Dawgs showing up in preseason Top 10 rankings (UPDATED)
Brandon Boykin won the Paul Hornung Award. (Associated Press)
Mark Richt’s Georgia Bulldogs fared better in the final college football rankings than I had feared, managing to stay in the Top 20 of both polls despite losing their last two games. UGA was No. 19 in the final AP poll and No. 20 in the USA Today Coaches poll.
Of course, it probably didn’t hurt Georgia that one of those final two losses was the SEC championship game and the the bowl loss was a three-overtime affair, or that all four of the Dogs’ losses this season were to teams that finished in the USA Today Coaches’ poll Top 10 and the Top 11 of the Associated Press ranking.
Based on returning talent and a favorable schedule (and perhaps depending on who all leaves or doesn’t leave for the NFL), it’s likely that Georgia will start the 2012 season at least in the vicinity of the Top 10.
Meanwhile, Monday saw running back Keith Marshall on campus in Athens, highly-rated defensive end recruit Jordan Jenkins picking the Dawgs over Alabama and Brandon Boykin very deservedly winning the Paul Hornung Award as the nation’s most versatile player.
Sure, I would have preferred for LSU to win the BCS game (we don’t recruit much against them, unlike Bammer) and I’m not thrilled with Brian VanGorder’s crazy zig-zag career path leading the erratic but undeniably talented defensive coach to Auburn (for the moment, at least). It will be interesting to see how BVG fares in his return to college ball. He’s definitely an upgrade for AU, but if I had to choose between him and current UGA defensive coordinator Todd Grantham, who apparently nailed down the Jenkins commitment, I think I’d go with what Georgia has now.
Anyway, overall, the postseason is off to a pretty good start, don’t you think?
UPDATE: Sure enough, the Dawgs are hitting the Top 10 of the early preseason rankings that are showing up. USA Today’s Kelly Whiteside has UGA #8 and says “the Bulldogs are back.” ESPN’s Mark Schlabach’s Way-Too-Early Top 25 has Georgia #6. He says defense and schedule are reasons the Dogs are favored to win the SEC East again. And CBSSports.com’s Brett McMurphy has the Bulldogs ranked all the way up at #3 and says they could be legitimate national title contenders because of their returning talent plus the SEC’s easiest schedule.
So what do you think, is Georgia a legitimate Top 10 team for 2012?
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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502 comments Add your comment
UGAgrad71
January 11th, 2012
12:59 pm
Hey GTBOb, the bugs were defeated by a team that finished in the top 25, lol loser!
Bama Mike
January 11th, 2012
1:01 pm
When he pours his favorite cereal Alphabets only the letter A and the number 1 fill his bowl
His secret to scholarship recruiting is Pye equal MC squared
His pet dog was not trained but taught “The Process”
He once taught a class on The Four Horseman of Notre Dame. The correct answer on the final exam was “They were trampled by a herd of competive elephants and they died”
He is quite simply the most interested coach in America.
“I may not always play in the BCS Championship Game. But when I do I always win.”
“Beware of the Herd my friends”
Nick
DIZZY DAWG
January 11th, 2012
1:02 pm
What’s this about Mike Bobo interviewing for the Falcon’s offensive coordinator position? He is truly an offensive genius. Truly offensive.
GTBob
January 11th, 2012
1:03 pm
Hey GTBOb, the bugs were defeated by a team that finished in the top 25, lol loser!
This is true. I would personally rather be 1-2 against ranked teams then 0-4 though.
Falcons Talking to Grantham's agent
January 11th, 2012
1:05 pm
I wonder if he would give Aaron Rogers the Choke sign.
DAWG in Bama
January 11th, 2012
1:07 pm
I think 2012 and 2013 is the year for the DAWGS!! Joe T will get IC stronger and Kieth Marshall will add immediate help, ESP. with off the field issues. Ray Drew i think is primed and ready to go, along with Jarvis Jones. BIG John also made a VERY smart decision on staying. I believe O-line will be fine. John Theus and Avery Young will be big. Mark it down undefeated going into jacksonville!!! UGA vs. LSU in the SECCG!! GATA!!!!
WDE
January 11th, 2012
1:07 pm
Short answer is no I don’t think we should be in the top 10. We had a “good” season it was a “marked” improvement over 2010, however there are a number (more than 10) teams that finished higher ranked than us so top 20 perhaps top 25 without doubt. Lets stay grounded Dog fans we can have a great season but there is no lock that we will.
truthfully speaking
January 11th, 2012
1:09 pm
We never do live up to all the hype. We’re ga
WDE
January 11th, 2012
1:10 pm
@GTBob there you go again, short term memory loss. Gentle reminder Bob the Bugs were ranked till they played us…as was Auburn. So we played 6 ranked teams and went 2-4 which is better than 0-4.
