Dogs drawing mixed predictions in SEC race
If Aaron Murray can lead the Dogs past South Carolina, just how far can Mark Richt's team go? (Brant Sanderlin / AJC)
Amid all the speculation about Jim Tressel being toast and Will Muschamp’s Gators being toasted (giving new meaning to the “Florida Way”!), some college football observers have been paying a bit of attention to Mark Richt’s 2011 Dogs, who seem to have become something of a dark horse favorite in the SEC East.
As I wrote last week, Georgia has a high-risk start to its season that could pay off big, opening with Boise State and South Carolina. And while the game against the Broncos has the higher profile, the meeting in Athens with the Gamecocks could have more impact on UGA’s season, since a win there would put the Dogs in the driver’s seat in a division where Florida and Tennessee are rebuilding and Kentucky and Vandy are Kentucky and Vandy.
Barrett Sallee of College Football News says that with “the quarterback issues at South Carolina, the offensive ineptitude that Florida showed in its spring game, and the way Georgia’s schedule shapes up, the SEC East is there for Georgia’s taking. If the Bulldogs beat South Carolina the second week of the season, they absolutely have to get to Atlanta. They don’t play Arkansas, LSU and Alabama this season — the three primary contenders in the SEC West. Plus they get Auburn and Mississippi State, the next two in line on the other side of the division, at home. Sure, the Florida game in Jacksonville is always a tough matchup for the Bulldogs, but even if they lose that game, it’s hard to find two more losses on the schedule, provided that they get past the Gamecocks.”
Loading ...That’s a fairly underwhelming assessment considering that as poorly as Georgia played overall last season the Dogs still managed to finish third in the SEC East.
We haven’t done a poll in a while here, so let’s see if Blawg readers are as pessimistic as those at the CBS site, or whether you’re thinking the CFN view is closer to the mark. Feel free to vote in the poll, comment, or do both.
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398 comments Add your comment
Cmon man
April 26th, 2011
1:22 pm
dawginlex my comment wasnt directed towards you i was speaking in general. people on this site trashed aj when he decided to turn he went from being loved to being labeled as selfish. In 2009 when b.rambo but his career on the line against aub he was a damn good dog since the season didnt go the way we expected, people on here act like he’s trash yet he was 2nd on the team in tackles and ints. I could go on and on hopefully you see where im going with this. And since u asked uga is my team win lose or draw unlike some people on this site
DawginLex
April 26th, 2011
1:22 pm
right SSI…
What gets discussed with your boyfriend on the sofa at night doesn’t equal the entire NCAA.
You still have not answered my question TROLL BOY
UGASlobberknocker
April 26th, 2011
1:23 pm
@JB, you may be right but
1/IMO Richt is going to save his job with this yrs team..which will win at least 9 reg season games
2/Im not sold on Smart at all. He seems OK and has the Ga connection, but how much of his success is just from coaching under Saban? I question how much autonomy he has and how much (or little) he has to do with the overall scheme of things over there.
just thinkin'
April 26th, 2011
1:23 pm
Funny how UGA bloggers are always telling others to get off their blog, but they believe its their right to post on others’ blogs. Such supreme reasoning skills are what cause UGA fans to always believe they are an elite football program headed for the NC and let’s see……1980?
And the so-called rivalry with UF is like what? 17-3 in the past 20 years….NOT a rivalry.
I have never see such a delusional group of sports fans in my 50 years of following college sports. Now if I could have back the last 3 minutes of my life wasted on this blog…….
Danny
April 26th, 2011
1:24 pm
Try 5-7, wins against Coastal Carolina, Vanderbilt and New Mexico.
Might pull out 2 more aginst losing teams like Tenn & Ole Miss.
Will lose to Florida, Boise, South Carolina, Miss St, Auburn, Ga Tech, and Kentucky.
Danny
April 26th, 2011
1:25 pm
New coach will be offensive guy, Leach, Gus Malzan, or Gruden.
SSI's saofa mate
April 26th, 2011
1:26 pm
Keep me out of it Im a Auburn fan
JB
April 26th, 2011
1:27 pm
Dawginlex……………..GM learned under Foley and Foley just hired Muschamp. Now if Florida loses 5-6 games this year, It might give him pause, because if Muschamp loses that many, half of those folks will want him fired after one season. Upon hiring him, he grew in Florida as a little boy…..lose 5 or 6 games this year and you’ll hear ” we got a damn Bulldog coaching out team….just watch.
