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
Jeff
August 12th, 2009
1:21 pm
Tampa Gator,
You bring up many valid points.If we don’t beat OKS,it could be a SCRAMBLE the rest of the season.
Whitey Bored
August 12th, 2009
1:21 pm
Enter your comments here
steve
August 12th, 2009
1:21 pm
BillSass……hmmm…seems I heard the same with USC in 2005 and Miami in 2002……
BoiseDawg
August 12th, 2009
1:21 pm
8-4 wouldn’t be a total shock given the toughness of the schedule and questions about our defense rebounding. That being said, I am much more optimistic about this season and could see us going 10-2. I don’t feel like we are getting enough respect/credit and I agree with prior comments…this prediction lacks creativity and mirrors last years season in losing only our toughest games. I think it is much more likely we win a couple of those, but stumble in one we should win against Arkansas, Tennessee or S. Carolina. Beware Tech fans, Bradley has hitched his wagon to Paul Johnson and Georgia Tech and we know how that usually turns out.
Mark Bradley
August 12th, 2009
1:21 pm
Not that anyone asked, but I consider myself a loser, not a hater.
GEORGIA97
August 12th, 2009
1:22 pm
It seems that MB had an extra bowl of stupid this morning. Is it just me, or does he look like the kind of guy who eats his own boogers?
confused
August 12th, 2009
1:23 pm
Tech fans can forget it….they might run over the ACC, but there is only a few teams running option football for a reason……it’s too easy to stop……….good defenses can stop it, if three guys can play assignment football….
two-in-a-row-coming
August 12th, 2009
1:25 pm
confused, the secret word is “good defenses”…you tackled any lately?
Goldfishy
August 12th, 2009
1:25 pm
I just really need a tix for the LSU game…
Bill' Sass
August 12th, 2009
1:26 pm
steve- did the dawgs beat Miami in 2002 and USC in 2005? I must have missed those games.
LOL Locusts
August 12th, 2009
1:27 pm
“All these UGA bloggers saying that u won’t lose to Tech,
What are you smoking. You must not follow college football at all.”
We do follow football, we even followed it prior to November of last year, you know, before Tech’s massive one game winning streak vs UGA (quickly followed up by a complete embarrassment to a mediocre LSU team, that most of you seem to have completely forgotten about). But I guess selective memory has always been a prerequisite for being a NATS fan.
We’ve only won 7 of the last 8, what are we smoking?????????
Dawghater
August 12th, 2009
1:29 pm
Hey, puppy dawg fans. Want some cheese with that Whining! Brilliant analysis on Joe Cox. For some reason, when a guy spends his entire career sitting on the bench he now has “experience”? And “Steve”, I would not worry about Tebow. The guy behind is a good or better. The dawgs may want to cancel their trip to J’ville and blame it on the economy!
Herschel Talker
August 12th, 2009
1:29 pm
MB – Sure, that’s out of the box, but idiotic. How about UGA loses at Tennessee and beats LSU? Or something along those lines. You’re too good for this plain vanilla stuff.
TampaGator
August 12th, 2009
1:29 pm
Jeff…as I recall, many were saying the same thing as you are now last year. What was the final score last year? And remember, the Florida 2nd and 3rd defensive teams played much of the 4th quarter. Do remember the opening hit on your running back last year (oh, that was a lucky play, I forgot)? Do remember Joe Haden running down the field with an interception last year? (Oh, I forgot this too: that was the refs fault and not a poor throw under extreme pressure from the Gators D on Stafford). You lost that game because of a great Gator D, period. Fact: The Gator D is even better and much deeper this year. So, yes, I would make that bet with you if I knew you personally, which I don’t. But I bet I will be on here the day after the Georgia game, Gators winning or losing. Will you?
Herschel Talker
August 12th, 2009
1:30 pm
Dawghater likes men
GTPUG
August 12th, 2009
1:32 pm
Mark – I agree 110% on the on the record – 8/4
But the one game that is really interesting to me is the Ariz. St. game – - wouldn’t it be nice for the pups to go 7/5
steve
August 12th, 2009
1:32 pm
BillSass….no stupid. I was referencing your comments about FL being the end all to be all this year and no rebuilding necessary in Gainsville. Reality dude: Te-Blow goes down and the so called God’s Gift to Football could easily be 9-3…8-4……dont count your chickens before they hatch
Go Gators
August 12th, 2009
1:32 pm
Hey Jeff…TIMEOUT …
polskidawg
August 12th, 2009
1:32 pm
10-2 and playing LSU and second time in the Dome.
Loss to Arkansas
Loss to LSU
puppychow
August 12th, 2009
1:33 pm
8-4 sounds about right, dawg fans love kool aid which is why most are thinking much bigger, always do this time of the year, then reality sets in. no championship pedigree in these puppies, sorry.
