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
ShadeTree
November 25th, 2012
1:38 pm
7576Dawg, What does that prove if the Dawgs lose two of three of those games against Top 11 opponents? Nothing.
ND played the schedule in front of them (as did a lot of teams) and we can’t complain about that. Just like Georgia played their schedule. Now it’s time to beat Bama and prove we deserve to be there.
Pippa's Meaty Backside
November 25th, 2012
1:42 pm
MontanaDawg: “I know we can beat Alabama, but we will have to be playing lights out in all aspects of the game to win.”
Boy, we’re getting more insightful each and every post.
7576DAWG
November 25th, 2012
1:45 pm
I will admit that Notre Dame seems to have a great Defense but everybody though Florida State had a great Defense until they played Florida. I.m just saying that Notre Dame would have gotten a lot more respect if they had just played and beaten one of six different SEC team then football fans like me would have said , okay they deserve to be in the Championship game.
And if the Pacific -12 wants any respect they would match an SEC power team with the Pacific-12 winner instead of a third rate team from the Big 10.
Pippa's Meaty Backside
November 25th, 2012
1:45 pm
KilroyDawg: …….but I like the DAWGS chances.
Sure,one has to repeat this over and over to justify the time,emotion and money shelled out each and every season.
Honey boy
November 25th, 2012
1:46 pm
Hey 53… Jealous aren’t you??? HAHAHA this is football dick weed…. We don’t discuss your moral fibre here… Leave it alone!
BILLY JACK
November 25th, 2012
1:51 pm
The same people that think Georgia will lose to Alabama are the same who think Florida would lose SC would lose-Georgia would lose to GT-well you get the message.Tech maggots posing as Alabama fans………..just really sad.
Steve
November 25th, 2012
1:51 pm
Bama will roll next week. Enjoy your annual trip to the Outhouse Bowl.
7576DAWG
November 25th, 2012
1:52 pm
Shade Tree
Just because Notre Dame went undefeated with the schedule they had doesn’t mean they deserve to play in the National Title game. There will be criticism from every part of the country until we get an 8 team playoff. Then we will get a true NATIONAL CHAMPION.
Rise Up
November 25th, 2012
1:56 pm
So … this Georgia team is different because it’s gone from barely beating bad teams to whipping them? Sorry, but I’m not convinced. I’ll admit, Georgia looks good. It looks capable of beating Alabama, especially considering how the Tide played against LSU and A&M. But as far as I’m concerned, Georgia has played two real opponents: S.C. and Florida. S.C. whipped the pups while Florida and Jarvis Jones teamed up to beat Florida. I’ll have to see Georgia beat Bama before I’m willing to buy in.
KilroyDawg
November 25th, 2012
1:57 pm
@Pippa’s
I have no need to justify anything. My family enjoys going to Athens each home game and we pull for the Dawgs no matter what our record. That is what dedicated fans do. All I am saying is that UGA has the players, coaches and momentum to win agaisnt any team at this point. We have gotten better as season has gone along. As I said, I’m not predicting a UGA victory, but I wouldnt be surprised if that happens…..just really happy. GO DAWGS!!
GTBob
November 25th, 2012
2:04 pm
So reading this blog it seems like UGA fans have decided that Bama has no chance against them. Can someone help me with this mindset? How does beating up on Auburn, Ga Southern, and Ga Tech lead UGA fans to think they will easily steamroll Alabama?
crimson 1
November 25th, 2012
2:07 pm
I must appoligize to you Coach Richt. I thought he would be fired before the season was over. I guess every dawg has its day. However his team want be Bama. Jawja is a team of chokers. When the game is magnified, you manage to lose. I suspect you will turnover the ball five times for easy Bama drives. Give yourself a pat on the back. The Capital One bowl ain’t bad.
KilroyDawg
November 25th, 2012
2:08 pm
I don’t think UGA will steamroll Bama and those who may are clueless. I do however believe the DAWGS have put themselves in the position to compete in the SEC Championship with the ability to beat Bama.
GT Fan
November 25th, 2012
2:08 pm
bdawg
November 24th, 2012
7:00 pm
Either we’re playing great or Tech is terrible. Or both.
————————————————–
It’s not both, bdawg.
