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
DawginLex
August 24th, 2010
2:10 pm
If Lemay is smart, he will redshirt and play his 2nd year as a redshirt freshman. That would be Murray and Mason’s junior year.
That is the QB depth we have all wanted to see.
Russ the Temporary Mascot
August 24th, 2010
2:11 pm
Help me out here, Dawg fans, what other obstacles does UGA have to overcome that no other team does ?
Well, they don’t have a permanent mascot. But one’s ready to be hired. Hint hint. But no a$$ painting.
JB
August 24th, 2010
2:13 pm
ga gator…….yes, I’ll believe it when I see it ( Lemay in Athens)………If Dawgs ( I said if) went 11-2 with a good bowl win and finish top 10-15, Lemay may re -do his 15 minutes of fame.
ga gator
August 24th, 2010
2:13 pm
My thoughts on LeMay and his rev father, is they are all about them and that and redshirting don’t go well together. On the surface he appears a complete opposite of Murray. According to my friends who still live in Tampa, Murray is Tebow-like in his leadership qualities.
JB
August 24th, 2010
2:14 pm
Russ, you’re UNDEFEATED !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Paint or NO paint……
Hunker Down
August 24th, 2010
2:14 pm
jb
SC has 5 all SEC players and 4 are on the D side of the field. Chris Culliver and Stephon Gilmore are both secondary players and both senior leaders. Gilmore first team Culliver second. It sounds all good to air it out to AJ in one on one but they are pretty good on D and add Alijoybe dt and Mathews DE also all SEC and not only can they put some heat on a young qb and can cover as well. We will be in a fight in Columbia. Mark it on your claendar.
RxDawg
August 24th, 2010
2:14 pm
USC will be the toughest on the two.
People are right to be concerned with MSU and Auburn.
Also don’t forget about UT. Make no mistake about them, it’s not revenge were after, it’s the reckoning.
ryan
August 24th, 2010
2:15 pm
UGA is going to be more aggressive like a pack of pit bulls those pocket passers QBs be warned.
how2fish
August 24th, 2010
2:16 pm
ga gator good to hear about Murray and his family and by the way good to hear from you..now I know the season is near!
76-Dawg
August 24th, 2010
2:16 pm
No way Saunders will miss the Georgia game. Spurrier knows that if South Carolina had thrown more to Saunders at the end of last years game they probably would have beaten UGA. We had nobody that could cover him.
how2fish
August 24th, 2010
2:19 pm
SSIgator still no response on the state of the Gator Nation? Hmmm not surprising you seem to know everything that is/could be wrong with the UGA program and not a damn thing about your team..or is it your team..really your lack of Gator lore is starting to smell a mite BUGGISH??
Hunker Down
August 24th, 2010
2:20 pm
Sorry for typo’s should be mark it on your “calendar” and Ajiboye who has started since a freshman and now is a senior. SC top DL interior player.
Can You Dig It
August 24th, 2010
2:20 pm
If UGA is one QB injury away from going 4-8 as you say…how about Tech…who the hell is going to back up Nesbitt…all the Tech backup QB’s have left the program…Are you mental? They way you analyze UGA is so funny…its always so slanted and full of bullsh_t that nobody on this blog takes you seriously….Its clear you have a hard on for Tech…good thing because no woman worth her weight would ever give you the time of day for you to have one….Keep posting your BS though…because all of us here in the office get a big laugh at your stupidity…Can You Dig It!
DawginLex
August 24th, 2010
2:20 pm
Murray is not going to just hand anyone the job. This kid wants to play, is a winner and wants to play 4 years. Lemay seems like a good kid who wants to play as well. His talent may force richt to bench murray or platoon them ala Greene/Shockley. Shockley was a rare individual that accepted that and was rewarded with an SEC title his senior year.
Hunker Down
August 24th, 2010
2:21 pm
RX Dawg
Saw where an ESPN analysis is picking Auburn to win the SEC west. Chizeck has recruited very well.
Pete Moylan
August 24th, 2010
2:23 pm
UGA will destroy both. No worries, mates.
bill
August 24th, 2010
2:23 pm
The O-line is trapped in the Hot Tub Time Machine…we are knicked up & hurt every year. In years past, other teams keep their linemen playing every week, and we have a different line-up every week.
