Big questions temper optimism as Dogs look ahead to 2012
Georgia returns a lot of talent, including Aaron Murray, but still has some major concerns to deal with in 2012. (Associated Press)
A week ago, in the wake of the SEC’s 2012 schedule being announced, optimism was running wild in the Bulldog Nation.
This week, after watching the Dogs again collapse in the second half amid continued problems with special teams play and establishing a running game, many Georgia fans are tempering their optimism.
The Dogs still may start out next season as a Top 10 team based on a load of returning talent and an even more favorable schedule than this year’s, but there will be some big challenges, especially if the team is hit with major losses to the NFL. Orson Charles going pro would hurt, but the chance of the defense possibly losing two or three underclassmen is more worrisome.
Meanwhile, the offensive line, which was good enough against middling teams this season but gave up 33 sacks and faltered against the four best defenses Georgia faced, will lose three senior starters and will have little returning experience.
The Dogs will have to replace both their placekicker and their punter and still haven’t solved the problem of spotty special teams play overall.
Record-setting QB Aaron Murray will return but has some ball security problems to deal with (his turnovers when pressured or scrambling played a major role in three of the Dogs’ four losses), and Georgia could lose what little backup experience it has at the position if Hutson Mason decides to transfer.
And then there’s the running game, which went from inconsistent to pathetic late in the season as Isaiah Crowell found myriad ways to stay off the field. The bright spot there in 2012 is the arrival of Keith Marshall and probably at least one other freshman tailback, but we learned this season that signing a five-star recruit at that position is no guarantee of long-term success.
So, yes, Georgia reeled off 10 wins in a row this season and took the SEC East but as Mark Richt said, “our guys had a good year, not a great year,” losing to the four teams they played that ended up ranked in the Top 20 while getting their wins against teams that finished the season unranked.
All of which raises this question: Were the 2011 Dogs that much better than the 2010 team that finished 6-7, or was the SEC East title more a function of scheduling?
I think the answer is a qualified yes, the Dogs were much improved — mainly on defense. But they remained, as Richt noted, far from a great team. There’s no denying that a schedule that didn’t include the toughest teams from the SEC West probably was the biggest factor in Georgia’s 2011 turnaround.
They’ll get that break again next season. But it’s going to take more than that for Richt and company to improve on a 10-4 record.
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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828 comments Add your comment
Brix
January 5th, 2012
2:11 pm
10 game win streak disguised a lot…glad to have improved record, but did not reflect where our program really is…still struggling (great job scheduling though-McGairty)! If we are ever to step to next level…A. Bobo has got to go (demote or fire) or Richt will go down with him B. COACHING!Need dedicated special team coach, hire strength & conditioning ‘professionals’ & new Off Coord C. Need improvement on the O-line (go get some JUCO’s-need to play right away) D. Richt has to grow a pair….if we can’t beat S. Carolina next year, we don’t deserve credit for turning around anything! Is Murray actually getting any better? Still only looks @ 1-2 receivers (guess he has to with 260 lb guys in his face–no OL) and chunks it. We definitely have better athletes on the field, now we need coaches that can coach & develop the raw talent that we have.
WDE
January 5th, 2012
3:01 pm
Well lets see we have concerns about the OL..just like last year..we have concerns about RB just like last year..we have concerns about special teams..wait we were sure they would be great last year…its all a crap shoot that will play out over time..we have a coach that that has won two SEC titles and 100 games in 11 years…..that is what we know. If you just want a NC every year be a Bama fan if they don’t win it at least they will claim it. We have a good returning cast how good well we won’t know until the draft deadline, national signing day, spring and fall practice are all complete and we are 5 seconds into the first game…so relax take a deep breath it will be another wild ride and that is why we all love the game so much. Go Dogs!
