Same old problems plague Dogs in loss to Spartans
Brandon Boykin had a career day against Michigan State — but it wasn't enough. (Associated Press)
Mark Richt’s Bulldogs didn’t have to find any new ways to lose in the Outback Bowl — instead, they simply let lots of familiar problems resurface in suffering another second-half collapse and dropping a three-overtime battle with Michigan State.
Again, the Dogs wasted a superlative first-half defensive effort by giving the opponent a couple of cheap touchdowns thanks to turnovers by an erratic Aaron Murray, whose two interceptions put the Spartans back in the ball game.
Again, Georgia’s almost complete lack of a running game made the Dog’ offense one-dimensional. And was anyone at all surprised when Isaiah Crowell, reduced to a backup role, limped off the field after a handful of runs?
Again, placekicker Blair Walsh, once one of the nation’s premier specialists, proved himself more a liability than a weapon and ended up costing Georgia the game by missing two kicks in OT.
And again, playcaller Mike Bobo seemed incapable of adjusting to the realities of what was happening on the field and stubbornly stuck with what wasn’t working.
With the middle of the Spartan’s defensive line as solid as a brick wall, Bobo continually called for runs up the middle — often with delays that turned into tackles for loss since State was getting into the Georgia backfield so quickly. Early on, Georgia was able to have some running success on the outside, but once MSU adjusted to stop that, the Dogs basically were no threat on the ground.
To top it all off, with the Spartans continually blitzing from the corner, Bobo insisted on calling slow-developing downfield passing plays, an all too familiar scenario made even worse by Murray’s poor decision-making when pressured and Georgia’s tight ends being a nonfactor in the game.
Overall, Georgia relied too much on its big-play capability and never was able to really sustain anything offensively against the talented Spartans defense.
Typical of the day was what happened with a little over 3 and a half minutes left in regulation. Needing a first down or two to kill the clock and ice a victory, the Dogs went ultra-conservative and ultra-predictable — two hallmarks of Bobo’s career as a playcaller — by trying again in vain to run Richard Samuel up the middle.
It surprised no one, and the fact that it didn’t work didn’t surprise anyone, either.
And then the banged-up Georgia defense, which had played well most of the day, looked gassed on the Spartans’ last drive of regulation, getting no pressure on MSU QB Kirk Cousins, who cooly passed his team down the field to send it into overtime.
Just think how ugly things might have gotten had Brandon Boykin not played the game of his life in his farewell performance as a Georgia Bulldog, nailing a Spartan receiver for a safety, scoring on a thrilling 92-yard punt return that saw him reversing direction and weaving his way all over the field, and then moving over to offense to catch a touchdown pass for his third different score of the day.
He’ll be missed big-time.
So two disappointing losses bookended a Georgia season that started out 0-2.
Sure, the 10 wins between those four losses and an SEC East title is a big improvement over last season.
But, looking ahead, even though Georgia returns a lot of talent and will have another favorable schedule next year, if the problems that continually reared their head this season aren’t addressed, it’s going to be tough for Richt’s program to take the next step forward.
Got something on your mind concerning UGA athletics or a question for the Junkyard Blawg? Send it to junkyardblawg@gmail.com.
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1,469 comments Add your comment
Reality
January 2nd, 2012
8:24 pm
Played 4 real teams and lost all four. Does the dog nation really think they can compete for a national championship? They are still a second tier SEC program.
UGA from columbus ga
January 2nd, 2012
8:24 pm
Its very embarressing
George
January 2nd, 2012
8:24 pm
@Spartan man. … I am shocked Georgia let you get back in the game. The SEC is still far superior to the Big 10. I was at the game against MSU last year and they were the softest team we played all year . UGA let the SEC down . They don’t know how to win a game against a ranked opponent. Consider yourself very lucky.
stendek
January 2nd, 2012
8:26 pm
To the SEC teams that did win in bowl games sorry – Georgia Bulldogs. We know we are an embarrassment to entire league and South. What can we do? Mountain West Conference turned down our application for admittance. Something about absence of heart. Oh well.
wreckmaniac
January 2nd, 2012
8:26 pm
This game was lost when the run up the middle was called on 3rd and 8 during the last possession during regulation. Up to that point, Murray had a great passing game going on. Why not stick with it ?
Don’t blame Murray.
UGA from columbus ga
January 2nd, 2012
8:26 pm
Your right reality ….The dawgs have the players and that can’t be debated but the coaching staff has always held us back some getting to greatness.
