Georgia has chance to alter perceptions with one win
Mark Richt and Georgia hope to take control of SEC East with win over Will Muschamp and Florida.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – There are those rare games that can unify a fan base. This is one of them.
Just for a moment, put aside that Georgia’s defense has underachieved and may have a level of dysfunctionality in the locker room. Put aside that the Bulldogs, in a week where they should’ve been focused and in assault mode, made Kentucky look relevant. Put aside whatever it was that happened in Columbia.
One game changes everything.
Georgia isn’t just playing Florida on Saturday in Jacksonville. It’s playing for a chance to change its season and obliterate perceptions about “big game” performances. That doesn’t mean the Bulldogs haven’t won big games under coach Mark Richt, but the results in recent seasons certainly aren’t something that any coach wants slapped on his resume: 3-11 against Top 25 teams since 2009, 1-9 against top 10 teams since 2008.
One win over Florida, the No. 2 team in the BCS, would act like a bucket of Kilz. Clean wall, fresh start, new season. It would put the Dogs in control in the SEC East and give them a chance to return to the SEC title game. All of their goals, save an undefeated season, would be restored.
Is Georgia capable of beating Florida? Of course. The perceived talent on this defense is unequaled by most programs in the nation. The freshmen running backs are solid, and the quarterback, Aaron Murray, is solid and certainly the better of the two in this game.
There’s just all of this baggage. The season hasn’t been nearly what anybody expected. A record of 6-1 looks good in most college towns, but not when it’s owned by a projected top-10 (at least) team with a soft schedule, and that team was absolutely bodyslammed by its only ranked opponent (South Carolina).
“I’m sure it gnaws on Aaron, and it gnaws on everybody — we all want to win the big game,” wide receiver Marlon Brown said. “If we win this game, the fans maybe will stop talking about the South Carolina game.”
Questions about games like this always seem to wind up at the same intersection: What does this mean for Mark Richt?
It’s not a situation exclusive to Athens. It happens at every major college football program, and certainly on every campus in the SEC (save, maybe, Vanderbilt). As many as four conference schools (Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Auburn) may change coaches after this season. Among those who soon could be out of a job: Gene Chizik, who won a national championship at Auburn two years ago.
The sparks around Richt have lingered really since 2008, when lopsided losses to Alabama and Florida derailed SEC and BCS title hopes. Even the 10-game winning streak after the 0-2 start last season didn’t appease all critics because none of the wins came over great teams (Auburn was No. 24, Georgia Tech No. 25 by the Associated Press).
So what would it mean to Richt if the Bulldogs lost? I’m not sure anything.
Richt obviously needs this to alter perceptions by some that his program has hit a ceiling. But if the Dogs lose in Jacksonville and then win the remainder of their games, they will finish the season 10-2 (pre-bowl).
I can’t claim to know what’s going on inside the head of athletic director Greg McGarity. But canning a head coach with a 10-2 record just doesn’t seem plausible – especially if the second loss came to the No. 2 team in the country.
That said, Richt will have to do as good a coaching job as he ever has to pull off a win. He will have to unify his players. One of the team’s co-captains, safety Shawn Williams, vented earlier in the week about the defense playing soft. He might’ve been right. But the bigger issue came when Williams suggested lineup changes, which effectively threw two of his teammates, linebackers Michael Gilliard and Christian Robinson, under the bus.
Gilliard said he “felt disrespected.” Robinson said, “I’m not mad at (Williams),” but disputed his comments and said, “I’ve got to go back to work with him and we’ve got a big game to win.”
A bigger game than we’ve seen for some time.
By Jeff Schultz
What you may have missed:
• Weekend Predictions: Sorry Doggies, Gators look too good
• Georgia has one edge on Florida — it’s Aaron Murray
• Pessimism reigns by Georgia fans on Twitter
• Georgia Tech stops the bleeding but assumes nothing
• Larry Drew is prepared to work without a parachute
• Weekend Predictions: Bulldogs, Jackets rise from the dead
• Falcons are NFL’s last unbeaten team: Here’s fate of others (with video)
• Falcons 6-0 but Turner is frustrated with running game
• Fan revolts out of control, one even wanted to fight UGA player
• Weekend Predictions: No sacrifices, but Falcons, LSU win
• Radakovich says Johnson is ‘right person for job’
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399 comments Add your comment
wastedyears
October 26th, 2012
1:36 pm
I JUST REMEMBER THE S CAROLINA GAME I DIDNT EVEN GET THE POPCORN FROM THE MICROWAVE AND IT WAS 21-0 …SO I THRU IT AWAY GRAB THE VODKA AND WENT TO THE PATIO ..SO THIS TIME BULLPUPS YOU WANT CATCH ME OFFGUARD..I WILL START AT 12.30PM..BECAUSE I HAVE TO BE AT THE POINT OF BLACKOUT TO WATCH YOUR GAMES NOW …YOU SUCK THAT BAD !!!!
