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
takedowndawg
October 18th, 2009
12:38 pm
call it………, I doubt that even your mother even likes you given the sampling of your language. You probably are a big rap fan as well! No rap will not be seeing any time capsule anytime in the near future. We want you to meditate deeply on the concept that Florida loses to Alabama in the SEC Championship Game. What would you and the other gat. do????Where would you go????You won’t be able to sleep……can’t eat……shere trauma!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nice thought, huh? And, I am a UGA fan.
Ryan
October 18th, 2009
12:54 pm
Bradley you write these same columns year after year, so that if UGA actually wins you get to gloat. Last year it was “Georgia sends gators warning”, and where was your column after the game sir? NOWHERE because you were owned and looked silly. I believe you went on to change the subject and start discussing the hawks. Pathetic! Man up Mark and admit you were wrong.
David
October 18th, 2009
12:55 pm
Mark, you’re insane. UT — and Jonathan Crompton, more specifically — looked like an offensive force to be reckoned with against these guys. I get that UF hasn’t looked that great; but they haven’t had the chance to play UGA’s defense yet, and that’s the medicine that will cure all offensive illnesses. The game will be a joke, much like UGA’s team. 45-42, ladies, and this year it’s gonna be worse.
docbailey
October 18th, 2009
1:24 pm
now i know we are heading toward Armageddon. Liberal socialist democrats driving this nation into oblivion, crime, rape, pillage, in the panhandle, and worst of all, dam tech winning football games. Life Sux sometimes. Jeff (i will suc the stinger out of a bees arss) Schultz really crapped on the Dawgs in his article. This paper hasn’t changed since i left Atlanta four years ago. Still with a bias, racist, skum-sucking bunch of so called journalist writing the sports section. (paper still works great for kitty litter
DawgByte
October 18th, 2009
1:41 pm
Mark, you’re idea is not as retarded as it appears on the surface. However, it’s not really a matter of where we have Florida from an advantage perspective. The idea is on any given Saturday anything can happen, so UGA has much of an opportunity to win as any team. It’s been less than 24 months since we beat Florida and if this team believes in themselves anything is possible, although a miracle wouldn’t hurt.
takedowndawg
October 18th, 2009
1:54 pm
Ryan, and Davie, two real men type names. Better than Luvern or Arvin. But, not by much. Bet you two never played a down. Piano lessons, more likely. For that matter, you too Jason. Why did your father ever let you mother name you this? Just kidding you boys!!!!!!! Go DAWGS!!!!!!!
warhorse
October 18th, 2009
1:59 pm
The Jax Chamber of Commerce slipped Mark a few bucks to lift their spirits with this article. They were worried about poodle fans burning their flags and staying home in two weeks.
Cobb Dawg
October 18th, 2009
2:18 pm
cantondawg, if everyone thought like you, Ray Goff or Jim Donnan would still be coaching UGA.
Mark Bradley
October 18th, 2009
2:23 pm
Hey Pissed off Dog…. You’re on! Aterwards we van go get a couple of spritzers. They make me feel fancy.
Big Mike Said......
October 18th, 2009
2:28 pm
After watching the game against Vandy, it’s painfully obvious it isn’t our running backs, but our blocking schemes(ya’ll listen to a man that knows football)out of seven games, I’ve seen Boling get 5 critical holding calls,Vince Vance as big as he is, isn’t light on his feet. The whole season M. Bobo has been taking a beating(and rightfully so), but Coach Searels needs to find the right mix at O-Line and keep them there. Vandy’s D-Line looked stout in the first half, and at times completely dominated. Caleb King isn’t hitting the hole with power, Samuel has a problem holding the ball, and seems to think you can run over everybody, so this comes down to Ealey, and C. Thomas. Thomas has truly been impressive, but everybody knows good backs got to touch the pigskin. Ealey, I wait for next year, because he’ll really get it, plus have a year of college weight conditioning under his belt. The guy I was truly impressed with though was D.Jackson. Coaches get him the ball on the outside…… We can play with Fla, but to compare competition in Nashville to that of Jacksonville, is to say we’re going backward……From sick to Nick, and back on top pretty damn quick. UGA Coaches, excuses are like rear ends, everybody has one, and at some point in the day they all stink. Get it Right!!!!!!!!!
Big Mike Said......
