OK, so what happens with Richt if UGA loses in Starkville?
Quality-of-life-wise, it would behoove this man to win next week. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
Not to say I’m smart or anything, but the Georgia season has played out the way I figured: Win, loss, loss. (No, I wasn’t so all-seeing as to know A.J. Green wouldn’t have played a down.) I also had the Bulldogs winning eight of the next nine games and finishing 9-3, which I do believe will occur. That said …
The Mississippi State game has long seemed to me the pivot point of Georgia’s season. It’s a game UGA should win, but it’s on the road in a different time zone, and strange things can happen in the realm of the cowbell. And today I pose the musical question: What happens if Georgia doesn’t win in Starkville?
Nothing much, I submit, but I’m willing to concede I might be in the distinct minority. Opening the SEC season 0-3 hasn’t happened under Mark Richt — to be accurate, the Bulldogs have never before been 0-2 in league play under Richt — and would loose all manner of outcry from the masses. Greg McGarity, the new AD, wouldn’t join the chorus, but even a new AD couldn’t help but note the furor.
I say again: I think Georgia is going to be fine. This is a young team with a new quarterback and a new defense that faced two very difficult early games without its best player. I find no dishonor in either defeat. And I expect these Bulldogs will tame the maroon Bulldogs on Saturday in Starkville. But I’m pragmatist enough to grant that this could get ugly if UGA doesn’t.
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992 comments Add your comment
What champions are made of
September 19th, 2010
7:29 am
2009 Heisman Trophy winner makes his 2010 debut with nine carries for 151 yards and two touchdowns
DC
September 19th, 2010
7:31 am
If less energy was used after a good play and used tackling and pass defense the Dogs would be fine. They don’t have to let people know who it was that made the play – their name is on the jersey. You don’t see jumping and arm waving from Alabama, they just do their job and go back and do it again!!
Voice of Reason
September 19th, 2010
7:33 am
Forget Starkville–what worries me most is Dooley winning between the hedges in his first year. That would be the end of it for Richt, and rightly so.
Its hard to find even 6 relatively “sure” wins left on the Dawg’s schedule. With the exception of Vandy and Idaho State and possibly next weekend, everything remaining looks like a toss-up at best (e.g., UK, GT, UT, Colo.) or a clear underdog scenario (e.g., UF, AU). Sure, AJ would make a difference, but the past two weeks have revealed so many issues for UGA (consider: where is Orson Charles? what is up with Drew Butler? is the OL a bunch of road graders or just grocery eaters? do any of our safeties understand what the term “safety” implies? do we have a RB that can block? )
I feel as confident about winning 8 of 9 as I do about the Braves sweeping the Phils up north this week.
bob smith
September 19th, 2010
7:35 am
Are we being serious here. Pull up all the comments leading in to this season. Where was all this next year talk then? Typical uga chatter. The lines were supposed to be the backbone, this year! We were all excited about this year? Green took 1000 for a jersey because we’re told he needed the money. What now, he’s going to turn down millions of dollars next year and come back? Okay then, turn agent gate open on us next year if he does. And Mr. Bradley, you predict only 1 more loss out of this: Miss St., Colorado, Tenn, Fla, Auburn and GT? You have more faith than I sir.
heywood...
September 19th, 2010
7:36 am
nothing will happen. u wait til the end of the year to evaluate.
what if we finish 10-3? even if we continue to lose, u give him
til next year considering he has 3 new coaches this year.
DMR
September 19th, 2010
7:40 am
I’m tired of Mark Richt using Georgia’s football program as a “TRAINING GROUND” for assistant coaches. I’m tired of the A.J. Green excuses for losses. 3 & 4…all three timeouts remaining…you can run out the clock and either kick a field goal to win or go to overtime….Speilman was going nuts…not a short pattern in the entire play…tight ends not involved in the offense….We need a proven commodity in the O.C. position…not some alum we feel some sense of false allegiance to. Also, if Murray gets hurt, you are right back to playing a QB with no experience. One more loss and Georgia needs to play as many freshmen and sophomores as they can to get experience and depth…9 returning starters on offense, sans Green, and this is what you get? Searles and Bobo should start editing their resumes.
ozzfest
September 19th, 2010
7:40 am
CLEARLY, MARK RICHT SHOULD RESIGN.
