Is it tough to get excited about a 6-6 Georgia team’s bowl trip?
I’m always grateful for another chance to see the Dogs play football, but it appears a lot of UGA fans are having some trouble getting excited about this week’s Liberty Bowl match with Central Florida.
Only 4,800 tickets have been sold so far, despite Memphis being a definite step up in bowl destination from last year. (At least the Dogs didn’t find out, like Tech did, that if there’s anything worse than playing a bowl game in Shreveport, it’s losing a bowl game in Shreveport!)
Still, a bowl game, any bowl game, is a plus for any season, right?
Well, not in the eyes of my pal Scott, with whom I had an interesting discussion last week. Scott said he is “philosophically opposed to playing in this bowl.” He takes the point of view that UGA should refuse to participate in lower rank bowls in order to make the point to the players that they’re serious about setting a higher standard in Athens.
Scott says that if Mark Richt “really wants to hammer home the ‘this is uncceptable’ theme, a money-losing bowl in an underachieving, nonwinning season should be the place to start. I don’t go for the ’seniors reward’ line — reward for what? Going 6-6?”
I told Scott I certainly could understand that viewpoint, but a big factor in favor of accepting a bowl bid was getting another month of practice, which gives a program a headstart on the next season. Scott didn’t buy that argument.
“How much did running the scout team for 14 extra days in preparation for Shreveport play into Aaron Murray’s development last year? Not much, I bet, compared to finally working with real players in spring/fall camps. I think any benefit derived from 2-3 weeks of practice is less than proving you are serious when you say ‘this is unacceptable.’ To me, it’s just more lip service along the lines of what we’ve heard last year.
“Cam Newton didn’t get any extra practice with Auburn during last year’s bowl, but he seemed to pick up the offense OK without it. I think the ‘we need the practice’ argument is voiced by all coaches as part of their natural controlling nature. All coaches think they need more practice in any sport. But bowl practices are way too far removed from next season to have any real bearing on improved play. I think you get players’ attention more by saying We’re Not Going Anywhere Until We All Step It Up.”
I agreed with Scott that setting higher standards is a good thing, but I noted that the conference might balk at Georgia turning down a bowl since everyone splits the take.
Do the 2010 Dogs deserve to be in a bowl game? (Brant Sanderlin / AJC)
“But that’s also somewhat of a mirage,” Scott said. “We will lose money going to Memphis. Did you see the Sports Illustrated story on bowl finances a few months ago? Ohio State lost $79,000 going to the Rose Bowl last year despite a payout of $18 million; the Big 10 has the same pooling plan as the SEC. The real factor is if an SEC team turns down any bid from a Shreveport or Memphis, the bowl will drop affiliation for fear of getting burned in future. And the SEC doesn’t want that (or even the reputation for it) so they go along with the it’s-better-to-accept myth. It’s the tail wagging the dog.”
But, Scott said, “Imagine if UGA became the first SEC school to announce, henceforth, only winning teams will accept bowl bids. You don’t think that would create a little aura for the program? Heck, even if Vandy made that statement you’d have to respect them more. And it also would show coaches/players/recruits that UGA is serious about having ‘acceptable’ standards for success.
“Instead we have a lose-lose situation vs. George O’Leary and Central Florida, where Murray gets three extra weeks of practice throwing to receivers who won’t be here next fall, while Washaun Ealey practices running behind an offensive line that is looking at a likely overhaul this spring. How is any of this going to help in 2011?
“I’ll tell you one thing — bowl practice in 2009 didn’t seem to do much for the 2010 season. And, oh yeah, our only national championship in the last 50 years came after a nonbowl practice season. I don’t think a couple of extra weeks of Donnie McMickens and Carnie Norris getting some practice reps would have allowed them to keep the job over Herschel Walker.”
OK, I’ll concede that point. But in the end I’m still in favor of Georgia accepting the Liberty Bowl despite a 6-6 record for one big reason: It kept the Dogs’ bowl streak intact. I would have hated to see our streak broken while Tech kept theirs going.
Still, Scott makes an interesting argument about what it takes to raise the standard of an acceptable season for the Dogs. What do you think? Should a 6-6 Georgia team be in a bowl? Should any 6-6 team be in a bowl?
