UGA, Richt have a lot riding on the South Carolina game
Could Mark Richt's future at UGA come down to one game? (AJC file)
Georgia football’s long, hot but relatively quiet summer unfortunately got a bit more eventful this weekend.
UGA announced that redshirt freshman Brent Benedict, a backup offensive lineman who spent last season rehabbing a serious knee injury, is leaving the program for “personal reasons,” and as you’d expect when a vague official statement leaves people wondering, there’s been a raft of rumors and anonymous-sourced online reports about what really went on there.
But whether it was simply a disagreement about UGA’s conditioning regimen or a case of the young man and his father brazenly looking to buy him another year of rehab by transferring to another SEC school, the fact is that any impact on the Dogs’ program likely won’t be felt this year. As recently as late May Benedict himself was talking about not having any feeling in one foot, and reports are he was unlikely to see much, if any, playing time this season.
So, yes, the Dogs’ offensive line is terribly thin when it comes to depth, but that was going to be the case whether or not Benedict was on the roster.
More troubling is the latest sorry story to bubble up from the cesspit that is AAU basketball, which has the eligibility of two UGA athletes in question over benefits they allegedly received that have absolutely nothing to do with the University of Georgia other than the fact that its programs might suffer the consequences.
It’s difficult to know just what the NCAA will decide, especially in the case of transfer linebacker Jarvis Jones, where an apparent “pre-existing relationship” with one of the parties might be a mitigating factor. But chances are both Jones and much heralded basketball signee Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will end up sitting out some games.
For Mark Richt, the similarity to last year’s A.J. Green debacle must be particularly aggravating, as Georgia might lose its starting outside linebacker for those crucial opening games against Boise State and South Carolina. (And, knowing the NCAA, Georgia probably won’t get word on Jarvis until a couple of days before the season begins.)
Speaking of the Gamecocks, Georgia’s game against Steve Spurrier’s team at Sanford Stadium is looking bigger all the time. CollegeFootball News has picked it as one of the Top 5 SEC Games of the Year.
CFN’s Barrett Sallee sums up the game’s importance to UGA pretty well by noting: “For Georgia, this could be the most important game of the season, and possibly Mark Richt’s career. A win here, and Georgia vaults from SEC East also-ran, to SEC East favorite in a matter of just three or four hours. The Bulldogs miss Arkansas, Alabama and LSU this year; and get Auburn and Mississippi State between the hedges. The toughest road game? At Tennessee. In the past, that’s been a problem, but I don’t see it being one this year. A win over the Gamecocks almost certainly makes it ‘Atlanta or bust’ for the fan base, and for Mark Richt’s job. Prediction: Georgia 20, South Carolina 13.”
What do you think? Is the South Carolina game a make-or-break situation for Richt and UGA?
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544 comments Add your comment
UGA Insider
June 28th, 2011
2:04 pm
Excellent post ugaclassof2004,
You said it all! No excuses this year!
DRIZZY
June 28th, 2011
2:07 pm
35 to 10? huh you talkin out da side of ya neck
BigRedDawg
June 28th, 2011
2:10 pm
Dawgs will win EASILY (38-7)
If you think the Dawgs will lose BETWEEN THE HEDGES to south carolina, you’re crazy.
The dream team are the best players from the best state for high school football in the county (I know cause I played ball in Cobb and would have been a Dawg but I blew out my knee my softmore season) and they will be ready to play in Sept.
Go DAWGS!
Dawg
June 28th, 2011
2:11 pm
2004-2010 South carolina lost at least 5 games , Never finished in top 10 in its history , Never been to much less won a major bowl game, 4 bowl wins in its history, 14 -42-2 all time vs UGA. Zero SEC titles.
2010 pass defense was ranked #107.
Do_Tell
June 28th, 2011
2:12 pm
I smell something funny!
HARTDAWG
June 28th, 2011
2:13 pm
Everyone is missing the biggest question mark. Its not the defense, running game, or O-line. Its not if Murray will have time to throw, and we know he can run. The big question is will the guys catching the ball show up this year. Who is the go to guy. The passing game is going to be the biggest factor for UGA in the first to games.
JDawg1785
June 28th, 2011
2:14 pm
Alphare, SC definitely had a better season than GA in 2010, but over half the SEC could say that. Just saying we shouldn’t crown a team “the new king” until it has, at the very least, won a conference championship.
