Fan talk: Dawgs have a chance to prove they’re for real
The battle of the quarterbacks will pit Georgia's Aaron Murray ... (Associated Press)
Two very similar, evenly matched teams are meeting Monday in the Outback Bowl’s pairing of conference runners-up, which is why Georgia’s favored by a slim 3.5 points.
Both teams are strong defensively, with Georgia ranked third in the nation and Michigan State ranked fifth. Both teams have capable passing games but also have been productive on the ground. The Spartans have the more experienced QB in senior Kirk Cousins, but Georgia’s Aaron Murray looks to be more mobile. MSU has ace receiver B.J. Cunningham while Georgia has Orson Charles and Malcolm Mitchell. Georgia would seem to have a slight edge in the ground game if Isaiah Crowell holds up, and the Dogs tend to play better a) on the road and b) in bowl games.
Still, it’ll likely come down to which defense forces a turnover or two. I think Jarvis Jones and company will make the difference and get Georgia’s 2012 off to a great start.
And that’s exactly what’s on the mind of one reader in our holiday week Junkyard Mail …
... against Michigan State's Kirk Cousins. (Associated Press)
Garrett Kee writes: Hey Bill, hope your Christmas was great and your New Year’s will be fantastic, hopefully watching a lot of football! I wanted to see what you thought on this. I think this could be one of the Dawgs’ most important games of the year in regards to a couple of things. Obviously, a win in any bowl gives you an edge for the upcoming year and gives your team a boost. From what I’ve read, a win over #13 Michigan State would put us in the pre-season Top 10. The most important thing I believe is to show that the Dawgs did steadily improve throughout the whole year. Let’s face it, the three best teams we played this year, Boise, Carolina and LSU, we all lost, so it has fueled naysayers that Georgia really didn’t get any better, they just got better because their “cupcake” schedule allowed them to. I feel like if we could come out with a win — doesn’t have to be a statement win — it would help reassure the whole Bulldog Nation that Georgia will be ready to make a run in 2012. Go Dawgs!
If Georgia doesn’t get hit too badly with underclassmen leaving early for the NFL, I have a feeling the Bulldogs may enter the 2012 season as a Top 10 team even without a win in the Outback Bowl, thanks to a combination of returning talent and a favorable schedule. But you’re certainly correct that notching the season’s 11th victory against a Top 20 team would improve Georgia’s image and make up for the 0-2 start in terms of the national media — as well as bolstering support in the Bulldog Nation.
Harrison Gaines writes: Bill, like all Georgia fans I’m pleased with how the revised 2012 schedule worked out, but I’m wondering where the conference goes from here. I keep reading conflicting things about the likelihood of a nine-game conference schedule in the future. On the one hand, I’d much rather see Georgia play Alabama than Buffalo. But adding another conference game probably would make it tougher for the SEC champion to make it to the BCS title game and would mean fewer home games some years. What do you think?
With nonconference schedules already set for several years and the buyouts from them rather expensive, I don’t think adding another conference game is likely to happen for a while, if ever. I know that sticking with the current eight-game model would mean long gaps between meetings with teams from the other division. And I have heard the argument that eventually going to a nine-game conference schedule would help TV ratings (and likely boost SEC licensing fees) with every team eliminating one cupcake and playing another SEC team. But as UGA athletic director Greg McGarity has pointed out, for schools like Georgia and South Carolina and Florida that have an in-state BCS nonconference rival they play every year, the nine-game model would really be limiting. And, frankly, as long as Georgia and Auburn play every year, I’m fine with only seeing the Hogs or the Maroon Bulldogs a couple of times per decade.
Trey Jarrard writes: I know that currently Dawg fans everywhere are concerned with the bowl game, recruiting, scheduling, and who we will lose to the NFL draft, but one question cries out for an answer every single year and we never get it. During Mark Richt’s tenure at UGA, the offensive line is plagued with injuries year in and year out. We get some of the best recruits in the country, and it’s not that these guys don’t live up to their potential, but rather they get injured in practice before they ever really get a chance to play to their potential. At what point should the coaching staff step back and start asking some serious questions? Are we doing the right drills? Strength and conditioning? Every year it seems like our O-line is supposed to loaded, but before the first game we’re decimated and relegated to playing backups for the rest of year. Now this year, Ben Jones and crew stepped up, but it was the same exact story as every other year before the season started. It’s one thing if these guys get hurt in a game like Dallas Lee, but it’s a whole different issue when they’re never making it on the field. I was just wondering if I’m the only one that’s noticed this yearly preseason evaporation of our offensive line?
