Unless it beats the Gators, UGA will be a 10-2 underachiever
"Wait just a doggone minute! Isn't that the signal for the infield fly?" (AJC photo by Bob Andres)
At the absolute worst, Georgia figures to finish its regular season 10-2. Just last year, a 10-2 regular season yielded an SEC East title and bought Mark Richt a contract extension and was taken as a sign that Georgia football was on the ascent. To go 10-2 again, assuming this 10-2 includes a loss to Florida and the absence of another division title, would be taken as an abject reversal.
Here’s where the Bulldogs’ bunny schedule serves as both boon and burden. Georgia still must play Kentucky, Ole Miss, Auburn and Georgia Tech; the aggregate record of those teams is 7-16. The Bulldogs also will face Georgia Southern, which plays at a lesser level. If Georgia beats those five but loses to Florida, it will be described, oddly but accurately, as a 10-2 underachiever.
When the Bulldogs were going 8-5 in 2009 and 6-7 the next season, the question became: Would they ever win big again? They’ve since gone 15-5, which would seem to offer an answer, but in light of the drubbing administered by South Carolina we note there can be a difference between Winning Big and Winning Big Games. Georgia has come to occupy the space between.
Its last victory over a Top 10 team came when it defeated No. 7 Georgia Tech on Nov. 28, 2009. The Bulldogs last beat an SEC team ranked in the Top 10 on Oct. 27, 2007 (No. 9 Florida in the Gator Stomp game). Their last victory over anybody in the top five came against No. 5 Auburn on Nov. 11, 2006. Since Oct. 30, 2008, Georgia is 4-13 against ranked opposition, and three of those times the Bulldogs were the higher-ranked team.
Coming off their 2011 turnaround, these Bulldogs figured to have much working for them: A fourth-year junior at quarterback, nine defensive starters who are either seniors or juniors and, above all, the softest of schedules. But when you play so few games against opponents of comparable worth and you lose them all, that schedule turns against you. It makes you seem a team that is, as Lou Holtz once said, living a lie.
It would one be one thing if the Bulldogs were capable of no more, if the only thing enabling them to be ranked at all was the canny maximization of modest resources. But you cannot recruit at such an exalted level and then claim personnel bankruptcy. There aren’t 10 more talented teams in the land. So why, when it comes time to step up in class, does Georgia invariably flunk?
We cannot help but look to the coach. It’s his program. He hired these high-salaried assistants, recruited these star-spangled players. And isn’t as if Richt has never won a Big Game: From 2002 through Jan. 1, 2008, Georgia was 22-10 against ranked opponents. It is 6-14 since. It has become the classic bully: It terrorizes the small fry but turns tail when the big boys show up.
After winning the East last year, the Bulldogs faced No. 1 LSU and lost 42-10. After rising to No. 5 in the land this season, they played South Carolina in Columbia and lost 35-7. That’s a 60-point spread in prove-it games, and the latter loss was truly alarming. Georgia wasn’t ready to handle a team like LSU last season, but 1o months later it was even less prepared for what the Gamecocks unleashed. Isn’t experience supposed to be a teaching tool?
Maybe it can still be one. This year isn’t over. If Georgia can beat Florida, there’s a chance the Bulldogs can again win the East. South Carolina would have to lose twice, but its next two games are against LSU and Florida on the road. Even so, the sight of the Gators again on the rise is surely disquieting: Of the four times Georgia has won the SEC East, three came in Year 1 after a Florida coaching change, and the fourth was in Ron Zook’s final season. This is Year 2 for Will Muschamp, and Florida just climbed to No. 4 in the Associated Press poll.
Having lost three in a row to South Carolina, Georgia has already fallen behind the Gamecocks in both standings and hierarchy. If Florida jumps back ahead of the Bulldogs, the Richt renaissance will have been the briefest of moments. His program will be in danger of falling into the hole from which he once rescued it: That time in the ’90s when Florida and Tennessee owned the division and Georgia, under Ray Goff and Jim Donnan, was relegated to third place.
This looked to be the season Richt and his Bulldogs consolidated their hold on the division, and they might yet. But anything less than an East title would rekindle all those questions about Richt. There’s no way Georgia would move to fire a coach who wins 10 games two years running; there’s also no way the second 10-2 would feel half as good as the first.
At some point Georgia has to answer the question, “Yeah, but who did you beat?” And that answer cannot continue to be, “Well, there was that Tech game back in ‘09 …”
By Mark Bradley
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987 comments Add your comment
Mobile Dawg
October 8th, 2012
9:35 pm
Don’t think Richt goes anywhere until Adams is gone. He will have 8 to 10 wins this year, and a bowl. That won’t get him fired.
