A chilling thought: What if Richt DOESN’T beat these Gators?
Bulldogs and Gators gather to debate the issue: "Who's worse -- you or us?" (AJC file photo)
The Georgia Bulldogs head to Jacksonville, where they’ve won three times since 1989, as favorites over Florida. We couldn’t have foreseen such a thing a month ago, but here it is. Georgia, which had lost four in a row, has won three in a row. Florida hasn’t won since September.
A check of the SEC stats shows that Georgia leads Florida in every significant offensive category and in rushing defense and turnover margin. Heck, Georgia has even been flagged for fewer penalties.
Put simply, this stacks up as Georgia’s best chance to beat Florida since 2004, when Ron Zook was a lame duck. (And Georgia did prevail that year, though not without a struggle.) Put even more simply, this puts an even greater onus on the coach who’s 2-7 against the hated Gators. Because what will it say about Mark Richt if he can’t beat Urban Meyer’s worst Florida team?
I know, I know. A month ago, we were calling this Richt’s worst team. But much has changed. And you can’t have watched Florida lose to Mississippi State in Gainesville and Georgia beat Kentucky in Lexington and not think the Bulldogs are playing the better football. Georgia’s hot. Florida’s not. But how hot will Richt’s coaching seat be if his team goes to Duval County and finishes second?
I’m on record as saying I think Georgia will win. Judging by the little poll accompanying that post, 80 percent of you agree. But now I’m asking: What if Georgia doesn’t win? What then, huh?
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532 comments Add your comment
Impeach Jeff Goldblum
October 28th, 2010
2:26 pm
“60 years,”
If you don’t want Florida to rub it in, beat them.
While I may find what Urban did with the timeouts to be tasteless, it is within the rules of the game. Again, all you have to do to avoid that is to beat them.
Same for Spurrier scoring 50 points.
The dancing in the endzone is different because it is outside the actual rules of the game. Very childish as well.
It sounds like something that would happen in “Little Giants” or some other kiddie football movie. Of course, so does changing your jersey color to try to intimidate the other team.
dawgfacedboy
October 28th, 2010
2:27 pm
He’s 2-7 since he’s been at UGA. Not sure why I should have confidence they will be 3-7. This game has become a penciled in L every year I get my schedule and until Richt shows me any different it will continue to be. The road to the SEC championship game still goes through Jacksonville and until we can win with any sort of consistency we’ll be at home the first weekend in December watching on t.v. like we are most years.
KingGator
October 28th, 2010
2:27 pm
it’s a mental thing!!
Delbert D.
October 28th, 2010
2:28 pm
Is the Florida placekicker, Sturgis still injured?
Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans
October 28th, 2010
2:31 pm
If Georgia loses to Florida, the South Carolina border should be adjusted to include Athens.
saban
October 28th, 2010
2:31 pm
Florida wins by a 100.
Meyer wants to make a statement.
KingGator
October 28th, 2010
2:31 pm
it doesn’t matter who the coach is, it’s a mental block i’m afraid. Spurrier started it with his drumbeat of hey, “this is in our state”, and in the “gator bowl”, so it’s a “homegame” for us. Stuff like that wears on you if you’re the opponent. Not to mention the 52 points he put up in athens
vince dooley couldn’t win either if he came back. Now herschel, that might be the difference maker, but he is playing tapout with his buddies in the ring
60 years
October 28th, 2010
2:37 pm
Impeach….you obviously didnt understand the context of my post. I dont have a problem really with the time outs or throwing the ball and scoring 50. WHAT I DO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH is OUR AD calling out UGA and coaches for celebrating in the end zone. Were all three stupid moves? yes- but if you are the AD at UGA you dont call your team out without adding some context to it all by including everything
TTTT-Thumbody Thed Thats Thupid!
October 28th, 2010
2:40 pm
If “ifs, ands, and buts” were all “fruits, nuts, and candy” we would all have a very Merry Christmas!Thumbody Theddit !!!!!
