What do you expect of 2009 Dogs?
I’ve been hearing a range of predictions from UGA fans on how Mark Richt’s 2009 team is going to do. (I’m holding off on my own trip out on the limb until next week.)
Loading ...I’ve heard a few more folks predict an 8-4 season, but more commonly I’m hearing 9-3 regular season or 10-2. No one seems to be picking this year’s Dogs to do any better than that (though admittedly I haven’t asked my brother Jon, who never picks against Georgia).
What I’m wondering, though, is what sort of record would constitute a disappointing season, from a fan’s view.
Obviously, 7-5 would be a big letdown and probably would renew the calls for someone’s head (most likely Willie Martinez’s).
But what about 9-3? Or even 10-2 if it doesn’t include a trip to the SEC championship? I’ve actually heard fans refer to 2004 as an off year for the Dogs for that very reason.
And even the 2007 team, which finished No. 2 in the country, disappointed some folks because those losses to South Carolina and Tennessee kept the Dogs out of the SEC title game and, thus, out of the BCS championship. It was such a screwy year that had that totally unnecessary, self-inflicted loss to the Gamecocks not happened, Georgia most likely would have played for the crystal football even with the loss to the Vols. (The disaster in Knoxville was such a complete collapse that I’ve just written that one off to fate, bad karma or a Phil Fulmer pact with the devil.)
So what’s the minimum the Dogs have to do in 2009 to keep from being labeled a disappointment?
Does anyone really have a right to expect a team that lost so much of its offensive production from the previous year to make it to the Georgia Dome, barring a complete implosion on Florida’s part? Is a 10-win season good enough, even if that has to include the bowl game? Or, under the circumstances, would 8-4 and a bowl win live up to your expectations?
Feel free to comment, vote in the poll or do both.
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230 comments Add your comment
Nachos
August 27th, 2009
10:35 am
I expect lots of excuses from the drunken, annoying, tat sporting, wal mart shopping, side walk alumni also known as the mutt nation.
Hey Billtard
August 27th, 2009
10:35 am
“I guess GT won it by a tie-breaker”
No, that’s what happens when you fumble at the goal line and the score is tied. Then it goes into overtime, where you lose because the other coach is smart enough to kick a field goal on third down. I still remember the look of confusion on all the little puppy faces because they have problems understanding written things, like “rules.”
Bill apparently has trouble reading the USA Today article too
hop
August 27th, 2009
10:42 am
georgia biggest problem last year was the rash of injuries that hit them all at one time.
when you lose 25 players who had started at least one game,than you will not have a very good year.
that said if uga can stay away from another injury prone year; the dawgs will be just fine and yes they have the talent to be a top ten team.
they could finish as high as 11-1- 9-3 somewhere in between those two.
BIG B
August 27th, 2009
10:43 am
The season will come down to our coaches! In the past our talent level is up there with any one. Football is a game that needs to be played with fire ,piss&vineger and not so dang predicable!!!!!! The players do not fear the coaches . The head coach sits the tone for the other coaches and needs to be feared by everyone . The ol ballcoach in SC. if he had the same talent we have had the last three years i bet he would have had at least 1 NC. That hurts to say because i can not stand the site of him!!!! Any one can coach a super star a coach needs to coach up and make the 3 star athlet’s win Football is four quarters let’s play all four like we only have one to get it done don.t let up it,s football it is all right to put other teams away nice guys finish in the top 20 . ther is only one NC. So that said the head coach is responsible and the player need to be held accountable one at the time starting in Stillwater LESS PREDICABLE PISS&VINEGER THE KEYS GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Big Daddy O
August 27th, 2009
10:46 am
We have the talent, but they are young. To me whether or not they can handle pressure can be a critical piece in a great season or a sloppy one. Hopefully since we have AWESOME leadership in Renney and Cox, that will overshadow the poor coaching on defense we saw last year. I can promise one thing. We won’t be cocky. These guys have something to prove and it will be a quiet victory week after week.
solo
August 27th, 2009
10:53 am
Most Teams would have lost 4 or 5 games with the injuries the dawgs had last year.. It was one of their better coaching job…..Joe Cox is a very good qb, offense line, defense line, line backers, all ready… 11-0,SEC,BCS TITLE
Puppy Fans
August 27th, 2009
10:54 am
You “dawg” fans are nieve. Don’t you remember the 90’s? 10 win season or bust? Give me a break.
