Dawgs get a chance to ruin ESPN’s dreams and earn some R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Mark Richt’s Georgia Bulldogs aren’t just up against Nick Saban’s Alabama Crimson Tide in their bid to win an SEC Championship and a place in the BCS title game.
Outside the Peach State, UGA is widely, if unfairly, viewed as some sort of interloper that really ought not to be in the national championship discussion at this stage of the season.
That’s especially true with the national sports media. ESPN wants a ratings-powerhouse Notre Dame-Alabama matchup in the BCS national championship game so badly that it can barely contain itself.
The self-touted Worldwide Leader in Sports is flat-out in love with the Fighting Irish this season, even above and beyond Brent Musburger’s obvious man-crush on Manti Te’o. And the idea of matching two of college football’s major ratings generators in the game for the crystal football has them practically drooling.
It was pretty obvious Saturday night on “SportsCenter” that the hosts had to keep catching themselves from saying that Notre Dame’s win over USC had guaranteed it a spot against Alabama in the BCS game. Almost grudgingly, they noted that the winner of the SEC Championship Game — and therefore the team getting a shot at the Irish in Miami — could be Georgia.
But their preference for the Crimson Tide was pretty clear — never more so than in a brief film montage touting the BCS game that consisted entirely of Notre Dame and Alabama footage!
The sports network isn’t alone in its obsession with wanting to see Notre Dame and Bama paired up in the BCS game. Georgia is continually downplayed in national sports media coverage as somehow not really being deserving of a chance to go to Miami. The Dogs tend to choke in big games, they note — and while that’s been true, for the most part, it’s worth pointing out that the most recent such big game in which Georgia played resulted in a Dogs victory. Over the sexy Gators, who were the No. 2 team in the country at the time.
The nattering nabobs on ESPN also keep trotting out that “soft schedule” criticism, completely ignoring the fact that the Alabama and Georgia schedules this season were pretty comparable. Thanks to the way the revamped conference schedule worked out, Georgia avoided the three toughest teams in the SEC West and Bama avoided the three toughest teams in the SEC East. Each lost a game to a team in its division. And each played three cupcakes and one BCS conference team in its nonconference schedule.
Still, if the Dogs win in the Georgia Dome, they get the trip to Miami whether ESPN likes it or not.
Overall, though, it’s a bizarre situation Georgia finds itself in. If they beat Bama, they play for the national championship. If they don’t, they probably won’t even be in a BCS bowl, as the Sugar is likely to give its SEC spot to the “sexy” Florida Gators (to use the recent Will Muschamp meme that is on the verge of moving from embarrassing to just plain creepy).
While a Capitol One Bowl berth, likely against Michigan, is considered the most likely destination for Georgia if it loses to Alabama, the Dogs could wind up relegated to a return trip to the Dome in the Chick-fil-A game.
No, it doesn’t seem fair for the loser of the SEC title game to fall that far, whether it’s Georgia or Alabama, and it’s an issue the conference should take up.
As Saban said Sunday night, “For either one of these teams it’s not really a great scenario. You play your way into the championship game, which means you’re the best team in your division; they’re the best team in their division. They played their way into the game by a total body of work for the whole season. It doesn’t seem quite right.”
So the Bulldogs might not just be playing for an SEC title and a chance to meet the Irish in the national championship game, or even for the national respect that so often has seemed just out of their grasp.
They could be playing to stay out of a mid-level bowl game for which they’d be drastically overqualified.
It’s been 30 years since the old “control their own destiny” line has meant this much for UGA.
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139 comments Add your comment
Mobile Dawg
November 26th, 2012
10:02 pm
Your probably right in the fact that Richt was working as hard, maybe harder, late into that 6-7 season. But, that was the “direct” result of his taking the previous three years and sitting back in the easy chair, enjoying the fruits of his accomplishments of his first five years.
AltamahaDawg
November 26th, 2012
10:02 pm
Did you leave out any football cliche’s there?
AltamahaDawg
November 26th, 2012
10:02 pm
Ha.
