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
A RTR Hit-N-Run from ATL
November 24th, 2012
8:37 pm
I cannot believe Florida won… but then again, when you cough it up 5 times you’re going to lose. It’s just funny that FSU coughed it up 4 times and was still winning!
SEC Rules, man!
November 24th, 2012
8:39 pm
Georgia had one weak schedule this year. But hoo boy, they beat up on GA Southern and Tech
t2go
November 24th, 2012
8:40 pm
Playmeortrademe- You do not think Georgias D can slow Bamas run game? You dont think Georgia will throw it all over Bamas D? I think Georgia is EVERY bit as good as Bama. I think they can prove themselves to be better next week! 2 td win by Bama…I would not bet on that brother!
SEC Rules, man!
November 24th, 2012
8:41 pm
Enter your comments here
hit a single
November 24th, 2012
8:42 pm
Boy it is amazing how everybody is so jealous of our DAWGS. Schedules go in cycles. Look at South Carolina’s next year. I want to hear Spurrier bitch.
BullDogsSuckA$$$
November 24th, 2012
8:42 pm
@gtdog…..I am a fan of whoever plays ga….those dumb redneck ga fans are the trolls…..
t2go
November 24th, 2012
8:42 pm
BTW who are the Georgia players holding that trophy? They look like children! Go Dawgies!!!!
Preston
November 24th, 2012
8:42 pm
It will depend on Murray. He has always thrown stupid picks vs good teams in big games. If he can cut that out, UGA has a very good chance of winning the game. GO DAWGS!
SEC Rules, man!
November 24th, 2012
8:43 pm
Georgia played one weak schedule this year. But hoo boy, they beat up on GA Southern and Tech.
NCDawg
November 24th, 2012
8:43 pm
You can just shut up HT, I am sure you think that we should can CMR before the SECCG, you stupid dweeb…..
hit a single
November 24th, 2012
8:44 pm
UGA played the schedule that was given to them.
t2go
November 24th, 2012
8:45 pm
IF Notre Dame wins this game tonight(which I hope they do!) they will be totally exposed and disposed of by the SEC Champ!!
Turd Ferguson
November 24th, 2012
8:46 pm
DAWG FANS, your dream is over, just wait till next year and the year after that. YE SHALL GET A ARSE WHIPPIN. ROLL TIDE.
hit a single
November 24th, 2012
8:46 pm
I heard they are giving ACC championship tickets away with Happy Meals at McDonalds.
F22
November 24th, 2012
8:46 pm
Ga southern would win the ACC
Willow
November 24th, 2012
8:46 pm
All I can say is,”Go Notre Dame!”. Watching them play against USC, they are the weakest team in the top 5.
Turd Ferguson
November 24th, 2012
8:47 pm
A L A B A M A R O L L T I D E
Preston
November 24th, 2012
8:47 pm
If UGA beats Bama, they will have beaten two top 2 teams and be very deserving of a title game. Who else has done that this year? So enough with the weak schedule crap. Geez…
F22
November 24th, 2012
8:47 pm
ONe great thing….it will be decided on the field next Sat night.
Fbguy
November 24th, 2012
8:47 pm
Realistically, GA has even more athletes on defense than Bama and their offense is Bama’s equal. Doesnt mean Dawgs will win only that they are NOT overmatched.
playmeortrademe
November 24th, 2012
8:47 pm
@Yeti. I agree, maybe not the juggernaut who everybody thought should have their name already engraved on the trophy, but their lines can dominate. UGA’s D-Line and linebackers will not match up well at all, save JJ, who will have to have the game of his life for UGA to have a shot, and I guarantee Alabama will be planning to negate Jones’ impact.
hit a single
November 24th, 2012
8:48 pm
I heard ACC AD’s are meeting at this time and they are considering not crowning a champion this year. Nobody deserves it!
A RTR Hit-N-Run from ATL
November 24th, 2012
8:48 pm
@kerryb
UGA beating Bama would not be a huge upset. Who has Bama beaten this year? LSU? The LSU team that almost lost to Ole Miss, Arkansas, Auburn and did lose to Florida? If A&M can beat Bama UGA can. UGA’s defense and offense is better than A&M’s.
———-
^^^ EPIC FAIL ^^^
don’t say ignorant things, it makes you look stupid.
