LIVE: Georgia hopes for easy day against Georgia Southern
Mark Richt wants his players to focus on game but BCS standings are on Sanford Stadium scoreboard.
ATHENS — For the first Saturday of the season, Georgia will take the field today as SEC East Division champions. And by the time this game ends, the Bulldogs hope nothing will have happened to dampen that title.
A week after clinching the East title at Auburn, the Dogs play host to Georgia Southern. Nothing against the Eagles, who have an impressive winning tradition at the Division 1-AA/FCS level, but this one shouldn’t be close.
Georgia has three simple goals: 1) Tune up defensively for next week’s game against Georgia Tech, which, like Southern, runs an option offense; 2) Build a big enough lead to get into position to pull starters in the second half; 3) Get out of this game without any significant injuries.
A berth in the SEC championship against Alabama is secure, but Georgia could have more on the line after that. The Dogs’ No. 5 ranking in the BCS creates an outside possibility they could still sneak into the national championship game. In short, the Dogs would need to win out over Southern, Tech and Alabama, and then hope that two of the other three teams ahead of them in the BCS — Kansas State, Oregon and Notre Dame — lose a game. Click the link for how it breaks down.
It wouldn’t be surprising to see Georgia come out a little flat today against Southern. A letdown after a four-game winning streak and last week’s 38-0 blowout of Auburn seems only natural. Conversely, Georgia Southern (8-2) will be pumped. It’s a big deal for an FCS team any time it can face an FBS opponent, and I’m sure a lot of GSU’s players dreamed of playing in Athens. So I could foresee a final score of something like 48-21.
Here’s some more reading material if you’re looking to pass the time:
• Chip Towers on Georgia trying to stay focused while keeping an eye on the BCS.
• Chip on Todd Gurley on trying to become only the second true freshman running back in UGA history to go over 1,000 yards. (You know the other guy.) With four more games, there’s still a slim chance Gurley (973) can catch Walker’s freshman season rushing record of 1,616 yards, but he would need to average 160.7 per game.
• Here’s my three-second view of the game and other investment advice in Weekend Predictions.
Finally, in case you missed it, WSB Channel 2 picked up the broadcast for this game. So pull up a couch and follow along while you’re commenting here.
And with that, I’m going to open the cyber-venting lines now. What are you looking for in today’s game?
By Jeff Schultz
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522 comments Add your comment
G
November 17th, 2012
2:28 pm
They scored 20 on ALA last year. Just relax its early
Buckeye
November 17th, 2012
2:28 pm
Style points?
Style points?!?!?
Dumbo
November 17th, 2012
2:29 pm
To stop the option, put a DT over each OG, put a DE over OT move OLB to edge on both sides and move Safeties up within 8 yd of line in a spot line between OG & OT
Voyceofreason
November 17th, 2012
2:29 pm
In the words of the immortal “Duke” – (yes, just ‘Duke’): “He doesn’t know it’s a show! He thinks it’s a d@mn fight!”
Justin
November 17th, 2012
2:30 pm
The team talked scared all week and it’s showing.
falconsrus
November 17th, 2012
2:30 pm
Enjoyed your Falcons flaws piece Jeff
bentwaterdawg
November 17th, 2012
2:31 pm
wow its a braden smith sighting
Dum-Bass
November 17th, 2012
2:31 pm
Several comments on here already are the exact reasons so many still feel the DAWGS are OVERRATED!
Jeff Schultz
November 17th, 2012
2:32 pm
Gurley looking impressive. That’s one.
439the
November 17th, 2012
2:32 pm
Not worried about defense in this game…worried about offense. Coaching and execution are awful at times…although if we continue to run, we should be able to open up the GSU secondary for some big plays.
jack bull
November 17th, 2012
2:32 pm
I think he almost fumbled there
Justin
November 17th, 2012
2:32 pm
Gurley goes over 1,000 for the year!
Starring Sebastian Cabot as Mr. French
November 17th, 2012
2:32 pm
Bama will clean UGA’s clock…..
Voyceofreason
November 17th, 2012
2:32 pm
“To stop the option, put a DT over each OG, put a DE over OT move OLB to edge on both sides and move Safeties up within 8 yd of line in a spot line between OG & OT.”
And the second Georgia does that, Southern will fake the dive and sprintout to pull in those safeties, drop back three steps and hit a wide-open receiver for a 70-yard touchdown pass.
Phipps
November 17th, 2012
2:32 pm
I guarantee Buckeye is wearing white socks and sandals
439the
November 17th, 2012
2:32 pm
Isaiah who???? Go Gurley!
All Saints
November 17th, 2012
2:33 pm
In tribute to our beloved martyred Saint Jan Kemp, let’s all bow our heads for a few moments of silent prayer. Thirty years ago, this courageous young lady risked everything to expose the corruption and academic fraud instigated by Vince Dooley, sleazy practices that continue to this day under Mark Richt. Gone but never forgotten, Saint Jan lives on in our hearts and minds as a guiding inspiration and as a symbol of resistance to the evil that dwells in Athens.
