Fan talk: Which would you rather have, a win over Florida or the SEC East title?
Welcome to Saturday. Three weeks from today Mark Richt’s boys will tee it up in the Georgia Dome against the Broncos.
If you didn’t order tickets to that game before it sold out and didn’t sign up for the season tickets that arrived in mailboxes this week but you still hanker to see the Dawgs play this season, you’re in luck.
A limited number of tickets to three of Georgia’s home football games — Coastal Carolina on Sept. 17, New Mexico State on Nov. 5 and Kentucky on Nov. 19 — will go on sale to the general public beginning Monday, August 15, at 9 a.m. All tickets are $45 and can be purchased online or by calling the Athletic Association ticket office 1-877-542-1231.
All single-game tickets ordered will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis and mailed within 10 days of the order being submitted, the athletic association says.
Meanwhile, I went to the funeral for a longtime dear friend’s mom in Athens Friday, and it was a lovely service. It was, of course, a typical Athens funeral in that the first words I heard from one of the surviving sons were … “What about Richt?”
You gotta love Athenians and their 24/7 devotion to UGA.
Speaking of Athens, I’ll be over there a couple of days while I’m off on vacation next week (with my fingers crossed in hopes that by the time I return Georgia will have a healthy tailback in good standing). But before I go let’s clear out some Junkyard Mail. …
Our old pal Cuz wants me to ask Bulldog fans which they’d rather have, a win over Florida or winning the SEC East. Says Cuz: “Tough one for me because I, like you, remember the total domination we used to have over the Gators. I went to maybe seven JAX games before Florida won one. We were dumbfounded, then just started laughing at the Florida fans who went out of their gourds. Now I understand. But to me, winning the East has got to be the most important step for this team and for Coach Richt. Both would be wonderful, but if I have to choose one, it will be winning the East.”
I have to agree, Cuz. As much as I would love for Georgia to beat Florida this season (and if not this year, when?), I’d much rather have the Bulldogs returning to the Georgia Dome on Dec. 3. I hated the losses to the Gators in 2002 and 2005, but I wouldn’t have traded winning the East for a win in Jacksonville either year.
Dawgtired writes: I’m sending this in hopes that you will unveil the scam Boise State is trying to pull on America. Their plight has been well documented regarding the “little man” being denied a chance to win the national championship in the current BCS system. I despise the BCS system not because it keeps the “little man” down, but because it doesn’t allow more teams to settle it on the field of play. This brings me to the Boise scam. No one argues that BS is a good team. I feel they are talented and extremely well coached. Much has been said about their success recently against the “big boys.” No dispute from me. However, while many naysayers point out that BS would struggle in a major conference, the grind of a long season is only part of the explanation. You see, BS’ success should be credited to the genuis athletic director for scheduling these games with the big boys. Nothing to lose and everything to gain for the program. Much has also been made about BS really only having to win ONE tough game to go undefeated each year. But let’s look closer. Yes, they have beaten Oregon twice, Oklahoma, Virginia Tech and TCU. Each of those wins had the same thing in common. BS was smart enough to schedule these as opening games of the season or they were bowl wins. Each allowed at least 4 weeks to scheme and prepare. Some allowed 8 months prep time. This year UGA draws BS in the season opener. BS coaches and players know that their season and respectability depends on winning this game. Is there any doubt they have been preparing for 8 months? UGA on the other hand is more concerned about the SEC title. Please someone, ANYONE, schedule Boise in the middle of their season or late in the season when they can’t devote every hour of prep to you! May John Jenkins welcome Kellen Moore to his senior season. Thanks, Bill.
You make an interesting point, though I should note that Gene Bleymaier, Boise State’s “genius” athletic director and the father of the Smurf Turf, was fired this week in relation to the school’s NCAA troubles. But while I think, yes, Richt and his staff probably are (and should be) more concerned with the SEC schedule than anything else, UGA scheduled Boise State in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game for a reason … to regain the national football spotlight. I think the Dogs are taking the Broncos plenty seriously and certainly hope they’ve also put the past few months to good use.
Big Bad Brad writes: Bill, what’s your take on Texas A&M and SEC expansion? I don’t really see why everyone’s getting so excited about the prospect of the third- or fourth-best Texas program joining the best college football conference. I think the SEC is just fine as it is. You?