UGA88
June 28th, 2011
2:24 pm
I’ll be honest – I’m scared of what spurrier is putting togeather at south carolina. he built the florida program (nobody remembers that they weren’t that good until he got there) and now he is doing the same thing in columbia.
I lived throught he years when the gators would run the score up on us AT WILL. It was painful and now it looks like he’ll be doing the same thing to us with a different team.
Andy Walker
June 28th, 2011
2:24 pm
Unfortunately I think that Richt is going to lose this one…and will eventually be canned. Side note: Have yall checked out that new CoachWatcher wesbite? Here’s the link, it’s awesome: http://www.CoachWatcher.com
LMFAO
June 28th, 2011
2:26 pm
BOISE STATE 32 UGA -14
USC 20 – UGA – 6
UGA 35 COASTAL CAROLINA – 3
UGA 17 OLE MISS 14
MSU 24 UGA – 10
UT – 24 UGA – 20
VANDY 6 UGA 3
UF 35 – UGA 30
UGA 35 NEW MEXICO STATE 20
AUBURN 21 UGA 20
UGA 24 UK 17
GA TECH 35 UGA 34
4 WINS ENJOY YOUR SEASON LOSERS
LagDawg
June 28th, 2011
2:32 pm
Sorry to say that it looks as if Richt is going to have to start pulling the scholarships if they get injured, because it looks like this kid has taken advantage of UGA. If the knee or foot is not healed then tell the truth. Not going to say anything bad about the kid but, this is a big joke. It makes UGA look really bad. The SC game will be really big but, every game will be big this year.
UGA '05
June 28th, 2011
2:45 pm
Just a friendly reminder that 2002 was supposed to be a rebuilding year for the Dawgs and they went 13-1. This year is a rebuilding year too. Just sayin…
UGA '05
June 28th, 2011
2:46 pm
LMFAO,
Kinda wishful thinking.
maconbulldog
June 28th, 2011
2:47 pm
Let’s just show to the games this year dressed as EMO kids and look sad cause we have no faith in our team……depression before the season starts……
UGA '05
June 28th, 2011
2:48 pm
Wishful thinking for you. 4 wins is too low. They will atleast have 8 wins
UGA '05
June 28th, 2011
2:53 pm
BigRedDawg,
I hope you know it is sophmore. Not softmore. Either english class was not your strong suit, or you’re a little kid trying to act like you’re gonna be great at football. I think the first one.
UGA '05
June 28th, 2011
2:54 pm
And typing wasn’t my strong suit. It is sophomore
NoGaGator
June 28th, 2011
2:58 pm
UGA ‘05 -
Might want to check on that spelling – AGAIN. It’s S-O-P-H-O-M-O-R-E
No wonder this state ranks so low in academics when a supposed alum calls out someone for mis-spelling and then does it himself.
UGA '05
June 28th, 2011
2:59 pm
NoGaGator,
Already beat you to it. Nice try. It wan’t the spelling that was bad. Ity was my typing. So your attempt to insult my intelligence failed.
UGA '05
June 28th, 2011
3:01 pm
NoGaGator,
You posted four minutes after I corrected myself. Do you not comprehend stuff very well?
NoGaGator
June 28th, 2011
3:08 pm
Interesting comments.
Reality is this for UGA.
1. losing record last year
2. losing best receivers from last year
3. losing leading rusher from last year
4. have questionable, at best, O-line
5. Murray hasn’t exactly shown up in big games.
On the other hand-
6. Defense should be improved with 2nd yr in new system.
7. Easy schedule compared to other SEC teams.
Expecting great things from a freshman, entitled RB is a stretch
Maybe Jenkins/Geathers will be a dominant force but don’t think you can expect too much from freshmen players.
UF has their share of issues as well. We’ll have a better feel for things in October. ‘Til then, a lot of jaw flapping.
FSUnole
June 28th, 2011
3:09 pm
@UGAClass of 71 & 73..
your major must have been moronics..the ACC had about 5 teams last year that would have trounced your beloved bulldogs. FSU beat that same SC team that ran you all off the field last year. you know, the game where you were manhandled and quit. UGA will always be a wanna be program in the SEC..You are a rung below the bama’s, LSU’s and UF’s…..tell Garrity to put us on the schedule..a guaranteed butt kickin by a real football team that is in the ACC…
ANTOINEFORD
June 28th, 2011
3:09 pm
SC has enough talent to embarrass the Dogs in their own back yard. Get ready for 90’s-era Spurrier flackbacks, kids.