DP
January 11th, 2012
1:10 pm
http://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-falcons/2012/1/11/2699182/georgia-todd-grantham-atlanta-falcons-nfl-2012
What do you want to be this “source” saying the Falcons are interested in Todd Grantham is Todd Grantham’s agent, trying to drive up his salary at Georgia? Wasn’t the agent in the news late in the season saying that Grantham wanted a long-term deal?
WDE
January 11th, 2012
1:11 pm
@Bama Mike that was funny ! Kudos’s !
Sheriff Roscoe P. Coltrane
January 11th, 2012
1:13 pm
DAWG in Bama
Lay off that moonshine kool-aid son its bad for you’re mental judgement
WDE
January 11th, 2012
1:13 pm
@truthfully speaking your boyfriend called and he says you never live up to all the hype either.
the real OLD GOLD
January 11th, 2012
1:13 pm
4 numbers… 2-0-0-7
Silly Bloggers
January 11th, 2012
1:13 pm
DAWG in Bama, you just took away the point of my post. I am a UGA grad, but making blanket declarations that it is the year of the DAWG is what gets people riled up. We haven’t beaten a Top 20 team in three years…we lost all of our big games. As much as I hate to give the trolls any credit, the most that we should be stating right now is that we are cautiously optimistic.
We know nothng about Keith Marshall yet. IC was disappointing and while I hope your right, I do not see anything to state he will get stronger and more durable. We have nothing but potential on Ray Drew. I will agree on Big John Jenkins. While John Theus and Avery Young are huge recruits, they are true freshman playing in the hardest conference to be successful on the O-line.
We have to get through Missou and USC to make it undefeated into Jacksonville.
I like the fire and passion, but let’s wait until the Dawgs actually turn the corner before stating the entire season. Makes us look silly.
WDE
January 11th, 2012
1:14 pm
@Sheriff Roscoe P. Coltrane and when have you ever shown any “judgement” mental or otherwise ?
proud dwag
January 11th, 2012
1:14 pm
Thank goodness we don’t play any good teams with our schedule…Can you imagine if we played BAMA? LSU? or ARK?
GTBob
January 11th, 2012
1:16 pm
So we played 6 ranked teams and went 2-4 which is better than 0-4.
You don’t get credit for beating teams that never should have been ranked in the first place.
truthfully speaking
January 11th, 2012
1:16 pm
Yep, you can’t spell doubleWiDE without WDE.
Bama Mike
January 11th, 2012
1:17 pm
Thanks WDE. Congrats on your new DC. Will be much improved BVG is made for college. Thought Chizik was very good on his color commentary. We lose a lot for next year. You guys have a lot coming back so tag your turn.
WDE
January 11th, 2012
1:18 pm
@Silly Bloggers good points we will just have to wait and see, we could have another 2008 and lose a couple of dozen players to injury you just never know.
GTBob
January 11th, 2012
1:18 pm
trying to drive up his salary at Georgia?
Of course he is. There is zero chance the Falcons have any real interest in Todd Grantham.
Truth
January 11th, 2012
1:19 pm
You have to love these Techies coming to an article on us. I am seriously laughing. You would love to have our problems which are few and coach who is # 3 in all time wins of active D1 coaches with 100+ games under his belt. As far as the schedule, we don’t plan it a year out. The conference plans ALL SEC games way in advance. It just so happens we are in a cycle where LSU and Bama are off right it now. Many a National Champioship are won when the schedule sets up right. Ask Southern Cal & and Florida (when Bama and LSU where down). Speaking of schedules, boy that ACC is a ball buster – what a joke. Just go away. Your shift break is over….. and admit your envey.
truthfully speaking
January 11th, 2012
1:20 pm
“and admit your envey.”
What’s an “envey”?
WDE
January 11th, 2012
1:21 pm
@GTBob really Bob when do you make up that rule? You members of bugville were just so pleased with yourselves after beating mighty Clemson you were all sure you deserved that ranking then. Revisionist history Bobbie boy your the king of it.
WDE
January 11th, 2012
1:22 pm
@truthfully speaking really that’s your best shot? Please I yawn in your general direction!
Sheriff Roscoe P. Coltrane
January 11th, 2012
1:22 pm
WDE
I have shown judgement
UGA hasnt beaten a quality opponent in years the only person not showing judgement is you
DawginLex
January 11th, 2012
1:22 pm
Is Grantham bucking for a big pay raise?
Weren’t we about to give him one before the Falcons stuff came up?
Makes me wonder if they really are talking afterall
truthfully speaking
January 11th, 2012
1:24 pm
WDE
January 11th, 2012
1:22 pm
@truthfully speaking really that’s your best shot? Please I yawn in your general direction!
Yep. That’s pretty much all you’re worth.
Artie
January 11th, 2012
1:25 pm
Let the summer claims to the national title commence for UGA fans!!!!! LMMFAO
DawginLex
January 11th, 2012
1:25 pm
Sheriff “Captain Obvious”
Of course we are lacking a signature win over the last few years.
We won 6 in 2010
We won 10 in 2011
We all want and expect more in 2012
You and all the other blathering idiots are the ones saying that we are proud of the season.
