2012 SEC schedule works in Bulldogs’ favor
UGA fared pretty well in the revamped 2012 SEC football schedule released Wednesday morning.
It’s official that Georgia travels to Missouri Sept. 8 and the South Carolina game, traditionally the conference opener for the Dogs the past couple of decades, moves to Oct. 6, replacing the previously scheduled trip to Alabama.
The Dogs lose the open date ahead of Florida as the visit to Kentucky, originally scheduled for Oct. 13, moves to Oct. 20. But the Gators will have it even tougher, playing host to South Carolina the week before playing Georgia.
Here’s Georgia’s revised conference schedule: Sept. 8 at Missouri, Sept. 22 Vanderbilt in Athens, Sept. 29 Tennessee in Athens, Oct. 6 at South Carolina, Oct. 20 at Kentucky, Oct. 27 Florida in Jacksonville, Nov. 3 Ole Miss in Athens, Nov. 10 at Auburn. The nonconference home schedule looks to remain the same as before, facing Buffalo (Sept. 1), Florida Atlantic (Sept. 15), Georgia Southern (Nov. 17) and Georgia Tech (Nov. 24).
The bottom line is that the Dogs will again have a favorable conference schedule. South Carolina, on the other hand, must face LSU and Arkansas as its SEC West opponents. You can bet they’re not happy in Columbia.
As for the SEC opener against Missouri, that was widely anticipated so I tried to get a feel for Mizzou by watching a good bit of the Independence Bowl the other night. Unfortunately, North Carolina was such a dismal opponent that it was tough to tell just how good the Tigers were, though it’s obvious quarterback James Franklin, who passed for 132 yards and led Missouri in rushing with 142 yards, is dangerous.
Georgia looks to be the likely favorite again in the SEC East, barring too many losses of key players to the NFL draft. I wasn’t thrilled to hear this week that Branden Smith is one of the Dogs considering leaving early. No doubt the uncertainty about Smith is a factor in the Georgia coaches considering having star wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell possibly also play cornerback some next year, though it’s difficult to gauge just how serious they are about that. Let’s hope the continuing development of Nick Marshall at cornerback makes that unnecessary.
So, overall, I’d say the Dogs are sitting pretty for 2012. What do you think?
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232 comments Add your comment
ole yeller
December 28th, 2011
1:10 pm
beanster, Uga loses Tyson off the “D”. Several other “D” are looking at the NFL. The “O” loses Three (3) startes at “O” line. One of the “TE” is looking at the NFL and there others on the “O” that are looking. I’m just saying if some things happen in loss of personel we will still be strong. the replacements are very good. The reason they have not played “RED SHIRTS”.
Dawg 39
December 28th, 2011
1:15 pm
It Is still the SEC ;but, I do think the schedule favors the Dawgs In the SEC East.
UGA Insider
December 28th, 2011
1:20 pm
I am unfortunately hearing UGA is about to get decimated with early NFL entrees. At least 5. Nick Marshall is getting most of the practive time at corner which means Smith and Commings are gone, Cornelius is not getting many reps so that tells you he is gone. Charles and Rambo are 100% gone.
Looks like it’s another rebuilding year.
beanster
December 28th, 2011
1:20 pm
I was asking TigerinGA about his “down year’ comment. That said, I think UGA’s biggest concern in 2012 will be depth on the OL. Losing Jones and Glenn will be huge. I know good things have been said about David Andrews but losing Jones’ experience and leadership is going to hurt. I hope Theus turns out to be as good as advertised. Spare Chris Burnett, we don’t have many guys returning with much experience. Hopefully Coach Friend whips those guys into shape in the off season.
TigerinGA
December 28th, 2011
1:20 pm
@beanster – depends who bolts for the NFL – we have a lot of juniors on D and the O-Line. Obviously we lose both QBs and likely RB Spencer Ware (though Mettenberger is waiting and we have a stable of RBs). Also – if we win the BCS, Les won’t be able to keep them focused for a repeat – will lose to Bama for sure and likely at least one of Arkansas or USC or A&M. If we loe to Bama in the Championship – the TIgers will hungry.
Mike
December 28th, 2011
1:25 pm
I love how people act like UGA or any other team picks its schedule.
champ of the SEC Least
December 28th, 2011
1:25 pm
What a joke! Play Ole Miss and AUB, drop Bama. May as well join the Southern Conference.
another 42-10 blowout
December 28th, 2011
1:28 pm
Win the SEC Least by playing ez schedule, then another blowout by LSU or Bama. Funny.
Mike
December 28th, 2011
1:29 pm
I would not be surprised if we lose Rambo and Charles, but there is no way that Branden Smith is going anywhere. If you can’t even start at your position at UGA (I know he started at Nickel) what in the hell makes you think you are going to be successful in the NFL?
Mtn Dawg
December 28th, 2011
1:30 pm
I say we go:
Sept 4 – 1 (Missouri is the hiccup. James Franklin is for real, I think)
Oct 3 – 0
Nov 4 – 0
11 – 1 overall and SEC East Champs
Cuz
December 28th, 2011
1:30 pm
Looking at schedules now is different than looking at them in late August. Injuries, transfers and failure to make grades will come into play just as they do every year.
