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
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507 comments Add your comment
joekill
December 4th, 2011
6:57 pm
proud of the dawgs great season allot of momentum if we can win the bowl game lets build another solid recruting class and btw tech nerds stay off this blog dont you have a comic book festival to go to hahahhahahahahha GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dawg48
December 4th, 2011
6:58 pm
Thanks for swinging by tech trolls!
One day y’all can brag about beating uga!
1969 Graduate
December 4th, 2011
7:00 pm
Saying we have no problems with our coaching staff is an error.
Mike Bobo is not cutting it, at least not as a play caller. Admittedly, he’s made some apparent progress this year, but he’s still far too predictable, he tends to abandon what is working, and he sticks with what is not working.
The game was over when Mr. Bobo blew the first offensive series of the second half. Our only chance was to be very aggressive, loose, and unpredictable, and to use the pass to (perhaps) set up an occasional run. We were doing that successfully, but inexplicably abandoned a successful tactic.
Are coaches not responsible for recruiting? Certainly we’ve not been recruiting as well as LSU. Or, if we have, we’ve not managed the players we’ve recruited very well. Otherwise, why would we not have somewhat comparable depth?
Special team decisions are made by coaches? Of course they are, and ours were, let’s say, spotty.
Beating only teams we should have beat (which is what we did this year) is certainly an improvement over last season, but it’s far from what we want, which is a team consistently competitive with the big boys for the SEC crown, and for the national title.
We played in the Dome twice this year, against the big boys, and we were not really competitive in either game.
Coaching is a problem at Georgia.
Will we play another quality opponent in a bowl? I hope so. We need apparently more data concerning the state of our UGA football program, the role coaches play in the results we’re getting, and, if we’re going to keep Bobo around, he needs the practice.
Go, Bulldogs.
Back to reality
December 4th, 2011
7:03 pm
LSU just brought Dawg nation back.
Keno
December 4th, 2011
7:05 pm
You Georgia fans need to look ahead and not dwell on shortcomings of the past. LSU was absolutely awesome. Even Urban Meyer said he’d never seen a better college defense. I thought Georgia was getting all the talent you all needed to play with any team, and you played very well considering the weak schedule. Alas though, I think it became clear that LSU’s depth was a killer, plus Mathieu (wow). I guess I thought Georgia had that same kind of depth. I hope they play Mason more during the season next year (if he doesn’t transfer). He looked very good at the end, and looks like an outstanding prospect. Of course another hotshot QB with hugh credentials is coming next year (from South Carolina I think). I’m a Tech fan, but I certainly appreciate what Georgia did this year. How many teams won 10 games in a row? You should be happy.
bwell
December 4th, 2011
7:06 pm
I truely believe that we can contend for SEC C’ship and Natl’Cship. We threw everything in the 1st qtr, including the kitchen sink. The problem was we stop calling plays to keep LSU defense off guard. I saw it coming in the second qtr. Running lilman Thomas up the middle….. really! They should have keep passing, going to the spread quick slants, Ga came to play but the calling suck from the second qtr on. Ken Malcome should have been inserted earlier, hopefully the coaches will try him out as a first teamer next spring. We will be great next year. Only loosing 3 OL and 1 DL and 1 CB. We are setup for success for years to come.
UGA the Cubs of the south.
December 4th, 2011
7:06 pm
UGA tards, do you ever notice that NO SCHOOL hires UGA coaches away from UGA?
UGA the Cubs of the south.
December 4th, 2011
7:07 pm
“Only loosing 3 OL”
UGA has a remedial english class with your name on it.
UGA the Cubs of the south.
December 4th, 2011
7:08 pm
“LSU still might have won. ”
Last year Mark Bradley predicted USC would dominate AU in the SEC Championship game. He also predicted Auburn would go on probation.
Mark Bradley is the worst sports writer in Atlanta.
UGA the Cubs of the south.
December 4th, 2011
7:09 pm
“I omitted the poster’s identity because I told him I would not address him personally anymore due to continued personal insults.”
That person must have been JB. The moron was posting threats against other bloggers last night.
Dawg48
December 4th, 2011
7:09 pm
Looks like someone has got on their mom’s computer again.
UGA the Cubs of the south.
December 4th, 2011
7:11 pm
Here’s another Cam Newton rookie record broken. Guess all the UGA retards can suck it.