Impeach Jeff Goldblum
October 28th, 2010
2:44 pm
“60 years,”
I understood what you were getting at, but McGarity can only speak about his OWN program. Maybe he disagreed with those moves when they occurred at UF, but he was not in charge and therefore could not speak.
Now he has the opportunity to speak about what UGA did, and he is letting people know that this is not something he will approve of.
I think it speaks volumes of his character to make such a stand, especially knowing that it may not make him popular with his fanbase. Doing what’s right is rarely popular.
JB
October 28th, 2010
2:48 pm
It depends on how we lose, if we lose……If we lose a hard fought , close game and lose on a late turnover, I’m mad, but Ok……If it’s over at the half, say 28-3, and we look lost, I ‘m ready for major changes in Athens…..MAJOR !
He Hate Gator
October 28th, 2010
2:48 pm
Florida has Jenks returning to play…their best rusher and a track star…they’ve had no rushing attack since he’s been out…this will not be the same Florida team that’s played the last 3 games…I do not pick Georgia to win…and if Ga does lose, this season will start to look very grim indeed…but I hate Gators and hope Dawgs can beat them and pour it on…
Impeach Jeff Goldblum
October 28th, 2010
2:49 pm
I don’t see a blowout happening either way, JB. I think this will be a very close game.
Florida is a better team than they have shown thus far, and UGA looks hungry again after the awful start.
gomdawg
October 28th, 2010
2:50 pm
What happened in the pass is pass the FUTURE IS THE DAWGS WINNING THE NEXT 4 YEARS . GET READY GATORS YOUR TURN AGAIN
SC Fan
October 28th, 2010
2:50 pm
During the last few weeks of the season, the question will finally be answered. Which is stronger? The Chicken Curse, or the Curse of the Red Panties?
Damon Evans
October 28th, 2010
2:50 pm
There are way too many Ga. footballers getting into legal problems. I always thought Richt needed some ethics training.
JB
October 28th, 2010
2:51 pm
That would be “past” gomdawg, just say’n
gomdawg
October 28th, 2010
2:53 pm
What I see happening is Georgia / Florida both have great teams bad things have happened to both teams . But It’s Georgia winning by 37-24
Barry Bonds
October 28th, 2010
2:54 pm
Mark: Please let the Braves know that I am available as a hitting coach. I also could give hitters some tips on how to boost performance through better chemistry.
Mobile Dawg
October 28th, 2010
2:56 pm
Chilling Indeed Mark. That’s something CMR needs to worry about, not me….
Easy Win
October 28th, 2010
3:01 pm
Relax Dawgs—this will be one of UGA’s easiest wins of the year. This game could get ugly early when Murray and AJ start lighting up UF’s secondary. Florida lost to Miss State at home and only scored 7 points!!! Ga will shut down brantley cold–this game will over quick. Dawgs 38 fl 13.
SadDawg
October 28th, 2010
3:06 pm
“Not to mention the 52 points he put up in athens”
*****************************
Come on KingGator, I know most Gators hate to dwell on history, believing UF started playing football when Spurrier took the coaching job, but . . . . . .
FYI, UGA has the most 50+ point games (4-2), more 40+ point games, the most 30+ point games (7-6, (the most shutouts (12-5), and lastly, the most wins.
And, did you know, UGA “put up” 75 points on UF? Yeah!
Ari Gold
October 28th, 2010
3:08 pm
SC Fan,
Considering UGA has as many wins this year as your team has bowl wins in 100+ years of football, I would have to say the Chicken Curse is worse.
GATORADE SUX
October 28th, 2010
3:08 pm
I just hope our Dawgs don’t go into game believing too much of the media’s “hot streak”… Yes, solid game at KY – but none of our 3 game win streak has come against strong teams, certainly not by SEC League standards. We need our best game of the season vs. FL.
Ace
October 28th, 2010
3:12 pm
Hope the Gators win, UGA is a sad situation of a football program.
Real Dawg Fan
October 28th, 2010
3:12 pm
so much crying going on in this blog….theres no crying in football….we are turning things around, as I posted b4, we beat UK who beat SC who beat Bama…..stop acting like it wasnt a good win for DAWG NATION
to Mark B: Tech is out of the runnings for anything, now ur a Dawg fan?