I think the SEC should add schools only if it can expand its footprint and add television markets and revenue. While the Aggies may not be the top program in their state, they’re the one that would fit best with the SEC West and adding A&M would get the conference into a key television market. So if they want to join up, I think the SEC should take them. Now, who else should be added to balance the league? A lot of folks like Florida State, and the Seminoles are certainly a marquee program, but I think a more valuable addition to the SEC would be Virginia Tech, which would get the conference into the D.C. TV market (where, my son notes, conference games currently aren’t available). I wrote about this subject last year when the SEC and A&M were flirting, and you can read those discussions here and here and here.
Got a question for the Junkyard Blawg? Send it to junkyardblawg@gmail.com.
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375 comments Add your comment
Sun Devil Dave
August 15th, 2011
11:52 pm
I got two words to say “Okalahoma State” – I’m done.
No AJ, no win
August 16th, 2011
12:22 am
OMG, can you guys be serious for a second. You lost to Central Florida, and now you think you can beat U of Florida? LOL. You guys were ready to fire Richt about 8 months ago, then the BS with the Dream Team and you silly doggies are slobbering all over yourselves like when you see a dog biscuit.
Just think back to your games last year without AJ Green. Now think about this season…what has changed? 6-7 is as good as you can hope for.
Preston
August 16th, 2011
2:28 am
The answer is both or Richt is packing.
Joe
August 16th, 2011
6:53 am
The SEC East. That means they will have at least lost two games and are not in the SEC championship.
Dawg49
August 16th, 2011
7:47 am
Good question ummmm let’s see oh I know SEC!!!!! But for a suffering Fan like me who has been there 21 yrs in a row and only seen them win 3 times against Flordia maybe 4 ? Well u can understand . GOOOO DAWGS !!!!!
Pulpwud Smiff
August 16th, 2011
7:54 am
Serious Dawg fans need to start organizing and demanding that Richt be fired. Otherwise, sports writers will be asking the same questions this time a year from now.
Richt represents mediocrity. Saban, Miles, Spurrier, and Chizik represent excellence and championships. Richt simply isn’t in their class, nor will he ever be. Richt would have to be incredibly lucky to win the division, and the odds against him winning the SEC championship would be at least 50:1.
Those are the simple facts, and there’s no amount of enthusiasm or cheerleading or Top 5 recruiting classes that can get around it.
As they say in poker, “Read ‘em and weep.”
Eberley
August 16th, 2011
8:33 am
A few salient comments:
1. Four different SEC teams have won the last five BCS championships.
2. UGA was not one of those teams.
3. During that period, UGA did not win the SEC championship.
4. During that period, UGA did not even win its SEC division.
5. Red panties.
In other words, UGA has sunk into total irrelevancy both regionally and nationally.
So why is UGA still paying Mark Richt millions of dollars a year? He can’t beat UF, much less win the SEC.
AltamahaDawg
August 16th, 2011
8:44 am
I see the cut and paste bandit doesn’t have AM classses.
AltamahaDawg
August 16th, 2011
8:45 am
although I see you did edit out Meyer and insert Spurrier lately. Nice.
jaxdawgfan
August 16th, 2011
8:50 am
My screen name should tell you enough to answer that question.
shankit
August 16th, 2011
9:22 am
Scooters???? My grandpa used to always tell the story of him having
to walk home from school barefooted in the snow.
Stick a fork in Georgia Dawgs
August 16th, 2011
9:26 am
Beat The Gators? Win The SEC? HAHA
Mark Richt Farewell Tour
August 16th, 2011
9:29 am
Another 6-6 season for UGA at best. UCF just scored again.
DuhDawg
August 16th, 2011
10:52 am
I’d just like to point out a few things:
1- Direction of Program
From 11 wins to 10 wins to 8 to 6.
2- Anemic Offense
Scoring against ranked teams down from 35 points a game in 07′ to 27 in 08′ to 22 in 09′ to 15 points a game in 10′. No scores against UCF, SC, and 1 TD against Miss St. Couldn’t score 30 against a Colorado team that got 56 points on them by Kansas.
3- Coaching
Richt’s been outcoached against ranked teams, 2-8 against last top 10 team match-ups. 0-5 in 2010. 2-9 since 2009.
4- Poor Divisional Play
2-8 vs. Florida.
5- Turnovers
TO Margin vs. ranked teams was 12th, last in SEC, 2nd straight year. 4 to’s vs. Fla 3 years in a row
6- No rushing game
10th in SEC. Called less running plays than any SEC team per game.
A lot of the problems have been going on for 3 years, not a 1 year outlier.
