Bulldog Bites: On weak opening opponents and SEC power rankings
Are the Ragin' Cajuns worth sitting in the early September heat?
With tickets still available to Georgia’s game against Louisiana-Lafayette, I asked someone who follows the Dogs religiously but only goes to the occasional game whether he was considering taking in the home opener.
“Naw,” he said. “Noon kickoff. Too hot. I’ll watch it on TV.”
I asked another fan, who has season tickets, whether he’d be there on Sept. 4. Nope, he said. “I’m going to let a friend take my seats. I just can’t see sitting there in that heat for Louisiana-Lafayette.”
Let’s face it, as home openers go, this year’s isn’t particularly compelling. While I expect the game eventually will be an official sell-out, there’ll probably be some empty seats — just as there usually are for games against weak opponents.
And yet a year ago when the Dogs opened on the road against the highly touted Oklahoma State Cowboys, fans (and Mark Richt) were complaining that Georgia’s nonconference schedule was too tough with three BCS schools.
Personally, I prefer an opener against a “name” opponent, and if you look at the Dogs’ opening games in the Richt era, their best years have started out with what was at least nominally more of a challenge: Clemson in 2002 and 2003, Boise State in 2005, Okie State in 2007. Last year, also opening with the Pokes, was the exception, but that was on the road.
Of course, given the consistency of Richt’s tenure, the years they’ve opened against Arkansas State, Georgia Southern and Western Kentucky, the Dogs haven’t exactly had bad seasons. Just not their best.
So what are your feelings about opening opponents? Do you like essentially buying a win against a no-name as the Dogs get ready for the conference opener against South Carolina, or do you prefer the years with Georgia puts it on the line from the start? And what about this year, will you be in the sweltering throng in Athens watching the Dogs vs. the Ragin’ Cajuns or will you watch this one on the SEC Network?
SEC POWER RANKINGS
Georgia has made a move in the latest preseason SEC power rankings compiled by Chris Low of ESPN.com. Coming out of spring practice, Low had Georgia at No. 6, but in his latest list UGA has jumped up to No. 3, behind Alabama and Florida.
Explains Low: “The Bulldogs’ returning experience on the offensive line, their playmakers on offense and some of the best special teams in the country was what separated them from Arkansas, Auburn, LSU, Ole Miss and South Carolina.” He adds, though, that “There’s not a lot of difference in the third best team and eighth best team, which should make for an intriguing fall.”
Do you agree the Dogs look like the third-best team in the conference at this point?
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124 comments Add your comment
12-2
August 11th, 2010
12:36 am
THAT is NOT GREAT Dawg Stephen, sir.
ALL of his success came with Jim Donnan Recruits. Once they all graduated after the 2005 season, he has done NOTHING.
NOTHING.
38-14 the last 4 years.
He is ASSURED of having an OFF YEAR after this one when he after 2010 loses 15 seniors and 4-5 juniors.
He has a 1-year window here, after 4 years of 10-10 vs SEC East alone, where he can make hay.
If he doesn’t make hay this season and loses 2 games BEFORE The SEC Championship Game – since they obviously would not be Louisiana Lafayette, Georgia tek, Colorado, or Idaho State, what you are saying is that he loses to South Carolina and Florida or Arkansas and Florida. He cannot be in The SEC Championship Game for the 5th consecutive season, if you are right. 14-game season and he will play 13 only AGAIN.
12-2
August 11th, 2010
12:41 am
5th consecutive year of 13-game season for Coach Richt while ALL 5 are 14-game seasons, only he missed losing 10 of the 20 games vs SEC East the last 4 years.
Now, you say he loses 2 this season BEFORE The SEC Championship Game and then he plays who ?
Bowl game against what # 19 Hawaii ? # 24 Florida State a 5-loss team ? Is THIS your goal ? This your EXPECTATION ?
There are 18 teams I listed for you over the last 4 years whom Coach Richt does NOT have more wins than.
Then, you post this that you are happy and satisfied Dawg Stephen with 10-win seasons in 14-game seasons of which we average 10 wins and average 3 losses and 6 out of 9 seasons didn’t even make The SEC Championship Game.
ALL you can actually admit to is “I know there are a lot of things that havent gone right” Dawg Stephen.
12-2
August 11th, 2010
12:44 am
You are DAMN STRAIGHT “there are a lot of things that havent gone right” Dawg Stephen.