Mark Bradley
August 12th, 2009
1:34 pm
I wasn’t impressed by Arizona State last season, GTPUG.
But I’ll tell you the game on which I deliberated most: Arkansas. Almost picked the men of Petrino. Didn’t, though.
Brian
August 12th, 2009
1:35 pm
More lazy journalism regarding TN. TN is being written off just as much as anyone in the SEC based off of what the majority of media is perceiving Kiffin as. I guess it’s better for fans to talk about beating Kiffin based on some preseason comments versus what the rest of the staff/team might bring to the table after a program “face-lift”.
Mike Kim
August 12th, 2009
1:35 pm
Bradley, your league referance in wrong. The Big 12 is overated, OK State lost last year to Oregon and the other B12 teams didnt do much better in the bowls. I see GA beating them.
EW
August 12th, 2009
1:35 pm
Mark, thanks for letting your negative mojo affect the Nats last night and not the Braves. We needed to cool them off. Completely off topic I know. Anyway, I think you are about right with the record for the dogs. Ok States offense scares me. Regardless of what we do on defense, they have a lot of firepower. One thing to watch from the first snap is our attitude on D. I’m not a football genius but it seemed to me like our D was waiting back on its heels last year trying not to give up the big play. I hope that we can play downhill and try to set the tone on D this year, especially in the first game. I think its CRUCIAL for Cox to have his D give him some points and good field position to get him going. If we do that we can escape with a great road victory.
Bill' Sass
August 12th, 2009
1:36 pm
steve- you need to comprehend what you read. I was responding to an earlier post by Jeff who referenced the 2007 UGA win over FL as knocking us off our high horse after the NC. This isn’t a different team. It’s the same team that beat you 49-10 (4th Q touchdown by UGA) with even more experience.
Jeff
August 12th, 2009
1:36 pm
Love all the Gator experts on here. Steve nailed it for all the Gaytor fans……Tebow goes down and the “Were the Florida Gator and we dont have rebuilding years” goes down the drain fast. Pretty full of yourselves….
Justin Williams
August 12th, 2009
1:36 pm
I say Georgia goes undefeated this year with a chip on our shoulder from last year. Our defense was embarrassed against Tech and Florida, and Joe Cox has been patiently waiting in the wings to be the starting quarterback for the Georgia Bulldogs. Those two ingredients plus other factors make for great expectations and great results. I predict LSU will be our toughest game with Florida as a close second, but Georgia will win both. I predict Georgia goes 14-0 this year and along the way estblish respect after last year and counter-balance all the Florida love around the country. Call me a dreamer. Go Dawgs!!
Dawg96
August 12th, 2009
1:37 pm
What outsiders don’t realize is that we’re regaining all of our injured big guys and hard hitters, which means a lot in the SEC. We’re similar to Alabama last season, but Joe Cox is better than Jessica Parker Wilson any day of the week. I think we’ll go 10-2 — and Florida may not be one of those two losses.
Jeff
August 12th, 2009
1:38 pm
wow Bill….you’re quite the expert. Loser!
HooBoy
August 12th, 2009
1:39 pm
OSU has a new DC this year, so last years defensive woes are a moot point. I agree with you Mark, with a reasonably untested QB, UGA’s opener may be ugly (a loss in Stillwater). I still think Georgia can go 9-3 & I hope that they rock Florida this year & prove Tebow is a one-trick pony!
Wayne
August 12th, 2009
1:40 pm
Glad to see Bill is the Expert of UF football. What team was it that never won the fricken SEC for the first 60 years they played in the conference??? Hey Billy Boy Gator- give us ALL the Gaytor proud history
mitch
August 12th, 2009
1:41 pm
Dear Mr. MB–I agree with your assessment, and your conclusion that the Bulldogs will go 8-4. On the other hand, if they were to win one of the games you predict they will lose e.g., the LSU game (and not falter in one of the games you think they might win), they would have a 9-3 season, and to my way of thinking there is a good possibility they might be able to pull it off. Still, it’s likely too that they might lose to one of the teams you think now they will beat e.g, Arkansas (and not compensate elsewhere), and please note there are good grounds for thinking that might be more than just possible. Were that to happen, they would end up 7-5. Still, we are in agreement. Going a bit further, if they were to lose two of the games you think they might win (and not make it up by winning games you think they might lose), they will end up 6-6, and just for thoroughness, if they were to win two of the games you think they might lose (and not falter in any games you think they might win), they will end up 10-2. So, maybe I should slacken my agreement with you, and say they will win somewhere between six and ten games (including six and ten) and lose somewhere between six and ten games (including six and ten). But I’m not sure. Your pal, Mitch
GatorGuy
August 12th, 2009
1:44 pm
Florida 30, Georgia 17?? Not sure which prediction is more wrong. UF only scoring 30 on UGA’s defense or UGA scoring as many as 17on UF’s defense!!!! Try 42-10 (three of those are a late 4th qtr field goal).