Cam Newton insists his success isn’t coming easily. All he’s doing is whatever he can to help the Carolina Panthers win.
On Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, that was just about everything.
The rookie ran for three more touchdowns to set the NFL single-season record for TDs rushing by a quarterback, pacing a 38-19 rout of the struggling Buccaneers with a dominating performance that revealed something else he’s capable of doing: catching passes.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=311204027
Erk Russell's Dog
December 4th, 2011
7:11 pm
Cubbie
Please go back to the Tech Blog ,you are starting to stink up the joint. We are pathetic enough without you Tech trolls posting on the UGA BLOG.
Mike
December 4th, 2011
7:12 pm
The only thing that sort of bothered me about the game is the fact that UGA seemed to mail it in after LSU got up 21-10. The offense got increasingly predictable and the defense completely lost its fire. Rather than attacking, they were back pedalling. Dont tell me they were tired either. Ive never seen a defense get worn out by forcing 3 and outs and giving up only one first down to that point.
The big plays by Mathieu knocked the wind out of the UGA players. It had to be frustrating that they basically outplayed LSU and found themselves in a 21-10 hole. UGA had their chance as Mark said. LSU is lucky they weren’t down 3 score instead of 3 pts. If that were the case, this would have been a far better game deep into the 4th with LSU pulling it out in the end.
UGA the Cubs of the south.
December 4th, 2011
7:13 pm
“We are pathetic enough without you Tech trolls posting on the UGA BLOG.”
Not a Tech fan, goober. Geez, what makes UGA fans so nuts as to think EVERYONE who is against them is a Tech fan?
Major Well Factor
December 4th, 2011
7:14 pm
ew Dawgs got pummeled again…Expedia Guy
Dawg48
December 4th, 2011
7:15 pm
Erk either a techie or a check writer for cam newton.
Any way they both have only beat UGA1 time the last 7 years.
Honey Badger
December 4th, 2011
7:16 pm
Aaron Murray is some oompa loompa…. mmmmm
Flying Tigers
December 4th, 2011
7:16 pm
Yeah Mark you are right, if they play the pitiful schedule that they had or easier the pretenders willwin 10 or 11 games next year. Of course they won’t beat anybody worth a crap just like this year, but they will win and talk about how great they are, and then when they play a LSU or Alabama they will get smoked again…playing a piss poor schedule is the only way this team will win.
UGA the Cubs of the south.
December 4th, 2011
7:16 pm
“Any way they both have only beat UGA1 time the last 7 years.”
And UGA has absolutely nothing to show for it. Good luck in whatever bowl you gals end up in.
question
December 4th, 2011
7:17 pm
will the dogs start next season with a cupcake/patsy/cream pie/etc?
Or will they again start with a ranked team just to prove they are worthy?
Red Stick
December 4th, 2011
7:17 pm
JB, noone can sign more than 28 per SEC rules. I am pretty certain LSU didn’t sign over 25 last February. The Tigers can only sign 23 in the next class because of NCAA probation.
I think Mark Whipple could be a good fit for Georgia. He was the OC under Randy Shannon his last 2 seasons and is currently the Browns QB coach.
It just seems Richt doesn’t make any needed changes unless he is forced to (ala Willie Martinez).
POOPDAWG
December 4th, 2011
7:17 pm
Cubbie , did somebody steal your Cam jersey?
UGA the Cubs of the south.
December 4th, 2011
7:18 pm
“did somebody steal your Cam jersey?”
No, did someone steal your Beta tape of the 1980 national championship game?
KeepDreaming
December 4th, 2011
7:19 pm
I hope Crowell stays, but he needs to change his attitude. If Marshall commits this week, imagine the one-two punch these two could provide? Could be something…
bwell
December 4th, 2011
7:19 pm
Martinez ended up at Okla, callaway UAB, (fired) the coach from last yr who we hired from Vandy went to the NFL Panthers. Which he handle the special team last yr (could have used him this yr) and the OL line coach from last yr went to Texas.
Just for you cubbie
Dawg48
December 4th, 2011
7:19 pm
Red stick bama over signs!
Let's talk about UGA!
December 4th, 2011
7:19 pm
DawgNation,
I come to you, in this moment of sadness, with a heavy heart.
Last night, a Honey Badger got loose in Mama’s trailer. Our half-bulldog/half-chihuahua (Uga VIII’s little white-trash cousin) was badly injured.
