Forget Tech. UGA’s biggest remaining game is Auburn
For all the impassioned history with Georgia Tech and Florida, Georgia’s watershed game has historically been Auburn. Sugar fell from the sky at Jordan-Hare Stadium in 1982, a hunkered-down day that marked the culmination of the Herschel Era. A year later Bo Jackson and Lionel James won 13-7 in Athens — “Tastes like dog meat,” Bo would say afterward, a sprig of hallowed hedge between his teeth — to signal the shift of SEC power.
Vince Dooley’s last loss was at Auburn in 1988. (Smokey Hodge blew up Tim Worley with a hit that resounds still.) Ray Goff saved his job — for a year, anyway — by tying the Tigers, who were 20-0 under Terry Bowden, in 1994. Jim Donnan’s breakthrough win came in four overtimes at Auburn in 1996. And it was at Auburn where David Greene threw deep for Michael Johnson to give Georgia its first championship since the aforementioned sugar deluge.
And now we come to another significant installment of the oldest rivalry in the deep South, a game of apparently modest portfolio — neither side is ranked in the AP poll — but massive importance. Georgia is 5-4. If it loses Saturday night, it must beat Kentucky just to achieve bowl eligibility and must then beat Tech to avoid its first non-winning regular season in 13 years. The Auburn game figures to define how history views these curious Bulldogs, but for Mark Richt there’s a more pressing concern.
Richt has been in place since 2001, and for the first time we can say his program is in decline. Even when the Bulldogs were 6-4 in 2006, they were doing it with a hugely gifted freshman quarterback and figured to get better. (And the turnaround game for Matthew Stafford came, wouldn’t you know, with an upset of No. 5 Auburn.) The prognosis this time is hazier. Georgia will have a new quarterback again in 2010, and he won’t be Stafford. Richt needs to change his staff, but there’s no guarantee he will.
Those are internal considerations. External forces are at work. Georgia has already lost to Tennessee — by 26 points! — in Year 1 under Lane Kiffin, and now the Bulldogs are a skinny home favorite over Auburn in Year 1 under Gene Chizik. The emphasis of both new men has been on recruiting, Kiffin with his helicopter and Chizik with his white limousine. Both Tennessee and Auburn are coming after Georgia products, which means both are coming after Richt.
Loading ...Kiffin’s bluster aside, Auburn has the deeper footprint in this state. Pat Dye won four SEC titles largely because he raided Georgia. (Tracy and David Rocker were from Atlanta. Jeff Burger was from Cedartown. Lionel James, the Little Train to Bo’s big diesel, was from Albany. Craig Ogletree was from Barnesville. Stacy Searels, now the Bulldogs’ line coach, was from Trion.) Tommy Tuberville went 13-0 in 2004 with Ronnie Brown and Carlos Rogers, Georgia products who became NFL first-rounders.
A weakened Georgia program cannot expect to parry the recruiting thrusts of both Tennessee and Auburn if both reconfigured teams own a victory over the Bulldogs in the same transitional season. As tempting as it is to believe in Richt — who has, we should stipulate, earned the benefit of several doubts — it canot be denied that this coach has never been put under this much pressure.
Georgia has been lapped by Florida in its division, and Alabama and LSU are established fortresses in the SEC West. Should the Bulldogs cede ground to both Tennessee and Auburn, it might be years before they again register in this conference.
Having already lost to Kiffin, Richt cannot lose to Chizik. Forget Tech two days after Thanksgiving. Auburn is the biggest game these Bulldogs have left.
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530 comments Add your comment
ROLL TIDE!
November 9th, 2009
10:59 am
First!
Suck It, Haters!
ROLL TIDE!
November 9th, 2009
11:02 am
You UGA Pound Puppies better be glad you are not facing Coach Saban this year. Playing against Auburn is like playing the Bama 3rd-String JV Freshman Team.
Mark Richt *F E A R S* Coach Saban and the Crimson Nation like a bleeding pit bull fears Michael Vick.
14th National Title, Here We Come!
Lenwood
November 9th, 2009
11:03 am
Agreed. Auburn is our oldest rival, and conference game.
norman cowins haircut
November 9th, 2009
11:03 am
I agree with this. Would also like to point out that with Worley and Wayne Johnson…we had some chances in 1988.
brandon
November 9th, 2009
11:03 am
very interesting perspective.
