Dog vs. Dog: Battling to emerge from SEC’s loser’s bracket
Russ may be the interim mascot, but he's still going to be top dog in Starkville. (University of Georgia)
A coworker came up to me this week and said, “Mississippi State a favorite over Georgia? Really!!??”
OK, so it’s only a 1-point spread, which basically means a toss-up, but yeah, as Georgia prepares to enter Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field in Starkville Saturday night for one of those rare SEC battles of the Bulldogs, there’s no denying it: Things have gotten ugly. It’s a match between the only two teams in the conference to both have two conference losses already, battling to keep from being declared irrelevant in their division race before September is even over.
Still, I’m always up for a little good-natured smack talk, so I asked my friend Harvey, the only Mississippi State grad I know, for his take on this week’s game.
As Harvey noted, since the two schools don’t play all that often, “there isn’t the kind of venom” between the two fan bases that you get with a division rivalry. But we’ve got that whole who-are-the-real-Bulldogs thing going. Although bulldogs have been part of MSU’s tradition since early in the 20th century, the bulldog didn’t become the school’s official mascot until 1961. Before that they were the Maroons. (My high school team also was formerly known as the Maroons but switched to the Trojans. Seems no one wants to be called a Maroon.)
Bully, the MSU mascot, better get ready for Russ marking his territory at Davis Wade Stadium. (Mississippi State University)
I asked Harvey how it felt to be the “other” Bulldogs in the SEC.
His reply: “Actually there are no other Bulldogs other than MSU. To this day, when I hear Bulldogs I don’t think of UGA first. It’s like Carolina trying to call themselves USC. Any true SEC fan knows there’s only one group of Bulldogs and they where the maroon and white. Gooooooo Dawgs, Sic ’em!”
Aren’t delusional college football fans fun?
As for the game itself, Harvey first tried to blind me with science by predicting, “We’re going to win because I predicted after looking at the schedule we’d be 2-2 after facing Memphis, Auburn, LSU and Georgia, and Georgia is our last hope to make that prediction come true.”
Yeah, well,my preseason prediction for Mark Richt’s Dawgs was 10-2, and so there’s no margin for error left on our side, either.
Anyway, Harvey continued with a summation of where the Maroon Bulldogs stand: “Even though our record may not see improvements this season, the team is a much better team, veteran O-line, one of the best young defensive coordinators in the country and even though they’ve struggled, the QBs are the best we’ve been a that position in the last 6-8 years. The atmosphere is going to be wild. The game sold out about 2 weeks ago and the cowbells will rule.”
It’s not all blue skies, though, for MSU fans. “Quarterback is the biggest worry,” Harvey said. “Five interceptions last week. The best thrower is a redshirt freshman and the starter can’t throw that well especially down the middle of the field. They don’t turn the ball over, we win. Dogs 24, UGA 16.”
Sorry, Harvey, but I think that score’s more likely to be flipped. True, MSU has a pretty stout secondary, but they’re susceptible up the middle, Georgia’s getting Caleb King back and the UGA offensive line is overdue to finally put it all together. Plus, State has only gotten four sacks so far this season, so Aaron Murray’s likely to be able to stay upright and with his helmet on.
I will admit the prospect of Todd Grantham’s unpredictable troops facing Dan Mullen’s spread option offense worries me a tad, especially when Chris Relf, the running quarterback, is taking the snaps. But they don’t have a big, punishing tailback, MSU’s offensive line also has been disappointing so far, and they don’t have much of a downfield passing attack, so Georgia can pretty well load up the box to stop the run. And then things can get interesting, as both Relf and State’s other QB, Tyler Russell, have shown a propensity for throwing picks. Georgia has the decided edge in special teams, too.
So when the last cowbell has clanged Saturday night, I think the true and proper Bulldogs will be victorious.
Over a bunch of Maroons.
Woof woof!
