Dawgs winning the East: Pie in the sky or realistic?
Catching up on my Bulldogs reading after a few days off and away from the blogosphere, I came across the roundtable discussion of UGA football posted at College Football Zealots.
We’ve actually already dealt here in the Blawg with several of the questions posted, including which game is more critical for Georgia to win: Boise State or South Carolina? (To recap: While the Boise game is an opportunity for Mark Richt’s program to get back on the national radar, the South Carolina game a week later looms much bigger for the Dogs in terms of their SEC East hopes.)
But the last question in the roundtable is something I’ve actually been pondering lately as I play out in my head just how likely the more optimistic scenarios are for the 2011 Dogs.
The question: Athlon Sports has rated the Dawgs at #14 and Phil Steele has them at #9 in their pre-season polls. Both have Georgia winning the SEC East and playing in the Capital One Bowl. What needs to happen for Georgia to live up to these lofty expectations?
Well, in terms of wins and losses, obviously, beating South Carolina would be a big step in that direction. You can draw up various scenarios in which Georgia could win the SEC East after losing to the Gamecocks (all of which would require the Dogs to win in Jacksonville), but that definitely would be doing it the hard way.
Are the elements in place for such a season? That’s tougher to gauge. Aaron Murray certainly looks like the class of the conference when it comes to quarterback, the schedule is pretty favorable once you get past those first two games, and Isaiah Crowell has a lot of folks excited. But he still has to run behind a questionable offensive line. And while the arrival of John Jenkins should make Georgia’s defense tougher up front, the secondary still has me worried. And then there are the questions about who steps up at wide receiver to replace A.J. Green and Kris Durham.
Plus, of course, whether the team is going to be able to rise to the occasion in the fourth quarter in big games, something that all too often hasn’t happened recently.
A little luck wouldn’t hurt, either.
So what do you think has to happen for Georgia to live up to those “lofty expectations”? Is this pie-in-the-sky thinking, or do Richt’s 2011 Dogs really have what it takes to be a contender?
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370 comments Add your comment
Dawg Tell
June 14th, 2011
4:12 pm
To early for guessing any damn thing.Many things can happen to any team now to September.No one knows the future for any team. Just win baby and everything will take care of itself.GO DAWGS.
JB
June 14th, 2011
4:15 pm
Carolina had a good team………and a better coach…..Spurrier with talent is a deadly combination.
ARdawg
June 14th, 2011
4:15 pm
bamaguy, maybe if you post a blank once or twice, you’ll have at least a 50% chance of one of them being right?
frannie mae
June 14th, 2011
4:16 pm
When Mark Richt made this cameo appearance I knew UGA was in BIG BIG Trouble last year. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GJVxFP19Gs
ARdawg
June 14th, 2011
4:18 pm
Yes it is way too early for these type predictions. Nobody know diddly squat. I do predict the the SEC West won’t be much more stout that the East. Saban had a couple of good years but, the next few likely won’t come so easy and don’t be surprised if Richt finally fields a solid football team this year. Just food for thought
Cannot wait until Jax again Humpers
June 14th, 2011
4:20 pm
Anyone think that UF will not have a running game? Demps, Rainey and now Trey Burton moved to running back. UF started 5 true freshmen on D against the humpers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyiLcqLcC9k
bham dawg
June 14th, 2011
4:24 pm
@cannot wait until jax: Trey burton switched positions again? Thought he was a tight end. Demps and Rainey are great runners on the outside, but switching to a pro-style offense they are going to have trouble running between the tackles.
UGA Insider
June 14th, 2011
4:26 pm
Our Oline is in shambles and with it the running game. We scored 6 points against UCF and yet people are predicting and SEC East Championship with the same team…. WAKE UP! UGA stunk up the field only 6 months ago. A few weeks earlier GT should have beaten us for god’s sake! CMR has been given 2 games to turn this thing around and that’s it. Chris Peterson will have an informal meeting with Mike McGarity the week of the Boise game. It stinks but CFB is a shady business.
Even the French make fun of the Humpers
June 14th, 2011
4:26 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCikmz1w58A&feature=fvwrel
Dawg in Malta
June 14th, 2011
4:28 pm
@socarbravesfan
how old r u?
I’ve witnessed so many teams from the early 70’s til today
turn it around on defense in 1 year…you’re an idiot or to young know better!
Dawgs defense will be all over Lattimore & Garcia/Shaw September 10th.
Dawgs will be 2-0 after rooster game and well on there on their way to SEC Championship!!
ga gator
June 14th, 2011
4:28 pm
bham dawg, no he will line up as either a TB or H back in most formations. The TE will be Jordan Reed who also alternated at QB in Meyers 3 headed idiotic attempt to reincarnate Tebow.
ga gator
June 14th, 2011
4:29 pm
Dawg in Malta if the Dawgs go 2-0 to start the season it will not matter who wins in Jax, the Dawgs will take the East.
UGA Insider
June 14th, 2011
4:29 pm
Also, Boise is about to get put on probation by the NCAA so Peterson is ready to bolt.
Big Uglies.
