Dogs’ most dangerous road game?
Looking at the 2009 schedule, the game against Florida on Oct. 31 naturally looms as the season’s biggest challenge, but that’s not technically a trip to an opponent’s stadium so I’m not sure you count it when you’re trying to figure the Dogs’ toughest road game this year. Even if you do, we’ll put that game on a level of its own, especially considering Georgia’s difficulty winning in Jacksonville.
Loading ...Opening the season Sept. 5 against Oklahoma State in Stillwater is expected by many observers, especially in the national sports media, to be a major undertaking for Mark Richt’s rebuilding team, particularly the defense.
Then there’s the trip to Fayetteville to take on Arkansas the week after the conference opener against South Carolina in Athens. That’s a game that a lot of folks are red-flagging as a possible letdown week for Georgia.
All the Lane Kiffin preseason shenanigans aside, Tennessee is something of an unknown going into this season, especially at quarterback, but playing the Vols in Knoxville is never easy. And Georgia’s last visit there was just plain embarrassing.
The return trip to that state the next week to play Vandy is another potential land mine, no matter what sort of team the Commodores have. The Dogs rarely have been at their best in Nashville in recent years.
And then there’s the visit to Atlanta to see if Willie Martinez’s defense has figured out how to defend Paul Johnson’s triple option.
I still haven’t drunk the Kool-Aid when it comes to Big 12 teams, so while I recognize the Pokes have a high-powered offense that some expect to overpower the Dogs defense, and others question whether Georgia’s offense, minus last year’s star power, can keep up, I don’t believe that’s going to be the season’s biggest road challenge. The trips to Knoxville and Atlanta look more dangerous.
Which road game concerns you the most? Feel free to comment, vote in the poll or do both.
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194 comments Add your comment
RAMBLE ON!!!
June 30th, 2009
3:38 pm
Yes its true. I do like choade. Especially when Reggie Ball’s
RAMBLE ON!!!
June 30th, 2009
3:39 pm
I meant to say when Reggie brings over his delicious choade.
Ant123
June 30th, 2009
3:41 pm
OK State is by far the toughest if you are not counting FL. Arkansas has not proven they can beat anybody, Tech will be about like last year, Vandy won’t be as good, and Tenn traded a mediocre coach that loved TN for a mediocre coach that doesn’t love anyone but himself. Ok Stat is the only one left, and they are a good team.
Saint Simons
June 30th, 2009
3:42 pm
I like RAMBLEs choade.
RAMBLE ON!!!
June 30th, 2009
3:45 pm
yes Pac 10, would you like some choade?
PAC 10 Homer
June 30th, 2009
3:46 pm
cool, then I think I will definitely have some. Thanks RAMBLE ON!!!
Trade School Junkie
June 30th, 2009
3:50 pm
cool Engineer. I will be there.
snot bubble
June 30th, 2009
3:52 pm
I really think Cox should put Chipper in the four hole behind McCann. I think he hits alot bette……….What? Oh never mine.
RAMBLE ON!!!
June 30th, 2009
3:55 pm
yeah me too Engineer. I am going to bring Goose Godsey to the party too. We will be partying like its the 2001 Seattle Bowl all over again. Boy what a night that was with my Goosey.
Pac 10 Homer
June 30th, 2009
3:57 pm
Who is more over-rated: OKST or UGA
PAC 10 Homer
June 30th, 2009
3:58 pm
Don’t answer that. We all know the PAC 10 minus USC is totally overrated.
RAMBLE ON!!!
June 30th, 2009
3:59 pm
Awesome, I will make sure to invite Reggie.
Rob
June 30th, 2009
4:00 pm
Bill,
On paper, Oklahoma St looks like the toughest. But, GT is the most dangerous road game for UGA. I expect the Dawgs to drive over to Atlanta with a 9-2 record. A loss to the Jackets could diminish any opportunity to play in a BCS Bowl, as well as establish a disturbing new trend in the series. I don’t expect that to happen, but CPJ and his staff have earned my respect. These aren’t the same ole Jackets that we got used to watching our Dawgs destroy for 7 straight years.
Clean, old fashioned hate is about to become one of the nation’s most anticipated rivalries. I just hope Georgia’s defense is healthy and nasty as a psychotic junkyard dog on November 28.
Reggie Ball
June 30th, 2009
4:00 pm
Hey wait…..won’t that bottle rocket hurt me? And who would cook those lovely sausages down at the Waffle House on Piedmont?
RAMBLE ON!!!
June 30th, 2009
4:01 pm
Nah Reggie, you will be ok. You have taken a lot of things up your backside over the years, whats wrong with a bottle rocket.
