Live from Sanford Stadium: Somebody’s starting at QB!
See what happens when you're 0-1? Nobody comes to your games . (Photo by M. Bradley)
Athens – This is my 26th college football season as an AJC staffer, and the only thing I know for sure is that there’s no such thing as a dull week. This week has been one of the most eventful ever, especially since nothing really happened.
Joe Cox did not get the flu. Joe Cox did not get benched. Mike Bobo did not get fired. Willie Martinez did not get fired. Mark Richt did not resign in disgrace. Pretty much everything that was status quo this time a week ago is status quo still, with one major difference:
Georgia is 0-1.
Georgia hasn’t been 0-1 since Jim Donnan was a Bulldog rookie. More important, Georgia hasn’t been 0-2 since that same 1996 season, which also stands as the school’s last losing season. So you might say something is riding on this one.
I’m here between the shrubbery, and I have to say there’s a bit of a muted vibe at the moment. (Except for the infernal Sanford Stadium PA system, the world’s loudest.) Nothing like losing in Week 1 to damper the ol’ home opener. But I expect the place will be rather wired come kickoff, and I’ll be chatting with you all evening.
So please join in what I’m certain will be another night of stimulating conversation. And if Joe Cox winds up starting for South Carolina instead of UGA, I’ll let you know.
Oh, and one thing more: Esteemed colleague Tim Tucker notes that Oklahoma State trails Houston 24-7.
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1,550 comments Add your comment
Jigger
September 12th, 2009
5:27 pm
Well, OK St. is pretty much showing what they have today, which is bad. Georgia scores at least 20 on SC tonight.
surfdawg
September 12th, 2009
5:29 pm
GO DAWGS!!!
MattyB
September 12th, 2009
5:34 pm
Go Gamecocks!
Who is GT??
September 12th, 2009
5:37 pm
gt is IRRLEVANT!!!
Who is GT??
September 12th, 2009
5:38 pm
gt is IRRLEVANT!!!!!!
dandydawg
September 12th, 2009
5:40 pm
I sure hope the Dawgs come to play. Are we really this bad – OK State is losing to Houston..by 10 points right now… are we really this bad?
reebok
September 12th, 2009
5:45 pm
Wow…how embarrassing that the team that undressed the Bulldogs a week ago is losing to Houston…even if Okie State comes back to win (they are down 24-14 in the 3rd), that still makes last week’s loss look even worse, doesn’t it?
surfdawg
September 12th, 2009
5:49 pm
GOOOO DAWGS
samsum
September 12th, 2009
5:49 pm
Go Dawgs!
GT JJ
September 12th, 2009
5:50 pm
wow, uga fans – how does the whuppin houston’s putting on okie st make you feel about tonight’s game?
Oh, and “who is GT??” – GT is ONE of the teams that beat you the last time we played.
BugKiller
September 12th, 2009
5:51 pm
Lucky for y’all, I’m sick as heck and am quasi-quarantined to my apartment, so you get to read my blogs instead of me enjoying myself (or perhaps not) at the game.
Quick question Mark:
Why in hades would Mark Richt start a QB who has a dead arm when there are more talented, abeit raw, QBs sitting behind him?
I know you like the story of the guy who waits his turn and does well, but Cox is not Shock. Shock is a once in a lifetime guy.
You asked what was missing in Georgia’s program, Mark, and I have your answer in two words:
URGENCY and ACCOUNTABILITY.
Whereas Miles, Meyer, and Saban would NEVER in a million years start Cox or keep Martinez (and possibly the inconsistent Bobo) employed, Richt does.
And that’s the difference. LSU, Florida, and LSU have an URGENCY in their programs to win, even if it means starting freshman or playing freshman if they have the most talent, and those programs hold their players and coaches ACCOUNTABLE.
GT JJ
September 12th, 2009
5:52 pm
wow, uga fans – how does the whuppin houston’s putting on okie st make you feel about tonight’s game? it’s not over yet, but that’s gotta get you a little MORE worried than you were yesterday.
Oh, and “who is GT” – GT is ONE of the teams that beat you the last time we played. 45-42 ring a bell?
reebok
September 12th, 2009
5:53 pm
Seriously, UGA needs to win this one and give the Peach State a sweep of the Palmetto State…my Jackets did their part (altho it was sketchy there for a while), now it’s the Dogs’ turn. Hand Spurrier his head, and we’ll sort it out among ourselves in November. Good luck tonite!
GT JJ
September 12th, 2009
5:53 pm
13-10 USC East win tonight.
GT JJ
September 12th, 2009
5:57 pm
wow, uga fans – how does the whuppin houston’s putting on okie st make you feel about tonight’s game?
Max Sizemore
September 12th, 2009
6:01 pm
Mark Richt is ethical and loyal. Loyal, perhaps, to a fault. Like Bobby Cox. In these days of business and political malfeasance, I’ll take that any time.
GT JJ
September 12th, 2009
6:03 pm
i’m gonna keep posting this until i see it show up on the blog –
wow, uga fans – how does the whuppin houston’s putting on okie st make you feel about tonight’s game?
Mark Bradley
September 12th, 2009
6:06 pm
Hey, folks. Sorry to report that there have been someone Internet connection issues on this end. But I’m here now, and I have MAJOR NEWS TO REPORT!
A very nice man named Wayne, who’s the head of catering at UGA, just summoned me and handed me a HEAPING HELPING OF LOBSTER SALAD! YES!
BugKiller
September 12th, 2009
6:09 pm
Mark, it’s nice to see, that unlike at the pro venues (Turner Field, Georgia Dome, et al) that there is still some southern hospitality left in the Classic City.
Enjoy your lobster salad, and I’ll try to enjoy my saltines and chicken broth and water.
