UGA wins in Nashville; can it possibly win in Jacksonville?
Was what we saw Saturday a circling of the wagons? (Photo by Frederick Breedon IV)
Nashville – I’m going to say something, and you’re going to laugh. You’re going to laugh so hard you’ll make like Chipper Jones and pull an oblique muscle. And that’s OK. I’ll feel you’re laughing with me, not at me. (Sort of.) So here goes:
Georgia has the mighty Gators where they want them.
I know, I know. It sounds like the dumbest line I’ve ever written, which would make it the dumbest line in the history of lines. But the Bulldogs will play in Jacksonville on Halloween with nobody expecting them to do anything but lose by six touchdowns, and that’s not a bad way to approach such an opponent.
“We having nothing to lose,” A.J. Green said Saturday. “We know we have a chance [against Florida]. We’re going to go down there and play hard and play fast and play physical.”
I know, I know. You’re saying: What evidence exists to suggest Georgia is capable of doing any of the above, let alone all of it? Saturday’s game? Hey, that was against Vandy. And I hear that, too. The Bulldogs led by just seven points after 40 minutes and outgained the SEC’s worst offense by only 103 yards. But it was, I submit, better than losing.
And let’s be honest: After what happened last week in this state, we weren’t sure Georgia would win again this season. But they won 34-10 Saturday and got incrementally better. Said quarterback Joe Cox: “All three phases [offense, defense and special teams] played well. We really needed a game where we all played well.”
Georgia ran the ball harder and better, at least in the second half. The defense didn’t allow Vandy quarterback Larry Smith to turn into Joe Montana, or even Jonathan Crompton. The great Green made another great play, turning a sideline hitch into a 65-yard touchdown. It wasn’t the greatest performance in the history of football, but it was the best Georgia has looked in 2009.
Loading ...I know, I know. It was still just Vandy, and this Vanderbilt team is a shadow of the past few. But with all the negativity swirling around Georgia, it was a heartening first step.
Said linebacker Rennie Curran: “Coach kept telling us we have to represent the guys who’ve worn the jersey before, the guys who had the ‘G’ on their helmet and who might not have appreciated the way we’ve been playing. Now the weight’s been lifted. We know we’ve still got an opportunity to do great things this season.”
Like give regal Florida a royal run? “Yeah, why not?” said freshman Orson Charles, a Florida native. “We had an edge today. We’d heard our coaches were going to get fired, but we listened to them. We had a team meeting [Tuesday] and just talked. We broke everything down and said we had to put it in the past.”
Said Mike Bobo, the offensive coordinator who worked from the sideline this day: “A lot of people don’t give this team a lot of credit, and I’m talking about Vanderbilt. But they’re a tough team, and to get something going gave us some confidence. I hope that can carry over against Florida.”
I know, I know. It sounds silly. But it sounded pretty silly two years ago to think that a Georgia team that had been blown out in Knoxville and needed a late Vandy fumble to survive here would go to Jacksonville after a bye week and unhorse the reigning national champ. And remind me again: How’d that one turn out?
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512 comments Add your comment
45ACP
October 18th, 2009
1:12 am
Delusional is an altered state of consciousness.
A few times back in the 70’s. Not now.
Find a post where I said UGA “is above GT”.
RED DOG 77
October 18th, 2009
1:19 am
I confess I had several cans of colt45 malt liquer, and 10 or 12 jello shooters tonight, But I still think my reverse bulldog doosie will work
45ACP
October 18th, 2009
1:21 am
GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!
AMF.
SagaciousSamDawg
October 18th, 2009
1:30 am
The unlikely conditions that must exist in order for UGA to defeat the Gators: a very prodigious supply of luck, the Dawgs forget to commit lots of penalties, the dawgs forget how easy it is to make stupid mistakes, the officials happen to see all of the Gators penalties ….and then some, the football always bounces in a manner that is favorable to the Dawgs, Joe Cox accidentally throws only great passes with perfect touch, UGA receivers forget how to drop passes, UGA coaches accidentally use their imagination in play calling, UGA linemen come under some unknown hypnotic spell that causes them to deeply resent that they have been pushed around so easily all year, the UGA running backs accidentally read their blocks and are hipnotized into a trance that causes them to quadruple their efforts, and finally….nearly all the Gators catch the flu at precisely game time on Game Day and are not permitted to play. Should these few conditions be met, it is entirely possible that the Dawgs could whip the Gators; otherwise it is going to be a very, very long day for the Dawg Nation.
