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?
121 comments Add your comment
braveswin
July 30th, 2009
2:07 pm
Consistency through all 14 games is all that has been lacking. Ga has the talent to win every game they play. No, you can’t win them all, but you can win them all in one year
GatorAlum
July 30th, 2009
2:15 pm
I think UGA has not been getting the breaks other Schools (LSU, UF, OU) get. But defense wins championshiops. The last 5 BCS champions from the SEC (UT ‘98, LSU ‘03, UF ‘96, LSU ‘07, UF’ 08) all had KILLER defenses. That’s the first step.
B. Scott
July 30th, 2009
2:20 pm
Lucky in 2002? I hardly think so. 13-1 and can’t play for the National Championship? What’s lucky about that? A dropped pass cost us the Florida game or we would have been 14-0. You could say a dropped pass has nothing to do with luck, but again, I don’t think of the 2002 Dawgs as lucky.
GTDhoo
July 30th, 2009
2:23 pm
a triple option offense
Mikey
July 30th, 2009
2:23 pm
We need the killer defense as mentioned above.
We need killer special teams play.
We need to be able to score 6 in the red zone, not settle for 3.
We need turnover margin to be on the plus side.
We need lucky breaks.
We need little to no injuries.
Did I miss anything?
Jeff
July 30th, 2009
2:30 pm
We MUST have a CREATIVE DC.We got an OC that has LEARNED “on the job training”….maybe he is ready this season.We have GOT to hold our coaches and players accountable for POOR performances…LEADERSHIP!!!
BIGBOY
July 30th, 2009
2:30 pm
We are close right now..the only thing we need to do is continue to win ball games.We need a WHOLE team what I mean is we need great players on both Offense and Defense.For a while there has been a bit of a gap between our offensive and defensive talent.People like to talk about our recruiting classes by rankings and say “we have all these top rated classes” blah.blah but when you look at theses classes going back 4-5 years most of the studs are offensive guys.I have no problem with the coaching staff.. people can get on here all day and talk about Willie this..Willie that but UGA is 30-4 on the road with the BVG/WM defense as well.the only difference between the two is the quality of the players.You are right Bill…look at that 2010 class…somebody has finally got the message that we had better step up our recruiting on the defensive side of the ball!
mcdawg
July 30th, 2009
2:35 pm
in the richt era i think we had 3 teams that were good enough to win a National Championship but didn’t play consistient enough throughout season-in 2002 at the end of the season we were the best team in the country-Defense simply dominated and took over games but its a long season and every game counts
whatfor
July 30th, 2009
2:38 pm
UGA needs a “a more favorable schedule”? In most years they have had one – it’s funny how many dawgs are moaning about their “hard” schedule this year – and no doubt – this year is a tough one. But come-on, most years the schedule is mostly soft. UGA usually only has to “worry” (as in a tough game)about Florida and Auburn (Tennessee about 1 in every 4 years). And the way you DAWG fans berate GT (and I’m no fan either) and make fun of them – you can’t really hold them as “tough” (in your small dawg-like brains). In a typical season you may play Western Carolina, and a Troy (or MTSU, or UAB, Northern Mich, etc), and then the Vandy’s, Kenturkies, Sissy Carolina, UT (never a great team), Old Missy, and the occasional LSU. With that schedule – UGA should win at least 9/10 games a year; which is what should be expected of a “good” UGA team (though not elite – except in your minds). And then you can pat yourselves on the back for having a “good” season – “well, at least we won 9 games and went to a good bowl.” So – there you have it – if you really want to consider yourselves one of the “elites” (once again, in your minds) you need to play a “tough” schedule year end and year out – not once in 10 (or 20) years.
Dorsey Hill
July 30th, 2009
2:39 pm
To be at the level that we’ve been at and to get there we just need some breaks. There were a lot of close if’s 2002. Not only the dropped pass, but wasn’t that the year that Pollack picked a ball and handed it to Sean Jones and the TD was called back due to a non-existent lateral? Bogus call. Also VT gave UM a good game in the season finale and a VT win would have gotten us there. OSU also had to win a couple of games in the last minute to stay undefeated. In 2007, if UK could kick a FG vs. UT OR if Vandy can hold a big second half lead vs. UT we are favorites vs. LSU in the dome and I think we win. When UF and LSU have gotten there, they haven’t arrived undefeated and needed some breaks to get there. We just haven’t gotten those breaks.
