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
Barsa
November 25th, 2012
12:30 am
You gdog rednecks are pathetic
Barsa
November 25th, 2012
12:31 am
Alabama 38
Ga 17
kerryb
November 25th, 2012
12:31 am
Barsa, keep talking your crap. UGA has 5 first round draft picks on defense and you will see that on Saturday.
The Reverand
November 25th, 2012
12:32 am
And the time before that Barsa?
Barsa
November 25th, 2012
12:32 am
So you’re saying we r overrated this year and next year it will be even worse?
kerryb
November 25th, 2012
12:33 am
Bama is not capable of scoring 38 points on Georgia’s defense. I know you’re upset that UGA beat the crap out of your team today but have some sense.
Techie
November 25th, 2012
12:33 am
Funny thing, I have NO doubt UGA will beat Alabama and this is from a Tech student. I hate to say this, but UGA is going to win it all. They are too good on both sides of the ball. And ND, they shouldn’t even be in the #1 position.
Barsa
November 25th, 2012
12:33 am
21 point win
8 point line
Barsa
November 25th, 2012
12:34 am
Uga defense Bwahahahahahahahaha
kerryb
November 25th, 2012
12:35 am
Barso, don’t pass yourself off as a Bama fan. You are a disgruntled Tech guy because all of the real Bama fans I know that come on UGA blogs don’t post stupid stuff. Just Tech fans posing as Bama fans.
The Reverand
November 25th, 2012
12:35 am
I’d bet 1000 bucks against 21 points, Barsa.
Barsa
November 25th, 2012
12:36 am
OMG some of u uga fans are idiots. U ALWAYS choke against good teams. ALWAYS. Idiots.
21 point win. Given
Barsa
November 25th, 2012
12:37 am
I bet 10000 also today giving 13 lmao
kerryb
November 25th, 2012
12:37 am
Anyone else on here that wants to talk football besides this tool?
td
November 25th, 2012
12:37 am
Barsa
November 25th, 2012
12:33 am
21 point win
8 point line
Again, How much money do you want to bet giving me UGA and 21? $1,000? $10,000? Let me know how much and how I can contact you and I will take that bet.
The Reverand
November 25th, 2012
12:39 am
Like “money in the bank”? “Take Tech and the points” We
know you cant call ‘em
kerryb
November 25th, 2012
12:39 am
td, that tool doesn’t want to bet. He just wants to agitate by spewing stupid comments. I think he’s brain damaged.
Barsa
November 25th, 2012
12:39 am
770-455-7141
Call me
I’ll be lmao @ u losers when earth comes crashing down to reality. Oh yeah. We’re uga
Bama by 21
Techie
November 25th, 2012
12:40 am
Heck I will take that 21 points too! UGA 24, Alabama 14
The Reverand
November 25th, 2012
12:41 am
1000 bucks says thats a fake azz number.
Barsa
November 25th, 2012
12:41 am
ALABAMA 31
uga 10
The Reverand
November 25th, 2012
12:42 am
Peanut knows better than to give his REAL number out.
Barsa
November 25th, 2012
12:43 am
Losers can’t even call
Gonna lmfao next week
How pathetic
Loser 21 year olds with no life on here all day.
kerryb
November 25th, 2012
12:44 am
Bama will be lucky to score 14 points on Georgia’s defense. Their offense is not that good. They mainly run the ball which is what UGA has been defending the last 2 weeks. After stopping the triple option stopping the sweeps and the off tackles will seem a lot easier.
Jerry Seinfeld
November 25th, 2012
12:44 am
To the idiots who talked crap before the game, think before you write crap on here. Otherwise, you will write something dumb like these posters:
“I want nothing more than to flip a huge bird to the whole land of college football, the BCS, and the all mighty SEC by sh*tting all over their national title hopes. I hate you, Georgia bulldogs. To hell with you. ” (franchise)
“52-49 Georgie Defense returns to its Tenn. Roots” – (You can’t fix stupid or Democrats or bulldogs)
““Hey Jeff, We sure can tell who your pulling for.GT is going to have them bulldog nation fans crying alone with you come Tomorrow.After that i want to hear some critics on your bulldogs in years past like you spoke on GT Today.WE put a big ol dent in this rival Tomorrow and this is just what GT and puppies need to do.”
““Can’t wait til we beat the Puppies this Saturday…”
td
November 25th, 2012
12:45 am
Barsa
November 25th, 2012
12:39 am
770-455-7141
Time and weather number. Loser.
The Bear
November 25th, 2012
12:45 am
@Barsa please stop with this BS!
Roll Tide
kerryb
November 25th, 2012
12:46 am
Yea, he’s nothing but a trolling loser and probably a Tech fan still mad about the game today.
Fightin Irish
November 25th, 2012
12:46 am
Gooooo ND!! Beat the Rednecks! Wherever they may rome!!
