Live from Athens: Another big Auburn game for Richt
Oblivious to traffic customs, Auburn fans eagerly await the Tiger Walk. (Photo by M. Bradley)
Athens – If we had to rank the five biggest wins of the Mark Richt Era, two would involve Auburn. The breakthrough clincher at Jordan-Hare Stadium in 2002 would be No. 1, natch, and the upset of the fifth-ranked Tigers four years later would be, I submit, No. 5. (Behind the Verron Haynes game in Knoxville, the Gator Stomp game in Jacksonville and the 2005 SEC championship over LSU.)
I mention this because a victory tonight would be huge for Georgia. It would make no impact on the BCS standings, but it could serve to jump-start the end of a season gone flat. And it would be huge because to lose to Gene Chizik in Year 1 after losing to Lane Kiffin in Year 1 would be unthinkable.
This is one of those games I figured Georgia would win when I made my predictions back in May, but Georgia isn’t as good as I thought it would be and Auburn is a tad better than I assumed. I’ll stick with the Bulldogs — no sense being wrong twice — and I will take this moment to toot my own sousaphone.
I picked Georgia to lose four games, and many among you called me crazy. Last I checked, Georgia has lost four games. I have picked every game correctly save one: I had Georgia winning in Knoxville. (And, on an unrelated matter, I also picked Georgia Tech to win the ACC title, which the Jackets can and will do two weeks hence.)
So there. It’s settled. I are a genius.
Traffic is pretty heavy for a night game — traffic for night games tends to be staggered coming in and clogged beyond measure going home — and driving in I was greeted by a strange sight. Auburn fans had lined up in the middle of East Campus Road to await the infernal Tiger Walk. This presents a problem to motorists (like yours truly) attempting to drive down East Campus Road.
I actually had to honk in the attempt to part the masses, and one Auburn guy got mad at my cheekiness. But I’m in a forgiving mood, and I’ll just chalk it up to basic culture shock over being in the big city. As we know, there are no cars in Auburn, Ala. Just tractors.
And with that, I’ll open the floor (if not the road) for discussion. I’ll be here all night, perhaps literally if Auburn folks don’t clear the streets. And I invite your participation. And I promise not to honk.
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2,391 comments Add your comment
Not Disappointed!
November 14th, 2009
4:55 pm
Evening Mark from Durham at Courtyard ready for the pups to win.
Ramblin Wreck!
flagboy?
November 14th, 2009
4:59 pm
go dawgs!
Big game. need to look good not just for this year, but for next year.
GATA Dawgs!
Chan Gailey
November 14th, 2009
5:01 pm
If Notre Dame snubs me for their upcoming head coaching position vacancy next season, let the record know I would love to be calling plays for Mark Richt in 2010. Between Martinez and me, the Bulldogs could have the best coaching staff in the country.
FIRE BOBO!
We (UF) own UGA
November 14th, 2009
5:01 pm
UGA sadly goes to 5-5 after Auburn whips them tonight. Poor, poor Dawgs! 6-6 season is looming…..How’s Joe Cox the hero done for you this season? hahahaha
Not Disappointed!
November 14th, 2009
5:04 pm
My goodness, I’m being rude. Have some brisket Mark.
Tech game today, Georgia tonite and Falcons tomorrow in Charlotte! I’m to buzz to take the rv down road. So, this Tech fan is pulling for the Ga Dawgs.
Ramblin Wreck!
mmgtfan
November 14th, 2009
5:06 pm
Mark, I know this is a UGA blog but what are your thought on Tech from today?
Mark Bradley
November 14th, 2009
5:06 pm
Couldn’t find any brisket. But I did find a Wendy’s.
mmgtfan
November 14th, 2009
5:06 pm
thoughts*
Mark Bradley
November 14th, 2009
5:07 pm
My thoughts on Tech: About like I expected. Tech is way too good for Duke. Tech is too good for anybody in that conference.
Thanks for asking, mmgtfan.
Not Disappointed!
