Dogs seem to be picking up some fans in Vegas
Are the Dogs a good bet in 2011?
We’ve talked a lot here about the positives the Dogs have approaching the coming season (Aaron Murray, the tight ends and special teams, the arrival of big John Jenkins and the infusion of Dream Team freshman talent, especially at tailback) and the question marks (the offensive line, the safety position, conditioning, the future of the head coach).
And none of that really has changed since spring practice. But what does appear to have changed perceptibly is the view from outside the Bulldog Nation of just what sort of season Georgia is likely to have. As we’ve discussed here recently, we’re starting to see some preseason prognosticators picking the Dogs to stage a big turnaround from a losing season and win the SEC East.
The handicappers in Las Vegas are coming around, too. As Phil Steele noted in a recent post, Georgia is viewed as a favorite in all of its big games after the first two, and while they’re still rated underdogs against Boise State and South Carolina, the line has tightened considerably. Originally the Broncos were a 6-point favorite over Georgia, but now it’s down to just over 1 point. And the Gamecocks, formerly favored by 3 points, are now just a 1-point favorite.
All this is encouraging, but I’m still trying to keep my expectations for this season in check. How about you?
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134 comments Add your comment
JDawg1785
June 21st, 2011
4:53 pm
If an average South Carolina team can win the East in 2010 after losing to a cupcake in the previous season’s bowl, then there’s no reason why an average Georgia team can’t win the East in 2011 after losing to a cupcake in the previous season’s bowl.
But all I’m thinking of is that game in the Dome! Go Dawgs!
fpice
June 21st, 2011
5:03 pm
Do not forget! Mark Richt is still the coach. How do you lose SEVEN games at UGA?
Idiot, imbecile, inept! Go back to FSU. By the way, did FSU or any other program try to steal CMR away? Why is that?
BIG JOE
June 21st, 2011
5:09 pm
Yeah, Still keeping my expectations in check Bill.
It Ain't Rocket Science
June 21st, 2011
5:39 pm
Up until 12 days, Vegas also had McCain winning the presidential election and we all know how that turned out. Vegas generates money by getting people to bet, plain and simple. If there are long odds, more people are tempted to bet because of the higher pay back. Basing or even picking a teams performance based on what Las Vegas handicappers give odds, is a pretty poor way to pick the records or top teams in football. If they truly believed all of the betting lines they first put out, they would lose money and not be in business.
I sure think Murray is capable of taking UGA to the SEC Championship game. If the O line holds up, and King and Crowell are able to do the job at RB, the DAWGS can surprise more than a few people. There are still a fair amount of questions yet, as to how well the OL will do. Will they be able to increase their learning curve quickly enough to do the job well? No one knows but I think the coach we have will give it his best shot. It is not will they be good together, I think it is more, when will they be good together.
GO DAWGS
shane#1
June 21st, 2011
5:43 pm
As one who has given more than his fair share to bookies I make no predictions, nor any more bets. I am also a believer in Murphy’s law so my expectations stay in check. UGA may nave a very good season but I will wait to be pleasantly suprised.
Casual Observer
June 21st, 2011
5:51 pm
As a Gator fan -
No way the Dogs lose the BSU. Too physical and prepared regardles of the Mission to wherever church boy is going. SC is a differerent matter. In the SEC be prepared for the slip-ups. The puppies are prepared and will make a point against BSU. I’m a SEC loyalist and I have faith in the SEC in openers against gimmicks. UGA will will 10 games but lose against a nondescript SEC foe and UF. Sorry for the Techies once again. CMR will keep his job and puppy nationh will be ok with Murray coming back and a chance (albeit slim) to beat UF again.
chazzo
June 21st, 2011
6:04 pm
SC will be UGAs toughest game either coming into it with a disappointing loss or overinflated with a win. MSU is the spoiler, and if not UT might be. Mullen may be the best coach in the NCAA. Jax has been disappointing over and over again. I aint getting my hopes up. AU, never can tell…. Do we play ‘em in Auburn? I hope so. I don’t think this is Tech’s year. UF will take too many lumps against its West schedule and lose one in the East. The SC game decides the East.
