College football 2010: Georgia wins nine, Tech loses four
Washaun Ealey's Bulldogs will again run this state. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
It’s time — actually, it’s a week past due — for our annual Memorial Day college football predictions, and I begin with a word in my defense: I actually got a few things right the last time around. I said Georgia Tech would go 10-2 and win the ACC, which it did. I said Georgia would lose four games, inducing many among you to cast aspersions; the Bulldogs actually lost five games. Against that cheery backdrop, we begin:
• Georgia will go 9-3 but will finish third in the SEC East. Todd Grantham represents an upgrade. Given time, Aaron Murray will represent an upgrade. Thing is, the Bulldogs’ second game is in Columbia, and that seems a bridge too far. (More precisely, a bridge too soon.) The guess is that Georgia will be rolling come November, but that Sept. 11 loss — and one the next week against Arkansas in Athens — will keep the Bulldogs from a true breakthrough.
• Georgia’s true breakthrough? That comes in 2011.
• South Carolina will likewise lose three SEC games. It will shade Georgia in the East standings on the head-to-head tiebreaker. The Gamecocks will lose to Auburn, Alabama and Florida.
• Florida will go 11-1 because of a remarkably kind schedule. The Gators play four road games: Two against teams (Tennessee and Florida State) with new coaches and one against Vanderbilt. The Gators will lose in Tuscaloosa on Oct. 2, but they’ll see Alabama again.
• Florida will beat Alabama for the SEC title. Just one of my dumb hunches. Like the one that told me Texas would beat the Tide for the BCS crown. And the Longhorns would have except for Mack Brown’s SHOVEL PASS! (Don’t get me started.) (Alas, too late.)
• Don’t get me wrong: Alabama will be outstanding. But I recall the 2008 BCS titlist going undefeated in the regular season and losing beneath the Georgia Dome. I don’t believe the Tide in 2010 will be any better than the Gators were in 2009. And I do believe it’s tough to go through the SEC unbeaten twice in succession.
• Florida will beat a Big Ten representative for the BCS title. I’m tempted to pick the Big Ten rep, but I’ve seen that game before. I know how it ends.
• The Big Ten rep will not be Ohio State. It will be Iowa. Ask Paul Johnson about the Hawkeyes.
• Tim Tebow will win the Heisman Trophy. Whoops. Force of habit. Case Keenum — Houston QB — will win the Heisman Trophy.
• Boise State will go 11-1 but will be remembered for the “1,” not the “11.” The Broncos play Virginia Tech in Washington D.C. on Sept. 6. That’s a Labor Day “L.”
• The ACC Coastal will be the nation’s toughest division. There’s not a great team therein, but there are four good ones. Miami will be the disappointment. North Carolina will be the surprise. Virginia Tech will win the division. And Georgia Tech …
• … will finish third. I yield to no one in my esteem for Joshua Nesbitt, who had a busy offseason. (He had surgery and added two vowels to his first name.) But I cannot believe a team that bid adieu to four NFL draftees early will be quite as good. (Didn’t Georgia suffer a bit without Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno?) The Jackets will lose three road conference games: At North Carolina, at Clemson, at Virginia Tech.
• Florida State will win the ACC Atlantic. By default.
• Under Derek Dooley, Tennessee will win its final four games. The Vols will, however, lose six of their first eight.
• Southern Cal will finish fifth in the Pac-10. Lane Kiffin: Money for nothing and quips for free.
• Georgia will beat Georgia Tech. A.J. Green will catch the winning touchdown pass from Murray with 41 seconds remaining. The score will be 27-24. Paul Johnson will suppress the urge to punch somebody in the face.
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668 comments Add your comment
Paul in RDU
June 4th, 2010
10:53 am
Ormewood – You are correct – it is Renner who is getting all the press up here.
harold
June 4th, 2010
10:53 am
THE RECORD. GEORGIA WAS 4-4 IN THE SEC LAST YEAR. THE RECORD. GEORGIA IS 20-12 UNDER RICHT THE LAST 4 YEARS IN THE SEC. THE RECORD. GEORGIA WENT TO THE INDEPENDENCE BOWL LAST YEAR. THE RECORD.GEORGIA HASN’T EVEN BEEN IN THE SEC TITLE GAME IN 5 YEARS! THE RECORD. COMPARED TO SABAN AND ALABAMA, AND MEYER AND FLORIDA, GEORGIA IS AVERAGE ON A GREAT DAY!THE FACTS:IF RICHT CAN’T WIN THE SEC IT IS TIME FOR RICHT TO GO!
MenloDawg
June 4th, 2010
10:55 am
David, exactly. Bradley can’t seriously think we start the season 1-2. I think we go 9-3 as well and lose 1 of the first 4, but not 2 of the first 3.
