Fan talk: Will Dawgs let another lesser foe hang around?
Georgia faces another dangerous quarterback in Ole Miss' Bo Wallace. (Associated Press)
Georgia comes home Between the Hedges this week with a clear mandate: If the Dawgs win their next two games they get to return to the Georgia Dome for the SEC Championship.
The question worrying Bulldogs fans all week is whether that will be enough to keep Todd Grantham’s mercurial defense fired up like it was against the Gators, or whether this will be another of too many games this season in which the Bulldog defenders sleepwalked through the first half and let a lesser team hang around much closer than they should.
Yes, Georgia is the better team Saturday, which is why the point spread is a couple of touchdowns. But Ole Miss isn’t the jabroni of the SEC West like they were under Houston Nutt. After being embarrassed by Texas, the Rebel Black Bears made a respectable showing against mighty Alabama, holding the Crimson Tide to to just 305 yards of offense and managing to score twice in a 33-14 loss. They then scared Texas A&M, losing to Johnny Football and company by only a field goal, and since have won two conference games in a row — albeit, against the two worst teams in the SEC.
New coach Hugh Freeze has his team believing they can play with anyone, and that could be dangerous if Georgia shows up lacking motivation because no one insulted them this week. Mississippi runs an uptempo quick-snap offense that got under Nick Saban’s skin and could interfere with Grantham’s liberal substitution policy, and quarterback Bo Wallace is yet another of those mobile quarterbacks that can burn you both ways. He also is prone to throwing picks, however, and the Ole Miss line has given up quite a few sacks this season. A repeat of the defensive game plan used against Florida’s Jeff Driskel would seem in order.
On defense, the Rebs’ most dangerous player has a familiar last name: freshman linebacker Denzel Nkemdiche of Loganville, brother of recruitniks’ favorite obsession. He leads the team in tackles, tackles for loss, forced fumbles and interceptions. But overall Ole Miss ranks ninth in the conference, and considering the defensive coordinator is Dave Wommack, who ran the Georgia Tech D during the 2009 “We run this state” game, you might figure Mike Bobo will be tempted to keep Todd Gurley pounding away at them, setting up Aaron Murray’s play-action passing attack nicely.
One thing that’s likely to be different from last week: Ole Miss is one of the least-penalized teams in the SEC. Let’s hope the Dogs follow suit.
Bottom line is that Ole Miss is just good enough to make this game closer than it should be if the Bulldogs play like they did against Kentucky. But in the end Georgia’s tremendous talent differential should rule.
HOMECOMING NOTES
If you’re headed over to Athens Friday for an early jump on homecoming festivities, Vince Dooley will be signing his various books and copies of the “1980 Dawgs” DVD from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Red Zone, 155 E. Clayton St. in downtown Athens. Also downtown, the homecoming parade is set for 6 p.m. Friday. The Redcoat Band will be marching and UGA Olympian Reese Hoffa will be the grand marshal.
Friday night, the Georgia men’s basketball team kicks off its season with an exhibition game against Young Harris. Tip-off is at 7 p.m. and admission is free.
Saturday, there are a lot of homecoming gatherings planned at the various schools of UGA and a Healthy Dawg Tailgate — with free food, alcohol-free drinks, T-shirts, games and an inflatable slide for the kids — runs 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the University Health Center on East Campus. The Red Zone also will have another signing session from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., this time with Rex Robinson, Scott Woerner and Tim Crowe of the 1980 national champions on hand.
The Dawg Walk is set for sometime around 2 p.m. in the Tate Center parking lot.
Now, let’s get to some of this week’s Junkyard Mail. …
Jeff Myers writes: Bill, the great win last week has me fired up to welcome the Dawgs home after a month away. It was not a well played football game, but winning is what matters. All those worried about our defensive ranks, or offense woes, kicking, etc. I would remind you that despite our rankings last year, we lost 4 games; I will take a win every day over a ranking. CMR is too nice a man to call out his players or the fans, but I have been really bothered by the lack of home crowd enthusiasm and noise this season. Heck the half stadium crowd last week in Jacksonville was louder than Sanford Stadium this season. When the Dawgs went to Columbia, that crowd topped anything I have seen at UGA in quite a while; they were loud and obnoxious from warm-ups on. For all those that say CMR is emotionless, I would point out that every home game this season, with the defense on the field and 3rd down. CMR is on the sideline waving his play sheet in the air, begging the fans to get the noise level up, and get it up sooner. Not just make it hard at the snap, but in the huddle and at the line. I can think of no better way to show your support for the Dawgs great victory last week then bringing your best voice this Saturday. The team will need the “12th Man”, especially on defense, as those guys gave it everything and have reason to be low in the tank. Hopefully the offense and special teams will be better and can energize the team as well. I don’t care if Murray throws a pick six on the first play, we have to get right back into the game UGA fans, we are fighting for a trip to the Dome. Maybe Shawn Williams needs to call the fans soft. Calling on all Dawgs Fans this Saturday to Rise UP, Homecoming, National TV, let’s show them our team and fans our top 10 in the country.
The home fans have gotten pretty loud at times this season, but overall you make a good point: Sanford Stadium crowds aren’t nearly as noisy or involved in the game as they ought to be, especially if it’s not a big-time opponent. I’m not sure what can be done about that. Anyone have any ideas?
Did Todd Grantham know Shawn Williams was going to call out the defense? It would appear so. (University of Georgia)
Nathaniel W. Roper writes: Hey, Bill. Love your Blawg. I have a theory that I am not hearing anyone else mention, but wonder what your take is. My theory is that CMR -— in a brilliant move, if so — was completely behind the Shawn Williams comments. I mean, when is the last time something that CMR did not want said by the players was spilled to the media? I would find it hard to believe that, out of nowhere, Williams just took it upon himself to vent his frustrations, especially being a senior. Maybe I am way off base here, but would like your thoughts. And may I also add that, while perhaps Mark Richt doesn’t have the win-at-all-costs mentality that some others in the SEC have (how many “suspensions” did Garcia get at South Carolina without missing a down?), if my sons were ever offered the chance to play for an SEC program, I would much rather him be their coach, mentor, and role model than anyone else in the conference.