Saint Simons
November 9th, 2009
11:05 am
45-42 !!!!!!!!!!! hahahahahahahahahahahahaha
WILLIE M.
November 9th, 2009
11:06 am
UGA should schedule more teams like Tenn. Tech. GO DAWGS!!!!!
Old Dawg
November 9th, 2009
11:06 am
Nice, impolite, way to start the week Roll Tide.
Stat Man
November 9th, 2009
11:06 am
BTW – Don’t look now, but there are more ACC teams in the top 25 than SEC teams.
Anybody that says they saw that coming is a liar – BUT I LOVE IT!!!!
VolnATL
November 9th, 2009
11:06 am
Proper order will be restored to the SEC. Ga has no place at, or near the top of the SEC. This conference has and always will belong to the real powers of the SEC:
TN, AL, FL, LSU, and AU.
2 more losses on the way doggies!!!
HBTD
November 9th, 2009
11:10 am
Mark. You’re dead on the mark today. The Auburn game is huge for a number of reasons, but most notably is that it gets the dawgs back on track to make a late season run at a New Years day / New Years eve game. What do you think about the dawgs running the table and getting a bid to the Chic-fil-a bowl against Miami??
DawginLex
November 9th, 2009
11:10 am
alabama people still can’t count.
Some of those 12 national titles are about as legit as us claiming one in 2002 and 2007. Some years, the vote was done before the bowls were played and then Bama lost the bowl game.
what a freaking joke.
now on to Aubie.
Dead on right with this being a big game. I predict whoever has the ball last with enough time on the clock to score wins. Their defense may be worse than ours.
42-37 Dawgs
MEYER
November 9th, 2009
11:10 am
FLORIDA ROLLS TIDE. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!!!!!
PT
November 9th, 2009
11:10 am
Mark, Most of the UGA contingent is more excited about Murray with all the weopons then they were with Stafford. Stafford did not have the talent around him like Murray does. You are wrong to the aspect UGA is in decline. Was LSU in decline last year. NO, the rebuilt. Thats what Georgia is doing.
Blackberry Cobbler
November 9th, 2009
11:11 am
“Richt needs to change his staff, but there’s no guarantee he will.”
If that’s to be the case, then I say we fire ‘em all including CMR at the end of this season. More and more, CMN looks to be a Bobby Bowden clone…. I really nice guy, but his elevator don’t go quite all the way to the top.
Tech is clearly a better team this year. Loosing to Tech at their place, as painful as it would be, won’t be a surprise. Loose to Auburn and/or UK, and this season is pretty much toast as if it weren’t already.
Yellow Fuzz
November 9th, 2009
11:11 am
For once I hope the dogs win a game. I hope they beat Auburn or Kentucky. I want them to HAVE to win at Tech to get a bowl invite. I want that very much.
MASSDAWG
November 9th, 2009
11:12 am
Roll tidey: Mark Richt has a winning record vs. Nick Satan all time!!!!! have facts if you want to talk on here!
Mark Bradley
November 9th, 2009
11:12 am
Uh, Stafford had Knowshon Moreno, did he not? Is there a Knowshon on this roster?
Mark Bradley
November 9th, 2009
11:12 am
Don’t think it will happen, HBTD. I do think Georgia will win Saturday, though.
TechFan
November 9th, 2009
11:14 am
As a true fan of Tech, I would like Georgia to win against Auburn and Kentucky and lose against us. That way the computers will think we are better from a win against UGA (or a loss if that were to actually happen). Good luck to both teams. THWG on 11/28!
GIVE ME A BREAK
November 9th, 2009
11:15 am
The Dawgs can’t run the table, they run around the table and stay under the table. Youv’e got to be kidding.
HBTD
November 9th, 2009
11:16 am
Of course they can run the table. It’s not like they’re playing anybody of a real high calibre.
Villa Rica DAWG
November 9th, 2009
11:17 am
If we lose to Auburn it might be years before this team registers in the SEC again??? That’s a little over-dramatic…
Delbert D.
