Bulldog Nation wonders: Where do we go from here?
Was Georgia's humiliation by South Carolina more than just one loss? (Bob Andres / AJC)
So, how do the Georgia Bulldogs and their fans bounce back from the debacle in Columbia?
Saturday night, Mark Richt started making his case for shrugging off this disappointment and looking ahead when he said that “whether you lose by 28 or lose in overtime, it counts as one loss.”
True. But sometimes a loss is more than just a loss. This one hurt in a lot more ways than just the won-loss record. Richt’s team looked so bad that even the happy-talk ESPN announcers ripped into them for their disappointing showing in the nationally televised contest. I’ve no idea whether that sort of thing hurts in recruiting, but you’ve got to figure it’s certainly not helpful.
Plus, the manner in which the Dawgs lost and the fact that they once again failed when faced with a ranked opponent has left the UGA fan base pretty demoralized.
That malaise lasting the rest of this season and translating into more empty seats is a distinct possibility.
Richt is right that there are games still to be played and history has shown the Gamecocks are prone to stumble down the stretch. So they certainly could wind up losing two and opening the door for the Dawgs to return to the SEC Championship game if Georgia wins out (though at this point the SEC East playing out exactly the same way as last year seems to defy the odds).
And, of course, that would still be contingent on Georgia beating Florida, which at this juncture looks like a much bigger challenge than was envisioned six weeks ago.
Still, even if the Bulldogs somehow manage to make their way to Atlanta again, the prospect of facing the collegiate buzzsaw known as Alabama brings up visions of last year’s meeting with LSU. There’s a been there, done that feeling to that scenario.
Sure, a season with 10 or 11 wins is definitely preferable to what we went through in 2009-10, but if you’re not realistically playing for a championship, what galvanizes the fan base? What does Georgia have left to play for, if the Gamecocks win out? Finally beating Florida two years in a row for the first time in more than two decades?
It’s not like a win over anyone else on the schedule is going to excite Georgia fans (though losing to one of them probably would mark this as a train wreck of a season in its own right). If Georgia loses to Florida, say, and finishes 10-2, the result would likely be another non-BCS New Year’s Day bowl in Florida. I can hear the collective yawn from the Bulldog Nation now.
But hold on. What if Georgia does regroup, the offensive line improves, Todd Grantham’s defense finally decides to try living up to its offseason hype, and the Dawgs finally blow the Jacksonville jinx to smithereens and beat the Gators? Remember 2007? The Dawgs didn’t make it to the SEC championship, but they finished the season as one of the nation’s hottest teams, got a Sugar Bowl bid and wound up as the No. 2 team in the nation. I remember most Bulldog fans being pretty satisfied with that season. Who doesn’t like a postseason trip to New Orleans?
At least one analyst, CBSsports.com’s Jerry Palm, sees the makings of a similar story this year. Palm has South Carolina winning the SEC East, falling to the Crimson Tide in Atlanta and winding up in that SEC Championship loser’s purgatory known as the Capitol One Bowl.
As for the Dawgs, he sees them beating Florida and finishing the season 11-1. With Alabama playing in the BCS title game, Palm forecasts the Sugar Bowl would take a one-loss Top 10 Georgia team as its SEC replacement to face the Big East champion.
That might sound unfair to Steve Spurrier and Gamecocks fans, but as Palm notes: “Bowls, the BCS games in particular, have a history of passing over teams that lost their league championship game if there is any other decent choice. Bowls fear that those fans, who just traveled to a neutral site game at the beginning of December and went home disappointed, might not venture out in as high of numbers a month later. 11-1 Georgia would qualify as a decent choice. In fact, the Bulldogs might even automatically qualify under BCS rules if they finish in the top 4 of the standings.”
No, it’s not the sort of championship the Bulldog Nation hungers for, but as football seasons go, such an outcome would be not too shabby.
So, yes, as Richt noted, the sun did come up Sunday, the Bulldogs “do still have an awful lot to play for” … and Georgia fans still have a team to cheer on to better days.