The offensive line situation during Richt’s tenure hasn’t always been quite as dire as you paint it, but you’re not the first fan I’ve heard ask that question. In general the OL is an area that tends to see a lot of physical wear and tear. I think perhaps the tremendous size of Georgia’s offensive linemen in recent years has been a factor — particularly in the case of Trinton Sturdivant, whose knees didn’t appear capable of supporting his playing size — and in general UGA’s conditioning wasn’t what it should have been before this season. I’m encouraged, however, that Georgia was able to make it through this season with overall improved OL play despite a severe lack of depth. Looks like new OL coach Will Friend was a great hire.
PAC Man writes: It amuses me that whenever UGA has a modicum of football success, its delusional fan base starts crowing about “them Dawgs” getting back where they belong. Come off it! Outside your little corner of the country Georgia is not viewed as a major football program and never has been! You’re not at the same level as a traditional power like USC! You’re not even up there with Texas, Notre Dame, Penn State, Michigan or Oklahoma! Get real and accept that you’re a midlevel program that rides on the coattails of LSU and Alabama!
I hate to burst your West Coast bubble, PAC, but it’s not just UGA fans who consider Georgia a major program. Just this week, Forbes magazine ranked the Top 10 “most valuable” college football teams in America (based on revenue generated) and Georgia placed seventh, behind Texas, Notre Dame, Penn State, LSU, Michigan and Alabama. Rounding out the Top 10 and trailing the Dogs were Arkansas, Auburn and Oklahoma. Your mighty Trojans didn’t make the list.
Got something on your mind concerning UGA athletics or a question for the Junkyard Blawg? Send it to junkyardblawg@gmail.com.
Find me on Facebook.
Follow me on Twitter.
— Bill King, Junkyard Blawg
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
280 comments Add your comment
Dawg48
December 30th, 2011
6:53 pm
Enter your comments hereThe SEC will give the ACC another beating in…….3……2……1
SSIgator
December 30th, 2011
6:58 pm
We have had a rash of police car thefts here in Glynn County recently. Turned out the perps were UGA fans and they said they stole them because when they saw the 911 painted on the sides, they thought they were made by Porsche and would have great value on the black market.
ARdawg
December 30th, 2011
7:19 pm
That’s mighty weak there SSI. Don’t you have some lame kool-aid remark by now?
Chris M
December 30th, 2011
7:58 pm
hahaha WAY TO BURST PAC MAN’S BUBBLE!!!!!! i agree that will friend was a great hire if we can keep these great assistants we have like grantham friend, bobo (great qb coach i thought he did a pretty good job this year calling plays) and garner and the linebacker coach we hired this year etc. we will continue to be a top program and hopefully we will get tech fan pac man out of his state of denial
Uga_85
December 30th, 2011
8:10 pm
I love all the trolls talking about Georgia not being nationally respected, etc. etc. like Bama or who ever. Let me say this, since 1975, when I started watching Georgia football, there are only 12 teams with a better record. Alabama and Florida are numbers 10 and 11 and have nearly identical .70xxx winning percentages. Georgia is much better than most want to admit. since 1992 when the SEC expanded, Alabama has the 6th best record.
SE GA Fan
December 30th, 2011
10:47 pm
My daughter (UGA grad) and I attended the last UGA/Michigan State match-up at the Capital One Bowl and experienced probably the best showing of Stafford and Mareno. UGA won in a 2nd half comeback. The entire bowl experience was fun, and we found the MSU fans to be a really nice group of people!! The fans that are traveling to Tampa will find the same, I’m sure, but I still hope my Dawgs win more easily this time around! GO DAWGS!!
SE GA Fan
December 30th, 2011
10:49 pm
I live on SSI and think your comment is stupid and uncalled for on this post. Go to Florida Times Union to discuss your UF football or lack thereof.
FLA DAWG
December 30th, 2011
10:49 pm
Similar teams!?
MSU beat Michigan State – my Dawgs beat nobody of worth.
MSU wins this one by 7 courtesy of McGarity, Richt & UhohBobo.
FLA DAWG
Class of ‘79
FLA DAWG
December 30th, 2011
10:53 pm
SE GA Fan,
I recall that game as though it was yesterday.
A great game that was hyped as an MSU Big Time Game with their big stud.
The Dawgs won it going away. A proud day for UGA!
Don’t expect the same experience this time around my friend.
SE GA Fan
December 30th, 2011
10:53 pm
My 3rd post was directed to SSIgator….obviously, there have been no car thefts here in Glynn County, but someone should pick him up for not thinking rationally.