I’m as diehard a GT fan as there is, and I can’t remember a time when their D has been so bad. And I’m not just talking about this season. It’s been bad, really bad, since 2010. UGA was the 6th team to put 40+ pts on GT in 2012. That’s HALF of GT’s opponents! If Mid Tenn St can look as good as UGA did vs GT, don’t get carried away with the Dawgs 42-10 blowout. It’s not as impressive as the score would indicate.
Now, kudos to McGarity for setting UGA’s OOC schedule to guarantee the Dawgs 4 Ws. Buffalo, FL Atlantic, GA Southern, GT. The ONLY team with even a slight chance of beating UGA, GT, was “prepared for” by scheduling GSU (the same offense) the week prior, pretty much securing UGA’s 4-0 OOC record. The only games UGA should lose are conf games. And since ESPN, BCS, NCAA have so much $ tied-up with the SEC, conf Ls aren’t so bad.
Too bad for lots of UGA fans that loved playing the OK STs, Colorados, AZ STs, BOISEs (and was supposed to be at Oregon coming up), b/c McGarity ain’t ever letting that happen again. Be prepared, as long as McGarity is setting OOC schedules, to go back to like it was before …. decades of NEVER playing a non-conf, reg season game West of the Mississippi.
In the past 2 reg seasons UGA is 21-3. The Dawgs have played just FOUR (4) goodteams over that span. (Boise & USC in 2011…NOT UF, they stunk in 2011 and USC & UF in 2012). They are 1-3 in those games. Add 2011 SEC Champ game & bowl game and that’s 2 more GOOD teams, but also an 0-2 record. So, heading into Sat, UGA has played a grand total of SIX (6) good teams since the beginning of 2011, and they are 1-5 in those games. But hey, they’re 20-0 vs. all the bad to really bad teams they’ve played. And their next 2 games will not vs bad to really bad teams.
KilroyDawg
November 25th, 2012
2:09 pm
Vey sure of yourself Pippa’s. Guess that’s why they play the game….and you don’t!!!
saban never sleeps
November 25th, 2012
2:13 pm
congrats to the puppies for a great season. Practice hard this week and bring your best on saturday.
KilroyDawg
November 25th, 2012
2:15 pm
Sorry, my last post was for Crimson 1
GTBob
November 25th, 2012
2:17 pm
I must appoligize to you Coach Richt. I thought he would be fired before the season was over. I guess every dawg has its day.
He did exactly what was expected of UGA before the season started. There was very little chance of anything different happening considering UGA’s schedule. He should thank the football gods for saving his job.
GT Fan
November 25th, 2012
2:18 pm
Rise Up …. GT looked great too, vs. Presbyterian, West Carolina, 2011 MTSU & Kansas.
Read my previous post. When it comes to the G O O D teams, UGA is in the same boat as GT, they’re not good. UGA’s just got so much more depth & talent compared with GT to be losing to inferior opponents.
If the Dawgs lose this coming Sat., and again in their bowl game, they’ll be 1-7 the past 2 seasons vs GOOD teams.
GT Fan
November 25th, 2012
2:21 pm
GT played 3 GOOD teams in 2011 (Clemson, VT, UGA), and only 1 thus far in 2012 (UGA). GT is 1-3 in those games, and soon to be 1-4, after losing to FSU in Charolette.
By GOOD team I mean minum 9-10 Wins.
KilroyDawg
November 25th, 2012
2:23 pm
@Gtbob
Okay, if we lose Saturday and our bowl game I will agree we are overrated. But what will you say IF and that’s a big IF we win out. Will you post your admiration for what the DAWGS accomplish? Just wondering?
Mr. SEC
November 25th, 2012
2:24 pm
UGA had one of the easiest schedules in College football!!! Alabama will bring Dawg nation back to reality!!!
GTBob
November 25th, 2012
2:26 pm
Will you post your admiration for what the DAWGS accomplish? Just wondering?
I will. I am prepared to eat serious crow if UGA somehow beats Bama and ND.
GT Fan
November 25th, 2012
2:27 pm
FSU had a SEASON HIGH 5 turnovers vs. UF, and lost. 2 of UF’s TD’s were the DIRECT result of FSU TOs. UF wins by 11.
