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
Delusional Dawg
August 24th, 2010
1:23 pm
corchdog, the same lame asses who said they loved Joe Cox before the season will drop murray faster than uga can clean himself.
JB
August 24th, 2010
1:24 pm
Tech is one high ankle sprain away from being ranked 43rd.
huh?
August 24th, 2010
1:24 pm
Delusional = Reality Check
Delbert D.
August 24th, 2010
1:26 pm
I need some input from you all.
Some guy that currently is using the nym “Funny” is over on Doug Roberson’s site saying I am a troll over here on Bill’s site. I use the same name everywhere. I’ve been on this site since last September. I think I’m fair, and I try to provide factual information and balanced opinions. I’ve followed Georgia football since 1958. I am also a Georgia Tech fan, pretty much an oddity in my family and friends that I grew up with. Anybody agree that I’m a troll?
Delusional Dawg
August 24th, 2010
1:26 pm
You are right JB just as UGA is a sore shoulder, arm, ankle away from Hutson Mason or Logan (I can throw it to Spikes) Gray.
Dawgs Rule
August 24th, 2010
1:27 pm
JB,
watch it or they will start using the excuse AGAIN about “dirty” play play our D on his tender little ankle.
Delusional Dawg
August 24th, 2010
1:27 pm
huh? not even close.
Aaron
August 24th, 2010
1:28 pm
People within the Cowboys organization are glad Todd Grantham is gone.
The guy is a complete joke, he destroyed a good Cleveland Browns defense as DC.
Mallett and Garcia are going to carve up the 3-4.
TNDave
August 24th, 2010
1:29 pm
You think UGA is going to run the score on the Vol defense? You need to go to the doctor
and get your medication adjusted. Your high on a quarterback who hasn’t played a game in the
SEC yet and couldn’t even beat out Joe Cox last year. Give me a break.
JB
August 24th, 2010
1:31 pm
I would have thought that with the season getting closer and all the great recruiting news Tech has gotten the last 3-4 days, The Tech haters would be on their own blog ( this is a story about Georgia’s first two SEC games, not a general football blog) talking up the lather for toe meets leather……By the way Tech, your two OOC games with SC State and Middle Tennessee will be nail biters, if not loses. Those teams are loaded with 4 and 5 star Div 1 “non qualifiers”, FYI
Delusional Dawg
August 24th, 2010
1:31 pm
Aaron, you are absolutely correct. Richt keeps trying to convince everyone that a DC fired by the Cleveland Freaking Browns was his first choice all along. If he is really telling the truth; the humpers are in even worse shape than I thought.
Coachdawg 2000
August 24th, 2010
1:31 pm
At least Josh(ua) Nesbitt-has a skinny beard. Maybe the UA added to his name will help him do something other than chuck a wobbly heave to no one inparticular. I’m not drinking the kollaid but you can’t be maing fun our QB. We didn’t even offer Nesbitt as a QB! But you probably didn’t know that because you were busy going through puberty (so very alone!).
DawginLex
August 24th, 2010
1:32 pm
TnDave,
Watch and see. DD will flounder this year and even lose to Kentucky.
Don’t you think Richt knows that a lot of people want another Dooley on the sidelines in Athens? You think Richt is not competitive and capable of getting hacked off?
Watch and see. 38-10
JB
August 24th, 2010
1:34 pm
TNDave…..you don’t know much about Mark Richt. He will play a fifth year Senior over a true frehman everyday of the week, even if Aaron was the second coming of Joe Namath. Yes, most Georgia folks think that IS A FLAW, but that’s Mark !
Delusional Dawg
August 24th, 2010
1:34 pm
When the new AD finds out how much the humpers underacheive, he will follow Foley’s lead when the gators dumped Zook and can Richt. Your next coach will be Chris Petersen from Boise St.
DawginLex
August 24th, 2010
1:35 pm
The rest of you hater idiots can keep on calling Murray a midget like some five year old little girl.
He is going to prove all of you wrong and it is all going to start in Columbia.
Meyer wanted him to run the spread in Gainesville but now he is a midget?
You folks are dumber than toadstools.
KM
August 24th, 2010
1:37 pm
114th!!!!!
TNDave
August 24th, 2010
1:37 pm
Coach Richt is smart. But I can promise you Aaron Murray is no Joe Namath.
Delusional Dawg
August 24th, 2010
1:37 pm
He would be great in the spread, but is too short as a dropback. He was in the spread in HS.
Delusional Dawg
August 24th, 2010
1:41 pm
Does this mean Vandy is a big game for the humpers?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYistNC78uU
DawginLex
August 24th, 2010
1:43 pm
Aaron Murray was not ready to play last year. Coming off the broken leg in high school, he then had tendinitis in his throwing arm. Richt wanted him for four years. He is a winner and will do well.