Reggie Ball
June 30th, 2009
4:02 pm
well ok RAMBLE ON!!! if you insist. I will be there.
OSUPokes1109
June 30th, 2009
4:19 pm
Keep on thinking that the OSU game won’t be the toughest road game. Lost by 21 in Athens 2 years ago. Don’t think that Gundy or Zac Robinson have forgotten. Also, UGA lost their Stafford and Moreno and OSU built up their defense with a GREAT d-coordinator they swiped from Miami. While the Pokes aren’t the strongest on the road, they’re great at home.
Expect to hear this at least twice on Sept. 5th…. Robinson to Bryant…Pistols Firing…Touchdown Oklahoma State!
Although, I could be wrong…..it could be 3 times!
Natureboy809
June 30th, 2009
4:38 pm
Wow. I thought we had some idiots on my normal message board until I came to this one. I’m surprised some of you have the IQ to turn on a computer to post
Dawg85
June 30th, 2009
4:50 pm
I like opening with a tough opponent. The Dawgs seem to focus better in summer when they do so. They’ll be ready for OSU. The Dawgs will beat Tech this year too. The Dawgs play a tough schedule and likely will stumble somewhere but I don’t think it’s going to be against the first game or the last. This team will be better than last year defensively and let’s not forget Joe Cox was a highly thought of recruit until Matt Stafford came along. Joe’s going to surprise a lot of people.
Dawg Man
June 30th, 2009
4:50 pm
Undefeated on the road. Richt’s Dawgs are not a team you want coming to your stadium..as just about every road team they’ve faced will testify.
Michael
June 30th, 2009
4:54 pm
Natureboy, anytime a Dawg enters a room, the average IQ immediately plummets.
JMac12203
June 30th, 2009
4:55 pm
Alot of you are neglecting the team that will be the most improved in the conference this season. The LSU Tigers will be looking at UGA, Florida, Ole Miss, and Arkansas for revenge this season. Trust me, this team is on a mission, and I can definately see a return match with Florida in Atlanta for the SEC championship, and possible BCS championship game. I forgot the Tide, but look for them to be the LSU of ‘09. They will be disappointing. I look for the Tigers to go 12-1, and be the West Champs again.The D will much improved, and now they have a QB that won’t give teams like UGA 14 points, the exact margin of defeat. Oh, and trust me, the Dawgs might have kept it closer, but they also would have taken the loss in the Dome.
GatorHator
June 30th, 2009
4:57 pm
Why is Tech on this list? ONE win in 8 years, when our defense is playing its worst in years and now they are relevant? Give me a break
JMac12203
June 30th, 2009
5:07 pm
Hey southgadawg88 – Yesterday, you said I was not being logical. Today you are being delusional. IF the Dawgs are lucky they might gat a Jan 1 game, but more than likely it will be The Georgia Dome, or worse. They have the talent but simply do not have the guts to compete with all the big boys. As I said earlier, a 7-5 record would be a GREAT season. Maybe they can recruit some of those gymnastics ladies, and get to 8-4 or 9-3. At least they know what it takes to WIN, and their coach pushes them.
JMac12203
June 30th, 2009
5:18 pm
The Jackets are on the list because they will bring their little 2 and 3 star recruits and they will line-up and PLAY football, and the Dawgs will bring their 4 and 5 star recruits and they will wilt, because their coach won’t push them the way CPJ will. And before I go, I just have to say that I really get a kick out of all you doggie fans that mock Techies because they brag about 45-42, and you keep talking about 1 time in 8 years. Question – What is your record against Florida??? and I do believe you were equally as vocal when you actually WON a game against them. Same thing now. It seem that what was good for you is not good for Techies. You bragged after finally knocking off the Gators, so Techies can shout 45-42 to the rafters aand be proud. Actually what I see is a bunch of sore losers.
nerdhater
June 30th, 2009
5:24 pm
Why does everyone think tech is going to be so damn good in eight years they have had one good half against us, and all of a sudden the tide turned. We have better recruits and better coaches what is the big deal about tech, and how do UGA fans lose faith in our program after one year. Our coaching staff is one of the best in the country let us not forget that UF defense sucked in 07 and was lights out in 08. We overcame a lot of injuries to win ten games again last year, this is a great coaching staff period and I have no doubt that they will put the critics to rest this year.
chazzo
June 30th, 2009
5:38 pm
OK state is a baptism by fire and they will be amped times ten to beat the dawgs. I would hate to hear the ramblin’ geeks talk smack for another year. But, neither game affects the SEC standings. The most dangerous road game is either UT or Ark. Either team could slip up and beat the dawgs if UGA plays flat because of extensive travel, looks ahead in the schedule, or takes one for granted. I have a sneaking suspicion that Ark. is going to be a little better than many think. Given the history and the division, though, UT will be the more dangerous of the two.
