Glass-half-full dept.: How UGA might still win the SEC East
"Over? Nothing's over until we SAY it's over! Who's with me?" (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
Having spent the week hammering Mark Richt and Georgia, doing everything from crunching numbers to imagining the worst that could happen, it seems only fair to offer a corresponding best-case-scenario. Here goes:
The Bulldogs could win the SEC East.
I know, I know. They haven’t yet won a conference game, and they surely won’t be favored to beat either Florida or Auburn. (And Kentucky looks like a toss-up.) But it’s conceivable Georgia could finish 5-3 in the SEC, and that might — might, I said — enable them to take the division. Here’s how it would work:
Step 1: Georgia wins out. (Duh.)
Step 2: South Carolina, which has already beaten Georgia and lost to Auburn, loses to Alabama on Saturday, to Arkansas on Nov. 6 and to Florida the week after.
Step 3: Florida, which has lost to Alabama, loses to LSU on Saturday and to Georgia on Oct. 30.
That would leave Georgia and Florida at 5-3 in league play, with Georgia holding the tiebreaker because of its head-to-head victory, and South Carolina at 4-4. (At this early date there seems no sense in discussing how a three-way tie might be broken. Nor does there seem a need to assume any of the above will lose to Vanderbilt.)
Among the things Georgia had going for it this season was this basic bit of logistics: It wasn’t scheduled to play Alabama, and both Florida and South Carolina were. That still holds. And Georgia does get the three Eastern lesser lights — Tennessee, Vandy and Kentucky — in a row. (So does South Carolina, but two of those games are on the road. The Bulldogs get both the Vols and Commodores in Athens.)
There’s a chance Georgia could go to Jacksonville at 3-3 in league play, and if you get to 3-3 there’s at least a mathematical possibility of finishing 5-3. And 5-3 might just win the division, provided South Carolina finishes 4-4. Which could yet happen.
Understand: I didn’t pick Georgia to win the East — I picked UGA third, behind Florida and being shaded for second by South Carolina — and I’m not picking it now. But if I’m going to imagine the horror that might be unleashed if the Bulldogs lose to Derek Dooley’s team, I might as well be even-handed. As lousy as this season has been, there’s still a chance something really good could come of it.
A chance, I said. A chance.
(Oh, and if Georgia loses Saturday, forget I mentioned this.)
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647 comments Add your comment
JB
October 7th, 2010
9:24 am
SAD…………..a fluke 3 point win is framing the Johnson era………rings and all…..They won the ACC, but you never see a blog about it…..Shows how little it means…..Gentlemen, we are living rent free in their minds….LOL
Cracker Jacket
October 7th, 2010
9:24 am
Hey Mark, just as a lark, call the Bellagio and see what kind of odds you can get on that.
Reality Stinks
October 7th, 2010
9:25 am
Novemeber 2008
Yea must be to a Techie since it took 8 yrs to do it
1eyedJack
October 7th, 2010
9:25 am
Yellow Fuzz
“I’d rather talk about how bad you are going to beat us between the hedges next month. Hahahaha.”
We’re going to stomp the sh1t out of you between the hedges, just like last year in Bubba Dud.
Cracker Jacket
October 7th, 2010
9:25 am
JB – I would say sad is 1-4, 0-3 after 10 years of coaching.
JB
October 7th, 2010
9:26 am
Thanks JP
Cracker Jacket
October 7th, 2010
9:27 am
The fleabags ahve nothing to talk about, so they pile on Tech. Typical loser mentality. Can’t accept reality. Juvenile thinking. But, what do you expect.
Cracker Jacket
October 7th, 2010
9:28 am
HAVE
Yellow Fuzz
October 7th, 2010
9:28 am
1eyedJack
October 7th, 2010
9:25 am
Yellow Fuzz
“I’d rather talk about how bad you are going to beat us between the hedges next month. Hahahaha.”
We’re going to stomp the sh1t out of you between the hedges, just like last year in Bubba Dud.
OneEyeJacked:
Hahahaha.
You said the same thing last time we tore down the hedges. If you beat us I will return the one’s I took after 45-42.
NOBODYYOUKNOW
October 7th, 2010
9:29 am
The Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? He must have taken History at UGA.
Gene
October 7th, 2010
9:29 am
Great article, Mark. I am calling my bookie right now and placing that bet. NOT!
JB
October 7th, 2010
9:30 am
We’ve got ONE more win this year for sure…………The last game of the year………..Kansas…LMAO…….Wake, lucky to get our alive,,,,,,against the BEST COLLEGE FOOTBALL COACH in America no less…………LOL
Here and Now
October 7th, 2010
9:30 am
Reality – 1-4, 0-3 and 4 losses in a row. About to be 5. THAT IS REALITY. As is 10 arrests.
Sautee Dawg
October 7th, 2010
9:30 am
Can’t believe all the fans from Chop Block Tech on this blog. I guess when you get beat by Kansas you have nowhere else to go.