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407 comments Add your comment
Come on
October 9th, 2012
9:02 am
I knew when it only took 5 plays to go 70 yeards for Carolina’s first TD, that UGA was in trouble……
I told my daughter right after the first TD, when TV went to commercial
the very same thing.Ditch Richt,hire Jon Gruden.
Come on
October 9th, 2012
9:12 am
No, it’s not the sort of championship the Bulldog Nation hungers for, but as football seasons go, such an outcome would be not too shabby.
Why can’t the powers that be,and all the keep Mark Richt crowd, figure it out? This is not just a one loss deal,this is a pattern, it happened with Willie Martinez, now with Grantham, it happened with FL in 2008, 2009, Bama in 08, Boise St and LSU last year.EMBARASSING LOSSES,GETING BLOWN OUT,GAME OVER WHEN WE GOT OFF THE BUS.We can not win the big game
or defeat a top 25 team. The team doesn’t need a swim and bowling night buddy we need a hard nose football coach.Hire Jon Gruden.
PigIron
October 9th, 2012
9:19 am
Jon Gruden isn’t looking for a job, but Georgia would be better off with Houston Nutt than with clinging to Reverend Richt. Why not just bite the bullet and hire Petrino? He might not be the best Harley pilot out there, but he knows how to coach. Judging by his back seat passenger, he’s also a great recruiter.
Whiskey Breath
October 9th, 2012
9:21 am
What do you do ? You keep being a homer and pay Richt millions, that is what you do.
Then you relive the 1980 NC and pat Buck Bulue on the back. Buck then kisses his own backside.
Isn’t that the Ga way?
NCDawg
October 9th, 2012
9:25 am
I have tried a couple of times to post my opinions this weekend and the posts never made it to the board… so I will try one last time. I have been a staunch Mark Richt supporter through thick and thin but I think the time has come for a change. The Bulldogs need a change of culture. Something is terribly wrong when a team this talented gets embarrassed time after time on the big stage. There is something culture wise within the program that is not promoting that type of fiery competitive spirit that is required to win at a high level in college football today. It could be the kids know and react subconsciously to failure with a “I will always be forgiven” mentality. This does not spark a sense of urgency and certainly doesn’t promote soul searching to correct their performance.
I believe in forgiveness but I also believe that accepting anything less than your gut deep best is wrong. The “I’m only human” cop out doesn’t work. We are supposed to STRIVE for perfection…and accept grace when we come up short.
The staff has to go. Sometimes there are inherent flaws that cannot be corrected. The flaws are showing up regularly and have not been corrected for years. This points to something more than anyone on the staff can come to grips with, otherwise it would be corrected. So that leaves Mr.McGarity with no choice but to clean house and try something different. The Bulldawg Nation deserves better than we are getting. I thought we might have finally gotten to where we could challenge the powers again but I know now that I am wrong. The only way I will change my mind is if we BEAT Florida… not survive them… but show that the SC game was just a bad day. That and win every other game the way a team this talented should. Only then will I think that the program has turned the corner. Otherwise the only way we move forward is to fire the staff and start over.
trueblueeagle
October 9th, 2012
9:27 am
You all fire CMR and we will trade you CPJ for him! I would take 9 or 10 wins every year. In your heart you new UGA was not a top ten team after they played UB. The defense could not even lineup right in that game.
NCDawg
October 9th, 2012
9:31 am
BTW this program has the resources to hire the best… and I think that all efforts should be made to do so. Knee jerk hiring will not help. We CAN avoid the Tenn debacle. We can hire the RIGHT coach and be nearly instantly competitive again. The cupboard is not bare by any means.
No Bozos
October 9th, 2012
9:33 am
Reality check – next year’s schedule will be MUCH tougher.
Could we get WV’s coach – and QB?
robodawg
October 9th, 2012
9:55 am
Part of the problem is we started believing the hype. Reality check: We are not and were never a legit national title contender. The O line has no depth and is simply not good enough against the best defensive fronts. Murray has improved on ball security but remains inconsistent. The one real surprise is that the defense has not been more stout.
