Dawgs have nothing to be ashamed of after epic battle with Bama

The inability of the Georgia defense to stop Eddie Lacy allowed Bama to get back into the game. (Curtis Compton / AJC)

The inability of the Georgia defense to stop Eddie Lacy allowed Bama to get back into the game. (Curtis Compton / AJC)

So, which hurts worse, getting blown out in the second half of an SEC Championship like last year, or coming tantalizingly close to a trip to the BCS title game, as the Georgia Bulldogs did Saturday night?

Both results are tough for the players and fans to take, but at least Mark Richt’s 2012 team knows it took the best team in college football down to the wire, and in the end was four yards and about 3 seconds away from playing for the national championship.

This latest SEC Championship loss was emotionally draining, no doubt, but the Dawgs have nothing to be ashamed of in their heartbreaking 32-28 loss to the Crimson Tide.

And while Georgia might not have gotten the win, no one can say quarterback Aaron Murray didn’t step up in a big-time game. Despite Bama’s Eddie Lacy and T.J. Yeldon running wild as the Tide’s powerful offensive line wore down the Georgia defensive front seven and got Bama back in the game after Georgia led by 11 points in the third quarter, Murray kept his team in the game with his arm, completing 18 of 33 passes for 265 yards and a touchdown.

Alec Ogletree scores on a blocked field goal to put Georgia back in the lead. (Brant Sanderlin / AJC)

Alec Ogletree scores on a blocked field goal to put Georgia back in the lead. (Brant Sanderlin / AJC)

It was an up and down night, with the lead changing hands several times. Even special teams play, often a chink in the armor for Georgia, had its good and bad moments. The Dogs missed a field goal, but they made a first down on a fake punt and blocked a Bama field goal that Alec Ogletree scooped up and returned 55 yards for a touchdown.

In the end, it was traditional grown-man SEC football that won out. Just as Nick Saban predicted at halftime, the team that ran the ball better in the second half won, as Bama set a new SEC Championship game rushing record with 350 yards on the ground. Of course, he was hoping that would be the case because he knew that running was the only way his team was going to beat Georgia, as his offense simply couldn’t handle the Dogs’ pass rush.

Ironically, it was one of those rare occasions when Georgia had a running back break the century mark, as freshman Todd Gurley ran for a very tough 122 yards, and yet lost — because Alabama had two backs go for more than 100 yards as Lacy had an amazing 181 yards and freshman Yeldon got 153.

Yes, there are things you could quibble about, from Georgia’s continuing penchant for committing unnecessary infractions to the inconsistent officiating to some of Mike Bobo’s playcalling on key three-and-outs, the amount of time it took Todd Grantham to adjust to the Tide’s rushing attack in the third quarter, Bacarri Rambo biting on the wrong receiver on the play-action pass that won the game for Bama and, most all, the perplexing decision by the Georgia coaching staff not to spike the ball after Artie Lynch got the ball down to the Bama 8-yard line with 15 seconds remaining on the clock.

Richt’s explanation of the latter decision after the game made little sense; he said spiking the ball would have eaten up 2 or 3 seconds, but the Dogs easily ran off that much time before the ball was snapped on the failed fade pass that was tipped and ended up being the last play of the game. Yeah, you can’t predict a ball will get tipped, but a spike would have guaranteed the Dogs at least two shots at the end zone.

Oh, well.

All that aside, Georgia gave the Tide all it could handle in an absolutely thrilling contest. And at least CBS analyst Gary Danielson now knows just how “real” Georgia is. And so does an Alabama team that makes it to its second consecutive BCS title game by the skin of its teeth.

Feel free to share your thoughts on this classic Georgia-Alabama showdown.

Got some thoughts on the Dawgs or a question for the Junkyard Blawg? Send it to junkyardblawg@gmail.com.

Find me on Facebook.

Follow me on Twitter.

— Bill King, Junkyard Blawg

189 comments Add your comment

Yogi Bear Bryant

December 1st, 2012
9:36 pm

Hey BooBoo. It’s Yogi. How abouts we spike the football?

Jabarrr

December 1st, 2012
9:37 pm

1) tough game. Fix the penalties.

ALUM

December 1st, 2012
9:37 pm

ALL OF IT SUCKS

FIRE RICHT

The Monger

December 1st, 2012
9:38 pm

Georgia fans…..you may be in denial, but you have to except the reality of the situation. Georgia has not won an SEC championship since 2005…. Which is for those of you not good at math, 7 LONG years ago. We lost thoroughly last year….42-10, and we gave up over 500 yards today and lost 32-28 in a more competitive game. IF THOSE UGA FANS THAT STRIVE FOR MEDIOCRITY ARE HAPPY WITH 10-2 SEASONS AND A PAT ON THE BACK THEN THAT’S FINE FOR YOU, BUT THE REST OF US PROUD UGA ALUMS WANT NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS, AND AT THE VERY LEAST SEC CHAMPIONSHIPS. Mark Richt is 0-7 in SEC Championships, and 0-7 in National Championships since 05, I will not support that….especially for a coach that gets top 10 and top 5 recruiting classes EVERY YEAR!! Unacceptable….and I have already emailed McGarity to ask for Richt’s firing (if he refuses to resign)…..Let’s try to embrace Kirby Smart as our new head coach UGA PROUD BULLDAWGS!!!!!

EricMann

December 1st, 2012
9:40 pm

Got to ‘have’ run defense! tough loss.

The Monger

December 1st, 2012
9:41 pm

Man I am sick of Richt and Murray, with 14 points handed to us, with a blocked field goal and a once in a lifetime fake punt conversion. We still lose 32-28. Alabama mauled us up front to the tune of 350 yards on the ground, and we gave up over 500 total yards….with 9 NFL CALIBER STARTING DEFENDERS!!! And we congratulate this at UGA? If Saban had 9 NFL quality defenders on his starting defense, what would the score have been? 30-0? 30-7? I mean this was UGA’s greatest chance at a National Championship and it proved THOROUGHLY we just don’t have the coaches to get us there. No spike with 15 seconds left, 1st and goal? Terrible play calling on the 2 previous drives… UGA just gets outcoached in every big game. Murray and Richt 1-11 in big games now, with that ONE win being a 17-9 victory over a Florida team that turned it over 6 times. I am sorry to say this but Richt needs to step down as Georgia’s head coach for the sake of the program. Hasnt won a big game since 2007. See ya Mark, sorry

Mchael Scharff

December 1st, 2012
9:41 pm

Bill,I am bitterly disappointed, bu am very proud of our Dawgs. Also, if you see Mark Bradley, please thank him for a beautiful column.

EricMann

December 1st, 2012
9:43 pm

If they fire CMR he’ll just end up at the Vols, Razorbacks, or the Tigers? OMG say it ain’t so. I do like that Kirby Smart choice though.

David

December 1st, 2012
9:43 pm

The Georgia kids gave all that they had. I’m proud of our team. I wish we didn’t have so many classless fans cussing our boys right now… they don’t deserve that. The 2012 Georgia Bulldogs are champions. Thanks for a great season, you made your state proud.

Tired

December 1st, 2012
9:45 pm

Monger….you’re either drunk or a tech fan… take your BS to auburn where there’s a program with real problems.

mike addington

December 1st, 2012
9:47 pm

Bill I think U comments are about all that needs saying. Great game except for some poor tackling (it’s the legs guys; tackle the legs) and idiotic play calling on the next to last offensive series. three plus minutes and they call long passes. stupid. plus, Gurley was running well then they stopped calling his number. Done that before I think. It’s okay to make mistakes (Bobo) but not the same ones over and over. You have reached as Tom Peters said, “Your level of incompetence.” Although I like you personally, you obviously don’t have what it takes to reach the level of coaching necessary to play with the top guys. wish U did

The Monger

December 1st, 2012
9:47 pm

BS to all you LOVE FEST RICHT LOVERS…. Shout outs to all the REAL UGA Fans that know that Richt and Murray are now 1-11 in BIG GAMES….

2011… Boise State….LOSS
South Carolina…. LOSS
LSU….. LOSS (by 32 points)
Michigan State….. LOSS

2012…. South Carolina… LOSS (by 28 points)
Florida….. WIN (after 6 Florida turnovers)
Alabama….. LOSS

Just in the last 2 years these guys are 1-6 against their only real competition for the season, with the one win coming after a team commited 6 turnovers, Face reality. Richt, Bobo, and Grantham will NEVER bring a National Championship, or even and SEC championship to Athens. I mean what other coach could blow a 21-10 lead in the biggest game in 30 years in Bulldawg history other that Richt? Maybe Donnan, but I don’t know many others….

Pat Way

December 1st, 2012
9:48 pm

Hey Monger, Richt and ga beat Ark for an SEC title you must have been sleeping

Perspective

December 1st, 2012
9:48 pm

Too many 3 and outs, not enough Gurshall. Why wold you abandon the formula that got you there in the first place? Alabama figured that out, and won the game. Tremendous effort, no doubt the Dawgs left it all on the field.

mike addington

December 1st, 2012
9:48 pm

Oh, Murray can hold his head high. This one was Not on him.

aw Jaw idiot

December 1st, 2012
9:49 pm

Dear Santa and God, DO NOT let the Falcons draft any Dwag defender that allowed Bama to rush for a record 350 yards. Please, or I will die

Pat Way

December 1st, 2012
9:50 pm

Game in and game out Bobo is the real reason GA loses GA had to many 3 and outs defense was on the field 75% of the game

gunter

December 1st, 2012
9:50 pm

Dawg fan for 45 years……………..never been prouder of a Team. Great SEC Foootball game, Great plays, great coaching just extremely disappointing loss for the Dawg Nation. Sure hope we dont see a lot of negative nit picking by some knuckleheads

Jaw Jaw idiot

December 1st, 2012
9:52 pm

Dear Rambo, The freshmn, # 9, Cooper, just blew past you for another huge gain

RTR420

December 1st, 2012
9:52 pm

I bleed crimson but I must say UGA played awesome and deserved to win. They abused our secondary and our defense in general. If UGA falls below Florida in the polls something is seriously wrong.

