Which September game looks toughest for the Dogs?
Will Georgia's revamped defense have more success against Ryan Mallett this year? (Associated Press)
Although most Georgia fans are viewing the 2010 schedule as less daunting than last year’s, September still could be a tough month for Mark Richt’s Dogs.
After a cupcake opener against Louiana-Lafayette, Georgia plunges right into the SEC battle by traveling to Columbia to meet the Gamecocks. Many are viewing this as a now-or-never season for Steve Spurrier at South Carolina, which makes an always tough game even more interesting.
Then this year’s most hyped conference team and quarterback, Arkansas and Ryan Mallett, come to Athens. Another early test for Todd Grantham’s new 3-4 scheme, and if it turns into another shootout, can Aaron Murray keep up with Mallett like Joe Cox did last year?
The next week the Dogs are back on the road at Mississippi State, never a particularly fun trip for Georgia.
Chris Low of ESPN.com has pegged the Dogs as having the second toughest September schedule in the SEC, noting that they’re the only team in the league that has to play two away games against conference foes in the opening month.
Loading ...So which September game worries you the most? Feel free to comment or vote in the poll or do both.
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159 comments Add your comment
Mike T.
May 16th, 2010
2:01 pm
You Dawg fans who keep repeating “30-24″ like a mantra enjoy yourselves all you want
Do you know how much we saw 45-42 last year? Remember that Mantra? St. Simons? Heh!
42-45 still a fluke.
Big L
May 16th, 2010
2:41 pm
Typing on an Itouch makes getting every word spelled correctly kinda hard. We’re talkin football, not vocabulary.
Old Dawg
May 16th, 2010
4:42 pm
Zachariah: if football doesn’t matter to Tech fans, why is your post the longest one here? And if the Georgia game doesn’t matter to Tech, why did they give out rings like it was a national championship? It’s hilarious to me the stereotypes both fan bases use for the other schools, when we all know they’re nothing more a preconceived notion.
I don’t know what most of the folks posting on this site do for a living, but I know some and none work at a Waffle House. Tech grads certainly have a high percentage working in great careers. So do UGA grads. Grow up, Zachariah. You might find a woman who likes you, even if you don’t pay her to.
kbdawg
May 16th, 2010
5:00 pm
Harley, you got any money to back up your 7-5 statement? Sounds like an alligator mouth and mosquitoes ass.
76-Dawg
May 16th, 2010
5:01 pm
The south Carolina game will by far be the the most important September game for UGA . It’s Murray’s First real test , Steve Spurrier always coach’s up and Murray’s will have to handle a very hostile environment. UGA and fan’s will learn a lot after this one.
kbdawg
May 16th, 2010
5:10 pm
Zachariah, Wasn’t it Ga tech that was put on NCAA probation for academic violations?
Pat G
May 16th, 2010
5:28 pm
Some of the Dawg fans sure do get upset with Zachariah’s post. Is it hitting too close to home?
GT = Best Buy/Geek Squad 40k/year LOSER
May 16th, 2010
6:44 pm
Pat G- Uh no, moron! Maybe because this is a FOOTBALL blog. It would like me going to a World Engineering Blog and start writing about football, ya frickin’ idiot! So who really is the imbecile? Look in the mirror for your answer, dink!
Nerd Slayer
May 16th, 2010
7:04 pm
Reggie Ball=Scholarship athlete? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
PowerDawg
May 16th, 2010
7:36 pm
Someone actually wrote that Ar-can-saw was overall a better team than us.
Really?
Why?
Because they return their starting QB? Big Bird?
I am not concerned about Arkansas. They have NO running game and we will have faced a better defense in La-LMAO. (They obviously don’t let the defense dress out for home games)
Want more evidence? How about the fact that their coach has no heart and no guts.
Mullet had a big game last year because WM was calling the D. Those days are over. Even during a defensive do-over we’re still better than them by two touchdowns.
South Carolina will be the toughest road game we face this year, period. That game is always close, especially in Columbia.
C’mon September.
Chuy Dawg
May 16th, 2010
7:38 pm
USC on the road is always a tough game, really anytime we play them wether here or in Columbia is always tough. Considering our new D and new QB, this game could be really tough for us.
Arkansas will surprise alot of people. Hate him or like him, Petrino is one hell of an offense guy. Again, our D and the run game will to be huge in this game.
