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.
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
398 comments Add your comment
ATLER (ramblin wreck)
April 26th, 2011
2:31 pm
Here we go again!!!!! You poop sniffers always think this is your year. You honestly think your going to finish first???…………………………. Get real!!!!!!!! Let’s Go Ga Tech!!!!!!!!!
Atlanta87
April 26th, 2011
2:32 pm
Yeah Mutts you guys have a chance to win the SEC until September 10th rolls around. It’s the same thing every year for you guys. “We’re going to win it all!” and then its October “Maybe next year” or “Fire Richt!” Haha silly Dogs.
Atlanta87
April 26th, 2011
2:33 pm
Agreed ATLER! Delusional dogs.
The end one way or other in Athens
April 26th, 2011
2:35 pm
Either: CMR wins 10 and incl one over Florida and we COMPETE HARD for the SEC East title or it is the end for this regime. Period.
Or: We end up with the above great season and it is THE END for UGA lousy seasons for awhile, hopefully.
Gooooooooooooooooooooooooo Dogs.
JB
April 26th, 2011
2:36 pm
Tech………….The Paul Johnson era is pretty much over…..He’ll feast on traditional Weak teams , but he couldn’t beat two crummy Georgia teams. His recruiting other than a plum or two has been lackluster. He’s toast
but it's a 1-4 SEC team
April 26th, 2011
2:39 pm
Colorado celebrates it’s first victory over an SEC team in 20 years, but the CBS announcers bring the Buffaloes down to earth and remind everyone why UGA no longer matters nationally in one simple statement. Highlight of the 2010 college football season.
S GA AU FAN
April 26th, 2011
2:40 pm
Can’t wait to see Kiehl Frazier playing in Athens this fall….
rivals.yahoo.com/auburn/football/…/player-Kiehl-Frazier-79416
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
April 26th, 2011
2:41 pm
Atlanta87 and ATLER (ramblin wreck)
Pull out your slide rule pencil and complete your janitorial engineer test
This test is to see if you can figure out how to fill your high school stadium
JDawg1785
April 26th, 2011
2:41 pm
Not to change the subject back to Justin Houston, but the AJC is just NOW reporting it…
Just look at this comp for GT and UGA
April 26th, 2011
2:43 pm
GT since about 1950 has been to maybe 8, 9 ???? major bowls like the Orange, the Cotton or the Sugar or the Rose ( back in the day) or lately Capital One or Outback or Fiesta Bowl. Eight or nine invites GT has maybe received in what? 60+ years?? MOST of their major bids were bunched together back in the mid 1950s with Bobby Dodd and his ONLY 60s major invitation was in 67 when Florida stomped him. Their other MAJOR was 09 when Iowa stomped them in Miami.
In the same period, UGA has one Orange (1960) , and about 5 Sugar Bowls, and about 5 Cotton Bowls and about 4 or 5 Cap One Bowls and maybe three or four Outback Bowls.
Yes, UGA has been to many, many more low to mid level bowls. GT? Mostly the Boise Blue Carpet affair or the old Bluebonnet or the Peach or the Gator or the Micron or the Emerald City thing in San Fracisco where GT was very happy and comfortable to be. Hmmmmmmmm
GT and UGA have nothing in common in football and have not since Johnny Hunsinger ran wild at The Flats.
UGA FRIEND
April 26th, 2011
2:44 pm
UGA will go 10-2 and easily win the SEC East. They could go 11-1.
Its the Dawgs year. Only possible losses are SC and/or Miss. State.
sav'h dawg
April 26th, 2011
2:45 pm
Check out Houston’s stats for 2010. 1.5 sacks in his last five games at Georgia. I believe we can find somebody to replace him. He was a no show against Fla. and Auburn.
UGA Insider
April 26th, 2011
2:48 pm
CMR doesn’t act like it but the pressure is on during the first 2 games. I have inside knowledge that if UGA goes 0-2 to start the season the CMR is over at UGA. And when I mean over I mean immediately after the USC game.
shankit
April 26th, 2011
2:49 pm
Cam Newton released from Florida, goes to Auburn.
Janoris Jenkins released from Florida.
Looks like Auburn may have picked them up another 5 star player.
Joey
April 26th, 2011
2:51 pm
“Just look…” – UGA has been to 8 or 9 Sugar Bowls.
JDawg1785
April 26th, 2011
2:51 pm
LMAO, shankit!