NoGaGator
June 28th, 2011
3:11 pm
UGA ‘05 -
I comprehend much better than you can spell. Your 2nd apology post on typing didn’t yet appear as I was entering.
UGA '05
June 28th, 2011
3:16 pm
Well then I blame that on the blog. You comprehend much better than I can type. I can spell just fine.
mm
June 28th, 2011
3:23 pm
Strange how nobody realizes we could have won 3 or 4 games that we lost last year. Bad DB play, missed tackles, and inopportune fumbles paved the way to many losses.
Hopefully someone will teach the D to wrap up when tackling instead the killshot tackling we saw last year.
The Dawgs averaged close to 30 PPG with a very bad running game.
After last year, there is no way to go but up.
NoGaGator
June 28th, 2011
3:30 pm
UGA ‘05 -
A hug (manly tho’ – if not, a high-5)
mm -
Every program could have won 3 or 4 games that they lost last year. You’re right on the no way to go but up. We want Richt to be UGA’s coach for a long time.
NoGaGator
June 28th, 2011
3:32 pm
Sorry mm -
Every LOSING program could have won 3 or 4 that they lost…
ugaclassof2004
June 28th, 2011
3:33 pm
UGA ‘05
Again what program have you been watching? The 2002 team was expected to be a rebuilding year? Yeah…except NOT AT ALL. They were preseason 3# in the Nation and had something like 18 lettermen returning. There was nothing but high expectations for that team. I am absolutely blown away by your analysis right now.
And FSUnole: let’s get real pal. FSU might have had a better team than UGA last season, but your program has been mired in mediocrity for the better half of this decade. Until last year, you guys weren’t even competitive in games vs. Florida. The fact of the matter is the ACC is a superior basketball conference and an inferior football one. This is not an opinion, this is a fact. The last ACC team to win a National Title was your team in 1999. Ya’ll had one hell of a run there in the 80’s and 90’s, but lately FSU has been irrelevant sometimes going 6-6. Going 6-6 in ACC play is like going 4-8 in SEC play.
4th in the WEST
June 28th, 2011
3:35 pm
It’s SC people. So they had an average season with 3 teams that were down. UGA had a Freshman QB for crying out loud (what did you expect?). They are not that confident going into this season because of the poor finish to last season. UGA 24 SC 14. See you in the dome! BTW, Garcia will see a UGA Junkyard that he has never seen before and it will strike the fear of God into his pea brain.
MarineDog
June 28th, 2011
3:35 pm
Of all the people I would like to see proven wrong, Tide Roll would be at the very top of my list.
UGA '05
June 28th, 2011
3:37 pm
I see 2002 as a rebuilding year. In Richt’s first year, they went 8-4. I don’t see how they were ranked number three nationally. No one expected them to go 13-1. That’s why I say 2002 was a rebuilding year. They had to build themelves up to a national contender.
RNB
June 28th, 2011
3:41 pm
Bottom line is if UGA goes 2-0 to open the season they will have a great year. If they go 0-2 it’s over for Mark. Split and the Florida game is a must win for him to keep his job. My question does he even care anymore? He seems to be content to make this his last year.
Maconbulldog
June 28th, 2011
3:42 pm
@MarineDog. Yeah I would that too.
4th in the WEST
June 28th, 2011
3:43 pm
Nole shut your pie hole! Your team plays in a BB league. Man up and admit the ACC is a joke when it comes to Fb.
Not so smart nole
June 28th, 2011
3:44 pm
Only one program from the ACC has finished in the top 10 since 2004, Virginia Tech has done it 3 times.
Whats that ACC BCS bowl record, UGA has as many BCS bowl wins and top ten finishes as all of the ACC combined since 2001.
Mark
June 28th, 2011
3:46 pm
FSUnole what happened the last time FSU and Georgia played each other?
tony
June 28th, 2011
3:48 pm
We have more 4 and 5 star athletes so why are anyone concern about SC?
AltamahaDawg
June 28th, 2011
3:48 pm
2002 preseason #9.