The next question is, what do we have to do to run the table so luck doesn’t factor in? While it did happen to Auburn, generally speaking winning them all will get you in the game. What that would take is for us to seperate ourselves from the rest of the pack in terms of talent which is very, very hard to do in this conference. If the Kiffen experiment fails at UT and Spurrier still can’t sign a big time QB and if UF either loses Meyer or fails to effectively transition into a more of a pro-style offense, the East could become ours soon. I strongly feel that Aaron Murray will be a special type of player and I think we’ll get it done before he joins the NFL.
Robert
July 30th, 2009
2:40 pm
Firstly, fire our incompetent defensive coordinator.
Secondly, hire Sylvester Croom as our defensive coordinator.
Third, quit losing recruits like Mack Brown to other programs.
Tom
July 30th, 2009
2:40 pm
Hey, I’ve seen one of those crystal footballs in person. Now, where was that?……
ricardo
July 30th, 2009
2:48 pm
A Coach with football passion.
Jeff
July 30th, 2009
2:51 pm
Big Boy,
You are not watching the SAME games as everyone.How long have you been watching football?? If you THINK our DC is okay….what is your thoughts on ER &BVG?? A DC keeps his players FOCUSED…..If you told me we would score 42 points on GT and LOSE!! Give me a break!!
Monroe
July 30th, 2009
2:51 pm
saint simons must be slow today.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
July 30th, 2009
2:54 pm
Stop the finesse style of offense and defense. We need line play on both sides of the ball that can lineup and knock someone in the jaw. This is what happens when we get in the Red Zone. We are to cute for our on good.
Mean Machine in Red and Black
July 30th, 2009
2:57 pm
Saint Simons was grounded for staying up late watching the Battlestar Galactica marathon. He is in his mother’s basement finishing up his Clay Aiken 500 piece puzzle.
Jeff
July 30th, 2009
3:01 pm
Big Boy,
By the way WE had 2 WEEKS to prepare for GT!! And CMR takes the HEAT for not practicing tackling because of injuries. How does a football player FORGET to tackle??? Rennie Curren didn’t……
Anonymous
July 30th, 2009
3:03 pm
Bill,
In order to win the National Championship, UGA needs to beat Florida and win more games. Sheesh. Like you didn’t already know that.
rdawg
July 30th, 2009
3:05 pm
I agree B. Scott, if we go back to 2002 with the current persona of the SEC, I think the Dawgs win a national title. Case could be made for the 2005 team about being unlucky, with Shock going down. With Shockley in we beat UF and get into the title game in my opinion.
whatfor
July 30th, 2009
3:08 pm
To B. Scott and all you other Delusional Dawgs – B. Scott said “A dropped pass cost us the Florida game or we would have been 14-0.” Yea – you could also say – what if the kicker for Clemson had made that field goal (which was only a couple feet short). Also in that same game – what if the officials had called 2 block in the backs on Gibson’s 91-yard TD run in that game.
Also – in the South Carolina game the next week – what if the running back had not fumbled going into the end zone – Dawgs loss if he doesn’t.
What if in the Alabama game – the corner doesn’t slip – allowing UGA to be in a position for Bennitt to kick at 32 yard FG with seconds remaining? Or what – in that same game – would have been the difference if Brodie Croyle had not fumbled on the Dawgs 20 yard line?
How about the Auburn game – if Johnson doesn’t make that remarkable (yes – even I will admit that) 4th down catch from that desperation throw in the end-zone with one minute left in the game – it’s game over and Auburn wins.
In that same season (2002) against Tennessee – what if Milton doesn’t make that first down (if Tennessee had not called the time-out Richt would have punted) late in the game?? Tennessee would have still had to go down the field and score – but who knows.
MY POINT IN THIS IS – I am sick and tired of you Dawg fans blaming ONE play (a dropped pass by Patrick Pass) for your lost chance at a national title. ONE Play – as you can see from 3 of the games I mention above – does not make the season. If that is the case – you need to take your 1980 National Champ season away – after all – you could say it was “one play” that beat Florida – of which you would not have won the title.
Doggoneit
July 30th, 2009
3:15 pm
The only thing we NEED is a great game plan to beat the Gators…Enough said!
MiltonDawg
July 30th, 2009
3:15 pm
Defense, not making stupid penalties on a regular basis (i forgot what our avg was last year, esp the 15yd ones, those hurt), and keeping a healthy team!! WE NEED SOME SWAGGER. GATA!! GO DAWGS!!!
