Georgia playing at level we haven’t seen under Richt
Dogs accept Governor's Cup after the win, but they're after something bigger. (Brant Sanderlin)
ATHENS – This is new ground. Or, more accurately, new air.
Georgia had never reached this elevation before under Mark Richt — not in BCS ranking at this point of the season, not in perception of championship potential.
It didn’t feel like this even during those two SEC titles early in Richt’s tenure, when Georgia already had been cropped out of the national pictured. It wasn’t this real when a Sugar Bowl win left the Bulldogs with a postseason ranking of No. 2, after they already had been leapfrogged in the BCS and left out of the national title game.
Never before in late November under Richt could we look at Georgia and legitimately think: That team can win it all.
Now we can.
Georgia didn’t just beat Georgia Tech on Saturday. It humiliated the Jackets 42-10. The tilt on the scoreboard would have been even greater if Richt hadn’t pulled starters with more than 10 minutes left in the game.
The Dogs led 7-0 after one minute, 14-0 after six minutes, 28-3 at halftime. They made touchdown drives look like wind sprints, ranging in elapsed time from 29 seconds to 2:42. They dominated the game physically. When is the last time Georgia played with that level of urgency?
Linebacker Alec Ogletree and Georgia's defense have had a lot of reasons to celebrate lately. (Brant Sanderlin/AJC)
This team is playing with an edge it hasn’t for years. It has beaten its last four opponents (Ole Miss, Auburn, Georgia Southern, Tech) by scores of 37-10, 38-0, 45-14 and 42-10. That’s a composite dismembering of 162-34, give or take a limb.
Please, don’t come back with: “But look who they’re playing?”
Georgia has seldom stepped on opponents like this, certainly not in November when everybody, fans and pollsters, are watching.
With the score 42-3 Saturday, offensive coordinator Mike Bobo still could be seen and heard screaming in the coach’s box when things didn’t go well, at one point yelling into his headset, “Get your [bleep] off the field!” after the offense went three-and-out and players walked (not ran) to the sideline.
“Yeah, my dad texted me,” Bobo said later, somewhat sheepishly. “I guess he heard it on radio or TV. But you’re playing in Sanford Stadium. You should at least run off the field.”
Does this seem like the same Georgia team to you?
It was apparent after the win over Auburn: The Dogs are good enough to beat Alabama for the SEC championship. They are good enough to win its first national championship since 1980. They can pass: Aaron Murray has 14 touchdown passes, zero interceptions since the fourth quarter against Florida. They can run: Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall combined for 163 yards, four touchdowns and no carries for losses against Tech, and continue to look more like veterans than freshmen.
Most important, the defense, which had been expected to carry the Dogs all season, only to struggle early with suspensions and injuries and maybe a little bit of day-dreaming about the NFL, now is playing up to expectations.
This isn’t the same team that suffered so many hiccups in the first eight games. It’s certainly not the same team that lost at South Carolina 35-7, which prompted an egg assault on the home of some players and attacks via social media.
“At the end of the season, we might say that game helped us,” Marshall said.
“It was definitely an eye-opener,” linebacker Jarvis Jones said.
“This team is different. This team has something to it,” linebacker Christian Robinson said.
And then this: “I’m just glad my house is safe right now.”
This is the not same defense that was called out as being “soft” by senior strong safety Shawn Williams. Most agree he was on target with his comments, even if he was wrong to throw selected teammates (like Robinson) under the bus.
Richt said his team’s defensive leaders, most of whom passed up the chance to enter the NFL after last season “had a vested interest in his this season went.” He then added, “When Shawn Williams saw it slipping away, he felt he had to say something about it. He challenged everybody. He couldn’t stand what he was seeing. But I think everybody respected him for what he did. They may have not liked what he did but I think they agreed with it.”
Last year, Georgia reached the SEC championship game against No. 1 LSU. They led 10-0 after the first quarter, then gave up the next 42 points.
“We’re a different team,” Jones said. “We feel like we can beat anybody.”
They certainly look the part.
By Jeff Schultz
Post-Thanksgiving blog blowout sale
• Short takes (UGA): Rambo’s ascent, Gurley’s comfort
• LIVE: Bulldogs, Jackets vie for more than bragging rights
• Upsetting Georgia would give Tech needed boost for future
• Weekend Predictions: Georgia will win on Red-and-Black-Saturday
• Vince Dooley: Joy from Georgia’s resurgence, pain from son’s firing
• Wonder why SEC is on top? Look at other conference finals
• Falcons win — but run before somebody changes their mind
• Short takes: Ryan awful, defense great, win important
• Georgia’s new reality: From on the brink to BCS title possibility
• Upsets launch Georgia into BCS title picture (updated game column)
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802 comments Add your comment
F22
November 25th, 2012
9:31 am
SC win vs GA was the biggest in the history of the shool.
