SEC title would mean Georgia’s return to elite status (video added)
Mark Richt has Georgia in the SEC championship game for second straight year. (Brant Sanderlin/AJC)
(VIDEO ADDED BELOW)
This might stun starry-eyed middle-schoolers and high school players, who are otherwise oblivious to ancient history before 2006 in the SEC. But even the football Godzillas of this conference and, it follows, the globe, aren’t that far removed from humility (and Shreveport).
Before the last five seasons under Nick Saban, Alabama had an 11-year stretch (1997-2007) when it reached double digits in wins only three times, suffered through four losing seasons, four non-bowl years, lost to Auburn six straight years, went to the Music City Bowl twice and even was subjected to the Independence Bowl . . . three times! There’s your, “Roll Tide.”
Florida fans would like to forget the Ron Zook era of relative torment, sandwiched between Steve Spurrier and Urban Meyer.
Auburn just fired a coach, Gene Chizik, who won a national championship two years ago.
LSU: You say Saban and Les Miles. I raise you Mike Archer, Curley Hallman and Gerry DiNardo.
The Dogs have given fans much to cheer about. (Brant Sanderlin/AJC)
It happened before, it can happened again. It happened to Georgia. Mark Richt won two SEC championships in his first five seasons (2002 and 2005). He is still waiting for a third.
So before anybody makes any grand declarations about what Georgia’s return to national relevancy this season means for the future of the Bulldogs’ program, place a ping-pong ball on the kitchen table, open the window and try to give assurances that it won’t roll off the edge at some point.
However, Georgia’s ascent this season — and actually it’s climb since the 0-2 start of 2011 — has significance. Credit to Richt, his staff and all associated with the Georgia program, because a team doesn’t go 21-1 in a stretch of regular season games, even it managed to avoid Alabama or LSU, without doing a lot of things right. The Bulldogs are ranked No. 3 in the BCS. They are back in the SEC title game again, facing No. 2 Alabama in Saturday’s SEC championship. The winner faces No. 1 for the national title.
It’s this simple: Georgia has an opportunity to affirm itself as a member of the SEC’s elite, and ranking among the SEC elite is synonymous with the national elite. Imagine how this feels for Richt, after seeing his program seemingly erode over several months, going 7-9 in consecutive SEC seasons, losing to the likes of Kentucky, Mississippi State, Colorado and Central Florida.
“It’s what you always hope for,” Richt said Sunday of the team’s position this week. “It’s what you want. We know pre‑season rankings are for the fans. Where you’re ranked at the end of the year is the most important. [But] it’s not about me. It’s about Georgia. It’s about this program, this team, these young men, this coaching staff. I don’t worry too much about all the personal stuff. But it is great to be in this position at this point. You fight like mad every year to get your team in this position.”
Georgia was in the SEC title game a year ago against then-No. 1 LSU, but there’s a greater sense of excitement and confidence in Athens now. The Dogs ranked only 14th in the BCS before last year’s SEC game. National title hopes were smothered in Week 1 (loss to Boise State). Respectability hopes were stomped on in Week 2 (loss to South Carolina).
If Richt wants to play the no-respect card with his players this week, it’s available. Most of the national commentary has focused on the potential of an Alabama-Notre Dame final. But that was expected. One doesn’t eclipse Alabama until one beats Alabama.
Even while acknowledging that Georgia and Alabama mirror each other in several areas this year, Richt said: “One thing they’ve done is they’ve been national champions and we’ve not. They’ve been SEC champions and we’ve not, during the time-frame of these kids’ careers.”
They are the measuring sticks all go by. Richt has won his share of games since 2006 but his accomplishments have paled compared to Saban, Miles and Meyer. Saban is 39-9 (.812) in the SEC with one conference and two BCS titles. Miles is 40-10 (.800) with two SEC and one BCS championship. In Meyer’s last five seasons at Florida (2006-10), he went 31-9 (.775) in the SEC, with two conference and two crystal trophies.
Georgia is back on the doorstep to both. The climb has been impressive.
– By Jeff Schultz
Video: Is Georgia’s defense more talented than Alabama’s?
A trip down blog Memory Lane
• Georgia playing at level we haven’t seen under Richt
• Short takes (UGA): Rambo’s ascent, Gurley’s comfort
• 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
• Georgia’s new reality: From on the brink to BCS title possibility
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502 comments Add your comment
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
November 26th, 2012
12:01 pm
“Florida’s defense is better than Alabama’s defense.”
And the Atlanta Braves will win the 2012 World Series.