Doug
June 4th, 2010
10:55 am
Mark-
You are aware of Richt’s head to head record against South Carolina (7-2) and Arkansas (5-0), right? I am assuming you know that both times Richt had a rough year at Georgia, he went on a national Championship run both times the next season in 2002 & 2007, finishes in the top 3 in the country, both times? I am assuming you have hasrd about the UGA O-Line’s 155 starts & about Ealey, who Scout says will become a phenom in 2010?
OSCAR
June 4th, 2010
10:59 am
Another boring and fruitless 9-3 or 10-2 season for UGA. CMR can’t win the big ones!
hank
June 4th, 2010
10:59 am
I can’t wait for the prima donna GIT fans to sour on Al Groh, the most overrated and hubris-filled coach in recent memory…he was 1-8 v Beamer
The Producer
June 4th, 2010
11:00 am
Mark,
LOL!!!!! Your predictions are funny…….
too easy - Tech beats the thugs
June 4th, 2010
11:02 am
in case you forgot….repeat of Tech’s last trip to Athens. Tech wins, CMR huddles the poor dogs to try and weather the third quarter.
N. Saban
June 4th, 2010
11:04 am
I’ll tell you what I will NEVER do……..Wear these overall’s with the red A sewn on the front that blue hair from Pell City gave me…No sir, not me.
T3
June 4th, 2010
11:09 am
UNC will surprise in 2010.
They will beat an LSU team that is fading FAST. 2009 proved they have LOTS of problems. Les Miles will be out at end of season.
At end of 2008, Spurrier vocally threatened (Yes threatened) the USC administration with his resignation if they didnt not dramatically LOWER their admission standards. Its now or never for Spurrier. Look for a 2nd place SEC-East finish.
In 2009, MB called Wake a “trap” game, and it almost was.
If GT has a “trap” game in 2010, it’ll be Clemson.
With Al Groh as DC, GT is really the “two-headed” monster
of the ACC. Hard to over-estimate the value of having
2 very experiencd HCs…on 1 sideline.
Agree with MB, GT-GA game will come down to the final minute.
However, I think GT wins with a late FG.
So, IMHO……
GT 11-1 with an early season loss to UNC, and beats FSU in ACC-CG.
GT beats Penn State in the Orange bowl.
Atticus
June 4th, 2010
11:09 am
Mark, Georgia will NOT lose to Arkansas in Athens if Grantham is the real deal. Look what UConn did against SC in the bowl game. Lakatos will have them locked down on that 1990s offense just like they did in the bowl game.
Georgia could lose one of them for sure but not both. Lose to Florida.
The running game, AJ and Orson and a much improved defense and special teams, turnover margin should give them a good chance at 10-2
Woooooooooo!
June 4th, 2010
11:09 am
WHAAAAAAAT???
No Georgia State prediction?
Hehe.
ATL XMAN
June 4th, 2010
11:10 am
no way tech wins more than 8…they will have way too many div 1aa players going up against the big boys off college football. nesbitt wont stand a chance with his small line getting crushed and with noone to throw too or pitch too. tech is fielding a team that is ga southern jv team. except for 3 players on offense techs offense is filled with div 1aa players…
REALLY??
June 4th, 2010
11:10 am
ARK???? REALLY???? Did they get a bunch of NFL players to come play D?? ARK will the the Ole Miss from last year, get all the pub but will not do anyting.
Paul in RDU
June 4th, 2010
11:11 am
Mark
After giving us your prognostications on something that isn’t going to start for 3 months, are you going to give us your pics on the World’s biggest sporting event?
I’ll give you a hint – it starts 1 week from today, the US is in it and should advance to the elimination rounds after coming 2nd in their group.
Morrus
June 4th, 2010
11:11 am
Curiously, in a supposed anti-incumbent year, most of the departing are not retiring but seeking higher office. We may recycle more than we replace. The bad news is that a frustrating 114 seats still have but one contestant. Two of them aren’t even incumbents, meaning they will affect state policy without being vetted by voters. And I have to think that we’d be better off if many had run instead for the Legislature — and cut down on the number running unopposed. Georgia’s problems are numerous. They aren’t going away. There’s too much stale thinking at the Capitol, on both sides of the aisle. New voices would be welcome.
Terence Moore
June 4th, 2010
11:13 am
Mark you Bulldog lover….headline is either UGA wins 9, Tech wins 8, or UGS loses 3, Tech loses 4……can you paint the headline in black and red any bolder then Georgia WINS 9, Tech LOSES 4 !!
Bill W.