UGASlobberknocker
April 26th, 2011
1:27 pm
Danny, you are one of the people that the blogger “pathetic…” above is talking about, Go away you moron.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
April 26th, 2011
1:34 pm
Frankly Im tired of hearing talk, we are a joke to other schools with this is the year crap
I havent seen much from this program since 02 but we still lost to FL
When we beat FL 2 yrs in a row and go to an SEC championship then there can be talk, until then shut up people
Danny
April 26th, 2011
1:34 pm
UGA owuld be fine if they’d get rid of their QB. If the guy knew how to win, he wouldn’t have been content with a 1-1 start, a 1-2 start, a 1-3 start or a 1-4 start. That’s a QB who can’t figure out how to win games. You don’t want guys who are ok with losign to run your ship on offense. Like to see Christian or Hutson get some reps, and they will this season, after a few more losses.
DollarDawg43
April 26th, 2011
1:34 pm
Even with QB issues, South Carolina still returns a lot from a pretty darn good football team. The optimist in me says we win the east but I cast my vote for 2nd.
The Carolina game is winnable and, if we pull that off, I get more ‘optimistically realistic’ but, until we begin to play the Gators even for a few years, it is hard to say they don’t have an edge on us. Those two games concern me the most: Sweep ‘em and we’re stting pretty if we take care of the business we SHOULD take care of. Lose ‘em and…ugh!
Danny
April 26th, 2011
1:35 pm
Problem is, if Richt sticks with Murray again, regardless of how many games the team loses, then you could be looking at 0-2, or 1-4 before the change, which we all know is inevitable, will come at QB.
Danny
April 26th, 2011
1:36 pm
sc WILL BE A RPESEASON TOP 10 TEAM WITH gARCIA, lATTIMORE & JEFFIRIES ALL BACK.
Ron Smith
April 26th, 2011
1:36 pm
I hate having to say this to the Bulldawg nation but expect UGA to end the 2011 season with a record of 5 wins (Kentucky, Vandy, Costal, UAB, Ole Miss)7 losses (Florida, Tennessee, South Carolina, Boise St, Mississippi State, Auburn, GA Tech)and I truly hope I’m wrong.
BTW, It’s great to be a Florida Gator!!!
Danny
April 26th, 2011
1:37 pm
rICHT’S 2-9 VS. gATORS, SO 80% CHANCE rICHT LOSES THAT ONE.
D A DoubleU G
April 26th, 2011
1:39 pm
Well the East just got even easier for the Dawgs…….
I have to tip my cap for Muschamp kicking Janoris Jenkins off the team….. Urban Crier would have suspended him for the first quarter of the first non-conference game.
http://www.gatorzone.com/carter/blog/337
D A DoubleU G
April 26th, 2011
1:40 pm
JANORIS JENKINS DISMISSED FROM THE GATORS……
http://www.gatorzone.com/carter/blog/337
captguitarman
April 26th, 2011
1:41 pm
The Puppie Nation is pretty optimistic over all — but also with a few realists chiming in. I believe the last of the numerous games the Puppies attended last season (”played’ is not the operative word here) was the Central Florida game. So we now leap from that beyond disgraceful effort by players and coaches alike to the top of the SEC East? Anything is possible in the SEC, of course, but the probability of that is not high. If Boise State comes to town – in a real contest to start the season – the first game of the year – in the Puppies’ back yard, in Atlanta – with a packed Georgia Dome – and with mega TV hype and media coverage . . . and then get run off the field by a second tier team – with the whole country tuned in . . . that could set the tone for the rest of the season. And the coaching staff has proven time and again that it cannot establish the right tone for the Puppies in any given contest. It could be the second “Central Florida” game in a row. They have to win that game – or South Carolina will just come to Athens and pile one. And then, as one person noted, the rest of the season will ring with dissent and distraction with calls for CMR’s too long delayed “Mike Shula” moment. They have to beat Bosie State to have any kind of as season.. And don’t forget the other factors — the coaching talent they must face on the opposing teams, even while getting a break from LSU and Miles and BAMA and Saban. Also, everyone will be looking to give a weaker Auburn some paybacks this season — and with the ass whuppins they are sure to get at the hands of others, that will just make them mean and dangerous as hell for the Puppies — nothing the well-coached – never say die Tigers would like better than to make sure the Puppies don’t win the East. Also, the other unknown is how many DUI’s, thefts, bar fights, assaults, NCAA infractions will factor in this year sitting down key players for important games. It’s going to be interesting to see if they have turned the corner. Winning the East would be a huge, if improbable, feat after last year. We’ll see.