MarineDog
June 28th, 2011
3:49 pm
LeQ
June 28th, 2011
1:18 pm
Kentucky went 6-7. Murray has never beat team that finished with a winning record. Last year those were Auburn, Florida, SC, Ark, MSU, UCF, Murray also lost to Colorado.
I didn’t know that Murray played on offense, defense and special teams. If you’re going by those stats, then Boykin, Ealey, Houston, A.J., the punter, the kicker, the nose guard, the left tackle, the right tackle the long snapper, and the list goes on, didn’t beat a winning team last year as well.
RNB
June 28th, 2011
3:56 pm
Its simple Tony. The answer is coaching.
Randall "Pink" Floyd
June 28th, 2011
4:26 pm
SCjr will be decent this year, then its back to mediocrity.
Hardtruth Soldier
June 28th, 2011
4:37 pm
Seriously, Seriously, We worrying about South Carolina? Boise State, with a coach whose 61-5 and puts a consistently top ten team on the field would love this article. Lucky Mark Richt isn’t as dumb as some me you blogger’s and is focused on B,S.(no pun intended). This is a make or break year for not only him, but Bobo as well. Trust me when I tell ya’ll that he (Mark Richt) won’t be overlooking nothing this year. Grantham’s defense will be a beast, and now that everybody won’t be looking for A.J this year, the ball will get distributed evenly, and Georgia will kill defense’s with double T.E. Set’s and multiple offensive sets. For now, forget South Carolina, Boise State damn sure ain’t looking at Toledo. Bill King, don’t write this senseless do do any more. Go Dawgs!
It Ain't Rocket Science
June 28th, 2011
4:42 pm
SolJa,
If you are going to spout off your usual crap about “THUGA”, at least be accurate in what you post. The violations that were committed took place before these kids were even on the UGA team. There is nothing that could be done by UGA to prevent it. How in God’s little green acre could UGA have prevented or known about some AAU clown from Columbus embezzling funds from a community account? If you are going to put a bunch of crap on these blogs that shows you hate UGA, at least try to us that tiny molecule you call a brain and know what the heck you are talking about in the first place.
1st in 10
June 28th, 2011
4:44 pm
no really? I would have never known.
1st in 10
June 28th, 2011
4:45 pm
FSUassnole come on give it a rest
Hardtruth Soldier
June 28th, 2011
4:46 pm
Tony, as far as four and five star athletes, remember it was a three star athlete that led Alabama to the nat’l title two years ago. So much for stardom. right!
Alphare
June 28th, 2011
4:47 pm
Here is my case for SC to win over UGA:
1. No 1 overall recruit Clowney neutralizes No 1 RB recruit Crowell.
2. Lattimore vs King, SC advantage
3. Jeffrey vs UGA, SC advantage
4. Garcia vs Murray, slight SC advantage
To be honest, UGA doesn’t really have an identity to me. Murray is considered the best for UGA, but he couldn’t even throw a TD against an old Tech coach.
Unless UGA can pop up like SC did last year, it doesn’t look good for UGA from this football fan’s perspective.
It Ain't Rocket Science
June 28th, 2011
4:58 pm
I know A.J. was a terrific player, but UGA might be better off without him. Everything seemed to be built around him on the offense and when he screwed up and knowingly broke a rule, he got suspended and that left a big hole in the offensive scheme. There are going to be 2 or 3 young receivers that want to prove them selfs this year and will do a pedestrian job. Thats all you need. Not one go to 1 guy but 2 or 3, to keep the d honest. Let’s not forget we also have a premier TE or two that will be a load to stop and in Charles case, have sticky fingers to get everything thrown his way. It might be a stretch to expect Crowell to be ready to go, right from the start, but we have King, who seems to have the right attitude now as he realizes this is his last chance to shine for the NFL road show.
Until the games are played, nobody knows what kind of team we have to look forward completely to yet. There is a lot of potential and hopefully, the cream will rise to the top, once the season begins. There will not be any team, looking past the DAWGS, in spite of the negative crap you read on here, from these so called experts. Anybody that would honestly predict a score in any game, can’t honestly say how these teams will score. That is why they play the game on the field.
chazzo
June 28th, 2011
5:15 pm
I think the East will be a two or three way tie. The Sc game, therefore, is incredibly important. Lose, and we’ll have to pull all season for Sc to lose twice (UF and UT I guess).