5 reasons the Georgia Bulldogs are better off than you think
Aaron Murray has been pretty darn good. (AP photo)
1. A.J. Green returns this week. Rule of thumb: Having your best player in the lineup tends to help.
2. The Bulldogs shouldn’t lose again until the day before Halloween, if then. The next four games: At Colorado, Tennessee in Athens, Vanderbilt in Athens, at Kentucky. The first three shouldn’t be much trouble, and surely Kentucky can’t beat Georgia two years running. (I mean, could it?) There should be much momentum-building done before UGA heads for Jacksonville, and who knows how good Florida is?
3. Aaron Murray looks legit. Even behind an offensive line that hasn’t blocked a lick, the redshirt freshman quarterback hasn’t been overwhelmed. He has five touchdown passes against two interceptions, and he has completed 61 percent of his passes. And now he gets to throw to A.J. Green.
4. The defense is better. That’s still not to say it’s good, but it’s better. Last season the Bulldogs yielded 78 points in victories over South Carolina and Arkansas. This year it yielded 48 against those two teams. Yeah, it lost both games this time, but whaddaya want?
5. This remains a very talented team. Even if it’s being undercoached on offense, talent cannot be kept down forever. Green will make plays that have gone unmade so far. Washaun Ealey won’t always fumble into the end zone. Orson Charles will do something. I’m not saying Georgia’s going to win the SEC East, and even my prediction of 9-3 seems a bit ambitious, but this team will not — repeat, not — finish 6-6. It’s too good for that.
Equal time (sort of): 5 reasons Georgia Tech is worse off than you might think.
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458 comments Add your comment
Mechabradzilla
September 30th, 2010
12:44 pm
Mark Bradley:
What do you think about the new schedule for UGA? Legit? Dare I say 2 Legit To Quit?
Mountain Dawg
September 30th, 2010
12:45 pm
I’ve been wataching the Dawgs since the days of Fran Tarkenton. I’ve never seen or heard so much whining from the Bulldog Nation. We’ve got one of the best coaches in the country so give him the respect he deserves. The Dawgs will be o.k.! For what it’s worth one extraordinary player can make a huge difference. We won a national championship with Hershel and a bunch of over-achievers(sorry Buck). A.J. Green in the line-up is worth two scores per game. Two scores per game over the last three weeks, and we’re not having this conversation!
Ralph
September 30th, 2010
12:49 pm
“Attn: Ralph”
Must have hit a sensitive spot, and the truth must hurt.
Are YOU proud of this team and their coaches? And I’m referring more to the quality of individuals and the coaches who recruited/ accept them, than their athletic ability.
SOME folks are actually appalled – but evidently not you.
Mountain Dawg
September 30th, 2010
12:49 pm
The spoiled “Pups” need to get behind the program!!!
Gator Man
September 30th, 2010
12:50 pm
Hey low standard UGA fans, Ronald Reagan, is not comming back, 1980 Championship team is almost drawing SS#.
Then you wonder why this program suck, you would never hear Ala, Fla fans supporting a loser like Richt.
I is back
September 30th, 2010
12:50 pm
Just wont to tail all you bruthers out their in Dawgieland that I is bak. Aint no one stopping me now – i show u what type of player i is. Butt u no what, dawgieland? I’s going to B tha 1 laughing in abt 6 munts when i gets that xxx-million $ sign’n bonus when i is drafted. I is AJG and i is bak.
kaput
September 30th, 2010
12:51 pm
These types of columns are exactly why Bulldog fans are so damn delusional. Georgia sucks!! It’s a fact.
Florida is going to crush you, and you’re going to lose at least three more games, probably four.
Take the emotion out it and use your heads . . .
Einsteindawg
September 30th, 2010
12:51 pm
Five reasons why Mark Bradley is a better writer than you thought:
1
2
3
4
5
george
September 30th, 2010
12:54 pm
Are you really that stupid Mark? The fact that you say if then when referring to if georgia can beat florida is literally one of the funniest comments I have ever heard. What makes you so confident they will even beat a horrible Colorado team this weekend. Granted I think they will but I am not confident. As for then next 3 games???????? UT. You can not tell me with a straight face that UGA is in much better shape if any at all than UT and that is a crazy series that UT has owned recently. Will be a very close game. Vandy has also shown it can play this year beating ole miss on the road and hanging with a decent northwestern team. That will not be a cupcake either. And Kentucky will be a very very tough game esp in lexington and I will be amazed if the pups win that one. Kentucky is much improved this year and the dawgs are obviously worse than last year. Honestly I have no clue where you get all this from but when you look at all the facts UGA will be VERY lucky to get through the next 4 games 3-1 and will more likely be 2-2 or 1-3. Bottom line the way the pups are playing right now it is not a guarantee they will win an sec game this year.