Danny
April 26th, 2011
1:41 pm
uga DOESN’T PLAY uab, IT’S nEW mEXICO sTATE.
Skyler
April 26th, 2011
1:41 pm
If your using College Football News, then your no longer credible.
wILLIS
April 26th, 2011
1:43 pm
Boise isn’t in the SEC, it’s a game that means nothing. rest the starters, don’t show anything on video.
JB
April 26th, 2011
1:43 pm
I hate to admit it, but Richt’s MO is to play Murray until the cows come home or they are playing Taps for him. He’s no Spurrier. And that his a fault as a head coach. He’ll worry about Murray’s feelings and the long term effects of his soul before making a change. I hate to say that but it’s true.
Ron Smith
April 26th, 2011
1:44 pm
Sorry, Make that the New Mexico team
Steve Superior
April 26th, 2011
1:44 pm
If yall’s defense dont smoke dope then just maybe they can tackle mr. lattimore. poor mr. houston.
JB
April 26th, 2011
1:45 pm
new blogger at @1:41……………Nobody reads essay’s on here. I quit after the fourth sentence, just say’n
D A DoubleU G
April 26th, 2011
1:46 pm
The ajc is pretty slow today.
Nothing on Justin Houston, yet, or Janoris Jenkins getting the axe at Florida.
wILLIS
April 26th, 2011
1:47 pm
Richt has 3 sure wins:
Coast Caro, Vanderbilt, New Mexico St.
Possible 4 wins:
Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia Tech, Ole Miss (all will end up with losing records)
Sure 5 losses:
Florida, Boise, SC, Auburn, Miss St. (all ranked teams, Richt went 0-6 against good teams last season, and 2-9 against ranked teams last 2 seasons, averages 1 win against a ranked team per season last 2 seasons).
RxDawg
April 26th, 2011
1:47 pm
Wonder if Jeinkens can declare for the draft now? He’d probably be a steal somewhere towards the end.
WDE
April 26th, 2011
1:48 pm
captguitarman not only are you an idiot but a long winded one at that.
D A DoubleU G
April 26th, 2011
1:49 pm
“Mr Lattimore” is about to have Big John Jenkins, Kwamea Gathears, Alec Ogletree, RIchard Samueal and Jarvis Jones hunting him down like a pack of dogs on a 3 legged cat.
He didn’t have that last year, now…. did he?? I like UGA’s chances against USC(e).
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
April 26th, 2011
1:50 pm
Danny
Your on crack to sit there and blame Murry for us losing, Murry broke just about every Fr passing record and is 2nd all time as a Fr in yardage in the SEC
You need to blame your coach,
You know, the same coach who sat out Moreno because he thought he wasnt ready, or the same coach who had, Stafford, Moreno, Greene, and Maseqoui on the same field and still lost 3 games that year.
The same coach who couldnt beat Ron Zook until he was fired,
Who was embarrassed yr after yr by Meyer
The same coach who has had a decade of top 10 recruiting classes and still cannot appear in an SEC championship without having beaten FL to earn the spot but instead has to wait for FL to lose out so we could go to the championship
The same coach who put his friendship ahead of the University in not firing Martinez
Get a clue
D A DoubleU G
April 26th, 2011
1:50 pm
RxDawg,
I thought about that too. Without any combine, pro-day, individual workouts, interviews, plus his recovering from shoulder surgery, he may be better signing an agent, hiring a personal trainer and spending the next 10 months preparing for next year’s round of all the things I mentioned above.
WDE
April 26th, 2011
1:51 pm
wILLIS really last year with a freshman QB we nearly beat 3 of those sure losses and had auburn down at the half..you hanging out in G’ville a lot these days?
1eyedJack
April 26th, 2011
1:56 pm
I have begun to skip over posts that try to extrapolate how next year’s team will do based on last year’s team or the last two years.
Irrelevant.
The wonderful thing about college football is that each year is a largely different team, even if it is mostly the same players. You lose some guys, you add some guys, some guys get bigger, stronger and hopefully better.
