Heat Check: UGA isn’t exactly the hot choice in Jacksonville
Mark Richt with the only Gator against whom he has a winning record. (AJC photo by Jason Getz)
The weekly Heat Check commences with a team that frankly didn’t look so hot Saturday night. But you’ve got to start somewhere.
GEORGIA: Picked in preseason to repeat as SEC East champs, the Bulldogs are a 6 1/2 point underdog to Florida on what is technically a neutral field. This tells us that the Gators have had the more impressive season to date, but you knew that already. Forecast: This doesn’t mean Georgia can’t win. On the contrary, how many times have the Bulldogs gone to Jacksonville with the better-looking team and lost?
FALCONS: Didn’t lose for the seventh consecutive Sunday. (Ha! Little joke!) But now the schedule gets intriguing, if not necessarily untenable. The next four opponents: Philadelphia (3-3), Dallas (3-3), New Orleans (2-4) and Arizona (4-3). Forecast: Win three of those four and the Falcons are looking at the NFC’s No. 1 seed come the playoffs. Win ‘em all and Don Shula and Nick Buoniconti and Mercury Morris get nervous.
GEORGIA TECH: So now we know. It was all Al Groh’s fault. (Kidding again.) Beating Boston College doesn’t prove much, but beats the heck out of not beating Boston College. Forecast: Not trying to get all pie-in-the-sky here, but it now seems the winner of the ACC Coastal will have at least three conference losses. If the Jackets run the conference table, they’ll have three conference losses.
GEORGIA STATE: Alas, the Panthers aren’t apt to run any tables. A week after beating Rhode Island, Georgia State lost to Villanova by 25 points. Of GSU’s seven losses, the closest has been by 21 points. Forecast: There’s a chance we’ve seen the final victory of Bill Curry’s coaching career.
BRAVES: Brian McCann had surgery, which complicates contractual things a bit. (But only a bit.) And the Cardinals, who have suddenly become the Braves’ nemeses, are on the brink of blowing a series in which they led 3-1. Forecast: If you’re the Braves, do you root for or against St. Louis tonight? I’m thinking against, but that might just be me.
HAWKS: They won two exhibition games at home. They’re 3-3 in games that don’t count. Forecast: The Hawks have only one exhibition game remaining — it’s Friday at Detroit — but the regular season doesn’t begin for 11 more days. And you thought the NBA playoffs lasted forever.
Further reading: Why Florida in Jax is a big game for Georgia — and an even bigger one for Georgia’s coach.
By Mark Bradley
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203 comments Add your comment
Dizzy
October 22nd, 2012
11:09 am
Here’s Florida’s plan:
1- Get a td on special teams
(don’t punt or kick the ball to them)
2- Force 3-4 turnovers
Protect the ball, and force 3-4 of your own
3- Run the ball with 6 off linemen
Get a lead so they have to pass the ball, and pack 9 big bodies in the box
Dizzy
October 22nd, 2012
11:11 am
kevin, vegas doesn’t agree with you, you are alone in your opinion
The Tide is Rolling and Nothing can stop it
October 22nd, 2012
11:11 am
You’re entire state of degenerates and Honey Boo Boos doesn’t have the dedication and determination to win championships.
Fire Mark Richt! Do you remember the 30 years before Richt?!?
From your disgraced Athletic directors, your corrupt city officials, your streets filled with crime, your cheating school teachers, you WILL NEVER WIN A FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP.
Do the SEC a favor, stop embarrassing them, and become a basketball school. You may be able to find 5 individuals willing to work for a team in this state, but not 22.
Idiotic Posts
October 22nd, 2012
11:12 am
Dizzy …………congratulations you’re a complete idiot.
Keep rambling about UGA’s “accomplishments”. That way the mediocrity continues.