TVDog
October 26th, 2012
1:36 pm
Muschamp’s team got -20 yards rushing against UGA last season. UGA ran for 185+ yards. And UGA won the turnover battle. Jarvis ALONE had 4 sacks. And this oline has given up 21 sacks ALREADY, they can’t block anyone, bet Jarvis is excited.
Murray will have a field day, as the Florida dline doesn’t get sacks or pressure, look for Murray to pick this defense apart, 500 yards passing and 6 passing td’s isn’t out of the question.
TBone
October 26th, 2012
1:37 pm
Hey let’s just go down there and take our annual beating and come home. No need for a hotel room, we’ll just drive on through. Back in my day, this crap didn’t happen.
Patty McGroin
October 26th, 2012
1:37 pm
Um TVDog? Nobody around the country considers GA a top 10 team. And as far as your comparison of Richt to Saban, Bryant, Bowden, etc., you neglected to point out the most important stats: Bryant had 6 national championships; Saban has 3 national championships and Bowden had 2.
If you value Richt’s regular season record that much and think that’s what’s most important, than continue supporting mediocrity.
7576DAWG
October 26th, 2012
1:38 pm
Muschamps plans are to create turnovers from aggressive special teams play and then take advantage of Bobo and especially Murray’s attempt to catch up by moving away from the game plan and thus cause Murray to turn the ball over even more . If Murray doesn’t turn the ball over any Georgia can win a close game but if Murray or the running backs turns the ball over the three times Muschamp is counting on then Florida wins by 17 points.
Why was the first game against Alabama and L.S.U. so great last year? Because neither coach was intimidated and neither team panic’ed. Sometimes if all you can get is a field goal , you should feel great that you at least got points.
Joe
October 26th, 2012
1:38 pm
As much as I would like to beleive we pull out a win in Jax, I give us about a 5% chance of doing it. I am a lifelong dawg but honestly, I hope is is a overwelming blowout instead of something close. Just like the coach said, losing by 1 or 28 is the same unfortunately, a close loss will just start the spin talk of “see, we are going in right direction” but hey, Florida is the number 2 team in the country,…and of course, hey, were 6-2 and thats a good place to be. Funny how Florida can have a down year and bounce back with new coach but yet UGA has the “woohoo 10 in a row” returns several NFL guys on D, sports a great QB- or so they tell me and we end up 10-2 if we are LUCKY. Losing to the 2 best teams on the schedule…….time for change in Athens and that will not happen unless we get blownout and embarrassed on National TV……I hate to have to see it but 52- 13 will force McGarity to do something and at least start the process of becoming the team we should and can be with our talent
TVDog
October 26th, 2012
1:39 pm
Florida’s defense is ranked LAST in the SEC in sacks, and 7th in tackles for loss. The front 7 is soft. Look for Murray, given all day to throw, to set some records.
TVDog
October 26th, 2012
1:41 pm
Muschamp’s plan last year was to win with special teams, great defense and turnovers.
His plan failed, as UGA won 24-20, sound familiar?
bamaguy
October 26th, 2012
1:41 pm
I think a win would do a lot more than alter the perception of this years team, it would alter the perception of UGA football outside the state of Georgia (including ESPN).
GTBob
October 26th, 2012
1:42 pm
So beating a ranked team every 3-4 years can erase all of the embarrassing losses in between? I really wish I had Mark Richt’s job.
Patty McGroin
October 26th, 2012
1:42 pm
What was Kentucky’s defense rated when GA played them, TVDog?
dbc
October 26th, 2012
1:42 pm
If UGA wins the toss and Richt defers, game over.
TVDog
October 26th, 2012
1:44 pm
Muschamp teams are always too aggressive and get burned easily.
