Richt was right: UGA is ‘knocking on the door’ of greatness
Noted critic Mark Richt gave Georgia's clinching of the SEC East two thumbs up. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
Mark Richt called this shot. Speaking in Tampa on the first day of 2012, he said of his Georgia Bulldogs: ““We’re going to be knocking on the door of the greatest success you can have in college football, and if you knock long enough, you’ll eventually break through.”
Some folks tittered, noting that Georgia had just lost the SEC championship game by 32 points. A day later, when the Bulldogs (and Richt, too) messed up every which way in blowing the Outback Bowl to Michigan State, the tee-hees became hardy-har-hars. A team that had gone 0-4 against ranked opponents would go on to achieve “the greatest success you can have in college football”? Dream on, brother.
Eleven months later, the dreamer awakes and smells a heady blend of coffee. If the Bulldogs beat Georgia Tech on Saturday, they will stand on the cusp of the BCS title game. Granted, they’ll face a massive impediment in Alabama (presuming it beats Auburn, which it will), but still: For the first time since Richt took up residence in Athens, his team has a clear path to the national championship. Which only lends greater resonance to the second half of that January pronouncement: “If you knock long enough, you’ll eventually break through.”
In 2002, when the Bulldogs went 13-1 and took the school’s first SEC title in two decades in Year 2 under Richt, a BCS title seemed this reborn program’s manifest destiny. But LSU beat Georgia twice in 2003, and Tennessee upset the Bulldogs in Athens the next year, and Georgia’s 2005 SEC champs had two losses in a year when being undefeated wouldn’t have been enough, what with USC and Texas, the preseason Nos. 1 and 2, staying unbeaten until they met in the Rose Bowl.
Manifest destiny hadn’t yet manifested itself, and after a decade on the job it wasn’t clear that Richt would take a team beyond an SEC championship. Which isn’t a bad thing in and of itself, but when five different SEC schools were taking BCS titles while Georgia was stuck on 1980, it was possible to ask if Richt’s moment had passed without ever arriving.
Twice his teams had come close. The once-beaten 2002 Bulldogs finished third in the BCS standings, behind unbeatens Miami and Ohio State. In 2007 Georgia stood fourth in the penultimate BCS rankings and saw No. 1 Missouri and No. 2 West Virginia lose … but somehow the Bulldogs dropped to fifth. The voters’ apparent rationale: A team that didn’t win its conference shouldn’t be allowed to play for the national title. (Not that it stopped Alabama last season.)
The 2008 Bulldogs of Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno and A.J. Green were ranked No. 1 in preseason but got little right. A slew of summer arrests left Georgia reeling before the team held its first practice, and the bubble burst on an awful night in Sanford Stadium that saw Alabama lead 31-0 at the half. That team would lose only three games, but they were epic failures: The drubbing by Alabama, the 49-10 flop against national-champ-to-be Florida and Richt’s only loss to Georgia Tech, a 45-42 game the Bulldogs led 28-12 at halftime.
The next two years were a clear retreat. Georgia went 8-5 , then 6-7. The program that once could beat anyone anywhere closed 2010 by losing to Central Florida in the Liberty Bowl on a day the Bulldogs couldn’t manage a touchdown. The 2011 season began with losses to Boise State and South Carolina, and there was no guarantee Richt would be coaching this team in 2012. But Georgia started winning and, benefiting from a soft schedule, claimed the SEC East. Then it lost emphatically to LSU and egregiously to Michigan State, and it was hard to know what to think. Were the Bulldogs back? Or had they just gotten lucky?
Even this season, there were times we wondered. The 35-7 loss at South Carolina was one of the worst performances by any Richt team, and the halting victory at Kentucky wasn’t much better. But then Georgia went to Jacksonville and upset its nemesis, and everything changed. For the first time since 2007, this coach and this program had won a game against an opponent of consequence, and today the Bulldogs are 10-1, ranked No. 3 in the BCS standings with a date against No. 2 surely upcoming.
Twelve years on the job, Richt finally has Georgia in position to play for a national championship. All it has to do is win these next two games. Asked Wednesday on the SEC conference call how it felt not to need any outside assistance, Richt ducked the question: “I’m not going to make a comment on it. I’m focused on trying to beat Georgia Tech.”
It’s possible Georgia could lose to Tech, and the Bulldogs will be an underdog against Alabama. But even if this season doesn’t end with the Bulldogs hoisting the crystal trophy, the dreamer has already been proved a prophet. His team is indeed knocking on a door that has been closed to Georgia for three decades. His team is three games from glory.
