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?
Got a question for the Junkyard Blawg? Send it to junkyardblawg@gmail.com.
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
544 comments Add your comment
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
June 28th, 2011
10:06 pm
SOUTHGADAWG88
You have so many excuses
At FL and AL they dont put up with excuses and look at the NC and SEC titles they have in the last 20 yrs compared to us
Keep drinking the kool-aid
STAY THIRSTY MY FRIEND
SOUTHGADAWG88
June 28th, 2011
10:08 pm
Yeah and they won 10 in 07 and 08.If 10 wins was so easy it would be done all the time.Saban never had back to back 10 win season in his entire coaching career until recently
SOUTHGADAWG88
June 28th, 2011
10:10 pm
All I give you is facts…if you are caught up in emotion that is your problem.The facts are what they are..how you feel is your opinion.
Mobile Dawg
June 28th, 2011
10:12 pm
It’s not really dumb South if you break the years down individually. We underachieved significantly 5 years ago, our lack of discipline, lack of preparation, inconsistency, and poor decision making sunk what should have been our MNC season. To be fair injuries played a part the next year. The ship started listing then and sank slowly over the next three years. This has been a long time in the making with a lot of factors contributing, the largest being a void in “Leadership”. And Damon Evans shoulders some blame for sure.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
June 28th, 2011
10:12 pm
Saban has 2 NC
There are plenty of 10 win season teams every year
No one remembers 10 win seasons bud
People remember CHAMPIONS
PowerDawg
June 28th, 2011
10:15 pm
Jarvis Jones has had an “existing relationship” with Ms Stephens since 2008. His biological mother gave Stephens POA to act as his legal guardian. This may be a situation where his mother was unable to care for him or otherwise act as an involved parent due to some mitigating circumstance (physical, financial, or legal). No one knows, but I’m willing to bet my season tickets that the NCAA doesn’t win this one.
Besides, discounted tickets (which they probably were since they were so low priced) to LA for Jones and his guardian, so that Jones could participate in a competition, would fall well within the guidelines they have stated as acceptable for transportation/travel. IMHO
Yep, gotta go with my gut on this one. I think they will find in his favor.
Caldwell-Pope…now that is probably a different story altogether.
He will receive some type suspension and will have to repay any unauthorized monies before re-instatement. Again IMHO.
SOUTHGADAWG88
June 28th, 2011
10:15 pm
What NC are you speaking off?07?08?
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
June 28th, 2011
10:20 pm
You said Saban never had back to back 10 win seasons until recently
My response was BASICALLY who cares about 10 win seasons when he has won 2 NC the last decade
Bud dont try to make someone look dumb your only making yourself look stupid
Mobile Dawg
June 28th, 2011
10:21 pm
Our best shot at it, we lost to Carolina, and Tennessee. No excuse for losing those two games, especially getting “blown out” by UT. Our problems began rearing their ugly heads that year. We haven’t won a “significant” game that meant anything in years.
USC is kicking some Gator Tail in the CWS.
SOUTHGADAWG88
June 28th, 2011
10:22 pm
There aren’t plenty 10 win teams in the SEC every year.That’s why it’s the toughest League in the nation.I take it game by game year by year.But if Richt’s previous record has no bearing on his future as the HC than neither does his individual past record against any team.Every year is different and I’m not laying down and rolling over before this one even starts.If thats what you want to do go ahead.
SOUTHGADAWG88
June 28th, 2011
10:30 pm
Which means all you care about is winning NC’s.Cool that’s what’s important to you.I care about beating all my rivals 1st winning the SEC 2nd and if a NC comes great.Dennis Ericson and Larry Coker won NC’s too.Where are they now?AND the 07 season disappoints everybody because we finished 2nd.Nobody talks about the heart of that team that rose up from getting their butts kicked and blowing the doors off everybody they played after.Or the 08 team that lost 18 starters off the 2 deep and still won 10 games.All you “fans” care about was the preseason ranking…This is why our fans suck.
Mobile Dawg
June 28th, 2011
10:31 pm
South, what we do on here is idle fodder, my wife has put the four year old to bed, I’m watching the CWS, doing some time management planning for tomorrow and beyond. One thing we have in common is we’re passionate fans, we just see things differently. I hope we come out and GATA. I always hope that. I just haven’t felt good about CMR’s leadership (of our football program) in a long time and have a lot of doubt now. I just won’t be forced to drink the kool aid, to many other beverage options.