Pat Way

December 1st, 2012
9:53 pm

Lets see next year 3 starters returning on defense and they play clemson, LSU

The Monger

December 1st, 2012
9:54 pm

Tired….. I am a die hard Georgia Bulldawg fan since I was 5 years old. I am now 28 and still am waiting on Mark Richt to deliver a National Championship. I am TIRED of being close, the simple fact is that we DONT win the big games. Just look at my post above. Murray is not a big game quarterback, and I sincerely doubt that we would have beaten Notre Dame with him behind center. He would most likely have thrown several int’s and probably fumbled against immense pressure from ND’s massive defensive line. We just have LOSERS across the board that can’t win big games (unless a team gives them 6 turnovers). Bobo, outcoached tonight. Grantham, outcoached tonight. Richt, outcoach tonight. Simple fact. I just want a new coaching staff. Richt has had 12 years to bring Georgia to the top and he has delivered failure after failure in HUGE games. I mean, he may win an SEC title every now and then, but I’m talking in the HUGE games that season’s are built around, he fails to deliver….

[...] to Play Notre Dame for College Football ChampionshipBloombergAlabama wins berth in BCS title gameCNNDawgs have nothing to be ashamed of after epic battle with BamaAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)NBCNews.com -Sacramento Bee -Mabootall 1,362 news [...]

Pat Way

December 1st, 2012
9:57 pm

To all the Dawg fans that are slamming the Defense yes tackling was not the best but when you defense is on the field cause your offense can not move the ball consistently that is the problem Bobo has to go

Angela

December 1st, 2012
9:58 pm

Well said as always, Bill. The naysayers are obviously not alums…or at least, I hope not. That was a heck of a game between arguably the two best teams in the country. That’s what they’ll be saying for a while, especially after Bama pummels Notre Dame. I haven’t missed a home game in 7 years (even having to listen to Rocky Top from behind the opposing band in 101, row 42), and yet I would have given my right arm to have had qualified for SEC championship tickets and witnessed this amazing game. Yes, even with a loss… No one in mainstream media gave us a fighting chance to win the game, and fight is exactly what both teams did down to the wire. Even in the final minute of the game, no one knew who would win. That’s grown man football, for sure, and perhaps some of the best SEC football anyone has seen in many years! I’m proud to support Aaron Murray, who played great, and Coach Mark Richt, who coached the game well. I’m proud to be a Georgia Bulldawg! Next topic…Why UGA, not Florida, should get the Sugar Bowl!

nwdnanny

December 1st, 2012
10:01 pm

Would LOVE to have Kirby Smart if Richt were to leave but you better believe his offense coordinator would be Bobo…they are like brothers.

SC Dog fan

December 1st, 2012
10:03 pm

Thank you, Georgia Bulldogs, for a heck of an effort and a great game.

Mark Richt A Loser

December 1st, 2012
10:04 pm

Mark Richt again cannot win the big game. Enjoy the Cotton Bowl Loser.

Jaw Jaw idiot

December 1st, 2012
10:04 pm

I will never get behind this pathetic team again. This one ripped my heart out. We had an 11 pt advantage against a suspect Bama offense. They run it all over us for 8 yards a carry… are you kidding?

Robards

December 1st, 2012
10:16 pm

I agree that no one can question whether Georgia is for “real” anymore. Still, when you lose 35-0, I mean 35-7, to one of the only two quality opponents on the schedule, it’s a legitimate question to ask.

david

December 1st, 2012
10:19 pm

The 3rd and 1 with 4 minutes left hurt–Gurley stuffed and we punt. They throw a td pass 3 minutes later. We get a 1st down there and can run at least 2 minutes off and punt to their 20. If a could a would a — tough loss. This one will hurt for a while. Im proud the be a Dawg. Richt showed a little fire in the post game press conference.

Mark McClendon

December 1st, 2012
10:20 pm

Enter your comments here

RED DOG 77

December 1st, 2012
10:24 pm

Great read Bill, one of your best yet. To all of you negative, so called football fans………….blow-it out your ear…………Me?…….I’m proud of everyone Georgia BULLDOG, Murray, Richt, Bobo, Grantham, and tonight, especially T.King………..I saw his tears tonight, but folks, I don’t give a hoot what anyone says………….I’ve been following Georgia BULLDOG football since the mid 1960s and I think tonights game might possibly be the greatest game I’ve ever seen…………….We just didn’t win……….God Bless you coach Richt, God Bless you all Georgia BULLDOGS…………….RED

Respectful Gator

December 1st, 2012
10:26 pm

Probably the best SEC Championship game I’ve ever seen, even surpassing 2008.

I have to say that after UGA lost 35-7 to South Carolina in early October, I thought, “Same ol’ Dawgs” and smiled.

But all you Bulldog fans should be proud of your team’s fight this year — they really did, in my opinion, change the culture of the program and compete hard, which was evident both in the big win in Jacksonville and in Atlanta today.

That said, I’m super glad Jarvis Jones is off to playing on Sundays, where he belongs! You guys may not be as good next year on defense, but I think there’s a good chance Aaron Murray comes back after this bitter loss and your offense should be okay.

Til next October, Go Gators! And yes, we will be representing the SEC in the Sugar Bowl slot that is rightfully ours.

Strat Cat Dawg

December 1st, 2012
10:27 pm

It hurt worse to get blown out by LSU in the second half last year. We gave a 60 minute fight this year and were in it until the clock ran out. If you aren’t proud of the coaches and team, you are a loser and unworthy of wearing red and black. If you whine and blame this coach or that player, you deserve nothing but contempt. Get over it. I hurt mostly for the team, which gave us, the fans, everything they had and fell a few yards and a few seconds short. Today, tomorrow and always, it’s great to be a Georgia Bulldog.

Crimson Pride

December 1st, 2012
10:29 pm

Some of you are freaking delusional fans who know little about football. Georgia played us better than anyone this season except for Texas A&M. Richt put his team in position to beat us and coached a good game. Saban is the best coach in college football so if you think Richt should be fired for losing to a loaded Bama team, then you fans who call for Richt’s head are don’t deserve a good football team. You guys blame it on your coach, but you lost to an incredible team and may have pulled it out had it not been for Conley deciding to catch the ball.

Virginia Dawg

December 1st, 2012
10:31 pm

Bill great article: I have my criticism of Richt and his staff and mostly deservedly so but this game not really. Dawg fans will debate this last drive for decades but in my novice opinion I think there was nothing wrong with the play. Who accounts for a defender tipping the ball? Second, who accounts for a receiver who was persona non grata the entire night all the sudden catching the ball he ought to have batted down. The play would have pitted our best against their best in a one on one jump catch. Also, you never saw the offense panicking which indicates to me that they knew what sequence they wanted to run. Last, can someone tell TJ Stripling he is the catalyst that led to Alabama’s resurgence. If not for that gallingly STUPID penalty, Bama would have been pinned deep vice the “gift” he gave them.

RED DOG 77

December 1st, 2012
10:31 pm

Angela………..Bravo on your post !………I wonder the same, seems logical to me, Dawgs in the Sugar………..Regards, RED

Crimson Pride

December 1st, 2012
10:36 pm

I will never hate Georgia, because my son is a fan, but I have more respect for them than ever under Richt’s watch after this performance. The Dogs went down and nearly beat us and had me nervous for basically the whole game. Georgia has one heck of a team and I’m glad we don’t have to play them again. Gurley, King and Murray are also very, very good. To the true Georgia fans, I hope your teams represents the SEC well in your bowl game and hopefully we can keep the national championship streak alive against the Irish.

Ft.Worth dawg

December 1st, 2012
10:38 pm

Thanks Bill, I enjoy your blog.
I’m soooo proud of our coaches and team, although I would conduct a nationwide search for a kicker.
Living in Texas, I enjoy a team that consistently finishes high in the polls at the end of each season! Other schools never pick us for their homecoming! We’ll get there, Thank-you coach Richt! And thank you Bill for the time that you spend on your articles.

BamaLawyer

December 1st, 2012
10:39 pm

Relieved that we won, but Coach Saban and our staff failed our players in this game. 6 years after his arrival and our special teams are still a train wreck. Blocked FG gave GA 7 points, blown fake field goad jumpstarted GA’s offense for 7 more points and the stupid OC blew a shot at a field goal by throwing the ball on the goal line for another interception like the Texas A&M game. Georgia couldn’t stop the running game but we kept killing drives in the first half with the pass. Pathetic. Reminded me of that putrid performance against Texas in the 2010 BCS Championship game (2009 Season). Georgia is a hell of a lot better than Texas, especially after Colt McCoy crumpled. Should have won this game 34-14 if the special teams and OC weren’t a train wreck. Who knew Bobo would look like a genius compared to Nussler. Saban better get it corrected before ND.

coondawg_69

December 1st, 2012
10:39 pm

I guess the coaching staff did not learn he value of spikin the ball after the 2001 Auburn debacle…. oh well, if they dont care….. should we really get upset?

Bamafaithful

December 1st, 2012
10:40 pm

I’d like to congratulate the Dawgs. It looked to me like the two best teams in the country on the field tonight,either team could have won. These kids gave too much to have their own fans running them down. While you’re roasting Richt,you might give Alabama a little credit. These teams were VERY evenly matched,we just won. It was 59 minutes and 56 seconds of the toughest football you’ll ever see.
Congrats to the Dawgs on a great game and to the true Dawg fans that are sticking with them.

Ft.Worth dawg

December 1st, 2012
10:42 pm

P.S.
Go Tide! DESTROY Notre dame (spit)!!! Make the SEC proud!

BamaLawyer

December 1st, 2012
10:44 pm

I commend the Dawgs for their performance tonight and if I had a vote I would keep them right where they are in the poll. To me, their victory over Florida and tonight’s nail biter is worthy of a trip to New Orleans and the Sugar Bowl. Just hope they can emotionally pull it together before the bowl game. I know how bad this hurts, cause I was feeling it just before the kid fell down at the 5 with the clock running out.