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246 comments Add your comment
'93 Dawg
December 29th, 2010
2:51 pm
I am excited any time the Dawgs play. I wish we had a better season, and I wish we had a better bowl/opponent, but I’m very excited about watching the game on Friday afternoon! It’s the perfect start to New Year’s Eve!
Ron Smith
December 29th, 2010
2:57 pm
Deciding whether or not a team should go to a bowl is made by the fans. “Travel well” and you get invted, Don’t “travel well” and you don’t. This is about money
You Read it Here
December 29th, 2010
2:57 pm
Vad Lee named AP NC prep player of the year. Next years QB for the Yellow Jackets.
Dawg Fan
December 29th, 2010
3:23 pm
Yes, I am glad the Dawgs are in a bowl. Scott should change his opinion on this subject since it really makes no sense.
Terry
December 29th, 2010
3:32 pm
gtfanfrom1951, Coach Dooley had more losing seasons than Coach Richt, go sell that crap some where else.
nobody
December 29th, 2010
3:58 pm
we did not play well enough to earn the privilege of playing in any bowl….
continue the mediocraty!!!!
December 29th, 2010
4:21 pm
we’re playing in the LIBERTY BOWL
continue the mediocraty!!!!
December 29th, 2010
4:22 pm
but dont worry fellow koolaiders, we will run the table next year…..
a third straight fulmer cup! go dawgs, BOOK ‘EM!
RxDawg
December 29th, 2010
4:34 pm
Hmm, I like the points your friend Scott makes. But keeping the streak alive is enough for me. Not mention moving up in all time bowl wins list… I hope!
Terry
December 29th, 2010
4:52 pm
Bill, Ask your friend Scott if he thinks these teams should be rewarded over UGA, even tho they play lesser teams, that inflat their win/loss record. UCF (10-3),Connecticut (8-4),Air Force (9-4),Miami Ohio (9-4),Toledo (8-5),South Florida (7-5),SMU (7-6),Syracuse (7-5),Baylor (7-5), Hawaii (10-4),Tulsa (10-3),San Diego State (9-4),Navy (9-4),Southern Mississippi (8-5),Northern Illinois (11-3),Fresno State (8-5),Ohio (8-5),Troy (8-5), can you honestly say that these teams should be rewarded for their record alone? Even with UGA’s 6-6 record they are a better team than these teams I have mentioned, I believe even with Tech’s 6-7 record that they are better than most of these teams, for the fact the level of competition is superior, making it harder to inflat the won/lost record. Not saying I’m happy with our won/lost record, but I have to look at the other teams in bowl games, and ask myself are these teams better than a 6-6 UGA team?
adawgfan
December 29th, 2010
5:55 pm
No 6-6 team would make a playoff and therefore does not deserve to “go bowling”. Bill, your “tail wagging the dog” comment was right on. I’m a playoff supporter, so I believe that at least half the bowls need to be commited to playing out a regional playoff scenario with the lesser bowls going to the also ran’s who have better records. So here goes …
11 conference champs + 5 at large (still determined by best BCS ranking)
second weekend in December
Insight.com bowl – Big 12 vs. Pac 10
Champ sports – ACC vs. SEC
Little Caesar’s – Big 10 vs. Big East
Maaco – MWC vs. WAC
R-L Carrier – Sunbelt vs. MAC
Beef O’ Brady – CUSA vs. at large
Humanitarian – at large vs. at large
Advocare – at large vs. at large
Third weekend in December
New mexico bowl – Insight winner vs. Maaco winner
Texas bowl – R&L carrier winner vs. Champ sports winner
New Era – Beef O’ Brady winner vs. Little Caesar winner
Alamo – Advocare winner vs. Humanitarian winner
New Year’s Day
Semi final – rotation between Rose, Sugar, Fiesta, Orange
Matchup of best teams not included in the playoff – rotation as above
First weekend of the new year
A REAL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME! (rotation as above)
Everyone else fills in the remaining bowls = no 6-6 teams invited to undeserving bowl games!
Go DAWGS beat the Knights!
IMHO this would make the shreveport game much more enjoyable as well as some of the other games played under the current scenario. Who cares about two unranked 6-6 teams meeting in mid December? I believe everyone would make more money and have better participation. Let’s face it how many tickets would UGA have sold to the Humanitarian Bowl? 1200 maybe? But as an at large for the title how many would they sell? All of them!
