Is it possible to lose to the hated Gators and still feel good? (AJC photo by Pouya Dianat)
Georgia heads to Jacksonville unranked, which it almost never is, and a two-touchdown underdog, which it never is. It will be met by a team that hasn’t lost since September 2008, a team tracking a second consecutive BCS title. (Know how many schools have won consecutive BCS titles? None.)
Put simply, Georgia is up against it in a way unaccustomed to Georgia teams under Mark Richt. It lost to Florida 49-10 a year ago in what seemed a coin-flip game going in. This one is no coin flip. This outcome seems foregone.
But hope springs eternal in the breast of every fan, and on the day before Halloween I want to ask Dawg fans this question: What would you deem an acceptable outcome Saturday?
A narrow and honorable loss? (Within a touchdown, say.) Or is actual victory the only satisfactory result? And here’s a twist: If beating Florida convinces Mark Richt he doesn’t need to make changes within his program, would you rather Georgia lose? Or would beating the Gators when they’re ranked No. 1 be worth another year of Willie Martinez?
I’d put up a poll, but I don’t think the parameters of a poll are broad enough. I’m interested in your thoughts. So rather that click on “yes” or “no,” I invite you denizens of Bulldog Nation to avail yourselves of the white comment box below. And I thank you in advance. And you’ll hear from me again Saturday afternoon from you-know-where.
701 comments Add your comment
Saint Simons
October 30th, 2009
1:07 am
45 – 42 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hahahhahahahahahahahahaha
Dawglover
October 30th, 2009
1:11 am
I hope we can stay wihin a TD in the 4th quater and only lose by 10-12 points in a fairly low scoring game say 24-14 hators
Mark Bradley
October 30th, 2009
1:12 am
I said it in a comment after an earlier post: I believe this will either be 48-7 or 24-20. But either way I think Florida wins. I just don’t think Georgia is good enough this time.
BugKiller
October 30th, 2009
1:13 am
it’s like with Dallas fans right now who know Wade Phillips will NEVER lead them to anything.
You know, the REALISTIC Dallas fans, and not the crazy ones. The ones who know that with every win Wade has in the regular season, pushing his team close to a Wild Card, the more their meddling owner will preen like the plastic surgery peacock he is and say, “I was right, Wade IS the right guy to coach my team!”
Yes, in this analogy, Mark Richt = Jerruh Jones.
Does ANYONE out there want Mark Richt to be able to point to THIS game as the reason he refuses to fire Martinez? Even though we’re gonna get stomped by Tech anyway?
This win would allow for a stomped by Tech or a lose to Auburn situation and still allow Willie to keep his job.
But, in the end, it’s all moot anyway.
We’re talking Willie Marinez, people!
The man Erik Ainge and John Parker Wilson owe their NFL careers, whatever they amount to, to.
The man, when given two weeks to plan for Tech, didn’t do what any intelligent coach would have done (introduced a 3-4 and 46 package into his defense to counter act all the running backs).
Martinez will seal his own doom, so I don’t have to do as Dallas
fans or Redskin fans or Cleveland fans are doing, and root AGAINST my team.
But God help us if we actually win.
Mark Bradley
October 30th, 2009
1:13 am
Then again, I’ve been wrong a time or two. I was sure Georgia would win last season.
Ed
October 30th, 2009
1:14 am
Acceptable result: a Georgia win or loss where the team fights from starts to finish and doesn’t fold like a wet blanket at the first sign of adversity. We’ve seen way too much of that in recent years against several teams (Tennessee being the most inexplicable). Just play Florida the same way LSU, Arkansas and Miss. St. did in recent weeks, and win or lose I’ll be proud of the Dawgs.
drbasic1
October 30th, 2009
1:16 am
Mark, a victory is needed period. I would THINK Coach Richt would look at the entire season to evaluate his staff (so they are called). I think a moral victory to the fans would be a close loss, but to the team, just another loss and no moral victory at all. I am no blind homer, but the history of this game means the record, nor better team on paper WILL win. An example of such….last year “USC vs stanford…..Rivalry means just that. The up side says GA-17 FL-10. The down side says FL-35 Ga- 3. I would not bet either way. The moral victory says FL-24 GA-17
uga-brave
October 30th, 2009
1:17 am
Enter your comments here
BugKiller
October 30th, 2009
1:21 am
BTW, Mark… being that i’ve been suffering from insomnia for about 2 months, I LIVE for your 0100 blog post.
It, and The History Channel, help to fill my late night early-morning hours with some kind of enjoyment.
Well done, Sir. Huzzah!
Trintion Sturdivant's ACL
October 30th, 2009
1:21 am
An acceptable loss will show improvement on both sides of the ball, heart, fire and leadership. Only glimpses of each have been seen in any game this season, and never all at once. If we make Tebow look like the Heisman player he once was, after what teams like Miss State and Arky did to him, then Willy is gone. If we lose, Willy may only be demoted if CMR doesn’t want him gone. A win will not assure holding the DC title another year. Dominate the rest of the season defensively, then we have a problem with Willy.