JMac12203
June 30th, 2009
5:44 pm
and to follow that up. Over the last 15 seasons (a random number) Uga is 3 and 12 against Florida, and never 2 in a row. Over the same period, Ga. Tech is 4 and 11 against UGA, including 3 in a row. So, in the past 15 years Tech has beaten the Dawgs more times than the Dawgs have beaten Florida. So they have the right to go 45-42 as long and loud as they want. The only trend I can see is that Florida’s domination will continue, while Ga. Tech will win their share from now on. There will be NO long winning streaks anymore. Each game will be contested, and the best team on the field THAT DAY will win. Remember, if your best player, Reggie Ball, had not played, Tech probably would have won 2 or 3 more.
weston
June 30th, 2009
5:44 pm
I see the DUMB CHICK Ramble on is here with her sistahs spamming our blog again. Don’t you girls have a summer job or something to occupy your hormones?
Outside of FL, OK ST is by far our toughest road opponent if you mean football on the field competition. The DANGEROUS game would be at Bug Univ, as I’d be concerned about them being shot, stabbed, or robbed at gun point. Hopefully security will be tight. I’m sure Ramble will be there hoping to get a picture of her favorite dawg, since she can’t get one of them to date her.
Even if the dawgs stumble at OK ST (and they might, after all Martinez and Boobo are still at the helm) I don’t think they’ll spiral out of control for the entire season.
FL DAWG
June 30th, 2009
5:53 pm
The most important game of the year is the one we are playing that week. OK St should be the priority. We will worry about SC after we beat OK St. Then will worry about ARK or whoever we play after we beat USC. Lets not get ahead of ourselves and take it one game at a time. When we play UF that will be the most important game of the year and when we play GT they will be the most important game of the year. To much can happen from now until we play them, lets hope the dawgs focus on what they can control, the next game.
Archie
June 30th, 2009
5:58 pm
Oklahoma State will be tougher than Georgia Tech because the crowd at Bobby Dodd will be pretty neutral whereas the crowd in Stillwater will be far more hostile. Having played games in fierce stadiums like LSU, Auburn and Alabama, it won’t be a problem for Georgia to handle Oklahoma State’s crowd. The Dawgs will see this first hand, but there is only about 10 feet of sidelines at Okie State before the stands start. The student section will be slapping players on the back of the head they’re so close.
SamoanDawg
June 30th, 2009
6:15 pm
They are all tough, but, I’ll go with Arkansas.. because they open with Mizzou St, then they have a bye week after they scrimmage Mizzouri St, while we’re fighting the chickens. So, Petrino have a whole preseason to prepared and scout the Dawgs after the first two weeks. It’ll be a tough away game.
doug
June 30th, 2009
6:34 pm
We will probably loose to Arkansas. Look at the way it sets up. Not pretty. Tennessee will be a struggle. We will beat the City Rats from Tech. Oklahoma St has more problems than the media knows about. Georgia will drag them into deep water late in the 3rd and pull out a 10 to 14 point win. This is fact not conjecture. We will be way to big, quick and deep along both lines for them to hang on. They recruit in 2 and 3 star players every year. We bring in 4 and 5 star players. The media will put us on par or below them. Dont worry this one is ours.
59bulldawg
June 30th, 2009
6:38 pm
Coachdawg -
There are hundreds of college coaches all over this country . . . some you and I might recognize . . . some we might not. All good coaches start somewhere . . . and most not at the top. It might take more than a day or two but I’m not one of those that believe we can’t do better if we need to after this season. Surely you’re kidding if you think nobody but a big name can coach. Maybe you had, but most Dawg fans never heard of BVG before he came to Athens. Also I’m not necessarily a KS fan either but when did how well a coach played as a player become such a priority for over coaching ability. Unless a coach is going to suit up, I don’t care if he ever played a down just as long as he can get the job done. Like I said earlier, NOBODY will be pulling for WM more than me. NOTHING would make me happier than for the defense to really get its act together this season. To me that doesn’t mean we win every game. But it does mean we don’t give up more than 38 points in 5 of our games. I’m more than willing to admit the better team won if we get beat and our boys leave it all on the field. But it no make me happy to seem my Dawgs make a loss worse by poor game planning, poor execution, and piss poor effort. Yea I have my doubts about WM but WANT him to do well. I’m willing to give him enough rope to either hang himself or tie the tongues of those who criticize him. So like I said it’s time to either fish or cut bait.