Mobile Dawg
November 26th, 2012
10:06 pm
Kinda like David Allen Coe singing the “perfect” country and western song? Only it wasn’t perfect, I left out the one about the “kool aid”.
AltamahaDawg
November 26th, 2012
10:08 pm
Oh come on now. you know that nobody was sitting in the easy chair. Mistakes or miscalculations certainly, but it wasn’t for a lack of effort.
Do you seriously think the Georgia staff was loafing in 2007-2009?
Mobile Dawg
November 26th, 2012
10:16 pm
I think there was a “serious” lack of intensity in a lot of phases of their jobs, yes.
AltamahaDawg
November 26th, 2012
10:21 pm
2007, we had one of the best teams in the nation, and that was entirely because they had worked hard to get back to form, from 2006. Not because they were coasting.
Despite the perception because we didnt end up #1,I still think that was one of the better coaching jobs anywhere that year. With that many injuries, it would have been very easy to just give up and not win 10 games.
2009 we just didnt have the horses. I do think that was when some recruiting misses and mistake were starting to show.
Mobile Dawg
November 26th, 2012
10:32 pm
In 07 we had the horses, but I still think the intensity was lacking in the coaching. Tons of discipline problems, the highest penalized team in the nation. Richt was losing control of his players. I admit they did rally after the debacle against Tennessee but it was to late. To much Soulja Boy, blackouts, players removing themselves from the game, JMO.
The Richt we’re seeing now is a different Richt from 07.
AltamahaDawg
November 26th, 2012
10:46 pm
I’d hope so. Almost twice as many years on the job since then should account for something.
But the Richt we are seing now is the exact same Richt from a few months ago, or last year.
tiger5
November 26th, 2012
10:55 pm
Why would any UGA fan care one little bit about what anyone says? ESPN will always say what they think the majority of their listeners want to hear. Do UGA fans really need their ears tickled that much? I seriously doubt that anything THEY say is going to affect the outcome of any game. Seems to me that some folks would rather lose and have ESPN gush over UGA than to win and have ESPN belittle them. UGA seems to play better when flying uner the radar anyway.
buzzDawg
November 26th, 2012
10:59 pm
Look at it this way, 100% per cent of the time this season, the Dawgs have beat the #2 ranked team. So statistically, they should beat Bama.
ALABAMA FOOTBALL
November 26th, 2012
11:02 pm
Bama fan here just being objective. Not being in the conference championship game BENEFITED us last year, so I don’t think Saban thought that statement through. We didn’t win the division but still got in the national championship game. Just depends on the situation, which will be different every year. Even with the new 4 team playoff format coming.
And as for the meat of this article, the “whole world’s against us” theme. lmao. You’re Georgia, not Georgia Tech. The author is disrespecting you more than anyone else.
Looking forward to the game against a great team and ROLL TIDE ROLL!
Flo-Ri-Duh
November 26th, 2012
11:22 pm
Saban is the one saying that the bowl system is not fair …. Richt has not commented. Muschump knows Florida lost to UGA on the scoreboard and on the field. He was out coached and out played. He knows Florida does not deserve to be chosen ahead of UGA/Bama – but MUSCHUMP is a CHUMP.
MorgantonMike
November 27th, 2012
6:42 am
Dawgs need to come out with the same intensity they played with in the Florida game…but without the penalties and turnovers.
AltamahaDawg
November 27th, 2012
7:11 am
Got to agree with AH 11:02 comment.This is a fan base in serious need of thicker skin. As I have said before, maybe if thier weren’t so many Georgia fan eating thier own all year long, then maybe the feigned outrage over a small amount of predictable, mostly true comments from the media would seem more sincere.
AltamahaDawg
November 27th, 2012
7:11 am
AF
MA English 1975
November 27th, 2012
8:14 am
We seem to be forgetting that UGA is 11-1. This game is extremely important to our players. And being the underdog (so to speak) sometimes works in our favor. I think we’ll do just fine on Sat.
