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
chazzo
February 15th, 2011
6:46 pm
Waste Deep in Excrement
chazzo
February 15th, 2011
6:54 pm
Oh, I get it. It is the three options that an Auburn diploma gets you: Washing and Detailing or Enlisting.
chazzo
February 15th, 2011
7:00 pm
I guess I hurt someone’s feelings, and they got all mad.
UGA fan
February 15th, 2011
7:16 pm
chazzo
Get a life dude.
Common sense isn't common amoung UGA fans
February 15th, 2011
7:17 pm
“Oh, I get it. It is the three options that an Auburn diploma gets you: Washing and Detailing or Enlisting.”
Yeah, that’s it, chazzo. You really got Auburn grads with that insult. I can tell that you are not a UGA grad because even UGA grads respect other universities.
Who Cares
February 15th, 2011
7:33 pm
I think the prediction of UGA finishing 9th in the SEC is very close. I remember sitting in a sportsbar with alot of UGA fans watching the bowl game with Central Fl. I remember every UGA fan wanting to know why their head coach elected to kick a field goal on 4th and inches in the middle of the 1st qtr. in a lower tier bowl game against a team that had never won a bowl game. These same fans were so upset after that game, and they all agreed UGA would never get back to Atlanta for SECC with Richt as head coach. The sad thing is that RIcht is still there, and yes he had a good recruiting class, but he also had a good recruiting class in 9 of the 10 years he’s been at UGA. And yes, he still has the same pathetic O.C. in BOO BOO. And yes Murray is back, but like his head coach, Murray can’t win the big games, and he want even have A.J. to bail him out this year. And yes we have the same D.C. back, that has no clue on how to defend the spread offense that half of UGA’s rivals run. This guy is all talk and no substance. He never blitzed all season, was never aggresive like he promised when he was hired. He made Florida look like national champions on offense, and they were pitiful against every good defense they faced. This d.c. also never made an adjustment to stop the dive play agains Ga.Tech the whole game. His defense never stopped Tech’s rushing attack. Hell Duke defended Tech’s offense better than UGA. Factor all of this in with the fact UGA lost their best new coach to the NFL, at least he had the kickoff coverage teams not kick the ball out of bounds or kick Richt’s favorite pooch kick. The fact UGA had the worst O.L in the SEC east, and the worst group of backs, and the 9th place prediction might be high. For all UGA fans to put all their hopes on a head coach that has proven time and time again that he is the worst game day head coach in the SEC, and a q.b. that has never won a big game, and a d.c. that doesn’t know how to defend the spread offense, and a freshman running back that has never gained a yard in college is scary to say the least. But what else can UGA fans do with this pathetic head coach but Dream. Unfortunately that dream will turn into a nightmare this season.
Dawgboy
February 15th, 2011
7:56 pm
Yes, we will be competing to see who is the best of the bottom five in the SEC. Seven teams have passed us by. Finishing eighth would be winning that second tier competition.
chazzo
February 15th, 2011
8:03 pm
Hey. You guys are absolutely right. I have behaved foolishly and childishly. For this I apologize. I actually posted some fair handed insights back on page one. Honestly, I just got a little fed up with every thread devolving into a bunch of Auburn talk. I probably over-reacted with the guy I was razzing. I definitely should have taken the high road. I will do so for now on. GO DAWGS!!
Dawg2
February 15th, 2011
8:10 pm
Jan Kemp exposed the crap going on at UGA with athletes being enrolled in courses a ten-year-old kid could pass. That was almost three decades ago, and nothing has changed. If anything, the abuses are more blatant today. Way too many illiterate morons are being recruited, and the very high arrest rate shows clearly that Richt does not care if his players have any morals or self-discipline.
powerhouse?
February 15th, 2011
8:13 pm
Barking early and breaking out the bottle about the end of the first game in Atlanta. Where is Patsy when you need her?
ps…given Lemays past and all the ladies in Athens, he just might be too tired to play an entire game….
......
February 15th, 2011
8:24 pm
“I probably over-reacted with the guy I was razzing. I definitely should have taken the high road. ”
But you didn’t and therefore you’re a clown.
harold
February 15th, 2011
8:24 pm
THE GEORGIA FANS ARE DELUSIONAL TO THINK AFTER 13-12 THE LAST TWO SEASONS THAT RICHT IS ” ALL OF A SUDDEN” SUCCESSFUL. GEORGIA IS AN AVERAGE FOOTBALL TEAM IN THE SEC AND EVERYONE IN THE SEC KNOWS IT. GEOEGIA DREAMS IT WHILE ALABAMA,FLORIDA, AND AUBURN LIVE IT.