Mobile Dawg
June 28th, 2011
10:38 pm
Good point at 1030, we did get off the mat and end up with a good year, and I did mention the injuries the following year. What you won’t admit is that our program has been going downhill, and if we had been prepared and disciplined to play we certainly wouldn’t have gotten “blown out” of these key important games. We’ve been blown out of a number of games the last few years. What you won’t admit is that Richt hasn’t done the job we’ve paid him for the last five years.
For the record I could care less whether we win the National Championship or not. I just want to be competetive, win our share of games against our rivals and put the fun and entertainment back in UGA football. For that to happen for me we need to win “our share” of the big games.
SOUTHGADAWG88
June 28th, 2011
10:48 pm
I’m with you on the big games Mobile Dawg.I feel more upbeat this year because the weakness of this program has been on the Defensive side of the ball to me.This year I can’t complain about the talent level so I fully expect an outstanding season.The O will soar and struggle and everything in between but if the D is stout you will have a shot in every game you play.
Mobile Dawg
June 28th, 2011
10:59 pm
Here, Here, bring on those Junkyard Dawgs, I miss the old days, it seemed there was so much more excitement. I agree, the defense has a shot to be really good. The secondary is questionable, but the front 7 should put more than enough pressure on the QB to protect them. I hope JJ is among them. CTG would look good with some blood running down his forehead.
Mobile Dawg
June 28th, 2011
11:04 pm
Gators aren’t done yet, someone get out a fork.
Gdawg
June 28th, 2011
11:13 pm
UGA has a very strong Linebacker corp this year. The 2 best LB’s were not even on the field last year. DE will be much better and Nose will be a strength this year. We will be weaker at Corner/safety but not too bad. Offensive line is a bit of a question mark. The biggest difference in 2011 is the running game. Our fullback this year is 6′5″, 260 lb Orson Charles…are you seriously concerned about the running game???? This guy can run AND catch the ball out of the backfield. Yeah, UGA is going to be better this year…MUCH better! 9-3 is my worst prediction…just have to keep Mike Booboo off the play calling.
Mobile Dawg
June 28th, 2011
11:28 pm
The thing I’ve noticed with these coaches is that regardless of who they have personnel wise, they try to force them into the offense they want to run vs build the offense around the strengths of the players.
Minnesota Dawg
June 28th, 2011
11:53 pm
My prediction is that Georgia’s offense will be too much for South Carolina. GA 28 – SC 14.
SCBOY
June 29th, 2011
12:10 am
0-2. Deal with it. And the SC game will not even be close.
legionaire
June 29th, 2011
5:16 am
Play on both sides of the line is the key to the game. SC always play us tough and Spurrier is the old master of the SEC. Unless a running game can be established it will be a low scoring affair with the chickens winning by a point or so.
SEC Fan
June 29th, 2011
6:35 am
I’d put my money on Spurrier.
It Ain't Rocket Science
June 29th, 2011
7:00 am
Let’s see. Today you should have every S.C. fan and UGA hater from that state on this blog, bragging about winning the CWS, even though, their roster is composed of 49% out of state players. No matter, it was strictly the S.C. instate boys that did it all, LOL. Then we will have the UF fans and UGA haters making excuses as to why they lost to S.C.
I am beginning to seriously wonder if either of those states have their own news paper blogs to comment on.
AltamahaDawg
June 29th, 2011
7:46 am
Speaking of which, congrats to them. That’s a pretty incredible run.
AltamahaDawg
June 29th, 2011
8:02 am
Power dawg, you make an excellent point about Jones. People DO travel. The fact that his legal guardian used unauthorized moneys does not have anything to do with the NCAA in the end is my guess now. I understand they should check it out though.
On Pope, I keep changing my mind what I think on that deal, based on the extremely limited info. Does the NCAA have any governess on what happens to a sophomore in high school’s mother? Wouldn’t they have to prove there was some type of recruiting violation in favor of one of their member institutions? My question would be, how would they ever investigate every gift to any parent of every elementary, middle school, or high school kid in America, and why would they. “Mrs. Smith I really loved that kid on my rec league team last summer, here is some cash to help out since your husband lost his job”. 6 yrs later that kid has to sit out his first 2 games of his college career??? I realize the implication here is that the AAU was trying to gain some influence, and I suppose be in effect and “agent” but that seems like a pretty tough thing to prove to the point of penalizing a kid that wasn’t even sure if or where he was going to college at the time. Especially if he had nothing to do with it.
AltamahaDawg
June 29th, 2011
8:08 am
I’ve asked this question before, but does the AAU have some agreement with the NCAA? Has any kid particiapting in their program agreed to fall under the same NCAA rules as somebody being recruited?