Mark,
Don’t know about the glass half full half empty. At 1-4 our glass don’t have but a shot left in it.
Mark, why don’t you try something interesting like, Interviewing Mrs. Barbara Dooley and ask who she’s pulling for this weekend??
Coach Vince Dooley said he wasn’t going to the game but would watch it on TV.
That’s got to be a tough decision for a parent.
Reality Stinks
October 7th, 2010
9:30 am
Cracker Jacet
I would say sad is losing to Kansas and NC State, along with barely beating Wake High with seconds left, and narrowly beating a depleted UNC team that has never been anything in the ACC since Lawrence Taylor
I guess the Paul Johnson middle school option veer isnt going to work at this level of football if it cant even beat lousy teams
JB
October 7th, 2010
9:30 am
Where’s that bus Fuzz ?
1eyedJack
October 7th, 2010
9:31 am
Yellow Fuzz, keep ‘em. They’re tainted with nerd cooties now.
No Dog in This Fight
October 7th, 2010
9:34 am
Mark: Nice thought, but not really helpful.
Seems like every year, Dawg fans convince one another they are unbeatable because the local media pumps them up (better ad sales? …naw!). With no other media voice within range to keep things real, of course they are shocked when the team turns out to be mortal. UGA is not a bad team; they are just a decent team up against tough opponents. The only surprise is that the fans keep falling for this line year after year.
Yellow Fuzz
October 7th, 2010
9:34 am
BJ
October 7th, 2010
9:24 am
SAD…………..a fluke 3 point win is framing the Johnson era………rings and all…..They won the ACC, but you never see a blog about it…..Shows how little it means…..Gentlemen, we are living rent free in their minds….LOL
BJ
Hahahaha.
It wasn’t just a 3 point win AH. You were up by 16 at the half and we ROCKED YOUR DOG HOUSE with a 26-0 unanswered BEAT DOWN in the 3rd quarter. Plus it was against Stratford and Mariano and the rest of your preseason national champs team. Hahahahahahahahahaahahaha.
JB
October 7th, 2010
9:35 am
Let’s see some more Nesbitt for Heisman blogs……..always great with coffee and a bagel
Cracker Jacket
October 7th, 2010
9:35 am
Reality – it’s not “how”. It’s how many. For you bunch of losers, that would be “one”. Another important number is 4 in a row. Chew on that!
Phil
October 7th, 2010
9:36 am
I have picked correctly the last 2 weeks against Miss St and Colorado in my office pool. This week though I’m picking Georgia. Why? Because just when you think Richt is about to get that final dagger, he always finds a way to avoid it. Richt and Bobo will take it down to the wire and probably win by a field goal, but Richt escapes once again.
the Owl of Prophecy
October 7th, 2010
9:37 am
I predict that not only will UGA not win the SEC East, they’ll not beat Tenn either…maybe not Vandy, definitely not KY, FL, Auburn, but will stomp Tech.
Cracker Jacket
October 7th, 2010
9:37 am
Nesbitt will win the Heisman and be voted President of the United States this year before the trembling chihuahuas win the SEC EAST.
Yellow Fuzz
October 7th, 2010
9:38 am
Sautee Dawg:
Please give me your definition of a Chop Block. Tech’s linemen are not even strong enough to perform it if they wanted to.
Russ555
October 7th, 2010
9:38 am
It’s possible. That’s why they play the games.
On a related note: Missouri is still undefeated. If they go all the way, they will win their conference.
Both teams have about the same chances of running the table.
But there is always hope.
And with and new Uga on board, who knows.
the Owl of Prophecy
October 7th, 2010
9:39 am
Fuzz,
I think what he meant to say was “cheap” block/shot.
Sautee Dawg
October 7th, 2010
9:39 am
Cracker Jacket
Should be on the Tech blog, but Cracker Jacket knows who “Runs This State”
Go with a winner.
Mange Afflicted Poopy Pants
October 7th, 2010
9:40 am
Why would the Dooley’s pull for the mutts. THEY SUCK!!!!!!!!!
Yellow Fuzz
October 7th, 2010
9:40 am
You guys 1-4 but I’m 4-1 betting against the dogs this year. Needless to say I am taking Tennessee and the points. Hahahahahah. Like stealing almost.
Will
October 7th, 2010
9:42 am
Mark,
Let’s not get the everyone excited with delusions of grandeur. I predict South Carolina will win 1 or 2 of their next 3 then win out. Ending up with a 6-2 or 5-3 record and beat the Dawgs out because Washaun fumbled on their 5 yard line back in September. CMR will look back and ask himself how in the hell he didn’t win the SEC East with this creampuff schedule we have this season. If I lost to UT bad enough Saturday I would resign.
Sautee Dawg
October 7th, 2010
9:42 am
Yellow Fuzz,
That would be the penalty that Tech seems to get called 3 or 4 times per game.
Yellow Fuzz
October 7th, 2010
9:42 am
As long as it’s legal and before the whsitle blows we are blocking any which way we can. Sounds like your team should try it.
