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
Brainiac (CMR/UGA Fan For Life)
November 25th, 2012
11:58 am
@ Alphare:
ALPHARE = ROADKILL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jborodawg
November 25th, 2012
12:00 pm
@playmeortrademe….I agree. The computers are not a very good barometer. I used to ‘believe’ in the Sagarins; not any more. The computers have ND #1 and the whole nation knows that’s not true. Don’t get me wrong, ND has played and won against some pretty good teams. But, nothing like a full eight game SEC schedule.
Sierra Dawg
November 25th, 2012
12:00 pm
playme, forget it. All the BCS experts agree that the SECCG winner will move on to the Title game. Florida had a great year, but the system will always reward the conference champion – till 2014, anyway.
Wet Willie...keep on smiling
November 25th, 2012
12:01 pm
@Professor….LOL at UGA success…1980 sport…
@Tampon Gator…it will be Bama or UGA in the glass ball game and no Gators allowed. If Bama needs anything from Gville then we beat it out of you as usual.
Tampa Gator
November 25th, 2012
12:06 pm
Wet Willie…..
You can bring on Bama this year. No Gator player or Gator fan is afraid of your proclaimed bad wolves this year. I have no doubt that Florida’s defense is better than Bama’s defense…..and the Florida offense finally came together last night….and I think will just continue to get better for the bowl game and next year. But I think you will have enough just playing Georgia this year.
When are you and Justin hooking up?
big grey elephant
November 25th, 2012
12:07 pm
Georgia beat Buffalo, Florida Atlantic, Old Miss, Kentucky, Tennessee, Auburn, Vanderbilt, Missouri, Georgia Southern, and Tech (all tough schools with strong football programs) and lucked up against Florida. Don’t forget the shelling in South Carolina. To be ranked 3rd after that schedule is a traversity.
Tampa Gator
November 25th, 2012
12:09 pm
…and Wet Willie….
Just be thankful you didn’t have to play both A&M and Georgia this year…..along with South Carolina and LSU. I can easily say….based on performance on the football field…..Florida deserves to be in the SEC ttitle game more than Bama. But I understand that the SEC has two divisions….and the East is definitely better than the West this year….and will be next year as well.
DP
November 25th, 2012
12:09 pm
Jborodawg, Georgia’s full 8 game SEC schedule was South Carolina, Florida, Kentucky, Missouri, Vandy, Tennessee, Ole Miss and Auburn. Kentucky and Auburn didn’t win a conference game, Tennessee and Missouri won 3 between them only because when the wretched teams play each other somebody has to win.
Then there’s Georgia’s out of conference schedule, with a Georgia Tech team that lost by 3 touchdowns to Middle Tennessee State, Florida Atlantic, Georgia Southern and Buffalo.
And you’re making references to Notre Dame’s schedule when they played at Oklahoma and USC, also played Stanford, Michigan and Michigan State?
playmeortrademe
November 25th, 2012
12:09 pm
@Sierra, If it was JUST the system, no sweat, but there is also the E$$$$PN factor. ESPN cried about UGA in 2007 and got them out. Does anyone REALLY know how the computers work? Does anyone REALLY think the coaches or media wouldn’t jump Florida over Oregon this week if there is enough screaming about Florida “deserving” a BCS trip? It’s about money and Florida is the better sell. Notre Dame against an elite SEC program with 2 of the last six national titles. ESPN can go interview Tebow/Spurrier/Emmitt Smith. It’s all about selling the package. $$$$$$$$$$
Brainiac (CMR/UGA Fan For Life)
November 25th, 2012
12:10 pm
@ CorrinaW:
FAILED SPELLING ALSO DIDN”T YOU???????????????????????
You gotta be female!!!!!!!!!!!
You spelled douche bag correctly but not FEMALE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sweet Thang did you know that the two BLACKEST DAYS IN GEORGIA HISTORY occurred when they started allowing FEMALES to vote and when they started allowing them to obtain drivers license!!!!!!!!!!!
Now, back in the kitchen but bring me another beer first!!!!!!!!!! Thanks Babe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Joey
November 25th, 2012
12:10 pm
If Notre Dame’s brain trust paid attention to the ACC disaster this season, they will probably go ahead and join the league in football as well, ASAP.
Unbelievable that the ACC gets a BCS Bowl for its “champion.”
Fair n Balanced
November 25th, 2012
12:10 pm
Ga was predicted to go undefeated or 11-1. We got 11-1. The team has met expectations to this point. We said at the beginning of the season there may be a chance for this team to go all the way. We have that chance. I’m satisfied and thrilled. We have a chance. Lots of others don’t. We are in the conversation for at least another week. I’ll be content no matter what happens Saturday. CMR and the other coaches have done a great job with really great players.