MA English 1975
November 27th, 2012
8:17 am
Also, I think we are still paying for the FLA game in 07 when we rushed out on the field after our first TD. I don’t think the national media have forgiven us for that yet. Nor have many of the referees. I don’t think Bama is going to resort to playing dirty and literally trying to hurt players.
AltamahaDawg
November 27th, 2012
8:32 am
With all the scandals, and cheap hits, and blatent personal fouls, and fist fights, and yellling at refs, and colorful language that goes on every year since the game began, I’m not convince that the college football community is really going to hold a grudge over some player dancing in celebration during a game 5 yrs ago. Even if they were that insulted, which I’m not sure anybody not Florida was, it’s hard to imagine they are actually making calls and commentary against Georgia in retaliation still today.
Particularly the media, which I can’t imagine why they would have ever been bothered by it in the first place. I thought they ate that story up. I heard somebody refer to it just a few days ago on ESPN, (in more credit to Richt, than fault).
AltamahaDawg
November 27th, 2012
8:36 am
I think what we are still paying for (in terms of a lack of “respect” ) is having way too few chances to get penalized for excesive celebration since then.
BIGDAWGFAN
November 27th, 2012
10:31 am
to dp to what the dawgs done historically well when it comes to bama
in the years 2000’s here is the record
2008/09/27 Georgia 30 – Alabama 41 L
2007/09/22 Georgia 26 – Alabama 23 W OT
2003/10/04 Georgia 37 – Alabama 23 W
2002/10/05 Georgia 27 – Alabama 25 W
Dawgingatorville
November 27th, 2012
11:48 am
I know I am old and thick in the head but WHAT DOES GATFA mean?
ARdawg
November 27th, 2012
12:31 pm
GATA = Get after that AZZ
gbal
November 27th, 2012
12:44 pm
All of the winning the big game talke aside, I think is a big miss that Aaron M. is not getting the Heisman talk. # 1passing efficiency, 3000+ passing yards 3 seasons, W/L record over pat 2 years. I think whoever has missed on campaiging Murray for Heisman! If UGA could bea Bama and he have a good game, thi would just be icing.
maddwg
November 27th, 2012
12:57 pm
Comments:
Just saying… Mark my word… there is going to be more controversy over who makes a 4 team playoff than the current system com 2014. Look at this year and think about it. Should really go to 8 right out of the gate.
The Confrence games his year mean absolutly nothing this year for the big picture. Think if there were an 8 team playoff with some number … 4-5 being automatic confrence winners.. The ACC might then be able to sell out the confrence campionship game… and the whole nation would be intrested in watching all those confrence championship games other than the one in Atlanta.
NCDawg
November 27th, 2012
1:34 pm
No matter what system is used there will always be controversy. There will always be some school that thinks they got a raw deal. 65 teams make it into the NCAA basketball tournament and there is still grumbling about the selections. 4 or 16 isn’t going to make a difference that way. The best way is to make it in is to win all your games and look good doing it. It helps if you play a few good teams as well. I’m sure when the new system is put in place some undefeated is going to scream bloody murder when they are left out because a 1 loss SEC team played a better schedule. It’s just the way it is going to be.
Rabbit
November 27th, 2012
1:49 pm
It is nothing short of pathetic the way ESPN has drooled over Notre Dame. They haven’t been all that impressive this year (no losses notwithstanding). Georgia not only has to believe it can beat Bama, they have to play defense like they did against Fla., Offense the way they did against Georgia Southern and avoid giving what will likely be a biased officiating team any chance to take us out of the game with stupid penalties. Richt has stay up from now until the game is over planning contingencies so he won’t lapse when the clock is low. He’s a great coach, but clock management is always a challenge for him. Plan ahead. Be the chess player that Bowden once was.
Murray. You don’t have to prove anything to anyone but yourself. You’re good, but good won’t be good enough. You can take the clock out of it by keeping the level head and a “johnny football” like confidence.
Theus. Be still until the ball is snapped.
