Word from a Dawg in Bayou Bengal country
The Hat hasn't beaten Georgia. (Associated Press)
I heard yesterday from my old friend Owen, who I’ve known since we were in Mrs. Booth’s kindergarten class in Athens. These days, he’s a clinical psychologist living in Baton Rouge but still a Bulldog to the core.
Owen provided a summary of talking points about the LSU-UGA match-up down on the Bayou:
The revenge factor. The LSU players are talking about payback for the whipping Georgia laid on the Tigers in Death Valley last year (which Owen had “the pleasure” of attending).
The frustration factor. Les Miles has never beaten UGA.
The respect factor. Or the lack thereof. Although ranked No. 4 in the country, LSU is essentially unproven. The feeling in Baton Rouge is that the national media thinks LSU is overrated and is not of the same caliber as Alabama and Florida (which particularly rankles the Tiger faithful).
Owen’s conclusion: “All of this says to me that LSU feels like it has a lot to prove and an ideal chance to prove it” against Georgia.
Ah yes, another week, another team that’s keying on its game against Georgia.
So far, the Dogs have handled that challenge pretty well, losing only in a game in which their quarterback was sick. But, frankly, they haven’t played a team of LSU’s caliber up to now.
What do you think? Is this Georgia team “man enough” to handle the Hat and his Tigers?
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115 comments Add your comment
TIDETALK12
September 30th, 2009
12:26 pm
Ga has a lot better Quarterback. He has learned from his mistakes and his years of learning his plays.You will cut down on tour turnovers when you know all your plays.I have heard that the LSU qtrback does not have all his plays memorized yet.
TIDETALK12
September 30th, 2009
12:27 pm
I am sorry that should be your
fldawg
September 30th, 2009
12:31 pm
Wow Aint Simons must have no life at all, you must get up early just to make sure he is the first on a UGA blog. Here is a list of things you can do while you are waiting for the next blog. Get a new team, that way you can read your teams current year instead of living in the past. Get a girlfriend, i m sure you are tired of turning off the porn to check and see if the UGA blog is out yet., get a job, you have way to much free time.
p.s. after watching tech get trashed by miami, then watching miami get trashed by va. tech, you can’t be to excited about the rest of the year. tuck feck loser!
coachdawg 2000
September 30th, 2009
12:31 pm
a## whipping i’m afraid.
matt
September 30th, 2009
12:31 pm
UGA should expect to see a heavy dose of Russell Shepard. The running game is lacking and Shepard is just what the doctor ordered. Georgia has more experience though so that might be the difference here. Again, turnovers are key, as they always are. LSU has forced 10 turnovers this year compared to only 3 giveaways. The offense has done just enough to win games this year and as long as the defense doesn’t blow this one, LSU should be in good shape. Not really sure who UGA has at WR besides Green but he’ll be tied up with Peterson all day. Charles, the TE might be the difference maker for UGA against the LSU LB’s. I hope to see some battles between Chad Jones and Charles.
matt
September 30th, 2009
12:35 pm
Tidetalk: Jefferson is only a sophomore and no he does not have ALL of Crowton’s playbook down but he does have a good grasp on about 60% of it. What makes JJ dangerous though is his ability to get out of the pocket and make something happen, either thru the air or on the ground. One thing he has shown though is that he does not force the ball and turn it over. Those are signs of a comfortable QB and I like that. JJ has now started games @Arkansas, @Bowl Game, @Washington, and @Miss St. While UGA is always a hectic place to play, I think JJ will be ok.
Jborodawg
September 30th, 2009
12:39 pm
Yes, the O can’t turn the ball over, leaving the D with bad field position the whole game. We need: Cox to be consistent; get at least 100 yds rushing; the D to force some turnovers; the D to bring pressure; better kickoff & punt coverage. In other words, it’s gonna take a complete game…cause LSU IS good.
Sambeaux
September 30th, 2009
12:41 pm
Enter your comments here I’m just lookin’ forward to seein’ some of those Georgia Peaches ya’ll have over there- Screw the game! LOL
Matt
September 30th, 2009
12:48 pm
Not from what I’ve seen they aren’t.
Cuz
September 30th, 2009
12:52 pm
Time to tighten up!!!!!
