How much patience will the Bulldog Nation show this season?
How hot will Mark Richt's seat get if the Dogs open with two losses? (Associated Press)
Much of the preseason talk about the Georgia Bulldogs has centered on the high-stakes nature of the first two games against Boise State and South Carolina and how much this ratchets up the temperature under Mark Richt’s seat.
Winning both games would be huge and would probably make the Dogs the early-season Cinderella of the national polls and media pundits, but not too many folks are predicting that.
Most fans I’ve talked to would be pretty satisfied to come out of those opening two games with a split, especially if the win was over the Gamecocks, giving Georgia an edge in the SEC East.
But what if the Dogs lose to both highly ranked opponents?
I’ve lost track of how many observers from outside the Bulldog Nation have put forth the idea that if Georgia starts out the season 0-2 that Richt’s fate will be sealed. I’ve even seen predictions that losing the two opening games would mean he wouldn’t last out the season.
I don’t think that’s the case, however.
Starting out 0-2 would not make fans and alumni happy (especially if the games are not close), but I don’t believe it would be cause for writing off the season. After all, as Richt pointed out Monday night at the Bulldog Club gathering at the Cobb Galleria, Georgia opens with what appears likely to be “the two best teams we play all year.”
Oh, I’m sure the “fire Richt now” crowd would be much in evidence on the blogs and discussion boards, but I think the majority of UGA’s supporters would recognize the high difficulty factor in those two opening games and the fact that, at 0-2, Georgia still could have a pretty terrific season.
But if Richt’s Dogs go 1-4 again, like last year, that would be another matter entirely.
That would mean losses to both Mississippi schools, including Ole Miss, which is expected to be the SEC West’s celllar dweller. At that point, the wheels might well come off the bandwagon and Greg McGarity would be under a lot of pressure to do something about it.
I really don’t think it’s likely to come to that, though. I will be surprised if the Dogs don’t go to Knoxville with a winning record.
How about you? Would 0-2 have you on the ledge, or do you think Richt can “withstand all the stuff that will come,” as he put it, if the Dogs lose to both the Broncos and the Gamecocks?
Got a question for the Junkyard Blawg? Send it to junkyardblawg@gmail.com.
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433 comments Add your comment
Not Red and Black but just a Redneck
July 26th, 2011
4:42 pm
Would someone please ring the bell when UGA is relevant again in football? Not Women’s Gymnastics, Diving or Swimming.
RedandBlackDAWG
July 26th, 2011
4:42 pm
pete,
Get back to your potato fields and let the big boys talk about football. You saying Boise, would win the SEC East is like, saying I will be the next coach at Notre Dame. I don’t know that much about coaching and you don’t know anything at all about a football game.
CMR’s job should not rest on just the first two games. I am amazed that Bill King, keeps coming up with new ways to ask the same question. The last I heard, this season is at least 11 games long. I would suppose the next question will be if UGA wins the first two games, should we still be patient with CMR because there are still nine games to go.
SSIgator
July 26th, 2011
4:42 pm
HardTruth Soldier-
“Georgia will win 3, yes three SEC Titles in a row and barely miss out on number four”
Wow! That LSD sugar cube is really powerful stuff. And this all occurs when UGA has their new head football coach to be named at a later date. I can’t wait to find out who it is.
funny...
July 26th, 2011
4:45 pm
Nothing from Pete
Not Red and Black but just a Redneck
July 26th, 2011
4:45 pm
How Bout Them Dawgs
July 26th, 2011
4:27 pm
also we were experimenting with a new defense last year that severely hurt our season..
whats your excuse for sucking so bad last year?????
UCF 10 UGA 6…it looks like the defense was playing pretty good. Explain the Offense or lack of it and maybe that line would work.
ARdawg
July 26th, 2011
4:46 pm
Pete is a nerd dressed up like a horse’s @zz. He has added nothing to the topic of than displaying his troll abilities.
Back on topic, the season will be dictated by the win/loss record after the first two games. Like it or not Dawg fans that is the world in which we live. Boise is a win. The old bawl sack still scares me. He can, has, and does beat us with lesser talent.
Lose to Boise, lose all respectability and deservedly so. Lose to SC and the old bawl sack and forget the East. If we can’t beat Carolina someone else will beat us. SC is smoke and mirrors, much the same team that got it broken off in their respective butts in the SECCG
DawginLex
July 26th, 2011
4:47 pm
2005 summer
How will we ever replace David Greene?
