will be ready to step up to the plate in a year or two and claim another nc as soon as lsu and bama start to slide. Will it ever be uga’s turn. Doubtful. Love seeing all of the negative responses by ugs “fans”, worst fan base in all of sports.
Red Stick
October 21st, 2012
11:24 pm
Vegasinsider.com has Florida favored by 6.
As far as how Georgia played last night, I don’t know if I would put alot of stock in it. Sometimes teams play to their competition. I think the Dogs will be much better this week.
That said, the Gators are on a roll and will be tough to beat.
dddf's
October 21st, 2012
11:33 pm
Red, were the leghumpers “playing to their competition” when they got assaulted by SC? Did they “play to their competition” when they let Tennessee score almost 50? Did bama “play to their competition” when they dismantled that same ut team last night? Did florida “play to their competition” when they destroyed SC last night? Seems uga is the only “elite” sec team that got the “play to the competition” memo.
Rod
October 21st, 2012
11:33 pm
I smell a drubbing coming on c’mon Pups prove me wrong hahaha FLA has a QB who was in competition the 1st week with his back up sniffing a Championship with a 3rd year coach UGA is pitiful!!!
Red Stick
October 21st, 2012
11:39 pm
@ dddf’s good point. I still think Georgia will play better.
houstondawgfan
October 21st, 2012
11:45 pm
Dogs will not win, I just don’t see it happening unless, we get Pollack, Tardits and Richard Seymour to come out and play. The last two weeks show UGA is a middle of the pack SEC team with A grade talent, too bad the coaching is C grade. I really would like to see them win, but the USC and Kentucky game has left a bad taste in my mouth. Even if we win, Alabama will embarrass us on national TV. So pick your poison. I’d rather us lose until we get a better head coach to compete with the big boys of the SEC.
dddf's
October 21st, 2012
11:47 pm
could they play worse? that was a one win Kentucky team that still had a chance to win that game last night. what about that makes you feel confident?
TrishaDishawareagle
October 21st, 2012
11:48 pm
To UGA, Jacksonville municipal (everbank) stadium is da devil!
CTG, deh ever catch dat gorilla that busted outa da zoo and punched you in da eye?
GTBob
October 21st, 2012
11:50 pm
Obviously the odds makers think this game will be close. But the suckers think Florida wins in blowout and thats where the money will go.
Are there still people out there that think odds makers are making a prediction of the final scores of games when they put odds out?
Huh?
October 21st, 2012
11:51 pm
I don’t know why UGA fans are so surprised. Last year, UGA lost to the only decent teams they played. So far this year, the same is true. Beating bad teams and losing to the good ones makes you…..average.
TrishaDishawareagle
October 21st, 2012
11:53 pm
Pessimism reigns on the plains, with our season down the drains but we still believe in Chizik (for one more year). So if you have any sightings of Bobby Lowder talking to other sec coaches, speak up!
PaulieOldschool
October 21st, 2012
11:55 pm
Way past time for RIcht and his clown car buddies to go. He can’t coach up 3-4-5 star recruits to play anything like what has been predicted for them and neither can his assistants. Time for a change, actually, way, way past time for a change. Why should we be anything but pessimistic?
Huh?
October 21st, 2012
11:56 pm
Do UGA fans not see that the AJC plays a big part in the shock amongst UGA fans for not being that good?
John Stephens
October 21st, 2012
11:56 pm
All of the online sports books I’ve looked at have the game at 6 to 6 1/2 points.
Whiznot
October 22nd, 2012
12:02 am
We will definitely lose but on the bright side Aaron Murray believes that “Rich is a great coach who is teaching his players to be good citizens, good businessmen, good husbands and good wives”.
Georgia doesn’t have a prayer with passive Saint Richt as coach! After the Gators blow us out beware of Auburn.
dddf's
October 22nd, 2012
12:07 am
It is getting late and I must say good nite to all of my sweet, little dddf’s. Go slip into your uga pajamas and crawl between your comfy black and red sheets and dream sweet dreams of that uga nc. For in your dreams is the only place where such a thing will ever exist.
GTBob
October 22nd, 2012
12:11 am
Georgia doesn’t have a prayer with passive Saint Richt as coach! After the Gators blow us out beware of Auburn.
If Auburn or GT beats UGA then Richt’s career at UGA is pretty much finished.
Rick James
October 22nd, 2012
12:12 am
@GTBob
Are there still people out there that think odds makers are making a prediction of the final scores of games when they put odds out?
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Go to bed Bob..You’re the one who told me earlier this week that there was not another win on Duke’s schedule.You seem to be the only person who cant get my point.That is not what I’m saying and you know.I hate it when you pretend to be stupid.Good night.
could happen
October 22nd, 2012
12:15 am
FL had no offense in the game. SC handed ball to FL several times that were converted. 21 points I think.
