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
Charles(Chuck) Barkley is Smart and the Ole Ball Coach is complaining
November 24th, 2012
9:43 pm
Bulldawgs Suck A$$$, Have you burst your Big Screen, hung up on your girl friend, or committed suicide yet? Well if you committed Suicide you want be reading this, but if you haven’t you moron get ready to watch what Alabama suffer the same pounding your filthy Bee’s suffered today. That’s funny how we’ll be playing in the SEC(The best conference in America)CHAMPIONSHIP, and you little ACC Retards will learn to bow to your superiors. Dweeb’s like you who wine and bitc? about UGA bore me. Go make your UGLY Girl happy tonight and play with her head, and remind her that she is second tier just like her small minded man
I'm a Georgia fan. It's a license to be stupid.
November 24th, 2012
9:43 pm
That #3 ranking gets exposed by Saban next weekend…I’ll be looking for you idiots around the third qtr….should be 30-3 Bama with 7:00 to go…the crying in Georgia will be glorious…can’t wait…
GTBob
November 24th, 2012
9:43 pm
How was Bama’s schedule so tough. It was as weak as Georgia’s.
They played two more teams with winning records, and two more ranked teams then UGA did. Their schedule wasn’t very tough but it was tougher than UGA’s.
Beast from the East
November 24th, 2012
9:44 pm
braveslover
November 24th, 2012
9:39 pm
Georgia is a good second tier team but will never be at the elite level of an Oregon, Alabama, Ohio State, etc. Like Florida they get fat and stats on the lower division teams. Want to be an elite…you have to schedule the elites. So, yes, Mr. Schulz, you do have to look at who they play.
————————-
Seriously? Florida has played the toughest schedule in the country. 4-1 against top 12 teams. NO ONE can touch that!
GTBob
November 24th, 2012
9:45 pm
It’s the body of work this year Bobby.
Does UGA have a good body of work this year? Honestly?
kerryb
November 24th, 2012
9:46 pm
I’m a Georgia fan. It’s a license to be stupid.
November 24th, 2012
9:43 pm
That #3 ranking gets exposed by Saban next weekend…I’ll be looking for you idiots around the third qtr….should be 30-3 Bama with 7:00 to go…the crying in Georgia will be glorious…can’t wait…
_______________________________________________________________
I think you mean that Bama will be exposed again as not as good of a team as they have been hyped to be.
Dawg Whisperer
November 24th, 2012
9:47 pm
Scouts word, Bobby! The BCS sez so.
kerryb
November 24th, 2012
9:47 pm
GTBob
November 24th, 2012
9:43 pm
How was Bama’s schedule so tough. It was as weak as Georgia’s.
They played two more teams with winning records, and two more ranked teams then UGA did. Their schedule wasn’t very tough but it was tougher than UGA’s.
_____________________________________________________________________
Are you talking about the LSU team that was beaten by Florida ans almost lost to Ole Miss, Auburn and Arkansas? I think LSU was not quite as good as everyone thought they were. The other team Bama played like that they lost to.
kerryb
November 24th, 2012
9:48 pm
GTBob, are you also talking about the Miss State team Bama beat that is losing to Ole Miss right nw?
Beast from the East
November 24th, 2012
9:48 pm
I like the Dawgs over Bama next week. The Dawgs are playing their best ball of the year right now and I have not been impressed with Bama against LSU or A&M. They have too many starters out and I think UGA’s offense is better. Defenses appear to be pretty even at this point in time.
A RTR Hit-N-Run from ATL
November 24th, 2012
9:49 pm
@kerryb
say again?
How about that 35-7 loss to South Carolina? Explain that one.
Hiawatha Berry
November 24th, 2012
9:51 pm
Georgia Tech is horrible…..where is St. Simons?
Dawg Whisperer
November 24th, 2012
9:51 pm
East Beast… I like the way you think. Don’t forget to go to Sunday School in the morning though (the reference to beast concerns me?.
Not So Fast
November 24th, 2012
9:51 pm
Alabama had a slightly tougher schedule, but UGA has the more impressive win. They beat the #4 team in the BCS. And realistically both UGA and Bama got lucky with their SEC schedule. If Alabama had to play two of the big three in the east it might be LSU or A&m in the SECCG.
Dawg Whisperer
November 24th, 2012
9:52 pm
RTR… how do you ’splain A&M’s route of Bummer?