Dorsey Hill
July 30th, 2009
3:18 pm
Whatfor,
it was Terrence Edwards not Patrick.
Nick
July 30th, 2009
3:25 pm
whatfor – be careful, you’re making too much sense and using logic. they don’t take kindly to folks like you in Athens.
Saint Simons
July 30th, 2009
3:25 pm
uga can’t beat TECH!!!!!!!!
Drew-G-A
July 30th, 2009
3:27 pm
Special Teams and Defense, mostly just really scary Defense, and we will get one.
Nick
July 30th, 2009
3:28 pm
“UF either loses Meyer or fails to effectively transition into a more of a pro-style offense, the East could become ours soon”
wow. not sure where to start. Don’t hold your breath on any of those things happening.
Dorsey Hill
July 30th, 2009
3:31 pm
Nick, ask the people at bowling green and Utah if they believe meyer.
Bill E. Goat
July 30th, 2009
3:40 pm
Bowling Green and Utah—–enough said.
I bet you turn down promotions to the best job in the company with million dollar raises don’t you.
Hal
July 30th, 2009
3:46 pm
they need to get mean… nuff said. they just need to get mean
Dorsey Hill
July 30th, 2009
3:51 pm
Bill E. Goat,
The point is that he denied he was leaving and then left. He deliberatly lied. Does that mean he’s lying now? Can’t say but you can’t say it can’t happen.
real deal
July 30th, 2009
3:58 pm
The problem is that too much is expected out of UGA. Georgia is not a state like Texas or California. I am NOT saying we aren’t a big state for recruiting, I am just saying it is more appropriate to expect a USC or a Texas or a UF to be in the NC hunt every year. UGA has a solid program, but until fans and boosters realize UGA is not a school like those, they will continually crack under the pressure.
Bill E. Goat
July 30th, 2009
3:58 pm
Dorsey if your boss ask you if your interested in a job somewhere else are you going to tell him you are leaving before you ever secure that job?
I understand your point but using the Utah and Bowling Green example is not an accurate representation of if someone is a liar or not. It happens EVERYDAY in the business world and the sports world and I’m sure even by you at some point in your life. Doesn’t mean you can’t be trusted.
Ron Mexico
July 30th, 2009
4:00 pm
Robert–
Yeah get Sylvester Croom as your DC. He did great against Tech’s offense last year. 38 points. Of course that is better than Willie.
G8RB8
July 30th, 2009
4:03 pm
Got Urban?
Sam Robards, Dawg Fan
July 30th, 2009
4:05 pm
What does UGA need to win a championship? *Note: I am not saying UGA doesn’t have the things on my list, I’m just saying their needed to win the big one*
- Vocal Leadership from your players (which Joe Cox seems to have in spades, as does Jeff Owens)
- Discipline (There were moments in the Bama and UF games last year where turnovers were negated by senseless penalties)
- Attitude (You need attitude to win as long as it doesn’t become arrogance)
- Confidence (which we’ll get when we beat the ‘Pokes to start the year)
- Talent (which he have loads of)
- Coaching (another thing we have in spades)
- Luck (let’s face it, there were 3 UGA teams that could have competed for and won the BCS if given a chance)
And, last but not least:
-Patience (Richt is too good a coach who gets too much talent to go without a BCS trophy. The fans, boosters and PRESS need to give Richt the leeway to do his job).
Sam Robards, Dawg Fan
July 30th, 2009
4:07 pm
Correction: “…THEY’RE…”
BBR5
July 30th, 2009
4:13 pm
UGA needs to beat Tech?? Ummmm, I think that’s EXACTLY what has happened 7 out of the last 8 years… and not by three measley points, doofus.
Long Dawg
July 30th, 2009
4:17 pm
Well, you need A level talent particularly at the skill positions (Aaron Murray, AJ Green, Marlon Brown, Orson Charles and the Samuels/King/Ealy combo on offense (we lose no starters off this year’s offensive line) and Branden Smith, Brandon Boykin, Rennie Curren, Garrison Smith, DeAngelo Tyson, TJ Stripling, Alex Ogletree, et.al on defense.
You need everyone to stay healthy, you need the coaches to get’em ready, you need a championship attitude and you need some luck.
Wouldn’t suprise me a bit if the Dawgs made a serious go of it in 2010 or 2011.
