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
He Hate Gator
October 18th, 2009
9:54 am
Thankfully, Gators pulled it out. Gators not overwhelming anybody this year. Now Dawgs do indeed have an opportunity to knock them down. Gators have to play Miss St Dogs while these Dawgs prepare…its all there for them if they (UGa) plays focused, executes, and get some decent play calling on Off and Def..
Carl Spackler
October 18th, 2009
9:54 am
“takedowndawg… Carlspackling, who’s you team? Tech or Florida? Declare yourself. Don’t be a “smoke on the water” drive by philosopher!”
I have no team, my team is whomever I have the house riding on…but have followed Charles, Murray, Wooten in H.S. and think this freshman class have horses going forward…never been a fan of any team w/ the exception of the “Old Bad Boy Oakland Raiders”…grew up 20 minutes outside of Penn State and really disliked PSU because of the “Homer Fans” who are so blind that they can’t be objective…Pennsylvania has Pittsburgh on one side and Philadelphia on the other side and Georgia in the middle…I don’t associate myself w/ a bunch of tunnel vision fans who live vicariously thru their college/HS football team(s)…if you can’t see that this whole season was a waste just to placate one 5th year senior and a Head Coach who is so stubborn that he would sacrifice his teams/seniors/assistant coaches(friends) year…CMR will have to look in the mirror everyday knowing that he cost Bobo and Wille M. their jobs by not putting the best product out on that field every weekend; nice friend
RxDawg
October 18th, 2009
9:56 am
Dawgs come in with the best darn punter in the nation baby! We’ll kick florida out of the stadium!
Not Disappointed!
October 18th, 2009
9:58 am
<————— Tech fan here! My brother (Dawg of Dawgs) and I went to the Tech game. He wore his UGA hat, but they are use to seeing us together; nevertheless, they treated him good. Truly fun.
We talked about Floriduh on the way home. I do believe Georiga can beat Floriduh. Here's the reason why, Teebow is still unsure of himself. He's trying, but there's more hesitation in play on the field. The team looks to him. God bless him, he's trying, but you can see it in his hesitation. If the dawg's defense first series is strong it could level the playing field & set the pace for game. Florida can be beat!
That's all I got. Head still throbbing from a long nite. Good luck pups until late November. Stay Classy.
Ramblin Wreck!
Cuz
October 18th, 2009
10:00 am
Fuzz, the least you can do is learn how to spell our players and coaches names correctly. It makes your smack talk more pertinent and pithy. Glad you had fun. If it snows at the coin toss I am picking the Dawgs. Everyone knows that reptiles are cold blooded.
38-3
October 18th, 2009
10:01 am
Amazing…Tech finally wins a big game and the majority of their “ajc online fans” are here on a UGA theme blog.
It’s almost like UGA owns your simple minds!
Cuz
October 18th, 2009
10:02 am
Carl, would you go and find that Gopher for me. He got shutout by Penn State and will not come out of his hole. I think a little C-4 might get him to come up.
Not Disappointed!
October 18th, 2009
10:04 am
<———— Ga Tech fan here!!! "Head still hurting from attending the game last nite. I'm too old for "S^&*!"
Play error free and beat Floriduh! Teebow is still unsure of himself. Floriduh can be beat.
Go Dawgs!
Go Jackets!
See you in late November.
azdawg
October 18th, 2009
10:06 am
FL looked vulnerable Saturday vs the hogs but they still won in spite of 5 sacks, terrible calls by officials in 4th qtr, 4 fumbles, etc. Its not the same FL team as last year but they still win. The hogs played inspired ball especially on D. The hogs for the most part snuffed the run except in the 4th qtr when tebow took control against a tired D, ran and hit some crucial passes to set up the winning FG.
To think Willie can duplicate the same D as AR is wishful thinking. To think Bobo can pull off a miracle vs the FL D is also wishful thinking. As much as we all want the Dawgs to win vs FL they still have to get a lot better because the win vs Vandy is no reflection of how they’ll perform against a much better D in FL.
