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
Dawg Fan
December 4th, 2011
6:11 pm
We should have been National Champs this year, but get the trophies ready !!!! The next 6 years we will be BCS champs !!!! I’m going to go ahead and make my reservations now, does anybody know where the next 6 years BCS championship will be played ? Murray will win the Heismann the next 2 years !!!!!! I bet at least 2-3 teams will forfeit rather than be embarresed by the DAWGs !!!!
JB
December 4th, 2011
6:13 pm
Imagine 20 of the top 25 players from Georgia in Athens for four years in a row with a top notch aggressive staff.
BOBO
December 4th, 2011
6:14 pm
Bobo was totally outmatched and Richt had so many chances to stop the onslaught and help the team re-focus. Didn’t say a word. Even when the team started to quit ( and yes…they quit) only Grantham tried to fire the team back up. Say what you will but I’d rather have a guy that can get us a National Championship in 4 years rather than an occasional SEC EAST title. If Bobo goes, I’d be happy but to get rid of Bobo means Richt is gone.
TampaGator
December 4th, 2011
6:15 pm
I just want to remind one of my “favorite” Dawg bandwagoners about posts made to me before the SEC title game…….
@Tampa Gator
“If my team had been blown out by LSU I would not be posting anything about my team because they would be losers. Muschump sucks and you are a loser idiot.”
–I omitted the poster’s identity because I told him I would not address him personally anymore due to continued personal insults. But I guess he (she??) understands this message….
……….Who is the idiot now? And I guess your team sucks 1 point more than Florida right now.
Fans from many different schools tried to tell Dawg fans that your team was out of LSU’s league this year……because we saw it personally when our team’s played and got beat up by them (and Bama). But logic does not work for people driven my raw emotion, blind illusions, and dreams of unproven grandeur……does it?
Carl L
December 4th, 2011
6:15 pm
What a year, good job coach Richt and Coach Gratham and Bobo. Best defensive team I have witnessed at Georgia in a long time, but they have to get tired from a team like LSU, so get back ups for each and every one of them and do like LSU, sub them in continuously. Not only do you have performers on first string, you have back ups that are just as good and better. Lesson learned, get another good running back and Crowell likes watching from the sidelines, let it be as he sure didn’t help the DWAGS along the way to much. Thanks for giving this old heart a good season, I may not be there, but I was born right up the street and have always watched the bulldogs and in my book coach Richt has done a great job and seems such a good person to all.
GT Man
December 4th, 2011
6:16 pm
Dont worry dog fans, with my coach and players, I dont forsee us beating UGA ever. Your receivers couldnt catch balls that were so easy against Tech. Had Ga. thought they were playing Tech, you’d won 31-17 again. It is embarrasing to keep losing to you and maybe before 2030, we will get a coach and players that are not intimadated by you as the O”leary years.
Thomas
December 4th, 2011
6:16 pm
Georgia will not have the benefit of such a favorable schedule next season, also Florida and Auburn will be better, and therefore Georgia might not do as well. The defense under Grantham was outstanding and saved Richt his job. The offense still lacks imagination, and I doubt Bobo can take the program where it needs to be unless he changes his approach. Yesterday it was quite apparent that we could not run the ball against that LSU front, but Bobo went away from what was working, and from our strength which is Murray throwing the ball. Charles was having a great game, but Bobo stopped throwing him the ball before LSU proved they could stop him. It will take a nother two seasons to know if there is progress, because it is hard to judge based on this year’s schedule.
JB
December 4th, 2011
6:17 pm
The biggest problem in Athens with UGA football is Dr Adams peeing on himself for going 10-2 and being giddy.. THAT IS THE REAL PROBLEM, CAUSE HE’S THE REAL GUY THAT WILL/CAN FIRE RICHT. ONLY HIM. 10-2, He’s pleased.
melo p
December 4th, 2011
6:17 pm
ga played 3 good teams and lost all 3 including 2 blowout losses—they beat a bunch of patsies. In the SEC west, ga is the 4th or 5th best team. More chokes next year—book it.
JB
December 4th, 2011
6:20 pm
GT MAN…..I feel your pain. My business partner is Tech Alum, and he likes Johnson, but feels he can’t attract enough talent to close the gap and get to 11 or 12 wins. WE got just the opposite problem. Talent is NOT our problem.
