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
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441 comments Add your comment
BG
November 21st, 2012
8:14 pm
Haters gonna hate. GO DAWGS!
SEC Fan
November 21st, 2012
8:18 pm
@MT
You are right. Georgia has a shot in 2012. They really didn’t in 2007. Back then, they were in a position similar to the one Florida is in this year.
This is Georgia’s sure enough, real time shot at greatness. It’s out there on a silver platter. All they have to do is take it.
mgdawg
November 21st, 2012
8:20 pm
Thank you for bringing up that 2007 UGA team. Last year it was like every media person in the world forgot about that, of course that’s because their love child alabama was the team. This year on ESPN after oregon and kstate lost one of the analyst said of oregon, “remember, you don’t have to win your division or conference to play for the championship.” Where were you 5 years ago when nobody was on UGA’s side, of course we are talking about their love child oregon.
UGA, you have been cheated out of a chance at the NC once, take advantage of this opportunity while you have at. 3 wins away from calling yourselves National champs.
SEC Fan
November 21st, 2012
8:26 pm
@mgdawg
That kind of loser attitude rarely breeds winning.
Discount DoubleDawg
November 21st, 2012
8:32 pm
SEC fan, maybe I am missing somthing but UGA did finish #2 in the final BCS polls…
Chalupa Batman
November 21st, 2012
8:33 pm
These uga haters (tech lovers) on this blog are a joke. Tech has no shot Sat. Please explain how techs awful def will stop uga? Yes tech will score, but they let unc score 50. Uga will win easily after screwing around for a half-41-21.
As far as knocking our loss at usc- yes it was bad, but it was to the #5 team in the nation at their place. And it was early. Thats how this stupid bcs works. Bout time uga got a break in this deal.
All you haters suck it. Sat is our quarterfinal playoff game. Bring on bama. Then bring on ND.
OUR TIME. GO DAWGS.
Buzz 2011
November 21st, 2012
8:33 pm
Knocking on the door of greatness?
Bradley are you talking about the Packers or the Dogs?
You are a great team only after you beat great teams. The
Dogs played one in South Carolina and were routed, weren’t
they? Bradley os as delusional as the SEC conference.
MT
November 21st, 2012
8:35 pm
One is the loneliest number you will ever know. Two …not!
Hey Wet Dream Willie,
Weren’t you ONE of the Ones, who said Georgia had no chance at all against Florida?Tell us again how bad Florida is gonna beat the Dawgs.LOL
SEC Fan
November 21st, 2012
8:35 pm
@Discount DoubleDawg
Yeah, I think you’re missing something. The Number 1 and Number 2 teams play for the BCSCG.
Georgia did not occupy one of those two slots when Ohio State and LSU were chosen to play for the 2007 NC. That is reality. I understand that you are in Georgia, but reality still exists out here in the real world.
MT
November 21st, 2012
8:38 pm
Buzz 2011
Just wait till Saturday,we gonna play the GEAT ONES.We beat Tech 11 of 12 years, they ought to just gives the crystal at mid field Saturday.
Justin
November 21st, 2012
8:42 pm
Oh no, not the GEAT ONES!! :shudder:
MT
November 21st, 2012
8:44 pm
Where were you 5 years ago when nobody was on UGA’s side, of course we are talking about their love child oregon.
Preacher on Brother.
Funny how ESPN the world wide leader in cheerleading for Florida, Alabama,LSU,Oregon and Notre Dame forgot all about that after the 07 season.
Buzz 2011
November 21st, 2012
8:46 pm
@ROY….Your football team will score about half of what your
basketball team scores. That is about 40 points a game.
The Jackets will be dressed in Gator or Gamecock uniforms
and your leghumpers may as well visit ttheir teammates at
Clarke County jail instead of showing up.
The delusional season ends Saturday.
George Godsey……
F. Sinkwich
November 21st, 2012
8:46 pm
“OK Mr. wich, for you personally…please go die in a ditch with two inches of water.”
All together now!
Kum-bye-ahhhhhhh, my lord, Kum-bye-ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
Tech sux.
Live with it. It’s you.
Dawg Talk
November 21st, 2012
8:50 pm
I was wondering when you hear the words, playing for a National Title, playing in one of the major bowls, or playing in one of the BCS bowls, you never hear the words……..GA Tech? Lol
MT
November 21st, 2012
8:52 pm
Ohio State and LSU were chosen to play for the 2007 NC.
