In the SEC Least, know who looks hot? Mark Richt and UGA
As Vince Dooley once said: "We've got good depth at dog." (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
Two weeks ago we wondered if Georgia would win another game. (I was pretty confident about Vanderbilt and Idaho State, but the way the Bulldogs were fumbling and getting arrested you couldn’t know.) Now we wonder if they can win the SEC Least. (It’s suddenly possible.) And we also wonder if their coach isn’t again the most stable guy in his division.
Mark Richt has gone from losing four in a row, a personal nadir, to beating two division brethren by the aggregate score of 84-14. In the SEC East, where every team has lost at least two league games, this qualifies as a surge.
How uninspiring has this division, once the class of the collegiate game, become? Consider: Should it beat Kentucky in Lexington on Saturday night, there’s a chance Georgia, which not so long ago was 1-4, would go to Jacksonville favored over Florida.
Because the Gators are awful. And South Carolina looks eminently capable of doing the South Carolina thing, meaning build up hopes only to send them crashing. And the other three East teams are a combined 2-8 in conference play. A closer look at the Least;
South Carolina: Even by Poultry standards, the past three weeks have been dizzying. The Gamecocks blew a lead at Auburn, beat No. 1 Alabama by two touchdowns and blew an even bigger lead at Kentucky. Steve Spurrier botched the endgame in Lexington and was summarily demoted from Evil Genius to the New Les Miles. And Marcus Lattimore, the great freshman runner, got hurt against the Wildcats.
Florida: Watching the Gators lose to Mississippi State and erstwhile lieutenant Dan Mullen, it really did seem as if the Urban Crier was about to cry. (Given that the last Florida coach who lost to MSU got fired the next week, Meyer might have had reason.) His famous offense had managed six points against Alabama and now seven versus State. In between he’d managed to get outsmarted by Les Miles. Retirement looks better with every week, wouldn’t you say?
Kentucky: Joker Phillips, the new coach, has a new slogan: Operation Win. This marks an improvement on the old UK mission: Operation Lose In The Most Painful Way Imaginable. And the Joker did just beat Spurrier — would that make the Ol’ Ball Coach the Riddler? — in a game of national significance. But the Wildcats have also accomplished two things that required real effort: They made Florida’s offense look good for one night, and they lost to Ole Miss, which had lost to Jacksonville State.
Vanderbilt: It was believed new coach Robbie Caldwell wouldn’t win an SEC game this season. Hah. He has beaten Ole Miss and might beat Tennessee. He also lost to Georgia by 43 points. It’s still Vandy, I’m afraid.
Tennessee: As ever, the Vols’ schedule eases toward the end. By then, however, they figure to be 2-6 overall and 0-5 in SEC play. And the hiring of Derek Dooley, which went over well enough at the time, has begun to be regarded as another in the series of Mike Hamilton whiffs. (Athletic directors never look good when their choice messes up worse than Les Miles, who has become the most interesting man in the Western Hemisphere.)
Loading ...And then there’s Richt: Calm, cool — if Georgia’s coach is nothing else, he’s calm and cool — and managing to collect his thoughts. The offense looks good. The defense looks better. After starting 0-3 in the conference, the Bulldogs are on the move.
To win the division, Georgia needs to finish a game ahead of South Carolina, which holds the tiebreaker edge because it beat the Bulldogs. (A three-way tie could reset the tiebreaker.) But the Gamecocks still must play Arkansas in Columbia and Florida in Gainesville; it’s possible they could finish 4-4 in the league.
To get to 5-3, Georgia cannot lose again. It must win at Kentucky, in Jacksonville and at Auburn on Nov. 13. I’m not sure about that last game — Auburn’s pretty stinkin’ good, to borrow a Richt-ism — but neither the Wildcats or the Gators are any better than the Bulldogs. This could still happen, people.
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435 comments Add your comment
do-dah do-dah
October 18th, 2010
1:31 pm
“Son you got a panty on your head.”
Oh Dee Doo Dah Day
October 18th, 2010
1:32 pm
I do, I do.
DAWG FAN
October 18th, 2010
1:34 pm
I don’t care how many crimes our players commit. I don’t care how bad our academics are. All I care about is winning That’t what it’s all about. GO DAWGS!!!!!