UF had a SEASON HIGH 6 turnovers vs. UGA, and at least 7 of UGA’s points were the DIRECT result of a UF TO (3rd play of the game). Another killer TO for UF happened where? At the 1 yd line, LATE in the game.
If neither team had killed themselves with TOs, FSU would’ve shocked the BCS’ world with a W yesterday over a #1 ranked, 11-0 UF team.
crimson 1
November 25th, 2012
2:28 pm
I am a loyal SEC fan but I refuse to root for the Dawgs. Never liked them, never will. Your fan base is a bunch of wussies who believe they are the superior deep south state. You may have Atlanta but what comes after that? Exactly zilch! I pray that Bama tears you a new pooter in this game. Mangy mutts.
Dawg Whisperer
November 25th, 2012
2:33 pm
When your season is in the toilet and you lose to your biggest rival again, all that is left is to criticize your arch-rival. I think that pretty well sums up all Techies on this blog. It is always decided on the field and not the blogs, thankfully.
Beast from the East
November 25th, 2012
2:33 pm
GT Fan
November 25th, 2012
2:27 pm
FSU had a SEASON HIGH 5 turnovers vs. UF, and lost. 2 of UF’s TD’s were the DIRECT result of FSU TOs. UF wins by 11.
UF had a SEASON HIGH 6 turnovers vs. UGA, and at least 7 of UGA’s points were the DIRECT result of a UF TO (3rd play of the game). Another killer TO for UF happened where? At the 1 yd line, LATE in the game.
If neither team had killed themselves with TOs, FSU would’ve shocked the BCS’ world with a W yesterday over a #1 ranked, 11-0 UF team.
————————
Blah, blah, blah. UF DOMINATED the line of scrimmage. That was the difference in the game. Besides, those turnovers were a result of pressure and hard hitting. The Clowns were ill-prepared to play a REAL defense after beating up on those lousy ACC teams all season. The margin of victory should have been 17, but the Clowns scored on a laugher the last play of the game. Take your beatings like a man!
Dawg Whisperer
November 25th, 2012
2:35 pm
Crimson, where is NY without NYC? Where is Alabama without Birmingham… never mind, it is still Alabama.
KilroyDawg
November 25th, 2012
2:35 pm
@Crimson
And I will be pulling for my beloved DAWGS to win by at least 1. I however have always had the greatest respect for Bama and hope its a competitive game with no injuries. I guess thats where we are different.
Dawg Whisperer
November 25th, 2012
2:37 pm
Actually, I’m a fan of all states. We’re all blessed to live in such a beautiful country. Travel a little abroad and you’ll know what I mean.
GTBob
November 25th, 2012
2:41 pm
When your season is in the toilet and you lose to your biggest rival again, all that is left is to criticize your arch-rival. I think that pretty well sums up all Techies on this blog.
I have been criticizing UGA for a while now. What Tech does doesn’t really affect that.
GT Fan
November 25th, 2012
2:42 pm
Keep think like that “beast from the east” and you’re gonna end up just like Gene Czick & Tom O’Brien ….. FIRED!
TWO more coaching vacancies for Bobby Petrino!
Auburn, UK, Arkansans, UT, NCST for sure. Who am I missing?
BC will probably be available too. And USC … only Lane Kiffin could take a team many picked to play for it all and lose 5 games. How in the H-E-double hockey sticks does this guy have the jobs he’s had!?
crimson 1
November 25th, 2012
2:43 pm
I am sorry. I let it get to personnal. Yall are not mangy mutts. And Georgia is a great state to live in. I just hope poor ole Bama can win this game against the best college team in the south. That Girley is a hell of a running back.
Dawg Whisperer
November 25th, 2012
2:44 pm
GTBob… that is what you do.
GTBob
November 25th, 2012
2:44 pm
Besides, those turnovers were a result of pressure and hard hitting.
Ah, the constant SEC talking point. No one has ever made a bad decision and turned the ball over against an SEC team. Every turnover in history was because the defense forced it.
GT Fan
November 25th, 2012
2:45 pm
I’m just stating the facts/truth, Dog Whisper. I guess the saying is true in your case … the truth hurts.
Going back to 2011, UGA is NOT good when they play G O O D teams. 1-5 vs. Boise, USC, LSU, Mich St, USC, UF. Doesn’t get any “truer” than that.