RICHT WILL BE FIRED AT THE END OF THE SEASON.
WDE
February 15th, 2011
8:25 pm
“Honestly, I just got a little fed up with every thread devolving into a bunch of Auburn talk. ”
Why, it’s all about the UGA schedule which involves Auburn and other schools.
WDE
February 15th, 2011
8:26 pm
“GEOEGIA DREAMS IT WHILE ALABAMA,FLORIDA, AND AUBURN LIVE IT.’
LSU does as well.
goodness gracious
February 15th, 2011
8:36 pm
Georgia will win the East and meet LSU in the SEC championship game. Dont know that they will win the game. I see Zach Mettenburger starting by then and exacting revenge on us for not having his back. LSU 24 – UGA 17
goodness gracious
February 15th, 2011
8:38 pm
Does anyone find the bee buzzing around on their page funny. not me
Top Dog
February 15th, 2011
9:24 pm
I think Nick Marshall could be the next primetime. The kid is a Freak.
BabsTolstoy
February 15th, 2011
9:32 pm
Hey Chazzo, did you hear, Auburn is the National Champion. How about that. It must be sucking the life right out of you. But seriously, do you think you guys can beat Fla. next year and save your coach’s job? I’m betting not. And then you guys will really suck with a brand new coach starting all over trying to explain that to your heartbroken “dream team.” From Athens I predict only a death spiral punctuated by a loud bang and a sad puff of smoke. War Eagle chump.
Dawg Tired
February 15th, 2011
9:35 pm
I’m fairly optimistic that the defense will be better IF Jenkins is as good as advertised. A true nose tackle is a necessity in the 3-4.
Not so optimistic about offense. Losing Green and Durham is BIG. Who is going to step up at receiver? Brown has been big time disappointment. Unless one of the true freshmen steps up big time, we will be worse on offense. Will either Ealey or King even be playing? Ho way to tell whether Crowell is ready to play tailback in the SEC. O-line is bound to be better with Searles gone.
Our record SHOULD be better in light of schedule, but I’m expecting 7-8 wins.
Bates
February 15th, 2011
9:51 pm
Wow, WDE been postin here since 12 noon, 10 hours straight, must be bored.
Oh year, love the new fake names WDE
WDE/Dawg Tired/chazzo = same person, blogging to himself for 10 hours
chazzo
February 15th, 2011
10:18 pm
Actually, I am Chazzo. Someone just snagged my name. I don’t even care. I think that there are a lot of good players and coaches at UGA. I am optimistic that the Dawgs will have a better season. I would not count on any major championships. 7 wins for sure and the rest are up in the air. I don’t think the first two games will define the whole season. I would say the Dawgs had better do a lot of team building to be cohesive by game time against BSU.
As I mentioned before, I really feel like last year was the final tumble of a crumbling wall. This year is the rebuilding year. Linebackers are the biggest question mark on D, and tailbacks are the biggest question mark on O. We also will have new coaches at those positions.
The Florida Gator
February 15th, 2011
10:28 pm
Well, hope does spring eternal for you mutts. Your delusions have no reached the point that you are expecting unproven freshmen and JUCO transfers to have an immediate magical impact on your program.
The only thing that will change the direction of your program is a new head coach.
By all accounts, Mark Richt is a very nice guy and a player’s coach, although he has engaged in a number of silly antics that would embarrass me if I were a Georgia fan. But somewhere along the line, his staff fails to get full potential out of his players. Don’t see how that’s going to change moving forward.
Your biggest problem moving forward is that instead of one or two hugely talented rivals (UF and TENN), South Carolina has finally joined the party. There’s a very real possibility you guys will start losing three games each year JUST IN THE DIVISION.
Just think… You could have had our new coaching staff… That must really sting.
Time
February 15th, 2011
10:36 pm
“12 noon, 10 hours straight, must be bored.”
Math isn’t your thing is it.