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
441 comments Add your comment
Phelps
November 21st, 2012
3:13 pm
Murray has not thrown a pick in 3 straight games after throwing 3 vs. Florida. Florida has one of the best pass defenses in the country. He hasn’t thrown more than 1 pick in every other game. In 6 of the 11 games UGA has played so far, Murray has passed for 3+ touchdowns. That is outstanding. He takes great care of the ball with only 7 picks and he has 28 touchdowns to his credit. He’s likely to go over 30 for the season against Tech’s defense.
JB
November 21st, 2012
3:13 pm
I like the help all the pundits are giving us ( And I bet Saban is mad as hell about it). All they talk about is Bama in the big game like the SECCG isn’t even going to be played. Our Guys hear that also. A Pissed off Bulldog is pretty mean.
Phelps
November 21st, 2012
3:13 pm
Murray has not thrown a pick in 3 straight games after throwing 3 vs. Florida. Florida has one of the best pass defenses in the country. He hasn’t thrown more than 1 pick in every other game. In 6 of the 11 games UGA has played so far, Murray has passed for 3+ touchdowns. That is outstanding. He takes great care of the ball with only 7 picks and he has 28 touchdowns to his credit. He’s likely to go over 30 for the season against Tech’s defense.
Old Dog Class of 80
November 21st, 2012
3:15 pm
“Richt is only as good as his coaches. As long as he maintains good coaches at every level, UGA will continue to be good. IMO he’s done a good job of that so far.”
I am so proud of CMR’s choice of Special Teams coach. He has served us well last year and the start of this year.
Henry
November 21st, 2012
3:16 pm
There is too much at stake for UGA to lose to Tech. Georgia has so much to play for which is why they’ll beat Tech down. Get up 14-0, 21-0 on Tech and it’s ballgame. Tech is not built to come from behind by a large margin. If Georgia gets the ball first, it’s imperative for them to go up 7-0 to put further doubt into the Tech players’ minds about beating UGA. Can’t get them any kind of hope on Saturday.
JB
November 21st, 2012
3:16 pm
Boy, Tech is finishing the year with us,FSU and a bowl eligible team. Ouch.
Henry
November 21st, 2012
3:18 pm
I hope Tech goes all out to stop Gurley and Marshall with 8 man fronts and such. I hope they do. That’ll give Murray open receivers and tight ends. If they decided to defend Murray and the passing game and only leave 7 in the box, then Gurley and Marshall will run wild. It’s pick your poison really for Tech. Tech doesn’t have the horses on either side of the ball to beat UGA in Athens or in Africa for that matter. Give me on player on Tech’s defense that stands out….I’m waiting….
JB
November 21st, 2012
3:18 pm
Tech’s defense is one of the worst…if not the worst in the ACC. Our D is like 4th in the country. Our offense is playing lights out, as is Murray….and we may have the best balanced offense in the country.
Tech will wilt after the first quarter or so.
gt4ever
November 21st, 2012
3:19 pm
@Mark Bradley
At the beginning of the year we talked about how UGA’s easy schedule sets them up to be in a position to win the East… Nothing surprising here to find them in the SEC championship. and now an article about how UGA is on the cusp of GREATNESS…. Wow, is this article a JOKE or just an attempt to throw an already frenzied bulldawg nation into even a bigger frenzy… Talk about a delusional fan base… I guess we have not only a delusional fan base, but also a delusional sports writer… Good Grief…
Patched Tire On I-95 in Jacksonville
November 21st, 2012
3:19 pm
Old Dog Class of 80
i totally agree; if all we want is to win 10 games then they owe the season ticket holders a refund on their donations to recieve season tickets and this coaching staff doesnt need to be paid a top 10 salary
Dawgdad (The Original)
November 21st, 2012
3:21 pm
No one wants a NC more than I, but I guess I should have been born in MO, show me! Talk is cheap. I hope they beat BAMA, and move on, however, past experience tends to indicate it is more likely they lose to BAMA and then a lack luster go through the motions before losing appearance in some steakhouse bowl. Prove me wrong DAWGS!
Although these guys seem better than average, we have played no one but UF and USC, losing one of those two. Murray is not a big game QB. We had a better team in 2002,07/08 than this one, but you never know, maybe playing a pansy schedule may work, if we get lucky and get by BAMA.
gt4ever
November 21st, 2012
3:21 pm
and then there was JB… Perfect example of delusional…
JB
November 21st, 2012
3:22 pm
gt4ever….. You guys aren’t going big 10 are you. I heard the Maryland deal was all about TV market and money. I know the big 10 would love to have a team in the Atlanta market.
bham dawg
November 21st, 2012
3:23 pm
@JB… our D is not 4th in the country more like 20th
gt4ever
November 21st, 2012
3:24 pm
I sure HOPE so, JB…
gt4ever
November 21st, 2012
3:25 pm
28th defense… I think…
gt4ever
November 21st, 2012
3:26 pm
JB was all in a frenzy about the article… On the cusp of greatness … LOL
JB
November 21st, 2012
3:26 pm
I’ll take delusional get4……….Just like on the Tech sites last year when you guys were like 5-0 and all the talk was ” I don’t see anyone left who can stop or beat us”.( that’s delusional)……. We all love our teams…..and to remind you, the people who rank things ( not Mark Bradley) have the Dawgs #3, and in a position to play in the big game….Where is Tech at?
bham dawg
November 21st, 2012
3:26 pm
it has potential to be top 5 and is playing like a top 5 defense right now but the earlier games killed the numbers.
