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
how2fish
February 17th, 2010
1:53 pm
Reality 30-24 and yes we will be waiting for Nov and we will open up another 55 gallon drum fo whipass all over your Bugs yet again 8-1 and I’m SO glad it still hurts!
DeadDawg
February 17th, 2010
1:54 pm
You idiot Dawg fans cheer because you don’t play ‘Bama or LSU? Funny, I always thought if you want to be a champ, you must beat the champ. You can’t get past Florida, but the head Dawgwasher here (Bill King) says “And, of course, that neutral site for the Florida game hasn’t proved very helpful for the Dogs in recent years.” Recent years!!! Ha, that is hilarious. Florida has absolutely OWNED you d-bags for the past 20 years!!!
But you do have 1 difficult road game this year……Colorado. What? Colorado? They still have a football team? Why don’t you play Texas, or USC, or Oklahoma, or Ohio State, or any other team that CONSISTENTLY finishes in the top 10 year in and year out? Continue to play mediocre ooc teams, and you will continue to be a mediocre team.
Balldawgs
February 17th, 2010
1:56 pm
Here we go again. Another AJC blog to get the dawg nation all roiled up about a winning season.
Dawgs go 6-5 on the season and lose in the Shreveport Bowl to Kansas Community College.
Balldawgs
February 17th, 2010
1:57 pm
“AU will be improved and the new QB was a 5 star who won a national title last year in juco.”
Don’t forget the other two Five Star players they picked up. Auburn will be a beast in the next few years and if Chizek keeps on recruiting like he just did, look for Auburn to win a national title.
how2fish
February 17th, 2010
1:57 pm
DeadDawg what game of the year is UF playing Troy this year? And by the way when does CUM get out of rehab?
Balldawgs
February 17th, 2010
1:58 pm
“Why don’t you play Texas, or USC, or Oklahoma, or Ohio State”
I’m certain UGA could beat Ohio State and Oklahoma. Texas and USC would probably win but who knows?
ga gator
February 17th, 2010
1:58 pm
Gary, I agree with most of your post except that UF is losing only the Center on the OL and have both Tackles returning on the D line. UGA should destroy Colorado, because Big 12 Defenses cannot stop a physical run game. 10-2 would be about right as will the Gators. Big game in Jax will determine East winner.
Lunchtime links: Gators cursed at tackle? | SportsCentral Arkansas
February 17th, 2010
1:58 pm
[...] no Alabama and no LSU, the schedule could be turning in Georgia’s favor the next two [...]
BigTimeTECHFan
February 17th, 2010
1:59 pm
What are the 2 losses?
For sure Florida, mabe GT, not sure who UGA should loss to. They should beat Tech and go 11-1 very easy if they are truely one of the top 10 programs in the county. I’m tech fan but feel with UGA’s talent and good coach they should beat Tech at home. I just hope for upset, Tech lost to many key players.
They don’t play LSU and Bama, the only good SEC team they play is Florida. That’s crazy, If they don’t win or at less tie with FL with 1 SEC loss (to Florida), Richt is going to be on the hot seat for sure. Wait they didn’t play Bama this year did they. What’s up with that.
Wow, End of the season Geogia will be in NT hunt, they will most likely have to play LSU or Bama in title game so they will help them, but if they are tied with other teams like Texas, Oregan, OSU they may not have the schedule to get them in Natl title game.
how2fish
February 17th, 2010
2:01 pm
ga gator I hate it but I have to agree with you…if we can dodge USC we could both be rolling into Jax undefeated , but only time will tell .
Shankit
February 17th, 2010
2:03 pm
Georgia Tech For Life
Ref: Hersey and the Trans Am
A number of Georgia business graduates are car dealers.
Tech could recruit by offering Craftsmen wrenches and
micrometers to potential candidates.
Balldawgs
February 17th, 2010
2:03 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.”
Yep, like I said, the dumbmass UGA fans are already predicting an undefeated season….before a game has even been played.
ga gator
February 17th, 2010
2:03 pm
how2fish, why hate to disagree? I am not as unrealistic as some of my fellow gators. I call like I see em, not thru rose colored glasses.
Balldawgs
February 17th, 2010
2:04 pm
“What are the 2 losses?”
You mean “What are the 4 loses?”