10 YEARS, I REPEAT……10 YEARS……….TO GET TO A POINT WHERE SOUTH CAROLINA HAS MORE TALENT THAN YOU….AND PETRINO CAN OUT-COACH YOU.
LET’S FACE, IT………….MARK IS A WHUSS. COMPARE HIS INTERVIEW STYLE TO URBAN MEYER OR NICK SABAN…..HELL, MY OLD HIGH SCHOOL COACH, JOE BURSON, HAD MORE FIRE THAN RICHT.
SEE YOU IN STARKVILLE…AND IN BOULDER.
Coop
September 19th, 2010
7:40 am
CMR can go now. He has taken this team as far as he ever will. Call Chris Peterson from Boise St. and see how he’d like Athens.
This team will lose to UF, Tenn, GT, and maybe Kentucky. We might not go bowling.
Way too much talent to be this poorly coached for the past few years.
JY
September 19th, 2010
7:43 am
We cannot hire an untested assistant coach as a head coach again. Even if his name is Short or Muschamp….LSU,UA,USC, UF and even UT’s last hire was head coaches. We need a head coach that will not have to undergo on the job training with the last coaches talent.
I say keep what we have but get a real experienced offensive coordinator that has worked successfully through the years. Not one that is still undergoing on the job training still like Bobo is.
fayncdawg
September 19th, 2010
7:43 am
Let’s see, the Dawgs have several (if not all) the defensive lineman that star coming out of high school. Marcell Darius was a 3 star!! Darius is probably the best DL in the conference. As much as I don’t love him, Kirby Smart’s contract needs to be worked on now! And if the Dawgs lose to MSU, then all the coaches need to be told they won’t be back next season!
Tim
September 19th, 2010
7:43 am
Mark,
You’re an idiot. Your columns lack any insight and you generally just try to stimulate meaningless banter. Not to mention that your prognostications are rarely accurate.
fayncdawg
September 19th, 2010
7:45 am
BTW way I was saying most of the Dawgs DL was 4+ star. Darius was a three star! Dawgs got coaching issues!!
SadDawg
September 19th, 2010
7:46 am
From Richt’s first game at UGA, he had an exciting, potent offensive scheme featuring men in motion, reverses, a few trick plays, and the no-huddle offense, each several times per game. The game was down the field.
What has happened to his offensive mind? UGA has the most predictable offense you’ll ever see – unless we get behind by a couple of scores in the 4th quarter. Then Richt and Bobo grudgingly “open it up a little.”
This, “playing not to lose” BS has cost UGA game after game. And you just can’t blame Bobo for this awful offense. Richt said to the press after last years debacle at UT, “I like the way Bobo calls the plays.”
Yesterday, I was yelling at the O-liine for being unable to run-block, nor pass-block. Then it hit me that it’s probably not their fault. If my wife can work a crossword puzzle during the game, and still call most of the plays Bobo’s gonna run, something’s terribly wrong.
Kiffin said it, “Georgia is the easiest team on our schedule to prepare for. They’ve been running the same stuff for ten years.”
I believe him.
turkeycaller
September 19th, 2010
7:47 am
We are what we have showed. A team that sputters on offense and a defense that bleeds freely. Kicking game has not lived up to the hype either. A change is gonna come……
mike
September 19th, 2010
7:48 am
dawgs have and will be very easy to set up against no matter what team we play , after we tied
game up at 24 all and got the ball we went in to a offense of mass confusement and we looked like
no one had any gamepplan for that situation and if i am wrong please tell me ???? because on 3rd
and about 5 why did we not have a safety valve , a hook pattern, a draw ,,damn something,, no
we sent everyone 20 yards downfield like it was 3rd and 15,,,,like led zepplin sings dawgs are
living in days and confusion ,,,PLEASE COACH DO NOT GO BACK TO YOUR FIRST YEARS
OF HEAD COACHING AND LET TIME MANAGEMENT AND COACHES MISTAKE NOT GIVE
US A CHANCE TO WIN,,,do i want evryone fired no but do your job , and give us a chance to
believe that we have a play for days and confused and to let get on our knees and pray for
leadership , because this morning i am praying you will get control of the situation on and off the
field.