His team ranks 95th in penalties, and they give away 70 yards a game due to being the most undisciplined, high risk defense in the SEC.
Hard to win when your team has no discipline.
Florida’s only shot is force 4 turnovers, they just don’t move the ball on offense, ranked 102nd in total offense, only 18 teams are worse.
Relax and play the game!
October 26th, 2012
1:45 pm
Naysayers. Lunatic fringe. Armchair QBs. Pundits. Media. Alumni. Government. Libya. Whoever.
If I wanted your opinons then I’d ask for it. Shut the pie hole.
Now….UGA players just relax, execute, and win. And, above all, act like you’ve been there before.
Newnan
October 26th, 2012
1:46 pm
LOL…. Can someone give TVDog smelling salts?
Alphare
October 26th, 2012
1:46 pm
TVDog,
“Look for Murray, given all day to throw, to set some records.”
Wait, wait. Stop right there, my friend. You cannot throw for this game. Hurricane Sandra is coming.
Newnan
October 26th, 2012
1:47 pm
They have been there before… and almost ALWAYS LOSE!
TVDog
October 26th, 2012
1:48 pm
It’s the same crappy Florida team on offense and defense.
Offense was ranked 108th in total yards in 2011, 102nd in 2012
Defense gave up 299 yards per game in 2011, 289 in 2012.
Same crappy team.
Only difference is they’ve relied on turnovers to win games and been VERY LUCKY.
Hard to keep winning when the team is the same as last year on offense and defense.
Forida’s luck on turnovers runs out tomorrow, UGA wins the turnover battle like 2011, and dominates the weak Florida front 7 like last year, running for 185 yards. it’s the same front 7 who UGA dominated.
TVDog
October 26th, 2012
1:49 pm
Tight spiral, and the ball cuts right through the wind unaltered.
Patty McGroin
October 26th, 2012
1:50 pm
I want TV Dog to be a man and show up here on Monday and use the same name.
Alphare
October 26th, 2012
1:52 pm
But this hurricane power can blow up your house, not to mention a spiral football, my friend.
TVDog
October 26th, 2012
1:52 pm
Florida is the PERFECT matchup for UGA.
1) no pressure on dline, no sacks
2) can’t stop UGA rush attack (ran for 185 last year)
3) Offense can’t pass (stack 8 in the box like last year and hold to -20 rushing)
Dawglasville
October 26th, 2012
1:53 pm
We did do it the year that Kiffen killed us. We turned it around and won the Sugar Bowl. Like Munson and Dooley, I will always assume the worst. It would be nice to get a surprise for once. Go Dawgs.
JB
October 26th, 2012
1:53 pm
Jeff…..did you say Mark would have to do some coaching? I always see him looking lost talking to Bobo upstairs….and I see little coaching from the man. Did anyone watch the 67 year old Sprurrier against us? And HE WAS WINNING……And coach Boom will be all over that team Saturday. Does that make a great coach? Who knows. Mark normally looks like he’s waiting for a bus in our beat downs.
Patty McGroin
October 26th, 2012
1:55 pm
TVDog, hypothetically speaking here, what will you say about the GA program IF they get blown out? Honestly.
TVDog
October 26th, 2012
1:55 pm
Think of Florida like GTech, they like to run, can’t pass, don’t practice passing, and are 1 dimensional.
Richt’s 10-1 vs. 1 dimensional GTech. And 1-0 vs. 1 dimensional Muschamp. 11-1 vs. 1 dimensional team, he’ll lose 1 of 11 games and win 10 of 11.
GTBob
October 26th, 2012
1:56 pm
Hard to keep winning when the team is the same as last year on offense and defense.
Yet they are 7-0 and have beaten two top 15 teams. One of which routed UGA with no problem.
JB
October 26th, 2012
1:58 pm
Is Tech still playing this season?. Do they pipe in fan noise on game day
TVDog
October 26th, 2012
1:59 pm
Yeah, Muschamp is 0-1 vs. Richt.
North Ave
October 26th, 2012
1:59 pm
It seems to me that TVDog is just looking for reactions… Think of Florida like GTech??? LOL. You must be a troll.
Big T
October 26th, 2012
2:00 pm
The enemy of my enemy is my friend….Go Gators!
Under The Bleachers
October 26th, 2012
2:00 pm
The Hurricane/Tropical Storm Sandy is going to change the game and how it is played.
