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
J Dawg
February 17th, 2010
2:56 pm
Ga Tech 4 Life
Seriously, You’ve got to be kidding. Last 10 games vs. Uga . good one!!
gator mike
February 17th, 2010
2:56 pm
It is good for our rivalry to see the loyal UGA Fans thinking positive. It should make for a great game in Jax this year, and I look forward to it. CMR is a very good coach, and it is god to see that he is appreciated at UGA.
I am not a drum beater, but I caution folks not to think that the GATORS will be in the tank this year. I am very optimistic about the team without TT and all of the hoopla which was out of control. It is much better to be in the hunt than to be hunted. Coach Meyer will be OK.
Go Gators.
DeadDawg
February 17th, 2010
2:57 pm
Hey Ga Tech For Life, I want some of that action. I’m so lonely, I need a hairy chest to rest my cheek on.
Otto
February 17th, 2010
2:58 pm
Why can’t UF come into Jax undefeated?
USF, UT, and UK all have new coaches
Bama has turnover
The LSU program is going downhill.
MSU is at home.
UGA looks much the same. Sadly UF will have their new QB up to speed quicker and most likley before UGA has even decided on a QB.
UGA has played a tougher OOC in just about every year in the past except where UF plays Miami. UF played Miami 3 times after 2000 and not once in the 90s. OOC in the 90s were about even between UGA and UF.
Otto
February 17th, 2010
2:59 pm
Gator MIke, Yes God appreciates CMR’s work.
Balldawgs
February 17th, 2010
3:00 pm
“Why can’t UF come into Jax undefeated?”
Auburn is on the way up. They will be MUCH tougher to beat this year.
Balldawgs
February 17th, 2010
3:03 pm
Otto
Whoops, I read that line wrong. Thought you wrote UGA going undefeated. Florida won’t go undefeated because they will do what they always do which is lose 1 or more games.
Otto
February 17th, 2010
3:05 pm
UF doesn’t play Auburn in 2010
Rural Myers
February 17th, 2010
3:05 pm
One of the reasons Urban Meyer is so successful is that there are always colleges like Charleston Southern willing to jump into the blender for a big payday.
gatrosam
February 17th, 2010
3:06 pm
Forget the out of conference “giants” that the mighty Dawgs faced and the “junior colleges” that the poor little “lizards” faced. How do the in conference win-loss stats compare? Can’t wait to hear the spin in your answers
Just sayin
February 17th, 2010
3:07 pm
Balldawgs, how long do you think it will take Chizik to go on probation? He has an ex Gator as a QB this year and he must be trouble if Meyer kicked him off the team.
Balldawgs
February 17th, 2010
3:07 pm
“UF doesn’t play Auburn in 2010″
I know, I misread your comment.
gatrosam
February 17th, 2010
3:09 pm
Dear rural myers: when did Charleston Southern join the SEC? I think they should are scheduled to join right after UGA again wins the SEC in er….football?
J Dawg
February 17th, 2010
3:11 pm
Auto
what ya gonna do on 3rd and 3 now that cry baby Timmy is gone and both your running backs weigh 155. Good luck on the road at Bama !!
2010 Gators 5-3 Sec Bank on it
Balldawgs
February 17th, 2010
3:11 pm
“I think they should are scheduled to join right after UGA again wins the SEC in er….football?”
Grammar fail?
gatrosam
February 17th, 2010
3:11 pm
By the way, I root for the Dawgs except when they “play” the Gators!!!
Rural Myers
February 17th, 2010
3:14 pm
Hey Sam,
Ever think about taking a remedial English class? Might help you in your career.
Made famous by Hershel
February 17th, 2010
3:14 pm
Dawgs will never be as good as my “80″ team
Otto
February 17th, 2010
3:15 pm
Bulldawgs, The correction went in while I was typing the reply.
Balldawgs
February 17th, 2010
3:16 pm
“Dawgs will never be as good as my “80″ team”
Well, dem dawgs will never be as good as my 1834 Notre Dame team! 2-0!!!!!!
What a joke.
