Boise State deserves all its accolades, but UGA’s going to win
Mark Richt and Chris Petersen consider the old-school aesthetics of a helmet not designed by Nike. (AP photo).
Let’s be clear about this. I have the utmost respect for Boise State. This is a team, as Georgia coach Mark Richt said Friday, “that plays the game the way it’s supposed to be played, that plays as hard as any team I’ve every seen.”
Boise’s Chris Petersen might well be the best coach on any campus. (Take that, Nick Saban!) Kellen Moore deserves inclusion on all the Heisman shortlists. Pound for pound, this is the nation’s finest program. That said …
I still can’t get over Boise State being favored against Georgia — in the Georgia Dome.
Go ahead. Call me an SEC homer. I ‘d counter by saying I was rooting hard for Boise to play in the BCS title game last season simply because I enjoy seeing the BCS turn a Boise-esque blue in the face. But I’d also note that facts are facts: The SEC has the best players and plays the best football, and even coming off two down seasons Georgia has better players than the Broncos.
Doesn’t mean Georgia will win. (Although I believe it will.) The Bulldogs spent last season losing every lose-able game save one. The edge Boise has, even under the off-white roof of the Georgia Dome, is its reservoir of contemporary success. Richt again: “When you play a team that’s used to winning and that knows how to win, it’s hard.”
But here’s the thing: Winning Saturday night would mean more to Georgia than to Boise. The Broncos can lose and still point with pride to their cumulative record — they’re 61-5 under Petersen — and last season’s rousing victory over Virginia Tech in Washington, D.C. Boise can lose this game and still be Boise.
If Georgia loses, however, the questions will begin again: About Richt and his job and his program and its future, or the lack thereof. And that has made for a weird dynamic in this made-for-TV opener. The heavyweight has more to prove than does the welterweight.
At Friday’s news conference, Petersen was asked if he was surprised to be favored by a field goal. “Favored by who?” he said. “I don’t see it like that … I don’t know what they’re looking at.”
Yeah, this is Coachspeak 101. But Petersen also noted that he’d included Georgia in his preseason Top 25. “I don’t think I had the Broncos, though,” he said, perhaps even telling the truth.
The media session at the Omni hotel was so sugary-sweet as to induce cavities. Richt gushed about Petersen and his program. (”Coach Pete,” he called him.) Coach Pete alllowed that playing such an opponent in such a game was “always very scary.”
Just to clear the air, Richt mentioned Brandon Boykin’s Tweet. (The Georgia returner dared Petersen to kick to him.) “How ’bout that?” said Richt, glancing at Petersen and ducking his head.
Said Petersen, grinning: “I don’t know anything about it. We don’t have Twitter.”
Petersen even offered an opinion on Georgia’s infamous Pro Combat uniforms. “My boys think they’re awesome,” he said. “They say ours [Boise will also wear a Nike-designed kit] are all right but, ‘Did you see Georgia’s?’ ”
Richt on the uniforms: “The players like ‘em and we’re wearing ‘em.”
Loading ...But enough about clothing. Back to the game. Richt said of Boise: “They could play in our league and do well.”
And maybe the Broncos could. But Georgia has the chance to do very well in its league this season, and the proving begins Saturday night. It’s a game these Bulldogs have long awaited — Richt recalled announcing the Boise opener after a practice last fall and seeing the heads of all those who figured to be returning perk up — and it’s a game that could go a long way toward making Georgia matter again.
Let’s say it again: Boise State — great coach, great program. But there’s still a difference between the Mountain West and the SEC. In such a bout, a skilled and disciplined welterweight always has a chance. But most of the time a good big man beats a good little man. Georgia 34, Boise 24.
By Mark Bradley
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243 comments Add your comment
Buckeye
September 2nd, 2011
4:59 pm
DawginLex,
I, for one, happen to agree with Mandel.
Enjoy Saturday night and the season ahead.