BurningRedBleedingBlack
July 30th, 2009
4:20 pm
We are heading in the right direction just chillax people! GOING FOR THE LONG HAUL!
GATA GO DAWGS!!
Ron Mexico
July 30th, 2009
4:22 pm
BBR5–
Yes UGA has won the last 7/8. But with the exception of the 51-7 debacle…the scores were mostly close. 3pts in 2006. 6pts in 2004. 7 pts in 2005.
And yes, to be Natl Champs UGA has to beat GT.
Careful with the doofus stuff.
GSUEAGLE98
July 30th, 2009
4:32 pm
I wish that fans would stop hoping that Meyer would leave Florida. That sounds like the kid who kept getting picked last. If you want to be the best, beat the best. I do not think that the players for Georgia or any other football team are hoping that Meyer leaves Florida. If that is taking place, then they need to get off the team. Dawg fans, have some pride in the program and the team. Remember they beat Florida the year before last and they will do it again. Please stop this “I hope Meyer leaves” nonsense.
Go Eagles!!!!!! Go Dawgs!!!!!!!!!!
Chuck Carswell
July 30th, 2009
4:32 pm
Consistency throughout every game… a take no prisoners attitude. If we could only bottle what we had in that Sugar Bowl vs. Hawaii… that game was an exercise in commitment and passion that could win any game we play.
BIGBOY
July 30th, 2009
4:33 pm
Jeff I have been a dawg fan since the 70’s probably longer than you have been on earth.As for BVG/CWM I’d say the only real difference between the two is the quality of the players they coached.
Jeff
July 30th, 2009
4:43 pm
The message is…..CMR HAS to hold his coaches accountable. When Coach Dooley called Coach Bowden about CMR he gave him the BEST in blessings but said he was too nice. Loyalty is a GOOD attribute, but you’ve got to
correct the problems on your staff. We are in the TOP 10 in recruiting,
every year….sooo we must not be coaching them UP????By the way GEORGIA is a HOTBED in recruting area……#5 in the country!
chiefdawg
July 30th, 2009
4:51 pm
For Florida to fall off the map.UGA will never beat UF.
49-10
July 30th, 2009
4:57 pm
a coach….the talent is there….just need a better coach
49-10
July 30th, 2009
5:00 pm
Jeff, I agree that the talent is there, but I have noticed a lot of GA guys leaving the state in this class! Do you think that will continue for the years to come or is it just because UGA is limited on what they can offer this year?
Jeff
July 30th, 2009
5:10 pm
49-10,
With these recruits,they want to play TODAY. Other BIG factor is who is in front of them. I think they know wherever they go the competion is there.So the Mack Brown deal, I can see him going to FLA. I hate it but that’s the way it is….we can’t get everyone in the state.Last year,there were over 250 DIVISION 1 recruits.
DawginLex
July 30th, 2009
5:12 pm
I hope all you florida “we discovered football” folks are around later in the year if you lose a game or two. Which can happen.
You win championships? Let’s see, you have won 3 in the last 13 years.
What happened in the other 10 years?
SOMEONE ELSE WON THE NT. Furthermore, you didn’t even win the SEC in most of those years.
UGA and Florida have won the same # of SEC titles since Richt came to UGA-2 each.
UGA will never beat UF? What happened in 2004 and 2007?
Big Dawg
July 30th, 2009
5:14 pm
Dorsey Hill,
You asked– wasn’t that the year that Pollack picked a ball and handed it to Sean Jones and the TD was called back due to a non-existent lateral? Bogus call.
No that was the LSU game in 2003 and yes the referee who made the call was at least 20 yards behind the play. The call cost us the game.
can't tackle, huh?
July 30th, 2009
5:15 pm
rush for 500 yards in some third quarter…
NotAgain
July 30th, 2009
5:27 pm
A good well rounded QB that can run & pass accurately & to beat Florida.
Rick
July 30th, 2009
5:27 pm
Get the basics right and focus on defense. It what has always won Championships.
Rick
July 30th, 2009
5:29 pm
Someday UGA will win it’s 2nd National Championship. It will happen.
49-10
July 30th, 2009
5:29 pm
dog in lex…you are on some crap dude…first of all, I’ll take UF’s 3 in 13 years over UGA’s ZERO.
