Dogs could benefit from schedule in 2010
Georgia's schedule finally breaks Mark Richt's way. (Brant Sanderlin / AJC)
Over the past two seasons, as the Dogs were trying to survive absolutely killer schedules, I kept looking ahead at the 2010 and 2011 schedules and thinking that if Mark Richt could solve his defensive problems and find a quarterback, he’d be looking at a definite window of opportunity.
The rotation of SEC West teams that the Dogs face definitely turns advantageous this season (no Bama or LSU) and the most challenging opponent on the nonconference schedule looks to be our in-state rival.
CollegeFootballNews.com is thinking along the same lines. In doing their roundup of the SEC composite schedule for 2010, they see Georgia’s “realistic best case record” as 11-1, the “worst case” record as 7-5 and peg the Dogs’ “likely finish” at 10-2.
Their summary paints a pretty optimistic scenario: “Georgia won’t be the best team in the SEC, but it has the schedule to look that way. Any SEC East team worth its salt would take this slate in a heartbeat. There’s no Alabama or LSU to deal with, Florida, as always, is at a neutral site, Tennessee is a home game, and the road games are at South Carolina, Mississippi State, Kentucky, and Auburn. Throw in a home date against Vanderbilt and anything less than a New Year’s Day bowl appearance will be a mega-disappointment. Even the nonconference schedule works out well with the Georgia Tech game at home and the one tough road trip at Colorado. On the negative side, the game against the Buffs is coming off a road trip to Mississippi State for the only back-to-back road games of the year, and the week off doesn’t come until late November.”
One caveat: CFN also predicted a 10-2 finish for the Dogs in 2009.
And, of course, that neutral site for the Florida game hasn’t proved very helpful for the Dogs in recent years. Plus, under Richt the Dogs actually play better on the road than at home. But a return to New Year’s Day certainly does seem within this team’s grasp. Let’s face it, if they hadn’t blown it against Kentucky last year, they still probably would have played on Jan. 1.
So what do you think? Will anything less than the Outback or Capitol One be a “mega-disappointment” this season? Or is CFN underestimating the rebuilding Richt faces this year?
SUCCESS AT THE CHARITY STRIPE
The men’s basketball Bulldogs aren’t there yet, but the team definitely has improved since Mark Fox came to town, especially in one aspect of the game: free throws.
The Athens Banner-Herald takes a look at that improvement, which sees the dogs leading the SEC by making 72.7 percent from the free-throw line heading into tonight’s game in Knoxville. That’s up from the 63.8 percent they shot last season (which ranked 297th in the nation out of 330 Division I teams) and is on pace to be the team’s best percentage from the foul line since 2001-02, when the Bulldogs converted 73.7 percent of the time, the ABH says. Under Dennis Felton, Georgia never shot better than 67.9 percent.
Travis Leslie, for example, has improved from shooting 57.5 percent last season to 76.1 percent this year. The other Dogs have also improved.
Trey Thompkins, who leads the conference by making 85.7 of his free throws, tells the ABH, that the key to the turnaround is “we just shoot millions and millions of free throws. Once we’re done doing all the grinding in practice, we step up to the free-throw line and knock down free throws. You can’t leave unless you knock them down.”
I’ve never understood basketball coaches who don’t emphasize practicing free throws. It’s like a football coach who ignores the kicking game. Too many games are won or lost at the line.
This is just one more reason for Dogs basketball fans to be pleased with the Fox hire.
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518 comments Add your comment
whiney dog
February 17th, 2010
12:33 pm
Georgia Tech For Life – I agree and that’s why nobody likes them!
Poindexter Jugdish
February 17th, 2010
12:33 pm
Georgia Tech For Life
Can you give me a ride to the QuikTrip to get a slurpee? You do have a gun right?
ga gator
February 17th, 2010
12:35 pm
My prediction remains unchanged: 10-3 with a win in either the Outback or Capital One bowl and that Mettenburger will ultimately win the QB job. Watch out for Dawgs in 2011.
JS
February 17th, 2010
12:36 pm
I give UGA credit for finally playing some national programs the last few years. They have actually travelled west of the Mississippi twice recently. It was the first scheduled game west of the Mississippi since the 1950’s(?). It not your fault Colorado sux and you get almost no credit for that roadtrip. BUT, don’t call out other schools soft schedules. You haven’t played a national schedule long enough to have that type of credit. So quit living in your Dawg fantasy world, your program isn’t a benchmark that anybody uses except Dawg fans!