Troll Power Ratings
August 16th, 2011
11:14 am
Georgia’s down based on the last three years and especially last year. We all know it. Enjoy it, trolls. Georgia IS on the upswing regardless of what happens this season. They could easily have a really good year. If they have anything like last year Richt is gone. The new AD is righting the ship. It is inevitable. It is fascinating to watch the fanaticism of the Georgia haters. Troll onward, trolls. Continue to lead negative, pathetic little lives.
gomdawg
August 16th, 2011
11:16 am
Duhdawg. get alife we got CMR and he is our coach if you don’t like him get you another team and this want be a problem ahhhhhhhhhh not with people like you you are never happy . You must not remember the days before CMR. Every team has it up and downs we have had our so either get on the train or get off. Tired of hearing bad things about CMR .
AltamahaDawg
August 16th, 2011
11:25 am
You can safely assume he doesn’t have to get another team.
7576DAWG
August 16th, 2011
11:41 am
DuhDawg
Even though most of us saw that things needed to change 3 years ago , CMR is very loyal to his coaches and knows that replacing them not only affects them directly but also affects their families and thus the reluctance to just firing someone instead of changing them to the Georgia way. Unfortunately, CMR was also putting other personal things ahead of his entire attention on building Georgia into a championship program.
Enters a new AD , McGarity who is so goal oriented of being in the top 10 every year that we now have a new Defensive coordinator and S&C coach. I don’t know how many entitled 4 and 5 star players that have left in the last year and senior leadership that hasn’t been at Georgia in at least 3 years. Arrest, for mainly lack of discipline , has shown a night and day difference . After this year if things don’t show huge improvements I’m sure that McGarity will not stop at what needs to be done. Our problems took years to get to last years overall outcome.Things are getting right and we will see huge improvements. One of the biggest improvements is identifying recruits and getting them on board early. I think recruiting has improved.
GA Rolls
August 16th, 2011
11:43 am
This Dawg D will be fast, angry and nasty. Ga’s going to shut down Boise St. and beat them like a rented mule–take that to the bank.
NC Dawg
August 16th, 2011
11:45 am
A question like this says quite a bit about where this program is today. Which would I prefer? BOTH! There isn’t any reason we shouldn’t be able to take care of both goals…a victory over Florida every year AND an SEC East title. This is what we should be hungry for…BOTH, not one or the other.
Still@theBAR
August 16th, 2011
12:07 pm
what
Still@theBAR
August 16th, 2011
12:09 pm
A business in Jacksonville is making a special offer to the Dawgs this year. Go Gator Scooters is giving the staff and players of UGA free use of scooters for their time in Jacksonville for the Georgia v Florida game.
Troll Power Ratings
August 16th, 2011
12:23 pm
@Still@theBAR: What sort of gimmick is your team trying (unsuccessfully) to put butts in seats? Thanks for caring.
howboutem
August 16th, 2011
1:07 pm
DUH DAWG
As a georgia grad huge and football fan, it hurts me to say that your analysis is100 percent spot on.
And as much as ive enjoyed coach richts time here, the issues you reference all fall on the head coach. At some point, were going to have to decide whether keeping CMR because of the man he is worth having a mediocre at best football team. This is his year. The schedule is set up right for him. IF he cant pull us out of this tailspin this year…well, thanks coach for your time and I wish you well.
papadawg
August 16th, 2011
1:26 pm
There is no either, or. I want the title and the win over Florida plus at least 10 wins. The past two seasons were for losers not UGA.
Ron Smith
August 16th, 2011
2:09 pm
Almost time to remove the “rose colored glasses” guys. UGA football is and has been on the decline which I believe will show even more if UGA loses to Boise and SC. If Richt knows what to do why didn’t he do it last year? The UGA QB has great numbers from last season which were garnered only against teams with losing schedules.
LHarding Dawg
August 16th, 2011
2:22 pm
Dang Ron, with insight like you have, I would hop a plane to Vegas and get rich.
The way I see it, is it’s a new year. And right now, we are looking good!
AltamahaDawg
August 16th, 2011
2:28 pm
Yea, that ol’ “loyalty” is why coaches don’t make major coaching changes the summer they are voted #1 in the country.
David Granger
August 16th, 2011
2:38 pm
I’d rather have Georgia actually look like they’re PREPARED for the game, playing hard and smart from the opening kickoff. Playing tough defense, and making smart calls on offense. Actually playing to WIN the damn game, not playing as if we’re scared we might lose. Not making stupid penalties at critical times, and actually concentrating on what’s happening on the field. (Not boogeying and dancing around on the sidelines in the fourth quarter of a game we’re losing, for crying out loud.) And somebody kicking Coach Richt right square in the tailpipe whenever he mentions blacking out the stadium or talking about new uniforms.
