Florida in Jax: Big for UGA, it’s even bigger for Mark Richt
"Did you know my darn strong football team is 6-1?" (AP photo)
The surest sign that Mark Richt is miffed: He cites numbers. He did it back in 2006, when Georgia was 5-0 but coming off shaky victories over Colorado and Ole Miss. (Those Bulldogs would lose four of their next five games, FYI.) He did it at the end of the 2008 season, which began with Georgia ranked No. 1 but wound down with Richt trying to make 10-3 sound like a major achievement. He did it again Saturday night.
Responding to a question (mine, actually) about the possibility that the halting performance against Kentucky had been a function of focusing more on the Florida-South Carolina score than the opponent at hand, he stopped in mid-answer. “Know what?” he said, his voice rising. “I’m happy with the victory. We’re 6-1. That’s not bad.”
Know what? He’s right. Georgia is 6-1, and 6-1 isn’t at all bad. (It’s good enough for 10th place in the BCS standings.) But now comes Florida, and this game will do more than define the Bulldogs’ season — it will shape the remainder of Mark Richt’s tenure at Georgia.
Richt has been in place since January 2001. He has — here we cite numbers for him — taken Georgia to two conference championships and four SEC title games. He has presided over seven 10-or-more-win seasons and seen his team finish in the Associated Press top 10 five times. Twice the Bulldogs under Richt have come close (in 2002 and 2007) to playing for the BCS title.
That said, his greatest successes came early, and not since 2007 — Richt’s seventh season — have the Bulldogs given their fans reason to believe the long-sought national championship is within reach. Thus have significant achievements come to be taken with a grain of salt. Winning the SEC East in 2011 was nice, but how nice is a season that features losses to the four best teams on the schedule? Being ranked No. 10 in the BCS is not nothing, but 17 days ago the Bulldogs were ranked No. 5 in the land, and not much good has happened since.
The question for Georgia and Richt is no longer about winning mere games; it’s about winning games of consequence, the games this program has ceased to win. South Carolina has become such a game, and the Bulldogs were embarrassed in Columbia on Oct. 6. Florida is another such game, though technically Georgia beat the Gators last season. But now the repellant reptiles are roaring again, and the Bulldogs under Richt still haven’t whipped a first-rate Florida team. (Richt’s three victories in Jacksonville have come against Gators who would finish 7-5, 9-4 and 7-6.)
If Georgia loses Saturday, it won’t repeat as SEC East champs. Given that the Bulldogs were picked to win the division in preseason, that would be a major disappointment. It would make last year’s return to prominence seem an aberration, not the new normal. Even worse, it would fuel the loaded question: If the 2012 Bulldogs, who came equipped with a bunny schedule and a seasoned quarterback and what seemed a mighty defense, couldn’t play for a conference or a national title, what Georgia team will?
Mark Richt is 52, which is considerably younger than Nick Saban or Les Miles, but a 10-2 season that doesn’t yield at least a division title would not play well among the noisier precincts of his constituency. That doesn’t mean Richt would get fired: There’s no way those in power would move to dislodge a coach who’s again winning 10 games a year. Still, the quality of life for Richt’s remaining seasons as Georgia’s coach would surely be lessened. The emphasis wouldn’t be on the many games Georgia has won but on the magnitude of the games it hasn’t. (No victory over a Top 10 team since 2009, et cetera.)
That the Bulldogs looked awful against South Carolina and awfully unimpressive against Kentucky could benefit the cause. Richt’s biggest victory over Florida — the Gator Stomp of 2007 — came when Georgia wasn’t expected to do anything except its usual Jacksonville flop. Now Florida, picked No. 3 in the SEC East, is ranked No. 2 in the BCS standings. Now this is considered Florida’s game to win.
But make no mistake: This is a game these Bulldogs and their coach need in the worst way. There have been breakthrough victories for Richt over the past 11 1/2 years — Tennessee in 2001, Auburn in 2002, Auburn again when Georgia had lost those four of five in 2006, Florida in 2007, maybe Georgia Tech in 2009 — but none lately. If Georgia wins, Mark Richt won’t need to invoke the record to remind us how good his program is. The record will again speak for itself.
Further reading: If you missed today’s Heat Check, it can be found here. (Georgia is mentioned.)
By Mark Bradley
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608 comments Add your comment
DawgFanInBama
October 22nd, 2012
2:06 pm
My nightmare: Georgia beats Florida…………………..but loses to Auburn.