Now, 3-12 Against Ranked Teams
January 2nd, 2012
8:27 pm
I’ve lived in Atlanta 20 years and “adopted” UGA as my college team……I think it’s time I “adopt” a serious program with a serious administration willing to hire a serious head coach and staff with serious intentions to win a NC
what
January 2nd, 2012
8:27 pm
come on uga fans…10 straight wins and a great half against LSU and yall are saying richt has everything on schedule and national championship next year…you lose one game and you are back to richt is a nice guy but a terrible coach and yall are tired of it. make your minds up!
monty
January 2nd, 2012
8:27 pm
Biggest O-line in the world and we can’t get a 4th and 1 or run grind out a 1st down or open up any decent holes. Next year looks to be worse.
georgiadawgg
January 2nd, 2012
8:28 pm
REVEREND RICHT IS NOT GOING ANY WHERE. HE SUCKS ALONG WITH BONZO BOBO. THEY GAVE THIS GAME AWAY. SORRIEST FOOT BALL I HAVE EVER SEEN THEM PLAY. THEY JUST QUIT IN THE SECOND HALF.
wreckmaniac
January 2nd, 2012
8:28 pm
stendeck: UGA should still consider admission to the Big East. They could get the spot that West Virginia got this year in the Orange Bowl.
Now, 3-12 Against Ranked Teams
January 2nd, 2012
8:29 pm
Hey…maybe we should let Mizzou take our spot in the SEC and we take their spot in the Big 12…..cuz that’s where we belong so long as Richt’s our man
Dawg89
January 2nd, 2012
8:29 pm
Yes indeed, another coaching effort worthy of a contract extension and a hefty raise. I bet they are even stupid enough to give Bobo a raise.
Dogs Smell
January 2nd, 2012
8:29 pm
When do the all Mighty dogs beat onyone?
Still@theKool-aidBAR
January 2nd, 2012
8:31 pm
I guess the people on the MSU blogs were right!!!!!!
The DAWGS were nothing to fear and the money was not worth it of go to TAMPA.
Really You guys know I am a Jacket and I hate how the game ended but I have to partly ove it because of the UGa fans on our game blog HATING on Tech.
Dawg 48 is not one hating on TECH.
Dawg89
January 2nd, 2012
8:31 pm
Bet Grantham goes back to the NFL.
bamaguy
January 2nd, 2012
8:31 pm
Bill: Nice to read and honest and realistic assessment of the situation unlike that journalistic “snow job” that Bradley published. It was fun to watch, but if I was a UGA fan I would have had a heart attach before the end of the second OT.
warped
January 2nd, 2012
8:31 pm
Kill them all. Kill Bobo, Kill Richt, Kill Walsh. better yet, let Bill King, most knowing person in the USA take over play calling. He would of course solve every problem. Finally let all the coaches rot in the streets of Athens. even the defensive coaches they suck too. Bill King is my hero he knows all.
stendek
January 2nd, 2012
8:32 pm
What good are wins against cupcakes Bill? Ask Ohio State! They only scheduled one or two quality opponents every season. Result was high poll ranking but predictable bowl results. Dawgs played 10 patsies with 10 wins. Four halfway decent teams with four defeats. Is that progress? Not in my estimation! Fire the saint now or suffer through much more of same!
Dogs Smell
January 2nd, 2012
8:32 pm
WhAT– list those 10 TEAMS uga beat in a row? then look at those uga lost to? Really uga is a great team?
jack bull
January 2nd, 2012
8:32 pm
You have to ask yourself, “why does M Bobo call those plays?”, answer…”he doesn’t trust his QB”, nor do I.. period! no ands, ifs or buts about it….
Dawg Days
January 2nd, 2012
8:33 pm
BOBO HAS GOT TO GOGO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dogs Smell
January 2nd, 2012
8:33 pm
uga is not a top 40 team, nor will they be in 2012
bilbo799
January 2nd, 2012
8:34 pm
Is BOBO stubborn or just plain stupid?
" HOT " seat
January 2nd, 2012
8:34 pm
Enter your comments here
Jim Donnan luvs Mark Richt
January 2nd, 2012
8:34 pm
The worst part of this reality is that all you whiners have to get up tomorrow and repair the underpinning on your double-wides to keep the pipes from freezing. Bwa ha ha ha ha ha “”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”!
Who Me?
January 2nd, 2012
8:34 pm
Mike Bobo is done. He needs to be cut loose tomorrow so that he has time to find another job around the country and we can get a new OC in here before signing deadline to meet and greet the new recruits. Gotta tell you, between execution (or lack thereof) and play-calling, this is the worst run offense in the country.
CMR has to make the move now to signal strength in the program. He can not continue the second-guessing that everyone and their brother is doing. If so, he needs to step down now and we all know that’s not going to happen with a 10-win season.
The other side of the coin is, if we don’t get some pass rush, we’re not winning against any Top 5 teams in the coming year, mark my words. you can’t rush the same 4 guys the whole game and expect to put any pressure on the QB.
The 2 INT’s just killed us…too bad it came down to Walsh’s kicking. Shouldn’t have gone to the first OT.
wreckmaniac
January 2nd, 2012
8:35 pm
If the SEC West merged with the remainder of the Big 12 South ( Texas, Baylor, etc) we would then have what is truly the finest conference in the land. Its all about the money right ? SEC East is holding down the money potential for several schools. The SEC is the best money conference today but it is not the best money conference possible. The presidents of all schools know that their job is to get into the best money conference possible. Why the presidents of AL, LSU, AR and the rest of the SEC West don’t do their jobs is hard to understand. Don’t hand me the “tradition” line. That went out the window 4 years ago.