Balldawgs
February 17th, 2010
3:16 pm
“Bulldawgs, The correction went in while I was typing the reply.”
Ok, no problem.
ga gator
February 17th, 2010
3:16 pm
Rural Myers, all teams schedule them, how about Lousiana Monroe and Idaho State this year for the Dawgs and I believe next year you have Charleston Southern.
Antwon
February 17th, 2010
3:19 pm
DEAR GEORGIA TECH FOR LIFE. STOP. WHO HAS LOST FIVE, COUNT ‘EM FIVE BOWL GAMES IN A ROW? STOP. CAN YOU MAKE IT AN EVEN SIX THIS COMING SEASON? STOP.
tough non-conf schedule
February 17th, 2010
3:20 pm
Better be thankful the dawgs play the yellow jackets for a bump in schedule strenght – what with the other non-conference teams in 2010. Univ of Louisiana Lafeyette 6-6
Colorado 3-9
Idaho State 1-10.
Let’s hope the dawgs can handle that rich diet!
Otto
February 17th, 2010
3:23 pm
J Dawg, I’m a UGA fan.
UF is still in better position to be in the top 2 teams in the SEC.
Balldawgs
February 17th, 2010
3:24 pm
tough non-conf schedule
Back in 2004 Auburn got a lot of crap for playing the Citidel even though Bowling Green pulled out to play Oklahoma. Looking back on that season, the Citidel was the only really easy team on the list. Seems to me that if Georgia does go undefeated, they should be left out for having played an easy schedule.
Just sayin yo!
Otto
February 17th, 2010
3:25 pm
UGA is not dipping down to play a FCS team like UF.
Balldawgs
February 17th, 2010
3:26 pm
“UF is still in better position to be in the top 2 teams in the SEC.”
We’ll have to see about that. St. Timmy is gone as well as the offense.
how2fish
February 17th, 2010
3:27 pm
gator mike I for one won’t be thinking UF will be in the tank..too much talent…but they will have to do what ever SEC team does that wins the East..earn it..they have the talent and the coaching it will be interesting to see if they can put it all together after all the changes..
Otto
February 17th, 2010
3:29 pm
If the SEC champ has an equal record to any team in the debate for a BCS title game the SEC team will go at this point. The advantage of being in a Conf with a great record in BCS games.
ga gator
February 17th, 2010
3:29 pm
Otto, Otto your playin Charleston Southern next year and I seem to remember a couple of years ago you played Western Ky.
UA Alum92
February 17th, 2010
3:30 pm
Bulldawgs, others, I live and die with the Tide but looking back over the past few years, Florida has clearly been the best team in the SEC and one of the best in the nation.
Let’s look at the numbers. Florida has been to 10 SECCG’s since its inception in 1992 winning seven of them and three NC’s. Bama has been to seven winning three and two NC’s. LSU would rank third going to four SECCGs winning three and two NC’s. Even UT has been to five of them winning two and one NC. UGA would rank fifth overall in the SEC and third in the SEC East going to three SECCGs winning twice but no NC’s.
Florida has been on a pace of going to the SECCG over half the time (10 out of 18) and has one better than a third of them overall. They have obviously been the dominant team in the SEC for almost 20 years.
how2fish
February 17th, 2010
3:30 pm
Balldawgs if UF had beaten Bama last year would you that they should be left out for having played an easy schedule.?? just saying..
Otto
February 17th, 2010
3:31 pm
UF has more talent than UGA and a better coaching staff especially on offense. UGA may have a better defensive staff next year.
ga gator
February 17th, 2010
3:32 pm
UA Alum92, glad you could take over for me.
Balldawgs
February 17th, 2010
3:32 pm
“Balldawgs if UF had beaten Bama last year would you that they should be left out for having played an easy schedule.??”
It didn’t happen.
ga gator
February 17th, 2010
3:33 pm
Otto, you might be right; I am not too happy with Meyer hiring anyone from the Az Cardinals to be a DC.
