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
Jimmy
November 10th, 2012
8:31 pm
Listening to the announcers, UGA has very little chance of getting into the MNC.
Since Vince
November 10th, 2012
8:31 pm
Swami said Bama would lose…. They Did…. Swami SEZ Dawgs will lose SECCG.
Bugs
November 10th, 2012
8:31 pm
Go for the shutout Georgia!
Since Vince
November 10th, 2012
8:32 pm
Swami could be right though….
439the
November 10th, 2012
8:32 pm
Laughing my a$$ off at the Auburn players talking trash after tackles…scoreboard, dummy!
SEC East CLINCHED
November 10th, 2012
8:32 pm
Auburn is pitiful.
ugagolf80
November 10th, 2012
8:33 pm
Dawgnole you are the expert on stupid posts since those are the only ones you can do-haha
Really?
November 10th, 2012
8:33 pm
Even if Georgia beat an undefeated bama team there was no guarantee the Dawgs would get a shot at the BCS CG. I am glad we won’t have to hear the loudmouth dirt stupid bama trash run their sucks for a long time.
mikeaddington
November 10th, 2012
8:33 pm
As long as ND doesn’t go to NC game, I’ll be okay. The sports guys talk about them too much even when they have a losing team. Geez, if they become prominent again, all we’ll hear is USC, ND, Bama, LSU. I’d like to see how our speed would match up with Oregon myself. I think our D is fast and atheletic enough to play with them and our offense would smoke them. MY opnion
SEC East CLINCHED
November 10th, 2012
8:34 pm
Willie Muschamp is crying down at the swamp.
oldfart
November 10th, 2012
8:34 pm
What internet issues Jeff? Did you find there isn’t a porn block? It appears you’re going to need something more entertaining than this game to watch.
kingdaddy
November 10th, 2012
8:35 pm
Guys, don’t argue. We can’t control that stuff. We should have beaten SC. Now we just play hard and win therest of them. Recruits are watching us close…
THE Dixie Redcoat Band
November 10th, 2012
8:35 pm
Can we play Carolina again?
SEC East CLINCHED
November 10th, 2012
8:35 pm
Georgia will be able to play the entire roster tonight.
DawgNole
November 10th, 2012
8:36 pm
jvillebil
November 10th, 2012
8:25 pm
I live in FL my neighbor down the street is an ALA grad and I’m a UGA grad, he flies that Crimson Tide flag every day in football season. I think on the way to church tomorrow I’ll go stick one of my Ga flags in his yard. LOL An actually he’s a good guy and friend.
____________________
Hey, he’ll understand if he’s a good guy and friend.
Brickmason Bobby
November 10th, 2012
8:36 pm
Georgia’s defense is not smart enough to beat Oregon.
439the
November 10th, 2012
8:37 pm
Listen, ND is the luckiest team in college football…god is on their side. Be prepared for them to play in and win the NC this year…All will align for ND to play play and beat a non-SEC team. It really is better to be lucky that good…not a knock, just the truth.
Really?
November 10th, 2012
8:37 pm
mr rolaids aka swami sez aka since vince
Nothing sadder than a guy having to resort to agreeing with himself
Eat your root vegetables, folks
November 10th, 2012
8:39 pm
A 2011 study by a prestigious think tank ranked the English Bulldog in the fourth (lowest) quartile of intelligence for 115 different breeds of dogs that were studied. The actual ranking was, in fact, #115.
Studies by psychologists have confirmed that UGA fans are in the fourth quartile of human intelligence, with an average IQ of 72 (including bonus points for finding the testing center).
UGA athletes had an average IQ of 32, which is slightly lower than a parsnip, but they did edge out broccoli and cabbages.
DawgNole
November 10th, 2012
8:40 pm
RollTideBoy
November 10th, 2012
8:27 pm
Are you that much of an a$$hole dawgnole in real life as you are on here?
________________________
That’s all you have? Don’t you want to brag on how Bama’s the best there ever was? Loser.
kingdaddy
November 10th, 2012
8:40 pm
Somewhere down the road, SOS has to come into play…
What happen to swami sez so???
