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
MattDawg
October 30th, 2009
9:32 am
October 31st 2009 Final Dawgs 17 Lizards 10. Write that down.
fan
October 30th, 2009
9:34 am
A WIN is all that suffices! We’re not Tech where moral victories mean something!
GMan
October 30th, 2009
9:35 am
I love how people are talking about a ‘pedestrian’ offense for UF. Yes, they do have problems when in the red zone but they don’t have one between the 20’s. They are ranked #8 nationally in total offense while UGA is ranked #70 in total defense. UGA is also ranked 90th in total offense. Florida is #22 in 3rd down conversion while UGA is is #62. Florida is also #7 in first downs with only Texas ranked higher (#5) and Georgia at a pedestrian #110 out of 120 teams! BTW, none of the top 10 have better 3rd-down stats than Florida. It takes more than a bye-week to turn UGAs problems around but the Gators only need to throw the ball or run it in for a score from the 25-yard line to fix their redzone problems – just don’t go into it! UF 30, UGA 13.
Reality
October 30th, 2009
9:37 am
After the Falcons get throttled by the Saints, Coach BVG will come back home to save the day!
the real Old Gold
October 30th, 2009
9:37 am
STFU saint simons… You are an idiot. Go Gators.
Hotdawg
October 30th, 2009
9:38 am
UF should hand out temporary Florida driver’s licenses to the UGA football team as they arrive at the stadium or run on to the field.
Mobile Dawg
October 30th, 2009
9:40 am
Mark, I’m a torn human being if I toil over this. As a long time Dawg, I’m deeply dissappointed in how the Dawgs have played so inconsistently during the last few years. As I’ve said many times before I can accept a loss, if we show up to play. Far to many times we haven’t appeared to be prepared to play.
I’m mad over the fact that there have been NO adjustments to the staff with all the problems we’ve seen. CMR is accountable. I’ve said before the supporters have the power, aka, $$$ that help support the program. It’s unrealistic to think that long time supporters will not contribute and buy the precious few season tickets. So what do we do? We get on here and blog our thoughts but they have a very weak arm. The fastest way to get change is to send a letter to Damon threatenting to withhold our $$$ if the product they are going to give us is lip service vs a consistently well prepared, competetive, well coached football team.
CMR, at least to me, comes across as almost arrogant, definitely defensive at the state of the program. A clear non biased view from my perspective shows a program in shambles.
Regardless of how this game turns out, and I will cheer on the Dawgs, I expect change. Without it, I will give up my seat next year. I’m not calling for CMR to be relieved, just for him to earn his $2.8 salary.
Action, not noise will force Richt to make the changes so many see that are necessary. Again, we’ve been passed by UA, UF, and UT. We’re on the same level as USC, UK, with the status quo. Change has come to UT, Ole Miss, Miss St, AU, and ARK. There’s no excuse I want to hear any more.
Go Dawgs, GATA
shards1967
October 30th, 2009
9:42 am
IF UGA did win, then, they would lay down vs a KY. Such is the truth when we discuss UGA. The players are not together in any game. Lousy attitudes. Lousy play ( see #9 and # 3 )
Too little too late would be my comment if we did win. It ain’t gonna happen.
Entire staff including Richt need to move on. Next year, with the same running backs, the same problem at Qb ( inexperience ) and the same defense and the same coaches, UGA will be in the same boat. Richt has taken this ship as far as he can. He is 100% pre occupied with personal issues.
We need to implement changes now in 2009. 2010 will be the same if not. Two years in the Independence Bowl vs a NC State or an NC is simply too much to stomach.
Go Dogs.
UGA class of 71 and 73
nemov
October 30th, 2009
9:42 am
GMan,
Florida’s high rankings on offense are based on blowouts against the Charleston Southern’s of the world. The Gators might drop 50 on the Dawgs tomorrow, but let’s not pretend that they’ve been a great offensive team this season.
The Other St. Simons
October 30th, 2009
9:42 am
Beer is cold, chili is being made, tee time in 2 hours…..welcome to our Island. Go Dawgs!!
robodawg
October 30th, 2009
9:43 am
No true Dawg fan could WANT their team to lose so that the coaching personnel would change. No way. What’s acceptable is a win. We played LSU close but that outcome was not satisfactory. A close loss to No. 1 won’t be either.
