Even after another Dome drubbing, UGA’s progress is clear
Reasons to be cheerful: Alec Ogletree, Todd Grantham. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
It ended as it began: A massive Georgia contingent arrived at the Dome for a hugely anticipated game against a brand-name opponent, and the folks wearing red went home early. On Sept. 3 the Bulldogs led Boise State 7-0 and lost by two touchdowns; on Dec. 3 they led LSU by 10 points and lost by 32. And now you’re asking: This is progress?
Absolutely. The Boise game was a function of scheduling: Georgia’s choices were either to play or forfeit. The LSU game was for the championship of the nation’s best conference, and the Bulldogs had to win their way there. For the first time since 2005, the Bulldogs graced the big December game in the big city, and to qualify they had to rise from a 6-7 season and a Liberty Bowl to, ahem, Central Florida.
Another way in which the Boise loss wasn’t the LSU loss: Georgia was outfought and out-thought against the Broncos. As tight end Orson Charles admitted not long ago, “The first game was too big for us.” The only thing too big for Georgia on Saturday was its opponent.
The Georgia Bulldogs have played a lot of good teams over their long and distinguished history, but they might never have played one so physically imposing. There have been collegiate teams with greater skill, but as far as running fast and hitting hard the 2011 LSU Tigers might rank near the top of any list you’d care to compile.
To its credit, Georgia started fast and furious. Had it not dropped two touchdown passes and missed a field goal — and had the replay official been more diligent after Tyrann Mathieu flipped the ball to the official at the end of his first epic punt return — the Bulldogs could have led by 17 or 21 points and the game would have changed. LSU would probably have changed quarterbacks. (Coach Les Miles admitted afterward he was considering it at 10-0.) LSU would have had to throw the ball, which isn’t what LSU wants to do. That said …
LSU still might have won. There’s an indomitable nature to these Tigers that comes from being secure in their physical gifts, but such self-assurance is also fueled by the knowledge that they’ve played and won a bunch of big games against teams of comparable worth. Georgia still can’t say as much. Its biggest victories en route to the Dome were against Florida, Auburn and Georgia Tech, which lost a total of 15 games. LSU’s biggest victories were against Oregon, Alabama and Arkansas, which lost a total of five games.
This isn’t to say Georgia can’t ascend to that exalted plane. The Bulldogs could return as many as 16 starters and, apart from tailback Isaiah Crowell and receiver Malcolm Mitchell, the effect of the Dream Team recruiting class hasn’t been felt. Georgia will be a Top 10 pick in preseason and the favorite to win the SEC East. (And with Florida and Tennessee in clear retreat, Vanderbilt might be tabbed third behind South Carolina.)
Loading ...Better still, the Bulldogs proved in 2011 that coaching, which failed in 2009 and 2010, is no longer an issue. Todd Grantham’s defense was tremendous. (Can’t do any better than holding the nation’s No. 1 team to no first downs in a half.) Mark Richt recommitted himself to offensive scheming, and the results were apparent. He and Mike Bobo stitched together a cohesive attack without benefit of a reliable tailback, which isn’t easy to do.
That said: The key issue over the winter might again be the question of Crowell. His signing topped off the Dream Team last February, and his first appearance against Boise State was greeted with a mighty cheer. Contrast that to the boos spawned by his third and fourth limp-offs against LSU. Clearly Crowell has tried his coaches’ patience: He was disciplined twice this season, and Saturday he drew an unsportsmanlike penalty from the bench. Two weeks ago Richt, casting an eye toward the recruit Keith Marshall of Raleigh, noted the “tremendous opportunity” awaiting a running back at Georgia.
And he’s right. There is opportunity here, not just for a tailback but for a team. Georgia figures to be back in the SEC title game next year, and in December 2012 the Tigers — don’t look now, but LSU is also scheduled to return 16 starters — mightn’t hold the same edge in manpower and mindset.
In his final words to the media Saturday night, Richt said: “I don’t think we’re that far off. I really don’t.”
Right again. A team that couldn’t break .500 last year just played for an SEC championship. The Bulldogs will play for another soon enough, and before long they’ll win one.