Peach Bowl?
graphite
November 25th, 2012
9:31 am
The folks that think the spotted puppies will beat Bama are the same one’s that believe in the tooth fairy and the Easter Bunny.
UGADAWGS
November 25th, 2012
9:32 am
@ Tampa Gator
I think you nailed it…….No I KNOW you nailed it……
Tampa Gator
November 25th, 2012
9:34 am
I would have never said this at the beginning of the year…..with the nose guards at Georgia…..but the best nose guard in the SEC this year played for Florida……OMAR HUNTER. What a year he had. Now….a future NFL defensive lineman and high draft pick.
F22
November 25th, 2012
9:34 am
You have to remember too that date you play a team during the season has a lot to do with things.
Mizzou was supposed to be a good team….week 1….tennessee was a descent team during the middle of the season…especially on offense….Ole Miss is a good team….
Georgia Southern would win the ACC.
Jealously
F22
November 25th, 2012
9:35 am
Florida has a dang good team.
AU Liberal in ATL
November 25th, 2012
9:37 am
I’m no Dogs fan for sure, but I hope they beat the crap out of UAT. My real preference would be a 3 to 3 tie, but I don’t think that’s a real possibility.
Tampa Gator
November 25th, 2012
9:44 am
AU…..
What is a “real possibility?” Would not a possibility be something that is not yet real? Sort of like saying….”I am a conservative liberal.” But a tie in college football is nearly impossible….and completely impossible in a championship game…..
Tampa Gator
November 25th, 2012
9:46 am
Sitting here watching the replay of the FSU game…..and Florida OL and DL is just mauling the DL and OL for FSU. Did all last night. SEC baby.
Birdhair
November 25th, 2012
9:50 am
9:24am, excellent post by the well-informed, Tampa Gator. Well said
H
November 25th, 2012
9:52 am
Some clown called into the postgame show and told the coaches to clean it up after hearing what Bobo yelled. Are you serious??? Buddy, are you serious??? Go back to knitting stitches for grandma, this isn’t synchronized swimming! I love the fire, I love the fight. Its about time we show some of that in Athens! Great job boys! One game at a time.
UGADAWGS
November 25th, 2012
9:54 am
@Vlad
I for one am tired of hearing about the “schedule s#!t”…..the regular season is now officially over. It’s Bama and UGA that are playing for the SEC Championship. It does not matter one damn bit who beat who or what the schedule is or was now. It does not matter anymore what the score was between teams who beat other teams that beat or lost other teams etc. By virtue of getting to the SECCG these are the two best teams in the conference period. If they weren’t then they wouldn’t be playing next Saturday. There are 12 other teams that would very much like to be in this position, but they aren’t. Bama and UGA are…this is reality so accept it. Do not tell me anymore about “if” UGA had done this, ot UGA had played this team or been is this division vs where they actually do play that this would have happened or that would have been different. UGA and Bama are playing for the title and everybody else is not….I repeat “NOT”. The winner moves on the NC game.
So for everybody else it is “WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR”, and maybe things will work out differently for the rest of you. But for now “IT IS WHAT IT IS”, and that is BAMA VS UGA for the SEC Championship…
Are there any more questions? Have I explained this clearly enough????
a Gt fan tired and frustrated
November 25th, 2012
9:55 am
I did not attend GT. I have a friend who did and graduated back in the 1960’s. I once asked him if he hoped for his two young sons to go there also? He thought about this for a moment and then much to my surprise he said no. I asked him why and he said that after many years since he had graduated, he would awaken in the middle of the night and think that he had a calculus test the next day. And that dear friends is the reason that Gt will never be in the same football elite that is so many of these football factories such as the Un iversity of georgia. What young man with superior athletic-even if he had the brains to go along with it, skills want to put himself through such demanding academics as exist at GT. One would have to be crazy!! This is why George O’Leary, Bill Curry, Bobby Ross and others left GT after reaching some level of success at Tech. They simply did not want the yearly rigors of trying to recruit against the party schools such as Georgia-no other reason.