Randyt (aka Been there, Done that, Got a Closet FULL of t-shirts)
August 27th, 2009
10:58 am
You are right DamnGoodDawg, the Vols haven’t hung half a huundred on you in a couple of games have they?
ForTheRecord
August 27th, 2009
10:58 am
A. UGA does not have the hardest schedule. That award goes to UM. Our schedule is tough because we scheduled a weak OSU team that years later turned out to have some teeth. They were the Vandy of the Big 12 when we scheduled them.
B. We own the recruiting in a very rich football state. We also recruit extremely well in South Carolina and especially of late – Florida. Thus, there is never a reason to have a year below 9-3. The depth is always there if the coaches do their job.
C. With that said…I have lost the warm fuzzies for Richt and his ability to lead us to the promised land. We have not truly beaten a top tier team during his tenure except for LSU in the Dome. Florida dominates us even though we generally have the higher rated recruit classes. We had serious NFL talent and could not run with other elite programs that also suffered injuries. Richt has begun acting much like Dabo at Clemson. Like he is an actor/motivator rather than as a head coach with leadership responsibilities. His job is to be cool and collected (i.e. thinking) rahter than calling emotional huddles because the team is collapsing around him.
d. With Richt and Martinez (versus the better coached teams at UF, LSU, and yes…sadly…even GT and UT) we lose between 4 and 6 games this year. Split the difference and make it 7-5 with Martinez gone and Richt on some serious heat going into the 2010 season.
VINCE
August 27th, 2009
11:05 am
ForTheRecord…..
Im with you!! Richt is a good man but he needs to get our talent to a BCS championship game. We are always in top 10 recruting there should be no excuses.
Sam Robards, Dawg Fan
August 27th, 2009
11:10 am
On the optimistic side, I think we only lose one en route to an SEC Championship. On the realistic side, I think we only lose two en route to a pretty good bowl game.
I think 2010 is when we’re getting our Mythical National Championship (and no, that projection has NOTHING to do with Tebow leaving for the NFL, assuming he actually gets drafted, of course).
Wil Walton
August 27th, 2009
11:16 am
Win or lose, if Okie State demolishes the UGA defense, what’s the over/under for games till DC Willie Martinez is toast?
chazzo
August 27th, 2009
11:17 am
OKpoker. Apt name. I sincerely hope that all of you cowboys think just that.
chazzo
August 27th, 2009
11:23 am
Richt’s best quality is he has never been above learning. For instance, Tuberville wore UGA out with running backs late in the game Richt’s first season. Richt got religion about running. The reigns were way tight. Joe T sadi loosen up. He did, and the dawgs started winning big. Maybe it went to far. Now he’s focused on discipline. The NC is a complex thing. The right mixture of players and coaches, the right schedule, the right approach, and a little luck here and there. That is one of the reasons why college football is so great. All of you whiners going on about an NC will just continue whining about getting a second one. Wait til UF goes through another dry spell. It will happen, and nobody cries quite like a Gator fan. If you know your history, you will know where I am coming from.
Dill
August 27th, 2009
11:23 am
I think the DAWGS will surprise a lot of people this year. I am predicting 11-1 with us beating Florida. We will play in the dome but come up short. 2010, with Logan Gray will be the DAWGS big year. Cox will do very well but we will drop an SEC game. I think Gators will look past us.
GT Lotto
August 27th, 2009
11:27 am
Get your all new GT ticket scratch-off now! 7 of 8 tickets will lose!
Natureboy809
August 27th, 2009
11:30 am
Beat Florida.
ZP
August 27th, 2009
11:32 am
yes, we remember the 90’s. this is no longer the 90’s. Now we have a track record of 10 win seasons. But, I guess since we didn’t in the 90s, we can’t expect it in 2009. I guess since the gators remember the 80s and before, they should not expect any NCs ever. Good logic there.
ZP
August 27th, 2009
11:33 am
GT Lotto- and the ones that win only win a very small amount. like $3
ZP
August 27th, 2009
11:36 am
I think its says a lot of good about a team when all Trade School Junkie can find to talk crap about are a few typos in a media guide. Ooooo please stop, you are really upsetting us talking bad about our media guide.