Gen Neyland
February 15th, 2011
11:07 pm
If he scrambles and makes one Gee instead of Haw, he’s toast. Fran Tarkenton was like Herschel : Once in a lifetime and I’m still kicking…
Gen Neyland
February 15th, 2011
11:09 pm
Gator : USCe is not a player in the Big Time. Week to week, I’ll give you that but no more…
woebegong
February 16th, 2011
4:46 am
Florida Gator,
Just think you could have had our JUCO so it must really hurt huh? Try running up the middle on that man. You know, the JUCO that picked UGA over the Gators.
I used to respect UF when Spurrier was there, but since he left, UF lacks class. Sure, they might be good at football, but the pride isn’t there anymore. I,ll take 1 CMR to ten of your new coach, and OC.
AltamahaDawg
February 16th, 2011
7:17 am
Receivers will be fine.
T. King made the most out of his PT. He will step up. Wooten’s biggest problem is that he was behind AJ, he will step up. Charles will get more played called his way. Especially if we have a true blocking TE now to counter him. I understand that we have a RS that impressed everyone last year. I like the recruits too.
Hopefully M. Brown could be like R. Brown and just dedicate himself to improving his game as his time starts to slip away. We will see.
I really appreciated that Durham had a great season, but he did so predominately because he was standing in AJs shoes for a big part of the season. They spent a year drilling “when in doubt throw it to #8″. He got those plays. He was a gutsy player with good hands, but as far as, playing the flight of the ball, he was below average. Any one of several player stepping into his spot is going to get as many balls thrown thier way, and they all have just as good of skills. We are losing his maturity and leadership though.
Murray will also not be as easily fooled by the defenders this trip through the schedule, and figures to be able to read and distribute better. I can’t see our passing game taking any step back.
Dan Mullen
February 16th, 2011
7:42 am
There is no reason not to win the SEC East this year. Anything short of that and I will be in Athens in 2012! Go DAWGS!
Dangerous
February 16th, 2011
7:57 am
The Big question is can Bobo’s offense score any points against a formidable defense.Six to nine pts off field goals will not cut it. Putting points up against some chump is not impressive. Everybody slams the D, but the O hasn’t been any better either. No pts against decent teams and turnovers have just killed GA.
Dan Mullen
February 16th, 2011
8:06 am
Awbarn fans are illiterate idiots!
Jayshaun
February 16th, 2011
8:28 am
thing is, georgia keep right on losing more games than year before every year since 2007.
RabidDawgFan
February 16th, 2011
8:40 am
Mississippi State will win the West. Bank on it.
RabidDawgFan
February 16th, 2011
8:42 am
Dangerous, I guess your calling Florida’s defense chumps because we hung 31 on them, I guess your calling Tech’s defense chumps because we hung 42 on them, how about Auburn’s defense? We hung 31 on them too. Keep preaching.
RabidDawgFan
February 16th, 2011
8:44 am
The Florida Gator,
How did Terrence Cody work for Alabama? (JUCO transfer)
How did Cam Newton and Nick Fairley work out for Auburn? (both JUCO)
How did Marcus Lattimore and Michael Dyer both help out their respective teams? (Both TRUE freshmen).
You were saying?
The Man
February 16th, 2011
8:49 am
Did ANYBODY see reason for optimism in Auburn for the 2010 season?
dawgfan
February 16th, 2011
8:51 am
I don’t know what will happen in 2011 and I can’t say I’m all that optimistic. I do know one thing for damn sure however: hell will freeze over before we are required to sit here and take any lip whatsoever from lousy two bit Tech fan. You know who you are Techies and that’s all I’ve got to say about that.
Thanks.
buckeyedawg
February 16th, 2011
8:53 am
hey james and george, tell all your tech buddies we are going to beat you again this year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
RabidDawgFan
February 16th, 2011
9:12 am
Tech fans can’t talk trash. It just isn’t right. I don’t want to hear any tech fans talking like they’re team is big and bad when they are 0-2 vs. Georgia in our WORST seasons 09 we went 8-5 and this past season we went 6-7. Those are are two WORST seasons in a long time and what’s our record vs. Tech in those two seasons?
2-0.
Time
February 16th, 2011
9:14 am
“Awbarn fans are illiterate idiots!”
Says the guy from Starkville, Ms. Hey, did you sign up for that new KKK license plate?