Snoop Dawg
June 29th, 2011
8:33 am
UGA has better players. Unfortunately, SC has the better team because it has real coaches. Stever Spurrier has forgotten more than Mark Richt will ever know about leadership and the game of football. Without the training, play calling, and discipline, UGA will choke in Sanford Stadium as it seems to have picked up a knack for doing since Preacha Man came to town.
This is a shame, since with the easiest schedule probably in 100 years, Richt will doom us to another mediocre year barring a lottery-winning level of luck and circumstance.
Rx=New Coach…
Bawbie
June 29th, 2011
8:37 am
FIRE DAVE PERNO…. and the other choke artist at UGA!
Dawgso55
June 29th, 2011
8:51 am
Dawgs will have to stop Lattimore….and the thin OL will have to open some hole for GA.’s running game…it all boils down to how well the OL and DL will handle SC up front….only time will tell…
this is for "dirty dog"
June 29th, 2011
8:59 am
How would you guys feel if someone “hit” your boy Murry in the mouth and he had to sit on the bench?
Mobile Dawg
June 29th, 2011
9:19 am
My concern with USC is Richt in the past hasn’t been able to, or doesn’t understand, you have to prepare for war. You won’t usually win the USC game with finesse. It’s going to be an interesting late summer and fall in Athens.
Whiskey Breath
June 29th, 2011
9:24 am
It used to be Ga had the talent to win every game by just showing up. Things have changed and Carolina has the talent and coaching to kick Ga between the hedges. Sorry Ga. That last visit to Athens, Carolina probably should have won.
Tard Dawg
June 29th, 2011
9:29 am
No worries for Richt. This is the year he goes undefeated.
dont get it
June 29th, 2011
9:31 am
SGD – I wish you could see and hear what I do from these Gator fans after they lose a game. If you jump on UGA fans for being negative (or wanting to win as I call it) you would have a real time with these gators. See, you let UF lose to Central Florida and the HC would have to hire security to escort him out of town. I remember when zook was here (who again had a wining record against your boy). All you heard was how bad the team was. IT was dooms day times 10. But people like you just dont get that having an extremely demanding fan base is the foundation for winning championships. You say UGA fans “suck” well your right. The ones that defend Richt to the death do indeed suck. As for the rest of us we would like to leave Jacksonville with A smile more than once a decade! We want NC’s!!!!
Tard Dawg
June 29th, 2011
9:37 am
UGA is so good despite losing every important game the last few years along with all of their top players. They don’t need to adapt for the improvements by UF, USC and UA. UGA won a championship in the 80s and people will never forget that. Arf arf
BIG JOE
June 29th, 2011
9:47 am
Yes, it will be ‘make or brake’. Prediction? Too early to tell. I could see UGA winning 28-24, or SC winning 31-17.
SOUTHGADAWG88
June 29th, 2011
10:24 am
If Spurrier was so great at SC they would have won more games.Being a great HC is more than your game day play calling.He hasn’t done a great job of developing a team anywhere he’s been since he was at FLA.That’s why his teams fade down the stretch while a good coach has his team playing better as the season progresses.Zook beat Richt,Saban Tubbervile and Bowden too.I guess he was superior to them as well.For the record the Zooker did something Spurrier never did….beat FSU on the road.
Mobile Dawg
June 29th, 2011
10:32 am
Still not one comment from the “Head Coach” on the state of the program since he returned from his “Mission”. One has to wander if he’s decided to hang it up at UGA. It wouldn’t surprise me if he were to announce he’s going in another direction. If that’s not the case then once again IMO, he’s avoiding his responsibilities.
aprilglaspie
June 29th, 2011
10:52 am
Well, concerning USC and Lattimore. Dawgs have nearly 700 lbs. of very strong athleticism in the middle this year. And Garcia will end up playing with a very bad hangover.
Dirty Dawg
June 29th, 2011
11:02 am
Folks have been predicting that Mark Richt will ‘hang it up’ and do ‘missionary work’ full time for some time now. We’ll see, but my bet is only after he’s shown that he can win big, and maybe win it all. Then he can walk away like Gary Cooper in High Noon after tossing his badge in the dirt…now that’ll be justice and I’m looking forward to rubbin’ a bunch of trolls’ and/or fair-weather Dawgfans’ noses in it. Even if it will mean losing a great coach.
As for how I would feel about somebody hitting Murray in the mouth…fact is we’ve already experienced young Mr. Murray being ‘mugged’ at last year’s game at AU – seems to me that that resulted in Mr. Fairly’s shoulder being injured by Mr. Murray’s sternum. And I’m not talking a cheap shot, just the kind FSU laid on him in the Dome…they hit the kid hard, early and often, and put him on the bench for over half the game with a bloody lip…clearly he’s no hockey player at heart or he’d been back out there without missing a shift. Why we didn’t hit him hard last year, I don’t know or care, all I know is the way to stop him has been clearly demonstrated.
