The 2009 Georgia Bulldogs: They’ll go 8-4, it says here
Joe Cox takes the reins, and it could be a bumpy trip. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
As rallying cries go, this one is a bit weird: “We’re better off now because nobody thinks we’re the best team in the country.” But this is college football, where anything is grist for the motivational mill.
A year ago the Georgia Bulldogs found themselves ranked No. 1, and they didn’t like the way that turned out. So now they’ve decided it’s better not to have drawn a single vote to finish first in the SEC East. (Florida was a unanimous choice at the conference’s Media Days.) It’s better being considered not nearly as good.
Mark Richt told the Greater Atlanta Bulldog Club last month that he feels he “has a lot more juice” going into this season. Last year, he recalled, he’d gone on a mission trip and had returned to face a barrage of questions on two fronts – the number of off-field incidents involving Georgia players, which hasn’t been an issue this time, and being the first team in school history ranked preseason No. 1, which isn’t an issue, either.
And there is a compelling recent precedent. In 2005 the Bulldogs were picked to finish third in the East for what seemed good reason: They’d lost their longtime starting quarterback. Indeed, that’s what some players chanted during the celebration on the floor of the Georgia Dome after they’d beaten LSU for the 2005 league title: “Third in the East … third in the East …”
We don’t yet know if Joe Cox can do as D.J. Shockley did four years ago – steer his team to a championship after waiting his turn – but the parallel alone gives the Bulldogs hope. So does the return of two anchors from injury: Trinton Sturdivant, the sturdy left tackle, and Jeff Owens, the forceful defensive tackle.
Georgia’s hope this season is to be strong where it was weak in 2008 – up front. Nobody is suggesting Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno won’t be missed, but the Bulldogs should never lack for talent at the skill positions. Cox doesn’t have Stafford’s arm and Caleb King lacks Moreno’s wiggle, but these are still SEC-caliber players.
Loading ...That said, this will mark only the fourth time in Richt’s tenure at Georgia, which is entering its ninth season, the Bulldogs have approached a season with an untested No. 1 quarterback. In 2001, David Greene’s first season as starter, they finished 8-4. In 2006, the season that began with Joe Tereshinski III as No. 1 and saw Cox start at Ole Miss and finished with Stafford in control, they were 9-4.
Put another way, the two worst seasons under Richt – not to say that a four-loss campaign is “bad” – have come when the No. 1 quarterback was a relative newbie. The belief here is that 2009 will be a similarly lesser year, that four losses will again be the result, that this will be more like 2006 than 2005.
Then again, I was among those who believed Georgia would be the best team in the land in 2008. So I’m already one of the prime motivators. Glad to be of service, guys.
Bradley breaks down the Bulldogs’ season
Sept. 5, Oklahoma State at Stillwater: Some Bulldog fans see OSU as another Arizona State. Different league, folks. OSU 30, Georgia 20.
Sept. 12, South Carolina at Athens: The Evil Genius marred 2007 season by winning at Sanford Stadium. Not this time. Georgia 24, South Carolina 14.
Sept. 19, Arkansas at Fayetteville, Ark.: Tempting to go with the Hogs, but the Richt road mojo will carry the day. Georgia 21, Arkansas 20.
Sept. 26, Arizona State at Athens: OK, here’s the real Arizona State, and here’s the first easy win of 2009. Georgia 31, Arizona State 10.
Oct. 3, LSU at Athens: Big-time opponent enters big-time environment and leaves with big-time victory. LSU 24, Georgia 23.
Oct. 10, Tennessee at Knoxville: Any letdown potential after LSU will be overridden by the Kiffin Factor. Georgia 24, Tennessee 13.
Oct. 17, Vanderbilt at Nashville: Another road game in the Volunteer State, this one tougher. But still a Georgia “W.” Georgia 27, Vanderbilt 20.
Oct. 31, Florida at Jacksonville: Strange things happen on Halloween, don’t they? Nothing this strange, I fear. Florida 30, Georgia 17.