Mtn Dawg
December 28th, 2011
1:38 pm
@TigerinGA – Hey man – you’re on the wrong blog. Who cares what LSU does next year.
suwanee dawg
December 28th, 2011
1:42 pm
The NCAA should stop the early draft nonsense. A comitment should stand and work both ways.
Nom Nom Nom Chuck's Taylor, or Norris if he is avaliable
December 28th, 2011
1:45 pm
Wow, lots of GT dork haters on that first page. Schedule looks nice and I will take it. Playing hard non-conference schedules gets you NOTHING when you play in the SEC.
Just look at UF in 06 and 08; nobody had to many complaints about Charleston Southern. If these guys all jump to the NFL now, I say good luck to them. But none of them are going in the first 3 rounds, so why bother? You got a GREAT chance of not making the roster.
Mellow Jackets
December 28th, 2011
1:47 pm
dawg fans: other people have good football minds and overall college football interests beyond their own team, even if its a hated rival. So don’t always put down people for commenting on “YOUR” blog. Not everybody is what you call a “troll.”
Cuz
December 28th, 2011
1:53 pm
It is an open forum Mellow and I for one have no problem with rational discussions by other fans on my team. Irrational hatred posts get as old here as they do on the GT blog.
Red Stick
December 28th, 2011
2:05 pm
@TigerinGA-Ware can’t leave early for the NFL. He’s a true Soph and you must be out of HS 3 years to be eligible for the draft.
@MtnDawg-yes this is a Georgia blog but I would have to believe that many Dawg fans have an interest in LSU as the Tigers very well could face UGA in the SECCG in 2012.
Geaux Tigers
SEC Champions
CreekWolf
December 28th, 2011
2:05 pm
i agree with the yellow jackets on this one. TigerinGa your comments are welcome here. Its fine and also educational to hear civil discussion about LSU’s schedule, personnel, etc. as well as other Sec teams.
Red Stick
December 28th, 2011
2:07 pm
It’s exciting the have Missouri and Texas A&M in the SEC next season.
I would love to go to Columbia, Missouri and am looking forward to going to College Station next October.
Geaux Tigers
SEC Champions
CPADAWG
December 28th, 2011
2:12 pm
I like our chances but we got to make sure our offensive line is strong and we get our running backs strong.
Laughin at the rest of the SEC
December 28th, 2011
2:15 pm
All you Florida, Auburn, LSU, Alabama, Tennessee, and South Carolina fans can start cryin’ now cause the Dawgs will win it all next year!…Say what you want to say, but you’ve been in the same situation in the past when UGA was playing a brutal schedule. The show is on the other foot, and now you wanna cry about it.
Ray
December 28th, 2011
2:17 pm
If all these players are wanting to leave that’s fine they’ve played the time they were suppose to, and you know you never know how high someone might go ya’ll need to stop being negative and thank the players for the time they gave ya’ll.
Dawgfan
December 28th, 2011
2:22 pm
Great news on the schedule change! Now, if we can just get rid of that idiot Richt and keep recruiting Dream Teams each year, maybe we can get the SEC Championship again!
Mtn Dawg
December 28th, 2011
2:25 pm
Every team int he SEC has at least 4 home SEC games except UGA and Texas A&M. I guess we’re the HOME TEAM in J’ville next year which is a farce. Ark has a neutral field game against Texas A&M along with their 4 home games. The dawgs have a favorable schedule but playing in J’ville does not give the daws the ‘home field advantage’. FLA has 4 home games in addition to the J’ville game.
Just whinning I suppose.
WDE
December 28th, 2011
2:25 pm
@Dawgfan = bitter troll number 1 .
JSUDawg
December 28th, 2011
2:31 pm
Laughin at the rest….
The phrase is actually…”The SHOE is on the other foot”….C’mon man!!!!!!!
Mtn Dawg
December 28th, 2011
2:35 pm
@Red Stick
Still not interested. And it’s ‘Feaux Tigers’ from now on.
Destin Dawg
December 28th, 2011
2:37 pm
Richt is 2 for 3 vs. Saban… like to have Alabama on our schdule… the Fla.. game is always a road game for the Dawgs.. not a level playing field.. we’re 5 of 6 vs. Awlbarn.. not our fault Tenn. is down. Go Dawgs beat MSU..
Destin Dawg
December 28th, 2011
2:38 pm
schedule
kerryb
December 28th, 2011
2:40 pm
My guess is Branden Smith is just trying to see where he stands right now. Kind of like Murray. He wasn’t even a starter this year. He’s not leaving because he wouldn’t go until after the 4th round right now.
kerryb
December 28th, 2011
2:42 pm
Dawgfan
December 28th, 2011
2:22 pm
Great news on the schedule change! Now, if we can just get rid of that idiot Richt and keep recruiting Dream Teams each year, maybe we can get the SEC Championship again!