Tampa Gator
November 25th, 2012
12:11 pm
big grey elephant……
Georgia beat who they needed to beat to be where they are…….and the team they beat is one of the top 4 teams in the country……FLORIDA.
Tampa Gator
November 25th, 2012
12:13 pm
Joey……
More embarrassing is that Rutgers will most likely be in a BCS Bowl game and Georgia or Bama will most likely not be. I think we all have had enough of the BCS (BS) Bowl system.
Joey
November 25th, 2012
12:15 pm
big gray elephant (12:07) = techie.
Aren’t those little fellers just cute when they keep switching hats?
Can’t wait to see all the “Irish Guy” and “NotreDameMan” entries on here if we win Saturday . . .
Tampa Gator
November 25th, 2012
12:16 pm
Just finished watching Florida dominate the Noles again….in the Doak.
But I am sure Dawgnole and Noley Noley Noley still think the Noles are better than Florida. See you in THE SWAMP next year. Good luck.
Brainiac (CMR/UGA Fan For Life)
November 25th, 2012
12:17 pm
@ Big Gray Elephant:
We all must assume you too flunked selling!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! …………………Or maybe you invented a NEW word…………………….TRAVERSITY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tampa Gator
November 25th, 2012
12:18 pm
Time for Sunday brunch on the beach……good luck vs. Bama….Dawg fans. Just beat the Tide……Time for the East to rule both the SEC and the nation (and that includes the ACC). Have a nice day.
Joey
November 25th, 2012
12:20 pm
Yes, Tampa.
Congrats on your BIG WIN last night – I watched with a bunch of Gators and ‘Noles at a gathering last night in north florida. Had a ball – the FSU guys thought it was in the bag for a while, then pouted the rest of the night as UF poured it on.
UF’s win basically made the SECCG an “all or nothing” game for UGA. Lose, and get Orlando or Tampa.
Win and get Miami.
Good luck in your bowl – hope y’all get Oregon and hold them to 14 . . .
Old Dog Class of 80
November 25th, 2012
12:28 pm
“Where are ALL the “Fire Richt” “Fire Bobo” comments now?”
We are right here. Nothing this team has done this season is because of Richt or Bobo (well, I have seen a little more imaginative offensive play, and whoever recruited Jarvis Jones saved this season). Was the awful kicking at the beginning of the season due to a bad job by the Special Teams Coach? Oh, that;s right, we don;t have a special teams coach – didn’t even have one when our special teams were killing us. Murray is still kept in there all the time. What is going to happen next year if Murray repays Richt’s blind loyalty by heading to the NFL and we don’t have a new QB ready to step in? We lucked out on this season, and we will see how next year fares. If Coach Richt has somehow gotten a lot better, then he should have no problem winning the SEC next year.
I wish the team the best, but I don’t think Richt made the difference.
Brainiac (CMR/UGA Fan For Life)
November 25th, 2012
12:30 pm
Fair n Balanced:(12:10 pm post)
You got it right BRO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No TRUE DAWG NATION fan should be crushed IF we lose Saturday to Bammy but if the reverse happens then its gonna be wonderful. Hopefully, if we are fortunate enough to win the NC, Dawg Nation will act with a little class rather than as did a few obnoxious Florida, Auburn and Bama fans!!!!!!!!!!!!
playmeortrademe
November 25th, 2012
12:32 pm
It’s this…Florida is behind UGA by about 0.33 points. Florida’ s .140 margin over UGA in the computers could only get larger, it definitely will not get smaller after yesterday. More than likely Florida will stay at #2 and UGA at #6 in the computers and the .140 gap will remain. UGA’s poll avg is .9045, Florida’s could be as high as Oregon’s after today, at .8478, about +.600 difference from Florida’s poll margin last week. Florida would jump about +.333 over UGA in the total standings. The poll margin would not change much after a UGA win in Atlanta with UGA at 2 and Florida at 3. so the computers would decide it, and UGA would have to move from 6 to 4 in the computers to make up the gap. Just watch for it. UGA will get hosed.
Jborodawg
November 25th, 2012
12:35 pm
@DP…we beat the #2 team in the country at the time…Flawduh (now ranked #4 by the computers). Ok, I’ll give ya ND vs Okla; but USC is unranked.
Actually, they played a fairly tough schedule, however, with wins against ranked Mich St, Mich, Stanford, and Okey. But, Navy, Purdue, BC and Wake? I give em credit for going to LA and winning in the Coliseum last night; even if it was an unranked USC. I’ll even agree to ND being a top 10 team, maybe even top 5; just not #1.