GatorSam
October 7th, 2010
9:42 am
Your column reminds of the good ole days at Florida during the 60’s when I study there, correction when I when to class there, correction when I was enrolled there. Did graduate! Every year we would go through the things that other teams had to do for the Gators to finally win the SEC. Didn’t happen for the Gators, not going to happen for the Dawgs!
Reality Stinks
October 7th, 2010
9:43 am
Im not worried
Tech lost to a middle of the road SEC team in UGA last yr
Tech will lose to a bottom feeder of the SEC in UGA this yr
Class dismissed
gomdawg (Bainbridge )
October 7th, 2010
9:43 am
GREATEST COME BACK IN COLLEGE HISTORY GEORGIA WINS SEC CHAMPS. IT’S UP THE THE TEAM AND FANS LETS GO OUT AND PULL OUR DAWGS OUT SAT. TO BEAT TENN. REMEMBER ONE GAME AT A TIME.
JB
October 7th, 2010
9:43 am
My image of yellow fuzz……………5′10″ 140 lbs, uncombed hair, running nose, rock n roll tee of some type, pocket protector with a couple of pencils and a protractor in pocket, sears jeans, black nylon socks with high top air jordans, NASA posters in his room, playboy mag under bed, 3 lap tops,
empty coco puffs box by bed, yellow Tech wig on bed post and a Taylor Swift CD playing…………..Just a guess.
dean
October 7th, 2010
9:43 am
Stranger things have happened.
Dawg_Mike
October 7th, 2010
9:45 am
The UGA defense hasn’t been able to stop anyone, so why would it suddenly begin to stop anyone? Especially FL and AU ?
Cheech & Chong
October 7th, 2010
9:45 am
gomdawg,
Please e-mail me at Cheech.com and tell me where you got that peyote’ that you’re smoking. Thanks.
Hertzel Waltzer
October 7th, 2010
9:46 am
You have lost your rabbit-assed mind Bradley.
If you have any close relatives they should put you
in a rubber room.
You know better than to give this sh– to UGA fans.
You also know they will eat it every time.
What was that Mark Bradley?
October 7th, 2010
9:47 am
Mark Bradley, your an idiot. When will you give up the notion that UGA will even put together a solid season. Their 1-4 right now, which means that their not very good. They’ll be lucky to finish 4-4 in the league. Oh yeah, nice article about “5 reasons the Georgia Bulldogs are better off than you think.” Well, I think the Georgia Bulldogs stink. And I can give you 5 reasons why Mark Bradley.
the Owl of Prophecy
October 7th, 2010
9:47 am
Hey JB,
You forgot slide rule hanging from his 3″ belt and Flair pens in every color in that pocket protector.
Dirty Dawg
October 7th, 2010
9:48 am
Wasamatter Mark? You bored or something? You actually believe that posters like me and a few others will really ‘tar and feather’ your, Schultz’s and Barnhart’s a$$ and run you out of town on a rail. Don’t worry…just go on and have your fun with the Bulldogs and Bulldog fans, we won’t really do anything really bad to you.
…although just to finish the thought…Niedemier…DEAD…Marmalard…DEAD…Brandley, Schultz, Barnhart………….Bluto’s right, the only thing left is some futile gesture on somebody’s part…and we’re just the one’s to do it.
Pulpwood Smith
October 7th, 2010
9:48 am
Tennessee 31, Georgia 17. That should end the absurd talk of UGAg winning anything.
Bud
October 7th, 2010
9:48 am
Let AJ run some punts back.
J in Savannah
October 7th, 2010
9:48 am
Mark,
That glass that is half full must be from the whiskey you consumed before writing this absurd article!
browndog
October 7th, 2010
9:49 am
ESPN has UGA ranked number 5 in its 10 worst teams in 2010.
Sautee Dawg
October 7th, 2010
9:49 am
Mark thanks for the positive thinking, Especially after you threw rocks at CMR in yesterdays article.
Tide Roll
October 7th, 2010
9:50 am
Mark, Who’s the writer discussing Georgia’s “misses” in recruiting. He’s talking about kids who were already on campus. That’s not my definition of a “miss”. A “miss” is a CAM NEWTON from Atlanta who has led Auburn to a No. 8 ranking. A “miss” is BAMA’S James Carpenter from Augusta, and Chance Warmack from Atlanta, who combine to make up the best OT/OG tandem in America. A “miss” is A.J. Hawkins from Atlanta who starts at center for Ole Miss, And Jujuan James, a freshman All-American tackle at Tennessee from N. Gwinnett. A “miss” is C. J. Uzomah, a 6′6″ 240 stud QB from N. Gwinnett headed to Auburn. Future “misses”include arguably the best OT prospect in the South, XZAVIER WARD, from Moultrie, likely headed to Bama along with the best running back in America, Isiah Crowell from Columbus. Hey Mark, What do you get when you combine Mike Bobo with Stacy Searles? ANS.: Ben Jones at center and CAM NEWTON at Auburn. Pretty funny, huh?