Greene came in versus Tech and saved our butts
Shockley lost the Florida game in 2002
Zabransky is awesome
Georgia’s defense has never seen an offense like this one
Pollack is a big loss-no leadership left on this team
Shockley not used to big game environment as starter
Georgia 48
Boise St 13
Not Red and Black but just a Redneck
July 26th, 2011
4:47 pm
HardTruth Soldier-
“Georgia will win 3, yes three SEC Titles in a row and barely miss out on number four”
Does the shortbus run during the summer months? Because that statement was just ignorant. I guess the rest of the league did not recruit as well as UGA did with that “Dream Team”?
funny...
July 26th, 2011
4:48 pm
The UGA implosion began when Knowshon was redshirted and they thought Tereshinski was a better option than Stafford. Continued when Joe Cox was chosen over Mettenberger/Murray two years ago. As awesome as David Greene was, for a time was the winningest QB in CFB history, how much better was DJ Shockley.
DJ sure did “shock” Boise too.
I know, a bunch of what if’s but think about it.
DawginLex
July 26th, 2011
4:49 pm
Hey redneck
I’m a South GA redneck and even though I’m 53 years old, I still love to fight.
What about you?
Are you a real redneck or have you just been in the tanning bed too long?
funny...
July 26th, 2011
4:50 pm
Richt lost the game to Florida in 2002. Greene had led two successful drives and was (I think) like 8-9 passing and he took out Greene for Shockley. I’m glad you didn’t blame Terrence Edwards. He catches that ball 99/100 times.
funny...
July 26th, 2011
4:51 pm
Also, I think even if Georgia goes undefeated in 2002 I don’t think they jump Miami or tOSU in the polls.
ARdawg
July 26th, 2011
4:52 pm
We should be 20 after the the first two games. If not, it’s going to be another long year
DawginLex
July 26th, 2011
4:52 pm
2006-Stafford played his freshman year, Joe T started but later was benched
2008-Murray and Mett – Mett wasn’t ready and murray was injured until over half the season was done
Not Red and Black but just a Redneck
July 26th, 2011
4:53 pm
Dawg in Lez….
You must be a retard…fighting is your way of saying “I lose” my mind is too feeble to play with the smart kids.
DawginLex
July 26th, 2011
4:54 pm
Nah, I’m just not an internet idiot tough guy like you. I can back my stuff up in person. Have done it before and still can.
You on the other hand would crap your pants if I looked at you
Atlanta87
July 26th, 2011
5:00 pm
Bill King just wrote a new blog entitled “Will UGA Nation show tolerance if the Dawgs start 0-1 this year?” It’s nothing he’s ever brought up before. Y’all should check it out
Not Red and Black but just a Redneck
July 26th, 2011
5:02 pm
Dawg Leslie..
Down here we just lock folks like you away for being ignorant to the laws….the only thing scary about you is your tooth and your breath!
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
July 26th, 2011
5:05 pm
HardTruthSoldier
Nice optimism
If we beat FL 3 times in a row much less (APPEAR), again APPEAR in the SEC championship game 3 times in a row, I will come on here and personally call myself an idiot everyday for a month
AFDawg
July 26th, 2011
5:06 pm
Chris has it right. The Dawgs need to play with passion — plain and simple. Show you care, fight to the final whistle, don’t rest on your laurels when ahead, and play with pride. If the team does that, and the fans sense the right attitude and motivation, then everyone will remain patient.
P.S. I would like to see us run more trick plays this year.
Pete left.....
July 26th, 2011
5:07 pm
…..he remembered what happen on their last trip to Athens
wreckmaniac
July 26th, 2011
5:08 pm
The patience is endless as long as they beat Tech and have a top 5 recruiting class. Thats all the fans require. Sad, really.
Chris
July 26th, 2011
5:12 pm
Pete,
What rock did you come out from under? Boise State has all these all americans and all this talent? You play maybe one or two ranked teams in the country every year. Never mind the fact that none of those teams would be ranked if playing in the SEC. Playing weak teams makes average players look great.
Why don’t you take look at the players drafted in the NFL, and then compare the talent from UGA to Boise State. I believe UGA would win that arguement.
It’s not the talent. It’s how well the talent is coached. Boise state does much more with much less. That is the sign of a great coach. Georgia has been doing much less with more which is the sign of bad coaching.
It’s not talent…it’s coaching. Boise State might beat Georgia when it comes to coaching, but they do not have the level of talent that Georgia does and never will.
Remember 2005? It was pretty obvious that Georgia had more talent on the field and that still holds true. We have just lost our ability to coach up the players.
Not Red and Black but just a Redneck
July 26th, 2011
5:14 pm
Just a question for the Bulldawg Nation Fans, and this is not meant to make anyone mad, just a question.