Secondly, I’ll be here all year.. UF and UGA are tied in sec’s since Ricth has been there…who cares? why didn’t you go back one more year…or why did you go back past three…I like how you pick the years…but anywho, UF will have 3 in 5 years under Meyer while Prick is stuck on 2 in 9 years with ZERO NC’s while UF gets their 3rd in 5 years….hahahahahahaha….and I never said UGA won’t beat UF….law of averages tells you it has to happen less than once every 8 years….or something like that….hahahahahaha
49-10
July 30th, 2009
5:30 pm
can’t tackle huh….who are you talking to and can you be more specifit
49-10
July 30th, 2009
5:32 pm
big dawg….I think UGA got their rematch…how’d it work out that year?
notagain, based on what…
Rick, it might, but not this year…
CJDawg
July 30th, 2009
5:32 pm
IMHO..we have to control the ball on BOTH lines of scrimmage. In spite of all of the flashy offenses, blitz packages on defenses, or whatever yahoo thinks of next….football games are won and lost up front. If I can push your DL off the ball, I can run it at you. If I can beat your OL, I can wreck maybhem in your backfield that leads to poor pass attempts that leads to turnovers.
IF we ever get there, we should always have the skill players necessary in order to win the NC.
CJDawg
July 30th, 2009
5:38 pm
And why do gator and tech fans have to come in here to have anythiing to do? You boyz can all run along home now……
Mike
July 30th, 2009
5:40 pm
Plain and simple…show up and play 4 quarters. We have yet to really do that except for a few occasions. That doesnt necessarily mean we dont win games- we have proven that but its those breakdowns that cost us
2. get an attitude instead of excuse making after every game why it was close, why we lost…etc. love him or hate him (and I am in the later) what Tebow did after the Ole Miss loss was exceptional and lit a fire on his team. We had Stafford telling us why Vandy was such a great team and we should be thankful we were able to win.
3. Quit beating ourselves before we even get to Jax. enough of the talk about Fla. Take a hard look at the series- we owned them for 25 years. Talk positive. All the players hear is us doom and gloom in Jax.
4. Coaches need to quit the everybody is sooo tough. Get an attitude- we spend so much time just talking about how we are fortunate to get by…etc etc…..you dont hear that from Championship teams. Most look back and can see that if this or that had happened- we would not have won etc but NOT before
weak SEC sisters club
July 30th, 2009
5:45 pm
DawginLex
July 30th, 2009
5:47 pm
49-10,
I just love how you act like the blowouts happen every year. The games are close (within a TD 7 out of 8 years) and you now act like the score is always a blowout.
Once in 8 years? How about 2 out of the last 5 years? and I know you will be here all year-hanging out on a UGA blog because of your constant obsession with us. You probably couldn’t get into UGA so you stay mad at the school.
You better win this year you blowhard. All that big talk could bite you in the arse. That is why florida has always been hated. Even before SOS and before Meyer and Tebow, you were a bunch of no class low life blowhards. I had a guy talk crap to me in 1982 AFTER THE GAME in Jville. Remember that score? 44-0
If you are so good, act like you have been there before and show some class instead of spewing crap like some 5 year old.
Mike Bobo 17 INT
July 30th, 2009
5:48 pm
Oh good Lord this is the blog I have been waiting for. What does UGA need?
1. A new coach.
2. A less redneck environment.
3. A new AD
4. A new program.
5. A new location.
6. A new football team.
This entire blog is nothing more than the AJC attempting to survive to tantalize Dog fans into thinking they can even come close to a National Title.
The defense sucks, because it is under disciplined.
The offense sucks, because it is operated by the leading interceptor at UGAY.
The program sucks, because African Americans players prefer more diverse friendly programs such as UF, Miami, GT, and LSU.
It's Great to be a Gator!
July 30th, 2009
5:49 pm
Enter your comments here
CJDawg
July 30th, 2009
5:50 pm
Man….it is getting worthless to even try to have an intelligent discussion in here. We have the Florida and Tech idiots in here ALL the time, then some moron like Weak coming in here. It’s not worth it to me to sit here and sift thru their crap just to try and catch up on the real Georgia info. Weak cannot even SPELL for goodness sake.
Butterfinger Terrence Edwards
July 30th, 2009
5:51 pm
ALL YOU DUMB REDNECK CRACKERS UGA FANS KISS MY AZZ!
Camden Mark
July 30th, 2009
5:52 pm
Get nasty mean in the trenchs and find some new politically incorrect football coachs(bye Willie).