Just one of the reasons why UGA has lost the “benefit of a doubt” from the national media.
This is the year for this team to just shut-up & play the games — & beat UF again before I die!
ga gator
August 24th, 2010
2:25 pm
How2, to answer your Q about UF’s practices, Brantley appears to be as advertised, but there are concerns about DE’s and TE. There appears to be enough playmakers on offense where I believe they will score more than they did in 09, but I am afraid teams (AL and UGA) might be able to run against them.
how2fish
August 24th, 2010
2:25 pm
Hunker Down picking Auburn over Bama to win the west would be the best way for a ESPN guy to get blog hits for sure.Chizeck has recruited well but I don’t see that D stopping Bama if both of their backs are healthy..
Delbert D.
August 24th, 2010
2:26 pm
ga gator – Like I said, things could get interesting. The number of QBs from the Class of 2007 that transferred *after* enrolling and checking out the competition (or unpleasant other reasons) is telling. Out of the Rivals top-10s in both categories you’ve got Mallett, Marve, Threet, Cameron, Corp, Korn, Paulus and Coleman. That of course is Gray and Nesbitt’s class, along with Kodi Burns and Jarrett Lee, and they decided to stay and compete or play at another position. Pat Bostick of Pitt left camp but decided to come back and compete.
Roll Tide
August 24th, 2010
2:28 pm
I think UGA beats South Carolina by 10 and loses in a shootout to Arkansas. I’ll believe USC can win the big game when it finally happens, and I just think UGA is better than them and too good on the road. Arkansas, however, is so explosive that I think they will put up too many points for a freshman qb to keep pace with. The only way UGA wins is if they rack up rushing yards and keep Mallett off the field.
ga gator
August 24th, 2010
2:28 pm
Delbert, you forgot to mention Brantley in the 2007 class. Marve by the way was the Plant High School QB before Aaron Murray.
SSIgator
August 24th, 2010
2:29 pm
Bill King -
“Would a win and a loss out of those two games be good enough?”
Bill, you did not finish the article. The other choice should have been “What happens when UGA is 0-2 against SC and Ark?”
Clay
August 24th, 2010
2:30 pm
The South Carolina is bigger because it’s an East game. I think UGA will win both of them.
ga gator
August 24th, 2010
2:30 pm
S SIgator, they will win at least 1 of those and maybe both.
RxDawg
August 24th, 2010
2:30 pm
how2fish, a lot of that underdog pick of Auburn winning the west has to do with Auburn’s schedule. Take a look at it compared to Bama’s and it might not seem that far off base. A lot of people think the Ironbowl will determine the winner of the west. I’m one of those people.
That said, without seeing anyone play yet my preseason pick for the west is Bama. It’s hard not to like the team they are returning.
how2fish
August 24th, 2010
2:31 pm
ga gator thanks I was talking our resident Bull Gator here at work the other day from him I got the same concern..but I’m wondering how much of that is real I kept reading all the articles that DE was one of the real strengths this year ..or did I confuse DE with DT’s ? Anyway it will again be a wild ride for all of us in the SEC this year I’m thinking the Gators will not have a “down” year as a lot of folks are saying, but I think with the revamped D and losing CCS and a new starting QB it will be a little tougher for the Gators and when you throw in the Bama game..well you see my point.
Roll Tide
August 24th, 2010
2:31 pm
My prediction for UGA is 10-2 or 9-3, and hopefully they’ll beat Auburn again. Auburn sucks.
SSIgator
August 24th, 2010
2:31 pm
how2fish -
I guess you lost the link to the Gators for all of the questions you want answers to so here it is again http://www.gatorzone.com
Boise Dawg
August 24th, 2010
2:31 pm
No question it is the S. Carolina game and it is not even close. Not saying I think that S. Carolina is a better team (at this point who the heck knows)… but the following reason make it much more important.
1. 1st SEC game of the season (always good to start with a win)
2. 1st real test of the season (don’t open with Ok. St.)
3. 1st SEC road game for Murray (see how he handles adversity)
4. SEC East game (more important for East standings)
ga gator
August 24th, 2010
2:32 pm
Rx Cam Newton is perfect for Chizeks offense. Had he stayed out of trouble at UF, he would be the starter instead of Brantley.