7576DAWG
November 25th, 2012
12:36 pm
I’m sure when Notre Dame made their schedule out they thought it was going to be one of the hardest in the country. I admit that their wins over Stanford and Oklahoma were quality wins but USC has 5 losses and Michigan has 4 and Michigan State has 6 from one of the weakest Conferences in the nation. Notre Dame does not deserve a number 1 ranking , I don’t care if they are undefeated. Does anyone really think they would be undefeated if they had played an SEC schedule.They knew better than to schedule a top SEC team .
Notre Dame will have the chance to play one of the SEC’s best for the National Title but Oregon is a better team and more deserving than Notre Dame.
BILLY JACK
November 25th, 2012
12:40 pm
Tampa Gator-All I heard all week from tech fans and Acc fans and even so called experts as Phil Steele is how Florida had no chance vs FSU-SC no chance vs Clemson and Georgia would beat tech but the game would be a nailbiter deep into the 4th qtr.I believed the SEC would win all 3 games and said so but just to be sure I called a good friend I have alot of respect for concerning college football earlier in the week and ask him-am I missing something about these games-my friend said he didnt think so and you saw what happened yesterday.I think Florida is a very good team worthy of its ranking but just physically could not stand up to Georgia.Tampa Gator good luck to whatever bowl you seem to be smarter than the average Gator.
Jborodawg
November 25th, 2012
12:41 pm
Very few punits nor Vegas will give us a chance against Bama. A win would be more than sweet. However, if we play competitively and still lose, I will not be on the ‘fire Richt’ nor ‘fire Bobo’ bandwagon. Sadly, many of you will be. Probably the same ones that leave the games at Sanford in the third quarter.
Birdhair
November 25th, 2012
12:41 pm
Agree with Jborodawg @12:35pm
Brainiac (CMR/UGA Fan For Life)
November 25th, 2012
12:43 pm
@ Old Dawg:(12:28 pm post)
I am so tired of one posing as a Dawg Fan coming on here with your negatives regardless of what UGA accomplishes!!!! Your tired old BS about what should or should not have been done is an indication of a mental problem, usually defined as a Single Digit IQ (even that may be generous).
You admit to being OLD so I’m thinking your calling yourself “Class of 80″ refers to 1880. Give it up!!!!You ain’t got it anymore if, in fact, you EVER had it. Perhaps a small handgun in a quiet place?????? You have been living off the TAXPAYERS too long!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Brown Dog
November 25th, 2012
12:47 pm
Good luck to UGA. Should be a fun game next week. Let’s hope both teams play well.
7576DAWG
November 25th, 2012
12:53 pm
Georgia stays #3 in the AP, Florida moves to 5. Ohio state get 4 but shouldn’t even be listed. Thankfully they can’t go to a bowl because of sanctions or there would be a huge problem with a possible Ohio State and Notre Dame match-up without playing even one of the SEC’s top 6 teams.
Playoff’s can’t get here soon enough.
DP
November 25th, 2012
12:54 pm
Funny to see Dawg fans talking about how Notre Dame couldn’t survive an SEC schedule without mentioning Georgia’s SEC schedule:
Florida
South Carolina
Tennessee
Ole Miss
Kentucky
Vandy
Auburn
Missouri
Notre Dame couldn’t have gone 7-1 against that group just like Georgia did? I’m an SEC guy and you can chant SEC all day if you want, but Vandy and Ole Miss are OK teams, Missouri is lousy, Tennessee stinks and Kentucky and Auburn are horrible.
BILLY JACK
November 25th, 2012
12:54 pm
The national championship game is Georgia vs Alabama either team will beat ND by 21-28 points.
JM
November 25th, 2012
12:54 pm
The Dogs will always play at this level if Richt can keep the schedule like it was this year. They played 2 good teams; Florida, which they beat with the help of half of their seasons turnovers, and South Carolina, which beat Georgia like a drum. Nobody else on their schedule got a smell of the top 25 teams in the country. A. Murray, the “great” QB threw for 259 yards in the Fla & SC games combined, not the amazing 350 – 400 he threw for against the other patsies on their schedule.
Crazy
November 25th, 2012
12:55 pm
Georgia fans are the most dillusional people around. Heck you may win Saturday and be right after 32 years of saying the same things. The problem I see is you guys think you can beat Alabama cause they lost one game… You guys may find out that you bit off more than you can chew. You guys have played the easiest schedule last two years. You have beaten one team worth a dang and that’s Florida….
BILLY JACK
November 25th, 2012
12:58 pm
I saw a tech person at the game yesterday with a sign that read Georgia Tech coastal division champions……….they were laughed at and jeered-it was really pathetic.
Tampa Gator
November 25th, 2012
12:59 pm
Brunch delayed by the lady of the house……
@DP…..
No…..Notre Dame would be 6-2….as they would have lost to both SC and Florida. Georgia beat Florida.
Tampa Gator
November 25th, 2012
1:03 pm
AP poll out…..