Thanks, Nathaniel. I’ve heard that theory several times this week, and comments made last week by Mark Richt and Grantham in the wake of Shawn Williams calling out his teammates would seem to indicate that, if it wasn’t all planned, at the very least they weren’t upset with what Williams did and they were hopeful it would “jolt our guys,” as Richt put it. Asked if he had advance notice of what Williams planned to say to the media, Grantham danced around a bit but seemed to indicate that he did. “Shawn and I are pretty close and we talk. He’s a guy who wants us to play well and physical and do those kinds of things. So, you know, I don’t know.” If it was a deliberate motivational ploy, it worked brilliantly. But it’s a shame that such things are necessary with this team.
KnoxDawg writes: Bill, I’m a lifelong Dawg fan who lives in Knoxville. I was born minutes from the stadium in 1961 to parents who both graduated from the university. I have an uncle who played for the Dawgs (Jim Smith ‘63) before an injury ended his career. A job change for my dad brought me north to Volunteer land in 1966 and I have endured the taunts of Vol fans every year since then. God smiled on me though, and got me into Neyland Stadium on September 6, 1980 when Herschel started his 3-year dominance of the SEC. I got to see it with my own two eyes. In fact, these eyes have seen a lot of good days and bad days on Georgia football Saturdays. I say all that as a foundation for these words on coaches and coaching changes. I would love to see us get back to the days when we could expect to retain a coach for 25 years just because he’s a good man, he wins consistently (as opposed to constantly), he brings character to the program and he’s a Dawg through and through. I’ll admit from the start; I’m a Mark Richt homer. I will be until the day he leaves Athens for the next leg in his journey. But I’m so tired of Dawg fans who scream at the top of their lungs for coaching changes every time we stumble. Let me ask those fans one question. How long would you have “tolerated” Vince Dooley? He’s only one of the most iconic coaches in modern college football, period. But, if you take the time to examine the numbers, you’ll find that his record had some extreme ups and downs. From ‘64-’70, his regular season record was 46-20-4. From ‘71-’79 it was 68-30-2. From ‘80-’88, including ‘The Glory Years’ and the NC, he guided the Bulldogs to a 79-18-2 record. His overall bowl record for 25 years was 8-10-2 and the Dawgs were unranked by the AP after 13 of those seasons. Yet, even today, Georgia fans everywhere hold Vince Dooley in extremely high regard, as do I. So, what’s the difference in the game today? I don’t believe the tired old excuse of, “It’s the huge amount of money” we’re paying coaches today. If Mark Richt were making $500K instead of $3M, none of the usual critics would be saying that 10-win years are OK ‘for that amount of money’. They’d be saying we need to ‘open the bank vault’ and find the next Nick Saban. Sadly, in today’s world, Vince Dooley would never have had the chance to win a NC or become a Georgia legend. The requirements are simply too stringent, the expectations too unrealistic. More likely than not, our pride has swelled to such enormous levels that we can not tolerate NOT being number one.
You make a good point, Knox, but the fact is that times have changed and fan bases’ expectations are different from the Dooley era. So unless Richt wins a national championship, even 10-win seasons are not going to be enough to stop the griping.
If the Dawgs make it to the Georgia Dome and meet Nick Saban's Crimson Tide, how would they likely fare? (Associated Press)
Dan Smith writes: What are your thoughts on a UGA-Bama SEC Championship game? Would we look unprepared and be steamrolled by Nick Saban and company, again? I suppose it could still be LSU representing the West (though I don’t think they’re going to be able to overcome the losses they’ve had on the O-line to line up with Bama all four quarters). But, at this point, how do you see the (currently hypothetical) Dawgs against the Crimson Tide in Atlanta?
I think it would take the Bulldogs playing a nearly perfect game in all facets and Ole Lady Luck, as Larry Munson used to call her, stepping in, but, yes, Georgia is capable of beating Alabama. Do I think it would be likely to happen? No. I think a return match against LSU would work more in the Bulldogs’ favor than meeting the Crimson Tide. I’d like to see what Jarvis Jones could do against Zach Mettenberger, wouldn’t you?
Patrick Yaggy writes: Hi Bill, Let’s extend the post-match euphoria with some rampant speculation. With four teams currently undefeated in front of them, what are the chances that a Georgia team which runs the table to make it to the Dome and then beats still #1 Alabama makes it to the title game? How far would taking down #1 and #2 in the nation go?
As Jeff Schultz outlined this week, it’s theoretically possible for Georgia to make the BCS title game if they win out. But it would require at least a couple of the currently undefeated non-SEC teams to lose. I think a one-loss Alabama is a better bet to make the game than a one-loss Georgia team.
Chris Watson writes: Hey Bill, I am a huge fan of your posts and thoughtful insight. One question I have had that I have not heard mentioned involves our running backs. Why is it that we do not switch between the 2 (or 3) on a single drive? Instead we have Marshall for a complete drive, and then we have Gurley for a complete drive. Because of how different their running styles are the defense would have to be extra prepared and not to mention, giving the backs a break every few runs would bring them back fresh and ready to pound. What are your thoughts on this?
While generally the same tailback stays in for an entire drive, the Dawgs have done some mixing it up this season. Against Tennessee, Keith Marshall and Todd Gurley both ran the ball on Georgia’s third scoring drive. And in the Vandy game, the fourth scoring drive saw Gurley in at first, then Marshall was put in, followed by Boo Malcome, and then Marshall came back. Generally, though, the idea is that if you keep swapping the backs in and out you prevent any one of them from getting into a rhythm.
@DCDawg writes: Bill, One thing that drives me crazy is that when Murray goes to audible, the entire offense that has not been set looks to the sidelines. Aside from being distracting, annoying, and amateurish (can you tell I don’t like it?), it is signaling to the defense that something is being changed and that the game is being micro-managed from the sideline. All the opposing team has to do is key in on the signal caller to find a pattern to figure out what is about to be called — maybe that is how South Carolina knew how to shut down the Georgia offense. It also takes time and there have been a few delay of game calls against the offense. Why is Georgia doing this?
Actually, many teams do it that way. I remember when I first saw opponents like Troy do it a few seasons back I found it irritating, too, but since Mike Bobo installed the semi-hurry-up last year I’ve gotten used to it. The key advantage is that it allows the offense to change its call after having seen the defensive alignment. As for South Carolina, I think the mismatch between the Gamecocks’ defensive front and the Georgia offensive line was the main problem there.