But if we’re going to lose, well yeah, I’d much rather play hard to the end and lose a heartbreaker (a la LSU) than be completely demoralized by the outcome (a la Tennessee). You want to at least feel like you can play this game and belong on the field.
chbeyer
October 30th, 2009
9:46 am
Prediction. Florida hangs 40+ points on Willie’s poor defensive schemes. Cox throws two interceptions and the running game is grounded. Mark Richt is quoted after the game as saying that ‘its too early to be discussing coaching changes, the season isn’t over yet….we just need to execute better.’
liz boy
October 30th, 2009
9:48 am
This article about traffic ticket before the Florida game is just the icing on the cake. No discipline at all in Athens. What has Mark Richt been doing with his time? How about, you get a traffic ticket you leave the school. Or, you get locked up you stay locked up—-you have to wonder where this coaches mind is——–hummmm—I’m done—Florida makes Georgia look like a high school program run amuck—-
2 Dawg
October 30th, 2009
9:49 am
Ihope we win 56-55. That way we get the win and Willie still gives up a ton of points. That sounds like a win-win. Willie HAS to go for the program to get better moving forward. But I will NEVER wish for a Dawg loss. GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!
Kip
October 30th, 2009
9:50 am
The only acceptable outcome is a win for the Dogs. No moral “victories” here, pal!
OrlandoDawg
October 30th, 2009
9:51 am
ITS EMBARRASSING TO SEE RESHAD JONES TRY TO TACKLE
waynester
October 30th, 2009
9:53 am
WIN!
Hire Andrews and Amato from FSU when Bobby retires and Fisher takes over.
Reunite the winning staff from the Nat. Champ. days in Tallahassee.
finkle316
October 30th, 2009
9:53 am
The end zone dance in 07 pretty much sealed the Dawgs fate for the next 20 years. That stupid little celebration is going to be bulletin board fodder for generations to come. Our children’s, children will look back on that infamous day and say WHY!!!!
The Dawgs cannot compete and will not compete for any SEC titles until Willie figures out (or gets fired) that the zone read defense just isn’t going to cut it anymore in the SEC. Now that Saban, Kiffin and Myer are running these spread and NFL style offenses.
The Dawgs have the athletes to compete but they lack the leadership and coaches that other teams have. Don’t get me wrong CMR is one of the greatest human beings walking the earth, outstanding family man, great for the community. But he needs to put personal feelings aside and clean house at the end of the season or he may be packing up himself.
And let’s not forget about the king of the screen pass OC Bobo. He needs to cast a bronze statue of AJ Green (the best receiver in the country) at his house for making him look like he knows a little bit about what he is doing this year.
If the worst rated QB in the SEC, Jonathan Crompton can have a career day against the Dawgs. What do you think Superman; I mean Tebow is going to do to that defense. Let’s just hope that they don’t hang half a hundred on them.
Reality
October 30th, 2009
9:54 am
Just something to think about…
After the LSU game a friend of mine and I where discussing what is going on with the
program and clearly there is something missing.
We have no David Pollack, Quentin Moses, Marcus Howard, Boss Bailey, Odell Thurman, Thomas Davis, Greg Blue, etc. to hit you in the mouth and put the fear of God into the opposing “O”. We have no Musa Smith, Thomas Brown, or Knowson Moreno to pound the ball. We have no Ben Watson, Leonard Pope, or Randy McMichael. We have no Jon Stinchcomb, Kevin Breedlove, Max Jean-Gilles, Russ Tanner, or Fernando Velasco getting nasty down in the trenches and putting a beat down on the opposing “D”.
I believe the biggest problem with Georgia is that our “killer instinct” voice and motivator is gone…Coach Van Gorder. That attitude/focus transcended the whole team and gave the whole team some identity and swagger. When you think about it, the last group that spent anytime with him was the senior class of ‘07(they were freshman in ‘04, BVG last season). As far as the defense goes last two years have been all Coach Martinez’s boys. Coach Richt is a great man but he is also the gentle one and does not appear to be the one who will “kick you in the a..” when needed or keep the throttle down when you are up on the other team. We need another Van Gorder minded coach to balance the malaise running through the program. Reminds me of Bobby Cox and the Braves.
