For Mark Richt and Georgia, the moment is finally at hand
Twelve years a Bulldog, Mark Richt's breakthrough chance comes Saturday. (AP photo by David Goldman)
Mark Richt apprenticed at Florida State when the Seminoles played for five national championships in eight seasons, and he came to Athens expecting more of the same. “That was the plan coming in,” he said Friday, “but it hasn’t happened yet.”
It could well happen Saturday. If Richt’s team wins the SEC championship game, the plan will have come to fruition. Twelve years Georgia’s coach, Richt has never been so close to playing for the BCS title. Twelve years Georgia’s coach, the path finally is clear.
A coach can never know when, or if, his moment will arrive. Richt had great early success – three division titles and two SEC championships in his first five years – and then he had rather less. We began to wonder if a fine career could ever bring the ultimate validation. Well, it’s there to be seized under the off-white roof of the Georgia Dome, there to be seized in the kind of game Richt has waited all his life to coach.
Beat Alabama, and Georgia will play Notre Dame for the national championship. “I don’t want to minimize the importance of the SEC (title),” said Richt, speaking at a media briefing, “but that (the BCS) does add a lot more juice.”
A program that went years without defeating an opponent of true consequence now gets its shot at the opponent of greatest consequence. Alabama is the gold standard of college football, and Bama is favored by a touchdown. But the feeling of those close to the Tide is that this is Nick Saban’s least imposing team of the past four – two of which have won national championships – and that Georgia is at least a match in talent.
There’s also this: A mighty wind has stationed itself at Georgia’s back. On Oct. 6, the Bulldogs lost at South Carolina 35-7, and no national-champion-to-be has ever lost by 28 points. But every week since has brought nothing but glad tidings to Georgia hearts. Consider:
- Oct. 13: The Bulldogs don’t play, but are buoyed by South Carolina’s loss at LSU.
- Oct. 20: The Bulldogs barely beat Kentucky, but the bigger news is that South Carolina has lost again, this time at Florida. Georgia has the opening it needs to win the Eastern Division.
- Oct. 27: The Bulldogs beat the hated Gators to move to the top of the SEC East.
- Nov. 3: The Bulldogs beat Ole Miss and then see Alabama, which some were suggesting was good enough to handle an NFL team, barely escape at LSU.
- Nov. 10: The Bulldogs beat Auburn to clinch the East in game that begins an hour after Texas A&M upsets Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
- Nov. 17: The Bulldogs beat Georgia Southern, and much later they watch as Kansas State, ranked No. 1 in the BCS standings, and Oregon, ranked No. 2, both lose. Georgia ascends to No. 3 the next day, rendering the SEC championship against No. 2 Alabama a BCS play-in.
- Nov. 24: The Bulldogs pound Georgia Tech like a kettledrum.
Over seven giddy weeks, Georgia grew from a puzzling aggregation into a powerful one. Said Richt: “We have a lot of momentum.”
A month ago, the Bulldogs didn’t figure to stand a chance against mighty Bama. Today they’re seen by most neutral observers as a live underdog with a real chance, and even those picking the Tide are doing it largely because of the Tide’s experience in games of such magnitude. But this is a younger Bama team, and true eminence could be a year away.
For Georgia, both gifted and seasoned, a grand opportunity is at hand – an opportunity denied this program since the Bulldogs faced Penn State on Jan. 1, 1983. It was Herschel Walker’s last night as an amateur, and for 30 years Bulldog Nation has waited, not entirely patiently, for another chance at another national title.
For those long-suffering fans, for a coach who once seemed to have run out of ideas, for a team that was routed in its first real test of 2012 … for everyone involved with Georgia football, the moment has arrived. One massive game against one formidable opponent, one Dawg day of deliverance. Georgia 27, Alabama 20.
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
381 comments Add your comment
88 Dawg
November 30th, 2012
5:53 pm
I like the way Murray has played over the last half of the season. I also like the way he has avoided the interviews this week and has focused on getting ready for Bama. If he keeps his cool and doesn’t turn the ball over and take any big losses, I like the Dogs in this game and I like them even better in Miami. Go Dogs!
Zoomie
November 30th, 2012
5:54 pm
I watched the Dawgs play against GT and saw some of the most focused, aggressive hitting I’ve seen from the present defensive group and wondered: were they just getting in the practice they knew they’d need for this opponent?
The current Dawg defense can stand with anybody. I think the big question is: how will Aaron Murray score on the biggest test he may face in his life? Does he have what it takes to be a field general at the next level, or is he just a clipboard holder, unable to channel that inner “Zen” that sets the elite apart from the rest?