Why do you care anyway?
Isn’t there a blog for whatever program you support where you didn’t attend school?
DawginLex
January 11th, 2012
1:26 pm
Artie, Ditto for you too
proud dwag
January 11th, 2012
1:27 pm
BUT!!!!! WE WON THE FIRST HALF!!! WE WON THE FIRST HALF!!! Against BAMA AND MI STATE!!!!
DAWG in Bama
January 11th, 2012
1:29 pm
@ Silly Bloggers,
You might be right but i just have a feeling about these guys. Im just happy that were finally being reckoned with again, esp. after a 2 year drought!! Richt has the DAWGNation back on the map!! GO DAWGS!!
walknbalk
January 11th, 2012
1:30 pm
#3 is a bit……..lofty for the Dawgs
Dawg_Mike
January 11th, 2012
1:30 pm
” Orson Charles leaving UGA for NFL. ”
He was gone after the LSU game, which was apparent by the missing TE in the Outback Bowl.
WDE
January 11th, 2012
1:31 pm
@truthfully speaking Wow that showed me! Now just sit over in the corner and pout its clear that’s all your capable of. Just a gentle suggestion if your going to be a troll try and be a good troll…right now your not even mildly annoying.
WDE
January 11th, 2012
1:33 pm
@Sheriff Roscoe P. Coltrane how many of those “crappy” wins were against your bunch? And How hdoes our schedule show ‘judgement” on your part by the way….this ought to be good.
Buck Blew
January 11th, 2012
1:33 pm
another joke job of a year by Richt. this team should have contended for the national title and ended not even beating one ranked team. if not for the cream puff schedule Richt would have been fired.
Run Lindsay!!!
WDE
January 11th, 2012
1:35 pm
@proud dwag hey moron we didn’t play Bama this year…man we have GOT to get a best class of troll on this board!
Josey Whales
January 11th, 2012
1:36 pm
Breaking News!!!!!!!UGA has added Morehouse to their non-conference games in 2025/2026. With this approach, they should be in the SECCG…….Sike
proud dwag
January 11th, 2012
1:37 pm
@ truthfully speaking
Seems your “doubleWiDE” buddy spends a lot of keystrokes telling you, that you don’t annoy him. Hilarious!
No Bozos
January 11th, 2012
1:38 pm
Bad news – CTG could be headed to the Falcons.
Good news – Willie Martinez could be headed to Auburn. (Please make this a package deal with Bobo.)
Sheriff Roscoe P. Coltrane
January 11th, 2012
1:39 pm
DawginLex
Expect better?????
Lets see, what are the typical UGA expectations; ah yes
10 Win seasons
Beat FL when they are down every 4 or 5 years
Beat GT
Lose in big games but hey we looked good for a half; scratch that as a moral victory
Never demand success from you’re coaching staff
Have an upset 2 times a decade
Get so drunk before ballgames you dont have to remember how bad the team looks on the field
Thats Championship expectations
proud dwag
January 11th, 2012
1:39 pm
WDE
January 11th, 2012
1:35 pm
HEY! Imma proud DWAG!!!
gbal
January 11th, 2012
1:39 pm
Its USA Today, ESPN, and CBS sports that are making these top 10 predictions as reported by BK. Not UGA fans reporting or predicting it.
That said, with some ajdustments to play calling, special teams, and elimination of very costly turnovers, UGA should be able to put together a good season next year given the schedule as it appears today.
But here is a UGA fan saying…. a Win is not a Win! Uga could win out in the regular season and still not be able to compete with Bama and LSU and beyond unless they make some really strong adjustments in their expectations. Can’t be satisfied with sloppy wins vs the likes of Miss State, Vandy, Tennesse or GT. Cant be satisfied with playing to a level to win the SEC East. If UGA wants to have their turn, they have to plan and play every game as if it were Bama or LSU on the other side of the line and only be sitisfied with perfection. CMR has to set and demand this tone. You could call it the Sabantone.
DAWG in Bama
January 11th, 2012
1:40 pm
oh i saw on the board that we’ll definately have 2 losses which are to auburn and south carolina. LOL auburn, REALLY!!! South carolina will be good so im seeing another hard fought game, but AWBURN, REALLY?
therut
January 11th, 2012
1:41 pm
Does it matter how much talent you have when you run off right tackle three times in a row with three min. to go, so that you make sure the opponent gets the ball back so that they can score?
GTBob
January 11th, 2012
1:41 pm
@GTBob really Bob when do you make up that rule?
I didn’t make it up. It’s common sense. Ever year several teams get ranked at some point and then are exposed later. You think you should get credit for beating bad teams because they were ranked for a short time? GT, UNC, Auburn, Florida, Ohio State, South Florida, Missouri, and Illinois would all be considered quality wins by your logic.
WDE
January 11th, 2012
1:41 pm
@proud dwag no your a troll don’t try and hide it be Proud your a Troll..just work on being a better troll.