LIVE: Georgia goes for SEC East clincher against Auburn
Georgia hopes to have something to celebrate on Auburn's field after tonight's game.
AUBURN, Ala. — Hello, and welcome to something you probably didn’t expect five weeks ago when Georgia got body-slammed at South Carolina: A potential SEC East Division-clinching game against Auburn.
Every trend and statistic says the Bulldogs should win this game. Easily. But if they needed any reminder that anything can happen on a college football Saturday, just check the Florida game.
I stopped at an Auburn tailgating spot to watch a few minutes of Florida’s game against Louisiana-Lafayette, and the Gators were trailing 20-13 with just under four minutes left. I figured, worst-case scenario, Florida ties it and I’ll watch overtime in the press box, so I walked away. But as I walked into the box, the Gators were kicking an extra point following a blocked punt and return for the go-ahead touchdown.
So much for that monumental upset. Nonetheless, it should serve as a monumental warning for the Dogs — and it’s certainly easy fodder for coach Mark Richt’s pregame speech.
OK. The Tigers stink. They’re 2-7 overall and 0-6 in the SEC. A brief summary of their statistical woes: They rank 13th in total offense (305.2), total defense (428.7) and scoring offense (19.2), 10th in scoring defense (27.3), last in rush defense (199.2) — no reason to wonder about Georgia’s plan of attack — last in sacks allowed (29), last in third-down conversions (28.8) and 13th in turnovers (20) and turnover differential (minus-nine).
In short, there’s probably no reason for Gene Chizik to refinance his home because he’s going to be putting that sucker up for sale soon. It would be an upset it Chizik wasn’t fired, especially with a drumming by Alabama still expected to come at the end of the season.
(As I write this, Texas A&M just took a 20-0 lead over Alabama. Like I was saying …)
No such problems for Richt and Georgia. The Dogs had the perfect confluence of events following their 35-7 loss to South Carolina: 1) They didn’t faceplant in the next three games; 2) They beat Florida; 3) South Carolina imploded. So here we are, with Georgia on the verge of clinching its second straight East title and a trip to the Georgia Dome.
Before I open the cyber-venting lines, here are a few links from this week to pass the time until kickoff:
• The setup for this game from Chip Towers.
• How the backdrop for these teams (and coaches) was flipped two years ago, by Tim Tucker. (Auburn was on the was to a BCS title with Cam Newton; Georgia was on the way to a 6-7 finish.)
• The work of the UGA’s offensive line to protect Aaron Murray, by Chip.
• The Dogs will face their last two defensive coordinators (Brian VanGorder and Willie Martinez), by Tim.
• My column on Richt’s disclosure that he will need hip replacement surgery, thanks to an old swing set injury.
• Finally, here’s my prediction for the game (and other sound investment advice) in Weekend Predictions.
One last observation: Chip, Tim and I encountered far less traffic than usual for an Auburn game. Could be an indication of the crowd for this one.
That’s it for now. Commenting opens in 3 … 2 … 1 …
By Jeff Schultz
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786 comments Add your comment
kingdaddy
November 10th, 2012
9:38 pm
38-0 is a statement people. Enjoy the win and quit whining…
DawgNole
November 10th, 2012
9:38 pm
jvillebil
November 10th, 2012
9:32 pm
Tide fans have been on the AJC blogs talking a lot of smack the past year.
______________________
They have indeed–them and the gators–week after week after week–and not just this year. When you think you’re all that–as they did–you get your comeuppance eventually. What goes around comes around, thankfully.
oldfart
November 10th, 2012
9:38 pm
Ref was showing mercy there. That was roughing, not just running into. Not getting greedy but the punter was fully extended and could have been hurt.
phil
November 10th, 2012
9:39 pm
I’m no troll, moron….
kingdaddy
November 10th, 2012
9:40 pm
Shutout 60 minutes…
dbc
November 10th, 2012
9:40 pm
I thought Lemay was supposed to be the second coming of DJ Shockley. Parker Welch? Really? Is Lemay redshirting too?
phil
November 10th, 2012
9:41 pm
Boooooooooooooo!!