M Dawg Now
September 19th, 2010
7:48 am
Miss State is terrible. Ga should beat them easy. It will take a year or two for Grantham to get the players to play this 3-4 D.
SadDawg
September 19th, 2010
7:48 am
The D and O missed Brandon Smith bad yesterday, though Bobo only woulda got him the ball probably twice . . .
dogge
September 19th, 2010
7:50 am
Well the O-line is young and inexperienced, they just need more reps? I am guessing we are a nooner again next week?
Jethro Bodeen
September 19th, 2010
7:51 am
Nothing happens! The Dogs will keep getting better and will beat Gators and Tech! What happens if the AJC folds?
Sloan
September 19th, 2010
7:52 am
This team will get better, but the real question is by how much before season’s end? And while I don’t think AJ Green’s presence would have made a difference enough to win last week at South Carolina, I have no doubt that we win by at least a touchdown if he plays yesterday so I hope AJ feels like crap today.
Our offensive line is playing way under its ability level. And our new defense was good for about 85% of the snaps yesterday. But the other 15% were plain awful and ended up costing us the game. The defensive scheme and coaches and players are all new to each other so I have optimism that will get better. But the O-line’s lack of effectiveness is very troubling given that it is basically a two-deep veteran unit under the same offensive coaching staff.
Starkville scares me at this point.
Buzz Me
September 19th, 2010
7:54 am
Can you say House for sale?
Fans leaving early, well that IS a different look
September 19th, 2010
7:54 am
UGA AD McGarity is first a Georgia Bulldog. He grew up in Athens. He was a UGA athelete. He has been second in command at Florida, as Assist.AD. He has been conditioned to winning and he wants that to continue. Excuse me, he will demand that it continue.
He saw the UGA faithful leaving in red droves in the 3rd qtr. ( yes, the 3rd qtr.) and he knows that is not a vote of confidence for this squad. I am sure that caught his AD eye.
If UGA loses to MSU, then the wheels will fall off and the Dog finger pointing will begin.UGA is about to go into a very dark period known as 2010. I hope that it is only htis year.
I for one, would let ealey and AJ go. Ealey can not be counted on for next year due to any number of reasons and AjJ will go pro. Fine. Give em both a jump on that …………..kick them off the team.
GO Dogs.
UGA class of 71 & 73
reality
September 19th, 2010
7:55 am
True to your name Jethro, you are an idiot. UGA will lose at least 4 more games including FL and GT,
KY Dawg
September 19th, 2010
7:58 am
Fans can blame Coach Richt all they want. I for one believe he’s best for this program short-term and long-term. The 3-4 defense will work, it takes time to learn and it takes players adapted to this style of defense. The defense is better this year for sure. We’ve just played two very strong teams that will end the season in the top 10. On offense, look who’s out there. A very talented qb who’s just played his 3rd career college football game. A core of recievers who simply lack the talent of AJ and Julio Jones. If I’m T King, Troupe and Marlon Brown, I’m going to the coaches and making noise to throw me the ball. These guys are under-utilized. They can do the job. Murray’s holding the ball too long. The o-line can’t protect that long. Murray is smart enough to learn and will that fact. Let’s stop beating on these guys and support them.
mike
September 19th, 2010
7:58 am
hey sad dawg can your wife see if can maybe get her to watch a game film with coaches ..
because we might need her to get gameplan against miss. st just dont let her call coach mullen
in starkville …and help them because i think they would put her on payroll and you would have to move.
SadDawg
September 19th, 2010
8:00 am
I bet when Isiah Crowel saw that fabulous run blocking scheme yesterday, then heard Bama’s Heisman winner got 100 yards in the first quarter, he probably made his mind up right then.