MarineDog
January 5th, 2012
3:22 pm
Disapponting losses at the end of season. Like McGarity said, “there’s plenty of blame to go around”. This goes for both the play-calling and execution as well. However, 10-4 is much better than 6-7; even though the wins weren’t against top-tier teams. I would submit that the losses we suffered last year wasn’t against top-tier teams as well. I would agree with the masses that much improvement is needed in many areas in order to reach the next level. Will they reach the next level next year? I don’t know. What I am confident in, is that the AD will take the necessary steps to get us to that next level. Maybe changes are coming in the staff and/or coaching philosphy. Maybe resistance to change is the reason why the new contract has not been signed. Maybe, we are all speculating too much as to why the contract extension has not been signed. I also agree with some of the posters that the play-calling is very conservaitve at times. Maybe it’s conservative because the staff knows that it’s only a matter of time before the offense and/or QB makes a mistake. Judging by some of the mistakes that has happened, they have a legitimate concern. Maybe the staff has seen these tendancies in practice from both the starting QB and the backups. All in all, everything that’s written on these blogs is all speculation, since none of us are privy to direct knowledge (with the exception of a few) of what takes place on the practice field, locker room, and coach’s offices. 2012 has the potential to be a banner year. Let’s just hope that both the staff and player’s live up to the expectation. I am encouraged about the attitude of the young player’s and I don’t think that they’re going to settle for just being mediocre.
kendawg
January 5th, 2012
3:24 pm
Does anyone know how many SEC titles Saban has won during his years at Alabama?
2010 BCS CHAMPS
January 5th, 2012
3:30 pm
“Why does everyone put Arkansas on a pedestal. ”
Great question.
2010 BCS CHAMPS
January 5th, 2012
3:30 pm
“Does anyone know how many SEC titles Saban has won during his years at Alabama?”
One.
2010 BCS CHAMPS
January 5th, 2012
3:31 pm
” If you just want a NC every year be a Bama fan if they don’t win it at least they will claim it.”
That’s because Bama fans can’t count.
Tech Guy
January 5th, 2012
3:43 pm
So another pre-season MNC is in the bag for you guys, eh Bill.
sports
January 5th, 2012
5:46 pm
What a beatdown in the Orange Bowl, Dumbo Sweeny and the Clempson tigers were masscared…of course that’s the ACC for you.
Disgusted Dawg
January 5th, 2012
8:04 pm
Problem: COACHING.
It’s so mother fudging clear.
stendek
January 5th, 2012
8:43 pm
Can UGA AD be replaced Bill? Forgive me Saint Mark Wretch. I thought you were the biggest loser in Athens. I was wrong. It is this damn fool! This made me want to punch this sissy looking wimp in the chops: “(McSissy) also urged fans upset over the Bulldogs’ 33-30, triple-overtime loss to the Spartans to keep the defeat in perspective.”
Then this heartless oxygen waste went on to cite excuse after excuse for the loss! Hey brainless POS. The Bulldogs were the SEC representative with a 16-0 lead. Mr Jerkhead. Dawgs let not only let Bulldog Nation down but proud SEC. Vandy could have cried excuses after defeat but showed character sadly missing in Athens. McSissy spits all over himself that Dawgs won 10 games. All came against girl schools ignoramus! Only four quality teams Dawgs faced kicked Wretch and his staff all over the turf! Are you really that clueless? Who hired this freaking clown idiot! Extend contract to infinity! Stab Dawg Nation in back! After (however many seasons) you too will be run out of Athens on a rail along with your truck salesman. Rest of major college football laughs on. I kept this clean. IT WAS HARD! See no hope as Dawg football fan. NONE! So maddening.
I would love to punch this bum out!
stendek
January 5th, 2012
8:45 pm
SEC title Bill? Dawgs will not defeat LSU, Bama or even Arkansas with Saint Mark Wretch on sidelines! Truth hurts.
stendek
January 5th, 2012
9:06 pm
Steve Spurrier can take one and two star athletes and whip the Hell out of a Mark Wretch outfit stocked with four and five star boys! That is the sad truth. How many more years of mediocrity? Can the UGA AD be fired or sent to a FEMA camp? Just asking.
TuckerDawg
January 6th, 2012
1:49 am
31 years since the last National Championship. Every year we talk about next year. When’s it going to stop? UGA is a mediocre football program and a middle of the pack SEC team and that’s a fact. Yes we have the players, funds, facilities, etc, but it’s been 31 years since the Dawgs have won it all. Our so-called turn around involved 10 wins over end of year non-ranked opponents, which simultaneously locked us in to mediocrity at least through 2016. Until the Dawg Nation refuses to accept mediocrity, we may as well sit back and not get upset when we lose to nationally relevant teams like LSU, Bama, OSU, BSU, MSU, and don’t forget Central Florida. Seeing as how the National Championship banter has already started once again, realize the rest of the college football world is laughing at our self denial.
cmdawg99
January 6th, 2012
4:53 am
Well Richt took the off season to study..
