What does UGA need to win a national championship?
BCS trophy.
Someone on the DawgPost Forum (free but registration required) asked a question this morning that I hear a lot whenever UGA fans start discussing Mark Richt’s program: What pieces do the Dogs need in order to win a national championship?
With Mark Bradley looking at the chances of Richt ever winning a BCS title today, I thought this would be a good time to discuss what exactly Georgia is lacking in that regard.
The first step, of course, is to win the SEC championship; without that, as the Dogs discovered in 2007, you don’t get to be part of the BCS championship conversation.
But beyond that? Among the early suggestions over at DawgPost were: luck, a more favorable schedule, media buzz that goes deeper than last year’s somewhat tentative preseason infatuation with the Stafford-Moreno team, and a dominant defense. As in the old maxim, “defense wins championships.”
All of those are valid parts of the formula, especially the last one. A breakout star offensive player definitely helps with the media buzz but is no guarantee of success unless the other factors are in place — as we saw with last year’s Dogs. There’s not much you can do about luck. Some teams are lucky (like the 2002 Dogs) and some aren’t (as in last year’s unusual run of injuries). This year, the Dogs face another brutal schedule, but the schedules for the next couple of years appear a lot more favorable.
As for the defense, Richt and company seem to be addressing some needs with the 2010 recruiting class (especially defensive end), though they could still use some likely replacements for seniors Geno Atkins and Jeff Owens.
So what do you think Georgia needs to contend for a national championship in, say, the next three years?
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121 comments Add your comment
Hanoi Jane
July 30th, 2009
10:13 pm
They need to score more points than the other team. That should do it.
takedowndawg
July 30th, 2009
10:41 pm
A committment to creating the best defense in the SEC and the best special teams program in our conference. The NC teams do establish these two areas first. Strong defenses and special teams change the emotion and direction of a game in a hurry faster than any other areas of the game, in my opionion. I would like Coach Richt personally move involved in both areas, beginning this year. “Breathe on some necks”( CWM and CJF).
stan
July 30th, 2009
10:53 pm
Get Rid of all the redneck, overzealous fans, then maybe you can play.Never
dawgs rule
July 30th, 2009
10:55 pm
Hate to say it but I think that GT will win another NC before we do. We’re supposed to have the top recruits in the country and just can’t get it done.
GTOption
July 30th, 2009
11:00 pm
Finally, a dawg that has some sense. Listen to dawgs rule because I think he knows that we have a coach that can take us there!
john '90
July 31st, 2009
12:12 am
Tenacity! In a word. And that must first come on the defensive side of the ball. Think Headhunters like Greg Blue, Thomas Davis, Terrell Bierra, Sean Jones, Tim Wansley. It’s been a minute since we have had one of those in the secondary. Look back at the post from Chuck Carswell. Is that the real Carswell, #27 or was it #29? He knows. Several times I’ve sat in Sanford Stadium and we have had teams on the ground, but we didn’t step on their throats. Auburn comes to mind in some of those heartbreaker games. In no way would I ever criticize CMR. Wouldn’t trade him for any coach. But you have got to have a defense that dictates what your opponent will do, not the converse.
I post on her occasionally and rarely call out anyone. But “what for” you need to hone up on your research. Weak schedule.’08 was the toughest in the nation. This year’s is rated as number 2. If you don’t believe slogging it out every year against the SEC East, Auburn and two other West foes, plus Georgia Tech (not to mention Big 12 and Pac 10 teams) you don’t know football. If you believe there is a conference stronger than the SEC, please answer why several NFL scouts look in this conference first. Mine some data from NFL rosters and you will see why. Examine the number of collective national championships. Look at position in polls every year. If you want hard data with no subjective influence such as polls, name another conference where not one, but two national networks pay in the Billions to televise. Yes, popularity factors into that equation, but executives don’t spend that kind of money without thorough investigation of the best product to broadcast.
Everyone knows the answer: it is the SEC. And for Georgia to win it, we need a break here and there and a return to the Erk Russell mentality of bashing heads, coaches bleeding from their own bodies, discipline, smash-mouth, power football and ditch the directional kicking.
With the talent and depth in house, the aforementioned topics plus intangibles equals the top of the mountain. Take care and God Bless. Peace.
Denver Dog
July 31st, 2009
12:25 am
Isn’t it a shame about Tech? Grasping at straws after such a long, long dry spell. Yellow Jacket Taliban, Parking Garage Crashes, and now gang warfare on the concrete campus.
As for UGA to win big, since 10 + games isn’t big anymore, is this. Consistent Line play. Improved special teams, and just like in real estate, on the field it is location, location, location. The rest has been good. Maybe catch a few breaks here and there, but like most good coaches say luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.
Bruce
July 31st, 2009
12:36 am
To win a National Championship, you need three very important INTANGIBLES: an injury free season, the ball bouncing your way more often than not ( call that luck if you want to ) and a favorable SCHEDULE! Take a trip back through the Dooley years and check out the schedule in October. Dooley owned the month of October! Check out the schedule during Florida’s championships ( they learned from Dooley). UGA cannot expect to win the Big One while trying to play the hardest schedule in the country. Give CMR a break. Give him an old fashioned Dooley schedule! And just for luck, throw in a Lewis or Russell on the defensive side of the ball!
rick
July 31st, 2009
1:13 am
This is an easy one: a brand new coaching staff, top to bottom.
god and greyhound
July 31st, 2009
2:47 am
Poor uog having to slog it out against that tough sec schedule consisting of the likes of sc uk vandy ut au msu and ark. a fearsome collection of teams to be sure
dawginduluth
July 31st, 2009
6:10 am
A new head coach. No National Championship with Richt. Never.