SEC Fact Checker(the real one)
October 18th, 2010
1:34 pm
I guess the next big question should be:
If UGA goes up to Kentucky and loses WOULD CBS opt out of the UGA and UF game?
Well then again it may decide what happens when USC and UF play for the EAST or if UGA has to beat Auburn to win the East.
Who would have ever thought a three loss SEC team would win the East?
Sing It With Me
October 18th, 2010
1:36 pm
A 1 and a 2 and 1 and 2 …… Dooley slippin’ up a holler, Dooley tryin’ to make a dollar, Dooley give me a swaller and I’ll pay ya’ back some day.
boots
October 18th, 2010
1:36 pm
For 10 years, it looked as if the SEC was the stronger side of the SEC, and that the western schools had it easy. Alabama was down, Auburn was average and LSU was inconsistent. And then there was the MS schools and Arkansas… All the while, TN and FL were winning NCs, the Dawgs were one of the strongest programs in the nation year-in, year-out, and even SC was on the rise. Oh, how things have changed! I think UGA can pull it out, but I’m not sure I want them to. Mixed feelings on losing 4 in a row (especially THOSE games) and still playing for the SEC title. Wow, that is a crazy idea…
Sing It With Me
October 18th, 2010
1:37 pm
Dooley was a good ole man
He lived below the mill
Dooley had two daughters
And a forty-gallon still
One gal watched the boiler
The other watched the spout
And mama corked the bottles
And ole Dooley fetched ‘em out.
Red Panties Rick
October 18th, 2010
1:45 pm
To get over the hump and win the “Least,” Georgia needs special inspiration. That’s why I propose, instead of a “black out,” why not a “red panties on?” Suit up all the dawgs in special red panties ensembles, and then let Richt lead them out on the field sporting a fiery red satin bustier. That would set the tone and get everyone’s attention….
Sing It With Me
October 18th, 2010
1:49 pm
Standing on the corner with the lowdown blues
A great big hole in the bottom of my shoes
Honey let me be your salty dog
Let me be your salty dog
Or I won’t be your little man at all
Honey let me be your salty dog
Look it here Sal, I know you
Run down stocking and a wore out shoe
Honey let me be your salty dog
Let me be your salty dog
Or I won’t be your little man at all
Honey let me be your salty dog
He Hate Gator
October 18th, 2010
1:49 pm
A dyslexic logic perhaps? “So uga loses to miss st, just like fla, and beats up on bad teams tenn and vandy and they are good and Fla is awful. Ok nice logic.”
Sing It With Me
October 18th, 2010
1:51 pm
Thank you, thank you. You’ve been a great audience. I’ll be here all week. Don’t forget to tip your waiters.
ronald
October 18th, 2010
1:52 pm
The problem is this- People still see UGA as being great with AJ Green and terrible without AJ Green. 1 player should not help a coach keep his job. Even if Richt does win out, Georgia will still have 4 losses on the year and TWO MEDIOCRE seasons in a row. I’m not thrilled about that.
5150 P.O.A.D.
October 18th, 2010
2:00 pm
I would love UGA to win the SEC Least. Lose to Tech and get Killed by Bama, Auburn, or LSU in the Dome. UGA has managed to beat a few High School teams, lose to a high school team, and lose to middle or the raod SEC teams. The SEC is Bama, Auburn, and LSU this year for sure.
BCS is Stupid
October 18th, 2010
2:25 pm
http://pricezack.wordpress.com/2010/10/18/the-bcs-who-will-raise-the-crystal-ball/ check out this article about the current BCS ranking. it is extremely informative. very interesting read
Kuntufecky
October 18th, 2010
2:31 pm
Puppies meet woodshed up in Kentucky, news at 11.
Bleu_Bayou42
October 18th, 2010
2:32 pm
I am still baskin in the victory from Saturday (Vandy or not)so get back to me on Wednesday. The one thing I have learned from 2010 thus far is, appreciate the wins.
Roll Tide
October 18th, 2010
2:33 pm
Georgia fans better get their tickets for Glendale for the BCS Championship game they have won 2 straight games against far inferior opponents. Wait until after Kentucky, Florida, and Auburn before making bold predictions.
mdr
October 18th, 2010
2:36 pm
Pure craziness. I don’t see it happening, but I didn’t see a 2 loss LSU team winning a national title a couple of years back, so ya never know.
