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
Balldawgs
February 17th, 2010
5:13 pm
“Patrick is the creep I told you about, he has all these stats
saved on his computer and will fill this blog up with his nonsense.”
Yeah, I kind of picked that up after she called me a moron AFTER claiming that you post vulgarities at others.
patrick M Sulley
February 17th, 2010
5:13 pm
morons usually claim stupidity runs in a family….I guess you didnt say that?
also, So Richt not “winning” a mythical….voted on….subjective……..not sanctioned by the NCAA….not recognized by the NCAA (the NCAA merely cites as a NC what a school CLAIMS) National Championship makes him a poor coach?
Balldawgs
February 17th, 2010
5:14 pm
“National Championship makes him a poor coach?”
Your words dumb a$$. No one said he was a poor coach.
Balldawgs
February 17th, 2010
5:15 pm
“morons usually claim stupidity runs in a family….I guess you didnt say that? ”
patrick meet stupid. stupid meet patrick.
patrick M Sulley
February 17th, 2010
5:15 pm
so stats are non sense but gaytor bait”s opinions are not? Arnt Stats facts? Isnt opinions more likely non sense? hmmmm. But I am a creep? Really?
Balldawgs
February 17th, 2010
5:16 pm
“If Eric Zeier would have had a OL in 1992 we would have won it all.”
I kind of remember a team by the name of Alabama winning it all.
Gatorbait 17-3
February 17th, 2010
5:17 pm
Bill King,
If you ever check this blog, you need to track Patrick down (his email registration) and ban him from the paper’s web site.
I think other frequent readers would agree, we are not trying to
advantage of the handicapped
Hey ... Bill King...
February 17th, 2010
5:18 pm
You are so full of it !!
Balldawgs
February 17th, 2010
5:18 pm
“so stats are non sense but gaytor bait”s opinions are not?”
Nonsense is one word, moron. Again, who is arguing stats?
“Arnt Stats facts?”
COLOSSAL GRAMMAR FAIL!
“Isnt opinions more likely non sense?”
Aren’t opinions more likely nonsense? There, fixed your 4th grade writing abilities.
“But I am a creep? Really?”
But I am a creep, really.
Again, fixed your error.
patrick M Sulley
February 17th, 2010
5:19 pm
balldawgs……..ummm ALA was awarded a NC in 1992. They didnt “win” it all as there was no playoff. Getting sportwriters to vote in a poll that they were NC is real impressive.
patrick M Sulley
February 17th, 2010
5:21 pm
oh I see …….. this is a grammar class. Another failed attempt to deflect losing a debate. Hmmm lets stick to the substantive issues ….oh wait if you did you would lose. Ok then attack my grammar….your better at that than arguing your side of a debate.
Balldawgs
February 17th, 2010
5:22 pm
“balldawgs……..ummm ALA was awarded a NC in 1992.”
Yes, that is because they beat Miami and therefore won the national title.
“They didnt “win” it”
Really, this game says they did.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-U5q-iKx3Co
“Getting sportwriters to vote in a poll that they were NC is real impressive.”
And yet Bama has the 1992 trophy behind a glass case.
Gatorbait 17-3
February 17th, 2010
5:23 pm
I’ve seen all this before, the best thing to do when Patrick gets off his meds,
is to just let him talk to himself. It tends to calm him down, right patty boy?
patrick M Sulley
February 17th, 2010
5:23 pm
yes gaytorbait……I am sure he wants you to have an advantage by taking away the one kicking your ass all over the blog…..hmmmm Why not merely call your momma and say…..”mommy mommy that bad man is picking on me” LOL
Otto
February 17th, 2010
5:23 pm
Gator Bait, Patrick just has the stats to make his points. You can use stats to counter much of what he posts.
patrick M Sulley
February 17th, 2010
5:24 pm
in 1992 they didnt play a NC game……..again ALA was awarded the NC by votes. Thanks for playing tho
Balldawgs
February 17th, 2010
5:24 pm
“oh I see …….. this is a grammar class.”