Big Dawg

December 1st, 2012
10:50 pm

Some of you so called Dawg fans that cannot see the valiant effort our team gave (Alum, Jaw Jaw Idiot, and The Monger to name a few) and want to cast blame on the coaches need to find another team to root for and “support”. In fact you can jump on Bama’s waggon now. The are now the Winners and you could bask in the glory of being a fan of a championship team. It is pathetic to think you are so emotionally invested in a group of teenagers and place so much of your self worth on the outcome of a game. I can promise you that we will to miss your betchin esses for one second in the Dawg Nation.

Ft.Worth dawg

December 1st, 2012
10:53 pm

WELL SAID Big Dawg!

RED DOG 77

December 1st, 2012
10:59 pm

respectful Gator…………..Doesn’t sound like respect to me, no Sugar is not rightfully your………….We beat you, remember?…………If the rules say you go, so be it, but we did beat you…………so don’t forget, as much as you might try, in 2012 The University of Georgia BULLDOGS were better than the Florida Gators……………RED

UGA 1986

December 1st, 2012
11:21 pm

Bill

The problem on the last play was not the lack of a spike. The play was fine. The problem was that the ball was tipped (a good defensive play). If the ball was spiked and we had another shot as you suggested, if it were tipped then, the same thing might have happened.

David

December 1st, 2012
11:22 pm

Mike Bobo is a freaking low rate wanna be jv coach. Stick to pop Warner why dont you. Even Murray was looking to spike it. This loss goes to you Bobo. Own it, live with it!!!!!!!

Football Guy

December 1st, 2012
11:29 pm

fb

December 1st, 2012
11:34 pm

Richt is not the problem. We had some bad decisions by offensive lineman recruits. We came up short but I am proud of the Dogs. They are so much stronger than last year. I beliive we can compete with anybody and we proved it tonight.

Aaron

December 1st, 2012
11:45 pm

once again, GA is the king of moral championships. face the facts, yall knew we were gonna run it down your throats and did you stop it? no, you let TWO backs rush for over a 100. RTR MIAMI haters

North Georgia Dawg

December 1st, 2012
11:46 pm

My heart was racing all game and the game tonight certainly was a heartbreak for me… but I am proud of this group of bulldogs. Opposing fans and ESPN were giving the dogs no chance for the most part and yet Murray finally stepped up in a big game. One turnover and few bad decisions. That allowed us to have that chance to win. 260 passing yards, 1 TD and 1 INT. Not Brady-like, but very solid against a good Bama defense. I’m proud of these guys and Coach Richt.

dog poop

December 1st, 2012
11:47 pm

Dear UGA players, now you can go back to your crime and drug use, carry on and let the arrests begin. Thanks for behaving for a few months.

dog poop

December 1st, 2012
11:50 pm

don’t worry dog poops, you will sign another top 5 recruiting class in Feb., have a parade and beat your chest once again how 2013 will be the year just like you have the past 32 years.

bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

BillBo

December 1st, 2012
11:50 pm

Seems a pity to see posied Qb’s like Hutson Mason & Christian Lemay sitting on the bench, to watch Murray go 1-11 vs. ranekd teams.

I’ll say it for the 1,000,000th time.

MURRAY WAS THE WRONG CHOICE FOR QB. AS A LEADER, HE’S LED HIS TEAM TO A 1-11 RECORD VS. RANKED TEAMS. MARK RICHT CHOSE THE WRONG GUY TO PLAY QB FOR THE LAST 3 YEARS.

SC Dog fan

December 1st, 2012
11:52 pm

I just have to say it again before I go to bed, disappointed as I am. Very proud of this team. You stand toe to toe with the best of the best and sometimes you catch the breaks and sometimes you don’t. But to even have a chance, you have to stand and trade from beginning to end. And boy did we ever! Good job guys!

BillBo

December 1st, 2012
11:56 pm

Yeah, Murray never catches a break in the last 12 games against ranked teams. At least he’s consistent. On a positive note, Murray did complete more than 35% this time, and only threw one interception.

North Georgia Dawg

December 2nd, 2012
12:00 am

How do you guys know that Mason isn’t horrible himself. He may be worse than Joe Cox for all you know.

Crimson Pride

December 2nd, 2012
12:05 am

Murray is a good quarterback and Georgia has a good team. They just aren’t quite as good as the Tide. I swear, some of you morons on here deserve a team like Auburn and not Georgia. Richt is a good coach and had his team playing well today. If compare your current coach to Saban, almost no one will be happy because Nick wins the big games almost every time.

Crimson Pride

December 2nd, 2012
12:07 am

Since when is losing to the best team in college football this year make a team bad? It’s true what they say, you can’t fix stupid.

BillBo

December 2nd, 2012
12:09 am

No UGA QB could be worse than 1-1 vs. ranked teams like Aaron Murray. Hutson Mason or Lemay would have a better record and give UGA a better chance of winning. You can’t get any worse than 1-11. Bet Bobo misses the David Greene days when he coached a poised QB who could lead his team to big wins over ranked teams. Murray just isn’t a gamer, now we know.

Woo Hoo

December 2nd, 2012
12:10 am

That was an awesome game. I was beginning to think UGA might win, and the sun would rise in the west tomorrow. But all is well after all. Georgia is still Georgia. And the sun will rise in the east tomorrow.

Crimson Pride

December 2nd, 2012
12:13 am

I think you’re one of those fans who believes they are right about everything. But hey, my team won so I’ll thoroughly enjoy this win while you can state why you know everything and are a genius.

BillBo

December 2nd, 2012
12:15 am

Murray is a good QB? LOL. Yeah, against teams with losing records. Check out how Murray did against LSU, UF, and BAMA. Didn’t complete many balls, or throw many td’s. Or go back to Boise St, South Carolina, LSU, or Mich St in 2011 and you’ll find Aaron Murray had three turnovers in three out of four of those 2011 losses.

BillBo

December 2nd, 2012
12:20 am

Murray just didn’t get the offense checked into the right plays enough, and he STILL, after 3 SEASONS, REFUSES TO THROW A HOT ROUTE TO A CHECKDOWN RECEIVER. Loves to chunk it 50 yards down the field for interceptions into double coverage. Poor execution by Aaron Murray on the last play, got the play off too slow, and then threw the pass too low, and telegraphed where he was going, so the ball got tipped by the dlineman.

Some guys NEVER learn.

Craig

December 2nd, 2012
12:33 am

I do not understand how anyone can be happy with a loss. Would Bama Nation be happy if they had lost the game tonight? No, they play for titles. What does UGA play for? If the fans out there do not care about wins then lets be like Vanderbilt or Kentucky. Let’s stop getting top 10 recruits and just play for fun. By the way, let’s get rid of the 90k plus stadium and get a 40k one. This is all loser speak. UGA does not do the little things and it can be said they win mainly becuase they have the better talent. Here is another question, what game did UGA not have the most talent on the field this year? The players said we have the most talented defense in the country and go out to give up 500 plus yards (350 rushing) and 32 points. The team scored 28 points. I would figure the best defense could win that. Grantham has only had one good defensive outing and that was the UF game this year. Everyone, it is UGA, not Vanderbilt. We are suppose to be compare to a Bama, USC, LSU, UF, Oklahoma, Ohio St, or Texas. Notice I did not put SC in that group. You people have gone so long without winning, you think a 4 point loss to Bama is a win. By the way, Richt thinks so too if you listened to his comments after the game. To add insult, Saban throws us some pity by saying we should be in a BCS game. How about win and you dont have to worry about that.

Craig

December 2nd, 2012
12:38 am

Crimson Pride, last I checked Auburn had a BCS title so if they never win again who cares. As I said, I am confused. Does UGA want titles or 10 win seasons. UGA gets top 10 talent. I could coach UGA to 8-10 wins with that talent. Let’s be honest, UGA was winning games before Richt got there. They just were not going to the SEC title game. If the school tells me I should not expect titles then I will stop waiting on them. Stop asking people to fill your big stadium and raking in all that money if you dont want titles.

BillBo

December 2nd, 2012
12:40 am

Johnny Manziel completed over 70% against Alabama. Even Zach Mettenberger had no problems against Alabama completing near 70% of his passes. Zach had a career best agaisnt Alabama passing it, and so did Manziel, Manziel wrapped up the Heisman against the lousy Alabama pass defense. Every ranked SEC Qb had a field day against Alabama’s pass defese. But Murray hit the wall again.

Same story, different verse.

The REAL Phil

December 2nd, 2012
12:40 am

How sad is it when Alabama fans are smarter and classier than UGA fans?

The REAL Phil

December 2nd, 2012
12:42 am

BillBo LeMay can’t even read the play signals from the sidelines. People like you that wouldnt know a football from a flying saucer shouldn’t be allowed here.

The REAL Phil

December 2nd, 2012
12:43 am

Craig how about if I were to tell you that we don’t need people like you in our stadium? Would you go away then?

Craig

December 2nd, 2012
12:43 am

Crimson Pride, that was Alabama that got worked at home by Texas A&M wasnt it? LSU had them on the ropes too. Wait until after the game on 7 Jan to say they are the best team. UGA has more talent but Richt, Bobo, Grantham, and Murray are the best defense against UGA winning in the big games. Murray had a good game if you look past the fact he misses a guy for a wide open TD and that he is too short to get his ball in the end zone on the final play. Bama is king but this team has flaws and the coach for ND has won some titles so we will see.

BillBo

December 2nd, 2012
12:44 am

Mark Richt doesn’t have the drive to be great.

Hire Chris Peterson or Kirby Smart before the SEC ocmpetition does.

It’s been 12 years.

Enough’s enough.

BillBo

December 2nd, 2012
12:45 am

I’d take Lemay over Murray in any game, anytime, anywhere.

What about Murray’s 1-11 record vs. ranked teams do you not understand?

