Lack of BCS title doesn’t keep Dogs from decade’s Top 10
UGA fans have had a lot to celebrate in the past decade. (Brant Sanderlin / AJC)
We’ve heard a lot recently about how Georgia fans are disappointed with the way things have been going lately for Mark Richt’s program. But it’s worth noting that most of that disappointment is focused on the past two seasons and, in fact, is prompted in large measure by how consistently successful the Dogs have been since Richt came to Athens.
Richt raised the standards of what Georgia fans consider acceptable, and how he has to live up to those standards.
That point is driven home by some numbers crunching done by the CFB Data Warehouse (with a tip of the hat to Rivals’ Fanblogs.com for pointing this out).
Factoring in winning percentage, schedule, national championships won and Big 4 bowl appearances, the Data Warehouse folks have compiled a comprehensive college football ranking for the years 2000-2009, and UGA comes in No. 8 for the decade. (That covers Jim Donnan’s last season and all of Richt’s to date.)
Here’s how the Top 25 looks:
1. Southern Cal 2. Florida 3. LSU 4. Ohio State 5. Oklahoma 6. Texas 7. Miami 8. Georgia 9. Oregon 10. FSU 11. Virginia Tech 12. Alabama 13. Oregon State 14. Michigan 15. Auburn 16. Notre Dame 17. Tennessee 18. Georgia Tech 19. UCLA 20. California 21. Penn State 22. Iowa 23. Wisconsin 24. West Virginia 25. Boston College
What’s especially notable is that all of the teams ranked ahead of Georgia won a national championship during that decade and the Dogs are the highest-ranked team that didn’t win one.
While it might be popular to judge things from a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately point of view, Richt’s most severe critics have to concede that when you look at the overall record, he’s done a remarkable job, even without winning a crystal football.
Whether you think he can keep it up in the next decade and eventually get UGA a BCS title is certainly something that’s hotly debated in Bulldog circles. You either see this past season and a half as a hiccup for a still successful program, or you see a program starting to decline.
I’m with the hiccup crowd. What about you?
While on the subject of the decade ranking, it’s also notable that using the same criteria, the SEC was the top-ranked conference for 2000-2009, followed by the Pac 10, Big 12, Big 10, ACC, Big East, Mountain West, Division 1-A independents, the WAC and Conference USA. Which might come as a surprise to a lot of Big 12 boosters.
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307 comments Add your comment
gdawginkalamazoo
February 23rd, 2010
3:02 pm
check the facts,
“around this time I would learn to keep my mouth shut until your team actually proves you right.”
I am not saying a word until the scoreboard tells me that I can.
A friendly reminder.......
February 23rd, 2010
3:07 pm
AGAIN, there is no National Championship in college football and there NEVER has been. It’s neither awarded nor recognized by the NCAA, the only sactioning body in Division 1A college football. Period. That’s not my opinion. That’s a fact.
Using the BCS pageant winner or the AP/UPI/Litkinhouse “Poll” as mechanism for judging success is beyond ludicrous.
Georgia has been consistently successful. They have also consistently underachieved. It’s not a matter of Mark Richt, it’s a matter of what The University of Georgia should expect of itself. Georgia is the largest and most wealthy state in the southeast save Florida. Georgia and Florida are easily the two most prominant public schools in the SEC. Georgia is the only major college program in the state, save Georgia Tech, and these two don’t play with the same cards. That’s not a knock on Tech……..Tech has a different curriculum, academic and athletic focus…….really a different set of circumstances they operate under. One is no better than the other.
That being said, I don’t care how UGA ranks relative to other schools, I care how they compete relative to their abilities. And UGA should demand more than they do.
JB
February 23rd, 2010
3:07 pm
Haters on here love to tell the Dawgs who we will lose to. Florida have 5 teams that could beat them this year. Bama, LSU,GA,SC and FSU………….they won’t win all those I know and I’d bet. Wow, 7-5 would probably get Meyer to really resign. Yes, Ga and SC is on my list.
yeah ok then
February 23rd, 2010
3:09 pm
brantly is a better QB? Ummm Brantly was 47th ranked recruit. Murray was 46th in his class. Also, more teams recruited Murray than Brantly. hmmmm
JB
February 23rd, 2010
3:11 pm
Brantley at Florida has proven nothing. When he brings Florida back 80 yards with two minutes to go to win a game, then we tip the hat. Mop up for Tebow with a four touchdown lead when the other team has quit ( yes, UGA in that group) does not make a proven SEC QB.