Mike Bobo 17 INT
July 31st, 2009
9:05 am
dawginduluth
Thank you, now this is someone I can respect. Someone who understands that CMR needs to go and another NT is not in order until UGA finds someone who can get them there.
Dooley could, CMR cannot.
Mike Bobo 17 INT
July 31st, 2009
9:08 am
dawginlex
I agree with you on the Dooley issue, it is just that CMR will not get the job done. This program has been loaded for 5 of the past 7 years, and has not played for a National Title.
Complain about the BCS and politics all you want, but Texas, Florida, LSU and even USC got it done and they don’t complain, they just bring it.
Yes, your program is red. When anyone sees a parage on North Millege Ave (Frat Row) with nothing but Rebel Flags and people dressed up in Civil War era clothes, that sends the wrong message.
Mike Bobo 17 INT
July 31st, 2009
9:13 am
Dog Fans
Part of the problem is the emotional commitment CMR has to Martinez. They both played at Miami and CMR has practically hired family, so they are very tough to fire, no matter how bad they are.
Yes, I do agree with the Erk Russell brand of defense, the Greg Blue Scott Woerners of the world. The problem with the UGA defense is everyone wants to make Sportscenter Highlights and are just in for 3 years until the NFL draft.
However, this is common with most D-1 programs now and the reason Tebow made such a big impact coming back for his Senior year.
JaxDawg
July 31st, 2009
10:24 am
Look everyone needs to just settle down, CMR will win one.
In addition to being in position to win one, it takes LUCK.
UGA 2002- 13-1 didn’t get to play because OSU & Miami were undefeated, if just one of them stumbles we’re in the game.
UF 2006 – 13-1 played for and won NC. Needed USC getting upset by 6-5 UCLA, AND Urban politicing for voters to vote UF ahead of #2 Michigan in the final poll before the BCS computers determined 1 & 2.
We have been in position with Richt, just haven’t had the luck others have. Not making excuses, just facts.
No team can go out and “Plan” to win a NC, way too many varibles. If Auburn is ranked higher in the PRE-SEASON polls they might have had a shot to play for it, but because of where they started they were left out even though they were undefeated.
If DJ’s not injured in 05, who knows how that season turns out.
Who knows how last season would have turned out without losing 22 players to injury, 17 of which were season ending, and 15 were either a 1st or 2nd stringer. I know all teams have to deal with injuries, but c’mon take 17 off last year’s Oklahoma, UF, or Texas teams.
Richt has been consistent and steady, and the breaks will come. I’ll say this as well, UGA will be A LOT better than people think this year.
hey bill
July 31st, 2009
11:40 am
who you calling a weisel.
Buck Strickland
July 31st, 2009
3:29 pm
Simple answer: Luck.
In the SEC you need to lose at the right time and for the teams ranked in front of you to lose at the wrong time. If USC – 03, 06, 08 and WVU – 07 don’t suffer major upsets, the SEC would be in a national championship slump right now. UGA and Auburn could have added to the total if Miami or OSU would have lost a game in 02 or USC/OK loses in 04. Until a playoff is put in place, you have to rely on getting help from other teams. The only thing that any SEC team can control is winning the SEC championship.
Weekend Stuff(links) « Football on the Brain
July 31st, 2009
5:54 pm
[...] Bill King of the Junkyard Blawg asks “What does UGA need to win a national championship.” [...]
Mike Bobo 17 INT
August 1st, 2009
8:59 pm
JaxDawg
You and every Dog fan on this site is missing the point. Having only 2 Heismans and 1 national title in 116 years is pathetic and non-defendable, and the reason all these Dog fans get rabid when their program is attacked.
Look, you have to expect more to achieve more. I am not sure if the lack of a chamopionship caliber program is based on southern etiquette or just being passive, but for crying out loud put some pressure on your AD and coach or just call it a day.
DawginLex
August 3rd, 2009
10:42 am
I’M NOT SURE WHICH BLOG TOPIC YOU POSTED IT, MR INTERCEPTION IDIOT:
But, your comment about Coach Donnan coming to UGA and UGA destroying his career has to rank at the top of the dumb quote list. UGA destroyed Coach Donnan’s career?
Was it UGA’s fault that he did the following: ???
1.) Decided to play Quincy Carter despite the whole world knowing that he was a drug using low life.
2.) Decided that Jasper Sanks was a better running back than Jamal Lewis despite the difference in weight and height with the speed of the two being equal.
3.) Decided to run “1 more play” in 1999 vs Tech that led to Sanks fumble/non fumble that eventually led to an 2nd straight loss to GT and eventually led to Donnan’s firing.
4.) Calling all the plays himself and consistently calling reverses when everyone in the entire stadium knew he was going to call it, resulting in losses and momentum kills every time.
5.) Promoting Rodney Garner to DC and allowing him to NEVER CHANGE DEFENSIVE ALIGNMENTS against Auburn in 1997. This resulted in Auburn blowing out UGA and denied UGA a trip to ATL for the SECCG.
All these gaffes were UGA’s fault? Donnan made his own bed. His own decisions led to his firing.
Brandon
August 4th, 2009
10:09 pm
The year in which they beat Tennessee, Auburn and Florida will be the year you will see Georgia in a national title game. The last time they beat all 3 of those teams in the same season they won the title. In the 82 season they did beat Florida and Auburn but didn’t play Tennessee. They went on to lose to Penn St. in the Sugar Bowl that year.
These 3 teams have been the stumbling block for Georgia for nearly 30 years now. Florida cost UGA a chance to play for a title in ‘02, as UGA went 13-1 beating FSU in the Sugar Bowl. Tennessee cost them a title shot in ‘07, holding the tie breaker over Georgia in the division and earning a trip to play LSU in the SEC CG. LSU would go on to barely beat Tennessee and win their 2nd BCS title.
Beat these 3 in the same season and Georgia may have something.