Brewdawg
February 17th, 2010
12:38 pm
Whopper Dawg
thanks for the site info
Red
February 17th, 2010
12:42 pm
Other than winning at GT in 2009, UGA has not beaten a quality opponent in the last 2 years. Gave up 130+ points in 2008 to Alabama, Gators, and Tech losses. Blown out this year by an average Tennessee team and lost to KY. A New Years day bowl would be welcome next season…we need to separate from the mid-SEC pack before challenging the elite SEC teams.
That guy
February 17th, 2010
12:43 pm
As an avid UGA football fan I would like to ask fellow UGA fans to stop reveling in the win over Tech. Posting the 30-24 win over and over only reinforces the fact that we had to rely on a win over the bugs to make our season. It’s agrevating enough that we had to hold on for the win at the end. If the Tech reciever had held on we would have lost. UGA fans should not be content with being the best in this state. If we truly aspire to be contenders in the SEC and for NC’s, we should not be gloating about a squeak-out win over the Buzz.
gator raid
February 17th, 2010
12:45 pm
The only way the dawgs will be good is from playing patsies. man up your little girls…………oh wait you tried that already and failed!!!!!!!!!!!
DTC
February 17th, 2010
12:47 pm
True UGA basketball fans should be as excited about the hire of Mark Fox as football fans were about the hiring of Mark Richt. Long term, Fox could have a much more consistantly favorable rating with UGA basketball fans than Mark RIcht does with UGA Football fans. Fox will be that good. The main issue is being able to keep him and I think that is a good possibility, because from what little I know, he is as much of a family oriented man as Mark Richt is, as far as wanting to stay in one place to raise his family. He already has high school players from the west coast considering coming all the way out here, who knew him from when he was out there coaching.
OEJ
February 17th, 2010
12:49 pm
This season has the chance to be a good one. For some reason i only see us losing 2 games if any to FL and or AU before going to Atlanta and a bowl game . The only thing i think to focus on is the defense, they wont be great, but they will be better, and this schedule lets them just play football and not have that much pressure on them until the Florida and Auburn game, and i forgot about Arkansas with their passing game. The offense will be fine with whoever is at QB if he doesn’t get nervous and tries to force throws when we decide to pass. With a better DC who can COACH and and the entire offense coming back we could make it to Atlanta for the SEC championship, with a record of 10-2 or 11-1…..Oh and a so called easy schedule means nothing we could still lose, but these two are the only ones i see us having problems with after looking at all the teams that we play this year their probably going to be the toughest games for UGA
Brewdawg
February 17th, 2010
12:50 pm
That Guy
The reason we are all posting that is because prior to the tech game last year, all they would post is the 45 – 43 score from the year before.
DTC
February 17th, 2010
12:52 pm
I am hoping Evans will try to keep it to a minimum on out of conference games. We got caught up in the hoopla of Ok State’s new stadium opening and playing in front of their billionaire alumni who donated all of the money. Evans had no idea that would happen, but, it did, and bad calls possibly caused us a win out there. Not to mention the goofballs during the LSU game, that called themselves referees. They could easily have had 3 more wins than they had in 2009.
Yes, I actually believe that.
Just sayin
February 17th, 2010
12:53 pm
Please someone explain why everyone thinks that Grantham will be a much better coach? Is it because he was hired by Richt or that he will be coaching for UGA? Because, Richts last hire didn’t work out too well and I didn’t see Grantham turning down many offers.
Joe
February 17th, 2010
12:54 pm
Maybe if this team can stop smack talking…stop dancing….cut the turnovers, cut the stupid penalties..stop with the fashion shows….learn some play calling that makes sense…then maybe….just maybe we can no embarras ourselves and play decent football….
how2fish
February 17th, 2010
1:01 pm
Georgia Tech For Life if everyone knew UGA bought that car ..how did the NCAA not know…and Hey when is the last time the Bugs won a bowl game…?? ACC champs 2009 UGA…
Tech's nightmare
February 17th, 2010
1:02 pm
Georgia Tech for Life- When was the last time Tech won one (without sharing)?
run the ball
February 17th, 2010
1:04 pm
Wow!! This is the reason other fans look at us and go: “Wow”. We have no quarteback. 75% of our defense is gone, and we have a new defensive scheme to implement and learn. “Anything less than a new year’s day bowl will be a mega-disappointment”. Do they hand out crack pipes with season tickets?
They only way we will ever win a NC is to establish our team as a power running team. Is Bobo willing to committ to that? What is CMR’s record when we have a back rush for over 100 yds?
check the facts...