Beast from the East
October 8th, 2012
9:36 pm
Dooley? I’d pay Richt $5 million a year before I’d pay Dooley $100. He has done NOTHING as a head coach. Did you forget they went 1-7 in the conference last year and lost to UK starting as WR as their QB? He’s had more than enough time to produce SOME on the field results.
CHIKEN FRIED
October 8th, 2012
9:39 pm
Spurrier is 15-5 against those mighty leghumpers and with three wins in a row it looks like your gonna continue to be his B-tch FAT TIRE .. OMG LOL!!!!
JB
October 8th, 2012
9:40 pm
Thanks layinlow for the details. Richt was not happy and it took a long time to sign, and from what I heard from our bulldog club President who went to school with Joe T, The only way McGarity was going to improve the contract was for 2 to 3 certain coach’s to be fired or reassigned, and yes, Bobo was on that list.
THE Dixie Redcoat Band
October 8th, 2012
9:41 pm
Actually, there are several MAC teams that could play 4 qtrs with UGA.
Layinlow
October 8th, 2012
9:43 pm
One more thing, remember when richt’s contract sit around unsigned until june? Now we know why, he was upset about the buyout. In the old contract richt would have had to pay uga 2 million and they basically said you can leave whenever you want and owe us nothing and in return were going to get a low buyout. Now i feel a lot better about what mcgarity is doing after reading the details of richt’s deal.
JB
October 8th, 2012
9:44 pm
Beast, agree….Richt to Dooley would be like going from the Hassleback blond on the View to Rosanne Barr……. That ain’t happening…….If we lose Richt, we’ll help ourselves.
Layinlow
October 8th, 2012
9:48 pm
Thanks jb you have just confirmed my thoughts on why richt didn’t immediately sign the deal because he was upset about it.
JB
October 8th, 2012
9:48 pm
McGarity set the tone for his feeling when he told Richt he could leave anytime he wanted, no 2 mil. to leave I know what I would read into that. I bet Richt did to. Don’t let the door hit you, and you’ve got a couple of years to show me some big improvement.
Glory Between the Hedges
October 8th, 2012
9:51 pm
STOP SUGARCOATING ITS TIME FOR COACH RICHT TO GO!HES A FINE MAN BUT MY MINISTER IS TOO AND I DO NOT WANTING HIM COACHING AT GEORGIA!!!!!!!!!
JB
October 8th, 2012
9:51 pm
Me thinks Richt leaves on his own. I’ve been hearing that from more than one source. Wants to leave on his terms and NOT be fired. And no, he will not coach again. He could, but he’ll pursue his passion. Why would his wife get a nursing degree at 50???? The money???? Don’t think so
The Bear
October 8th, 2012
9:51 pm
I hate it for Dog nation! That was an ass kicking. SC came out and laid the wood to the Dogs. UGA needs to regroup and bring the fire next game.
Mobile Dawg
October 8th, 2012
9:51 pm
Hadn’t heard anything on coaches being fired or reassigned, did know that Richt wasn’t happy that his security was reduced. Don’t know how close we were to hiring Friedgen but that would have been a great move, reassigning Bobo to QB’s and Recruiting Coordinator. Was it Friedgen, or Richts insecurity of having another HC on staff.
Top Ten Team money pool
October 8th, 2012
9:55 pm
We will pay 2 million to UGA to keep Richt as your HC.
ga gator
October 8th, 2012
9:56 pm
Before you guys up and fire Richt, you had better find someone who might be better.
JB
October 8th, 2012
9:57 pm
Mobile, My source ( our club president who has contacts, not me) that McGarity had been told by “friends” around the league that Bobo was a big problem and it was hurting the program on game day since Richt turned over the play calling to him. ( look at last 4 years, and you have to agree) McGarity tried to encourage a change and Richt would have nothing of it, thus the hardball contract. True story
I'm Done. FIRE CMR
October 8th, 2012
9:57 pm
Anyone who claims to be a Georgia fan and loves Mark Richt is an idiot. I was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt this season but im dome drinking the CMR kool aid. This guy is a joke. We have top 5 classes every year and all the talent in the world and we have absolutely nothing to show for it. To say that it would take 10 years to recover from loosing Richt is absurd. He gets paid 2.8 million dollars a year and he looses every time we get on the national stage. As an Alumni, i’m tired of watching my beloved University get embarrassed on national television. You’re job is to win football games. Not to go on mission trips in the summer. I know that we’ll win 10, back door our way to the SECCG and everyone will be happy to loose a bowl game. I hope we loose 4 more and get him the heck out of Athens! Kirby Smart, hope you’re ready to come back home! To hell with CMR. GO DAWGS!!