Dr M
September 30th, 2009
12:56 pm
Bill, Miss Booth was first rate and our first grade teacher, Miss Stovall (aka Miss Snowball), was just as good. I was listening to local sports talk radio (WSKR “the score”) and your colleague, Chip Towers, was the guest. Chip mentioned Georgia’s -3 TO average and the loss of #’s 1, 7, and 24 from last year’s offense (77% of our production, according to Chip). Chip picked the Tigers to win because of our O against LSU’s D. Make no mistake, LSU is talented and deep and they will challenge us to beat them throwing. Chip also mentioned the anti-Willie sentiment in the Bulldog Nation and the discontent over not making the BCS championship game. Chip’s take was the breaks have not fallen UGA’s way, as opposed to LSU. Hard to argue with any of that, but I still like the Dawgs if Joe Cox makes good decisions about throwing, the RB’s hold onto the ball, and we don’t jump around prior to the snap…. Owen (aka Dr M)
Lance
September 30th, 2009
12:57 pm
St. Simon is the Flag Boy. How manly to be a GT nerd.
Sambeaux
September 30th, 2009
12:59 pm
Enter your comments here
I like the Dawg fans- we always have a good time when they come over here. I think it will be an extremely close game. Turnovers will decide the winner, IMHO…..
Dr M
September 30th, 2009
12:59 pm
PS The other 23% of offensive production must have been #8, and to paraphrase what you said on Sunday, “Thank God (or deity of choice) for AJ!”
Dawg Pound
September 30th, 2009
1:00 pm
We’re gonna have to get better play from our tailbaks. They have to pull their load!!! Joe is gonna keep us in it, but then theirs our defense!!!! Lord have Mercy! Go dawgs!!
#1 BAMA FAN
September 30th, 2009
1:08 pm
To all of the decent DAWG and TIGER fans good luck this Saturday. To all of the nasty DAWG fans, you are a bunch of leg humping, butt sniffing crotch lickers. RTR
uuugh...
September 30th, 2009
1:09 pm
L-Dawg…why is it you think we deserve respect? If anything we have looked consistently suspect. If one thing is going right something else is going wrong.
The only things consistently right are AJ, Rennie, and B. Walsh. Everyone else needs to step it up…and yes that means YOU Captain and YOU Coaches!
Jo Yo Yo
September 30th, 2009
1:12 pm
Reality check UGA fans- Florida’s backup quarterback is better than COX, hands down. You will be finding this out the next three seasons.
Where's Our Offense?
September 30th, 2009
1:13 pm
The frustration factor is that the LSU offense is trash. We LSU fans could care less who about revenge or respect, we just wanna see the team play at a much higher level.
uuugh...
September 30th, 2009
1:14 pm
Jo Yo Yo…that comparison will not matter at all this year, as Tebow will be back. It will not matter next year or the year after that either because Cox will be gone.
Other than these problems, great post!
W-Dawg
September 30th, 2009
1:16 pm
Wiley: FYI
According to CBS Sports, which creates its own poll based on their staff and a strength of schedule rating, UGA has faced the 15th toughest schedule to date, white Tech has faced the 9th toughest schedule. Check back in 2 months after UGA has played LSU, Florida, Tennessee and Auburn, and Tech has played Mississippi State, FSU, Virginia, and Vanderbilt (yeah we play them too).
WTF is up with voters by the way? How is South Carolina unranked after Ole Miss got taken to the woodshed by them last Thursday?
And one more thing. Just what would the Dawgs record be if we lost as Herbstreit predicted? What. A. Tool.
UGA 38
LSU 37
Oledawg
September 30th, 2009
1:19 pm
FLA DAWG- 8/8 betting houses have UGA by 3, not LSU. Go to USA Today, college football, pull down rt legend (miscellaneous, I think) and click matchup/odds. On this page click odds again in top legend. UGA is -3 on all betting houses which means they are favored by 3.
I’ll ask again: What has LSU added since last year that makes them tougher? We have added more. Their O line and D is similar to ours. Many think the difference between the teams is the absence of Staff and Mo. The largest factor in this even matchup is our O line. If they open the holes, we certainly will win. That “If” has gotten larger with each game we play. Our running backs are the best two we have had in years and can lay some yards on LSU, but will get stacked at the line if small creases don’t appear in time. Richard needs a larger crease than Caleb and they both can get around end. The blocking has to be consistently good for us to win this game. Hang on to your hats! This may be another lollapaloosa. We respect LSU as having athletes as we do, but we certainly don’t fear them. Miles hasn’t beaten us yet for good reason; Richt hasn’t let him. Don’t you remember how LSU was touted over us when Greene and Staff beat them? This should be one of the weakest LSU teams we have faced in a long time. Miles won the NC off Saban’s players. He is a coach to respect, but I respect Richt’s coaching more. We can handle them, but they can break loose-as we can, so the guild is off the lily. Hunker down Dawgs and Fight Hard! We are all looking for a great and competitive game. Besides, they are looking ahead to FU.