The Tide is Rolling and Nothing can stop it
October 22nd, 2012
11:13 am
1 in 4 Georgians is on food stamps…
Dizzy
October 22nd, 2012
11:13 am
Common opponent:
Vanderbilt
Florida: scored 28
UGA: SCORED 45
Florida: allowed 14
UGA: Allowed 3
Flat Tire On I-95 in Jacksonville
October 22nd, 2012
11:14 am
Dizzy
Here’s FL’s real plan
FL shows up on the field at game time
Richt Bobo and Grantham run straight for the locker to hide and precede to finish reading the New York Times bestseller “”"ENERGY VAMPIRES”"”" then commence the usual blame the players for poor execution to happy Chuck Dowdle
Dizzy
October 22nd, 2012
11:14 am
Why is UGA ranked #10 in the BCS
if Florida is so muhc better?
Flat Tire On I-95 in Jacksonville
October 22nd, 2012
11:15 am
Dizzy
UGA couldnt score on SC whats your point
ole yeller
October 22nd, 2012
11:15 am
You can’t blame all the trouble with the Dawgs on Coach’s Richt, Bobo, and TC. I feel that too many of our top heavy NFL guys is not play up to standards because thet are protecting their draft status. Don’t want to go all out, may get hurt, think about it. Please play the other guys…..OK
Dizzy
October 22nd, 2012
11:15 am
UGA should use same gameplan as last year:
1- Win turnover battle
2- run ball down throats for 185 yards rushing
I suspect UGA will also throw for 200 yards this year to take advantage of Muschamp’s over-agressive tendancies
Idiotic Posts
October 22nd, 2012
11:17 am
DIZZY, if you’re gonna vomit up more garbage about a common opponent………………don’t forget SOUTH CAROLINA!!! Whoops?!?!?!?! Using your analogy, UGA is doomed.
Flat Tire On I-95 in Jacksonville
October 22nd, 2012
11:18 am
ole yeller
4 years of not beating a top 20 team cannot be blamed on the players
Now if you are that gullible then I will be more than happy to sell you my 2011…10 WIN National Championship T-shirt for $5 million
Dizzy
October 22nd, 2012
11:19 am
Anyone saying 1 game defines a team (South Carolina for example), would have to conclude, by looking at common opponent Vanderbilt, that UGA is better than UF.
Flat Tire On I-95 in Jacksonville
October 22nd, 2012
11:19 am
Dizzy
You do realize FL had a new coach with an injured QB and we still barely won
Big Wally
October 22nd, 2012
11:20 am
I’ll have some of whatever Ditzy is drinking.
Idiotic Posts
October 22nd, 2012
11:20 am
Anyone attempting to use Vanderbilt as a “bellweather” would be just as stupid.
Dizzy
October 22nd, 2012
11:20 am
UF has one of the worst offenses in the country.
No one, so far, has exploited that.
UGA will.
UGA has better talent on specialteams, offense, and defense, should win easily.
Dizzy
October 22nd, 2012
11:21 am
Why couldn’t UF stop UGA’s rushing game in 2011? Injured QB? That’s a new one.
It’s the same players UGA ran all over last year.
Idiotic Posts
October 22nd, 2012
11:22 am
And UGA has played NO ONE (except South Carolina)…………so I would keep your offense stats to yourself.
Dizzy
October 22nd, 2012
11:23 am
The ONLY way the game is even CLOSE,
Is if UGA turns the ball over.
There is no way UF can outscore UGA.
Dizzy
October 22nd, 2012
11:24 am
iF uf IS SO MUCH BETTER THAN uga
wHY DOESN’T vEGAS AGREE AND HAVE uf BY 14 OR 21 POINTS?
Idiotic Posts
October 22nd, 2012
11:25 am
Right…………..that’s why UGA just “escaped” against Kentucky. The worst team in the East
Flat Tire On I-95 in Jacksonville
October 22nd, 2012
11:25 am
Dizzy
We couldnt even stop KY and they didnt have a QB or RB
But hey
Have your fun this week cause I can tell you coach Muschump will have his team fired up for this one because if they win they are in the SEC championship
Coach Richt will only sit and hope he can back door his way into another championship game cause he cant beat teams to get there on his own
Dizzy
October 22nd, 2012
11:25 am
UGA ran for 185 yards last year against UF.