Another Dawg
August 12th, 2009
1:45 pm
The Tech prediction is just stupid. Tackling got better immediately after that game (hello, contact practice.) It literally took a miracle quarter for Tech to come back last year. Tech got beat up and down the line of scrimmage and treated like ragdolls. If we made 1 out of 5 of those missed tackles (or, better, not wrapping up the ballcarrier), that game is a blowout. We made those against Michigan State. Look at the LSU-GT game and you’ll see Willie’s scheme with better tackling.
I won’t make predictions about the middle of the season, but we’re going to start and end with Ws.
EW
August 12th, 2009
1:45 pm
The most interesting thing this year for Florida will be if Tebow gets hurt. There will be some blowout games where he can sit early and rest in the 4th but in those typically close SEC games he is going to have everyone on the field trying to take his head off. As a college football fan I HATE for ANYONE to get injured but IF it happens to TEBOW I think it will make the SEC veeeerrry innterestting. Only reason I bring it up is because I can’t believe he hasn’t gotting injured up to this point. I think that UM realizes this too and it might be a contributing factor to incorporating the I formation into the offense (in addition to the other factors of showing Tebow CAN play under center and grooming his successor who won’t play the same type of offense)
EW
August 12th, 2009
1:47 pm
mitch, lmfao wow
Smitty
August 12th, 2009
1:48 pm
I’m a UGA fan but I have to agree with Tampa Gator if the Bulldogs lose at Oklahoma State it could lead to a long hard season….If they win watch out… I don’t see CMR looking past anyone on a very tough schedule…GO DAWGS
TampaGator
August 12th, 2009
1:49 pm
When is kick off? I am ready for the real thing. And I was able to go back to work for a half day today. The first time in 5 long months of recovery. Go back full time next week and, hopefully, time will go much faster than it has been going. Go Gators! Go Dawgs! Go Bama! Go Tigers! (both of you) Go Vandy! Go ‘Cocks! Go Vols (NOT), GO Wildcats! (who did I leave out?) GO SEC FOOTBALL!!! P.S. Va. Tech just lost their star RB, so my prediction on that game has changed…Bama will now win a close one.
joe dupree's lost eligibility
August 12th, 2009
1:50 pm
I am so mad at you Bradley. The AJC is so liberal. My cup, it runneth over with rage at these predictions.
Jefferson
August 12th, 2009
1:50 pm
The nile.
Ben in Georgia
August 12th, 2009
1:51 pm
Hooray! I always cringe when Bradley picks my teams to do too well; he’s never right. (See: UGA ‘08, Braves ‘06-’08)
Top Dogg
August 12th, 2009
1:51 pm
I hate to say it but TampaGator is right on.UGA is at best a 9-3 team, not nothing to be ashamed of with all things considered.2010 might just suprise a whole lot of people!
ThaMan
August 12th, 2009
1:52 pm
Posters like “Jeff” underline and validate why so many people know why fleabags are such morons. Not all, mind you. But a lot.
Mark Twain
August 12th, 2009
1:52 pm
I don’t mind what the opposition says about me until they descend to tell the truth. I feel that when they tell the truth about me, they are taking an unfair advantage.
Mark Twain
August 12th, 2009
1:54 pm
Tampa Gator good luck and Godspeed on your recovery.
UGA91
August 12th, 2009
1:54 pm
Might I remind everybody that Joe Cox’s next loss will be his first since middleschool..there’s something to be said about being a winner!
TampaGator
August 12th, 2009
1:54 pm
Jeff…if Tebow goes down (and that would indeed be a shame for college football if it happens…and I sure home SEC players realize that going into games this year)…he will be replaced by a future NFL star in Jeff Brantley. He is ready and he is armed with a lot of talent. Yes, the Gators will not have to worry about rebuilding for a very, very long time again. Meyer is not a Zooker, believe me. He knows how to build and maintain a top 5 program…and he will.
ThaMan
August 12th, 2009
1:56 pm
Justin – you’re a dreamer.
midnite
August 12th, 2009
1:57 pm
Please ‘dogs just don’t lose to Petrino or Paul Johnson.
FalcsFan
August 12th, 2009
1:57 pm
Mark,
Typical for an ATLANTA sports writer to pick the ATLANTA team to win in the UGA/GT matchup. I know you don’t actually believe Tech will beat UGA 2 years in a row. You’re only writing that to start a fight on the blog so you’ll get more page views. Got you figured out, kid. Sensationalism at its finest.