By Mark Bradley
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
507 comments Add your comment
satchelbuzz
December 4th, 2011
5:17 pm
Just like it was early in CMR’s tenure,..ugag has success when UF and UT are cycling down. You have made a mistake to write off the Gators this early. You’re crush on CMR is showing. SC will return to full strength next year and regain their rightful spot in the Dome next year as SEC East champions,….they deserved to be there this year. You know it,…alll ugag fans know it. Look at their schedule compared to the doggies.
Really enjoyed the game last night.
THWG!!!
Erk Russell's Dog
December 4th, 2011
5:17 pm
Damn ,You Tech fans are more bitter than the Uga fans , you would think you all got housed by 32 in your championship game.Reality Gator ,just got back from the mall. Took my Grandsons to see Charlie Weiss ,no I mean Santa Claus.and lil ole Will was dressed an elf ,just one of Santa’s helpers.As bad as Uga’s offense was for 3 Quarters in the SEC championship.the Gators set offensive football back 20 years in that FSU game.Don’t tell me how great your defense was ,because FSU sux this year.
UGA needs a lot of improvement ,and the fans know it. But you Florida and Tech trolls need to worry about you own sorry ass teams.
Rambo Dog
December 4th, 2011
5:18 pm
Bradley….South Carolina was in the SEC C Game last year, NOT the Chic Fil A…????????????????????????????????????????????
collegeballfan
December 4th, 2011
5:20 pm
Pretty tough indictment of Crowell.
But there were some of us who warned Georgia fans that all was not what it seemed with Crowell.
What he has done this year is what he has did for a couple of high school years.
Gifted? Yes! In control? Far from it.
Georgia has no commitment to running the football. Bradley got this part correct; ” LSU would have had to throw the ball, which isn’t what LSU wants to do.”
Throwing the football makes excited fans; makes great highlight film.
Running the football makes championships.
Erk Russell's Dog
December 4th, 2011
5:25 pm
Well Dabgummit ,
you little ole tech fans are more ticked off than us Uga fans. you would think the bugz got housed by 32 in your conference championship game.better luck next year bug fans. As for the Gator fans get your own house back in order before you start giving the Dawgs advice. If your old coach stevie can settle on a QB they should stomp a mud hole in both the Dawgs and Gators next year.
FLA DAWG
December 4th, 2011
5:26 pm
Did anyone notice Crowell running a play (for a yard or two) without any limp (and without any run blocking) but then got up and limped to the sideline every time?
I’m tired of this Holy Roller Coaching. Did anyone catch the assistant coach neck hugging Crowell after his sideline personal foul?
By all means, let’s counsel and save everyone.
In fact, let’s just jettison the football program at UGA and do missionary work.
Of course there will be no money within a couple of years but maybe Richt will donate his millions.
We are all tired of waiting for next year.
If we had lost RESPECTABLLY I would not be so tough on this program but the fact is we were slaughtered on National TV ONCE AGAIN against a ranked team.
COME ONE………..WHAT DOES IT TAKE!?
Let’s see what McGarity does – the ball is in his hands now.
Erk Russell's Dog
December 4th, 2011
5:27 pm
I guess you can only say nice things about Tech and Florida on this here blog!
Impartial Observer
December 4th, 2011
5:31 pm
No doubt UGA improved on the defensive side of the ball with Grantham, but, taking into consideration dropped passes and the like, Bobo is still the weak link in the chain. Unless and until McGarity makes Richt get a competent, creative offensive coordinator, UGA will never get to a BCS bowl as long as Saban, Miles and that jerk from ARK hang around. Bobo needs to go. If Richt can’t man up and do it, then McGarity should. Georgia has too much at stake.
Erk Russell's Dog
December 4th, 2011
5:33 pm
Reality Gator
Please go back to the blog on the Gainesville Picayune newspaper. After that great offensive performance the Gators had against those titans of football FSU .I think you should be worried about getting things fixed in gator land instead of telling us what is wrong with the Dawgs. We all know the SEC East should have been called the SEC least this year and the dawgs had a chump schedule and did not beat anyone with a good record. But by some miracle the dawgs beat the gators this year.