This team is soft and the program has been soft for some time. They are not committed to the run enough, which has been mentioned ever since this staff was in place (remember Tuberville’s comments to Richt after the ‘01 game). When Ealey came in a gave a spark, how do you not ride that horse for the rest of the game. Play calling makes no sense anymore with this program.
Don’t get me wrong, we have some of the best coaches in the nation and I am not saying to throw the baby out with the bath water but something must change soon.
Otto
October 30th, 2009
9:55 am
Quote: An acceptable loss will show improvement on both sides of the ball, heart, fire and leadership.
The team showed much of that this season but they were outcoached. The team fought LSU and UT until the end.
Monte showed the blueprint on how to beat UF?
No CWM did 2 years ago and this UF team is looking much the same. The difference is UGA has no offense to score. Bobo had 6 3 and outs to LSU and another 6 to UT. UF has a better defense this year than 2 years ago as well as UT or LSU.
I agree with postr above I see UF getting 27 to 35 and UGA getting 3 or 6 in a boring long trainwreck UF never looks like a #1 offense and UGA looking like a mid tier team. If a TD is scored it is from a kick return or defense running back a turnover.
All that said I hope UGA somehow pulls the miracle and Bobo and CWM have come up with creative ways to win the game launching this UGA team like the ‘06 victory over Auburn. (Yes I know it is unlikely but thats the dream)
GMan
October 30th, 2009
9:58 am
Awww nemov, if we are comparing apples to apples…then aren’t we still comparing your team to Vandy stats – aren’t they 2-6 like Charleston Southern? Are you wanting to compare body of work and strength of schedule? According to the NCAA not some pollster, UF’s schedule of strength is ranked #16 while UGA is ranked #33. So your numbers should be twice as good as Florida’s if you want to go there.
Dawg Reflections
October 30th, 2009
9:58 am
I believe the question was get a win and maybe keep Willie, or lose and be rid of him? I hope they destroy us and in the process score 50+. I want a new DC! Keeping Willie will do far more long term damage to our program than yet another thrashing at the hands of the Gators in Jacksonville.
I wish I had enough faith in Coach Richt to make objective decisions about our DC (and other staff issues) with or without a win in Jacksonville. I am steadfastly behind Coach Mark Richt, but I feel unfortunately that he will likely seek to use this game (should we win) to try an politic his way out of making some obviously needed changes. Namely WILLIE!!!!! I really hate that I feel this way, but I do.
Of course I will be happy if we win. The players work hard and deserve it.
Hold Richt Accountable
October 30th, 2009
9:59 am
To ‘The Truth’:
I don’t make $2.8M a year and you probably don’t either. It’s a totally different ballgame. Since he’s no longer calling plays, preferring to be the CEO of the team (the term that even Richt has used) instead. Well, if you’re the head coach/CEO and you aren’t calling plays, then it’s now your job to fire the play caller if they aren’t performing. And if the head coach/CEO isn’t doing their job, then the head coach needs to be reconsidered.
That’s nearly $3M walking out the door of my alma mater every year. For those figures, I expect UGA to AT LEAST be a serious contender for the NC. And is it too much to ask to start beating FLA on a regular basis? I remember the 80s. Good times. If UGA will hire a guy SPECIFICALLY to beat FLA, I guarantee you that we start playing for and winning some NCs. I don’t think Richt has the fire or knows how to coach/handle/manage a power football team.
Hire JON GRUDEN!
October 30th, 2009
10:00 am
Saturday…14 penalties, 3 interceptions, 2 fumbles, minus 10 rushing yards and green gets hurt….Richt, ” Well we played a great team today and now I am worrying only about tenn tech”….No you just got your walking papers at 4-4 this isnt miss state….Seriously name one team out there in Div 1a that would hire martinez or bobo right now. Dawgs lose 49-3.
TX Dawg Fan
October 30th, 2009
10:00 am
Forget about a moral victory. We have a chance to destroy Florida’s season and with some luck maybe win the east. It’s time for MR to get this program back on track. The game was very close for a half last year. They can be beat. I’m predicting an upset(GA 21 FL 17).
fire richt
October 30th, 2009
10:02 am
Urban wants it more. Always will. Richt is soft! We need a change. when will georgia fans wise up? how many more losses will it take? richt does not have the mental capacity or the want to to beat UF. I am dissapointed in our fans tolerance when it comes to losing to UF. Richt must go. This game has turned in to a joke. It is killing the rivalry.