October 18th, 2009
2:37 pm
Takedowndawg, Don’t blame call it comments on hip- hop, I get so tired of white guys saying they got there bad languange from hip-hop. That’s like a Black guy saying he couldn’t make it because of “the white man”, Trust me when I tell you Ozzie Osbourne, Kiss, metallica, and some of the other metal rockers wasn’t singing “Come to Jesus so he can save you”!
Big Mike Said......
October 18th, 2009
2:41 pm
4-3 Not good, beating UF, AND Ga. Tech ni the same year after our worst year this decade, PRICELESS!!!
gatorhater
October 18th, 2009
2:46 pm
Mark, I want a swig of your Koolaid
Cuz
October 18th, 2009
2:52 pm
I have the results for my first weekly Defensive Coordinator Fantasy League. I made it simple as possible, I have other responsibilities in life. I used Will Muschamp, Kirby Smart, Bud Foster and the fan favorite Willie Martinez. I would have included Chavis but he was unavailable as LSU did not play.
Five categories. Each gets ranked first through fourth. As in golf, the lower your total score wins. Ties as in golf are counted together then on to the next number. In one category there was one first and three seconds. I have not factored in strength of schedule yet, I need to figure a formula for that. Maybe later when I have a beer or several it will come to me.
This week the first through fourth is as follows.
Smart first place with an impressive 7 points. Played USCe
Coach Willie second with 12 points. It was Vandy.
Muschamp third with 13 points. Played U of not so OK
Foster fourth with 15 points. Played the Bugs, lost.
If you have a DC you would like to add for next week, let me know and I in my infinite wisdom as Commissioner of my league, will decide whether to add them. Strong, no way he is going to leave UF for UGA. Monte is not going to abandon his son. I am not convinced any of the others would either, but hey you gotta have someone for Willie to run against. Difficult to add an HC to the mix unless you count his DC.
Tune in next week for another thrilling contest.
Now back to our regularly scheduled pi$$ and moan session.
takedowndawg
October 18th, 2009
3:07 pm
Big Mike, I was quite impressed that you even knew who Kiss and the others were! You’re right about the lack of , “come to Jesus songs” by the ones listed but I don’t remember their having “pump the rump” songs that are saturated in the rap or hip hop music. Maybe Clarence Carter and “stroke it”, remember 2livecrew and on an on….. It is wearisome, that’s all. Do agree with your assessment of the game. Good review. amen and Amen. Go DAWGS!!!!!
Shananeeeeee Fananeeeeeeee
October 18th, 2009
3:11 pm
A win is a win in the SEC baby. Sloppy, squeaker, blowout, it doesn’t matter at the end of the day, it goes down as a W in the win column.
74 Dawg
October 18th, 2009
3:12 pm
MATHDAWG
October 18th, 2009
1:14 pm
SEC officials will not allow UF or AL to lose until they play each other. They kept UGA from beating LSU and Ark from beating UF. I hate to say it, but college football is becoming more like the WWE wrestling show. These guys arene’t just bad, they are taking sides to make the conference look better. I also think some of the celebration penalties agaist UGA stem from the fack that V. Dooley is the one responsibile for this rule and they call is on UGA just to get back at him. Most of them don’t like the rule and are using it against UGA to make a point. This rule should be done away with and a taunting rule could replace it. It’s always OK for Tebow to celebrate and for U. Myer to be 20 yards out on the field. Is that a reward for being ranked #1?
I liked this one so much I pasted it over here from the Dawg Blawg,with apologies to Math Dawg. One of the things officials should be taught and held accountable for is consistency,foremost, and secondly, let the players determine the outcome, not the officials. The Ref should NEVER be the story. This has ruined the NBA,to the point it is expected and accepted. It will ruin college football if not stopped. Seems to me it is the leagues fault, because some conferences(Big Ten for one) don’t call nearly as many as some others(SEC and Big Twelve). ESPN announcers also seem to be the worst about ignoreing bad calls or non calls.
I’m a Gator Hator. How bought ya’ll?