Red Stick
December 4th, 2011
6:20 pm
I just see how anyone can say that Georgia is not improved over last season. Yes the East was down but 10-3 and playing in the Outback Bowl is an improvement over 6-7 and the Liberty Bowl.
Losing Ealey and King really hurt as Crowell has been a disappointment. I think if Richt knew Crowell was going to turn out like this I think he would have kept Ealey. Georgia badly needs some quality backs.
LSU has showed you can never have enough running backs. And remember 1000 yard rusher Steven Ridley left early to go to the NFL last spring.
I am wondering why Richt and Bobo changed their offensive strategy in the 2nd quarter after catching LSU off guard in the 1st quarter by spreading the defense and forcing it to cover the entire field. They seemed to go back to the I in the 2nd quarter which is a predicable offense. LSU can get away with that because we have a strong line and a bevy of solid backs.
I think it’s time for the Dawgs to get some fresh ideas on offense. Look how much better the defense is after making a good hire in Grantham. I think Richt needs to bring someone else in to run the offense.
Miles let Crowton go after last season and the offense, even with average quarterbacks, is improved since Kragthorpe and Studrawa took over.
I don’t think Georgia will turn the corner unless they get new leadership on offense.
Geaux Tigers
Go SEC
KenDawg
December 4th, 2011
6:20 pm
Just please, please, please hire an exceptional special teams coach!
JB
December 4th, 2011
6:21 pm
But, folks in Tennessee will tell us we don’t have any problems….LOL
TampaGator
December 4th, 2011
6:21 pm
BOBO…..
LSU “outmatched,” “outwhitted,” “outhustled,” “outplayed,” and “dominated” just about every team they played this year……including that powerhouse offense at Oregon. Even Richardson could not run against LSU’s defense…..nor could they pass the ball for more than 5 yards. Georgia did not have the talent or the depth on offense to beat a team like LSU this year. There was nothing Bobo or Richt could do to change anything……in fact, I thought they put together a great offensive and defensive game plan for LSU and had them confused and concerned in the first half. The fumble to start the second half and the punt return changed everything in LSU’s direction…….and neither Bobo or Richt has anything to do with that…….Murray fumbled…..and the LSU returner is a “Heisman” candidate playing defense and returning punts. Get real. Jump back on the bandwagon. Richt and Bobo are doing a good job.
Erk Russell's Dog
December 4th, 2011
6:21 pm
Tampa Gator
I guess the Gators suck 1 point less than the Dawgs. But not so fast…. The Dawgs did beat the Gators this year .So I guess that makes both teams even ,they both suck compared to the Standard set by the SEC west.
JB
December 4th, 2011
6:22 pm
Red Stick….The depth is overwhelming at LSU. Hard to believe you guys are 2-3 deep with little or no drop off. ANYWHERE.
Wayne
December 4th, 2011
6:24 pm
Still a huge bulldog fan but this article is atrocious. UGA only played 3 good teams this year and lost. The other 10 were the easiest 10 they will ever have. The caching is still poor at best and I have no doubt that bot saban and miles would have been pissed that in richt’s position. This is not good enough. The sec east title is not good enough. The sec title is not good enough. The only one that matters is the national title. Most of you are like a bunch of losers settling for 2nd place. This is so typical of us georgians. Hawks, braves, falcons, gt and UGA can’t win a national title and we aall are ok with it. It’s a damn shame.
TampaGator
December 4th, 2011
6:26 pm
Erk…..
That was a post for one particular Dawg jerk…..and for him only. But other than LSU, Bama, and Arkansas……the SEC was really down this year. Period. Georgia, Florida, SC, and the Vols have a long way to go before they can compete with LSU and Bama…..close with Arkansas. Or Bama and LSU have a long way to go down…..I am not sure which it is. But all I know…..LSU and Bama are REAL DAMN GOOD!!!
TampaGator
December 4th, 2011
6:27 pm
But it was not long ago that LSU was saying the same thing about the Gators……and things changed. It can change quickly again.
