Back-to-back challenges loom large for Dawgs
Ben Jones and Cordy Glenn, seen celebrating here last season with Caleb King, are expected back for the opening game but have missed a lot of practice. (John Bazemore / AP)
Last week’s vacation provided a much-appreciated break from a lot of things, but being a UGA fan wasn’t one of them.
We spent Wednesday through Friday over in Athens, my hometown, and this time of year that’s sort of like Red and Black Immersion Therapy, what with a shopping spree at the UGA Bookstore, a visit to Butts-Mehre while cruising through campus and visits with old friends — which naturally included lots of conversation about the coming football season.
Among the recurring themes in recent conversations with Bulldogs fans is the early-season challenge that Mark Richt’s team faces with back-to-back noontime late-summer SEC games against South Carolina and Arkansas.
With Ben Jones and Cordy Glenn having missed much of the preseason camp and a bunch of other offensive linemen hobbled during August, there’s been concern about what is supposed to be a strength of the 2010 team. As was seen in the most recent scrimmage, as the OL goes, so goes the Georgia offense. And while everyone’s expected to be back by the opening game, I’ve found myself wondering whether the loss of practice reps and preseason conditioning might come into play in sweltering Columbia.
Of course, there’s a positive way to look at this, too, as Clint Boling did on Georgiadogs.com, saying the injuries and illnesses suffered by starters have meant valuable practice reps for the reserves on the OL. “They’ve taken advantage of their opportunity to step in and get the job done,” he said. “The good thing is, we’ve all been together for awhile, so we should be fine when everybody’s back. It’s going to be hot in the first couple of games, but it doesn’t matter when game time is; you’ve just got to be ready to play.”
Still, the game against South Carolina looms large, with the always-tough Gamecock defense providing the first real test of redshirt freshman QB Aaron Murray. And Steve Spurrier’s offense (likely to be led by Stephen Garcia no matter what the Ball Coach is saying) will be a major challenge for Todd Grantham’s new 3-4 defensive scheme.
Then the next week it’s the Razorbacks and Ryan Mallett, who’s expected to rack up gaudy passing stats against just about everyone this season. Can Grantham’s troops slow him down at all? Can the Dogs’ offense keep pace with the Hogs? At least it’s in Athens.
Loading ...What I’m hearing from quite a few fans is that they’ll be pleased if Georgia comes out of those two games with a 1-1 split. Beat them both, and it could be a special season for the Dogs, but a lot of fans are skittish about openly voicing that thought.
What do you think? Would a win and a loss out of those two games be good enough? Feel free to vote in the poll or share your thoughts in the comments.
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301 comments Add your comment
Catfish
August 24th, 2010
12:37 pm
UGA is better than both those teams in regards to talent. We should win both games.
Dawgs73
August 24th, 2010
12:37 pm
Unfortunately, both games will be tough and could potentially be losses…that’s how far our Dawgs have fallen. Richt has been laped by Saban & Meyer’s and he is in a “prove it year” to salvage/save this program. It took him 3 years to realize that his “buddy” wasn’t getting it done on defense, and only a complete collapse forced him to make a change.
Now, that type of loyalty may be able to exist in a “family run business”, but this is the top of the food chain. You either make tough decision for the better of the program quickly or pay the price and put your head on the chopping block…the clock is ticking.
brandon2k
August 24th, 2010
12:38 pm
UGA is my team. So this is my prediction. I would love for them to have a perfect season but things always play out this way. If UGA win both games they will lose to UF. If they lose to S.Carolina they will go on and upset UF and play for the SEC championship game and possibly win. But the one loss to S.Carolina will hurt them for the BCS championship game because of the weakness of schedule. Hopefully we will win them all.
Joey
August 24th, 2010
12:39 pm
The SC game will be a war. UGA has the unfortunate position of having numerous border-state rivalries: SC, UT, UF, and AU. Not to mention the clean, old-fashioned hate with Tech.
But …… SC will be the biggest test early on.
