Oddsmaker likes Dawgs to win SEC East … and BCS!
Georgia's schedule has the Dawgs in early conversations about the BCS championship. (Associated Press)
So far, Mark Richt’s 2012 Dawgs are having a terrific silly season, that time of summer when all teams are undefeated and fans and prognosticators alike can go crazy with predictions.
Here’s a headline on the handicapping site Beyond the Bets sure to quicken a UGA fan’s pulse a beat or two: Who will win 2013 BCS national title? Our pick: the Georgia Bulldogs, currently a 19/1 long shot
At 19-to-1, Georgia has the seventh-best odds to win the national championship. Here are the reasons why BTB likes the Dawgs to do so: 1. They’re good. 2. Schedule 3. They can afford to lose a game.
Under the first reason, the site notes that quarterback Aaron Murray heads up a bunch of returning starters, the passing game should be among the nation’s best and “Georgia should finally have a running game to complement it.” Also, the defense, which returns 20 of 22 players on its depth chart, “will again be dominant and could be the best in the conference.”
They do note that “the offensive line will be the major concern, as the Bulldogs must replace both tackles and add depth along the interior. Nonetheless, they should have no trouble improving upon last year’s 10-win season.”
One of the main reasons why, BTB says, is the schedule, with Georgia again avoiding Alabama, LSU and Arkansas during the regular season. Says BTB: “Georgia will play seven games at home, four on the road and one — the annual matchup against Florida on Oct. 27 — at a neutral field. That’s as manageable a schedule as any you’ll find, particularly when you consider that they’ll be favored in three of the four road games — at Kentucky, Missouri and Auburn.”
BTB notes that the toughest game on Georgia’s schedule will come against South Carolina, which is the only game in which the Las Vegas oddsmakers haven’t installed the Dogs as a point-spread favorite. (The Gamecocks are favored by 3.)
But that brings us to their third reason: “Georgia is one of the few teams in the country that has the potential to lose a game and still appear in the national championship. Assuming the Bulldogs open the season in the top 10 as expected, they’ll likely rise as high as fifth or sixth prior to their big swing game against South Carolina on Oct. 6. If the Bulldogs lose, they’ll have two full months to climb back into the top 5 of the polls and should still have a chance to earn a second straight SEC East crown. With a win over LSU or Alabama in the SEC championship, Georgia will be in position to play for the national title.”
To bolster their case for the Dawgs, the BTB folks cite Saturday Down South, which has picked Georgia as “the safe bet” to again win the SEC East, with South Carolina and Florida as “sucker bets” to do so, noting that “The Bulldogs are one of the most talented teams in the country. I put them on the same talent level as LSU and even slightly ahead of Alabama.”
SDS also cites the talent level and the schedule, saying, “This is a huge year for Richt’s legacy, and I think Georgia puts it together and wins the East — and maybe more — in what could be a special year for Georgia football.”
Is that enough to get you pumped up for fall, or do you think the oddsmakers are underestimating Georgia’s task in rebuilding the offensive line and repairing its dismal special teams play? How do you feel about the upcoming season?
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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282 comments Add your comment
Rainbow Tide Pride
June 6th, 2012
3:18 pm
Lots of DAWGS envy around here today.
Thank you Haters!
Vinings Dawg
June 6th, 2012
3:20 pm
Wow! A lot of hate floating out there today. I get sucked in every year as well, but there are factors here that can’t be ignored. Crowell has apparently woken, Kicking game couldn’t get worse along with the previous O-Line play and our receiving core looks like they want to play some bal this time around. Junkyard D under CTG should shake a few opposing facemasks as well. Get me through the USC game boys and I’ll be the loudest one. Make us proud. And do me a favor… Don’t read these articles or blogs. The trolls on here literally have nothing else to do but stir a pot they don’t even own. Enjoy the hype and do it for us. I’d love to be lucky seven for the SEC!
SSIgator
June 6th, 2012
3:26 pm
Oddsmaker likes Dawgs to win SEC East … and BCS!
_____________________________________________
This just in:
Vogue Magazine votes UGA #! – Marky hires one of their fashion editors to overhaul their unis this year. Should be quite stylish – the best looking in the SEC
AltamahaDawg
June 6th, 2012
3:30 pm
I don’t think anybody is predicted anything. Just discussing why 19-1 seems like pretty reasonable odds.
But I agree it’s better to be in the conversation, than not. And the story said not a thing that wasn’t spot on despite the trolls just not liking it.
But personally I enjoyed the football season anticipation more back in the day when a MNC wasn’t the entire conversation of college football fans year round. I recall a day when No self respecting Dawg fan would so easily dismiss beating our chief rivals, no matter what the circumstances.
WDE
June 6th, 2012
3:34 pm
Bottom line is that dag-gum it ..it is just GREAT TO BE A GEORGIA BULLDOG !!! Today, tomorrow and always……Go Dogs!
what?
June 6th, 2012
3:34 pm
Cdpridg- Seriously? Ala, LSU and Arkansas. The same teams UGA avoided last year until they were whipped in the SECCG by LSU… you did realize this was a football blog right?