Therein lies the problem,as pointed out it was said even by Anti Georgia ESPN that they were playing better than anyone in the country at the end of the 07 season, just as it was said about Bama last year, it matter that we didn’t win div. or conference, however last year with Bama it was NOT an issue.
SEC Fan
November 21st, 2012
8:58 pm
Hey… Georgia wound up Number 2 in 2007.
Maybe that’s just as good as it gets?
SEC Fan
November 21st, 2012
8:59 pm
What a whiner.
Discount DoubleDawg
November 21st, 2012
9:03 pm
SEC fan, I am talking about the final BCS standings… UGA is #2 in the final BCS standings for that year…
Some Saint(Not)Be Gone
November 21st, 2012
9:04 pm
SEC Fan
What a whiner.
What we figured, No sound explanation o fwhy Bama got a pass and we didn’t.
Mark Bradley
November 21st, 2012
9:04 pm
Georgia was No. 5 in the final BCS standings for 2007. It was No. 2 in the final polls, which were conducted after all the postseason games.
SEC Fan
November 21st, 2012
9:05 pm
Right…
As good as it gets.
Discount DoubleDawg
November 21st, 2012
9:09 pm
sorry, you are correct… the final AP poll has UGA as #2 in the country…
MT
November 21st, 2012
9:16 pm
I never had a question about Georgia finishing #2.My thing is Bama should have not gotten the nod to play in the NC last year, based on what was said in 07 about the Dawgs,”if you don’t win your div or conference you shouldn’t have a shot at the title” Bama was given a pass last year, and nobody at ESPN
seem to remember what they said that in 07.
Dawg Talk
November 21st, 2012
9:16 pm
The Dawgs, like any team, just have to play “one down at a time’, one game at a time & let the rest take care of itself. The most important thing to do, is not BEAT yourself with turnovers & stupid penalties! It’s time to “put-up” or “shut-up”, the door is open, now play sound fundamental football & hoist the “CRYSTAL”!!
MT
November 21st, 2012
9:26 pm
The Jackets will be dressed in Gator or Gamecock uniforms
Techies live their football lives vicariously.They have to pull for someone else against the Dawgs.
DDT
November 21st, 2012
9:29 pm
Justin
November 21st, 2012
8:42 pm
Oh no, not the GEAT ONES!! :shudder:
MTSU! Shudder shudder. LMAO
bubba4dawgs
November 21st, 2012
9:31 pm
For gosh sake, don’t be talking about verge of greatness before playing the Nerds. They’re beginning to think it will take “greatness” to beat them when mediocrity will do the job just fine! Go ahead and put in the second and third string and squash the bugs! GO DAWGS!!
Jim
November 21st, 2012
9:32 pm
Haven’t won a big game this year. FL was a fluke. Nothing changes till you beat AL. If we get beat by AL like we did by SC it’s time for a change.
Skeptic
November 21st, 2012
9:34 pm
Yeah, I thought so.
My home state of generations has been infiltrated by outsiders and populated by unconscious gizmo-gazers that simply vomit what they read from site-to-site.
I’m a Tech, and that’s why I can prosper, anytime, anywhere. I don’t care what the football team does, if you don’t understand F = MA, then you might as well take a number and get in line with your soup-bowl.
And, it might help to know that eating a road-kill possum will probably make you sick.
MT
November 21st, 2012
9:35 pm
The Dawgs, like any team, just have to play “one down at a time’, one game at a time & let the rest take care of itself.
Your right, take them one at a time,can’t worry about Bama, lose to Tech and it all blows up,Worry about Bama week,I usually pull for Bama against Auburn, but it be something to see Auburn pull the upset. I’m sure someone over in Gumpland has said that about Tech.
MT
November 21st, 2012
9:43 pm
FL was a fluke.
No it wasn’t. We lead that entire game.What because FL had six turnovers? Seems everyone forgot we had three.Most if not all of UF turnovers were forced,hardly a fluke.
Discount DoubleDawg
November 21st, 2012
9:55 pm
septic – you have a false sense of security… whether you know this or not I am not sure… based on your comments I am guessing you have no clue….I wish you were half as smart as you thought you were.