Dr M
September 30th, 2009
1:21 pm
From today’s Baton Rouge Advocate:
>A big reason Georgia is able to produce in the passing game again is the return of the SEC’s top receiver, A.J. Green.
Green, who led the league with 963 receiving yards as a freshman last year, is leading the SEC in both receptions (25) and receiving yards (428) this season. He’s the reigning SEC Player of the Week after an eight-catch, 153-yard game against Arizona State.
“He’s a slim guy, pretty fast,” said LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson, who could match up against the 6-foot-4, 208-pound Georgia sophomore. “He’s real talented, probably at least a top-five receiver in the SEC this year.”
Green’s also the first marquee receiver LSU will face this season. The No. 2-rated wide receiver in the nation coming out of high school, Green will present Peterson, the nation’s top-rated defensive back in the same recruiting class, with a matchup worth tuning in for.<
Comment from Dr. M: AJ is "probably at least a top five receiver in the SEC this year?!?!!" Put that up on the bulletin board, coaches!
Dr M
September 30th, 2009
1:23 pm
And: <“(LSU) coach (Les Miles) knows what’s best for the team,” said Peterson, whose 37-yard interception return for a touchdown got LSU off to a fast start in last week’s 30-26 win over Mississippi State. “But hey, if he gives me that duty, I’ll be more than happy to guard (Green) all night.”
The link is: http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/62780702.html?index=14&c=y
Oledawg
September 30th, 2009
1:24 pm
Sambeaux- Correct.
Dawg Fud
September 30th, 2009
1:33 pm
I honestly don’t know what LSU proves by beating a badly coached and underperforming Georgia team. They should, and will likely, kill us.
matt
September 30th, 2009
1:34 pm
OleDawg: I hope UGA has the same mentality as you do. Trust me LSU is not looking forward to UF. It seems we got caught last week looking ahead to UGA but I guarantee you that Les is not overlooking UGA. Not after last year.
And no, last year was probably the weakest team LSU has had in quite a while.
Kendawg
September 30th, 2009
1:34 pm
If we can end the string of turnovers, we should have a good chance against LSU. If we have three turnovers again, it will be difficult at best. Any bets on how the UGA defense will play against LSU?
Dawg Fud
September 30th, 2009
1:36 pm
would you say the weakest team since the 3-8 Jerry Dinardo team, Matt?
Oledawg
September 30th, 2009
1:38 pm
Burfict(ASU) has shown how to stack our running game, but LSU has to suspect we will account for good linebackers in this game. If the ground game goes then LSU can’t afford to double up Green. Linebackers will have to stuff the line and Green will outjump single coverage. Look for DEs on both sides to rule the game. We know and LSU knows that these qbs can be rattled with a few sacks. That’s when Logan needs to show up. The ability of the qb to run will unlatch the stunts.
Dawg Fud
September 30th, 2009
1:38 pm
Oledawg – you should also mention that Georgia has “added” a nasty turnover ratio.
Still waiting for us to play a game where we don’t turn it over.
HH
September 30th, 2009
1:39 pm
Who knows? Saturday might be his lucky day.
Oledawg
September 30th, 2009
1:53 pm
matt-The media is spinning Miles/LSU’s scedule and have him commenting on Tebow’s health/whether he thinks he will play. I’m sure Miles personally would like otherwise, but the media is doing him no favors with their interviews. How can you take them “one game at the time” when discussing two weeks out? We are not just a “good” team, rather we are great team trying to put everything together. That is your advantage and disadvantage in that you are in the same boat. We will know Sat which one put it together first.
gregdog
September 30th, 2009
2:13 pm
I’m going to sound like Munson, but I just don’t see anyway the Dawgs win this game. LSU has a +8 turnover ratio, and the Dawgs have a -9…ouch! They have huge receivers, UGA has small db’s. They have db’s to at least get in the same vacinity as AJ hops wise. Our offensive line has stunk run blocking, or the rb’s are just not that good, either way it doesn’t look good for my dawgs. People keep talking about stopping the TO’s, but we have been consistent in two areas this year. (1) 3 to’s a game (and taking 1), and (2) many, many penalties. Regardless, I’ll be there on Saturday screaming my head off and rooting for my Dawgs to win!
btw…IF we can stop the to’s and stupid penalties we can win this game…just not expecting that because it hasn’t happened all year.
Brad
September 30th, 2009
2:16 pm
“St. Simons” likes little boys.
