Is swing from pessimism to optimism justified for 2011 Dogs?
Will Aaron Murray make great strides in his second season as starter? (Brant Sanderlin / AJC)
Maybe it’s the Dream Team, maybe it’s just the natural swinging of the pendulum, but some of the national media pessimism about Mark Richt’s program is starting to lift, just a little.
Take College Football News’ Brian Harbach, who earlier picked Georgia to finish ninth in the SEC in the coming season.
Now Harbach is taking another look and writes: “The more I pay attention to what Mark Richt has done this offseason, the more intrigued I become with their chances to jump up from a year of disappointment to an SEC East title.”
Harbach acknowledges that Georgia’s decline from preseason No. 1 over the past three seasons has been “clouding the perception of the program,” but putting that aside, he says, “there are more than a few reasons to be excited about UGA’s opportunity this fall and it is only fair to look at the other side of the coin to see the full picture of this Georgia team.”
One big factor in thinking the Dogs might bounce back, Harbach says, is the schedule. While a lot of folks think opening with what likely will be two Top 10 teams in Boise State and South Carolina looks pretty daunting, Harbach says “the SEC isn’t a mediocre ACC team and this isn’t some meaningless bowl game” so “you won’t see me picking Boise to beat Georgia in Georgia.”
He goes on to note that the Dogs play the Gamecocks at home and get “what most feel are the three worst teams in the SEC West (Auburn, MSU and Ole Miss).” Plus Florida has changed coaches “and Kentucky/Vanderbilt are still in the East. That looks like a pretty manageable SEC slate of games.”
Beyond the schedule, Harbach notes Aaron Murray will be back at quarterback “and while the term Sophomore Slump does exist, most players make the most improvement in their second year. Having Aaron Murray as the returning starter and in his third season at UGA is a huge plus for the Dawgs.”
Harbach takes a remarkably positive view of the Dogs on the other side of the ball, saying “the Georgia defense was actually pretty good last year … with a brand new scheme UGA had the fourth rated total defense and the fifth rated scoring defense in the SEC.” He thinks the “secondary should be very strong” and overall feels “one huge advantage Richt has going into this season is that he doesn’t need to worry about the defense.”
The offense needs attention, Harbach says, “but for some reason I am more confident about the offensive line than in past seasons” thanks to the departure of Stacy Searels, who “just wasn’t getting the job done.”
Harbach isn’t yet ready to revise his preseason estimation of where the Dogs will finish, but says, “The SEC East is wide open, any of four teams can win the division and it shouldn’t surprise anyone if any of the four do win it. When you actually break down the Georgia team it isn’t out of the question to see them having a big year.”
Overall, a pretty fair assessment of Richt’s team, though I’m not sure I’m quite as sold on the Dogs’ secondary as Harbach is.
So what do you think? Was Harbach closer to the mark picking the Dogs ninth in the conference, or is this newfound optimism justified?
Find me on Facebook.
Follow me on Twitter.
— Bill King, Junkyard Blawg
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
576 comments Add your comment
Auburn fan
February 16th, 2011
2:46 pm
“I don’t see any reason why Georgia can’t contend for an SEC Championship.
I do, it’s called terrible coaching.
how2fish
February 16th, 2011
2:57 pm
I am a cautious optimist about the upcoming season for UGA..we do have a more favorable schedule Boise notwithstanding. I really think the SC game will as always be close however there won’t be any surprised like Lattimore this year..and it won’t be the first SEC game for our QB as long as he can stay healthy. Also it won’t be the debut of a new D scheme and coordinator…and we have a chance to plug our biggest hole in the D at nose tackle. So that game could go either way. UT will be closer than last year but I still don’t think Dooley has the depth and that will be the difference. Depending on the injury situation by the time Auburn rolls into Athens we could be doing pretty well…after last years bad blood we take Auburn this year and I think it will be ugly..not the score we won’t beat them by a ton but I fully expect some payback to be had. All in all 9-3 could be a fair prediction I think if we get some luck, but if we start 0-2 or 2-0 all bets are off..I think the Gators will have a ton of talent..I’ll withhold any predictions regarding them until we have some idea of what they have as far as coaches..and chemistry.