Dawg Whisperer
November 25th, 2012
2:48 pm
GT Fan… the truth never hurts. It’s that perspective thing that gets in the way.
Steve
November 25th, 2012
2:49 pm
I see that GTBob still has no life, nice. Hang in there little boy, you might get a woman one of these days.
KilroyDawg
November 25th, 2012
2:50 pm
Wow just wow..okay Crimson smarta$$. Pull your overalls on, take the wheels off your trailer, put em back on your 1978 pickem up truck and go buy a clue. To the true Bama fans, the Dawgs look forward to a helluva test Saturday and may the best team (on Saturday) win. GO DAWGS!!!
Dawg Whisperer
November 25th, 2012
2:50 pm
All have a blessed Sunday and enjoy the life God breathed into you. There is so much more to it than college football, right?
UGA OWNS gtu
November 25th, 2012
2:56 pm
I really think that UGA needs to take gtu off their schedule every year since gtu can’t field a competitive team.
LOL Who am I kidding… we love the guaranteed win ever year! BWAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA
We’re simply better than you. Period.
GTBob
November 25th, 2012
3:02 pm
I see that GTBob still has no life, nice. Hang in there little boy, you might get a woman one of these days.
I’m actually gay, but I have plenty of female friends. Does that count?
GTBob
November 25th, 2012
3:03 pm
I really think that UGA needs to take gtu off their schedule every year since gtu can’t field a competitive team.
That would be the best decision for everyone. It will happen one day. Hopefully conference realignment can kill this pointless series we have.
Beast from the East
November 25th, 2012
3:08 pm
GTBob
November 25th, 2012
2:44 pm
Besides, those turnovers were a result of pressure and hard hitting.
Ah, the constant SEC talking point. No one has ever made a bad decision and turned the ball over against an SEC team. Every turnover in history was because the defense forced it.
——————
Not at all. EJ made several bad decisions….UNDER PRESSURE. Don’t see too many seniors making lousy passes from a clean pocket do you? Did you watch the game? Did you not see UF GASH the #1 (snicker) rated defense for over 240 yards on the ground? Did you not see our freshman linebacker CRUSH EJ and knock the ball loose? Did you not see the Gators strip the ball from their running back? Once again, UF owned the line of scrimmage. Like I told the other loser…take your beatings like a man!
Shack
November 25th, 2012
3:11 pm
…… Week from today, everyone will be salty cause they got “Richted” again…. Bama is a flawed team, but will still handle Georgia EASILY How soon u dummies forget, that richt will not have team up to play. Go ahead and “hope” but we all know its coming…. CHOKE TIME
Steve
November 25th, 2012
3:19 pm
Bama will handle UGA “easily.” Ha. What a joke. It’s not like UGA is Tech you moron. Bama probably wins but it’s close, like 27-21.
GTBob, why am I not surprised? You and your sick friends should move to San Fran.
Fat Chance mutts
November 25th, 2012
3:19 pm
The SEC championship will turn out just like the South Carolina game for the mutts. The bulldogs will be out coached, out played and out classed. Saban will hoist the SEC title as the classless mutts say “Wait until next year…”
Steve
November 25th, 2012
3:25 pm
Yup, UGA is terrible! They might as well just backout of the game since they are so bad. Ha. Some of you idiots act like Bama is a NFL team. They are far from it.
Vance
November 25th, 2012
3:27 pm
It’s been an amazing year. As anyone who has followed college football knows, any team can be beaten. The upsets are what makes this game so exciting. I know everyone will think Alabama will win this game, and Saban has a crushing historic victory over our Dawgs to show for it; however, I remain optimistic that you are correct and the Dawgs will prevail all the way to the BCS title. I hope, for Richt’s sake, this indeed happens, so this will remove once and forever that “chain” of “almost but not quite there” from his neck. It would be awesome for Murray as well, since he still gets little respect, despite all of his achievements. A title would put those critcs to rest permanently. Regardless of what happens, Go Dawgs…beat the Tide!
Shack
November 25th, 2012
3:28 pm
Well Steve at least u have sense to understand that Georgia won’t win. Saban runs score up on u chumps. Quit hanging on sec coat tails… Conf is Bama and the rest.
Richt should b fired…. He’s a choker and fans know it in their hearts….. Here comes the CHOKE