TGT
October 18th, 2009
1:50 am
If Florida is undefeated on Halloween, Georgia is going to beat them! I actually began saying this a few days ago, and I have a feeling that we have a chance. Does anyone remember 1987? If my memory serves correct, UGA stomped undefeated and # 1 ranked Florida. I was there, and I loved every minute of it! Let’s hope Georgia can make a little magic in 2 weeks!
Old Gator
October 18th, 2009
2:34 am
With Bobo on the sidelines the Dogs could still win the SEC. Well maybe.
James Adams-Stat Master
October 18th, 2009
2:55 am
Since 1982, UGA has played a defending National Champion (UPI,AP,Bowl Coalition,BCS) 7 times: Record 6-1
Three times has Georgia had a bye week before Florida since 1997: Record 3-0
Dawg Bone
October 18th, 2009
3:05 am
Florida almost choked against lowly Arkansas! Ga’s rolling again!!!! The Dawgs will upset florida, 29-23–mark it down!!!
Ol Skool
October 18th, 2009
6:26 am
Da-Da-Da-Da-Na-GO GATORS! Da-Da-Da-Da-Na-GO GATORS! Da-Da-Da-Da-Na-GO GATORS! Take that haters. You and Bradley need to put the pipe down. Who has Vandy beat this year? This ain’t 2007 Bradley. Florida had a very young Defense that year and no Joe Haden. Florida was obviously flat today. Could have been all that homecoming stuff. But you guys are in LA-LA land if you think you are gonna win that game. Might not be a blow out like last year. BUT YOU AIN’T WINNING THE GAME.
BTW, I am a 78 Tech Grad and South Florida Native who grew up wanting to be a Gator. So you know how I feel about the Puppies. I pulling for you guys to win at least two more games so that you Bowl eligible for the Toilet Bowl. I pulled for you last week cause I can’t stand the jerk in Knoxville and you let me down.
Go Jackets Baby!
Carlton Powell
October 18th, 2009
6:26 am
Easy guys. It was VANDY. A great school–probably the best in the SEC–but about a D-II school athletically. Let’s not read anything into the game/win. I got so bored, I went to Sam’s Club and shopped it up. This win changes nothing. the Gator’s still win by 3-4 TD’s. BTW, to all the “Old Gold” alums, nice win tonight. Just goes to show what competent coaching can accomplish. Still think CMR and D.Evans are gonna have to earn some of those big salaries and make a bunch of changes at season’s end. I’m a “glass half full guy,” and it pains me to be so pessimistic. I have decided that unless I cut this season loose, I’ll need extensive therapy by December 1st.
Greg Norton Is HOT!!!
October 18th, 2009
6:33 am
It’s very VERY sad when our coaches are saying things like “A lot of people don’t give this team a lot of credit, and I’m talking about Vanderbilt.” Didn’t think I’d ever see that under Richt!
Big Chief
October 18th, 2009
6:35 am
A win going into the bye week is a good thing. Florida playing the way their playing is also a good thing (for us). It’s been a while since they bullied anybody around and we definitely have the athletes (they just don’t play like it sometimes) to make this a good show. I’m a very realistic person, and I think that we can win…. Having said that….. I thought that we could beat OSU, LSU, and Tennessee too.
Duluth Gator
October 18th, 2009
6:38 am
The way we played against Arkansas we sure did not look like a #1 team. Four turnovers, seven sacks given up, and just did not play well. We made some plays on that last drive but for the most part not very good. We better start clicking on offense or we will drop one somewhere and it might just be to the dawgs. I’ll be honest, if we lose one I just hope it is not to the school out in West Florida.
Kennesaw Dawg
October 18th, 2009
7:10 am
Mark, Mark, Mark……..me thinks you have gone off the deep end.
barneyb
October 18th, 2009
7:21 am
Did I hear right on the radio? Charles catches a pass, then splikes it? Penalty ensures. We celebrate because we catch a pass? What retards are playing for the Dawgs?
georgia87
October 18th, 2009
7:21 am
TampaGator – Tim Tebow is 2-5 when trailing in the fourth quarter. Joe Cox is 4-3. The same number of games. Tebow is a great player, but he is not the greatest in CFB history. BTW, that crap about officials not winning and losing games sounds good but is an oversimplification and you know it. Ask OK against OR, MO against NE or CO, ad nauseum. Why do you think we have instant replay? The fans got so tired of games being changed in front of their eyes they demanded it. Your excuse will be “great teams overcome those calls”. I have watched people valiantly fight cancer and yet still die. What happened? They were courageous, smart, full of faith and hope, had the best medical care, etc, but still died. Why? The odds were just too big to overcome. Smae thing in football…it is just a microcosm of life. That is why we all enjoy it. Save your trite expressions for when Tebow graduates. You’ll need them then.
