Which game is bigger for the 2012 Dawgs: South Carolina or Florida?
Which is more important, beating Steve Spurrier's Gamecocks or winning two in a row over Florida? (Associated Press)
A recent SportsNation poll conducted by ESPN.com put this question to fans: If you could only watch one SEC game next season, the game that was absolutely the must-see game in the league, which one would it be?
The winner, not surprisingly, was again Alabama-LSU, same as last year, with 42 percent of the vote. But the No. 2 pick, drawing 27 percent of the 10,000 votes cast, was the Georgia-South Carolina game on Oct. 6 in Columbia.
There’s no doubt the game between the Dawgs and Steve Spurrier’s Gamecocks is a big one, and probably the toughest on Georgia’s less-than-challenging 2012 schedule.
But is it the most important game for Mark Richt’s team this season?
ESPN’s Chris Low seems to think it is, saying the game in Columbia “has as much or more riding on it for Georgia as any season in recent memory, and it’s always a pivotal contest. Until last season, the loser of this game had never advanced to the SEC championship game. The Bulldogs were able to change that by winning 10 in a row after their loss to the Gamecocks the second week of the season. Georgia has lost two in a row in the series, and the Bulldogs would prefer to control their own destiny in the East race heading into the latter part of October as opposed to needing help. Winning in Columbia, S.C., is never easy, but the road to a second straight trip to the SEC championship game for the Bulldogs will almost certainly go through the Palmetto State. What’s more, Georgia has never lost three in a row to South Carolina since the teams first started playing back in 1894 (64 meetings).”
So South Carolina is Georgia’s most important game? Well, maybe not. After all, as was proved in 2011, with the right schedule Georgia can lose to the Cocks and still take the SEC East crown, and that scenario very well could happen again this year.
And as the Senator at Get the Picture notes, there’s always Jacksonville. Georgia won over Florida last year but hasn’t taken back-to-back games against the Gators since 1989. And winning two in a row would certainly be a major step toward getting that Jacksonville Jinx monkey off the Dawgs’ backs.
Here’s how Blutarsky puts it: “It’s not a game they should go to merely hoping to win. It’s a game they should believe they can win. But I don’t think you cement that attitude unless you can win again this fall.”
That’s why he believes Georgia-Florida is the Dawgs’ biggest game of the year. “True, South Carolina is the bigger short-term threat to a defense of the East title,” he writes. “However, Florida has too many resources at its disposal not to return eventually to the place it’s occupied over the past two decades. … It’s time to flip the series.”
It’s a tough call. On the one hand, winning two in a row in Jacksonville would seem like a dream come true for the Bulldog Nation after the past two decades of mostly frustration down there. But losing three in a row to South Carolina and the Prince of Darkness? I’m not sure we wouldn’t be exchanging one nightmare for another there.
One thing’s for sure: Georgia has to beat at least one of the two to win the SEC East.
And there’s no denying another division title and two wins in a row over Florida would go a long way toward making up for a third loss to Carolina.
What’s your view? Which do you think is the most important game for the Dawgs this year?
Got something you want to discuss concerning UGA athletics or a question for the Junkyard Blawg? Send it to junkyardblawg@gmail.com.
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250 comments Add your comment
AltamahaDawg
May 25th, 2012
9:46 am
I plan on attending: Buffalo, Tennessee, UF, and GSU. Those are very important games.
Mike Bobo 17 INT
May 25th, 2012
9:57 am
Both are important, and Dogs will win one at the most. If Florida is injured like last year, then UGA has a chance of beating Florida, but no chance of beating Spurrier. If Florida is healthy, then the Dogs have a good chance of losing both games.
claytondawg
May 25th, 2012
10:00 am
It’s not a question of winning this game or that game: this idea creates a loser/mediocre mentality. The real question? Do the ‘Dogs want to be RELEVANT winning again on both the SEC and NATIONAL stages, not for a single year, but for multiple years. So, let’s change the attitfude in Athens NOW.
chazzo
May 25th, 2012
10:03 am
PS- Don’t count out the historic spoiler, Auburn. It may be a lightish schedule, but there is not an SEC team you can take lightly. Look out for Vandy, too.
chazzo
May 25th, 2012
10:06 am
God, I hope our players, coaches, and fans don’t think we are going to strut into Jax and beat the Gators because we express our swagger!