Nov. 7, Tennessee Tech at Athens: Don’t look now, but Georgia’s sixth victory will be its third in a row over a team from Tennessee. Georgia 42, Tennessee Tech 10.
Nov. 14, Auburn at Athens: Yes, the road team tends to win in this strange series. But not when Gene Chizik coaches the road team. Georgia 24, Auburn 14.
Nov. 21, Kentucky at Athens: Three in a row for the surging Bulldogs, setting the stage for the big game in Atlanta. Georgia 33, Kentucky 17.
Nov. 28, Georgia Tech at Atlanta: Willie Martinez has had a year to figure out Paul Johnson’s offense. He’ll need another. Georgia Tech 30, Georgia 24.
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481 comments Add your comment
wreckmaniac
August 16th, 2009
12:33 pm
As a Tech fan, I know the UGA game will be close and do not think one minute that it is an automatic win for Tech.
As I see it, the biggest problem for UGA is that they have no QB with any playing time. This is a hard problem for any team that loses a player like Stafford but it seemed that Richt did’nt even think that
there would a 2009 without Stafford. By the time the Tech game is played this will be solved but the first 5-6 games for UGA will be tough because of the QB situation.
Sandyspringsjacket
August 16th, 2009
1:23 pm
Lsst year the excuse was injuries, what will it be this year. Cox is the dawg equivalent of Taylor Bennett and Caleb couldn’t even drive his mopped in the right diection, so its not likely he will replace NoShow. The Jackets have most of the same team back, including #20 and #21, by the way, the UGAY’s are missing their big three on offense from last year and they still have the same defensive scheme which did not stop anyone last year. Leg humpers are a long way from preseason #1, but still very dillusion. I see at least 5 loses for them, GT will run over them AGAIN!
Can not wait until Nov 28.
THWG!
KMH
August 16th, 2009
2:17 pm
What a joke. You actually get paid to do this.
ugafan95
August 16th, 2009
3:00 pm
please tell me how it will take a fith year senior a game to get used to the offense
ugafan95
August 16th, 2009
3:01 pm
all you Ga tech fans you won by a field goal not exactly a blowout
dandydawg
August 16th, 2009
3:18 pm
WOW! All these predictions and no one on here will play a down for the Dawgs or any of their opponents. Let’s see how the season plays out. Screw the predictions….. Let’s just see how many games each team wins! I bet my money that most of you are dead wrong…. My pick is that Florida won’t win the NC… put your money on the Sooners… true bet.
Falconsince78
August 16th, 2009
3:22 pm
wake me up when somebody has something meaningful to say in here…yawn! smack smack smack, aaahhhh. What’s that? Oh yeah 7-6..now 30 years of blah blah blah from UGA fans. Remember, the most important Georgia team plays on Sunday!!
Jack Schitt
August 16th, 2009
3:24 pm
Hey Paddy…there is something new…its called “Spell Checker”. Of course I know you had to hurry up and post since someone else was waiting to use the library computer. Next time get the librarian to help you will your syntax and spelling. Based on your post I have to assume you did attend UGA. UGA and Florida both suck, I just don’t know who sucks worse! Gooooooo Vols!!! “Fear the Kiff” in 2009!!
Falconsince78
August 16th, 2009
3:25 pm
but I will root my a$$ off for you against Arkansas!
Chris
August 16th, 2009
4:15 pm
I believe Georgia will finish at 11-1 this year with the only loss coming to LSU. The Dawgs have an open week before the Florida game just like in 2007 where they also started the season ranked 13th. I believe the offense will be much stronger this year, not because our players are better than last year, but the play calling should be better without Bobo feeling he must get Stafford and Moreno equal touches with both being preseason Heisman hopefulls. The defense should be much better this year with a more aggressive attitude starting the season with a chip on their shoulder after recieving heavy critisism following last years disappointing season. Georgia does have a touch schedule to overcome, but I believe they will be in the National Championship discussion at the end of the year.