Just win baby
October 30th, 2009
10:03 am
An acceptable result is a win. I don’t want to hear anything about a moral victory. Moral victories are the trophies that all 12 year-olds receive to mark the end of a season regardless of the wins or losses. After losses to Okie State, UT and LSU, I will not be satisfied with even a one point loss.
ugaaccountant
October 30th, 2009
10:03 am
Liz Boy “How about, you get a traffic ticket you leave the school. Or, you get locked up you stay locked up”
And next time you get a traffic ticket, you should be fired from your job too. My bad, I meant kicked out of your junior high school.
another loss
October 30th, 2009
10:04 am
Uf by 40! fire richt is right this game is no fun anymore. thanks richt!
Stump Stewart
October 30th, 2009
10:05 am
I’ve sent Mark Richt a couple plays I hope he will run in Jacksonville. I also wrote Willie Martinez and threw out a few suggestions on how to contain Tebow. I think we’ll see some of that working in Jacksonville. These coaches don’t want to lose. Tanning beds ain’t cheap. I think they will do all they can to keep their jobs so they can keep tanning year round. We are going to see some of ol’ Stump’s plays being run on Saturday. You can bet on it.
Randy Marsh
October 30th, 2009
10:05 am
I will personally be shocked if we stay within 20 of this team. A struggling offense just needs to play our D and problem solved. They’ll have receivers making plays all over the field and our offense may not reach the red zone, unless we get a turnover or have a big punt return. Cox isn’t mobile enough for this D so I hope the OL is ready. This will be sickening. There shouldn’t be this big of a gap between these 2 programs. To answer Mark’s question, a loss within 2 TD’s would be an accomplishment, as sad as that is.
Coach Cool
October 30th, 2009
10:05 am
Show me someone who is satisfied with losing by a low margin, and I’ll show you a LOSER.
DBalcer
October 30th, 2009
10:05 am
No true DAWG fan should hope the DAWG wins. I call those fans spectators.
ugaaccountant
October 30th, 2009
10:06 am
Hold Richt Accountable “That’s nearly $3M walking out the door of my alma mater every year. For those figures, I expect UGA to AT LEAST be a serious contender for the NC.”
Do you realize how ridiculous your standard is? It is extremely rare, maybe 1 program a decade, that is consistently a contender for the NC every year. If you didn’t mean every year, then may I point out we were contenders most every year this decade.
Richt must go
October 30th, 2009
10:06 am
how do reshard jones and bryan evans keep thier jobs? they wouldnt make UF’s scout team. Nice job “evaluating” willie!
DBalcer
October 30th, 2009
10:06 am
That should say no true fan should hope the DAWGS lose. Is there anyway to delete your own comment. Fans who want their team to lose are spectators.
Mary Wanna
October 30th, 2009
10:07 am
Good post, Shards. No loss is acceptable, but at this point we’ve had a dozen unacceptable losses in two seasons. Do the math: make changes in ‘09 that could solidify ‘10 play.
THIS SOUTH FLORIDA BULLDOG WILL CELEBRATE EVERY TIME GA KNOCKS A SNOT BUBBLE IN A GATOR’S NOSE.
I’ll take what I can get, including a GA victory and a BVG head coaching job!
JaxDawg
October 30th, 2009
10:07 am
GMan-In a rival game you can throw all the stats out the window.
The difference in this game will come down to 1 thing: Gameplaning.
IF the coaches actually sat down with the extra week and came up with a plaf for the gators, then we have a better than average chance of winning.
If however they run the same “one-size-fits-all” offense and defense, then the gators are going to tee off on us on both sides of the ball.
We will see on Sat.
Go Dawgs!!!
SEC powerhouse NOT
October 30th, 2009
10:08 am
let’s see, with huge wins over Troy and Charleston Southern, Miss St and a Pending win over FIU, I can see why UGA would be trembling with fear to play the Gators. Remind me why this team is ranked number one again.