The big difference
September 2nd, 2011
4:59 pm
The big difference between last’s year’s Boise v. VA Tech kickoff classic is the hokies got “surprised” by a great bronco tearm, and the dawgs will not be. Watched some rerun of that game the other night and TV announcers, etc. all expected VA Tech to walk away with it. The dawgs expect the fight of their lives and last year the hokies did not. The dawgs are loaded for bear and desparate for respect, not the other way around. I smell a beat down and a very long flight back to Idaho !
beebee
September 2nd, 2011
4:59 pm
Georgia’s been having “better players” for the last 20 years!
Didn’t you have “better players” against Central Florida?
Get OFF it for crying out loud!
Add 1 more Boise touchdown to the already double-digit margin of victory!
Sheeessssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh … the arrogance!
bee
Schnookems
September 2nd, 2011
5:01 pm
Aaron Murray 15-21 246 yds 3TDs
Crowell 13 Rush 186 Yds 2 TDS
Analysis from GT Engineering Dept
September 2nd, 2011
5:04 pm
Using a government grant, we’ve input all statistics from each team including height & weight of starting offenses and defenses, past won/loss records, strength of schedule, coaching records, barometric pressures and hotness of cheerleaders and came to the following conclusion…..there’s a 99.9% probablility that the team with the most points after the 4th quarter will win the game.
ugakev
September 2nd, 2011
5:11 pm
Just got the new combat jersey at the mall to wear to the game tomorrow. It looks great in person! The red is the same type of red as the traditional red. Go Dawgs!!!! GATA
Vampire Bill
September 2nd, 2011
5:22 pm
If the dawgs win the turnover game, they get the W
BjohnDawg
September 2nd, 2011
5:23 pm
Go Dawgs!
Just win the whole damn thing!
Fake Bama fan
September 2nd, 2011
5:27 pm
Anyone see how impressive Georgia Tech was last night? Watch out in November.
Mike
September 2nd, 2011
5:28 pm
Your prediction is exactly the same as mine. GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gator Man
September 2nd, 2011
5:29 pm
I always root for the Sec when they play outside the conference, Please Georgia dont give this conference nothing to talk about for the next 5 years.
Patrick
September 2nd, 2011
5:33 pm
All yhou SEC homers…Once Boise State defeats your beloved “Dawgs” maybe you will quit being lazy @$$ typers and refer ton them as Boise State!
I get sick and tired of people shortening the name to Boise…They are from Boise, but they are considered a State college.
Boise State will defeat the Dawgs and finish the season UNDEFEATED!!! BOOK IT!
tar and feathers party
September 2nd, 2011
5:37 pm
Smurfs are gonna mount and ride those ugly b**ches! Stupid mutts!
kybodawg
September 2nd, 2011
5:46 pm
lots of folks say ga has to many questions to be a winner. what happens if all the questions are answered in the affirmative.
Bob
September 2nd, 2011
5:48 pm
Of course we’ll win and by two TDs. Folks, our defense may be the best in the nation this year…it’s surely the fastest, and our offesive will score just enough.
PerimeterCenterJacket
September 2nd, 2011
5:51 pm
Obviously I’m a Tech fan, but I’ll toss my 2 cents in thusly: GT fans will enjoy this game regardless the outcome. Why? Well, obviously, if Boise wins it makes us chortle to see the Dawg fans upset. BUT, if Georgia wins, I personally can appreciate that because it strengthens the GT schedule (which I’m always for) and I also just don’t really like Boise. I’ve always thought their blue uniforms on blue turf was a stupid way to rack up the best home win percentage in CFB (Tech fans care, because the best overall number of home wins lives at Bobby Dodd Stadium – on God’s natural green grass!), and I just think an SEC team SHOULD beat a non-AQ team. So, while I’m still drunk on Catamount blood and lightheaded from 360 yards of GT passing, I’m going to watch this game and be happy no matter what! Go Jackets and good luck to both the Bronc’s and the Dawgs. Stay healthy, play fair, and put on a good show for us all!!!
" HOT " seat cools down a bit
September 2nd, 2011
5:54 pm
After much consideration, I agree with Mr. Bradley.
UGA’s going to win.
PerimeterCenterJacket
September 2nd, 2011
5:55 pm
I’ll add this – the CFA kickoff is a great show no matter what as long as an in-state team is featured. I’d love to see Tech face Oregon. Call it the “stylized schemes showdown?”