………………..
azdawg
October 22nd, 2012
2:07 pm
CMR, et al, have all but wiped out the “spirit” of most loyal dawg fans. ten win seasons “w/wins of no consequence” (well said MB) will not cut it anymore especially w/the so called talent he’s recruited but has yet materialized into an SECC and most noted NC back to Athens. While other SEC teams, AL, FL, AU, now add SC, have surpassed GA in fewer years then CMR has tenure at GA. IMO, GA just doesn’t have the coaching staff to take their players to the level needed to win the real big games routinely!! He either has to make drastic changes to their O and D schemes or change respective coaches and replace them w/guys that know immediately what changes to make in game situations or play to the strength of their respective players. this guy pease (OC) at FL has done it in one season. you just don’t know what’s coming at you w/that offense. the trend at GA is to fold in these games and look terrible doing it. the laundry list of GA’s woes are too numerous to get into and cmr apparently can’t or won’t fix them. that kind of mentality will get you axed at most schools. only hope will be when the dawgs lose it’ll be CMR’s waterloo. we want wins of consequence at ga once and for all!!!!
All I'm Saying Is....
October 22nd, 2012
2:07 pm
In football, UGA stands for University of the Generally Average or Underachievers in Games, Always.
hit a single
October 22nd, 2012
2:08 pm
I want to win championships also, but there is too much emphasis put on the NC. Sure Alabama is there now but that is because Saban is an old school type coach (that kind wins consistently) and everybody else in the SEC is down. I liked it when you had a good year and then went to your bowl game and they meant something. Not fair to the kids when you are favored to compete for the NC and you lose game 1 or 2 and you are already out of the NC race. The way things are now that makes for a long season because you are right 10 and 2 doesn’t mean much anymore. If Coach Richt does not get discipline and find out who really wants it, it will not get any better against top ranked teams. I think of the Cotton Bowl when Dooley’s Dawgs beat top ranked Texas. That bunch wanted it and were disciplined and nobody gave them a chance. This Saturday UGA better go in with that same frame or mind or it could get ugly. Nodody gives them a chance and if that doesn’t fire you up nothing will. And this bunch seems to have trouble getting fired up. I like Coach Richt but his job is on the line Saturday. Once again let see if the players have his back. Go Dawgs.
Big Crimson 75
October 22nd, 2012
2:08 pm
I don’t think there’s anything better out there.
Unless Kirby accepts a demotion as our DC to become Ga’s HC, Richt’s as good as its gonna get.
Don’t give me any of that Chris Peterson non-sense.
Lavell Edwards >>>>> Chris Peterson, by a mile!! No body in the SEC was banging Lavell’s door down.
Willie Taggart??? I’d stick with Krusty the clown!
Dawg Dawg Dawg
October 22nd, 2012
2:10 pm
@ ub: I’m with the team and will root for them every Saturday.
But I’m talking about the bigger picture: the future of UGA football. CMR & Co. will not bring us a national championship, and I doubt they’ll ever bring us another SEC Championship.
10 wins and the Outback Bowl is not enough for me and it isn’t enough for a lot of people.
markie mark
October 22nd, 2012
2:10 pm
I never thought I would say this, but so far i have no real issues this year with Bobo’s play calling…but how in the !@#$!@#$ could Grantham have monster size seniors who are supposed to be one of the top defenses in the country and play like this? SC was bad enough, but Kentucky just lined up and ran it down our throats in the first half….tightened up in the 2nd half coach? why the hell weren’t they ready to play in the first half?
Cobb Dawg
October 22nd, 2012
2:10 pm
Not that I want to pile on — I don’t — but if you’re looking for something to worry about, it might be this: CMR’s comment (oft-heard prior to big games) that nobody on his team will need to be motivated this week. My guess is that Muschamp will be working feverishly to get his guys up for the game, whether they need it or not.
RNB
October 22nd, 2012
2:10 pm
If Richt loses to Florida I predict he steps down to keep from being fired. It’s Smart or Petrino in my eyes. Either would be upgrades and would do no worse than Richt. They would however be inheriting a mess. First priority would be to get back to 85 scholarships. We are on self imposed probation due to lack of player evaluation over the years.
JB
October 22nd, 2012
2:11 pm
Well Mark, finally….He must of teed you off Saturday night. We’ve all been screaming this on here for two years and you have refused to write this column. And we are in pickle in Athens. We have a coach in Athens who is a nice guy who uses the plentiful talent in this state to stream roll the weaker teams, but the mojo has been gone for about 4 years with this Head coach beating anyone with a pedigree. He has a chance Saturday night to shut the naysayers up………I just don’t see it…..So like Clemson was stuck with 9 win and a bowl Ken Hatfield, we are stuck with 10 win Richt and a bowl.