This Just In
November 26th, 2012
12:02 pm
Theres a coaching slt open in the ACC, Gene, Joker, and Derek. Go there and you’ll be coach of the year in 9 games.Nothing like the ACC(Another Chance Conference) for ousted SEC(SCHOOLS of EDUCATION and CHAMPIONSHIPS)coaches. Gene call CAM, Joker call UTEP, and Derek call Clarke Central for a assistant’s position)
HUH?????
November 26th, 2012
12:03 pm
Past UGA lies.
UGA will win the 2008 National Title.
UGA’s dream team of 2010 will win the National Title.
See a pattern here, morons?
Cdpridg
November 26th, 2012
12:06 pm
Donnan…..lol spelling…..best you can come up with loser? Still waiting on your answer. Who is your team?
Thomas Brown
November 26th, 2012
12:07 pm
I gave you the URL Link to 6 Georgia Bulldogs’ National Championships. What team do you represent Donnan ? I will only ask you once.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
November 26th, 2012
12:11 pm
“lol spelling…..best you can come up with loser? Still waiting on your answer. ‘
No, just point out that you can’t spell simple words.
This Just In
November 26th, 2012
12:12 pm
HUH????? You seem to embellish well. And it’s 2012 and the 2010 team seems ahead of schedule. I believe that they said they’d win “A NATIONAL TITLE”, funny hw when a computer goes on and people get to typing, how they all of a sudden forget certain words, misqoute things, and readers even have to say HUH!!!!!!
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
November 26th, 2012
12:13 pm
“I gave you the URL Link to 6 Georgia Bulldogs’ National Championships. ”
UGA claimed national titles: (1927, 1942, 1946, 1968, 1980)
You obviously can’t count.
Cdpridg
November 26th, 2012
12:16 pm
Donnan…Well sport, I challenge you to school me in the art of spelling. We will start with a simple task for you by spelling out your allegiance.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
November 26th, 2012
12:16 pm
UGA fuzzy math national champions:
1: 1927: Georgia, ND, TAM, Illinois and Yale all claimed national titles for that year.
2: 1942: Georgia, O State and Wisconsin all claimed national titles for that year.
3: 1946: Army, ND and Georgia all claimed national titles for that year.
4: 1968: Georgia, O State and Texas all claimed national titles for that year.
5: 1980: Georgia actually plays for and wins national title.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_football_national_championships_in_NCAA_Division_I_FBS
Fuzzy math with UGA fans.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
November 26th, 2012
12:18 pm
1: 1927: ILLINOIS
2: 1942 Ohio State
3: 1946 Notre Dame
4: 1968 Ohio State
5: 1980 Georgia
So, where are all those 6 national titles?
http://www.collegefootballpoll.com/champions_national.html
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
November 26th, 2012
12:19 pm
Thomas Brown
Come on, child. Show me where all those “imaginary” national titles came from?
Cdpridg
November 26th, 2012
12:19 pm
Donna
Steve
November 26th, 2012
12:20 pm
“Donnan” is your life that pathetic?
Cdpridg
November 26th, 2012
12:20 pm
Donnan….how did your team play Saturday?
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
November 26th, 2012
12:21 pm
Cdpridg
If you can read, you’ll know what team I support when I said we’ve OWNED UGA for over 20 years.
Come on dawg, use what little brain cells you have left and figure it out.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
November 26th, 2012
12:21 pm
““Donnan” is your life that pathetic?’
Awe, did I hurt your whittle feewings?
“Donnan….how did your team play Saturday?”
We won.
Cdpridg
November 26th, 2012
12:21 pm
Donnan…when are you guys going to fire your coach
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
November 26th, 2012
12:23 pm
Thomas Brown, here’s ANOTHER list that doesn’t have SIX national championships from UGA.
http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/story/2554072
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
November 26th, 2012
12:23 pm
“Donnan…when are you guys going to fire your coach”
Why would we fire a coach that has us back in the top 10?
Cdpridg
November 26th, 2012
12:24 pm
Donnan…surely you are not so ashamed of your team. Spell it out for me sport. I need help with my spelling so you will have to spell it out. Educate me I know of no such team that you speak of. Are you making stuff up? Donnan….do you live in an imaginary world???
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
November 26th, 2012
12:25 pm
Cdpridg
I can’t wait until UGA loses to Bama. I really can’t wait to sit here and mock you over and over and over again like I did last year when UGA was totally embarrassed by a football player who was high.
Cdpridg
November 26th, 2012
12:26 pm
Donnan….do you feel that folks associated with UGA are superior to you?