November 14th, 2009
5:10 pm
I just got in the hotel room. How did Tenn fair? I hope the Gators lose.
Chan Gailey
November 14th, 2009
5:10 pm
Also mark, I don’t appreciate the bad press I’ve gotten lately from the AJC. Lest you forget, I almost beat the bulldogs during their glory days under Mark Richt. In fact, I almost beat them quite a few times. Now that UGA is going downhill, you make CPJ out to be a genius as he wins with my recruits and some lucky breaks on boneheaded fourth down calls.
Jack
November 14th, 2009
5:11 pm
Bradley, you are such a Georgia homer. Nice tractor remark considering you are among all the Georgia Rednecks, sidewalk alumni, and Thuga fans. Wonder what gimmick Saint Rick will use to try to rally the Thugs.
Tom
November 14th, 2009
5:13 pm
Turnip trying to evade two mules
Mark Bradley
November 14th, 2009
5:13 pm
Tennessee got whomped.
Bob
November 14th, 2009
5:18 pm
I am a Georgia fan, but i almost hope they lose this game in embarrassing fashion just so it serves as a catalyst to promote some change with the program. I dont want another decade of rebuilding years. I hope we lose out and dont make a bowl game so they are forced to take a long hard look at whats going on with those clowns.
45ACP
November 14th, 2009
5:20 pm
USC is getting whomped and I’m not crying.
USCe are hanging with the mighty Gators.
GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lowcountry Dawg
November 14th, 2009
5:20 pm
Greetings from Charleston, SC…here’s hopin’ UGA and the Dawgs can send Aubie and the Tigers/War Eagles/Plainsmen…whatever they want to be called today back with an L and their tales between their legs…
GO DAWGS!!
McDawg
November 14th, 2009
5:21 pm
Bob you are a horses’ arse
sprouse27
November 14th, 2009
5:21 pm
I”m not optimistic about tonight’s game. We’ll see what the UGA coaches have put together, but my guess is it’ll be more of the same. We only change colors, not our game it seems.
45ACP
November 14th, 2009
5:21 pm
Mark what is for supper? Hope the Dawgs feed you guys.
BugKiller
November 14th, 2009
5:22 pm
Mark,
Make sure you visit Little Italy after the game for the best and most authentic slice of pizza outside of NYC.
I just want to say that I haven’t been this depressed about a Georgia football team since Zeier graduated before the 1995 season.
I have absolutely no faith in Mark Richt based on the fact that 1) he continues to put the best interests of his best friend ahead of the best interests of our program 2) he has to keep on trying out these stupid gimmicks to get his team up to play some of our biggest rivals.
He’s lost this team and and it’s time for Richt to move on and Brian Kelly to move in.
Chan Gailey
November 14th, 2009
5:22 pm
Seriously though UGA fans, be honest: wouldn’t you rather have me coordinating your offense than Bobo? I’ll coach Murray up and you won’t have to worry losing to those traitor yellow jackets ever again.
Lowcountry Dawg
November 14th, 2009
5:22 pm
Has anyone seen my wife’s Skoal? She’s a Clemson fan…
McDawg
November 14th, 2009
5:23 pm
Bug Killer you are a monkey’s arse
willie martinez
November 14th, 2009
5:24 pm
Mark, what’s your prediction for how many points my guys will give up tonight? I’m thinking 13.
willie
Lowcountry Dawg
November 14th, 2009
5:24 pm
I just want to see us play some D……
BugKiller
November 14th, 2009
5:26 pm
McDawg… and you are a blind a-hole.
I think that makes us even.
willie martinez
November 14th, 2009
5:26 pm
CMR says my defense will be the key to victory. BTW B Evans won’t start.
Nino
November 14th, 2009
5:26 pm
Georgia Tech is way better than Georgia,Paul Johnson is Way better than Mark
Mark Bradley
November 14th, 2009
5:26 pm
I took a look at the fare tonight, 45ACP, and I’m not sure exactly what it was. Toast and beans, I believe. But I passed.
willie martinez
November 14th, 2009
5:27 pm
I forget, did we play ole miss this year?
willie martinez
November 14th, 2009
5:27 pm
toast and beans will make you pass.