GT is 4th rate high school team
October 9th, 2012
9:59 am
I am always surprised on how RICHT looks at losses in terms of ranking and mathematical probabilities, however he seem to be just oblivious about the emotional toll these disappointments not only to the players but to the fans, etc. which seem to have been so recurrent.
GT is 4th rate high school team
October 9th, 2012
10:06 am
I have not read the whole contract of Richt but it seem more amenable to mutual understanding to a graceful exit giving time for UGA to find a replacement and not shake up the recruitment. Richt has to go deep inside himself to determine if he really still has what it takes to compete. He has proven in the past that it takes for him a long time to make necessary changes in his staff.
HUH?????
October 9th, 2012
10:11 am
“Where do we go from here?”
You go on to play another unranked opponent.
HUH?????
October 9th, 2012
10:12 am
I always laugh whenever UGA fans talk about how awesome CMR is because he can get UGA a 10 win season. 9 out of 10 of those teams are never ranked and the losses always come from top ranked teams.
Can anyone tell me the last quality opponent UGA beat?
HINT: It’s not Missouri.
hornblowermg
October 9th, 2012
10:26 am
why didn’t you show my last posting?
joe jenkins
October 9th, 2012
10:29 am
Hey huh……i bet we beat your sorry ass wildcats…hell even if ray goff filed in for richt in two weeks we would still beat them…..why dont you go worry about your own team….us dawg fans already know we cant beat the big boys…. we dont need you rubbing it in our faces every five seconds
UGA Insider
October 9th, 2012
10:35 am
I personally wouldn’t care if McGarity cancelled the rest of the season. I really wouldn’t. Thank you CMR for saving me $2000 by not going to the GA/FLA game. Never been so down about a game. Poorly prepared.
UGA Insider
October 9th, 2012
10:40 am
For those calling for a coaching change you could get your wish soon enough. Adams is a lame duck and will be gone in a few months. A new president will be at UGA and will hopefully hold people accountable. McGarity and Richt could be on their way out very soon.
joe jenkins
October 9th, 2012
10:49 am
I still think and believe that michael bennett would have made a difference in the game…evidence to the fact that right before halftime….wooten didn’t finish his route and caught the ball short of the goal line….It’s a fact if bennett played…murray is looking for him and i bet he bennett does cut his route short of the end zone….Guy’s benett is our best wr by far….I would have loved to see bennett and mitchell finishing out the year together…..oh well maybe next year.
hornblowermg
October 9th, 2012
10:56 am
BK. what was the problem with my earlier post that you censored out of here? you have my email address; just let me know if i am wasting my time reading your article(s). i thought that i was right on the money, and many of my uga alumni friends share my opinion.
dawgfacedboy
October 9th, 2012
10:56 am
There are plenty of coaches that could win 10 games at UGA with the talent they have and bring in every year. Just saying.
NCDawg
October 9th, 2012
11:18 am
I think the folks hammering Murray need to look at the dropped passes… the tipped ball interception was unfortunate but that happens every once in a while. Murray had no time at all. He did a great job of not forcing the ball and having more interceptions. Believe it or not it could have been much worse if he had decided to just chuck it and pray. He delivered the ball several times that were dropped. Just dropped. A few of those could have swung the tide. Momentum can be shifted and we didn’t make the plays to shift it. But the ball was there and it was dropped.
NCDawg
October 9th, 2012
11:24 am
hornblowermg… Bill doesn’t monitor this blog… there is some kind of bug in this system because I have had more than a dozen posts that never made through and they had absolutely no objectionable material in it… blaming Mr King will do no good at all… it just happens. I lost several posts that took a long time to write…very frustrating. And it isn’t just this blog. It is the AJC system.
