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
Jeffrey
October 22nd, 2012
8:55 am
It’s psychological. If we score first and play well from the get go we will win. If the gators start with the mojo we are road kill.
Put in Timeout by Ken Suguira,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned by Bill King, Chip Towers & only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
October 22nd, 2012
8:55 am
JTown…………….How Many Yards Did Kentucky Have again against the Dwags? How bout the Vols & USC?
kingdaddy
October 22nd, 2012
8:55 am
Thomas
After the comments You made about Mark Richts wife, nobody reads your garbage. Hope nobody in your family ever has to deal with cancer. You have a black heart and only posters that hate UGA agree with you. Good luck with your negative rants …
Thomas Brown
October 22nd, 2012
8:56 am
BullDogMike October 22nd, 2012 7:13 am
“Been on this band wagon for three seasons now. Special team play far more important than what most fans think it is. Kentucky game was perfect example. We don’t have anybody capable to field punts. Most importantly knowing when to catch them and when to let them go. Kentucky pinned us deep several times with their punt team. And having kicker miss as many PAT’s as he has is crazy. Unlike the very successful SEC coaches, CMR’ chooses not to spend any time on special teams. This one small fact will once again beat us against a quality team. Book It !”
______________________________________________________
Amen BullDogMike, and what did you think about walk-on Kosta Vavlas forcing Malcolm Mitchell not to return the kick-off against Kentucky in what was supposed to be a win by 28 and was instead a 5-point game ?
And, what about all the fair catches by Walk-On Merritt Hall on Kick-Offs with no one within 30-yards of him every time ?
And, what about the onside kick with 3:58 left Saturday afternoon against Kentucky when the ball did not go the 10-yards required and walk-on Connor Norman, who has been burned on every pass attempt all season long, runs up and jumps on the ball between 3 of the Kentucky players waiting for it to go the required 10 yards when it obviously quit rolling and was going only 9 yards ?
And, what about the missed field goal ?
And, what about the Aaron Murray failed 2-point conversion try ?
And, what about the field goal that bounced off the goal posts and went through for Mark Richt to walk-off the field laughing the way we’re playing on special teams ?
Or, the 70 yard punt return last week.
Or the :
# 109 Net Punting, walk-ons
# 62 Punt Returns, walk-ons
# 44 Kick-Off Returns, walk-ons telling Malcolm Mitchell not to return it
# 45 Kick-Off Returns Defense
Flat Tire On I-95 in Jacksonville
October 22nd, 2012
9:02 am
Yep looking forward to see if Richt wants to be the coach at uga
Kevin Butler was upset on the call in show at how Richt just laughed about the field goal hitting the uprights
i think Kevin Butler is tired of this coaching staff but cant say it for risk of losing his radio gig
yep
October 22nd, 2012
9:03 am
I think it will come down to whether or not UGA’s running game shows up. I think they’re every bit talented enough to beat UF.
kingdaddy
October 22nd, 2012
9:03 am
Timeout
Got into a spiff with one of Tybees finest, kinda giving them some room. Hanging at the Dew. You good? Hadn’t heard from you in awhile. Why do they ban you, but let TB hang around? I’ll never understand that …
kingdaddy
October 22nd, 2012
9:05 am
I gotta go work a little. Later haters …
outkasted
October 22nd, 2012
9:06 am
GA will win this game regardless of what any of u guys think with all the negativity!!!! Go Dawgs its Florida week
Put in Timeout by Ken Suguira,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned by Bill King, Chip Towers & only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
October 22nd, 2012
9:07 am
You know to each his own. The UGa guys don’t like me and bradley only lets me post sometimes. LOL
Mom passed early Sept. and having a lot of things to do and work. So I haven’t been on as much.
Put in Timeout by Ken Suguira,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned by Bill King, Chip Towers & only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
October 22nd, 2012
9:08 am
KingDaddy
I might get a NEW computer soon so I will be back on all the Blogs until they figure out it is ME.