Nino
November 14th, 2009
5:28 pm
OOOOO know body likes Tech!!!!!!
Lowcountry Dawg
November 14th, 2009
5:28 pm
LMAO at Willie!!
willie martinez
November 14th, 2009
5:28 pm
I may have to blog you Mark with a different name. Richt hates it when i talk to you during the game. he’s so jealous.
Mark Bradley
November 14th, 2009
5:29 pm
My prediction: Georgia 21, Auburn 20.
BugKiller
November 14th, 2009
5:29 pm
I think all Willie Martinez eats is toast and beans.
He sure gets passed on… a lot!
willie martinez
November 14th, 2009
5:30 pm
low, after i’m inducted into the college football hall of fame (you know bradley has nominated me) i plan to move to hollywood and write and star in a new airplane movie.
Nino
November 14th, 2009
5:30 pm
Georgia will never be good again
willie martinez
November 14th, 2009
5:31 pm
I TOLD you i would only give up 13. UGA 14-13.
BugKiller
November 14th, 2009
5:31 pm
Willie Martinez vs. a quick strike spread offense.
This is NOT going to be pretty.
Auburn 48 Dawgs 27
And then, after the game, Mark Richt will again blame his players for not executing Willie Martinez’s flawless gameplan, and then announce Willie’s contract extension and raise.
45ACP
November 14th, 2009
5:31 pm
Toast and beans? Sounds like jail food or someone on the Dave Ramsey plan.
willie martinez
November 14th, 2009
5:32 pm
Mark, i wondered what you were doing all afternoon. thought you might have gone to the kentucky vandy game. no wait, kentucky won.
Chan Gailey
November 14th, 2009
5:32 pm
Willie, since I know YOU will still be around UGA next season, any way you could put in a good word for me to all your buddies over there? Ever since KC canned me, I’ve been itching to get back into the college game.
willie martinez
November 14th, 2009
5:32 pm
bugkiller, who leaked the news about my raise and extension??
45ACP
November 14th, 2009
5:33 pm
BugKiller – Are you a Dawg fan?
willie martinez
November 14th, 2009
5:33 pm
Chan Gailey: isnt that one of the menu choices tonight bradley?
Nino
November 14th, 2009
5:34 pm
Willie please hollywood is out of your league! You aint no BALLER
willie martinez
November 14th, 2009
5:34 pm
45, back in my army days, we called it SOS.
45ACP
November 14th, 2009
5:34 pm
Is there anything, anything at all that the Dawgs do that you agree with?
Chan Gailey
November 14th, 2009
5:35 pm
After all, I know a thing or two about beating Auburn…
willie martinez
November 14th, 2009
5:35 pm
Nino, whats a baller?
45ACP
November 14th, 2009
5:35 pm
I’m familiar with SOS.
willie martinez
November 14th, 2009
5:36 pm
I’ll have a chan gailey on the rocks. orange juice on the side.
Nino
November 14th, 2009
5:36 pm
The Upson Lee Knights Could beat Georgia
willie martinez
November 14th, 2009
5:37 pm
bradley, check the batteries in the tape recorder. i’m not gonna accept any excuses this week for missing mine or cmr quotes about my defense.
Lowcountry Dawg
November 14th, 2009
5:37 pm
MMMMMMM….SOS…gives you GAS!!!!
Lowcountry Dawg
November 14th, 2009
5:38 pm
Hope all the military/veteran Dawgs had a great Vet’s Day!!
45ACP
November 14th, 2009
5:38 pm
Willie- Is the D ready tonight?
Ready to make some stops and force some punts?
What’s the game plan?