It’s the same defense.
But UGA’s running backs are better.
Look for UGA to break 200 rushing, 200 passing.
Dizzy
October 22nd, 2012
11:26 am
If UGA gets a 100 yard rusher, Richt is 42-4.
Idiotic Posts
October 22nd, 2012
11:27 am
Oh yeah, Dizzy (dumb dumb) using your “commone opponent” analogy. UF has already played and beaten UK 38-0. AND UGA just escapes 29-24 !!!!!! Keep running on about how great those dogs are.
Dizzy
October 22nd, 2012
11:30 am
Anyone using the 1 game South Carolina common opponent game can’t explain the Vanderbilt common opponent.
Destin Dawg
October 22nd, 2012
11:30 am
Gators offense can Not out score the Dawgs… if no turnovers… defense needs to show up Sat… I ‘m betting they will… Grantham likes his job and 6 or 7 upper classmen want to get drafted in the pros… Go Dawgs !!
The Ghost of Wally Butts
October 22nd, 2012
11:31 am
How to avoid the blood-bath this Saturday at JAX:
Plan A – Break out the “Grambling” uniforms again (Black hats and pants);
Plan B – Break out the “Power Ranger” uniforms again;
Plan C – Let Grantham and Muschamps get into it during the pre-game;
Plan D – Pray for bolts of lightning to shorten the game.
Flat Tire On I-95 in Jacksonville
October 22nd, 2012
11:31 am
Dizzy
Do you really think the people over in Vegas are going to have two teams pitted against each other; winner going to a conference championship game; listing the favored one as a blowout winner???
Do you know how easy of a bet to win big that would be for so many people to be the house
You really must be on meds if you do
Now that your Vegas point has been dealt with what other garbage with no substance do you have for us
Idiotic Posts
October 22nd, 2012
11:32 am
What about Kentucky, Dizzy? that’s a common opponent….Florida beat them 38-0 UGA just barely won 29-24……that has nothing to do with South Carolina.
Dizzy
October 22nd, 2012
11:33 am
The case could be made
That UGA
winning 16 of lat 17 regular seaosn games
and Murray coming off a career day
is the HOTTEST TEAM IN THE NCAA.
Dizzy
October 22nd, 2012
11:35 am
The media will all pick Florida to win, because they don’t wanna look dumb by going against their peers.
But UGA will win this game.
Coaching? UGA
Offense talent? UGA
Defense talent? UGA
Special teams talent? UGA
Only team that can beat UGA, as South Carolina found out, is UGA (self inflicted mistakes and turnovers)
Idiotic Posts
October 22nd, 2012
11:35 am
Keep drinking Dizzy…..soon you will have UGA in the BCS NC game.
UGA is NOT the hottetst team in the NCAA….the talent is there…THE COACHING IS NOT
Alphare
October 22nd, 2012
11:36 am
1. Gators own UGA 84-4 since Spurrier time
2. UGA hasn’t beaten a ranked in 3 years
3. Except Vandy, UGA give up at least 20 points including 2 cupcakes
But I cannot believe what I am thinking now: UGA will beat the gators, 34-24.
Yes, dawgs will beat the gators, like all bad/good things will come to an end eventually, just like stocks never go straight up or straight down. This is UGA’s break-out game.
Just tell those UGA players this is UGA’s NC game, which they haven’t won for 32 years!