________________________________________________________________
Dawgfan?? I think not. Just an idiot troller. No REAL Dawg fan would post that.
Red Stick
December 28th, 2011
2:47 pm
@MtnDawg-your choice but I believe you were interested on December 3rd
Good luck in Tampa.
Geaux Tigers
SEC Champions
Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road?
December 28th, 2011
2:50 pm
To Avoid a beatdown by Alabama…..
Move On
December 28th, 2011
2:56 pm
Cupcakes should out sell hot dogs at Sanford next year!!!
JSUDawg
December 28th, 2011
2:56 pm
Why did the….
Epic Fail…don’t quit your day job!!!!
Bulldog Ben
December 28th, 2011
3:01 pm
WOW. Tech’s the toughest team we play at home next year. The only team with a winning record except for Southern.
JB
December 28th, 2011
3:04 pm
Hum….. How’s Tech’s recruiting going? Not listed in Rivals top 50 thus far…And Vandy, A pretty good academic school in it’s own right rated at 20. Who IS coming to TECH?
GT Theo
December 28th, 2011
3:09 pm
An Inconvenient Truth
US News Ranking
GT: 36
UGA: 62
Endowment Size
GT: $1.5 BILLION
UGA: $600 million
Avg. Starting Salary
GT: $59,000
UGA: $44,000
Football
GT: 4 National Titles (1990)
UGA: 2 National Titles (1980)
Basketball
GT: 2 Final Fours, Chris Bosh, Derrick Favors, Thaddeus Young, Jarrett Jack
UGA: 1 Final Four.
Baseball
GT: Mark Teixeira, Nomar Garciaparra, Kevin Brown, Matt Weiters
UGA: Gordon Beckham.
Golf
GT: Matt Kuchar, Stewart Cink, David Duval, Bryce Molder
UGA: Bubba Watson.
GT is a GLOBAL brand. UGA is a regional brand.
It appears obvious that UGA is the “flagship” in name only.
RedandBLackDAWG
December 28th, 2011
3:16 pm
I would have much more seen UGA play Alabama so we could get an accurate idea of where the DAWGS stand. Missouri is OK, but not even close to the team that Alabama is. The more a team plays top line teams, the better that team becomes in the long run. With this schedule, UGA could run the schedule, with a few breaks here or there and no mental let downs.
GO DAWGS and GATA
Jalen
December 28th, 2011
3:18 pm
WOW, we have an easy schedule for 2012. If we had a better run game we could probably even make a run at the BCS title game.
Of course though, as we all know Richt will bring in more 5′6″ 180 LB wannabe Warrick Dunn types he had at FSU, and we will resort to bunch of passing and finesse plays.
Georgia has GOT to get back to power run game that we had as a staple for 30, 40+ years.
GT79
December 28th, 2011
3:19 pm
Georgia needs to look at LSU – now there’s a real team. Not afraid to schedule out of conference games like Oregon and West Virginia. That is the road to a NC, not Buffalo and Fla Atlantic. Again, leg humpers are pathetic
WDE
December 28th, 2011
3:21 pm
@GT79 I think Boise was a pretty good out if conference game this year don’t you? And again did UGA make this schedule? No we did not !
Mtn Dawg
December 28th, 2011
3:23 pm
@Red Stick
Yes, I was interested on Dec 3rd. Today, not so much. I would love another rematch with LSU in the Dome (if you could get rid of the honey badger).
Good luck on the 9th.
kybodawg
December 28th, 2011
3:25 pm
right beebee and if it hadnt been for those last 4 tds. we scored u could of beat us. go figure
Bulldog Ben
December 28th, 2011
3:26 pm
Hey Bill, how many years has it been since we’ve gone into a season knowing the Yechies are going to be the toughest team we play at home all year ??? 40 ??? 50 ???
Concrete Pete
December 28th, 2011
3:29 pm
Matt Barkley is staying at USC. Luck stayed at Stanford last year, despite being guaranteed of being the #1 pick. Jarvis Jones is returning despite being a projected 1st rounder. So come on Rambo, Charles, Washington, Smith, Jenkins stay as you should and improve your draft stock while playing for a top 5 team. None of you will be 1st or 2nd rounders, which means you aren’t guaranteed real $ or a roster spot.
Concrete Pete
December 28th, 2011
3:34 pm
GT Theo, 9 of 10. Also, Ga Southern and Miller County HS each called, they want their offense back. You got your concealed carry permit for walks to class yet? Also, it’s crazy… I looked and COLORADO was National Champ in ‘90. I guess Tech and Alabama use the same service for claiming titles.
UGA Insider
December 28th, 2011
3:51 pm
Never seen the haters out like this before.
WDE
December 28th, 2011
3:59 pm
@UGA Insider fear and envy drive them out of the holes they hide in.
george
December 28th, 2011
4:22 pm
Sounds like boise’s schedule. 2nd year in a row 5 sec west teams could win 10 games with the pups pathetic schedule.