Checking the crystal ball on 2009 Dogs
Another 10-win season? (AJC Staff)
As I’ve mentioned before, I’ve never been comfortable picking the Dogs to lose, which makes doing a preseason prediction of their record like dancing on a tightrope.
It’s simpler for my brothers. Tim refuses to predict how a season will go until he’s actually seen the team play. And Jon always picks the Dogs, no matter who they’re playing. My natural inclination and superstitious nature is to lean toward Jon’s view, but that’s not realistic most seasons.
So it’s time once again to venture out on that limb. Two years ago, I predicted the Dogs would go 9-3 in the regular season and they bettered that mark by a game — one of those cases where I was delighted to be proved wrong. Last year, I didn’t anticipate the defensive meltdowns that lay ahead and, like many others, I predicted an 11-1 regular season.
This year? Like my son, I’ve been going back and forth on this. I’ve already said I believe the Dogs should beat Oklahoma State, and on paper they’re fully capable of coming out of September 4-0. I’d love to see it, but I have a feeling they won’t. Based on past seasons, I figure they’ll slip up once in that early run and take their first loss. Could be South Carolina, could be Arkansas. Both look to be dangerous games. Heck, could be OSU, though I don’t think so. It won’t be Arizona State.
Looking at the rest of the season, a realist has to chalk the game in Jacksonville up as a probable loss, barring an injury to Tim Tebow. So that’s another loss. Two other games that many people are picking the Dogs to lose are LSU in Athens and Georgia Tech in Atlanta. Richt teams frequently have won upsets in the past and I figure they’ll do so at least once this season. So I think Georgia will win one of those games. If I had to pick which one, I’d say it’s more likely they’ll beat the Jackets.
Unless the injury bug strikes again, the rest of the season should go Georgia’s way. Or, at least, they should be favored in the rest of their games. Despite Lane Kiffin’s ability to attract media attention, I don’t see Tennessee being any better than last year. Vanderbilt won’t be as good. Tennessee Tech is a purchased victory. Even most folks on the Plains expect an off year for Auburn. And Kentucky shouldn’t be a problem unless our defense goes south on us again.
I really wanted to be able to predict a 10-2 regular season, and it wouldn’t surprise me to see one, but I still think there’s likely to be that early season slip-up. So that comes out to a 9-3 regular season, which will probably put us in one of the Florida bowls against another slow Big 10 team. And Richt gets another 10-win season.
I asked recently what would constitute a disappointing season for the Dogs. For me, it would be anything less than nine wins. If Georgia loses four this year, someone’s not done their job properly.
I’m betting that doesn’t happen. What’s your season prediction?
Did he really say that?
I tend to put it on WGCL, Atlanta’s CBS station, for the 11 p.m. news, despite all that tabloidy “tough questions” nonsense, because I watch Letterman afterward. Besides, the weather forecast is what I’m mainly after and that’s going to be pretty much identical wherever I get it, so it might as well be from Dagmar.
Anyway, in between restaurant ratings and consumer tips and tough questions, they squeeze in a couple of minutes of sports, and last night a clip of Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy talking about the Georgia game snagged my attention. “I think Georgia is a very good football team,” he said. “I think they have a lot of talent. I think they’re very strong, they’re very physical. But I think our football team overall, in all three phases from an organizational standpoint, I think we’re a better team.” End of clip.
Whoah, I thought. That’s unusual. Even when they think that, most coaches won’t come right out and say it.
So I decided to get online and Google to see if I could find out whether Gundy elaborated.
Turns out, Gundy didn’t say Oklahoma State was a better team than Georgia. According to a transcript on the official OSU athletics Web site, what he actually said was, “I think we’re a better team than we were.”
Looks like someone on the videotape editing desk had an itchy trigger finger.
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153 comments Add your comment
Drew-G-A
September 4th, 2009
10:35 am
Go Dawgs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hurra-Crane
September 4th, 2009
10:42 am
1 win in 8 years and the ugliest women in the ACC. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Cuz
September 4th, 2009
10:46 am
13-0 and the MNC. Sure I am dreaming. MLK Junior had one also. 13-0 is the dream, 7-5 would be a nightmare.
smashmouth
September 4th, 2009
10:58 am
60 minutes in Stillwater tomorrow… GATA!!!