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176 comments Add your comment
ApopkaDawg
September 24th, 2010
2:39 pm
CoachDawg:
Even you have to admit CMR committed a HUGE error in response to a caller on his call in show. “Its not like we got shilacked” was a HUGE mistake. Basically he is saying that its OK to lose as long as you don’t get shilacked. What the hell is that? That is soft, lax, and tells me that he is WAY too comfortable. I hope he wakes up and can ralley the troops. We lost TV coverage for this week. Bad for revenue and bad for recruiting. Start hurting the bottom line and McGarity is going to have to get involved.
how2fish
September 24th, 2010
2:43 pm
Dawg 39 good post..bad execution has hurt us on offense and defense.
ca dawg
September 24th, 2010
2:45 pm
edumacated: i hate to give a serious answer to a rhetorical question, but i’ll go on record as saying we have a very good chance of beating florida this year (don’t know about next–too early to say). it isn’t because we look good, but because they look about as bad as us. all they have right now is demps, and we’re playing without our best player. if they had played our schedule up to this point, i’m not convinced their record would be any better based on what i’ve seen.
i guess you could call me a kool-aid drinker if you wanted, and i would own that i’m reasonably optimistic and think we can still have a good year. going into the season, i think most dawg fans had some concerns about these early games bc we knew our team would have some growing pains. but i also think most of us felt we would improve as the year went. i think florida will also improve as they year goes, and it’s going to be a close game in jacksonville.
Russ
September 24th, 2010
2:49 pm
So it’s become so bad in Athens we’re dogging the dog?
edumacated
September 24th, 2010
2:59 pm
ca Dawg, I hope you are right about beating Florida, but I don’t think you will be. Florida’s offense will be much better by then, and the defense right now looks as good as ever. Meyer showed everyone in Tenn that he can stop an opposing team’s momentum on a dime. I don’t think we are playing anywhere near those guys level anymore (as the last two games have shown). It shouldn’t be even close.
Mike Bobo Jr.
September 24th, 2010
3:03 pm
It’s 27 to 27 with 1 minute to go in the game. It’s 3rd and 4 from the 50 yard line. I’m going to send everyone long and have Murray attempt a drop kick for 3 points. I think I might be getting the hang of this OC gig!
Gators 17 Dawgs 3
September 24th, 2010
3:05 pm
edumacated and ca dawg,
I hate to rain on your parade, but the dawgs are in big trouble in Jax. Meyer is undefeated in the regular season when he has a week off before a big game and they do. Yes the offense is coming along slowly but will be fine by Jax. The defense is already light years ahead of Gratham’s def.
The Gators lead the nation in INT’s and in turnovers gained.
I must agree that this is year you could have gotten the Gators, but it’s just not going to happen. I would bet the dawgs have 4 losses heading into Jax and will be complete disarray, while the Gators should just have one (Ala) , but that’s not completely certain.
Gators 17 Dawgs 3
September 24th, 2010
3:09 pm
edumacated
You are right about the Tenn game. Tenn’s lead the SEC in rushing with 170 yards per game.
They were held to 23 yards on 29 carries by the Gators. Yes the defense is as good as ever and that’ what wins games.
Corninmypooh
September 24th, 2010
3:18 pm
The one good thing about this season… now that we’re pretty much out of it, we can just sit back and relax. For some reason I have a twinge of hope that these Dawgs can turn this U-boat around in time not to smack into an iceberg the size of Australia.
Corninmypooh
September 24th, 2010
3:21 pm
Gator Jean Shorts -
Mark May and Lou Holtz both have predicted you guys won’t make it past Kentucky this weekend. I smell a Joker Phillips upset of the over ranked Gators. Your offense sucks and your defense hasn’t been challenged by a competent offense yet. Georgia and Florida are going to have identical records when they meet in Jacksonville. Your reign as the leading buttheads of the conference is about to end.
Gators 17 Dawgs 3
September 24th, 2010
3:31 pm
Corninmypooh
Dream on or are smokin.
So, Corninmypooh...
September 24th, 2010
3:34 pm
… you said (speaking of the Gators) “Your reign as the leading buttheads of the conference is about to end”. Does that mean that if UGA wins that THEY will be the leading buttheads?
Corninmypooh
September 24th, 2010
3:38 pm
Gator Sausage -
Don’t count your chickens until they’ve hatched. You guys think you’re all that… just wait until Alabama teaches you another lesson in football 101.
Corninmypooh
September 24th, 2010
3:40 pm
Corninmypooh imposter -
No it means that your arrogance is about to be knocked down a peg or two with out Tebow. Knowing Gator fans you’ll still rank up their with UT fans as major buttheads.
Michael Vick
September 24th, 2010
3:40 pm
Bully is a fine-looking animal. Russ obviously comes from a line that has been inbred far too many times.