Rabbit
November 27th, 2012
1:51 pm
One more thing. We can play these guys BETTER than A&M. GO you hairy junkyard dogs.
NCDawg
November 27th, 2012
1:56 pm
The dawgs are getting some love on ESPN… a little bit. The current narrative seems to be “why does no one give Georgia any chance in the SEC Championship game? Haven’t we learned anything from the past 3 weeks or so?” This what Colin Cowherd said @ noon today. I guess they are worried the ratings will be affected if they make Bama out to be too all powerful.
John
November 27th, 2012
3:09 pm
Don’t understand the hype here. The only decent teams Alabama played were LSU and A&M. They should have lost to both of them. I think Georgia has nothing to fear.
Regardless of what happens, if anyone thinks that beating Notre Dame is a forgone conclusion needs to have their head examined. I’m hoping to see 2 more great games this season.
GO DAWGS!!!!!!!
Skokie Dog
November 27th, 2012
3:26 pm
gbal: You were kidding when you typed that message at 12:44 about Murray being in the conversation for the Heisman, right?
Statesboro Dawg
November 27th, 2012
3:41 pm
Lets face it. Alabama faced (2) two good teams all year. They defeated one and lost to the other. They are certainly not invincible like ESPN likes to claim. It will just be interesting to see the reaction of the ESPN staff in the event we roll-the-tide. Go Dawgs!
G-Dawg
November 27th, 2012
5:07 pm
TAM had two 1st and 2nd round draft picks at OT. Thats the biggest difference between their offense and the Dawgs…and the fact, their OC lets their QB do some scrambling. I just hope the refs dont influence the flow of the game for either side…let the boys play. Just keep it clean.
G-Dawg
November 27th, 2012
5:10 pm
gbal…if Murray has an outstanding game against Bama and beats them…then i think it water downs the win by Manziel, thus all his Heisman talk. Ppl are already having a hard time with his Freshman status, eventhough its a redshirt.
Old Dog Class of 80
November 27th, 2012
6:42 pm
“But the Richt we are seing now is the exact same Richt from a few months ago, or last year.”
This is the same Richt that left us with Joe Cox when he wouldn’t put him into games. What is going to happen next year if Murray leaves?
NikkiFree
November 28th, 2012
10:20 am
I hate ESPN. They pull that crap on the Falcons as well. So much for actually evaluating teams and talent. It’s all about ratings.
NikkiFree
November 28th, 2012
10:20 am
I hate ESPN. They pull that crap on the Falcons as well. So much for actually evaluating teams and talent. It’s all about ratings.
Fladawg
November 28th, 2012
12:06 pm
Just Win Baby and that will shut up Brent and Lou! (Has Lou always SPIT on everyone else when he speaks)? Just shaying……..lol
stonesstein
November 28th, 2012
2:18 pm
You Dawg-homers give me a laugh! I, like Angry Old Men have to ask – do y’all EVER stop whining?
UGA had a cream-puff schedule this year, and I don’t want to hear that the 8th-best team in the SEC would win any other conference crap, because y’all know it’s not true. UGA played 2 good teams, Florida (who gave the game to UGA – UGA did NOT win it, UF lost it!) and USC who beat the pants off UGA.
Notre Dame beat 10 teams which were ranked in the Top 20 this year, including the preseason #1 (USC), Top 10 powerhouses OU and Stanford, and perennial powers Michigan and Michigan State. Did they play patsies like Georgia Southern, Buffalo, or Florida Atlantic? No. Their schedule was much tougher than UGA.
Also, get over this “world hates UGA” crap! EVERYONE gushes over the SEC, including the pollsters who seem to think that 5 of the top 10 teams are from the SEC. NO ONE at ND like Brent Smut-booger, because he is negative towards everyone.
UGA has a great team this year, but as talented as they are, they have proven little, if anything, against top-25 opponents. As a Notre Dame fan, I’d love to play UGA to settle the 32 year old score. But UGA has to get there first, and Alabama is the real deal. Time for UGA to put on its “big-boy” underwear and whip the Tide!