Florida game bigger for Dogs’ SEC hopes than it is for Richt’s job status
Can Mark Richt survive a loss to Florida this year? (Associated Press)
In a season of “must-win” games, Georgia will make the trip to Jacksonville facing twin imperatives:
First, with South Carolina holding the tie-breaker over the Dogs in the SEC East, a loss to Florida might not finish off UGA’s chances of making it to the championship game in the Georgia Dome (the Gamecocks, after all, are missing Marcus Lattimore), but the odds surely would get a lot longer. Without a win over the Gators, Georgia would need South Carolina to lose at least twice more in the conference while the Dogs won over Auburn and Kentucky.
And secondly, if Mark Richt, who’s won only twice against Florida in his 10 previous seasons at Georgia, can’t get a victory against a first-year coach of a team that’s lost three in a row and is on thin ice when it comes to its quarterbacking corps, the heat under his seat is going to suddenly ramp back up to pretty near the level it was when the Dogs opened 0-2.
But is this really a must-win game for Richt to keep his job? I don’t think so. Sure, it’ll get awfully ugly in the Bulldog Nation if he loses again to the Gators, but if the Dogs then win out and finish 9-3, with a decent bowl likely in the offing, I doubt very much Greg McGarity and Michael Adams would be thinking coaching change at the end of the season.
Conversely, if Georgia collapses down the stretch and loses two or more games but somehow gets a win over hated rival Florida, it’s possible Richt still would survive to face another season of hot-seat speculation.
So, yes, Georgia-Florida is a very important game for both the Georgia team and its head coach.
But I don’t see it as a must win.
Agree or disagree? Feel free to share your views in the comments. Go Dogs!
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199 comments Add your comment
McDawg
October 25th, 2011
11:33 am
the players need to win, CMR needs to win, UGA needs to win simple as that
McDawg
October 25th, 2011
11:33 am
and USC needs to lose
McDawg
October 25th, 2011
11:35 am
i would be for the shotgun draw if the QB would actuall tuck and run every once in awhile
duronimo
October 25th, 2011
11:35 am
Bill, you don’t need a whole column for this one. Just flip a coin. It’s “big” for both. Georgia fields the same quality athletes as do an Alabama or LSU but not quite the coaching. It’s that simple.
The question to ask is “How big is winning” to those who make the decisions?
GSO Dawg
October 25th, 2011
11:36 am
Make no mistake that this is a MUST WIN. It’s our biggest SEC East Rival, and it’s a game we MUST WIN every year to accomplish our team goals. There is no other thought process here.
Scott
October 25th, 2011
11:38 am
I do not agree. Is there any other school that would allow their coach to lose 9 of 11 to their main rival? NO WAY – Plus, if he can’t beat them this year, what hope do we have? He has had a losing record against 3 coaches at UF. I honestly consider your opinion typical of Georgia fans that have given up. I think many feel that if the weather is nice, and the view is pretty in Athens, then they are satisfied.
NC Dawg
October 25th, 2011
11:40 am
@ David: Well said.
ICMIII
October 25th, 2011
11:42 am
Richt retires at the end of this season. So the “must-win” is moot as far as his job security. It would be nice to win the game, but the prospect of being embarrassed by LSU/Bama is not very appealing. It would be the Boise State game to the tenth power.
MarineDog
October 25th, 2011
11:43 am
Thanks JDawg1785! We cannot afford to not have him in the line-up this weekend.
ugab
October 25th, 2011
11:45 am
Fl game is a must win. How many times have fans watched MR and company get their a’’s beat in Jacksonville. MRs job is the least thing I am worried about for the Fl game. I am worried that I have to spend my money again in Jax to see MR get wooped. It sux. Does everyone realize MR and team went swimming last Thursday, instead of preparing for Florida. Does everyone know that MR and team was off this weekend. WTF. If the team needs to rest, make the team watch Fl film. I predict; Fl comes out with something to prove in this game. AL, LSU, and even AU are 3 very good teams. Fl lost to some great oponents. Fl is going to go for trick plays. Fl is going for fake punts. Ga’s weakness is special teams. How many missed field goals so far this year>? Ga is not coached well enough to expect trick plays. MR is to busy taking time off to prepare for Fl.
