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
Winston Wolfe
October 29th, 2010
11:21 am
WONDER……we sure will. As long as you promise not to talk or type where anyone with a dab of intellect can hear or see it.
hey winston dorke
October 29th, 2010
11:35 am
why even make that request…..
YOU”LL never hear him or read his typed note either . dimwit. go pee in your library or sniff a butt. just stay away from mine.
you bullfrawgs are toooo easy. i kill me
hell anytime the frawgs
October 29th, 2010
11:41 am
lose we gt fans are chilled. we think its way cooool.
go gators.
i need to see that pic of rev richt with his arms stretched out over his flock like jesus again for a good laugh.
its a shame he really doesnt have the power of jeeeeeeesus cause…. he would grow some hair hat doesnt look like ass crack hair…. he would make himself permanently tanned…. he would permanently fix all the tickets and citations and arrest records of his players so only HE knew who was a felon an who wasnt.
FRED
October 29th, 2010
11:44 am
I AM SORRY BUT I TRULY BELIEVE CMR CAN NOT BEAT MEYER.
Snoop Dawg
October 29th, 2010
11:51 am
My heart wants the Dawgs to win, but my head reminds me that da Preacha Man is the coach. Rock break scissors, Meyer cover Richt. It’s that simple. UF has a mastermind coach while UGA has the Marlboro Man who thinks he’s a CEO… Unfortunately, the odds are in for a beatdown of the Dawgs in Jacksonville administered by a bunch of Gators who played high school football in Georgia. Then the trend will reappear and it will be difficult to have a winning season.
ARdawg
October 29th, 2010
11:56 am
Fred, you say that like Meyer is some kind of mental genius. Trust me, he’s not.
ARdawg
October 29th, 2010
12:01 pm
Snoop
Meyer is as lost as a gnat in a schitz storm. The raw talent from FL has dissipated and Meyer can’t develop it. Richt is obviously no Einstien either but, I’ll take my chances with him. Dawgs 29-19
GO DAWGS
Gaytors have ugly unis
October 29th, 2010
12:30 pm
If UGA wants to win this game they need to have a good starting drive and shut out Florida on their opening drive. They need to get over the psychological hump that the Gaytors have over them.
DAN HAWKINS
October 29th, 2010
12:46 pm
I own UGA and I own Mark Richt.
Ed
October 29th, 2010
1:15 pm
Then Richt slips to 2-8 against UF (including the Zook years) and the Georgia brass needs to seriously consider if Richt is the man to lead UGA football into the future. The right coach makes all the difference. Spurrier broke Georgia’s stranglehold on this game; Jim Tressell came along at a time when OSU looked hopelessly jinxed against Michigan and completely turned that series around. At one time in the late 80s early 90s Notre Dame had a 9-game win streak over USC, and then Lou Holtz left and USC returned to prominence and Notre Dame can’t keep up with USC.
Historically Florida is not a better program than Georgia, so there’s no reason why this trend should continue. If Richt isn’t the right man to turn it around, then let’s find the right man, whoever he turns out to be.
Dorsey Hill
October 29th, 2010
1:24 pm
This game has a different complexion than any Cocktail Party in memory. The Gators aren’t as bad as every one thinks just as Georgia wasn’t as bad as our 1-4 start seemed to indicate. Further, our 3 game winning streak wasn’t exactly against great teams. I see this game as very evenly matched. The questionable units: UGA’s D vs. UF’s O, face off and the more proven units match up as well. The only advantage that would appear on paper is at kicker and Walsh missed a PAT and a FG last week. A UF blowout seems more unlikely than a UGA blowout simply because UF’s offense has stuggled so much. However, the most likely scenario is that this will be a 60 minute game perhaps similar to 1993 when the winner is determined on the last possession. Hopefully, this one won’t come down to an idiot in stripes like that one did.
In the pre-season, I thought this would be a one-sided game favoring us. Of course, who could have predicted that AJ would be suspended or that UF would have a 3-game losing streak coming in? So, now its gut check game. The team that wants it more wins. I look for a blood bath. Two teams that hate each other and are desperate to win. My over under on personal fouls is 5 and that might be low.
Finally, I don’t know I have this thought but I have a vision of Tavares King being the difference maker. If he catches some deep balls we win, maybe going away.
johnnyinscouthcarolina
October 29th, 2010
1:54 pm
Lets not forget that the Dawgs loast to the Cocks who lost to the Wildcats. Sounds a lot like Big Yeast teams to me.
autiger83
October 29th, 2010
2:07 pm
Im an Aubie, but I hope the Dawgs win. My kid is in the redcoat band!
autiger83
October 29th, 2010
2:11 pm
I always hand it to the Dawg fans…you guys are hilarious.
rlm
October 29th, 2010
2:23 pm
If they lose this will be our chance to dump Richt this is not bad.
jellybeandawg
October 29th, 2010
2:47 pm
With 2 weeks to, rest, regroup, and prepare, no way Myer looses 4 in a row. He is just to good of a coach to let that happen.