Miss St will have something to prove and I guarantee you our name is HIGHLIGHTED and circled on their schedule. They have a tough D-line that will force Murray to beat them in the pass game. Our D will have to be in mid-season shape by then, any SEC game is always tough. Remember that they played UF very tough last year and I think Mullen is very familiar with SEC East foes. This will be a very interesting game.
The interesting question is what happens if they pull out of September with a 2-2 record. We still have to go to UK, AU, and don’t forget about UF, what if they blow us out for the third straight year. What if we do end up with 5 losses and still lead all of college football in penalties and our turnover margin does not improve? I’m not saying or implying anything about firing somebody but at some point enough is enough. We don’t like to think about it, but I think we always have to be prepared for the worst case scenario. Muschamp and Smart will look very attractive next year.
The New, Internet-Sav-vy L-Dawg
May 16th, 2010
7:42 pm
I no longer have a need to use all CAPS. And I’m no longer a hick. However, I must say, my beloved Dawgs don’t have a very tough row to hoe this year. Did I say HOE ?
What do you call a team without a QB?
May 16th, 2010
8:06 pm
You daugs were bragging about opening with a tuff schedule last year and come home beaten by a cowboy. I see you learned a lesson. First game against Patsy.
mcdawgna
May 16th, 2010
8:16 pm
Hey Zachariah, Have you not watched television interviews of GT’s so called “intelligent” athletes……It would be nice to be able to understand a word they said…….Their level of intellect is non-existent….Oh, and by the way, keep throwing the “we have more important things in our lives” at us…..probably the only excuse you have for being perrenial losers in the sport you so love for the last 30 yrs…….OH, and if you do’nt care, why do you bother to waste space on this blog………..30-24
Junkyard Joshua
May 16th, 2010
8:33 pm
…………..Nesbitt for Heisman……………
The Institute
May 16th, 2010
8:39 pm
11-3 beats 8-5
mcdawgna
May 16th, 2010
8:52 pm
Or does 8-5 still beat 11-3……..hmmmmmmm, as I recall, it did!
col fot
May 16th, 2010
11:03 pm
Carolina is always tough, Georgia will fine out real quick how good a quarterback Murry is. They always play Georgia hard and fast. Garcia is good leader and is willing to gamble in the heat of game. Georgia will probably win a hard fought game, but it’s no guarantee.
RED DOG 77
May 17th, 2010
12:37 am
I am not the least bit worried about September !………..Been through it before, too many times to concern myself !…………….I simply love “my” University Of Georgia BULLDOGS !!!!!………Everyone makes predictions, and then says “mark it down “………….The 2010 edition of the GEORGIA BULLDOGS will take one game at a time………..The one factor you might want to look at if you are a worry wart, is the new defense, coach Todd Grantham, Belin, And Lakatos have already instilled some much needed ” Chemistry “. Chemistry wins games, the defense will be on fire this year !……………….And do you really think the offense [ returning all but qb] wants to be left behind by the defense chemistry ? not no, but hell no !!!!!………….Bulldog Nation has had some pretty deflating letdowns the last couple years, BUT NOT 2010 !!!!!!!!!………..GO DOGS !!! GATA !!!! SIC’ ‘EM ……WOOF……..WOOF……..WOOF…….WOOF !!!!!