DIT
October 22nd, 2012
9:09 am
Questions to be answered:
1) Will the team be ready to play? – Sounds funny, but you would think a big game they would be. Were they ready in the SCe game…. NO!
2) IF we are able to score points it has to be done in the 1st half. Will we be able to score any 2nd half points? Most teams have not against UF.
3) Will Jarvis Jones be close to 100%? Will his lay off from live action slow him down? – Without Jarvis playing all out at 100% it will be a long day. That defense needs it’s General.
4) I doubt it, but I will throw it out there anyway. Will UF be over confident after watching the past 2 games UGA played. I could not blame them if they are.
5) Is this the game the defense plays to their potential? Doubt it, because they are playing with no purpose and are always a step behind everyone else.
I’ll be pulling pulling for the Dawgs just as much as any other game, but even this Dawg knows that this team needs to play at an entirely different level to have a chance.
Flat Tire On I-95 in Jacksonville
October 22nd, 2012
9:11 am
Has the Uniform Change announcement been made for this week? I need to know if its a red out, black out or another were getting Blown Out
I sure hope they read Energy Vampires this week to the team to get them fired up!!!!!!
I cant wait to see the “”DREAM TEAM I and II”"” play some “”"CUTTING EDGE FOOTBALL”"” this Saturday
I've been working on the RR
October 22nd, 2012
9:11 am
Is anyone suspended this week ….?
kingdaddy
October 22nd, 2012
9:15 am
Ive been taking care of mine since I took her to the hospital two weeks ago. She’s better but I can’t go back home until she gets a little stronger. Me and my sister are tag-teaming her. Momma’s a sweetheart. Hope you’re coping OK, and your family …
Flat Tire On I-95 in Jacksonville
October 22nd, 2012
9:15 am
kingdaddy
Haters????
Come on; seriously did you not watch the KY game???
BlacknRed
October 22nd, 2012
9:16 am
I agree with Pman, 61pts. Our defense is overrated, and if you go back to last season you would see that our “Top Ranked Defense” was very flawed, but with NFL talent, and what does that mean, a lack of coaching.
mark
October 22nd, 2012
9:17 am
Yes, we can beat Fla…Vegas lines are fairly accurate. Must play physical and lights out. Fla fans already think this game is over. They give us no chance. Do not miss a PAT. Dawgs win.
Thomas Brown
October 22nd, 2012
9:17 am
kingdaddy,
You’re not going to make any point about the fact that Mark Richt has not beat a team who made the top 10 since his wife was diagnosed with Cancer May 2, 2006, with good reason. 2006 was 7 seasons’ ago. Neat how you try to make that into what it’s not. It is what it is. And, it’s not what you said it is. As per usual for you. Good try to try to make that into something it’s not, by not even saying what I do say on the facts.
Don’t even try.
Eisendawg
October 22nd, 2012
9:18 am
We may not win the game, but I challenge you to find a team that has a fieldgoal kicker that can hit the upright as much as ours. He has to be the best in the universe. There’s not a fieldgoal kicker in the NFL that can hit the goal post like our’s.
Thomas Brown
October 22nd, 2012
9:19 am
Flat Tire on I-95
kingdaddy calls US haters, then offers up himself that he wants McGarity to fix this mess.
Yeah, right. We’re haters. and he’s what, then ?
Flat Tire On I-95 in Jacksonville
October 22nd, 2012
9:20 am
mark
Yea I agree this team can beat FL and beat them by at least 2 TD’s
Yep they can; thats if our coaching staff stays home and watches the game on TV
Flat Tire On I-95 in Jacksonville
October 22nd, 2012
9:22 am
Thomas Brown
I was kicked off Chips blog the other day; I didnt cuss I didnt do nothing but present facts to this kool-aid loving bunch yet he kicks me off
DIT
October 22nd, 2012
9:22 am
Flat tire – Yes they can. I have already hired a couple of bus drivers for the Gators to take them to Macon instead of Jax……..