OoltewahDawg
June 6th, 2012
3:35 pm
Now that Bradley AND Beyond the Bets have both declared the Dawgs their pick for MNCs, I don’t see it happening. Every time they’ve been picked to win it all, they flop.
Craig
June 6th, 2012
3:36 pm
Same story…different year….even with our schedule we are only the 7th pick to win the title. Give that schedule to just about anyone that is decent and they would sail….us? ha! between Murray giving points away, bad decisions, suspensions and the usual meltdown we will end up 9-3. Until UGA teams start playing to their potential and coaching to their potential I wont bet on anything…..and yeah…before you toss around “we won 10 in a row” lets not forget the fact that we LOST to the 4 best teams on the schedule……NUFF Said!
Vinings Dawg
June 6th, 2012
3:36 pm
Well said WDE.
Rationale
June 6th, 2012
3:41 pm
I have no idea how Aaron Murray impresses so many people that obviously have never seen him throw so many interceptions. If he can play up to the level of what everybody that has not seen him play, thinks he can play, UGA will go undefeated.
evil empire
June 6th, 2012
3:46 pm
same story, 32nd verse…1980 was a long time ago…
DD
June 6th, 2012
3:47 pm
The only game that should be on anyones mind if you’re a UGA person is Mizzou. The rest of you go ahead and just jump on the banter. People write these kind of articles to get hits. I’ve never heard of this publication before. Most Dawg people take this like a grain of salt.
Funny how teks name is never mentioned in the NC hunt. Why is that?
DD
June 6th, 2012
3:47 pm
@evil empire
Last time So. Car. won an NC was……..
JB
June 6th, 2012
3:48 pm
Dawgs get another shot at LSU in the Dome at 11-1 ranked about 5th in the country. The D is for real and offense better than average.
A person SMART enough to know......
June 6th, 2012
3:53 pm
The DWAG NATION(Gwinnett County) CHEERS!!!!!!!!
A person SMART enough to know......
June 6th, 2012
3:55 pm
ANOTHER SHOT at LSU?
the dWags don’t play LSU this year so how can the dWags get ANOTHER shot?
If you are talking about the LAST time in the Dome the dWags never had a SHOT from the start.
Dawgs Rule Nerds
June 6th, 2012
3:58 pm
Go back to your Halo game nerds……..
chris
June 6th, 2012
4:00 pm
I agree it could be a special year BUT the passing game and running game only work if you get blocking up front. The Offensively Line holds the key.
JB
June 6th, 2012
4:04 pm
DAWGS WILL PLAY LSU in the conference championship. Do I need to spell it all out on every post.
JB
June 6th, 2012
4:05 pm
You would think in my post by saying 11-1, which is the ENTIRE season finished up, you would think he would get it would be the SECCG.
Eustis
June 6th, 2012
4:06 pm
This story sounds familiar. I’ll believe it when I see it.
evil empire
June 6th, 2012
4:09 pm
the song remains the same…yada yada yada…
JB
June 6th, 2012
4:10 pm
Eustis, With Fla,Tenn and AU all down and by playing SC mid season, the stars are lining up. I hope you see it.
JB
June 6th, 2012
4:11 pm
evil, how’s that trophy case looking in Columbia? I’ve been told it’s easy to dust.
Moneyball
June 6th, 2012
4:12 pm
@ SSIgator, what a pathetically sad creature you are. You live to hate and, no doubt, hate to live.
Left Coast Dawg
June 6th, 2012
4:13 pm
Yeah, and if we do win the NC,everyone will say we didn’t deserve to be there because of a weak schedule or something. Haters will be haters I guess.
DawgD
June 6th, 2012
4:13 pm
the dogs are loaded this year, with the best D in the sEC. Look for another easy SEC east title and this time, a huge win over lsu in the SEC title game. UGA v. USC for the BCS title—take it to the bank!! the dogs are back!
DD
June 6th, 2012
4:15 pm
@evil empire
#1 – Don’t insult the best rock band in the history of RnR by using, “the song remains the same…yada yada yada…”
#2 – I’m still waiting to hear when the last time the chickens won the BCS? Heck, for that matter the SEC CG? zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Thought so.
1980 is sure better than…. well……. ur….. NEVER!
evil empire
June 6th, 2012
4:18 pm
i’m not a sc fan boys…Lsu, not sc…but support sc when they play uga..
DD
June 6th, 2012
4:19 pm
I guess you jump from team to team because last weeks blog you were all about South Carolina. Now it’s LSU… hmmm. Spoken like a true tkkie!
DD
June 6th, 2012
4:20 pm
that’s “tekkie”
evil empire
June 6th, 2012
4:22 pm
just guessing the dd stands for double dumb*ss…sthu…
RealityCheck
June 6th, 2012
4:24 pm
@GoldenNimrod…Just so you know, Since CMR has been in Athens UGA is 10-1 vs Vandy,
9-2 vs UK and 10-1 vs The Nerds. We RUN THIS STATE you NTAC and we own Tech.