Jborodawg
October 9th, 2012
11:26 am
We can still win the rest of the games. Don’t worry about what S.C. or anybody else does. Just take care of our own business and focus. 11-1 would be a great season, even if we don’t make it to ATL.
Thoughts and prayers are with A Murray and his family. Shame on whomever egged and rolled Robinson and Murray’s house. Same kind of class seen at the Braves-Cards game.
Go Dawgs! GATA against Kaintuck!
Grow a pair CMR
October 9th, 2012
11:43 am
Fire both Grantham and Boo Boo NOW! CPJ must have a pair.
DW
October 9th, 2012
11:51 am
This rest squarely on Mark Richt. The man is not a SEC coach, maybe ACC. To win big games in the SEC who have to coach “MAN” football and CMR is not that kind of coach. Good players, but no preparation and coaching, that the bottom line.
Axl
October 9th, 2012
12:10 pm
Where do we go?
Where do we go now?
Where do we go?
Oh,
Where do we go now?
No, no, no, no, no, no
Where have they gone?
October 9th, 2012
12:55 pm
Have you noticed that many other dawg blog sites dont even post anymore or even havent posted in a while? Seem they must be tired of the same ole crap too that Richt is putting on the field. Bill you need to update those blog sites.
SouthGADawg
October 9th, 2012
1:05 pm
Hey, let’s quit being so selfish here. Think of the joy and celebration that we continue to spread to the fans of our highly ranked opponents. And, we are setting them up for a major let down when they figure out that beating the Dawgs is no indicator of their team’s quality. There are some pluses here!
Sarcasm, the only defense against stupid AND the only defense to the disappointment of being a Dawg fan.
SouthGADawg
October 9th, 2012
1:11 pm
BTW, I clearly hold Richt and the coaching staff accountable for the last 9 debacles against ranked opponents. It is really unfair to send such quality athletes on the field so unprepared week after week. USC knew what they (UGA) were going to do before the UGA offense or defense did. By contrast, the UGA players were clueless on at least 40% of the plays.
same ole same ole
October 9th, 2012
1:23 pm
charlie strong………. where r u.
DawgFanInBama
October 9th, 2012
1:30 pm
You know what is really funny about that picture at the top of the article? That could be a live video and we would never even know it….That is EXACTLY how Richt looks for 4 straight quarters..
Only time Richt has shown emotion this year: When he hugged worthless Rambo on his last suspended game.
Terrible.
Class of '98
October 9th, 2012
1:35 pm
Three hundred and thirty-fourth.
HUH?????
October 9th, 2012
1:36 pm
“i bet we beat your sorry ass wildcats”
Good thing my team’s mascot isn’t a wildcat. Otherwise you’d have a point.
JB
October 9th, 2012
1:42 pm
Bobo should of never been the OC. He ought to be recruiting cord………..Grantham was Richt’s 3rd or 4th choice…..And it’s beginning to show……….And what is different at USCe the last 100 years except Sprurrier? Coaching does matter. We are mid tier SEC because of it.
JB
October 9th, 2012
1:45 pm
Stat of the day: Dawgs have not beat a team with more than 9 wins since 2006. It was Auburn…..Richt does not, cannot beat good football teams.
JB
October 9th, 2012
1:53 pm
Go to SI.com and read all the Zingers Sprurrier rattled off about us. Don’t see us shutting him up anytime soon.
BMOC
October 9th, 2012
2:06 pm
I second that ATLNative
Want Change Dawg Nation?
October 9th, 2012
2:19 pm
Stop sending the MONEY!
Sicht of Richt
October 9th, 2012
2:33 pm
Enough is enough. We will NEVER win a NC under Richt and Mike Bobo is still the biggest clown in the SEC. If you want to unite the fan base, bring in a new regime. It’s time. Hell, it’s past time.