WIN WITH RICHT
February 16th, 2011
3:02 pm
AWbarn Fan
Why are you and people like WDE on the Junkyard Blawg. Don’t they have the internet in Alabama yet? Are do yall sit on benches outside the outhouse with your whittling knives and talk about football and the Oprah Winfrey show?
Trey
February 16th, 2011
3:35 pm
I’m wiht the other dudes, when UGA has struggled to lose more games, EVERY YEAR, for 3 consecutive seasons running, you kind of start to peel back your optimism. 10 wins to 9 was ok, but then the drop from 9 wins to 8 wins in 2009 didn’t sit well, neither did the 8 win to 6 win drop in 2010. UGA fans are wondering why the drops, and where will it bottom out?
Black Toenail
February 16th, 2011
3:39 pm
Aside from a couple of freshmen, nothing has changed. Maybe we will wear black pants this year.
Trey
February 16th, 2011
3:48 pm
A little has changed, you lost AJ & Houston, and 2 coaches. But yeah, UGA usually has a good recruiting class, that hasn’t helped turn it around since 2007.
WIN WITH RICHT
February 16th, 2011
4:02 pm
Trey
Richt is a great coach. His record as QB coach and OC at FSU and as HC at UGA is incredible. This 6-7 record is a bad fluke and will not happen again. In his 10 years at UGA his teams have finished in the top ten 6 out of 10 years. This is the same guy who had UGA finish the season ranked number 2 in the AP poll in 2007.
Auburn fan
February 16th, 2011
4:08 pm
“Why are you and people like WDE on the Junkyard Blawg. ‘
I like talking to other fans in the SEC.
“Are do yall sit on benches outside the outhouse with your whittling knives and talk about football and the Oprah Winfrey show?’
No, she’s not on anymore.
Hairy Perry
February 16th, 2011
4:14 pm
Auburn fan is WDE. Get a clue guys.
Auburn fan
February 16th, 2011
4:21 pm
“Auburn fan is WDE.’
Well, of course I’m WAR DAMN EAGLE!!!!! Hello, I’m an Auburn fan.
Hairy Perry
February 16th, 2011
4:22 pm
WDE/Auburn fan, whatever you call yourself today. You might want to get out in the sun, go to the mall, catch a movie. You can come on our blog all day if you want. Oh yeah, you are on our blog all day long. I was just giving you some more options in life.
Hairy Perry
February 16th, 2011
4:24 pm
Have a good one Bulldawgs! Catch you later this week, hope dawgs woop up on Vandy tonight!
Tubby
February 16th, 2011
4:30 pm
I miss college football, come on September!
how2fish
February 16th, 2011
4:30 pm
Auburn we don’t need no stinking auburn….
Auburn fan
February 16th, 2011
4:32 pm
“Auburn we don’t need no stinking auburn….
No, you need coaching.
Tubby
February 16th, 2011
4:35 pm
Auburn fan,
I don’t agree with the people that say Auburn will suck next year. They might be eating crow. I am a dog fan all the way, but I think it’s smart to be careful what you say. Auburn will be going in the 2011
season with a full head of steam and an exited fan base.
WIN WITH RICHT
February 16th, 2011
4:36 pm
Wimpy Delusional Eggsucker
Are you still on this blog?
Auburn fan
February 16th, 2011
4:37 pm
Tubby
Yeah, and that is why I laugh at fans who assume that they know everything there is to know about other teams.
Auburn fan
February 16th, 2011
4:38 pm
Tracy Rocker just headed to the Titans as defensive coordinator. Auburn is full of coaches who are coveted by other teams.