UGA won’t win anything just trying to run the ball. SEC defenses are too good to allow it. The run/pass ration has been close to 50/50 and will stay that way with maybe a little more lean to the run depending on the defense.
2001-2004, UGA’s defense allowed 30 points once(LSU_SECCG). WM did it routinely. Grantham’s defense is the key to the season for Murray. Play it close to the vest, play good defense and run the ball. It will still end up close to 50/50 run/pass.
Nature Boy Ric Flair
August 24th, 2010
1:44 pm
Though I am the greatest wrestler of all time, I also follow college football. Reality Check, the last time UGA won 7 games was many, many moons ago back in the 90s. Aaron Murray is unproven in the same way John Brantley is- neither has performed with the game on the line, but I predict great things for both.
Why no love for Todd Grantham? Nick Saban thinks he is pretty good, and ol’ Nick knows a thing or two about defense.
Tell you what, the Old Nature Boy is going to be relaxing in front of a bigscreen TV every time the Dogs hit the field this year. Wooooo!
Gratefuldawghead
August 24th, 2010
1:46 pm
Right now I am just thankfull we have a scrimage game before we go to South Carolina.
chazzo
August 24th, 2010
1:46 pm
No doubt, USC is the tougher and more important of the two. USC and UT are must win games prior to Jax where UF is also a must win game. Win the head-to-head games in the East. That is all. The rest fo the season will play out from there.
SSIgator
August 24th, 2010
1:48 pm
“Back-to-back challenges loom large for Dawgs”
I guess they do. Isn’t that the way the Athens Police make the UGA players sit on the sidewalk handcuffed together before the squad car comes to pick them up?
Conspiracy Dawg
August 24th, 2010
1:49 pm
Hey, let’s re-visit the themes from prior years: SEC refs, ESPN and AJC all have it in for the Dawgs. Also, we have more injuries than ANY OTHER football team. Help me out here, Dawg fans, what other obstacles does UGA have to overcome that no other team does ?
how2fish
August 24th, 2010
1:49 pm
TNDave I don’t think we will run up the score unless its running the football..if UT can’t stop the run any better that the Bugs did last year..yeah I think its going to be ugly..but we won’t be able to pass all over the Vols even with Eric Berry gone.
how2fish
August 24th, 2010
1:51 pm
SSIgator how are things going over at the Gator Camp ? Who’s making a move for playing time? What the injury report? Will the Gators be ready for Bama you think?
Reality Check
August 24th, 2010
1:52 pm
UGA is one QB injury from going 4-8. AM actually will give you two extra wins needed for 6-6. UGA= program in the decline while GT is a program on the rise. The Dawgs beat GT last year but are 1-1 with CPJ using recruits that were not recruited for the Triple Option offense. Wait until year 4 and 5 when GT has players at every position on OL down suited to the T.O. Offense. CMR had a good run but those golden days are over with. Look for Al, Aub, UF, Ark, Ole Miss, LSU and Tenn to be consistently ahead of UGA in 5 years.
Delusional Dawg
August 24th, 2010
1:52 pm
Conspiriacy dog, here is why the refs have it for you. Your saintly HC said after the game that he was sorry for it, but the replay says otherwise. Watch Saint Richt clapping his hands at the 35 second mark.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9qm8JROXWc&feature=related
Delbert D.
August 24th, 2010
1:55 pm
If the game goes well against Louisiana-Lafayette, will CMR put in Mason for some playing time? Good question, because a) Aaron Murray needs all the prep he can get, and b) it burns any possible redshirt for Mason.
I say that Mason will play with a simplified system. You’ve got to prepare for disaster. The redshirt issue is not at all important. Getting the only backup up to speed is paramount (I’d say Gray would be an emergency #3 backup.) If nothing else happens, Mason would go on to be a 4th year starter after Murray graduates. Plus, Georgia has some really good talent in the recruiting classes ahead, which presents some interesting issues there.
reggie's reason for the streak
August 24th, 2010
1:55 pm
Dawgs Rule- Should you guys be top 5 with your recruiting classes…probably. But this is the same argument every year. You always underachieve!!!! Richt is not a good coach. A great guy, but not a good coach. Grantham will help but when you play in the SEC, you are tested every week. You will start off 3-3 and everybody will blame the young quarterback and the new defensive scheme. You guys always have excuses and are always the best 3 or 4 loss team in the nation!!!
DawginLex
August 24th, 2010
1:55 pm
SSIgator,
Is that the way your boys greeted TT in the locker room last year?