No, this is what I call embarrassing a moron. And you ma’am, are a moron of EPIC proportions.
“Another failed attempt to deflect losing a debate.”
Yes, you have lost the debate.
“oh wait if you did you would lose.”
Lose what, you’ve not debated anyone.
“Ok then attack my grammar….your better at that than arguing your side of a debate.”
It’s YOU’RE, not YOUR! Dumb A$$.
Balldawgs
February 17th, 2010
5:26 pm
“in 1992 they didnt play a NC game……..again ALA was awarded the NC by votes. Thanks for playing tho”
COLOSSAL MORON!
The 1992 Crimson Tide won their twentieth Southeastern Conference title by defeating the Florida Gators by the score of 28-21 on December 5 in the inaugural SEC Championship Game. The team then capped off the season by winning the 1992 football national championship.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1992_Alabama_Crimson_Tide_football_team
Balldawgs
February 17th, 2010
5:27 pm
Here is the cover of 1992 Bama SI
http://i.cdn.turner.com/sivault/si_online/covers/images/1993/0112_large.jpg
Balldawgs
February 17th, 2010
5:28 pm
“Patrick just has the stats to make his points. You can use stats to counter much of what he posts.”
???????????????????????
patrick M Sulley
February 17th, 2010
5:28 pm
ummm the SEC title game in 1992 was not the NC game. FAIL again
Milledgeville Mental Hospital
February 17th, 2010
5:28 pm
Enter your comments here
Otto
February 17th, 2010
5:28 pm
Bama won the national title in ‘92 playing in a tough conf, beating the #1 ranked team and in doing so was the only team with a perfect record.
In short Bama was clearly the National Champ
The playoff you are hung oup on would only diminish what the team accomplished and how special each regular season game was, and not just for Bama but for every team.
thwg
February 17th, 2010
5:28 pm
You know you’ve reached the pathetic state when you’re excited about a mickey mouse schedule just so you can have a successful season and a New Years day bowl. Wow, such lofty goals:-) I guess the other would be a win over GT. Sounds like the bullpuppies have finally settled into their rightful role of being the b&*((ch for Florida, Alabama, Auburn, LSU, TN and soon GT. But at least the goals are now realistic versus winning the national championship every year. Yeah, a new years day bowl sounds like a fitting goal:-)
Milledgeville Mental Hospital
February 17th, 2010
5:28 pm
Has anyone heard from Patrick?
patrick M Sulley
February 17th, 2010
5:29 pm
balldawgs…..correct his grammar..he meant “patrick has the stats to argue his point……..you dont.”.
but then you knew this LOL
Otto
February 17th, 2010
5:30 pm
thwg, CPJ had his best team and lost. GT will soon be Bama’s whipping boy for atleast 2 years.
Balldawgs
February 17th, 2010
5:30 pm
“ummm the SEC title game in 1992 was not the NC game. FAIL again”
You have got to be the dumbest most illiterate moron to have ever graced the AJC blogs.
The team then capped off the season by winning the 1992 football national championship.
THEY BEAT MIAMI TO WIN THE 1992 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP.
Balldawgs
February 17th, 2010
5:31 pm
“balldawgs…..correct his grammar..he meant “patrick has the stats to argue his point……..you dont.”.
but then you knew this LOL”
What stats?
patrick M Sulley
February 17th, 2010
5:31 pm
OTTO……….If a playoff diminishes the regular season then why do EVERY NCAA team sport except D1A football use it. Why does the NCAA recognize every other NCAA team sports NC title but not D1A football
DawginLex
February 17th, 2010
5:32 pm
thwg,
I’m sure you do quite well as being someone’s b1tch.
As far as the UGA football team, 90 wins in 9 seasons including 2 SEC titles is far from being someone’s “b1tch”.