A RTR Hit-N-Run from ATL
November 24th, 2012
9:53 pm
You know someone has a point, I hadn’t thought about Florida leaping over UGA in the BCS given UF has beaten the BCS ranked 7th, 9th, 10th and 12th ranked teams. UGA has only beaten one, UF, but lost bad, really bad, really really bad, to the 12th ranked team.
That’s an interesting take. It would mean the best team according to the BCS in the SEC East isn’t representing the East for the second time in two years.
That’d be funny if that happens.
Almost as funny as seeing the mentally challenged who think UGA is equal to Alabama in any phase of the game.
I'm a Georgia fan. It's a license to be stupid.
November 24th, 2012
9:53 pm
35-7 should eliminate UGA from any further title talk…if Richt and Co. had any pride, they would not accept the SEC east SECCG spot…
Beast from the East
November 24th, 2012
9:53 pm
Not So Fast
November 24th, 2012
9:51 pm
Alabama had a slightly tougher schedule, but UGA has the more impressive win. They beat the #4 team in the BCS. And realistically both UGA and Bama got lucky with their SEC schedule. If Alabama had to play two of the big three in the east it might be LSU or A&m in the SECCG.
———–
If my Gators had not come from behind to beat A&M at their place early in the season, they would be playing in Atlanta next weekend.
Big Boy
November 24th, 2012
9:54 pm
Wake up Mutt fans , Tech is terrible !!!! Next week you will face a real team. Remember South Carolina ???? It will be just like that !!!!
Bama 38 Dogs 10 ……..Book it !
kerryb
November 24th, 2012
9:54 pm
GTBob, If Ole Miss beats Miss St tonight, Georgia played 6 teams that had a 6-6 or a winning record this year. You know how many Bama has played? 6.
A RTR Hit-N-Run from ATL
November 24th, 2012
9:55 pm
I kind of remember everyone picking LSU to beat UGA last year, the only people saying UGA would win were UGA fans.
LSU won big.
UGA fans sure don’t know much about football.
Dawg Whisperer
November 24th, 2012
9:55 pm
RTR, don’t lose any sleep over that hypothetical. After all, next week will take care of that issue. Still laughing?
kerryb
November 24th, 2012
9:56 pm
Apparently Big Boy has been in his cave without TV and has not seen any UGA games for the last month.
I'm a Georgia fan. It's a license to be stupid.
November 24th, 2012
9:57 pm
Bama has a HUGH advantage over Uga in big game experience…Bama has plenty, UGa has 35-7 and quit on national tv…
kerryb
November 24th, 2012
9:57 pm
A RTR Hit-N-Run from ATL
November 24th, 2012
9:55 pm
I kind of remember everyone picking LSU to beat UGA last year, the only people saying UGA would win were UGA fans.
LSU won big.
UGA fans sure don’t know much about football.
___________________________________________________________________
I love it when people compare last year to this year which means NOTHING
NCDawg
November 24th, 2012
9:59 pm
I AM A HO MO
Big Boy
November 24th, 2012
10:00 pm
@kerryb
I will be looking for you this time next week …..so get ready for the normal Georgia excuses after another big blowout !!!!
kerryb
November 24th, 2012
10:00 pm
I’m a Georgia fan. It’s a license to be stupid.
November 24th, 2012
9:53 pm
35-7 should eliminate UGA from any further title talk…if Richt and Co. had any pride, they would not accept the SEC east SECCG spot…
_______________________________________________________________________________
Are you really this stupid??? What are you? Some Tech fan that got his panties in a wad because his team was physically dominated for the 11th time in 12 years?
Scoobert Melvin Doo
November 24th, 2012
10:00 pm
Georgia will rout Bama.
Murray throws 5 TD
Gurly runs for 3 TD
Georgia. 42
Alabama. 3
I'm a Georgia fan. It's a license to be stupid.
November 24th, 2012
10:01 pm
Trust Richt and Murray in a big game? Only a fool would…of course, UGa fans clearly meet all the requirements necessary to be world-class fools…
Not So Fast
November 24th, 2012
10:01 pm
Yeah Bama’s schedule is just as weak as UGA’s. Let’s see how many teams after tonight both have played that are ranked. Who on Bama’s SEC schedule is better than Florida? And it’s funny that GTbob normally says rankings don’t matter until the end of the year …except in this case. Vanderbilt may be I. The top 25 tommorow and Miss State and Michigan may be out.
A RTR Hit-N-Run from ATL
November 24th, 2012
10:02 pm
Johnny Football surpassed Cam Newton and Tim Tebow with the most total yards gained in a single season in the SEC. Both of those players won the Heisman.