Inquiring minds want to know.
brewdawg
November 14th, 2009
5:39 pm
I can only imagine how horrible it must have been for Tech fans during the seven straight years UGA was beating you guys. Because I know better than most just how insufferable many of us UGA fans can be. But Tech fans have been so unbelievably annoying since the win last year that I think it would only take two straight victories over the ‘dawgs for you guys to trump whatever hell we gave you.
Nino
November 14th, 2009
5:39 pm
Something your not And i am Fort Valley State All the way babby
Chan Gailey
November 14th, 2009
5:39 pm
It’s not my fault my QB couldn’t count! The folks over at admissions are supposed to take care of that. All I saw was a 5′9″ dual threat monster!
Chained Dawg
November 14th, 2009
5:40 pm
Its hasnt been a good dayso far. Tech wins big , Clemsons wins big and now thinks they will win the MNC and possibly have a Heisman trophy winner in CJ Spiller. Gamecocks are crowing because they are playing toe to toe with the Gators. They actually look pretty cool with their black out Uni’s. Cant believe I typed that. Hope the Dawgs dont get blown away. The vibes are rather strange today.
Zach
November 14th, 2009
5:41 pm
Mark it pains me that you pick the bulldogs, but I think I can understand why you are picking them.
I think that if Chris Todd plays a decent game Auburn will most likely win. We have one of the best rushing offenses in the nation (UGA will see the best in two weeks), and I’m excited to see how many personal fouls Georgia will accumulate.
Quick question: Are you as high on Auburn improving in the next few years as I am with the stellar recruiting, especially from Trooper Taylor?
45ACP
November 14th, 2009
5:42 pm
Pass the SOS. Gas costs too much.
Almost $100 bucks to fill up the truck.
Nino
November 14th, 2009
5:44 pm
Every Dog dies
willie martinez
November 14th, 2009
5:45 pm
forget it. i’ll have damon get you a new recorder.
Lowcountry Dawg
November 14th, 2009
5:46 pm
Ft. Valley St. has a football team?
willie martinez
November 14th, 2009
5:48 pm
the ole ball coach is hanging with tebow 14 17 fla at start of third
Chained Dawg
November 14th, 2009
5:48 pm
Im having a bad day so far. Tech won big and Clemson won big. Clemson fans are getting cocky thinking they should have a shot at the MNC. Possibly J Spiller may have a shot at the Heisman. USC gamehens are crowing because they are playing toe to toe with the Gators. Hope the Dawgs dont get blown away today or look stupid. SC’s blackout looks better than UGA’s. The uni’s look pretty cool. Cant believe I just typed that…..
45ACP
November 14th, 2009
5:49 pm
Stanford 28 – USC 14
Bob
November 14th, 2009
5:49 pm
USC getting rolled by Stanford. How many crappy Pac 10 teams have to beat USC to knock them out of the top 10?
BugKiller
November 14th, 2009
5:50 pm
Thank you, Lowcountry. I think I did.
Though, of course, the day before was much more meaningful to me personally.
OOO-RAH!
Mark Bradley
November 14th, 2009
5:50 pm
Sorry, Willie. Had to run out and buy batteries for the tape recorder. Speaking of which …
I got in the car at the Nashville Courtyard Airport the morning of the Georgia-Vandy game and tossed my computer bag in the back seat. I drove the car around front to pick up esteemed colleague Tim Tucker, and I heard this familiar voice emanating from the back seat. Being that I was alone in the auto, I thought I had lost my mind.
But no. The play button on the recorder had gotten depressed during the backseat toss, and that voice I heard was Rick Sund, the Hawks’ GM.
willie martinez
November 14th, 2009
5:50 pm
Mark, my d will never be in cover 2 tonight. way to sick of zeier saying cover 2. wait, he never could read a defense.
Floundering Fox Hounds
November 14th, 2009
5:52 pm
UGA’s sports program is in a big decline! The last of the great pretenders ofthe SEC!!!!
willie martinez
November 14th, 2009
5:52 pm
as much as you criticize me I’m surprised it wasnt your conciense.
