Deciding who’s the ‘real’ Bulldogs in the SEC
Russ will play host to the "other" Bulldogs Saturday. (University of Georgia)
My friend Harvey Parson and I have this (relatively) good-natured thing going where we joke about which of our teams is the “real” Bulldogs.
Of course, outside of the state of Mississippi, there’s no real bone of contention there, so to speak, but whenever UGA plays Mississippi State you hear the yipping of Maroon Bulldog fans (along with lots of bad doggy wordplay).
Speaking of which, I miss the old big red fireplug that the Georgia cheerleaders used to pull out on the field for Uga, don’t you?
Anyway, with interim Georgia mascot Russ playing host to pretender Bully this week, I asked Harvey whether he’s optimistic about Saturday’s game Between the Hedges, and he said he’s “feeling pretty good about the ‘real’ dawgs.”
OK, that could be read two ways, but Harvey made clear that he thinks MSU, which won 24-12 last year in Starkville in one of UGA’s worst games, can do it again.
His take: “I think our D-line and corners give us the edge on defense. And I like the changes [Dan] Mullen is making on our O-line; should restart our offense. Moving our center back to his natural position and taking our big ole left tackle and moving him to the right guard position should create some push for us. My biggest concern is our safeties and linebackers against your passing game.”
"Bully" will find out who's top dawg in Athens. (MSU)
Care to make a prediction, Harvey?
“Sure. MSU 27, UGA 17.”
The oddsmakers in Vegas don’t quite see it that way, installing Georgia as a 7-point favorite, at least in part because MSU had to go to overtime last week to take care of lightweight Louisiana Tech.
Last year, Georgia moved the ball pretty well against MSU between the 20-yard lines and had 100 yards more offense, but made key mistakes (a Washaun Ealey fumble on the goal line), drew a shower of penalty flags and in the second half got just plain whipped on both lines of scrimmage. The Georgia defense just couldn’t seem to get off the field as MSU continually ran it up the gut.
This year, Georgia looks much stouter against the run up the middle, but Mark Richt has openly expressed concern about what Mullen’s spread option attack could do with sweeps and reverses on the outside, where the Red and Black Bulldogs have been vulnerable.
MSU’s offense is led by big QB Chris Relf, who on his better days looks almost like a Tim Tebow wannabe, and tailback Vick Ballard, who’s averaging 7 yards a clip. But the Maroon Dogs have struggled on third-down conversions lately (while Georgia’s defense, conversely, has been much better this season at stopping opponents on third down). Last week against Louisiana Tech, Relf was 2-for-9 passing with one conversion on third-down attempts.
But while running is the main thrust of the MSU attack, Georgia’s secondary needs to keep speedy receiving threat Chad Bumphis in check, even though State also has been struggling lately in the passing game. I was encouraged by the way the UGA defenders were breaking up passes against Ole Miss last week.
Bumphis also is a threat as a punt returner, though, which concerns me considering Georgia’s recent struggles on special teams.
But MSU has had to reshuffle its injury-depleted offensive line and the front seven of its defense hasn’t been all that impressive to date, while Georgia’s Isaiah Crowell is coming into his own.
Bottom line: I think Georgia is still smarting from last year’s loss in Starkville and will be out to prove something against the other Bulldogs. As long as they don’t get flag-happy like last year or give up points on special teams, I think the “real” Bulldogs win by at least a touchdown.
And, oh yeah, Harvey, that means the Dawgs in red. Woof!
Got a question for the Junkyard Blawg? Send it to junkyardblawg@gmail.com.
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198 comments Add your comment
Seriously
September 30th, 2011
7:54 pm
Oh please, Crowell isn’t even the best back in the SEC!
Seriously
September 30th, 2011
7:55 pm
He might be the 3rd or 4th best back in the SEC.
Eaassyy
September 30th, 2011
8:00 pm
four games in and Tek fans think they are world beaters. can’t beat uga and can’t win a bowl game. so your offensive racked up some major yards against crappy teams. yawn. call me in November losers. Try winning a bowl game too then maybe you’ll get some respect around here.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 30th, 2011
8:00 pm
Seriously
What success has GT had
I havent seen it
If you mean losing to sorry UGA teams
successful Im confused
Eaassyy
September 30th, 2011
8:00 pm
he’s a true freshman moron. and he’s legit.
Eaassyy
September 30th, 2011
8:01 pm
marcus lattimore, trent richardson, crowell? he’s in pretty good company. next point?
Hairy Perry
September 30th, 2011
8:01 pm
SSIgator……………………………………………way to much time on your hands dude.
Eaassyy
September 30th, 2011
8:05 pm
uga is not a good team. i don’t think anybody will deny it. but for tek fans to be talking smack to us after a full decade of complete domination is downright ignorant.
Hairy Perry
September 30th, 2011
8:06 pm
Crowell is going to be a monster when he beafs up!