I’d rather be pleasantly surprised if GA wins than allow being set up for failure and realize this is not vandy the dawgs are playing but a much better team that has dominated GA on both sides of the ball for the majority of the time CMR and his coaches have been at UGA.
Carlton Powell
October 18th, 2009
10:09 am
Agree with HH above. The Vandy win was simply the “eye in the hurricane.” Further, those of you just now getting around to complaining about the officiating in the SEC, it’s been B-A-A-D for years. That was the implied reason for going to a replay. The Commissioner’s Office could no longer overlook the poor officiating. No doubt, the “fix” to a degree is in. We are 7 games into the season, and the possibility of the #’s 1 & 2 teams in the polls playing for the SEC Championship is a definite possibility. Think what a boon this would be to the already powerful SEC. The roof of the Dome would literally be coming off. And the media attention would be incredible. I do give a bouquet to CBS for juxtaposing the Tebow celebration with A.J. Green’s a couple of weeks ago. It’s more than I would have expected from a mainstream media company with direct ties to the SEC gravey train. But, these realities aside, this is the way the game is played nowdays. Players and coaches need to adjust to the realities. I would give the ‘Dogs little hope of defeating the ‘Gators. Still too many core problems that a win against what is more like a D-II program can cure.
iggybob
October 18th, 2009
10:09 am
GEORGIA NEEDS COACHING CHANGES BOBO <MARTINEZ BOTH HAVE TO GO AND IF MARK RICHT DONT SEE THIS THEN HE NEEDS TO GO ALSO .
Ripped Again
October 18th, 2009
10:10 am
I’m a GA fan and done have the FL game marked as a loss !
j
October 18th, 2009
10:19 am
those mutts have been neutered for the next five years. They shouldn’t bother showing up in jacksonville.
takedowndawg
October 18th, 2009
10:20 am
spankler, I would agree with your point that Mark Richt has been stubborn to a great fault this year. Loyality is not the same as stubbornness. Cox was not our best opinion and CWM was not a good DC last year and has not been this year as well. Janeck, did you ever inform your linebackers that they are responisble for TE’s and RB’s coming out of the backfield. No spankler, I have not been happy with the leadership this year nor the inconsistency on both sides of the ball. But, I do support the university of graduated from and the state that I grew up in. But being a northern transplant I can understand you not wanting to supporting a southern team. Why not Miami, it is a northern team. I lived in Fl for 14 years spankler.
Krogunner
October 18th, 2009
10:24 am
Bottom line, Florida is the best team in the SEC East and Tech is the best team in the state of Georgia. Unacceptable, time for a coaching change.
Big Dawg
October 18th, 2009
10:25 am
Willie…You need to put together a defensive scheme of your career. We know Curran should be tatooed to Tee Bag. Go getem Curran! Bo Bo if we find that we can’t stop them defensiveley ..well then we have to match them point for point so….once again throw every weapon we got at them oh yeah..and the kitchen sink..GO DAWGS! It can be done!!!
Sanford Drive
October 18th, 2009
10:28 am
Mark,
Is anyone going to address the bizarre play-calling in UF/ARK game? Just once, I’d like to see the Gators EARN a close win instead of having the officials hand it to them. Must be nice.
Krogunner
October 18th, 2009
10:30 am
Sanford Drive, cry me a river. Championship teams win close games. I am so tired of us complaining about refs! We sound like the LOSERS we have become.
Big Dawg
October 18th, 2009
10:34 am
Dontavious Jackson looked great against Vandy. Carlton Thomas as usual was strong,Ealey and ,King looked good, Samuel as well. Man we got talent! Bobo really needs to put something together where Fla. def says …Huh….We need to mix it up with the spread,use thomas in the slot. run a wildcat with grey(still waiting) the guy has 4.4 speed and a riflearm. Would like to see Cox pitch to Jackson,Ealey.Samuel. Offensive line needs to open the lanes.. we need to have very quick counts and not give there def. time to adjust. Try and keep them on there heels. This is what they are going to try and do to us.
