Weighing pros and cons of Dogs opening up against Boise State
Today's Boise State isn't the same program that fell to the Dogs in 2005. (Associated Press)
So Georgia’s going to swap out a home game against Louisville in order to open up next season against Boise State in one of those Chick-fil-A Kickoff Games at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.
I’m not sure I think this is entirely a good idea, though I can see some of the logic behind it. Georgia gets to dump a weak home-and-home series against Louisville arranged by Greg McGarity’s predecessor, will open the season in the national spotlight (keeping one of its SEC rivals from occupying that spot, though I don’t know how big a deal that really is, recruiting-wise) and will pick up a nice piece of change in the process.
But on the debit side, the Dogs give up a home game Between the Hedges (which is the biggest negative about it from my view as a season ticket holder) and will have to open up what needs to be a crucial turn-around season for Mark Richt’s program by facing one of the hottest teams in the country over the past couple of seasons. Probably without A.J. Green. True, the Broncos haven’t yet beaten an SEC team and will lose some of the talent from their current team, but this isn’t the same Boise State program that D.J. and company throttled 48-13 in Athens back in 2005.
Louisville would be an easier win. And an early season loss wouldn’t be a great way to bolster the confidence of a team coming off its worst season in many years.
It would, however, make the Georgia Bulldogs “relevant” from a national perspective as the new season kicks off. Which beats the heck out of being relegated to noontime games.
A gamble? Yeah. But if Georgia somehow wins, it will be a big boost to the team’s confidence and perhaps restore some of the swagger they’ve lost over the past couple of years.
While I was weighing all those pros and cons, I asked my brother Tim what he thought about it.
“It will be the first win in an undefeated season,” he responded. “I’ll let you know later as to which team I’m talking about.”
Indeed.
So what do you think of this move?
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239 comments Add your comment
GO DAWGS
November 22nd, 2010
1:25 am
Guys, this will most definitely help recruting. How could it not? The game will be nationally televised, game day will be there with Herbstreit and Corso with all the attention in one of the country’s biggest cities (Atlanta) which is where many of UGA players come from! After the dogs put a whippin on the Broncos, which will happen becuase Boise is losing their two stud wide receivers and UGA will have a much improved defense, recruits from Georgia will want to stay in-state instead of going to BAMA.
And to those of you who think Chris Petersen should be hired as our next head ball coach…stop being a fan. STUPID hire if that were ever to happen
AltamahaDawg
November 22nd, 2010
7:19 am
Recruiting IS the biggest reason to do this, and frankly the ONLY way to get out of this funk. It’s not beating a Loisville caliber team that will start to put UGA back on the road to recovery, it’s a more long-term deal than that. Even losing to the Bronco’s and getting better in the long run would be better than a W. IF the Dawgs can’t put up a good fight against a good team, if they aren’t any better next year….well then, does it really matter who they play the first week or the 8th week?
meh
November 22nd, 2010
9:58 am
Boise State bairly got past VT to start this season. In my opinion, UGA is better than VT. Also, BSU won’t be as good next year as they are this year. So I think UGA wins this one. It won’t be a blow out but UGA will win.
producewiz
November 22nd, 2010
9:59 am
why not? how can it hurt and Atlanta is like a home game for Georgia.any fan can get a ticket if they want it.think boise going to travel?How many cam ethis year?
boots
November 22nd, 2010
10:27 am
It seems to be the opposite approach of the Vols canceling games against weak ACC teams – Georgia is stepping up and in a big way. Here is why this is good: We are not relevant as the year ends. Our history is strong, but the last two years have been bad. This game puts us on the national stage, against a BCS team and, with a win, we are vaulted back in to the top 20. If we get smoked, it will be horrible, but I don’t see that happening. It is worth the risk. We are Georgia, and we cannot be timid as a program or as a team.
m m
November 22nd, 2010
10:34 am
if u can’t play the big games,then play ga. state,then talk about how good we are. i remember when Dooly took on mighty Michigan an won he was unafraid.
Delbert D.