FLA DAWG
December 4th, 2011
5:34 pm
Impartial Observer (and anyone else that agrees with him),
The fact that Richt HIRED and has RETAINED Bobo all these years is an indication of Richt’s inability to administer this program.
If Bobo AND RICHT are not unloaded next year will be much worse and it will only set us back another year or more.
Richt has been carrying Bobo’s water for far too long – that means it’s HIS fault for this mess.
Knowall Moreno
December 4th, 2011
5:35 pm
Other than Samuel who’s always hurt, we have NO RBs, Crowell is probably done with his poor attitude. Need to get Marshall in here & show IC the door!
uga ad
December 4th, 2011
5:35 pm
uga had a really easy schedule, they will be ranked higher than they should preseason, and it will turn into a mediocre year
Kelly
December 4th, 2011
5:38 pm
Gators? Really?
Just Sayin'
December 4th, 2011
5:39 pm
Played 10 teams NOT curerntly ranked in top 25: 10-0
Played 3 teams THAT ARE currently ranked in top 25: 0-3
Facts are facts – UGA should be pround of turning a horrible 2010 season into a 10 win season – but nothing about this year ranks as “great” and any “big improvement” is only due to starting from the bottom after last year.
Dawg in Milton
December 4th, 2011
5:40 pm
Dawgs are going to be fine but lets be honest, this is the weakest the East has been in 20 years. We would have been a 8-4 team in the west…
45ACP
December 4th, 2011
5:40 pm
Mark ~ I concur. The Dawgs future is bright. Thanks for a good season! Love them Dawgs.
Kelly
December 4th, 2011
5:41 pm
Pay no attention to any of these anemic, cross-eyed, swamp-dwelling, peanut brain gators. When you fall to that level, you have to realize that you’ve fallen to the level of a maggot. And before you talk about the last 20 years, gaytoids, realize this:
With 2 decades of domination you still haven’t caught up to those sorry-ass, no-tradition Georgia Bulldogs. As for GT…GT who?
wolfman
December 4th, 2011
5:42 pm
I wonder if colleges are setting themselves up for failure with some of these recruits (i.e the “missing man” formation with a missing tailback). The egos of some of these players won’t fit inside a helmet before they even set foot on campus.
fluke
December 4th, 2011
5:44 pm
Ga had a fluke season with one of the easiest schedules in SEC history. They played 3 good teams and lost every game, two by blowouts. Progress? I guess they believe that somehow in athens. Give richt a huge raise and new, long-term contract.
BobDog
December 4th, 2011
5:45 pm
1. I hope we get one or two running backs to give us depth to go along with Crowell. We can’t depend on one guy. LSU showed that with a rotation of four solid backs.
2. I was encouraged by Ken Malcolme’s strong running at the end. I have to believe that he is going to finally come through for us.
3. Yes, we had an easy schedule comparitively. But, last year we had losses to Colorado, Central Florida, Florida, Auburn, and Mississippi State. We beat the latter three this year. Our program is superior to main rivals Tennessee, Florida and Auburn and probably equal to or better than South Carolina going into next year.
4. We will lose three senior offensive linemen and Boykin next year. Frankly, our O line had problems and the guys who will replace them aren’t much of a drop off and have more upside potential. We also hopefully get the young man from Jacksonville, Zeus, who could make an immediate impact.
I am ever the optimist, but we have reason to be, even after last night. We gave up ONE offensive touchdown drive against LSU. With emphasis on special teams next year, we can even that one up fast.
Skyler
December 4th, 2011
5:47 pm
All this from one of the conspirators that felt Richt being
fired was just. It was not that many weeks ago this was
the way it was. Shows, it shows.
william
December 4th, 2011
5:49 pm
Um, we were the better team. They just gave up. Our Defense is better than their offense, and our offense is better than their Defense(when they catch it) We will grow, and be ready next year. I love our Team, and Coach.