June 4th, 2010
11:15 am
MB, I don’t see the Dawgs losing in consecutive weeks to SC & Ark. One of the games they will win but they may lose to Auburn especially since they do not have a bye week till after that game. Also, I think they will beat Florida to win the East and lose to Bama in the SECCG. Win over Tech sounds right. Even though I’m a Dawgs fan I do disagree that Florida has a “remarkably kind schedule”. They have some tough games this season. Not sure what Tech does, other than lose to UGA, but CPJ is a good coach and they now have a D coordinator. Can’t wait till kickoff this season! – 91 days to go and counting…AJ Green for Heisman!
Go Dawgs! GATA!
ATL XMAN
June 4th, 2010
11:15 am
T3..how do you figure tech will go 11-1 with only 1 beat up qb running the ball behind a line that has 270 pounders trying to stop 300 pounders that are more talented than tech linemen. you have 1 div 1a running back in allen and that is it. tech will have no passing game now that bey bey is gone..hill is too weak and too thin to play in that offense…..tech loses at least 5 games maybe 6..
N. Saban
June 4th, 2010
11:16 am
If Obama calls, I’ll solve this oil leak problem in the gulf……
Chris
June 4th, 2010
11:16 am
Florida will lose to Alabama & Georgia. Florida will also lose 1 more to FSU–tested Ponder will throw rings about inexperienced Brantley. 9-3 for the Gators.
Georgia will blow out South Carolina and get by Arkansas to start out 3-0. Look for a blowout win against Florida, years of angst, goes to 9-0. Beat Auburn & Ga Tech by scoring 40 points on weak defenses as Georgia will be the best team in the nation by now as QB & defense have both gained enough experience.
Georgia will face Alabama in the SEC Championship. Richt has absolutely dominated Alabama, so this one is another blowout win, Bama just won’t be able to replace the 9 starters on defense they lost, and they also will not be able to stop this offense who will put up 30 on them.
Georgia will face Boise in the National Championship, who Richt has a perfect record against with a blowout win.
Georgia finishes the season with a +15 in scoring margin, and a +10 in TO margin.
UGA Shines in 2010
June 4th, 2010
11:16 am
Sorry Mr.Bradley I think you are wrong once again.Dawgs go 10-2 or 11-1 schedule helps but UGA has the best team talent wise on paper in years and CMR always finds a way to prove others wrong.
ATL XMAN
June 4th, 2010
11:17 am
the days of tech winning more than 8 games are gone now that gailys players are gone. nesbitt cant do it alone.
ormewood
June 4th, 2010
11:18 am
Chris, put down the pipe.
Atticus
June 4th, 2010
11:20 am
Mark did you notice how Mallet performed against good defenses last year? Not good. Georgia will have a much better defense this year mark it down.
N. Saban
June 4th, 2010
11:23 am
Chris, i love you like a brother, but ain’t no dang Bulldog gonna beat my Tide. Hell, they don’t even have a pure bred bulldog no more, do they? I’m studying Ohio St. film as we speak on my way to Atlanta to my Plastic Sur……..err……I mean Doctor….
Stupid Chris
June 4th, 2010
11:26 am
um, Chris, its 2010 fella.
Richt “dominated” Bama BEFORE Saban arrived.
Do you really need a recap of what happened
the last time Richt faced Saban?
Derek
June 4th, 2010
11:29 am
You know I love the Dawgs, but this is a re-building year, and we didn’t go 11-1 last year, plus some teams like SC and ARK are stepping up, I’m with you on 9-3 and will hope for better, Mallet is for real and I don’t think our pass rush is all that scary, we’ve beem giving up ALOT of points the last couple of years and if one thing Petrino knows how to do, its put up points! So I’ll enjoy another good year and hope for better!
N. Saban
June 4th, 2010
11:31 am
Tell’m Stupid Chris……….gonna be better this year……Kirby Smart is a lot happier this year now that makes enough to move out of that trailer…..and he’s working those boy’s now as I speak……….We practice 24/7, 365 days a year over here……………………Damn, what’s all these letters from the NCAA Darline……..No, I don’t want to read them……………………
wolfpack2
June 4th, 2010
11:35 am
xman
dont bother with t3.
its clear you dont follow acc teams cuz that was some stupid sh*t you wrote.
t3 is correct. having two acc coaches on one team against conference opponenets gives techsters a huge advantage on both sides of the ball.
Reality
June 4th, 2010
11:37 am
Bama wins the SEC and NC. GT goes 11-1 and wins the ACC despite losing to VT. UGA is irrelevant….
The Ghost of Wally Butts
June 4th, 2010
11:37 am
I agree with your UGA predictions…unless we lose more because, with cutting ticket prices, we can’t raise the cash to bail our players out of Clarke County Jail on a routine basis.
But, I would REALLY love to see Jimbo Fisher go 0 and 12 at FSU (take that Bowden haters) and would REALLY REALLY love to see Lame Kitten go 0 and 12 at USC (karma).