HH
October 18th, 2009
7:37 am
The answer to your question, Bradley, is no. Vandy is in sad shape this year and simply does not have the personnel. Georgia still has fundamental problems with the coaching staff which Richt must address when the season ends. Arkansas has shown much improvement since the beginning of the season and Petrino, whatever people may think, is a pretty good coach. The Vandy game was simply the eye of the hurricane.
TuckerT
October 18th, 2009
7:51 am
Mark
We all know that you are a bit of a page view ho so you tend to write provocative stories that will get to clicks and comments on your posts. Aren’t you the one that wrote that column saying that the Braves should keep Greg Norton because he gave your daughter a foul ball or some such nonsense? Not that I hold it against you. I understand that in this day and age, page views are paying your salary but still, I take anything you write with a grain of salt. I bet you don’t really believe the Dawgs have a chance against the Gators.
Gator Growl
October 18th, 2009
8:05 am
Gen Neyland, I think ReptilesRule was talking about the fans comments about the Fla-Ark game, not the Tenn game. If you go over there (KNS), they are all squielling like a hog over the officiating just like some of the UGA fans are over here. Too be expected I guess. They all want someone else to do what they can’t do themselves, beat the Gators.
takedowndawg
October 18th, 2009
8:13 am
gatormeow, under 25 are we? “We thinks thou protest too much”, when there is any mention of um going to ND. You know that his lovefest with you is limited in time. Anyway, it time for CS to take over. Don’t you think he desires a chance? Enjoy your year. What if Alabama wins the SEC? Could that possibility become a reality? Their defense is vicious and Ingram IS a power back. Take Tebow out of the picture and where is yours? Or for that fact, where is your power receiver? I believe you don’t have one. Be concerned about the SEC title game. …… Granted, our year is mostly over even if we win 2-3 more.
Chef montuer
October 18th, 2009
8:23 am
Bradley you musta been drinkin up there in Nashville
Carl Spackler
October 18th, 2009
8:33 am
This team has no personality/identity to hang their hat’s on…they never set the tone…they play up, or down to their opponents…they don’t dictate the flow of the game; they’re in reactive mode all the time…they have individual play-makers, but there is no team…the leader has to be the guy that touches the ball every play, he’s the one who has to set the tone, make it happen…he doesn’t have to be a superstar, but he must be able to at least manage the offense, execute the game plan, whether that be handing off the ball, or hitting the critical 3rd and long if the play is there…too often this doesn’t happen, what happens is a badly delivered ball, thus the old rally killer…who knows what this offense would have been capable of if only the QB could make a play, convert a 3rd and long, keep the D on the sidelines and give them a break once in a while, keep the opponent’s D on the field…no one fears Cox and his noodle of an arm…heck, by him having to take every Wednesday off to rest it, tells that you can’t depend on him if it turns into a shoot-out…the OC & DC’s scheme’s don’t have a chance to work, there’s no flow to the O, and the D can’t stop every play if the opposing team get chance after chance, while the O is on the sidelines w/ a water bottle…that game should have been a blow out, however your QB comes out again and becomes the rally killer…glad to hear that “the Leaders” finally had a players only meeting, but what took so long…the moniker of this team should be “Wait till next year”…if UGA can hold onto this group of freshman, think back and say “What could have been” and what a wasted year this has been…
stewie
October 18th, 2009
8:40 am
TuckerT, you just made me LOL on MB being a “page view ho”!
T.O.S.S.
October 18th, 2009
8:52 am
Nerds on this board after their great win shows that they are more preoccupied with the Dawgs than with their own team. I assure you that if somehow we beat Florida, I won’t be chillin’ with the nerds over on their boards.
Hey Tech, you are still 2nd rate in the State of Georgia and you always will be.
Brad GT
October 18th, 2009
8:56 am
You guys talk about UF like they’re Bama or something. This Gator team is a shell of last years team. Bama is the team I would give UGA no chance against……and GT.
Atticus
October 18th, 2009
8:59 am
When you are pleased at beating a HORRIBLE Vandy team and talk as if all your problems were soleved and that Mike Bobo on the sideline changed everything and that the running game is back ….on and on…You played a terrible team, what else could’ve possibly happened than you looking better?
Anything can happen, but Georgia beating Florida won’t.