I could do a lot with those dogs.
Cuz
September 24th, 2010
3:43 pm
Our Dawgs by 14. Murray finally learns how to hit Durham in full stride.
Ralph
September 24th, 2010
3:44 pm
Got me on the slip. Intended to say that with the now obvious support of the administration Richt will certainly lead this program into the future regardless of the record this year. Thanks for the catch. Dawgs 24 Dogs 17.
ca dawg
September 24th, 2010
3:45 pm
@edumacated: i hope i’m right, too. not sure how much money i’d bet on it, but hope is all we’ve got to hang our hats on right now.
@gators 17 dawgs 3: i forgot florida had a bye week the week before. that actually is significant, because meyer does seem make great use of his bye weeks. you had a bye before the 2008 debacle, if i recall correctly.
having said that, i think it will still be a close game and that we’ll have what we haven’t had in a few years– a real chance to win in the 4th quarter. if you rock us again in jax, make sure to remind me that i said this. but i think you may be too down on us dawgs; 4 losses? nah. sorry but i can’t get on that train just yet. if that’s drinking kool-aid, then give me another glass.
one more thing: i wouldn’t read too much into stopping UT’s running game (even though they moved it pretty well on the ground against oregon). that’s a very young and untested OL. however it’s hard to ignore numbers like 23 carries for 29 yards. knoxville is a tough place to play, too, so it’s doubly impressive.
Michah3
September 24th, 2010
3:45 pm
Carolina trying to call themselves USC? The University of South Carolina was founded in 1801. When was the University of Southern California founded? Oh yeah, 79 years later. There is only ONE USC, and that is the one in South Carolina.
Dafne Duck
September 24th, 2010
3:49 pm
Dogs 24, Dawgs 17.
This will officially end all the pie-in-the-sky baloney around winning out and going 10-2 or 9-3.
Selah.
Russ 2
September 24th, 2010
3:53 pm
“So it’s become so bad in Athens we’re dogging the dog?”
That’s correct, but the dog is so butt-ugly he deserves it.
Why
September 24th, 2010
3:54 pm
would someone state that UGA and MSU are the only teams with two losses, as to make some point? Only two other teams have played two sec games (LSU, Vandy) two have played none (UK, ALA) and the rest have only played 1. Seems like a true but irrelevant statement.
Has any other team faced back to back conference tests as stout as UGAs?
Seeking help!
Go Dawgs, GATA
Macon
September 24th, 2010
3:56 pm
Mississippi State 31, Georgia 24.
No More
September 24th, 2010
3:58 pm
Couldn’t we just leave AJ Green in Athens if all he’s going to do in Starkville is walk the sidelines sending his stupid tweets and looking like a thug?
Smart like a Fox
September 24th, 2010
3:58 pm
god this is funny……..
Gators 17 Dawgs 3
September 24th, 2010
4:06 pm
Enter your comments here
Gators 17 Dawgs 3
September 24th, 2010
4:12 pm
ca dawg
I pretty much agree with all you said, a honest fan—nice to see.
Gators 17 Dawgs 3
September 24th, 2010
4:14 pm
ca dawg
BTW, it was 23 yards on 29 carries-more impressive.
Otto
September 24th, 2010
4:20 pm
Todd Grantham doesn’t bother me, the defense is slowly but surely improving if they wrap up the scheme works.
What does bother me is predictable play action Bobo.
If UGA does win it will be the offense putting up just enough with the defense making a big play or 2.
Coachdawg 2000
September 24th, 2010
4:22 pm
Micha3-
Are you serious. Nobody in America thinks of the chickens when someone says USC. Wake up, They’re barely relevant in South Carolina everybody knows Clempson has been better since the time of the chicken curse. “Yeah, our entrance is really good but its our exit that needs some work!” -Lou Holtz,Head Coach Univ.South Carolina
TheTaxJacket
September 24th, 2010
4:28 pm
Mississippi State 51, UGAg 0
Murray sacked 6 times, suffers season-ending injury.
(((( Glory, glory to the Jackets, their truth is marching on! ))))
Plain Ole Dawg
September 24th, 2010
4:29 pm
We got deeper problems other than who is the “real’ Bulldogs, like winning the game! The team that screws up in the 4th qtr will lose. So there you have it! Keep bobo in Athens and we will win.
