Toughest game for the Dogs besides Florida?
There’s not much mystery about the teams Georgia is most likely (Tennessee Tech) and least likely (Florida) to beat in 2009, at least on paper. The former is a 1-AA team just looking for a paycheck while the latter is many people’s choice to repeat as BCS champion. Where it gets tough is figuring out Georgia’s least likely wins beyond the game in Jacksonville.
The season opener at Oklahoma State? The season closer at Grant Field? A rising LSU team in Athens? The road game at Arkansas in the third week of the season? Arguments can be made for all of those.
Loading ...The Dogs admittedly has major problems defending Tech’s triple option last season, but I’m by no means convinced that scenario is likely to be repeated. LSU showed how to leave the Jackets out of options, and on a good day I think Georgia’s defense will be up to it. On a good day. And while Oklahoma State’s multiple offensive weapons scare a lot of UGA fans, the Cowboys’ problems on the defensive side of the ball need to be considered.
No, if I’m going to pick the least likely wins after Florida, I’m staying in the conference and going with LSU and Arkansas. That doesn’t mean I’m predicting Georgia will lose those games; they’re just the ones that worry me the most after Florida. As for Tennessee, the Vols still need to find a quarterback and prove their coach can win something besides the NCAA secondary violations sweepstakes.
So which game on the 2009 schedule looks toughest to you besides the one in Jacksonville? Feel free to comment, vote in the poll or both.
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100 comments Add your comment
hipdawg
July 21st, 2009
7:28 am
I think the toughest game for them is not Fla.(we have a bye week before) but LSU.We will beat Tech fairly easily this year.
Fools Gold
July 21st, 2009
7:41 am
Well for some reason of late the dawgs seem not to get up for the Chickins.A loss at home will be embarrassing and the big grumblings will occur.
Disgruntled Dawg
July 21st, 2009
7:45 am
All games will be tough because of Willies wait and react defense. Im not buying into Willie Martinez like the rest of the kool aid drinkers have because they dont see the trend. I guess ole Willie must give them a tingling sensation up their scrawny legs.
UGA 13'
July 21st, 2009
7:55 am
Georgia will prevail this year no more than 2 losses
78 DAWG
July 21st, 2009
7:57 am
The DAWGS will win every game by 7 or more, except for the gayturds and that one will be close. Losing Harvin is a major part of their offense. They got every break last year, it won’t happen again. remember I’m the one that told you DAWGS 11-1 or 12-0.
Robert
July 21st, 2009
8:09 am
Oklahoma state.
I think LSU is pretty overrated this year. We have handled them in our last 3 meetings, will do so again in Sanford.
South Carolina will be tough, but again, we win at home.
Arkansas…. I’ll believe it when I see it.
At Tech could be a tough game if Martinez continues down his path of ignorance, mediocrity, etc. They have a great offense, but weak D.
JayRoot
July 21st, 2009
8:10 am
.
Silly question, fool.
I think WE ALL KNOW the answere to this one.
Of the five choices for the “toughest” game … Ugag WILL lose 4 out of these five, but surely you jest … GaTech by far will be the toughest beatdown and, of course, the toughest loss to take.
It will be a blood bath on the Staurday following Thanksgiving.
.
Savannah Dawg
July 21st, 2009
8:13 am
Gotta be Tech! As you said “need to wipe the smiles off Tech fans’ faces.”
JaxDawg
July 21st, 2009
8:23 am
While LSU & GT seem to be the most likely choices, I wouldn’t sleep on Tenn. Tenn while suffering some bad losses, had the number 3 defense in the country last season, and now have Monte Kiffin at d-coordinator, who’s tampa 2 defense is designed to shut down pro-style offenses. They have questions at QB/WR, but they still have a physical line and a couple of good running backs and will be able to pound the ball. While I do think we win the game, I think this one may be a much harder fought victory than most think.
Cincinatti Bowtie
July 21st, 2009
8:23 am
We shut down Tech for 3 quarters, play all four and we win that game by 20. So, that is not going to be one to get worried about unless they repeat the lack of intensity in the 3rd quarter again.
LSU AND TN. ARE GOING TO BE THE HARDEST FOLLOWED BY SC.
N.GA.DAWG
July 21st, 2009
8:27 am
Toughest games in order 1)fla 2)lsu 3)at okst. 4)at tech 5)tie sc and at ark. I hope im wrong, but at ut wont be a pushover as some might think.
Saint Simons
July 21st, 2009
8:39 am
Tech owns uga now!
ahope3
July 21st, 2009
8:39 am
Cincinatti Bowtie ,
“We shut down Tech for 3 quarters, play all four and we win that game by 20″. This is actually not true at all. You had us for 2 quarters. We scored 26 points in the 3rd quarter making it 38-28 going into the 4th. Do your research.