GT Grad
December 29th, 2010
6:05 pm
Tech grad here, just want to say I wish u guys the best of luck in your bowl game. I really mean it.
JDawg
December 29th, 2010
6:21 pm
“As many as six current Georgia players are projected to be drafted in the NFL draft. We know this because Atlanta Falcons president Rich McKay recently met with six Georgia players to discuss the NFL draft,”
*****************************************************
Thank goodness for our NFL caliber players. Hate to think what our record would be with average talent . . .
Lowcountry Jacket
December 29th, 2010
6:46 pm
If they want to avoid the embarrassment we suffered, the Dawgs better get excited about the Liberty Bowl because O’Leary is fired up, and his players are, too. It’s going to be a close, hard-fought game. Losing to AF in Shreveport is bad. Losing to Conference USA is, well…
ChainConsq
December 29th, 2010
6:50 pm
Blah blah blah…playoffs would solve everything…and UGA would be done with football for the year.
doug
December 29th, 2010
7:29 pm
Its really hard to get exited about a 6-6 team when you have nothing to look forward to next year. The talent pool is empty and has been draining for several years. The coaching is horrid. Watching Georgia this year looked like a slightly better than average Kentucky team with no real potential for improvement. Aaron Murray cant carry this team for thee more years. Green & Houston are gone and I can ever remember UGA being so physically lacking. Richt has no Mulligans left. He will not be here in 2013. There is simply no chance what so ever of UGA getting back to 10 regular season wins again without bringing in a freek laden recruiting class next year and having a bunch of luck to go with it.
col fot
December 29th, 2010
7:41 pm
i’m very excited to always see Georgia play, maybe those losers at georgia tech should tune in…they might learn something from a winner and leader!
Camden Mark
December 29th, 2010
8:34 pm
7 months with no DAWG’s football, hell defined.
If I’m breathing,I’ll be watching
Duck a Fawg
December 29th, 2010
9:51 pm
Jusy had to get the dig in on Tech, didn;t you Bill? What an a**…of course….you’re playing to your audience
Duck a Fawg
December 29th, 2010
9:52 pm
fact is….Tech is not very good…UGA is not very good….it’s been said and it’s truthful…at the end of the season your record is pretty much what you are
Chuck Uga
December 29th, 2010
10:10 pm
Know what Bill? I personally don’t give a dam about Ga Tech and their bowl matchup, streak or location. Comparing UGA to Tech’s misfortune is a clear indication of where the football program is…mired in MEDIOCRITY. Guess what Bill? NO ONE WANTS TO SEE CENTRAL FLORIDA. If UGA had been sent to play Pitt or North Carolina, regardless where the game is played, TICKETS WOULD HAVE SOLD. I am sorry Greg McGarity and the UGAA are that delusional to think the opponent does not matter. Just amazing to me. I am sure some of the neanderthal fans we have will flame away in anger, but I have better things to do with my time that to watch what will be a boring matchup. SEC versus Conference USA? Are you kidding me? Richt is going to have his hands full in this one. I smell an upset coming, especially with so many players worried about their draft status. One thing I feel certain about…UGA will have a new head coach in 2012 if Richt does not make more staff changes after the Liberty Bowl. And by the way, I AM a season ticket holder for the past ten seasons. I’ve just seen enough of the “state of denial.”
The Ole Ball Coach
December 29th, 2010
10:34 pm
I cannot watch a bowl this year, I watch a little bit of GT getting their butts whooped enjoyed that. I will watch or listen to the Liberty Bowl, and will watch Bama
other than that who Knows – I will not watch Auburn or Ohio St. thug bowls
Chuck Uga
December 29th, 2010
11:22 pm
P.S. Did I mention that ESPN is the evil power in collge football? It is all about money now. Diluted bowls, horrible matchups that totally lack drama, and all about the dam advertising they can rack up each night with bowl after bowl after bowl. never mind the matchup, just throw two teams out there. College football is doomed if the NCAA continues the relentless pursuit of checks from ESPN and the like.
Stone
December 30th, 2010
12:01 am
If you look at the 2011 schedule for UGA, you can see why it’s Mark Richt’s last year at UGA.
UGA plays 5 teams with a better record than UGA had:
Auburn, Boise St, South Carolina, MSU, Florida
UGA also plays 3 teams with the same record as Georgia:
Tenn, Kentucky, Ga Tech
I’d expect UGA to lose 5-7 games in 2011.