February 17th, 2010
1:04 pm
For those of you bashing UF’s OOC schedule why don’t you actually look at the past 20 years and you’ll see that there’s only been 2-3 years max in that time that UGA actually played a better OOC than Florida.
Yes Florida has had Troy and Western Carolina etc… on their schedules and will have them in the future. How is it any different when every year UGA also has those same/similar teams on their schedule.
Also for those that keep saying Florida lost a ton of players, Florida lost all of 3 more starters than UGA did. Even with that the fact is Florida still has a lot more talent and experience top to bottom than UGA.
Steve Spurrier
February 17th, 2010
1:10 pm
You will leave Columbia with your arse in your hand so that must be one of your two losses???
That guy
February 17th, 2010
1:10 pm
Brewdawg, I understand that we are posting in response to them posting the previous year’s score. However, they are posting that score because that was probably the biggest win of the decade for them. Our win over them this year sadly was our best win in the worst year in a couple of decades. Lets move on. Quit giving them the satisfaction of our attention.
Will Dawg
February 17th, 2010
1:14 pm
GT for life…er St. Simon’s go away
sux to be you if GT for life
Last time you won a BCS game….oh never!!
HBTD
THWGT
73-66!!
This Buzz for You
February 17th, 2010
1:14 pm
Georgia’s “realistic best case record” as 11-1, the “worst case” record as 7-5 and peg the Dogs’ “likely finish” at 10-2.
There it is, now we will have to wait and see. Notice that you have at least one loss in the best case scenario, guess who?, Jackets baby!
Brewdawg
February 17th, 2010
1:17 pm
Lol @ Willdawg
That Guy
You are right, i just hate their annoying fans
oldmaninatlanta
February 17th, 2010
1:17 pm
Give Mark Fox a couple of years to get the program where it should be and PFFFT he will be gone.Abig time school will snatch him away and they will be looking for their next RON JIRSA and they will be looking at more 12 win seasons.
wiley
February 17th, 2010
1:18 pm
You guys do realize your 3-7 in conference, a very bad conference I might add, and 0-8 on the road? GT is still in the hunt for an at large bid….ie they could still win a national title. If your satisfied with just beating Tech…than your no better than a Tech football fan who is happy after a 1-11 season with one victory over UGA.
how2fish
February 17th, 2010
1:20 pm
This Buzz for You …that’s the funniest thing I’ve read today! I hope your not driving.
Guess what?
February 17th, 2010
1:21 pm
St Slimey’s back! guess what his… I mean her new user name is? Answer: Georgia Tech for Life
Poindexter Jugdish
February 17th, 2010
1:22 pm
Georgia Tech For Life what is this circle of the jerk that you are wanting to set up?
Can You Dig It
February 17th, 2010
1:23 pm
Gators and Jacket fans are going to be in for a long season this year…..I see at least 4-5 loses for each team…can’t wait to hear the excuses the gator and jacket fans come up with. You can be sure that it will be everyone else’s fault and not thier team’s. I can’t wait to watch Urban Liar cry on TV and place the blame on everyone but himself….let the good times begin…Can You Dig It!
wiley
February 17th, 2010
1:24 pm
Oh and I find it very funny every time Bill King tries to predict what kind of season UGA will have. I mean is your argument seriously…if we have a good QB and solve our defensive problems we will have a good team?? That statement would be true for any team that had a down year…I mean if Colorado solved the QB problem and fixed defensive problems…they would be good too! IMHO UGA will go 8-4. Name a team with freshman QB, and a defense this young that went 10-2 or better in the SEC…..crickets chirping. I thought so.
SSIgator
February 17th, 2010
1:26 pm
Can You Dig It -
A little early in the day for large quantities of Kool-Aid don’t you think? 1980 – So long ago.
DanO
February 17th, 2010
1:26 pm
Looks like it will be a little shorter drive for DaRick’s family to see him and the Vols run the Dawgs out of their stadium. UT will also benefit from playing in Georgia and that may mean we take the top 2 or 3 recruits from GA this year instead of just the top one!
Richt is Fulmer from five years ago minus the NC ring! Doubt he makes it past next year!
ak4771
February 17th, 2010
1:29 pm
Bill…..
Can you just write an article without asking us “What do you think?” ? I get so tired of that crap. Do you actually get paid to write these articles? And the sad part about all of this is….there are some people who just sit back and wait on you to post and cant wait to weigh in on the topic. You all need to get a life til football season is back again. So what do you think??