Another Dawg
July 21st, 2009
8:40 am
Oklahoma State’s defense isn’t as soft as it looks on paper… compare the performance of Big 12 offensive averages versus their performance against State and you’ll find OSU’s defense played thoroughly average. Just because they ranked around Central Michigan in terms of numbers, don’t think we’re going to be doing many hurdles this year–we don’t have a high-flying Big 12 offense.
Neither LSU nor the nerds are the biggest question mark this year… it has to be South Carolina. Spurrier’s teams give us a run for our money because they don’t fall apart until AFTER our game. This is the early game we’re most likely to lose–and an early loss is liable to end up like last season.
m
July 21st, 2009
8:48 am
You are not convinced about TECH’s offense because you are a slow idiotic dawg.
But, “ON A GOOD DAY” last November, Tech kicked your sorry #1 preseason arses all over sanford and son stadium.
This was after every ugag fan in the world thought that ugag would beat Tech easily.
Let’s face facts…you dawgs are STUPID….and Paul Johnson is going to own you….helle…he already does.
45-42….glad it STILL hurts so bad…and it is only the beginning.
BankerDawg
July 21st, 2009
8:57 am
Oklahoma State, without a doubt.
Game one, on the road, hostile crowd, new backfield…..lots of variables in this one.
And people that make the following statement drive me nuts:
“LSU showed how to leave the Jackets out of options,”
If you honestly think, in one month, LSU figured out how to stop Paul Johnson’s spread option that he’s been running for 25 years, then you are going to continue to be disappointed. We will have our hands full with them again this year.
Tech got smoked in the Chicken Bowl because of poor execution and turnovers, not because of some mystery defensive scheme that no one had ever run before.
Didn’t mean to hijack the blog, but come on, statements like that are just ridiculous.
GOOOOOOOOOO DAWGS!
Brad
July 21st, 2009
9:06 am
Joe Cox is going to show why he should have been starting over Stafford. Stafford has the arm but Cox has the heart. We are going to surprise a lot of people this year. 7-5?? That’s just motivation! Bring the criticism on!! Get ready to hear, “Touchdown, A.J. Green!!” a lot this year.
TommyP
July 21st, 2009
9:09 am
Jeff Dantzler said 7-5????? Wow…the worst year of the Richt era?
Somebody give him a sobriety test.
Hagood
July 21st, 2009
9:09 am
I think UT will be the second toughest game. I can see the Dawgs not being able to get up for that one given how terrible the Vols are predicted to be this season.
45-42, bleah
July 21st, 2009
9:10 am
Ahope, he was talking about the 1, 2, and 4th quarters, that would be 3. I believe he did his math.
Bubba
July 21st, 2009
9:10 am
Dear Ahope, Cincy said three quarters, he didn’t say the FIRST three quarters. One, two and four. That’s three.
redandblackblood
July 21st, 2009
9:12 am
I fear many of the games, I think we win at Oklahoma State but struggle the next week in Athens against South Carolina, the third week we play Arkansas after they have a bye week. I think we go 2-1 there losing to one of those two SEC teams… LSU is probably a loss at home but I think we can beat Florida in Jacksonville this year. My overall projection is 10-2 at the end of the regular season and not playing for the SEC east but I will route hard for LSU when they play the gators.
DawginLex
July 21st, 2009
9:17 am
Any idiot knows that the opener is the toughest and sets the tone for the entire season. Going on the road and playing a ranked team in the first game ever in their new stadium. Win that one and 4-0 out of the gate is highly possible.
To me the toughest game other than Florida is coming up to Knoxville. UT will have a good defense and they will have a scheme that will work well against a pro style offense. I could see a low scoring 17-14 type of game on the road at Neyland.
ahope3
July 21st, 2009
9:17 am
I love men!!!
Gator Fan
July 21st, 2009
9:17 am
Robert – “South Carolina will be tough, but again, we win at home.” Ya’ll lost two of your three games at home last year idiot. So you aren’t guaranteed wins just b/c its at Sanford. The Dogs statistically are better on the road anyway, just not in Jacksonville. I like how the Dogs are just giving up with the who else besides the Gators are we least likely to beat, No heart!
DawginLex
July 21st, 2009
9:23 am
gaytor fan,
I GUARANTEE YOU, NO ONE IS GIVING UP. I’m pretty sure we will show up in Jacksonville.
Go look up the scores of the games since Richt arrived. Other than last year, the games are always close. So go on spewing your crap on a UGA blog. Just proves your obsession with all things UGA just like the Tech nerds who want to be like us but they can’t because they are nerds.
Scoob
July 21st, 2009
9:25 am
I won’t say that Arkansas will be our “toughest” game outside of Florida, but it scares me…that’s for sure. Trap game written all over that one.
Gator Fan
July 21st, 2009
9:30 am
DawginLex: Why would I be obsessed with UGAY? Are they current SEC Champs? No. Are they current National Champs? No.
The only reason I get on here is b/c I read the AJC and when i see stupid UGAY blogs, I can’t keep the laughter in.