Brian
August 27th, 2009
11:37 am
I think UGA is better than most are making them out to be. While Cox is not Shockley, there is a familiar feel to that season as we begin this one. IMO, the best way to play is to go in having no pressure put on you. That is what the Dogs face this year. No one expects them to beat Oklahoma State, or LSU, or Florida, or GT, or….. They have absolutely nothing to lose in each game because no one expects them to be in contention for any sort of championship. Look for the Dawgs to pull out a couple of those “can’t/shouldn’t wins” and finish 10-2 at worst, including shutting down this “explosive” Cowboy attack everyone likes to talk about.
wolfdawg
August 27th, 2009
11:40 am
I just figured it out, “pokesfan” is a little child playing on the internet in his mommy and daddys basement. pitiful
dan
August 27th, 2009
11:42 am
Randyt
I think there is some truth to what you are saying, but I’d take it a step further. I say the reason UGA underachieves or more accurately achieves sporadically, is that they lack focus. And I blame Mark Richt for that.
Yeah the SEC is tough and any team can give you a tough out on any given day. But I don’t think Mark Richt’s focus is on winning a National Title. He’d rather instill character in his players and develop them as people based on his Christian principles. Championships come second to him And don’t get me wrong: that is good, good stuff! But to that I say God has given us certain gifts and we should strive to be the very best we can be in our personal and professional lives. And how the best are measured in college football is by winning a National Title. We don’t Glorify God by playing it small and safe. There is nothing wrong with wanting to be successful.
If UGA wins an SEC title, I think Richt is satified with that and then will kind of let fate work itself out. Nick Saban and Urban Meyer focus on winning National Titles, and see the SEC Championship as a vechile to get them there.
Dorsey Hill
August 27th, 2009
11:44 am
A successful 2009 would be:
8-4 with wins over UF and GT
9-3 with a win over Tech
10-2 both loses to UF and Tech
Anything better would be great. Anything worse will be very painful.
mcdawg
August 27th, 2009
11:45 am
Hey A. Miller change your diapers-dawgs roll until LSU then season get interesting
Brooks
August 27th, 2009
11:46 am
2 things will determine this season. Secondary play and a consistent/inconsistent pass rush. We must have Boykin step up and we have to find someone who can apply pressure off the edge on a regular basis. Not even a DE with 10 sacks. A guy who is a threat every snap and the opposing QB has him in the back of his mind for 4 quarters. I guarantee you that Oklahoma St. and its fans are nervous about next Saturday whether they admit it or not. A very talented football team is coming to town with a whole bunch of experience and won’t be intimidated. They have seen that type of atmosphere before. I never shoot off at the lip about any game the Dawgs play and I would advise all OSU fans to do the same. GO DAWGS!
Tripp Chandler's hands
August 27th, 2009
11:55 am
Jared Zabransky, Bobby Reid, Colt Brennan….any questions poke? Addarious Bowman has a spot on the Winnapeg roster for Zac Robinson and Dez Bryant. Sweet game against Oregon btw
Trade School Junkie
August 27th, 2009
11:55 am
In Atlanta, 45 > 42
In Athens, 45 = 42.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Brian
August 27th, 2009
11:57 am
To Dan…while I agree with you statement that we are all given certain gifts and should strive to to be the very best we can, I do not agree that a National Championship is the always the determining factor of how great a team is. I think of two examples. One, AU a few years ago went undefeated, and still didn’t play for the NC. More than likely they would have beat both NC teams that year, but never got the chance. Very few consider them a disappointment. Also, three years ago UGA was staring a possible losing season in the face, and then reeled off 3 straight when by demolishing AU in Auburn, beating GT in the last minute of the game, and coming back to beat VA. Tech in the Peach Bowl. Never heard that team called a failure even though they finished with a 9-4 record. I suppose all this stuff is relative anyway. One person’s failure is another person’s 10-wins a season for his career at UGA, two conference titles, 2 Sugar Bowl wins, and the best road record in the SEC.