1. Notre Dame……2 wins vs. top 15 teams.
2. Bama…….1 win vs. top 15 teams.
3. Georgia…..1 win (Florida) vs. top 15 teams.
4. Ohio State….0 wins vs. top 15 teams (what a joke that Meyer’s team is rated above Florida)
5. Florida….4 wins vs. top 15 teams (losing only to Georgia.
Poll should be…..
1. Notre Dame
2. Georgia
3. Florida
4. Bama
5. Ohio State (only because they are undefeated and not because they have played anyone)
But….the AP…..does not want Florida to jump Notre Dame in the final BCS poll when Georgia beat Bama…..and they will keep Florida below Ohio State to make sure that does not happen. Maybe the coaches will be smarter…..but I doubt it.
playmeortrademe
November 25th, 2012
1:04 pm
AP has Florida at #5, which means USA Coaches will have them at #4 and Harris will have them at #4. Florida will jump Georgia and I don’t know if an SECCG win will make up the difference in the computers. It’s entirely stupid that Florida and Georgia will have to pull for their rivals in the ACCCG to help their computer standing.
Tampa Gator
November 25th, 2012
1:04 pm
P.S……
Texas A&M would beat Ohio State by 30…..just saying.
playmeortrademe
November 25th, 2012
1:06 pm
OK, Florida is #5 USA today but they gained points, which means they narrow the gap. Harris Poll will be interesting.
Tampa Gator
November 25th, 2012
1:07 pm
Florida will most likely jump Georgia….and maybe even Bama…..in today’s BCS poll….but the winner of the SEC championship game will jump back over Florida because Florida will not play next week and both Bama and Georgia are so highly ranked. So don’t panic Georgia and Bama fans…when the BCS poll comes out today. The SEC title game will set it right….
playmeortrademe
November 25th, 2012
1:08 pm
Florida gained about 100 points. Meanwhile, UGA lost a few points.
Coffee Bluff DAWG
November 25th, 2012
1:11 pm
BILLY JACK, Pretty funny about the GT fan holding a coastal division champions sign.
I’m was at the game and surprised I didn’t see it since there were only about 200 GT fans in Sanford.
Crazy – good screen name, you must a GT fan. UGA is in the title hunt because we’re 11-1, beat FL, and deserve to be there.
crimson 1
November 25th, 2012
1:12 pm
You Jawja fans need to check your temperature. You are not on Alabama’s level. Don’t fool yourself in thinking you can beat this team. Texas A&M caught a lucky break and still almost lost the game. You mangy mutts wont be so lucky. Expect a beat down!
Abdoul Malik Hasheem Mahmoudi
November 25th, 2012
1:13 pm
Correct me if I’m wrong, but what about the year where we were supposed to go to the BCS? 2007 when we had 2 losses just like everyone else? We got robbed that year though. But we were in this predicament before under CMR.
7576DAWG
November 25th, 2012
1:30 pm
It was not Georgia’s fault that they ended up with an easy SEC schedule this year compared to some of the SEC teams. Because of expansion the realignment to bring in Missouri and Texas A&M the SEC dropped Alabama from Georgia regular schedule or Georgia would have played three top ten teams. If the original schedule had not been changed and Georgia and Alabama had played each other in the regular season one of those teams wouldn’t even be playing for the SEC Championship game.
After the SEC Championship game Georgia would have played 3 top eleven teams. Notre Dame can’t say that. In fact they didn’t play any top eleven teams of the final poll.
ShadeTree
November 25th, 2012
1:32 pm
Birdhair, stop all the whining about Notre Dame…god grief man, you don’t even present an argument, you stop sound jealous.
Look, no one…NO ONE, can predict anything. Let’s see what happens on the field.
Aaron Murray leads the country in pass efficiency, BUT in his two marquee games his QB Rating was 58 and 91 respectively…that’s why you play the game.
ugab
November 25th, 2012
1:34 pm
It is going to be tuff to beat Saban twice in a season. I know our defense is tired after 2 weeks of the dirty chop blocks. Did anyone see the dirty hit on our back up DL?
KilroyDawg
November 25th, 2012
1:34 pm
@Crimson 1
Are you guaranteeing a Bama win over UGA. Sure hope that is the mindset of Bama players and coaches and they come in overconfident. I would never predict a certain UGA victory, but I like the DAWGS chances. Play the game and may the best team win and beat Notre Dame for the crystal ball!
GO DAWGS!!
7576DAWG
November 25th, 2012
1:36 pm
The point is Notre Dame get’s into the National Title game but played nobody in the final polls ranked in the top 11 where Georgia had to beat 3 top 11 teams just to get to play Notre Dame and that’s with the knowledge that Georgia had one of the easiest SEC schedules. And there is a question as to who is more deserving.