Tubby
February 16th, 2011
4:40 pm
I don’t buy into all this stuff about teams in the SEC being down and Georgia having a leg up in the SEC East. If our attitude is that of hoping other teams stink so we can be competitive we deserve to have our butts handed to us. Season after season we here about what this or that team will do this year, and it always turns out different than people expect,
Carlton
February 16th, 2011
4:40 pm
Again, Auburn fan, WDE, Time, 2010 NC Champions, whatever you want to call yourself..I made my point yesterday and you never really defended it.
Look-facts (since the people posting today probably didn’t see my comment yesterday):
Auburn: ;losing a Heisman QB, 4 of 5 starting offensive linemen, their top wide receiver, Nick Fairley (the ONLY reason your defense shut down Oregon), 2 starting linebackers, and 2 starting DB’s (when Auburn’s secondary was horrible last year). That’s a lot to replace no matter whose team you root for.
Also-UGA has a JUCO transfer who is just like Fairly coming in next year in John Jenkins who is perfect for a 3-4 defense. I’m sure he will have just as good if not a better year than Fairley last year. Murray is a stud. As a redshirt freshman QB, he had over 3,000 yards passing, over 400 or 500 yards rushing, 24 touchdowns to 9 interceptions. He’s only going to get better. King and Ealey won’t be a factor because they don’t want to commit to anything-so Malcolme and Crowell will more than likely step up.
ALSO-we are returning basically everyone on defense and that 5 star prospect, Ray Drew we just got? He’ll be filling Justin Houston’s hole-either him or Abry Jones. UGA also has 4 of 5 starting O-linemen returning for their SENIOR season with a new, and frankly, better O-line coach. UGA’s season is shaping up to look just like Auburn’s did last year..
And by the way, UGA did lose every game this year close. The Bowl was deplorable, but Colorado, MS State, UF, and South Carolina games were all extremely close (am I the only one who remembers UF going into overtime?) And, not to mention-we did kind of beat Auburn in the 1st half-until Cam took over in the 2nd half..and Auburn doesn’t have him..so, what’s your point WDE/Time/2010 National Champions/Auburn fan?
Tubby
February 16th, 2011
4:43 pm
Sorry didn’t finish my post, I’m just saying I think if the dogs will play like they care, they will win games if not more of the same.
Auburn fan
February 16th, 2011
4:47 pm
“I made my point yesterday and you never really defended it.’
Didn’t know I was supposed to “defend” it. LOL
“so, what’s your point WDE/Time/2010 National Champions/Auburn fan?’
You’re insane?
Carlton
February 16th, 2011
4:47 pm
Sorry-forgot to mention the Arkansas game was very close too-and UGA has a starting linebacker named Jarvis Jones who is a 3rd year player who originally went to USC-and Richard Samuel will also see time as a LB this year which he played-and excelled at-in high school. UGA’s defense will be just fine.
Carlton
February 16th, 2011
4:48 pm
I don’t know man-you’ve been defending every other thing people say on here. I’m just presenting facts.
Tubby
February 16th, 2011
4:50 pm
Well informed post Carlton, you make some good points. I hope your on the money.
Auburn fan
February 16th, 2011
4:51 pm
Carlton
I hope you guys do well next year. Did you hear about the tree at Toomers corner? Some a-hole poured herbicide on it and killed it. Thayer Evans just wrote another hit piece on Auburn which ESPN is running with. Why does this guy hate Auburn so much?
Carlton
February 16th, 2011
4:51 pm
OK-and my bad..just checked ESPN on Murray’s rushing stats. He had 167 rushing yards. But most of the time, they were scrambles for first downs which are just as important..
Tubby
February 16th, 2011
4:53 pm
Do you guys think Tennessee could be strong next year?
Tubby
February 16th, 2011
4:55 pm
Do you think South Carolina is a one hit wonder?
AltamahaDawg
February 16th, 2011
4:57 pm
What year did you graduate from Auburn?
Tubby
February 16th, 2011
4:59 pm
Marcus Lattimore is a monster, I wish he was in red and black.