Skeptic
November 21st, 2012
9:59 pm
Discount DoubleDawg
Heh, you got GOT. You big fat UGAs are so easy to set the hook in.
I don’t eat Carp, so over the gunwale you go.
Discount DoubleDawg
November 21st, 2012
10:00 pm
touche’ my friend, you got GOT… septic is surely a turd…
To Tell the Truth
November 21st, 2012
10:02 pm
LMAO!!!! Greatness? No NC’s in 32 years and the streak will continue!!!!
MT
November 21st, 2012
10:05 pm
bubba4dawgs
See my post back at 8:38P
You’ll see who the” great ones” are.
Smitty
November 21st, 2012
10:09 pm
To Tell the Truth …..who is your team….and do they have a chance???
Smitty
November 21st, 2012
10:09 pm
To Tell the Truth …..That is what I thought……another loser bashing a good program….
Discount DoubleDawg
November 21st, 2012
10:16 pm
Gurley- over/under 125 yds vs Tech?
I say over… and if I am wrong Murray throws for 300+ with 3-4 TD’s…
Smitty
November 21st, 2012
10:21 pm
Discount DoubleDawg ….good call
Discount DoubleDawg
November 21st, 2012
10:39 pm
I have asked this before and I am not being rude… If UGA might be knocking on the door of greatness… what is the door where Tech is knocking?
bwell
November 21st, 2012
10:56 pm
Great article Mark..I love it.
Dogcatcher
November 22nd, 2012
12:02 am
Amazing that all you dawgs actually believe your own hype.
You have beaten one team that has any credibility and even that team is down this year.
Tell you what as a sportsfan I to would be proud if it happened to MY team but in all seriousness until you put Alabama LSUand Texas A&M on your schedule we all know you aint the champion of the SEC or the nation.
Gimme a break
November 22nd, 2012
12:25 am
Georgia is where they are because of a weak schedule and 6 count em, Six UF turnovers, they’ll beat tech ok, but once again get blown out in the title game. It’s what Richt coached teams do.
Castle Pines Canine
November 22nd, 2012
12:27 am
The deal is closed by the offensive line. UGA O line needs some luck, and breaks to win that war. It all comes down to Coach Friend. If he has the O line ready, UGA can win the next 3. If not, we may struggle in all of the games.
Strat Cat Dawg
November 22nd, 2012
12:50 am
Another fine essay, Mr. Bradley, Furman Bisher would be proud. Perhaps Fate is on the Dawgs’ side this year.
Columbus
November 22nd, 2012
2:37 am
Richt is here to stay and so are the Dawgs. I been telling you this since 2009.
UGA WILL lose a lot of players this year BUT have GREAT players to fill their shoes and will get MORE this year. Florida is NOT that great of a powerhouse. Sorry but they arent any better than UGA and offensiviely, well they are infants.
UGA WILL be a team to beat MOST years in the East as long as Richt is there and WILL win the East OFTEN and therefore WILL BE KNOCKING ON THE DOOR AND IF YOU ARE KNOCKING ON THE DOOR YOU WILL BREAK THROUGH.
YOU RICHT HATERS ARE WRONG. TO HELL WITH KIRBY SMART OND WILL MUSCHAMP. THEY HAVENT DONE JACK COMPARED TO MA RK RICHT.
FLORIDA WAS A SHAM ALL YEAR. JUST LIKE OHIO STATE IS.
ONLY 3 TEAMS CONTROL THEIR OWN DESTINY AND 2 OF THEM ARE SEC TEAMS. 1 IS UGA!
DAWGS ARE THE CLASS OF THE EAST AND WILL BE AS LONG AS RICHT IS HEAD COACH AND WILL WIN IT MULTIPLE TIMES. AND WILL WIN THE NC VERY VERY SOON.
MAYBE MUCH SOONER THAN YOU HATERS EVER DREAMED….
st simons
November 22nd, 2012
5:19 am
You read it here first, Tech upsets the most talanted team in NCAA history
((((((((((((((( 45-42 again ))))))))))))))) hahahahahahahaha
Football Guy
November 22nd, 2012
6:09 am
Greatness?
Hahahahahahahahahahahaha
hahahahahahahahahahaha
hahahahahahahahaha
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