For all of the alumni calling for Paul Johnson’s head, you need to rethink your position. There is no question that GT’s Defense is pathetic. I was at the UGA game and Georgia did whatever they wanted to do. But on the positive side, except for a couple of miscues, Tech moved the ball against them. The reality of the situation is that when the offense takes care of business they cannot be stopped. They got over 400 yds against a much ballyhooed defense. And who knows what would have happened if tech had not fumbled on the goalline the first drive? A 14 pouint lead takes a lot of pressure off the offense and defense too for that matter. Tech will never find a coach with more coaching savy than Paul Johnson and are indeed luck to have him. Fire him at your and my peril and watch tech flounder for the next decade trying to field a team that meets your standards.
What they’re saying in Georgia about Alabama’s opponent in the SEC Championship Game (links) – Alabama – Crimson Tide News
November 25th, 2012
9:56 am
[...] Bulldogs handle Jackets, set for SEC title game* Georgia victory sets up Saturday showdown* Georgia playing at level we haven’t seen under Richt* Bulldogs turn focus to SEC game, BCS shot* Short takes (UGA): Rambo’s ascent, Gurley’s [...]
Sierra Dawg
November 25th, 2012
10:00 am
Anyone thought about the fact that if UGA wins Saturday, all these Bama screechers will be shifting their hotel reservations further north to the Cap One or Outback Bowl? Florida or TA&M will get the 2nd BCS bid to New Orleans. Now THAT’S an appealing thought. Couldn’t happen to a more deserving fan base.
Pippa's Meaty Backside
November 25th, 2012
10:02 am
“You had two games against two teams that were of worth; SC and FLA, of which you’re .500.du”
Yeah, this schedule and results do not support a top 3 spot in any poll. Is college football this bad? Ironically, it seems that fans of upper tier programs don’t seem intelligent or, at the least, are just plain irrational. 2/3s of the Dawgs schedule–and others–have almost certain Ws before the first snap. How boring can it get to try to get excited about these games. I have friends who will cling onto to every second of a OSU game against some obscure no-name and cheer wildly for every TD. It is weird and something must be lacking from their lives to dedicate so much emotion to something so meaningless. Anyway, Dawg fans who spend a second ridiculing programs like GT must be totally brain dead and bored with their lives. I, for one, would be very excited to have my daughter or son attend GT, a place where academics are the central focus and any decent level of success with the athletic program being just icing on the cake.
Todos los Santos
November 25th, 2012
10:05 am
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 douchebag coach 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 pervasive evil and corruption that dwell in Athens.
And now, let us all pray for Saint Jan…
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Thank you, you may now resume your normal activities.
Meg D.
November 25th, 2012
10:07 am
I’ve never understood how anyone – even an alumnus – could support and take pride in UGA’s football team. When you look at their history for the past forty years, how can anyone ignore Jan Kemp and the “remedial studies” scam, the Jim Harrick fiasco, the Damon Evans fiasco, players beating up women, players urinating in public, the DUIs and other arrests of players, the #1 party school tag (i.e., the most drunk students), the suspensions and outright dismissals, the Fulmer Cup win, and on and on?
As disgraceful and humiliating as it is, I don’t see many alums and fans demanding an end to this sordid activity. It sets UGA apart as the kind of school that decent people abhor, and it’s become an embarrassment to the whole state of Georgia.
Will it never end? Apparently not while Mark Richt is at UGA. Richt is the biggest hypocrite in the United States. But even with all the cheating and lawlessness that he ignores, he still can’t win the SEC.
So you’re paying him to be BCS champions, but he can’t even win the SEC. So why do you pay him millions of dollars a year?
Just asking.
Tampa Gator
November 25th, 2012
10:07 am
Sierra…..
Florida has already earned the 2nd BCS bowl game with the win over FSU last night and the Notre Dame win. They will be in the Sugar Bowl. The Bama vs. Georgia loser will play in the Senior Bowl…with the winner in Miami. To say the least……the SEC title game means a BUNCH for Georgia and Bama.
Justin
November 25th, 2012
10:13 am
Seeking young openminded boyfriend to spend quiet evenings with .
Tampa Gator
November 25th, 2012
10:17 am
……. but I do think that the SEC needs to change the BCS rule so that the loser of the SEC title game…..if the winner goes to the NC game…..automatically gets the Sugar Bowl game. It really would not be fair to Georgia……if they lose in Atllanta….to get penalized for going to the SEC title game. But that is how it is now….because Florida will jump Georgia and Bama in the BCS…..if either loses in the SEC title game. But….if I were a Bama or Georgia fan….I would much rather play Notre Dame in the title game than Florida. So….nothing is really fair in the current system. But that will soon change with the 4 game playoff….which Florida would be in this year.
Tampa Gator
November 25th, 2012
10:18 am
Justin…..
Wet Willie is your man.