Call it Like It Is
October 18th, 2009
10:37 am
I love the fact that all of u GA fans try to talk trash to FL fans when you team has done nothing in 29 years.
Give me a break, you will get beat bad again in Jax this year!
Enough Said!
whatever
October 18th, 2009
10:39 am
HAHA. We beat Vandy now its on the SEC championship. You people kill me. Make sure you save me a trailer park dog at the next cousin wedding party.
Marie_the_Dawg_Girl
October 18th, 2009
10:41 am
The answer to Mark Bradley’s question, in a word, is NO. Sorry to say that, but NO is the only correct answer until Richt is gone and we have a winning coach.
Gary P
October 18th, 2009
10:43 am
Mark, good article, and I understand what you’re trying to do. Let’s not forget though, this team is God awful (besides #8).
Reality
October 18th, 2009
10:47 am
The Gators will be ready to play on Halloween. That stunt Richt pulled 2 years ago is still fresh in Urban’s mind. Prepare for another beat down! Florida has basically already won the East anyway. They would have to lose 2 of the last 4 for anyone else to have a chance. It’s just a matter of whether Georgia gets to play in the Music City Bowl or the Weedeater Bowl.
TampaGator
October 18th, 2009
10:48 am
Yep…the entire world is causing Florida to win…the refs especially, but also the CBS heads, the decision makers in the SEC headquarters, the ESPN talking heads, “them all” are Gator lovers and Georgia haters…but especially those refs. Urban is obviously taking some of his 4 mill salary and paying off the refs so he can unjustly win yet another NC…how unfair of “them all” and how unfair to Georgia. They even tried to stop us from beating that powerhouse Vandy team that just barely lost to those former national champions from Army. If we can beat Vandy, which just barely lost by a few points to a former national champion like Army, then Georgia must be much better than them cheating, ref loving Gators. And the only reason the Georgia Bulldogs aren’t #1 right now is because of the refs, who always make the Gators win, always cause the Dawgs to lose. Seriously, it sounds to me like some of you out there need some serious psycholoical counseling.
michael
October 18th, 2009
10:49 am
Facts- We beat the Hogs on their turf by 11 and the Gators had to be aided by the officials to barely beat the Hogs by three in the swamp. We that said, it shows we have the player personnel to beat the Gators, espeacilly with a bye week to prepare for this game. THE REAL QUESTION IS ARE THE COACHES MAN ENOUGH TO BEAT THE GATORS!
takedowndawg
October 18th, 2009
10:54 am
Walter Cronkite, or might we say Call ..ht ..ik ..hit ..s. Being as arrogant as you and your three isolated brothers are gives your fl family nothing more than your totally subjective opinion. Noone here values you opinion any more than the rest of ours. So keep your bra on! Or bro on, as Kramer so aptly stated in Steinfeld..
Nativebird
October 18th, 2009
10:56 am
I think your dead on, ever since The Concussion, the Mighty Gators have been in survival mode. It is setup, the ball is on the tee. the q? Can Richt actually pull it off with contrived motivational theater?
Reality
October 18th, 2009
10:57 am
Michael, if you understand football at all then you know you can always point to a scenario like you described (see Tennessee and LSU, Florida beat them both and both beat Georgia). One game anything can happen, but Florida had Tebow and Meyer. Georgia has Cox and Richt. My money will be on Florida!
Dawgs73
October 18th, 2009
11:00 am
Mark, I am certainly happy UGA won the game, but to think that the DAWGS have a chance against FLA is truly delusional. This years version of Vandy is quite possibly the worst team they have fielded in years.
Let’s also look at the fact that both teams (UGA & FLA) have bye weeks, & will have more time to prepare. If you honestly are willing to match UGA’s staff against Meyer and his crew, then good luck. How much more evidence do you need to know that this current coaching staff is HORRIBLE and change needs to occure. If by some slim chance UGA wins, then we will be stuck with Richt backing this b.s. for several more years.