November 9th, 2009
11:19 am
I have to pull for Auburn in this one. I figure they owe me, for the out-of-state tuition I paid when my daughter decided to go there instead of UGA. Grrr…
Georgia Headlines – 11/9/09 | MrSEC.com
November 9th, 2009
11:20 am
[...] Mark Bradley of The AJC writes that Mark Richt’s program is in decline, therefore he must win against Auburn to fend off their recruiting invasion of the Peach State.4. About 7,000 to 10,000 folks didn’t show up for Georgia’s win [...]
Coach Martinez
November 9th, 2009
11:21 am
How ’bout that D last Saturday, Dog fans? My old roommate was so happy, he okayed my raise for next year!!!
Short Memory
November 9th, 2009
11:21 am
“Georgia has been lapped by Florida in its division, and Alabama and LSU are established fortresses in the SEC West. Should the Bulldogs cede ground to both Tennessee and Auburn, it might be years before they again register in this conference”
It has been – maybe – 18 months since you would have said Georgia has lapped Florida or is at least equal, and Alabama was 2 years away. LSU lost, what, 5 games last year. If UGA comes out next season and starts 5 or 6 and 0 all of this will be swept away. I know you sell papers and get people to read w/ hyperbole, but come on. There is no objectivity in this. Logic has completely left us. I am not saying there are no issues w/ UGA, there definitely are. I am just amazed at how quickly people jump off the bandwagon – and you were right on it with everyone else before last season. I have heard that things are seldom as good or bad as they appear.
HBTD
November 9th, 2009
11:22 am
Delbert. I hear you. I’m in the same boat!
AUBURN FAN
November 9th, 2009
11:23 am
This Saturday won’t be the last beating the Dawgs get this year.
All I'm Saying Is...
November 9th, 2009
11:24 am
We will truly find out what kind of motivator and coach Richt is over the next three games because — despite what most everyone thinks — these Dawgs can beat Auburn, Kentucky, and Georgia Tech.
Auburn is inconsistent and ripe for the picking.
Kentucky is Kentucky and this ‘aint basketball.
And Tech will come into that game thinking BCS and hearing Orange Bowl with a win…only to potentially have it blow up in their faces due to too many turnovers which is easy to envision with their high octane but high risk offense.
Can’t wait to see how this movie ends which is what makes the high wire act that is regular season college football great!
Tide Rising
November 9th, 2009
11:24 am
Old Dawg,
That was pretty funny; pointed and needed also.
RAMBLE ON!!!
November 9th, 2009
11:25 am
It’s almost sad how far and fast our Little Brothers in Athens have fallen.
…almost.
RogerDawg
November 9th, 2009
11:25 am
Bradley
You’re delusional. Georgia will win out…..they know their backs are against the wall and this past week helped answer some questions.
UGA 23 Auburn 17 UGA will control the ball during the game…Auburn can’t pass and won’t be able to run on the Dawgs.
UGA 38 Kentucky 14 This one won’t be close. Georgia wins in all facets of the game.
UGA 42 Georgia Tech 31 CMR will control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball…keeping Tech off the field. Won’t be as close as score indicates.
Then it will be either the Outback or Chik-fil-A. I’d rather go to the Outback.
Go Dawgs
Coach Martinez
November 9th, 2009
11:26 am
Be careful what you ask for Fuzz, it’s only been what 3 years since we all were in this same position. I will submit that PJ is a heck of an upgrade over Gailey.
SWFLJacket
November 9th, 2009
11:26 am
Even if it improves our rankings to beat an improved Uga_y, still want both Auburn and Ky to walk easy.
Short Memory
November 9th, 2009
11:26 am
Ramble On…Do you always smoke crack before lunch?
P-Man
November 9th, 2009
11:26 am
The next game is always the most important. It’s the only way to play.
Delbert D.
November 9th, 2009
11:26 am
HBTD – Yeah, bad influences from her high school friends. A bunch of them went there. Funny, we heard a LOT about the roaches in their dorms for about 6 months.
NADADAWG
November 9th, 2009
11:29 am
UGA needs to close the lid on the casket, this season is OVER.
38-3
November 9th, 2009
11:30 am
RAMBLE ON!!! still waiting on those chick-fil-a bowl rings you MORON.
GT with a LUCKY win against Wake Forest. You are not as good as your RECORD, your defense will BETRAY you. It’ll be heartbreaking to watch, (FOR YOU), and FUN for everyone else who HATES the insects!
