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
dawgfan
November 22nd, 2012
6:56 am
Discount Double Dawg, Tech is knocking on the door of an ACC port-o-potty where they will find the the third tier toilet bowl game that they will be playing in this year.
Thanks.
Techfan
November 22nd, 2012
6:58 am
ESPNBCSEC
dawgfan
November 22nd, 2012
7:05 am
You’re right Techfan. ESPN is clearly biased because they aren’t talking about the ACC championship game involving a 6-5 charity case that is only in the game because Miami turned it down. ESPN really needs to get with the program here. The ACC championship game is will be EPIC. The whole world will be watching!!!
Techfan
November 22nd, 2012
7:29 am
vs UGA playing for the SEC Championship by playing:
4-7 Buffalo
5-6 Missouri
3-8 Florida Atlantic
7-4 Vandy (Yay! A team with a winning record, yet a fluke for Vandy)
4-7 Tennessee
9-2 South Carolina (A loss for UGA)
2-9 Kentucky
10-1 Florida (Finally a 17-9 win against a decent team that played like crap that day)
5-6 Ole Miss
3-8 Auburn
8-3 Ga southern from the FCS
6-5 Tech (and we’re having a crappy year)
So, from BCS schools, UGA has faced 4 with winning records out of 11 games, one of which is Vandy, the other us, which is probably a UGA win, and gone 1-1 against the decent teams and got the crap beaten out of them by one and squeaked out an 8 point win against the other. That just screams a possible chance a national championship. If the BCS wasn’t a subsidiary of ESPN and their cash cow is the SEC, it might mean something.
Preston
November 22nd, 2012
7:55 am
Tech’s defense is non-existent and UGA’s is playing very well right now. Dawgs roll today. It’s all I’m worried about right now! Squash the bugs (as usual).
dawgfan
November 22nd, 2012
7:55 am
I don’t know what to tell you Techfan. I guess you’ll just have to cry about it and wallow in your bitter jealousy. Just hope and pray that Bama beats us I guess. God knows your joke program can’t get the job done itself. As a Tech fan you should be used to all this by now. This is nothing new for you clowns.
By the way, I should correct my earlier statement. Tech still is not even bowl eligible so their annual meaningless third tier December bowl game is no guarantee at this point. They’ll still probably make a banner for their ACC Coastal “title” though because they are a joke program with joke standards and joke fans. There will probably be more Tech fans tuned in to the SECCG rooting for Bama than will tune in to the ACC crapfest to root for their own team. What a laughable state of affairs down pn the Flats. Some things never change.
Preston
November 22nd, 2012
7:59 am
And since there are always a bunch of tech fans trolling here, just thought I’d mention an article from the bleacher report (unbiased) I read the other day titled “Why GT will never be on the same level as UGA”. Speaks volumes for why there are so many of you on UGA blogs all the time talking trash. I truly feel sorry for you. LOL! We rule this state nerds!
Techfan
November 22nd, 2012
8:02 am
UGA vs Ga Tech Saturday 11/24/2012.
Preston
November 22nd, 2012
8:03 am
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1413522-georgia-tech-vs-georgia-why-yellow-jackets-cant-get-the-bulldogs-level
HAHAHAHAHA!!!
Ted
November 22nd, 2012
8:15 am
Georgia has faced exactly three teams with winning records this year, with one of them being Vanderbilt. They won two of those three. They barely beat Kentucky. The fact is they are in the weak division of the SEC.
Joey
November 22nd, 2012
8:27 am
“Tech still is not even bowl eligible so their annual meaningless third tier December bowl game is no guarantee at this point.”
****************************************
You phrased that a little wrong, dawgfan. Here, let me help you:
“Tech still is not even bowl eligible so their annual meaningless third tier December bowl LOSS is not guarantee at thie point.”
Now that makes perfect sense, right?
MT
November 22nd, 2012
8:30 am
So What about the win loss record of are opponents, we played the schdeule given us, Bama, Florida and LSU played many of the same teams.I think the same Tennessee team that played them is the same one that played us.
RedandBlackDAWG
November 22nd, 2012
8:31 am
Yawn
November 21st, 2012
2:14 pm
Obviously, you once again just woke up from a dream. You have to quit having your mommy give you warm milk and cookies so late at night. It makes you have fairy tale dreams,
dawgfan
November 22nd, 2012
8:34 am
Sunday, November 25th: Time for Tech fans to hide their Tech gear in the attic and run out and buy some Bama gear. Same ole same ole.
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone, even the crybaby Techies.
MT
November 22nd, 2012
8:34 am
The fact is they are in the weak division of the SEC.
Yeah the west has those powerhouses like Auburn,Arkansas, Ole Miss. Miss St. petered out and LSU
certainly is not at previous year strength.
