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
rs
June 28th, 2011
5:16 pm
We will win both games.U guys are a sick bunch.WE have the players and we have the coaches.History has shown UGA does not have super winning seasons yr after yr.About every 3 to 4 yrs they have a kick a%$# yr.Its just the way life is in the SEC……..Fellows U must get over it.
chazzo
June 28th, 2011
5:29 pm
Alphare: Some of your scenarios don’t make sense. Offensive players don’t go against each other. Sc’s advantage may well be their Defensive line against UGA’s o-line. I’d buy that. But, you have a freshman Defensive end neutralizing a freshman RB, neither of which may be playing for sure. You would be more apt to threaten Clowney sacking Murray all day. Also, you are assuming that Crowell will be the star, but then you have King going against Lattimore? You should probably put Lattimore against Jenkins and Geathers to be fair.
Jeffries and Lattimore gave Georgia fits last year. You are right about that. But, the Dawgs D will be much better. Garcia is a good QB. It remains to be seen if he will be playing. I suspect he will.
I think it’s going to be one heck of a fight. May the best team win.
UGA FRIEND
June 28th, 2011
5:30 pm
I do not understand why not all but so many UGA fans continiously criticize CMR and other UGA coaches simply because they do not win a championship of some kind eyery year. The expectations of some of these whiners are so unreasonable. All UGA fans should be proud of their program. Its o.k. to voice opinions but not right to be so unkind to your coaches. If you think CMR is too soft, find you another team to root for.
Hank
June 28th, 2011
5:37 pm
I got SC by 21 due to Garcia + Latt + Jeff + DLine.
Still@theBAR
June 28th, 2011
5:45 pm
USC 10 UGA 6. Richt decides to go for the FG from the 10″inch line on 4th down with 10 seconds left in the game.
ATL Sports Fan
June 28th, 2011
5:57 pm
Funny how South Carolina has basically the same team that played UGA last year coming back and had the ball what seemd the whole game and could only muster 17 points. Three of which were late in the 4th quarter. Some of you talk like South Carolina is going to blow out UGA. If that is the case then why didn’t they blow them out last year with the same exact team? Please someone answer me that question. Say what you will about last years game, but it was a lot closer than people think.
reality
June 28th, 2011
5:59 pm
The FACT is that Spurrier (as much as I hate him) is a much better coach than Richt. I wish that were not the case but it is. His S.C. teams have had half the talent we had and he still beats us. What about 2007? are you idding me? Spurrier cost us a natoinal title that year. We had Knowshon, Stafford, Marcus Howard ect and we lose to THAT S.C. team? IT’s coaching plain and simple. Spurrier, Saban, Meyer and now Muschamp can, did and will coach circles around Richt. I am embarrased that the Ga. fans dont expect more out of our team. 2-8 Vs. UF. What else is there to say?
ATL Sports Fan
June 28th, 2011
5:59 pm
Hank, all those players you mention were on the team last year that was only able to score 17 but your going to say they win by 21….Please!!
Travis
June 28th, 2011
5:59 pm
Dawgs 24 Chickens 10
ATL Sports Fan
June 28th, 2011
6:01 pm
Reality, Spurrier has beaten Richt 3 times at South Carolina. From the last time I checked 6-3 is not a losing record. So I would have to say Richt has coached circles around Spurrier at South Carolina. You say they still beat us, no its they have beaten us 3 times in 10 years.
What?
June 28th, 2011
6:02 pm
UGA Friend – 2-8 vs. florida and we are to hard on Richt? are you crazy? Meyer is at UF for half as long as Richt has been here and walked away with 2 national titles and beat our ACE every year but one. Its fans like you that lead us to the Independence bowl. How about Richt finds a new school to coach for?
SOUTHGADAWG88
June 28th, 2011
6:03 pm
We could start out 2-0 and still not win 10 games.I’ll take em one game at a time.SC is usually one of the best teams in the SEC for the first 4-5 games then they start fading in the second half of the season.We normally get their best game each year…this year should be another tight one.I like the Dawgs 24-18
reality
June 28th, 2011
6:07 pm
ATL Sports fan – go back and read it again. I never said he beats us every year or that Richt has a losing record to them. My point is with the talent gap between the two schools Richt shouldnt have lost even one game against them. And Spurrier hasnt been there for 10 years. I know you didnt say that but it looks like your giving Richt credit for beating Spurrier 7 of 10 years and I got news for you – That will never happen.
Still@theBAR
June 28th, 2011
6:13 pm
UGA fans like to talk about RICHT’S record to include all his time at FSU (Heisman winners & Top 10 fininshes) so you have to include Richt’s losses to Spurrier at Florida & UGA.
sick of it
June 28th, 2011
6:13 pm
FACT is that reality is right. We have at the very best the #5 coach in the SEC right now. We have one of the most talent-rich states in the country to pull recruits out of. and yes Florida does also but there are 3 major programs in that state while there is one in Ga. (lets not kidd ourselves people). And we still cant beat central florida? we lose to UF 8 out of ten years? and yes S.C. will beat us this year. Why? Spurrier. its that simple. Richt has to go. He just doesnt have he same “want to” that Spurrier, Saban, Muschamp have. The man should have been fired two years ago.