I’ll answer more Junkyard Mail next week. Do you have something you want to discuss concerning the current football season or UGA athletics in general? Got a question you want the Junkyard Blawg to tackle? If so, send it to junkyardblawg@gmail.com.
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102 comments Add your comment
P-Man
November 2nd, 2012
10:47 am
Good story, Bill. I agree with KnoxDawg. It’s amazing how many fans cannot tolerate NOT being #1…
Eli da truth
November 2nd, 2012
10:48 am
Dawgs win this weekend…but take ole miss and the points! Truth!
Bulldogs for Muschamp Lifetime Contract
November 2nd, 2012
10:48 am
Yeah, it was irritating letting the gators hang around, another pitiful foe this week who just beat preseason #8 team.
Yeah, it’s really bad how other schools have players on scholarship and highly paid coaches who want to win
Yeah, it’s really bad how folks just don’t roll over and let us plow them.
Amazing how college football works that way.
Strat Cat Dawg
November 2nd, 2012
11:08 am
I don’t think the D will let down this week. Consider that, aside from Williams’ and others’ motivational comments, Jarvis Jones was back and functioning up to his abilities and the rest of the D was settling into their appropriate positions after numerous changes and disruptions from suspensions. I expect us to maintain a high level of performance and for the Dawgs to win handily.
Mad Dawg 20-20
November 2nd, 2012
11:09 am
Nice Blawg Bill… I don’t think the Dawgs will be flat this week. Too much riding on the next two SEC games. I expect a dominant game played by Georgia. Kinda like against Vandy.
FB
November 2nd, 2012
11:16 am
If you are really a “Bulldog for Muschamp”, you are not a very smart football mind. He has lost already twice to us. Take a look at the great coaches: they do not spew his “passion”. That works for a year or two and then the players tune it out. Saban, Miles, Spurrier and Meyer all show emotion but not the junk you see from Muschamp. He is a lifetime assistant head coach. Careful what you wish for.
Bulldogs for Muschamp Lifetime Contract
November 2nd, 2012
11:28 am
FB
You obviously misread my content.
Loaded with sarcasm
I want Muschamp to stay 4EVAH at florida
I’m just sick of all the haters thinking we should win 70-0 every week and that was my point
ARdawg
November 2nd, 2012
11:29 am
Just win baby. For all intent and purpose we are out of the beauty contest with the Columbia thumping and should be. Just win and let the chips fall where they may
beanster
November 2nd, 2012
11:31 am
Should be a beautiful day for an afternoon football game. Ole Missy could be a contest for once.
As for getting the fans riled up: I like the small black towels with the “G” they sometimes handout. They’re more or less harmless (not ammo of any sort) and honestly, they make the kickoffs a little noisier because it’s easier to stand up and twirl a towel than to stand up and start yelling “GOOOOOOOOOOOO…” …it’s always a little awkward for whomever that first person in your section turns out to be….
SSIgator
November 2nd, 2012
11:32 am
“But it’s a shame that such things are necessary with this team”
_________________________
I has to be up to the players Bill – the coaching staff at UGA will never get it done on their own. In your own words it is the “new normal”
Patched Tire On I-95 in Jacksonville
November 2nd, 2012
11:37 am
Sure we will
I mean we almost always let every team we play hang around
ozzfest
November 2nd, 2012
11:44 am
I would much rather live in Georgia than Alabubba.
Tatman
November 2nd, 2012
11:45 am
@ Bulldogs for Muschamp Lifetime Contract…I believe the teams that people are talking about in your 1st and 3rd points are teams like Buffalo, Florida Atlantic, Tennessee and Kentucky. We did plow through Buffalo and Fla Atlantic but they shouldn’t have scored 23 and 20 points on us. They should have been closed to the Vandy score. UT and UK hung around WAY too long. UT scored way too much on us and both games were way closer than they should have been.
SSIgator
November 2nd, 2012
11:48 am
“copies of the “1980 Dawgs” DVD”
__________________
Bet those sell out in a hurry. All of those VHS tapes of the 1980 game have been worn out with their continual play. So long ago.
No offense
November 2nd, 2012
11:57 am
Maybe the offense will show up this week (and not commit turnovers) unlike at Fla or SC.
McDawg
November 2nd, 2012
11:59 am
so we could beat Bama and they could still play for BCS title-don’t think that would wash this year
Patched Tire On I-95 in Jacksonville
November 2nd, 2012
12:02 pm
Tatman
Bulldogs for Muschamp Lifetime Contract
Is the typical kool-aid drinking fan who thinks a wins a win against KY and a sorry Tenn team
Then when we play a good team like SC and get plowed they want to talk about 100 victories against cupcake teams
Championship teams dont let teams weak after weak hang around just watch Bama or Oregon or K-state
Patched Tire On I-95 in Jacksonville
November 2nd, 2012
12:06 pm
The offense might show up or the defense might show up
Who really knows with Richts teams; one game the offense looks like Oregon and the Defense looks like West Virginia then the next week the Defense looks like Bama and the Offense looks like it never seen the endzone
Its just the way it is and will always be when you run an undisciplined team
Patched Tire On I-95 in Jacksonville
November 2nd, 2012
12:22 pm
Bill
Stated he doesnt see us beating the Tide unless we play flawless
I guess Bill doesnt drink kool-aid but lives in reality unlike half the posters on this blog
DIT
November 2nd, 2012
12:24 pm
I agree with the 1st comment in Bill’s article. I have not heard it loud in Sanford stadium in a very long time. Years ago I remember when you could not even hold a conversation with the person next to you. Now, you can hold a conversation with the person several rows away. It’s way too quiet. Fans need to be more like the 12th man as stated before!
gomdawg
November 2nd, 2012
12:24 pm
GO DAWGS —–OFFENSE AND DEFENSE HAS ONE HELLVA GAME
DAWGS 47 REBELS 14
gomdawg
November 2nd, 2012
12:26 pm
WE NEED TO BEAT OLE MISS, AUBURN , GA. SOUTHERN AND GEORGIA TECK BEFORE WE THINK ABOUT ALABAMA OR LSU.
