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
Monkey says:
October 7th, 2010
9:50 am
Mark…thinking half full… Please Please Please let your scenario play out…..Alabama would put a beating on UGA and finally many of these extreme bulldog fans would have to shut up for a while. While most UGA fans are great, there is a small portion who will always think that UGA is the Premier school in the conference, when actually the past 5 years UGA has allowed Richt to mediocre the institutions fooball program and embarrass the athletic department and the SEC.
Dagny
October 7th, 2010
9:50 am
One would think that with all the cheating, recruiting of thug wannabes and morons, and a saintly coach who’s making $4 million a year, that the dawgturds could manage something better. So let’s summarize the current situation:
0 SEC wins
1 AD forced to resign in shame and 1 pair of red panties
1 win overall
4 losses
0-3 SEC record
10 arrests
But there is one bit of good news – you have a lock on the Fulmer/Richt Cup! :-)
Yellow Fuzz
October 7th, 2010
9:50 am
BJ
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.
BJ:
Hahahaha
It sounds like I might be the one “living rent free in YOUR mind”
Hahahahaha. You have no idea what you or your room looks like. hahahahaha
Ted Striker
October 7th, 2010
9:50 am
I’m thinking that if there’s a monstrous tidal wave [that wipes out Gainesville, Florida], a slew of tornados [in Birmingham, Alabama], and a malaria or leprosy outbreak in Columbia, SC [with locusts for good measure], then UGA’s chances might eek upward just a little bit.
Smokey
October 7th, 2010
9:51 am
Yellow Fuzz…. she told me being with you was the most dissapointing 15 seconds of her life.
Mr. Obvious
October 7th, 2010
9:52 am
Georgia’s chances of even having a winning season, to say nothing of a Division-Winning season, are just like Courtney’s undergarments or a “Clearance Sale” at Macy’s —
Already Half-Off.
Yellow Fuzz
October 7th, 2010
9:53 am
BJ
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.
BJ:
Hahahaha
It sounds like I might be the one “living rent free in YOUR mind”
Hahahahaha. I have no idea what you or your room looks like and don’t want to know. hahahahaha
kirk herbstreit
October 7th, 2010
9:53 am
Is this column meant to be a joke?
JB
October 7th, 2010
9:54 am
You’re killing Fuzz with your comebacks…………..Quit…………………….What did I leave out by the way, know I got 2 or 3 correct…..LOL
BW
October 7th, 2010
9:54 am
Wow Bradley……its interesting in this town who gets the positive spin, the befit of a doubt and the “glass hwlf full”:…..Mark Richt, Bobby Cox, Frank Wren, Matt Ryan,.Glass Half empty,negative spin and always ready for the vote of no confidence….Paul Hewitt, Mike Woodson, Billy Knight, Michael Vick. Thats Atlanta, thats the south and it is what it is.
sogadog
October 7th, 2010
9:54 am
Dude, what are you smoking? I hate to say it but Dawgs go 4-8 based on the way they have played all season and the fact there has been zero improvement especially from the offense.
the Owl of Prophecy
October 7th, 2010
9:55 am
kirk,
Actually, there are only three people posting…by using multiple names, it’s possible to carry on a conversation with yourself. That way, no one gets angry.
Sautee Dawg
October 7th, 2010
9:56 am
Yellow Fuzz, If the block’s legal why do they keep getting penalized for it??
Ben Jones got penalized for it in the Miss St. game and had to sit out the 1st half of the Colorado game.
J.B.’s description of you sounds spot on. Except replace the coco puffs for rice cakes dipped in soy milk.
Ray Goff / Jim Donnan
October 7th, 2010
9:56 am
Bring us back….we coached better than this!!!!
JELLOW JOCKITCH
October 7th, 2010
9:56 am
Nesbiit for Heisman. GT for BCSNC. REAL NERD DREAMS, HAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHHHAHHAHA
Damon
October 7th, 2010
9:56 am
Coat-Knee!
Where You At !
Done....
October 7th, 2010
9:57 am
Beast from the East
October 7th, 2010
7:36 am
Comments from Beast from the East tells me ‘the beast’ never stepped on a field/court with any spectators other than momma’s.