FLA DAWG
December 30th, 2011
10:56 pm
My DAWGS are the biggest laugh in the pan, joke of The SEC team around………..why?, because we’ve lost to every decent team we’ve played and beaten high school patsy teams.
If the LSU game didn’t wake you up DAWG NATION then the MSU game will about Richt and Bobo.
SE GA Fan
December 30th, 2011
10:57 pm
Only time will tell…don’t get too worked up about it, FLA Dawg. By the way, I actually want UF to win their bowl game.
SE GA Fan
December 30th, 2011
11:00 pm
It is only a game….life is more than that, hopefully.
Posts that make you laugh....
December 30th, 2011
11:08 pm
REALDAWG
December 30th, 2011
12:36 pm
Any fan of Alabama or LSU fans that come on this site and talks trash must have just started watching football in the last five years as Georgia has crushed both those teams in the past.
—–
All time head to head records
Alabama-UGA 36-24-3
LSU-UGA 15-12-1
Posts that make you laugh....
December 30th, 2011
11:17 pm
LawDawg
December 30th, 2011
1:32 pm
PAC lover should realize that no one has any respect for west coast pansy football. USC had a few years of relevance (mostly due to cheating and a soft, soft conference in which they were the only team that played a lick of defense).
—-
USC claims 11 MNC’s – including 7 AP or UPI (2 of them in the last 8 years) – has 6 Heisman trophy winners (7 if you include Reggie Bush), has 4 alums as current starting QBs in the NFL, the reigning defensive players of the year in both NFL conferences (Clay Matthews and Troy Polamalu), more alumni currently in the NFL than any other school……
Yep – they are a pansy school that has never done anything in football
Posts that make you laugh....
December 30th, 2011
11:27 pm
trupert
December 30th, 2011
2:32 pm
Pacman, Ever wonder why USC ”NEVER” plays a SEC team in a bowl game?
It would totally destroy the over inflated image of fan’s like you that don’t realise that USC has been making it’s living feasting on lesser competition just like Boise ST.
—-
Southern Cal’s results against SEC teams since 2000
9/2/2006 @ Arkansas (10-4) W 50 14 – Arkansas won the SEC West withn a 7-1 record
9/17/2005 vs. Arkansas (4-7) W 70 17
8/30/2003 @ Auburn (8-5) W 23 0 – This is the same Auburn team that claims they were robbed of a chance at the MNC in 2004
9/2/2002 vs. Auburn (9-4) W 24 17
george
December 31st, 2011
12:24 am
pac man could not be more spot on. Bill, Who cares if UGA is top ten in revenue? Nice try to spin it. Fact is UGA has done next to nothing over the last 3 decades ON the football field.
george
December 31st, 2011
12:26 am
posts that make you laugh-
“8/30/2003 @ Auburn (8-5) W 23 0 – This is the same Auburn team that claims they were robbed of a chance at the MNC in 2004″ Well this def made me laugh. But let me guess you are one of those people who thinks ths mighty dawgs got screwed worse not getting in with 2 losses than auburn did with none.
Posts that make you laugh....
December 31st, 2011
12:30 am
@George
You aren’t very bright are you – read my previous posts concerning UGA
UGA FRIEND
December 31st, 2011
6:04 am
I like to read the Bill King blogs and responses. Most of the post from UGA fans are amusing and funny. I do not mean this in a deragatory way. I like to see UGA win myself. However, I do get amused when I read some of the more aggressive and hostile comments that some of the fans make.
UGA fan...not fanatic
December 31st, 2011
7:23 am
UGA FRIEND…spot on, it’d why I read these blogs also…
UGA fan...not fanatic
December 31st, 2011
7:24 am
it’s
Merry Marr
December 31st, 2011
7:56 am
MSU 42, Athens Special Admits 10
Wet Willie...keep on smiling
December 31st, 2011
8:12 am
Realpuppy……
Ranked No. 19 entering the game, Oklahoma will become only the third preseason No. 1 ranked team in the last 27 years that will finish the season ranked outside the top 10 in the final AP poll. The others, according to collegepollarchive.com were Georgia, which finished No. 13 in 2008, and Penn State, finishing No. 16 in 1997.