LET’S REMEMBER ONE GAME AT A TIME
GO DAWGS
Snack Shack
November 2nd, 2012
12:28 pm
KnoxDog is right on target! I agree with everything he said.
Desert Fox
November 2nd, 2012
12:29 pm
College FB News is picking MS to up set GA, 30-27. GA has a better team then MS but I do believe MS can pull the upset if the dawgs have a let down from the high in JAX. They can score if GA’s D is flat as proven by the likes of KY, et al. Would like to see CTG use the same ploy against MS as he did vs FL when he blitzed a lot and stacked the D against the run. If the dawgs can get Gurley going early and open the MS D to the passing game given Murray has the time it could be a good day for the beleagured QB. Noticed Bobo is finally keeping Gurley in during 4th qtr and not rotating Marshall late in the game. Need Gurley’s hard running when game is on the line as Marshall is more of a speed guy and not a power back needed to keep the chains moving late in a game.
Same goes for AU game. Both MS and AU’s season would be made w/an upset of a top 10 team in GA.
Think dawgs would fare better vs LSU then AL. Dawgs D would fare better vs low scoring LSU Offense w/ZM having trouble passing the ball. Dawgs would struggle offensively against both AL and LSU. Both have very good D’s and I fear would overwhelm GA’s OL.
Just getting to Atl would be a victory for the dawgs but it all begings this w/e against MS. go dawgs.
BLEED SWAG
November 2nd, 2012
12:37 pm
SSI – still drooling around in his puddle of tears… lol
Bill, you really think a one loss bama team makes it in before the dawgs even if the dawgs either beat them head to head or dont even play them because they lose this weekend?
I would love for anyone including the bama fans that always seem to be here to explain how that could happen if that is the case……
I want to remind everyone at this present point the TIDE is hanging their hat on the only ranked team (won’t be in 4 weeks) on their schedule being Miss St…… and that’s a SOS??? don’t even say Michigan either… the Big 10 is horrible! So who have they played????
I’ll take a healthy SC and UF over LSU and Miss ST anyday….. not to mention having to win the SECCG (if it were to happen) as being much better 1 loss team.
Troy
November 2nd, 2012
12:38 pm
Please help me understand Bill WHY we would let Nkemdiche brother take an “unofficial” visit to attend this game. The is no chance in.{{{{ that he is even considering UGA. He will be cheering loudly for his brother (as he should). This family has played this recruiting to the hilt…..and we wonder why these kids jerk these coaches around like they do……
Patched Tire On I-95 in Jacksonville
November 2nd, 2012
12:44 pm
knoxdog
forgets to put in his “article” to Bill that UGA football has been blown out 9 times in 4 yrs; has only beaten 1 top 20 team in 4 yrs 3-14 against top 25 teams the past 4 yrs and is 1-10 vs top 10 teams
being abysmal for 4 years and demanding season ticket holders to pay double what a season ticket costs is going to cause people to start questioning the coaching not because we lose a game here and there and not because of salary
Troy
November 2nd, 2012
12:49 pm
I don’t care if Murray throws a pick six on the first play
REALLY?????? I do!!!!!!!!!! Lets be clear…the ONLY reason we left Jax with a win was because of our D and poor play by Fla. MURRAY would have cost us the game had UF been playing even half way better
dawgfacedboy
November 2nd, 2012
12:53 pm
Nathaniel W. Roper should listen to 680 sometime. THose guys were saying the same thing for a week. No way this is a let down game. We steam roll the rest of the season. All you have to say is “lose and we don’t play for the SEC” “lose and we become irrelevant”.
woof
November 2nd, 2012
12:54 pm
It’s pretty sad that it takes a player calling out the team to light a fire under them…….wow- what Bama player called thier team out????????????????? You would have thought that Carolina losing to LSU and us having yet another opportunity to get back into the sec would have been enough…but what do we do???? Almost lose to KY. nuff said…….we shall see what happens this week. My guess is we come out flat and either get upset or it looks like UK again
Silly Bloggers
November 2nd, 2012
12:55 pm
Patched…couldn’t agree more. This team needs to win convincingly the next four weeks and win the SECCG to really start changing the mindset. Florida was a nice step, but the sliver of hope that came from that game can disappear quickly.
It isn’t that UGA has lost to some good teams over the last few years…it is how we lose them. Blowout to SC this year. Special teams and Murray against SC last year. Murray against Michigan State last year. Being totally unprepared for the first game of the season against Boise St and Oklahoma State. Playing uninspired and losing to Central Florida. The blowout against Bama which started it all.
If you go back to the 2002 to 2006, my memories are of the 4th down TD by Green against Auburn. Pollack swiping the ball against SC in the endzone. Hayes getting the TD in Knoxville. Big games with big plays that we won. I don’t have any of those to hang my hat on the last four years and that is why I can be both a big UGA fan and a criticizer at the same time.
Go Dawgs!
Pazian
November 2nd, 2012
12:59 pm
Patched Tire… why did you change your name from Flat Tire after the FL game? No flame here, just curious.
woof
November 2nd, 2012
12:59 pm
KNOXDawg…..I can tell you the difference……you almost NEVER saw a Dooley coached team that looked like they were not preparred or if on a rare occasion you did, it was not tolerated and they came back strong. That cant be said for CMR teams- we get blown out time and time again……I can only honestly remember a few games over 25 years that UGA was completely blown out in a game (Arkansas, KY in 77, Fla in 84 or 85, Virginia in 78 I think (Vince could never beat his brother-HA!)
joe jenkins
November 2nd, 2012
1:04 pm
Alot of people think we are going to get upset…….even jeff danztler thinks we only win 25-23….how the hell he come up with that score? I think the we roll 37-14. with them scoring their 2nd td late in the fourth quarter…..We have so much riding on this game, if we cant beat them at home and they have a first year coach from arkansas st…. we don’t deserve to win the east
Pazian
November 2nd, 2012
1:05 pm
@Silly Bloggers
“If you go back to the 2002 to 2006, my memories are of the 4th down TD by Green against Auburn. Pollack swiping the ball against SC in the endzone. Hayes getting the TD in Knoxville. Big games with big plays that we won. I don’t have any of those to hang my hat on the last four years ”
– um…. I think Jarvis Jones stripping the ball as Jordan Reed crossed the 5 yard line to save the game last week would count as “One of those Plays.” I know it does for me.