JB
October 7th, 2010
9:59 am
The story of the year in College football would be if we did not lose another game…….
Now, I know we won’t, but “mocking” this team by our foe’s might cause these guys to wake up………I say we UPSET somebody this year…..
jb
October 7th, 2010
9:59 am
Are you really this stupid? Moron.
Lee
October 7th, 2010
10:00 am
You have taken homerism to it’s highest level. Georgia loses to Tennessee because they play harder and have a chip on their shoulder. In addition, look for Tennessee to be the rising program in the East while Georgia continues it slide.
papadawg
October 7th, 2010
10:01 am
MB you are optimistic to the point of rediculous. Here I sit wanting a victory this weekend and you are talking smack about a SEC title by beating two teams we haven’t beaten in awhile, Fla & Tenn then Aub who looks mighty tough but I like your positive outlook and not the sky is falling attitude
Lilburn Dawg
October 7th, 2010
10:02 am
There is about as much chance of UGA winning the Division as there is of those red panties actually being blue.
Richt walks warily down the street, with the brim pulled way down low
October 7th, 2010
10:04 am
Bradley you’re an idiot
UGA will lose to Tenn, Vandy or UK but not both, Florida will beat them by 30 as usual, Auburn will humiliate them, and it’s 50/50 with GT. If GT beats Miami, then the dogs are done and will finish the season 3-9
Dogs Smell
October 7th, 2010
10:08 am
Dogs always looking for a back door. That is a freakin pipe dream. If all happened and GA was there is would be a Sad state of the SEC EAST. Georgia is 1-4 !!!!!!!!!!!! I hope UT continues their tradition of beating GA Badly ! My guess is the point spread is what it is to get people betting on the Ga side in order to balance the distribution of payouts. Georgia fans you are endless dreamers !
AUWDE
October 7th, 2010
10:09 am
Mark-
Are ya trying to rile UGA FANS MORE.They will actually believe this,and when it does’nt happen (which it won’t )Ga fans will be even more upset.They will won’t everbody from CMR to every SEC offical who refered their games fired.Cause after all its not the players its everyone elses fault.
WARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR EAGLE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
SadDawg
October 7th, 2010
10:10 am
Isiah Crowell: “Well, they’re losing a lot of games and have a lot of people getting arrested. There’s just a lot of things going wrong. I do want to play right away but I also want to be where it’s disciplined and they win championships.”
***************************************
Isn’t that great. I knew this start, in addition to last year’s 8-5, would begin to affect recruiting. If we lose to UT . . .
snapshot
October 7th, 2010
10:10 am
You people drink to much!
5150 P.O.A.D
October 7th, 2010
10:11 am
Yes, UGA has a chance to win the SEC east. This is about as likely to happen real life about as soon as I become a UGA fan.
kirk herbstreit
October 7th, 2010
10:11 am
lol the queen homage…
Dan
October 7th, 2010
10:13 am
I will agree that most of those things, however unlikely, are possible…except for Florida losing to LSU. Florida is going to destroy LSU this weekend. The Hat is overdue for a pounding.
JT
October 7th, 2010
10:20 am
I haven’t read past the headline but you have lost your mind.
dobearsbare
October 7th, 2010
10:22 am
I’m sure someone in the first 224 comments has said it already, but winning the east would mean playing Alabama. Last time Georgia played the Tide, it was ugly. This Tide team is way better than that one and this Georgia team is way worse than that one. I like the UGA wins out part, but I’d almost rather Florida face that embarrassment twice.
DawgBuzz
October 7th, 2010
10:22 am
I like the positive spin here, Mark. There is still a chance. A slim one though. Glad to see CMR shaking up the O-line, just wish he’d take over the play calling duties. Beat UT and everything changes. Go Dawgs!
JB
October 7th, 2010
10:23 am
I expect every week for Miles at the end of the game when the TV lady on the field puts that microphone in his face for him to shrug and say” I don’t know how we keep winning”.
BufordKing
October 7th, 2010
10:23 am
Good article and fun read!!!