Brewdawg
February 17th, 2010
1:29 pm
Vanderbilt almost beat tech this year lol
McDawg
February 17th, 2010
1:30 pm
see ya in Boulder
Reality
February 17th, 2010
1:32 pm
Keep posting the 30-24 score. We’ll remember that Nov in Athens….your time is coming.
Bremen Dawg
February 17th, 2010
1:33 pm
Good article, I think we can make it to a New Years Day bowl game. The schedule could really help a new QB and the defense will be good. Not dominate yet but good.
wiley
February 17th, 2010
1:36 pm
Brewdawg…anytime you beat a team by 25…I wouldn’t say they almost beat us. Last time I checked they play 4 quarters….vandy won the first two yes…but we laid the wood on them after.
Brewdawg
February 17th, 2010
1:37 pm
Bremen Dawg
I agree with ya on that, it will take time for the new D to break in and the first part of the schedule will be good for one of our Rookie QB’s coming in
DeadDawg
February 17th, 2010
1:38 pm
Weak schedule for UGA? Huh, so what else is new. Sad that the only hope UGA has in being respectable is to have a weak schedule. That is absolutely pitiful. But then again, you have been pretty much an average team since 1980.
Brewdawg
February 17th, 2010
1:39 pm
Honestly i didnt see the second half of the game, i thought it was closer than that. Damn!
dawg man
February 17th, 2010
1:40 pm
Get the National Championship trophies ready for the next 4 years, 14-0 for all four. Bet every team on our schedule is already trembling. Expect 2 or 3 to forfeit rather than get run off the field by the dawgs.
KJ
February 17th, 2010
1:40 pm
“Keep posting the 30-24 score. We’ll remember that Nov in Athens”
Awwww, did you get your vag bruised by us posting that score? Maybe you and your boy St. Simons won’t be so quick to rub it in when you win your one game per decade next time, hope you learned something.
Andy in Blairsville
February 17th, 2010
1:40 pm
Perfect.
We all know what happens when the media picks UGA in the preseason to have a big year.
Maybe they can put somebody’s picture on the cover of SI too?
dawgfacedboy
February 17th, 2010
1:44 pm
Florida proved that in the SEC you can play a patsy schedule and still be considered the best. Soooooooooo why would we schedule big time OOC games?!?!?!?!?!
Happy Dog
February 17th, 2010
1:47 pm
Does anyone know where the National Championship game will be played this season? Going to go ahead and make my reservations–I know the Dawgs will be there.
Gary
February 17th, 2010
1:47 pm
The schedule does setup up nicely for this young Dawg team. The two games that I am currently suspect about are the SC and Miss St. games. The SC game is the first road test for both our new QB and our new defense. Garcia lit up the secondary last year, but our new defensive coaches are tuned to the offense he runs and one of them knows how to shut Garcia down. The Miss St. game will be a true road test because the other “Dawgs” will be improved and Starkville on a Saturday night with those cowbells will a tough place to come out of with a W.
I saw above where someone mentioned Auburn being better this year. While that may be true on the defensive side of the ball, the Tigers are breaking in a new QB as well as UT and UF. Both UT and UF will be retooling their defenses and offensive lines. UGA has a chance to beat both and should beat UT at home. Gotta win that one. Saying Boulder will be a tough trip is laughable. They did play us tough in 2006 but back then the Dawgs lacked a true running game. All in all, I can see where the Dawgs end up 10-2. This is a young team and mistakes are going to happen. Let’s just see if the coaching improvements have any effect.
Buzzzed
February 17th, 2010
1:50 pm
Memo to Hewitt:
“I’ve never understood basketball coaches who don’t emphasize practicing free throws. It’s like a football coach who ignores the kicking game. Too many games are won or lost at the line.”
Memo 2 to Hewitt:
“Once we’re done doing all the grinding in practice, we step up to the free-throw line and knock down free throws. You can’t leave unless you knock them down.”
Dunkley
February 17th, 2010
1:52 pm
“Brian Randolph doesn’t say much but when the Marietta (Ga.) Kell safety said he has a favorite school then people in these parts should listen up closely – because Florida stands out more to him than any other program at this point.” – Adam Gorney
More top prospects leaving the state expected in 2011
Dogpoo
February 17th, 2010
1:53 pm
UGA loses 3. Losses to UF, AU and take your pick for the 3rd loss. Too much talent at UF. AU will be improved and the new QB was a 5 star who won a national title last year in juco.