Michael McClure
October 18th, 2009
3:17 pm
MB I hope you’re right, but if we have the same refs from the Arkansas and Florida game we don’t have a chance. Florida sure received their portion of home cooking from these guys. No calls on Tebow for his celebration. Terrible calls against Arkansas and even the CBS announcers commented on the calls. We’ll need all the hope and luck to beat Florida in two weeks…but stranger things have happened. Wolf Wolf
Carl Spackler
October 18th, 2009
3:23 pm
“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. ”
Well sounds like we agree on a few things anyway…been living in the South for over 30 yrs. and where I grew up in Pa. it’s no different than in Ga, Miss, La, or any other haven that you’re so proud of…take a look at a map of Pa and look at the center of the state, no difference, hunting, fishing, trucks, Red Man, Bud, etc. so don’t try to get all high and mighty on being a good ol boy…BTW, you graduated from UGA? Then take your time on your responses, I’m not perfect but it looks like you changed thoughts numerous times and your 2nd posting to me was hard to decipher…one of the keys when you’re trying to put someone down is to leave nothing that can used against you…spell ck is a great tool and try typing w/ both hands, or is that impossible when you get all worked up talking about your DAWGS…also, I’ve noticed you are always in attack mode, are you nothing more than a troll and just get a kick out of replying to posts
Stephen
October 18th, 2009
3:28 pm
Attention dawgs, fla turned the ball over 4 times, was out 3 defensive starters one being the heart of the defense in spikes and still won the game. Championship teams find ways to win while things are not going there way. A few bad calls, maybe, but anyone who watches college football knows there are plenty of calls that never get called both ways. Arkansas had plenty of chances to win this game and simply couldn’t execute off all the turnovers and the overthrown passes by mallet. Get ready because when the gators come to jacksonville they will be ready to play!
HairyDawg
October 18th, 2009
3:31 pm
Right on Mark! I has done tolds all my Dawg friends that we is going to pound them overgrown lizards in Jax. The Gaytors had to come from behinds to even beats Petrenos Piggly Wiggles this week and that was a home game. We has got an extra weeks to prepare and Mark Richt is going Mick Dundee to unload a whooping can and ruin FLA season. The Gaytors is playing like theys will be Dawg food while the Dawgs has turning the corners.
Go DAWGS! Gaytors Stinks! Go DAWGS! Gaytor Stinks! Go DAwGS!
collegeballfan
October 18th, 2009
3:39 pm
I have been saying all week & I will say it again, there is no one on UGA’s schedule that they cannot beat. A 9 – 3 season is there for the taking. Will, not can, they take it?
Same exact words apply to Tech. It is there, just take it.
But it is hard enough to predict when you are dealing with adults, with kids it is impossible. As Richt & Johnson both say, you put your kids on the field & play the game.
Gator Growl
October 18th, 2009
4:01 pm
Show me a fan who blames the refs for his team being a crappy 3-3 and I’ll show you a Dawg fan.
Lord of The Lizards
October 18th, 2009
4:03 pm
Just when I think that Miami and Tenn have the most delusional fanbase, you Dawgs prove me wrong.
Call it Like It Is
October 18th, 2009
4:05 pm
All I can say takedowndawg is at least FL will be in the SEC unlike GA once again, loser.
Enough Said to all of the UGAY punks!
Hokies return to Blacksburg black and blue
October 18th, 2009
4:09 pm
NESBITT for HEISMAN
LHardingDawg
October 18th, 2009
4:09 pm
When the SEC signed the billion dollar contract with CBS and ESPN, they “sold their souls to the devil”. Their new jobs are to make sure the 3:30 and 8:00 SEC games are the highest rated in the nation. That is the only manner they can get a return on their investment. The call on GA against LSU and the two calls yesterday, in the FL/AK games, are two great examples. The refs now have the added duty of making sure the correct team wins.
Steve
October 18th, 2009
4:15 pm
Best thing to happen to the Dawgs? Notre Dame’s top 2 choices for a new football coach are Urban Meyer and Paul Johnson – Please offer one of them 5 mil a yr. so we can catch a break!
BTW – AJ Green has 200 yards more recieving than the next closest receiver in the SEC – can somebody say he deserves more Heisman talk than Jimmy Clausen? I’d even take Nesbitt over Clausen with his Tebow like performances, literally willing Tech to win.