Just sayin'
September 2nd, 2011
6:00 pm
Just a game. Life goes on after it, no matter who wins. There a billion people in China who don’t even know the game is being played.
Bob
September 2nd, 2011
6:03 pm
@Just sayin’…they are too busy making all the goods we buy at WalMart.
Russell Athletic -- Alexander City, Alabama
September 2nd, 2011
6:03 pm
Those billion people in China made those new Nike Pro-Combat uniforms.
alldawg
September 2nd, 2011
6:19 pm
What are people so worried about? Last year was a transition year for the defense and we started a freshman at QB who still managed 300+ yards passing in how many games? 5? 6? Of UGA’s 7 losses, six were by a touchdown or less…
This year, those losses go our way. Time to get real here….Dawgs 41, Boise 17….Dawgs 31, SC 13…………how’s that for openers?
Richt`s Hammer
September 2nd, 2011
6:21 pm
Oh My what a beatdown is coming. I will have to wear red panties to hide my shame.
raymond
September 2nd, 2011
6:24 pm
Dont get lost in the in the hype, they are still a great team and we were 6-7 last year. Dawgs do well keeping it close.
dawg4u
September 2nd, 2011
6:30 pm
There are two recent sports predictions that really worry me. SI picking the Falcons to win the Super Bowl and MB picking UGA over Boise because both are usually wrong plus it’s the kiss of death to the teams they’re picking.
Blue Turf Ryder
September 2nd, 2011
6:31 pm
Sorry gentlemen but its about respect. BSU gets none in the SEC . I sure the Hokies were thinking the same as y’all last year. Boise by a big one. And after this win everybody better have a little more respect for BSU
rev jim hicks
September 2nd, 2011
6:34 pm
If Boise has probably the best coach in the nation and are pound for pound the best program in the country then why wouldn’t they be favored over a team that finished 6-7 last year and lost to Colorado and Central Florida? Also no one even close to A.J. Green from last year and depending on a freshman running back. Maybe I need a little more SEC kool-aid!
ryan
September 2nd, 2011
6:37 pm
Bradley is almost always wrong. Typically has a poor track record of predictions. I’m upset if im a UGA fan and just saw his prediction. JINXED!
Blue Turf Ryder
September 2nd, 2011
6:38 pm
Soory Gentlemen But y’all have it wrong. its about respect and BSU gets none. I’m sure the hokies were thinking the same thing last year. BSU by a big margin and then watchout SEC and especially Oklahoma another team that discounted what BSU can do.
SouthGA Dawg
September 2nd, 2011
6:39 pm
ATTENTION! MALCOLM MITCHELL…WR from Valdosta Ga will score at least 2 touchdowns in this game. He will be the MVP and will be SEC fresman of the year. You heard it here first!!!
Stinger2
September 2nd, 2011
6:47 pm
I do not see how UGA can lose this game.The Georgia Dome crowd and noise filled with “Dawg” fans alone is worth two touchdowns. The final score: UGA 35 Boise State 10. I believe this will be the year that UGA fans finally realize and become thankful for what they have.
Brooksdawg
September 2nd, 2011
6:49 pm
Boise? Boise? are we talking about Boise beating GEORGIA? come on…. The DAWGS will let their talk be on the field this year/game. Figgins leading the way–Samuel up the middle–Crowell on the edge–Charles over the middle—King deep… 1000 pounds of REAL MEN on the defensive line… Jones–Ogletree shoring up the middle… Boykin–Williams shutting down the receivers… Just cant get THAT out of my head…..Boise? DAWGS double them up….34-17. thanks for playing! GATA
Brooksdawg
September 2nd, 2011
6:58 pm
Dawgs 34—Boise 17…Just cant see the boys in blue handeling…..Figgins punching the hole…Samuel up the middle..Crowell on the edge…Charles over the middle…King deep… 1000 pounds of atheletic MEN on the d-line….Jones & Ogletree shutting down the middle…Boykin & Smith covering whoever they have at reciever….GATA
Big G
September 2nd, 2011
6:58 pm
A game with such big implications comes down to coaching, Richt vs Petersen. Who would you want on your sideline?