If, and a Big IF, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Oklahoma St, and Texas Tech/or any of the other schools from the former Big 12 bolt for the SEC, how do you see the conference being divided up? Will Auburn be a East Member? Will Ole Miss, LSU, Alabama, MSU crossover?
If any of those schools enter the conference where does that place the chances of UGA competing for a conference title with the powerhouse conference that would be The SEC?
AFDawg
July 26th, 2011
5:23 pm
… just a redneck, I don’t think the SEC would take any of those schools without Texas — with maybe the possible exception of Texas A&M.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
July 26th, 2011
5:28 pm
They will take Oklahoma you can bet on that one
RedandBlackDAWG
July 26th, 2011
5:29 pm
N ot red and black,
UGA can get the talent just like anybody else in the SEC, and compete. It is not like Alabama and Auburn, or Arkansas have never been beaten by UGA. That would be a big jump for the SEC to get or want to expand by 4 teams, so I doubt it would happen. The SEC by virtue of having won 5 NC’s in a row is already a super conference, so unless it is strictly for more revenue, which the SEC really doesn’t need, how would it benefit the SEC.
Not Red and Black but just a Redneck
July 26th, 2011
5:30 pm
They are all leaving because the Texas ESPN deal. Interesting blog at the Big 12 meetings. Other schools are refusing to appear on the Longhorn Network. Things are getting nasty over there, and Texas A&M has already contacted Mike Slive and the SEC offices.
Not Red and Black but just a Redneck
July 26th, 2011
5:32 pm
The funny thing is that Texas A&M would have been in the SEC over USC if the board of regents in Texas had not blocked it 20 years ago.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
July 26th, 2011
5:42 pm
RedandBlackDawg
Its true unless Texas backs down from its TV deal issues, Oklahoma is gone and I can tell you Mike Slive is not going to allow them to slip into the Big 10.
Tim Brando said it over the radio, in fact he said it will happen no later than 2014, that is Oklahoma coming to the SEC. They have had enough with Texas
Delbert D.
July 26th, 2011
5:44 pm
Cowherd said yesterday that Boise St. will play in the so-called national championship game.
Looks like the Big 8 or whatever is on the verge of falling apart. Again. All conferences will eventually expand to 16 teams.
Cuz
July 26th, 2011
5:44 pm
The alternative Universe question is what will the Bulldawg Nation do if we win the first two games. I expect the Nation will start looking for an undefeated season if we open 2-0 and the first loss will start the fire Richt bandwagon again.
It is the Kobe Asha Maru.
Delbert D.
July 26th, 2011
5:44 pm
Maybe just call them the Big Texas Conference.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
July 26th, 2011
5:48 pm
Cuz,
If we start out 2-0 then I will break out my best of Larry cd to put things in perspective for me. I certainly will need to hear the distress in his voice to keep me from drinking gallons of Koolaid.
ARdawg
July 26th, 2011
5:54 pm
Cuz
In my mind 2-0 is what we shoot for. Unfortunately, I do believe these first 2 will dictate the season. Start 2-0 and we could still lose a few but, not those
mgdawg
July 26th, 2011
6:08 pm
Pete, the fact that you field a new kicker and say he may be better then UGA’s shows how big of a homer you are. I know I’m talking about a kicker, but walsh is known as one of the best, if not the best, kicker in college football. Talent doesn’t mean all americans, talent means bigger stronger faster. I’m not saying boise isn’t a good team, they have proven time and again that they are, but we heard the same thing a few years ago when they were destroyed by dj shockley.
Also, boise has pulled out many upsets, if they are upsets that means they weren’t favored.
Pete
July 26th, 2011
6:20 pm
Wow the fact that you guys are still making so many comments to me when I haven’t been on here in over 2 hours shows how easy weak minds are to control. And, how much this game means to you hehe!
I’m glad it means so much to you, it will be that much better when Boise destroys uga by 3-4 td’s.
“Also, boise has pulled out many upsets, if they are upsets that means they weren’t favored.”
——–They’re only upsets because people are too stupid to know which team is better. After a while they don’t become upsets unless you’re a real fool. i.e. uga fans. Care to show me the last time Boise wasn’t favored? I know, do you?
JOT
July 26th, 2011
6:22 pm
The Bulldog Nation basically wants these useless blogs to go away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Don’t you have a job other than trying to pry into our coach’s job and family????
Beast from the East
July 26th, 2011
6:41 pm
This question has been asked a dozen different ways but the answer is still the same. NO ONE knows how many wins/losses it will take for CMR to be canned other than Adams and McGarity, and they ain’t saying!