Auburn fan
February 16th, 2011
5:00 pm
“What year did you graduate from Auburn?’
99
wreckmaniac
February 16th, 2011
5:06 pm
Does anyone at the AJC know that Clowney signed with SC or did they just consider it irrelevant ?
WIN WITH RICHT
February 16th, 2011
5:09 pm
Tubby
SC is another K.C. & the Sunshine Band.
WIN WITH RICHT
February 16th, 2011
5:10 pm
Tubby
Tennessee closed strong against a very weak schedule. I watched them against UAB. UAB missed 4 short FGs and still forced them into OT.
Tubby
February 16th, 2011
5:11 pm
Enter your comments here
WIN WITH RICHT
February 16th, 2011
5:20 pm
BTW- Is Anyone else is as tired of Justin Beeber as I am? Hopefully, his 15 minutes of fame is over.
Fire Mark Richt
February 16th, 2011
5:24 pm
I don’t see any reason why Georgia can’t contend for an SEC Championship.
“I do, it’s called terrible coaching.”
I meant other than that.
Auburn fan
February 16th, 2011
5:25 pm
Fire Mark Richt
Have you heard about the Toomers corner tree? Some idiot called in and claimed he killed it with an illegal poison and low and behold it’s true. Now, the FBI is looking for him because it could shut part of the school down.
Fire Mark Richt
February 16th, 2011
5:28 pm
“Fire Mark Richt
Have you heard about the Toomers corner tree?”
Can’t say I have. My advice, plant another one.
Auburn fan
February 16th, 2011
5:33 pm
“Can’t say I have. My advice, plant another one.’
The trees were over a 100 years old. Imagine if someone poisoned the hedges in Sanford Stadium.
WIN WITH RICHT
February 16th, 2011
5:36 pm
Fire Mark Richt
Your mother wears combat boots and dresses you funny!
Cletusdawg
February 16th, 2011
5:46 pm
George is showing his ignorance today. Uscjr -17 over Georgia??? LMGDMFAO…….Georgia beats Uscjr 74% of the time we line up with them.
Check the series douchbag.
Dawg4life
February 16th, 2011
5:49 pm
New Coach:http://georgia.247sports.com/Article/Olivadotti-set-to-join-UGAs-coaching-staff-15440
Cletusdawg
February 16th, 2011
5:49 pm
By the way……I’m glad that stupid tree is dead at Toomers Corner. A school whose most famous tradition is to throw asswipe in a stupid tree……LMAO. That’s funny stuff right there.
7576DAWG
February 16th, 2011
5:51 pm
The team to beat in 2011 will be South Carolina. Spurrier is loaded and will not fill the lack of depth until the second half. If Georgia beat’s them it will be a major win because South Carolina is a legitimate top 10 team for the first half.
Dawgs '05
February 16th, 2011
5:55 pm
remember the ‘05 season. that was supposed to be a rebuilding year but we ended up going 11-2. why not this year too? plus in ‘05 we opened up with Boise State and destroyed them. IT”S A SIGN!!!!!!!!!!!! Hello 2011 SEC Championship!!! Don’t let me down Dawgs!!!!
Nub
February 16th, 2011
6:00 pm
Blah …. Blah … Blah …. No less than winning the east will matter… If we lose to SC two years in a row ….won’t happen but if it does call the moving van…. Lose to T….. Don’t see it either however if we did … And beat the belly sliders to ultimately win the east all will live to coach another day…. Lose two games to east opponents well the chair broke with the big gator sitting on it….. Help a Dawg eat a Gator!!!!
Dumb Dawgs
February 16th, 2011
6:04 pm
“By the way……I’m glad that stupid tree is dead at Toomers Corner. A school whose most famous tradition is to throw asswipe in a stupid tree……LMAO. That’s funny stuff right there.’
Wow, what a classy fan you are, retard. What if some Auburn fan came in and said “I’m glad UGA 55 is dead.”
Stupid defines most dawg fans.