82 Dawg
June 4th, 2010
11:38 am
Having two head coaches on the same sideline is like having to women in the same kitchen, it is not going to work……
N. Saban
June 4th, 2010
11:39 am
Reality……I’m sending you a case of “Golden Flakes” as we speak………..Roll Tide……………………..
Coach Darth Visor
June 4th, 2010
11:39 am
Hey Thug-Dawgs, when you come over to Columbia, how bout packing those cute little black pants and hats you wore at the beat-down on the St. Johns river last year?
Jo Mamma
June 4th, 2010
11:40 am
Doug, how exactly did Richt have a national chamionship run in 2007? 11-2, no trip to the SEC champ game. Doesn’t sound too hot to me.
82 Dawg
June 4th, 2010
11:40 am
The Ghost of Wally Butts…did you read the story? UGA is not cutting ticket prices, they are cutting the amount you have to donate to get season tickets. You must be the ghost of Chan Gailey.
Cocky Lady
June 4th, 2010
11:40 am
I love you and the Gamecocks! SC will shine this year as it is all or nothing. The fans and Spurrier are tired of it, and those of us faithful will celebrate our patience finally. The UGA game will be close, but we will win. 2nd in the East is my prediction. It will be interesting to see how Auburn does this year. Not much talk on the board about them. Arky too. Less than 3 months now to kickoff! GT has another banner year.
RIG
June 4th, 2010
11:42 am
There is a great QB in the SEC East you guys need to watch out for.
He was:
1- Great in High School
2- Great statisticlly when appeared in games in college
3- Has 3 years of practice under his belt
That’s right, we’re talking about…..
JOE COX, this time alst year.
Bet you thought I was talking about John Brantley.
Get the point?
Brantley is no different than Joe Cox was this time last year.
Never been tested against strong competition in high school or college.
Years of hearing about how he’s not the best QB on the team.
Following a great QB with HUGE expectations to live up to.
Look for Brantley to be the new Joe Cox this season.
ormewood
June 4th, 2010
11:44 am
Doesn’t Tech play roadies @ UNC, Va Tech, and Clemson? I have a hard time believing they will do better than 1-2 in those three. Miami at Bobby Dodd will be a challenge. I think the Wolfpack also could be a dangerous opponent. Wilson is a big-time threat for them at QB.I think Tech loses three in the conference, plus Athens. Mark is on the mark.
buzzDawg
June 4th, 2010
11:45 am
Chris, I like the optimism. This is the time of year for it. With a little luck, you could be right on target. Luck comes with hard work – I really like the attitude shown by the defensive coaches and reflected by the defensive players. Can this defensive unit earn the title of Junkyard Dawgs? I think so. In their prior coaching postings, Lakatos and Belin did a lot with a little. If A Murray can be a game manager until he has enough experience to be a game maker, the Dawgs will be fine.
N. Saban
June 4th, 2010
11:47 am
Anybody know anything about this Georgia State team? I could call Curry and remind him he left his old spice and see if he’ll talk……….I’ve donated some equipment to them…..said he had a hard time getting the mold and the Dolphin off the helmet…….
Du Shay
June 4th, 2010
11:48 am
Fleabags are irrelevant and always will be. Can’t even get a mascot in place. The Tide and the Gators will always keep your best seasons to third place in the SEC. Embrace your destiny, LOSERS! Now shutIT!!!!!!
gdawginkalamazoo
June 4th, 2010
11:49 am
RIG, wishful thinking. Brantley will be up for the Heisman from the get go.
N. Saban
June 4th, 2010
11:49 am
Tu shay Du shay
ABeeLover
June 4th, 2010
11:50 am
Paul Johnson will suppress the urge to punch somebody in the face.
Mark, is that a reference to my hero “Sheriff Buford T. Justice of Texas”. If it is, you’d better take it back
Oh Really?
June 4th, 2010
11:50 am
Close call indeed, but Tech will intercept what would have been the winning touchdown pass from Murray to A.J. Green with 41 seconds remaining. The score will be 27-17. Mark Richt will request an iced diaper (ooh that hot seat!) and will suppress the urge to hug somebody.
JP
June 4th, 2010
11:50 am
I agree with most of your predictions. I think the Dawgs will lose in Columbia. Murray will be good, but starting your first SEC game in a hostile environment won’t be easy. The Gamecocks will have another great defense and their offense has plenty of playmakers. I think they will rebound against Arkansas.
Alabama Jack Dawg
June 4th, 2010
11:51 am
Damn, addin dawg to yore name dows dorp yore IQ intwo two digist.
The General Feeling
June 4th, 2010
11:53 am
Mark, I should take the 6-6 for Tennessee right now, however, they’ll beat the mutts to go one better. How so? David Cutcliffe’s notebook and tapes are still there and were used quite effectively last year as they were for the previous decade. Richt is predictable regardless of his DC.