10SEConds
August 24th, 2010
12:39 pm
Whether 2-0, 1-1 or 0-2 is acceptable for these 2 games depends on what happens afterwards. Win both, then losses to, say, Col, UF and AU feel even worse. Lose both, then win out, and we’ll only remember them in December insofar as the early losses cost us an SEC champ game or BCS bowl appearance–remember 2007? As hard as it may be to win both of these games, may be even harder to win both and then not have a letdown (see UT in 2004). And that’s likely to be the challenge. Talent and coaching give UGA the edge in both games, but an upset may well loom in the ensuing 2-3 weeks; just hope its v. Col rather than SEC teams MSU and UT.
Coachdawg 2000
August 24th, 2010
12:41 pm
Catfish- I love the Dawgs but come on! Our WR corps is pretty thin of proven playmakers after AJ. our D-line/entire defense is a major work-in-progress and we have aguy making his first SEC start in a place that Richt himself has described as a bloodbath. I don’t want to have to hear that awful rooster crow incessantly while we flounder. Arkansas should be victory unless our offense completely implodes.
jimmymack
August 24th, 2010
12:42 pm
if any of us knew the answers and we would bet and get rich, of course that would be illegal in GA, but that is another fight
BellyuptotheBar Dawg
August 24th, 2010
12:43 pm
Poo-pooer Dawgs (think Munson and Dooley) will say that there’s no chance we win both games. And although Bill says “quite a few” have said they’d be happy with a split, there’s no doubt that MOST DAWGS will be VERY unhappy with a loss to either.
The Quote -
August 24th, 2010
12:45 pm
“What I’m hearing from quite a few fans is that they’ll be pleased if Georgia comes out of those two games with a 1-1 split. Beat them both, and it could be a special season for the Dogs, but a lot of fans are skittish about openly voicing that thought.”
You are killing me sir! The one thing I know is a Georgia fan has NEVER been skittish about predicting a victory! Heck, they predict 12 victories every year!
Lowcountry Bulldawg
August 24th, 2010
12:46 pm
Yes, most Dawgs will be unhappy with a loss to either, but its not enough to give up on the season or start the fire CMR websites. A loss to USC will hurt more as it will impact tiebreakers in the SEC East race if that comes into play.
Dawgs Rule
August 24th, 2010
12:46 pm
We better not lose to either of those “middling” programs!!!
Gman 84
August 24th, 2010
12:47 pm
We figured out how to lose 5 games last year so obviously we better worry about both games. Better worry about most of our games until we see some improvement over the systematic problems of excessive and stupid penalties, turnover differential and poor defense.
Coachdawg 2000
August 24th, 2010
12:47 pm
The quote-
Are you Stewie Griffin? “You are killing me sir!” Are you serious? Who talks like that?
Delbert D.
August 24th, 2010
12:53 pm
A loss to Colorado would be apocalyptic and sure banishment from the top 25. I can’t see that happening. They were a 3-win team in 2009, and one win was Texas A&M, 35-34. They did play Big-12 opponents in some close games, but Toledo ran up 54 on them.
What is going against Georgia is the altitude in Boulder. It’s over 5,400 feet. If there are questions with depth on defense it will show up in this game.
Calhoundawg
August 24th, 2010
12:54 pm
Dawgs Rule, totally agreed. If this year is the first step TOWARDS where we all know we want to be, then Arkansas and South Carolina should be [respectfully stated] non-factors.I’m not saying we won’t lose to one of them, but with this team being so loaded with experince, talent, a new defensive scheme, and a brand new attitude, I fully expect some pretty darned exciting games this year. I also agree with the poster who mentioned Auburn. Hopefully, that will be one of the most meaningful and relevant games [wins] we play this year. Should be a great year to be a Georgia Bulldog —
Go Dawgs !!!!!
Dawgs Rule
August 24th, 2010
12:55 pm
I remember people saying the same thing 2 years ago when UGA played in “that heat” in Tempe vs Arizona State.
Hunker Down
August 24th, 2010
12:55 pm
you learn so fast dawg rules
UGAG is gitting the ncaa death penalty, he he ha ha
August 24th, 2010
12:56 pm
Not to mention the ncaa death penalty that will end football in athens for five long years….he he ha ha
Coachdawg 2000
August 24th, 2010
12:58 pm
UG………ha ha-
That would be the ONLY way the north Avenue geeks would have another win streak over us again!
Dr. Phil
August 24th, 2010
1:00 pm
Easy wins!