Go ahead, you can say it.
He has played 14-game seasons all but 2 of his now 10 years this year, and he averages 10-wins. There are 4 games he either doesn’t get to play in because he is NOT GREAT, or LOSES. As a matter of fact, a third of the time, he does BOTH.
He also is the most penalized football team in America ON THE FIELD and off the field is the most arrested / suspended team.
He is 3-8 vs Top 10 Final AP Poll teams.
He is 17-19 vs Top 25 Final AP Poll teams.
He has LOST to 8 teams NOT RANKED in the Top 25 Final AP Poll.
He has NEVER beat ANY Top 10 Final AP Poll team in a bowl game, ever.
2003, The SEC was WAY DOWN with only # 15 Auburn ranked at all in the Top 25 USA Today Coaches Poll. Our SEC Championship Game was against 5-Loss NOT RANKED Arkansas. Our reward for beating that crappy team was playing # 22 Florida State another 5-Loss team.
12-2
August 11th, 2010
12:45 am
2005 DJ was great, but pardon me, we LOST 3 GAMES.
THE WHOLE ENTIRE ISSUE, is what happens AFTER your 10-2.
And, yes if he goes 10-2 this season and FAILS to reach The SEC Championship Game for the 5th year in a row FACING LOSING 15 SENIORS AND 4-5 JUNIORS with Mike Bobo still his O.C., you can bet like HELL that he and his FORGIVING MANNER for all this, will be on the HOT SEAT after this season.
It will be VERY HOT.
2005 was NOT a 14-game season as you state Dawg Stephen. 2005 we were 10-3. If instead of STOPPING COUNTING after the regular season, you addressed what happened in the NEXT 2 GAMES, you might be able to see, we have PLAYED NO ONE the next 2 games, and NOT even been on the NATIONAL STAGE except for Arrests / Suspensions at the All-Time # 3 Record Pace, third worst college in the nation Fulmer Cup Standings All-Time, which cover from 2006 to-date. In other words the last 4 years. In other words the same years we have averaged finding now 18 teams who Coach Richt DOES NOT HAVE MORE WINS THAN.
We are the # 11 football program in all of America in 1-A wins All-Time.
18 teams Coach Richt does NOT have more wins than over the last 4 years at 38-14, and you say that Coach Richt is GREAT.
B.S.
12-2
August 11th, 2010
1:12 am
tbone
August 10th, 2010 9:20 pm
“If the Dawgs go 9 & 4 or better this year, they will have put together the best 10 year run (won/ lost record – percentage) in the history of UGA football (all under CMR).”
LIAR
27 LOSSES by Coach Richt in 9 years 2001-2009
21 Losses by Vince Dooley in 9 years 1980-1988
21 Losses by Wally Butts in 9 years 1940-1948
Vince Dooley from 1980 to 1988 nine years was
83-21-4
.787037
BOTH Wally Butts and Vince Dooley had BETTER 9-year runs than Coach Richt.
90-27 Coach Richt 9-Year Era .7692307
Wally Butts 1940-1948 also has a better Winning Percentage than Coach Richt.
12-2
August 11th, 2010
1:14 am
Both during these 2 far-better stretches won consensus national championships, beat Top 10 Final AP Poll teams in bowl games and lost only 21 games in 9 years, not Coach Richt’s 27 losses, no Top 10 Final AP Poll team beat in ANY bowl game ever, and obviously not ranked # 1 in NOTHING except Arrests / Suspensions.
.787037 Vince Dooley 1980-1988 nine years consensus NC
.7704081 Wally Butts 1940-1948 nine years consensus NC
.7692307 Coach Richt 2001-2009 nine years # 19 last 4 yrs 38-14 own recruits arrested / suspended instead of Winning.
DISNEYdawgs.com
LIAR and DISNEYdawgs.com tbone
hop
August 11th, 2010
4:32 am
are you kidding me,playing okla state last year was a huge mistake and dawgs never recovered from it.
playing in the SEC is tough enough that also scheduling other tough opponents makes for a long and injury prone season.
until all the sec teams change their scheduling habits,there is little need to do otherwise. last year was a prime example of WHY not to schedule tough opponents before the wars of the SEC BEGINS.