Mr. Football
September 30th, 2010
12:54 pm
I hear they are also planning on adding Agnes Scott Southern to their schedule, maybe they can beat somebody in a skirt!
there is nothing better than a whole year with humble, respectful and polite Bulldog fans!!!! woof, woof, woof, you’ve been neutered!!!!!!!!!!!
Sourgrapes
September 30th, 2010
12:54 pm
@think #11 wins for all time? Tech is 4 spots behind UGA, does that make Tech a nationally elite program too?
You’re no Michigan, you’re no Alabama — both teams with more wins than UGA on the all-time list you’re using. Your games are still televised regionally for the most part, not nationally. Outside of the south, that “G” looks like Green Bay with the wrong colors. That’s all he’s saying, you aren’t the national power that most UGA fans think they are.
And you’re right about one thing – this is UGA’s best run in years, and you still have people loudly talking about ditching your coach.
Vet
September 30th, 2010
12:57 pm
now their team is as sickly as their genetically inferior mascot. can’t keep those bulldogs healthy even at a Vet/Agricultural school…..pathetic!
Erk
September 30th, 2010
12:57 pm
Mark, I wouldn’t expect this article from someone who wrote that Richt was in trouble just a few days ago. Let’s win Saturday and take it from there. So far we haven’t played like we can beat much of anyone. We’re losing the battle at the lines, plain & simple.
cassiecat
September 30th, 2010
12:58 pm
They shouldn’t have lost to Mississippi State either, Mark, but they did.
SWGA Dawg
September 30th, 2010
12:58 pm
we stink. End of story. Wheels fallen off.
ratherBgambling
September 30th, 2010
1:00 pm
Mark,
UF is good enough to beat UGA by 4 TD’s…………or is UGA awful enough to lose to UF by 4 TD’s?
UF 38
UGA 10
Book it
Why is it like this?
September 30th, 2010
1:00 pm
Answer ………..UGA has not recruited any big time offensive linemen or defensive linemen. The linebackers are only so so.
UGA has not recruited any big time running backs and this is so key to it all. The ones UGA has are small but they are slow.
UGA will struggle until Richt is either gone or he hires a legit O co ordinator and running back coach. He also needs ot hire a new O line coach. Searels is a failure.
Richt needs also to release TG’s fiery persona and allow him to be TG, not some subsitute pastor.
GO Dogs.
george
September 30th, 2010
1:02 pm
have yall heard what the ga-fa gane is being renamed this year?
The handcuff bowl
JB
September 30th, 2010
1:02 pm
Mark Richt and staff have the most to lose if you are NOT right…….I think he comes back if we lose the rest and the pressure is unbearable. 120 days in the job, McGarity will not won’t to replace a guy with his track record……We can talk about a “slide” all we want.
Now, What scares me, if you are a ’student’ of this team and staff, you will see that next year looks like a bigger hill to climb than this one. Last years class was small and we have 2-3 already, and who knows what kind of class we have, and Mark will play a freshman or two, but he has a history of not playing a bunch of young players. Study who we lose, who’s coming back……….I see 6-7 wins next year………………….He’s out of time.
Tuna
September 30th, 2010
1:03 pm
Old “Kiss of Death” Bradley up to it again. Now I can bank on 6-6 or worse and lucky to be playing in a crappy bowl again. Thanks again Mark for now sealing the Dawgs fate for this season!
Tubby 34
September 30th, 2010
1:04 pm
Did you ever play college football????
Russ, the Temporary Mascot
September 30th, 2010
1:05 pm
Coach asked me to help find some opponents we can beat so I am talking with some mascots that are within driving distance of Athens. McGarity said we don’t want to travel out west but I think some of the players have to remain in-state during their probation so I am calling all the state colleges and universities. I spoke with the Ga State panther and he suggested I call Coach Curry. It is always good talking with him. I don’t think he wants to schedule us though because his program is going so well right now. He said I could call back when we get things straightened out over here.
ugaclassof2004
September 30th, 2010
1:05 pm
Mark
1. I agree about AJ Green. Dawg fans, don’t underestimate what a talented player can do for you. AJ Green is like a Larry Fitzgerald; he has the ability carry an offense which is rare for a WR. If this was an 0-12 team, AJ could get them to 2-10 just on his ability alone.