JMc12203
August 27th, 2009
12:17 pm
Wow, you Dawg fans are showing your football ignorance today! IF UGA wins more than 8 games, you should consider your season to be a great one. Everyone talks about the great O-line. Well, I remember a year ago when all the accolades were going to the LSU O-line. They supposedly had the best line in the NCAA, but they still lost 5 games. Until the line shows it’s worth all the praise, then it is no better than any other O-line. Then there is Joe Cox, who IS NOT another Shockley. He is closer to Joe T. than D.J., and the jury is out on him. Options behind him are limited, mainly due to lack of experience. I seem to remember that even Matthew the Great played like a mortal his freshman year. You do not have a PROVEN running back, only speculation. Then there is the dreaded “D”.
Now, let’s look at reality. The Dawgs will probably be underdawgs to Ok. State, and GT, and DOUBLE DIGIT ‘dogs to LSU and Florida. Someone will upset them between Tennessee, Auburn, and USC east. As I said earlier, IF they wind up with 8 wins, consider the season a big success.
takedowndawg
August 27th, 2009
12:19 pm
With some luck(you do need some in the SEC) and few injuries I think our DAWGS will provide a lot fireworks on both sides of the ball. 10-2 season with an outside chance of even better. Noone is giving Joe Cox the respect I think he deserves. He is a leader and is vocal in the huddle to his players. We haven’t had that since Green graduated. It has been needed. Green because of his leadership and nice touch on the ball had the offense always believing they were never out of a game. I think that Cox might prove to be that kind of leader. Go look at his stats at Independence High in Charlotte. Go DAWGSSSSS
Dorsey Hill
August 27th, 2009
12:26 pm
dan,
I had a very brief opportunity to speak with Coach Richt early in the 2005 season. In any event, the subject of our potential bowl destination was brought up and someone present suggested New Orleans. I replied saying that “I understand that Pasadena is nice that time of year.” (Pasadena was the site of the NC game that year and we were still unbeaten.) If you had seen the look in CMR’s eyes when I said Pasadena you would not question how much he wants that trophy. He may not show it, and he may not admit it, and he may not on the surface appear as driven as Saban and Meyer, but believe me when I tell you this: he wants a BCS trophy more than you can ever imagine. The only difference between Meyer, Saban and Richt is that those other guys got the breaks they needed to get into the game while Richt hasn’t. But we keep knocking on that door and as CMR has said, if you stay at the top long enough things will fall in place. Just my 2 cents but I don’t think Aaron Murray leaves without a national title and you can hold me to it.
superDawg
August 27th, 2009
12:28 pm
Who knows what will happen but I expect UGA will surprise some folks.If we come out of Stillwater with a win look out.
Who Cares
August 27th, 2009
12:29 pm
Who Cares!
coachdawg 2000
August 27th, 2009
12:31 pm
14-0
Tom
August 27th, 2009
12:39 pm
I’ve learned to automatically put an L next to Florida. I don’t think there’s a single team this year besides Texas that can beat the GaYtors. There’s absolutely no excuse to lose to teams like Arkansas, Kentucky, or GA Tech. However, we will probably lose to one of those teams. With that being said, I expect maybe a 10-2 or 9-3 as usual.
Mark Richt has taken us as far as we can go. We’re always going to be 10-2 or 9-3. That is respectable, don’t get me wrong. But I’m sick of going to the Sugar or Capitol One bowls. Mark Richt doesn’t have the killer mentality of Saban, Meyer, or Spurrier. Who cares that running up the score is unsportmanslike? How many times has Florida done that to us???
I say run up the score! Leave no doubt!
cffreak
August 27th, 2009
12:41 pm
Only bama fans are more delusional than leghumpers. Toiletlappers always act like you’re some perennial power or something. You’re cross state rival has the last national title in this state…not you. What a pathetic brood….
how2fish
August 27th, 2009
12:43 pm
9-4 with our scheduel would be great…and the Tech beatdown will be pure bliss….and for all those wanting to replace CMR…with WHO..morons what proven coach with his record would want to follow him at UGA?? What’s your endgame here replace the winningest coach in the SEC for the last decade with what?? If winning football games it the point to this exercise..he’s damn good at it.Anyone who thinks with the injuries the team suffered wasn’t one of the best coaching jobs in the country to go 10-3 are just not paying attention.In a confrence that has 3 of 4 of the last NC’s and ONE loss can sink you for a NC..you have to have a lot of luck,talent and coaching can dampen that but every team that wins the NC has some point in the season where luck more than anything was the reason they made it thru.Some of you are starting to sound like Bama fans when they ran Gene Stallings off…he too averaged 10 wins a season..it took Bama over a decade to recover from that..if they have…please let the season start soon…some of you are losing your minds from the strain of waiting…Go Dogs!