BuLLdawg
May 17th, 2010
5:46 am
The worst NFL Quarterback Rating :
Quarterback Rating Leaders – QualifiedRK PLAYER TEAM ATT COMP PCT YDS YDS/A LONG TD INT SACK RATE YDS/G
1 Drew Brees, QB NOR 514 363 70.6 4388 8.54 75 34 11 20 109.6 293
2 Brett Favre, QB MIN 531 363 68.4 4202 7.91 63 33 7 34 107.2 263
3 Philip Rivers, QB SDG 486 317 65.2 4254 8.75 81 28 9 25 104.4 266
4 Aaron Rodgers, QB GNB 541 350 64.7 4434 8.20 83 30 7 50 103.2 277
5 BRoethlisberger QB PIT 506 337 66.6 4328 8.55 60 26 12 50 100.5 289
6 Peyton Manning, QB IND 571 393 68.8 4500 7.88 80 33 16 10 99.9 281
7 Matt Schaub, QB HOU 583 396 67.9 4770 8.18 72 29 15 25 98.6 298
8 Tony Romo, QB DAL 550 347 63.1 4483 8.15 80 26 9 34 97.6 280
9 Tom Brady, QB NWE 565 371 65.7 4398 7.78 81 28 13 16 96.2 275
10 Kurt Warner, QB ARI 513 339 66.1 3753 7.32 45 26 14 24 93.2 250
RK PLAYER TEAM ATT COMP PCT YDS YDS/A LONG TD INT SACK RATE YDS/G
11 Eli Manning, QB NYG 509 317 62.3 4021 7.90 74 27 14 30 93.1 251
12 Donovan McNabb, QB PHI 443 267 60.3 3553 8.02 60 22 10 35 92.9 254
13 Joe Flacco, QB BAL 499 315 63.1 3613 7.24 72 21 12 36 88.9 226
14 Kyle Orton, QB DEN 541 336 62.1 3802 7.03 87 21 12 29 86.8 238
15 Jason Campbell, QB WAS 507 327 64.5 3618 7.14 84 20 15 43 86.4 226
16 Carson Palmer, QB CIN 466 282 60.5 3094 6.64 73 21 13 26 83.6 193
17 David Garrard, QB JAC 516 314 60.9 3597 6.97 63 15 10 42 83.5 225
18 Vince Young, QB TEN 259 152 58.7 1879 7.26 66 10 7 9 82.8 157
19 Alex Smith, QB SFO 372 225 60.5 2350 6.32 73 18 12 22 81.5 214
20 Matt Ryan, QB ATL 451 263 58.3 2916 6.47 90 22 14 19 80.9 208
RK PLAYER TEAM ATT COMP PCT YDS YDS/A LONG TD INT SACK RATE YDS/G
21 Jay Cutler, QB CHI 555 336 60.5 3666 6.61 71 27 26 35 76.8 229
22 Chad Henne, QB MIA 451 274 60.8 2878 6.38 67 12 14 26 75.2 206
23 Matt Hasselbeck, QB SEA 488 293 60.0 3029 6.21 53 17 17 32 75.1 216
24 Marc Bulger, QB STL 247 140 56.7 1469 5.95 50 5 6 14 70.7 163
25 Matt Cassel, QB KAN 493 271 55.0 2924 5.93 61 16 16 42 69.9 195
26 Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB BUF 227 127 55.9 1422 6.26 98 9 10 21 69.7 142
27 Brady Quinn, QB CLE 256 136 53.1 1339 5.23 59 8 7 19 67.2 134
28 Mark Sanchez, QB NYJ 364 196 53.8 2444 6.71 65 12 20 26 63.0 163
29 Matthew Stafford, QB DET 377 201 53.3 2267 6.01 75 13 20 24 61.0 227
The worst QB Rating in the NFL.
Knowshon Moreno, pick # 12 in the first round by a poor Denver NFL team, dealt with a very bad offensive line and rushed for 947 yards with 4 fumbles the same number of fumbles that Beanie Wells had. That is also the same number of fumbles, 4, that Matthew Stafford had.
213 yards receiving on 28 catches for Knowshon Moreno.
247 carries is not a lot of carries for a team who isn’t very good. That is half the total of carries a featured back might get and at least 5 carries a game fewer than he should have had.
Knowshon Moreno certainly put a great block on Keith Brooking, and there were several other outstanding blocks Knowshon Moreno highlighted his opening season in NFL games.
22 years old, Knowshon Moreno, to me, plays on a poor team with no offensive linemen, a questionable quarterback, and in a poor offensive scheme who should have handed him the ball more and should have also thrown to him more as well.
Tim Tebow, now of course, they took too. That was this season. So, maybe Tim Tebow can be put in there to block for Knowshon Moreno. That would work out very well, since that is the position I see Tim Tebow being anyway.
Knowshon gets the most yards after contact of any running back. Getting him free is what Denver’s problem is.
Here are some of the total number of running plays where Kyle Orton handed the ball off to Knowshon Moreno.
8 carries
10 carries
5 carries
10 carries
9 carries
That is 5 games where Knowshon averaged only 8 caries a game.
They threw to him less than twice a game.
Why take a player with the pick # 12 overall and not even make him the featured back ?
Those are certainly not featured back touches he was given.
BuLLdawg
May 17th, 2010
5:54 am
“Bulldog Nation has had some pretty deflating letdowns the last couple years”
by
RED DOG 77
May 17th, 2010 12:37 am
http://blogs.ajc.com/junkyard-blawg/2010/05/15/which-september-game-looks-toughest-for-the-dogs/comment-page-2/#comment-83515
DawginLex
May 17th, 2010
6:01 am
So bulldawg what is your point about stafford? He was a rookie on a bad team. I have never seen anyone take shots at kids worse than you.