Cdpridg
November 26th, 2012
12:27 pm
Enter your Donnan dou you have a job? Are you old enough to work?
Steve
November 26th, 2012
12:28 pm
Little Donnan, would that be the Gaytors? If so, why not post the all-time won/loss record between UGA and UF? Why only go back 20 years? Or, how about you use the last 5 years or so? Coward.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
November 26th, 2012
12:28 pm
“Donnan….do you feel that folks associated with UGA are superior to you?”
No, because I know that most folks who pull for UGA never went to college. You for instance.
“Enter your Donnan dou you have a job? ”
Remedial english is waiting for you, child.
Cdpridg
November 26th, 2012
12:29 pm
Donnan…do you think your team will ever compete for a championship again?
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
November 26th, 2012
12:30 pm
“Little Donnan, would that be the Gaytors? If so, why not post the all-time won/loss record between UGA and UF? Why only go back 20 years? Or, how about you use the last 5 years or so? Coward.”
Did you have to use all your fingers and toes to count on, Steve?
UF has 3 national championships in the last 20 years.
UGA has jack $hit in the last 20 years.
Suck it, loser.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
November 26th, 2012
12:31 pm
“do you think your team will ever compete for a championship again?’
Considering we won a championship in 2006 and 2008, yes. You, not so much.
Steve
November 26th, 2012
12:41 pm
Ha ha. Way to avoid my question little boy. Typical Florida fan. You posted how your team has “owned” UGA over the last 20 years. How about overall since they started playing? How about the last 5-6 years coward?
Cdpridg
November 26th, 2012
12:43 pm
Donnan ….We meaning UGA….OWNS you….
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
November 26th, 2012
12:43 pm
“You posted how your team has “owned” UGA over the last 20 years. How about overall since they started playing? How about the last 5-6 years coward?”
It must be sad to know your team hasn’t been relevant since Jimmy Carter left office. Meanwhile, we’ve won multiple SEC championships, national championships and two Heisman awards.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
November 26th, 2012
12:44 pm
“We meaning UGA….OWNS you”
How does UGA own me?
ARdawg
November 26th, 2012
12:45 pm
It is GREAT to be a Georgia Bulldog!!
GATA
Steve
November 26th, 2012
12:47 pm
“Donnans” life is so pathetic, he has to come play on a UGA blog all day. Sad. It’s OK little man. Things might get better some day. UGA hasn’t been relavant since Jimmy Carter left office? WHAT? Sad you know nothing about college football. I have better things to do other than arguring with an ueducated redneck from FL.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
November 26th, 2012
12:51 pm
Steve
I love ignorant people like you. You mock me for blogging “all day” yet you’ve been here longer than I have. You also claim that “UGA owns me” yet you can’t explain how. Then, you claim that UGA is relevant but can’t back it up with any facts. Lastly, you say that I am uneducated yet I have a college degree.
Please, continue to spout nonsense.
Cdpridg
November 26th, 2012
12:53 pm
Donnan…we OWN you. Tell us all Dawg fans once again how you like those apples
Cdpridg
November 26th, 2012
12:55 pm
Donnan…do you wish Donnan was still coach???
Jsonic
November 26th, 2012
12:56 pm
Thomas Brown
For all your “facts” one thing remains the same. Notre Dame was the only eligible team that was tough enough to go undefeated. Your “opinion” on them is irrelevant. The “fact” is that they are in the National Championship and rightfully so.
Alabama/Georgia are where they deserve to be. They have proven themselves this season and are just as good as Notre Dame. Each of them only faltered once against good schools. I’m not going to sit here and state that the Irish ARE going to beat either of them in the NC because that would be arrogant. I believe they will but with as good as ALA/UGA are it could go either way. Please keep stating that though. Hopefully everyone (including the players) will take it to heart and convince themselves that the SEC championship is the real NC and look right past ND. Each SEC team has done it at least once this season. (Looking past teams).
Notre Dame is the rightful #1 team in the country. They’ve earned it. Keep looking past them though……………..PLEASE!
Cdpridg
November 26th, 2012
12:57 pm
Donnan…will you ever win the east again????
Steve
November 26th, 2012
12:58 pm
Hmmm well I just scrolled up and did not see a post where I said that “UGA owns you.” My point little boy, is that you Florida losers talk about how you own UGA over the last 20 years meaning you only focus on that time frame. Look at the whole picture. UGA is 49-40-2 against UF. The last 6 years the series is 3-3. There is no more “owning.” Regarding your uneducated self saying that UGA has not been relavant since Jimmy Carter, a team who is in their 5 SEC Championship game since 2001 is relavant. Outta here little boy.