Now if It were Softball, or Women’s gymnastics, sure I would be envious of UGA, but Football, please, just go have another good season next year, while we repeat. Richt will be on the hot seat if he doesn’t get ya’ll a National Championship within the next three years. Dawgs can only put up with mediocrity for so long.
1eyedJack
July 21st, 2009
9:36 am
I think we lose to Tech, LSU and the Chickens this year. GA is going to be awful so long as CMR keeps Willie.
ahope3
July 21st, 2009
9:36 am
DawginLex,
Why in the helle would any Tech fan or student wanna be like you. We live in Atlanta, go to one of the best institutions in the world, and have pretty good athletics all around, not just in football and gymnastics. Better jobs for us, tears for you.
Jim morrison
July 21st, 2009
9:41 am
All of UGAY’s games will be hard since they SUCK!
NO National Championship since, uh 1980.
Beat down for the sub-par program again in Jax, LSU, and Atl.
Enough Said!
War Eagle Beagle
July 21st, 2009
9:44 am
Arkansas will beat Georgia in Fayettville.
Cuz
July 21st, 2009
9:44 am
The toughest game is the opener, followed by South Carolina…….and on down the line. Keep our eyes on one game at a time and things will take care of themselves. No flash forwards please.
DawginLex
July 21st, 2009
9:47 am
ahope,
I guarantee you that you don’t want to compare anything in my life to anything in yours including our education, job, family etc.
some guy
July 21st, 2009
9:47 am
nice original topic. with any luck you can fit in the “whos the biggest rival”, “why do our special teams suck” “why does our defense suck” and “who will step up in the absence of stafford/moreno” topics 12 or 13 more times before the season starts.
Otto
July 21st, 2009
9:48 am
Jim, Have you checked out UGA’s record lately against LSU?
LSU will be in a fight for 3rd in the West this year.
L-Dawg
July 21st, 2009
9:48 am
do the Star Techies even have a blog on the ATLANTA journal Constitution website??
SmoothJimmyApollo
July 21st, 2009
9:49 am
SEC championship game.
DawginLex
July 21st, 2009
9:49 am
gaytor fan,
classless gaytor posters like you bring down the curve on the overall good and reasonable gator posters like Tampagator, atlantagator and charlottegator. They are embarrassed by hacks like you.
Just like the reasonable Tech posters(both of them) who are embarrassed by “m” and his nonsense.
Will B. Dawg
July 21st, 2009
9:50 am
I think we beat Florida this year. Then we can say we beat Timmy 2 out of the the 3 years he started.
Long Dawg
July 21st, 2009
9:51 am
Well the honest answer to that question is there will be many equally tough games. Oklahoma State is good and will be playing lights out on national TV at home. South Carolina seems to always play their best game against UGA as does Tech. LSU is good and will be tough. Auburn and Tennessee will not be easy. If we have even a little let down in any of those games we will lose. There are no easy games on this schedule.
Blindog
July 21st, 2009
9:53 am
Oklahoma St. will set the tone for the season but a must win game is Ga.Tech just to SHUT THEM UP!!!!!!!!!
TS
July 21st, 2009
9:54 am
Florida’s first team defenese- the D that help you to three points last year- is returning ten starters. Harvin was no doubt a huge part of our success but our D didn’t get near as much love as it deserved last year. We have a good shot at losing to someone next year but unless Cox and the Georgia O step up quick I just don’t see losing in Jacksonville.
RedRoosterette
July 21st, 2009
9:58 am
OK State could be an interesting game and it will set the tone for our meeting with the dawgs when we hand them another whopping, or plucking, must I say! UF will beat you this year and will probably beat everyone. Tech will prevail again. You should be fine against UT. The rest is up in the air. As said in the SEC, each game is a fight and nothing is a given. Our guys have to take it game by game. When bowl season comes around, we will all see who is smiling and who is “wimpering”. Go Gamecocks! Spur the Dawg!
Gator Fan
July 21st, 2009
9:58 am
I think Willie and UGA’s futures are intertwined. The longer Willie stays, the longer it takes the dawgs to get to the big dance. The sooner Richt fires him, the better the program will be. Ya’ll miss Van Gorder.
PBR=America in a can
July 21st, 2009
10:02 am
ahope… Could you bring me a new ink cartridge for my printer little buddy?
MaconKnight
July 21st, 2009
10:07 am
I agree with Gator Fan WILLIE HAS TO GO NOW!!! we do miss Van Gorder…HIRE WILL MUSCHAMP UGA GRAD. CURRENT TEXAS DC!!!
ahope3
July 21st, 2009
10:08 am
Just because I’m 20 and still live in the dorms doesn’t mean you guys should be attacking me. I haven’t made out with a girl since junior prom at Marietta High. And that shouldn’t count since it was my sister.
Otto
July 21st, 2009
10:08 am
Willie is not as much of a problem as Bobo.
Otto
July 21st, 2009
10:09 am
Muschamp is not leaving his coach in waiting job to come to UGA as DC. HC maybe.
Smart DC at Bama is a UGA grad as well.