James K Polk
October 8th, 2012
9:59 pm
Mullin, Peterson, Patterson, and Tressell would all be acceptable (and far better than we have now). With our money, I’d throw about $6 million at Gruden (very quietly) and see if we can get him to think about it. If not, go to the other four. We’d be competing for the title in their second year. Or, we could do nothing and accept 10-2, 9-3 and beating no one of any significance until Richt decides to hang up his collar. But why would he? Richt has the best job in the world. He has the talent to win 9 or 10 every year without missing dinner at home to game plan, he gets to live in Athens, he doesn’t have to win titles to keep his job like he would at Bama, Florida, Auburn, Tennessee, Florida, or LSU, there is no pressure on him to do so, everyone loves him for it, and he’s also a millionaire several times over for it. Who in there right mind would leave a job like that?
The bottom line: we are mediocre alumns with a mediocre fan base, so we accept mediocre results. However, there are a few of us (growing after every loss) who know what we are capable of and are fighting tooth and nail to change this culture. We are capable of so much more.
Wet Willie...keep on smiling
October 8th, 2012
9:59 pm
Obama gets results….Oh my what a dayum joke that is.
Will Muschamp
October 8th, 2012
9:59 pm
Dont ask me, I am the next Saban in Gainesville.
JB
October 8th, 2012
10:00 pm
ga gator………………Athletic dept has 60 mil in the bank. It’s the SEC. It’s the 5th best recruiting state in the country. It’s a dream job for the right guy. I trust mcGarity. It won’t be a LaTech Dooley type I can promise you.
ga gator
October 8th, 2012
10:01 pm
Mullin is not the answer, Peterson will not come east, Patterson is over 60 and Tressell is crooked. Gruden…..now that would be someone that most of the East would worry about.
The Bear
October 8th, 2012
10:01 pm
I can look at UGA and tell UGA is lacking in the coaching department. Come on folks it doesn’t take a PHD to see it.
Oh yea Roll Tide
Wet Willie...keep on smiling
October 8th, 2012
10:01 pm
Just a little note …Bama is about to get back on Ramsey at the QB slot.
Ckgator
October 8th, 2012
10:03 pm
An assumed 10-win season? This is what’s wrong with Georgia. You read the articles and believe your own hype. But Championships in the SEC are won with toughness and urgency. Not entitlement. When you lose 35-7 to a divisional rival you don’t “learn from it” with thoughtful reflection. When your starting QB’s home is vandalized you don’t react with “these things are to be expected.”
I’m a Gator, but almost feel bad for the loyal Dawg fans who love their team, and see their leadership as lacking passion. Those Dawgs are right. Coaches with fire and intensity win Championships in today’s game. Saban, Miles, Meyer. Not sticking up for your guy like Richt has done is unacceptable in my book, to say nothing of what the OBC has done to you again.
I know for a fact that we will plow the field with Georgia later this month. Why? Muschamp will have it no other way. That’s leadership.
ga gator
October 8th, 2012
10:03 pm
JB you might laugh, but those who have been Saban’s 2 most trusted assistants are just like him; Muschamp and Smart. You might think I am crazy but I would hire Kirby.
LowcountryDawg
October 8th, 2012
10:03 pm
The bottom line: we are mediocre alumns with a mediocre fan base, so we accept mediocre results. However, there are a few of us (growing after every loss) who know what we are capable of and are fighting tooth and nail to change this culture. We are capable of so much more.
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James you put it best. It’s UGA’s own fault for allowing this mess to continue. We are happy backing into SECE championships
The Bear
October 8th, 2012
10:04 pm
@ga gator Gruden could careless about UGA or coaching in college.
Ckgator
October 8th, 2012
10:07 pm
Lowcountrydawg -
You get it. Kudos my friend.
The Bear
October 8th, 2012
10:08 pm
The UGA pundits have said Kirby has burned bridges at UGA! Have called Kirby Satan 2…..and the list goes on. Remember UGA is doing things the right way………..OK.
Tampa Bay Fan
October 8th, 2012
10:09 pm
Gruden would be a terrible choice for a college team, IMO. He’s an x and o guy. Can’t imagine him dealing with recruiting rules, player academics, booster appearances, etc. He’s an NFL guy.
LowcountryDawg
October 8th, 2012
10:09 pm
Todd Gurley still leads all running backs in the #SEC in total yards (575), yards per carry (7.1, min. 70 carries) & TDs (9 – tied).
Sally Hotchkiss
October 8th, 2012
10:10 pm
Enough is enough. Coaching isn’t a personality contest. The head Coach gets paid to day a job. Enough is enough!
Sally Hotchkiss
October 8th, 2012
10:14 pm
Well said, “I’m Done”, above.