DawginLex
July 30th, 2009
5:53 pm
ah the interception idiot returns,
Where you been a$$wipe? Still waiting on your responses to my questions.
102nd reason to be a UGA grad/fan:
SO YOU WON’T TURN OUT LIKE THE INTERSEPTION IDIOT.
Still want you to come to Sanford and let me introduce you to Coach Bobo. I will let you explain your internet blog handle to him in person.
DawginLex
July 30th, 2009
5:57 pm
interception, not interseption
DawginLex
July 30th, 2009
5:58 pm
You support diversity Mr. Interception idiot?
I bet I know what it involves. I bet your husband does too.
Mike Bobo 17 INT
July 30th, 2009
6:01 pm
DawginLex
Get a life!!!!
Mike
July 30th, 2009
6:09 pm
Hey Gaytors….tell me what is the series record????????????
DawginLex
July 30th, 2009
6:11 pm
I’ve got a life. It just p!sses me off to no end to have a loser like you bash UGA. I went to UGA and played football at UGA under coach Dooley and coach Richt is LIGHT YEARS of a better coach than coach Dooley.
Mike Bobo turned out to be a pretty good college QB. More than anything you ever did in your life I bet. He had a bad year coming off of a knee operation and set a bowl record that still stands for completions in a row. He also beat florida and tech in the same year in 1997.
So you explain to me why UGA is 2nd rate Einstein. You can’t. Richt will win another SEC title or two and possibly a NT. The current BCS system is more of a popularity contest than anything else. It shouldn’t take luck to get in the title game. It should be played out on the field.
I disagree with all of your crapola. Racist? Yeah right. Overrated? Richt finishes higher than the preseason polls 7 out of his 8 years in Athens.
If you hate us so much, go to your own damn blog and leave ours alone.
Mike
July 30th, 2009
6:13 pm
Hey Florida Boys……what is the UGA-UF series record????? and that big of lead still after all your talk of beating us this many out of this many…..stupid Gaytors- you were the ONLY conference team that NEVER won the SEC till 91. Smack talk all you want- Lets see a series record of FL vs all SEC schools….losers vs UGA…losers vs Bama….losers vs Auburn…losers vs most everyone……
Jeff
July 30th, 2009
6:16 pm
Com’on Gator fans…..doesnt anyone know the series record with UGA??
StupidGay-Tor
July 30th, 2009
6:17 pm
hmmmmmmmmmmm I ain’t sure
Larry
July 30th, 2009
6:18 pm
Asking UF the series records seems to do the trick of shuting up Jeanskorts&Mullets
BubbaDawg
July 30th, 2009
6:23 pm
You tell em’ Mike! We need to milk that series record for as long as we can. Once that is gone (and it will be) then what do we got? I’m sure all the recruits are more interested in the past 80 years anyway right? Screw the Gators and their 66% National Championship average for the past three years. No kids care about that. Maybe we can reprint some 1982 National Championship Shirts! We can just keep saying “what’s the series record?” and “wait till Tebow is gone”. That will dull the pain after Jacksonville.
Renegade
July 30th, 2009
6:26 pm
SPECIAL TEAMS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! FLORIDA DOES IT RIGHT BY PUTTING THEIR BEST ATHLETES ON SPECIAL TEAMS. GEORGIA NEEDS TO LEARN THIS LESSON.
Larry
July 30th, 2009
6:31 pm
BubbaDawg….no, not milking anything- just stating the facts. Bottom line…series go back and forth- 19-6 vs gators…now UF is wining- it will go back again.
Jeff
July 30th, 2009
6:34 pm
Bubba- maybe you need to put a pair of Jeanshorts on and grow a mullet. Either back your team or get the heck off the bandwagon your on dude
Joe
July 30th, 2009
6:36 pm
Hey Bubba- you fit right in with those bandwagon fans of ours that LOVE to whine and cry and put down- Jeff is right….lose the dawg…you are now BubbaGaytor
I am now a BUBBAGATOR
July 30th, 2009
6:37 pm
Enter your comments here
Mike
July 30th, 2009
6:45 pm
Pretty pathetic excuse for a UGA fan if you ask me BubbaDawg. Maybe you need to back another team that can be on top and win a NC every year…and never has a rebuilding year….and wins championships every year…..and never loses to anyone…..GOOD LUCK!
