‘How are the Dogs gonna do?’
Mark Richt's seat will be slightly less warm after this season. (Associated Press)
I’ve been getting the question all summer, seemingly everywhere I go. In the elevator at work. In restaurants. At a funeral.
“How are the Dogs gonna do? How many wins do you think they’ll have?”
So now it’s time to make that annual venture out on the limb and share with you what I’ve been telling those folks, though I first must remind you that my record as a seer is mixed.
Most years since I’ve been doing this blog I’ve been fairly conservative in my predictions, with the Dogs even bettering my forecast a couple of times. And then there’ve been a couple of seasons like last year, when I predicted a 10-2 regular season and Georgia winning the SEC East. That didn’t go so well.
Of course, I wasn’t alone. In a poll we did here last year, only 18 percent of you thought Georgia would have less than nine wins and 44 percent expected at least 10 wins.
I’m not going quite that far this year. I think Mark Richt’s team will do well enough to turn the heat down a notch under his seat and, depending on how many times South Carolina and Florida mess up, they might still be in contention for the SEC East late in the season.
But 10 wins in the regular season? Can’t quite see that.
I think Todd Grantham’s defense will be much improved this year, though I’ll feel much better the first time I see Kwame Geathers or John “Motel 6″ Jenkins stuff a big-time running back. I’m excited about the linebackers and I feel a whole lot more confident about the secondary than I did back before spring practice.
But the offense has a lot of question marks and is very thin at key positions. As my son put it, “the O-line is a scooter accident away from disaster.” The Dogs also are ridiculously shy of depth and experience at running back, and while the talent looks promising at receiver, a step down in production there sort of has to be expected with the departure of A.J. Green and Kris Durham. Plus, of course, the Dogs still have hot-and-cold Mike Bobo calling the plays.
So I’m expecting Georgia to wind up 9-3.
Here’s why: I see the Dogs splitting those tough first two games. No, I wouldn’t be shocked if they won them both or lost them both, but I don’t think that’s going to happen. Then comes a stretch of five games where Georgia ought to be the favorite every week. However, the pessimist in me sees them losing one game they shouldn’t this season and it’ll probably be in Knoxville. Finally, I think Georgia likely will lose to either Florida or Auburn, but not both. Again, at this point it looks like the Dogs ought to be favored in both of those games but Jacksonville is still Jacksonville, and Auburn-Georgia is always tough.
I’ll admit I flirted with 10-2 again while reading about how his teammates all say Isaiah Crowell is the real deal. But I also gave serious consideration to 8-4 as I watched Georgia’s depth get downright precarious at several positions over the past few months.
How satisfying would a 9-3 season be? Well, a win over either Boise State or South Carolina would look awfully good. And if one of those nine victories is over the Gators, I don’t think there’d be too much reason for grumbling, even if Georgia doesn’t make it to the SEC championship.
Anyway, that’s what I’ve been telling all the folks who ask me how the Dogs are going to do. Feel free to join me out on that limb with your own season predictions.
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238 comments Add your comment
80 Dawg
August 31st, 2011
2:25 pm
Vance Duly…… Only reason Bobo is coaching still is because he is married to your daughter
AltamahaDawg
August 31st, 2011
2:27 pm
I recall seeing a few names in here that were predicting 6 loses or more just a few weeks ago. I guess the complete lack of anything different has changed their minds to a more positive assessment.
Skokie Dog
August 31st, 2011
2:27 pm
7-5 sounds about right…and I hope that I’m wrong.
UGA Insider
August 31st, 2011
2:32 pm
Who cares about the game. I am ready to see those hot college girls with their short dresses and cowboy boots. Their mom’s are just as good looking if not more. They show more cleavage as well after a few drinks. Nothing is better than gameday in Athens and Atlanta. I am also going to Ole Miss as well which I will be looking forward to for sure. There is nothing better than this my friends. As for the team they will either win or lose. Will any of us change the way we live either way Monday morning?
NO
AltamahaDawg
August 31st, 2011
2:40 pm
Not many things better than gameday in Athens. I can think of 19 things better than game day in the marta parking lots of Atlanta.