1eyedJack
September 4th, 2009
10:58 am
11-1 or 10-2 as long as neither loss is in Grant’s Tomb.
DawginLex
September 4th, 2009
11:06 am
Hard to really predict this season as a whole until after tomorrow. Win tomorrow, and UGA can go 4-0 in September. A loss, depending on how it happens, can turn things in a lot of different directions.
If Cox performs well and we win, the confidence of the team will be sky high for the rest of the season. A loss with poor QB play will start the “play Murray” shouts.
It is really up to the offensive line and the defensive line to dominate the game tomorrow. This will allow Cox to play his kind of game.
I’m predicting 36-35 but I really am hoping we play D better than that and keep it in the 28-24 range.
Can’t wait.
Miami Dawg
September 4th, 2009
11:07 am
There are so many unpredictable games this fall for the Dawgs but that’s what makes CFB great. One more day… Go Dawgs!
http://collegefootballsaturday.blogspot.com/
Old Dawg
September 4th, 2009
11:09 am
I want to say the Dawgs will have a good season, then I remember how the looked in the Spring game. They had better improved a lot!
Boise Dawg
September 4th, 2009
11:09 am
Bill, I think I agree with you 100%. I am dreaming of at least 10-2 with wins over both Tech and Florida… but I think with the toughness of the schedule starting Saturday, 9-3 is realistic bar to set. Even with the loss of Stafford and Moreno 8-4 won’t be acceptable, especially if we lose to the Jackets.
Can't Freaking Wait
September 4th, 2009
11:11 am
Just to hold you over: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NYgXxrXUb0
Boise Dawg
September 4th, 2009
11:12 am
Old Dawg, I have never been to a spring game… but at least in recent years, I hardly ever recall hearing anyone say that we looked good in the spring game.
Joe Cox's sister
September 4th, 2009
11:14 am
I cooked the team up some grits to take to Stillwater. Those boys love grits.
Bobby McGee
September 4th, 2009
11:15 am
We will not lose to Tech. Bill King, you’re a moron.
Bill King
September 4th, 2009
11:18 am
Maybe you should read again, Bobby McGee.
I didn’t say we will lose to Tech.
Cuz
September 4th, 2009
11:21 am
Bill, you are having a discussion with a guy that dated Janice Joplin. Enuff said.
Herschel Talker
September 4th, 2009
11:22 am
Keep up the solid work, Bill.
Bobby McGee likes men.
Bobby McGee
September 4th, 2009
11:22 am
I apologize then. I’ve just been so antsy with the season opener and everyone doubting whether or not we will beat tech two days after turkey day. We will NOT lose that game, and if we do then an 18-year season ticket holder in myself will not be renewing.
BugKiller
September 4th, 2009
11:23 am
Anyone who believes the Dawgs will go 13-0 with a Willie Martinez defense isn’t dreaming.
They’re insane.
8-4. The defense gives up BIG points to OSU, but their defense is worse, so we win 42-41.
We lose to LSU, Florida, and Tech. And then we lose one game to a combo platter of: Arkansas, SoCarolina, or Kentucky, a game we shouldn’t lose because the defense can’t make a late game stop because they’re under-coached and under-prepared.
In Willie’s horrendous tenure, it’s better to expect the worst and don’t even bother hoping for the best, because even hope leads to huge letdowns, like Tech last year, or Auburn and WVU in 2005-2006, Tennessee in 2006-2007, Vandy & Kentucky in 2006, stuff like that.
The sooner Willie is gone the sooner this program can start to credibly contend for the SEC title again.
Bobby McGee
September 4th, 2009
11:27 am
My b.
BugKiller
September 4th, 2009
11:28 am
Scratch that. With Willy’s D, we go 5-7. No bowl game. Our season ends in a 45-14 loss to the nerds.
dap01
September 4th, 2009
11:29 am
I wonder what was going thru GT fans’ minds while watching another team play on Thursday nights. I bet they thought, “Dang it, we should be on that blue football field”.