Johnny seems to be on his way to the Heisman. See, it takes a Heisman winner and a lot of luck plus having Alabama play a big game on the road against LSU to beat Alabama.
Georgia has a QB that played so bad they egged his house and hired a moving truck to sit outside of it.
Alabama 49, UGA 21.
I’m going to allow you some junk points after the game is well in hand and we start to pull the offense to the cheers of the Alabama crowd. Probably the only crowd left in the stadium.
Dawg Whisperer
November 24th, 2012
10:03 pm
I’m a Georgia fan. It’s a license to be stupid.
November 24th, 2012
9:57 pm
Bama has a HUGH advantage over Uga
——————————-
Congrats, I see you have that license as well.
Big Boy
November 24th, 2012
10:03 pm
Georgia had another cupcake schedule this year , just like last year. When they play a real team they will get stomped !
Reminder – Bosie , S Carolina , LSU and Mich St !
Bama 38 Dogs 10
kerryb
November 24th, 2012
10:03 pm
Big Boy
November 24th, 2012
10:00 pm
@kerryb
I will be looking for you this time next week …..so get ready for the normal Georgia excuses after another big blowout !!!!
__________________________________________________________
There is nothing I’ve seen from Bama this year that shows that they can blow us out. You don’t blow out teams with defenses as good as UGA’s You absolutely know nothing about football do you? You’re just a fan of a rival school trying to make stupid comments. My guess is that your team couldn’t take us out so you’re hoping someone else can.
A RTR Hit-N-Run from ATL
November 24th, 2012
10:04 pm
@scoobert
LOL. Awesome.
SEC Rules, man!
November 24th, 2012
10:04 pm
GA has no discussion in BCS championship. Zero. Nada. None.
kerryb
November 24th, 2012
10:05 pm
Johnny will NOT win the Heisman. They still don’t give it to Freshmen.
A RTR Hit-N-Run from ATL
November 24th, 2012
10:05 pm
I’ve got a question, what trophy is that the UGA players are holding in the picture? There is a trophy for beating GT?
Let me see if I can laugh without falling in the floor….
nope.
Not So Fast
November 24th, 2012
10:07 pm
RTR saying that UGA fans don’t know much about football but even thinking its a possibility Florida leap frogs UGA in the BCS poll. That right there shows you have zero football knowledge. Florida would have to jump UGA in the human polls. Florida is already number two in the computer polls. And like I said earlier even if Notre Dame loses Florida would need UGA to win to guarantee that they played for the national title. Because a UGA loss would lower Florida’s computer ranking.
I'm a Georgia fan. It's a license to be stupid.
November 24th, 2012
10:07 pm
Barely beat Tennessee, Kentucky, even Buffalo kept it close…got blown out in Columbia, Florida gave the game away, and…you idiots talk about national championships? Yeah, whatever dummies…
kerryb
November 24th, 2012
10:08 pm
What kind of stupid comments you idiots going to make next week when UGA is headed to Miami? Are you going to start saying that ND is going to beat us?
Big Boy
November 24th, 2012
10:08 pm
@kerryb
Like I said , start making your excuses now.
Deep down you know it’s coming !!!!!
ROLL TIDE !!!!!
And FYI I went to school at KU !
Dawg Whisperer
November 24th, 2012
10:09 pm
Scooby, while I do agree with your logic, your math needs amending.
UGA 56
Bummer 3
Not So Fast
November 24th, 2012
10:09 pm
RTR most rivalry games in college have a trophy of some type. Are you even a fan of football? I’m sure even GtBob knows that one.
kerryb
November 24th, 2012
10:10 pm
Yea, Florida gave the game away like no Georgia player forced a fumble in that game. Also, don’t forget that Florida couldn’t score a TD against the Georgia defense. How stupid.
kerryb
November 24th, 2012
10:10 pm
Big Boy, Kansas or Kentucky?
SEC Rules, man!
November 24th, 2012
10:11 pm
@kerryb yes, you will get spanked
I'm a Georgia fan. It's a license to be stupid.
November 24th, 2012
10:11 pm
Such an angry person…
funny...
November 24th, 2012
10:11 pm
I see the Alabama fans are handling their continued success with class and grace.
Win or lose next Saturday, I am damn proud of our Dawgs. They are playing as a team, they are playing with passion, they are playing with pride, and they are playing with house money.
Georgia also has some unfinished business to attend to. They can bring the ship back from 2008 when Alabama was clearly a better team.
What a day, what a season. Four quarters. Four quarters of tough football to reach a chance to be the best.
GATA and How ’bout them Dawgs!