June 14th, 2011
4:30 pm
I hope we do but I dotn see it with our thin O-Line. CMR has not learned you win in the SEC with guys inside.
Dawg in Malta
June 14th, 2011
4:33 pm
Sorry
Should be well on “their way”…you have to remember it’s 10:30 @ night in Malta!!
MarineDog
June 14th, 2011
4:34 pm
@Beast from the East
June 14th, 2011
2:19 pm
Best comment of the day! Both teams have made efforts to correct their issues from last year. This is a new year and new attitude for UGA and UF. You cannot use the spring games to analyze how these teams will perform during the season. I am quite confident that both teams won’t be as bad as some people seems to think. Although USCe won the east last year, they didn’t do it in convincing fashion. I’m not quite sold on the fact that they have more talent than UF or UGA. Remebr UF has been ranked pretty high in recruiting for the last few years and UGA hasn’t done so bad in itself. I think that UGA does have something to prove this year. Does that mean that that hunger will translate into wins? Maybe or maybe not, but it will mean that they will play a lot harder than they have the last few years. Are they capable of winning the east? yes they are. UF on the other hand has tons of talent and it would be foolish to think that they will be down for long. I look forward to the season and maybe all the talk will cease, because the fact is, none of knows what’s going to happen. Sometimes one lucky play changes the outcome of a game. Luck always trumps talent.
Honky Talkin'
June 14th, 2011
4:38 pm
I hope UGA enjoys the game at the Georgia Dome….it will be the only one this decade.
Dawgman566
June 14th, 2011
4:38 pm
Bosie is over rated and Steve Superior will be Garcia’s head early. DAWGS Roll!
HBTD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
bham dawg
June 14th, 2011
4:40 pm
@ga gator… what are your expectations for the gators this season? How do you see their schedule playing out?
ga gator
June 14th, 2011
4:42 pm
UGA Insider I heard on ESPN U that if Richt falters again that UGA’s top 2 choices would be Petersen and Urban. How interesting would it be Urban coaching against Muschamp in Jax?
Gary
June 14th, 2011
4:45 pm
Can’t happen.
Bob
June 14th, 2011
4:46 pm
It could happen, and I hope it does; however, we’ll need improvement from our defense as well as improved play calling from our OC. We have the athletes…do they have the desire?
ga gator
June 14th, 2011
4:47 pm
bham dawg good question. Everything will hinge on how well Brantley does running a pro-style offense. He ran one when he was in HS and was the Gatoraid player of the year and recruited by Weis. The D was young last year and at least 5 true freshmen started at various times from one of the top recruiting classes ever. The schedule will be a killer though. Bama at home, LSU on the road, Auburn on the road and then UGA (all in October). As a lifelong (58 years) Gator I will be happy with 8-3. The winner of the UGA/SC game will win the East.
shane#1
June 14th, 2011
4:48 pm
I don’t want to start thinking about BSU yet. I want to see a summer go by with no one suspended and no one injured in practice. The more starters UGA has on the field at the Ga Dome the better their chances. A little luck and some Zebras not making stupid calls would help too.
kerryb
June 14th, 2011
4:49 pm
I think what is going to happen is that after this year everyone will stop talking about Richt being gone and he will sign a new deal because he succeeded in turning things around. I think Phil Steele knows what he is talking about. One of the first posters said that Alshon Jefferies will win for SC in Athens. That’s assuming that their head case QB has time to throw to him. Our secondary may or may not be weaker than last year but our front seven is going to be better. Dawgs win the east and LSU who wins the west. Too many questions for Bama with no experience at QB. Dawgs beat LSU for the SEC title. Mark it down.
ga gator
June 14th, 2011
4:51 pm
MarineDog thanks for your service to our country. I just finished a novel about 1968 with the Marines at Khe Sanh as the centerpiece. I interviewed Chesty Puller’s son in law and got his permission to write him into this Historical Fiction. Here is the weblink:http://www.amazon.com/1968-Kenton-Michael/dp/1456825089
Gary
June 14th, 2011
4:51 pm
Idiots to even be discussing it. A better question is can Miami win the 2011 NBA Championship. The answers are the same.
kerryb
June 14th, 2011
4:52 pm
Dawgs win SEC and play Oklahoma for the title.
Beast from the East
June 14th, 2011
4:52 pm
ga gator,
I agree with most of what you say, but I really think UF will have a say in who goes to Atlanta. SC, UF and UGA are all likely to lose a couple of conference games apiece. Whoever wins the UGA/SC game will have the inside track but it won’t be decided that soon.
AltamahaDawg
June 14th, 2011
4:53 pm
How many more ways can this question be posed as a Blog topic?
ga gator
June 14th, 2011
4:54 pm
kerryb, I hope you are not a stock broker. Dawgs will be much improved but until Richt proves that he has some nerve (see; kicking a fieldgoal with less than a foot to go against UCF) they will not play for an NC.