Brooksdawg
September 2nd, 2011
6:59 pm
I must be blocked..
UGA Fan
September 2nd, 2011
6:59 pm
Maybe the score will be 51 – 7 in a blow-out. It could turn out to be something like a team that UGA played back in the 2000’s. Now which team was it that UGA mopped the floor with back in a November in the 2000’s? Gee….that team escapes me but it really doesn’t matter. Can anyone help me with this? I’m sort of drawing a blank here.
CarefulNow
September 2nd, 2011
7:01 pm
I tossed a coin and it came up Georgia. I’d be afraid to toss it again. I might get different results next time. The preseason is no time to be making reasoned predictions about anything……well maybe we could go ahead and choose Alabama over Kent State without needing a coin….but it’s best not to push one’s luck too far.
Brooksdawg
September 2nd, 2011
7:01 pm
nope..but I’m not writing all that again….simply put..DAWGS 34—Boise 17….SIC ‘EM!!!
chazzo
September 2nd, 2011
7:13 pm
As far as I am concerned, Missy State is the #1 team in the country. They looked the best of the teams who have won so far. No one deserves a ranking until they play. Don’t let the hype go to your heads, Dawgs! Hunker down! Play hard! Send ‘em packin’! Earn your rank.
1eyedJack
September 2nd, 2011
7:21 pm
Richt`s Hammer
“I will have to wear red panties to hide my shame.”
Wear ‘em to Dragoncon. Maybe you’ll get a date.
suwanee dawg
September 2nd, 2011
7:23 pm
All of this confidence makes me nervous. Just glad we have two good games this weekend (ours and LSU/ Oregon). The rest are a joke. The two winners should be #1 and #2 since everyone else is playing Captain Crunch School for the Blind. Rankings should not come out until week 5. Go Dawgs!!
Coffee Bluff DAWG
September 2nd, 2011
7:28 pm
Mark,
Did you watch any of the UK-WKU game last night? UK won but very ugly. They had 4 total yds in O, 1 TO, and trailed 3-0 end of 1st Q.
Might be a rough year for the Cats.
Mark Bradley
September 2nd, 2011
7:48 pm
Didn’t see it, Coffee Bluff. I was watching the Falcons.
Buzz 2011
September 2nd, 2011
7:48 pm
BSU by 14 points……….
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 2nd, 2011
7:58 pm
Holy Batmobile
Lou Holtz and Mark May picks UGA to win!!!!!!!!
Dawg Believer
September 2nd, 2011
8:05 pm
Dawgs come in with a chip on their shoulder looking for a “Reckoning”. Maybe they bring back the old “JUNKYARD DAWGS”! Jarvis, Alex and the gang bring the fire to Boise. Moore is a great QB and he better be at the Dome. The Boise recievers better not try to live over the middle or it could get nasty. Maybe that’s what we nned is to play a very fair but “NASTY” game. I wish the Boise people the best of luck and hope we show them southern hospitality. I hope they win out after leaving HOTLANTA!
1eyedJack
September 2nd, 2011
8:07 pm
Granny and May picking the Dawgs means the end of the world is nigh.
rev jim hicks
September 2nd, 2011
8:07 pm
I have seen good little men beat good big men just as much as good big men beating good little men. It’s not the size of the man but the heart, determination, talent and how well they are prepared that counts. Get over the big vs. little physical comparisons. You have to figure in the emotional and brain power of the participants as well!
go dogs
September 2nd, 2011
8:12 pm
Chazzo – really – they played Memphis
Maybe since you think that way GA Tech and Ms. State will be playing for the NC
I mean -GT looked great last night too.
what a dufus
go dogs
September 2nd, 2011
8:14 pm
Why do you people keep talking about last year – this is not last years team – hopefully you do realize that none of the players or coaches wanted to be in that bowl game – GA was very dissappointed about the season and did not think they deserved to even be in a bowl game – they did not show up to play – most the guys going to the NFL were just going through the motions and not wanting to get hurt and the rest just did not want to be there.
If you want to throw that game out there – look at Boise’s loss to Nevada – really?