TRUTH
October 25th, 2011
11:47 am
You are probably right Bill. Although IF I was the AD & he loses AGAIN to Fla, ……… (put your best guess here as to what happens)……..
cliff from waleska
October 25th, 2011
11:51 am
@ duronimo…
great post…all dawg fans should ask themselves that very question…not sure where the majority of the fan base is on this question, thus the turmoil…my question to the CMR believers is this…by not granting him a contract extension, you say it will harm recruiting…just what have they done with the 5* classes in the past that would justify an extension? LSU and Bama recruit the same kids with drastically different results. Both schools rolled Florida; we’ll struggle. I know Brantley played little in both games, but it wouldn’t have mattered. And if he had played, Florida would have lost. I don’t buy the dream team bull; fact is we do not coach these kids up in Athens. Count me as wanting a change at the end of the season. Period.
timbo
October 25th, 2011
11:52 am
Lets say that UGA somehow gets all the breaks to go their way and they end up in the SEC championship game. Are you dawg fans really up for a blow out against either LSU or Alabama? They don’t even deserve to be on the field with either of those 2 teams. Here’s hoping they make it to Atlanta, and then get beat by 40+ points on national television.
JDawg1785
October 25th, 2011
11:52 am
Agreed, MarineDog! I’m keeping an eye on the internet for sure. Thanks for your service to this great country!
Columbus Dawg
October 25th, 2011
11:52 am
I think Richt will retire at year’s end as well, I just hope that the posts earlier in the year about Chris Peterson are true. Kirby Smart would be as big a mistake as Ray Goff was.
Who Would Replace Him?
October 25th, 2011
11:52 am
http://KeepMarkRicht.com
Dave
October 25th, 2011
11:55 am
To expect to beat Florida every year is lame brained. You remember that they just won two national championships, right? Right now, they are just swinging back the other way and we SHOULD beat them. But Florida is probably still ahead of the game when it comes to expectations year in and year out. We aren’t there just yet. And by the way, the talent and team that YGA fields this year isn’t even in the same zip code as the talent and team at LSU and Bama. We are some years…but not this year.
Kim
October 25th, 2011
11:56 am
I will ROFL if GA doesn’t beat FL (my team) this year. Did you SEE the Auburn-FL game? Looked like the special olympics out there. Plus, I would PAY to see GA play LSU this year, welcome to our world boys.
STUDAWG
October 25th, 2011
12:01 pm
For the love of God, when you dont win, you LOSE and its spelled “L-O-S-E”, not “L-O-O-S-E”!
But it doesnt matter how you spell it because the DAWGS will “W-I-N”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOO DAWGS!!!!!!!
SIC EM!!!!!!!!!!!
HOOO HOOOO HOOO!!!!!
Murphy
October 25th, 2011
12:03 pm
In my opinion it is a must win for Richt.This is not for the sole purpose of keeping his job but is more for the purpose of winning back the Dawg fan base. I want to see the coaching staff prove it is capable of coaching week in and week out in the SEC.I have lost a ton of confidence in this staff and I want Richt to stay if he is capable of leading our program back to being respectable and consistantly winning.It all starts this Saturday in Jax or it could be just yet one more Dawgs fan let down.
mike
October 25th, 2011
12:03 pm
And now we bring you this week’s “must-win” game. And next week we will bring you it’s “must-win” game.
I guess these days every game is a “must-win” and every win is a “big” win and every loss is a “devastating” loss. Gag!!
Murphy
October 25th, 2011
12:06 pm
@ timbo-post 11;52
Why not UGA? Who from the East really stands a chance to beat Bama of LSU ? None that I see.
timbo
October 25th, 2011
12:06 pm
UGA couldn’t stop Kellen Moore and a couple receivers. Imagine what would happen if they actually play someone good like LSU or Alabama. They will get humiliated, and the whole dawg nation will shat themselves. Hard to blame the refs when you lose by 40.