Hold up fellas
October 22nd, 2012
2:11 pm
So let’s look at this from a long term perspective. No matter what happens, he ain’t going anywhere after this season. However, show up like we did in the past two games and get stomped and the watch begins. The good news is that we can’t hide behind a weak schedule next year so it will become very apparent if he still has it or not. However, the spotlight needs to be on our defensive coaching staff. Richt is an offensive mind and that seems to be performing as it should. Maybe Grantham wasn’t the saviour we thought he was.
Mike S.
October 22nd, 2012
2:12 pm
I dont know about this team because of the defense. They did have an opportunity to be great, but clearly had major offseason distractions. They got lucky with Gurley and Marshall offsetting Crowell’s antics and the dismissal of Carlton Thomas. They havent been so lucky with all the suspensions on defense. It’s clearly kept this unit from creating any kind of consistency and chemistry. Jarvis Jones has also been in and out of the lineup with injuries.
Big Crimson 75
October 22nd, 2012
2:12 pm
Not fair to the kids when you are favored to compete for the NC and you lose game 1 or 2 and you are already out of the NC race.
——–
Wwwwwwwwhat!!!!
With that logic, Shula was in the hunt for 2 National Titles!!
hit a single
October 22nd, 2012
2:12 pm
If UGA hires Petrino I am thru as a Dawg Football fan.
Douglas Dawg
October 22nd, 2012
2:12 pm
As much as I was looking forward to this game; two rooms at the Hyatt on the river, tickets and a weekend planned in Jacksonville I decided the hell with it after the South Carolina game. I just can’t stomach anymore half *** playing with the talent we have. I’m taking the wife and going further south and watching it by the pool on TV. You are right Mark; loose this one and 10 wins means jack and CMR has got to go!
Florida looks good but not great. For gods sake can we play upto our ability? Boo looked liked he ran with something to prove. Our defensive front; well they look terrible. Why do we have to spot someone 14 to 21 before we make adjustments. These are professional coaches; isn’t that what film study to suppose to do. I never see Bama having to make major adjustments. I’m venting; hopefully I’m suprised Saturday but that is what I will be if we win!
Hold up fellas
October 22nd, 2012
2:13 pm
RNB,
I said it in another post but what makes you think Smart is the answer? We will be getting yet another coordinator that has been under the umbrella of a great coach (like Richt was to Bowden) and won’t really know if he is capable for at least a few years. If he is a great choice, why isn’t coaching after all the interviews he has had over the last couple of years. As for Petrino, I know you are joking so no need to comment.
Bob LaBlah
October 22nd, 2012
2:14 pm
Mark – do you think maybe Richt can’t coach them up, OR are they recruiting players that aren’t team type players who don’t take coaching.
SSIgator
October 22nd, 2012
2:16 pm
Mark Bradley -
“The emphasis wouldn’t be on the many games Georgia has won but on the magnitude of the games it hasn’t.”
_______________
What? Have you been in some sort of a self-induced (Kool-Aid comes to mind) coma and just now awakened? People that follow UGA football have been saying this sort of thing for several years now. How much do AJC writers get paid for the “insight” and where does one apply?
Mike S.
October 22nd, 2012
2:16 pm
The only think Richt hasnt done is win a national title. They are only a year removed from a 6-7 season. The program had collapsed, and its just supposed to all the sudden dominate today’s SEC? 2012 SEC is a much tougher place than in 2002. The East was wide open for Richt. He handled Tennessee, South Carolina was a 6 win ballclub, and UF was in down years with Zook. He still lost twice to LSU in 2003 and Auburn in 2004, so its not like he was dominating national title contenders then either.
JB
October 22nd, 2012
2:17 pm
Hum…The filter got me. I’ve been waiting for Bradley to write this article. It sums up the last 2 years of post on here from most of the regulars. I’m sure some schools like NC State, Ole Miss etc look at us and say “Mark Richt, come on down”………. But Georgia wants to live in a better neighborhood. Drive a nicer car, a greener lawn……And 10 wins and a bowl in the SEC in really second class. The best football in the country is played in the SEC. We are mid tier, and yes we are because of WHO WE’VE LOST TO the last 4 years….Not who we have beat.
hit a single
October 22nd, 2012
2:17 pm
Big Crimson – Let’s say you are on a team that is preseason number one and picked to play for the NC. You stumble out of the blocks or have a key injury and lose 2 or your first three games. I don’t believe you are playing for the NC. I am saying it makes for a long season because many of these spoiled fans get pissed off because you are not going to the NC and they give up. Thank God the players and Coaches don’t give up. But to many fans that is there only hope. Sure I like Champions and I want to be one but I am realistic also.