NCDawg
November 2nd, 2012
1:10 pm
Weighing in on the Sanford Stadium fans… I think everyone has the blahs because of the schedule and the perceived under achievement of the team, Personally, I think any time you can go to the stadium and see the Dawgs play is reason enough to get laryngitis for the next couple of days.
I think the staff had a hand in Shawn Williams comments last week. he probably vented to a coach ( probably Grantham) and he said something like “well maybe they need to hear this from you”. Our staff seems to be all about Senior leadership and players stepping into leadership roles. The challenge to Murray this year was to be a more vocal leader. So I think it WAS bounced off the coaches before it made it’s way to the team. I think the comments about who should be playing caught Grantham off guard, however.
The calls from the sideline might also be a decoy. Peyton Manning is the master of calling dummy audibles. It could also be additional information like the defensive formation. Whatever it is, get used to it, because as long as we aren’t huddling we will have to use it. And SC took advantage of their enormous crowd noise to reduce our ability to check out of plays and effective communicate. Clowney said they picked up that Murray was tapping Andrews leg when it was time to snap so they got an extra jump. There has to be a better way to overcome crowd noise. It is too big an advantage against sophisticated offenses.
Patched Tire On I-95 in Jacksonville
November 2nd, 2012
1:10 pm
Pazian
Cause I promised the kool-aid drinkers who think this coaching staff will win a national title that I would change it if we beat FL 2 yrs in a row
Patched Tire On I-95 in Jacksonville
November 2nd, 2012
1:11 pm
woof
well said about Dooley’s teams I remember that as well
7576DAWG
November 2nd, 2012
1:14 pm
I don’t think we will have any more under performance from the Defense this year. Two reasons:
1-They are trying out for where they will end up in the Pro draft.
2- They only have three more games to play a Sanford Stadium.
It finally registered they were about to cost themselves Millions because of being higher in the draft. Georgia will get the entire Defenses best for the rest of the year. If Murray can play error free like he did in the Florida game in the second half and the Offensive line can keep improving even winning the SEC Championship will be a good possibility for Georgia.
Frosty Dawg
November 2nd, 2012
1:24 pm
Bill, the answer is “Yes–for about 20 minutes.” I expect sometime in the second quarter, our O will catch fire again. Remember what happened in ‘07 after Knowshon was showcased in the Florida game. He, and we, never looked back. Something similar will happen with Gurley, who has proven conclusively that he’s a threat for the tough yards between the tackles as well as the long ones. That will open up the passing game, and there’s no way Tav King has another no-catch game.
On the other side, Ole Miss will get some yards and points, no doubt. They have the line, QB and scheme to do that. But Wallace has been sacked a good bit and has thrown 9 picks. Our D-backs are due for a big game, and I think we’ll see some bending but not much breaking.
Silly Bloggers
November 2nd, 2012
1:34 pm
Pazian…agreed, but that is why I said Florida was a nice beginning. Can you name me any others?
Silly Bloggers
November 2nd, 2012
1:40 pm
If UGA runs the table AND wins the SECCG, Patched Tire can change his name to New Tire on I-95.
NCDawg
November 2nd, 2012
1:49 pm
Ok… listen up… I’ll say this again. I think this is the 5th or 6th time. Sometimes it takes a peer telling you what an authority figure has been saying for a while because kids tune that stuff out. Did you listen to your parents? Your teachers? I’m guessing the answer is..sometimes. Well guess what? These are kids just like you.
When a coach says you’re soft and getting whipped it is one thing… when your peer says it, it’s an insult. It is human nature folks. Also, did you ever stop to think that maybe things like this happen at Bama and LSU and no one knows because their press isn’t all in their faces all the time. Stop with the “it shouldn’t be necessary” crap… it worked and that is all I care about. Will it continue to work…we’ll see.
Bulldogs for Muschamp Lifetime Contract
November 2nd, 2012
2:03 pm
patched tire and SSI are both too stupid to realize that Richt was the straw stirring the drink on Shawn Williams comments.
Strat Cat Dawg
November 2nd, 2012
2:07 pm
Too much is made of Williams calling the team out. Not enough is made of Jarvis being healthy and the D having stable assignments in their positions. And Aaron Murray led those 2 wins in a row over UF
UGA Friend
November 2nd, 2012
2:07 pm
No contest. UGA rolls in a laugher 48-14. Murray has a big day. On to Atlanta.
Dawgs upset Alabama in a close one and play Oregon for national championship.
G-Dawg
November 2nd, 2012
2:10 pm
We need to Williams to call some of the fan base soft!! Maybe that’ll get them outta there seats during games!!!!
Silly Bloggers
November 2nd, 2012
2:12 pm
I think Oregon has the best chance to lose a game between ND, K-State and Oregon. Bama has the best chance to lose by playing LSU and the SEC CG. Oregon has to play USC (probably twice) and Oregon State. ND has three cupcakes and USC. K-State plays teams with winning records but the best of them is Texas which is not too frightening…all bark and no bite.
Long story short, time to start pulling for Kiffin and Barkley…I just vomited a bit in my mouth after typing that.
NCDawg
November 2nd, 2012
2:12 pm
G-Dawg… uh that doesn’t work on fan bases. They get offended and don’t come. LOL.
G-Dawg
November 2nd, 2012
2:12 pm
I’m agreeing with Friend…Dawgs come out on a mission.
Run the nickle package this game!!
G-Dawg
November 2nd, 2012
2:14 pm
LOL..well, the truth hurts sometimes!!
Ed
November 2nd, 2012
2:14 pm
I hope not. After last week’s game, I wouldn’t mind a little less drama. Especially with a trip to the SECCG on the line!
Joey
November 2nd, 2012
2:20 pm
“But I’m so tired of Dawg fans who scream at the top of their lungs for coaching changes every time we stumble.”
***********************************
And I’m so tired of Richt fans who kiss Richt’s hind-end, even with year after year of blowout losses, including one about 3 weeks ago to a (now) 2-loss team.
