Even if Florida is ripe to be had, has UGA ripened yet?
In 2008 Florida scored at least 30 points in all nine games against SEC opposition, including the one it lost to Ole Miss. Its average margin of victory in those games was 30 points.
In 2009 Florida has scored 30 points against one SEC opponent, that being Kentucky. The Gators managed 23 against Tennessee, 13 against LSU, 23 against Arkansas and 29 against Mississippi State. Their average margin of victory in those five games was 13.4 points.
As silly as it sounds to say of the nation’s No. 1 team as led by the nation’s No. 1 player, Florida isn’t playing well. It was lucky to beat Arkansas in the Swamp — remember, Georgia scored 52 points against the Razorbacks on the road — and needed a phantom interception to escape Starkville with a 10-point victory. (Remember, Georgia Tech beat MSU by 11 points on the same field in a game that was only cosmetically close.)
Tim Tebow ranks 45th in the nation in total offense. By way of comparison, Joe Cox ranks 53rd. After the Mississippi State game Tebow didn’t meet the media, which was an utter shock. (He said later he wanted to spend time with MSU coach Dan Mullen, formerly Florida’s offensive coordinator, and family.) But Urban Meyer acknowledged this week: “Tim Tebow is not playing at his highest level.”
Tebow told reporters on Monday: “It’s kind of new and it is frustrating.”
Put simply, Florida is vulnerable. And looky who the Gators play this Saturday.
Georgia is coming off its most impressive game of 2009, albeit against Vanderbilt. It has had a week to rest and ready a new end-zone dance. (Sorry. Couldn’t resist.) When last the Bulldogs had a bye before Florida, they beat the Gators and Tebow in a performance so stunning it rankled Florida for the next calendar year.
But let’s get serious. Georgia is 4-3. It needed a last-gasp pass breakup to beat South Carolina and a last-second field goal to subdue Arizona State. It lost by 26 points — the second-worst defeat under Mark Richt, topped only by 49-10 in Jacksonville last season — to unranked Tennessee. It led Vandy only 17-10 after 40 minutes.
Some team is going to beat Florida. Georgia, sorry to say, is not that team. It doesn’t defend well enough, and it isn’t going to score many points against Charlie Strong’s inspired bunch. (Florida ranks No. 1 in the nation in total defense; Georgia ranks 70th.) The Bulldogs will play hard and keep it close for a half, and then superior forces will carry the day/night.
It’s weird. Georgia hasn’t beaten a No. 1 team since it stunned Florida 24-3 in 1985, and these Gators don’t look nearly as impregnable as those Gators did. But this isn’t a vintage Georgia team. In almost any other year it would be easy to pick the upset. Not this time.
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563 comments Add your comment
FLOWRIDA
October 27th, 2009
7:44 pm
LOL—Cheese=TEBOW.
Florida Fans
October 27th, 2009
7:46 pm
Any of you Florida “Fans” in these blogs actually graduate from the University of Florida? Or are you just on the bandwagon?
45ACP
October 27th, 2009
7:46 pm
I hope for a win.
Win or lose I will support the Dawgs.
Always have, always will.
Jeff
October 27th, 2009
7:47 pm
Mark, thanks for providing the link, because it was exactly as I remembered it: you implying that GA has nothing to lose and comparing the game to the ‘07 game. Am I missing something?!
KNelson
October 27th, 2009
7:49 pm
Mad Dawg 20/20 – Tennessee’s Lame offense put up 45 against your pups. Mad keep talking all you wish about UT. Keep this in mind. They are getting better. Tennessee has played 2 teams this season ranked #1 and lost by a total of 12. In the last 2 games Georgia , Alabama , neither teams offense got in the end zone. Why would Georgia score more against UF? You wont and here comes another week you dog fans will have to stand all week because your A$$ hurts to much to sit down !
Florida Rolls
October 27th, 2009
7:50 pm
Yeah–no chance in that–Florida has punked out UGA for the last 15 years. In my college years we owned them–they rarely ever won. It was laughable really–almost like our Program now.
Our program is not good enough–Look at USC, PENN State, Oklahoma–their records speak for themselves–they are PREPARED and they ADAPT,–One thing our coaching has not done since the year our last SEC championship was won.
no smoking
October 27th, 2009
7:53 pm
Florida rolls, you have a point–but during that last SEC season–you had VanGorder coaching defense,
nuff said?
Bigdawg44
October 27th, 2009
7:54 pm
To the grossly uninformed person who posted firemarkricht.com just remember that over the past 12 years UGA has the most wins in div.1. 9 of those years are CMR’s so don’t jump the gun
Willie Martinez
October 27th, 2009
7:56 pm
Bigdawg, that was me that posted that. damon has told me I’m in line for the head coaching position.
UGAGRAD
October 27th, 2009
7:56 pm
Simple truth is–we need a spark for this team to flourish–not happening this year.
just not there.
We need a game changer, I do not see one on this team.
45ACP
October 27th, 2009
7:57 pm
The horses pulling the bandwagon are gratefull for all the “fans” jumping off.
The rest of us also. A little more elbow room is nice.