Benadawg
October 22nd, 2012
12:16 am
I wear myself out pulling for the Dawgs and CMR acts like it don’t mean a damn thing….Wake the hell up Dawgs!!!
Under The Bleachers
October 22nd, 2012
12:23 am
Rival games are always hard to pick point spreads.
I can see this game getting very very ugly very very quick. Florida players have attitudes and Georgia players have tendencies to make dumb penalities. I would not be surprised we will see a new record for the most personal foul penalities called in a game when this is all over and done.
DogBet
October 22nd, 2012
12:25 am
Fla will be overconfident in this game after that sc blowout—the dogs will be on fire and can pull the upset. I’ll take the 4.5 points and bet the dogs with my man in Tahoe—easy money!
Under The Bleachers
October 22nd, 2012
12:26 am
TrishaDishawareagle
October 21st, 2012
11:53 pm
Pessimism reigns on the plains, with our season down the drains but we still believe in Chizik (for one more year). So if you have any sightings of Bobby Lowder talking to other sec coaches, speak up!
Trisha….we all know you love your Tigers, but that statement is putting it mildly. There is a mob out there waiting for Chizik with a rail to haul him out of town. The rest of the SEC would love to see him stay a while, it makes winning even in Auburn much much easier and at some point Trooper is going to slip up and get caught, it is just a matter of time.
Gator Head
October 22nd, 2012
12:29 am
Under the bleachers:
I see UGA’s thug players making late hits, slugging, and pulling all of their normal game criminal mentality plays. Mark Richt does not command the respect of his players, and he allows his players to act like that fat boy defensive coordinator and show no class.
pruss
October 22nd, 2012
12:33 am
You fire Richt people are nuts. The man averages a 10-3 record over his 11 1/2 years as UGA’s coach. Not many people do that. WE ARE 6-1 THIS SEASON! Win next week and we can finish the regular season 11-1. Yes. I say fire the coach that can bring my team an 11-1 season and a trip to the SEC Championship…. really?!?!? You people are nuts. He runs the program right, he’s a good man and at the rate he’s going he will bring a championship to the Dawgs sooner than later. When he does I hope he hangs a big middle finger to all you haters. By the way the coach with the most wins in college football had 2 NC in the 39 years he coached…. Its not like they just give the things out… Again you Fire Richt people are nuts!
GTBob
October 22nd, 2012
12:33 am
Go to bed Bob..You’re the one who told me earlier this week that there was not another win on Duke’s schedule.
Honestly, them beating UNC shocked me. I thought they were headed for a down spiral as their schedule got much tougher. Kudos to them for becoming bowl eligible. I still doubt they will win anymore games though.
Just the facts
October 22nd, 2012
12:40 am
ok
Florida vs Kentucky – Florida 35 – Kentucky 0
Georgia vs Kentucky – Georgia 29 – Kentucky 24 – victory in doubt up to last minutes…
Florida vs South Carolina – Florida 44 – South Carolina – 11 – SC does not score a TD
Georgia vs South Carolina – Georgia 7 – South Carolina 35 – Georgia avoids shutout in final moments against 2nd string…
Those games are over and done.
I have no idea how the Georgia / Florida game will turn out.
I say the spread is about right.
(work em silly, Gators!)
Gator Head
October 22nd, 2012
12:46 am
pruss
October 22nd, 2012
12:33 am
You fire Richt people are nuts. The man averages a 10-3 record over his 11 1/2 years as UGA’s coach. Not many people do that. WE ARE 6-1 THIS SEASON! Win next week and we can finish the regular season 11-1. Yes. I say fire the coach that can bring my team an 11-1 season and a trip to the SEC Championship…. really?!?!? You people are nuts. He runs the program right, he’s a good man and at the rate he’s going he will bring a championship to the Dawgs sooner than later. When he does I hope he hangs a big middle finger to all you haters. By the way the coach with the most wins in college football had 2 NC in the 39 years he coached…. Its not like they just give the things out… Again you Fire Richt people are nuts!
Do you realize that a 10-3 schedule in the 2010’s is a 6-4 season in 1970’s 80’s and 90’s.
And 6-4 gets you fired if you cannot beat your rivals and get close to a national title.
Gator Head
October 22nd, 2012
12:54 am
By the way they are saying that Chizik “:is a good man” at Auburn too, being a good man does not win you football games, it does make you Mr. Congeniality.
pruss
October 22nd, 2012
1:01 am
Bad comparison Gator Head ….. AU – 8-5 in ‘11 & 1-6 in ‘12 Chizik 36–35 (.507) as a head coach at 2 schools ….. UGA 10-4 in ‘11 & 6-1 in ‘12 Richt 112–39 (.742) at one SEC school. Again, bad comparison…