Lets not forget that UGA is still the same unmotivated, undisciplined, unprepared, and poorly coached team it has always been under Coach Valium i.e. Mark Richt.
Gators roll the Dawgs in Jax. and expose the Dawgs as the pumpkins they truly are!
Larry Munson
October 29th, 2010
2:53 pm
Allright, get the picture. Dawgs in red pants, black tops, Gators in blue pants, orange tops. We kick it high and deep. They catch it at the 1. He cuts down the sideline ….. 40, 50, 40, 30, 20, 10, 5, touchdown Florida. I just broke my chair. Can you believe they took the opening kick back like that? It’s like we weren’t even on the field. Wait a minute, wait a minute. We’ve got a flag back at the 30. Let’s see what that’s all about. The officials are talking it over. Here’s the call. My Gawd Almighty …. They hit us with 15 yards for wearing red panties. The penalty will be on the kickoff. We’ll be back after this time out on the Georgia Bulldawgs network.
DawgByte
October 29th, 2010
3:14 pm
Mark -
Until Georgia gets a streak going against UF, you can throw out what the bookies think. You can also throw out records and all the other stats. The Gators are so embedded into Georgia’s cranium that this game is never an expected win for UGA. It’s very similar to how UGA owns Tech. Tech can be 10-0 and Georgia be 0-10 and Georgia fans and players expect to win!
King Gator
October 29th, 2010
3:30 pm
Dawgs hit n Run this state!
NXS
October 29th, 2010
3:31 pm
Not to worry. It’s a new dawn in Georgia football Mark. On the thirtieth anniversary of Belue to Scott, Georgia will again find its MoJo and take the first steps out of the repetitive nightmare that has been Jacksonville. We will lay a new path to solidify our rightful place as the team that, no matter what the circumstance, finds a way to beat the Gators… or the Gators choke and find a way to beat themselves.
For way too long the Dawgs have been smacked around by the Gainesville reptiles, much to the delight of their jorted, gator-mouth-arm-flailing fans. Tomorrow will be a day of reckoning. The Dogs will rumble, and a new movie will premier at the WLOCP called “There Will Be Gator Tears” (Showing 3:30 October 30 at a CBS station near you).
Georgia 31 Florida 14
Oh Good Lord
October 29th, 2010
3:44 pm
On any given day, at any time, in any Wal Mart in the state of Georgia, you will find at least three grown men wearing UGA t-shirts tucked into their jean-shorts.
Red Roosterette
October 29th, 2010
4:12 pm
This Gamecock hopes the Dawgs win so we will be one more step closer to SECCG. I never pull for UGA, but will be sporting a bark tomorrow! A showdown in Gainesville 13 Nov would be great, but had rather clinch next weekend vs Arkansas.
FLA DAWG
October 29th, 2010
4:18 pm
Mark,
Any other year there would have been 12 pages of comments by now.
This year not many seem to care.
What does a win against Florida mean now anyway?
I don’t think The Dawgs will win.
This year the big game is Bama – and we will lose that one too.
Florida 31 – Geogia 10
Bud
October 29th, 2010
4:31 pm
3-17 not as big a deal as 47-39-2 overall. We own Florida & they will never catch up to us. We will be stomping their butts again Saturday!
5150 P.O.A.D
October 29th, 2010
4:41 pm
Fla Dawg
UGA doesn’t play BAMA unless you think both teams make it to the Ga Dome or something crazy like that. I think Auburn and South Carolina still have a lot to say about that.
jellybeandawg
October 29th, 2010
4:53 pm
@Bud
I hope you are not as stupid as you sound but you probably are, if not more so. An 8 game series lead is not anywhere close to being “owned”.
At the current rate Florida will be leading this series by 2020 you horse-tooth inbred jackass.
SID
October 29th, 2010
4:56 pm
Will the Redcoat Band please play Dixie damnit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Attention Morons
October 29th, 2010
5:35 pm
The word you are trying to use is spelled L-O-S-E, not L-O-O-S-E. Also, please familiarize yourselves with this symbol ?. It is a question mark. It is used to punctuate questions.
Wagtheworld.com » Georgia-Florida preview: Dogs 3-17 in past 20 meetings but favored in this one – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)
October 29th, 2010
6:13 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
Black Helmets
October 29th, 2010
6:28 pm
I like it when Georgia imitates Grambling…its the highest form of flattery…
just JOKING
October 29th, 2010
6:51 pm
If UGA does not pull off a win this year, it will be 10 years before the chances and opportunities is this good. Chances of winning this year- 40% . 2011 10% 2012 15%, 2013 25%…
The week off and the weather will make this a toss sweep night for UF.
Vern will be saying “oh my” on Florida’s first drive and Gary will be saying ” it looks like Urban Meyer has worked out his offensive issue during the off week.”
There will be a number of personal foul penalties called on both sides of the ball.