PMC
November 9th, 2009
11:31 am
Aaron Murray was one of the best QB’s in the nation last season. I have no reason to believe he won’t have at least as good a year as Matt Barkley next season. Georgia is plenty good at the skill positions the next several years though they could do better at running back.
I’m not sure that either line of scrimmage is good enough to play a full SEC schedule however.
cantondawg
November 9th, 2009
11:32 am
Mark Richt= Bobby Bowden clone. Great..I’ll that anyday..BB is one of the greatest coaches ever
willie martinez
November 9th, 2009
11:33 am
Thanks Mark. at last a column without a bunch of criticism of me! you’re learning bud.
Yellow Fuzz
November 9th, 2009
11:34 am
lol. I’m gonna copy and paste this one in a file and repost it in 3-4 weeks. lol.
RogerDawg
November 9th, 2009
11:25 am
Bradley
You’re delusional. Georgia will win out…..they know their backs are against the wall and this past week helped answer some questions.
UGA 23 Auburn 17 UGA will control the ball during the game…Auburn can’t pass and won’t be able to run on the Dawgs.
UGA 38 Kentucky 14 This one won’t be close. Georgia wins in all facets of the game.
UGA 42 Georgia Tech 31 CMR will control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball…keeping Tech off the field. Won’t be as close as score indicates.
Then it will be either the Outback or Chik-fil-A. I’d rather go to the Outback.
Go Dawgs
HBTD
November 9th, 2009
11:36 am
RogerDawg. Agree. The game against the nats want be close this year. Last year’s 2nd half was an anomoly. UGA’s DL should be able to stifle tech offense. Tech’s defense and special teams are also very weak this year. Apparently Tech has put up some impressive offensive numbers against what looks to be a real down ACC this year. They also put some pretty big numbers up on two of the SEC “powerhouse” teams this year. I suspect the UGA game will be a little more like their game against Clemson where they won it on special team trickery and Clemson’s special team blunders. Dawgs win this one easily 42 – 21, but it want be that close. They’ll be no letting up on the gas this year in the 2nd half.
Can the idiot named VolinAtl not read?
November 9th, 2009
11:37 am
UGA not among the “real powers” of the SEC. Go (try) and read some history, fool. Friggin’ idiot.
SouthGaDawg
November 9th, 2009
11:38 am
This whole “decline” crap is ridiculous. Of course Georgia was going to be down this year. They lost Two first round draft picks from their offense (at the QB and RB position no less), however, to say they are in decline is a joke. I guess when Florida has its 4-loss season next year (which is going to happen – although Meyer has won two national titles, he also has two four loss seasons to go with them…he’s the poster-boy of “all or nothing” seasons), you will say they are in decline. I guess LSU was in “decline” last year. Heck, I guess Alabama has been in “decline” this decade for every year except last year and this year.
And speaking of Alabama….can all of the Alabama fans shut up until Bama has actually won something? Last I checked they haven’t had a back to back 10 win season in 15 or so years (and Saban never has…) and they haven’t won an SEC title since 1999. Oh but you guys have the Sugar Bowl victory from last year…oh wait…no you don’t. The fact of the matter is that you’ve had one so-so year with Saban (how about that UL-Monroe game?), and you still haven’t won anything.
And for Mr. Bradley….stop being ridiculous. Its so funny how you can be sining Richt and Georgia’s praises at the begining of last year, and now they are garbage after a few bad losses and a so-so year. But then again, you are in the paper business, and hopefully all of this hating on Georgia will sell some papers…
By the way Mark, if Georgia beats Tech this year will you then say that Tech is on the decline?
whatever
November 9th, 2009
11:39 am
Please Please forget Tech so they can beat your azzes monster style.
yellow fuzzy nerdo
November 9th, 2009
11:42 am
GEORGIA will beat tech , regardless of whether they have to or not as GEORGIA has beaten tech 67 percent of the time since my birth, which was in the 60″s!!!! GEORGIA owns tech even when
GEORGIA has a down or rebuilding type year. good luck tho, you trainbuilding buggie!!!!
wtf
November 9th, 2009
11:43 am
Ramble on and other Bama lovers. Were you all over the UGA blogs when your team was losing to La. Tech 2 years ago? Didn’t think so. Fair weather at it’s best…