SOUTHGADAWG88
June 28th, 2011
6:15 pm
Spurrier has under achieved ever since he left Gainsvile.There are some great players in SC…we just had one…he should have done a better job there.He had one of the best DC for years up there it was his rinky dink offense that held them back.Seriously his offense hasn’t exactly lit up the competition any where he’s been since those Gator days.People give him so much slack for his supposed “lack of talent” but this is the guy who made “coach em up” famous.He can still call a game with the best of them…but he does a poor job of preparing his team for the season IMO.Too much golf maybe.
Fire Richt
June 28th, 2011
6:18 pm
If an Auburn coach goes 2-8 vs bama does he get to keep his job? If the HC at Michigan loses to Ohio state 8 of 10 years does he get to keep his job? I just dont get it. Why is the man who loses to Uf every year and now takes takes us to Shreveport for bowl games still here?
SOUTHGADAWG88
June 28th, 2011
6:21 pm
Spurrier has only had a winning record in the SEC twice at SC.His last year at FLA was Richt’s 1st.
Ball coach
June 28th, 2011
6:21 pm
Whats the ole ball coach’s all time record against Ga? anyone know. I do know you take all the years he was at Florida AND SUBRACT BY ONE. Then take the SC teams how long has he been there now? i dont know but I know he has won his share while there.
Ball coach
June 28th, 2011
6:23 pm
Dont care about his SEC record. AS a DAWG fan i care about his record against us. And its a joke. He owns us. Thanks for nothing Richt.
SOUTHGADAWG88
June 28th, 2011
6:26 pm
What rival of FLA has a winning record against them during Richt’s time in Athens?
Bob
June 28th, 2011
6:29 pm
The SC game is always close because 73% of their players are from Georgia, and they want to show our coaches why they were wrong in not signing them. How else can you explain an inept, senile, cheating coach like Holtz having success against us. And, we’ll win this year by 3 points, too!
SOUTHGADAWG88
June 28th, 2011
6:33 pm
Spurrier has been at SC 7 years now and is 2-4 against Mark Richt
Dont get it
June 28th, 2011
6:35 pm
We are suposed to except that we should lose to UF just because the othe Rivals do? Do you realise we have lost to some terrible UF teams like this years team. What about 2002. we had the best team in the country/ Uf was awful that year. the mighty richt was calling offense and we score ONE touchdown? it cost us a title. That was ZOOK’s firts year. by the way – you want to talk records? ZOOK had a winning record against RICHT. why do you defend him so much? he simply sucks. did you not see the Colorado, Miss ST, UF and CETRAL FLORIDA games last year? that my friend is “underachieving”
fpice
June 28th, 2011
6:37 pm
As long as Richt is our coach, all losses are possible. I wouldn’t be surprised if we lose to a 1AA team. Central Florida is at that level. We lost to Central Florida! SEVEN losses.
It Ain't Rocket Science
June 28th, 2011
6:38 pm
History seems to be all a lot of you talk about. How about the product UGA will field this year. This constant complaining gets old about CMR, because most of you just want to look backwards and even if you did, you would see that he has a pretty impressive record for his first 10 years here. I hope the players do not bother to read these blogs, as they really show a lot of fair weather fans for UGA. If UGA were to win 10 games this year, you same fans would just be on another blog next year, saying this year was a fluke. Of course, your handles would be different so you would not have to admit you were wrong.
SOUTHGADAWG88
June 28th, 2011
6:40 pm
All of a sudden UGA is a WR school?Some of you guys act like we run the run and shoot or something.
Bob
June 28th, 2011
6:42 pm
Just saw where Lars Tate’s son received a 50 game suspension for his 2nd failed drug test. Does anyone have a clue what makes these “athletes” think that they can circumvent the law? Is it a cultural or social problem? Or, is it just that you can’t fix stupid?
Dont get it
June 28th, 2011
6:45 pm
SOUTHGADAWG88 – Please tell me what it is about Richt you like so much. 2-8 vs. UF? is that ok with you. I just dont understand. Is it the whole Christian thing. Believe me I love that about the guy but He can be our team chaplain. Thats fine. Is losing to UF every year and going to the independence bowl ok with you. Think about what you are defending here.
Dont get it
June 28th, 2011
6:45 pm
BOB – Its genetics
Bob
June 28th, 2011
6:48 pm
@Don’t get it…I think you may be right.
SOUTHGADAWG88
June 28th, 2011
6:51 pm
UCF finished in the top 20 last year.I didn’t know 1AA teams were ranked.