Passing is going to be limited and running the ball a premium.
This has now become a line of scrimmage game 10 x of what it was.
TVDog
October 26th, 2012
2:01 pm
Good point, I was being too kind in comparing Florida to GTech.
GTech’s pass offense is ranked #115.
Florida’s is #118.
Yep, GTech’s pass offense is BETTER than Florida. And Gtech doesn’t practice passing.
GTBob
October 26th, 2012
2:02 pm
2) can’t stop UGA rush attack (ran for 185 last year)
LSU rushed for 238 yards against Florida last year. South Carolina rushed for 215. How did they do against Florida this year?
Eric C.
October 26th, 2012
2:02 pm
Hurricane Sandy puts the outcome of this game up in the air…it’s a real toss-up now
Alphare
October 26th, 2012
2:03 pm
TVDog,
admitted, Dawgs are tigers on paper. But I am really concerned with the hurricane thing. Do you have any stats on dawgs when you are wet? tigers on paper which is wet is not pretty.
TVDog
October 26th, 2012
2:03 pm
Weather will have ZERO impact.
If it was dangerous, game would have been cancelled.
Weather will help Murray more than Driskell, Murray can throw a tight spiral, Driskell isn’;t sure which side has the laces.
Under The Bleachers
October 26th, 2012
2:05 pm
Over/under on Punts is 12
Over/under on Turnovers(with wind and rain) 6
North Ave
October 26th, 2012
2:05 pm
Let’s move away from stats for a second. Florida, like all good SEC teams, play tough. GA is known for being the farthest thing from that.
KingGator
October 26th, 2012
2:07 pm
Brother, you can talk about one game changing everything, but champions are built on consistency, not a game changing moment. I understand your job is to sell newspapers, and get folks to read your column, but as they say,”Rome wasn’t built in a day”. For GA to move in the level with the elite schools, they must win not the “one” big game, but the “big” games, on a regular basis. It doesn’t matter if it’s FL, South Carolina, aka Spurrier, Bama, LSU, etc. Now, maybe they can start with a win in Jax tomorrow, but question is, can they sustain that one win, and their success? Based on recent history, the facts say no. So, one game and one win will not alter perceptions for anybody, except maybe for your newspaper base and the faithful GA fans. Trust me, if a team’s season is riding on one game then they’re in big TROUBLE!!
TVDog
October 26th, 2012
2:07 pm
Richt will always win this game as long as Muschamp is Head Coach, because Muschamp’s offensive strategy is wrong.
Muschamp is committed to:
1- run the ball
2- stop the run on defense
But uh oh, what is you meet a team who can:
pass the ball
Under The Bleachers
October 26th, 2012
2:07 pm
TVDawg, Have you ever played in Hurricane like conditions?
The rain blowing in sideways, wind gusts up to 65 mph and swirling.
It makes for a long miserable game if you are on the field.
Joe
October 26th, 2012
2:08 pm
Hurricane Sandra: 38 Keystone Cops: 13
Devildog
October 26th, 2012
2:08 pm
Richt,Granthem or Honey BoBo cant seem to motivate our Dawgs,we need a change……! Bring on Kirby…….!
TVDog
October 26th, 2012
2:08 pm
Florida is 11th in the SEC in scoring offense. Better hope they get turnovers, because the offense doesn’t score points.
LakeDawg
October 26th, 2012
2:09 pm
A huge opportunity for UGA and Richt. Personally, I don’t think Richt has it in him to win this one. I sincerely hope he proves me wrong. However, to erase the “perception” Richt will have to follow up a UF win with at least a competitive showing against Bama.
Under The Bleachers
October 26th, 2012
2:09 pm
The team that throws the ball more in bad weather is the team that will lose.
Kyle
October 26th, 2012
2:10 pm
The only was UGA gets out of Jax without a loss is if Hurricane Sandra hits and the game is cancelled. Other than that, we still feel like we were in a Hurricane…….Floriduh 41 Georgiah: 16
Kyle
October 26th, 2012
2:10 pm
way, not was
TVDog
October 26th, 2012
2:10 pm
Muschamp has never won, any game, in this UGA-UF series.
Player? None
Asst Coach? None
Head Coach? None
Can Muschamp change his LOSING CURSE perception in this series?