Sanford Drive
October 18th, 2009
11:07 am
Krogunner,
You must’ve not watched the game. Mysterious PI calls called on Arky. UF had a blatant PI, but of course, it wasn’t called on them. Also, the winning touchdown from the LSU game should’ve been called back.
It’s too soon to call them a championship team. That was last year. They look like a totally different team this year, and not in a good way. We’ll find out for sure if they play Alabama in the SEC championship game.
michael
October 18th, 2009
11:14 am
To the coaching staff- The keys to beating Florida are as follows:
1-pressure Tebow with blitz packages, our secondary is athletic enough to go one on one with their recievers.
2-tell our defensive line to rush with their hands up
3-have Cox throw more on first down
4-thow to Ealey in open space
5-play Charles more
6-eliminate the delayed hand off in our offensive scheme
7-do not run to the short side of thr field
8-Richt needs to come out with intensity, this will help the refs not take advantage of his carefree attitude.
Cobb Dawg
October 18th, 2009
11:18 am
I don’t see any way UGA beats UF. We have a one-dimensional offense and the university could make extra revenue by contracting with Goodyear to advertise on Cox’s passes. Martinez has either forgotten how to scheme or how to coach because his players are on 11 different pages out there. I think the outcome will be similar to last year even though they’re not quite as good as last year and we’re much, much worse. UGA is a second-tier SEC program right now, even though we recruit first-tier. With a Paul Johnson or a Nick Saban, we would be first-tier with the talent that we have. As HC you gotta set the right tone and get no-excuses people under you.
Buckdawg
October 18th, 2009
11:20 am
The defense needs a boost. Why not play Richard Samuel at linebacker.
Styles
October 18th, 2009
11:27 am
We have to get a call girl down to Gainesville and devirginize Tebow. She will probably need to use some GHB to seal the deal. Dames make weak legs and he will be so spent from his first time there will be fumbles and interceptions galore!!!
All I'm Saying Is...
October 18th, 2009
11:33 am
Celebrating a victory over Vanderbilt? And a bad Vandy team at that?
And now you want to suggest that Florida can be beaten?
What a joke.
First, of course, Florida can be beaten. We saw that last year with Ole Miss and the Razorbacks almost did it yesterday. In fact, as was mentioned several times last year, Florida hasn’t gone undefeated in the SEC in years. The fact that UGA has only beaten them twice in the last dozen years is a real issue that doesn’t get mentioned enough.
Second, beating Vandy should not be such a cause for celebration among the UGA players, coaches, and fans. That to me shows how far down their expectations had fallen.
Mark Richt’s record in his first 62 games in the SEC was 50 wins and 12 losses.
The more interesting question isn’t whether this team might beat Florida.
The more interesting question is what has been the programs record since that start, especially the last 2 1/2 years.
Redo man
October 18th, 2009
11:35 am
Stanford Drive
I agree with you totally. Last year Florida was 5-1 and had just lost of Ole Miss. This year they are 6-0 and just won a come from behind in the fourth quarter victory over Arkansas. You are right. They are a totally different team. And not in a good way, for Georgia.
Rose-Colored TV Screen
October 18th, 2009
11:39 am
I hear Bobo is formulating a new offensive scheme using our two greatest weapons. It’s kind of an unusual play but Bobo thinks it’ll be effective: Butler punts ot AJ Green. Think about it…FLA won’t know what to do.
Rose-Colored TV Screen
October 18th, 2009
11:41 am
Hey Buckdawg: I agreed that the Dawgs need a boost. Moving Samuel to LB won’t do it…however, a new coaching staff will.