59bulldawg
August 31st, 2011
2:43 pm
Would love to see a screen pass to Crowell with one of our big fullbacks out in front blocking.
pugweezel1
August 31st, 2011
2:45 pm
I love my dawgs,i bleed red&black,so lets just play the games and see…gooooooooooo dawgs!!!!!!!!!!!
Gatormeat
August 31st, 2011
2:50 pm
An 0-2 start, losses to Tenn, Auburn, Miss St, and a humiliating beating in Jacksonville at the hands of the Mighty Gators, and the dogs are looking at 6-6 at best.
DawginLex
August 31st, 2011
2:55 pm
Tennessee 20
florida 17
Kentucky 31
florida 30
http://www.firemuschamp.com cranks up
Weis eats Gainesville
Muschamp screams at everyone
Mullet cuts 2 for $10 at Gainesville Mall
Jorts on sale too
Update complete
WDE
August 31st, 2011
3:00 pm
@Gatormeat what Bama leaves after your Oct 1st game with the Tide we will destroy…Gators are going 0 for October this year…
CHDawg
August 31st, 2011
3:01 pm
Gatorbrain: Publix on Archer is hiring bagboys. You can bag groceries for lots of “mighty gators” and get tipped well for talking smack to your student clientele. When you break wind here, well, you stink. Go find a home, son, you are lost again.
bigcalidawg
August 31st, 2011
3:03 pm
He said Motel-6………..
Ron Smith
August 31st, 2011
3:14 pm
I think 6-6 and no bowl game. Losses to Auburn, Florida, Boise St. Mississippi St, South Carolina and Tennessee. Just an opinion. Let me say again, I hope I’m wrong ’cause UGA is my second favorite team in the SEC
Athens Dawg
August 31st, 2011
3:30 pm
People throw out 6-6 predictions like it’s the norm for Georgia. So stupid and blind.
Charlie Hayes
August 31st, 2011
3:34 pm
UGA has really good years when they are doubted and ranked poorly. Keep doubting the Dawgs and they will show you a 10-2 season this year and win the SEC! …..Only two (2) losses and they will come to UT in Knoxville and UF in Jacksonville.
bugsquacher
August 31st, 2011
3:36 pm
tighten your chin straps…….let the games begin…..
go dawgs
DawginLex
August 31st, 2011
3:39 pm
Lots of similarities to 1997, 2002 and 2007
Previous year was not good
New QB the previous year
1996 5-6
1997 10-2
2001 8-4
2002 13-1
2006 9-4
2007 11-2
CHDawg
August 31st, 2011
3:41 pm
Athens, it really isn’t that amazing when you consider that half of them are the same guy! We have to beat BSU…look through all 30 of these pictures and ask yourself the following question: if your mom made you dress up in this outfit, would dare risk losing? The Dawgs have never worn a cross between a Spiderman outfit and a devil costume outside of when they were 9 and out trick or treating—there is now way they will risk the indelible memory that losing in them would cause! Am I right? (and for the record, if they like ‘em, I like ‘em)
http://www.georgiadogs.com/view.gal?id=99863
Nothing Could Be Finer
August 31st, 2011
3:41 pm
Sep 3 Boise St………………………..W
Sep 10 South Carolina……………….L
Sep 17 Coastal Carolina……………..W
Sep 24 @Mississippi…………………W
Oct 1 Mississippi St………………….L
Oct 8 @Tennessee…………………….L
Oct 15 @Vanderbilt……………………W
Oct 29 Florida…………………………..L
Nov 5 New Mexico St………………….W
Nov 12 Auburn……………………………L
Nov 19 Kentucky………………………..W
Nov 26 @Georgia Tech………………..W
Athens Dawg
August 31st, 2011
3:43 pm
Boise is getting all the hype and don’t think our players don’t see it. They can’t wait to prove their worth in about 3 more days. They are so pumped, so focused and ready. Our team is different. The way they approached this season is different. They’re ready. For their sake, I hope Boise is ready.
CHDawg
August 31st, 2011
3:43 pm
Oops, you dare risk losing, and there is no way.