Ed
October 22nd, 2012
2:17 pm
There was a time in college football where a 10-win season could not be described as anything other than extremely successful. But we live in the days of 13 game schedules (factoring in the bowl invite every .500 or above team seems to get) and multiple cupcakes.
Let’s face it, Georgia and almost all major problems are effectively 2-0 and 3-0 before the season starts. So the path to 10 wins requires winning 7 or 8 of the remaining 10 games against legit competition.
Getting to 10 wins under this scenario isn’t too shabby, but it’s a far cry from say a 10-1 regular season playing the types of schedules teams use to play before scheduling multiple cupcakes became the norm. It use to be that someone could potentially beat you every week if you didn’t play well.
My point: A modern coach like Richt should be evaluated based on more than just raw numbers, like a W-L record.
Smitty
October 22nd, 2012
2:17 pm
How did the Dawg nation ever get this way…….bunch of whiners…..I say we go down have some fun, pull for the Dawgs and see how it goes. I have been watching them before Dooley showed up so this negative stuff is not new. Dump Dooley stickers were everywhere in 1979 and then he learned how to coach again when some special guys were on the field. No program is strong every year. Check out all programs. Remember when Alabama had fallen so far changed coaches every few years and keep on losing. Now they are hot again and everybody thinks it has always been that way…..well no. How about pulling for your program and let people that know more than you make the coaching decisions. Go Dawgs!!
Douglas Dawg
October 22nd, 2012
2:18 pm
I will give Bobo this praise and I am still in shock. The 3rd down play call late in the game where Murray rolled out and passed instead of handing the ball off up the middle. It didn’t work, but at least for once he called something out of the box!
RNB
October 22nd, 2012
2:19 pm
Hold up Fellas,
Trust me someone in the SEC will get Petrino this year. He is a great coach and could win a NC at Georgia. I like Smart due to the fact he has been with Saban for years, is a great recruiter especially in Georgia and brings alot of energy to the program. Again he would do no worse than Richt.
MattDawg
October 22nd, 2012
2:19 pm
Doesnt matter who wins the East, UGA, USC, and UF can’t beat Bama right now.
markie mark
October 22nd, 2012
2:19 pm
In my heart of hearts, I dont think McGarity is gonna put up with this horse#$%^ much longer….he got useta the way it outa be at UF, and if we underachieve this year, I think changes are coming…
Jeffro Bodeen
October 22nd, 2012
2:20 pm
My earlier comment was not aimed so much at Bobo being ineffective as an OC (as he primarily is) but to the fact that when Richt relieved himself of that duty, that is the last time that he was effective. To me, that was an admission by CMR that the job was too much for him to handle. His choices for leadership roles have since been marginal at best. I feel CTG has been reigned it to a point that he too is now almost ineffective.
Jailyard Dwag.....
October 22nd, 2012
2:20 pm
Don’t fire Richt…..Fire McGarity….He’s the one who makes us play these brutal schedules….Man, we’re never going to win a National Championship if we have to play top ten teams….Besides, Richt has a very nice singing voice…..
Hydro-Dawg
October 22nd, 2012
2:21 pm
There is absolutely no excuse for our defense. We’re loaded with future NFL starters yet can’t stop ANYONE!! Self-reflection can be difficult. Dawgs defense is terrible.
JB
October 22nd, 2012
2:22 pm
The only thing missing from this season is we don’t have Richt on tape saying ” I’ve waited my whole life for a team like this”….LOL…. That said, with THIS talent and THIS schedule , then WHEN???
hit a single
October 22nd, 2012
2:23 pm
I really thought Bobo would be the head coach at UGA at one time. As a player he was a winner and probably didn’t have a whole lot of talent. I am not sure that he wouldn’t be a better head coach than a OC. He has that old school mentality and would be a heck of a recruiter.
RNB
October 22nd, 2012
2:23 pm
Smitty, I hear you are Ok with an average program. Is that correct?
Lance
October 22nd, 2012
2:23 pm
Anyone else have a craving for road kill stew this weekend? That’s exactly what the Gators are about to serve up.