Dave
November 10th, 2012
8:40 pm
Eat your root vegetables, folks……..go suck some toe jam
mikeaddington
November 10th, 2012
8:40 pm
u might B right about that Bobby
kingdaddy
November 10th, 2012
8:41 pm
I got a root you can eat…
Silver Fox
November 10th, 2012
8:42 pm
I am thankful we have a fine team and program. Hw many teams will represent the East in SECCG….Oh yea, just one. With a win, a chance at NC, or not if two others are still undefeated. In any event we finish as one of the elite teams in the country….thanks to UGA players for a very enjoyable season so far…
SEC East CLINCHED
November 10th, 2012
8:42 pm
Enter your chiziks here
Hairy Dawg
November 10th, 2012
8:43 pm
We will play for the national champs for we won the SEC. Voters know SEC best and Dawgs are best in SEC. And thats why Dawgs winning national champs this year. And Boy does that Awfull Burn and Cheese Dip stink like somethings that smells bad. Once they get him to a firing they goning have to air out that stadiums for while to get rid dead skunk smell.
Tommy86Dawg
November 10th, 2012
8:43 pm
Fox College Football needs help. Oh, nice screen pass BC! Beat ND!!!
Really?
November 10th, 2012
8:43 pm
439th
You REALLY think God is on the side of a team that is the poster boy for the worlds leader in corruption and doing unspeakable acts to helpless children? I’m not sure there is a God but if there is one no way is he a notre dame fan.
kingdaddy
November 10th, 2012
8:44 pm
30 more minutes of smashmouth…
Walker T
November 10th, 2012
8:45 pm
Amen Silver Fox
mikeaddington
November 10th, 2012
8:46 pm
Thanks 2 Coach Darrel Royal, a class guy, who was one of the Giants. Peers were Woody, Bo, Bear, Robinson
Walker T
November 10th, 2012
8:46 pm
I’m a TCU, Cal Bear and BC Eagle fan for the rest of the evening…..
DawgNole
November 10th, 2012
8:47 pm
KSU spinning a shutout at TCU. Not good news.
Bugs
November 10th, 2012
8:48 pm
http://youtu.be/vf0EyBghq-c
Malcolm Mitchell after last year’s SEC champ loss to LSU…he states “We’ll be back…we’ll definitely be back.” He knew what he was talking about.
jvillebil
November 10th, 2012
8:50 pm
KSU defense definitely looking strong tonight
RollTideBoy
November 10th, 2012
8:50 pm
Why are you being such a jerk dawgnole? Are you having bedroom issues?
SEC East CLINCHED
November 10th, 2012
8:53 pm
Watch out for the Auburn spinkler system in the 4th quarter.
jvillebil
November 10th, 2012
8:53 pm
LOL announced said Auburn looks disqusted, busted and to be trusted. LOL
jvillebil
November 10th, 2012
8:53 pm
Not to be trusted
kingdaddy
November 10th, 2012
8:54 pm
Go Dawgs…
DawgFan
November 10th, 2012
8:54 pm
Loving me some AU beat down
Bugs
November 10th, 2012
8:55 pm
Alright Bobo, don’t get conservative here and let Auburn creep back in.
Jeff Schultz
November 10th, 2012
8:55 pm
Some quick numbers for you: Georgia 323 yards, Auburn 124 …. Murray: 16-20-186, 3 TDs. … Wallace: 8-10-113 …. Gurley 6-77, 1 TD. … Georgia has rushed for 137 yards, Auburn 11. …
Since Vince
November 10th, 2012
8:55 pm
Come on DAWGS!!!! LETS SCORE STYLE POINTS!
kingdaddy
November 10th, 2012
8:55 pm
Murray still hot…
Bugs
November 10th, 2012
8:55 pm
2nd straight year UGA has beat auburn down. Last year was 45-7…this year so far 28-0.
Walker T
November 10th, 2012
8:55 pm
BC? Anyone?
UGA Season Ticket Holder since 1986
November 10th, 2012
8:56 pm
Wow, Go Dawgs! 28-0 at the half.. There was a 41 – 7 beatdown (or something like that) in Athens at the hands of the Tiger/Plainsmen that I’d like to get some revenge for tonight.
johnny foozball
November 10th, 2012
8:56 pm
Saban goes back to the drawing board.