ATLER (ramblin wreck)
April 26th, 2011
2:53 pm
@ Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
You can NEVER compare Tech academics/work load to ugag/ poop sniffers farming school. Gator don’t play that!!!!!!! Gator gonna have to smack a flat tire!!!!!!!!!!
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
April 26th, 2011
2:54 pm
UGA Insider
Well if we lose 2 in a row to South Carolina, that will be another negative milestone that has been achieved
UGA Insider
April 26th, 2011
2:54 pm
I have taken some heat for this inside information about CMR but just look at what someone wrote @ 2:39. Although he is obviously not a UGA fan he is correct, McGarity has noticed this and is ready to take action. Word is he was an inch away from pulling the trigger after the UCF debacle which was a personal embarrassment because he spent so much time at UF. CMR better come out firing on all cylinders.
258DAWG
April 26th, 2011
2:55 pm
I just heard Jenkins got kicked off the team at UF. what a blow, but I would have to say it helps me with the answer to this blog. If we beat USC in week 2; yes, we will win the east.
I didn’t think that would happen but he definately had it coming. 3 strikes, he’s out!
phil
April 26th, 2011
2:55 pm
I’m stunned that a majority of my fellow dawg fans think we’ll win the SEC East! Once again, we prove how irrational we are….
I see where Justin Houston failed his combine drug test….yet another young life brimming with possibility that simply can’t make decent choices….sure he didn’t go to Fraudburn?
59bulldawg
April 26th, 2011
3:00 pm
All things considered, I think winning the east is in reach. And Richt knows his seat is hot. Sometimes a little pressure is a good thing. I like our chances but nothing is a given in the SEC.
phil
April 26th, 2011
3:01 pm
UGA Insider…
Are you on the same stuff Houston was on at the combine?
Assuming for a second you know what you’re talking about, and for all I know, you do, isn’t it slightly irresponsible to be saying that about Richt? Obviously if we come out 0-2, which I think we will, he’s likely gone, whether then or at season’s end. If you and Mcgarity are golfing buddies, great, but no need to share what you know and get most of these meatheads stirred up into more of a frenzy than they would be on Day 1 of hunting season….
Dreaming
April 26th, 2011
3:01 pm
I love reading the UGA fans posts saying they will win the east. Always start the year with such high hopes only to see them dashed early on. I do feel for you because South Carolina OWNS UGA and will beat them again this year and make it back to the GA Dome. Sorry, I know the truth hurts.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
April 26th, 2011
3:01 pm
UGA Insider
I dont care if we are undefeated going into the FL game, if we lose to FL again the string needs to be pulled, enough is enough
And yes the loss to Colorado, Miss St, and UCF was an absolute embarrassment to the program and fans who have contributed several thousand dollars should have had their tickets refunded to them
D A DoubleU G
April 26th, 2011
3:04 pm
Typical Tech trolls show up with their typical arguments….
“you mutts think you will win the national title every year…”…….. well.. yes, yes we do.That is called being a die hard fan. Except I do not see anybody on here claiming that. It is the Techies who bring up “national relevance” as a slap to UGA, stirctly because they are the ones who expect us to be big on the national scene. If Tech beats the most down of UGA squads, they act like they just won the super bowl, because for just a few hours they are relevant in the state of Georgia.
And for the love of god, somebody show the nerds where the academic blogs are. This here is a FOOTBALL conversation.
D A DoubleU G
April 26th, 2011
3:06 pm
Dreaming- “South Carolina OWNS UGA”
NICE!!! I needed a good chuckle today. I truly do appreciate that one.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
April 26th, 2011
3:06 pm
ATLER (ramblin wreck)
UGA is ranked 10 spots behind GT in academics and is closing the gap, of course I could care less
Did you read if you can, that your on a UGA football blog, not an academic blog you dork.
ATLER (ramblin wreck)
April 26th, 2011
3:10 pm
@Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
you need to pay attention to your recruits instead of paying attention to pre-season predictions. You are a flat tire aren’t you???!!!!!!! LOL!!!!!!!! Stay down my friend.
D A DoubleU G
April 26th, 2011
3:13 pm
ATLER,
I hear Georgia Tech is hiring Charlie Sheen to assist Paul Johnson in recruiting.
MS Bully
April 26th, 2011
3:13 pm
I love UGA’s quarterback but it is hard for him when he is running for his life or laying flat on his back. A. J, Green will be tough to replace.