Joey
November 22nd, 2012
8:37 am
Wrong Ted. Bama didn’t play one of the top 3 in the East, same as UGA didn’t play one of the top 3 in the West, but went 2-0 vs the others. LSU went 1-1 vs the top 3 in the East. UF went 2-0 vs the top 3 in the West. A&M is 0-1 (with Mizzou to play) vs the East, and SC went 1-1 vs the West.
The West and East are as even as they have been in years, with the SECCG still to be determined.
Techfan
November 22nd, 2012
8:37 am
Why? Tech is a much smaller school with a much smaller fan base. As the old saying goes, “1/3 of Tech fans never went to Tech. 3/4 of UGA fans never went to college.” A joke but it’s probably pretty close to accurate. Our Family, my wife: Tech fan, didn’t go to Tech, degree BA History. me: Tech fan, didn’t go to Tech, degrees, BA: BSN (nursing), my sister: Tech fan, didn’t go to Tech, degree:Sociology, brother in law: UGA fan, runs septic tank business, zero college. Also Tech has more of an international student body. People graduate and go all over the world. UGA’s graduates have more of a tendency to stay in the area. Add that to 90% of WalMMart shoppers buying the UGA stuff and there’s probably at least an 80%-20% advantage in fan base. If you’re a fan, you’re more likely to go to UGA. Tech is also much more limited in its majors for those athletes that actualy want a degree. You don’t see a lot of diploma mill junior colleges feeding athletes to Tech. you also tend to see a lot less Tech players in the police report. Big and dumb, you don’t go to Tech, you may go to Bob’s Jr, College to get your grades up, and use UGA as a jump off to the pros, or maybe get your degree in Athletic Traning, Turfgrass Management, or such. There’s your explanation.
MT
November 22nd, 2012
8:39 am
@Techfan
vs UGA playing for the SEC Championship by playing:
4-7 Buffalo
5-6 Missouri
3-8 Florida Atlantic
7-4 Vandy (Yay! A team with a winning record, yet a fluke for Vandy)
4-7 Tennessee
9-2 South Carolina (A loss for UGA)
2-9 Kentucky
10-1 Florida (Finally a 17-9 win against a decent team that played like crap that day)
5-6 Ole Miss
3-8 Auburn
8-3 Ga southern from the FCS
6-5 Tech (and we’re having a crappy year)
Hey Nerd,
See any loss to Middle Tennessee St in the list. Go Dawgs.
Techfan
November 22nd, 2012
8:39 am
Preseason I believe UGA was ranked as having the easiest schedule of all teams in the SEC.
Techfan
November 22nd, 2012
8:43 am
Didn’t I say we were having a crappy year? There’s the difference. We’re know when we have a mediocre team. UGA faces 4 teams with a winning record (and one of them is us during a crappy year) and gets hammered by one of them and think they’re the cream of the crop.
MT
November 22nd, 2012
8:51 am
Techfan
Why is it Stanford a top notch highly reguarded bastion of academics,not an easy school to get into,can field top ranked football teams.Why does a school like Tech, with a football history of success back prior to 1970, downsize their stadium, and basically treat football as an after thought. I mean if Tech isn’t willing to expand, grow and nurture their football program,then why don’t Georgia Institute become like Mass. Insititute and drop football entirely.
Lance
November 22nd, 2012
8:54 am
Can’t believe all these Nerds continually pick Techmite to win after losing 10 out of 11. Win a couple in a row then come back to post your BS. UGA wins this game by 14 plus — you and your Jr HS conference — not in the same league!!
Joey
November 22nd, 2012
8:56 am
Apparently the BCS and AP and Coaches polls all think UGA is pretty good so far.
And to the Techis, who fret over out schedule, just remember, for UGA to win the whole thing, the Dawgs would have beaten 3 Top 5 teams (UF, Bama, ND).
I doubt we can do it, but if we do, that should stifle the schedule gripes.
MT
November 22nd, 2012
9:01 am
Preseason I believe UGA was ranked as having the easiest schedule of all teams in the SEC.
Yeah and why don’t you point out that in 2008 Georgia’s schedule was ranked the toughest by many
football publications. Remember we had Bama, LSU, Florida,Arizona St .I don’t remember any of you Techies saying before that fluke win of ya’lls saying boy our archrival sure has had a rough go this year.
Remember its the rotation of non traditional SEC west teams that greatly affect schedules year in and year out.Somethingbeyond our control.
Lance
November 22nd, 2012
9:02 am
Techfan– UGA Rhode Scholars – 23; GT – 4 (incl. the one from this year). Data from your GT website and that of UGA’s. I guess all we have is Turf Mngt. degrees in Athens. Take your BS somewhere else and stop generalizing an institution to fit your agenda.
SEC Fan
November 22nd, 2012
9:08 am
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.”