No safety.
Swami SEZ
November 10th, 2012
9:41 pm
Is not a techie. Doesnt pull for the ACC basketball conference either. Just like that basketball score today against UNC.
son's who?
November 10th, 2012
9:42 pm
troll. lol
Brewmaster
November 10th, 2012
9:42 pm
Yo, GBhamburger, time for you to admit that AJ McCarron is not so “super human ” after all. Murray is light years better and will be an NFL starter. McCarron will be lucky to be a 3rd string clipboard holder in the NFL.
Sinve Vince
November 10th, 2012
9:42 pm
Come on Lets score some points BooBOO!
phil
November 10th, 2012
9:43 pm
Lemay is wretched….
Swami SEZ
November 10th, 2012
9:44 pm
Lemay is Bust… just like Ray Drew and the rest of the Dream Team…..
DawgNole
November 10th, 2012
9:45 pm
Brewmaster
November 10th, 2012
9:42 pm
Yo, GBhamburger, time for you to admit that AJ McCarron is not so “super human ” after all. Murray is light years better and will be an NFL starter. McCarron will be lucky to be a 3rd string clipboard holder in the NFL.
___________________
I don’t see Murray doing much in the pros with his (lack of) height. Yeah, there’s Brees, but he’s a rare bird at the elite level.
UGA Season Ticket Holder since 1986
November 10th, 2012
9:45 pm
Phil is disrespecting all the haters who come on this site and complain about EVERYTHING. He’s being sarcastic. Sheldon (Big Bang Theory reference).. Do you need a sarcasm sign?
The following is not sarcasm: Kudos toGeorgia’s # 2 S. Dawson, just picked up the ball off the ground and handed to the ref. Very classy move and I LOVE to see that type of good sportsmanship and class.
Brickmason Bobby
November 10th, 2012
9:47 pm
Thanks to all the Veterans on the blog tonite. Great story on CNN website today about Macon, Ga’s own Marine Sgt. Rodney M. Davis, Vietnam War hero, Medal of Honor recipient, and a man whose heroism led to the Navy naming a frigate after him (USS Rodney M. Smith FFG 60). Amazing story, amazing man, true hero. Link:
http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/09/us/vietnam-veteran-cemetery/index.html
jvillebil
November 10th, 2012
9:47 pm
LOL announcer said, “Gene Chizik has a lot to work on down here on the plains.” the only plane he’s going to connected to is the one flying out of town after the season is over. How do you take a 14-0 National Champion and in 2 years take them to the level their at now. It’s not like he couldn’t tell recruits if you come here we’ll build towards a championship. heck you had one. Turn out the lights on his party at AUB
DawgNole
November 10th, 2012
9:48 pm
kingdaddy
November 10th, 2012
9:30 pm
DawgNole
I’m just drilling Swami, not Auburn…
__________________
He’s not worth drilling, KD. Thomas Brown? Now that’s anothe story. I’d be delighted to see you drill his azz.
phil
November 10th, 2012
9:48 pm
Santa is a Fraudburn fan?
Boooooooooo!
Ga Dawg
November 10th, 2012
9:48 pm
I like our coaches. I think we should keep them.
playmeortrademe
November 10th, 2012
9:48 pm
sorry, but people who go out in pubic dressed as Santa and Ms. Claus have some issues.
Walker T
November 10th, 2012
9:49 pm
Do we think Jarvis et al should still be in?
Really?
November 10th, 2012
9:50 pm
saban is ready for another shot at the nfl. The ncaa is beginning to wonder why so many cops and freshman football players in tuscaloosa drive bmw’s.
UGA Season Ticket Holder since 1986
November 10th, 2012
9:50 pm
Boston College – I’ll forgive you for the last second win against us at the Hall of Fame Bowl in Tampa and the Music City Bowl in Nashville if you’ll give us a little help here tonight against Notre Dame.
phil
November 10th, 2012
9:50 pm
Not if it is, in fact, the real Santa…..
jvillebil
November 10th, 2012
9:50 pm
I didn’t think Ms Claus was allowed out in public
UGA89
November 10th, 2012
9:51 pm
I think one or two possessions to early for subs. One more score would have been nice. I’m not complaining though. Everyone on the blogs harped about Richt not getting a backup qb ready to play.