Tampa Gator
October 18th, 2009
4:16 pm
The “Georgia on-then-off bandwagon” writing is already on the wall for Jacksonville….if the Gators win, they won only because of the refs and all of Georgia’s stupid coaches, especially those Richt and Willie fellows, like last year. If the Bulldogs win, the Bulldogs will suddenly be the national champions in 2010 (like every year) and the best college football team in the SEC in the past 100 years (only the refs caused them not to be, especially from 1910 to 2009) and Richt is the best football coach ever (Dooley couldn’t carry his jockstrap)….Richt is so much better than that Urban “whatever insult I can think of next” fellow. Good luck with that Georgia bandwagon fans. Just continue jumping “on and off” the Bulldog bandwagon…especially jump back on after beating that powerhouse team, Vanderbilt, after jumping off after losing big to that terrible Tennessee team. If coached well and they play well Georgia, as with Arkansas or most SEC teams for that matter, has a chance to upset Florida. On the same note, if Florida plays its best game (and it hasn’t played its best game yet), then Florida will beat Georgia by 30 or more points. All I know is, if Georgia wins, Georgia fans will be riding high on the bandwagon. If they lose, their won’t be hardly one to be found for that bandwagon ride. And you “Georgia bandwagoners” (and not all Georgia fans are) should never think of calling a Florida fan a bandwagoner. Win Florida lost to Ole Miss last year, the Florida fans came back stronger than ever and helped the team win it all again. That is not the definition of bandwagon fans. The definition can be found on these blogs when Georgia loses to any body or beat any body…especially great teams like Vandy.
Tampa Gator
October 18th, 2009
4:22 pm
By the way, imagine how good Georgia Tech would be if they had any defense at all. Scary. That offensive scheme is something else. Almost impossible to stop if executed well by the QB. The coach at Tech is a great coach. Va. Tech has one of the best defenses in the country and they were hopeless against that offensive scheme. Problem is, if you have weeks to plan and practice for it (LSU last year) and the speed to play against it, I think Tech has issues, especially if the QB can’t pass the ball. Nesbit is excellent in that offense but the difference between him and Tebow is that Tebow can throw the ball well. Just think how good that offense would be if Tebow was Tech’s QB. Now that is really scary!!!
UGAy
October 18th, 2009
4:23 pm
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahah………….UGAy winning next week is the funniest thing I’ve read all day!
LHardingDawg
October 18th, 2009
4:24 pm
Tampa Gator
How did you learn so much about carrying a jockstrap?
Tampa Gator
October 18th, 2009
4:31 pm
The best thing happened to the Gators today. They are no longer ranked number 1. Bama is, and they deserve it, and this will motivate what was an unmotived Gator team yesterday.
P.S. LHARDINGDAWG…I learned it from an expert…YOU. Please don’t set yourself up so easily in the future. I like to be challenged.
Loel
October 18th, 2009
4:41 pm
well here goes,,, i remember in the hershel walker days Georgia went into the florida game as an underdog, yet Georgia won 44-0. To which a Florida was over heard leaving the stands saying”If you had given me Florida and 40 points, I would have bet my house. Well,,, scratch one house. Georgia has won this game several times with lesser talent. This time they have equal talent but not yet a “team” with it.. Its there,, must jell..
takedowndawg
October 18th, 2009
4:41 pm
Esquire Sir Spankler, Did find your response interesting. I like committed individuals who do not stay on the sidelines. Did you play football or did you play the other futebol? Maybe even laccrose, from your area. 30 years in the South and not committed to a team. A REAL football fan. Have you noticed there has never been a migration of the South to the North in the last 50+ years and wonder why? There was only one earlier in the century with migration of ethnics to industries. I assure you it wasn’t for the dispostion of the people. Theory though. Noone, even you,, likes to spend a lifetime around arrogant asses like yourself. Did you marry a woman from up North or did you marry a Southern Women with a different dispostion than your own. I suspect the latter. I do write in a hurry at times and sp may be questionable at times. What is never in question is my life long love of the game and the love for our region of the country. I make no apologies for offending you. Life is too short.
reck1
October 18th, 2009
4:43 pm
Cobb Dawg, the Goodyear reference is a classic!!! I almost p#%%@* in my pants!!!! Keep up the hysterics.
Delbert D.
October 18th, 2009
4:46 pm
Well, I voted “UF in a competitive game.” The votes are very close right now. That was a troubling game for UF fans, I imagine. The leader of their D was out, though.