LOL…UGA…the best college football program in America..from March until August
Mr. Dawg
December 31st, 2011
8:45 am
Regarding Pac Man’s comments, USC’s BCS Championship in 2005 being vacated,means they haven’t won an undisputed National Championship since 1972 – 40 years! LOL. Since the AP pulled out of the BCS voting for whatecer reason, their poll doesn’t really count as it is not recognized by College Football and the NCAA as the official title. In other words, Southern Cal has not even had a split since 1978. Southern Cal was a strong program for a solid 25 years between the earl 60’s and late 80s. They were resurrected in the 2000’s under Pete Carroll because he cheated. Cheating doesn’t count. It disqualifies you the same way a holding penatly can wipe out a touchdown. So Pac Man, check back in when USC whens a BCS that counts. By the way, if Georgia is of no national significance what in the he…heck are you doing in our blog.? I couldn’t tell you where USC even has a blog.
Shut up! Alabama lost to the best team it played...LSU
December 31st, 2011
9:02 am
All this talk about UGA losing to the best teams they played. UA lost to the best team it played….LSU.
Brown Dog
December 31st, 2011
9:49 am
We both lost at home to LSU. We lost by 3 in OT. UGA lost by …. well my calculator is here somewhere.
Rob
December 31st, 2011
10:13 am
PAC = Perry Laurentino
RedandBLackDAWG
December 31st, 2011
10:31 am
Bill,
According to what I read, UGA is the over all nbr. 3 defense in the country, while MSU is the fifth best scoring defense. Over all they are nbr. 9.
this dawg want hunt!!
December 31st, 2011
10:57 am
These Bama fans that constantly come on a blog about UGA is so funny. Newsflash for you idiots. UGA has beaten the mighty Tide 3 of the last 4 games they have played. Richt has beaten Bama both times he played them on Bama’s home field. Richt has a winning record against the God of college football Saban. Richt’s team also put up the most points ever, and beat his team by the largest margin ever in Athens in 2004, which was Saban’s last year at LSU. So maybe you clowns should go on a Tenn. blog where u can actually brag about your wonderful program and head coach. Let’s see you can’t even go on an Auburn or LSU blog and brag either, because both of those programs have beaten you like a drum lately. You guys shouldn’t even be in a championship game, you didn’t win your division or your conference title. You didn’t even get to play for the SECC, yet ESPN and the talking heads wanted you to play for the National Title. How does a team that can’t even play for it’s conference title be allowed to play for a National Title? I remember ESPN and all Bama fans saying UGA didnt deserve to play for national title in 2007, you guys are so pathetic, and you think your mighty program deserves special treatment. If it weren’t for ESPN, you would be playing in the Capital One bowl, which is where you belong. Beating 3 ranked teams when you played them doesn’t qualify Bama to play for it all.
Bazooka Joe
December 31st, 2011
11:20 am
My 2 cents (FWIW)…. regarding how UGA fits in nationally. No we are not in the elite/top bracket. The way I look at it when viewing a programs history (not just recent years) I think the very top are USC (real USC), Bama, ND, maybe Michigan, then you have OSU, Texas, Oklahoma. Then teams like UGA, Nebraska, Penn St., LSU (maybe LSU could go to the bottom of the “second tier” with OSU, etc…). If you look at the history of UGA vs. Penn St they are very similar, same # of national titles, similar bowl records, # wins, etc… I havent looked at Nebraska vs UGA but I think it would be similar.
Of course Army used to be really good……
Cuz
December 31st, 2011
11:21 am
Whenever I travel to Minnesota, most people recognize my G is a Georgia G not a Green Bay G. They always comment on our team and even know some of the players. Not bad for Big Ten plus 2 country.
Georgia is known outside the SEC.
Amsterdam Sam
December 31st, 2011
11:28 am
The Dawgs should come into this game with fire in their eyes. If Richt want to fuel their desire to win – ask him to have them google “2012 bowl predictions. All have the game very close, however all but one of the many I read had GA losing. The reasons given are numerous including GA’s soft SEC schedule. They do not realize a “soft” SEC team doesn’t exist when compaired to most teams of other conferences. Also, West Coast, Northern and Midwestrern teams automatically recieve favorable projections and predictions over areas having a drawl. But those with the drawl have dominated the prognosticators “pet programs” for some time and will continue to do so in the near future in the worse case scenario.
01HAWK
December 31st, 2011
11:49 am
“When you look at us, we were out-coached, we were outplayed and we were (beaten physically),” Dantonio said. “It’s just the way it is, and sometimes there’s an avalanche that comes upon you.”
Alabama held Michigan State to 171 yards of total offense, including a minus-48 yards rushing. It was the worst rushing performance by a Michigan State game in 21 bowl appearances, and included 56 net yards lost by quarterback Kirk Cousins, who was sacked four times.
Lets see what you K-NINES do against a WEAK TEAM from the North.