JDawg1785
April 26th, 2011
3:16 pm
The truth does hurt, Dreaming. 46-15-2
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
April 26th, 2011
3:19 pm
ATLER (ramblin wreck)
Why do I need to pay attention to recruits, I predict about the same result for my team as usual with a win against Tech I will add. Im not a delusional fan like you and the rest of your TURKEY NECK LOVING FANS
Stay off a real blog and go back to writing papers for your football team. I want them to be ellegible for our typical November beatdown of the Joke by the Coke.
Now you are a mental “wreck” SQUASH
ATLER (ramblin wreck)
April 26th, 2011
3:19 pm
D A DoubleU G
I heard Richt is getting all new probation officers for this upcoming season.
SOUTHGADAWG88
April 26th, 2011
3:21 pm
We could be very good or just decent……hard to guage right now.The issue for me is this…..while I feel like this team will have more talent than we’ve had in awhile…it’s mostly unproven in Sec play.We have kids like…Jenkins,Geathers,jarvis Jones,Olgetree,Samuel,Harmon,Figgans,and the entire dream team….kids counted on to be big time contributers who have either never played a down in the SEC at their position.That could be tough..remember Joe Cox?Let’s see what happens over the summer…We will definetly know what we have by game 3.
DDPO
April 26th, 2011
3:22 pm
Regardless, they’ll be hitting the bongs with J. Houston!
ATLER (ramblin wreck)
April 26th, 2011
3:23 pm
@Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
Because if you don’t ( man’s best friend ) they’ll get back in those lockers to steal and post on twitter, that their selling the items they stole from their future teammates. Hello!!!!! You really don’t read much huh???………………… Sting him!!!!!!!!!!
SOUTHGADAWG88
April 26th, 2011
3:25 pm
Addem…either never played a down at their position or haven’t played at all
Beast from the East
April 26th, 2011
3:26 pm
Coming off of a 6-7 season, having lost your best players on offense and defense and yet 62% of the UGA faithful believe you will win the SEC East. And you guys wonder why you are called the most delusional fan base in the country? I could buy you folks thinking a second place finish to USC, but this is just comical.
Class of 86
April 26th, 2011
3:32 pm
I would love to say the Dawgs will finish first in the east…but we’ve seen all of the hype before and its already starting this year. I seriously doubt we will beat SC or the Gators. I’m thinking third or fourth in the East with three or four losses.
Chillin' with Houston
April 26th, 2011
3:32 pm
DDPO,
Word
JOE
April 26th, 2011
3:33 pm
Sad thing is I remember not long ago that GEORGIA would win 10+ games a yr WITH LSU, ALA or ARK on the schedule. What has GA football come too when we can only HOPE to beat SC & win the SEC East when none of the big-boys from the West are on our schedule???
schmeckdawg
April 26th, 2011
3:33 pm
D A DoubleU G
April 26th, 2011
3:13 pm
ATLER,
I hear Georgia Tech is hiring Charlie Sheen to assist Paul Johnson in recruiting.
DUH…losing!!!!!!!!!! I hate The Joke By Coke!!!!!!!!!
Chillin' with Houston
April 26th, 2011
3:34 pm
dawgs got no chance if the change up the drug test schedule
Chillin' with Houston
April 26th, 2011
3:35 pm
Anyone holdin’??
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
April 26th, 2011
3:36 pm
ATLER (ramblin wreck)
Like I said before, why do I need to pay attention to recruits, our coach recruits these thugs and thats been my complaint for years. Again thats why this program is going nowhere except for squashing the Joke by the Coke thats it.
Now your cheating players who continue to get caught every few years need your help on their papers. You really should get back to finishing those assignments so they can stay elligible
SQUASH
schmeckdawg
April 26th, 2011
3:37 pm
Chillin’ with Houston
April 26th, 2011
3:34 pm
dawgs got no chance if the change up the drug test schedule
YOU SIR ARE A FREAKING MORON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ATLER (ramblin wreck)
April 26th, 2011
3:38 pm
@ schmeckdawg
ATLER (ramblin wreck)
April 26th, 2011
3:19 pm
D A DoubleU G
I heard Richt is getting all new probation officers for this upcoming season.
* Link
* Report this comment
258DAWG
April 26th, 2011
3:43 pm
Chillin with “Jenkins” oops…
and Beast, where exactly do you suppose UF will finish this season???
This should be good.
Beast from the East
April 26th, 2011
3:46 pm
258DAWG,
I predict UF will be about 8-4 and be battling UGA for second place in the East. I think the winner in Jax will come in second behind USC. Based on recent history, I like our chances in that game……LOL!