I’m tickled pink about the UF game (thanks Shawn Williams), and I’m happy for Richt, but I’m still ticked about SC.
And KnoxDawg is clueless. – yep, clueless for thinking UGA fans have “unrealistic expectations” for our football program, which by the way, has ALREADY “opened the vault” for this staff – what $6M now?
Ed
November 2nd, 2012
2:22 pm
“Heck the half stadium crowd last week in Jacksonville was louder than Sanford Stadium this season. ” – Jeff Myers
That’s because the acoustics are different. The Gator Bowl, or whatever it’s called now, has always been a loud place. Sanford Stadium has never been loud which is why it’s never been considered the snakepit that Tiger Stadium or Florida Field is.
This comes up every year, not sure why. It is what it is. We’ll just have to settle for having one of the most beautiful and historic stadiums in college football. Personally I wouldn’t trade Sanford for any other stadium in the country, but if you’re looking for ear-shattering crowd noise, it’s not the place.
UGA Friend
November 2nd, 2012
2:22 pm
Patched Tire: What happened in the past with the failures are done and nothing will change those results. What happens in the future is unknown but will not be influenced at all by the past because its a new day, new game and for the most part different players.Why look behind? Look for better things in the future. Please do not say the coach is the same. We know that but he will not make the same mistakes in the future.
UGA Friend
November 2nd, 2012
2:28 pm
Now Joey, lets not be too hard on Coach Richt. He may not be perfect but he is a lot better than most coaches in college football. How many other Division 1 coaches have better records that have been at the same school for 10 years?
GB's Hamburgers
November 2nd, 2012
2:43 pm
Most people say that we beat Fla but it was not a well-played game. But the defense did play well so it might be more accurate to say it was another of their patented schizophrenic games. Sometimes both sides of the ball plays well for a half, then they go South. Sometime the defense plays well and the offense doesn’t. Sometimes it’s the other way around. I think the last time we “put it together” was against Hawaii. I hope the next time is in the SEC title game.
woof
November 2nd, 2012
2:46 pm
I will also add this about the difference between Dooly and CMR…..they key to Dooley’s success was you could alsways count on UGA to win the games they were supposed to win (rarely did you see us lose to Vandy, Miss, Miss St., KY) and could usually be counted on to win a couple they should not. Now, every game is drama- even teams like Buffalo and FlaAtl. You can probably look at each of the 25 years and see a win against someone that at the time had no business losing to us……..for instance….UGA 21 Alabama-Bear Bryant 0 in 1976
Joey
November 2nd, 2012
2:50 pm
Not being hard on Coach Richt, UGA Friend, just the Richt-Fan-Boys.
Unlike a lot of Richt fans, I would prefer to see a 5 year run of “great” (see Urban Myer at UF, Saban at Bama) rather than a 12 year run of “pretty good” (with a couple of bad teams mixed in). Averages don’t impress me when the last 4+ seasons rank poor-to-okay. Richt was good the first half of his tenure, I’ll admit.
I know this season still has lots of promise, so I’ll stop being critical right here – KnoxDawg’s post to Bill just set me off.
Go Dawgs!
NCDawg
November 2nd, 2012
3:15 pm
Silly Bloggers – there is a technical term for that – AB – almost barf. LOL
SSITator Tot
November 2nd, 2012
3:39 pm
You lost again. HA HA HA HA
SSITator Tot
November 2nd, 2012
3:40 pm
Jarvis just forced another fumble
SSITator Tot
November 2nd, 2012
3:41 pm
There goes Malcom……..there goes Malcom
SSITator Tot
November 2nd, 2012
3:43 pm
I think UGA just sacked Driskel for the 6th time. No, I have that confused with how many times Florida gave Georgia the ball back.
Joey
November 2nd, 2012
3:57 pm
Awwww, SSIgator came out of hiding for a couple minutes this morning.
Maybe we will win again, so he won’t venture back here for another week!
Just joking – I look forward to your insults, whether we win or lose . . .
Matt
November 2nd, 2012
3:58 pm
Mercurial–good word. I had to look it up.
Jerry Seinfeld
November 2nd, 2012
4:07 pm
“Gators will chomp on some leg *umpers this weekend. Trailer parks will burn, and message boards will burn hotter!!” – Gator Chomp last week
Jerry Seinfeld
November 2nd, 2012
4:09 pm
Our friend Reality also gave his thoughts on the Georgia/Florida game prior to the game’s start:
“You Dawg fans just have no idea how good Florida actually is. This is probably going to be ugly.
I can’t even imagine the comments on this board next week. This is a very special Gator team having a very special season, and windy, weird weather is only going to favor their brutally physical style. Suggest you Dawg fans bring a change of clothes for the drive home.”
Also, Techster:
“Oooooh man! It sure is gonna be fun watching Fla. stomp the dogs”
Jerry Seinfeld
November 2nd, 2012
4:11 pm
As the saying goes: “That is why they play the game!” Hahaha
SSITator Tot
November 2nd, 2012
4:12 pm
me sad. me criticize a coach that has beaten me team two years in a row. me love to try and talk smack anyway. me a loser!
SSITator Tot
November 2nd, 2012
4:16 pm
Screw u Georgia fans. Bama will do what we couldn’t and beat you. I guarantee it and I mean it this time. Unlike when I guaranteed we would beat you. This is different cause I say so. No UGA coach is as smart as me and I should be the next coach in waiting at your program because I know a lot! Trust me just trust me.
Also, I am a complete loser but that is okay because I am a Florida fan.
UGA Friend
November 2nd, 2012
4:17 pm
I believe the Dawgs are on a mission. They will not let up in their four remaining regular season games and score at least 40 points in each game. None of the four teams have enough defense to stop Murray and Gurley. After the Florida win, Richt has the team in a frame of mind to not let up when they are ahead and they should not ever be behind in any of these games.
Love it Jerry. Keep'em coming
November 2nd, 2012
4:20 pm
You won’t read or hear any of those guys this week. Nothing but silence on their end. Reality has been one of my favorites this year. What a punk.