Thomas Brown
October 22nd, 2012
9:23 am
“There’s not a fieldgoal kicker in the NFL that can hit the goal post like our’s.”
That’s because when our kickers go to the NFL, they don’t miss. It’s just here. And, soon as they are drafted and on the team, their coach says, excuse me : Change this. Wait until the ball is snapped to move. Jeez Louise. We can’t teach kickers anything, here.
That’s why when the go the NFL, they set records. Here they FLOP.
Duh.
It’s coaching, not the kicker. Marshall Morgan makes 50-yarders and cannot punch it thru directly under the goal posts. Pretty obvious there, that it’s coaching again.
Special Teams’ coaching.
mark
October 22nd, 2012
9:24 am
Nobody is getting fired during the season…So please shut up about it. All this is doing is hurting recruiting. Nope, he is not going anywhere next season either. Like it or not, Richt will be @ uga next two years… Just get behind our team and GATA. Beat the Gators.
I've been working on the RR
October 22nd, 2012
9:25 am
Look for Murray and Richt to have their game face on by the end of the first quarter. The “Deer in the Headlight’s” Game face that is…. and to continue our losing record against Nationally Ranked Opponents to 1-10… Anyone know who we beat?
The rev al
October 22nd, 2012
9:25 am
Prediction. Florida 45-7 with Ga scoring a mercy touchdown in the last five minutes. The defense will again look befuddled, dazed and confused as it did in the first half of the Missouri game, the whole game against Kentucky and Tennessee and SC. Look for numerous special teams breakdowns and BoBo’s game plan to be totally predictable and ineffective. It will be a beat down.
Smart like a fox
October 22nd, 2012
9:26 am
gators by 40….or more
I've been working on the RR
October 22nd, 2012
9:28 am
The only thing that hurts recruiting is the records that our coaches have accumulated with these “Dream Team” recruits lack of production. It is on our coaches….. THEY need to go so we can start to build consistency in our efforts…
Wally Butts
October 22nd, 2012
9:29 am
I don’t believe what I m about to predict but Ga. will be playing on emotions Sat.
Ga. will upset Fla. 24 to 21
t-rex
October 22nd, 2012
9:30 am
the turn overs are a big deal———-Gandy is right———if UGA has no turn overs they have a chance—————but UGAS defense has to step up in this game—–or it will be ugly—–
I've been working on the RR
October 22nd, 2012
9:31 am
Wally Butts……….with there emotions they better bring a few NFL players our something
North ave. faithful
October 22nd, 2012
9:31 am
Watching the replay of game now, What happened to Rambo? Kentucky playing like its their bowl game. I still think Dawgs will give Gators a battle this saturday, I would take UGA and points. Dont get so down, look what i am having to endure this season.
Shawshank Dawg
October 22nd, 2012
9:31 am
All we have is hope. That may sustain an innocent person in jail, but it’s no way to go into a game with an archrival who has owned you for the last two decades. Muschamp had to pick up the pieces of a program left in disarray by a burned out Meyer who somehow never got caught cheating, and in two years has it back among the elite teams in the country. Richt was brought here to beat FL. He did it regularly at FSU. Then again Bowden was the head coach. “What happens to all those 4 and 5 star recruits when they get to GA.” Richt refuses to change and upgrade, and Grantham is not an upgrade, especially when he has his sites set on a head coaching job elsewhere. Obviously the book is out on how to beat the 3-4. Muschamp brought in that outstanding OC from Boise. We have a promoted quarterbacks coach who the opposition appears to know his every tendency. A coach who can’t adapt and bring in the best and brightest gets left behind and eventually fades away, but still we hope.
I've been working on the RR
October 22nd, 2012
9:32 am
Wally Butts……….with there emotions they better bring a few NFL players our something….., and maybe a Coach….., you working?
Flat Tire On I-95 in Jacksonville
October 22nd, 2012
9:35 am
mark
You want to know what hurts recruiting and player moral
Its Herby and Mustberger posting on National TV that UGA is 0-10 vs the top 10 and 2-14 against ranked opponents since 2008
Thats what hurts recruiting
kingdaddy
October 22nd, 2012
9:36 am
Flats
Relax bro…TBs got your back!