Everything comes down to this summer: faster stronger better: FUNDAMENTALS!
AltamahaDawg
May 25th, 2012
10:08 am
Thanks Int guy. So basically , there will be games played, and some type of outcome. Good call.
SoGaDAWG
May 25th, 2012
10:25 am
The first sec game is the most important then the next and so on.
Mike Bobo 17 INT
May 25th, 2012
10:37 am
The scores will tell….
Buckeye
May 25th, 2012
10:38 am
Vanderbilt
Mike Bobo 17 INT
May 25th, 2012
10:39 am
Everyone is overlooking the importance of the Mizzou game, because the SEC disrespects anything outside the SEC, because with no D1-A playoff system, there is basically has been no threat. Now that Texas A & M and Mizzou have joined ranks, things are about to change.
Don’t discount California talent, Boise came into the Dome last year and busted you in the mouth, and this is the same team that won the SEC east.
harold
May 25th, 2012
10:44 am
RICHT IS 24-16 HIS LAST 3 YEARS. UGA FANS ARE PARALYZED IN FEAR TO GET RID OF AN “UNDER PERFORMING” RICHT BECAUSE OF TENNESSEE. WHAT THEY NEED TO BE LOOKING AT IS LSU AND ALABAMA WHO BOTH BETTERED THEMSELVES WITH THE HIRING OF SABAN AND MILES! ( GLAD UGA FANS ARE PARALYZED IN FEAR) AND ARE HAPPY TO BE AVERAGE BY SEC STANDARDS.
THE SEC FANS VIEW OF UGA IS A “MIDDLE OF THE PACK TEAM” WITH AN AVERAGE TO GOOD COACH———-BUT CERTAINLY NOT A GREAT COACH.
IT IS SOOOO GOOD TO SEE UGA FANS HAPPY TO JUST COMPETE. HOPE RICHT ( WHO IS ONLY 9-30 AGAINST RANKED TEAMS) AND WHO HAS NEVER EVEN BEEN IN THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME STAYS THERE ALONG TIME. IT HAS BEEN 32 YEARS NOW. SINCE THEN, TENNESSEE, LSU, AUBURN, FLORIDA, AND ALABAMA ALL HAVE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS———BUT WAIT DON’T SPOIL THE UGA FANS DREAMS!
AltamahaDawg
May 25th, 2012
10:52 am
Everybody is? I haven’t read that anywhere. More like nobody is.
There are some folks who are confident that we will win that game, but that has nothing to do with overlooking the importance of it. It’s a divisional game.
Mexdawg
May 25th, 2012
11:12 am
Just beat the gators baby.
Coastal Dog (SSI)
May 25th, 2012
11:13 am
They’re all big.
Joey
May 25th, 2012
11:28 am
My professor in Speech told the class that someone who writes in ALL CAPS has size issues.
Gator Fan
May 25th, 2012
11:35 am
North Georgia Dawg:
Keep running your mouth about how bad Florida is. Easley will be 100% for Start of the Season and Powell will be back in time for the Ga game. Ga barely beat FL last year with a one legged QB. Gators will lose 3 or 4 games but they will be much improved. New Strength and Conditioning Program will make a BIG difference.
Joey
May 25th, 2012
11:46 am
Buckeye – Jan ‘11: ” Next season, UGA will finish 3rd in the East and head to Shreveport, while Ohio State will go 12-0 and head to another BCS Bowl.”
**********************************************
The only reason anybody reads your posts are for the entertainment value, buckeye.
Keep em coming . . .
Bill
May 25th, 2012
12:44 pm
It’s always the Gators…if we don’t make it two-in-row this season, we (or CMR) never will!