SSIgator
November 2nd, 2012
5:01 pm
Joey -
Glad to see after last weekend you didn’t go back to slugging down the Kool-Aid. Of course you are not making any points with the newly minted “bandwagon” dawg fans that have come out of the woodwork. Hope the springs hold up on that wagon at least until the UGA coaching staff blows another game that they should have won and the new guys jump off again. Then again, I know you are astute enough to realize that St. Markus Rectumus going from 1-9 in big games to 2-10 since 2008 did not instantly transform UGA into a football dynamo. It is pretty funny that the UGA coaches are now trying to claim some of the credit for what Williams did.
SSITator Tot
November 2nd, 2012
5:24 pm
I dont think the coaches have claimed anything. Media specualtion but good job with another assumption that is wrong kind of like the one you gave us all last week that Florida would beat Georgia.
There goes Malcom……there goes Malcom!
Joey
November 2nd, 2012
5:35 pm
SSI, you know me – I wish the best for our HC, I would love for him to win the whole shebang. But I doubt it will happen – even if (big if) we get to the Dome, and win (huge if), we won’t get in the Big Game. The Fan-Boys will claim “conspiracies.” But it will be our own HC’s fault.
Know why? Because we went to Columbia unprepared, and the Dawgs looked PATHETIC on ESPN Game-Day, National TV.
It always happens. A loss that shouldn’t have happened: UF in ‘02; UF in ‘05; UT and SC in ‘07, SC in ‘12.
I hope Coach Richt gets another chance, but I think he’s already blown that chance.
SSITator Tot
November 2nd, 2012
5:42 pm
Losing to Georgia must be about as painful as it can get SSI. All you do is talk smack about the coaches and team and then they beat your mighty gators again. I am sure Bobo and Richt did nothing during the game. They do everything when we lose but take the weeks off when we win.
You can’t admit you were wrong can you ?????
UGA Realist
November 2nd, 2012
5:54 pm
I agree Joey that we have lost our fair share of games and looked bad doing so over the years. I however challenge you to ask any fan from any opposing SEC team to not come up with the same thoughts for games they have lost within their respective programs. You guys act as if Georgia is the only team that exists and loses games their fan base thinks they shouldn’t. What do you think SC fans are saying about their loss to Florida with all the turnovers? Come on man you guys are so narrow minded it is sick. Of course SSI is going to agree with you because he doesn’t like Georgia and it makes him feel better when we lose just as it doesn’t hurt your feelings when they screw up. Unreal dude.
Look at the coaching changes during Richt’s tenure. Outside of Saban and maybe Miles (LSU fans hate him) who has stuck around and been more consistent? Meyer left the cabinet bare but did get Florida two NC’s but that isn’t the norm. What do you think we will get with a new coach and system? A NC and a Nick Saban??? Last time I checked he is the exception and not the rule.
joe jenkins
November 2nd, 2012
7:51 pm
Please coach richt….have our dawgs ready to play….their is no time for a let down….lets do what bama does every week and that is make the oppsition pay for testing us….i’mlooking for a big game from murray and t. king
Get Realman
November 2nd, 2012
7:59 pm
First, why would you think that Ole Miss is a lesser team? I don’t like the word “lesser”. It smacks of supposedness and smugness. Let’s say Ole Miss has won less games and be real. Secondly, why conclude that we might just let Ole Miss “hang around”. They might let us hang around. Get serious Bill. How quickly you forget. Be happy with a W, not critical of a team that might not dominate.
joe jenkins
November 2nd, 2012
8:52 pm
I think it’s about time tampagator and ssi…shut their mouths….yall lost to us for the second year in a row…..we lead the series 49-40…..here is another prediction….as long as muschamp is the head coach of the slimey lizards yall will never beat us again….thanks
dan1190
November 2nd, 2012
11:56 pm
It’s funny Bill, but my daughter and I were just talking about how irritating the trend in
college football has become where teams are lined up and the just before the snap,
the entire team stands up and looks to the sideline to get the new play. It’s not just
Georgia……several teams do this and it is really irritating. I also remember seeing Troy
do this first when they played us Between the Hedges back in 2007. We like to joke that
the team is simultaneously noticing a knockout coed walking on that sideline just before
they snap the ball (at least it makes the delay more tolerable).
7576DAWG
November 3rd, 2012
12:55 am
If Georgia beats Alabama in the SEC Championship and Notre Dame ,Oregon or Kansas State finish undefeated I don’t think an SEC team will get to play for the National Title because the SEC has dominated College Football for 6 years and I think ESPN and all the Catholics in the Northeast will do what ever it takes to keep an SEC team out of the Championship game. If no SEC team then it should be Kansas State against Oregon because Notre Dame isn’t in a Conference and because they didn’t compensate with a hard enough schedule. Avoiding a potential lose by not scheduling an SEC power team would take care of them being considered.
boykin
November 3rd, 2012
2:29 am
Easy now 7576! We have to beat Ole Miss 1st!
7576DAWG
November 3rd, 2012
3:12 am
boykin
I’m not worried about this game at all. Georgia will lose 15 to 20 players this year to graduation or them leaving early and 9 to 12 will be drafted, mostly on defense.These players only have three more game to play in Athens and they are trying to secure as high of a draft consideration as possible. They don’t need any motivation other than those two facts.We will get all they have for 60 minutes. The defense is back to stay.
boykin
November 3rd, 2012
3:43 am
Why throw out conjecture of ” If Ga beats Bama” then?
Hanky Panky
November 3rd, 2012
3:43 am
JABRONI!!!
banders1
November 3rd, 2012
6:48 am
Sad that our “coach” has to resort to motivational ploys (black out, all players running onto field, having teammate call out his peers) instead of teaching solid fundamentals (think Bill Snyder at KSU).
Laval du Clos
November 3rd, 2012
8:10 am
Mississippi 21, Georgia 17
Buh bye to the dwags.