Central Fl Dawg
June 30th, 2009
7:20 pm
All the road games this year will be tough games. Our young team will certainly mature through all of them. Okla. State, Florida will be the toughest, but alo be wary of the ambush awaiting us in Fayetteville Ark. I believe Tenn. will not be as tough as some may think. By the time we get to Georgia Tech, we’ll have figured their gimmick offense out and do a better job of cotaining than last year.
Maybe this year will prove the Dawgs learned something from last years let downs in both of those areas (defense, special teams). Someone mentioned in a previous post that proper execution is the key. A valid point. Last year we rolled over and played dead on special teams, and defense. Here is hoping that Martinez will have the boys playing above and betond the defense’s capabilities.
GO DAWGS SIC EM
Georgia gotta buy wins
June 30th, 2009
7:43 pm
Mutts stop crying about your so called tough schedule. or will that be mutt nation excuse why again they didn’t win it all in 09? STFU and win something!
SamoanDawg
June 30th, 2009
9:24 pm
Ggbw, we’ll win it all fool!
dawgstephen
June 30th, 2009
9:49 pm
I think the Arkansas road game cause they have a week off before…and i think knoxville cause we will have played OK state, SC, ARK, AZ state, LSU, and THEN go up there for the 6th in a TOUGH STRETCH…thats why KNOx scares me so bad..we may be tired and beat up.
At least there’s a rest week before the gators. we will need it.
dawgstephen
June 30th, 2009
9:51 pm
Ohh and for those who think we are complaining about the schedule, i assure you i AM NOT. i like the schedule, just telling you which opponents worry me this year as a fan. I love the schedule.
FLA…i mean seriously Charleston SOUTHERN…and Alabama…plays CHATTANOOGA?? really???
Moo
June 30th, 2009
10:56 pm
Georgia’s 51-7 hasn’t changed either Nancyboy.
GO POKES
June 30th, 2009
11:55 pm
O State 48, Georgia 27. OSU will run and throw all over Georgia’s depleted defense (as expected), and get up big in a hurry. Georgia will score some points and might even win the 2nd half but it won’t matter because this year it will be OSU’s defense that is suprising folks w/ Bill Young back home to get it done. Good luck dawgs. See u there
Concrete Cowboy
July 1st, 2009
2:07 pm
Gentlemen,
If I may interject from your first road destination. This game is exciting for many reason and many reasons stated here. Here are a few more to consider.
The nature of football with its long off-season and thick playbooks dictates that the team in the best shape with the better defense wins the first two games against comparable competition at all levels. On this count Georgia will be at a distinct advantage since the Pokes couldn’t keep Stillwater High School from scoring. However, regarding physical conditioning, the Pokes will have the advantage due to the heat. Yes, I know it gets hot is Georgia. But it gets wet hot and athletes don’t use water at as high of a rate as the boys who play where it’s dusty, tumbleweed, dry hot.
Another x-factor is Stillwater. UGA can’t fly into Stillwater unless they’re on twin-engine Cessnas. The nearest airport is an hour and a half away. I know the bus ride won’t deplete them much, but the psycological aspect of driving across the barren high-plains into the lion’s den will be noticeable.
Also, Boone Pickens Stadium is one of two NCAA stadiums oriented in the East-West direction (USC Coliseum being the other). A 2:30 local time kickoff will ensure that the receivers for the east-moving team will be looking into the sun to see the quarterback; particularly late in the game. OSU is used to that.
All in all, I’m really looking forward to being there for this one. However, I think the weight of history on OSU being able to finally shed their perennial little brother status, the intangibles running against UGA, and the fact that OSU really does have a ridiculously good offense will add up to overcome what will surely be a superior UGA defense. If the Dawgs try to slow the game down, they’re done. I think UGA only wins this game if their defense puts up some points.
Repsectfully
P.S. – “Okie” is a perjorative that most of us don’t really appreciate. However it is OK if directed at a Sooner!
chazzo
July 1st, 2009
7:23 pm
We can lose to OK State, ASU, and the ramblin sect and still win the SEC. Tennessee is the scariest because they are SEC, in our division, looking to upset us, untested and predictable, and they fall at the cusp of what could be a high if the dogs have a couple of big road wins. Of course, that is if we don’t let SC sneak up on us. Second most dangerous, following this logic, is Arkansass.
Time to retire: “Drunk the Kool-Aid” « Millard Fillmore’s Bathtub
July 13th, 2009
5:02 am
[...] Bill King in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: “I still haven’t drunk the Kool-Aid when it comes to Big 12 teams, so while I recognize the Pokes have a high-powered offense that some expect to overpower the Dogs defense, and others question whether Georgia’s offense, minus last year’s star power, can keep up, I don’t believe that’s going to be the season’s biggest road challenge.” [Longest sentence in this list?] [...]