JB
October 22nd, 2012
2:25 pm
You only have to look at the hire of Will Friend of UAB, a friend of Bobo’s, to coach the OL……..The Athletic dept has over 60 mil in the bank, it’s one of out most dire area’s of help, and we go to one step above a Temp Agency to hire a coach. Very low expectations.
Indydawg
October 22nd, 2012
2:25 pm
CMR is entering into John Cooper territory….
Mike S.
October 22nd, 2012
2:26 pm
I think it would be a mistake to get rid of Richt. I think the issue has been recruiting from 2007-2009. We had a lot of high profile recruits do nothing or wash out of the program. You look at all the freshman last year and this year that have immediately made stand out contributions, and its clear they are doing a far better job recruiting and coaching them up. In just one year of Grantham, Justin Houston turned into the beast everyone thought he would be. The momentum is back in the program.
hit a single
October 22nd, 2012
2:26 pm
No Indydawg he owns Tech!
DW
October 22nd, 2012
2:27 pm
I know my opinion does not count, but if the “dawgs” lose to Florida, Richt should go.
He Hate Gator
October 22nd, 2012
2:28 pm
Ron Zook was fired after 3 seasons despite winning records. The Gators compiled records of 8–5 (2002), 8–5 (2003) and 7–5 (2004). While he achieved some success, Zook’s record fell well short of what Florida fans had come to expect. Zook did not beat a ranked opponent at home during his time at Florida. However, he had a winning record of 2-1 over Richt…
phil
October 22nd, 2012
2:28 pm
We’re doomed!!
RNB
October 22nd, 2012
2:28 pm
Here is the email of Greg McGarity. We need to demand an elite program with an elite coach.
ad@sports.uga.edu
Tiffani
October 22nd, 2012
2:28 pm
The only reason Georgia is 6-1 is because they havent played anyone worth playing all year. Can’t wait til Florida shuts all these UGA fans up on Saturday…smh
hit a single
October 22nd, 2012
2:29 pm
I would have like to have seen Coach Richt have a meeting yesterday and tell the team that they were not to show up for Monday practice unless they were clean cut and shaven. You would find out who really wanted to be a Dawg. If their hair means more than that to hell with them. We have got to buckle down and get after some butt. You know what that might bring unity and more want to.
JB
October 22nd, 2012
2:29 pm
Ok, if not Will Friend….I would of found the school with the best running game in the country and studied the Line play and offered their 300,000 coach 600,000 to come to Athens……But in fairness, Richt was about to get fired.
Lenny
October 22nd, 2012
2:30 pm
Look, I’m tired of the goody-two-shoes, positive-thinking morons arguing that true fans will never say negative things about the team.
Let’s be adults, here, ok? The team has played like garbage the past three games. Pointing this out is not being a “bandwagon fan” or any such nonsense. Those of you who are happy-clappy and think that just being positive about the team will translate into success on the field are idiots. Try that when it comes to any other arena – your finances, your personal health, etc. – and see how far it gets you.
“Gee, the doctor says I have a tumor on my liver, but he’s just being negative! He’s not a true fan of my physical health.”
“I know that the bank says my account is overdrawn, but they are just not true believers! I refuse to see that negative balance!”
The team is underperforming. The coaching staff has problems. Let’s not sugar coat this, and quit saying that those who point out the flaws are not “real fans.”
I want the Dawgs to win as bad as anybody else, but that doesn’t make me blind.
phil
October 22nd, 2012
2:31 pm
Bradley is delusional if he thinks Richt isn’t toast if we get blown out Saturday….
The performance this season is absolutely unacceptable to anyone with any true pride in our program.
Fire bobo and Grantham too if we’re blasted Saturday!!
Joey
October 22nd, 2012
2:31 pm
“… because the last time I checked CMR doesn’t take the snaps and CTG doesn’t rush the opposing QB. It’s up to the players.”
****************************************************
Northwoods Dawg, I don’t agree, because this team having a ‘08-like season, and these players were in middle school back then.
Richt likes to blame players when he says, “we didn’t execute.”
Different players. Same head coach. Same results.
It ain’t the players fault.
Bama Boy
October 22nd, 2012
2:33 pm
After gettin tore up by the Gamehens it means after Bama,LSU,Miss.State,Florida,USC well your the sixth best team in the SEC and just like the last 33 years maybe next year!RTR number 15 your next!
JB
October 22nd, 2012
2:33 pm
Lenny…….. Agree,..The folks on this blog ain’t dressing out…..And I’m still not over the Carolina game. Let’s hope round two is not Saturday