Especially losing their only 3 stars of 2010:
AJ Green, Boykin, & Justin Houston.
ARdawg
December 30th, 2010
12:13 am
ARdawg paid too much for his tickets and will be seated in the Liberty Bowl
KimZ'spackage
December 30th, 2010
12:44 am
ARDAWG
You should have just gone to the game and purchased the tickest on the street for real cheap.
BoWeevil
December 30th, 2010
1:25 am
I see you do not refute the fact that Aaron Murray is 6-6 as Starting Quarterback, nor that the opposing quarterback was better head-to-head than he in all 6 losses this season.
# 48 Aaron Murray 3rd Down Conversions
# 48 Aaron Murray Total Offense
# 59 Aaron Murray Sacked
34 of 54 for only 62 % Red Zone converted for touchdown
# 74 Aaron Murray First Downs
6-6 as Starting Quarterback in the most unfulfilling season of the Mark Richt era.
Aaron Murray beat 6 cupcakes
Aaron Murray lost to 2 cupcakes and lost to all 4 real opponents he played against
61 % completion rate 188 of 304 attempts. His passes are not accurate.
He is very slow back there getting to what he is going to do
He is poor at checking out of poor play calls at the line of scrimmage
He did not win enough games
He played a weak soft strength of schedule and made hay vs only cupcakes
SOS # 45 and he lost to 2 bad teams and beat only 6 bad teams.
He is our best football player all season long. What does that tell you ?
He did not take charge on the field or off the field as our Leader.
BoWeevil
December 30th, 2010
1:28 am
He has too many passes batted down at the line of scrimmage
He stole 7 carries a game from his running backs & averaged 2 yards per carry.
His footwork is poor.
He is ultra-small and has had injury worries exacerbated by his efforts to try too hard to make something happen on his own.
He does not get after the other players he is the Leader of for their 17 SUSPENSIONS March 7 through December 30.
He runs a 4.7 in the 40-yard dash which is not fast by any measure compared to SEC defensive players who are twice his size.
He is short and will go undrafted in the NFL draft.
bowl barney
December 30th, 2010
2:11 am
the 3 division 1 teams that did not make bowls are jealous!! only thing more laughable than 35 bowls is bull-c-s
Willis
December 30th, 2010
2:11 am
Big Hutson Mason fan, he blows Murray away, as does Lemay. UGA’s in good shape as long as they run the ball with Ealey form now on, and change QB’s, otherwise, Richt’s gone.
Gary
December 30th, 2010
2:13 am
Man, when you go 6-6, MASSIVE CHANGES better be made, especially at QB, the rushing game, and even the run defense.
BIG CHANGES MUST BE MADE FAST, or this ship is going DOWN.
Mr. Tony Geinzer
December 30th, 2010
2:21 am
I wish that the NCAA fix the bowl issue next Spring and I feel change has to come home to Athens to make the top flight students think Georgia and not just some Frat Boys selling their school short and an equally apatheic boat of assistants and adminstration who get mad at certain characters behavior. That is no way to right the ship vs. Florida and Kentucky and Vanderbilt are closer to Atlanta than the Dawgs realize and I feel that Kevin Sumlin or Jeff Fisher would steer everyone on the ship, even the AD right. Isn’t that what College Sports should be about is steering the boat instead of selling cars or ribs every Summer for Radio?
UGASlobberknocker
December 30th, 2010
6:52 am
Hey Mako, Im a Tech hater, too, but lets face it, Memphis isnt exactly Glendale,AZ. and we could be looking at 6-7 as well if we dont start covering somebody on D, So, I’m keeping my mouth shut til after the game at least.
crapsandwich
December 30th, 2010
7:02 am
Well, the bowl is important for Richt’s future. One more game for Aaron Murray to develop, practices for the younger players, and most importantly getting a “mindset” for next season. Personally, I see this bowl game as the beginning of the 2011 season for the team. So I respectfully disagree with Scott, although all of what he says is the flip side of my thoughts.
joe
December 30th, 2010
7:11 am
Scott has it dead on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I agree, reward what??????????????? It’s time for Coach Richt to get this program and players under control.