Like to stay and talk, but I’ve really got to run…
MT
October 22nd, 2012
9:36 am
Anybody remember 07 when we look pathetic against Vandy, and then the next week went to
JAX and beat Tebow and the Gators. Maybe the Dawgs will read that no one in Dawg Nation gives them a snowballs chance in Hell and come out and hit the FL between the eyes, much the way Carolina did to us.
Bulldawg Charlie
October 22nd, 2012
9:37 am
On paper, UGA is as good or better than FU. Unfortunately games aren’t played on paper. We are tired of having superior talent to other teams and laying eggs in big games. That usually comes down to coaching.
I have wanted CMR to get it done so badly to prove his critics wrong. Alas, I have given up hope that he or current staff is answer. Hope they prove me wrong.
FU 34, UGA 14
DawgFan
October 22nd, 2012
9:38 am
Wow Jeff – quite an article. Pulling in tweets for 2/3 of your copy? You get paid the big bucks for this stuff? Why not just do a link and send us over to the page, save yourself the cutting and pasting time. Or was that done by your editor…
MT
October 22nd, 2012
9:38 am
You want to know what hurts recruiting and player moral
Its Herby and Mustberger posting on National TV that UGA is 0-10 vs the top 10 and 2-14 against ranked opponents since 2008
It hurts,but its the truth. Fire Mark Richt.
St Simons
October 22nd, 2012
9:41 am
i just hope its ugly enough to get Richt, Murray, and booboo run off.
we’re staying home, and we live here
St Simons
October 22nd, 2012
9:43 am
48-6 because we can’t kick an extra point. This is just sad.
Predictor
October 22nd, 2012
9:46 am
@DawgFan
You want an article regarding Dawg fans attitudes about the Florida game to feature no Dawg fan opinions?
Should Jeff have simply made up some happy talk and written that instead? Do you really think that would make a difference in the outcome next Saturday? It is this irrational belief in magic that makes Mark Richt so popular in Athens.
Thomas Brown
October 22nd, 2012
9:49 am
Flat Tire,
In case you can’t tell, they spend all day long whining to every blog there is to CENSOR posts because they don’t want to reply on-topic.
Here the blog topic is the PESSIMISM of Dawg Fans. And, who is front and center for pessimism by Dawg Fans ?
kingdaddy
Actually, it’s all of those who do not want your posts.
I read all your posts.
I know you say nothing wrong and everything right.
Trust me, censoring posts is not right. Everyone has an opinion and the most negative opinion is by the bh kingdaddy picking on you again today.
Then, again, it’s 9:47 am and he’s had plenty of time to come on here and brag he’s drunk again all day, as he does say he is always in here drinking.
9:47 am no different.
His doesn’t stink.
Only he can talk.
And, where is
___________________________
BRAINIAC RICHT FAN FOR LIFE
___________________________
?
Flat Tire On I-95 in Jacksonville
October 22nd, 2012
9:50 am
MT
Yea I remember that team that beat Tebow
But you do realize that FL team was nothing more than a bunch of Freshmen and Sophmores going against a bunch of experienced Juniors and Seniors on UGA’s team
Richt has yet to beat a good FL team; much less an elite FL team
This yrs FL team is not elite; but they are good
Richt beat FL when they just fired Zook; he beat an all FR and Soph FL team after they lost pretty much everyone from that NC team and he beat a sorry FL team last year with an injured QB and a new coach
In my opinion Richt still hasnt beaten FL
Thomas Brown
October 22nd, 2012
9:51 am
Predictor, great posted reply, sir.
Dizzy
October 22nd, 2012
9:51 am
We moved up in the BCS polls
to #10
Optimism reigns nationally for UGA.
Dizzy
October 22nd, 2012
9:52 am
Florida struggled to beat Vanderbily 28-14, where UGA beat Vandy 45-3.