Dawg4life

December 2nd, 2012
12:45 am

Look. I am angry too, but is firing Richt the answer? Who did we have before? Donan (he sucked by the way). How about before that? Goff (He sucked more). Before that? Oh yeah, Vince Dooley (National champion coach). Anyone want to guess how many 7-win or fewer seasons he had? Answer: 12, almost half of his tenure. Mark Richt has a MUCH better winning percentage. UGA has been traditionally terrible at hiring coaches, do you really want to take that chance? I don’t.

BillBo

December 2nd, 2012
12:47 am

Grantham can’t coach in big games. Seems like every big game in 2011 or 2012, Grantham’s defense ends up getting 30-45 points scored on it, except for the Florida game. The other 6 games the defense got lit up. The guy needs to be FIRED, IMEEDIATELY.

Craig

December 2nd, 2012
12:49 am

REAL Phil, what is your debate? Are you really happy that UGA cant win against the best teams in the country? Also, not to be funny but kicking someone out from being a UGA fan might just be a blessing. Maybe the problem is not Richt but the fact that lots of UGA fans down care about winning. I see no other way to explain it. By the way, that sound is more top recruits from the great state of Georgia going to Alabama because Saban can get them in the pros and they get to play and win the big games. You are sad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Craig

December 2nd, 2012
12:53 am

I do not want to fire Richt but Bobo should be replaced. Grantham needs to get better too. It does not seem to me that Richt has a problem with losing these games. We lost 35-7 to SC. 28 points. How does that happen. By the way, what start player will get suspended to start next year. We play Clemson and SC the first two games. 0-2 anyone. Finally, name me the big game Murray has not had a turnover in?

BillBo

December 2nd, 2012
12:56 am

UGA has 5 issues:
1- Richt isn’t driven enough to win a National Championship
2- Grantham isn’t good enough to win big games
3- Richt picked the wrong guy to be QB for the last 3 years, a guy who only plays big against losing teams, and is 1-11 vs ranked teams and usually plays below average in big games
4- Will Friend isn’t qualified to coach an offensive line
5- Players are more concerned about getting NFL drafted than winning big games, like Notre Dame was before Brian Kelly took over

Top Recruit

December 2nd, 2012
12:58 am

Dawg alum. Tough loss. Very tough on a player. As an alum, supporter, and fan it was a very good game to watch. Just great play after great play by players and coaches. The play of both squads was outstanding. To date this is the best SEC game of all time. This is what the SEC is all about. Elite play by elite teams…players and coaches. SEC is the best conference with the best universities in the land.
Take it to ND Tide.
And Dawgs take it to whoever wants to play us. Hopefully we do not move in the polls and go to the Sugar Bowl.
Congrats to the Dawgs on a great regular season and an outstanding play in the title game.

BillBo

December 2nd, 2012
1:07 am

Richt does JUST ENOUGH to NOT GET FIRED.

Is that the sign of a CHAMPION?

fb

December 2nd, 2012
2:01 am

You non-fans are idiots. We just lost to the best team in the nation. The ones who hate Richt were suggesting we would finish 6-6 before the Missouri game. We overachieved to some degree. Billbo, you obviously have not watched any game where Lemay played. He is so skittish it is sad.

Let’s go win our bowl, reload on defense and hit next year with a more polished O-Line. The O-Line improved but will be beasts the next couple of years.

BTW, I think Abry Jones would have made a huge difference tonight. The long runs came right down his alley all night.

I find it interesting how so many blame Murray. While he is a DGD, Jarvis Jones was a non-factor tonight.

Fair n Balanced

December 2nd, 2012
7:05 am

Mongrel- Get off this blog if you don’t have anything with saying. Im Proud to be a GA Bulldog and if we did something stupid to let CMR go, we would be far less off.

Watch uga self destruct

December 2nd, 2012
8:04 am

Georgia’s strategy to get the biggest, fastest, dumbest athletes always backfires on them. You can count on MR and his coaching staff to pull a boneheaded play or the “athletes” to do something equally as stupid. In any case, uga will never win the big games because choking is built into their dna

EasyMoney

December 2nd, 2012
8:09 am

I dont know who has squandered more talent; my t-bat coach when he didn’t play me all the time, the Atl Braves or Coach Mark Richt. Hey, but the money is gooood. Who care about pride. Pride can be a foolish thing. Hey water-girl; how about some more caviar and turn that big screen back to the Micky Mouse Club.

legionaire

December 2nd, 2012
8:22 am

Bill a loss is a loss. Great game between 2 great teams. I agree the officiating was questionable as it always is for any team playing Bama. Overall it was the kind of game I love to watch. I don’t think it helps for any UGA fan to point a finger of blame for a loss. UGA ran out of time. It was that simple. It was a great season.

LucyDawg

December 2nd, 2012
8:34 am

Having lived outside of the south for 15 years and understanding how others view us (ignorant for starters) it has long been a dream of mine that we could prove them wrong. However, reading the comments here by ill-informed (and possibly drunk) hotheads calling for the firing of the coaching staff and belittling team members just reinforces that stereotype.

For God’s sake, put on your big boy panties, man up and realize that these boys played an amazing game. Yes we can debate the “spike the ball” issue until the cows come home but if the pass play had worked (and it would have if the ball had not been tipped), we’d all be calling everyone a genius right now.

So stop rubbing salt in wounds. Hold your head high along with the team and coaches and repeat after me, “It’s GREAT to be a Georgia Bulldog.”

bill

December 2nd, 2012
8:54 am

I figure some of the wack-a-doodle bloggers on here hating UGA must have lost a lot of $$$. Then there is a Bama fan calling out Saban-Good Lord-look at his record. Bama will kill Notre Dame. ESPN staff and crew were in the Connecticutt streets when Conley fell down. They were all doing “self dirty deeds” to Irish dance music and Sweet Home Alabama.. Holtz and May were running naked down the street.

flintriverdawg

December 2nd, 2012
9:12 am

coulda….woulda……….shouda……..its an empty feeling for sure when those last few seconds evaporate and its all over after all the effort………not unlike that night of nov 6 about 10pm…………..thanks guys for one of the best games anyone could of asked for……….so close, so friggin’ close!

Reality check

December 2nd, 2012
9:36 am

Love the way Bama never gets called for holding or blocks in the back. People will say it’s because they’re ” well coached” yet they fumble 3 times, throw a pick, fall for a fake punt and have a kick blocked. I know the SEC referee office is in Bama but that’s awful. And the refs did it all season, ask other teams. Notre Dame will get a fairer shot with no refs from SEC to tilt the calls for Bama.

Dog4Life

December 2nd, 2012
10:12 am

I am very disappointed in the loss–always time for reflection and armchair QBing after the game–but it was a great game and UGA has nothing to be ashamed of. Listen to this naysayers, UGA played as hard as they could for four quarters and never gave up–some questionable calls and plays for sure, but if you are ashamed of this team, there is no help for ever pleasing you. Go Dawgs!!!! and thaks for a great season.

yarddawg

December 2nd, 2012
10:26 am

Monger ….. It would seem you are still a 5 year old. Proud of those Dawgs and will always bleed red and black.

yarddawg

December 2nd, 2012
10:32 am

Billbo and Craig ….. please go away. UGA does not need you and would be better off without you

DawginLex

December 2nd, 2012
10:51 am

Proud of the Dawgs. It takes a fully functioning brain to realize just how good we are. Some on here don’t have a fully functioning brain so they want richt fired. You are too stupid to go outside without an adult to drive you.

true dawg881

December 2nd, 2012
11:12 am

To all you crabs hating on georgia find anothier team.Im proud to be a dawg today last year and next year.This loss is a very tough pill to swallow.But the dawgs played like a champ last night Now i come on this blog and everyone bashing georgia football and florida fans talking crap remember this florida fans 2years in a row and muskratt will never beat georgia 1 field goal cost us that game go dawgs

Football 101

December 2nd, 2012
11:21 am

…… you gotta run the ball and stop the run.

ARdawg

December 2nd, 2012
11:35 am

Someone was going to lose this game. As it happens that someone was Georgia on that night. No shame in that game. The Bulldogs laid it all out on the field. They came to win and they played to win. If you are a bulldog fan and don’t appreciate the effort the players and the coaches put in that game please, stop being a fan.

Bama was a better team in that game. My hat is off to Bama Nation now, go beat ND and make all of us proud.

I’ve no doubt the two best teams in the country were playing in the SEC championship. Georgia was not the best team on that night.

On the last play for all you loudmouth hotshots who have likely never played the game. Yes a spiked ball might have given us 2 more plays. It might have given us only one more play. Not spiking the ball also sans the tipped pass would’ve caught Bama defenders out of position and a likely TD. One can second guess that choice until the cows come home. Neither could have been successful or both could have.

Tough loss Dawgs but I for one couldn’t be any more proud of your performance even if you had won.

It’s still GREAT to be a GEORGIA BULLDOG!!

DP

December 2nd, 2012
12:04 pm

The Dawgs have laid some eggs in big games in recent years but they gave 60 minutes of effort yesterday and have nothing to be ashamed of. To the minority of Dawg fans, the whining excuse makers whose latest excuse is Alabama was holding on every play but not called for it, since Alabama made most of its rushing yardage on plays between the tackles, if anybody was being held it would have been the nose tackle. Here’s a New York Times article on the game that includes quotes from GA nose tackle John Jenkins. Notice that he doesn’t say anything about being held, he says “They were technically sound. It was position blocking.” Not that anything is going to stop the excuses of the whiners. To them, suck on it. To the rest of Dawg Nation, congratulations on a great effort.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/02/sports/ncaafootball/alabama-can-thank-eddie-lacy-who-can-thank-the-line.html?ref=ncaafootball&_r=0

Jenkins, still baffled by Alabama’s blocking, sought out Fluker after the game. During the game, Jenkins would collide with Steen or Fluker, who would immediately get their hands on him and steer him out of the hole. If Fluker occupied Jenkins, or defensive lineman Kwame Geathers, Steen would come in from the side and move him just enough for Lacy to squeeze through.