This mess has to start affecting our recruiting.
ben
September 19th, 2010
8:01 am
Mark Richt is the best that has happened to Georgia in some time. They battled back yesterday when all of you thought it was over. They will get better this year. Keep calling for Richt’s head…and you might just get it. SC is going to win the EAST…and ARK has a top 5 NFL pick…I know…The Dogs are supposed to go 12-0 every year…but that’s not reality. Let’s see where this team is after the UT game….
NW Ga. Dawg
September 19th, 2010
8:03 am
Mark, that’s a good question. But the question should have been, “What’s going to happen to Richt at the end of the season with more SEC losses?” Anyone can see some more are coming. UGA is an average team in the SEC (and I guess in our Division). I keep wondering how we lost our way and why we aren’t as good as the UGA teams of past years. But now I think its not a problem of us getting so much worse as it is that most everyone else has gotten so much better while we stand pat.
I’ve never thought Richt really wants to be at Georgia. I don’t think his heart is in it. He didn’t grow up a Bullldog and would really rather be somewhere else. Guess he’s homesick to return to the state of Florida. Other bloggers jumped on me three years ago when I said this, but nothing has changed to make me think I’m wrong about it. Now, a lot of other people seem to agree! To me, this explains a lot about his demeanor and personality traits. He doesn’t have the traits of a “fired-up” coach. It’s more of someone bidding his time. Nothing else that’s done is going to be of much help to the UGA football team until this is changed.
Only one humble opinion!
Cary
September 19th, 2010
8:05 am
Next time wait until the morning to post your articles. This one has a few typos/ omitted words.
thracer
September 19th, 2010
8:06 am
“If my wife can work a crossword puzzle during the game, and still call most of the plays Bobo’s gonna run, something’s terribly wrong.
Sad Dawg, that’s the funniest thing I’ve read in a while.
Wil
September 19th, 2010
8:08 am
You think they lose one more game? Haha. This team has 5-6 losses written all over them. Do you think the margin for error allows just one loss? I mean, I can look at 7 games left that are possible losses and 5 of them are probable losses.
Your 9-3 prediction is insane and I said the same thing when you made it this Summer.
Seagrove Dawg
September 19th, 2010
8:10 am
Nothing will happen to MR even if we have a losing season. My disappointment is the lack of intesity he originally brought to the program. Seems we went after a lot of punts, ran hurry-up offenses, intercepted a few passes, and could tackle. Our offense will be fine if it can get some help from other areas.
bamadawg
September 19th, 2010
8:11 am
I think the laid back approach has worn off. Grantham is a couple of years too late. UGA has not won an SEC championship with Bobo calling the plays (what a joke). I have great respect for CMR, but he has lost control of his players and cannot coach up the talent that he has. Bring on Kirby and let’s get back to winning like UGA should.
mike
September 19th, 2010
8:11 am
mark your a good newspaper man but quit being a damn homer , we are not fine ,,we will not be fine
,,we had a whore for AD, we cannot keep our players out of jail, we sell jerseys for beer money and
we have not had a home field advantage between the hedges in 30 years , duh , write something that
is worth reading because , todays comments are trash and if the dawg nation is pissed off , like
me so put the sugar back in frig and quit sugar coating sports page , i quess the next thing i read on the ajc sports page is evrything between the hedges are still green , well the grass is mud and so
is your comments.
Grady
September 19th, 2010
8:14 am
Here’s another issue. S Caro hasn’t played anyone besides us. Same with Ark. What happens if and when Alabama or Auburn beat them badly? They won’t be top 25 after that. We still have tough games on the road. AJ or not, this team is not going to win 8/9.
General Ledger
September 19th, 2010
8:15 am
Most seem to be giving the coaches a little bit of a break since we have a new qb again this year. Let’s not forget that the coaches are responsible for that. They could have worked Murray in some last year and chose not to do so. That’s on Bobo and Richt.
I was very excited about the defensive change, but so far there seems to be a lot of weaknesses exposed. Hopefully it will get better. There are also some great flashes if they can just get a little more consistent. Keep in mind, that it took Alabama one year to get the 3-4 scheme down pat so let’s cut the new guy a little slack.