November 22nd, 2010
11:22 am
@ Go Dawgs – “UGA will have a much improved defense”
Maybe, if the young players develop quickly. Georgia stands to lose starting 1st team LBs Gamble, Dent and Houston, along with DE Dobbs, and 2nd team DEs Wood and Tripp, LB Hebron, and CB Cuff.
I-DOG
November 22nd, 2010
11:40 am
Well, we lost to Colorado and it doesn’t get much worse than that. Who was the last team that Dan Hawkins beat before getting fired at CU. Hint: They have a bulldog for a mascot.
CU couldn’t beat ANYONE else they played after beating UGA. And it is impossible that Boise State will beat us? Glad to hear that.
We will likely be missing a starting receiver, starting running back, possible starting QB, and possible starting outside linebacker (to suspension or being kicked off the team if recent history repeats).
I’d rather have started with L-ville (although no guarantee that would be a win) and get some confidence and weather the suspension storm from the first game. This program needs wins badly, it is reeling from losing games to all the decent teams we have played this year. We won 3 games to date (you can’t count the two cupcakes) and one of those 3 wins was Vandy. We need some WINS.
If we lose the opener, every coach will be meeting at the kitchen table with his wife on a weekly basis. They will be discussing what the options are if Richt doesn’t survive or if they themselves get fired. I’m concerned about the storm that will brew if we don’t get that W.
droopydawg
November 22nd, 2010
11:51 am
I love this. Put the big, bad BS up against a mediocre to good SEC team and lets see what happens. Every BS detractors dream matchup. This is almost a no lose situation for the SEC. If BS wins, well they were supposed to. If UGA wins, we can stop talking about how unfair it is that BS gets shut out of the NC game.
droopydawg
November 22nd, 2010
11:53 am
Delbert – losing Cuff and most of the D-Line is why we should improve next year. Dent and Houston are big losses (since they are the only 2 in the front 7 that are naturals at their positions in the 3-4).
Also, the 3-4 in college improves immensely in the second year, just ask Nick Saban.
fowler red devil
November 22nd, 2010
12:04 pm
I like it, How do I get tickets? GO DAWGS!
I-DOG
November 22nd, 2010
12:17 pm
I didn’t consider the one upside that there actually is. UGA players will be watching film on Boise State all off season and they will get to see what a well coached football team looks like. Perhaps the repititon of seeing blocking, tackling, ball security, very few personal foul penalties, carrying out assignments etc… will rub off on the team and we can get back to playing UGA football.
I found a bright spot!
'94 UGA Grad
November 22nd, 2010
1:47 pm
I also think it is a great move. Although this isn’t the same Boise team we beat 48-13, they are still overated and I think we can beat them. It’s the perfect opportunity to beat a highly ranked team and earn some much needed respect. Great move McGarity.
Ramblin Man
November 22nd, 2010
2:10 pm
Con- I read UGA fans talk about the high crime rate in Atlanta all the time on GT blogs so I can only assume they will be to scared to come to Atlanta to watch this game. On a side note I would love to see UGA beat Boise, but wonder how many returning players Boise will have from the team that has played so well for the past two years.
sd
November 22nd, 2010
2:11 pm
I admit that I don’t know BSU’s roster that well, but I DO know that they are losing, not “some”, but A LOT of key talent. Possibly losing their QB, losing their top 2 receivers, losing their top 2 backup RBs… not ideal. But again, I have no idea what they have waiting in the wings, or obviously if Moore would return for Sr season.
Ed (The Original)
November 22nd, 2010
2:30 pm
If Boise State hasn’t beaten an SEC team it’s because they haven’t played one lately. I can’t think of a single SEC team besides Auburn that would be favored over Boise this season. And that’s a stretch – it’s scary to think how many points Boise would score if those teams played. I was skeptical a few years back, but they are the real deal.
mark twain
November 22nd, 2010
3:46 pm
WELL GET READY FOR ALL THE TECH WANNABEES TO START JABBING ALL THEIR BS THIS WAY, CAUSE NO ONE BLDGS ON THEIR SITE. WHO CARES ABOUT BOISE ST, IT WILL EITHER BE A LOSS OR A WIN SO WHAT. IF YOU DO NOT GO UNDEFEATED IT DOES NOT MATTER. ALSO I HOPE ALABAMA POUNDS FAIRLEY AND THE REST OF THOSE THUG PUNKS AT auburn. AND AS FOR tech LET THE DEAD HORSE DIE, CAUSE IT IS GONNA BE A BAD WHUPPING WHEN THEY GET IN ATHENS TOWN. SO LET THOSE SLIDE RULE PEOPLE HAVE THEIR FUN FOR NOW CAUSE ITS GONNA GET UGLY. 10-4 FOR THE SEASON.