The Honey Badger wreaked havoc on Mama’s genuine pleather sofa as he mauled Uga VIII’s little white-trash cousin.
Then, as the badger ran from the trailer, he tossed our half-bulldog/half-chihuahua to the side… right before he crossed the threshold of the door.
Upon further review, Uga VIII’s little white-trash cousin was taken to the vet because that @ss-whoopin was awful.
Go Dawgs!
Sic ‘em!
Woof! Woof! Woof!
PAUL7
December 4th, 2011
7:20 pm
I told you! GA had no clue what was coming! Only BAMA can BEAT LSU and they WILL.
I thought though GA should”ve benn up 28 – 0 at the half, what a STATEMENT on the D! Several GA players stated their D was as good, or better than LSU, looked like it at the half. If GA will recruit power runners, then I think the outcome last night would’ve been a win.
UGA the Cubs of the south.
December 4th, 2011
7:20 pm
“Red stick bama over signs!”
Yep, everyone cheats but the dawgs. The dawgs are the most perfect team ever. Idiots.
UGA the Cubs of the south.
December 4th, 2011
7:21 pm
“Martinez ended up at Okla, callaway UAB, (fired) the coach from last yr who we hired from Vandy went to the NFL Panthers. Which he handle the special team last yr (could have used him this yr) and the OL line coach from last yr went to Texas.”
Who, who and who?
WestOfAthens
December 4th, 2011
7:22 pm
Well written Mark, just to get to this game is a HUGE obstacle being in the SEC, these teams beat each other up throughout a regular season. BEST CONFERENCE ON EARTH.
Why is everybody dismissing Crowell? He is a freshman, mistakes will be made and true fans would understand. He has gotten a ton of work, and with the success(progress) UGA has had this year, very thankful, Crowel has talent and this year was a good learning curve.
Marshall too has talent, but not proven at this level. Be thankful Dawg fans
HBTD
UGA the Cubs of the south.
December 4th, 2011
7:23 pm
“Why is everybody dismissing Crowell? ”
Because UGA fans are dumb enough to think that he’s Herschel incarnate.
UGA the Cubs of the south.
December 4th, 2011
7:24 pm
“Why is everybody dismissing Crowell?”
Weed?
PAUL7
December 4th, 2011
7:24 pm
I told you! GA had no clue what was coming! Honestly GA should’ve been up 28 -0 at the half, what a defensive statement you MADE! recruit some power runners, then you will be ok. If you had had a power runner last night , I think GA would’ve won.
Dawg48
December 4th, 2011
7:25 pm
Red Stick
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203716204577016110526669958.html
Red Stick
December 4th, 2011
7:25 pm
Dawg48,
I am not sure about Bama but the SEC adopted a rule 2-3 years ago that you can not sign more than 28 players.
Houston Nutt is one reason the rule was put in place as he signed around 36 one year I believe.
Honey Badger
December 4th, 2011
7:25 pm
I like Crowell and he like weed
mikeinatlanta
December 4th, 2011
7:25 pm
You know it’s sickening how much people think they know about football on these forums. I coach football; it’s hard work and thats at the high school level. Georgia was going into a game with a gimpy running back, and honestly I cant imagine running a freshman on our varsity team. It takes time for these kids to get into their proper shape and mental discipline to be ready. Georgia had no balance in the sec championship game, and without balance it doesnt matter how good you QB is those DB’s are going to start jumping your routes. Aaron murray is taking all kinds of abuse because of the fumble, but he was struggling to make yards for a first down and take some pressure off of his defense. It’s pathetic how little you guys know about how hard the game is, seeing that many of you probably didnt make it past JV much less varsity or college ball you guys are fair weathered fans. Mark Richt is a great coach, and a damn good man.Fans like you who have no patience and probably no connection to the school whatsoever can get bent. True Dawgs understand that it takes patience, and sometimes it takes time for teams to make it. Back to the Bowden comments Bowden won national titles; and he won games. Mark Richt is a proven winner, but beyond that he has been loyal to a school that has fringe fans who dont even appreciate his efforts to the game. It’s ok once he gets it going again you will all jump back on the bandwagon but we dont need you so you can just remember this and continue on the process of getting bent.