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 30th, 2011
8:07 pm
Eaassy
A full 2 decades
5-20
Hairy Perry
September 30th, 2011
8:09 pm
Eaassyy,
It’s been alot longer than a decade. Try 30 years!
WestOfAthens
September 30th, 2011
8:24 pm
Enter your comments here
WestOfAthens
September 30th, 2011
8:25 pm
It’s Great To Be A…….Georgia Bulldog
The season is young, for all teams
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 30th, 2011
8:30 pm
I thought Tech was supposed to have smart people attending their school
I guess thats untrue
This week GT Bob comes on here and says Tech will play for the national title
Tonight Seriously comes on here and says UGA should use their offense due to their success
Looks to me the students and Tech grads must be some of the dumbest idiots Ive seen
Pago Pago DAWG
September 30th, 2011
8:59 pm
Have you noticed that the BYU players tonite don’t do the slap dance/hip hop dance after every play…..but tomorrow ?????
Ghost of Johnny Griffith
September 30th, 2011
9:23 pm
Well, it’s an Engineering School so what do you expect? Perfection? Dawgs will do it!
Kramer
September 30th, 2011
9:53 pm
I can’t believe Gator fans are on here talking trash with the beatdown they have coming tomorrow night.
SatillaDawg
September 30th, 2011
10:06 pm
Go Dawgs!
Beat Mississippi State!
DAWGFAN IN MT.P S.C.!
September 30th, 2011
10:06 pm
GET A LIFE! U PEOPLE HAVE WAY TO MUCH TIME ON YOUR HANDS TO BE ARGUING ON CHAT LINES OVER THINGS U CAN NOT CONTROL! ARMCHAIR QB’S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DAWGFAN IN MT.P S.C.!
September 30th, 2011
10:07 pm
I FORGOT! GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SatillaDawg
September 30th, 2011
10:08 pm
Did y’all see that ridiculous SEC Network error during last week’s UGA/Ole Miss game?
They were honoring great SEC football players, and they ran a graphic, with photos, of Herschel Walker that claimed Herschel “was the University of Georgia’s first and only Heisman Trophy winner.”
Oh really?
What about Frank Sinkwich, UGA running back, Heisman Trophy Winner, 1942.
The two guys announcing the game didn’t even challege the error.
And they call themselves the SEC Network!
Pitiful.
Go Dawgs! (The ONLY Bulldogs that matter)
SatillaDawg
September 30th, 2011
10:14 pm
Contrary to what was reported on last week’s regional television broadcast of the UGA vs Ole Miss game, Herschel Walker WAS NOT “the University of Georgia’s first and only Heisman Trophy winner.”
Frank Sinkwich, UGA senior running back, won the Heisman Trophy in 1942.
The two guys announcing the game didn’t even challenge the error!
Go Dawgs!
mark PRicht
September 30th, 2011
10:17 pm
and what was wrong with that?
SOUTHGADAWG88
September 30th, 2011
10:25 pm
I don’t think any old records matter in ANY sport until intergration.It simply wasn’t the best athletes competing.It was the best of who was allowed to play…they should all come with a disclaimer.
Still@theBAR
September 30th, 2011
11:27 pm
RUSS is a multi-colored mutt that HIDEs in the mutthouse. UGA has no shot at the SEC CG unless the other teams fold and the Mutts can back in the game and get KILLED by LSU or BAMA.
Still@theBAR
September 30th, 2011
11:31 pm
SouthGaDawg88
The NEW records should come with a Disclaimer too. If the players can Graduate or READ the NFL contract then They were not really College players. KING and EALEY’S records don’t count then too.
alpha male
September 30th, 2011
11:45 pm
LSU has 3 backs as good as Crowell…Ware, Ford, and Blue are the real deal…Crowell is typical Columbus _____. fill in the blank…i say garbage is the missing word…
alpha male
September 30th, 2011
11:47 pm
ps: florida upsets bama…and bully is a much better looking dawg than those genetic freaks you are getting in savannah…
Inspector G
October 1st, 2011
12:45 am
Well well well…fake bulldogs. I wonder what Alan Keyes has to say about that?
http://www.hailtothee.com
FRANK
October 1st, 2011
12:59 am
Will Christian Robinson play vs Miss State?
Thomas Brown
October 1st, 2011
12:59 am
ga gator September 30th, 2011 5:06 pm
“Thomas Brown, I would say that Christian LeMay is an outstanding dual threat QB.”
I was told by every single Mark Richt fan that Aaron Murray (1) is a dual-threat QB and (2) that he is the Best QB in The entire SEC. Mark Richt is saving Christian LeMay for the next coach, which had better be a proven head coach because Mark Richt doesn’t know how to (1) evaluate talent nor (2) hire and fire anyone.