Delbert D.
November 22nd, 2010
3:47 pm
sd – I agree, if Kellen Moore declares for the draft; if not, not entirely. Their go-to RB returns, but Avery, the top backup leaves (with 11 TDs so far.) They play 4 and 5 receiver sets, so losing the top 2 hurts.
Like you, I admit that I don’t have any special knowledge of Boise St., having really watched them only once this year.
Billyboy
November 22nd, 2010
4:00 pm
This is a great idea! Have your bowl game be the first game of the year, then lose to GT at the end of the year and be a below .500 team.
The only real question is who will be the Dawgs new coach. Keep this post, this will happen!
AltamahaDawg
November 22nd, 2010
6:39 pm
I-Dog, here is what you are missing: Richt’s job is not going to hinge on the W/L of this particular novelty game. (short run its going to be how UGA fares in the East race). is he really better off beating Loiusville if he loses to SC? Does playing Loiusville give him a betetr chance of beating SC?
To a larger degree the conversation he has had with Mcgarity has probbaly looked a lot more like, where are we, what do we need, what have some other folks done better, to get back to a top 10 team. And this game is a result of that conversation. His job is safe if he improves the record next year which seems pretty easy to do, but is that really the goal, just not get yourself fired? I don’t think thats what he is looking for, and you would think the AD ain’t having any of that.
I believe an attitude of “what is the easiest path to win 9 games next year” would be a lot faster path of not being the coach of UGA , than the possibility to lose this one game.
If he can’t stop the best players from going to Bama instead of UGA. If he can’t get back into the national conversation, he going to not to satisfy anybody with an extra win here and there.
What exactly would you take to somebody like Crowell right now? “hey kid , help us get the record back to pretty good”. Or “picture this kid….your first game on the national stage… and everybody is going to know your name………….we ARE a top ten team that needed a few more TDs and that’s where you come in”.
NOBODYYOUKNOW
November 22nd, 2010
7:18 pm
Who knows how good either team will be next season. I just hate to see the dogs go play B.S. on that stupid blue feild if its a case where UGA has to go to their place. I HATE THAT BLUE FEILD.
hugedawgfan
November 22nd, 2010
8:27 pm
Bill, it has MAJOR recruiting implications. Not so much for BSU but for UGA it is huge. UA played in the first two and do you know who we are in a tug of war with for the elite talent in this state? So you see it does have recruiting implications. UGA, get with it. You have the entire off season to get a new S&C coach and demote BOZO to QB’s coach. Heck, see if Cutcliff is interested in running the O (he has laid it to us several times during his years at UT). A lot of options out there for the second most profitable athletics program in the NCAA. Start using those resources and bring UGA back to prominence.
hugedawgfan
November 22nd, 2010
8:30 pm
Exactly, Altamaha Dawg!!! Well said.
UGADawg83
November 22nd, 2010
8:31 pm
Bill, will you actually attend the game or watch it on television and offer lame commentary as is usual.
Artdude
November 22nd, 2010
8:38 pm
Sounds like a smart move by Boise to show the BCS that they are championship bowl worthy. Dawgs 32 – Boise 10.
the real Old Gold
November 22nd, 2010
8:39 pm
Wish Tech had the guts to play Georgia Southern!
DAWGMAN
November 22nd, 2010
10:15 pm
Everything for the dollar. I’m tired of it; tired of the lengthened season; tired of the recruiting transgressions; tired of the BCS; tired of no national championship in the true sense of winning on the field. Cut the season by one or two games. Have an eight game playoff. Stop wallowing in the dollars. That giant boar hog might be real. He sits behind the university president’s desk. I’m tired of having to drive early or late. This game, SEC Football, belongs to the players, the coaches, and the fans. I don’t need another gimmick. I need excellence in performance and teamwork. Coach, the job you are doing ain’t gonna feed the bulldog. Mr/Dr President, you, too. Mr AD…you’re new; yeah, but the clock is running. Right now, the bowls are the winners. So are the presidents.