“They caught me off guard because nobody had ever used it on me,” Jenkins said of the blocking strategy. “Somehow, he would draw my momentum to him and get in front of me. They were technically sound. It was position blocking.”

1 4 GT

December 2nd, 2012
12:10 pm

1 January 1981……………………………………………..and counting! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Reality check

December 2nd, 2012
12:13 pm

Yeah in the whole game, Bama never held. In the first quarter Jarvis Jones had already been grabbed by the face mask, shoulder pads and jersey according to the radio sideline reporter. Bama is great on the line, they don’t need the help. Also two blocks in the back on kickoffs not called. Not a single one called the whole game.

tony purvis

December 2nd, 2012
12:16 pm

@The Monger

Mongrel is more appropriate for your username because you’re certainly no dawg fan of the thoroughbred variety. I suppose you could do a much better job at QB than Aaron Murray? I’ll bet you would make the perfect head coach for UGA…..Not! You are nothing but a whiner and crier beholding a glass that is half empty. You cannot give credit where credit is due because you are the real LOOSER. What have you done for UGA? Examine yourself, and Man Up, before you call yourself a dawg fan

sameole

December 2nd, 2012
12:17 pm

UGA – Perennial preseason national champions since 1981. Don’t worry February is just ahead. You will enjoy the usual seven months exulting over the recruiting class and upcoming domination. Then reality will return to restore sanity when the games are actually played.

Bill

December 2nd, 2012
12:18 pm

A very frustrating loss for Georgia. While the team did not win, the players played hard. As the Bear use to say in the old days, it wasn’t the players fault, it was my fault for not getting them ready to play. So, the coaches are at fault in this situation. Saban is obviouly pretty bright, Richt not so much. Bobo, probably even less. The players gave it all; now it’s time the coaches do also.

tony purvis

December 2nd, 2012
12:23 pm

Florida State: 21 Georgia Tech:15

DP

December 2nd, 2012
12:25 pm

“according to the radio sideline reporter”? You mean the UGA homer Loren “whatta you got Loren?” Smith? Now that’s a credible source.

Whine on “reality check”, you pathetic loser.

liferdawg

December 2nd, 2012
12:27 pm

Well as a former Richt basher, my tides have turned. He brought everything last night and we really should have won the game. Our kids were noticeably smaller and slower but played their fannies off. Ever since CMR turned things over to Bobo he is our weakest link. For 5 seasons now he refuses to understand BALL CONTROL. Our D was in big trouble late in the game and the O play calling was at its worst at that point. Why not use more Gurly then?? We always lose the ball control battle and Grantham should be heard about how critical this is in the big games. If we want to compete with the best year in and out Bobo is the program’s weakest link. You can have the best at everything but if one link six the entire chain ends up second rate. Proud of the kids and their efforts. SUx to lose against a powerhouse like Bama. I am sick to hell of them actually. 3 out of the last 4 NC’s??? Screw that D bag Satan and his twisted brain washing “process” he gets his players to bite on. I just read an article about how he doesn’t even talk with his former players and that they can’t stand him. Richt has the heart. Dawgs have about half the total pigskin budget compared to Bama/Gators/OSU and a few more. You get what you pay for. Our fan base should accept it for what its worth. We will never be able to run with the elite because we are not that type of program. Second is where we belong and thats how we will play it out for the rest of Richt’s coaching career.

DP

December 2nd, 2012
12:28 pm

Reality check, you’ve probably been at the head of the line complaining about Georgia Tech’s legal cut blocks. What did you think about that illegal uncalled chop block by UGA that put Alabama’s nose tackle Jesse Williams out of the game for a couple of series of downs and could have easily torn up his knee? It was a textbook chop block, to the knees on the blind side while Williams was engaged with another blocker. Didn’t see that one, or didn’t think it was worth mentioning?

Texas Dawg

December 2nd, 2012
12:31 pm

I was so hoping we would win……..hate that we lose……so close to the NC………………………………………………… but……. and I haven’t said this in about four seasons when it comes to a UGA lose I was damn proud of the way we played…………I was expecting blow out like at SC but our boys are getting better!!!!!! The game at SC disgusted me…….this one is disappointing very much so but atleat a team showed up!

Football Fan

December 2nd, 2012
12:31 pm

great game but the better team won. there is no joy in losing, wether by 5 points or 30, in the end all that matters is the results.

DP

December 2nd, 2012
12:32 pm

“I just read an article about how he doesn’t even talk with his former players and that they can’t stand him.”

How about a link to that article, liferdawg?

Texas Dawg

December 2nd, 2012
12:33 pm

The holding by BAMA in the 1st half……blind man could see it………..

tony_purvis

December 2nd, 2012
12:43 pm

DP

December 2nd, 2012
12:45 pm

Another Georgia defensive player, Alec Ogeltree, talks about Alabama’s offensive line play and forgets to mention the holding on every play.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/story/21223313/four-yards-bama-separate-georgia-murray-from-a-date-with-bcs-title-game

“They were tough. Really tough,” Ogletree said. “If we just do our jobs on defense we win this football game. You have to give them credit. That offensive line was really good.”

Shut up with the excuses losers.

RawDawg

December 2nd, 2012
12:50 pm

How would spiking the ball guarantee 2 shots at the end zone? Had they spiked it, the same exact thing could have happened on the very next play.

Great game and great effort by the Dawgs. It hurts, but they have nothing to be ashamed of.

liferdawg

December 2nd, 2012
12:52 pm

Bama had all the calls too. Holding/blocks in the back for 4 quarters. The hit on AM was one of the most blatant no calls I have ever seen in any league of football. Yeah DP or double penetration just google Saban and the Dolphins. They guy is not just a complete and total DICK HEAD but a psychotic freak that abuses his player’s bodies and pulls scholarships after big injuries. I used to be jealous of “Bama” and dreamed of UGA being like them but you guys are a whiff away from your 4th round of sanctions in less than 20 years. Saban is not liked by his players at all. Richt is loved. Bama spends more than twice on their football program as we do. Bama has some of the lowest academic standards for their playas as anyone in the country. UGA the highest. We are fine knowing that second place is for us and Athens is the best college experience in the country. Tuscaloosa has a nice area called the Quad but is a hellhole. I am proud bulldog and last night while tough is the reality of a much better funded coaching staff and program vs. ours. Bobo lost the game for us with his terrible big game O play calling. When your qb has time and your #1 Rb is getting the 3.5-5 yds per carry how could you not CONTROL the ball?

DP

December 2nd, 2012
1:01 pm

liferdawg, you’re a pathetic loser who should find a new team to root for.

Jarvis Jones, who Alabama ran the ball at repeatedly, also forgot to mention all that alleged Alabama holding:

http://espn.go.com/colleges/georgia/football/story/_/id/8699531/georgia-bulldogs-defense-had-rough-night-alabama-crimson-tide-power-game

“I know they’ve got a great offensive line,” said Georgia outside linebacker Jarvis Jones, who finished with six tackles, two sacks, three tackles for a loss and a forced fumble. “The only thing you’ve got to do is get behind those guys and run. Lacy’s a great back. He knows how to get behind his pads and make plays, and No. 4 [Yeldon] is, too. Those guys made plays when it counted.”

liferdawg

December 2nd, 2012
1:12 pm

Brilliant observations because I am sure not rooting for Bama ever again in any game. You can get Double Penetrated all you want. Fact is you guys are the best money can buy and I have very little respect for that at this point in my life in general. My dawgs brought their hearts and overcame abysmal oc calling and still took your cheaters to the wire. You can keep your D bag coach too. Bama spends everything on their football. UGA uses football profits for stronger women’s sports and many other things. Just calling it like I see it. I will not be watching the title game, just don’t give a rats. Enjoy the DP

Interested Observer

December 2nd, 2012
1:16 pm

Georgia put a much improved team on the field this year. Unfortunately, some of the Georgia fans haven’t made equivalent progress.

DP

December 2nd, 2012
1:26 pm

Poor whining liferdawg. I take it you haven’t watched a national championship game since the last one Georgia played in 30 years ago? You’ve missed a lot of great ones.

jacket fan in wisconsin

December 2nd, 2012
1:26 pm

Tough one to lose , Dawgs. They sting a little while, but should motivate the team and fans to get there again. Bama’s previous experience definitely helped them, IMO. I bet it the game was played 10 times , the results would be 5-5. The teams were that even. So congrats Dawgs on a great year, go to your bowl, get a win and have fun !
And BTW, if you don’t want Richt , we would take him in a heartbeat ! Tech is going nowhere fast !

sportsmed

December 2nd, 2012
2:16 pm

I agree with what most of you are saying about Richt, but let’s not hang any of this one on Murray. Last year he was plagued by a receiving corps that dropped pass after pass and an undisciplined mob that committed way too many penalties. In this year’s SEC championship, be played his ASS off, kept us in it, and put us in a position to win at the end; when he tried to signal a request to spike the ball, his wise and powerful coach blew him off. In a tight situation like this was, your best players shouldn’t have to think and make critical split-second decisions; they should KNOW IN ADVANCE exactly what to do.

Marietta-Dawg

December 2nd, 2012
2:55 pm

This one falls squarely on the inability to stop the run, offense played good enough win. Not Murrays fault at all on the final play, he was motioning to spike it but the coaches called a play. It does show that in the big key games our coaching staff looks lost. Probably why CMR got so upset at that reporter for asking him about it in the post game presser. I do agree that CMR shows no ability to finish the big games, been a concern for a very long time now. Dont expect any changes though, no coach gets fired consistantly winning 9 to 10 games a year. Dissapoined about going to the cotton bowl to play a sub-par Longhorn team, gonna be hard to get the players up for it.

Ray Goof

December 2nd, 2012
3:01 pm

Congratulations on the morale victory DogNation!!!! We are the Morale National Champs!!!