Okay… Let’s try this one more time. ESPN talking head opinions have nothing whatsoever to do with which two teams play for the NC under the current BCS system. There is no rule regarding conference championships — there never has been.
The Number 1 and the Number 2 teams in the final BCS poll play in the BCSCG. It has always been that way, and it shall be this year as well. You may whine to your heart’s content that you don’t like who plays for the BSCCG, but your whining is not only irrelevant — it is embarrassing.
Hey Mark, can you say 42-10
November 22nd, 2012
9:10 am
Come on. Stop feeding the children. You lose all integrity.
A great team does not get beat 35-7. A great team cannot be defined by these wins
GA vs TN. TN 0-7 in SEC, Worst lost to Vandy since 1954. Oh by the way TN fired Dooley
GA vs AU. AU 0-7 in SEC, fixing to be 0-8. Chitzik is on his way out.
GA vs KY. KY 0-7 in SEC.
Bama will trounce Richt.
The MNC of 1990
November 22nd, 2012
9:10 am
At the end of bowl season, GT, Colorado,, Miami and one or two other schools had a piece of the 1990 NC, depending on what newspaper you read.Yes, the AJC, The Knoxville Journal and the Chattanooga Herald, all named GT as NC. Miami Herald, said HURRICANES, and do it went.
GT was not undefeated in that year. THey were lucky to tie hapless UNC 10-10.
All of the hate directed toward UGA
November 22nd, 2012
9:21 am
UGA alumnus, here. Class of 71&73.
UGA has to win 3 games, MNC is ours, End of story.
IF we played the Sisters of The Left Handed Corn Shuckers all season to this moment, it will not matter. UGA needs to win 3 and the Titles ( SEC and MNC) are ours.
John
November 22nd, 2012
9:22 am
I don’t like UGA.
MT
November 22nd, 2012
9:23 am
There is no rule regarding conference championships — there never has been.
Then why was it CONTINUALLY said,”if you don’t win your div or conference you shouldn’t have a shot at the title” that year.You can say ESPN had nothing to do with it,and deny the power their microphones have to inflence opinion.I know better, especially in anything opinion has on UGA.They went overboard
in expressing their opinion on something now, that you and them say is not even an issue.Doubletalk!
MT
November 22nd, 2012
9:25 am
especially in anything opinion has on UGA.
especially on any opinion ESPN has on UGA.
Sorry.
Bamabone
November 22nd, 2012
9:29 am
Prepare for door slammage. RTR!
Hard fact
November 22nd, 2012
9:31 am
GT last played in two major bowl games in a row in the early, mid 1950s.
Again, in 1967′ GT did play Florida in Dodd’s last game in the Orange, but not again until 2009, another humiliating stomping by Iowa’s slow, farm boys.
In 1954, or 1955, GT did play two majors in a row but not since. SAD, GT WAS a power in the 30s,40s,50s.
Please look this sad GT major bowl game history up. In the same period,
UGA has played in 4 or 5 Cotton Bowl games, 7 or 8 Sugar Bowl games, One Urange Bowl.
Even the 1990 NC game for Tech, was played in a mid/low level Citrus Bowl, not then or now, a major bowl venue.
Tree
November 22nd, 2012
9:31 am
Love all the Little Napoleons from GT with the derogatory comments about GA fans.
About as predictable as the annual GT loss about this time of year. Cheers and enjoy!
Go Dawgs!
Lince Vombardi
November 22nd, 2012
9:33 am
LOL you do realize that uga only beat three teams with a winning record, and one of those was a lower tier team. Great ? LOL
SC 150-7 over UGA in 2012
November 22nd, 2012
9:36 am
forget 35-7. Call it 150-7 over UGA. Call it 250-10 over UGA.
UGA has 3 games to play in and win for the NATIONAL Championship. END of story.
Goooooo Dogs!!
clem
November 22nd, 2012
9:37 am
they should be great being in heartland of football, but fall far short. my guess is lsu, texas a&m, carolina (w/latimore), clemson, fsu, florida are just as good……you could cover them with blanket
uga never seems to have a great offensive line and way to many suspensions at start of each season
I-DOG
November 22nd, 2012
9:37 am
The Dawgs could win the national title or they could have four losses this season. It could be either one or anywhere in between.
That said, it is exciting to control your own destiny in late November.
MT
November 22nd, 2012
9:47 am
The Number 1 and the Number 2 teams in the final BCS poll play in the BCSCG. It has always been that way, and it shall be this year as well. You may whine to your heart’s content that you don’t like who plays for the BSCCG, but your whining is not only irrelevant — it is embarrassing.
Look Moron,
I’m not contesting the fact that Georgia was not actually in the NC game that year, I understand Georgia was ranked 5th going in. Im talking the fact that Georgia and Bama both did not win their conference or div. and the fact in 07 IT WAS AN ISSUE and in 11 it WAS NOT. IT IS NOT THE FACT GEORGIA didn’t get in. it is the line of reasoning used aganist them and then with Bama its a non issue.Just because someone doesn’t agree with you doesn’t make it whining.