Bent Antenna, Broken Stinger, Tattered Wings and Two Black Eyes
November 21st, 2012
3:27 pm
Is it Saturday yet?
Joey
November 21st, 2012
3:28 pm
“But even if this season doesn’t end with the Bulldogs hoisting the crystal trophy, the dreamer has already been proved a prophet”
***********************************
MB, how can this season be considered “greatness” if we don’t beat Bama?
If we lose the SECCG, we go to the Capital One Bowl game again.
Great teams don’t go to that bowl game – good teams do.
JB
November 21st, 2012
3:29 pm
Preparing for 11 of 12. Sweet.
gt4ever
November 21st, 2012
3:30 pm
JB, you could lose Saturday, probably wont, but who knows… You could definitely lose in the SECCG, probably will but who knows… You have yet to beat anybody but UF, and they arguably gave that game to you, say 6 turnovers… and then you barely eked out a win… SC smoked your arse.. The rest of your schedule was to put it nicely, gimme games, although Kentucky gave you a run…. I mean, come on man, at least be honest…
JB
November 21st, 2012
3:32 pm
Maybe if the hate wasn’t so bad, the hurt wouldn’t be so bad. When we got creamed by SC, it was a loss. I don’t live and die or hate SC. It’s a school we lost to. What goes on at Tech to create so much hate. I like to see Tech win when it’s not us. I don’t get it
Under The Bleachers
November 21st, 2012
3:34 pm
One can KNOCK on the door all they want, but if no one answers….you are still on the outside looking in…unless you are Auburn who will break in a just rob you.
Under The Bleachers
November 21st, 2012
3:34 pm
‘and just rob you”
Patched Tire On I-95 in Jacksonville
November 21st, 2012
3:35 pm
Joey
Bradley is sitting back laughing right now watching our mostly delusional fanbase get excited even though we havent made it to the cusp of greatness until bama has been beaten
gt4ever
November 21st, 2012
3:36 pm
Hey I don’t hate… I’ll give you guys some credit, once you beat Alabama… I will be rooting for the Georgia team to win. I mean, UGA is a better football team thanGT, but both are still mid tier programs in their respective conferences… Good luck Saturday, and in the SECCG!
JB
November 21st, 2012
3:36 pm
One thing to make you happy gt4…….we lose a lot of players on D next year and pick up Clemson and LSU….and staring at probably 8-4, maybe 7-5. That alone ought to give you a better 2013.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
November 21st, 2012
3:36 pm
How can they knock on the door to greatness when they are not undefeated and their schedule is super easy?
The ONLY great SEC national championship teams of late are Alabama 2009 and Auburn 2010. Both 14-0 and both faced and defeated over 6 top 25 teams.
UGA has only beaten ONE top 25 team this season.
JB
November 21st, 2012
3:38 pm
UGA #3 in BCS, won the SEC East and mid Tier. OK
gt4ever
November 21st, 2012
3:39 pm
NO JB, I pull for UGA every game except ONE…. Nothing could make me happier than having both our programs be nationally respected, and relevant.
Gorilla Biscuit
November 21st, 2012
3:39 pm
Gonna GOrilla Stomp the Techerheads on the way to the top!
JB
November 21st, 2012
3:40 pm
Think we won the East last year also. Can’t control what happens to other teams. All the games are available to win I believe.
Dawglasville
November 21st, 2012
3:43 pm
gt4ever – let’s be honest. If you hate a team you are going to spin it one way and if you love a team you are going to spin it the other. No one looks back on all of those Oklahoma and Nebraska teams that won it all and said, “Well, who did they play?” Bama has played A&M and LSU and split. FSU has played Clemson. UF has had the toughest road and they beat 3 of 4. Tech played Clemson and lost. UGA can not help it that Tennessee, Auburn, Tech suck. Could we have played one less patsy and scheduled someone tougher? Sure. Has it hurt us that we didn’t? Not this year. People who hate UGA are singing the same song. If Richt wins it all then they will say, “Helen Hunt had the best talent in the country, year in and year out, and he finally managed one championship. What a joke.” It doen’t take a rocket scientist or a Tech grad to figure out what the blogs will look like if this is in fact the year.