GO DAWGS
September 30th, 2009
2:17 pm
F##K YOU Roll Tide Roll !!! Your coach is a liar,yall are on probation,Bear Bryant is dead,Alabama women are fat and toothless,Coach Richt has a winning record against Alabama,trust me yaii DO NOT HAVE 12 NATIONAL TITLES Trust me that is a complete joke 12 titles LOL,yall have not won SEC championship in years and years and years,your schedule is a joke and guess what AJ Green rules Julio Jones.HA HA HA HA HA HA HA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oledawg
September 30th, 2009
2:22 pm
By the way- the team that wins should promise the other team that they will bust FU’s arrogant chops. Hope we win for that reason alone. You LSU fans post coherently and it’s a pleasure to blog with you. I remember some good supportive logs last year as well.
The ignorant media is pushing LSU in order to get a “Game of the week” with LSU/FU. They have the money on your pony and have relegated UGA as an afterthought. That is not your doing. They cheer you on after diverting your attention to FU by saying you are the “upset special” this week. All of this is media driven, not fan driven. According to the betting houses we are favored; therefore the “upset” would occur if LSU wins. “Overrated” is a media gimmick as well. They thrust you up and after actually watching a tough game or two they are hedging their bets so they can win/win no matter the outcome. It is refreshing to blog with fans who tell you why they base their opinion on player/ team bias. That’s what fans do out of respect for the other team, but not the media. They polish the apple and put your team as high as tolerable in building toward their “Big Game” they are promoting. That means getting LSU as close to FU in the poll as possible in order to enhance the validity of declaring FU #1. Then they hope FU will kill you off to make them look like friggin’ gurus. On the other hand fans can blog straightforward about team and players without the hype and compare our teams as we see them since we know more about our teams than those media hacks. Rankings don’t mean crap when two great teams meet.
Double dawg down
September 30th, 2009
2:29 pm
2 turnovers and more than 5+ penalties dawgs lose.
Win on special teams, field position and minimize the first two and LSU goes home licking their wounds. It is that easy.
PS. I am the biggest MSU fan in the country this week.
Go Dawgs GATA!!!
bamafan
September 30th, 2009
3:06 pm
Hey Go Dawgs – try to be nice. Yes, Bear Bryant is dead. Sorry, but we really have 17 titles but only claim 12 since other five were awarded by less well known organizations. UGA has five. Yes, we know we haven’t won an SEC title since 1999. Yes, we know we are on probation and most of us are not happy about it (both with the University and the NCAA). Certainly, our schedule would be tougher if it included UGA this year, but those things are done by the SEC. As for non-conference opponents, most of us don’t like playing cupcakes as there is no gain in winning big and lots of criticism for playing them.
Plus there is the added embarrassment when we lose to LA-Monroe or Central Florida. We did play UCLA and Oklahoma home and home but that was a few years ago. I would much rather play a schedule like we did in 1978 when we played 7 SEC games and our out of conference opponents were Southern Cal, Nebraska, Missouri, Washington, and Penn State (in the Sugar Bowl). We won the national title with an 11-1 record. Congrats to Coach Richt for winning 3 of the last 4 against us. What can I say? My mother is not fat, and my wife is from South Carolina.
FLA DAWG
September 30th, 2009
3:11 pm
Oledawg,
Thanks for setting me straight on the line. I saw it but read it backwards – old age I guess. Look Old Dawg I’m with you all the way on our talent exceeding theirs. But I have zero confidence in relying on our Defense. I have watched our Dawgs play ONE good Defensive Game this season.
I repeat that if The Dawg D shows up and plays like last week we win. But I have to tell you that I keep getting that “Alabama Slaughter” feeling when I think of the LSU or UF games!
CW5-Dawg
September 30th, 2009
3:35 pm
Dawgs favored by 3, not LSU favored by 3. Why, I have no ideal.
Someone above stated that the Dogs will get a reality check this week. I don’t know what other reality check we could get that we haven’t already gotten this season.
Looking forward to seeing a great game with the fine fall weather finally getting here. Go Dawgs.
Bill King
September 30th, 2009
3:42 pm
DawgDays:
Yep. Same Owen as Zambo Flirts.
CW5-Dawg
September 30th, 2009
3:50 pm
I forgot to mention that A.J. Green is finally getting a small bit of Heisman talk over at ESPN. Well deserved I must say.
wiley
September 30th, 2009
3:54 pm
WDawg…I think at the end of the year it will be about even, because LSU is not going to remain in the top 10 in my opinion. Miami should finish in the top ten because their schedule gets easy after Oklahoma. Clemson will end the year ranked because the Atlantic is weak and Clemson should cruise with the exeption of NC State. I think when all is said and done GT will have played 4 teams ranked at the end of the year…Clemson, Miami, Georgia, and VT. Georgia will have faced 4 teams also ranked at the end of the year. UF, LSU, Auburn, and maybe SC or Ok State but who knows. Im just sick of people saying we play a weak schedule and you play the toughest schedule ever. I dont think the SEC is as strong as it was in the past….just my opinion.