UGA has all the pieces it needs to finish the drill. The USC game was just the seasoning needed to teach these young men the lessons needed to take it to the next level. Since that date, they’ve shown they have the fortitude. They have the talent; they have the leaders. Question is, do they have the heart?
GATA! Go Dawgs — Sic ‘em!
reality check
November 30th, 2012
5:55 pm
i just don’t see it…murry is 1-10 against top 25 teams…you take away FL’s 5 turnovers and he is 0-11…his national leading passer rating was some 100 points lower against SC and FL than everyone else…AJ, meanwhile is the reigning MVP of the BCS national championship game…did no one here see the UGA vs. KY game? mizzu game? how about the SC game? or the Buffalo game…? TN put up 44…meanwhile AL lost a close one to the pending heisman trophy winner…they won on the road in the 4Q at LSU…and somehow that is getting played down as a weak spot on the resume…it’s unbelievable…and on UGA getting “experience” in the dome last year…please…the last two trips have been slaughters via Boise and of course LSU…meanwhile AL seniors have played in this game 2x (1-1 vs Tebow) – they slaughtered both Clemson and VA Tech – both also in the Dome – Rose bowl againt TX, Superdome vs. LSU, jerry world vs Michigan – it’s impossible for a team to have more big game experience in big games…don’t get me started on UGA’s offensive line…Bama is going to win this one going away…unless of course they decide to black us out again…
Sunny
November 30th, 2012
5:58 pm
BAMA IS S GOOD THEY COULD BEAT ANY NFL TEAM!!!
UGA HAS NO CHANCE
Patched Tire On I-95 in Jacksonville
November 30th, 2012
5:58 pm
Joey
Be careful with what you say to NC Dawg he will claim your not a true UGA fan and will tell you to find another team to pull for with that kind of talk
Destin Dawg
November 30th, 2012
5:58 pm
Believe in the G… it’s our time.. Richt really wants this one.. Bo Bo has been getting better.. . he’ll call a good mix run/pass… TE”s will get a couple big 1st downs to keep drives alive… Grantham knows Saban.. Junkyard Defense will seal the deal in 4th Qtr….UGA 24 Bama 20
Terrence Jones, Charlie Strong and those Notre Dame unis | John Clay's Sidelines
November 30th, 2012
6:00 pm
[...] Mark Richt, the big moment is finally at hand. This entry was posted in College hoops, NBA, SEC, UK basketball, UofL [...]
SEC Championship: Ten things to know – ESPN (blog)
November 30th, 2012
6:01 pm
[...] off games in which …Georgia arrives at 'all or nothing' momentNews & ObserverFor Mark Richt and Georgia, the moment is finally at handAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Michael A. Lough: Georgia knows Alabama is [...]
fRUITpIK
November 30th, 2012
6:01 pm
Has Nicholas Saban ever won two BCS Championships in a row? No. History shows Nicholas Lou always chokes in this type of situation where he’s trying to win two National Championships in a row.
Nicholas Lou Saban is 0 & 2 in attempt to win 2 BCS Championships in a row.
How bout 0 & 3?
JB
November 30th, 2012
6:01 pm
I hopeful, prayerful and really pulling for the Dawgs, But The mountain is tall and The Dawgs Character in the last 3 years is not to do well in these big hyped meaningful games. Hopefully this is a new time….and this team IS NOTHING like the last 3 years teams. Go Dawgs.
delane
November 30th, 2012
6:02 pm
Markie Mark you have a great point. But, the loses Alabama and UGA have had are a little different. Amabama faced a Cam Nerton and Tim Tebow like QB. UGA faced Connor Shaw
JB
November 30th, 2012
6:03 pm
SUNNY….Is Texas A&M in the NFL?
WDog
November 30th, 2012
6:05 pm
ALABAMA looked pedestrian in both of their games against SEC ranked teams this year. I don’t see why everybody is so high on ALABAMA. Wasn’t Texas A & M favored to lose too? People really have overhyped ALABAMA and I owuld guess the UGA players are ready to make a STATEMENT.
MontanaDawg
November 30th, 2012
6:05 pm
Our keys to this game is Murray bringing his A game – no mistakes, no turnovers. And the key to Murray being on target is the offensive line giving him protection. I think Murray will be wise to use Gurshall on short passes out of the backfield as well. We’ll probably have a very tough time running effectively but maybe just enough to make play action work.
Pussy Galore
November 30th, 2012
6:06 pm
We will seize the moment! Dawgs 38 Bama 17. Then Dawgs 38 ND 7.