From the ex-backup quarterback
February 23rd, 2010
3:15 pm
Maybe Richt wins a Title one day.
Ya one day kinda like how Dooley coached for 20 years without one, until he stumbled on Herschel Walker, and even with him he only won 1 title!!
There’s a reason it took Saban and Meyer less than five years to win Titles at Bama and UF.
CMR is not the same. One day he might win the big one, but is it worth it to sit around and wait?
Hey Dogtards
February 23rd, 2010
3:16 pm
Hey Bill – you said “What’s especially notable is that all of the teams ranked ahead of Georgia won a national championship during that decade and the Dogs are the highest-ranked team that didn’t win one.”
What’s remarkable is your redundancy. And your ability to say the same thing twice. Yes, if every team ranked ahead of uga won a national championship it must mean that uga is the highest ranked team that didn’t win one. Can you think of any more ways to say the same thing?
yeah ok then
February 23rd, 2010
3:16 pm
ummm no one “wins” a NC.
South Georgia UGA Hick
February 23rd, 2010
3:20 pm
Hey Dogtards
Consider the fans that read this
site and based on the blogs from them
the redundancy probably is necessary to
assist them in figuring this out.
Dorsey Hill
February 23rd, 2010
3:21 pm
Check the facts… says “UF’s running backs return with much more production than Ealey and UGA’s backs.” Well I did. UGA’s Top 3 backs averaged a composite 190 ypg. UF’s averaged 127 ypg. So I guess check the facts needs to take his own advice.
Tailback U
February 23rd, 2010
3:24 pm
Bill
It is a good confirmation of where Georgia has been in the Richt
era and I agree that it is likely a hiccup. I think we have
good reason to be hopeful in regards to the young QBs, but have
a little concern about the pressure they will have to deal with
because of the the last 2 seasons and the increasing unrest
associated with it. Oobviously these guys have talent but it
takes a certain level of maturity not usually associated with
young QBs to thrive with a great deal of pressure on them.
Do you share this concern as well ?
tdog
February 23rd, 2010
3:28 pm
Dogs can’t win anything. Their dumb mascot can’t last for being an inbred hound, and all the coach wants to do is sell trucks and sofas.
A Friendly reminder................
February 23rd, 2010
3:30 pm
Richt is 2-7 against Florida, certainly Dawg fans can’t be satisfied with that.
Got 12?
February 23rd, 2010
3:32 pm
This is getting sad. Now, since UGA hasn’t had one in 30 years, there is no such thing as a national title. One the other hand, some UGA fans are complaining about being robbed in 2002. If there is no national title, what were you robbed of?
check the facts...
February 23rd, 2010
3:34 pm
The Lone Trumpeter
Again you people are clueless. Meyer is not going to run the same offense with Brantley as he did with Tebow. He adjusted it for Chris Leak and he’ll adjust it for Brantley. They played from the I a lot in 2006 with Leak and I think they did ok that year.
Also Florida has been a top 3 rushing team in the SEC since Meyer has been there. This season the Gators will be the deepest and most talented at OL and Running Back that they’ve been since Urban has been at Florida. DO the math…
Ivan Vasilii Vladivostok, aka "Pasha dat GT a$$"
February 23rd, 2010
3:35 pm
A Friendly reminder……..we are not.
Just a friendly reminder from the department of redundancy department.
Bear Bryant
February 23rd, 2010
3:37 pm
You mean we didn’t rule the world from 2000-2009?
Bill Lumbergh
February 23rd, 2010
3:38 pm
Chris Palmer was also fired by the Cleveland Browns. And how did that work out for him?
FACT
Nick Saban has averaged 11 wins per season at Alabama
Urban Meyer has averaged 11.4 wins per season at UF
Urban Meyer has won 2 SEC in 5 years
Mark Richt has averaged 10 wins per season at UGA
Mark Richt has won 2 SEC titles in 9 years
We won’t even discuss NC’s because they don’t matter to some on this poll.