Koz
February 17th, 2010
3:34 pm
191st
Balldawgs
February 17th, 2010
3:35 pm
“Bulldawgs, others, I live and die with the Tide but looking back over the past few years, Florida has clearly been the best team in the SEC and one of the best in the nation.”
Never said they weren’t the best team in the SEC in the past few years. They have NOT been the most dominate for the last ten years. Before Urban got there, they were crap when Zook took over.
Balldawgs
February 17th, 2010
3:36 pm
“Florida has been on a pace of going to the SECCG over half the time (10 out of 18) and has one better than a third of them overall. They have obviously been the dominant team in the SEC for almost 20 years.”
And yet, they never went undefeated. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm
UA Alum92
February 17th, 2010
3:36 pm
Not hard to preach the truth, ga gator, as much as it may pain me.
Mike
February 17th, 2010
3:37 pm
Richt needs to go 10-2 this year with this schedule.
Balldawgs
February 17th, 2010
3:37 pm
UA Alum92
Will you now treat us to some good ole Bama “WE WON 13 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS WOO HOO!!!!” trash talk?
Balldawgs
February 17th, 2010
3:38 pm
“Richt needs to go 10-2 this year with this schedule.”
I’m sure he and his players will find a way to go 6-5.
Otto
February 17th, 2010
3:39 pm
I do not see Charleston Southern on the UGA schedule next year.
UGA also played Colorado in ‘06 the same year as W. Ky. Venturing out of state to play an OOC game. It is a novel concept.
UA Alum92
February 17th, 2010
3:39 pm
Bulldawgs, most Bama grads I know count eight NCs. Who knows how the picked NCs in the 30s and 40s?
Otto
February 17th, 2010
3:40 pm
Yes the Colordado game was played in Athens but an OOC based from another state with a return visit.
Balldawgs
February 17th, 2010
3:42 pm
“Bulldawgs, most Bama grads I know count eight NCs. Who knows how the picked NCs in the 30s and 40s?”
?????? You almost gave me a heart attack, UA!!!!! I have NEVER encountered a Bama fan who didn’t claim 13 titles.
Let me ask you something since you seem to be a rarity. Auburn claims 1 national title in it’s history yet has been awarded national titles for 7 different seasons. My question is, can Auburn claim more than one national title?
UA Alum92
February 17th, 2010
3:43 pm
Bulldawgs, looking back over the past 10 years, Florida has been to four SECCGs winning three of them. That ties them for appearances and victories with LSU since 2000.
Balldawgs
February 17th, 2010
3:44 pm
UA Alum, this is what I am talking about.
Auburn teams have been awarded some form of “National Champions” title, though Auburn officially claims only the 1957 AP one. The NCAA’s website states that “the NCAA does not conduct a national championship in Division I-A football and is not involved in the selection process”, but goes on to state that “a number of polling organizations provide a final ranking of Division I-A football teams at the end of each season”. The NCAA website lists four Auburn squads that have been named National Champions by at least one organization.[14] The following is the complete list of Auburn teams ranked No. 1 and some of the organizations that recognized them as National Champion.
Team
1910 6–1 team Loren Maxwell
1913 undefeated 8–0 team Billingsley, James Howell, 1st-N-Goal
1914 undefeated 8–0–1 team James Howell
‘1957 undefeated 10–0 team Associated Press, Billingsley, Fleming, Football Research, Helms, James Howell, Massey Ratings, National Championship Foundation, Nutshell Sports, Poling, Sagarin, Sorensen, Williamson, David Wilson
1958 undefeated 9–0–1 team Montgomery Full Season Championship
1983 11–1 team ARGH, Billingsley, DKC, Eck, FACT, Fleming, Football Research, James Howell, Massey Ratings, New York Times, Nutshell Sports, Sorensen, Sparks Achievement, David Wilson, 1st-N-Goal
1993 undefeated 11–0 team Harry Frye, National Championship Foundation, Nutshell Sports, Sparks Achievement, David Wilson
2004 undefeated 13–0 team Darryl W. Perry, EFI, FansPoll, GBE, Hank Trexler, M Cubed