Lowcountry Dawg
November 14th, 2009
5:53 pm
Check out the Tim Tebow Halloween Costume Contest Winner…TOO FUNNY!!
http://www.sportsbybrooks.com/tim-tebow-halloween-costume-contest-winner-26805
willie martinez
November 14th, 2009
5:53 pm
i wish your blog had spell check
Lowcountry Dawg
November 14th, 2009
5:54 pm
HUA Killer!
willie martinez
November 14th, 2009
5:55 pm
45, cover 2 all night. bend but dont break. give up only field goals. kickoffs out of bounds so no runbacks. punt coverage, move 5 guys back before the snap. all the stuff thats worked so great all year. best willie
Chan Gailey
November 14th, 2009
5:56 pm
“con-science” willie. it’s alright.
and I so almost beat you like 3 times.
willie martinez
November 14th, 2009
5:57 pm
Mark, you’ve given me an idea. i’m going to plant a recorder in your car with karl kassell saying over and over “willie is great”.
jesse james
November 14th, 2009
5:58 pm
floundering fox – How do say UGA’s sports program is in decline? You judging a whole program by one football season. A true sports fan with any knowledge should have known this would be a tought year in football.
willie martinez
November 14th, 2009
5:58 pm
chan, better to win ballgames than spell.
BugKiller
November 14th, 2009
5:58 pm
Ranger, Lowcountry?
I knew me a couple of good Airborne Rangers in the PacNorWest. Up there near Tacoma at Ft. Lewis. Good guys.
Chan Gailey
November 14th, 2009
6:00 pm
Seriously Mark, I expect an article advocating that UGA put me on their staff next season (that is, if Notre Dame doesn’t get me first). I’ve got almost unilateral love and support among Dawg Nation. I could be just what the Doctor Richt ordered.
Zach
November 14th, 2009
6:00 pm
hey at least after this footballs season, georgia fans have the gymdawgs to look forward to.
TM
November 14th, 2009
6:01 pm
Mark,
Why are you in Athens? I thought you relocated to New Orleans.
Floundering Fox Hounds
November 14th, 2009
6:01 pm
Oh Jesse my bad …. Gymnastics and horsey sports are keeping the UGA sports program afloat!
Lowcountry Dawg
November 14th, 2009
6:01 pm
No, Sir, Killer…Air Force…but I thank God for them all…Soldiers, Sailors, Marines…
Mark Bradley
November 14th, 2009
6:01 pm
New Orleans? Not me.
BugKiller
November 14th, 2009
6:01 pm
Willie,
You should have the recorder with Buck Belue calling all of us realistic members of Bulldog Nation idiots over and over again, and him sticking up for your sorry butt over and over and over again.
I have to ask, Willie, what’s it like having Belue’s lips permanently stuck to your butt? Is it fun?
Mark Bradley
November 14th, 2009
6:02 pm
The power of suggestion. Coach Martinez, you’re a wise man.
Lowcountry Dawg
November 14th, 2009
6:02 pm
Can’t wait for “Diamond Dawgs” Baseball in the spring!!
Chan Gailey
November 14th, 2009
6:03 pm
I did win ballgames Willie. Several of them each season, in fact. Without ever being preseason # 1. It’s called consistency, and I don’t think UGA or GT will be seeing my type of consistency any time soon. Matter of fact, I STILL have the Humanitarian bowl reps on my speed dial.
BugKiller
November 14th, 2009
6:03 pm
Hey, I knew me a few good Airman, too. Big K. Except I wasn’t allowed in the E Club. Too many fights between Marines and Airmen on Okinawa.
willie martinez
November 14th, 2009
6:04 pm
Mark, we may rip the red shirt off of aaron murray tonight.
willie martinez
November 14th, 2009
6:05 pm
bugkiller, Bradley and i dont put up with vulgarity on this blog.
Lowcountry Dawg
November 14th, 2009
6:05 pm
If we win, we go to Shreveport…which is near New Orleans…