But nothing we have done for two years now makes me believe we will play consistently during this game, nor in the future games. I used to believe in the old adage that “Any given Saturday, any team can win.” Heck, it happened last year vs Tech when we rolled up more than 500yds of offense including 400yds passing, 42 points and Tech still won. Blind squirrels seem to live a long time, especially in St. Simons. But I am Pessimist Pete for this game. I fully expect our D to look flummoxed at times, and Rennie Curran, all 205 lbs of him, sweating to make every tackle because there is no one else doing it. Where would we be without the mighty mite?
So I will take a steady improvement. Do what Arky and Missy State did, hold them to barely 20+ points. Score a couple of touchdowns in real football time (not in the last 5 minutes of a meaningless game). Make Tebow work for it, not let him have a day where he looks like a Garcia, Crompton or Mallett against us. For once, beat the Vegas line in a big game. It won’t be a moral victory, but at least if we have some passion and heart, it will mean I won’t automatically write us off for the rest of the games.
uga-brave
October 30th, 2009
1:24 am
mark,
i watched joe cox’s bad arm and zero pocktet presense at G DAY.
was suprised about the arkansas game.
saw the bad throw against south carolina.
the throw against lsu was all aj green.
he will throw at least two picks against the gators.
cant throw the square out.
bobo knows this. he is crippled.
uga-brave
October 30th, 2009
1:27 am
if we could run the football it might be different.
cox has no ability to get outside the pocket and throw the ball.
Dawg4EVER
October 30th, 2009
1:34 am
I only hope I did not spend $900 to watch us fold like a Walmart $2 lawn chair in the frigging 3rd quarter. Can we play 60 minutes and lose by late score from (i hope to hexk he graduates soon) Tebow
Mark Bradley
October 30th, 2009
1:35 am
Bugkiller, I don’t know if you cable system carries ALN — the American Life Network — but “Mission: Impossible” airs every night at 1 a.m.
Dawg4EVER
October 30th, 2009
1:38 am
Mark,
You crack me up—-Can we stay close—-really??
UGATODAY
October 30th, 2009
1:42 am
It is a new day—Bulldogs 24–UF–21—–
Mark—-this will NOT be a Mission Impossible.
If we can keepthem out of JAIL and get them to the cocktail party—they can make it happen—-GO DOGS
uga-brave
October 30th, 2009
1:46 am
mark, i love DOB, dave obrien. he invented this on the ajc.
so please run the numbers. 194 points.
worst in the sec.
how is that possible?
five stars everywhere.
UGATODAY
October 30th, 2009
1:50 am
we will get our proverbial “heads handed to us” i say 38-3
BugKiller
October 30th, 2009
1:51 am
Which Mission Impossible?
Seeing as I’m just south of 30, I know there’s been more than a few iterations.
There’s the ones with Martin Landau. The ones with Leonard Nimoy. And then the ones I remember from the 80s with Phil Morris, who’s far more famous as his character from Seinfeld, the super-lawyer, Jackie Chiles.
And I know this show predates me by about 20 years, but I caught it on DVD an it’s outsanding: The Prisoner.
Top notch paranoid spy stuff right there.
Mark Bradley
October 30th, 2009
1:57 am
The old ones. The Martin Landau/Barbara Bain ones. (Although there are some Leonard Nimoy and Lynda Day George episodes, too.)
georgia74
October 30th, 2009
1:57 am
I just hope we don’t fold like a 2 DOLLAR lawn chair from Walmart during the middle of the 3rd quarter.
I SPENT $930 to get to the largest coacltail party on earth and I really think Richt’s convicts will get crushed 52-0.
Go Red and Black—–but we have got to get rid of Richt—-he has provided zero discipline to this team–penalties, arrests and losses tell me he is no Spurrier, meyer or saban—–hell the lunatic in Arkanses does not embarrass that state like Richt does to us.
I AM DONE WITH HIM
Palm City Dawg
October 30th, 2009
2:12 am
Moved here to South Florida from Marietta 25 years ago and year in and year out it has been too painful to take yet another year in losing to the gators. I want Kirby regardless of the outcome of this game, even if we run the table. How can any DAWG stand to watch a team like the vols take us down and expose a week defensive game plam. And man, please keep Bryan Evans in the locker room and keep Rambo and Brandon Smith on the field. ARRRRGHHHH!!!!!!!!!!! Coach Willie has to go. We need a coaches that can kick some butt and get this team fired up.
BugKiller
October 30th, 2009
2:20 am
I’ve seen those before, but I don’t think Charter (which is all you can get in Athens) has that channel.
Lots of History HD. Lot’s of SportsCenter, which changes now to an L.A. crew at 0200. Didn’t know they did that.
Right now, there’s a Michael Jackson music video retrospective on Fuse HD.
Yep.
uga-brave
October 30th, 2009
2:20 am
defense stinks.
cant run the football.
so how can we win this game?
hope aint a stragery,
got a team does not tackle to the ground in practice.
ever wonder why our tailbacks cant break a tackle?
they dont hit during the week.
Whopper Dawg
October 30th, 2009
2:20 am
If 1/4 Willie was fired at half, I would be happier than if we beat Florida by 100 and ran the rest of the schedule.