Red
October 30th, 2009
10:08 am
Georgia must win! There is no other option in this annual game. If they don’t win heads will roll at UGA. The players need to step up and they will. The coaches need to have a good game plan and they will. UGA wins this one 13-10 and upsets the best team in the country and establishes themselves as a program that is still in the TOP 25!
jason
October 30th, 2009
10:09 am
Mark Bradley, you Sir have come with some tough questions today. I think the score of this game will be around the 24-20 you picked. I just really don’t know who will have the 24. As for the question in regards to a win of #1 UF vs. another year of CWM… That is a tough one. Beating UF whether they are #1 or whatever they are ranked is priceless considering the history the past 20 years or so. If a loss is to insure that CWM is gone (I know that’s not what you are saying) I would have to take the loss in blowout fashion. I just don’t think this game will factor into CWM’s employment. I think games such as UK, AUB, and Tech will have more bearing there.
In my heart, I think UGA has a chance at the upset. In my mind also. Look, UGA is battle tested. We have played one of if not the toughest schedule to date. UF has had it pretty easy with only LSU team as a formible foe. UF also is not clicking on all cylinders on offense. As well as the defense has played, who is it to say that the UF D will not hit a wall this weekend. This UF team looks tired and begging for a Bye week. The biggest 2 factors in this game is UF cannot score TDs in the RZ, while UGA plays its best D inside the RZ. That will be hige in this game if those 2 trends continue.
75Dawg
October 30th, 2009
10:09 am
I think all the talk of coaching changes et al does absolutely nothing to help the program that we as UGA fans all cherish. Just let it go until after the last play of the last game and then I am quite confident it will be dealt with appropriately.
As for the game, no doubt we are prohibitive underdogs. I do think the week off gives us a definite advantage/plus. Will it be enough to pull the unthinkable or even keep it close — heck, who knows. I don’t think Florida is nearly the team they were last year — not even close. I think Bama would man handle them if they were playing this week. But, they are still better than us on paper by a comformtable margin.
I predicted on a message board frequented by many that we would be 8-4 or 7-5 before the season. I stand by that — unfortunately that could be in jeopardy also. I am not satisfied with the program at this moment but I am patient enough to realize that this staff has done some really good things and I am not willing to throw them over the cliff just yet.
JB Wright
October 30th, 2009
10:10 am
An acceptable result would be to just go play. No “look how cute I am” smirks from Richt. Richt is another Dooley. He may get one title in 30 years. Just like Shug Jordan. Mediocre. Nothing more. It would be his style to win this year when it doesn’t matter, and promptly lose when everythinhg matters. Get used to it. They love him, just like booger fingers Cox, we’ll never get this guy outta there.
UGA alumni
October 30th, 2009
10:11 am
The only acceptable result ever is a victory. I doubt a victory is forthcoming and no that loss is not and never will be acceptable. There are no moral victories in football.
We pay our coaches very well to win. When they cannot provide victorious results then something has got to be done to change that!
Are you listening Mark Richt & staff?
Bradley G
October 30th, 2009
10:12 am
Sometimes one has to lose a fight in order to win the war. I am proud of the 07-08 Basketball Dawgs for their SEC tournament win. The problem was there was no way of getting rid of the moustache after that miraculous feat. So UGA had to endure more time with a guy that wasn’t able to cut it as a coach in the SEC. Same goes for tomorrow. If we blow them out, I will be hysterically happy! But, it will mean no shakeup in the coaching staff, and therefore at LEAST another year of mediocrity. A beat down loss would mean CMR would have to make a coaching change. Do not want a loss, but I sure would rather win the war! Go Dawgs!
HBTD
October 30th, 2009
10:12 am
Dawgs win in a thriller, 20 – 17, on a 55 yard Blair Walsh FG as time expires.
Richt must go
October 30th, 2009
10:12 am
Enter your comments here
GMan
October 30th, 2009
10:12 am
JaxDawg, I actually agree with you!
jake
October 30th, 2009
10:15 am
All you Tech people shut up. Your comments were not solicited here.
charlotte_dawg
October 30th, 2009
10:15 am
If you can’t russ the passer and you can’t run block, you can’t win against good teams. Our D-line and Safety play are just not SEC caliber for whatever reason. I like our corners and LB’s along with the offensive skill players but that’s not enough in a tough league like the SEC.
26-10 Jean Shorts with a late UGA touchdown to make it look more respectable than it really was.