Personally, I think that playing on Thursdays are great for “mid-level” teams.
GT Fan
September 4th, 2009
11:32 am
And losing on Saturdays is great for teams like UGA.
CLTDawg
September 4th, 2009
11:33 am
I am with you Bill, until we see what we have on the field, it is almost impossible to tell how good we will be. We lost 90% of our offensive production in Stafford, Moreno, and MoMass. Let’s see how the new guys do.
Can’t wait for tomorrow, GO DAWGS!!!!
Cuz
September 4th, 2009
11:38 am
Bobby don’t jump off the bridge if we lose to Tech. Oh wait a minute, that was Billy Joe McAllister. Sorry.
Minnesota Dawg
September 4th, 2009
11:40 am
You can never predict the outcome of a season in the first couple of games. Look what GA did in 2007! Don’t give up on them even if they lose one or two, They could rebound and go on a winning streak all the way to the Sugar Bowl! Florida has to be up for every game too or they’ll end up losing to anyone.
Cameron
September 4th, 2009
11:40 am
I am pretty set on 10-2. We could very easily go 11-1, or 9-3. We will not lose four games. We will not lose to GT. Our losses will come in some number from OSU, LSU, or Florida. South Carolina showed us they have work to do, but they are capable of beating us.
Don’t underestimate the effect of Jeff Owens returning helthy, Weston being healthy, Tyson having another year in the system, and Atkins having experience with being keyed on by offenses. Our D-Line should be able to control the line of scrimmage against any team we play, simply due to our DT rotation. For comparison, see Alabama.
Also, don’t forget the return of Sturdivant. If you want to know the effect of missing your LT, and anchor of the line, look no further than Bama-Utah last year. There O-Line dominated just about everyone they played. They lost Andre Smith and couldn’t block Utah.
Our lines alone will win most of the games for us. Games are won in the trenches folks.
Paul's Johnson
September 4th, 2009
11:42 am
GT Fan:
Put down the crackpipe. Here’s the forecast for your pathetic team’s season.
4 definate losses in your future:
Clemson
N.C.
VT
GA
3 possible losses:
Fla. State
Vandy
Wake Forest
GT sucks…. you want win your conference and to have aspirations of a NC then you are seriously delusional.
Good Luck LOSERS.
GaCracker
September 4th, 2009
11:44 am
Joe Cox a winner – like David Greene, a much better decision maker than Stafford (great arm but no savvy)! Place kicking and Willie Martinez are the question marks!!!
Herschel Talker
September 4th, 2009
11:44 am
Bugkiller – agreed 100%. Willie is a disgrace.
GT Fan
September 4th, 2009
11:46 am
Still upset that your Willie couldn’t measure up to our Johnson?
monty
September 4th, 2009
11:47 am
Year after year we recruit in the top 10, heck sometimes top 5 and then we have to worry about beating Tech, or Okl.St.? or not slipping up against Kentucky? Whats wrong with this picture?
Paul's Johnson
September 4th, 2009
11:50 am
GtFan:
Congrats! The first time EVER that a Tech fan has actually come up with something clever.
You get a plastic ring.
Topp Dogg
September 4th, 2009
11:50 am
i have said this is a 9-3 ,GT not being one of our loses.
BruffDawg
September 4th, 2009
11:54 am
Bill, very honest predictions. I also think we will probably go 9-3 with a bowl victory over a big ten team. After watching last night’s game i don’t THINK we will slip versus sc. Maybe Arkansas, maybe not. Can’t wait to watch our dawgs play. Bugs get squashed in november.
GT Fan
September 4th, 2009
11:54 am
No thanks, I didn’t order a happy meal. You guys always screw up my order.
NC Dawg
September 4th, 2009
11:55 am
Monty, your answer is named Willie.
Nick
September 4th, 2009
12:02 pm
10-2 or 11-1 most likely.
All of the games on the schedules are winable and losable. Yes, FL is the defending champ and yes they are better on paper, but on any given day, UGA can beat this team and spoil their season. Anything can happen in rivalry game.