GIVE US A DEFENSE
October 27th, 2009
7:57 pm
I know what to ask for for Xmas.
45ACP
October 27th, 2009
7:58 pm
grateful, really grateful.
Paul Johnson
October 27th, 2009
7:58 pm
If the Dawgs want to win, they need to turn the damn thing up.
bandwagon?
October 27th, 2009
8:00 pm
No one’s jumping off any UGA bandwagon—I simply want better, Dawgs are worth it right?
I am a Dawg forever, got my paper and etc. I’m sick of “almost” and 10 win seasons–we deserve more–end of story.
DAWGPOUND
October 27th, 2009
8:04 pm
Amen to that brother bandwagon–life is to short to dominate Florida 2 or 3 times in 15 years.
Mad Dawg 20/20
October 27th, 2009
8:04 pm
I wouldn’t count my dawgs out if they were playing the New England Patriots. This team has a lot of resilience, and it will show in the second half against FL. The D will keep teabag in check and we will chew the clock in the 4th quarter with a steady dose of King, Ealey, and Thomas for the win. Sickem Dawgs!!!!!!!!!!
Mad Dawg 20/20
October 27th, 2009
8:06 pm
Cox has another 300 yds. passing also. Take that fairweathers.
OptimisticDawg
October 27th, 2009
8:07 pm
I don’t know why, but I just feel UGA is going to pull the upset. I’m not trying to be biased, but I think it’s very possible. UGA scored 29 more points against Ark than Florida did, but then again Georgia gave up 22 more than the Gaytors did, but Florida knows it should have lost that game. Arkansas outplayed them and refs tried everything in their power to help UF win, and it worked. IDK, but I think Georgia is going to win a close one.
The reason UF played so poorly… You are ignorant. Man up and admit that Florida has been handed their last two games, especially against Ark. I know it’s hard to believe because Florida is the “Chosen Team” and Tim Tebow the “Chosen One”. Florida will not win the BcS title. Count on that.
45ACP
October 27th, 2009
8:09 pm
It is what it is for this year. We all know that Coach Richt is not going to fire anyone during the season.
When the season is over I hope like everyone else that some changes will be made.
Art Vandalay
October 27th, 2009
8:10 pm
it comes down to one thing, your team is struggling like both teams have…who would you trust will make a mid season adjustment and right the ship Urban Meyer or stubborn ole Mark Richt? Meyer has made his name by being known for season and in game adjustments. He came to UF in 2005 with a spread offense that required 5 Wide when he barely had 5 scholarship receivers. After it became evident he didn’t have the receivers or the QB he adjusted his offense added I-form and other pro style under center sets, made Leak comfortable and he came out and scorched the UGA defense ending their title hopes. When has CMR ever made that sort of adjustment in season?
Meyer knows the Gators can’t score in the red zone, but would you bet against him scheming up away to fix that? No body is better at tailoring his system to how his players are playing at that moment.
Football Fan
October 27th, 2009
8:10 pm
You have to play the game and see what happens. Georgia may be having a down year, but they have a fighting chance. GO DAWGS!
Athens_Gator
October 27th, 2009
8:13 pm
I heard the uga players took a vote this week on how to best prepare for the Gators and it was decided they will leave the entire coaching staff in Athens. Go Gators! Better hide under the porch little puppies!
45ACP
October 27th, 2009
8:14 pm
The extra week to prepare can only help the Dawgs.
Players and coaches alike.
Pi$$onaJACKET
October 27th, 2009
8:14 pm
i dont care as long as we beat tech. i hate those trade school nerds
GT4LIFE
October 27th, 2009
8:17 pm
GA fans are some of the most fair-weather fans in all of sports.If UGA wins some of them will act as if they knew it all along but most will say how shocked they were.This is a team with a HC that won 82 games in 8 years.and now they wonder if he can coach?Typical UGA idiots..I hope UGA wins though and go 3-0 heading into the season finale..it will do wonders for our SOS and coupled with a win in the ACC championship game WE will be playing for a NC.The second year after a coaching change is usually special.
TEX
October 27th, 2009
8:17 pm
I’m just buying alot of beer, and hoping the bye week helps. If it doesn’t, see my first point. I’m a Dawg all the way through, and will root even though I’m attempting to be realistic.
Sic’Em.
Gaytur Hatur
October 27th, 2009
8:18 pm
If Florida was any good, I would give them a shot at beating us. Since they suck, the chances are slim to none. Tebow alone cannot beat the dawgs, and tebow is all they got people.
Dawg Whisperer
October 27th, 2009
8:18 pm
I’ve been drinking the koolaid and jumping on/off the bandwagon since 1987. I don’t care. I’ve gotten pretty good at it. My senses are heightened by triumph and dulled by losses. My bi-polar behavior on Fall Saturdays is pretty much accepted around the household as the norm. I’m just glad that as I’ve aged, the bandwagon is slower and the koolaid is weaker. I can’t twist steel like I once could when the refs blow another call. BTW, the Gators in a mild upset unless I decide to jump off the bandwagon. UGA only wins big games when I don’t care.
kd4uga
October 27th, 2009
8:19 pm
Haven’t felt this bad about a UF game since the Donnan days. Sad to say, but I don’t think the dawgs have a chance. Although I believe our players are just as good and they want to win just as much, UGA will be outcoached. I doubt Charlie Strong is working nights to figure out the Bobo offense. I doubt we will see anything new from CMB or CWM.