Promethius
May 25th, 2012
1:05 pm
It would be very difficult for UGa to achieve program superiority over Fl, even with a win; but if UGa looses to SCAR, then SCAR could arguably lay claim to program superiority over UGa, given past several yrs. and the fact that SCAR seems to be more attractive to recruits as late for whatever reason. Therefore, SCAR game is more important IMO.
Promethius
May 25th, 2012
1:08 pm
I know that Missou beat up on a deflated UNC team, but they still looked strong to me. I don’t know what they lost last yr, but if it was not much, or if they are improved, UGa will have a real fight on their hands IMO.
bob
May 25th, 2012
1:34 pm
both
Send in the Clowns
May 25th, 2012
1:37 pm
All of these sheeple UGA fans picking one or the other make me sick. Passionate UGA fans expect to win both or Richt should be sent packing.
Rowdy_Red_Pachyderm
May 25th, 2012
2:23 pm
The difference between Alabama & Georgia could not be painted with a finer brush than by the comments made from loyal ‘Dawg fans in this blog.
Alabama is incensed with close victories, and expects opposing teams to be driven from the field in shame.
UGA is more worried if any cotton candy is left in the field house…
TJ
May 25th, 2012
2:41 pm
I don’t know if it’s the most important game, but you let us go out to Mizzou the second week of the year and get caught looking ahead, and you can kiss the year good bye. Lose out there and we might have a VERY disappointing season.
DirtyDog
May 25th, 2012
4:07 pm
Superiority over Florida HA HA Give me a break, Put down the moonshine and corncob pipe full of wackyweed and sober up. Georgia has ONLY won 3 of the last 21 games against Florida. That is Gator superiority. Maybe after 4, 5 maybe 6 games in a row would I consider Georgia is even close.
Joey
May 25th, 2012
5:34 pm
Got a couple questions for you about superiority, DirtyDog. Spurrier had his way with UGA, no doubt, but some Gator fans don’t want to go back to the history of the rivalry, which still favors UGA 48-40-2. Instead, y’all pick some random number like, the last 21 games.
Well, we don’t want to go back 21 games, just like y’all don’t like to go back to the beginning.
The record the past 5 games is UF 3, UGA 2.
The record the past 8 games is UF 5, UGA 3.
If UGA wins this season, that’s 3-3 in the past 6 games.
That’s hardly “Gator superiority.” Lately anyway.
One more comment about “superiority.” UGA has beaten Auburn 5 of the past 6 games, while Auburn has beaten UF 4 of the past 5 games.
We don’t consider UGA “superior” to Auburn.
Do you consider Auburn “superior’ to UF?
Just wondering . . .
The very, very painful truth if you Kool-Aid guzzlers can handle it
May 25th, 2012
6:09 pm
Frankly, I’m pretty fed up with all of the Richt apologists with their lame whining that all schools have the same problems with their athletes. That’s utter garbage. UGA has so many athletes arrested and suspended or dismissed outright because Mark Richt recruits low class dummies with no moral code, no sense of teamwork, and a “me first” attitude that’s like a cancer to the team.
Charm School di'biati
May 25th, 2012
6:14 pm
2012: Florida 37, leg humpers 13
All will be right with the world.
icedawg
May 25th, 2012
6:23 pm
both equally
TylerDawg
May 25th, 2012
6:35 pm
mark this down—GA will beat fla easily again–that game is no big deal. the only game that matters is south carolina—they are good, but with GA’s D, they can shut down spurrier’s offense. Ga wins the east–bet the house!
Old Dog
May 25th, 2012
7:54 pm
“south carolina—they are good, but with GA’s D, they can shut down spurrier’s offense”
What about all the points our offense gives to their defense?
Delbert D.
May 25th, 2012
7:57 pm
This blog has some strange filters.
Old Dog
May 25th, 2012
7:58 pm
“Passionate UGA fans expect to win both or Richt should be sent packing.”
Mark my words, if we DID lose both games, Mark Richt would still be coaching at UGA. McGarrity will NEVER fire MR.
Delbert D.