DawginLex
August 24th, 2010
2:32 pm
ssigator,
what part of your 400 pound frame will implode when florida loses to alabama, LSU, UGA and FSU this year?
Hunker Down
August 24th, 2010
2:32 pm
Auburn will be a tough game in the plains especially since they have mainly all upper classmen (eighteen)as starters.
ga gator
August 24th, 2010
2:33 pm
DawginLex, I’ll answer for him; it will only be to Bama.
Roll Tide
August 24th, 2010
2:34 pm
I think Florida wins the East, but they will lose to Bama by 2 touchdowns. Also, Georgia Tech and Miami and SO overrated, and both will choke to Miami, who will win the ACC>
BigTimeTECHFan
August 24th, 2010
2:35 pm
My 2 cents:
UGA wins both games
1. Both teams will not know how to prepare for Todd Grantham’s defense, not enough film. Both play totally differnt offense so the Hogs will still have no clue after watching SC film.
2. Other side is UGA’s coaches know exactly what to expect from both teams this, SEC teams will be better prepared for Arkansas this year.
3. UGA will not lose till they play Florida.
4. Then again when they play Auburn
5. Then again when they play GEORGIA Tech
9-3
how2fish
August 24th, 2010
2:35 pm
RxDawg good points tell you the truth Auburn concerns me just for the law of averages..they are a good team and we have managed 4 wins in a row 5 will be tough to hang on them. I agree the winner of the Iron Bowl should win the West that being said this year I still like the Tides chances…but like you I have no income to declare on selling predictions..
DawginLex
August 24th, 2010
2:35 pm
ssigator is so good at predicting, I thought I would ask what would happen when florida goes 8-4. Tell me.
Who will you blame?
What excuse will it be this time?
2004 it was zook was leaving
2007 it was timmy was hurt
2010?
RxDawg
August 24th, 2010
2:35 pm
Roll Tide, is one of those “Miamis” supposed to be FSU?
Hunker Down
August 24th, 2010
2:35 pm
GA gator
Thought you were stacked at DE. Know they are young but you got shariff, Powell and a USC transfer.
ga gator
August 24th, 2010
2:36 pm
We are, but they are true freshmen and the USC transfer has to sit a year.
Dawgs Rule
August 24th, 2010
2:37 pm
SSIGator,
Don’t quit your day job (whatever it is) by betting on Georgia games. You’d be broke by Halloween and would have no money to buy new jorts and get that mullet trimmed!
DawginLex
August 24th, 2010
2:37 pm
ssi obviously does not want to talk football. He just wants to say stuff about arrests and red panties.
Mr. Dawg
August 24th, 2010
2:37 pm
Dating back to Vince Dooley’s first year as coach 46 years ago the Bulldogs have a 34-12 record against Ga. Tech. That’s 3 wins out of every 4 times they play. Over the last 9 years under Mark Richt the Bulldogs are 8-1 including last year’s game when every one was convinced Tech was the better team. Clearly they were not.. Georgia is better at football than Georgia Tech and always will be.
Hunker Down
August 24th, 2010
2:38 pm
How 2 fish
Tide loss a lot on D. Yes they have recruited exremely well but they sent alot of their team off to the NFL on defense.
SSIgator
August 24th, 2010
2:39 pm
DawginLex -
I am quite sure I did not say anything about red panties. Are they on your mind for a particular reason?
how2fish
August 24th, 2010
2:39 pm
SSIgator sorry I asked all those pesky questions..but as I don’t visit the Gator blogs I really didn’t know thanks for the website I will check it out…
haters are skaters
August 24th, 2010
2:39 pm
bill, you and the fans you spoke with are lame. people would be pleased w/ a 1-1 split w/ sc & ark? who is this, your brother and former roomate at uga???
good grief, it’s sc & ark! whether they beat uga or not, these are not 2 teams to say that you’d be pleased w/ just a 1-1 split.
Hunker Down
August 24th, 2010
2:39 pm
Hear Shariff Floyd is a monster @DE
DawginLex
August 24th, 2010
2:39 pm
don’t give me that crap. Every time you post it is some dig at UGA.
Idiot