Derek
October 9th, 2012
2:40 pm
All you dreamers….Richt is here to stay. No way the AD fires one of the winningnest and most liked coaches in football. There would be riots in Athens. Richt is beloved by true fans, by the administration. He is a great coach. Not perfect but great. I predict that Bobo will be the HC at a strong program within 3 years. Responders to this blog never read national sports news–I don’t guess. Bobo is respected throughout college football as a fine OC. Now I believe that Richt should call the plays and Bobo should focus primarily on the QB’s. Richt is a great mind on offense–the decline of FL State happened when Richt left. Talk about money–you would see it leave the program by the millions if Richt were fired. Greg is happy with Richt and the University is happy with a great coach who would never be caught on a motorcycle with a pretty blonde. Let Auburn have Petrino (as rumor has it Petrino is headed to Auburn when GC is fired) I will take Richt every day of the week. GA wins out, wins the SEC, wins the bowl and Richt is crowned coach for life.
astrouga
October 9th, 2012
2:53 pm
Where do we go from here?
According to the knucklehead Palm, the Sugar bowl!
http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/bowls/predictions
The Rest of the SEC
October 9th, 2012
2:55 pm
I hear ya, Derek!
Please give Coach Richt a lifetime contract. He deserves it!
dawgfacedboy
October 9th, 2012
3:13 pm
I was at Dega this weekend. Heard the debacle on the radio. At one point the radio announcer said : “It’s like S.C. knows what is coming on both sides of the ball before the ball is even snapped.” That is the 2nd time I specifically remember someone saying that about the dawgs (about being predictable and knowing what was coming). Jonathan Crompton said almost the same thing in his post game interview after we made him look like a Heisman candidate that day. Readjust your expectations. Say what you will about being a “true fan” but I don’t believe Richt is winning a NC and neither will UGA as long as he’s there.
We WILL however have a 10 win team most years and a 2nd tier bowl game with a relatively clean program. I mean, every year we have guys suspended for DUIs, marijuana, etc. but I don’t forsee any catastrophic problems with the program in our future while Richt is there.
Keep in mind 10 wins a year looks great but there is a HUGE difference in winning 10 a year and 13 or 14.
Neutral
October 9th, 2012
3:20 pm
@JB,
Spurrier is like a little kid and has never gotten over the absolute pounding and humiliation he took by the Dawgs the year he won the Heisman Trophy. I don’t think I have ever witnessed a beat-down like that game and it knocked Florida out of a NC. He is one bitter little guy so let him have his fun today, but let’s all remember with great happiness why he hates UGa so much!!!
Mad Dog One
October 9th, 2012
3:26 pm
Let me start by saying I hate visor boy, the chickens and about any team that dosen’t start with U and end with GA. That said they were better than we were plain and simple we can try to spin it but it won’t wash so get over it and support your team or go root for tech.GO DOGS & GATA
Neutral
October 9th, 2012
3:32 pm
DawgFaceBoy,
It also concerns me, but not that we make predictable plays. My concern is related to Clowney’s comment when he said he got the jump on EVERY play because UGa “tipped-off” their snap count. That explains a lot about how he was able to get around our line frequently untouched. Bummer that we didn’t know we were telegraphing the snap count. I’ll go whacko if we don’t figure this out before the Florida game. It is that type of “attention to detail” that separates a good coach from a great one. Go Dawgs!!!
The Rest of the SEC
October 9th, 2012
3:34 pm
@Neutral
Few are old enough to remember Steve Spurrier as a player. Who cares if he hates Georgia, loves Georgia or has no opinion? The important thing is that he knows how to beat a Mark Richt coached team down like a stray yard dog. If you think Spurrier’s team simply has superior talent, you should watch the replay of the USC vs. Vandy game.
THE Dixie Redcoat Band
October 9th, 2012
3:45 pm
We don’t think UGA should “over look” UK…and plz no more tv. It’s tooo painful for the country to watch.
BigDave
October 9th, 2012
4:36 pm
I’ll say this again…MARK RICHT SHOULD RESIGN…IMMEDIATELY!
dawg
October 9th, 2012
4:39 pm
next head coach at UGA……….Kyle Whittingham (Coach at unversity of Utah)……..