SRS
September 19th, 2010
8:16 am
I don’t understand why people think so highly of Richt and what he’s done at UGA. What has he done that Jim Donnan couldn’t do? Yes, Richt has lead UGA to 2 SEC Titles. Still, you have to put it into perpsective. The only reason he won those titles was because Florida was in transition. Spurrier left in 01′ and was replaced by Ron Zook. Since Meyer arrived in Florida in 05′ it’s been right back to how it was with Spurrier. Only now, Alamba and LSU have better programs as well. What big game has Richt ever won? Hawaii?
Beach Dawg
September 19th, 2010
8:18 am
I am so disappointed in this home loss but there was one bright spot..did you happen to notice Mark’s tan? It looked really good.
Steve
September 19th, 2010
8:19 am
I never once saw a check down receiver, & to be a senior class on the O-Line I don’t get it.I watched the Auburn Clemson game also, the difference in the speed on the field was very obvious.
DawginColumbus
September 19th, 2010
8:20 am
Thug mentality=questionable results on and off the field. Until the coaches but a boot in these kids butts, we will always be mediocre.
sogadog
September 19th, 2010
8:21 am
Mr. Bradley I hope you are right.
mark
September 19th, 2010
8:23 am
Ben you are the only one on this blog with any sense.
Brad
September 19th, 2010
8:24 am
We won’t lost to Miss st. But who knows what happens in Colorado. It’s a strange place, right mark? Just ask the braves. Don’t see us beating the gators either which really disgusts me with their play. Kty won’t be easy and auburn is likely a loss. Tenn and Vandy won’t be a cakewalk and who knows about gt by seasons end. I see at least 4 losses and probably 5.
Navigator
September 19th, 2010
8:26 am
Most everybody knows I’m a Tech guy, but I have a huge respect for Mark Richt. I hope the inmates don’t take over the asylum and get him fired. Rarely does a coach of this magnitude come along, and I would sure hate to see him go. Last year we felt we should have beaten UGA, but Richt designed such a good offense that he won that game. However, when asked on National TV (right after game was over), Richt said he had just beaten once of the best teams, and folks that garners a lot of respect from outside the program, whether you believe what he said or not. Stay Mark Richt!
Warhorse
September 19th, 2010
8:26 am
The Gators had 19 guys play in their first road game yesterday. They will be experienced by the Jax game. Counting UF as a win is like dreaming you are going to wake up next to Angelina Jolle.
whachagot Loren
September 19th, 2010
8:27 am
Mark, I am thinking this, I am not sure that a new AD wouldn’t bring in a new head coach if this gets ugly. I would be interested to know how many times a new AD has fired the head coach when the program he was taking over is not where it needs to be, and hired his own guy. I am sure it has happened before. It is the nature of higher ed administration – you want your own people.
OK look
September 19th, 2010
8:28 am
Look UGA will be Fine and Mark Rickt heart in this with the boys not he is not going to make to a fool of himself on the side like so coach do. But have met Mark Rickt and he loves UGA. people need to careful what they say on these blog. the player could very well being reading these and if you are true UGA fan football is football you lose some you win some. they will win the rest of their game but will lose to FLA, I wish everyone would stop being so hard on the team.
Michael
September 19th, 2010
8:28 am
Aren’t you the guy who still thinks the Braves are going to make the playoffs?
Ramguy
September 19th, 2010
8:28 am
I have to say the dawgs have been the worst looking team I have seen on TV this year. I stated after last week’s loss this team would get better and would be fine. After what I saw for 3/4 of the game yesterday I don’t know if can repeat that statement. The offense looks totally clueless and without direction. Even when they scored the 1st TD, I had to question the use of the wildcat that situation. Fortunately they still scored on 4th down. Do they not have any short passes? If they lose ugly again next week I think Richt is in real trouble. After his initial success he surrounded himself with coaches that didn’t seem up to the task at hand. He finally brought in new blood but it may be too late. I don’t think firing Bobo is going to help him. He should have done that a couple of years ago and probably should have never promoted him to OC. The AD might want to start a line of contact with the Boise St coach.
ColumbusDawg
September 19th, 2010
8:29 am
One simple answer……FIRE BOBO!!!!! Richt needs to go back to making the play calls. Bobo needs to catch a ticket out of town.