BugKiller
October 30th, 2009
2:25 am
Also, as a kid who grew up with Nick At Night (on Nickelodeon), I LOVED Get Smart.
When I was 8 and 9, I had no clue that the show was about 20 years old.
Would you believe I had such a huge crush on Agent 99?
Hehe.
georgia74
October 30th, 2009
2:25 am
Whopper—I’ll add my left gonad and if Richt is included I;ll get 100%nuetered!!
uga-brave
October 30th, 2009
2:26 am
willmart,
will be here next year. richt will make him db coach.
mark it down. he will not get rid of him.
uga-brave
October 30th, 2009
2:32 am
it is called a zone blitz willie.
drop your defense ends into coverage.
they are going to try to freeze the linebckers. nuch like teennesse did.
give the QB a different look.
georgia74
October 30th, 2009
2:36 am
Willieazze will give Tebow a differnt look alright—that is what I am worried about—–a field day for TB—he probably will not run any TDs—just 5 TD passes
Athens Jail
October 30th, 2009
2:39 am
Scoring more than 10 points, that should be their goal. Sorry UGA fans another one of your players just came into the jail, Coach Richt is on the way.
NOLA Dawg
October 30th, 2009
2:45 am
How well the Gators play is more important than how well the Dawgs play. If the Gators that struggled against Arkansas and Miss St. shows up on Saturday, the Dawgs have a chance. However, the Dawgs have no chance if Florida is back to its pre-Tebow concussion level..
Fire Willie Martinez!
djawjuh
October 30th, 2009
2:47 am
At the outset of my remarks, you need know that I am a longtime Georgia fan. Saw my first game 70 years ago. Went this year to the LSU game as I live in another state mid-way cross country. I bleed Red and Black, I’ve recruited for us, I’ve given money to the AA, I’ve served on the Alumni Association’s Board and I am G-E-O-R-G-I-A through and through. But I didn’t buy American cars when I saw they were carelessly, stupidly and nonchalantly assembled. I had one that required five seperate transmission, all under warranty. No mas for me. And I’m not buying this football version of an American car either because it is a piece of junk and operates only intermittenly and always inconsistently. And remmber this will be the fourth straight year that we have not won the East.
No staff deserves to remain that has our team in last place in many categories in the SEC and has us in triple digits when it comes to its defensive performance and turnovers. Those kinds of stats or for other teams, not us, not Georgia. But alas they are.
And I, unlike many others, do not belileve it is all Willie. Oh to be sure he is a big contributor but last year’s shellacking was caused in great part .by our offense which proved to be inept even with three first/second NFL round choces populating our “juggernaut.”
I must and will be honest about my feelings. We need to lose and get on to anothe life. We are a train wreck. And why anyone wants to spare CMR is beyond my ken. Why? He’s presided over a fall off year-to-year beginning in 2005 and he’s never made a change in the coaching staff.
Saban has been at Bamma two years plus and he got a new DC and OC. All our crowd of Bozos are in tack. And to be honest, this guy Richt should be ashamed of himself because of the situation with the guy who got canned for some kind of automotive violation this week. He should have been suspended because he violated Richt’s own rules. When you make exceptions like this, it is dangerous to do for you lose control of your team (he’s lost control of it anyway) because the kids know that there are one set of rules for one group and another set of rules for certain individuals. What kind of coach is it that does that? I’ll tell you: One who’s damn well feelilng the heat despite his protestations to the contrary. He knows the Bulldawg nation is up in arms and he’s feeling it and he should!!!!!
Someone pointed out today that this would not happen were we playing Tennessee Tech Saturday. The kid would have been suspended but brought back in time for Auburn. What a hypocrite Preacher Richt is and he’s a bad coach too. The hierarchy of the SEC has passed him by. Mies, SAban and Meyer have won National Championships in half the time that Richt has been at Georgia!!And the brat in Knoxville whipped up something awful on us and ground MR’s face in the turf. That was not a fluke as the Alabama game showed a Tennessee team that played hard, much improved from last year and on the ups while we pass them silently like ships in the night on our way to obscurity. They are on their way to making a mark in the conference.
What’s acceptable to me is nothing less than losing and losing big. I cry when I read my own words but only disaster creates changes and a win over Florida, as unlikely as I think that is, would only prolong the agony of this inept coach and his equally if not more inept staff.
He’s chosen two coordinators who had little experience for what they do. My bet is he still calls the plays deluding himself that he is some kind of ace offensive genius. He isn’t. We have a moribund, unimaginative offense with an immobile QB, valiant as he is, who will not be able to get out of the way of the ferocious rush of the hard-charding Gators.
There’s no way that I see us winning though I’ve been to enough Florida games to know that most anything can happen.
Our program needs a cleaning out from top-to-bottom. The only way that happens is for us to lose to Florida and Auburn or Tech. Maybe Richt won’t get the axe but others will or else there will be a revolution in Georgia and the money boys will stop giving dinero. And you know what happens then. Ask Jim Donnan.