BooBoo Did you study?????? GO STUDY!!!!!!
cmdawg99
January 6th, 2012
5:33 am
Hey BoBo. Go study the game film from W.Virg/ Clumpsun game .Lessons of how to keep your foot on the accelerator.
James Avans
January 6th, 2012
6:25 am
As an Alabama fan, sorry to see UGA, or any SEC Team lose a close one. I belive GA had the better team. Once the field goal was missed, I turned it off and went to bed. Keep your heads up GA fans.
Just read Stephen Wine’s, AP, report on why the SEC has reached sudden glory. He missed the point completely, attributing it to past racism, new teams and on and on. The real reason is the computer rankings. Once the Northern sportswriter’s biased opinons were taken out of the equation, the Southern teams sprang up. What a coincidence. Remember how they fought to take the first BCS title from LSU? This is no more than the age old bias from the North towards the South, afterall, wasn’t lack of respect and fairness the real reason for the uprising in 1860?
winderdawg
January 6th, 2012
7:41 am
We know what we had with this offensive line! After three games next year the oline will be equal to or better with improvement every snap which hasn’t been the case with this years line! Murray will be better just from the simple fact more reps with his receivers. The defense with more depth will improve. The running back situation with 2 new freshman and what’s already there will be better from the fact compettion makes for better performance. The play calling? we have to get more agressive and have a feel for the game somehow UGA has lost that. The kicking game will improve with another great kicker coming in and Walsh gone. UGA and SC will be play for the East and let’s see if UGA can turn the corner and beat a ranked team next year. We will have our chance Missouri could be ranked in the top Twentyfive and SC should be ranked with both games away it should be a good test. Go Dawgs!
RNB
January 6th, 2012
7:58 am
Well said. Lost to every good team they played. This program is stuck and not going anywhere under Richt.
Newnan Dawg
January 6th, 2012
8:15 am
Well, we can always hope that Florida and Tennessee remain in the toilet, and that SC will lose Lattimore to injury again next season. That’s what it will take for a Richt team to win the East again.
Then we can get our rear end handed to us by a team from the SEC West.
PT
January 6th, 2012
8:20 am
2012 will be much the same as last season. Poor offensive line play will be evident when Georgia plays a quality team. Georgia has not fielded a solid line since 2002, look at how many OL players they have sent to the pros recently. Quality recruiting and player developement are essential for success in the SEC. Georgia has a very poor program in this area, maybe Will Friend is the answer. We will see.
DIT
January 6th, 2012
8:40 am
Any chance of us picking up that West Virginia OC!!!! I know wishful thinking, but man the posibilities…
DIT
January 6th, 2012
8:42 am
We’ll win 10 again next, but it will be the same scenario as this year. Can’t beat a top 20 opponent.
O-Line and Murray, mix that in with the genius of bobo and our offense will be a disaster next year.
I hope I’m wrong, but I see no improvement on the Offense next year.
Air Force Guy
January 6th, 2012
8:57 am
Preseason Top 10? ???? In your own mind.
QUESTION>>>
January 6th, 2012
8:59 am
Not trying to start a rumor, but has anyone heard anything about Shawn Williams declaring for the draft? A friend of mine mentioned it yesterday and was pretty certain it was true, but I haven’t seen anything here.
Thanks
lakedog
January 7th, 2012
11:17 am
It’s time to realize that QB Murray has some “panic” issues. Or, perhaps he is just immature. Give Mason more work. Send Crowell back to Jr. college
lakedog
January 7th, 2012
11:18 am
CMR. drop the CEO stuff & coach. The HBC does & it works for him.
Fire MIKE BOBO
January 7th, 2012
4:28 pm
Im sorry but why is Mike Bobo not a concern for 2012. He called 12 halfback draws in the 4th quarter. I see pee wee football teams with more creative play calling.