JB
December 4th, 2011
6:28 pm
Wayne, if you want NC’s, you better become a LSU or Bama fan until DR Adams leaves UGA. He’s a wine and cheese liberal, and frankly, he doesn’t see what all the fuss is about. We won 10 games and going somewhere warm for a bowl. He OK with that
Erk Russell's Dog
December 4th, 2011
6:29 pm
Dagnubbitt Wayne ,I guess we better all clear out of the state and make room for winners like you.Hell after last year 2nd place isn’t too bad.
JB
December 4th, 2011
6:30 pm
What’s happened to the SEC is that LSU and Bama HAVE GOTTEN better and UGA,Fla and Tenn have all fallen. Au had a miracle year and Spurrier will never have the depth to take it up a notch.
Thomas
December 4th, 2011
6:30 pm
Letter to Dr. Adams and AD MCGarity:
Gentlemen:
Please don’t be fooled by this 10 game win streak, Coach Richt deserves an extension and so does Coach Grantham. However with Coach Richt having two years remaining on his current contract as was reported earlier this year, the extension should be for no more than two additional years. The next two seasons will tell us what we need to know as to whether the program is catching up with the top teams in the SEC or if it will remain in the 2nd to 3rd tier of the SEC. Secondly Bobo should be evaluated, and if there is any doubt as to his abilities to elevate the offense, then he should be replaced.
JB
December 4th, 2011
6:33 pm
The guy at So Miss is on all the short list for open jobs. Surely Bobo will be on the So Miss list to go there………..LOL………..I’ve never heard of His name mentioned.
Dawg48
December 4th, 2011
6:36 pm
Well the sec east still beat up on the acc though.
We are not down to far as much as bama and lsu are up..
But you can get depth like that when you over sign .
TampaGator
December 4th, 2011
6:39 pm
JB……
It didn’t hurt that Bama and LSU signed about 30 trillion recruits every year for the past 4 years and dumped a bunch every year to the South Alabamas, North Alabamas, La-Monroes…etc, etc, etc…..but they will not be able to do that any more……and Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee never did it. This is one of the things that made Meyer so angry when he was at Florida…..that LSU and Bama could do that in recruiting and the SEC office let them do it…..until this year. I think that depth of talent at Bama and LSU will start to even out with the other teams in the near future and the conference will become more balanced than it is right now.
12 Yards 0-down
December 4th, 2011
6:39 pm
I agree. Georgia is on the rise! we desperately need RBs. Crowell and Marshall next year could be unstoppable
JB
December 4th, 2011
6:40 pm
DAWG48…………..I agree…That LSU roster looks “above the law to me”. They look 2-3 deep with no drop off at any position. Maybe it’s a one in lifetime roster. I’m sure you couldn’t drive a nail in any Cajun’s butt at halftime though….LOL
Slug27 Marathons
December 4th, 2011
6:41 pm
Hey Mark, you know what a great AJC sports poll question would be? Who is the worst play caller, Bobo or Mularky???
DrDawg
December 4th, 2011
6:41 pm
Crowell has been fragile, and of no real significance. I fear he is our next Caleb King. We need to recruit at least three horses at running back. If we have a real threat on the ground, we win the SEC and maybe more.
Chain
December 4th, 2011
6:41 pm
Can you aholes quit talking about the SEC, the SEC East, or the SEC West…as a fan, pull for a team, not a conference or division….Braves fans don’t pull for the Phillies because they are in our division….I could care less about the rest of the SEC…see, as a true fan, I only care about my team…the Dawgs….the pathetic, awful, disgraceful, giving-up, quitter-mentality, apologist, wussy, injury-prone, poorly-coached, no-execution, sorry-a bulldogs…I hate that this group of sorry-a losers hijacked my university team and brought disgrace upon some of the fans…please, please, please just transfer/quit/retire…we hate you all.
Erk Russell's Dog
December 4th, 2011
6:43 pm
JB
I think Florida Atlantic may be more of a fit for Mike Bobo ,they were either 1-11 or 0-12 this year .He could really turn that program around.This way CMR can bring back Neil Callaway to be the OC puppet.