Here is a more realistic scenerio for UGA in 2010:
vs. Tennessee – UT wins 28-17 – just a tougher team that shows heart.
vs. Vandy – UGA squeeks out a win – 20-14
vs. KY – toss up – let’s give this one to UGA
vs. Florida – UGA blown out …. again – lose by 3 TD’s minimum
vs. ID State – UGA …..wins big (whoop-de-do)
vs. Auburn – game over – early – Auburn wins big in yeat another embarrassing blow out loss.
vs GT – GT takes revenge and owns the second half to put UGA away – going away in the 4th Qtr.
Season Over
No Bowl GAME
Recruiting now struggling – Crowel,Drew committ to Alabama. Some of our verbals defect to other schools.
Richt gets 2011 – and will resign as a new direction will be needed.
Why would 2011 be much different that 2010?
Same players
Same RB’s
Same OL – except we lose Boling
Same coaches
Same results
I really hope that the above scenerio does not happen. But I see a team that is mediocre in talent – and just did not prepare well or seriously enough in the spring and summer – and now it’s too late.
Kind of like the kid that is expected to make A’s – but never studied until the night before the test. It’s too late for this season.
Coach Richt stated that he is coaching his tail off.
Well – SABAN and Meyer coach their tails off 365 days a year.
10 arrests = 1-4
I hate all of this – having to fire Coach Richt is aking to shooting Ole Yeller.
However, if the season does totally tanks – hand me the shotgun.
FBI Agent
October 7th, 2010
10:24 am
We are dispatching agents to your office immediately. Obviously you are on drugs.
JB
October 7th, 2010
10:25 am
LSU…..5-0 and more miserable than us….go figure….
What Are You Smoking Mark
October 7th, 2010
10:25 am
You need to put the crack pipe down Mark.
Somebody's on
October 7th, 2010
10:27 am
Crack
Elmer Fudd
October 7th, 2010
10:27 am
You wascally wabbit. You have lost your mind.
e roberts
October 7th, 2010
10:30 am
Great then they get Bama in the Dome. I guess you pick the Dawgs.
Douglas
October 7th, 2010
10:31 am
I am a UGA grad class of 1985. It is sad to see that our once proud program has become the laughing-stock of college football. On the other hand, some of you Bama folks better watch out: if Saban leaves, you need to remember how bad your program was before he got there…it could happen again…so you ought to learn a little humility instead of being such classless jerks.
Mechabradzilla
October 7th, 2010
10:33 am
Mark Bradley are you okay
The Ohio State Buckeye
October 7th, 2010
10:33 am
You Bama fans enjoy your run with Saban,
cause he is just waiting for his return to the
Buckeyes where he got his first break at
coaching under the coach, Denny Fryzell.
When it comes, he will leave Bama faster
than Kiffin left Tennessee.
Elmer Fudd
October 7th, 2010
10:34 am
You wascally wabbit. You must be nuts!
What Are You Smoking Mark
October 7th, 2010
10:35 am
Have you thought of rehab?
Obama
October 7th, 2010
10:36 am
Stranger things could happen …. like I will get re-elected in 2012.
Richt walks warily down the street, with the brim pulled way down low
October 7th, 2010
10:36 am
JB
no my friend, UGA is more miserable. There’s not one Les Miles hating LSU fan that would want to trade places with you. They’ve got a 7 year old shiny crystal football in their trophy case that helps them stomach this ugly 5-0 top 10 rated team
DawgNation
October 7th, 2010
10:37 am
Mark,
Without reading one word of your column nor one word of the dribble from the idiot ones that troll these blogs I have to say I was very glad I was not drinking my coffee at the time I read the your head line. I just now stopped laughing long enough to share that with you. I hate how the season is going, but come on, the realistic view has to be slim to none on winning the east. Start with Tenn. and lets see from there.
Cracker Jacket
October 7th, 2010
10:37 am
Suckee Dawg – I know who emabarrases this state. The trembling chihuahua’s. 4 straight losses. Only win was against a kindergarten. 10 arrests. And the coup de gras: an AD caught drunk driving around TECH TOWN with a pair of red panties with a wife and children at home in Athens. And that is just THIS YEAR! What a total embarrasment!