Lee
October 18th, 2010
2:42 pm
As a Gator fan, I don’t see the Gators beating the Dawgs this year. We are terrible this year and the Dawgs seem to be clicking. The bye may help a little but will not get us the w. Murray looks like he is becoming a force for the Dawgs and has matured unlike Brantley.
Gator Man
October 18th, 2010
2:58 pm
Urban came out and said his team is not that good. They lost to LSU, Ala both were ranked and very good, Georgia is bragging on beating Vandy Tnn, both teams have not won a game in SEC.
There is not a news man in Florida would have wrote a dumb arcticle like this, UGA have not won or played for NAT since the cell phone was invented, in Florida we are give it a man that has won 2 titles in 5 years and you dumbe people are giving Mark R. praise for lossing to Colorado.
Delbert D.
October 18th, 2010
3:05 pm
CFN’s Heisman Preview Rankings
by Pete Fiutak
1. Terrelle Prior, QB Ohio St.
2. Case Keenum, QB Houston
3. Mark Ingram, RB Alabama
4. John Brantley, QB Florida
5. Kellen Moore, QB Boise St.
6. Garrett Gilbert, QB Texas
7. Ryan Williams, RB Va. Tech
8. Andy Dalton, QB TCU
9. Noel Devine, RB West Virginia
10. Ricky Dobbs, QB Navy
http://cfn.scout.com/2/966826.html
Brantley is currently ranked behind 11 quarterbacks in the SEC in Passer Rating.
2010=weak sec defenses
October 18th, 2010
3:06 pm
What happened? 65-43? 35-21?
Sec can longer bang their defense drum. This year certainly needs a 16 team playoff to determine the best team.
uga 2011
October 18th, 2010
3:13 pm
No durham. No aj
Who’s little arron gonna pass to?
Army Vet
October 18th, 2010
3:14 pm
DAWG FAN…..you are what’s wrong with the program.
Gatorbait
October 18th, 2010
3:17 pm
Bradley is the most unprofessional writer in the business. Urban Cryer? Yeah that is great journalism. UGA writer talking smack- that is funny. Chances are Richt will be fired at the end of the year and UGA has zero chance at a decent bowl like usual.
And Florida beat....
October 18th, 2010
3:24 pm
…who this year…Miami (OH), not FL
S. Fl
UT
KY
I rest my case! Quit obessing Urban Weenie!
AltamahaDawg
October 18th, 2010
3:26 pm
“We’re not very good right now,” Meyer said repeatedly after losing to Mississippi State.
Don’t pretend like mumbling nonsensical BS at a press conference with no idea what else to say is some big courageous act of self reflection, or a master ploy of motivating his team.
MURPHY
October 18th, 2010
3:34 pm
Urban will have his team good and ready for the game in Jax. I promise you wont see the team that lost to Miss St. We will have our hand full.
gcs
October 18th, 2010
3:40 pm
You Dawgs fans need to calm down. UGA beat a lame Tennessee team and Vandy is a team you are supposed to defeat 43-0.
Kentucky is no pushover and Florida has a bye week before the Cocktail Party.
Don’t buy those SEC Championship Game tickets just yet.
.
LHardingDawg
October 18th, 2010
3:41 pm
While winning out is improbable, it is possible. Marray and the offense is playing much better and the defense has only allowed 14 points in the last two games. Of the three SEC games left, Auburn worries me the most, with Kentucky coming in second, and the Gators third. Plus, we have done it before. As usual, I’ll be in Jacksonville and Auburn, win or lose.
JB
October 18th, 2010
3:41 pm
MY My My…..How times have changed…..Go to the Lexington today online and read a quote from Joker Phillips today at his press conference…..” We can’t afford to overlook Georgia”
OVERLOOK US……….When in the Mark Richt era has a Kentucky football coach said that about us…….That’s what Richt used to say before the Georgia Southern game if you want a comparison !!!!!! Oh man have we fallen………………….
Law and Order
October 18th, 2010
3:42 pm
Why are players who were put on probation by UGA still allowed to practice and play with the team?
That’s just not right.
Hobby
October 18th, 2010
3:45 pm
Kentucky 34, Georgia 24.
Hobnail boots in the face again!
JB
October 18th, 2010
3:45 pm
Give us names LAW and Order and I will answer the charge. I don’t know of Any. Caleb King is out for two games, other than that, tell us.