And now, let us all pray for Saint Jan…
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Thank you, you may now resume your normal activities.
Jeff Schultz
November 17th, 2012
2:34 pm
Falconsrus — Thanks.
Starring Sebastian Cabot as Mr. French
November 17th, 2012
2:34 pm
Crapital one or Outhouse bowl here we come!
Jimmy Crack
November 17th, 2012
2:34 pm
I am already looking forward to the next time Bob Neal tells me the meaning of Gurshel.
EPIC FAIL
November 17th, 2012
2:34 pm
Richt-ity should quit and coach the Braves. There would be no difference in the chokability of the two teams
bentwaterdawg
November 17th, 2012
2:35 pm
Team is asleep, had a great chance to get some good reps against a team that WAY below the dawgs talent level
Justin
November 17th, 2012
2:35 pm
Put Gurley in there! Let him get his 1,000 and a touchdown to cap it off!
Paddy
November 17th, 2012
2:35 pm
We wil win but drop in the BCS, I do believe!
Old dog…..do you still think we are going to win by 60?
439the
November 17th, 2012
2:36 pm
Like the thunder and lightning comparison for Gurley and Marshall…although Marshall is cooked if he ever gets caught at or behind the line.
Jeff Schultz
November 17th, 2012
2:36 pm
Offensive line just got steamrolled on that.
Pat
November 17th, 2012
2:36 pm
Is this really a number 5 team? Maybe GSU will run this state
Justin
November 17th, 2012
2:37 pm
This obviously isn’t going to be a blowout score and I know the haters will say “Hahah you barely beat Southern!”…but Southern is built to not get blown out. Alabama beat them 45-21 last year.
Voyceofreason
November 17th, 2012
2:37 pm
Jeff I think they actually had to BE there in order to get steamrolled.
Justin
November 17th, 2012
2:37 pm
10-7 on Southern and our O-line can’t block Southern’s D-line at all. Shame.
Mike Franklin
November 17th, 2012
2:38 pm
Jeff, #12?
If we’re lucky, lol.
I hate saying that but… it’s like we come into these so-called ‘easy’ games after eating Thanksgiving dinner at granmas…
Kool Aid Drinkers and Sunshine Pumpers
November 17th, 2012
2:38 pm
Hi….. yall havin a good day?
bentwaterdawg
November 17th, 2012
2:38 pm
“The Georgia Southern freshmen comes in unblocked” nice job dawgs
Discount DoubleDawg
November 17th, 2012
2:38 pm
Your not playing conference? how many of your posts end with SEC! SEC!?
Dumbo
November 17th, 2012
2:39 pm
Gosh almighty, Mark Richt and field goals…..we are gonna get eaten alive by BAMA in the dome
Justin
November 17th, 2012
2:39 pm
I don’t think UGA will drop in the rankings with a 35-14 win or something of that nature. Who would move above them? UGA won’t drop as long as they keep winning.
Justin
November 17th, 2012
2:40 pm
@ Dumbo, you think UGA is going to play like this vs. Bama for the chance at a title? Then yeah, your name fits you.
Mike Franklin
November 17th, 2012
2:40 pm
The D had better come out and play D
439the
November 17th, 2012
2:40 pm
Jeff…if you’re a top 5 football team, would you rather play a late-season, non-conference game against and good FCS team or a mediocre to bad FBS team?
bentwaterdawg
November 17th, 2012
2:41 pm
who is the AWFUL color guy with ol bob neal
jack bull
November 17th, 2012
2:41 pm
pitch man again..
EPIC FAIL
November 17th, 2012
2:41 pm
When they lose to the Bumblebees then what? How far will they drop then?
Justin
November 17th, 2012
2:41 pm
Somebody take the pitch man! Grantham can you not tell somebody to do that!
Draggin' Fly
November 17th, 2012
2:41 pm
How much did the Gators drop on the BCS by squeeking by La-La last week?
DawgNole
November 17th, 2012
2:42 pm
Overrated Notre Dame
November 17th, 2012
1:32 pm
WSB doesnt exist on Dish.
Overrated Notre Dame
November 17th, 2012
1:33 pm
I wanna watch it live on tv not computer.
_____________________
Then quit whining and subscribe to DirecTV / Espn Game Plan.
Kool Aid Drinkers and Sunshine Pumpers
November 17th, 2012
2:42 pm
UGA stinks and so does Murray
Mike Franklin
November 17th, 2012
2:42 pm
We gotta solve that old basic trip option. It’s not a secret weapon… been around since before everyone on the playing field was even born
ND Irish
November 17th, 2012
2:42 pm
Lets go Eagles!
Baddawg
November 17th, 2012
2:42 pm
Come on dawgs! Stop this high school offense which is supperior to tech.
jack bull
November 17th, 2012
2:42 pm
maybe that’s part of the strategy, let the pitch man go in the first half, and we’ll worry about him in the second half..