1eyedJack
October 18th, 2009
11:51 am
On paper we have no chance. The game is not played on paper.
jason
October 18th, 2009
11:53 am
The UF/ARK was a great game. 2 reasons why ARK did not win and it has nothing to do with the refs. 1) ARK’s QB stunk up the joint. He missed to wide open WRs for TDs. At the end of the first half he held the ball to long on a stupid play call. Throw it out the back of the EZ, and start anew. 2) the ARK defense while they played their heart’s out (UGA should take notes), They were just worn down in the 4 qt. They stuffed Tebow and the run game for 3 1/2 qts. They were gassed. While there were 3 horrible officiating calls on UF’s last drive, That missed FG by ARK hurt more. ARK answered that TD and would have walked out a winner if not for the missed FG. That game was set for an upset. I said at halftime, ARK was letting UF stay in the game. Tebow and co. had 3 first half funbles, all three in the red zone. Mallet needed to make plays, but he sucked it up like Jevon Snead.
The Original Gator Hater
October 18th, 2009
11:56 am
Who gives a sh*t?
jason
October 18th, 2009
11:57 am
One thing on the officiating. The AJ Green celebration call was horrible, but UGA did not make the stop they needed to and LSU won. The BS pass interference call on ARk was crap. The PF on the ARK player was crap, but ARK did not make the plays they needed to. My problem with the officiating is that the players don’t get to decide the game on the field. It destoys the flow of a game. That UF/ARK was a GREAT game that was robbed of its greatness because once again the Refs had to interject themselves into the game for some exposure. The SEC really needs to take a look at this in the off season.
takedowndawg
October 18th, 2009
12:04 pm
all i am saying, are you call ..hit …ik..i..is’s brother? Or are you TK Reilly,s pen name. Your gushing exuberance for um and the gators must mean there must be quite a bit of inbreeding in the gatorhole! You write identically. Could it be? The WORLD WAITS for your next word. No, lives for you and your next word! Without you the comos would begin disintergrating immediately. Please, please give all us adorning fans more, more……! Just Kidding!!!! Go DAWGS!!!!!!!!!
if frogs had wings?
October 18th, 2009
12:05 pm
Bet every dime you got on the the gaturds, unfortunately they will cover by 30. The mental lack of confidence and lack of size of the dawgs will show once they fall behind early and the rout will be on!
jason
October 18th, 2009
12:05 pm
I think for UGA to have a chance, they need to play the younguns. On offense there has to be a plan to get the ball to Charles (he is ready for a breakout game). They also need to throw more to Wooten and King. Those 2 are also ready, and they will open up chances for AJ. Ealy also needs to start and get the bulk of the carries with Thomas and King backing him up. Caleb shows great hands out of the backfield. Maybe they do more with him in the passing game and not just screens.
The defense will have their hands full but, I am starting Rambo, Boykin, and Smith with #9 Jones in the secondary. #3 Evans only sees the field on STs. The front 7 will be rotating alot, but I would like to see Rennie, Williams, and Gamble at LB. If UGA plays the 3-3-5, put Williams at safety. I also say start Geno at end oppisite Houston with Kade and Owens sharing the NT. This will be a high scoring game. UGA will have to force a shootout to have a chance. UGA can do this with Charles, King, and Wooten. With the extra week off, look for a package with Gray, and I mean more than the zone read where Gray always keeps the ball. Look for some zone read ala Tebow with a passing deminsion.
Sanford Drive
October 18th, 2009
12:06 pm
I’m not saying UF is a bad team. They’re a very good team. We just won’t find out how good they are until the SEC championship game. Squeaking by Arkansas isn’t exactly what you expect defending national champs to do.
Sanford Drive
October 18th, 2009
12:07 pm
Show me a person who doesn’t think the SEC officiating is problematic, and I’ll show you a Gator fan.
cantondawg
October 18th, 2009
12:16 pm
You’re not a true dawg fan unless you believe they have a chance to beat Florida. All of you other losers need to jump off the bandwagon. A true fan believes and hopes that we can beat anyone
Call it Like It Is
October 18th, 2009
12:17 pm
No Sanford Drive,
Any one who continues to whine about the officals, and we will show you a GA fan.
You haven’t won sh@$ in 29 years! Until you win a NC, shut the F up!
Enough Said!