TommyJack
May 17th, 2010
7:34 am
Naw. Souf Kalina going nowhere.
Gen Neyland
May 17th, 2010
8:08 am
Could even a Saban take USCeast to occassional SECCG’s..? I think Spurrious loves a challenge and in SC, he found one that betters him. After all the years he’s spent trying to raise that program up, it remains a SEC East mid-packer with a choice win here, a choice win there, a close game here, a close game there…I bet he goes through visors like MLB goes through Pearls.
Evansdawg
May 17th, 2010
9:59 am
Living on the state line, I say Carolina is the toughest. Anytime Spurrier is in the house a dark cloud looms over UGA. I just want to get the -h- outta that game with a W. If we win out in September, lookout SEC.
Major Dawg
May 17th, 2010
10:04 am
Can never count out Spurrier to try different things on a rookie QB so earlyin the season. CMR, make sure our QB gets a lot of reps and throw everything at him to get him ready for this year
GODSPEED DAWGS!!!!!
AceDawg
May 17th, 2010
10:13 am
Arkansas probably SHOULD worry me, but I hate Petrino and still don’t give them a lot of credibility because of their poor defense and my belief that an improved UGA defense will offer much more resistance this year.
BigDawg
May 17th, 2010
10:42 am
There really is a slight chance we could wind up 1-3 in September! Richt seems not to have grown as a head coach since we have went backwards the past two years even though we have had terrific recruits filling our roster. That coupled with an unknown as Defensive Coordinator and the occasional horrendous play calling by Bo-Bo just doen’t fill me with optimism even though this is the one year we really should win the East. We do not play LSU or Bama…Florida is down and will replace their whole D and QB. UT is years away from challenging again. Shoot anytime you can say that South Carolina could actually win the East – You KNOW the SEC East is DOWN!!! So we should win the East…but doubt we will with our current head man.
))))30-24((((
May 17th, 2010
12:07 pm
…says the insecure techie
How2fish
May 17th, 2010
12:54 pm
Win the 1st game, then win the 2nd game..then win the 3rd game….all the way till the end of the season and we will be O.K. Hey its May…we have the long (too long) summer to get thru and then we have fall camp…before we have any idea of what our team will even look like on opening day..remember 08 and how the roster changed from the spring game to opening day due to injuries ? So deep breaths and fingers crossed for getting to the season with the smallest number of injuries…and the let the Big Dog EAT..all of the games with a new QB will be huge USC biggest as its the first..then the biggest challenge will be ARK and then the next team on the schedule etc etc…
The season
May 17th, 2010
1:38 pm
All of our conference games and the one with Colorado are huge. All of these are huge. Tech should be fine if by then, we have developed. They as usual, will be due another punishing whuppin for 2008’s lucky win.
UGA’s D is essentially a brand new team. Lineman, L backers and safeties are all new. We need to inspire a “us against the world” attitude or, if we end up looking for AJ to bail us out ………look out. This team should meld together nicely with a nice balance of stars on both sides of the ball.
NEW Stars will emerge and that is exciting to look forward to. Rambo, Wooten, safety Jakar Hamilton, Marvelous Marlon Brown, Lynn ( TE ) and N. Williams, and Durden and Logan and Murray and Carlton Thomas are capable of providing a BOOST in each game. Fun to think about this.
We may end up with a very balanced team where there are no obvious super talents. Fine with me. They ought to pull in tandem in every game. THIS is a key ingredient to any new found, ultra success ( 9-+10 wins yearly ) for UGA. I see a UGA re birth and this is natural for any organization to need a boost after many years of highly successful play. ( 8 or more wins for 13 years and many NY’s day bowls)
Our kickers will be a huge part of our success and that includes coverages. Can the new coaching staff re institute a swagger BUT smart attack mode on coverages? I am tired of seeing a lead like with LSU and then see it blown by stupid play on the ensuing kick off. This one phase of the game ought ot show up as IMPROVED very early. I will be watching this closely.
Go Dogs.
The season
May 17th, 2010
1:43 pm
Whoops, I forgot to add in Tavarres King and Israel Troupe and all the UGA O linemen and couple of D linemen like Tyson, and our TWO GREAT FULLBACKS ,etc to add a boost of great game by game play.
Woof!
1-3 in September; book it Dano
May 17th, 2010
1:49 pm
Whoa is me.
1-3 in September; book it Dano
May 17th, 2010
1:51 pm
The season, you forgot about the implosion against Ky last year.