Real Dawg Fan
October 28th, 2010
3:13 pm
SADDAWG…….PREACH!
Ari Gold
October 28th, 2010
3:19 pm
SC Fan,
Considering Georgia has as many wins this season as SC has bowl wins in 100+ years of football, I would have to say that the Chicken Curse is worse…
Oconeedawg
October 28th, 2010
3:20 pm
Mr. Bradley all you do is sit in your office and drum up stuff like, “What will Coach Richt do if the DAWG’s loose to the Gators?”. They need you in a small town newspaper is Obama home town!
GO DAWGS BEAT GATORS. Coach Richt will do another outstanding job of coaching.
Ace
October 28th, 2010
3:22 pm
I guess all ya’ll kiss Richt and forgot about all those losses.
He Hate Gator
October 28th, 2010
3:23 pm
Urban Meyer 31-3 overall at Florida, Utah, and Bowling Green when he’s had more than one week to prepare his team. Gators also get Demps back to bolster their running game…he’s been out for each of the 3 games in a row they lost…
Real Dawg Fan
October 28th, 2010
3:25 pm
ACE –
we kiss Richt cuz we think about the wins too…..if ur a GAYTOR fan then u should now we hold the most wins against UF (46-39-2) with the record blowout of 75-0 so I guess we can ace that 1
Nostradamus
October 28th, 2010
3:30 pm
Nothing of note happens if Georgia loses.
In time, McGarity will work out just fine as AD but right now he doesn’t have the equity in his position that Richt has in his. Even if CMR loses out (which he won’t) there won’t be a head coaching change, period.
what of it?
October 28th, 2010
3:30 pm
then they are 4-5 and the season is still a bust just like it is right now
Beat Florida!
October 28th, 2010
3:38 pm
IF we don’t win and go out there and play sloppy football by lose by a couple of touchdowns then I think Richt has to go. But I just think we’re the better team this year. Urban Meyer, unfortunately, is a really good coach, but I still think we can beat Florida because of their offense. I know he’s had a week off, but Demp’s foot has really seemed to slow him down the last few games and I don’t think that it is something that will just go right away. Murray is much better than Brantley at this point and I think he will prove it Saturday. This looks like ‘07 for UF- one side of their team is good, but the other is struggling. Only for this team it’s the offense that’s bad and the defense that’s good. Georgia wins a close one, 28-21 and Richt saves his job and goes into the rest of the reason with the whole team feeling great.
Gator fan
October 28th, 2010
3:45 pm
Georgia scares me to death right now. They just HAVE to be being playing their best right before the game Saturday.I think we have a lot better defense than them, but their balance of offense is excellent. We HAVE to stop the run Saturday and if we do that, I don’t think Murray can beat us by himself. Though the way our offense has played I wouldn’t be surprised to lose 14-10. but heck, if goergia commits a bunch of dirty penalties, like last year, they won’t be able to move the ball on us.Sometimes, I think georgia would lose less big games if they didn’t commit all the penalties and fumbles but they seem to be a lot more discilplined later this year, so we’ll see. Go gators!!!
SadDawg
October 28th, 2010
3:46 pm
He Hate Gator,
Not to mention a certain honorable Mr Rainey.
Look, logic says Myer will outsmart Bobo/Richt. I mean, Richt only beat Myer once with all those high-round NFL players (Stafford, Knowshon, Massaquoi, etc).
If, and this is a big if, Bobo/Richt goes all out, like in ‘07, and stay aggressive (on offense) the whole game, UGA will beat UF. If they realize how much better Murray protects the ball than Stafford did, this is a no-brainer for coaches Bobo/Richt. Put Murray in the ‘gun and let him win yet another game for the Dawgs.
If they game plan and play call like the other 8 years, we can’t win. A bunch of 3-and-outs, and our D will break down.