The losers are the players, the coaches, and the fans. Everything for the dollar. Erk, you magnificant so and so, tell us the name of the best coach out there. This ain’t no slouch conference. Whew. Time to get busy.
So What?
November 22nd, 2010
10:32 pm
I think UGA will win this game, and win easily if they play to their potential. Beating a “national powerhouse” like BSU will give us some much needed respect.
If we lose, SO WHAT? I we lose to Boise State, does it really matter what happens after that?
Yeah, it’s a gamble, but if we win, it will do much more good than a loss would do us harm.
At this point in our program, we need to go big or go home.
GO DAWGS
olddawginsanjose
November 22nd, 2010
10:36 pm
How does one measure one’s talent? All of life is a test; to learn; to implement that which is learned, then to pass that knowledge to your fellow man (read team, as in mankind). I bleed red and black. I believe the scheduling of Boise State is fortuitous. This game will be the instigation of the Dawg’s return to national prominence. May I live long enough to get back to Dawg country.
C. Petersen
November 22nd, 2010
10:51 pm
And to those of you who think Chris Petersen should be hired as our next head ball coach…stop being a fan. STUPID hire if that were ever to happen.
Petersen would never tolerate the thuggery that Richt puts up with, nor would he turn a blind eye to it as Richt does.
FLA DAWG
November 22nd, 2010
11:23 pm
This matchup is an, “everything to lose and nothing to win” game.
I hope we lose Richt and Bobo in the process.
Rabid Dawg
November 23rd, 2010
6:48 am
I like it. Besides…..college football is a 2 team playoff for the National championship. I really cant see Ga even coming close to an undefeated season next year….even if they kept the Louisville home game. The defense is not very good and I dont see much changing.
Therefore….since the goal is to try to win the sec east. A loss to Boise St would not hurt us at all.
Richard Seymour
November 23rd, 2010
6:56 am
Once a thug, always a thug.
11 Arrests 5 Wins
November 23rd, 2010
6:58 am
And we were very proud of Richard Seymour on Sunday.
Coastal Dog
November 23rd, 2010
8:08 am
What cons? This is a no brainer. 1) Always play the best teams if you hope to chase championships. 2) The higher you are in the ratings early, the easier it is to move to the top later in season. 3) Never redshirt; play the men you sign if they’re the best and get more next year. If I’m a talented kid who can play at another school, I’m not sitting on anyone’s bench; I’m more likely to come to your school if I know I have a real change to get playing time. 4) No running back by committee; give the best man the ball 25 times + per game and watch him warm up and shine. If you can’t run the ball you can’t win championships. 5) To sum up, go hard all the time and play all out; otherwise, settle for middle of the pack.
FinanceBuzz
November 23rd, 2010
9:39 am
It’s a lose-lose for the Mutts so I like it. If you beat Boise State…wow…you beat Boise State. Despite all the hype and bluster they are not on par with the top teams in the country. Yeah, the guys on ESPN will fawn over you if you beat Boise, but the rest of us will be like we were with VaTech…dang…you just embarassed the conference by losing to Boise State. The other lose is…well if you lose, you lost to Boise State…in your own backyard. See the VaTech game this year. Other than the paycheck, it is a no-win situation for the Mutts and that makes me smile.
uga 2010
November 23rd, 2010
10:50 am
Enter your comments here
uga 2010
November 23rd, 2010
10:56 am
Boise State will have the edge because the game is in the Dome, which is comparable to their blue tuft. Thanks God, Damon Evans is no longer the AD, he wouldn’t able to pull off something like this. This is great for recruiting for both schools. Atlanta is only one hour away from Athens and this is good for UGA.
AltamahaDawg
November 23rd, 2010
4:27 pm
Dang, I had not even thought of that upside on top of the rest. The tech guys will post nonsense out of thier ongoing jealousy. Gets better then more we discuss it.