Greg's boss
August 16th, 2009
6:39 pm
This is a fact Georgia Bulldog fans: In the last 19 games vs. Florida they have beaten you 16 times including a win last year of 49-10. That sucks
Greg's boss
August 16th, 2009
6:46 pm
Hey Chris(previous poster) you are living in denial,11-1. yeah in your dreams. Last year as the preseason #1 was your best shot at a national title and an 11-1 record.And what happened Alabama beat you and Florida embarrased you.You lost Stafford and Moreno yet you say the offense will be better. Are you talking about the Athens Georgia Bulldogs? They don’t have a tough schedule? Come back to earth. Yeah they will be in the national title discussion at the end of the year when there going over Florida’s wins, maybe the dawgs can make it a game this year.
BIGBOSSMAN
August 16th, 2009
8:41 pm
I’VE GOT THOSE GAMES FOR YOU BRADLEY
GT Terrorist
August 16th, 2009
9:10 pm
why are Jackette fans on here? Isn’t there a Star Trek marathon on SciFi channel? The best post ever on these blogs was the suggestion to change the Nerd’s name to Locusts since they only come out once every 8 years!!! PRICELESS!!!!! To the cheese ball gator fans: FU had a week off before the WLCP for 15 years. The last 2 times UGA had the week off they won! That is a fact morons. Jack S: you are just a plain IDIOT. Get ready to take a hobnail boot up the ole a$$.
RJK
August 16th, 2009
9:42 pm
With Tony Flack covering the secondary, and Jake Scott on punt return, there is no way in tarnation that UGA will not win at least 10 games!
biggbuzz
August 16th, 2009
10:36 pm
leghumpers here is what you keep forgetting chan and reggie are gone. coach johnson still has something to prove against the nutlickers.
Henry M. Hope
August 17th, 2009
7:51 am
I think the Dogs will give Tech an epic battle, but from here it looks like the Jackets in a squeaker.
verge
August 17th, 2009
8:09 am
Enter your comments here
verge
August 17th, 2009
8:15 am
Chris are you joking, or are you serious? You bulldog fans are amazing. Here is my question. When are you all going to stop being happy about coming in second and going to the gator bowl, or the outback? Mark Richt this, Mark Richt that, and you continue to come in second and third.
brick
August 17th, 2009
8:25 am
I understand how you can get on the OSU bandwagon, after all they return the best offensive skill players in the country. But lets take a look at the teams they put those numbers on. Their wins came against teams with a combined record of 36-51. The only BCS team with a winning record they beat was Misouri, remove that win and their opponents were a combined 26-48. Their defense was awful, I can’t see how they improved alot over they year. We could very well lose 4 games, I just can’t see OSU being one of them.
Vel
August 17th, 2009
8:34 am
The ONLY loss I see coming is against Florida. The rest can be handled with a consistant Georgia Bulldog winning effort.
Hay Maker
August 17th, 2009
8:35 am
Mark Richt is in the middle of a divorce, and Willie Martinez would not know a good defensive player if one ran over him on the side line, and Bobo is no offencive cord. This is the year it all comes crashing down on the Dogs start looking for another coach.
GeorgiaMainDawg
August 17th, 2009
8:48 am
Georgia will beat Okla State like a rented mule–bank on it. Ga has way too much size and speed for this finesse team. I think the dawgs roll up an early lead and coast in the 4th quarter with backups. Georgia 39 Ok State 22
GeorgiaMainDawg
August 17th, 2009
8:58 am
I also invested all my money with Bernie Madoff. Has anyone seen him lately? He was supposed to call me and let me know how my investments are doing.
Fed up
August 17th, 2009
9:10 am
I’m a Chicken Dawg to predict anything this year with so many question marks but question marks that can be answered. Quarterback is only one, someone needs to step up as a running back. The O line will be better than last year and SURELY the defense will be better. Answer these questions and we’ll better your prediction of 8-4. Oh Yeah Techies bubble will be busted since LSU showed how to take care of the running game and what players they had on their weak defense are gone
CW
August 17th, 2009
9:18 am
hey Max, here’s another one for ya “F off”!
Greg's boss
August 17th, 2009
2:10 pm
You DAWGS are over looking South Carolina. They beat you in 07 and then ya’ll squeaked by them last year as a top 10 team.
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