Beast from the East
June 14th, 2011
4:56 pm
Altahama,
You gotta admit it’s better than the pre-season discussions from last year. I’m sure you guys are relieved there’s been no arrests to write about this year, aren’t you?
kerryb
June 14th, 2011
4:56 pm
Florida will look on offense like UGA looked on defense last year. UGA didn’t have the players to run a 3-4 defense last year and UF will be trying to run a pro style offense with mostly spread players. After a year or so of recruiting the type of players they need they will be back. This year I think they struggle because of that and lose about 3-4 games. Not downing UF, great program, just trying to be realistic.
bham dawg
June 14th, 2011
4:59 pm
i agree with ga gator… their schedule is much harder and must play lsu and bama out of the west while the hardest team we play is msu. if we can’t get it done this year it won’t happen for a while.
MarineDog
June 14th, 2011
5:00 pm
@ga gator
June 14th, 2011
4:51 pm
Thanks! I will definitely follow up on that link.
Can’t wait for the season to start. I think that the east is not going to be as weak as the west think they are this year.
kerryb
June 14th, 2011
5:00 pm
ga gator, I think this year is going to be like 2008 for Alabama. No one was talking about them. They started the year at #24. After they rocked #10 Clemson in the Chik-fil-A game within 4-5 weeks they were at #1. I think the only question mark about this team is the O-line. If that comes together they will be on their way.
ga gator
June 14th, 2011
5:05 pm
kerryb, the difference from this coaching staff is they will utilize talent instead of trying to force Brantley to run the option. They have the players for the positions just not the experience. Not saying they will win the East either but Trey Burton will be a Beast in Weis’s offense as will Demps. Remember, that a pro-style does not have to be a traditional I formation. The Patriots run mostly out of the shotgun which is the offense that Weis left in place. Should be interesting.
ga gator
June 14th, 2011
5:07 pm
kerryb, I agree that the talent is there but the bigger question is Richt. Will he grow a pair and not coach like he did against UCF?
AltamahaDawg
June 14th, 2011
5:07 pm
Carolina had a good team? They lost 5 games, and any otehr year nobody would have given them a second thought.
Spurrier is a good coach but he didn’t do anything better last year than he any year at SC except getting away with the three conference losses that normally buries any teams chances.
ga gator
June 14th, 2011
5:09 pm
Agreed MarineDog, LSU QB situation is always in a funk and if UF had a kicker we would have beat them last year and we sucked. Bama is breaking in a new QB as is Auburn and the sleeper in the West could actually be Missy State. What years did you serve or are you still in the Corps?
Bob
June 14th, 2011
5:09 pm
I think you Gators are correct about Trey Burton’s talents and value to the team. I’m wondering why we (UGA) don’t utilize JW-S the same way…6′1″, 210 lbs, track star. He reminds me of Percy Harvin.
ga gator
June 14th, 2011
5:12 pm
Agreed Bob, Richt needs to get out of his comfort zone in play calling. I don’t believe for a minute that he couldn’t over ride Bobo if he was not satisfied with the game plan.
ga gator
June 14th, 2011
5:12 pm
Out!
Always enjoy classy comments and discussion with classy Dawg fans.
kerryb
June 14th, 2011
5:14 pm
ga gator, I think Richt has always had a set. You don’t win that many games in the SEC without them. I think what has happened to him is that some of his assistant coaches got too comfortable thinking that he would not fire them and let him down. He finally showed that he would fire someone if they are not producing results. Every thing I have been reading about him says that he has gotten tougher. I think he has been P.O’d about the last two years. the last two years was the result of a talent gap at QB in 2009 after Stafford left and a DC that was not doing the job. Last year was a Red shirt QB and a brand new defense. This year they turn the corner.
Bob
June 14th, 2011
5:17 pm
@kerryb…you’re right about Richt’s fire. Ever listen to him behind the hedges and the Ga bench? That’s not the language I remember from Sunday School. Too bad the players haven’t bought in.
Will
June 14th, 2011
5:18 pm
I am more confident this year that I have been in quite some time.
UGA does not play the best two teams in the SEC and will catch UT, AU and UF all in down years. Tech is Tech, a program that beats us about once every decade and they have their quota for this decade.
Miss State, USC and Boise State are probably the three best teams we play and we play them all in the state of Georgia, two at home.
We have the best quarterback in the SEC and the best recruiting class in America.
If UGA does not win at least ten games this year, I will be shocked and Coach Richt will most likely do the honorable thing and resign.
terminator
June 14th, 2011
5:22 pm
Will, actually the 5th best recruiting class. Bob and Kerryb if Richt had fire he wouldn’t have home losses to Vandy and Kentucky in recent years… just sayin.
terminator
June 14th, 2011
5:24 pm
Kerryb, Bob and Will. Richt must not have had fire when he lost to Kentucky and Vandy at home in recent years and actually Will it was the #5 recruiting class not the best.
Bob
June 14th, 2011
5:25 pm
terminator…like I said, too bad our players haven’t bought in. Maybe a new coach is in order.
kerryb
June 14th, 2011
5:43 pm
Bob, You don’t know Georgia Football much do you. Richt has lost to Vandy one time. In 2006 when he had Jot T III at QB and Staffords Freshman year. Get your facts right.