Oledawg
September 30th, 2009
4:05 pm
FLA DAWG- That’s because we have been falsely sensitized by the media pandering to the naysayers. You need to read the article David Hale wrote last week using data that is promulgated intellectually honest by Jim F.. That will put the true perspective on the D and Martinez, who by the way is doing a fine job or Richt wouldn’t tolerate it. Don’t listen to hacks like Bradley who has the gall to call for a coaches job just to get key clicks and money by pandering to a negative mob that aren’t fans. They are fairweather fans no matter how they hang the “rose-colored glasses” label on you to substantiate their negativity. I wear the label with pride. Hale’s article hangs a sign of “fearmongerer” on pundits, chief of which is Bradley(he is still at it today even though he has been shown up as a lynch mob leader). Martinez, you will find out, is a good coach that has needed someone to do the data. It clearly shows that the D was performing adequately before last week’s game which should have laid it all to rest. There are those who want us to consume a great football program from within whereas their data that leads them to that point is greatly flawed. They don’t know Jack Schitt even though he blogs here from time to time.
They have many people sensitized to anything negative that happens on D such that no one can view events in the proper perspective, but rather will jump on the “FireWillie” bandwagon. The article(In Defense of the D) in Hale’s archives(start at Dawgbone.net to see Hale’s articles) clearly places the D into perspective when you see field position and the number of times the D has won the games with stops. Everyone should ask any sport’s writer why he thinks it is his business to threaten an asst coach’s job with his FLAWED OPINION. Richt is the head coach and this is one of his assts working with him. He answers to the AD who answers to the President who answers to the Provost and the Bd. of Regents who listen to the alumni. Who the hell is Bradley? An arrogant writer on the AJC sports staff who is continuing to try to sell his angst and misery to the fan base. Nothing else of importance to the business of UGA. The Bulldog Nation fanbase should stuff him!
Anonymous 'Cos
September 30th, 2009
4:25 pm
Hey Dawg fans, are you tired of Saint Simons? Again? I just posted the following on the Tech blog and thought you might enjoy the head’s up as well. Get ready to type…
“I merely came on here to let your fanbase know that Saint Simons is loose on Georgia blogs again. You all need to put a collar on that one, unless you want all the Dawg fans on here again (See Miami game blogs!!) Thought he/ you learned your lesson.
By the way, Saint Simons wakes up and patrols OUR blogs so he can be the first. Yet i don’t see a single blog entry from Saint Simons anywhere on his own board. Doesn’t that tell you something? What a jack@ss. See you back here after your next loss i guess with 100 of my Dawg friends. Sorry in advance, sorry you have Saint Simons. Just a head’s up…”
Go Dawgs!!!
Oledawg
September 30th, 2009
4:28 pm
Bill King- What are you on with that post to DawgDays. Where is his post? Are you on another blog? Writing any more “whiney” articles about Richt? I’ll give you $100/qtr oz for that stuff you are on.
Mike T.
September 30th, 2009
4:44 pm
unproven means cupcake schedule, just like uga!!!!!!!!!
Georgia a cupcake schedule? Its official, St. Simons knows nothing about football,except what the score of the Tech game was last year.Anybody that looks at the Dawgs schedule and thinks its weak reguardless of whether they pull for the Dawgs or not has no football credibility.
Oledawg
September 30th, 2009
4:46 pm
CW5-Dawg- You bet it will be a reality check! As you said, we have had ours. Practice makes more perfect and we should expect the Dawgs to be jumping up and down trying to get out of the gate. LSU knows there are multiple weapons-too many to prepare for adequately with FU coming next week-and if thereare other receivers they aren’t familiar with, one should stand out. Rantavious Wooten was committed to LSU before decommitting and joining the Dawgs. We can hope he can get Les’s attention with more than one catch if they doublecover AJ.
Mike T.
September 30th, 2009
5:13 pm
Hey Bama fan
Instead of jumping on Go Dawgs for his comment why not admonish Roll Tide Roll for his,
He is the one that made the flame,what do ya’ll expect to get on a AJC Georgia blog and say their losers? About the same that we get on a Tuscaloosa Bama Blog.Maybe you Bammers need to
go help Saban figure out how to keep Mcleroy from getting put in the hospital like Tebow was.