Dawgs Rule
August 24th, 2010
1:00 pm
Again, I don’t meant to be disrespectful of Carolina or Arky, but these are games Georgia should win hands down. We are the University of Georgia!!! We’re not Ole Miss or Purdue or Arizona or GT. We are “The University of Georgia” by god!!! We should have the talent in place to reload- not rebuild!!! This is the beginning of our Top 5 status we should be/ are accustomed to. We should absolutely EXPECT to win these kind of games!!
jumbeauxtiger
August 24th, 2010
1:01 pm
I still believe the heat on 9/11 will be a factor. The intensity and competition in games is greater than in practice.
That said I think the Dawgs have to be concerned about how they come out of what will be a physical game in Columbia. Many times a hard-fought physical game will have an affect on the next one. That’s why I believe Arkansas poses a bigger challenge at this point.
However, both games will be tough but are winnable for the Dawgs.
Geaux Tigers
Go SEC
Reality Check
August 24th, 2010
1:02 pm
UGA will be 2-2 on the way to another mediocre 7-5 season. No proven QB and unproven defense will never win consistently in the SEC. 5 losses to come from pool of SC, Ark, Miss State, UF, Aub, and GT. UGA is maybe the 7 or 8th best program in the SEC this year. GT will tear the hedges down again this year.
Delusional Dawg
August 24th, 2010
1:03 pm
We will win the Nat’l Championship just like every other year since 1980.
JB
August 24th, 2010
1:07 pm
Should be undefeated rolling into Jacksonville. Willie being gone will mean that much. Offense will be awesome and the D, although not great, will be a lot better, and will go into the games NOT SLEEPING as Willie’s D often did. The secondary is more athletic and the coaching there is so much better. The opposing QB’s will not be afforded the time they have had in the past because of an attacking, pressure defense. The defense will spend less time on the field. Stopping the run concerns me some. I’m pumped.
Delusional Dawg
August 24th, 2010
1:07 pm
UL-Laf win
@SC Loss
ARK Loss
@MSU win
@Colo win
UT win
VAN win
@UK loss
@UF loss
IdahoSt win
@AUB loss
OPEN win
GTech win
Coachdawg 2000
August 24th, 2010
1:07 pm
Delusional-
Are you still bitter that you haven’t made it to the grownups table at family functions? Don’t worry Tech will go embarass themselves in a bowl game again this year with their peewee league offense.
Mirna from smyrna
August 24th, 2010
1:08 pm
The Dawgs must set the tone in game #1. They have to come out with both barrels blazing in that one. I don’t care or want to hear about dumbing down the game plan so they don’t show to much. It’s a new day on D side of the ball and they have to play that way every snap of every game. To many times CMR backs off in these type games. Going into Columbia without having run the new D to the max when the bullets are live will prove to be a large mistake. Let the evil one see the whole package. Its time for a more aggresive attitude from the top down and that starts at 12:38 on September 3!!!!!
Dawgs Rule
August 24th, 2010
1:11 pm
Reality Check,
Don’t quit your day job (whatever it is) to bet on UGA games. You’d be broke before Halloween and would have no money to buy that lovely yellow wig and body paint.
papadawg
August 24th, 2010
1:11 pm
Remembering our defense from last year I’m like Munson, I’m worried about the first game
Delusional Dawg
August 24th, 2010
1:12 pm
youngest coachdawg 2000, Your offense will be one dimentional with opposing defenses crowding the line and daring the midget to throw. Of course you either didnt see Gday game or consider it a minor blip in the midgets performance. Richt lucked out when Mett F’d up. It enabled him to let his little lap dog be the starter.
Coachdawg 2000
August 24th, 2010
1:12 pm
Mirna-
I love your enthusiasm but game #1 is September 4th. We don’t want to peak too early!
Dawgs Rule
August 24th, 2010
1:12 pm
Absolutely Mirna from Smyrna!!!
JB
August 24th, 2010
1:12 pm
I also hope Murray throws 30 times opening day to give the ole ball coach something to think about. You know they are gonna come out and stack the box on D, especially if we don’t throw it around opening day.
Delusional Dawg
August 24th, 2010
1:13 pm
Thats funny coach, maybe that’s the problem the last 30 years. You didnt pull out before you hit your PEAK. LOL!!!!
papadawg
August 24th, 2010
1:14 pm
He’s a QB and if he can’t throw the ball try anybody else.