Hay Maker
October 18th, 2009
9:00 am
Why would you say something so crazy. Willie Martinez is still the defensive cor right. Gators 45 Ga 3 I am a Ga fan but I quit smoking crack last year so you just can’t tell me any thing any more and exspect me to believe it.
FAF
October 18th, 2009
9:07 am
I have never seen such outright bad oficiating on that last drive – two bogus calls on Arkansas that moved Fla. 30 yards down the field in no time. As for the Dawgs – they got a little better – they won – they have a much needed week off after a brutal schedule. Florida is not invincible – no team is. Georgia can beat anybody on any given week – they have the guns. The coaches have two weeks to fabricate a good game plan and coach the players up – Go Dawgs!
takedowndawg
October 18th, 2009
9:11 am
Carlspackling, who’s you team? Tech or Florida? Declare yourself. Don’t be a “smoke on the water” drive by philosopher!
jay
October 18th, 2009
9:13 am
How was that NOT a celebration the Gators had ON THE FIELD when
they kicked the go ahead field goal? Brief yes, not over the line
in my opinion, but by the very definition of the SEC rule, that was
an excessive celebration. Either call it on EVERY celebration this
year or admit that the rule is bad. Guess you can’t spell excessive
celebration without UGA!
Bulldawg
October 18th, 2009
9:14 am
Note: When going into Jacksonville against the Gators with a bye week prior to that game, the GEORGIA BULLDOGS ARE 3 – 0! LET’s KEEP THAT “STAT” going! GO DAWGS!!!!!!
Alabama Jack
October 18th, 2009
9:15 am
Gee we wish we could help you guys on that Florida thing but CPJ and the boys will be up against the mighty Vanderbilt that weekend, so he is not available to coach you up at halftime. Maybe another time. Ta ta.
Disappointed SEC fan
October 18th, 2009
9:16 am
Even if dawgs play over their heads and compete with UF, SEC won’t let it happen. Tight coverage, holding, unsportsman like, late hits, etc. are not called equally among the SEC teams. UF got helped out yesterday and Alabama gets the benefit of the doubt as well. It could be the same as the big east refs trying to get WVU in the NC game in 2007, or there could be other factors in the favoritism. UGA has never been a favorite among the SEC refs.
UGA usually has to beat 2 opponents and when the opponent is a team a good as UF, there really isn’t a chance.
Gt4ever
October 18th, 2009
9:22 am
as a GT fan, I hope the dawgs rip UF a new one…….. That will make their loss to GT even more special.
Gt4ever
October 18th, 2009
9:24 am
Disappointed SEC fan, ARE YOU KIDDING! LOLOLOLOLOL
Tech sucks
October 18th, 2009
9:28 am
It was Vandy, but Florida isn’t that good. They should have lost yesterday to Arkansas, if it weren’t for Ark missing 2 FG’s, and UF getting every possible garbage call imaginable. Their offense is horrible. Of course UGA’s defense will cure a lot of their problems though.
45-42
October 18th, 2009
9:29 am
Oh, I just love it. Beating Vandy is some sort of validation that the Dogs still have something left in the tank! Shows the old guard fans and players that they can be proud of their team! Do you Dawg fans realize how far you’ve fallen? Is there a single game remaining on your schedule where you can say with a straight face that you will come in as the favorite? OK, other than Tennessee Tech?
Get ready for this: UGA ends the season 6-6 (4-4) and NO Bowl!!!
DawgNation
October 18th, 2009
9:31 am
Ok Breath all. Let’s take this win over a much malign team and look at it as a stepping stone in the right direction. Do we beat FL in two weeks? Odds are no. Anything can happen and that is why they play the games but even though the Dogs showed some movement in the right direction the core problems still exist. I flip between is it the poor play from the players as they are the ones on the field or poor coaching of those players to bring them back to the level of a good SEC team. It is the coaches responsibility to correct mistakes and teach as well as rating talent to put the best players on the field while bring along the 2nd and 3rd level players. I just know if one or both problems are not honestly addressed by CMR they remain the same. I am realistic on the remainder of this year. FL I don’t see us overcoming our shortfalls. It should be close but thank God for the last season we will see the Tebow draw. Tenn Tech should be on the same lines as Vandy as long as the team gets over the loss to FL. Auburn and Kentucky after watching those two play the last two weeks I still have no idea what they have. If Ga. shows up like they did against Tenn. then both will look like all SEC teams. Toss up on both. Ahhhh, now GT. I have my soap ready to wash my mouth out with but we have not shown the defensive ability to cover a triple option with speed and power nor and offense that can keep up with the scoring that will have to happen. As much as it pains me and yes m it still hurts Tech should win this one as they go into the ACC Champ game. Ok now time to wash my mouth out with that soap. Here’s to winning all we can and taking into next year a renewed commitment to succeed. GO DAWGS….SIC EM….WOOF WOOF WOOF>
45-42
October 18th, 2009
9:31 am
Jay, don’t worry about those excessive celebration flags the rest of the season. UGA doesn’t have many more chances to get flagged anyway. Except when Martinez and Bobo get fired in December.