The Cold Hard Truth

December 2nd, 2012
3:08 pm

I never thought I’d see the day where Georgia was happy with a moral victory. But that’s what I’m reading. This is the SEC supremacy problem. You people think that because you fought hard and played til the final seconds that you’re champions. You’re not. Tennessee, Florida, LSU, Auburn and Alabama are the only schools in the SEC that are true champions. The mighty UGA, with all of the resources (and more) than most schools, is still on the outside looking in. But let’s give a big group hug and say “ah shucks, the SEC is best, so it’s okay.” Nah, enjoy a non-BCS Bowl with the best GA team since ‘82. And don’t quote me, “well we beat Florida” or “Tech sucks” or “Auburn is a dumpster fire”….do any of those things really make you feel better about losing with your best team to a rebuilding Bama team? It shouldn’t. The reality is that you had an 11-point lead in the 3rd qtr, a chance at the end but didn’t even get the football into the endzone (incomplete or complete), another big game coaching choke with the non-spike, more undisciplined play by your superior athletes (another coaching problem), and thankfully a game at the end of the year where none of your studs were suspended (how many of these fine young men were in trouble before/during the season). Not an alum and not a fan. And I’m really happy for those of you who are rationalizing this loss. THIS was your chance, but again, you’re not even in the same “Club” as Tennesee, Auburn, LSU, Florida or Alabama…and the odds aren’t in your favor to join anytime soon. Hell, even Tech has a more recent trophy than you guys do. But be proud. Woof woof!

Dawg Squeeze

December 2nd, 2012
3:18 pm

Repeat after me hush puppies….33 years and counting for this “elite” program.

Hugh

December 2nd, 2012
3:43 pm

I’m proud of the players. Great effort on everyone’s part. We got out couched which is a shame considering the valiant effort. I know Murray watches a lot of film, but doesn’t every HS QB know that with a first down and 16 seconds on the clock, you spike the ball? Do Murray and Andrews ever talk? If you we’re a veteran QB, would you tell your center – next time we get a fist down with 16 seconds left we are going to snap it as soon as everyone is set and snap the ball? I’m not gonna count signals for 6 seconds. I’m gonna just ask you to snap it so I can ground it. If Murray and Andrews are halfway prepared (coached), we get two shots at the end zone in that situation. When Murray got hit by the Alabama defender, he was just standing fair lollygagging (or moping). I would have felt better if he were pursuing the guy who intercepted the pass. He’s been there three years. Don’t just stand there. I think Murray’s career at UGA is over. Go pro young man, and when you do – man up.

Booze Hound

December 2nd, 2012
3:45 pm

Nice catch by Conley there at the end.

Tampa Dawg

December 2nd, 2012
3:53 pm

Before I speak – I tell you all that my family has been a season ticket holder since 1965. I am 39, and remember the 80s, 90s, 2000, and 2010s. I remember when the Dawgs were on the cusp of a decade of dominance (too bad it all fell on a once in a lifetime player and not a great team). I remember Bama being relevant, irrelevant, relevant, irrelevant – and now, Dynastic. I remember the same for Florida.

I ask you this – to all the immature, whining, “I need it now because I have no attention span whining brats” like ‘The Monger’” – the same folks asking for heads to roll in unprecedented amounts – who’s better? Who out there would you have coach the Dawgs? Who would you have be the quarterback? Mark Richt has one of the highest winning percentages in the nation. Does he lose some big games? Hell yes. So did the likes of Bryant, Parsegian, Dooley, Meyer, Paterno, Robinson, and more. Nick Saban is arguably the best coach NCAA has seen the last 15 years. Urban Meyer and the Ol Ball Coach? You can argue second or third. But you know what? Not everyone can win a championship ever year. UGA had a run with Walker. Florida had a run with Spurrier and his QB carosuel. Bama with the best OL and defenses in the nation. You can only hope to be RELEVENT – to be in the conversation every year. RICHT DOES THAT. A Championship comes down to some great ball, and some fate. Last night, UGA fought back from a humiliating loss to USC where the same echos stirred “can get up for the big game”, “Can’t win when it matters”……and they bounced back, and made the nation sit up and take notice. They put forth their best effort and fell short against THE BEST TEAM AND COACH IN THE NATION.

For all of you saying “We need change now” – change to what? Change to who? Wanna go get Jimbo Fisher, Bo Pelini, Brent Biliema, Lane Kifin? Mark Richt wins, and wins with class. We finally have a staff that’s like what we had when he showed up – young and hungry. WHen guys like Kirby Smart and Will Muschamp say Bobo’s the real deal – you ought to listen. What’s the difference between this year and the last few? RUNNING BACKS. Consistent running backs and a core of young, talented OL and skill players.

If you think this year wasn’t a turning point – then I say shut up, and exit the bandwagon to the right side so you dont get hit. I’ve watched the Dawgs at their absolute best, and in the valley of death. This team is going to be in the mix for a while….might not see some big steps till 2014 with the losses on D this year, but anyone who doesn’t have the blinders of their teams allegiance on can see that. You can hate UGA, like I hate UF, but you have to respect a teams talent.

I am not some pollyanna freak, I am a skeptic if anything – but If you’re going to be that source of negativity, looking for who to blame like every other j****** int he nation when something doesn’t go just your way – why dont you look in a mirror, find out why you’re really such a sad-sack, unhappy waste of oxygen, and fix it. We dont need you, and neither does society writ large.

Mike Townsend
Calhoun GA Native
USMA c/o 1994
UGA MBA c/o 2002

Ted Dibiase

December 2nd, 2012
3:58 pm

YAY!!! Moral victories for the Dwags!!

78Dawg

December 2nd, 2012
4:06 pm

Thank you to all the coaches and players. You guys left it all on the field and that’s all anyone can ask. CMR hang in there man…the naysayers are stupid. I’m proud of these Dawgs and the coaching. This will boost recruiting. Get us some big bad OLand DL that can play smash mouth with Alabama and we’ll get there. Best game I’ve ever seen.

Gee Golly Batman?

December 2nd, 2012
4:18 pm

Oh no, here comes all the tech and fake arm chair quarterback and coach dawg fans out of the closet.
It was a great game, we fought and never gave in. remember this feeling especially the young guys and take it with you next year. Stay out of trouble and stat the season intact and go get it.

Good game dawgs…good damn game!

Sunbury Ga dawg

December 2nd, 2012
4:24 pm

Dawgs, hell of a game. Good game to Bama as well.
We just witnessed the the rebirth on the dawgs believe it or not.
they will grow they will fight

dog poop

December 2nd, 2012
4:31 pm

what planet are some of you living on? You played only two teams that were ranked in the top 10 and only beat one. The rest of the SEC blows and all their coaches were fired.

You sign a top 5 recruiting class every year and this is it? Really? I bet Florida wished its only in state competition to recruit players was an engineering school.

Play somebody. Sisters of the cupcakes ain’t going to get it done.

Virginia dog

December 2nd, 2012
4:50 pm

THE POINT NO ONE IS TALKING ABOUT IS THIS. LAST YEAR LSU RAN THE BALL DOWN OUR THROATS THE 2nd HALF AND THIS YEAR BAMA RAN THE BALL DOWN OUR THROATS THIS YEAR.

GFJacket

December 2nd, 2012
4:51 pm

UGA has a chance for revenge against Bama next year – - but only if both make it back to the SECCG. UGA – - again – - does not play Bama during its 12 game season,

pugweezel16

December 2nd, 2012
5:18 pm

best game ive seen in a long time…..riped my heart out for those players, DGDS….everyone of them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! go dawgs!!!!!!!now bama go win it ok dont let let this be in for nothing….keep richt please….tu…god bless

shad229

December 2nd, 2012
5:22 pm

First off dem DAWGS playeda heck of a game against a great program all around. I think these teams were equally matched as both teams showed flashes of greatness throughout the game. After watching the game for a 2nd time this morning it was the 3 and out i the next to last drive. I just dont understand why not give it Gurly o that 1st and 10, instead Bobo opted to pass and the result was a sack that led to 2nd and 18 instead of 2 and 8 or 9. And as far as Grantham…. Why not play Herrera instead of Gilliard??? Against teams that are pass heavy Herrera is suspect…but against the run he way better than Gilliard. But all in all it was a great game….too bad we didnt win!!!!

Strongside

December 2nd, 2012
5:25 pm

@ Virginia dog

You are 100% right. Can not give 350 rushing yards and expect to win.

We are lucky that game was close as normally 350 yards rushing = a blowout loss.

FIRE GRANTHAM! So what is his defensive numbers look good against the cupcake teams, no self-respecting defense gets punked as badly as we did last night and in the 2011 SECCG vs. LSU.

Losing is LOSING!!!!!!

December 2nd, 2012
5:27 pm

Losing is LOSING!! There is no honor or glory in LOSING! Ask those on the losing side in a war or in a gunfight, or in a LOST FOOTBALL GAME AGAINST ALABAMA – if you lose – you are a LOSER! And that is what Mark Richt and Aaron Murray are – LOSERS – they cannot win the big game ever!

BigEC

December 2nd, 2012
5:43 pm

All of you people that are sick and tired of Richt And Bobo and Murray, quit rooting for Georgia and jump on the bandwagon with someone else. We are not a horrible teamor horribly coached. We lost to the better team last night. But we are a top ten team and will be for years to come. Everybody that loves the bulldogs does not feel the same way that you all do. Instead of “Fire Mark Richt” why don’t y’all “abandon ship”.

rhbDAWG1

December 2nd, 2012
5:44 pm

To all of you who want any of our coaches fired: You ain’t gonna get that. Any time our team is within four yards of playing for a national championship, you’re acting like idiots (I suspect you are really trollers) if you want (or think) Mark Richt or any of the coaches should be fired. Our OL did a fine job and we were a couple of defensive line studs short.

rhbDAWG1

December 2nd, 2012
5:46 pm

Losing is LOSING!!!!!! Sing your song to Auburn and Tennessee and Arkansas. I’ll bet they wish they had the coaches back that were “just not quite good enough” at the time.