1: Tennessee
2: South Carolina
3: Auburn
4: Florida
AceDawg
February 17th, 2010
2:05 pm
Frankly, UGA should be disappointed if it doesn’t have a shot at a BCS game after they play GTech. Maybe they’d be kept out of the SEC title game if they were to tie Florida and lost to them, or maybe they’d lose the SEC title game, but they should be in place to fit one of those scenarios. UGA, even with a new QB, has NO excuses to not have an awesome offense rivaling anyone in the SEC (even Arkansas who comes down to earth against good defenses), and the defense should improve if Grantham is “the man,” as he seems to be. So, if the offense is very solid, and the defense is respectable, that already should make UGA an easy top 25 team.
I would probably be blowing up the fire Richt websites if UGA doesn’t finish in the top 15 or finish with 10 wins – assuming no unforeseen circumstances occur.
Balldawgs
February 17th, 2010
2:06 pm
“if we can dodge USC we could both be rolling into Jax undefeated , but only time will tell .”
There is no way UGA goes undefeated with the current crop of players. UGA had a terrible recruiting season and coaching always falls apart against teams like Tennessee and Florida.
Look for Auburn to run all over the DAWGS!!!
Woof woof!
Balldawgs
February 17th, 2010
2:07 pm
“UGA, even with a new QB, has NO excuses to not have an awesome offense rivaling anyone in the SEC ”
LOLOLOL!!!! Spoken like a true redneck!
ga gator
February 17th, 2010
2:07 pm
how2fish, dont know about UGA, but no way UF comes into the Jax game undefeated.
Balldawgs
February 17th, 2010
2:08 pm
“I would probably be blowing up the fire Richt websites if UGA doesn’t finish in the top 15 or finish with 10 wins – assuming no unforeseen circumstances occur.”
UGA has a second rate team going into the 2010 season. Look for UGA to finish with a 5-6 loss season.
DeadDawg
February 17th, 2010
2:08 pm
Balldawgs…..you will never know if they could beat Ohio State and Oklahoma because they will never play them. Texas and USC (Southern Cal) are top notch programs, and I just don’t see UGA at that level
Balldawgs
February 17th, 2010
2:08 pm
“but no way UF comes into the Jax game undefeated.”
Yep, that’s because the Gators are incapable of going undefeated. Even St. Timmy could not produce that for you.
Balldawgs
February 17th, 2010
2:10 pm
“ou will never know if they could beat Ohio State and Oklahoma because they will never play them.”
Well, Ohio State has never beaten an SEC team in it’s history. Oklahoma has no defense.
“Texas and USC (Southern Cal) are top notch programs, and I just don’t see UGA at that level”
Yep, but both teams play easy teams and both are in rebuilding seasons.
ga gator
February 17th, 2010
2:11 pm
Balldawgs, you must be bama fan.
how2fish
February 17th, 2010
2:12 pm
ga gator true your not…we are all rabid college football fans and we will not see eye to eye on many subjects due to team favorites etc..but we really don’t need to turn into bile spewing morons to make a point…alas all too often many of us seem to fall into that trap ..and is it just me or does the season seem to take longer to get here every year…??
ga gator
February 17th, 2010
2:15 pm
how2fish, it takes longer to get here and ends quicker each year. I think the surprise team in the East this year could be Kentucky; pretty much their whole offense is back and their QB last year was a true freshman that UF heavily recruited.
ratherBgambling
February 17th, 2010
2:15 pm
You win in the SEC with solid defense and consistent QB play…….UGA won’t have either in 2010.
Balldawgs
February 17th, 2010
2:15 pm
“Balldawgs, you must be bama fan.”
Nope, but it does make me laugh to know that the mighty gators never went undefeated.
By the way, here is a list of the TOP TEN teams of the last decade.
Auburn finished ahead of Florida.
LOLOL
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?columnist=forde_pat&id=4841759
ga gator
February 17th, 2010
2:17 pm
Balldawgs, How many NC’s do you have the past decade; I know you will whine about the one you were robbed.
Balldawgs
February 17th, 2010
2:18 pm
“You win in the SEC with solid defense and consistent QB play…….UGA won’t have either in 2010.”
AMEN! If you want to check out great defenses of the past 10 years in the SEC check out:
Auburn 2004
Alabama 2009
Florida 2008
LSU 2003
All had great defenses but only two of those teams went undefeated.
GO STATE OF ALABAMA!
Balldawgs
February 17th, 2010
2:19 pm
“Balldawgs, How many NC’s do you have the past decade; I know you will whine about the one you were robbed.”
Bama has 1. And yes, Auburn was robbed and NO ONE can deny that.
Shall I go through the list of accomplishments of that 04 team?
ratherBgambling
February 17th, 2010
2:19 pm
Balldawgs—
Where are your Dawgs on that list?
hahahhahahhahahhahahaha
Balldawgs
February 17th, 2010
2:20 pm
“Where are your Dawgs on that list?”