Jesus Christ
December 4th, 2011
5:50 pm
6 Dawgs will be arrested during the offseason. Richt will repent but I will no longer forgive him. Dawgs finish 7-5.
mark
December 4th, 2011
5:51 pm
listen to all of you happy loosers?? pittiful i say, yall make me sick, if your happy with this 42-10 crap you are a looser, CLEAN HOUSE NOW, what kind of idiot has 3 running backs on schlorship that don’t weight 170 pounds? US! WANT TO KNOW WHY WE DON’T HAVE DEPTH AT RUNNING BACK? LET A 160 POUND WALK ON STAY A WALK ON FOR GODS SAKE DON’T WASTE A SCHLORSHIP. next year 10=2 with a blow out against anyone good we play, you know like this year, last year the year before broken record
OleDawg
December 4th, 2011
5:52 pm
I looked up punk in the dictionary and it showed a picture of Isiah Crowell
DawgByte
December 4th, 2011
5:52 pm
NO reason to hang our heads… we just played a much better team. When you play a team like LSU you can’t afford to make a single mistake and as Bradley pointed out we had two drop TD passes and a missed field goal. Oh well, it happens. Shake it off and move on to the Bowl Game and get some great recruits for next season.
Summit Dawg
December 4th, 2011
5:53 pm
How can LSU be so deep at every position, a number 4 running back that is big and runs like a tank, a freshman??? What happened to “Running Back UGA?” I still say Ealey was a better back than
Crowell, and don’t think he was anywhere the trouble maker Crowell is fastly becoming….!!
RS Dawg
December 4th, 2011
5:53 pm
William I do not think we were the better team, but I do love the Dawgs and our coaches.
Erk Russell's Dog
December 4th, 2011
5:54 pm
Just buzzed through the Tech blog ,guess they are thinking Sun Bowl vs Utah,anyone heard anything definite on the UGA bowl Tampa or Dallas vs Nebraska or Michigan State . Anyone at the AJC heard anything definite yet ,or do we have to wait for ESPN to tell us where we are going.
Buford T. Pusser
December 4th, 2011
5:55 pm
Bottom Line: UGA got their A$$ handed to them. They are not on the level of LSU and Bama. Writers like MB only make the fanbase feel good about themselves. UGA is insignificant on the national level. They won the worst SEC Least in years.
The Sheriff has spoken.
JB
December 4th, 2011
5:55 pm
At the end of the day, I would rather live in Georgia, be a Georgia Alum and love these Dawgs more& more than any haters crew that show up here. We don’t care about YOUR program. This is where Dawgs hang out. Now, we need RB’s. 1 big one. We need subs on both lines. Good ones. We need a special teams coach. Year two under Coach T in S&C will be tremendous, just look at the difference this year. Crowell needs a ONE more and you’re out speech. Go Dawgs.
Reginald Erwin
December 4th, 2011
5:55 pm
Georgia needs a Special Teams Coach!
Impartial Observer
December 4th, 2011
5:57 pm
FLA DAWG: I agree it would be best if the powers that be would can Richt. But, it ain’t going to happen. Richt is going to be hanging around despite the fact he can’t compete with Saban, Miles and the like. So, if that’s the way it’s going to be, then the next best thing is to get rid of that millstone Bobo. At least that would be an improvement.
Just Sayin'
December 4th, 2011
5:57 pm
Anybody (listening william?) that claims the UGA offense is better than the LSU defense needs to report to jail – cause you HAVE to be smoking something illegal.
Football Guy
December 4th, 2011
5:57 pm
So where were all the UGa hats, tshirts, sweetshirts, pants, jackets on Sunday after the debacle that were so evident on Saturday?. Bandwagon much.
JB
December 4th, 2011
5:59 pm
Football guy……………I’m thinking your team was at home Saturday and not playing. Just a guess.
McDawg
December 4th, 2011
6:00 pm
sorry but he D folded forget about Crowell he was hurt
can’t wait to seee IC and Malcome next yera
richie
December 4th, 2011
6:00 pm
The program is looking good.They have good players and are getting more.The Lsu team took 4 yrs to build and they will leave early like all good players.That is the way it is now.The dawgs are getting bigger and faster…………
DAWG
December 4th, 2011
6:01 pm
These kids have come a long way and will be even better next year. A win last night would have been wonderful. BUT, I’m still not disappointed in this team.
Tech fan plus
December 4th, 2011
6:02 pm
Surely, Mark, you are not surprised by the uga progress. After all, “order has been restored”.