Coachdawg 2000
August 24th, 2010
1:18 pm
Delusional- Shouldn’t you be calling 1-800-techtix to get your front row tickets to any game. You and the other 40,000 fans are going to make the joke-by-coke as intimidating as a sewing circle at a nursing home. At least you can pick your seats and you can go wathc Ga. State their bitter has-been Bill Curry.
bamafan
August 24th, 2010
1:18 pm
We Bamafans simply hope that Ryan Mallett will be the Jevan Snead of 2010………..if that happens, Arkansas will not be a factor for any team………
tony
August 24th, 2010
1:18 pm
Brian Van Gorder defense is the reason why Mr.Richt has had a successful career at uga. The defense will be better this year and beyond because we now have another defensive coordinator(Grantham) who allow his players to play aggresive defense. That’s the type of defense our young men likes to play. Also, we have a qb who will execute plays better this season and use his mobility to make plays when the offense breaks down. Those are the factors which makes me believe the dawgs can go undefeated until that play for the sec title. I’m not sure if they can beat Bama when they meet in Atlanta. Should be a good game loss or win.
JB
August 24th, 2010
1:19 pm
Stacking the box could be problematic for Carolina, because AJ split out will probably mean single coverage. AJ wins that battle with Murray from the shotgun.
Dawgs Rule
August 24th, 2010
1:19 pm
Delusional ,
I’d like for you to try and run a route and let that “midget” knock the air out of your bug gut. How is an offense that features Green/ Charles AND Ealey/King one dimensional? You don’t think much before spouting off do you?
Richard Hamilton
August 24th, 2010
1:19 pm
I believe our defense is going to be a lot better this year. Even modest improvement will be head and shoulders above last year. Throw in a big improvement in turnovers and you have the makings of a great season.
The only thing that concerns me is the offensive line, which everyone brags about. It took them half the season last year to kick it in gear. If our offensive line doesn’t dominate every game, we are in for some close games that could go either way.
Our season hinges on how well the o-line plays plain and simple.
hunkerdown
August 24th, 2010
1:20 pm
The first game is the most important. If we don’t lay the wood to the sisters of the blind, it’s gonna be a long season. Anything less than a 21 point spread and we are in trouble…..
Reality Check
August 24th, 2010
1:21 pm
Delusional Dawg fans can go ahead prediciting a good year. You have the same offensive line, same running backs as last year, with the only change on offense is you trading in a 5 year Senior for a midget Freshman QB that has never been in a real game. A total new defensive scheme for players recruited for the 4-3 will not be easy. Your stud DC has no experience coaching against the teams in the SEC. Good luck with that one. Maybe 7-5 is not right, lose against SC and Ark and it could be 6-6 for the Dawg Nation.
Delusional Dawg
August 24th, 2010
1:21 pm
tony, you guys just can’t help it can you? What was Van Gorders record against that great UF coach named the Zooker?
Coachdawg 2000
August 24th, 2010
1:21 pm
Delusional-
BTW i’ll take our “Midget” over Nesbitt “wounded duck”. That guy is a free safety in the Arena League at best. Aaron murray could throw the ball better with his wrong hand than Nesbitt.
Delusional Dawg
August 24th, 2010
1:21 pm
Realiity, dont forget how great little aaron played in his Gday game.
Vick=Dog killing thug
August 24th, 2010
1:22 pm
I see the new defense being HUGE for UGA. Remember, Willie is gone and so is his toilet paper defense. Think back to the 30-24 win over the bugs. First game without Willie and the D was much much better. Now fast forward to today…. The new D will take that much more pressure off the offense and young Murray… I’m excited
Dawgs Rule
August 24th, 2010
1:22 pm
Delusional,
What has a worthless scrimmage from 6 months ago got to do with now? That’s like saying the Nerds won’t have Nesbitt for any games because he didn’t play in their Spring game. Brilliant logic on your part.
how2fish
August 24th, 2010
1:23 pm
Coachdawg 2000 ,Reality Check and the Bug Village will embarrass themselves well before a bowl game only filling half of the Joke at Coke 3 or 4 games in a row will be the start.