Aaron Murray will be the best and worst player for the Dawgs on Saturday.
just JOKING
October 29th, 2010
6:55 pm
UGA can not win in Jacksonville, UF had the week off to prepare for this game and UGA took a physical beating in Lexington.
just JOKING
October 29th, 2010
6:58 pm
This is going to be great…tomorrow when the live blog starts I will be here laughing and taunting those UGA fans who really believed these past 3 wins actually meant something….
Hootin' & Hollerin'
October 29th, 2010
7:01 pm
If all the ex-pats go home, there goes all the energy in metro Atlanta. So goes Atlanta, so goes Georgia.
If Georgia loses Atlanta, it becomes Missisippi. If you understand this, you went to Tech. If you are hopelessly confused by this, you went to UGA. Which, by the way, will lose on Saturday. You heard it from the source. Mr. Hootin’.
Dandy Dawg
October 29th, 2010
7:21 pm
Fearless Prediction: Georgia will face a determined Gator team. It will be tough early. Urban will stare and point. Don’t f’in matter, Dawgs are a team of destiny, the ball will bounce our way, we will out play, we will out hit, and yes you losers, we will out scheme. I say we will win the game easily. If I am wrong, call me on it. Take your ugly Gator stickers and flags, and leave our beautiful state.
Dandy Dawg
October 29th, 2010
7:27 pm
PS – To all you posers, just remember one thing, your program is not relavent. If it was, you wouldn’t be wasting your time posting on our sites.
now that takes the cake
October 29th, 2010
7:50 pm
st simon dont want the dawgs at their place either…..
how f’n pathetic is that.
Hootin' & Hollerin'
October 29th, 2010
8:33 pm
Dandy Dawg,
When did this become a dawg site? Dawgs lose to Gators.
NOBODYYOUKNOW
October 29th, 2010
8:34 pm
Those dogs gotta whip those gators. They’re way over due. But if they don’t leave CMR alone.
sandiegodawg
October 29th, 2010
8:36 pm
Gators should win with a bye week and by the sheer numbers game- they are due to win. Win or Lose, it’s always great to be a gator hater.
Gator Lover
October 29th, 2010
9:00 pm
Dawgtards go down again, call it 49-10.
That will make it 18 out of 21.
Taylor
October 29th, 2010
9:03 pm
“When did this become a dawg site? Dawgs lose to Gators.”
Correct, probably by three touchdowns. Another long drive back to Athens!
DILLIGAF
October 29th, 2010
9:22 pm
You Gaytor fans are a riot. Why are you even on this blog? Shouldn’t you be ironing your jorts, getting your weekly showers, combing the lice out of your mullets and getting ready for a big day of drinking PBR and throwing crap at your t.v., then destroying your trailers as your boys get smashed in the mouth tomorrow.
You losers are nervous, evidenced by the large turnout on here, as well as you should be.
The dawgs are confident, the offense is going to shred your silly defense and run the ball down your throats and the defense will do enough to shut down that anemic offense. Justin Houston will be camped out in the backfield all afternoon.
Let the big dawg eat.
GATA!!
UGA/85′
Jay
October 29th, 2010
10:37 pm
what happens is………..Richt’s worst team loses to Meyer’s worst team and UGA continues to fight through their worst year under Richt. As long as they play well it and continue to show they are improving in the D scheme and on offense, then we continue to build on the turn around. It will be painful to lose like it is anytime we lose to UF. As for the play, like Barnhart said, it looks like we have better players at certain positions, but look at the recruiting rankings per player and you can see that UF is loaded with more talent across the board than we are and their 5 star QB is a redshirt JR. Old enough to drink now. An even bigger question might be……..what if UF loses to UGA in Richt’s worst year? What then if they lose to rival FSU? That would be five losses and doesn’t even take into account the what if……..they lose to South Carolina and former, white and blue, visor thrower Steve Spurrier. What if UF loses these games and ends the season 6-6? There will be some Urban fan bridge jumpers. The pressure is not all on Mark Richt here.
kral
October 29th, 2010
11:02 pm
My son’s team just pulled off the biggest upset in S. GA, Tifton 10 Lowdnes 7.. loved all of it..don’t care if it has nothing do to with the blog …we’re just so happy we don’t care
GSU Eagle 91
October 29th, 2010
11:45 pm
Jiggy has it right…lose..and a 6-6 season is the end result, but win tomorrow, and the Auburn game becomes huge….
FL grows up a bit, tomorrow, as they prevail 27-22.
builder dawg
October 29th, 2010
11:49 pm
my class NEVER lost to the gators. We need to win this one to start getting over this gator jinx and put together another streak. Remember a few years ago, we could not beat tennessee and once we got that monkey off our backs, we found out it wasn’t that hard or that big of a deal. we can play with them, we just simply need to go GATA and put one in the win column for the Dawgs
bob
October 30th, 2010
2:00 am
Is Richt lacing them up on Saturday?
war eagle
October 30th, 2010
2:13 am
Who cares who wins this game? We are gonna win the SEC and the national championship so this game doesn’t mean squat. Go Gators!
war eagle
October 30th, 2010
2:14 am
Who cares who wins this game? We are gonna win the SEC and the national championship so this game doesn’t mean squat. Go Gators though!