War Eagle
October 28th, 2010
3:47 pm
Florida SUCKS on offense, so UGA wins 31-17. For once, the Dogs don’t choke in J’ville.
db
October 28th, 2010
4:02 pm
Georgia’s been on a roll… Against the dregs of the sec….. Time to play with the big boys, even if the big boys are not quite as big as the past… So what does all this mean?
Two tricks:
1) Lay Down
2) Play Dead.
The Party’s Over Rover.
Dumd ass UGA fans
October 28th, 2010
4:14 pm
The mighty dogs beat Tenn, Vandy and KY….now back to reality with losses to FL, AU and GT>
RAMBLINWRECK
October 28th, 2010
4:15 pm
dawginlex, i thought for a little while that you were a homer but reading your 1st post made me want to say…kudos for living in reality. You and i have something in common and that is we support our teams in a struggling year. GT could possibly have to beat uga to make a bowl game (not a gimme to be duke with the way we are playing) and that is sad considering both teams had talent coming back and higher expectations as both were ranked with good reason to start the year. The good news for dawg fans is that murray is a stud and will be better than stafford by far. The bad news for GT is that the only QB we have that you will fear is vad lee who is not even on campus yet. This kid can throw and fly. We must have a legit duel threat QB to survive in this offense which i do like but you must have the weapons and it all begins with the QB. I think you guys will be back to being good again next season but i don’t feel the same about us. 2-3 year setback at GT coming. You guys are a great program and try to realize that even michael jordan had bad games. You guys will be back again and sooner than i would like. I’m looking forward to a hard fought game in athens!
Alphare
October 28th, 2010
4:23 pm
Well, we know dawgs are not good with Maths, if they cannot beat FL, what else are they good at?
1234 S.O.A.J.
October 28th, 2010
4:26 pm
5150 P.O.A.D. is an idiot.
Spit on a jacket.
DawginLex
October 28th, 2010
4:27 pm
Thanks wreck,
I still believe we will win Saturday because of Murray.
Tech isn’t out of anything yet. Playing VT at blacksburg isn’t the end of the world. They lost to James Madison.
Jesus is the answer
October 28th, 2010
4:27 pm
Mark Richt loves jesus, so the Dawgs will win.
DawginLex
October 28th, 2010
4:28 pm
Hey Jesus mocker,
If you are planning on dying one day, it would serve you well to know Jesus as well. He oversees a pretty cool place. The other option, not so good.
RAMBLINWRECK
October 28th, 2010
4:32 pm
I don’t understand why a GT fan would talk crap on this blog? We suck if any normal GT fan hasn’t noticed. Uga would beat kansas by at least 21 points in lawrence. These two teams have accomplished nothing and beaten nobody worth boasting about. The SEC is down this season and the ACC has been flat horrible against non conference teams. I don’t see any real reason to bump your gums on either side. Both teams suck. I feel if these two teams play saturday, uga would line up and run it down our throats just like last season. We have been dominated by even weaker lines like wake and kansas, so i could only imagine what uga will do to us.Thats not to say we can’t get our yards as well, but this will be like 2 turtles racing in my opinion! Some uga fans are complete idiots and it appears GT fans are as well. I think if GT beats uga it will be clearly an upset and a big win considering how bad we look right now. This is a rival game and both teams will lay it on the line. I just can’t believe that there is a possibility that neither team makes a bowl game. Unreal
JASon
October 28th, 2010
4:35 pm
“What if Georgia doesn’t win? What then, huh?”
The earth will veer from its orbit and will steer directly toward the sun’s gravitational pull. All life will be dissipated by the radioactive emissions long before the earth is destroyed in one terrifying explosion. Because, god knows, there’s no way on earth florida could possibly beat georgia on saturday. We would all just stare at the tv in sheer awe and devastation.
UGA Goats
October 28th, 2010
4:41 pm
What’s chilling about it? UGA is gonna get stuffed… as usual.
GS
October 28th, 2010
4:45 pm
It won’t be a life changing or employment changing event if the bulldogs do not win. A loss by the bulldogs will only keep the usual numerous excuses flowing(i.e.,injuries,inexperience,poor play calling, etc.).