I’m not sure he won’t quit if told that he needs to make changes. He may be loyal to a fault. I don’t know the man. But if Damon says change and say I’m not going to do so, then there you have it. That, in my view, is not an improbable scenario.
It pains me to say this but Urban Meyer can do us a hellevu favor by beating hell out of us Saturday. And I hope he does. In the words of an American colonial era war hero: “If this be treason, make the most of it.”
Buzzy
October 30th, 2009
2:48 am
i love to watch you puppies squirm. Movember will here in a few days and you fleabags know what that means—– GT makes you PI$$ on yourself.
I hope you give your coaching staff a lifetime contract.
They will never stop th Trade School Express.
Go Gators—Score 50 on the fbags—we are going for total state domination—60–10 worst beating ever
djawjuh
October 30th, 2009
2:52 am
I’m a DAWG fan through and through. I can no longer tolerate this crap for a team in Athens, poorly coached and disciplind. We need to lose and lose by three TDs so that there is an opportunity to clean house. “If this be treason, make the most of it.”
djawjuh
October 30th, 2009
2:54 am
This will be year four, four years in a row that we don’t win the SEC East. Whatever Richt had he doesn’t have any more. Exit Richt. He’s the head man and in the Navy the captain can asleep in the bunk and if the ship goes aground it is hisfalt. Most definitely Richt is asleep and has been for quite a while. He is a complacesent guy and his staff apes him.
DirtyDawg
October 30th, 2009
3:05 am
An ‘acceptable’ outcome would be, win or lose, that we stand toe-to-toe with ‘em and smash ‘em in the mouth on every play and that bust Saint Timothy’s butt every time he handles the ball…that we get an ‘even shake’ from the officials (no bad calls on us and no ‘non calls’ for Florida)…that no matter the score Georgia fans stay put in the stands and defy any gaytor to get in your face…that Urbana (is that the feminine of Urban?) is caught on camera several times trying (unsuccessfully as in ‘07) to rally a gaytor team that’s gettin it’s tail whipped and/or mouthin’ ‘Oh my God’ at what Georgia’s doing to his team on the field…that UGA ‘tailgaters’ are BBQin gaytor-tails (preferably a full-sized, skinned, Florida alligator)…that Mr. Two Bits – assuming he’s still alive – has a heat-stroke and has to spend the day in the infirmary…that Florida is so damn far behind in the second half that there’s nobody left to sing that damn ‘we are the boys of old Fla-ra-da’ thing…that Saint Timothy tries to do the gayter chomp in Jeff Owens face and dislocates his shoulder…that Georgia fans party til’ dawn – or Monday – and drive home safely.
Yeah, that would be an ‘acceptable outcome’…not that I’m predicting it, but for starters it’s acceptable.
Gator Hater
October 30th, 2009
3:07 am
Buzzy
Give the crack pipe a rest…and get a life!!!! You’re a moron!!
Pitbull
October 30th, 2009
4:40 am
Mark, the Dawgs quit last year! I never saw a Dooley team quit. Erk Russell never had a def. team lay down. They would walk thru fire for him. Willies players may have a short burst of energy, but that’s about it. Van Gorders Def. was also tuff. Someone said the players have to be scaried of the boss. I think respectful is the word. Respectful that he knows what he is talking about. I think the players without a doubt know Martinze doesn’t have a clue half the time. He can coach good against some teams. But against top talent like Paul Johnson. He is lost and has little chance because everyone knows he CANT MAKE ADJUSTMENTS! Richt knows it, but his being a buddy overrules his devotion to his fans and employers! Sad but that’s the facts, lookem up! Evans needs to help give Richt the reasons to make the right decisions. Or, have the guts to cut his pay in line with his performance. Also his assistants PAY! Can you imagine the headline “Football coaches at UGA get Pay CUT not increase”. I bet you would love to write that article wouldn’t you.
theriddler
October 30th, 2009
5:21 am
It’s win or bust. I think Gators offense gets healthy this week, 38-10.
dagnabit
October 30th, 2009
5:32 am
Give Mark Richt a lifetime contract with a 7 mil buy-out clause. Jawja deserves it.
Florida Dawg
October 30th, 2009
5:59 am
Only a win in Jacksonville is acceptable.
Mountain Dawg
October 30th, 2009
6:02 am
Our best is not as good as their best. Florida has superior talent and superior coaching. An acceptable outcome is that every player gives 100% on every play. That we fight as hard in the 4th quarter as we do in the first, regardless the score.
Willie must go.
Bubba
October 30th, 2009
6:03 am
I agree, only a win is acceptable. But my feeling is this will be one of those dull, 27-3 type games where Georgia never threatens and Florida’s offense doesn’t look like a No. 1 team. Their defense is another matter.
Praying for change
October 30th, 2009
6:12 am
I would give about anything to see Martinez gone. What he has cost the Georgia program is unreal. He’s about the main reason we’ve sunk like the Titanic. He is the poorest college coach I’ve ever seen. I’m so sick and tired of CMR’s spin and excuses and covering poor performances. I have been a total MR supporter but his actions toward his coaches are slowly eating away at my feelings for him and the Georgia program. Can you say unranked? Can you say at the bottom of most stats? Can you say having to score in the 30’s to even have a chance at winning? Can you say no longer feared and looked on as a second tier program? Can you say CMR has allowed the Georgia program to experience a plunge because of his loyalty and friendship to his assistant coaches and coordinators? I’ll tell you what will be done after this season…. NOTHING!!!!! CMR is already telling recruits that Willie Martinez will be back …. if he comes back …. stick a fork in our program … it’s done.