Uh…..I’m not a dawg fan.
DeadDawg
February 17th, 2010
2:21 pm
Balldawgs,
The strength of schedule argument will continue on for decades. I have always said that every conference is pretty much the same. You have 2-3 teams that are exceptional, 2-3 teams that are average, and 2-3 teams that you schedule your homecoming game against. And that goes for EVERY conference. I travel quite a bit for my job, and in each corner of the country and everywhere in between, the sports talk radio shows are full of homers who say their conference is the best, and everybody else plays a weak schedule. If you take the 2-3 strong teams from the better conferences (SEC, Big Ten, Pac 10, Big 12) and play against each other (not UF vs. Cincinnati), I think you will see that the better conferences are a pretty good match against each other.
Ga Tech For Life
February 17th, 2010
2:23 pm
Hey winey dog, want to get together?
Balldawgs
February 17th, 2010
2:23 pm
DeadDawg
Yeah but the SEC has had 5 different teams win the national title in the past 20 years.
Pac 10- 1 team to win NT in the last 50 years.
Big 10 – 3 different teams to win the NT in the last 50 years.
Big 12 – 2 different teams to win the NT in the last 50 years.
So………
Balldawgs
February 17th, 2010
2:27 pm
“I think you will see that the better conferences are a pretty good match against each other.”
Then get behind Obama and build a government coalition to get a playoff system going.
how2fish
February 17th, 2010
2:29 pm
Balldawgs that is a powerful set of stats..never seen it put like that.good info.
DeadDawg
February 17th, 2010
2:30 pm
Balldawgs
Yes, the SEC has done very well in the past 20 years, but I can think of 2 of those teams off hand (LSU in 07 and Florida in 06) that played an inferior OSU team, when I think there were better teams in college football that SHOULD have played for the NT. But, that goes to a playoff system, and I really don’t want to go down that road.
Mark Pricht
February 17th, 2010
2:32 pm
Good to know that the goals are set high and because of my easy schedule next year they expect me to end up 10-2….wasnt that Paul Johnson’s regular season record this year???
DeadDawg
February 17th, 2010
2:32 pm
Bulldawg
I will ONLY get behind Obama to throw his as@ out of office!!!
Balldawgs
February 17th, 2010
2:32 pm
how2fish
Georgia, Alabama, LSU, Florida, Tennessee and yes Auburn to some extent(they were awarded several forms of a national title in 1993 and 2004) won national title(s) in the last 50 years.
USC is the only Pac 10 team to win any in the last 50 years.
Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State are the only teams in the Big 10 to win any.
Texas, Oklahoma and Nebraska won some in the last 50 years.
In the ACC, Florida State, Clemson and Georgia Tech won national titles. Miami doesn’t count because Miami was not in the ACC when they won.
Balldawgs
February 17th, 2010
2:33 pm
“I will ONLY get behind Obama to throw his as@ out of office!!!”
I was of course joking about that. Was really making fun of him since he wants to stick his nose in everyone’s business.
Mike P
February 17th, 2010
2:35 pm
Haha. I love how every year dawg fans think they will win the sec and each year it gets worse and worse.
You WILL lose at least 4 games this year with a freshman qb. 5 is more likely.
how2fish
February 17th, 2010
2:39 pm
Mike P thanks for your assessment..but your wrong..see it works like this if you pull it out of your ass..no facts , no reasons just you say so…well your wrong.Every time you do that you are wrong…
ONLY Fair
February 17th, 2010
2:40 pm
147rd
Ga Tech 4 Life
February 17th, 2010
2:40 pm
I have to go know. Mom only allows me to play on the computer for 10 hours a day.
WonderDawg
February 17th, 2010
2:44 pm
Amen to that DeadDawg.
ratherBgambling
February 17th, 2010
2:46 pm
Balldawgs
February 17th, 2010
2:08 pm
“but no way UF comes into the Jax game undefeated.”
Yep, that’s because the Gators are incapable of going undefeated. Even St. Timmy could not produce that for you.
I’m sure gator fans don’t mind having three NC’s with one loss seasons.
Balldawgs
February 17th, 2010
2:52 pm
“I’m sure gator fans don’t mind having three NC’s with one loss seasons.”
I’m sure they won’t either but none of those 3 national title teams will be remembered with the great all-time teams in college football history.
Saban
February 17th, 2010
2:54 pm
Another 7-5, 6-6 season for the puppies, with the annual beatdown in Jacksonville, oh lets say 44-10.