Now on to more important things. There is no reason why we won’t have one of the elite D’s in the Country and on offense we have more weapons than Bama had last year, if the O Line jells a little, we improve our special teams we got a shot to be in the conversation about the BCS at the end of the year.
A person SMART enough to know......
June 6th, 2012
4:24 pm
Buffalo and Ga. Southern are real SoS builders to face the SEC West Champ.
Bulldawgman49
June 6th, 2012
4:25 pm
Well I always think that Georgia will be good , I see the weakness of this team being the O line not a big secert . The D will be stellar , The running game I think Malcome will suprise alot of people.
Crowell ? Marshall I hope the hamie heals three headed monster would be nice. Go Dogs !!!
A person SMART enough to know......
June 6th, 2012
4:26 pm
UGa will lose the SEC CG cause TeCH will do LIKE the MUTTS and in the Tackle Pile the JACKETS will twist knees and ankles. Karma is a BeOTCH.
evil empire
June 6th, 2012
4:31 pm
2008 all over again…you dawg fans should just settle for winning a bowl game before you get into the deep end of the pool…
chuck
June 6th, 2012
4:40 pm
The UGA season will come down to how much improvement has been made to the strength and conditioning program.
G-Dawg
June 6th, 2012
4:40 pm
If we’re so irrevelent…you sure spend alotta time worrying about program. I think its best to leave sleeping dawgs alone, cause if the beast awakens…it will become ya’lls nightmare!! When it happens, who knows…but it wont be pretty for any of your trolls.
RamboDog
June 6th, 2012
4:46 pm
evil empire = GT fan. Go s&^k your boyfriend
UGAly
June 6th, 2012
4:46 pm
A talented, experienced, deep offensive line is absolutely necessary to win championships.
RamboDog
June 6th, 2012
4:47 pm
evil empire and A person smart enough to know = tickle pile buddies
AltamahaDawg
June 6th, 2012
4:48 pm
Yea, ALL those times we were picked to win it all, huh trolls. Because that happens every year doesn’t it.
At least come up with something originally to say for the no good reason.
Snoop Dawg
June 6th, 2012
4:49 pm
Here we go again folks. “They’re saying that this year they might go all the way!”
How many times have you heard this rubbish? Every year, that’s how many.
The koolaid at the Richt Cafe is strong stuff indeed…
Listen, the oddsmakers are right: Fantastic talent, easy schedule, etc. What they are not factoring in, however, is the incompetent coaching and total lack of discipline and leadership on the team. Until the shepard leads, sheep will mill around aimlessly. Richt and Bobo could not lead themselves out of bed in the morning, much less lead their talented team to any meaningful championships.
All the blind homers and apologists for Richt and Bobo have sealed our fate. UGA will continue to underperform and approach mediocrity during a good season in spite of all the talent and favorable schedules because our coaching is LOUSY.
AltamahaDawg
June 6th, 2012
4:51 pm
Boy that was right on Cue! troll.
Snoop Dawg
June 6th, 2012
4:57 pm
Snoop is wondering how Markt Wrecked is doing in his graduate level study of the game of football. Remember, McGarrity relieved him of all his administrative duties so that he could devote his full energy on this endeavor. His grades to date aren’t too good. Mr Peterson taught him his first course first game of last season. He flunked that class. Next, Mr Spurrier schooled him as South Carolina lost their game in Athens in every category except the score. Imagine that… Another F for Richt. Then, remember LSU. Richt did OK on the midterm, but Dr Miles inidicated that he layed an egg during the final exam. Finally, Richt took an easy course in Big Ten football over the holidays, but unfortunately he failed that course too.
I am seeing that Richt will continue the trend by flunking two of his first three classes next year. Then, he will pass all the easy stuff until the next challenging test, Florida.
I do not think that he will ever get that graduate degree in the game of football. Do you?
SSIgator
June 6th, 2012
4:58 pm
Left Coast Dawg -
“Yeah, and if we do win the NC,everyone will say we didn’t deserve to be there because of a weak schedule or something.”
You really don’t need to worry about that as long as Richt & Company are still there. That must be a tremendous burden lifted from you now.
Snoop Dawg
June 6th, 2012
4:59 pm
Altamaha, if Snoop is a troll, then Altahama is a cross dressing cannibal.
The reasons why UGA will be the Champion
June 6th, 2012
5:03 pm
the reasons for winning for UGA Fall of 2012
#1 Schedule
#2 Schedule
#3 Schedule
#4 Schedule
#5 Schedule
#6 Schedule
#7 Schedule
#8 Schedule
They don’t play anyone good until Tech, then the SEC championship. They have a 10 game bye week till Thanksgiving… UGA just has to win the last 3 games of the season to be National Champions.
very true
June 6th, 2012
5:05 pm
“They don’t play anyone good until Tech, then the SEC championship. They have a 10 game bye week till Thanksgiving… UGA just has to win the last 3 games of the season to be National Champions.”
-Also, everyone knows that. Which is why they are getting 1-7 odds right now. UGA only has to win 3 games. Also it will be the end of the season and no one will be hurt because of such an easy schedule.