MARK, could you give CMR a call and verify if recruits are being told Willie will return? If CMR tells recruits he will return … CMR will honor his word and no matter what happens Willie will be back for another fisco….
Wesley Wallace
October 30th, 2009
6:25 am
As long as the referees do not screw up the game like the FL-Arkansas/GA-LSU crew, then I will be happy.
George P.
October 30th, 2009
6:27 am
“Leonard Nimoy and Lynda Day George episodes”
Like the one in which they are trying to overthrow a Castro-like dictator of a banana republic? Or was that all of them?
Go Dawgs
October 30th, 2009
6:41 am
Hopefully uga wins…if they dont- here is what is acceptable….no rushing TD for Teblow….Teblow has to watch game from sidelines……..
Go Dawgs
October 30th, 2009
6:42 am
but of course, we all know the sewage we call SEC officials have their plan in place- bet they throw 8 flags on UGA in the first half.
Mitch
October 30th, 2009
6:44 am
Mark,
Being a life time Dawg fan I am really depressed in thinking that in the back of my mind I am hoping that Georgia gets blown out buy Florida and loses the rest of there games to force CMR into changing the present coaching staff. I am afraid if the do win Saturday CMR will have all the reason to keep Willie ‘’soft zone “M.
These coaching changes should have been made last year .The Dawg nation were given one excuse after another. If CMR claims that he does not have the talent as the other schools in the S.E.C.they need to fire him on the spot. Just on the basis’s of stupidity alone.
‘’NO MORE EXCUSES CMR GROW SOME STONES AND CLEAN HOUSE’’!!!
HairyDawg
October 30th, 2009
6:45 am
UGA 42 – FLA 17
In other news, VTs loss exsposures the ACC. Those ACC teams just don’t haves the SEC speedynesses. After ripping tail off Gaytors I can’t waits to use SEC speeds on the Yechie nerds from the ATL. Wes is goning to clobber thems this year.
Sloan
October 30th, 2009
6:59 am
Bradley’s question is one of those that doesn’t deal in reality so it really is mute to begin with. Losing is unacceptable. Martinez’ defense has been unacceptable all season (and last). Bobo’s offense and Searles’ o-line have been unacceptable as well. The outcome of this one game shouldn’t change anyone’s evaluation of the state of UGA’s football program. Truthfully, the only way I can see UGA winning is if Florida turns the ball over multiple times and beats themselves. Florida has looked vulnerable the last few weeks because the teams they played either have good defenses (which UGA doesn’t) or good offenses (which UGA doesn’t). No, UF doesn’t look like a team that will hang 50 points on you and leave you in the dust, but they don’t have to because they have a defense that can dominate you (Willie take notes please). I think UGA loses a closer one than the line because UF’s offense is pedestrian but ours is worse. UF 27 – UGA 17
FireUga7.net
October 30th, 2009
7:01 am
In the macro sense, there is no “acceptable” loss, as this will UGA 3-17 against UF in the last 20. There’s not THAT much disparity between the resources and talents of the two schools. Simply put, the difference has been coaching. And UGA administrators and fans have not demanded the best in coaching over the last two decades. The results of this complacency have been horrific.
Until UGA fans and administration demand nothing but the very best, the results against UF and other top schools will continue to disappoint. (And don’t even get me started on the contrast between UGA and UF basketball over the last 20 years.)
Lame Kittien
October 30th, 2009
7:05 am
Who said moral victory,I’ll take 2{he does appease the ignorant}
ChipperDoodle
October 30th, 2009
7:09 am
Blind ambition.
jerry
October 30th, 2009
7:11 am
The criticism of Willie is totally misplaced. He has done the best he could and he didn’t twist Richt’s arm to get the job. The criticism should be placed squarely on Richt, who hired him and has kept him. Here is the problem:
Trailing by a 7 and with a first-and-goal at the 1, host Georgia had time for at least two and most likely three passing attempts. But Richt decided to run Jasper S(t)anks. He was stuffed for no gain and time ran out on Georgia.
Points scored by Richt’s offense vs the four major teams-SC,UT,UF,AU- that UGA plays every year and that know Richt’s offense.
17-6-17-9-10-13-18-13-13-20-14-17-10-18-14-12-14-14-10-19=65% scores 20 or less
OrlG8r
October 30th, 2009
7:12 am
For lesser teams or coaches, say the Vandy’s or Lame Kiffin’s of the world, there is such as thing as a “moral victory”. A win is the only acceptable outcome for teams with UGA’s or UF’s caliber, though. That said, I go with the Gators, but not a rout. UF 24, UGA 10
Gordon
October 30th, 2009
7:13 am
What a difference 15 months make. From #1 in the nation to finding a hard fought loss to UF acceptable.