Moobs Johnson
October 25th, 2011
12:15 pm
I hope if I can only go 2-9 against my main rival, the Nerd fanbase will stick their heads in the sand and foolishly support me. Sad state of the program when the majority of it’s fanbase accepts that kind of futility against their most hated rival.
kydawg
October 25th, 2011
12:16 pm
Gators on a 3 game slide…Dawgs on a 5 game win streak. I think they will be more hungry for the “W” when all is said and done. A lot on the line for the Dawgs but CMR doesn’t have the best track record for matching intensity in games like this. I’m afraid the Gators get us again…but I hope like heck I’m wrong…GO DAWGS…GATA!!!
YoungDawg
October 25th, 2011
12:19 pm
Word I’m hearing is that many Hartman Club members & in the Administration are not happy after the Vandy post game mess. They’re tired of such things happening under CMR. He for sure can’t afford a loss to Florida & Tech this season! Auburn in a close game, maybe if that’s the only other loss. To be 100% safe Richt REALLY needs to “Finish the Drill” by winning out to complete “running the table” thus going 10-2! Hard to fire a guy that won or tied for the East & only lost to top 10 teams, well unless more ugly off field or discipline issue rear there head.
Mad Dog One
October 25th, 2011
12:19 pm
Bill, I was looking at fla. record and the teams they have won over are as follows.
FAU – 41-3
UAB – 39-0
TENN. – 33-23
UK – 48-10
This dosen’t look like world beaters to me. We should have a good chance to win with or without Brantley. I know I’m tired of being beat by the lizzards but I am tired of being beat by anyone. If UGA can play their game and not go brain dead we should win this game. As always GO DOGS & GATA
Desert Fox
October 25th, 2011
12:23 pm
GA’s losses this year were ugly and their wins have not been pretty. If you want to get the dawg fans back on track w/CMR he must win convincingly this w/e and win out regardless of how SC finishes. I seriously doubt CMR and his entire staff will ever get this or any other future team to play to their potential as does Saban at AL or The hatter at LSU. His star will continue to fade w/Bobo as his OC.
beebee
October 25th, 2011
12:29 pm
Lose to GT?
HAR! HAR! HAR! HAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!
And y’all know I’m a Jacket fan!
But wait a minute: If my Jackets can cease this secret, silent in-fighting and play TOGETHER again ..SHOW SOME WILL… we might have a chance against the Dogs.
bee
Throw me a bone
October 25th, 2011
12:33 pm
THIS IS A MUST WIN GAME!
Lose and you can still win a respectable 9-3 however, it will point to a deeper problem of not winning a big game since auburn in ‘07…..THAT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE! you have to be able to contend in yrs when your schedule isnt cupcake loaded!
Old Dog
October 25th, 2011
12:34 pm
I don’t think McGarity and Adams would fire Richt even if he lost every game left in the season!
edumacated
October 25th, 2011
12:38 pm
What has me worried is our QB. He takes too long to get warmed up on his throws. That might be too late against Florida. We can’t afford to play from behind. You know, and I mean you know, that they are going to get some easy scores early from some dumb UGA screw ups on offense or special teams, so it is important that the Dawgs put points up early too, so they can put the game in the defense’s capable hands.
JUST BEAT FLORIDA RICHT
October 25th, 2011
12:38 pm
THUMP FLORIDA
JAWJeRDAWG
October 25th, 2011
12:41 pm
@ sogadog
11:18 am
Well stated; and I agree.
We are at that cross-road, and the decision to either fire Mark Richt, let him resign, or extend him a long-term contract is at hand.
In my opinion, either is a requisite decision that must be made SOON for both our short-term and long-term recruitment.
Personally, I hope we can win out and he can show all that he is capable of being the UGA head coach, and worthy of being retained.
Go Dawgs! and beat the Gators this Saturday!
JAWJeRDAWG
October 25th, 2011
12:42 pm
@ sogadog
11:18 am
Well stated; and I agree.
We are at that cross-road, and the decision to either fire Mark Richt, let him resign, or extend him a long-term contract is at hand.
In my opinion, either is a requisite decision that must be made SOON for both our short-term and long-term recruitment.
Personally, I hope we can win out and he can show all that he is capable of being the UGA head coach, and worthy of being retained.
Go Dawgs! and beat the Gators!