Richt`s Hammer
June 21st, 2011
6:12 pm
How can I be a troll, I coach the team.
You must be referring to choakdawg. His is mia now though. We are still looking for the python. Might still be possible to bring him back.
Rabun Dawg
June 21st, 2011
6:54 pm
Boise in ATL, Ga. Tech was in the SEC until about 1966, then pulled out to go the Independent route. A disaster, almost went down a few notches until ACC came calling with expansion. They wanted back in SEC, but league voted them down since they spurned the league earlier. I think they wanted to be big time basketball power, but Hewitt destroyed that. They really should be in SEC, as they are in the heart of the SEC territory and the Atlanta market being the largest in the Southeast. That being said, the SEC has being doing quite well without Ga.Tech, don’t you think!!
UGA '05
June 21st, 2011
7:28 pm
Everyone vote for Uga over Notre Dame.
http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/post/_/id/6681916/1-notre-dame-vs-8-georgia.
there’s the link. go vote
Jazzy
June 21st, 2011
9:59 pm
could care less about what Vegas says. JUST WIN SOME GAMES FGS!!!
Class of 93
June 21st, 2011
10:21 pm
When in doubt trust the real experts in Vegas.
Rabun Dawg
June 21st, 2011
10:29 pm
Jazzy, Amen Brother!!
Mobile Dawg
June 21st, 2011
10:50 pm
I feel good about Boise, not so good about USC, coaching, and a few other games. MSU, UF, and AU to name three. Richt has been unable to get his team “really” prepared to play the last four years. The inconsistency prevents me from having any expectations. The positive side of me could see UGA having a season similar to Auburn’s last year. One game at a time, not really looking that good until almost the end of the season. Of course they had “Superman” who was a huge difference maker in most of their games.
aarh
June 21st, 2011
10:57 pm
I know Boise’s pretty good, but I’m shocked they would be favored against UGA in the Dome. I know haters are going to say that UGA is going to lose that game, & I’m not saying it’s not a dangerous opener. Boise actually just lost a lot of players off last yrs. team, & even thought they have played well against some good teams, they don’t play the schedule that UGA does. Anybody who’s honest w/ themselves should know that UGA has more talent than B
aarh
June 21st, 2011
10:59 pm
more talent than Boise. Now, I know that doesn’t always determine who wins, but it really isn’t a stretch to think that just bc UGA has struggled recently while playing in the SEC…that they may not turn out pretty good, & at least win against Boise.
SOUTHGADAWG88
June 21st, 2011
11:08 pm
I just don’t get the MSU love..they have gone 1-4 in their division 2 years straight.What makes Mullen such a great coach?He beat UGA and FLA in what was the worst year in 10 years for both teams.Big deal.
1962 DAWG
June 21st, 2011
11:13 pm
Math lesson
Take some!!!
Wreckmaniac
June 21st, 2011
11:41 pm
The recruiting program at UGA has a major fly in the ointment. Although UGA every year, as it did this year, has a top 5-10 recruiting class, it is not among the top 10 schools in putting out first round NFL draft picks. Among the top 6 are FL, TN, FL State and Miami. So you may be watching the best high school talent in Athens but you are not watching top NFL talent.
Wreckmaniac
June 21st, 2011
11:47 pm
Rabun Dawg. Whats your point ? Tech is much more appropriate in the ACC as it is competing with schools of a similar academic level. This should be the #1 indicator of conference compatibility. For Tech, there is little compatibility with any of the SEC schools other than perhaps Vandy.
GTBob
June 22nd, 2011
12:52 am
Wreckmaniac, you are right on the money. I’ve always wondered why Vandy is still in the SEC. They have to be the most out of place school in any conference in the country. They should move over to the ACC. Maybe we could give them FSU in return.