Mark Bradley
September 12th, 2009
6:09 pm
Haven’t spotted yet in the early warmups. He must be getting the flu or having shoulder surgery.
South Carolina’s out now. Wearing black pants and white shirts.
Georgia’s wearing all purple, as is its tradition.
techster
September 12th, 2009
6:12 pm
That powerhouse Ok.St. is having trouble. Dogs go down tonight. You guys are a bad coached team. 2 SEC titles in 9 years is nothing to crow about.
Frank Lane
September 12th, 2009
6:12 pm
Mark, A lot of hard to understand performances and lack thereof in the college games so far today. First week is not playing out again. Who knows what will happen tonight. One thing as I watch the other teams. Georgia is not nearly dominant enough to play dull straight up football. We need deception, misdirection, wider open offense or we are headed for a long season. We need to keep the other team off balance.
Mark Bradley
September 12th, 2009
6:12 pm
Just spotted Joe Cox. He threw a ball and collapsed in pain. Yes, I’m kidding. He looks fine to me. Of course, I’m half a stadium away.
0-2 sounds good to this jacket
September 12th, 2009
6:12 pm
Go Gamecocks!
Mark Bradley
September 12th, 2009
6:14 pm
Oh, and in the off-chance someone isn’t familiar with the twisted tale of the lobster salad, here’s the recount.
techster
September 12th, 2009
6:17 pm
Dogs lose tonight. 2 SEC titles in 9 years. Meyer will have 3 MNC. CMR is on a downhill glide with out BVG.
Kim Z's Package
September 12th, 2009
6:19 pm
OSU is coming back but to HOUSTON? Boy those dawgs must be tuff—ruff ruff. UGA VII has his chicken suit ready to put on to sneak out of the Septic Tank after the UGA BIG FAT L.
Joe taxpayer
September 12th, 2009
6:19 pm
I hope CMR uses this year to set us up for next year or do ya’ll think he will be loyal to Cox?
Hillbilly Deluxe
September 12th, 2009
6:21 pm
Here’s betting the lobster isn’t nearly as happy about the lobster salad as Mark is.
Mark Bradley
September 12th, 2009
6:25 pm
Way to go, Hillbilly. Make me feel guilty.
Kim Z's Package
September 12th, 2009
6:27 pm
MB are you sure Joe COX is at the game? I hear that the APD busted The EAGLE Thur., but the y gave everybody bond. So, I am sure the COX boy is in Athens. GOOD LUCK JOE. I will spank you with chicken feathers next Thur. night at THE EAGLE if you win.
Mark Bradley
September 12th, 2009
6:30 pm
Mr. Wayne, author of the lobster salad, is Wayne Pahl. But I’m told Claude Felton, the Hall of Fame publicist, had a hand in this as well.
Joe taxpayer
September 12th, 2009
6:30 pm
The lobster is part of the cockroach family. No kidding its true. What roaches do on land the lobster does in the ocean. They eat medical waste and other such scum.
Mark Bradley
September 12th, 2009
6:32 pm
Tennessee is trailing UCLA 19-10 after three quarters. Fulmer will be in real trouble if the Vols don’t win.
Kim Z's Package
September 12th, 2009
6:34 pm
MB can you find 1 natural Blonde within a full beer can throw? OK I will make it easy. Can you find a sober Brunett within a full beer cand toss?
Mark Bradley
September 12th, 2009
6:35 pm
Oklahoma State has pulled ahead of Houston 35-31.
45ACP
September 12th, 2009
6:43 pm
Mark, would not chicken salad be more appropriate?
Chained Dawg
September 12th, 2009
6:45 pm
Has the clown act entered the stadium for pregame warmups?
Chained Dawg
September 12th, 2009
6:46 pm
Just Kidding!
MDAWG24
September 12th, 2009
6:46 pm
Mark, 38-35 Houston is on top with 5 and some change and OK ST just fumbled. UCLA – TEN 19-13 with 9 minutes left. Any word on King starting tonight or will it be Samual?
dandydawg
September 12th, 2009
6:46 pm
Georgia wins tonight. OK State offense is very good.. what the Houston score should tell you is that GA’s defense it that good.
Mark Bradley
September 12th, 2009
6:46 pm
Probably would, 45ACP. But Georgia doesn’t play many teams named after marine life.
Joe Cox was just announced as the starting quarterback. Got a nice hand but not nearly the hand A.J. Green received.
Chained Dawg
September 12th, 2009
6:47 pm
Meechigan leads ND in 4th 31 – 26 7:00 left
MDAWG24
September 12th, 2009
6:47 pm
Mark, any word on King playing at all tonight?
Mark Bradley
September 12th, 2009
6:48 pm
Houston regains the lead on OSU. Under five to go.
Chained Dawg
September 12th, 2009
6:49 pm
ND driving on25 of Meechigan
Mark Bradley
September 12th, 2009
6:49 pm
I’ve been keeping up with the Michigan game via esteemed colleague and Wolverine fan Sekou Smith, with whom I carpooled.
Hey Dogtards
September 12th, 2009
6:49 pm
That’s some top 5 team uog played last week. At least their defense is better than Houston’s.
Mutts go 4-8 this year. You heard it here first. Ws over Vandy, Tennessee Tech, Arizona State, and Kentucky.
SEC SPEED!!!
Mark Bradley
September 12th, 2009
6:51 pm
Tim Tucker says Mark Richt has called Caleb King doubtful. (This as of Friday. But King is dressed (in uniform).
dandydawg
September 12th, 2009
6:54 pm
Looks like #6 is going down… So, what did ABC and ESPN say about these ‘POKES.. ole.. nevermind… it really doesn’t matter… just all talk!