LHarding Dawg
August 31st, 2011
3:44 pm
Last year, the team had a lot of unfortunate issues arise that no one could forsee. This year with new players and a newfound confidence, I think we’ll fare much better. While we still have issues, so do most other teams. A 10 win season should not be out of the question, perhaps more, if this team jells like I think they can. Who saw Auburn going undefeated last year?
And by the way, Bobo is a DGD!
Athens Dawg
August 31st, 2011
3:44 pm
Nothing finer, I never go on SC boards doing that. It’s so lame for a SC “fan” to be on here spouting off about UGA. 5 losses is the norm for SC. Not UGA. When is the last time SC had a 10 win season? I thought so.
LHarding Dawg
August 31st, 2011
3:46 pm
NCBF – Three home loses! You’re a mental case.
Nothing Could Be Finer
August 31st, 2011
3:53 pm
Ga losses and why:
1. SC – Lattimore and Jeffery, pick your poison.
2. Miss St. – Better coaching with rising talent.
3. Tenn – the annual “how did we lose that game?” game.
4. Florida – Better coaching and better talent.
5. Auburn – Better talent.
John K
August 31st, 2011
3:54 pm
I think its premature to start predicting wins or losses for UGA… the UGA players haven’t even started getting their 2011/2012 season felony arrests yet.
DawginLex
August 31st, 2011
3:56 pm
John K the TROLL
Keep on waiting.
Zero arrests in 2011
Auburn 2011 Fulmer Cup Champs
Now go slither back into your hole………….
Athens Dawg
August 31st, 2011
4:00 pm
Nothing could be finer, shut down Lattimore, we win.
Miss St won’t beat us because this time we’re in Athens looking for revenge.
Tennessee sucks and is too young
Florida is the only game that still worries me
Auburn will struggle mightly this season.
Athens Dawg
August 31st, 2011
4:01 pm
I coulda sworn SC is now the powerhouse of Miami, FSU, USC back in the early 2000s with their 9-5 season. My goodness. You can tell their program isn’t used to anything.
Nothing Could Be Finer
August 31st, 2011
4:01 pm
shut down Lattimore, we win.
————————————-
Easier typed than done.
LHarding Dawg
August 31st, 2011
4:03 pm
Georgia Wins:
1. SC – Back to normal
2. Miss St – Back to normal
3. Tenn- Better coaching and talent
4. Florida – Our turn
5. Auburn- Better coaching and talent
Idiot
Nothing Could Be Finer
August 31st, 2011
4:03 pm
Plus, Jeffery is due for a big game this year.
Last year against the dogs he had “only” 7 catches for 103 yards.
DawginLex
August 31st, 2011
4:03 pm
SC season
Garcia arrives drunk to season opener.
Spurrier proclaims he is a good person and fixes him coffee
Garcia throws 3 picks but SC manages to beat ECU 31-30
My order arrives to Garcia’s dorm on Wednesday night: 2 Hookers and a case of Bud Light. Garcia misses Thursday team meeting. Spurrier fixes more coffee. Also takes him to Clinic for shots. Increases 1st team reps for Shaw. Shaw starts UGA game and throws 4 picks, 2 returned for TD’s. Georgia 24 SC 14
Spurrier announces this will be his final season at SC
Season implodes
Losses to UT,Florida,Kentucky,Arkansas and Clemson in addition to UGA loss
6-6 season
School declines bowl invitation.
Hires Mike Leach so Garcia will have someone to drink with.
School doesn’t remember Garcia is a senior.
Athens Dawg
August 31st, 2011
4:06 pm
East Carolina 45, South Carolina 10
Nothing Could Be Finer
August 31st, 2011
4:07 pm
Georgia 27, Boise 10
Athens Dawg
August 31st, 2011
4:08 pm
We’re much better equipped to shut Lattimore down this season rather than last season. We have two behemoths at NG both weighing 340-350. We have faster linebackers, etc. We are experienced in the 3-4 now, we are playing in Athens and with a win against Boise will have all the confidence in the world to start 2-0. We can shut Lattimore down, will we? That remains to be seen. But I bet he won’t have the display he had against us last season. I will say that.