Under The Bleachers
November 21st, 2012
3:43 pm
UGA beats Tech – gets ugly late to win by 20
Clemson beats USC by 10
FSU beats UF by 14 plus
Alabama beats Auburn by 20( Saban may try to save Chizik’s job)
USC beat Notre Dame and it may not be close
Mississippi State sneaks by Ole Miss late
LSU throttles Arkansas
Vandy beats Wake Forest to get to 8 wins
Coachless Tenn beats Coaches Kentucky
Have a Great Thanksgiving Everyone and be safe out there.
JB
November 21st, 2012
3:44 pm
And by the way. It’s not our fault AU and Tenn stink….And the conference sets the conference schedule. so it’s our fault for taking the cards dealt us, ending up #3 and a conference championship game away for playing for the title. Damn Richt
Wutehvah
November 21st, 2012
3:44 pm
Yer knuckles would be a bloody mess after knockin’ on the door for so many years. Enjoy the win vs. GT and get ready for some competition in the SEC CG.
Texas Dawg
November 21st, 2012
3:44 pm
Greatness is very much an overstatement lets not get to far ahead of ourselves as UGA fans.
I think if we win the next three then CMR will be rated right up there with the very best coaches in the country….he is good but with the talent UGA recruits the question and comments about him will always remain the same….very good but not great if we lose one of the next three.
Murry has the chance to stake his claim in the next three games as one of UGAs best. at QB………..if he plays like he typically does in the big games ( pic six…fumbles….bad play call at the line….interceptions) then he will always be known as the QB thats got great numbers against week teams but couldn’t it done when it matterd most.
Fans remember Champions not stats!
Jsonic
November 21st, 2012
3:44 pm
Let’s be realistic for a moment UGA fans.
1) Notre Dame will not be losing to USC. They are too good.
2)Will use Stats for this season that are up to date since it is the only facts to go by:
Alabama is ranked #2 in total defense, Notre Dame #6 and UGA #20.
Georgia is ranked #25 in total offense, Alabama #44 and Notre Dame #50
ND will beat USC
UGA should beat GT
ALA will beat AUB
ALA vs UGA = Too close to call. Depends on who shows up
ND vs UGA/ALA = Too close to call. Low scoring game. Will be fun to watch! No team will dominate, it will be back and forth with the defenses keeping offenses in check. 1 or 2 big plays will make the difference with a field goal winning the game.
UGA has a very good team but Greatness? That’s pushing it.
Dawglasville
November 21st, 2012
3:47 pm
gt4ever – I forgot that you don’t fall under the title of Dawg Hater, but you still get the point.
JB
November 21st, 2012
3:47 pm
I agree that Dawgs need to earn it. The last 3 years has created skeptics everywhere about this program….But these Dawgs are pretty good.
Under The Bleachers
November 21st, 2012
3:49 pm
Jsonic
Gonna Disagree on one thing, Notre Dame is NOT a great football team. Their offense is very defeatable while their Defensive front line is not going to be able to stop Georgia or Alabama from slamming the ball down their throats. Once they walk up and put 7 or 8 in the box the teams from the SEC will use their TE/Hback/Fullbacks, Slot Recievers behind the Linebackers. Do not believe the media created hype about Notre Dame, they are not the team many want them to be.
UGA and/or Alabama win by more than 10 against them.
Joey
November 21st, 2012
3:49 pm
Donnan, name some a team ranked below or above UGA that has beaten 6 ranked teams this season.
That seldom happens, and it sure ain’t happened this year, at least by a ranked team.
Under The Bleachers
November 21st, 2012
3:50 pm
By the way, after Saturdays ND/USC game one will find out very quick that their secondary is slow and do not cover very well.
Red Stick
November 21st, 2012
3:51 pm
Yahoo Sports is reporting that Auburn is being investigated by the NCAA.
Geaux Tigers
GO SEC
LHaring Dawg
November 21st, 2012
3:52 pm
Just got the email letting me know I have got SEC tickets. It will be my 6′th venue this year. Damn, here is hoping for a 7′th in Maimi.
Skeptic
November 21st, 2012
3:52 pm
Henry,
“…in Athens or in Africa…”
Man, that is just too easy; I think I’ll lay off and let someone else comment on it
Old Dog Class of 80
November 21st, 2012
3:53 pm
“past experience tends to indicate it is more likely they lose to BAMA and then a lack luster go through the motions before appearance in some steakhouse bowl”
And hopefully not losing there like the last two years.
joe jenkins
November 21st, 2012
3:54 pm
All of you haters…can keep on hating…and we will keep on winning games baby…we are a different team now since we beat fla…so bees enjoy another beat down by us and remember you have NO CHANCE AT BEATING US THATS WHAT YOU HAVE….MURRAY WILL HAVE ANOTHER CAREER HIGH BABY