May 25th, 2012
7:59 pm
I’ll spell it out. The University of Southern California will be the most important game according to Bleacher Report.
Old Dog
May 25th, 2012
8:00 pm
“Ga wins the east–bet the house!”
You would bet your house on Aaron Murray? You are an idiot.
minnesota dawg
May 25th, 2012
8:29 pm
South Carolina because it always comes at the first of the year when the DAWGS haven’t gotten into a rythmn. By the time they get to Florida, they should always be ready. Both are important, but especially that first test. It sets the tone for the year.
kingdaddy
May 25th, 2012
8:33 pm
Got to beat the tired ol ball-coach…
GoDawgs
May 25th, 2012
9:20 pm
Neither it’s Mizzou. Wide receivers in the 6-2 to 6-4 + range against a short DB led UGA defense with 2 All SEC players and 1 All American out will be a challenge. 1st game in the SEC at their house with something to prove to the nation that they can play with the toughest conference in the country. No contest on what the toughest game will be it’s Mizzou!!!!!!!!!!!! Against a full strength UGA roster USC and UF have no shot against UGA this year.
Delbert D.
May 25th, 2012
9:37 pm
Missouri will have their 5-star freshman 6-6 220 wide receiver as well. I imagine they will put in a few plays for him.
DawgNole
May 25th, 2012
9:45 pm
Delbert D.
May 25th, 2012
7:57 pm
This blog has some strange filters.
_____________________
All of them do, sadly. My only contribution to this one just got eaten.
AJC’s IT resources leave a lot to be desired.
Delbert D.
May 25th, 2012
10:13 pm
DawgNole – I tried a post with Southern Cal’s abbreviation and mascot, and South Carolina’s mascot. That did not fly. Nasty words, I guess.
Mobile Dawg
May 25th, 2012
10:18 pm
They’re all important. We almost lost to Vandy, don’t lose sight. I see a lot of Dawg fans counting their chickens before they hatch. The SEC East title will have to be earned, some of you have already annointed it. Kool Aid is a wonderful thing.
Richt > muschamp
May 25th, 2012
11:03 pm
Dog fans can relax—muschamp can’t coach a lick. Richt will school him again in jacksonville with a big win. Dogs roll over fla.
RAM26
May 26th, 2012
2:42 am
just like the hawks they will choke on the bones. heck , could be a good chance to lose in BOTH COLUMBIAS and JAX.CMR is a very nice person; but, frankly way too loyal to booboo. UGA needs a top flight OC. oh, gee was CMR the OC @ FSU once a upon a time.
Sports Facts » Florida baseball defeats South Carolina, avoids elimination from SEC Tourney – The Independent Florida Alligator
May 26th, 2012
9:07 am
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution [...]
PonGT
May 26th, 2012
9:08 am
We shouldn’t even be having this conversation. UGA should be the team that everybody else wants to beat but is scared that they can’t. Georgia is truly “down” when we’re having to decide which team we’d rather lose to, as opposed to saying which team from the West we’d rather play for the SEC championship. I don’t like this ‘who’d you rather lose to’ mentality.
Florida baseball defeats South Carolina, avoids elimination from SEC Tourney – The Independent Florida Alligator | Sports News
May 26th, 2012
9:09 am
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution [...]
DawgNole
May 26th, 2012
11:31 am
Delbert D.
May 25th, 2012
10:13 pm
DawgNole – I tried a post with Southern Cal’s abbreviation and mascot, and South Carolina’s mascot. That did not fly. Nasty words, I guess.
____________________
Now that you mention it, I think it must’ve been the Carolina mascot that intercepted mine. Maybe they should change mascots for us.
SC News, Politics, Personalities, Newsmakers, Warren Lasch
May 26th, 2012
4:35 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution [...]
MuleSkinnerDog
May 27th, 2012
9:34 am
the only team on Ga’s schedule that can match the Dogs in talent is south carolina. If Ga beats them, it will be a cakewalk to the SEC east title and rematch with lsu. This time, things will be different. grantham’s D will be the best in the sEC and shut down lsu’s overrated offense!