For those that say that they can’t see any reason why Boise won’t dominate us…are you that stupid or do you just think we are? Just what about Boise says to you that they can beat a D-I, or whatever they call it now, program to that extent…they never have. They beat an Oklahoma team that didn’t want to be there in the first place, with one miracle play after another and at the wire…they beat Va Tech only after VT gave them the game so many times that Boise, finally, couldn’t say no….they came to Athens several years back with all that ‘cowboy swagger’ and got their chaps crammed down their throat…and the winner of that conference they are/were in, Hawaii, who beat Boise pretty handily that year, came to New Orleans full of it then too, and we all know what happened there. Point is, if they win at all it’ll be another fluke – like OK and VT – and, again, we don’t lose to SC two years running…and by the way, that ‘runt’ you keep referring to at QB…he’s bigger than that Heisman-candidate that’ll be taking snaps at Boise…so tell us again who’s got the advantage.
Oh yeah, Orson Charles ain’t the TE that we’ve moved to FB. It’s Figgins…regardless, it should make for some interesting times.
Tyler2011
June 29th, 2011
11:29 am
The scores in the past have been really low for both sides. Ive got Georgia over South Carolina,
13-10
South Carolina 2011
June 29th, 2011
11:42 am
We are on the way up (if not already there like in baseball) in all sports.
Uga is on the way down in all sports.
allwehaveishope
June 29th, 2011
11:53 am
we are hurting on the OL now the D may take a hit w/JJ issue. GA cannot start off season w/loss to BSU. They may be small but they are mighty. They’ll pass thru GA like gheese flying south. Why be concerned about SC right now? Its Boise up first so get ready for them and look at SC after the opener.
B-UGA
June 29th, 2011
11:54 am
SC is definitely the biggest game of the year!!! Need it to win the East, but we also need a big win against a ranked team for motivation & confidence…..something I’ve seen lacking the past couple years….matter of fact…..haven’t seen the “swagger” since getting drilled by Bama a few yrs ago at the home ‘Blackout’ game. Also, tired of hearing the SC fans that have one good year think they are now some kind of football dynasty. Come on….really? Prediction….Classic City Canines pound the Palmetto State Poultry in Athens……20-14 (but It’ll be a great hard fought game). If the Dawgs play like last year…..I see SC winning 21-20. Better bring the A-game & well executed game plan (hint hint Richt/Bobo). We will probably have a couple suspended players for expired license or jaywalking as well…..Spurrier has already made sure he’ll have his drunk QB & DUI corner back for the GA game.
dont get it
June 29th, 2011
11:56 am
SGD – you seem to hear only what you want to. its not that Zook beat richt , its that he had a winning record against him. Thats not true for many of the coaches you named above. So exactly how much of Richts check are you getting. You might want to save some of it because after Spurrier hands Richts ACE to him yet again this year, Richt may be out of a job. that should have been done two years ago. Its very clear that once the Meyers and Sabans came in to the SEC Richt 2nd fiddle.
dont get it
June 29th, 2011
11:57 am
Mark my words – We will destroy Boise then get destroyed by S.C. Its a matter of coaching
chazzo
June 29th, 2011
11:58 am
@SC2011: Brother there is nowhere left to go but up for the Dawgs. LOL I am pretty sure we will give you one hell of a fight. May the best team win.
dont get it
June 29th, 2011
12:01 pm
well said chazzo
chazzo
June 29th, 2011
12:05 pm
I couldn’t care less about Boise. UGA/SC is always a slugfest. This year both teams are ranked low (UGA deservedly so). Both teams have a lot to prove. The game will more than likely decide the East. It is going to be a heck of a good one.
Mark my words (@don’t get it), UGA will shoot up to about #17 prior to the BSU game. Rankings are to get fans to spend money. If the Dawgs don’t let that crap go to their heads, they will bring a good game to SC. If they get caught up in the hype, look for that other UGA that shows up on occasion. If I were Richt, I wouldn’t allow the players access to the media between now and February 2012.
dont get it
June 29th, 2011
12:06 pm
SGD – you never did answer my question about just how many losses to UF before you draw the line for Richt. Lets put a number on it. I’m waiting. And by the way your comments about us never beating all of our rivals only hurts your own argument. really stupid of you. Check how many times Meyer beat UGA, TENN, and FSU in the same year. Its quite a few. and he was only there half as long as Richt has been our coach.