SOUTHGADAWG88
June 28th, 2011
6:53 pm
A UGA coach is not judged by the Fla game alone…you must be young..it’s Fla-AUB-GT
Jake
June 28th, 2011
6:53 pm
South Carolina averages over 32 points a game against winning teams, while Georgia is at 18. South Carolina brings back 3 key offensive players at QB, RB, and WR, UGA lost 2 WR’s, RB, top 3 scorers gone for Georgia. So the game score for this one:
South Carolina 32, UGA 12.
SOUTHGADAWG88
June 28th, 2011
6:55 pm
Donnan got fired because he didn’t seem to know that either.
Jake
June 28th, 2011
6:55 pm
Georgia/Murray struggled without AJ Green, going 1-3 without him. Now AJ’s gone for good, so expect Georgia/Murray to really struggle to score against good teams.
SOUTHGADAWG88
June 28th, 2011
7:02 pm
Jake so your point here is that it’s all about the Offense huh.SC put up all those great numbers you have there and still lost 5 games.Even with Lattimore they were 8th in the SEC in rushing.I don’t buy your great SC offense is the key argument.
Dont get it
June 28th, 2011
7:05 pm
Im begining to think “SOUTHGEORGIADAWG88″ is MRS. Richts handle. Is that you Kathy?
Dont get it
June 28th, 2011
7:05 pm
SOUTHGADAWG88 – You must not go to jacksonville every year like I have since 1980.
SOUTHGADAWG88
June 28th, 2011
7:06 pm
Folks like to harp on 1-3 without AJ and totally disregard the fact that Murray was a Freshman and the Defense blew the ARK game(Col too).In his first two SEC road games they didn’t do a lot to help him out either.I’m sure SC would take Murray over Garcia right now.
Jake
June 28th, 2011
7:06 pm
South Carolina got 160 yards a game rushing against winning teams with Lattimore, Georgia averaged 100 a game rushing, Ealey is now gone. This si where the SEC is won, and why South Carolina won last year, and will win this year. Richt doesn’t run the ball well.
Dont get it
June 28th, 2011
7:08 pm
The problem for Richt is Florida IS our biggest rival. They are in the SEC and in the EAST. Therefore you must do better than 2-8! Thats horrible. That UF team last year was the worst they have had since 2000 who we lost to as well by the way!
Jake
June 28th, 2011
7:08 pm
Aub led SEC in scoring agains winning teams, won the SEC West
South Carolina led SEC East in scoring against winning teams, won the SEC East.
It’s all about offensive scoring against winning teams, SC is 2 td’s better than Georgia.
Dont get it
June 28th, 2011
7:10 pm
SOUTHGD – SC had Garcia last year/ we had Murray…and what happened? you defeat your own argument.
SOUTHGADAWG88
June 28th, 2011
7:12 pm
No DGI I don’t…but I went to my first UGA game in 63.I’ve seen my share of DAWG games over the years and as you should already know…there are plenty of DAWGS fan that hate AUB and GT every bit as much as you do the Gators.
guy
June 28th, 2011
7:12 pm
Mad Dog 1.
S.C. has become a huge game because UGA has become an average football program. Sickening to say the least!!!
Dont get it
June 28th, 2011
7:15 pm
Not enough my friend. Otherwise we wouldnt accept this. Do not see how a team in our own division might be more important to beat? and what I meant was Yes Murray is a better QB than garcia by far. It just another example of the talent gap. yet in the end the better coach won. Richt is a joke deal with it.
SOUTHGADAWG88
June 28th, 2011
7:15 pm
I want to beat them all.Throw Tenn in there too.4-0 over FLA-AUB-GT-TENN that’s a great year….damn the rest of the schedule
SickandTired
June 28th, 2011
7:16 pm
So you really think the SC game is important? Ya think? The only importance is if Marky Mark Mark comes into Sanford having lost to Boise State Potato Factory and Spurrier hands it to him……then it is DEFCON 1……and finally, finally maybe Marky Mark Mark can be rode out of town on a rail and a coach that actually has the intelligence to run a program that is paying him $3 Million dollars a year to do just that….spare me the “he’s a good man” stuff….He is a good man…he’s just a lousy judge of talent and then he can’t coach the talent up he does recruit……I know some youth league coaches that could win 8 games in Athens with the things Georgia has going for it….to let the program slip to what it has the last five years is criminal.
Tra Mock
June 28th, 2011
7:17 pm
Most of you guys are idiots, even some of the so-called UGA alum, why is it sooooooo hard for every one to realize, you cant win every season. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Im pretty darn sure Joe Pa and Mr. Bowden didnt win 10 games every year they coached or have coaced, give me a break. Bottom line is this for all you bottom liners out there, if Richt goes, UGA can kiss a national title goodbye for at least, at least another 40 years, plain and simple wont happen without him, mark my words. He is our coach, this is our team and if you guys cant stand behind them then stop calling yourselfs Georgia fans and shut-up. Cut me i bleed RED, BLACK and SILVER whether we are 13-0 or 0-13……Hunker down junk yard dawgs and do what you guys do best and prove everyone out there wrong, and Murray isnt good or great, he is going to be the best thats played in the SEC, Next to Herschel that is!!!!!!!!!!!