Mr. Hankey
October 22nd, 2012
11:37 am
I planning on watching the GA/Fl game with a blindfold and ear plugs. While I like the dogs being the underdogs I sure as heck didn’t like the KY game, their effort, their preparedness, the coaching. One measly onsides hussle from a guy that last year wasn’t even on freakin scholarship
and we’re carrying torches and pitch forks through downtown Athens Sunday night. Still get the feeling that some folks may be dusting them off just in case. This game will be like watching a good horror movie. Can’t bear to watch but you can’t take your eyes off the screen.
Dizzy
October 22nd, 2012
11:38 am
Mark Richt helped FSU get to top 5 finish 14 times in a row (none before or after he was on staff)
Richt helped UGA get to final top 10 finish 6 out of 11 seasons at UGA
So Richt’s teams have finished in the top 10
15 out of the last 25 seasons
making
Mark Richt
the HOTTEST COACH
IN THE HISTORY OF THE NCAA
kevin
October 22nd, 2012
11:38 am
Dizzy, last year’s game has nothing to do with this year’s game, even if Florida had the same exact defense in 2012 as 2011. Why do you expect Georgia to RUN THE BALL FOR 200 YARDS when we have a totally different offensive line than 2011? That’s where it matters, and that’s what our coaching staff doesn’t understand. The greatest skill players in the country can’t do much if they have no offensive line. And when our coaches SEE that our line is sub par, apparently they believe the best way to attack with the run is to send 195lb Keith Marshall right up the middle REPEATEDLY. Dude’s gonna get killed.
Idiotic Posts
October 22nd, 2012
11:39 am
I think UGA should just name Mark Richt LIFETIME head coach
Idiotic Posts
October 22nd, 2012
11:41 am
Richt is great, right DIZZY? Then just name him coach for life.
kevin
October 22nd, 2012
11:41 am
Idiotic, I think they already did!
kevin
October 22nd, 2012
11:42 am
Dizzy is really a Gator fan
Dizzy
October 22nd, 2012
11:42 am
Florida has the same coach, same defensive scheme, same defensive players (even lost some good ones), as 2011.
Offense IN 2012 STINKS TOO,
54th in scoring and 112th in total offense.
UGA won 24-20 in 2011.
Idiotic Posts
October 22nd, 2012
11:44 am
Florida is a TOTALLY TRANSFORMED team over 2011. They have a great coach. UGA has Richt & Company. It will be a sad sad day in Jacksonville for UGA.
sidslid
October 22nd, 2012
11:45 am
Notice these successful baseball teams tend to have young players as role players/pinch hitters. Gergor Blanco in left for SF, Kozma at short for St. Louis, Carpenter at first. Cheaper and harder to scout. Who had the best at bat in the Cardinal game–Jose Constanza. Thanks for the memories, Eric Hinske.
Big Wally
October 22nd, 2012
11:48 am
I’m afraid I see a Florida route. I think the Vegas folks should instead put the line on the over/under of the number of personal foul penalties against Rambo and Williams. I’m going with 3.
Flat Tire On I-95 in Jacksonville
October 22nd, 2012
11:48 am
Im not a Donnan fan and never was but the AJC has posted a comparison of Donnan and Richts record and it was the same
And yet since the article posted 2 yrs ago UGA has only become more of an embarrassment
Sorry Dizzy but once again your posts are garbage
http://blogs.ajc.com/mark-bradley-blog/2010/11/02/should-richt-be-untouchable-at-uga-consider-jim-donnan/?cp=2
Gatorzone
October 22nd, 2012
11:48 am
I had suspected that Dizzy was just yanking everyone’s chain until this little tidbit confirmed it… “Mark Richt
the HOTTEST COACH
IN THE HISTORY OF THE NCAA
Yep, he is definitely just trying to get a rise out of people… he does not believe what he is posting.
Dizzy
October 22nd, 2012
11:49 am
Florida’s offense in 2011 in scoring: #71
Florida’s offense in 2012 in scoring: #54
Florida’s total offense in 2011: #108
Florida’s total offense in 2012: #102
Offense is same, it stinks.
Defense is same players uga DOMINATED IN 2011.