Michael Stipe
October 30th, 2009
7:18 am
Uh, Mook Badley, I’m split between wanting an upset and wanting changes for the OC, DC, and special teams fiascos. Somehow, I feel if we end up on a good note, say, lose to Florida but win the rest, he’ll keep the Moron and the Bozo.
As always, I fart on all things GAYtor.
And for good measure, I fart on saintsimons’ sensibilities.
Everybody farts, sometime.
Just Sayin'
October 30th, 2009
7:19 am
Unless UGA shuts down the Florida offense and then goes on to defensively dominate the rest of their opponents, I suspect that CMR will make a change to a new defensive coordinator next season. I doubt they would make a change at both offensive and defensive coordinator during the same offseason. They have too many good athletes on the team. Just with their athletes alone, they should be able to defensively challenge my beloved YellowJackets.
It’s been a very odd year seeing UGA play below their level of talent. Mark Richt seems like a compassionate and classy guy. But compassionate and classy just doesn’t seem to cut it in football…as many folks have noted on AJC blogs prevously. They need to hire or recruit and Erk Russell type coach (Dang, he was good!!) or David Pollick type player to motivate that team and bring out the energy. Maybe they could hire David Pollick as an assistance coach in hopes of creating a spark. They need to do something.
I hope they rebound against Florida and play the rest of the season like the Bulldogs of old. I don’t want them to beat Tech, but I want it to be a good battle. This state should have two highly ranked teams for several seasons to come…maybe even a few national championships between the two schools. It’s CMR’s time to step up and get things back on track. They really need a victory in Jacksonville.
JORTS ARE COOL---NOT!
October 30th, 2009
7:20 am
UGA 23 UF 20 IN OT…
Robert Daniell
October 30th, 2009
7:22 am
It is sad indeed to hear the Georgia bretheran berate and put down our program….especially before this game…..and even worse, they have every reason to feel this way. Has Bobby retired yet? Kirby pleeeeease come home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go Dawgs!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (In spite of the coaching…win this one to honor those days when Erk and Vince led us to victory on the banks of the St. John’s!)
RADLY DAWG
Buckhead Bulldog
October 30th, 2009
7:24 am
The Dogs will come out fired up and hang with the Gators early. UGA (and Mark Richt) needs this win more than UF. They just won’t be able to pull it off. The Florida defense will make another big play to pull away, and Timmmmayyyyy and the Gator offense will do enough to stay unbeaten. Florida 31 Georgia 17
Top Dawg
October 30th, 2009
7:29 am
THE SUGGESTION THAT A “MORAL VICTORY” MAY BE SATISFACTORY SHOWS HOW FAR THE UGA PROGRAM HAS FALLEN. A VICTORY IS THE ONLY ACCEPTABLE RESULT – PERIOD. ALSO, WILLIE MARTINEZ MUST GO – NO EXCEPTIONS.
MN Possum
October 30th, 2009
7:29 am
I predict the scholar athletes from the University of Georgia will triumph over the scholar athletes from the University of Florida in a rather heated debate over the role of string theory in modern cosmology and subatomic physics. Look for some really pithy comments related to the Higgs boson from the UGA side.
Else, I hope UGA keeps Florida under 70 points.
Lilburnn Dawg
October 30th, 2009
7:40 am
With Dawg teams of years past, I would have said that a ‘moral victory’ doesn’t exist in our vocabulary. Are we now at the point that we know we don’t have a chance to win games and we will settle for a ‘moral victory’ and feel good with it??? I will not feel good about any loss. But given that we are most likely going to lose this one, I would at least like to see us play Florida on the level that Tennessee did. I would like to see our offense score some points (with the run and pass), put pressure on Tebow most of the game, not collapse in the 3rd or 4th quarter, not get a lot of penalties, not have any turnovers, see our O line blocking for runs, and not see any more childish calls by our coaching staff. I guess that’s a tall order to still not win.
The Question is Mute
October 30th, 2009
7:42 am
Or is it “moot” ? Or maybe “moat” ? Help me out here, Sloan.
jerry
October 30th, 2009
7:43 am
You have to admit that Richt is innovative. Having one’s wife on the sideline is a 1st. I just can’t imagine Bryant or Lombardi or Parcells or…………
FalconUGAFan
October 30th, 2009
7:47 am
Top Dawg, couldn’t say it better myself. I have alot of respect for Richt, but he has some hard decisions to make very soon. Hope he is up to it or it will be taken out of his hands. Many of you are right , we are NOT an elite program but that is what we want to become. It is ludicrous to want anything less. Whats the point of showing up if you don’t want to be the best. This isn’t peewee league where everyone gets to play. Go DAWGS, Go Falcons!