SauteeDawg
November 30th, 2012
6:06 pm
Good read Mark, I was telling a friend of mine about how Texas has went down hill since Muschamp went on to Florida, But have you noticed how Florida St. has struggled since Mark Richt left? Our Coach Mark Richt has paid a lot of dues in the coaching ranks. He is the longest tenured coach in the SEC and if there’s a coach that deserves to win a SEC at this point after having a couple of down years it’s him. Getting past Saban and Alabama will not be easy at all, but the team that’s playing on Saturday in the Dome is the most talented team that CMR has had at Georgia. We’ve had good teams in Athens before that had talent but not like the team we have now.
Hopefully on Saturday our team can line up and play with Bama and maybe our CMR can finally get that win that has eluded him in seasons past.
Be nice to upset Bama and get a chance to play ND. Proud of our team and coaches regardless.
Wet Willie...keep on smiling
November 30th, 2012
6:07 pm
Either team can win this game but don’t make life or death out of it!!! Have some good fun with it and just enjoy regardless. This would be THE feather in the cap of Mark while Nick has a hat full of feathers just saying. Roll Tide
Dawg Talk
November 30th, 2012
6:10 pm
Tee it up! Let’s get the show on th road! Dawgs are going to win by GATA, giving CMR win #12 in his 12th year of coaching, on the 1st day of the 12th month! This is the year of the DAWG!!!! See all of you in the NT game in January, you too Tide-E-Bowl Fans! P.S.—-Screw ESPN!!!!
cptzzggyy
November 30th, 2012
6:12 pm
If ‘Bama beats the ‘Dawgs & goes on to beat ND & win the MNC, Saban’s salary for the year will total $6 million – that’s $16,438 per day. Here’s hoping that the ‘Dawgs do their part for economic fairness by beating the Tide & limiting Saban’s compensation to a more reasonable $5.4 million.
JB
November 30th, 2012
6:12 pm
Wet Willie….Good post. I’ve had to tell myself just that this week. I’ll enjoy us getting to play Bama and measure to see where we are. Bama IS the measuring stick the last 3-4 years. I’ll give Saban a tip of the hat. He and Bama Deliver. If we win, it’ll be against the perceived best.
Patched Tire On I-95 in Jacksonville
November 30th, 2012
6:13 pm
Tech fans……………
I just wanted to know are your knees sore and eyes finally dry from begging the NCAA to let you play in a bowl game
whatnow
November 30th, 2012
6:13 pm
puppies get destroyed tomorrow. book it.
bet your whole 401k, mortgage, everything on bama.
these pups are so soft. wait till they get hit in the mouf, that’s when the will reveal their character :-
pups are b*tch a**es and will be put to sleep tomorrow.
Final rites. someone play taps.
SEC Championship: Ten things to know – ESPN (blog) | News Report Now | Daily News Magazine
November 30th, 2012
6:14 pm
[...] (11-1): 1. This is the first SEC Championship Game between teams coming off games in which …For Mark Richt and Georgia, the moment is finally at handAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Tide basketball faces year's biggest non-conference test [...]
63dawgj
November 30th, 2012
6:14 pm
Sabin is a tuff dude. Richt is a loveable teddy bear. Ga has talent equal to Bama EXCEPT UGA’s offensive line is much like Richt. There’s the difference
JB
November 30th, 2012
6:15 pm
Post like 6:13 are senseless. There must be a computer in the Common Area of the prison in Huntsville.
CigarDawg
November 30th, 2012
6:17 pm
You read it here first, folks: Dawgs win in the final seconds and Richt gets a lifetime contract!
Cohutta Dawgman
November 30th, 2012
6:18 pm
GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!!!
whatnow
November 30th, 2012
6:19 pm
if it ain’t preseason pups have no shot.
tomorrows beating will be worse than what mv7 did. ever seen an elephant trample a “slow” dog?
watch cbs tomorrow. it wont be pretty.
Joey
November 30th, 2012
6:19 pm
Congrats, whatnow.
What a mature, knowledgeable post.
You do know this is about a football game right – not some fight between some trashy girls?
dawgs25
November 30th, 2012
6:21 pm
It kills me how these bama fans keep refrencing how they beat LSU and how that should be of some major significance in this conversation………………Granted in the past few years LSU has been a team to deal with…………..but let me remind you that LSU lost to Fla………..we beat Fla…………LSU barely got Ole Miss, they beat Auburn 12-10 and only beat arkansas by 7, and gave up 22 points to Townsend so why are you throwing this out as big accomplishment.
Alabams has not beat anyone better than who georgia beat………….looking forward to a good game and may the best team win…………go DAWGS!
