UGA fans, what’s an acceptable result in Jacksonville?
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.
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700 comments Add your comment
Dale Rogers
October 31st, 2009
9:32 am
The only acceptable outcome of the game would be to turn on the radio Monday morning and hear Mark Richt announce his resignation. Unfortunately that means UGA would have been humiliated on Saturday, but it would be worth it to stop the bleeding.
Missy
October 31st, 2009
9:33 am
GO GATORS!!!
FINAL SCORE: GATORS 52, DAWGIES 3.
GT Rules State
October 31st, 2009
9:34 am
btw .. here comes your train wreck
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51K32fK8nok
All Bark And No Bite
October 31st, 2009
9:37 am
My favorite Florida-Georgia tradition is watching the Red (and Black) Sea part late in the third quarter as all those “diehard” leghumpers abandon their team and flee the stadium.
Sherry from Vidalia
October 31st, 2009
9:41 am
Glenn said “We’re talking about the Georgia Bulldogs, not some second rate program, like Arkansas State.”
Sorry, Glenn, but we are a second rate program. With Richt/Martinez/Bobo there, we’ll stay a second rate program. Some years will be better than this one (I hope so!), but we’ll never be SEC champs or in a BCS bowl until we clean house and get a winning head coach, which Richt is not. That’s okay if we’re satisfied with 8-4 or 9-3 seasons, but it’s not okay if we want to regain the thrill of being in the hunt.
Richt has to go, and now, not two or three years down the road.
Dave Archer
October 31st, 2009
9:46 am
Personally, I’ll watch the first quarter on TV and take it quarter by quarter. If it’s a major beatdown like last year, I just don’t have the stomach to watch any more. At least the beer will be cold. I may need to drink a lot of it!
My feeling is that Florida will win big, maybe by 40 points.
I’m glad we have some easier games after this before playing Ga Tech.
Rogers Redding
October 31st, 2009
9:50 am
It’s a big game today.
Georgia Bulldogs vs Florida Gators + Me and my Refs
Witch Hazel
October 31st, 2009
9:50 am
Bad news for the Dawgs on Halloween. Looks like they get a trick instead of a treat!
Or maybe not. I can see an upset, but it’s a loooong shot.
UFL 38, UGA 17.
Witch Hazel
October 31st, 2009
9:52 am
Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble.
Gators by 30 points.
Spinning Erk's
October 31st, 2009
10:02 am
If Willie M. stays in cover two defense it will be a long day for the bullpups.Put Princess Miller on the pine and add a backer in the box and maybe we can keep TEEBOW under 200 yards .IF not ,hey Willie my old high school needs a new d coordinator.
GaGator
October 31st, 2009
10:02 am
CMR is a nice guy, but he has to go. The Gators are in the head of the Dawgs and you need a much stronger personality to turn this around, like the Gators did with Spurrier in 1990, when Dooley was in the head of the Gators. UGA was like 18-5-1 in the 70&80’s and now the Gators are 16-3 against the Dawgs. You better also look at what Kiffen has done at Tennessee—-another strong personality and South Carolina is on the way up and I doubt you could beat them today.
So unless you are happy with 4th place in the East I would be writing/calling your AD–something must be done fast.
Final score today, Gators 35-6—ouch!
GT
October 31st, 2009
10:03 am
Lord how we do go on. Florida is not the team that beat Georgia or anywhere close to it, they are a product of a hype machine whose make up is beginning to run. Georgia is not near as bad as we are lead to believe either. They went out to OK. State with the idea that it would be like all these other out of league match ups. They got smacked in the mouth and didn’t respond very well. It was the country club bully getting a whooping by the public school boy. Georgia players are treated like royalty in this state and not use to getting smacked. LSU beat em on a job by the refs. Now Tennessee almost beats Alabama last weekend, plays with the arguably best team in the country, but who knew when Georgia played them they were going to be that good. Once again Georgia shows up like a friendly dog ready to get it’s bone. It brings all that black and red to Knoxville, hits the field not expecting any competition and once again get hit in the mouth and do not respond. Tennessee by the way is doing the best coaching job in the SEC but since we hate the coach we never write this. Spurrier lived off this misinformation and not only pointed it out in his heyday, but depended on it to beat you. Now Georgia goes to Florida embarrassed about their team, thinking they are underdogs. It is the first time this year their minds are right for a game, and it is not the coaching it is reality that makes it so. They beat Florida today. Good coaching and less spin they would have one loss on their record going in, but I’m a Tech fan so what do I have to complain about.
munson maniac
October 31st, 2009
10:04 am
hire will muschamp as d coordinator and let Richt call the freakin plays!!!!!!!!!!!!