SC Dog fan
January 2nd, 2012
8:36 pm
Same sort of second half snooze we’ve seen several times this season. Bizarre. We got away with it against Ole Miss and Vanderbilt, but I remember several folks on this blog pointing out that it would cost us against a good opponent. Maybe it was Bill who made that point. But if you take away the second-half snoozes, the special teams disasters, and a few pick-sixes from Murray, you’ve got a pretty serious contender in this team.
Kyle
January 2nd, 2012
8:36 pm
AJC, can we dump this junkyard blog? How in the name of god, did Bill get this gig?
geezerdude
January 2nd, 2012
8:37 pm
Has to seem like old times to Richt. Wasn’t he offensive coach at FSU when their kicker blew a game against–who–Miami? But those repeated and futile runs up the middle– isn’t the go-to definition of insanity repeatedly trying the same thing and expecting different results?
UGA from columbus ga
January 2nd, 2012
8:37 pm
Now, 3-12 Against Ranked Teams ,
I don’t know about all that because I will always love the Dawgs, but as a fan base we need to come together and make up our minds on coach richt. Because we have had the fan base split for too long. We have got to come together and demand greatness. We have the resources to be a monster program. We are a sleeping giant but the giant will only awaken when we have the right people in place in Athens. Remember Florida didn’t have a program until the 1990’s because a giant was finally awaken. Georgia would be the same way and even the people that hate Georgia admit this!!!
Who Me?
January 2nd, 2012
8:37 pm
Good job calling a spade a spade Bill King. Well written honest assessment. Too bad the AD or Athletic Department won’t peruse this.
Tzu Sung
January 2nd, 2012
8:37 pm
you got it right!
George
January 2nd, 2012
8:38 pm
If you really want to achieve greatness , don’t give up 36 points in a game . You are all blaming the offense but the defense gave up all those points in the 2nd half and OT . Great teams get better. That was simply a giveaway game. I am sick for you dawg fans . Just awful .
SEC Fan
January 2nd, 2012
8:38 pm
The University of Mediocrity will award Mark Richt with a contract extension. At any other power SEC school, he would be gone
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
January 2nd, 2012
8:39 pm
Am I right
The only big 10 team that has won a bowl game is Michigan St
And we have people on here saying Michigan St is a good team
LOL
No
The UGA coaching saw top 25 team next to Michigan St name on the score board and ran back into the locker room and hid
Still@theKool-aidBAR
January 2nd, 2012
8:39 pm
DAWGS now be a LITTLE NICE to the TECH fans. Last we were both 6-7 and lost to teams we shouldn’t have and now this year we lost again to teams we shouldn’t have in OT after having a LEAD.
Still@theKool-aidBAR
January 2nd, 2012
8:41 pm
FLAT Tire CHEERS to you i have a JACK and 3 ice cubes on the table for you. We jaw but you are fun to blog with.
bart
January 2nd, 2012
8:42 pm
Fire the whole damned coacing staff!
stendek
January 2nd, 2012
8:43 pm
This team would be an embarrassment to the Ivy League! SEC teams finish the drill. Puppies pout out! Damn ashamed.
Same old problems plague Dogs in loss to Spartans – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) | Dog World Today
January 2nd, 2012
8:43 pm
[...] News Sources wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerpt [...]
The Tide is Rolling and Nothing can Stop it
January 2nd, 2012
8:43 pm
Dear SEC scheduling,
Please schedule the Dawgs a few quality SEC opponents. Boise State and Michigan State loses to the EAST Champions…This is getting embarassing
lostdog
January 2nd, 2012
8:44 pm
Just think, after the Auburn game, alot of you Georgia fans were actually trying to figure out how you could play for the national championship!!! That’s really FUNNY. Please, Please. Wait until the season ends next year before proclaiming your greatness……
SC Dog fan
January 2nd, 2012
8:44 pm
Forgot to add: and plug in Keith Marshall next year!
Fair and Balanced
January 2nd, 2012
8:44 pm
Someone remind me of the definition of an idiot.
JE
January 2nd, 2012
8:45 pm
If it is that easy for a good team to adjust in the second half to beat UGA what have the coaches been doing in all those meetings and planning for games this year. Ahead in all the losses but other teams adjusted to come back and win….What goes there? We need some offensive philosophy or coach changes.
Dawgs
January 2nd, 2012
8:45 pm
To be honest, I wish we would not have converted on 4th down in jax. We could be searching for a new coach. Cmr, the game has past you by, thanks for 10 good yrs. I don’t think he is back, we’ll see.
Even one loss after USC this guy was toast. Almost lost to Kentucky, Florida, vandy…..I mean we got lucky, we weren’t that good. The defense is good. But they can’t play all 4 arts. They get a little tired.
The Tide is Rolling and Nothing can Stop it
January 2nd, 2012
8:46 pm
Seriously, Dawgs. You are not allowed to chant SEC, SEC after a victory all next year. You have embarrassed us this season. In a year with an all SEC National championship, you lose to Boise and Michigan State. Freaking delusion fans to go along with it.
Sayonara Richt
January 2nd, 2012
8:46 pm
Be gone.