Desert Fox

December 2nd, 2012
5:46 pm

Bill. I didn’t see CTG adjusting the def at all. AL was trying to run the clock down at the end and didn’t want any costly T/O’s otherwise AL would still be running on GA this Sunday.

One more item to add to this misery. You omitted the missed FG by our goal post loving kicker. He makes that FG in the first half and GA only needs a FG to win at the end. The score would have been 32-34. A FG wins it not needing the TD to win. I know this won’t happen but CMR should spend a scholly on another kicker, one more reliable.

This was the best shot GA had for NC game. Offense played well as did special teams minus missed FG. It was the rush defense or lack of it that cost GA this game. To be spent in the 3rd qtr as was our def front 7 doesn’t speak well of whomever is the conditioning guru for GA. I thought that was fixed but AL proved it was all smoke and mirrors. tackling was pee poor as well. You cannot go high on these AL RB’s. Thats no secret and why it wasn’t stressed in meetings is testament to coaching shortfalls. Dawgs should have won and played well enuf on O to win it but D let them down.

Tampa Dawg

December 2nd, 2012
5:50 pm

Hey “Losing is Losing”:

I HAVE been on the losing side of a gun fight, and I HAVE seen what happens when you “lose”. You bet your myopic tail you can lose with honor. Anyone who doesn’t know that – ANYONE who doesn’t know that – never will.

You are the kind of person that makes me sick and can actually make me question why I do what I do. THen I realize, MOST of the world is made of the type of folks who I would gladly lay my life down for – those with perspective. Those with HONOR and INTEGRITY. Bet you never played college level football either? Pick up a rifle, or put on some pads, and stand a post.

Mike Townsend
Calhoun GA Native
USMA c/o 1994
UGA MBA c/o 2002

kybodawg

December 2nd, 2012
5:55 pm

hey monger talk about big time, how many times have you had to refill youre viagra

rhbDAWG1

December 2nd, 2012
6:49 pm

Tampa Dawg – You have written some hard hitting truth. I salute you for your service.

Tampa Dawg

December 2nd, 2012
6:54 pm

THanks rbh……I’m just sick of seeing a bunch of 20somethings act like e world stopped spinnging and seeing this for what it is….a damn good game where the no kidding better team and better coach won. You know what? NO SHAME IN THAT – Saban’s the best coach in the country……it happens.

BTW – FSU and N. Illinois in the Orange? If the ACC champ is an automatic……wouldn’t that be us?
(UF destroys FSU, UGA humiliates Tech, and UGA beat UF? Correct me if I’m wrong – but….

UGA = 2012 ACC CHAMPS

The Flagman

December 2nd, 2012
7:03 pm

The talking heads say Coach Richt is not concerned about penalties. I agree if they are hustle plays. HOWEVER, the STUPID personal foul and unsportsman like conduct penalties such as #2 and #44 committed are TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE TO ME. Yesterday was not the first time for either player…severe punishment should be in order for such mistakes. Stadium steps for a solid week is a good start…144 straight hours.

Skokie Dog

December 2nd, 2012
7:58 pm

I enjoyed the game yesterday–as entertainment. And since many contributors here believe that it is sacrilegious to criticize the U.Ga. coaching staff and most of the players, my suggestion to those who find accepting defeat difficult is to adjust your minds and expectations, as I have done already. If we’re being honest with ourselves, we know that college and professional football are about money and revenue. The games are entertainment, so the high salaries for coaches are justified by the profit margins. If the team habitually loses “big” games, some coaches lose their jobs. As someone already observed above, that’s not likely to happen at U.Ga. So, if you just view the games as entertainment, you’re being realistic, and it’s easier to accept defeats, whether they are blowout losses, like the one earlier this season, or near misses, like the game yesterday. If you’re investing too much of your money or emotions in this organization, you’re likely to be disappointed.
I admire the team’s effort yesterday, but U.Ga. again found a way to lose a hard-fought game. Others on the blawg have identified specific problems with the ‘Dogs’ performance. (Did anyone else find it remotely ironic that our team’s last play failed because the pass was tipped?) Remember that the coaches will collect their checks, and the players who graduate and play in the NFL will earn their money eventually too. I do think it’s laudable that U.Ga. has improved the graduation rate of the student-athletes since I was enrolled, and that’s another important measure of success.
The online edition of Friday’s Wall Street Journal characterized Georgia as “the Miss Congeniality of the SEC.” That sounds about right to some of us fans, like it or not. The fact that we don’t agree that everything at the U.Ga. Athletic Association and on the field are just perfect doesn’t mean that we need to go away. It just means we need to be realistic about our expectations. I am now and have been since the Sugar Bowl loss to West Virginia, on the same Georgia Dome field as yesterday’s game.

Thomasville Dawg

December 2nd, 2012
8:06 pm

The reality of the situation is due to undersigning and disciplinary issues we have about 15 less scholarship players than Alabama. They were able to sub in and out the whole game and were fresh in the end. Meanwhile, we had the same 14 to 15, and more importantly 4 to 5 on the d-line, play the WHOLE GAME. Our offensive gameplan was great: go fast and keep them on their heels. But unfortunately it put our defense on the field for most of the game and our lack of depth showed off. You can complain about Richt for putting us in the situation of lacking depth but his game management and planning for THIS GAME was great and I was proud to be there cheering them on and to see it in person. For those saying we’re settling for mediocrity, the reality is with the exception of one magical season Dooley and Richt are exactly the same in terms of success and I’m proud to have him as our coach. One year we’ll break through but I’m proud that man is our head coach.

MaconKnight

December 2nd, 2012
8:10 pm

I thought bobo played it safe after they had scored and converted the 2 point play to make the score 21- 18 what with about 5mins and some change bobo calls a wideout screen no gain a hand off to gurley and he picks up 9 and 3rd 1 we run gurley again. And he gets stuffed. 4th down we punt. I thought at that moment we should have went for it. They had just scored and we put the defense right back on the field after not converting a 1st down. I thought we were playing not to lose at that point. Well we all can nik pick all we want. Fact is the players gave all they had and we need to embrace there effort they came up 4 yards short. Still and will always be a DAWG but just maybe the o coordinator needs to resigns you cant call plays scarec trying to out duel your buddy smart. And no smart wouldnt be a good head coach.

Russa

December 2nd, 2012
8:13 pm

“Dawgs have nothing to be ashamed of after epic battle with Bama”

all it says to me is how much greater Saban is than Richt. Saban is about to win his 4th National Championship in almost 10 years and this is the closest Richt has EVER come to even playing for the National Championship.

“no one can say quarterback Aaron Murray didn’t step up in a big-time game”
they can say he’s 1-5 against the Top 10

Tndawg

December 2nd, 2012
8:18 pm

So listen haters, we ended up 5, count them, 5 points away from playing for a championship. Our field goal kicker gets that earlier field goal and Murray spikes the ball with 5 seconds left, and we are SEC champs. Why in the world do we have to always get back to firing Richt?

old guy

December 2nd, 2012
8:21 pm

second guess,second guess, second guess! Great game coach and don’t let the know nothings get you down. Great game Murray!

Buzz-off

December 2nd, 2012
8:29 pm

One comment and I’m taking it in:

KIRBY SMART WITH EXTRAORDINARY (NFL) TALENT COULD NOT EVEN SLIGHTLY SLOW DOWN UGA……..WE JUST DIDN’T MAKE THE PLAYAT THE END OF THE GAME (poop happens). IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH KIRBY…..SO WHY IN THE HELL DO SOME IDIOTS THINK HE IS BETTER THAN CMR BECAUSE HE ISN’T EVEN CLOSE…….GIVE IT A REST!

Thouse

December 2nd, 2012
8:29 pm

Richt didn’t think UGA needed a Special Teams coach? Guy misses field goal in SEC Championship, costing you the biggest year in 30+ seasons? Mark Richt’s so stubborn, and made a bad decision. Grantham could coach ALL the LB’s, Olivadotti’s ILB’s got SCHOOLED by BAMA and RUN ALL OVER. His position should be eliminated, and UGA should hire a Special Teams coach.

Thouse

December 2nd, 2012
8:33 pm

Ace Sanders punt return for td almost cost UGA this year but SC lost 2 games after that, last year’s HoneyBadger returns 2 punts cost the 2011 SEC Championship. Now the missed field goal costs UGA the 2012 National Championship? No Special Teams coach needed?

mgnolia, tx tom

December 2nd, 2012
8:33 pm

350 yards against our storied defense. we suck on defense. get rid of fat boy and worhtless grantham

Thouse

December 2nd, 2012
8:34 pm

The interception Murray threw again was catastrophic and cost UGA 3 points. Without that, it’s 29-28, you spike the ball on the 8 yard line and try to kick a short field goal for the win.

I think Murray had 3 turnovers in the 2011 SEC Championship.

WOW.

Buzz-off

December 2nd, 2012
8:34 pm

Russ a
You are totally full of goose squeeze
Even the BCS Countdown called it an “epic battle” 1 minute ago. Don’t forget Bama has the top 1 or 2 recruiting classes every year for the past 4 years and Saban nearly lost. I wouldn’t call that superior coaching.

Buzz-off

December 2nd, 2012
8:37 pm

Thouse
Are you stupid or impaired…..or both?

Thouse

December 2nd, 2012
8:37 pm

UGA gave up 42 points in the 2011 SEC Championship, and 32 in the 2012 SEC Championship. Why? Special teams and defense in 2011, and defense in 2012. LSU held Alabama to 21 points, A/M held Alabama to 24 points and UGA gives up 32 points?

Why we keep losing big games
1. Defense can’t hold teams to under 25 in big games (besides Florida game)
2. No Special teams coach
3. Poor play at QB in big games

Thouse

December 2nd, 2012
8:39 pm

Texas A & M beat Alabama with:
1- Great QB play in a big game
2- Great red zone defense
3- Held Alabama to under 25 points

QB was all the difference.