Tampa Gator
November 25th, 2012
10:19 am
……I meant….”your boy”
Birdhair
November 25th, 2012
10:19 am
The best thing about ND making the BCS Championship game is that we are virtually assured of another title for the S.E.C
The sad thing is that ND really should be ranked behind: Bama, UGA, FLA, A&M, S. Carolina, LSU….
ND should have to join a conference before receiving consideration for a BCS bowl bid.
Cobb Dawg
November 25th, 2012
10:20 am
One game…………..one game. GATA!!!!
DP
November 25th, 2012
10:21 am
You can always count on Christian Robinson to jump on a pile after somebody else makes a play, to miss a tackle if he’s on his own, and to be available to reporters with pithy quotes like “this team has something to it”. So he’s saying that the last 3 Georgia teams he was on didn’t have something to them? Funny, that’s not what he was saying at the time.
Joey
November 25th, 2012
10:22 am
Meg, make me a sandwich.
Tampa Gator, I predicted the UF/Sugar Bowl thing weeks ago, as you know.
What I didn’t count on was UGA’s apparent, peaking at the right time. Our D in on a good (if not great) roll, and Murray has been on fire since halftime in Jax.
Bobo/Richt will have their hands full with Smart/Saban, but I honestly think we have a real chance.
I do believe that whoever wins in the Dome will shut down Notre Dame’s offense – their D is pretty stout however, but not stout like Bama’s, UF’s, or even UGA’s D.
UGADAWGS
November 25th, 2012
10:22 am
@a Gt fan tired and frustrated
Tech will always get their “yards”…unfortunately there needs to be some points scored to go along with all those yards gained…..it wouldn’t hurt you to learn about something called “defense”, it’s also part of the game. Learn to spell the word, even if you can’t play it.
Talk all you want to about Tech’s academics……That has nothing to do with having the ability to actually compete in today’s game of football. Wrap yourself in that cloak of academics and maybe it will keep you warm. But it will never ever win you championships, much less make you competitive. I praise Tech for their ability to produce engineers, but you are not competitive in athletics.
Academics is one thing, but when your athletics department is in shambles you cannot equate the two. Yes you can obtain a great degree in engineering from Tech. You will also be able to obtain the same type of degree at UGA very soon.
UGA just happens to be able to attract to type of talent it takes to win consistantly. UGA also plays in a premier conference as opposed to a conference that has members bailing out of it.
It is quite the opposite in the SEC. Everybody wants “IN”, but nobody wants “OUT”….Think Maryland here.
Best of luck Tech in you next 2 games….you’ll most certainly need it..
Falcon 228
November 25th, 2012
10:22 am
Embarrassed? Embarrassed is getting BEAT in Bryant/Denny by a rookie quarterback. These two teams have both been embarrassed by mediocre teams. Saturday’s SEC Championship Game will be fun to watch because the winner goes to Miami and will be embarrassed again by The Fighting Irish.
Cobb Dawg
November 25th, 2012
10:24 am
Meg D., didn’t you make the same post yesterday under another name? Perhaps a Tech fan with a little attitude over the “rivalry”.
Birdhair
November 25th, 2012
10:27 am
Falcon 228, barely beating USC, Purdue, BYU, Pitt, and struggling with Boston College….hmmmm we all smell overrated. Had ND played in the S.E.C this season you wouldnt be ranked. Join a conference and then we might begin to take you seriously.
MontanaDawg
November 25th, 2012
10:28 am
Jeff, I agree with most of your analysis. I know we can beat Alabama, but we will have to be playing lights out in all aspects of the game to win. Texas A&M’s icing on the cake was Johnny Football. Their defense played great, and they were able to run the ball against Bama. But, if not for Manziel they don’t win the game. Murray will need to be on target, be able to scramble, overcome his big game jitters, and avoid all turnovers. Our O line will have to protect Murray enough. I’m not really worried about our defense. They will come through. I’m worried about Murray’s leadership and big game collapses of the past.
GO DAWGS!!
Wanna-bee
November 25th, 2012
10:32 am
Wah, wah, wah…………Dawgs spank us bad again so we need to try and mask the pain with rants about Jan Kemp and how UGA cheats…………..oh wait, we’re on NCAA probation………never mind!
Tampa Gator
November 25th, 2012
10:33 am
Just read that Bama will most likely get the Cotton Bowl if they lose to Georgia. A&M is not very happy about that. Texas A&M would get it if Georgia loses….with Georgia going to Orlando. Georgia would not be very happy about that. A&M had to be pulling for a Nole win last night…..but the Florida win most likely keeps them out of the BCS….and the Fiesta Bowl people are not very happy about that. The BCS just makes a lot of people unhappy….at least until 2014.