Plain Ole Dawg
September 24th, 2010
4:33 pm
If we somehow lose let this be a house cleaning season and clear out the trash; Richt, bobo and the DC 4th choice guy. Bring some thirty something hot OC from within the SEC and suround him with the best assistant coaches the budget will allow. The watch out next season!!
Alphare
September 24th, 2010
4:34 pm
I predicted an at most 10-2 season with Green on the team. I’d say my 10-2 number is swayed heavily by dawg fans.
After Green is out, I changed to 8-5.
Now, it seems even 8-5 is too generous.
Plain Ole Dawg
September 24th, 2010
4:36 pm
Question: Has any SEC head coach been fired this early in a season? Just make sure if Richt goes that Bobo also goes. DO Not let him be interim head coach!
drzlstrangelovejr
September 24th, 2010
4:39 pm
I will never pull for a Georgia loss. May we win all our games starting Saturday and continuing to infinity. I DO pull for a firing of Coach Mark Richt. In my opinion he is by far the most inferior coach that UGA has ever hired. In every way.
GT76
September 24th, 2010
4:39 pm
Do Not Fire Richt or BoBo! THWG!
GT76
September 24th, 2010
4:42 pm
Jr: You must be pretty young or have forgotten Coach Goof and Donovan
GT76
September 24th, 2010
4:47 pm
uga dreamers: green is good but no good enough to make much of a difference. Oh, how is the dream tream 2010 coming? Oh wait, we on to wait until next year for the last 30 years. How many SEC teams have Nat Chp since 1980?
MURPHY
September 24th, 2010
4:49 pm
Plain Ole Dawg,
Im thinking Kentucky let a coach go before the season ended-Mumme-Im not sure though
MURPHY
September 24th, 2010
4:50 pm
GT76,
You mean Donnan-Soory had to pick at ya
Alphare
September 24th, 2010
4:50 pm
UGA plays 8 SEC teams this year: SC, AR, MSSt, TN, Vandy, KY, FL & AU.
Among the remaining 6, my guess is UGA winning 2 or 3, so UGA lose 5-6 SEC games. If you lose one of the CO/Tech game, you’ll have a 6-6 season.
OK, I’ll give you a 7-5 regular season.
MURPHY
September 24th, 2010
4:53 pm
GT76,
Isnt it strange Donnan never got any more offers to coach? I was for sure he would be coaching again.
drzlstrangelovejr
September 24th, 2010
4:54 pm
GT76, Unfortunately not young. Experienced and old. I am very much aware of all coaches starting around 1960. I stand by my previous statement.
SatillaDawg
September 24th, 2010
4:57 pm
Go Dawgs!
It’s Now or Never!
Kick State Butt!
Major T. J. "King" Kong
September 24th, 2010
5:15 pm
Well, boys, I reckon this is it – combat toe to toe with Missy St. Now look, boys, I ain’t much of a hand at makin’ speeches, but I got a pretty fair idea that something doggone important is goin’ on here. And I got a fair idea the kinda personal emotions that some of you fellas may be thinkin’. Heck, I reckon you wouldn’t even be Dawg fans if you didn’t have some pretty strong personal feelin’s about UGA at MSU. I want you to remember one thing, the folks back home is a-countin’ on you and by golly, we ain’t about to let ‘em down. I tell you something else, if this thing turns out to be half as important as I figure it just might be, I’d say that you’re all in line for some dawgbones and some apologies when this thing’s over with. That goes for ever’ last one of you regardless of your race, color or your creed. Now let’s get this thing on the hump – we got some football to play.
1eyedJack
September 24th, 2010
5:18 pm
Let’s kick some names and take some assss!!!!
wildbill
September 24th, 2010
5:19 pm
1. Hasn’t Green been prohibited from traveling with the team while he is suspended?
2. Maybe Bobo will lose his high school playbook during the trip.
3. I wonder if Ealy took any blocking lessons this week.
4. I dread hearing those dang cowbells on my tv.
5. Gonna be a close one for sure, State by 4.
Gen Neyland
September 24th, 2010
5:20 pm
Attitude becomes the 12th man in this matchup…Here I say with equanimity, Go Bulldogs. Beat then dang Bulldogs
1eyedJack
September 24th, 2010
5:25 pm
Well General, don’t go out on a limb there.