BAMA did not think they were that tough…………………………….BAMA 49…………………….MICH ST 7
Bogey
December 31st, 2011
11:58 am
Sure was good to see BAMA STAN post yesterday. I miss his reasoned analysis and history lessons.
Dawg48
December 31st, 2011
12:21 pm
Any SEC fans pulling for T A&M. Right now?
01HAWK
December 31st, 2011
12:21 pm
- Michigan State came into the game ranked 39th in the nation in rushing. It was held to -48 rushing yards. The Spartan offensive line got killed by the Bama defensive front.
BAMA pulled the main starters with ten minutes to play in the third Quarter. Let that sink in for a moment,
The Crimson Tide only won 49-7. I say only, because it could have been much, much worse.
- Hello? Michigan State? Do you have an offensive line? The Spartans apparently decided that blocking was optional – and chose to decline that option. Spartan quarterback Kirk Cousins hung in as long as he could, but let’s be honest, he did not stand a chance.
Posts that make you laugh....
December 31st, 2011
12:26 pm
Mr. Dawg
December 31st, 2011
8:45 am
Regarding Pac Man’s comments, USC’s BCS Championship in 2005 being vacated,means they haven’t won an undisputed National Championship since 1972 – 40 years! LOL. Since the AP pulled out of the BCS voting for whatecer reason, their poll doesn’t really count as it is not recognized by College Football and the NCAA as the official title
—
The AP poll WAS NOT part of the BCS when USC won the MNC.
There is no “NCAA official title”.
Posts that make you laugh....
December 31st, 2011
12:38 pm
“If you look at the history of UGA vs. Penn St they are very similar, same # of national titles, similar bowl records, # wins, etc… I havent looked at Nebraska vs UGA but I think it would be similar.”
PSU All time record 837-363-43. Bowl record 27-14-2 MNC’s 4 (2 since 1981)
Nebraska All time 863-351-41 Bowl record 24-23-0 MNC’s 5 (3 since 1981)
UGA All time 758-402-54 Bowl record 26-17-3 MNC’s 2 (0 since 1981)
UGA is a top program – in the 10 – 15 range – but they are behind the elite ones.
monty
December 31st, 2011
12:48 pm
We lost to the #1 team, and 2 top 10 teams. I don’t think we lose to Boise and SC if we had played them late,rather than early, that’s just me, sort of gave away the SC game and had the Tigers on the ropes early if we hang onto a couple of passes and if BoBo doesn’t get all conservative and try running little Thomas the train up the gut, but I digress. No real shame in our losses. Beat by some really good teams.
Troll alert!
December 31st, 2011
12:59 pm
Posts that make you laugh….= 4.29= Thomas brown= buLLdawg = stupid!
DawginSewer
December 31st, 2011
1:01 pm
Man it is going to get ugly against Michigan State. Richt is going to a pink out. He will be wearing pink shoes and Crowell will have a gorgeous pink hair do.
Posts that make you laugh...
December 31st, 2011
1:13 pm
Troll alert!
December 31st, 2011
12:59 pm
Posts that make you laugh….= 4.29= Thomas brown= buLLdawg = stupid
—-
Please don’t lump me in with that Moron Dawg.
And I would be interested to know what I have posted that is not factual.
ugab
December 31st, 2011
1:22 pm
Uga needs to beat Michigan State!!! It will end the season on a good note for the fans, coaches, players and recruits. The question is as always; Will MR have the players ready for the Outback Bowl? Will the players be tired at half time? EX WV game a few years ago. Sickening!!!
Brick Head O Reilly
December 31st, 2011
1:32 pm
Mich State ain’t “choppedliver”…………………….Dawgs will be in a fight for their lives monday
pooh p
December 31st, 2011
1:38 pm
I think we should all boycott the game. I’ve seen the georgia football coach prancing around doing his ford commercal, supporting the corporations that ow us all the money. If you would pay as muck attenton to Bu$h and Regan and there fatcat oil buddys as you do to the rich people steak bowl maybe we could get that money obama promised us.
kerryb
December 31st, 2011
1:44 pm
And pooh p wins the award for the moronic post of the day.
kerryb
December 31st, 2011
1:46 pm
Pooh P crawl your delusional liberal a** back under a rock somewhere.
pooh p
December 31st, 2011
1:50 pm
People have told me that for years and I don’t care cuz I’m still boycotting the game. enjoy watching those guys and there tight pants rolling around on the grass…jerks
kerryb
December 31st, 2011
1:53 pm
pooh p, don’t watch. No one care. Do some yoga, smoke some weed. That’s what guys like you do.