We will be back with a vengence and the haters like you can’t stand it.
patrick M Sulley
February 17th, 2010
5:32 pm
ALA beat Miami in a bowl. It was merely a bowl. Not a NC game. FAIL again
patrick M Sulley
February 17th, 2010
5:33 pm
these stats??????????????
UNDER Richt
Vs. SEC foes: 43-22
.
Vs. Top 25 foes: 29-18
.
Vs. Top 25 foes away from home: 18-12
.
Vs. Top 10 foes: 8-6
.
In postseason games (bowls and championships): 9-3
.
In games decided by a touchdown or less: 34-14
.
Record at home: 47-9
.
Record on the road: 27-6
.
Losses to unranked teams: 6
.
Top 25 finishes: 8
.
Top 10 finishes: 6
.
Fact:………UGA was 12-1 in 2002 (prior to bowl selections)
.
Fact ………Fla was 12-1 in 2006 (prior to bowl selections)
.
Fact ………Not UGAs fault there were 2 unbeatens that year. “unlucky”
.
Fact……….Not Flas credit that there was only one unbeaten in 2006. “Lucky”
.
Fact:………Luck (not merit) had more to do with Fla getting an invite to the BCS not that Fla was more deserving to go to a NC than UGA with identical records.
.
Fact:………No SEC team has ever lost a BCSNC game and if UGA would have been invited nothing indicates that it would have been different
.
Fact……….UGA has 2 SEC titles..same as Fla in last 9 years and equal amount of total wins (90) over all.
.
Fact……….UGA has been ranked more times top ten in last 9 years than any SEC team at 6. Fla has only been ranked top ten 3 times in 9 years (real impressive).
.
Fact……….In 9 years under Richt no SEC team has more wins
Fact………..UGA has won 4 str8 bowls….more than any other SEC team.
.
Fact……..UGA has won 11 of last 13 bowls…Thats more than any team (tied with LSU and more than FLA)
.
Fact…… UGA has won 8 or more games in last 13 years…more than any other team in the nation including Fla.
.
Fact…….UGA is clearly as good or better than any SEC team over last 9 years. Only a fool or a fan of the mythical BCSNC selection process (non playoff) would think otherwise.
.
Fact…….UGA had same record when they won the SEC title in 2002 as Fla did in 2006/8 when they won the SEC title. But UGA had the misfortune (luck) to have that record in a year that had 2 other teams with undefeated records.
Hardly an indictment on UGA but rather on the NC selection process.
6 times finished in the top 10
2 times finished in the top 3
3 SEC Championship Appearances
2 SEC Titles
3 BCS Bowls
2 Sugar Bowl wins
90-27 record over 8 seasons – 79% winning percentage (one of only 7 in the history of college ball to have ever accomplished this)
4 str8 bowl wins
7-2 in bowls (big games)
Mark Richt coached QB coach for Charlie Ward and Chris Weinke = 2 Heismans; Head Coach for David Greene = all time winningest college QB until Colt McCoy this year); and coached Matthew Stafford = very rich #1 draft pick)
No Probations
He has my respect.
Period.
Balldawgs
February 17th, 2010
5:34 pm
“ALA beat Miami in a bowl. It was merely a bowl. Not a NC game. FAIL again”
Patrick is a dumb a$$.
82Dawg
February 17th, 2010
5:34 pm
thwg,….Boise State called and wanted to know which locker room you wanted to make yours, since you play there as much as they do.
thwg
February 17th, 2010
5:34 pm
We’ll see Otto – at least we schedule real out of conference teams like alabama, notre dame, Miss State, Auburn verus complaining about a mediocre OK State opener. In the mean time Bama’s playing VT, Clemson and FSU’s playing BYU, Florida. When is UGA gonna start playing more than 2 tough out of conference teams and stop hiding behind ‘but the SEC is so tough’. SEC was rather mediocre this year and probably not much better than the ACC, which is average at best. At least I admit it. I bet the SEC is scared to death TX heads to the Big Ten which would relegate the SEC to number 2 for sure. Which being from ATl I would hate to see. I actually like having the SEC be so strong. It’s good entertainment.