Dog4Life
November 3rd, 2012
9:10 am
DC Dawg and his concern of delay and watching the side lines for a call is a thing that is certainly irritating. Here is the main issue Bill. I played QB (20 yrs ago) believe it or not Defenses were fairly complicated but they were unpredictable–Today the schemes are very complicated (in cover schemes not rush schemes) but in many cases are very predictable–you have a pass rush specialist, and almost always a corner blitz, blah, blah, blah etc… You plan around Clowney and Jones–Bama is a different story but they have so much talent–not so much unpredictable. We called audibles, two plays at a time in the huddle and threw the ball around–the issue with Bobo and if you watch this you will find it to be true–UGA walks up to the line–they are not really set and the Defense is still in a jumbled set when UGA looks to the side line–there is no way to tell what defense is being set up ( so what are you looking at–the safety and the Mike backer could be anywhere)–and in many cases this year the Defense when it does set up early never readjusts–so I don’t know what they are looking to the side lines for–I think it is habit, which again solidifies the notion Bobo has no imagination–he is just following a script. I have watched the D set up and never move from position and the Dawgs still stop and look at sidelines. If the D was moving around a lot i would agree with it, but that is not the case. It creates delays of game and illegal motion and illegal sets of procedure. If the D is essentially giving you a routine set with minimal difficulty–run the stinking play–and for GODS SAKE–stop so much predictable runs between the tackles.
Next issue Ball control—quality scheme
Gurley and Marshall are good strong runners, but where they excel is out in space–run quick burst off tackle to bounce them outside, bring in a two tight end set and learn to pound that baby (this makes play action so much more effective, we threw the ball a lot, but we always had a decent running game)–our defense is always on the field too long and our offense cannot sustain a drive over 2-3 minutes when we need it. If we are up less than a TD and there is four minutes on the clock–we almost always give the ball back with three minutes left–we cannot control the ball long enough for the win or give our D a rest–look how much time we gave Driscoll and if not for a timely fumble we would have been behind the eight ball — again. Call the freaking play, get ready and control the ball–stop all this worry of running around and changing plays–
Bobo more at fault than Richt (cmr–too loyal)
I am glad we have a lot of talent but as many on here want to Bash CMR–that is not the problem, the problem is his blind loyalty to a D II OC and mediocre QB coach–Stafford was Stafford in spite of Bobo and Richt did QBs when Green was there–Bobo took over for Shockley–shockley had talent and mobility, but he wasn’t a very good mechanical QB–obviously Joe T, Joe Cox and unfortunately Murray show the weaknesses of Bobo, but it is like the elephant in the room, no one wants to acknowledge the real issue–Look at Bama–knew OC and he has made McCarron (less talented than Murray) a Heisman candidate–don’t say O-Line–last year we had one of the biggest and senior ridden O-Line in the country–so it is OC at times. A good OC can make a mediocre QB good, a good QB great–a great QB out of this world–look at Boise State’s QB–okay my spleen has been emptied–Go Dawgs!!!!
Dawg Tired
November 3rd, 2012
9:40 am
Bill says, “…that could be dangerous if Georgia shows up lacking motivation because no one insulted them this week.”
How pitiful is it that we are actually worried about whether the Dawgs will be properly motivated with the SEC East title in the balance? I find this to be almost impossible to fathom. However, it certainly spotlights just how poor of a job our coaches are doing this year with a reasonably talented group – if you ignore the weak OL. In a game of this magnitude, the D should be able to shut down Ole’ Miss’ offense and insure a victory. But there’s that BIG IF hanging over this game – will they be motivated? Sad. Very sad indeed.
Dawg Tired
November 3rd, 2012
9:46 am
I also agree with those who make the observation about coming up to the line of scrimmage and then looking over to the sideline. That is so frustrating. Why can’t a 3 year starter come up and look at the D and quickly audible to the correct play or stay with the primary play called in the huddle? The turning and looking just seems to break the rhythm – or, perhaps more accurately, prevents any rhythm from being established. Very frustrating.
Dawg Tired
November 3rd, 2012
9:49 am
H/e, I don’t put the blame on Bobo for the “looking to the sideline” problem. CMR is the HEAD COACH. If I was the HEAD COACH and a former OC, I would fix this. It is his responsibility to fix this! Who’s in charge? Hint – It ain’t Bobo.
SatillaDawg
November 3rd, 2012
11:49 am
Go Dawgs!
Sic ‘em!
Woof, Woof, Woof!
AugustaGA Dawg
November 3rd, 2012
12:32 pm
What irritates Dawg fans is the fact that Ala, Fl, and LSU have all won TWO national championships in the Mark Richt era, while UGA has not even made it to the big game.
Dog4Life
November 3rd, 2012
1:10 pm
You are correct concerning the over all OC philosophy of the program–but remember OCs have a great deal of control over the game plan and how to implement the game plan–seldom do HCs unless they are Spurrier intervene other than to suggest more emphasis on the running or passing game. When I QB’ed the OC basically ran the offense–the HC only wanted to know the emphasis depending on exploiting a particular weakness of the D. The HC (i understand how people do not believe this–but from experience) really has little to do with formations, calls, and execution of game plan–Sometimes he will scold the OC if things are not progressing with the implemented game plan or scheme–but for the most part the HC does not interfere with the OC and his scheme–BTW I played D1 many years ago–I am not guessing here–it is how the system works–or OCs would leave the program–HC oversees the organization and administration–OCs and DCs run the applications and schemes–that is why they are so important to the game plan and its success or failure. Yes, HC can demand different emphasis, or hire an OC that fits his philosophy–but more often than not the OC is in absolute control of the Offensive game plan and formations.
kingdaddy
November 3rd, 2012
2:24 pm
GATA…
Dwag Daze
November 3rd, 2012
3:03 pm
Mississippi 24, Georgia 17
Dumb dwags blow it bigtime.
CigarDawg
November 3rd, 2012
3:44 pm
Here we go….
ugalee
November 3rd, 2012
3:59 pm
sloppy d – check
bad special teams – check
awful pass protection – check
Glad to see things are back to normal
Vol in GA.
November 3rd, 2012
4:03 pm
Dawgs are over rated in every pre-seaon poll out in the last 8 years…good program…not BCS Champion class year after year…listening to their fans and reading polls, you would think they are in the running for BCS championship every year…not so…so after you read this…dont bother railing on the Vols…they are in the midst of rough times…Lane Kiffin single handedly destroyed the program…they will be back…not next year and maybe not in the next 2 or 3 years…but, they will be back
CigarDawg
November 3rd, 2012
4:32 pm
Vol in GA,
Save your insights for your own program. I am sure Dooley is waiting with bated breath for your expertise. Nice cop-out blaming Kiffin, but you have no dog in the hunt this year.