Grasso
October 31st, 2009
10:12 am
Usually for Halloween, I rent some horror flicks. This year I’ll just watch the game, it should produce as many nightmares as any DVD could.
What’s acceptable, you ask? It’s not losing to the Gators by several touchdowns, that’s for sure. I don’t believe in moral victories, they’re for losers. So “acceptable” means winning today and sending the Gators home crying.
Alabama Jack
October 31st, 2009
10:13 am
This just in. Dawgs fail to show up in Jacksonville. Bus driver arrested for not having a license.
GRusso
October 31st, 2009
10:15 am
Usually for Halloween, I rent some horror flicks. This year I’ll just watch the game, it should produce as many nightmares as any DVD could.
What’s acceptable, you ask? It’s not losing to the Gators by several touchdowns, that’s for sure. I don’t believe in moral victories, they’re for losers. So “acceptable” means winning today and sending the Gators home crying.
Inbred Dawg
October 31st, 2009
10:17 am
I am a Goergia gradiate with honnors and am a proude athaletic supportar. I am cunvinced that the teem that scorez the most points will winn the game twoday. I also thank that Mark Rich is a goode coach but Urbin Mayor is bettar. I cant make it to the game becauze my truck haz a flat tar. If Comcast don’t shut off my cabel I will watch on TV frum my trailor. DId I minshon I am a Goergia gradiate? Sick em
Soothsayer
October 31st, 2009
10:26 am
Query: Who would you prefer to mentor your child-Urban Meyer or Mark Richt?
Reality is that sports in USA have become reflection of the culture of our society.
In 2011 UGA will have new President and new head football coach.
heartofdarkness
October 31st, 2009
10:34 am
Bulldogs might want to take the advice of George Washington, who said just before the Japanese attack at the Alamo, “Best to save a bullet for the end of things, today.”
SW
October 31st, 2009
10:36 am
I don’t see how any loss could bring satisfaction. The Dogs must keep the score close to have a chance. It all comes down to blocking and tackling. If they get whipped and pushed around on the line of scrimmage early, then it’s going be to a long day and an ugly score…
I feel one coming on!
October 31st, 2009
10:41 am
It’s Saturday morning and I’m getting fired up for the big game………..wait a minute…….ooooh……feeling a rumbling in my gut. Better blaze to the crapper and take a big ole Willie Martinez…..Be right back
I feel one coming on!
October 31st, 2009
10:48 am
OK, back now. But the darn thing woul’nt flush.
I feel one coming on!
October 31st, 2009
10:50 am
Ok, back now, but the darn thing would’nt flush. Ca’nt get rid of him!
booger
October 31st, 2009
10:56 am
it’s also great to beat a gator. key to game – pressure on tebow.
joe
October 31st, 2009
11:04 am
Not a win–PLEASE. PLEASE. Things need to get worse before they will get better & the only way they get better is to get rid of Richt & his entire staff.
The AD?? What’s his name?? Needs to also go.
how many years do we have to stand losing to florida and now to tech before they go?? tech will kill us. If we could not win last last year then this year is a loss.
YOU HAVE TO BEAT YOUR 2 BIGGEST ENEMIES ON A REGULAR BASIS.
And lay it all on Martinez–Bobo is no an offensive genius.
David Granger
October 31st, 2009
11:06 am
Can’t argue with anything you say, GT…we did go out to OSU thinking that we’d beat ‘em. (We’re the SEC team, right?) Just like we thought we had an easy bowl win against West Virginia a few years ago. And even in a few wins lately, we have not looked like we were ready to play hard. (Should we have needed a last second field goal to beat Vanderbilt a couple of years ago, and an overtime TD pass to beat a BAD Alabama team?)
And when that happens over and over…isn’t that the coach’s fault?
GaGator
October 31st, 2009
11:15 am
Jacksonville Times-Union
This just in:
Homeless man shot in buttocks, testicle in failed crack buy.
Jacksonville Beach police say the man went to a McDonald’s to ask for help, turns out he was not homeless at all. He was just a drunk Bulldog
Defensive coordinator looking for the statium.
Mad Dawg 20/20
October 31st, 2009
11:16 am
Get ready Dawgs. In just about 4 hours we will start putting an arse whooping on the overrated, pi$$ poor little green salamanders. Screw the Gayturds. We will win big. Ive been saying it, now its time to watch and enjoy.
Papadawg
October 31st, 2009
11:30 am
I’ve been a DAWG since the late 60’s and I’ve seen Highs and Lows and this years team is on a reload year. We started with no proven Quarterback or Running back which is not a good place to start. Our defense is suspect either from bad coaching or the atheletes are not as good as we thought. Oklahoma lost their starting QB and we see what happens to a team suppose to be #1 this year with out him. I don’t like to lose but it happens, I just don’t like to get the crap beat out of us like the last two years
DavidPollacksVertebra
October 31st, 2009
11:36 am
If Richt doesn’t win, I’ll snap!!
let the big dog eat gator
October 31st, 2009
11:41 am
here, this will make you all feel better I promise! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8GuH9oDHrU
On_the_move
October 31st, 2009
11:55 am
GO GATORS!