If we do all this, the wins over Florida and the SEC East titles will take care of themselves.
AltamahaDawg
August 16th, 2011
2:41 pm
Gee Ron, perhaps the answer to that question has something to do with the laws of time and space.
gomdawg
August 16th, 2011
3:04 pm
howboutem , STUPID
Disappointed Dawg
August 16th, 2011
3:05 pm
It is pathetic that Florida’s recent domination is so deeply in our heads that anyone would even ask the question of whether we’d rather beat the Gators or go to Atlanta. Really? Winning a single conference game vs. playing for the conference championship? Dang, it’s worse in Athens than I thought.
Linda Bronstein
August 16th, 2011
3:40 pm
@ David Granger
re: 2:38
Damn Right!
GaGator
August 16th, 2011
4:52 pm
Disappointed Dawg
August 16th, 2011
3:05
I feel your pain, it is sad even to ask the question. I can assure
you that the Gators would glad let GA win the game in exchange
for the Gators playing for the championship.
That may explain the 18-3 record in Jax, the Gators play to win championships, the
dawgs have a great year if they manage to beat Florida. If Richt played for championships
he would be beating the Gators more frequently. Frankly, I think Richt starts 2-3 (losing to BS, SC
and Miss. State) and will be gone before the Jax game, which will be the best thing for the dawgs.
UGA would have a chance to get the best young HC in the SEC, Dan Mullin at Miss State. I’m sure you noticed the Gators fielded their two worst offenses in years after Mullin left.
Your new AD is very familiar with Mullin from his time at Florida-good luck.
Return to Glory
August 16th, 2011
5:27 pm
I would like to make a point to all you morons who want to fire CMR. CMR is the best Coach we have had including Dooley. Look at the records, 1979 we went 6-5, then went on 4 year tear then back to 7-9 wins a year. CMR is a winner on and off the field, he did not forget how to coach. Look back to 2002-2007 we would have all cried and pulled our hair out if he had left then. So shut up and pull for the Dawgs, most of the critics could not coach a 4 year old pee wee team. GOO Daawgs.
M Richt
August 16th, 2011
6:23 pm
We’ll never do either so I’ll take a close loss to UCF in the Liberty Bowl! It was close, really!!
M Richt
August 16th, 2011
6:26 pm
Is that Bill Kings face or UGA whatever’s ass with a bulldog hat on it?
Ominpotent One
August 16th, 2011
7:25 pm
Orson Charles accepts benefits from Ponzi scheme millionaire…..I wonder how Richt is going to handle this?
M Richt
August 16th, 2011
7:35 pm
I’ll tithe Orson and give ten percent back to the high school coaches that gave me the creampuff team!
Next Star
August 16th, 2011
7:46 pm
Richt’s not in Saban’s class, but he will be the best UGA can do. 8-9 wins every year isn’t bad. I just hope he beats fla sometime soon.
suwanee dawg
August 16th, 2011
8:50 pm
would take 1-10 if the one was against FL.
Troll Power Ratings
August 16th, 2011
9:30 pm
@Impotent one: There’s a pill for that. Try it and maybe you’ll have something to do besides live the life of a miserable troll.
Pound The Water Lizards!
August 16th, 2011
11:25 pm
Nuff aid. NNR.
Dixie Highway
August 17th, 2011
7:32 am
Florida 42, Georgia 13
Another big beatdown by the Gators… and the end of Mark Richt’s career in coaching. Farewell and good riddance to the sleazemeister.
Fidlin1
August 17th, 2011
8:06 am
If they lose to Florida and win the SEC then they’ve lost the battle and won the war.Nobrainer.
AltamahaDawg
August 17th, 2011
8:51 am
They need to post this question on the tech blogs to attract some hits.
From Where I Sit
August 17th, 2011
9:09 am
What a joke as UGA will lose to FL and SC!
Enough Said!
Bigdawg
August 17th, 2011
11:29 am
All of the above! UGA wil shock the college football world this year!
Bigdawg
August 17th, 2011
11:32 am
You can tell all the Tech alums on here b/c the current students are more apt to follow field hockey and cricket and women’s golf…big sports in India and Asia!
too big to fail
August 17th, 2011
5:40 pm
`
. . . . gotta beat boise state in the air conditioned GEORGIA dome . . . .
.