Nick
October 25th, 2011
12:43 pm
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ………………………………
59bulldawg
October 25th, 2011
12:45 pm
This is a huge game for the Dawgs’ SEC east aspirations. As for Richt, well it’s hard for me to say. It probably should be big for his future in Athens, but so should Auburn, Kentucky, and Tech. I don’t pretend to know what McGarity and Kaiser Adams are thinking. It’s hard to say also because so many of my Dawg brothers are content with mediocrity and the fact that they can’t think of anyone better who might be available. All I know is that we ought to beat Florida this year and that we have the talent in Athens to be putting folks away instead of letting them hang around.
Mr. Dawg
October 25th, 2011
12:47 pm
Not a must win for the Bulldogs right now. But it could be by the end of the season. The pressure is on and if Coach Richt is ever going to get an advantage – for that matter even pull even – with UF the time is now.
Dean Tate
October 25th, 2011
12:50 pm
If he can’t beat Fla. with their worst team in a decade and a rookie coach, there’s not much hope. I think Richt has to beat Fla. Saturday to keep his job.
Had It
October 25th, 2011
12:50 pm
If CMR can’t beat UF this year, then when??????????
JUST BEAT FLORIDA RICHT
October 25th, 2011
12:52 pm
HE LOSE TO FLORIDA,AND HE WILL LOSE HIS JOB AT THE END OF THE SEASON,AND YOU CAN MARK IT DOWN!
dap01
October 25th, 2011
12:55 pm
What coach teaches his QB to hand off like UGA’s qb’s have to had off needs to be fired. UGA has no clue how to successfully run the ball.
Bobo is ok but he CAN NOT effective coordinate an offense at the SEC level.
Spike
October 25th, 2011
12:55 pm
The Florida game not a must win? Bill, I have to part ways you here. Are you kidding?
Frosty Dawg
October 25th, 2011
12:59 pm
Depends on what you mean by “must win.” I want UGA to win the SEC this year and every year. For that to remain likely, they MUST WIN this game. Re: Mark Richt’s job security, I agree it’s not a “must win” for the reasons you give, Bill. Don’t matter. Dawgs win by at least 6.
UGAgrad71
October 25th, 2011
12:59 pm
If UGA is indeed 6′4″ 329 pounds across the O-line (may be a little less if Gates is not a starter) we should be running power I formations and knocking people down. It may be time to consider smaller O-lineman who are quicker pulling and getting to the edge. We have a current tailback with the speed to get there. Just my thoughts. GO DOGS!
Mark Richt
October 25th, 2011
12:59 pm
This is a must win game.. my ass is hot!! I’m tired of it.. Let’s go Dawg nation.. can’t you give a guy a break??
fred
October 25th, 2011
1:02 pm
this is simply a must win…period!
dbc
October 25th, 2011
1:04 pm
My feeling is if UGA loses to Florida, they will also lose one more. Maybe Auburn or Tech. Then I think McGarity would have a very hard decision to make. This fan-base has been split for way too long, With the talent and resources available, UGA Football should be much better than it has been. I’m not sure CMR has anything left in his bag of tricks to get this team over the hump. And every year it seems like the DAWG”s falter someplace where they shouldn’t, even with improvement in some other facet of the game. This year the achilles’ heal is Special Teams.
hello
October 25th, 2011
1:10 pm
if they cant beat em this year—then when???——–Its not going to get any easier—Richt is a softy and everybody on his team know it—————–that is the main problem. You don’t see Saban going through all this drama do you??—Hence the discipline of the coaching staff. Which we all know is terrible and the play calling is insane. And they were talking about that little running back like he was a monster or something——are you kidding?? That Richardson guy could flatten him with no problem———–what is going on other there in Athens???? Georgia should be beating Florida every year like a drum. This is not acceptable. Somebody in Athens needs to grow a pair.
Texas Dawg
October 25th, 2011
1:11 pm
Florida has it’s worst offense in 23 years!
If we loose to this Fla team CMR and Bobo MUST be fired!
No more excuses!
This is a big game for us and if Murry can’t get it done…..he does have an issue in big games…then we need to try Mason.
Get it done Dawgs!