innocent bystander
October 30th, 2009
7:49 am
A win is acceptable unlikely as it is.I don’t think Coach Martinez should be retained even if we shut Florida out.But there will probably be arguments made for him if we they score less than 30.We should never hope for a loss in any case ESPECIALLY against Florida.The fact is the people who write to this blog(including me) don’t know half as much as they need to know (or half as much as Coach Richt knows) to determine who should be fired. I’ve said it before: the fans who call for Coach Richt’s ouster don’t know the history of Georgia football. They are spoiled by the success Coach Richt brought us:No SEC title since 82, no division title even until he arrived. Tied for best record in the SEC 1999-2009. I know Coach Donnan was in Athens the first two of those years. Comparing Richts’s recent record to Donnan’s latter record is cooking the books. You have to look at what Georgia has always been and everything Coach Richt brought us his entire tenure.If Coach Richt stubbornly clings to Coach Martinez after we lose 2 or 3 more and get embarrassed by Florida and or Tech and then we have an equally embarrassing year next year the we have to consider the possibility that Coach Richt has lost his grip and is not in touch with reality. Whether Damon will let it get to that point or not I don’t know.Damon’s opinion is the only one that counts in any case. We can all see that our talent has not been coached up recently. A pity that.History suggests that we can upset Florida. I was at the game in 1965 when we upset Bear Bryant with the flea-flicker. But that was a miracle. It will take another miracle to win tomorrow. Let’s hope it happens.
Rick
October 30th, 2009
7:53 am
MARK:
A WIN! is a must, in this series. Anyone who is a true Dawg fan knows that FL is our biggest rivalry and that this game means more than any other (see SEC division).
Not only do we need a new DC we also need a new defensive scheme. 4-3 and cover 2 has run it’s course.
The Ghost of WLCP Past
October 30th, 2009
7:54 am
Well, the Dawgs have the Gators at a disadvantage……they don’t suspect a thing.
HH
October 30th, 2009
7:56 am
The firing of Willie Martinez and the other incompetents that work for Richt will be the only acceptable result.
bad brad
October 30th, 2009
8:03 am
Here’s my vision…the Dawgs keep it close into the 4th Qtr. The record heat and a relentless sun cause the black out with the Bible verses on his face to run into Tebow’s eyes and make him as blind as Paul on the road to Damascus at a critical juncture and he throws yet another pick six and Ga wins late.
Anything less than a win is just a loss. Even when things seem lost, play to win and expect a miracle. It’s happened before and it can/will happen again.
Changes MUST be Made
October 30th, 2009
8:03 am
The only acceptable results is giving up 40+ points, no matter what UGA’s offense scores. UF must pour it on and take Willie to the woodshed. Richt can be given NO excuses for trying to keep Willie and a win by UGA with low points given up would be the excuse he is looking for. It hurts to watch this year, but I better not see anything better than 6-6 this year. I (and every other UGA fan I know agrees) am willing to suffer short term pain (this year) for long terms gain (many years to come)- which means getting real coaches in here on D from next season onwards. We are all willing to sacrifice this season to get the progam back where it should be.
TommyP
October 30th, 2009
8:06 am
If the season had turned out differently for Florida and they were crushing teams by 30, I’d say keeping it close with this team would be ideal.
But Florida is barely beating teams. They lose to Arkansas but somehow the refs penalize Arky to a Florida victory. They struggled with Miss. State big time. They struggled with Tennessee.
This is not the same Florida team that had Percy Harvin and a couple of other breakout receivers.
Georgia has had two weeks to prepare for this game. Florida has played several tough games in a row. Monte Kiffin layed the blueprint out there on how to stop Florida.
It’s there for Georgia to win. A victory is all that’s acceptable.
Newnandawg
October 30th, 2009
8:08 am
I think that only a win in Jacksonville will assuage this seasons woes. Do I think UGA will win? No.
John
October 30th, 2009
8:11 am
A acceptable result Saturday? The Dawgs don’t have to prevail by 39 points. Heck, they don’t even have to win. An honorable acquittal of their collective football character would be nice after last year’s buggering.
I’ve been a UGA fan (not fanatic) my whole life. Never in that time have I seen the Dawgs humiliated – make that emasculated – like they were last year. Now that unpleasant spectacle appears to be a watershed moment for Georgia football – It’s when we lost our credibility as an elite program.
Last year’s loss was the result of many things – not the least of which that Florida was just flat a better team with better coaches and superior talent. That explains a loss, but it doesn’t excuse what Georgia allowed Florida to do to them last year in front of a national TV audience.
Anybody can lose, but your opponent can humiliate you only if you let him. UGA let the Gators have their way with them last year. They were totally unprepared from every possible angle to play that game – and their ignoble effort will live in Dawg infamy.
I haven’t seen anything in the 2009 bunch that leads to believe this year’s outcome will be much different than last.
We’ll see.
OUCH!
October 30th, 2009
8:17 am
The worst insult anyone can do is to call another person a “Mark Bradley!” OUCH!
Tech sucks
October 30th, 2009
8:26 am
No, they have to win. With 3 losses already there is no more room for moral victories. At least we will get rid of Willie with a loss to UF.
GeoffDawg
October 30th, 2009
8:29 am
The only acceptable outcome is a win, no matter how ugly. When you start counting your moral victories, you know you’re in a place you don’t want to be, ie populated by the Georgia Techs of the world.
Regarding personnel changes, I would hope that CMR would look at the body of coaching work and not base any decision on isolated coaching successes.