UGADAWGS
November 25th, 2012
10:35 am
Meg D., talks alot about what kind of off field issues UGA has, but I don’t see her talking about the having to have championships vacated, Rueben “I’m a thug” Houston, etc.
Maybe it’s that time of the month for Meg, or maybe she and her brother broke their engagement off.
Learn to love CPJ Meg, you’re stuck with him for awhile
Bob Leblah
November 25th, 2012
10:35 am
Dear NCAA. Despite being “Champions” of our division we are incapable of a winning record. Could we please, please go to the blue field with a losing record? NOTE: our defense isn’t my fault.
Signed, Paul Johnson.
Tampa Gator
November 25th, 2012
10:36 am
Birdhair….
You have to give Notre Dame it’s due……they beat Stanford, beat Oklahoma at their house, beat USC in their house….and came back to beat a fairly good Pitt team…..when they were obviously taking them lightly. Notre Dame earned the right to play in the NC game this year…..but they still would be the 7th best team….at best….in the SEC.
Bob Leblah
November 25th, 2012
10:37 am
Hats off to all SEC teams yesterday. Well done. The gap widens!!! Kudos to the Dawgs, Gators, Cocks and Commodores!!
Wanna-bee
November 25th, 2012
10:38 am
Todos los Santos, got anything from this century to report? The Jan Kemp thing happened in 1981. (That’s 30 years ago in case you can’t get your calculator out of your pocket protector) However Tech’s on probation as we speak. Now, back to your World-of-Warcraft or whatever.
CorrinaW
November 25th, 2012
10:39 am
Really? “Please, don’t come back with: “But look who they’re playing?” You HAVE to look at who UGA is playing. There would be no excuse to NOT put up 30+ against those teams. UGA will choke next Saturday. Just like last year. So puppies enjoy it while you can. UGA has no business being ranked #3 over Oregon.
Bob Leblah
November 25th, 2012
10:41 am
Hey PAC 10 fan…. be careful or we’ll sic our Mississippis on you.
FalDawg
November 25th, 2012
10:42 am
Overall opponents records: AL 70-72 (24-40 SEC), GA 71-71 (24-40) Both lost to SEC teams with the better records. Both beat SEC teams with the better records.
There is no “schedule” argument in this game on either side.
GO DAWGS!!
Just for fairness: FLA 92-50 (33-31)…May have an argument, just sayin’
Birdhair
November 25th, 2012
10:42 am
I won’t be giving ND their due. Until they join a conference you can forget it. ND handpicks their schedule. It’s much tougher to play in a BCS conference where you face the best coaches and you have to constantly adjust because these coaches learn your schemes.
Tampa Gator
November 25th, 2012
10:43 am
CorrinaW……
Oregon lost to Stanford…..and Stanford lost to Notre Dame…..and Georgia is playing for the SEC title….and Oregon is not playing for the weak Pac 10 title. Georgia has plenty of business being ranked higher than Oregon…..so does Florida.
Bob Leblah
November 25th, 2012
10:44 am
@FalDawg- Agreed hats off to UF. What they’ve done has been tremendous.
Tampa Gator
November 25th, 2012
10:45 am
Birdhair….
Good point about the coaches learning you schemes……but Notre Dame plays Michigan, USC, and Stanford every year…..plus Navy and maybe Pitt. They only alter three or four games on their schedule each year….so they kind of play a conference schedule.
Falcon 228
November 25th, 2012
10:45 am
But I will say this…..I’ve been listening to and watching UGA Football since the Wally Butts era and this is by far the best Dawgs team I’ve ever seen. Even the 1980 team can’t compare. Alabama can’t beat The Irish. The Dawgs can. The intangible is Aaron Murray. I’ve got to say he’s the best QB in the FBS. It would be a matchup the BCS Championship Game, as we know it now, won’t see again.
Birdhair
November 25th, 2012
10:47 am
In addition, they avoid the potential detrimental impact of losing in a conference championship game…
CorrinaW
November 25th, 2012
10:49 am
I know that. Oregon’s loss was close. UGA got spanked by SC (no vaseline!!) OUCH.
Tampa Gator
November 25th, 2012
10:49 am
But….if you look at the schedule of both Notre Dame and Florida…..with Florida playing and beating A&M, LSU, and South Carolina….and losing only to Georgia by 8…….Florida more than deserves the right to play Bama or Georgia for the national title this year. But that will never happen…..not with an undefeated ND team out there and millions of ND fans out there….with all of them….the ones not going to Miami….watching the game on TV. But Florida is a better team vs. ND. Period.