Is that the way your boys left the impound lot with the stolen car?
Heard one of your recruits just got arrested for starting a fight?
Should I continue or do you want to stop with your 5 year old posts and start talking football?
Tech First
August 24th, 2010
1:56 pm
Ga will be 0-2 after both games no more hot seat shouldof hire an exp defensive coor. new AD new coach “TO HELL WITH GEORGIA”
JB
August 24th, 2010
1:56 pm
The Worst thing that has happened for Tech and the rest of the haters on here IS the hiring of McGarity. Georgia people for the most part love Mark Richt and he’s done some great things, like owning Tech. The last two years have not been pretty. Our brand has been damaged. Mark has reacted and will be given every chance to right the ship ( 2007 #2 finish for the haters who ask right what ship). He will have 2010 and 2011. If bad things happen in those two seasons( pick your own bad thing), McGarity will make a change. If you read between the lines with the committee that interviewed McGarity before recommending him to Dr. Adams, they wanted to make sure he could make the tough personnel decisions, not so much the finance duties. I read that to mean, can he fire Richt if this thing continues to slide.
how2fish
August 24th, 2010
1:57 pm
Reality Check really wait for year 4-5 ?? News flash if the Wattle Neck Goon gets schooled again this year like last year he won’t make it till year 5…your right the players that beat UGA were not recruited by CPJ they were better players than any he has recruited. Check your self sonny Hell is coming and its wearing Red and Black.
ga gator
August 24th, 2010
1:57 pm
Looks like the same people spewing venom today. Can’t wait for the season fellas.
DawginLex
August 24th, 2010
1:57 pm
Reality check,
Thanks for your assessment of UGA. glad your obsession continues.
Tech is a joshua Nesbitt injury away from going 4-8 also.
What is your point?
Why so obsessed with UGA?
Grow up
Texas Dawg
August 24th, 2010
1:59 pm
If we have to worry about SC and ARK then we will never be the caliber of team that we need to be to compete for the NC. Do we think Ala and Fl worry so much about those two? With the caliber of players we have we “with the right game plan” should be blowing them away! Got ya SC always plays UGA tuff….the heat…yada yada….if we don’t hang 40 on SC and the d shut em down it’s going to be a roller coster year! WE should be crushing ARK in our house! If those two teams are pivital for the season we have a long way to go before we rivial seasons like AL and FLa the last four or five years! GO YOU HAIRY DOGS GET ER DONE!
PhilDawg
August 24th, 2010
2:00 pm
Enter your comments here
JB
August 24th, 2010
2:00 pm
I’d play Mason. Christian Lemay will be in Athens Next year. Hater’s, say what you want, this guy will be a nightmare for you. I’ll take him over the ‘who” QB tech just got from NC.
ga gator
August 24th, 2010
2:00 pm
JB you are certainly correct. McGarrity is a great hire. While I don’t care for Jeremy Foley’s personality, he has no problem firing coaches, ie, Womens B Ball coach, 2 Baseball coaches, and my favorite firing; Ron Zook. McGarrity learned from the best that it is a brutal business, but when coaches make the salaries they do these days, I feel no pity for them.
DawginLex
August 24th, 2010
2:01 pm
florida wasn’t worried about Arkansas last year when the ref screwed Arkansas out of the win at the end of the game?
Florida wasn’t worried last year at SC when the game was close the whole way?
florida wasn’t worried in 2006 when they blocked the winning FG as time expired?
SEC football is getting better top to bottom. that is why the games are tight and everyone worries every week unless it is playing Vandy this year
Long wait to Nov techies
August 24th, 2010
2:02 pm
Dawgs getting ready for South Carolina and Tech waiting on the GEORGIA game. That’s why they can’t sell out thier high school stadium in the middle of Atlanta Or WIN a Bowl game. hahahahahahaha
ga gator
August 24th, 2010
2:02 pm
Christian Lemay reminds me of Charlie Ward and as a Gator I don’t have to tell you what that means.
Russ I
August 24th, 2010
2:02 pm
At least South Carolina and Arkansas don’t have temporary mascots. Woof.
DawginLex
August 24th, 2010
2:05 pm
Yeah russ but their mascots are edible. Ours isn’t unless you live in korea
Delbert D.
August 24th, 2010
2:06 pm
ga gator – Ditto for Georgia Tech followers.
Delbert D.
August 24th, 2010
2:07 pm
DawginLex – Now that was an interesting comment!
ga gator
August 24th, 2010
2:08 pm
Delbert, If Murray plays as advertised (which I think he will), I predict LeMay will go somewhere else, which could be a blessing in disguise. AJC had a great article about Murray and his family Sun.