Jerry Seinfeld
November 25th, 2012
12:46 am
Kerry, their quarterback is very good. He’s thrown only 2 interceptions all season and is good in the clutch. However, I agree the Georgia defense will be tough for them to stop. They lost receiver Kenny Bell with a broken leg today. They still have a stud freshmen wide receiver we have to worry about in Amari Cooper.
kerryb
November 25th, 2012
12:47 am
The Bear, Barsa is just a Tech fan. He’s no Bama fan like you.
The Bear
November 25th, 2012
12:47 am
@kerryb wake up Bama has an excellent offense
T-Rat
November 25th, 2012
12:47 am
Why does he get such a thrill from being a troll?!?!?!?!
dogman
November 25th, 2012
12:47 am
But look who their playing… At this point they haven’t accomplished anything that they didn’t last year except win one more game against a pathetic team… I’ll admit they appear to have the potential to win but I say show me… When they beat Bama or take them to the wire I will say ok they really are a great team and Ricth is a great coach till then I still don’t see any new hardware!!!
Danny Ford
November 25th, 2012
12:47 am
Alabama has the best coaches & will win big!
Barsa
November 25th, 2012
12:49 am
I just like to kiss men with mustaches. Bama’s players are sexier.
Jerry Seinfeld
November 25th, 2012
12:49 am
Be careful before you post:
“Hey Jeff, We sure can tell who your pulling for.GT is going to have them bulldog nation fans crying alone with you come Tomorrow.After that i want to hear some critics on your bulldogs in years past like you spoke on GT Today.WE put a big ol dent in this rival Tomorrow and this is just what GT and puppies need to do.”
“Can’t wait til we beat the Puppies this Saturday…”
52-49 Georgie Defense returns to its Tenn. Roots (you can’t fix stupid or Democrats or bulldogs)
“Laskey will have a huge game tomorrow.”
I want nothing more than to flip a huge bird to the whole land of college football, the BCS, and the all mighty SEC by ——- all over their national title hopes. I hate you, Georgia bulldogs. To hell with you. (franchise)
kerryb
November 25th, 2012
12:50 am
Danny Ford
November 25th, 2012
12:47 am
Alabama has the best coaches & will win big!
_________________________________________________
myth.
Frank
November 25th, 2012
12:50 am
yes they are playing at a new level. Their strength of schedule was incredibly fortuitous. At the old level, where they had to play and beat more than one team ranked in the too ten, we would be thinking this year was just more of the same…
joe
November 25th, 2012
12:50 am
GEORGIA TECH ESTABLISHED THE RUN!!!!!
WAY TO GO PAUL JOHNSON!!!!!
WHY DID HE ABONDAND IT WITH 2 MINUTES LEFT?????? GEORGIA WAS TIRED?
CHARLIE WIES IS THE MAN TO TAKE US TO THE NEXT LEVEL!!!!
GO TECH
Jerry Seinfeld
November 25th, 2012
12:51 am
Be careful before you post:
“Hey Jeff, We sure can tell who your pulling for.GT is going to have them bulldog nation fans crying alone with you come Tomorrow.After that i want to hear some critics on your bulldogs in years past like you spoke on GT Today.WE put a big ol dent in this rival Tomorrow and this is just what GT and puppies need to do.”
“Can’t wait til we beat the Puppies this Saturday…”
52-49 Georgie Defense returns to its Tenn. Roots (you can’t fix stupid or Democrats or bulldogs)
“Laskey will have a huge game tomorrow.”
I want nothing more than to flip a huge — to the whole land of college football, the BCS, and the all mighty SEC by ——- all over their national title hopes. I hate you, Georgia bulldogs. To hell with you. (franchise)
Jerry Seinfeld
November 25th, 2012
12:53 am
Go dawgs!! They impressed me today with the way they moved the ball.
The Reverand
November 25th, 2012
12:54 am
Peanut disappeared when he got called out. Wonder what name he is posting under now?
The Reverand
November 25th, 2012
12:55 am
Didnt mean to run you off, troll.
kerryb
November 25th, 2012
12:55 am
The Reverand
November 25th, 2012
12:54 am
Peanut disappeared when he got called out. Wonder what name he is posting under now?
___________________________________________________________
I’m sure we’ll figure it out pretty quick when we see the comments.
Fightin Irish
November 25th, 2012
12:56 am
LMAO @ al u loser rednecks. Gonna go p*** some p**** while u sit here and write like loser rednecks. GL
ND 38
Rednecks 3
kerryb
November 25th, 2012
12:57 am
Peanut the troll will probably attack me first with a new name like he did last time.
kerryb
November 25th, 2012
12:58 am
Peanut is now Fighting Irish posing as a ND fan.
The Reverand
November 25th, 2012
12:58 am
There he is.
kerryb
November 25th, 2012
12:58 am
As soon as Fighting Irish started Barsa stopped.