JB
October 18th, 2010
3:46 pm
Richt needs to post that Joker Phillips quote all over the locker room……..
AltamahaDawg
October 18th, 2010
3:51 pm
I think Joker was saying they can’t afford to overlook the fact that not every win of any concequence for the past 2 years can simple come from a giftwrapped 4 TO second half meltdown.
Dawgs on Fire!
October 18th, 2010
3:55 pm
The Dawgs are the hottest team in the SEC right now after those 2 blowout wins. Richt has it turned around bigtime. You heard it here first: UGa wins out, easy wins over kentucky and florida and huge upset over Auburn to win the SEC east, followed by a blowout over Tech. Murray—the best young QB in the SEC!!
Sean
October 18th, 2010
4:01 pm
I am not saying that the Dawgs have righted the ship just yet. However, the D and O-line have vastly improved over the last 2 games. Not sure if it’s because Vandy and TN are that bad, or that we are becoming that good. In any regard, the KY and UF games will be the measure of how much the team has progressed since the beginning of the season. Wish we had the bye before Auburn rather than GT. Auburn will be the toughest test of the season by far.
MURPHY
October 18th, 2010
4:02 pm
JB,
Agree!!! Those comments are for sure bulliten board material! Cats should know better than this-Remember the saying they were gonna beat the Dawgs and tear down the goal-post? That game didnt go to well for the Kitty-Kats!
Big Dawg
October 18th, 2010
4:04 pm
http://www.facebook.com/leowelf#!/pages/AJ-Green-Please-stay-for-your-senior-year/102345593165194
Tommy Rogers
October 18th, 2010
4:05 pm
I think UGA has a decent chance against UK this weekend. UK should not be overlooking us Dawgs! They are probable more talented than us, but we have a lot of heart and have Coach Richt. Let’s go Dawgs, pull the upset!!!
Ace
October 18th, 2010
4:20 pm
Any arrests this weekend? UGA, a program in decline.
npgator
October 18th, 2010
4:20 pm
I find it funny that a dawg homer is bad mouthing the Gators! We have a rebuilding year after having 3 our of the 4 previous years at 13 and 1! What had Georgia done? Let me tell you – NADA!
Ed
October 18th, 2010
4:27 pm
The next couple of seasons will be very telling for Urban Meyer. This is his second season without Tebow, UF’s version of Herschel Walker and maybe the most dominant quarterback ever. Meyer’s now 13-6, or .684, without Tebow, including the cupcake games.
Thank God Cameron Newton chose Auburn rather than to stay at UF.
The idea of Georgia winning the East at this point seems unreal. I’m not sure I want them to be in contention for the conference title at 5-3, it just doesn’t seem right. But if Georgia closes the conference schedule by beating Kentucky, Florida and Auburn, then we will be as deserving as anyone else in the “least.” Which is to say, not much at all.
Splendid Splinter
October 18th, 2010
4:28 pm
Aw c’mon – Georgia can’t beat Florida, and Auburn will beat the snot out of them. All Florida has to do is throw their helmet on the field. Between that and the referees trying to get back at Georgia for running all the players on the field several years ago, Georgia doesn’t have a chance. If Auburn can score 65 points against Arkansas they’ll score 85 against Georgia. But of course, Georgia will beat Tech. Go Dawgs.
AltamahaDawg
October 18th, 2010
4:34 pm
np, wouldnt that make it that much worse for UF than UGA right now?
Stupid Dawg
October 18th, 2010
4:35 pm
UGA will beet Kentucki, Florada and Aubarn and finish the year at 8-4. South Carolina will loose too more games and we will play and win the SEC Championship. The BCS will know we was the best team and the Dawgs will geet to play for the NC and we will then beet Oklahomma for the title.
Go Dawgs!
bruce mac
October 18th, 2010
4:50 pm
I was watching the Gator broadcast and they were advertising for tickets. Do the Gator’s not sell out every game in football or where those ads for basketball?
Ace
October 18th, 2010
5:02 pm
UGA has now beat 2 crummy teams in a row and still has a LOSING record. A program destined to crash.
steve
October 18th, 2010
5:05 pm
Everyone thinks im crazy at work but ive been saying that every monday morning since we lost to Co. we can still win the east till we loose one more game.keep the dream alive.go dawgs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!