Thomas Brown
October 1st, 2011
1:13 am
ga gator September 30th, 2011 5:09 pm
“ARdawg, the loss last year to a Gator team that started 3 true Freshman on defense should have been more embarrassing than this year. Last year’s UF offense was the worst since the year before Spurrier arrived in Gainesville and to give up 33 points should have gotten Grantham fired.”
That is not what happened, at all. Aaron Murray Fumbled two times, threw 3 Interceptions, was Sacked two times, Settled for a Field Goal in the Red Zone, stole 9 rushes for 14 yards total, Flung 37 passes – and single-handedly GAVE the game to Florida. Amazing. Now, it’s the fault of Todd Grantham and Defense. Utterly amazing. That loss is on Aaron Murray. Don’t get me started.
Thomas Brown
October 1st, 2011
1:45 am
icedawg September 30th, 2011 7:07 pm
“We’ve got more talent. 24-14 DAWGS in a dogfight. I still think that the season pans out 8-4, losses to BS, SC, UT and UF. The Wreck ain’t lookin’ so bad either, that could be the killer.”
How many games have we had the better talent in the Mark Richt era and LOST ? The number is 16 games vs teams who would not have finished in the Top 25 if they did not beat us anyway. 10 of the 16 games we had the better talent, even after they beat Mark Richt, they still did not finish in the Top 25. vols and Florida are both as down as they ever have been. FU has no QB, a coach with no experience and has no way to finish in the Top 25. Georgia tek, too, has no hope of ending in the Top 25 and has not won a Major Bowl Game since 1955. By the way, we had better talent than SC too. SC has a bunch of losses coming, but when we settled for 5 field goals with our tweeting QB 2 Fumbles, Interception, 5 of 12 on 3rd Down Conversions, 2 Sacks, and 7 rushes for 9 yards, we – Aaron Murray – handed the football game to a team whose QB was FAR SUPERIOR to Aaron Murray in that game, too. Quit telling folks how we have so much more TALENT.
dawg I
October 1st, 2011
4:39 am
Mark this down—-GA will beat miss state like a rented mule. Richt’s got this train rolling to the SEC East title! Crowell runs wild, Dawgs win easy: Ga 39 miss st 20!
GT football notebook:
October 1st, 2011
5:45 am
Who has the ‘real’ number one scoring offense in the nation?
Georgia Tech
Burma Shave
October 1st, 2011
7:36 am
Will The “Real” Bulldog
Please Stand Up?
Oops! Hip Dysplasia
In That All-White Pup
Burma Shave©
GeorgiaFootball101
October 1st, 2011
8:16 am
Great Article Bill! Go Dawgs!(:
Still@theBAR
October 1st, 2011
9:14 am
Bully looks healthy.
Russ looks fat and slow.
Moron dawg fan
October 1st, 2011
10:08 am
Our dawg’ alot purdier!
Flo-Ri-Duh
October 1st, 2011
10:14 am
This will be a game won by turnovers and physical conditioning in the 4th quarter. Walsh will be the key – if he misses ONE field goal UGA will lose. If he makes them UGA will win. This will be a close one. Good luck Dawgs.
Rotten in Denmark
October 1st, 2011
10:17 am
dawg I
October 1st, 2011
4:39 am
Mark this down—-GA will beat miss state like a rented mule. Richt’s got this train rolling to the SEC East title! Crowell runs wild, Dawgs win easy: Ga 39 miss st 20!
dawg I — posts from coaches wives don’t get much credence here
Burma Shave
October 1st, 2011
10:23 am
Burma Shave at 7:36 am is an imposter.
News Flash
October 1st, 2011
10:25 am
FLASH FLASH FLASH!!!
Richt to coach in Miami. Details are coming in.
Burma Shave
October 1st, 2011
11:38 am
Burma Shave is a big-time fan of the original Burma Shave.
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
Still@theBAR
October 1st, 2011
12:26 pm
Bill why are you not doing a live from the game blog?
Bradley is such a TOOL who wants to read his trash.
David Granger
October 1st, 2011
12:56 pm
I think the SEC’s two “same name” games should be Trophy games…with the trophy being the exclusive right to use the name until next season. The winner of the MSU – UGA game either becomes or remains “Bulldogs”, while the loser must be something like “Sissy Dogs”. Same with LSU – Auburn. Winner is “Tigers” for the next year, loser is “Whipped Kitty” (or something similar). Special Caveat: If Auburn loses and tries to slide by using “Hilltoppers” or “War Eagles”, then they start next season’s game down 7-0 and have to kick off both halves.
Still@theBAR
October 1st, 2011
1:01 pm
David you are a Moron………….and you can keep that name FOREVER………….
Myanmar Shave
October 2nd, 2011
10:46 am
Bully Is The Superior Bulldog
Russ Is Seriously Lame
But Fortunately For Georgia
The Bulldogs Don’t Play The Game
Myanmar Shave©