Balldawgs
February 17th, 2010
5:35 pm
Fact: UGA has not won a national championship since 1980.
Fact: Patrick can’t spell.
Fact: Patrick is a moron or epic proportion.
Otto
February 17th, 2010
5:35 pm
Balldawgs all you have to do is gather stats from the same place to counter Patrick.
THe great thing about stats is if you change the periods used you can often completely change the point being made for instance over the past 4 years CMR is
1-3 to UT
1-3 to UF
2-2 and a Late INT away from being 1-3 to UK
Lost to Vandy at home and a win over Vandy was cause for major celebration.
Now Patrick would have you believe CMR can do no wrong but the stats above show otherwise.
Otto
February 17th, 2010
5:36 pm
Balldawgs Agreed
Balldawgs
February 17th, 2010
5:36 pm
“Balldawgs all you have to do is gather stats from the same place to counter Patrick.”
Stats about what?
I never argued stats to begin with.
Milledgeville Mental Hospital
February 17th, 2010
5:37 pm
patrick M Sulley
OTTO……….If a playoff diminishes the regular season then why do EVERY NCAA team sport except D1A football use it. Why does the NCAA recognize every other NCAA team sports NC title but not D1A football
They don’t have the money the BCS generates, you poor sick child.
DawginLex
February 17th, 2010
5:37 pm
Fact: thwg and balldawgs go on dates with blow up dolls.
They consider it a double date and save money because they only need one pump to inflate their “dates”.
patrick M Sulley
February 17th, 2010
5:37 pm
LAST 4 years…………..hmmmm 2007 ranked number 2 in the nation
2008 lsot 18 scholly players to season ending injury prior to game 3 but won 10 games, a bowl, and finished top ten.
yep he is a horrible coaqch over last 4 years.
Otto…..FAIL
Balldawgs
February 17th, 2010
5:38 pm
Otto
What stats would I be needing to argue with patrick?
1: Patrick came in here and shot her mouth off about people.
2: Patrick said that Bama never won a national title even though I posted an SI cover of the 1992 NT win.
3: UGA has not won a national title since 1980.
thwg
February 17th, 2010
5:38 pm
dawginlex – right, UGA will be back when Meyer stops bringing in 13 of the top 100 players – yes 13%% of the top 100 players just went to your nemisis. Are you kidding? UGA is mid to lower tier in the SEC and will remain there for a long time – why in the world would a kid pick a sinking ship UGA/Richt over Meyer, Saban, Petrino, Nutt, Mullen and now Johnson? Let me see AThens or Atlanta. Yeah, I want to go to a cowtown and play for a declining program.
Balldawgs
February 17th, 2010
5:39 pm
“Fact: thwg and balldawgs go on dates with blow up dolls.”
What the hell is that?
I’m going to guess that DawginLex is patrick’s butt buddy.
patrick M Sulley
February 17th, 2010
5:39 pm
balldawgs claimed Richt was a poor coach and trashed UGA…….I slammed him with facts and stats. Those are stats he was talking about
Balldawgs
February 17th, 2010
5:39 pm
“LAST 4 years…………..hmmmm 2007 ranked number 2 in the nation”
And your point?
DawginLex
February 17th, 2010
5:40 pm
Mullen? You ever been to starkvegas?
You just lost all credibility.
Athens is a cowtown but starkvegas is a metropolis attracting recruits?
Camden Mark
February 17th, 2010
5:40 pm
Much rather play a tough top ten schedual.
Hate to get all giddy about next season because of a candy ass slate,thats what Fla dose every year and I have no respect for that kind of thing.Down here our boys will play anyone,anytime,anywhere and expect to win (HS).