tchance
October 18th, 2009
9:32 am
very possible….the gators won the game against the hogs thanks again to horrible calls by the refs…the tying TD was a gift from the refs. a pass interference call that was really bad and then an unsportsmanlike call if anything should have been against Florida, really, really bad call and both back to back to move the ball to the ten..wasn’t much of an agenda was it referees? Arkansas manhandled Florida and again, if not for the obvious one sided calls, Arkansas wins. We hang a ton of points on Arkansas and Florida struggles to score? Yeah, we have a chance, especially considering the Dawgs tendency to heat up strong as the season goes along
Yellow Fuzz
October 18th, 2009
9:36 am
Good morning dog nation,
Please blog with me after the BCS rankings come out this afternoon. I still have a fat head but my “buzz” is beginning to wear off and my fingers have thawed out a bit from ribbing you during your big win over Vandy from my tailgate tent on the trashless Tech campus with Two kegs and Twenty Tech fans! PRICELESS.
georgia can beat Florida in two weeks if
1. Tech says you can
2. It begins snowing very heavily during the coin toss in Jacksonville you know that Hell is in deed freezing over and YOU CAN DO THIS!!!!.
3. Florida turns the ball over 6 or more times.
4. Vince Doley, Hershal Walker and Lindale Scott are part of the officiating crew.
5. georgia adds some flexbone to their pro style-toss sweep-offense this week
6. georgia coaches watch a little film for a change.
7. georgia players stop reading what THEIR fans write about them over the next two weeks.
So here’s to you ole Queen of 316.
At georgia, you fit the mold. At Georgia Tech, we make the mold.
tchance
October 18th, 2009
9:37 am
hey dadda you idiot, while it may have been Vandy, nobody, nobody has hung than many points against them in a few years and they have played some high powered offenses. I love reading moronic statements from goobers like you…already know what school you attended, not graduated from, just got in hahahahahahahaha
FLA DAWG
October 18th, 2009
9:39 am
Mark,
I agree with your logic and hope for an upset but I’m afraid the upset that could have been wasn’t…
Arkansas caused multiple Gator turnovers and would have won the game if not for two blatantly bad calls by the refs which led to a Gator TD. Two missed FGs by Ark and two missed TDs by Ark! A great game to watch. Too bad the better Team that day did not win.
Ark should have won that game and I was amazed how well they moved the ball against the No. 1 Defense in the country.
UF has not looked good against tough teams this season – and neither have we but I think they will put it all back together against The Dawgs. I’d sure love to see The Dawgs knock off No.1 though!
tchance
October 18th, 2009
9:40 am
yellow fuzz…write again once the crack buzz wears off..then you may make some sense, but then again, a techie making sense…yeah, guess it’s possible as soon as pigs fly, and it snows in hell
iggybob
October 18th, 2009
9:44 am
GO DAWGS!!!!!!!! no matter what happens its lke Florida has this invisable cloud of luck over them Arkansa give them a run but then comes that cloud and Florida pulls it out ,Eorgia loses Alabama wins the SEC
45-42
October 18th, 2009
9:44 am
Yellow Fuzz – one correction. UGA GROWS the mold, not just fits it.
Redneck Convert (R--and proud of it)
October 18th, 2009
9:45 am
No big pile of car flags on my dirt road this a.m. The Dawgs must of won.
tchance
October 18th, 2009
9:46 am
Gt4ever…kidding about what?? Surely not the gift officiating? Since Georgia has no chance at all, then I pull for the conference and did not want Arkansas to win so Florida at least has a chance again to prove SEC dominance even though Bama is going to give the SEC the 4th straight national championship…but after one ridonculous call after another in favor of Florida, started pulling for the team that was getting screwed on national TV. and the ref’s didn’t even kiss them first!
RxDawg
October 18th, 2009
9:49 am
Gators don’t stand a chance.
Navigator
October 18th, 2009
9:52 am
Yes they can, as Florida is not the #1 team in the country and is proving to be vulnerable.