Fred
November 22nd, 2012
9:48 am
The big win for UGA was over an overrated UF team. The reality is that UGA will probably eek out a win over GT, get blown out by BAMA and end up in the Outback bowl.
Happy Thanksgiving to all.
coco
November 22nd, 2012
9:56 am
I’m glad GT has rebounded and has for whatever reason gets the chance at the ACC title…that being said I ALSO am thankfull that UGA has a chance at the SEC title…their fans, except for some here have been calm this year…lol…can’t wait for the game this week that…doesn’t matter…Saturday should be a blast…
Wet Willie...keep on smiling
November 22nd, 2012
9:59 am
Heck UGA LOST 2 games in 2007 sport while Bama lost in OT to the best team in the country!!!!! Give it a break! UGA has done nothing since 1980 and it’s documented. When you win something then folks will give you credit. Until just enjoy the games and hope for the best. No doubt you UGA are world champs when it comes to talking about the level of your play but the fact is your trophycase doesn’t reflect IT! Beat Tech,beat Bama, and beat the Irish and then the stage is yours.
MT
November 22nd, 2012
10:18 am
Wet Willie,
No ones trying to claim anything.It’s the line of reasoning used.
DP
November 22nd, 2012
10:19 am
Just when I thought Mark Bradley couldn’t be a more ridiculous Georgia cheerleader, he totally redeems himself!
ATLIEN
November 22nd, 2012
10:20 am
This is the first time that I can remember UGA controlling its own destiny to get to the national title game. A Very very favorable schedule played a role and Im very very excited; But 6-15 against ranked teams since 2008. Playing horribly against the 2 ranked teams they faced this season and Aaron Murray choking in every meaningful game since he’s taken over the starting job doesn’t leave me feeling optimistic. If they are able to pull this off (beating Bama) all my criticism of Richt not being a national championship caliber coach will end. If not then my voice will grow louder b/c it’s further evidence that he can’t win big games consistently enough at UGA which given the level of talent on that roster year in and year out is pretty embarassing
Dawg Realist
November 22nd, 2012
10:27 am
Anyone who believes UGA is where they are by any means other than their weak schedule is dillusional. Let’s compare mid season schedules over a four week period. Easy to see how we won the East.
Georgia: S.Carolina, Bye week, Kentucky, Florida
S.Carolina: Georgia, LSU, Florida
Florida: LSU, S.Carolina, Georgia
Tom in Marietta...Go Dawgs!
November 22nd, 2012
10:42 am
I want to be the first at something. This year I called it and I have numerous friends and family that are willing to back me up on this. Doesn’t sound as impressive now but I said the Dawgs will win the BCS this year. This will go down as one of the greatest years in UGA history…Same as 1980-81!
Brainiac(Dawg for life)(CMR fan for life)
November 22nd, 2012
10:45 am
@ Patched Tire:
There is a HUGE difference in WANTING to play for the NC EVERY YEAR and having the common sense to realize that over a hundred other schools also want their school to play for the NC and only 2 teams will make it to the NC game.
UGA has not, and will not, face NCAA probation/death penalty so long as CMR is HC!!!! CMR is the 4th winningest active coach in America(ahead of ALL SEC coaches) and a role model for males of ALL ages.
You and your ilk remind me of little kids that think they should have ANYTHING they want whether or not it is logical or fiscally responsible. You whine because somebody(In your opinion) may have something better but insist on getting it regardless of whether or not it makes good sense just like a college kid with a credit card and not having to pay the CC bill. You yap about CMR’s 3 million a year but Saban gets over 5 million a year so maybe you should consider becoming a Bammy fan.
You and your ilk apparently have no life other than football(Played by a bunch of young men you do not know) and need desparately to have something to voice your UNINFORMED opinions about which reveals how far from reality your lives and and minds are!!!
I guess y’all believe that a good coach can produce an NC team by magic but then on the other hand y’all probably still believe in Santa Claus, Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy and Free Lunch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MT
November 22nd, 2012
10:49 am
I’ve been critical of Mark Richt, that said,I do not dislike him, to be honest I think he is a person of integerity and high moral standards. I have backed off my critizism, because I think he is owed that by anyone at this point who is truly a UGA fan. I think it is more important now to get behind the Dawgs and see them through to a NC than voicing any dissatisfaction with the coaching staff(Richt, Bobo, Grantham, Gardner, etc). As said I do have my critical opinions, but i will also say he has alot of admirable qualities also,recruiting, actually caring about the players and their future’s and. I believe he truly loves UGA. I have voiced my opinions in the past and they still do concern me, however at this time, I will remain silent,wish CMR the best and hope we can hoist the crystal in Miami.