Jackets
August 27th, 2009
12:44 pm
Solo…How can you say Cox is a very good QB? He hasn’t played angainst any real football team. Mop up duty.
Cuz
August 27th, 2009
12:57 pm
What do I expect? The usual nail biting, edge of your chair, cussing, cheering, pull your hair out, season as always.
AC
August 27th, 2009
12:57 pm
My HEART says National Champions. It would take a lot of look and things to run perfect on offense.
My HEAD says that they will lose between 2 and 4. That is a tough schedule loaded with experienced teams like OSU, LSU, UF, and, yes tech fan, GT. Not to mention rivalry games at SC, UT, and AU. Even with Stafford and Moreno back, this would be a daunting schedule
KNelson
August 27th, 2009
1:04 pm
Let the excuses ROLL !!!!!!!!!!!!!! In 2 weeks you pup fans will be calling for Willie’s head
southgadawg88
August 27th, 2009
1:22 pm
UGA has only had 1 top 5 recruiting class under CMR..it’s has not been “all these to 5 classes we get every year”.I’m on record with 10-2 as my prediction…I don’t think FLA will go 12-0 actually I say UGA,FLA ,LSU and ALA will all finish 10-2.
P DAWG
August 27th, 2009
1:25 pm
IM NOT MAKING ANY PREDICTION.BUT WE DONT NEED TO UNDER ESTIMATE COX.HE DID WIN A STATE TITLE.I BELIEVE HE NEVER LOST IN HIGH SCHOOL.A RUNNING BACK WILL STEP UP.THE DEFENSE WILL BE BETTER.AND BOBO WILL BE ABLE TO CALL HIS PLAYS W/OUT LOOKING AT CERTAIN PLAYERS.IT IS GOING TO BE GREAT.EVEN THOUGH WE DO HAVE MARTINEZ IF RICHT BELIEVES IN HIM WE SHOULD TOO.GO DAWGS SIC EM WOOF WOOF WOOF!!!!!!!OH YEAH WE DO HAVE AJ!
Minnesota Dawg
August 27th, 2009
1:27 pm
If we can get to the Florida game 7-0, just maybe we could win the SEC east. We would have to watch out for Auburn and Kentucky. Then beat take revenge out on Tech in the closer and play either LSU or Alabama in the title game.
KNelson
August 27th, 2009
1:28 pm
I say UGA,FLA ,LSU and ALA will all finish 10-2. Southgadog do the math. That cannot happen.
Stinger
August 27th, 2009
1:33 pm
I seriously believe that most UGA fans would be satisfied with 7-5 this year. Your schedule is tougher than most years and you don’t have any proven running backs or quarterbacks. You defense has yet to prove that they can tackle anyone. I would say it’s going to be a long year. If you couldn’t do it with 2 # 1 draft choices, chances are you won’t do it this year.
Minnesota Dawg
August 27th, 2009
1:36 pm
Another comment, do you realize what any team has to do to get to the big dance? Everything has to go right! Look at Florida’s schedule. I know it looks easy, but who saw Alabama coming last year? Watch out for Florida at Kentucky and at LSU. Miss. St. could give them a scare while they are looking ahead to GA. Who knows what Spurrier might have up his sleeve at Columbia. Go South Carolina for that week! All this to say, we are not the only ones in a fight. It all has to play out and we know what can happen any given week!
2009 UGA MEDIA GUIDE
August 27th, 2009
1:37 pm
((((( 42 42 ))))) hahahahahahaha
takedowndawg
August 27th, 2009
1:38 pm
“angainst” Jacket from a fine technical school I’m sure. Interesting spelling though. Cox may mop you(and your beetles)up at the end of the year. Underestimate Cox at your own peril. Alot of football and many opportunities for injuries to occur regardless of your team and our team included. You do need some luck in the injury area. I think that we will be ready for you and vengence can be tough on a team. Especially, if they are not accustomed to winning AGAINST a given opponent(mainly the UGA DAWGS!!!)