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
11:30 pm
truth hurts.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_606w/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/01/10/Sports/Images/APTOPIX_BCS_Championship_Football_0d41f.jpg
BCS national championships on the other hand feel soooo good.
kerryb
November 24th, 2012
11:30 pm
I wish the media would shut up pushing this Ohio State being #1 in the AP crap. They may be undefeated in one of the worst major conferences in college football this year,and will play 2 less games than teams playing a championship game and a bowl game.
A RTR Hit-N-Run from ATL
November 24th, 2012
11:32 pm
oh yeah, please please please please make it a blackout game!!!!!
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8W4EAbR5MjM/SOEUQESdlpI/AAAAAAAAAmI/nwjZ4yCxw7w/s400/UGA+and+Bama.jpg
kerryb
November 24th, 2012
11:32 pm
RTR you are a complete and utter idiot. Just on here being stupid and trying to stir things up instead of talking seriously about football. I’m going to be laughing when your team is in the Capital One Bowl after next Saturday.
cloudodust
November 24th, 2012
11:33 pm
kerryb- I’m neutral. My observations are as such. Alabama IS a creature you HAVE NOT seen all year and to ride the Georgia wave is natural for you. Not for me. May the best team win.
kerryb
November 24th, 2012
11:33 pm
My guess is that you are another one of those Tech losers like Tide Roll or maybe you are Tide Roll changing his name because we are on to you.
The Bear
November 24th, 2012
11:36 pm
@Tampa Gator glad you are picking the Dogs. UGA is playing well but so is Bama. Gators played a good game today but needed ND to lose.
Roll Tide
atlfalconsfan0125
November 24th, 2012
11:36 pm
All UGA needed was a chance and they got it. It doesn’t matter how they got it. Now its up to them to make the best of it.
Tampa Gator
November 24th, 2012
11:36 pm
I am still wondering what the “Florida State is going to walk all over Florida” DawgNole and Noley Noley Noley are…….?????
With that……a very good night. But also wondering who Florida will be playing in the Sugar Bowl. Probably another powerhouse team from the ACC………
Resident Georgia Fan
November 24th, 2012
11:37 pm
@Weiner … your name says it all.
kerryb
November 24th, 2012
11:39 pm
I think you can turn that and say that Georgia is a complete team like Bama has not seen all year. Georgia’s offense is better than LSU’s and LSU defense has a good front line but weak in the secondary and not as good at LB’s as UGA. A&M beat Bama with a running QB. Georgia’s offense is more of a balanced play action attack. Manziel may have score a lot of TD’s but Murray has thrown for 3,000 yards for the 3rd year in a row, is now tied with Manning for the most TD passes in SEC history, and is #1 in passing efficiency in college football. Good luck with that.
playmeortrademe
November 24th, 2012
11:40 pm
Well, ND 2012 has to be the luckiest you-know-whats I’ve ever seen in my years of watching college football. Stanford, Pitt, Purdue I think, catching USC with their starting QB out. Luckier than UT in 1998. Congrats, Irish, you just graduated to big boy football. ‘Bout to find out what an SEC defense with huge lineman and linebackers and safeties with speed and size can do.
ELEPHANT STOMP
November 24th, 2012
11:42 pm
We Will Crush uga!!
CFB fan
November 24th, 2012
11:43 pm
Jeff,
Come on. How can you say that it doesn’t matter who they’re playing?? This is the worst Auburn team in 60 years; Tech has a horrible defense; Ole Miss is lousy; and Ga Southern is, well, Ga Southern. Don’t be fooled by a run against all these weak sisters.
kerryb
November 24th, 2012
11:44 pm
Bama fans are going to be shocked when they find out next week they are not invincible?
kerryb
November 24th, 2012
11:44 pm
I guess I should have said find out again they are not invincible.
The Bear
November 24th, 2012
11:45 pm
@kerryb Bama is geared to play againest UGA. The spread offense gives Bama trouble but it would againest any SEC defense. Its going to be a great game for sure.
Roll Tide
The Bear
November 24th, 2012
11:48 pm
@kerryb I guess I should have said find out again they are not invincible.
Thats calling the kettle black isn’t it? See South Carolina?
kerryb
November 24th, 2012
11:48 pm
The Bear, you can also say that Georgia is geared to play against Bama. It should be an even match up, they run the same offenses and defenses so it’s not like both teams haven’t seen it in practice every day. One of the differences is that UGA is a better passing team against a Bama team that is weaker in the secondary than last year and has no edge pass rusher like UGA does. If Bama can’t put pressure on Murray then it will be a long night for Bama.
Erk Russell's Dog
November 24th, 2012
11:49 pm
Notre Dame overload begins and talking head on ESPN has already put Bama in the title game. 44 days of this will be insufferable.
kerryb
November 24th, 2012
11:53 pm
You also can’t say that Bama is a better rushing team when Todd Gurley is the leading rusher at the RB position in the SEC and Marshall also has 654 yards.
kerryb
November 24th, 2012
11:55 pm
Erk Russell’s Dog
November 24th, 2012
11:49 pm
Notre Dame overload begins and talking head on ESPN has already put Bama in the title game. 44 days of this will be insufferable.
__________________________________________________________________________________
You mean 7 more days before they stop talking about Bama. 44 days of talking about ND will make their beat down more sweeter.
The Reverand
November 24th, 2012
11:56 pm
5-6 teams in the SEC could beat Notre Dame.