JB
November 30th, 2012
6:22 pm
Bama fans i’ve talked to ( Fans, with knowledge, not once a year Jiffy lube, hat on Backwards Bama fans) tell me this game could go either way. Say it’ll be breaks , not a big difference in the teams.
georgianabulltiger
November 30th, 2012
6:22 pm
Dayum, Mark. Very nice post.
AJC, give this man a raise.
whatnow
November 30th, 2012
6:23 pm
Final Rites for UGA, Thuga, Athens, and the state of GA. RIP b*tches.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RU9wSaR5Qls
zbulldawg
November 30th, 2012
6:23 pm
These DAWGS are seasoned & HUNGRY !! LET THE BIG DAWG EAT
DC
November 30th, 2012
6:24 pm
How do both coaches do in big games, let’s say Bowl games, for example?
Saban has won 7 in 18 years.
Richt has won 7 in 12 years.
Richt is MUCH better in BIG GAMES.
Tndawg
November 30th, 2012
6:27 pm
Woohoo Go Dawgs! Haters gonna hate!
Joey
November 30th, 2012
6:27 pm
Hey whatnow, I’d bet MY 401K that you are the genius, Matt “CHOKE” Ryan from the Falcons blogs.
All those cute little smiley-faces and all.
Wondered where you had been since about week 4.
How’re the Eagles doin, by the way?
Alphare
November 30th, 2012
6:27 pm
Is there ever a National Champ that lost a regular season game by 28 points, like UGA did to USC 35-7?
NC Dawg
November 30th, 2012
6:28 pm
Joey, you are probably correct good year is better but after the slaughter in Columbia it seems great. However: there is a few SEC teams that wishes they were here to go 11-2.
DC
November 30th, 2012
6:30 pm
Which Coach has coached in more BCS Championships?
Richt 5, Saban 3.
Which Coach coached more Heisman winners?
Richt 2, Saban 1.
Which Coach has a higher career winning percentage?
Richt
Which Coach has less losing seasons?
Richt, by far
Which Coach has sent more guys to the NFL?
Richt
Which Coach has a player become the No 1 NFL draftpick?
Richt
Which Coach wins more big games, like Bowl Games?
Richt
Which Coach’s teams have finished in the top 5, 16 times?
Richt
Va Dawg
November 30th, 2012
6:32 pm
Best column ever, Mark. You brought your A game. Let’s hope the Dawgs do!
DC
November 30th, 2012
6:36 pm
The way I see it:
Aaron Murray is 1-1 against SEC ranked teams in 2012
AJ McCarron is 1-1 against SEC ranked teams in 2012
Both have thrown MULTIPLE interceptions in one of thsoe 2 games.
Murray beat the #2 ranked team in the country this. Better than any of AJ’s wins.
AJ lost to a Freshman QB. Murray didn’t.
Anything BEFORE 2012 doesn’t matter RIGHT NOW.
whatnow
November 30th, 2012
6:37 pm
Why would any D1 player choose UGA over Bama unless they are a b*tch a**?.
Bama has a culture of winning the “other” of pretending and living in the 80’s
Folks it will not be close.
SEC Championship: Ten things to know – ESPN (blog) | Basketball.sportsreports.tk
November 30th, 2012
6:39 pm
[...] (11-1): 1. This is the first SEC Championship Game between teams coming off games in which …For Mark Richt and Georgia, the moment is finally at handAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Alabama LB Mosley brings strength, speed to Tide defenseOnline [...]
He Hate Gator
November 30th, 2012
6:43 pm
Good article….was waiting for someone to write this, that this is CMR’s defining moment in his career…to win and put the inability to win the big one behind him or lose and rubber stamp his years as coach as coaching underachieving teams.
He Hate Gator
November 30th, 2012
6:46 pm
DC (Sammy), where did you get your info? ( Which Coach has coached in more BCS Championships? Richt 5, Saban 3.)
Richt (and it says so in the article) has NEVER coached in a BCS Championship game…
Strat Cat Dawg
November 30th, 2012
6:48 pm
I shake my head when political opinions are mixed with sports insults. I would imagine quite a few of the Dawgs we’re counting on to beat Bama supported the Democrats but so what? This is a football game. What say we leave party affiliation out of the equation? Go Dawgs, whomever you voted for.
He Hate Gator
November 30th, 2012
6:48 pm
…not as the head coach….
Cohutta Dawgman
November 30th, 2012
6:49 pm
DAWGS RULE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Joey
November 30th, 2012
6:49 pm
Correct NC Dawg, and not just SEC teams, wishing they were in our shoes.
It’s gonna be hard to breath after 4pm tomorrow.
Go Dawgs.