RabidDawgFan
February 16th, 2011
9:15 am
Florida fans, get a grip. Tebow left and Meyer couldn’t take it anymore. You’ve seen what Murray can do to your defense and even though you hung 34 on us and beat us in OT, you seen how aggressive our defense can be with not even the right personnel in there AND also we were in our first year under the 3-4 with an undersized NT. We’re going to be in year 2, we have a 6′4, 340 lb NG, and we are starting to get the right personnel in there. Florida is switching to a pro-style offense which is perfect for Coach Grantham because he knows how to defend it. Watch out.
Time
February 16th, 2011
9:15 am
“Mississippi State will win the West. Bank on it.’
With what offense/defense?
Auburn fan
February 16th, 2011
9:16 am
“Did ANYBODY see reason for optimism in Auburn for the 2010 season?”
Yep, because they signed a top 5 class and 3 5 star players. Also, their schedule was favorable. Herbstriet and Phil Steel both picked Auburn to go undefeated.
Auburn fan
February 16th, 2011
9:17 am
“You’ve seen what Murray can do to your defense ”
UGA lost to every team with a winning record last year. Not sure what you mean by that claim.
RabidDawgFan
February 16th, 2011
9:19 am
Auburn fan,
What is Auburn’s record in the last 5 years vs. UGA dating back to 05? You beat us in 05 by ONE point 31-30, in 06 we plastered you 37-15, in 07 (BLACKOUT) we kicked you 45-20, in 08 we beat you, in 09 we beat you, and in ‘10 you got by us. Funny, I hadn’t seen any Auburn fans in here until they won the championship. Bandwagon maybe?
RabidDawgFan
February 16th, 2011
9:21 am
Time,
Did you see what Miss. State did to Michigan in their bowl game? 52-14 if I’m not mistaken. I know, I know, it’s Michigan but Michigan is a storied program with a lot of good, solid players. You don’t just beat a team like Michigan 52-14 and not be good. They have their starting QB, and RB coming back and they have Mullen leading the way. I believe they went 9-4 last season and lost some games they could have/should have won. They won’t be a bad team and don’t be surprised to see them near the top of the SEC West.
Roy
February 16th, 2011
9:23 am
Hey Auburn fan,
tell me about your QB situation.
woebegong
February 16th, 2011
9:38 am
Auburn Fan,
The reason you made it last year is now getting ready for the PROS. my friend. He accounted for 64% of your offense last year. How much did those 3, 5 star recruits account for?
Paul
February 16th, 2011
10:24 am
Can Grantham improve the defense enough to win the big games as well as provide discipline that your HC doesn’t. Can the new OL coach come in and provide discipline that your HC doesn’t. These are the two questions that will determine the W/L’s at UGA this year. Richt can call plays but that is his limit. The assistant coaches have to provide the leadership and discipline otherwise you will continue to fail. It’s unusual that the assistants have to save the day but it was this same situation at Alabama under Mike Shula. Joe Kines did the best he could with the talent and he provided the discipline as best he could. UGA should be one the best programs around year after year but until you folks see the light (Blues Brothers) then you will continue to drift. Like Coach Bryant once said about Florida…” If they ever get their act together down there then we’re all in trouble”..something along this line. Change isn’t a bad thing and sometime you need to just embrace the process but 1st your should have your new guy already set to take the job and none of the BS public offeres etc. Give Bama credit for paying Nick Saban whatever it took to fix the damn problem. You should learn from that deal going forward. Money can’t be the reason you don’t get the person you need to fix the problem. Bill Curry was a good man and so is Mark. Do want a football coach or a sales manager?
AdMan
February 16th, 2011
10:25 am
Hey Auburn fan….you are really dreaming about your team……I’ll bet the house right now that Auburn will only win seven games next year…..they will be the biggest disappointment in the league…who’s your Q? … a freshman? …or did you guys go out and buy a new QB?….how about your D-line……weak at best…your O- line last year was the (and I quote Herbstreit) “biggest buch of over acheivers in the league”…….you Auburn fans keep patting yourselves on the back and looking at yourselves in the mirror cause it’s gonna be a long year on the Plains this year….a long year!
Seltzer
February 16th, 2011
10:34 am
Three Keys to a Successful UGA season:
1. Concentrate of Strength and Conditioning this off-season
2. All players stay out of Kail and the news.
3. Concentrate on Boise State ONLY!!!