The Bear
November 24th, 2012
11:57 pm
@kerryb Bama plays alot of players at running back normally 4 during a game. UGA has some fine running backs but so does BAMA. BAMA has a stout “D” if you want to underestimate them go ahead
kerryb
November 24th, 2012
11:59 pm
Bama’s D is not as stout as last years.
cloudodust
November 25th, 2012
12:00 am
Can or will Gurley be able to sustain his intensity on a big stage like the SECCG? Yes and no, mostly no but it’ll be interesting to see. He’s a heck of a freshman (borderline good if not great) but Alabama’s D is better than USCe or Florida. Interesting match-up bit at this point but I take Bama.
playmeortrademe
November 25th, 2012
12:00 am
Yes, good lord we will have to hear about everything Irish from Knute Rockne to Rudy to Ronald Reagan playin the friggin Gipper. I’m sure 90% of the pre-game show for the BCS title game will be Notre Dame. I hope UGA gets the chance to clown-stomp ND, but if not, I hope Alabama beats them by 40.
kerryb
November 25th, 2012
12:02 am
On Sport Center they just asked a stupid ans useless question. Can Florida jump the SEC Champs? The easy answer to that is…No
td
November 25th, 2012
12:03 am
40 minutes now talking about ND on ESPN. I do not think they gave the Super Bowl champion this much uninterrupted time.
kerryb
November 25th, 2012
12:04 am
cloudodust
November 25th, 2012
12:00 am
Can or will Gurley be able to sustain his intensity on a big stage like the SECCG? Yes and no, mostly no but it’ll be interesting to see. He’s a heck of a freshman (borderline good if not great) but Alabama’s D is better than USCe or Florida. Interesting match-up bit at this point but I take Bama.
_________________________________________________________________
Dumb comment. The Florida game was a big stage and Florida’s defense is just as good as Bama’s. Gurley rushed for 117 yards and a TD against them.
Spike 80DF
November 25th, 2012
12:06 am
get ready for a slobber knocker next Saturday.
td
November 25th, 2012
12:08 am
cloudodust
November 25th, 2012
12:00 am
” but Alabama’s D is better than USCe or Florida.”
I have watched most every SEC game this year and FL, USC and LSU have a better defense then Alabama this year and UGA has a equal defense to them.
kerryb
November 25th, 2012
12:08 am
Chris Fowler just told Brian Kelly that ND was a 90 to 1 shot to win the BCS when the season started. I don’t think it’s changed much.
The Reverand
November 25th, 2012
12:10 am
There are 5-6 teams in the SEC that would beat Notre Dame!
kerryb
November 25th, 2012
12:13 am
I think I’m going to puke if ESPN keeps going on much longer with all of these pre-prepared ND is relevant again videos.
The Reverand
November 25th, 2012
12:15 am
Whoever plays Notre Dame in the BCS better get ready for some serious homecooking. The refs are gonna try to kill ‘em!
LakeDawg
November 25th, 2012
12:15 am
The Dawgs can beat the Tide, no question in my mind. The only question is will they? It SHOULD be a war.
Harry DAWG
November 25th, 2012
12:15 am
Get ready for a war! GO DAWGS!
Barsa
November 25th, 2012
12:16 am
OMG You’re really this stupid? Who has uga beaten? They lost 35-7 to sc?? That’s a new level????
Bama will beat them by 3 tds. Good grief you nad lickers are pathetic.
Barsa
November 25th, 2012
12:18 am
I think I will puke if i read another kerry post on here. This loser is on here 24/7 with NO LIFE!! Even during baseball.
kerryb
November 25th, 2012
12:18 am
Barsa, Apparently you haven’t watched a Georgia game since that SC game. No one will score 3 TD’s on Georgia’s defense now. No one has since.
td
November 25th, 2012
12:18 am
Barsa
November 25th, 2012
12:16 am
So you are willing to give me UGA and 21? Where can I place that bet and how much do you want to bet?
The Reverand
November 25th, 2012
12:18 am
We will see, Barsa. It will be closer than you think. Half of the SEC could beat Notre Dame.
kerryb
November 25th, 2012
12:19 am
I’m no loser and I’m certainly no **ckhead like you.
kerryb
November 25th, 2012
12:22 am
Barsa, you must have changed your name from what it was because I have never seen that name on a blog so how do you know how much I’m on a blog? Who do you think I am GTbob?
joe
November 25th, 2012
12:25 am
First of All – Georgia Tech DID establish the run. Chan Gaily could not do this. Way to go Tech!
my only question for Paul Johnson is why did you Abandon it with under 2 minutes left? Seems like the Dogs were getting tired.
2nd point we got rid of Can for Paul Johnson whose record is slightly better. Bad decision.
It is now time for TECH to take it to the next level and Charlie Wies is the man!
The Reverand
November 25th, 2012
12:25 am
Vandy, MSU, Kentucky, Arkansas, Auburn and Ole Miss would all beat GT.
The Reverand
November 25th, 2012
12:27 am
CPJ won a few games with Chan’s recruits. You see what happens when its all CPJ’s recruits.
7576DAWG
November 25th, 2012
12:28 am
I hate the fact that Notre Dame does not have to play a Conference Championship to earn the right to go to the National Championship. Whether Georgia or Alabama wins the SEC Championship both will be favored over the #1 rated team in the BCS, which will be Notre Dame. Nobody see’s anything terribly wrong with that? They got there by beating a good team from every Conference EXCEPT the SEC.
The biggest problem will be the loser of the Georgia-Alabama game won’t even get to play in a BCS game because they will have two losses. The loser will end up in the Capital One or Outback Bowl.
Barsa
November 25th, 2012
12:30 am
Ok Carrie
And you thought the same thing when bama came to Athens last time.