Dispute these facts. I’m waiting for my pizza to be delivered. Will he be wearing his red UGA hat or will today be a “black out” and go with the black hat?
Got 12?
February 23rd, 2010
3:38 pm
THIS IS THE BOTTOMLINE: Richt is a good coach. He learned to coach under Bobby Bowden. Bowden won championships based on superior talent, not (tactical and strategic) coaching. This approach works unless you have less talent than the team you’re playing or you play a team with equal talent and better coaching. If UGA fans are patient, Richt will eventually recruit a rare ultra-talented player and win the national championship.
Bill Lumbergh
February 23rd, 2010
3:39 pm
Got 12… They were robbed in 2007. Media conspiracy and boo-boo’s kept them out of the hunt!
Dawg Tired
February 23rd, 2010
3:43 pm
Just think how high we would be ranked if BuLLdawg was our coach.
check the facts...
February 23rd, 2010
3:45 pm
Dorsey Hill- Is Richard Samuel going to be a running back next season? NO, so my FACTS about returning backs is dead on….EVEN IF SAMUEL IS INCLUDED…
Wayshaun Ealey 717yards 3 TD’s 5.7 per yard average
Caleb King 594 yards 7 TD’s 5.21 per carry average
Richard Samuel 395 2 TD’s 4.4 yards per carry average
1706 yards and 12 TD’s
Jeff Demps 794 yards 7 TD’s 7.53 per carry average
Chris Rainey 575 5 TD’s 6.46 per carry average
Emmanuel Moody 378 3 TD’s 6.52 per carry average
1747 yards and 15 TD’s
Bill Lumbergh
February 23rd, 2010
3:48 pm
FACT
FACT
Nick Saban has averaged 11 wins per season at Alabama
Urban Meyer has averaged 11.4 wins per season at UF
Urban Meyer has won 2 SEC in 5 years
Mark Richt has averaged 10 wins per season at UGA
Mark Richt has won 2 SEC titles in 9 years
gdawginkalamazoo
February 23rd, 2010
3:49 pm
Instead of “winning an NC”, they changed the name to “Gettin’ the Crystal Football”. Doesn’t matter what “they” call it we don’t have one yet. The only Bullodg that has gotten close to one was Orson Charles and he broke the damn thing. LMAO!
KJ
February 23rd, 2010
3:53 pm
LOL, nothing brings out the pathetic, jealous trolls like some good hard facts. Face it losers, UGA is a nationally recognized power, and no amount of your foot-stomping and teeth-gnashing will change that. If your fragile psyches can’t handle it, you should probably eschew football for shuffleboard or lawn darts.
check the facts...
February 23rd, 2010
3:56 pm
I will correct myself from above…Demps had 745 yards not 794. so the total of the 3 is 1698.
However what my point was is RETURNING BACKS and Samuel is NOT a returning back.
The Lone Trumpeter
February 23rd, 2010
3:58 pm
As I remember, Leak spent most of his time in shotgun formations running the smoke draw play or passing. How is that different then Tebow? just because they line up in the I four or five times a game doesn’t mean they run a traditional offense. Heck I hope they change what has been working.
Jethro
February 23rd, 2010
4:02 pm
“If UGA fans are patient, Richt will eventually recruit a rare ultra-talented player and win the national championship.”
The question is would a player of that caliber want to play at Georgia over the likes of Alabama, Florida, and Texas to name a few?
Chief
February 23rd, 2010
4:06 pm
On the way down unfortunately
yeah ok then
February 23rd, 2010
4:10 pm
Bill Lumberg
Richt won 2 SEC in his first 5 years..same as Meyers
How2fish
February 23rd, 2010
4:12 pm
Jethro I think Mr.Murray answered that question..
yeah ok then
February 23rd, 2010
4:12 pm
Saban has won 81 games in the SEC in 8 years. thats not 11 games a year
How2fish
February 23rd, 2010
4:13 pm
KJ you hit the nail on the head..
Brian
February 23rd, 2010
4:17 pm
Can someone please explain to me how one gets excited about being #8? If you are not winning a NC then who cares about your season? Yes, I said it: You play for NCs. Anything else does not matter.
Bill Lumbergh
February 23rd, 2010
4:21 pm
yeah ok then:
You always talk about what the coach has done at that school. Saban coaches at Alabama now. 33 wins in 3 years. That’s 11 wins per season, right?