» SEC links: Georgia-Florida is still intense John Clay’s Sidelines
October 30th, 2009
8:29 am
[...] Mark Bradley of the AJC wants to know what’s an acceptable result for Georgia fans for Florida game. [...]
gymjacket
October 30th, 2009
8:30 am
Acceptable result, no one gets arrested.
GeoffDawg
October 30th, 2009
8:30 am
Off topic but did you hear that rant from Mike Leach at Texas Tech regarding his players’ “fat little girlfriends”? I literally lol’ed.
John
October 30th, 2009
8:33 am
Tech sucks,
You gotta walk before you run. It’s gotten that bad for UGA. A win would be nice. An honorable effort is a must.
And I know Willie Martinez is everybody’s whipping boy, but tell me, is he any worse a DC than he was last year? Who decided to retain him?
Dink
October 30th, 2009
8:36 am
Only a win is satisfying.
Go Dawgs! Beat the Gators!
SOUTH GA DAWG FAN
October 30th, 2009
8:36 am
I will be happy if the dogs play hard and cover the point spread because I am thinking it could be even worse than last year .If the dogs can cover the spread I will get to watch the entire game without throwing a fake brick at my tv and firing Willie Martinez 15 times during the game .For those of you that are disgusted with the dogs DC try standing up and screaming you’re fired Willie everytime the gators score. It helps a little and if you have kids they will be firing willie by the end of the first quarter too. keep a tab of how many times you fire him during the game . I do think that unless the Dawgs run the table ( I know not going to happen) that the decision might not be CMR if he trys to keep sweet willie .
I agree with some of the posters that have suggested that willie will take a demotion ,and I pay cut so let him recruit . Now I have to go try and find some more of those foam bricks I think I am going to need them saturday.
GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
nemov
October 30th, 2009
8:38 am
Last year’s game wasn’t a coin flip. It seems like everyone has forgotten how beat up Georgia was last season. Plus, many Georgia fans know that CWM can’t stop even the most pedestrian of offense.
I’d love for the Dawgs to win, but let’s face it. How does a team win with a defense as bad as ours? How does a team with as much talent as Georgia settle for this kind of defense?
keith
October 30th, 2009
8:39 am
Show up and look prepared
(as opposed to the Tn. game) Make ajustments during the game, in general, look like we can play and coach. If we get beat, so be it.
Snoop Dawg
October 30th, 2009
8:40 am
Yo Dawgs-
Don’t be drinking the Koolaid at the Cocktail Party. Don’t bite on the ruse about Willie. It ain’t Willie, folks, it’s the Preacher Man. He’s da man, not little Willie or BooBoo. He’s in charge and his salary represents $100 for every student at UGA every year. The Preacher Man and his Koolaid stand need to go, and when he goes is Deacons BooBoo and little Willie will follow him like little puppie dogs… Until then there will be a pox on the Dawg Nation
Snoop Dawg
October 30th, 2009
8:41 am
Koolaid…
Snoop Dawg
October 30th, 2009
8:42 am
Preacher Man
CharlotteDawgFan
October 30th, 2009
8:42 am
A win is the only acceptable outcome for any true fan. That said, it’s going to take a near-perfect game for everyone on the field (including CMR & his gang). And sadly, we know that’s not going to happen.
I just don’t get CMR’s reluctance to bench non-performing starters. He has athletes that he recruited from all over the country who are dying to play, yet he refuses to use the bench effectively. Put the chumps on the pine, CMR. Have a little faith in your recruits – if there’s ever a time to try out some new players, this is it (and by “players,” I mean quarterbacks. And yes, I know I’m being somewhat disloyal to Cox, since we’re both from Charlotte). CMR’s main mission: to win football games. That’s it.
Snoop Dawg
October 30th, 2009
8:42 am
Little Willie
Snoop Dawg
October 30th, 2009
8:42 am
Booboo
Snoop Dawg
October 30th, 2009
8:43 am
Deh all gotta go, y’all if you want the Dawgs to be winners again…
timthebrave
October 30th, 2009
8:43 am
I don’t believe that losing should ever make you feel good. Nothing is acceptable except a victory. Go Dawgs!! 24-23
Joe M
October 30th, 2009
8:44 am
I ALWAYS want UGA to win. So in short, a win is what I want.
At the same time, I want a HC that can make appropriate realizations about the state of the program. If UGA were to shut UF out that wouldn’t signal that the D is revived.
Here what happens. CWM plays it his way until the fire gets white hot. From there he’ll go outside his personal comfort zone and blitz a little, just enough, to make it appear as thought the D has improved. Then back to Williville. All with Richt’s blind blessing.
But hey, at least we saved the commitment of ANOTHER UNDERSIZED corner!
Snoop Dawg
October 30th, 2009
8:45 am
Gonna be a beatdown. Gonna be real ugly… History book ugly…
lefty fielder
October 30th, 2009
8:46 am
quote from the Urban Legend:
“I’m flipping on Georgia (on tape), and statistically, I know everybody is like, ‘What about this and what about that?’ ” Meyer said. “All I know is what I see, and that’s as good a defensive personnel as there is in college football.”