RED DOG 77
June 22nd, 2011
12:56 am
I’ve been saying the Dogs would be just fine this year since the end of last season. The chemistry is back in Athens, and sometimes that’s all it takes…………..Oline, Oline, Oline…….Bla, Bla, Bla……………”My” BULLDOGS have the stronget stable of tight ends in the Nation…..couple that with a former tight end at fullback……and you should be able to run down hill all you want………….BULLDOGS are AOK folks………ALLS GOOD !………GO DOGS……GATA
Bill King is a.................
June 22nd, 2011
1:40 am
I guess the handicappers arent taking into account that we STILL have Bobo!!!
big hoss
June 22nd, 2011
7:11 am
You Dawg fans are idiots beyond words to describe. It doesn’t mattetr how many 5 star atheletes Ga has, by the time the season does get here most of them will be on probation, in jail, or academically disqualified. I hope the Broncos set them on a path to another season just like last year. But Richt still gets his 4$ out of every ticket sold. You are pathetic.
Blowout win
June 22nd, 2011
8:31 am
Boise State 49…
Delbert D.
June 22nd, 2011
8:33 am
Forget the Sports Illustrated cover jinx. My copy of Lindy’s features Washaun Ealey on the cover. I hope they fixed that.
chazzo
June 22nd, 2011
9:34 am
No jinxes. No luck. No tricks. No stats. No rankings. No projections. No bowls. No hype. And, to cats like Big Hoss, the past doesn’t matter.
I just want to see the guys play their hardest every second of every game. I deal with a lot of young people, and in general the most sorely needed value is that hard work=success. There is no worse feeling than knowing deep inside you could have done more. I think that is what is churning the guts of this team right now, and if it aint, it should be. Spare me the swagger, and show me some good old-fashioned WORK.
bitter noose picker in L/A----(lower alabamma)
June 22nd, 2011
9:44 am
what???————–b/k= looser
It Ain't Rocket Science
June 22nd, 2011
10:36 am
I hope the DAWGS do stay under the radar and that Boise is picked to win. Then when the DAWGS win the game, you will see all kinds of fair weather fans of UGA, jump on board. Teams do best when they have something to prove and when the Odds makers or whatever these so called experts pick another team to beat you, it fires you up just a little bit and gets the competitive juices going just a little more. If it doesn’t inspire the players to step it up just a little more, than they probably will never be a good fit for the team they play for and need to move on.
Oo DAWGS
It Ain't Rocket Science
June 22nd, 2011
10:39 am
Big Hoss,
It is easy to insult people on a blog and call them names hiding behind a computer. Got news for you buddy, that is exactly what losers do. Where does that place you now, loser.
SOUTHGADAWG88
June 22nd, 2011
10:45 am
After a 6-7 season I doubt the kids care about where they are ranked or whether they are favored over BSU or anybody else.The kids have pride too…I fully expect them to be ready to rip some heads off come Sept.3
SOUTHGADAWG88
June 22nd, 2011
10:52 am
It’s time for the JR class to stand up.Those guys are working with the worst 2 year run of any UGA class in recent memory.Adding Jenkins and Jones to the group on Defense should help IMO.
Snoop Dawg
June 22nd, 2011
3:25 pm
After this season, Richt and Bobo will finally be gone. First thing we’ll do it have the place exorcised.
Look, Las Vegas isn’t going to win any games for UGA this year. They are happy to take these folks’ beer money who aren’t coherent from ten years of Koolaid binging.
The best talent is mediocre at best without good, solid coaching.
Sheep will mill around aimlessly unless a leader takes charge.
Please firgure it out and demand competent coaching for your $3M per year…
It Ain't Rocket Science
June 22nd, 2011
7:40 pm
Las Vegas is not going to win any games for UGA this year and neither will the negative people, who say UGA will lose this and that game this year. All these folks will do is change their handles on here, when UGA does well this year. The game is played on field, not in the op[inion of a lot of folks on here.