How many of you so-called experts called Awbun winning the NC last year? How many even gave them a chance to win the SEC?
Rich
April 26th, 2011
2:02 pm
Dawgs Lose to Boise St and Tenn for sure. I don’t know about South Carolina and Florida. Georgia would have to play against a Senior Quarterback led team like Boise State first game of season ?! People talk about defense, but our offense starts so slow that we never will give ourselves a chance ! Hey I predict if we win the first game we have a shot of not losing a game ! It’s that important.
Pago Pago DAWG
April 26th, 2011
2:05 pm
4th and 1, kick a field goal…..and then…everybody knew the game was over.
Sad….
dawgrific
April 26th, 2011
2:10 pm
This article reminds me of something: Does anyone really believe that Scam went to Auburn and DIDN’T GET PAID? Does anyone REALLY believe that?! Ok, now that is out of my system, so yes, the first 2 games are HUGE!!!!!!!!!
Joey
April 26th, 2011
2:14 pm
You are right Flat Tire, but look to get an earful with that post.
It’s not that Richt has forgot how to coach football. It’s that he got complacent and put his buddies in charge, while most SEC programs hired really good coaches and assistants.
He kinda owned up to the complacent part by vowing to “study cutting edge football.”
$3M a year and he wasn’t already studying football?
Ogeechee Dawg
April 26th, 2011
2:18 pm
I have a hard time taking a real positive stance on UGA this year.
Heard it all before – but bottom line is 8-5, followed up by 6-7.
Taking a wait and see attitude on expectations – but will root like heck for a great season.
As much as I like Coach Richt – we will need to make a change in the leadership of our program if 6-7 and 8-5 is the best we can do.
Best of luck to UGA!
Tolishing a Purd?
April 26th, 2011
2:20 pm
not first!!!
Tolishing a Purd?
April 26th, 2011
2:21 pm
not second!!!
ugaclassof2004
April 26th, 2011
2:21 pm
Finishing 3rd in the SEC EAST isn’t that great. We were 3rd in the East last season, even at 6-7! My predictions:
SEC EAST
1. South Carolina 9-3
2. Florida 8-4
3. UGA 7-5
4. UT 7-5
5. 7-5
6. 1-11
SEC WEST
1. Alabama 11-1
2. LSU 9-3
3. Arkansas 8-4
4. Auburn 8-4
5. MSU 7-5
6. Ole Miss 6-6
Tolishing a Purd?
April 26th, 2011
2:21 pm
not third!!!
ugaclassof2004
April 26th, 2011
2:21 pm
Finishing 3rd in the SEC EAST isn’t that great. We were 3rd in the East last season, even at 6-7! My predictions:
SEC EAST
1. South Carolina 9-3
2. Florida 8-4
3. UGA 7-5
4. UT 7-5
5. KENT 7-5
6. VANDY 1-11
SEC WEST
1. Alabama 11-1
2. LSU 9-3
3. Arkansas 8-4
4. Auburn 8-4
5. MSU 7-5
6. Ole Miss 6-6
Seminole Uprising
April 26th, 2011
2:21 pm
I feel like my calendar should read 2010 instead of 2011.
You clowns are always optimistic in Spring and suddenly full of excuses in September. In 1 year, FSU caught and passed georgia and I’m laughing my azz off about the whole thing. Lattimore’s easy…just knock the clown to the ground and leave him there. Have fun losing to UF – again.
but it's a 1-4 SEC team
April 26th, 2011
2:23 pm
hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
April 26th, 2011
2:25 pm
Joey
Thats my problem with Richt
3 million a yr but as a fan Im asked to donated a ton of money to watch somebody coach a team in the ground
I only wish my job was like that
G8R GRAD
April 26th, 2011
2:26 pm
“. . . offensive ineptitude [?!!!]. . .”
I’ll say!
Brantley completed 4 of 14 for 45 yards, for cryin’ out loud!
God help us!
Gary
April 26th, 2011
2:30 pm
Gators out recuit us every year. Field talent will give them the edge even if the coaching struggles. Georgia will be outcoached by Boise. We will not be able to address the speed of play by the offense. Our boys will be huffing and puffing in the middle of the second period. We do not have enough talent to swap guys out on defense. Boise will expose it. Soon as a starter leaves the field they will attack his back up. It is how they win.