We cannot continue to perform like ....
August 31st, 2011
4:08 pm
UGA simply cannot continue to perform like we have vs Colorado or MSU or GT in 08 or vs Florida last year or UCF. No way can this lack of effort continue. We alumni are about 88% on the same page with this assessment and feeling.
UGA is in the corner. MR needs to turn this program around this year and come out and make two statements in a row vs SC and BS.
If he does not win 9, or preferably 10, with one win over Florida and compete to the very, bitter end for the East title, then we need a new coach.
IF UGA does make the Dome with say 9 losses, lose to LSU or Alabama, then we go to the Cap One Bowl, that is minimally where we need to be for him to be in good stead with a fine shot at winning 10 games. Period, End of story.
UGA man, class of 71 & 73
BMOC
August 31st, 2011
4:09 pm
-It would be embarrassing to lose to Boise St –I don’t care where they’re ranked.
-Losing to SCar (& Spurrier) two years in a row would hurt (but SCar may be the best team in the East). Somehow, Spurrier can make it to the SEC Chmpnshp game with ONE good RB & a half-assed QB.
-I hate the VOLS. I HATE the VOLS!!!
-I hate FLA, and it’s REALLY (past) time to turn the tables with this game.
-AU won last yr becasue they were more talented. GA should win this yr because they are WAY more talented.
-GaTech is… well… Ga Tech.
-Losing to the KY’s, Vandy’s is UNEXCEPTABLE. When has Spurrier EVER lost to KY or Vandy???
Nothing Could Be Finer
August 31st, 2011
4:10 pm
But I bet he won’t have the display he had against us last season.
————————————————
Yea, Spurriers gonna mix it up more this year because he knows that the god defense will be desperate to stop Latti.
Once those db’s start creeping up to stop the run, BOOM Alshon will be gone.
BMOC
August 31st, 2011
4:12 pm
We cannot continue to perform like ….
Never saw the day coming when I’d think like this…but you’re right.
Lattimore in 2011 vs UGA
August 31st, 2011
4:12 pm
SC will use Lattimore as long as they are successful in 2011. Vs UGA, if they must, they will throw the ball to keep UGA off of the line and loading it up to stop him. We will be busy that day.
Spurrier is a a master at gameing it. We better be ready for QB Kellen Moore and BS first, then get really ready for SC. We owe them.
DawgDawgDawg
August 31st, 2011
4:14 pm
“How satisfying would a 9-3 season be? Well, a win over either Boise State or South Carolina would look awfully good.”
This is a perfect example of how far the football program has fallen behind. I remember when a win over SC and BSU wouldn’t have even been a question.
Time for a change.
Nothing Could Be Finer
August 31st, 2011
4:14 pm
We will be busy that day.
———————————–
Yes they will.
I bet just the thought of Lattimore makes that defense tired.
Nothing Could Be Finer
August 31st, 2011
4:15 pm
I remember when a win over SC and BSU wouldn’t have even been a question.
——————————————–
Welcome to 2011.
BMOC
August 31st, 2011
4:16 pm
Nothing Could Be Finer
I really don’t think that will be the case this yr. With GA’s new LARGER & QUICKER line I don’t think they’ll need to bring everyone up to stop the run. This will be a defensive game –low scoring. SCar may win, but it’ll be because of their D, not their O. Then again, the games at GA.
Saban
August 31st, 2011
4:16 pm
Maybe 4 wins with Crowell in the hospital with a hang nail after the Boise State beatdown.
59bulldawg
August 31st, 2011
4:17 pm
“Mullet cuts 2 for $10 at Gainesville Mall
Jorts on sale too”
LMAO! Too funny!
BMOC
August 31st, 2011
4:19 pm
Saban
Still mad at Crowell I suppose…
Nothing Could Be Finer
August 31st, 2011
4:19 pm
This will be a defensive game –low scoring. SCar may win, but it’ll be because of their D, not their O.
——————————————-
You may be right, but a win is a win.
BMOC
August 31st, 2011
4:23 pm
Nothing Could Be Finer
A win is a win –I agree.
Quick reminder — SCar hasn’t won.