Let the games begin!
murray county mystic
July 26th, 2011
7:15 pm
October 7, 1916…Tech 220 Cumberland 0…it doesn’t matter today…nor does 2002, 2005, 2008…or any other glorious UGA seasons…what are you gonna do this year, UGA???…i’m betting you suck…
Hairy Perry
July 26th, 2011
7:18 pm
Guys you give this “Pete” guy way to much of a plug. He’s been on here under different names for along time, you can tell by his snotty little posts. I have told the man he needs to find a hobby in the past. He’s not even a Boise State fan. I have seen him on here for hours straight at times.
Hairy Perry
July 26th, 2011
7:24 pm
Dogs will probably beat Boise by 21 points, pulling away halfway through the third quarter. I could be wrong, I don’t claim to be a prophet. I will tell you one thing, the trolls will always hang out on UGA blogs because Georgia is one of the most hated schools in college football.
chazzo
July 26th, 2011
7:34 pm
Richt’s got a season. Let’s have this conversation late Nov. Otherwise, let’s get on with the good stuff.
Don't Matter
July 26th, 2011
7:54 pm
Probably won’t matter how many Richt loses. McGarity and Adams would rather have their molar teeth drawn without anesthetic then get rid of Richt. I guess they like being irrelevant in the SEC and nationally. Seems like a lot of UGA fans do, too.
Columbus
July 26th, 2011
8:15 pm
Richt is going to be fine and 8 wins will keep his job easily. But after the next 2 years and other schools are coming and offering him jobs and all you fans are shaking in oyur boots like when it happened in recent years, think about how you were treating him now. You are roller coasters. Richt is stable and he will be fine and you morons know what? UGA might not lose a game. But if we lose 4, I will support him. He is a winner. Bobo might be a different stroy. This is his last chance IMO.
Richt did not lose all the games last year. There were significant factors he had NOTHING to do with, He had the team in position to won every game except AU. Other factors were the difference. You people cannot see the FOREST FOR THE TREES and I cannot wait to say I told you so over the next 20 years! Please do not jump on the bandwagon over the next 20 years.
Whoever is putting ALL the heat on Richt. You have no idea of college coaching history and the FANTASTIC JOB RICHT HAS DONE IN HIS 1ST 10 YEARS. Compare him to EVERYBODY.
MCGarrity and Adams have much higher I.Q.’s and a proper perspective that you emotional women on here are blind to.
UGA has the best coach in their history and one of the best in NCAA history after 10 years. Look it up. Compare him to ANYBODY past or present. Richt and Paterno. The cream of the crop. The rest? LOL. Not many were even close including the Bear and Dooley. If not for Herschel, Dooley probably would have been fired. The year before sucked al ot like last year for Richt. Then along came Herschel. See the similiarities? Along comes Crowell. Richt has been WAY better than Dooley was before Herschel saved his job. Richt deserves to be honored and revered, not all this crap. He can take it and so can his supporters. He will do great the next few years. So will UGA. The rest of you? Just watch the BIG DAWGS EAT!
Eating Chicken in little over a month. Dont care what you women think.
Columbus
July 26th, 2011
8:23 pm
@Dont matter, everybody is not relevant all the time. Ask Bama. We will see how relevant we are at the end of this season. This is just the BEGINNING of ANOTHER 7 YEAR RUN. Richt has UGA in prime postion for the future. I will take 6 10 win seasons out of every 10 years again!. Sure beats the previous 15 before Richt. 11-1 one year.
Could have been National Champions but did not get the shot. LSU got it instead. Suck on that you haters. Won the SEC East 3 times. Nobody won more. Bama only won the west twice in the last 10 years. You guys crack me up hating on UGA or Richt! LOL you are funny! Funny stuff!
Coach Grohbo
July 26th, 2011
8:29 pm
I am going with every Georgia fan’s nightmare scenario.
Patience will last twelve games.
We will end Richt’s Georgia coaching career in Bobby Dodd Stadium on November 26, 2011.
Brucerugby79
July 26th, 2011
8:37 pm
Think we will win first two but beating Florida is most important game of the year
Mobile Dawg
July 26th, 2011
8:42 pm
Wow, what a rant Columbus, was that really you?
Our patience will be directly proportional to the preparation, and product on the field. We’re expecting our team to come out prepared, execute a good game plan, and play with discipline, and above all else, pride.
One thing to consider about Herschel is that Dooley knew how to use him, and he did.
Juice
July 26th, 2011
8:43 pm
Bill….please for the love of god and all things holy….try a positive blog….five out of the last ten posts are negative…I’m tired of all the negative talk…give it a rest already…the season has not even started…