Swami SEZ
November 10th, 2012
9:51 pm
Swami SEZ Santa and Mrs. Claus are swingers….. Book it!
playmeortrademe
November 10th, 2012
9:51 pm
Grantham wants a shutout. Well I say WGAS. Get some younger players and subs some experience and rest the starters.
DawgNole
November 10th, 2012
9:52 pm
UGA Season Ticket Holder since 1986
November 10th, 2012
9:45 pm
Dawson, just picked up the ball off the ground and handed to the ref. Very classy move and I LOVE to see that type of good sportsmanship and class.
_____________________
Better treasure those moments. They’re rare any more.
Ga Dawg
November 10th, 2012
9:52 pm
Walker T – Yes. If CTG pulled them, everyone would be critical of him for not finishing. He is building an edge by coaching his guys to a shutout.
Dawgs65
November 10th, 2012
9:52 pm
You think next time Auburn has a chance to beat us they’ll remember the time we went easy on them in the fourth quarter? Me neither. Keep scoring on these jerks.
phil
November 10th, 2012
9:52 pm
No, jarvis should NOT be out there….
Stupid.
BubbaGolf
November 10th, 2012
9:53 pm
What is Todd Grantham doing keeping the starters in the game…just for a shutout. The 2nd/3rd team can stop Auburn!
Since Vince
November 10th, 2012
9:54 pm
@phil…. thought the same thing
Walker T
November 10th, 2012
9:54 pm
As long as there are no ACLs MCLs hamstrings, etc I’m with you GA Dawg….
DawgNole
November 10th, 2012
9:54 pm
Walker T
November 10th, 2012
9:49 pm
Do we think Jarvis et al should still be in?
___________________
Nope!
UGA Season Ticket Holder since 1986
November 10th, 2012
9:54 pm
I’m for leaving all the other starters out there so that they can get their shutoff but it’s just about time for Jones and Jenkins to come on off the field. Ogletree has made two shoestring touchdown-saving tackles tonight. GREAT tackling AO.
Really?
November 10th, 2012
9:54 pm
What happened to make swami sez such a sad bitter hate filled friendless loser? Was he bitten by a radioactive curmudgeon?
phil
November 10th, 2012
9:55 pm
Fire someone!
Brewmaster
November 10th, 2012
9:55 pm
Where are all the ” start Hutson Mason ” buffoons ? Or the Fire Richt/Bobo/Grantham fair weather voided sphincters tonight ?
UGA89
November 10th, 2012
9:55 pm
I wanted UGA to hang half a hundred on Auburn.
Papa Smurf
November 10th, 2012
9:55 pm
A shut out is meaningless, but an injury to a starter could be devastating!
playmeortrademe
November 10th, 2012
9:55 pm
The real santa better be getting my jetpack laser gun built, not in podunk Alabama cheering for a really bad football team.
phil
November 10th, 2012
9:56 pm
I just said fire someone, moron!
BubbaGolf
November 10th, 2012
9:56 pm
This is idiotic. If a D-starter gets injured here…we’ll look at Grantham as many (or most) look at Bobo. Get’um out of there!
jvillebil
November 10th, 2012
9:56 pm
Let’s see, sprained ankle with Jarvis vs shutout, Rambo twisted knee vs shutout, I’ll give up the points let the subs that bust their butts in practice get some time and keep the starters healthy
DawgNole
November 10th, 2012
9:56 pm
Dawgs65
November 10th, 2012
9:52 pm
You think next time Auburn has a chance to beat us they’ll remember the time we went easy on them in the fourth quarter? Me neither. Keep scoring on these jerks.
___________________
Yeah, but score on ‘em with subs.
jvillebil
November 10th, 2012
9:57 pm
Great Rambo I could have seen him spraining a wrist on that play
Really?
November 10th, 2012
9:58 pm
I bet schultzie is watching the game at a strip club at this point.