2. I also agree about the next 4 games, all are very winnable. Everyone worries about Tennessee, but ya’ll that team is BAD! I’m not saying that UGA is great, but the Vols needed two OT’s to beat freakin UAB! If the Dawgs lose to the Vols this year, Richt should be fired on the spot!
3. Murray is good! And now that he has AJ back, has Durham and Tavares King at 2# receiver, and Orson and Aaron at TE: the offense should totally flow through him. Mix in the run game on second and medium and 3rd and short, and THAT will be this teams identity on offense.
4. The defense just lacks talent. Just a bunch of bodies on that side of the ball. I do think they try hard as opposed to last year where they would quit in games. But they just don’t have the ability to force a lot of 3 and outs, which is why its imperative that the offense gets their act together.
5. I disagree that UGA has talent, especially on defense and on the O-Line. We used to have NFL caliber talent in these areas and now we don’t. Except for the skill positions, I think is this a very untalented team overall: a bunch of 3 star guys. I call this the UGA myth, the old ” we’re so talented we should never lose more than 4 games” mentality. Well sorry, but that just isn’t the truth! This team needs to learn that they can and WILL lose games if they don’t execute! Those other teams have talent too you know!
Hey idiot
September 30th, 2010
1:06 pm
they lost to MSU and you repeat, said again repeat they will not finish 6-6. I know you are Terence’s half brother and Cynthia’s half sister.
JB
September 30th, 2010
1:06 pm
why it is like this…………………………………..I just did a poor job of my previous post, but we are on the same wave link. Next year looks tougher………….We don’t have the players in the program to win 10-11 games in the SEC as of now…..or next year…………I hope McGarity realizes that. You will see things at UGA you haven’t seen in a while. Empty seats.
Ramblinwreck83
September 30th, 2010
1:10 pm
Hey Bradley,
Was UGA too talented last year to lose all those games? UGA looks no better than last year, if not worse especially on offense. They pretty much have all the same players.
FLA DAWG
September 30th, 2010
1:10 pm
The Dawgs Coaching Staff will FIND A WAY TO LOSE two out of the next three games.
Russ, the Temporary Mascot
September 30th, 2010
1:10 pm
Being a little dog with a part-time job is not as easy as you think. If I was full-time I could invest in some nicer game clothes and maybe get some new Raybans like Coach Richt wears. Coach has asked me to visit some shut-ins and cheer them up and I thought while I’m out I may stop by the jail and visit some running backs. Recruiting is not easy and Coach can use some help.
Ted
September 30th, 2010
1:11 pm
6. Athens has lots of bars, so they don’t have to go far to get a DUI.
John2
September 30th, 2010
1:14 pm
This is absolutely unbelievable. The same reasons that Georgia should start winning now are the almost the exact same reasons that everyone gave before each of their losses: Aaron Murray is a great quarterback, the next games should be relatively easy wins, this is a talented bunch, this team is getting better, when AJ Green comes back…, they’re in a must win situation, etc…
Taco Time in N. Ga
September 30th, 2010
1:15 pm
Too easy to be pessimistic here…NO, I don’t think (nor should anyone else) that Georgia would be 4-0 with AJ Green, and even 3-1 is a stretch.
However, as the next game approaches, I’m willing to put a moratorium on poor-mouthing the program until we see some results with him on the field.
A decisive win in Boulder (no last-second kicks, catches, or other heroics needed) and the temperature turns down a notch. Just a notch.
A dud or a seat-of-the-pants victory (Colorado really isn’t a very good team, remember–I think Hawkins is pretty much toast without a bowl) and the supporters of the coaching status quo will be officially OUT OF EXCUSES.
It will be interesting either way, to say the least.
Let’s see what happens.
KimZ'sPackage
September 30th, 2010
1:17 pm
Russ what is this I hear about you chewing through Richt’s F-150 radiator hose just trying to get a little relief form this season.
Alabama Jack
September 30th, 2010
1:18 pm
But Green or no Green, they are still the ThUGA dawgs with a delusional fan base
wildbill
September 30th, 2010
1:20 pm
Slap, Slap, Slap, Mark!!!!!! Wake up Mark!!!!!! You must have been having a dream! What were you drinking last nite, Colorado Kool-Aid? Whew, I was worried there for a minute that you had lost it completely. Or, did you receive a phone call plea from CMR himself, to reverse course of constructive criticism and associated doubt? Whatever the cause of your momentary loss of reality, settle down and read the handwriting already on the wall. THE SHIP IS TAKING ON WATER, LISTING, and may be ‘IN EXTREMIS’.