DOG TARD
December 4th, 2011
7:27 pm
well no more boise or anyone capable of being in the top 50, that genius of an athletic director..why recruit 5 star for this sisters of the poor lineup? Alabama and SC are it…Vandy, Ky, TN, Ole Miss, all sux some SEC powerhouses yeah right
Buffalo
Athens, Ga.
Sat, Sep. 08
South Carolina *
Columbia, S.C.
Sat, Sep. 15
Florida Atlantic
Athens, Ga
Sat, Sep. 22
Vanderbilt *
Athens, Ga.
Sat, Sep. 29
Tennessee *
Athens, Ga.
Sat, Oct. 06
Alabama *
Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Sat, Oct. 13
Kentucky *
Lexington, Ky.
Sat, Oct. 27
Florida *
at Jacksonville, Fla.
Sat, Nov. 03
Ole Miss
Athens, Ga.
Sat, Nov. 10
Auburn *
Auburn, Ala.
Sat, Nov. 17
Georgia Southern
Athens, Ga.
Sat, Nov. 24
Georgia Tech
Dawg48
December 4th, 2011
7:29 pm
Mikeinatlanta
Well said!
mature dawg
December 4th, 2011
7:30 pm
The soft schedule, quality athletes, and denfensive coaching carried the Bulldogs. The special team, lack of discipline, poor play calling and choking by Murray were the downfall. Why do you start off the second half with two running plays up the middle. Were we going to try to hold on to a three point lead… No guts no glory for Georgia. Why do we out punt our coverage to the badger. Is it pad the stats of the punter. With no rush the boise state punter would take several extra steps and punt it at an angle. Mark Richt should be fired for stupidity for having up punt to him. We need a real special teams coach. Kudos to the defense for keeping us in the game for a while. We need a killer instinct coach, not a coach who plays not to lose.
PRWDOG
December 4th, 2011
7:31 pm
LOOKS LIKE WE FOUGHT THE WHOLE GAME. WHY WAIT UNTIL IT’S OUTTA REACH TO PUT IN MALCOM. THIRD AND FIVE LOOKS ALOT BETTER THAN THIRD AND TWELVE.
JRW7
December 4th, 2011
7:31 pm
Isaiah ain’t going to make it at UGA, after he walked away fron CMR yesterday, I would have kicked him off the team, RIGHT THEN AND THERE!!!!! KEITH MARSHALL, UGA needs you!!!!
interesting
December 4th, 2011
7:32 pm
I dont really know if UGA defense was that good in the first half. I think it was more LSU offense was really off– and usually conservative in its calling of plays since they were always inside their own 25. It might have been a combination of both but come on– they walked all over CTG and the DAWGS in the second half (better field psoition and better plays to choose from)
Dr. Morpheus
December 4th, 2011
7:34 pm
Between Mark and mikeinatlanta, I don’t have anything to add except I’m proud of the Dawgs and disappointed for them that they weren’t able to keep it closer after a valiant first half effort. And that many people posting on blogs are not what they claim to be and their comments don’t reflect the vast majority of DGDs who support the University of Georgia. Win of lose, it’s still great to be a Georgia Bulldog. Let’s win our bowl and look forward to hitting the ground running in 2012.
Doggoneit
December 4th, 2011
7:34 pm
If we had gone undefeated, the negative Richt haters would still be saying fire the coach because the margin of victory would not have been enough.
Red Stick
December 4th, 2011
7:36 pm
Dawg48, thanks for the article.
The SEC actually put the rule in place 2 years and then the NCAA adopted it:
http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2011/06/sec_adopts_roster_management_r.html
The WSJ article cited Alabama for signing and average of 27 over 5 years and LSU 25.2 over the same period. That doesn’t seem like a big advantage to me.
Of course the Texas AD thinks it was but that’s his problem if the Longhorns only signed and average of 22.4 over the same period when you can sign 25.
Atl Tiger
December 4th, 2011
7:36 pm
What game were the GA fans watching? The pass to King was not a drop, a pass that perhaps Calvin Johnson or AJ Green would have caught, but not King. As for the drop by Mitchel, maybe Dream Team II will consist of some guys that can catch instead of prima donna’s like Crowell, who has been given everything his entire life?
Red Stick
December 4th, 2011
7:38 pm
My tyoing is off. Meant to say the SEC put the rule in place 2 yrs ago and the schools signed “an” average not “and” average…