Speaking of trying new ideas at the UF game, anybody remember the game where Goff had the Dawgs start with 5 wideouts and an empty backfield? That didn’t work out too well either.
Mike
October 27th, 2009
8:19 pm
Mark there was no phantom interception that was very real. The end of the play was suspect but hey I suppose the Gators are the only team to receive a bad call in its favor.
45ACP
October 27th, 2009
8:20 pm
2007 game the Dawgs took the opening kick off and marched down the field for a touch down.
Not a single pass. Every play was a run.
Can they do it again? I hope so. We will see in 4 days.
GO DAWGS!!!
Art Vandalay
October 27th, 2009
8:21 pm
if the Gators are playing so horribly and are so vulnerable then beat us…plain and simple, beat us. Nobody has so far and you won’t either.
Pitbull
October 27th, 2009
8:22 pm
Beat Tech? Tech is going to kill us. Johnson can out scheme Martineze BLIND FOLDED. The dawgs will never beat Tech with Martineze as Def. Cord. Period!
Gaytur Hatur
October 27th, 2009
8:24 pm
Art-
You havent played the dawgs yet.
Necromancer
October 27th, 2009
8:29 pm
Well, let’s get ready for another edition of the Gators’ annual home game against us.
Any other time, I would whine about the disadvantage the we have to face annually when we play these goons…but face it, folks…this year, the Dawgs suck!
Nostradamus
October 27th, 2009
8:34 pm
I predict Tebow will wave his arms up in the air to the crowd at least a dozen times saturday and never get flagged for it.
Pitbull
October 27th, 2009
8:36 pm
I don’t think the dawgs suck. I think they have excellent talent. The defense just runs around like a chicken with it’s head chopped off. Can you imagine how good they would be with old man Kiffin coaching them. I could hear him now, “sit down Willie and listen up”!
Cautiously Optimistic
October 27th, 2009
8:36 pm
We have the talent, we just need coaching and execution, which we havn’t had much of. I dont “expect” to win but do have hope. Who know’s anything can happen. There’s nothing wrong with having hope is there? But if anyone expects to win well that is a different story.
Reality tells me that with UF having 2 below average performances over the last 2 weeks that they will come out ready to play, hell they always seem to get up for us where we usually cant seem to get up for big games. But if they play like the last 2 weeks and we can pick it up a notch we coud have a chance.
Ole Yeller Dawg
October 27th, 2009
8:38 pm
Don’t forget BullDawg Nation it’s Halloween and close to a full moon! Strange things can happen on this eve! When the old woman rubs her chicken feet together and begins to mumble and chant…….watch out! (((((((((((((BELIEVE & IT WILL HAPPEN!))))))))))))
T3Logic
October 27th, 2009
8:38 pm
Simply put the Dawgs will win. Don’t know how, don’t know by how much but they pull it out. Call me a homer, I don’t care….. Georgia wins.
Limerick Legend
October 27th, 2009
8:39 pm
There is a coach named Willie
whose defense is really a dilly
in a game against the gators
his defense is mashed like taters
no love for Willie just haters
So long CWM
Now we can look forward to a win
Pitbull
October 27th, 2009
8:39 pm
Get ready for Tebow walking around after the game waving to the fans. Umm make that duiring the game like last year. But you watch, the Dawgs will be in awe of him. Probably help him up off the ground and dust his ass off for him! After all he is above our players, he is a STAR!
DamntheButcher
October 27th, 2009
8:40 pm
We in the hell does people keep saying GA doesn’t have talent. Top 10 recruiting classes every year and when has GA Tech even come close to a top 10 class and they will wax our azz this year.
Pitbull
October 27th, 2009
8:41 pm
Dawgs it was Tebow who suggested the Two time outs last year. Remember that when you gently tackle him!
There's no D in UGA
October 27th, 2009
8:42 pm
FREE WILLIE!
Urban Meyer's mole
October 27th, 2009
8:44 pm
Number one or not, this sucks.
Pitbull
October 27th, 2009
8:45 pm
“FREE WILLIE” that’s good. Where do I get the T shirt?
Cautiously Optimistic
October 27th, 2009
8:51 pm
Reading back on some of these post I’ll say this, Just because I dont expect to win does not make me a fairweather fan (I was at the ASU game in the rain start to finish) or does not mean I’m jumping off the bandwagon. I’m just being realistic. At least I do have hope and am not making unreal pedictions. I still stand behind our team no matter what. LET’S GO DAWGS! It can be done!
DamntheButcher
October 27th, 2009
8:53 pm
The extra week off is not going ot help GA. I mean,,, Willie has been pulling this same s**t for 4 years now and the summers off never help do they? So why do you koolaid drinkers think one week will help? FIRE WILLIE MARTINEZ, FIRE BRIAN McCLENDON