Thomas Brown
November 26th, 2012
1:01 pm
I presume you know how to read the URL Link ? I provided the URL Link to 6 national championships football Georgia Bulldogs’ Football Program. You left off 1966. Massey Ratings. You know ? Kenneth Massey. Official NCAA BCS Poll Kenneth Massey declared The Georgia Bulldogs the 1966 National Champion. See if you can read it on this URL Link.
Let me know now, ok twit ?
http://masseyratings.com/cf/years.txt
Thomas Brown
November 26th, 2012
1:04 pm
Last 20 years you say ?
AP Poll All-Time UGA :
# 3 in 2012 with 2 games remaining
# 19 in 2011
# 13 in 2008
# 2 in 2007
# 23 in 2006
# 10 in 2005 – Mark Richt has 2 SEC Championships
# 7 in 2004
# 7 in 2003
# 3 in 2002 – vols are 2nd All-Time SEC Championships 1 more than us
# 22 in 2001 – ten of 12 years ranked in AP Poll Top 25 Mark Richt
_________
# 20 in 2000
# 16 in 1999
# 14 in 1998
# 10 in 1997 – four of 5 years Jim Donnan ranked AP Poll top 25
# 8 in 1992 – two of 7 years Ray Goff ranked AP Poll Top 25
# 17 in 1991 – AP Poll expanded from top 20 to top 25 in 1989
That ain’t JACK, you say ?
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
November 26th, 2012
1:04 pm
“Donnan…we OWN you.”
How?
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
November 26th, 2012
1:06 pm
“I presume you know how to read the URL Link ? I provided the URL Link to 6 national championships football Georgia Bulldogs’ Football Program. You left off 1966. Massey Ratings. ”
HAHAHAAHAHAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I provided three links that showed UGA only having won one national title. Real sports pages like CBS SPORTS>
“Let me know now, ok twit ?”
Troglodyte, you are delusional if you think UGA has more than one national title. Every single link I posted shows UGA with one national title.
Sucks to be you.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
November 26th, 2012
1:08 pm
“That ain’t JACK, you say ?”
Are you retarded? Seriously, are you retarded? You claim that UGA won 6 championships and now you are talking about CMR’s record because you can’t back it up with facts.
Thomas Brown
November 26th, 2012
1:09 pm
child poster with his caps lock donnan,
You have been provided multiple URL Links to 6 NC UGA.
You asked for that, did you not ?
I asked you something in return.
Instead child poster acting like a child for the world to see on the Internet, child, you failed to answer my question to you.
There is a issue that you say UGA has not done jack now last 20 years. Really ?
Where’s your URL Link to that too ?
Compared to whom, has UGA not done JACK the last 20 years being ranked 16 times in the AP Poll since 1991.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
November 26th, 2012
1:12 pm
” Kenneth Massey. Official NCAA BCS Poll Kenneth Massey declared The Georgia Bulldogs the 1966 National Champion.”
THE NCAA DOES NOT GIVE OUT NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL. UGA DID NOT PLAY AND WIN THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP IN 1966.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
November 26th, 2012
1:17 pm
“You have been provided multiple URL Links to 6 NC UGA.”
Ok, you’re a moron. You only posted one.
“Where’s your URL Link to that too ?”
I’ve posted multiple links that show UGA not winning but one national title. It’s not my fault if you’re too stupid and lazy to read them.
Thomas Brown
November 26th, 2012
1:18 pm
Top 10 All-Time Football Program in Wins Division 1-A now called FBS, 7 national championships, 1 SEC title away from tying the vols for 2nd place behind Alabama all-time, 16 times ranked in the AP Poll since 1991, # 3 today, 5 NFL Championship Game MVP by Georgie Bulldogs, 72 NFL Draft Picks in Mark Richt era starting 2001 second only to 74 by Southern California who will need 10 to stay ahead of Mark Richt in the up-coming NFL draft because he has 11 NFL Draft Picks in the up-coming NFL Draft, # 1 most profitable football program in the nation, # 1 in sales of merchandise, # 6 in the nation in attendance, # 3 in the nation in EVERY 2012 POLL, # 4 in the nation active coach in win percentage, beat # 4 vols in 2001, beat # 6 LSU in 2005, beat # 9 Auburn in 2006, beat # 4 Florida 2012, 4th most players in the NFL are Georgia Bulldogs today, and you are in here jealous as Hell writing about US.
Getting schooled.