UGA is not better than A&M. For one thing, A&M has a QB that is about to win the Heisman. Go look on ESPN under Heisman watch. He’s got 38 TDs, what does your guy have? While you’re there, you may notice that they’re like up 35-0 on Missouri in the middle of the second quarter. They have a great team and the problem is we played two great teams in a row and lost to the second by 5. That’s a lot better than losing by 35. I mean 28. Really 35. They lost two games to UF and LSU by 3 and 5 points, and that first loss to UF was the freshman QBs first start.
They’re a heck of a lot better than Georgia, no questions asked. They just play in a hard division, Georgia doesn’t.
Dawg Whisperer
November 24th, 2012
8:48 pm
This game was a much bigger mismatch than I imagined. The ACC may have to annex Middle Tennesse St. to stay competitive.
St Simons
November 24th, 2012
8:49 pm
Goooooooo Notre Dame –
if we get by Bama, we will destroy those posers. destroy.
hit a single
November 24th, 2012
8:49 pm
The Dawgs are just like the Falcons. Their offensive line has to play really well to have a chance against the Tide. Go Dawgs!
SEC Rules, man!
November 24th, 2012
8:49 pm
Saban will own Richt, again
playmeortrademe
November 24th, 2012
8:50 pm
I don’t know which ND team you guys are watching, but they are moving at will against USC. They have some awesome skill players on offense.
hit a single
November 24th, 2012
8:50 pm
Ala. would beat A&M 9 out of 10 times. But you only play them once. Alabama was flat and took them too lightly.
Alphare
November 24th, 2012
8:50 pm
“a better defense especially secondary and the team with a better offense. All of that is UGA.”
So, UGA has (1)a better defense, and (2)a better offense, which means you will make (2)Bama score less and (2) UGA score more.
is there any way that BAMA can beat UGA?
Turd Ferguson
November 24th, 2012
8:51 pm
fire MCR fire BOBO. thats all i heard all season from you people even after moving up in the polls all season. do you want to fire them now? no? how about when BAMA ROLLS their arsess . Pathetic Bunch Of Fans You Are..ROLL TIDE ROLL
HPDawg
November 24th, 2012
8:51 pm
NCDawg, I did not mean to take your name dude… But, HT and LakeDawg, and all you other turkeys that have been lambasting CMR since the USCe loss can bite it…………….
Go Dawgs, CMR is the freakin man!!!!
A RTR Hit-N-Run from ATL
November 24th, 2012
8:51 pm
@you guys are just jealous of UGA!
Um… yes. We have won two BCS National Championships in 3 years and are about to win 3 out of the last 4. We have 18 national championships.
Jealous of what again?
Fbguy
November 24th, 2012
8:52 pm
To repeat: GA has more aggressive and experienced corners and safeties than bama, and the d-line and linebackers are at least equal. This game will be very close.
Not So Fast
November 24th, 2012
8:52 pm
It’s funny how all the trolls like to hate on UGA’s schedule but Alabama’s wasn’t that much better. They avoided USC, Florida, and UGA. They had two tough teams on the schedule just like UGA and split in them just like UGA. So get that weak argument out of here. All the trolls are scared, especially Thomas Not. They know anything can happen in one game and that if UGA beats Alabama they will crush Notee Dame. Which is why they are scared because then all their comments all year exposes them as the fools they are.
A RTR Hit-N-Run from ATL
November 24th, 2012
8:53 pm
I’m trying to think, which UGA player is better than their counterpart on the Alabama sideline?
And which UGA coach > Alabama coach?
I’ll hang up and wait for your response.
Flo-Ri-Duh
November 24th, 2012
8:53 pm
Southern Cal’s defense really sux – Vandy is better. Notre Dame should beat them by 30. Then the news media will say they are invincible but the truth is that UGA has played better teams and beaten better teams. Tighten up your chin strap – next week it’s going to get physical. The Dawgs remember that the last time they faced Bummer Saban ran up the score. It’s DAWG TIME!
Preston
November 24th, 2012
8:53 pm
No fan base in the history of collegiate sports runs coaches off quicker than bama so stfu turd. That’s like the pot calling the kettle black. lol
Not So Fast
November 24th, 2012
8:53 pm
Enter your comments here
SEC Rules, man!
November 24th, 2012
8:55 pm
would love to see UGA somehow, some way beat Bama then get embarrassed by ND
A RTR Hit-N-Run from ATL
November 24th, 2012
8:57 pm
The bleachereport has a great read on the SECCG:
The SEC Championship game between the Georgia Bulldogs and Alabama Crimson Tide will see the winner go on to play for the BCS Championship Jan. 7.