Steve
July 30th, 2009
6:48 pm
Bubba: Just heard there was an opening for a fairweather fan in Knoxville, Nashville and Columbus, Ms. Feel free to apply loser
GooooooDawgs
July 30th, 2009
6:56 pm
Bubba- you’re no DAWG, that’s for sure
Out of towner
July 30th, 2009
6:59 pm
Someone please help me understand why if this is the Atlanta Journal why there is a UGA blog twice a day and nothing ever about GA Tech?? This isn’t the Athens paper. Does anyone care about GA TECH?? Guess not…. And can Bill King just relax for one day. He’s extremely annoying when he tries to initiate a debate with Tech and UGA fans 2-3 times a day and then he dissapears and has nothing else to add to the topic. Unlike Mark Bradley and DOB who blog on with their fellow bloggers, Bill King is just a little weisel who starts a fight and then goes running away to hide. Step up Bill and take a stance on something and join in on the comments. Stop being such a loser.
Rudy Rudeker
July 30th, 2009
7:02 pm
Win the SEC Championship and every one of our games, including the BCS bowl. No, wait, that didn’t work out too well for Auburn in ‘04. Winning all of its games and beating an SEC power in the Sugar Bowl didn’t help Utah much in ‘08.
You get my point. The BCS, and the concept of a true “national championship” in college football is, and always has been, a total joke. I have no interest in seeing Georgia “win” something that only exists in our imagination. But I would love to see another SEC Championship. Those are the banners I count – 12 so far. One more to tie Tennessee for 2nd all-time.
frank
July 30th, 2009
7:26 pm
A hardass at coach who wouldnt hesitate to fire his own brother.
Nice guy football doesnt work. Look at the coaches that win.
Central Fl Dawg
July 30th, 2009
7:51 pm
I believe most of the coaches we have are good enough to win. For the last several years we have been getting some top notch talent on the recruiting end but have much to show for it. We need to recruit more on defense to make the defense a defense that can be much like the “junk yard dawg” defense of years past. A defense that plays with an attitude. (Which leads me to think that maybe coach M<artinez needs to get the boys to toughen up).
We also need everyone on the team to put the team first and not put their own agenda’s ahead of the team’s agenda.
Last the team needs to play smart, disiplined football. Not make stupid crazy insane penelties.
DirtyDawg
July 30th, 2009
7:55 pm
Take the Gators off there schedule
Football Fan
July 30th, 2009
8:25 pm
It’s funny how UGA finished the 2007 #2 in the AP with a great performance by the defensive ends that rode the pine the year before and rode that hype to a preseason #1 with the presumption that the ends would be as good in 2008. The bottom line is that if you can’t pressure the QB in college or the NFL you are in big trouble. Some years you just have to catch lightning in a bottle and have a junior and senior laden team in key leadership positions with few injuries. UGA has not been able to have all those things working in tandem in recent memory.
Casey
July 30th, 2009
8:42 pm
They need the Triple Option!!!
T.O
July 30th, 2009
8:46 pm
UGA either beats TECH or has a better record at seasons end every year. Plus Tech plays in a sissy conference. They get lucky and beat UGA one year and they think now they are a National Title contender. Don’t forget about the last game you played. 38-3!! Yea you guys have finally arrived… Please…. Try running that High School offense against UGA’s 1st team defense and not our 2nd stringers and we’ll pound you just like LSU did.
Ryan
July 30th, 2009
8:48 pm
7 out of 8!! Tech is UGA’s Bitc@#!!!!
Steve
July 30th, 2009
9:07 pm
This the dumbest question ever. But, since you asked -
– Mark Richt is a great coach but needs a better recruiter
– Football players that can stay out of trouble
– A schedule versus middle schools
– Refs that graduated from THUGA
– The old 3 count before the defense can start the rush
– A better work release program
– Stop copying Green Bay’s logo
– An offensive coordinator that isn’t 3 plays behind
– A defensive coordinator that stops calling defensive plays
when the offense is on the field
– A better AD with some eggs who understands Jax is not a
neutral site (how stupid was this?)
– School colors that are not the same as the Third Reich.
superDawg
July 30th, 2009
9:11 pm
Erk Russell new how to put tuff into a player.Defense will save your rearend when games get down to who will step up.Check past NC’S EXCEPT FOR gt,the king of split or fishing pole rankings.
Bill King
July 30th, 2009
9:23 pm
weisel?
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.