I think UGA defense will be a lot better than last year and will surprises a lot of team. As for offense, they will be better than most people think. The offensive lines will carry this team on their back and Joe Cox will get his credit. This kid will makes the SEC team when it is all say and done.
If all goes well, this team will win the SEC. If all hell break loose, this team will be 8-4 or 7-5.
Yellow Fuzz
September 4th, 2009
12:04 pm
You georgia people may beat the Cowboys and a few other SEC schools but you will walk one step behind the Tech Nation until November. Learn your place. And like it.
BruffDawg
September 4th, 2009
12:05 pm
Every time i see a GT fan on our blog I honestly worry about chemistry sets all over the south being left unattended. Don’t you nerds realize how irresponsible that is? Who is buliding me a better public transportation system right now? Is dragoncon lacking in turnout?
Who Cares
September 4th, 2009
12:05 pm
Who Cares!
Nick
September 4th, 2009
12:07 pm
I always dream about the first game and the season right before it kicks off. Last night, for the first time ever, I dreamed of Tech. Funny thing, I dreamed they lost to J-State. That would be quite hilarious and it was in my dream!
And oh yeah, Go Dawgs!
Steve
September 4th, 2009
12:08 pm
14-0 Natoinal champs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Paul's Johnson
September 4th, 2009
12:09 pm
YellowJizz:
Tech Nation!!!! Give me a break, more like Tech Who Gives A Sh.t!
You LOSERS can’t even sell out your pathetic, little stadium.
Go spoon with your boyfriend on the couch.
GT Fan
September 4th, 2009
12:09 pm
Nick, after tomorrow, both UGA and GT will be 1-0 or GT will be 1-0 and UGA will be 0-1. Just remember that.
Yellow Fuzz
September 4th, 2009
12:10 pm
Enter your envious and ignorant comments here
TWO backs rush for over 100 yards
408 total yards rushing
14 points spotted to you at the half
26-0 BEAT DOWN in the 3rd quarter
45-42 final score
AL, FL & GT’s bitch for all of 2009
LOL
Boise Dawg
September 4th, 2009
12:11 pm
BugKiller we get it… you hate Willie. I won’t defend the guy or the defense last year, but I don’t think you can fire the guy for one bad season. I know many argue it is a declinging trend that started before last year, but if you look at the numbers the defense gave up less than 20 points per game in 05, 06 and 07. In the few games where we gave up a lot of points (Tennessee in 06) the offense had as much to do with it with turnovers (4 turnovers in that Tennessee game) and plenty of 3 and outs.
If you fairly evaluate the Mark Richt era, it is the offense that has lagged behind the defense in every year but last year. I want and expect a top 10 defense. If the defense plays like like last year, then I think Richt will need to make a change… but Willie is never going to be given a chance for redemtion with fans like you.
I feel like if the defense plays great in Stillwater it won’t matter to you. The bottom line is no matter how good our defense gets, if we can’t consistently field a top 20 offense we will never play for a BCS championship…and we have yet to have a top 20 offense under Mark Richt.
Yellow Fuzz
September 4th, 2009
12:15 pm
We may have trouble selling out our stadium because most of our alumni are scattered around the world running companies. But make no mistake Paul’s, we spotted you 2 touch downs at the half last year and proceded to KICK YOUR AZZ in the 2nd half last year to go on to win the GEORGIA BOWL 45-42. That was our number one priority and sadly for you, it is again this year as well.
Yellow Fuzz
September 4th, 2009
12:17 pm
One more time (and this time with meaning)-You georgia people may beat the Cowboys and a few other SEC schools but you will walk one step behind the Tech Nation until November. Learn your place. And like it.
BruffDawg
September 4th, 2009
12:22 pm
Last game we played we won. How bout you? Did you even score a touchdown? I am surprised GT is even ranked after that pitiful performance. PS clemson has good d-ends too, and bowers is going to live in your backfield.
Yellow Fuzz
September 4th, 2009
12:24 pm
Bruffdawg,
last time you played “US” you didn’t win.