How2fish
May 17th, 2010
1:54 pm
1-3 in September; book it Dano ..and you forgot about the UGA game and the Orange Bowl losses.
1-3 in September; book it Dano
May 17th, 2010
1:55 pm
You guessed wrong fisherman.
Tkree keys
May 17th, 2010
1:57 pm
TG, Latkatos and Belin. If i misspelled a name, I soon will get it right. These men are going to be difference makers BECAUSE they desire a head coaching job and UGA is high profile and the
college sports world is watching it ………….they know that if they show a major improvement first year on the job and into next ……….well, you know the rest of the story.
This is a great HC career path for them. SEC of all plaes. THE NUMBER ONE CONFERENCE. Richt HIRED PRO COACHEs for the first time in his tenure at UGA, not bible study pals.
Let’s go to work. PTL
1-3 in September; book it Dano
May 17th, 2010
1:59 pm
Tkree keys, you are exactly correct. Look at all of the Head Coaches that have come off of Richts staff.
1-3 in September; book it Dano
May 17th, 2010
1:59 pm
Whoops, I guess I should of checked before that last post.
Ray Goff
May 17th, 2010
2:07 pm
3 keys, hate to bust your bubble but grantham is the only pro coach and was fired by the cleveland browns before the cowboys hired him to be the line coach.
Ace
May 17th, 2010
2:30 pm
All would worry a injury prone shimp for a QB.
Stuff happpens in the SEC
May 17th, 2010
2:35 pm
KY did whup UGA in Athens and that loss was horrific. No two ways about it. The LSU loss was too, as was the Ok State game. Stuff happens. Now, UGA went out and made some changes and life goes on. To quote Sarah Pallin ……….we reloaded and we will be off and running anew!
I graduated from UGA twice and if we went 0-12 ( I would be ticked ) I would still love my Dogs. I have gone to games since the late 1950s and right up to last year. Away games and home games and bowl games, Win or lose I am a UGA man. I also have a life. Football is a small part of that.
Question is this: How many UGA haters ever attended any school?? Hmm? THAT is the reason for the UGA hate.
Go Dogs.
Evansdawg
May 17th, 2010
2:52 pm
Anyone that calls themselves a Dawg and wants CMR gone needs to trade their red and black for another team’s colors. If you are posing as a Dawg fan and saying that you want CMR gone…you are obviously a Techy posessing serious issues with envy.
how2fish
May 17th, 2010
3:00 pm
1-3 in September; book it Dano.. no Bug I didn’t.Stuff happpens in the SEC..good post its a matter of perspective.
UGADawg83
May 17th, 2010
4:48 pm
Here’s the deal the South Carolina game, particularly in Columbia always has something weird take place. It’s always tight and low scoring.
Arkansas will have a pro-style quarterback but guess what…our new D-coordinator is straight from the NFL. I like the Dawgs in both but I’d say the USC game will be tougher.
guy
May 17th, 2010
4:48 pm
stuff happens: i have three degrees, one from tech and two from florida. i can assure you that envy for a uga degree has nothing to do with my dislike of the program. it has more to do with the huge egos from fans of a team that hasnt done much in 30 years. saying like “usc always plays us close” dont mean squat. its always close because you guys are not that much better than them. when was the last time uga beat a conference opponent by more than a TD? the reason your backup qb’s never ge tany reps is that you never beat anyone by enough to pull the starters.
Jake
May 17th, 2010
5:06 pm
I’d go with South Carolina, even though they’re unranked, and Ark is ranked higher. But neither will be hard for Richt. He’s 7-2 against South Carolina, and 4-0 against Arkansas, the only team Richt doesn’t have a dominating record against will be Florida, where Richt is 2-7.
Delbert D.
May 17th, 2010
5:27 pm
45-42 was not a fluke; more like a flounder.
$750K
May 17th, 2010
5:50 pm
Actually, the entire year looks tough for anyone who actually cares about the quality of the education students receive at UGA. While we have money to pay $750K for some semi-literate (if that) football coach, the instruction budget is being slashed mercilessly.
UGA football is 1 and 0 against academics.
DawgNation
May 17th, 2010
7:41 pm
Good God 750 get a life and let it go. It has been spelled out to you a million times where the budget is for the athletic department comes from. If you don’t like where the money is being spent then for Gods sake quit attending games or monetarily supporting the Bulldogs in any fashion and wrap your blanket around yourself and suck your thumb till it bleeds yellow and black.