The Bear
October 8th, 2012
10:16 pm
@LowcountryDawg that is the mindset at UGA, personal goals. Don’t you people get it? Team…Team…Team.
LowcountryDawg
October 8th, 2012
10:18 pm
Apparently this is the new “Battle” uniforms for SCar now for the LSU game.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsDvIUENXYk&feature=youtu.be
James K Polk
October 8th, 2012
10:19 pm
Why wouldn’t Mullin be the answer? He’d have us playing at an unbelievable level. You don’t think Peterson would come, huh? Let’s see if a few million dollars wouldn’t change his mind. You’d be surprised at what a few million would make a person do. Tressell is crooked? Because he lied about a few tattoos? I don’t think that qualifies him for Nixon or Obama status…or even for Saban, Petrino status.
Gruden would win a title here by his 3rd season. He’d recruit the heII out of these athletes in the South. All he’d have to do is flash his ring. That doesn’t mean I think he would take the job, but you are crazy if you think he wouldn’t be interested. I promise you $6 million would have him thinking hard about coming.
On the other hand, if we were to hire Kirby Smart or Dooley, we’d be in for a run similar to what we have right now. No more experiments with coordinators or with family legacies. Let’s get a proven winner…we would win.
LowcountryDawg
October 8th, 2012
10:24 pm
I have a hard time believing and maybe i’m wrong here, but do you think if we had a Saban or Meyer that they would have allowed the dawgs to look that unprepared and flat as Sat night?
ToccoaDawg
October 8th, 2012
10:24 pm
Win lose or draw I’m a dawg fan. Go Dawgs
Tampa Bay Fan
October 8th, 2012
10:25 pm
10-2 is a good season for Georgia. The truth is that Georgia is not one of the elite programs in the SEC. It’s a notch below. Nothing wrong with that, but don’t blame Richt. He’s much better than Goff and Donnan and he’s maximized what Georgia is … a 10-2 program.
LowcountryDawg
October 8th, 2012
10:27 pm
Would Saban or Meyer allowed the dawgs to look that unprepared and flat Sat?
Dumb Dawgs
October 8th, 2012
10:29 pm
You leg humpers ain’t the brightest bunch. You really think that UGA can impress Gruden with your offer of $$? If he’s resisted NFL dollars, he would laugh at whatever UGA could scrape together.
ToccoaDawg
October 8th, 2012
10:29 pm
For all of you fair weather fans…. GO FIND ANOTHER TEAM….Tech has plenty of seats every week go pull for them.
Jefferson Davis Hogg
October 8th, 2012
10:30 pm
@ ga gator, I for one think you’re spot on about Kirby. He will bring fire and passion to the program and demand excellence….@lowcountry, sad but true. And as far as Gruden goes, I could be wrong but something tells me he might give it a try at the college level if it was the right place at the right time. No doubt he can coach and I firmly believe he could recruit. He could also attract some fine coordinaters as well. After all he is a household name with a pro history. Very intriguing to say the least. i just think Kirby is the guy waiting on the job and he may very well be that diamond in the rough
jack
October 8th, 2012
10:31 pm
There is simply no way that the Dawgs can win the East. Does anyone here actually believe that if the Gators beat Carolina, they would let Georgia come into Jacksonville and beat them? They are too physically and mentally tough for that, while Georgia is soft.
The Bear
October 8th, 2012
10:32 pm
@LowcountryDawg you are not allowed to say the name Saban from this point forward! You have no clue what you are posting. You have school tomorrow go to bed.
James K Polk
October 8th, 2012
10:32 pm
Tampa Bay fan, Georgia has put more players in the NFL than any other program in the SEC this century…Georgia has had the #1 or 2 (depending upon the service) recruiting class averaged over that same time period. The state of Georgia produces more high school athletes that become pros (per capita) than any other state. That IS NOT a 10-2 program. I mean, we are a 10-2 program, but there is absolutely no reason for it. It’s coaching…it always has been. The fact is that we’ve never really had a coach that maximized it. Dooley was nothing without Erk and Herschel, Goff was a complete disaster, Donnan was OK but couldn’t beat Tech, and Richt doesn’t have the fortitude. Even merely an above average coach would have us competing every year for titles.
Jefferson Davis Hogg
October 8th, 2012
10:34 pm
@ James K Polk…..nut sure about Mullen yet but its a thought as well….No to Tressell but your thoughts about Gruden are spot on. UGA has the money. Toss him a bone and see if he takes it. Your points are excellent about how he could recruit.
Mad Dawg
October 8th, 2012
10:35 pm
We’re more talented than Florida, but they play with more heart and toughness than we do. And thanks to actual coaching, they’re actually getting better each week.
The Bear
October 8th, 2012
10:35 pm
@James K Polk good points but what is your message here?