For what it's worth
October 31st, 2009
12:06 pm
I think CMR has been planning of this game all year. After all, what victory would be sweeter than to knock-off the #1 team in the country, regardless if UGA has had a crappy season. People will remember for many years to come the year (this year) that UGA beat the gators when UGA was not even ranked. It will go down in history as one of UGA’s greatest wins ever.
That is why I think Richt will showcase a whole different offense that he has been planning and practicing for all year. This will be the “coming-out” party for Logan Gray. And UGA will light it up. Florida has been preparing for an inept and incompetent Cox driven offense. Florida will not see that – they’ll see an offense they have never seen before and UGA will win. This day will live in infamy for all the Bulldawg Nation now and for those to come.
FWIW
October 31st, 2009
12:10 pm
Richt isn’t smart enough to do something like that.
Vick=Dog killing thug
October 31st, 2009
12:13 pm
It’s one thing to play well in a competitive ballgame and lose to a rival that has a slightly better team. We can also say what if about Stafford and Marino?
But to play so poorly with the penalties, the poor play calling and the blown coverages… That is just not right…
It’s like those two bonehead pilots who over flew their destination last week. It’s un-acceptable and they lost their licenses. I hold Mark Richt accountable.
Just Play the Game
October 31st, 2009
12:14 pm
One question – what official’s call will UGA blame today’s game on??
C from Marietta
October 31st, 2009
12:21 pm
Reading these blogs it is very clear, that class does not run in our society. All you grow up!
1BadDawg
October 31st, 2009
12:25 pm
I am a dawg fan through and through, and a college football fanatic. I have learned that you never count out any team.I think the dawgs have the potiential to be a good team, they just have to put it all together, Def and Off must show up at the same time. this game will be one by the dawgs, because no one believe’s they can. we will win out, yes martinez needs to go, but there is still a lot of ball left to play..GO DAWGS…. I feel we will come away with a big victory 35-14
p b
October 31st, 2009
12:28 pm
I would rather have us lose than win and think everything is OK, when we know it is not. Richt seems like a nice guy and a good coach, (until recently), but he has not won the big one in the past couple of years. If beat FLA, I would be happy- short term, but not long term. We need to make some big changes to be in top of SEC again.
p b
October 31st, 2009
12:48 pm
Inbred Dawg:
Don’t you have anything better to do? Shows lots of brain power in posting a note like that! In reality, he’s probably a Ga Tech fan who is overjoyed that they are doing well this year (doesn’t happen that often), who has to make fun of UGA whenever he can.
Inbred Dawg #2
October 31st, 2009
12:51 pm
Hey – my frisky friend p b – I assume you don’t have anything “better to do” by responding to my Inbred Dawg buddy! GO Gators
p b
October 31st, 2009
12:56 pm
inbred dawg #2:
No, I don’t have anything better to do… You are right. GA Tech and FLA are both probably better than UGA, but so what. It’s just a game of football, it’s not like it really helps the world be a better place or or is like fiding a cure for cancer, etc.!
negative
October 31st, 2009
1:18 pm
t-bag tebow!!!!!
negative
October 31st, 2009
1:19 pm
uga wins
dawgfan68
October 31st, 2009
1:20 pm
As my teenage neighbor put it so well: “Free Willie” and Bobo needs to gogo!
ATL GATOR
October 31st, 2009
1:25 pm
Tim Tebow…Up the middle…Touchdown and new SEC rushing TD record. OH MY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Buzzy
October 31st, 2009
1:35 pm
bullS$hitters——-its time for AABFLA
ANNUAL AZZKICKIN BY FLORIDA
DEAL WITH IT FLEABAGS—ITS YOUR MONTH—-WE GETCHA IN 4 WEEKS
SCVDawg`
October 31st, 2009
1:44 pm
I love the Dawgs but Richt has to be convinced Martinez spells doom for a competitive defense in the SEC or any future titles of any kind in football at UGA. Quality talent is playing with no heart or spirit and brings a losing attitude to the field each week. You can see it in their eyes, their play and their attitude.
Swampdawg
October 31st, 2009
1:48 pm
Ok you Gator OverRator Scoffers!
Got ur pencil?
Write this down! Dawgs 28 Gators 27
Pitbull
October 31st, 2009
1:51 pm
An acceptable result? How obout if the SEC refs don’t screw up the game.