Hoop Dawgs
December 30th, 2010
7:48 am
@ Auswehr
10 of the starters on this year’s Georgia football team were 3-star recruits coming out of high school. If you ever visited Rivals.com, you might know that.
Time for Tech fans to get a new line other than “pretty good for a team filled with 4-star and 5-star recruits”
Cherie
December 30th, 2010
8:11 am
I’ve never understood how anyone – even an alumnus – could support and take pride in UGA’s football team. When you look at their history for the past forty years, how can anyone ignore Jan Kemp and the “remedial studies” scam, the Jim Harrick fiasco, the DUIs in the athletic office, the DUIs and other arrests of players, the #1 party school tag (i.e., the most drunk students), the suspensions and outright dismissals, the Fulmer Cup, and on and on?
As disgraceful and humiliating as it is, I don’t see many alums and fans demanding an end to this sordid activity. It sets UGA apart as the kind of school most people abhor, and it’s become an embarrassment to the whole state of Georgia.
Will it never end? Apparently not while Mark Richt is at UGA. Richt is perhaps the biggest hypocrite in the United States. But even with all the cheating and lawlessness that he ignores, he still can’t win the SEC.
UGA, perennial winner of the Fulmer/Richt Cup and The Cesspool of the South.
UGADawg83
December 30th, 2010
8:48 am
“My Pal Scott”–who are you going to interview next Bill—”Al from Jiffy-Lube?”
OldCodger60
December 30th, 2010
8:53 am
It’s December 30th…Have the Bowl Games started, yet?
DeFarge
December 30th, 2010
9:12 am
Central Florida 37, Georgia 24.
A crappy ending to another crappy season under Mark Richt.
Vance Duuley
December 30th, 2010
9:15 am
Attention, everyone, especially dawgtards. With the last game coming up, we will now observe a moment of silence in memory of Saint Jan Kemp, who exposed the shameful practices at UGA that were initiated and carried out by slimeball Vince Dooley. Dooley’s image as a coach and a nice guy were forever shattered during the trial, not to mention the one million dollars that dawgtards had to pay Saint Jan. These practices of recruiting morons and coddling them for four years, them tossing them out like garbage, are still going on, but at least the world knows what’s happening in Athens now.
And now, the moment of silence…
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Thank you, you may resume your normal activities now.
DawginLex
December 30th, 2010
10:21 am
Boweevil remains the dumbest Dawg on the planet.
ALDawg
December 30th, 2010
10:34 am
Why do we get stuck with this nostalgia piece. Why don’t we ever get a bowl matchup against those great coordinators and ex-UGA coaches that are at other schools? Oh, wait…
GT man here
December 30th, 2010
10:38 am
We owned AF because we won the battle of the stats. Points mean nothing in our bubble world, only stats do and we had more yds than AF.
GT in 2010 was undefeated and we played in the Rose Bowl. We also won the NC again.
CPJ IS a genius …………………just ask him and ………….and ………………..and
GT men know that 8 points are BETTER than to lose by 1.
it is isn’t it?? $%#@$@&%$#
Derek Dooley
December 31st, 2010
12:21 am
BoWeevil is crazy.
Murray played very well and he is on track to be one of the best qbs to ever play at Georgia. He did outstanding considering he had NO rushing attack in his offense plus the defense was terrible.
Its not Murrays fault that Georgia has the crappiest defense $750,000 can buy.
It’s not Murrays fault that Washout fumbled the ball on two game winning drives that more than likely would have led to UGA wins.
It’s not Murrays fault that the Georgia defense got toasted by Ryan Mallet on that passing play to choke in the Arkansas game.
It’s not Murrays fault that idiot Bobo called a HORRIBLE set of plays in overtime of the Georgia/Florida game.
It’s not Murrays fault that he passed for THREE touchdowns in the FIRST QUARTER against #1 Auburn ON THE ROAD but his defense let them come back.
This season’s failures have nothing to do with quarterback play. Look at Murrays stats, the kid is breaking school records as a freshman. Murray didn’t have a running game, or defense this year and if you don’t have neither of those ANY qb will struggle in the SEC.
LawDawg
January 4th, 2011
10:51 am
Your buddy Scott needs to realize that there are positions other than QB and RB. There is no question our defense benefited from the extra practice in a new system. Maybe it is overrated some years, but not in the year with a new 3-4.