DodgerDAWG
August 11th, 2010
4:44 am
SERIOUSLY, Maybe we should move tech to the first game of the season. Recent history shows that the game is not much of a rivalry. Post Walker era: Record of 19-8, score of 744 – 560. Twice UGA has won 7 in a row while tech managed one 3 game streak.
1980 Dawg
August 11th, 2010
7:43 am
Beginning the season with an non-ranked opponent is not too bad. It gives your time a chance to practice more before it gets into the strength of the schedule. In years past, we have seen where the polls do not appear to take into consideration strength of non-conference games. Look at the non-conference games of Florida and Alabama. Neither is looking for a tough opponent outside of the SEC. Alabama is playing Georgia State for goodness sake. Pollsters like to see more wins, and less losses. So, this opener should not hurt UGA. Watching the game in air conditioning. Sold my tickets to a friend.
BirdDog
August 11th, 2010
7:50 am
I like the fact that this year they have a weak opponent to open with considering all of the new personnel in place. It’s not like they have several “cupcakes” to begin with b/c they jump right into SEC play on the road.
beatdowns galore
August 11th, 2010
8:13 am
Dawgstepen you need some insurance on your brain ! Florida is ranked high because of it proven record, coaching and recruiting. Dawgs are ranked where they are because of the beatdowns courtesy of the Gators ,Rocky Top while also struggling against teams like SC,Vandy and Kentucky. Take of those rose colored glasses !
Joey
August 11th, 2010
8:20 am
12-2 (BuLLdawg), Richt may have won his SEC titles with Donnan’s recruits, but he sure did better than Donnan did in his years here, right?
Bill, the schedules are made in advance, but it sure worked out this year for us starting a QB who has never taken a snap in college. I hate to think about him taking his first one in Columbia, though, it’s gonna be bad enough there as it is.
BirdDog
August 11th, 2010
8:20 am
Bamafan, what do you have to talk about? Bama opens with San Jose St and then plays Duke in week 3! Are you kidding me?
DawginLex
August 11th, 2010
8:26 am
That’s BS bulldawg.
Richt recruited DJ Shockley and all of the offensive line seniors in the 2005 season. donnan had nothing to do with DJ. He was Richt’s first recruit.
You are a total and complete DA
BG
August 11th, 2010
9:00 am
UGA is the only team in the SEC that plays 3 BCS non conference opponents.
Budweiser Bob
August 11th, 2010
9:26 am
Why cant this game be postponed to 7 or kick it off at 11 tell CSS to go stick it. I dont know if I will make it either due to the heat much less stay past the 2nd quarter
Nature Boy Ric Flair
August 11th, 2010
9:42 am
Georgia’s record after 2005 can be more attributed to the loss of Brian Van Gorder than to not having Donnan’s recruits, as someone mentioned. Many think that problem has been remedied.
I am looking for 10 wins this year, and to challenge for an SEC title in 2011.
I am impressed with the Dogs overall sports programs, they win titles as regularly as I applied the figure 4 leglock.
Also what’s up with Linda McMahon running for the U.S. senate?
producewiz
August 11th, 2010
10:43 am
should do like basketball.Interconference openers SEC-Big 10,ACC-Big 12,Big East-Pac 10, and so forth
OldFan
August 11th, 2010
12:00 pm
Third or Eighth? Not enough difference now to make the call. Beat SC and Ark, then we’ll know. But until we can beat Florida more than once a decade, the rest doesn’t matter.
EricADawgFan
August 14th, 2010
12:23 pm
If Mike Bobo does not do a good job this year even on a softer regular season schedule, he could very well be following Martinez being an ex Dawg Coach.
bchomping
August 18th, 2010
10:06 pm
stinkwitch uga was #1 in nation at the beginning of the season a couple of years ago and look what happen
Reply to 41 Points
August 21st, 2010
10:40 am
One word reply – BAMA!
OMG, did I type that?
To Georgia Wagon Fans
August 21st, 2010
10:41 am
If you can’t stand behind CMR, get off the wagon and walk. Or better yet, Some gaytors south of the border will gladly take you in.
ya mama
August 25th, 2010
4:43 pm
I went to UL Lafayette. The people are very nice at least. Our football team leaves a lot to be desired, but we are excited to be playing such a big name school. Back in the 90’s when I was there, we had a big game against Texas A&M and everyone thought it was a huge joke. We had Jake Delhomme playing for us at the time and we ended up winning. It was a huge deal in the town. Maybe, just maybe….well…maybe not.