If Meyer blanks at UF the next 4 years, then he’ll have 2 SEC titles in 9 years. The same number as Richt. Meyer averages 11.4 wins per season. Richt has averaged 10 wins per season. But over the past 5 years Urban has been at UF, Rich has averaged 9.6 wins per season.
Maybe we should use that number?
Got 12?
February 23rd, 2010
4:22 pm
Jethro,
The answer is yes. An ultra-talented player could look at Bama’s depth chart and decide to go elsewhere. It’s happening already, and Auburn has been a big beneficiary. If everyone remains, the championship will come.
Decade's Top 25, 'Bama still beats Auburn and Tennessee - TideFans.com
February 23rd, 2010
4:22 pm
[...] still ranks 3 spots higher than Auburn and 4 higher than Tennessee. From an article in the AJC: Lack of BCS title doesn’t keep Dogs from decade’s Top 10 | The Junkyard Blawg Factoring in winning percentage, schedule, national championships won and Big 4 bowl appearances, [...]
Bill Lumbergh
February 23rd, 2010
4:24 pm
Brian… There’s no such thing as a national champion in football. (According to some on this message board)
Call in and ask Buck Belue if he quaterbacked UGA to a national title…
The next time you see Buck Belue or Frank Ros, ask them to look at their national championship ring. But it doesn’t mean a thing on this board.
Dawg 39
February 23rd, 2010
4:24 pm
I suffered for 20 years without an SEC title before CMR came along. Now 2 down years, 10-3 & 8-5 , after that great 07 season, and I am supposed to be wanting to replace him. I don’t think so. Anyway It IS a moot point. The DAWGS are back and the next 4 years will prove IT.
Pago Flyer
February 23rd, 2010
4:28 pm
Great, can we just beat UF/UK and UT?!
#1 GT FAN
February 23rd, 2010
4:29 pm
Man all you georgia fans need to make up your mind. one minute you love him and the next you hate Richit.
I am the first to admit, the SEC is the hardest conference to play in. So…….. these rankings do not suprise me.
One thing i am not so sure about is why GT is ranked 18?
They, if you ask a BIG GT fan, should not even be ranked in this. GT has only been really good the past 2 years. So thats the one I am confused about……….
Oh well……..,
GO JACKETS!!!!!!!
Bill Lumbergh
February 23rd, 2010
4:34 pm
On Frank Ros’ bio, listed on the UGA alumni website, states that he was the team captain of UGA’s national Football Championship team.
Here’s the link:
http://www.alumni.uga.edu/alumni/minorityspotlight.html
I think “yeah ok then” had better get this corrected. There are not any National Champions in football. If you’re an alum, I’m sure that you’ll lobby them to rectify this gross oversight!
TwoSheets
February 23rd, 2010
4:38 pm
Still under achieved and nothing to show for the ranking.
Bill Lumbergh
February 23rd, 2010
4:41 pm
81 games in 8 years for Saban? Counting both schools?
Isn’t that a little more than 10 games per year? 10.125 wins per season?
Isn’t that higher than CMR?
Minnesota Dawg
February 23rd, 2010
4:46 pm
I agree with Bill King. Dawg Fan also had some good ones, go back and read him.
ga gator
February 23rd, 2010
4:48 pm
This is a real love fest this afternoon.
LSUnAtlanta
February 23rd, 2010
4:48 pm
ozzfest
LSU UGA 3-3 this decade.. How does that equal ownage?
just sayin
February 23rd, 2010
4:50 pm
Dawg 39, if you call going 4-4 in the SEC 2 out of the last 4 years being back then I guess the Dawgs are.
Bill Lumbergh
February 23rd, 2010
4:53 pm
Once they factor in how much the UGA AA makes on Ebay selling Herschel’s Trans Am, they might pull ahead of Texas and move into second place as the most valuable football program!
Mortgage the trailer park honey, Herschel’s TA is for sale!!!!!!!
Yo Haters!!!
February 23rd, 2010
4:53 pm
You will never, I repeat, never win an arguement with us..You truelly hate us and it makes me so proud…You idiots don’t even realize that we run this state in all aspects…wow…dummies we do live in GA…We will win all arguements here…Deal with it or take some meds…