This year, like last year’s conference title game, will have the same result for the Georgia Bulldogs; a soul-crushing loss to a more talented team from the SEC West division.
Last year’s game saw Georgia hang with the LSU Tigers for one half. However, in the second half, the Bulldogs couldn’t keep up with the more talented skill players on LSU’s roster, and they ended up giving up 35-unanswered points.
This year, against Alabama, the Bulldogs are outmatched in a number of categories.
For example, the Crimson Tide have the better rushing game averaging 209.4 yards to 192.5 and has allowed a lower average points per game against over Georgia,10.1 points per game to 17.7.
Going even further, Alabama has the better kicking game making 77.8 percent of its field goal attempts to Georgia’s next to last in the SEC conversion percentage of 66.7 percent.
If Georgia fans are expecting to get some cheap yards from Alabama penalties, then they better think again as the Crimson Tide were the least penalized team in the conference getting flagged only 79 times. In comparison, Georgia was penalized 153 times, good for second-most in the conference.
However, Georgia will be overwhelmed the most on defense.
Alabama has Georgia outmatched in almost every defensive category in 2012.
The Crimson Tide finished with more sacks 28-24, more pass deflections 44-34, intercepted more passes 14-9 and had more yards lost because of a sack 207-160.
Even in the return game, Alabama had an advantage over Georgia.
Alabama had a disadvantage in kickoff return yards since they returned nine fewer kicks, but they averaged more yards per return than the Bulldogs, 25.5-22.4.
Last year, Georgia’s momentum was crushed after an LSU punt return in the third quarter. This could be a factor in the championship game as Alabama dominated Georgia in punt returns outgaining the Bulldogs 328-153.
Which area does Georgia have an advantage over Alabama?
If there’s one comforting aspect of the SEC Championship game it’s that Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray and Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron are playing at an equal pace this year.
Murray and McCarron were first and second in quarterback rating in the SEC with a 174.3-172.4 rating while Murray had the advantage in touchdowns 28-21, yards 2,986-2,291 and yards per game 9.9-9.4.
But after that, McCarron threw less interceptions than Murray, 7-2, and had a higher completion percentage, 66.8-65.7 percent.
Alabama has the clear advantage over the 11-1 Bulldogs in the SEC championship game. The Crimson Tide should be able to roll past them and into its second-straight BCS Title game.
—-
And if RTR may add, in the two games UGA played against ranked opponents, Murray was 1 TD and 4 INTs. AJ has thrown 21 TD and just 2 INTs all year.
Flo-Ri-Duh
November 24th, 2012
8:58 pm
You asked for it … OL better at Bummer ……. WR’s better at UGA…….. RB’s even ……….QB even . TE’s better at UGA……. DL even ….. LB’s and secondary better at UGA. Special teams even.
Preston
November 24th, 2012
8:58 pm
How can you be a SEC fan and say something like that?
A RTR Hit-N-Run from ATL
November 24th, 2012
8:58 pm
AJ has also won a BCS national title, he’s played in big games and has done exceptionally well in them. Murray…
you egged his house. enough said.
A RTR Hit-N-Run from ATL
November 24th, 2012
8:59 pm
@Flo-ri-duh
Try again. Name names.
DwayneL
November 24th, 2012
8:59 pm
Beating Tech means nothing! No way this team beats Bama!!!!!
Dawg Whisperer
November 24th, 2012
9:00 pm
RTR… you think you might want to see who actually wins the game before declaring Bummer the winner? Typical obnoxious Bummer fan.
SEC Rules, man!
November 24th, 2012
9:01 pm
@preston, because it’s true
t2go
November 24th, 2012
9:03 pm
This year started w U of Southern Cal ranked #1 and Notre Dame unranked. So much for perceptions…now they are reversed and now everyone already had Bama and Notre Dame lined up to play for the N Championship game…three weeks ago it was Oregon and Bama, then it was K State/Oregon….It all keeps changing week to week now…..heres to it changing AGAIN next Saturday!!! Go Dawgs!! Beat Bama!!!!
Dawg Whisperer
November 24th, 2012
9:03 pm
I bet Mr. RTR didn’t predict A&M whipping mighty Bummer either.