Loel
October 18th, 2009
4:48 pm
if higher ranking always matter, how did Purdue beat Ohio State, how did GA Tech beat #4 Virginia Tech, How did then #4 ranked LSU need an official to make a call against UGA that did not happen to sneak out a win. My Point…. play the game good and some stupid offical(biased or blind) may actually help you. Say thanks LSU. and who knows what.
Delbert D.
October 18th, 2009
5:22 pm
Steve – You must realize that Holtz has been off pinning the meter on the Claussen love song? He said on the day of the Michigan Game how Notre Dame was going to win the NC, and Claussen was going to win the Heisman. Yesterday it was more of the same. Thanks, USC. The media is still going to love a Golden Domer, especially NBC, with its Notre Dame football TV contract.
AJ has a slim chance next year with a media-darling QB like Murray might turn out to be, but it’s always tough for a WR.
Dawgtired
October 18th, 2009
5:23 pm
I would LOVE to see it happen, but its just a dream. I know some gator fans and they would rather beat UGA than win the lottery. Uga has some big dawgs on the team but UFA. has the horses namely TEBOW. Miracles do happen.
74 Dawg
October 18th, 2009
5:25 pm
The initial BCS rankings just came out and I have gleefully begun my BCS death watch.Boise and Cincy are # 4 and 5. Here is the scenario;GA or SC upsets Florida. Preferably both. Florida beats Aladambama in the Dome. Ok State beats Texas. USC struggles against every nobody left on their schedule . Bama,USC and Texas w/ 1 loss are not even conference champions(this counts,remember?). Boise State and Cincinnatti ,two teams who played no one all year,play for the non-existent BCS championship and nobody watches or cares. The networks would yank college footballs chain so hard a playoff would finally get done.
FalconUGAFan
October 18th, 2009
5:30 pm
TampaGator, Calm down dude. We just love our team here like you love your team. UGA is not in the class of UF this year, we just need to find some hope somewhere where we can. Our team is down. Fans are fans where ever they call home. You want to see some blog warriors, then go check out the Ohio-Michigan folks. I saw them first hand when I was visiting the in-laws.
Delbert D.
October 18th, 2009
5:34 pm
Tampa Gator – Nice to think about, anyway. Tech is going to go after only the “Dual-Threat” QBs, and Tebow certainly is a might fine one.
I don’t think there will be a large number of different pass plays in the general playbook for Tech, since CPJ’s option depends a lot on the two WRs taking the cornerbacks out of the run scenarios in the base offense, and one of the “A” wingbacks taking the safety somewhere on the option to that side. But after the defense has all that on there minds, the drop back, or the rollout like agains FSU, and all hell is breaking loose downfield.
It’s interesting to watch, knowing that any play dialed up can go for 50 or more yards (19 times this year).
Delbert D.
October 18th, 2009
5:40 pm
Cincinnati was really, I mean REALLY good back when they had Oscar Robertson. Only five guys to a side, though and all they had to do was put a round ball through a hoop.
yogi2
October 18th, 2009
5:44 pm
Mike Bobo and Willie Martinez beat the worst team in the SEC! Wow
I noticed Georgia is the worst defense in the SEC. Maybe Richt
doesn’t pay any attention to the stats but everyone else does.
If Richt refuses to see the problems and fire WM and MB he will be gone too. The DAWGS are pathetic
Mark Bradley
October 18th, 2009
5:51 pm
Cincinnati was actually good after the Big O — Tony Yates, Ron Bonham, Tall Paul Hogue, George Wilson, Tom Thacker. Only a blown lead against Loyola in 1963 cost the Bearcats a third consecutive NCAA title.
Different sport, though.
wreckmaniac
October 18th, 2009
5:54 pm
74Dawg: Good thinkin. And don’t forget TCU who may end up in there also.
Delbert D.
October 18th, 2009
5:55 pm
Ron Bonham, now that’s a memory coming back. Who could have Imagine Loyola of Chicago winning?
Mark Bradley
October 18th, 2009
5:58 pm
Great nickname for Loyola’s best player: Les (Big Game) Hunter.
Delbert D.
October 18th, 2009
6:06 pm
Yeah. Also, what about Jerry Lucas, John Havilicek and (Larry?) Seigfreid and company? Lucas and Ohio State winning only winning only one NC always seemed to be a media disappointment.