Thouse

December 2nd, 2012
8:44 pm

How some of you feel all warm & fuzzy after going 1-11 in the last 12 big games says a lot about you.

1-11 record against great teams in not acceptable.

BIG CHANGES MUST BE MADE OR NOTHING WILL CHANGE.

ugaclassof2004

December 2nd, 2012
8:46 pm

I want to thank most of the Alabama fans for their classy remarks. Y’all have a great program, and Nick Saban is a phenomenal coach, just love the his mentality and the things he says. I was also pleased with the way Richt and his team competed. Effort like that gets my undying support every time.

That game was like Rocky vs. Apollo Creed. Wish it would have been Buster Douglas vs. Mike Tyson ;) . But seriously, how great is SEC football? I think that was the greatest SEC Title Game ever. The Florida vs. Alabama games might have been more high profile, but in terms of the actual action on the field? No way. Bama vs. UGA trumps them all.

ugaclassof2004

December 2nd, 2012
8:47 pm

I want to thank most of the Alabama fans for their classy remarks. Y’all have a great program, and Nick Saban is a phenomenal coach, just love his mentality and the things he says. I was also pleased with the way Richt and his team competed. Effort like that gets my undying support every time.

That game was like Rocky vs. Apollo Creed. Wish it would have been Buster Douglas vs. Mike Tyson ;) . But seriously, how great is SEC football? I think that was the greatest SEC Title Game ever. The Florida vs. Alabama games might have been more high profile, but in terms of the actual action on the field? No way. Bama vs. UGA trumps them all.

ugaclassof2004

December 2nd, 2012
8:49 pm

P.S. Those of you bashing Richt and Co. can seriously go to hell right now. I too have been hard on Richt in the past, but he had those guys ready to play last night. We just lost to a better team.

jlp39

December 2nd, 2012
8:50 pm

To those posing as UGA fans that want Kirby Smart as a coach, please tell me what you saw out there that you liked. We ate their secondary alive and we were missing two of our top receivers.
On a different note, Please put Jay Rome in the game!!!

Thouse

December 2nd, 2012
8:59 pm

Can you believe Grantham’s defense gave up 350 YARDS RUSHING!!!! Kirby Smart held UGA to under 120.

Thouse

December 2nd, 2012
9:01 pm

The UGA defensive plan was a bad one.

Either commit to stop the run, or not allow a deep pass.

UGA allowed BOTH????? rAMBO GOT BEAT ON A DEEP BALL, AND THEN sWANN GOT BEAT ON A DEEP ONE TOO.

Fire Richt People Are Plain Stupid

December 2nd, 2012
9:14 pm

Fire Richt? You Richt haters are what gives college football fans a bad name. idiots. I graduated from UGA and you UGA coach bashers are just so little in the brain.

bubba4dawgs

December 2nd, 2012
9:15 pm

Right on, Tampa Dawg!! This was a game that begs the statement; “coulda, woulda, shoulda”! I see one play that I thought would have made sucha big difference in this gam and that was the 2 point conversion that Bama made. CMR should have called a time out and gotten his team ready and lined up properly. They weren’t even set for the play and of course got beat badly. Those two points turned out to be huge as the score would have wound up 30-28 making a field goal by the DAWGS to win. Then those precious minutes at the end would not have come into play. Oh well, I’m so very proud of the DAWGS anyway and believe it will be the loss will be a driving force to return hopefully next year, if not, soon!

geoSTORM

December 2nd, 2012
9:23 pm

Didn’t have a horse in this particular race, but enjoyed a great game.

Didn’t see it mentioned here, but only read first two board, and this one. IMO, fans watching were denied an even better finish…to have only 2 plays in that last 30 seconds…and why wasn’t there a call to clock the ball with 15 seconds left?

I thought dawgs would be able to run 2-3 plays down there, in the last 12-13 seconds, if they had clocked the ball…I was certain they were going to get over on Bama, in those last seconds, and frankly still feel they presented the tougher match-up for ND.

Terry

December 2nd, 2012
9:25 pm

To all fair weather Georgia fans: Georgia scores more points and touchdowns this season than any team in UGA history. We competed down to the last seconds of the Sugar Bowl to a Alabama team most likely headed to its third national championship in four years. Alabama has held a slight edge in recruiting which national championships will grant you. Georgia competes with the elite footballs teams when we just compete in the SEC Conference with six teams in the top ten in the BCS standings, the SEC’’s strongest field ever. Now we are competing at the highest level on one of the largest stages. The belly aching Georgia fans who don’t realize how strong the competition is in the SEC and that winning every game isn’t possible. The fans who bad mouth Mark Richt and Mike Bobo after this loss, when the game was lost by a defense full of potential 1st rounders. These clueless Georgia fans stand in the way of us closing the narrow gap in recruiting to get the best of Alabama the next time we play them. After Georgia’s 1982 team lost the Sugar Bowl in our last attempt at a national championship, the fan base stood solidly behind the Dawgs and were proud of their accomplishments. Why not now?

Mobile Dawg

December 2nd, 2012
9:27 pm

I haven’t perused every board, or read every comment. But what I’ve seen, not one regular poster has had anything negative to say about the Dawgs. All the negative comments are from losers coming out of the woodwork, not Georgia folks.

Miamidawg

December 2nd, 2012
9:38 pm

nothing to be ashamed of after epic battle with Bama… ya sure.

Bama is playing for their 3rd in four years and we’ve got nothing to be ashamed of. How about we forget about shame and focus on anger on an opportunity squandered and work next year to finish the drill.

DawgVoiceofReason

December 2nd, 2012
9:47 pm

Bill (and others espousing the same false premise),

I quote Bill, “a spike would have guaranteed the Dogs at least two shots at the end zone.”. Why does anyone think that? There are no guarantees on the outcome of plays following a spike or at any other time. Spiking or not spiking the ball had nothing to do with what happened and would not have prevented the same result. The tipped pass and result of the play that resulted had everything to do with what happened at the end of the game. To point out the obvious, knowing what happened, if we had it to do over of course they would have done something different (perhaps perhaps simply calling the same play to the other side) but at the time it was run the play had the advantage of preventing Bama from changing defenders and from preparing for the play. Their linebacker just made a spectacular play to tip the ball.

Why is everyone so obsessed with the idea of spiking the ball? Is it just because that is what is typically done? There are examples where not spiking the ball worked and there are plenty of examples where spiking the ball did not win the game. So many of you accuse the coaches of “not playing to win but playing not to lose”. This was an example of being prepared (they already had called the play to be run) and our players knew what to do. It just didn’t work out.

Tampa Dawg

December 2nd, 2012
9:56 pm

DawgVoiceOfReason – AMEN! The world of sports fandom is full of folks that live a comfortable life, and dont regularly make decisions when major stakes are on the line – where seconds matter. Folks who’s biggest decision of the day is which font to use on their report or do I get the burger with cheese, or without. They want to second guess everything from the comfort of their couches while living a life of relative ease.

So what if we spiked, Smart dialed up a blitz, sacked Murray for a loss of 5 and time ran out?

You know what those same men would say (and I use the term men loosely) – WHY DIDN’T WE HAVE A PLAY ON HURRY UP OFFENSE TO USE?

Stop living in the world of WOULDA-SHOULDA-COULDA (thanks bubba4dawgs – stealing that). Game is over – focus on Nebraska, and then use ALLLLLLLL this pent up disappointment they definitely have and channel it into every – flippin- game next year.

What happens to those that focus only on a defeat? You stay defeated.

DawgVoiceofReason

December 2nd, 2012
9:57 pm

To answer Bill’s question about this year versus last year. Of course this year is far more devastating. We fought to and were in it until the very end. We were so close to playing for the national championship and we had a legitimate shot to win both games. Last year we were not expected (by most reasonable folks) to even be in the game with LSU because we had NO RUNNING GAME at all. Even winning that game last year would not have put us in the National Championship picture. This one hurts because of the meaning of the game, the opportunity at hand, the effort we gave, the potential for an unbelievable comeback and beating one of the great programs of all time. It is also very unfortunate that Murray, while perhaps somewhat more respected for his heart and resolve (recovering from one of the all time cheap shots by the Bama lineman), will still have the criticism of not winning enough “big games”. Coach Richt also, who took risks in the game to try to win it, will also bear the brunt of any criticism until we break through again.

Bill King

December 2nd, 2012
10:13 pm

DawgVoiceofREason:
Of course, you’re correct. It is not guaranteed that they could have gotten two plays off if they had spiked the ball. But the chances are better that they could have done that than Richt’s plan of somehow getting THREE plays off in 15 seconds without spiking the ball.

C From Marietta

December 2nd, 2012
11:27 pm

@ Crimson Pride

You are exactly right. Thanks for the words of wisdom.
Now go beat the crap out of ND!
MARK RICHT IS MY MAN AND I HOPE HE STAYS!
If you want Coach Richt gone. Then, you will be crying for many years to come.

C From Marietta

December 2nd, 2012
11:30 pm

@ Terry

You are right! Good words.

C From Marietta

December 2nd, 2012
11:34 pm

@ Thouse

Your no UGA fan. Go back to the Tech blog where you belong.
If you are UGA fan, PLEASE find another team. We don’t want you in the Bulldog Nation!

Sharkdawg

December 2nd, 2012
11:54 pm

DAVID POLLACK IS A SELL OUT”……..

Smit

December 3rd, 2012
9:02 am

Only 1 or 2 fans left who are satisfied with going 1 & 11 in last 12 big games. C from Marietta and Bill K. Everybody else is angry and fed up with being the loser 10 out of 11 times.

[...] Dawgs have nothing to be ashamed of after epic battle with Bama [...]

After further review

December 6th, 2012
1:17 pm

Monger (and the other Georgia “fans” complaining): two quotes for you -

1) “Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do.” Ben Franklin

2) “Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain – and most fools do. But it takes character and self control to be understanding and forgiving.” Dale Carnegie