JB
September 30th, 2010
1:21 pm
I thought last week was big for Richt…………This week really is. Even Vegas thinks we win.
I’ve been on here saying i think Richt comes back, but lose Saturday and to Tennessee, I might change my mind……………Bradley, I hope you are right, but you are wrong a lot.
James
September 30th, 2010
1:22 pm
Stewart Mandel from CNNSI said it best: If Georgia runs off Richt this year, it will be textbook Clemson/Ole Miss Syndrome. Historically, Georgia is more prestigious than either of those teams — but not as much as Dawgs fans like to think. In all my travels, I’m not sure I’ve ever come across a fan base whose self-perception is so far from reality. Georgia fashions itself a national power in the vein of Ohio State, USC, et. al., based primarily off one glorious three-year run 30 years ago with Herschel Walker (and some kick-butt years in the 1940s).
Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/stewart_mandel/09/29/mailbag/index.html#ixzz112D60KOM
Bubba
September 30th, 2010
1:23 pm
Fire all the bandwagon UGA fans. You wasnt here before Richt so take a hike.I would say pull for Bamer but the bandwagon is full.I hear Auburn has somr space left though.
inthecellar
September 30th, 2010
1:24 pm
How many games will be blacked out this year due to not being sold out?
Someone mentioned not recruiting any running backs. UGA loves 150lbs 5 foot nothing tall running backs. Or is it all UGA can get? I know the pro’s have hurt UGA with early drafts and that is another story I do not agree with.
He Hate Gator
September 30th, 2010
1:24 pm
2-7 in SEC, 0-3 so far this year, just what makes anyone think it will get better…4 more wins at most this year….
bob
September 30th, 2010
1:24 pm
All college sports are so fluid, yet football expects perfection from day one. Think of all the Super Bowl Champions that were less than Super in September. No championships in 2010, but UGA can evolve into the best SEC East team by the end of this year and heading into 2011.
inthecellar
September 30th, 2010
1:24 pm
Bubba
September 30th, 2010
1:23 pm
I do not support losers!!!
David Granger
September 30th, 2010
1:25 pm
MSU was the only one that was a shock to me, too, Mark. But I thought that…of Arky and USC…we would hunker down and win one of those, though I thought both would be tough games.
Mark Richt
September 30th, 2010
1:26 pm
Don’t you folks realize that all problems are solved by a quick trip to the pool? Heck, after my perfect dive off of the 10 meter….I will be “locked in” mentally and should be able to come up with a solution to all of our problems. Until then, everyone should just chill out.
Bubba
September 30th, 2010
1:26 pm
Ohio State a national power. WTF. that is hilarious
chazzo
September 30th, 2010
1:26 pm
Spot on! The losses were disappointing, but there were positives. Another positive is this team has heart. They don’t seem like the type to give up.
Bubba
September 30th, 2010
1:30 pm
Ebo moron inthecellar. dont let the double-wide door hit u in da butt.dont forget to pay your child support
Honky Talkin'
September 30th, 2010
1:33 pm
Georgia will NOT go 4-0 until Halloween. 2-2 at best.
James is an idiot
September 30th, 2010
1:34 pm
No, UGA is not a national power like Ohio State and USC. The reason is because we play in a littler tougher conference than those teams. I think winning two SEC titles and three East titles in the past decade is considered “football glory”. GA should be a top ten program every year. The flagship university in a state with 9 million people that has unbelievable high school football talent should be a top program. The problem is that Mark Richt is not the guy to lead us there. If you put Nick Saban in Athens, he would have us there in 2-3 years just like Bama.
cantondawg
September 30th, 2010
1:35 pm
It’s amazing to me how some “so called fans” are hoping we have a losing season so that we can change coaches. That’s about as pathetic as you can get.
DIT
September 30th, 2010
1:36 pm
Nothing personal Mark, but you have not had the best luck in picking winners as of late. The Braves were rolling and you said that they would continue to do so… The verdict is still out on their playoff chances, but after you made that comment, they have tanked. Two years ago you said that UGA would beat tech, did not happen. Last year you said tech would beat UGA, did not happen.
I wish you would have said that UGA is worse than we think. Just ribbing you a little!!
I hope that you are right about them turning it around, but for most of us UGA people, for this year, we have to see it to beieve it after last weeks melt down.
I’m still hoping for the best! Go Dawgs!