Major Well Factor
December 4th, 2011
6:43 pm
Expedia Guy says Dawgs need to get better at Dawg Style!
dirty dawg
December 4th, 2011
6:43 pm
Georgia should win the East again next year with the pansies loaded on the schedule. Anyone thinking that Ga has better talent than LSU has got to be crazy. Insofar as Crowell, if I were the coach he would get a haircut or hit the road-same for these other dread lock individualists who are putting themselves before the team. Get a haircut or hit the road!!! Richt and the AD who schedule these pansies are doing so for one reason-a winning record and bowl appearance/job security. You don’t play a pansy schedule and then go for the gold against a battle tested and great opponent. What happened Saturday will happen everytime.
tim
December 4th, 2011
6:44 pm
From reading all these posts it is easy to pick the REAL UGA fans and what generation they are from. You just went 10-2 easy schedule or not you won 10 games, that should be cause for chest pounding. Okay so you got whipped yesterday LSU has beaten everyone this year. If CMR was fired ask yourself this who do you get? Kirby Smart? nice choice unproven or maybe you end up with a hired gun like Meyer whom we (UF) had a dance with for 6 yrs. Yes we won two conference and two national titles along the way, but at what cost? Look at the shape of Florida’s program versus Georgia’s. Now tell honestly which program is in better shape today and for the foreseeable future? So Dawg fans pull your head out of the sand and appreciate what you got.
TampaGator
December 4th, 2011
6:44 pm
Thomas….
You might want to print out that post and put a stamp on it…..because I don’t think those gentlemen read these posts….or…..if they did……took any of the posts seriously. This is just for fun.
Honey Badger
December 4th, 2011
6:44 pm
I chase oompa loompa all the time!
JB
December 4th, 2011
6:45 pm
Murray melted down in the second half last night. Under pressure, he always seems to. I like the kid and his attitude, but when we needed him to make plays, he didn’t. LSU going totally to a 5 man zone the entire second half didn’t help.
Dawg48
December 4th, 2011
6:45 pm
JB
We played with the best team in the country for a half and went toe to toe…
But when you have no running game they just dropped off in zone and just ran to the ball.
Their was nothing we could do when they took the lead.
They went conservative on offense and just ran the clock.
Steveo
December 4th, 2011
6:48 pm
I hope CMR hits the recruiting trail soon and finds some running backs because Crowell aint it!!!! My guess is he will be kicked off the team before next fall…..
JB
December 4th, 2011
6:49 pm
What makes the LSU year seem even harder to believe, I think we were the 8th RANKED team they have beaten this year….And Tampa Gator, I hope you are right about Bama and LSU being stopped from bringing in 28-35 kids a year and culling them to end up with a 2 deep roster full of studs. Georgia doesn’t do it. We bring in 18-25 kids at play who we sign, bust or not.
Dawg48
December 4th, 2011
6:51 pm
Steveo he is at KM house right now
And TG house on monday
Erk Russell's Dog
December 4th, 2011
6:52 pm
Tampa Gator
I agree on the over recruiting angle ,hitting on 20 of 35 prospects is a lot easier than having to hit on 20 of 25 prospects. But I am afraid UGA recruiting problems are deeper than most teams,They have to run off too many kids already in their program .This year they apparently ran out of tailbacks,they ran both 2010 starters off this preseason.
JB
December 4th, 2011
6:52 pm
I have looked at Bama’s totals just the last 3 years. They signed 91 players. That IS CHEATING. I have not researched LSU.
Dumb Asssses
December 4th, 2011
6:53 pm
Richt said: “I don’t think we’re that far off. I really don’t.”
He’s been saying that for 6 years. SIX years!! Are you people stupid or what?
Dennis
December 4th, 2011
6:53 pm
Richt came through with a Dan Mullen tight effort and next year will be much like Miss St. this year. UGA lost to LSU like the other teams I watched. UF, Auburn, Miss St., Ark, all game a good effort but were light years away. UGA is still light years away.
JB
December 4th, 2011
6:53 pm
We seem to overload on WR’s and TE’s and NOT RB’s and OL.
John
December 4th, 2011
6:55 pm
When UGA starts beating more than just a couple of teams with winning records then maybe they can justify their perennial strutting and screeching about being a national power.
JB
December 4th, 2011
6:57 pm
Dennis, you’re an idiot. Dawgs return just about this entire team and the schedule is about the same. Look for another 10-2 at the worst. And with a little luck, could win them all. Bama loses about 10-12 starters.
Dumb Asssses
December 4th, 2011
6:57 pm
Michigan State 45 UGA 17