Dawgdad (The Original)
December 4th, 2011
6:02 pm
I love the Dawgs and am sure that Richt is coming back, but what I am not sure of is that the best players on offense get on the field. I question if their is some favoritism involved in who plays. I would like to see an open honest objective competition for the QB position this spring. I don’t think the little man is the answer. They also seem to think Tavares King is the 2011 version of AJ Green, he is not. Why do Marlin Brown and
Bruce Figgins never get thrown to, on the rare occasion they get on the field? Why is Boo Malcombe sitting on the bench while we play Harmon and Thomas. Seems Conley and Bennett should be playing more based on production. Just wondering?
LakeDawg
December 4th, 2011
6:03 pm
Preseason I said CMR had to win 10 games, beat Florida, and get into the SECCG to survive in my mind. He did that and deserves the chance to continue the progress. However, I can’t say I have much confidence he will be able to take the Dawgs to the next level. I hope he can, but as much as I was encouraged by the 1st half last night, it was completely wiped out by the second half. Its not that the Dawgs lost. I expected that. Its how they lost. LSU punched them in the mouth and they laid down. LSU would have eventually worn them down, but the Dawgs weren’t worn down for LSU’s first two TD’s of the second half. A team that couldn’t get a 1st down was suddenly running it down UGA’s throat in the FIRST FIVE MINUTES of the second half. It was mental, not physical. I hope that was a result of UGA being young and inexperienced against that kind of competition, but CMR teams have been soft for at least the last four years. I will say that if the coaching staff addresses the lack of mental toughness, this can be a stepping stone to more improvement. I just don’t know if they will. Grantham made an encouraging statement along those lines, but CMR is the head coach, so we’ll see.
Bill
December 4th, 2011
6:05 pm
Welcome to the SEC West. The SEC least may never win another SEC title.
flatsdawg1
December 4th, 2011
6:06 pm
UGA offense is better than GT defense ,Just Sayin’ ,and always will be sayin! Just in case your a GT fan lol
LakeDawg
December 4th, 2011
6:07 pm
CMR earned another year according to my preseason criteria, but he’s not off the hot seat. UGA has to take the next step. I still have my doubts that CMR can accomplish that. I hope he can.
BiggDawgK
December 4th, 2011
6:07 pm
Congrats to Georgia on a 10-3 season with a Bowl Game to go as well as being SEC East Champions.
It’s always a good laugh when all the pathetic hate filled little nothings i.e gaytors, techies, cocks etc… who were absent since last week crawl out of their dank basement hovels to spit their vitrol. These idiots think Georgia loseing to the best team in college football just like every other team has done this season, somehow makes tech. uf, usc jr, relevant. It doesn’t it just means the haters are jealous, pitiful and delusional. It would be unbearably depressing to have to eke out a sliver of joy posting lies while pretending to be a football fan on a blog for a team you hated.
JB
December 4th, 2011
6:07 pm
Dawgdad….. Richt has been playing these games forever with who plays. Don’t forget Knowshon WATCHED for a year. Don’t ever forget #3 Bryan Evans at DB, who got beat for 3 years, and was never closer than 20 yards to whoever beat him for a TD. Richt allowed him to start for 3 years. Tell we didn’t bring ANYONE into the program during those 3 years Better than that? He played because of seniority, not talent. Been a Richt problem for a while.
Neverplaythegame
December 4th, 2011
6:08 pm
It’s proved that the DAWG can play with anyone with starters 11. Without the depth our DAWG ‘can play NO ONE.’
JB
December 4th, 2011
6:11 pm
Lake Dawg, this contract situation is gonna be a mess. I don’t see Adams and McGarity JUST ADDING A YEAR. I’m afraid Richt is going to get a new 5 year deal, thus 3-4 more years of ACC finesse Football and mid tier bowls.
No Shock
December 4th, 2011
6:11 pm
Richt’s been saying dogs are close for last 6 years. Why listen to him now? GA improved this year because rest of SEC east went into hiding. Only decent team- SC- beat GA. This team becoming like the Braves- trying to win division titles while the rest of the teams try to win national titles.