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
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381 comments Add your comment
ARdawg
December 1st, 2012
8:44 am
It’s quite funny how you Tech haters are out en masse on the UGA blogs to spread you hate filled vitriol, today of all days. No matter what happens later today, j ust remember this, WE OWN THIS STATE! 42-10
ARdawg
December 1st, 2012
8:46 am
If UGA didn’t play Tech, our strength of schedule would be much stronger
Joey
December 1st, 2012
8:50 am
Truth, that is not so this season. Rank the teams in each division and check their records vs the other division. It has equaled out.
But don’t let facts get in the way of your “weak sister” BS.
Truth
December 1st, 2012
8:50 am
That’s pretty impressive — beating Tech.
Truth
December 1st, 2012
8:51 am
The East division won’t really be relevant again until Florida and Tennessee are back at full strength.
Joey
December 1st, 2012
8:59 am
It’s a hoot ARdawg, the whiners can’t shutup about UGA’s schedule – like it’s our fault UT, AU and GT are all crappy teams this season.
All I know is UF has the most impressive resume of any conference team, and the only game they lost all season was to us.
If Bama blows us out, I’ll agree that we didn’t belong.
But if Murray comes out and plays his game, and we protect him, it won’t the Dawgs who get lit up . . .
CEPH
December 1st, 2012
9:02 am
Richt said at the beginning of 2012 that this team is” knocking on the door of greatness” well it is time to stop knocking and open the damn door.. If he doesn’t win this game then we should open the door and kick him out of it!!!!!! This is his chance and if he doesn’t do it he ‘HE NEVER WILL’
Wet Willie...keep on smiling
December 1st, 2012
9:02 am
OK folks it is time to get serious bout dis stuff. I got my gameface on and talked mean to my wife’s maltese this AM on her walk! Best of luck and Roll Tide….
what about the number of fans that showed for Stanford and UCLA game last night??? Pitiful. There is a story there and it’s not about football. Enjoy the day and game for a whole bunch of teams would love to be in this game unlike the far west slackers (easy button crowd).
ARdawg
December 1st, 2012
9:06 am
Joey
I don’t see a blowout either way. It’s going to be a good game. I do believe we’ll have the upper hand based on our better QB. The haters can say what they will, Murray is a good QB and I suspect the world will see it today
Truth
December 1st, 2012
9:10 am
I agree that Georgia can’t help what their schedule is. Well… At least not their conference schedule.
Still, there is no doubt that Murray’s stats have been padded against inferior competition. If you only look at his performance in the few big games in which he’s played, he’s about the fourth or fifth best QB in the SEC.
Truth
December 1st, 2012
9:12 am
In Murray’s defense, he’s never had a quality O-line to play behind. Still doesn’t.
Joey
December 1st, 2012
9:16 am
Truth, so those SEC QBs you rank ahead of Murray didn’t play well against their cupcake opponents?
Come on.
I do agree about our O-line. They have to play even better than they did vs UF for us to have a chance.
Theoilchannel.com
December 1st, 2012
9:18 am
Go S E C !! Better Yet Go DAWG !! U.S.A. – U.S.A.
For Mark Richt and Georgia, the moment is finally at hand – Georgia – Dawg News
December 1st, 2012
9:18 am
[...] more here: For Mark Richt and Georgia, the moment is finally at hand ← Back to Home Tags: coach, division, finally, georgia, great, mark, moment, plan, [...]
Truth
December 1st, 2012
9:20 am
@Joey
Of course they played well against cupcakes, but they typically didn’t play the entire game. Georgia has no backup QB. The better quarterbacks also played well against quality opponents. Murray simply has not done that. That is the Truth©.
A RTR Hit-N-Run from ATL
December 1st, 2012
9:24 am
I know, you just couldn’t wait to hear from me. I’m headed down to the game now.
Just thought on gameday I should say something cordial, and I will. I will be greatly disappointed in Alabama if we win by anything less than 4 touchdowns.
AL 49 UGA 6
JustMe
December 1st, 2012
9:28 am
Hope the Dawgs win…..but I feel yet another disappointing big game performance. Richt, Bobo and Murray will be tighter than Dick’s Hat band…..
ARdawg
December 1st, 2012
9:30 am
RTR is headed down for a disappointment
Escaped from Email Purgatory
December 1st, 2012
9:30 am
Good luck to the Dawgs this afternoon. You gotta beat ‘Bama and the Bradley curse.
brenda
December 1st, 2012
9:37 am
uga went 1-1 against the only 2 teams worth a damn on their schedule. the win was BARELY a win and the loss was a beatdown.
just the facts
brenda
December 1st, 2012
9:40 am
truth wrote “he never had a good O line”
why is that? who is responsible for building one? is richt missing something in recruiting or coaching one up?
i understand if players had graduated but that should only be an excuse every 4 yrs or so.
then again, richt wanted Cam as a TE and not a QB
Truth
December 1st, 2012
9:48 am
Coach Richt is a very good coach. I understand that he’s also a really nice guy and a Lodge Brother. It is quite an accomplishment to play for the SEC Title — even if you don’t win it.
Steve
December 1st, 2012
9:48 am
Alabama 27 UGA 21, coming from a UGA fan. I hope I am wrong!
Truth
December 1st, 2012
9:51 am
@Steve
If Alabama shows up ready to play, then the score really shouldn’t be that close.
Steve
December 1st, 2012
9:56 am
Truth, don’t be one of those morons who say it’s going to be 45-3. Both teams are very good. Will be close either way.
Truth
December 1st, 2012
9:58 am
42 – 14
Ben
December 1st, 2012
9:59 am
Things are laid out for GA as good as they could hope for. Beat ALA, whose defense is weaker than past. Then having ND to beat instead of Oregon.
Steve
December 1st, 2012
10:15 am
Thanks for proving my point, Truth. Moron.
Truth
December 1st, 2012
10:20 am
I’ll be here this evening. We’ll see.
Stiffneck
December 1st, 2012
10:20 am
Dawgs are gonna shock the college football world today!! Bring it on. Go Dawgs!!!
Steve
December 1st, 2012
10:27 am
I won’t. I have a life and will be out with friends watching the game.
Truth
December 1st, 2012
10:27 am
My Internet goes with me. I gave up the dial up connection in the last decade.
Truth
December 1st, 2012
10:30 am
Seriously Steve, best of luck my friend.
You’ll need it. Georgia will, indeed, shock the CFB world if they win this game. It could happen. The best team usually wins, but not always.
Honey boy
December 1st, 2012
10:38 am
It’ll be closer than people think… I feel Bama is whistling past the graveyard here… They havent really played anyone but LSU… Pfft.. Texas A&M exposed them… They’re not invincible and certainly not the perfect football team the Tide drinkers would have you believe…
Dawgs win a squeaker 24-21 on a McCarron turnover late… Dawgs kick a late field goal late to break their hearts and let the excuses begin for the Dimson Pride… Bet the single wide!!!
Truth
December 1st, 2012
10:42 am
Kentucky.
Joey
December 1st, 2012
10:44 am
Oh no, Honey boy, I hope it doesn’t come down to a late FG – our boy is liable to kick it closer to the corner of the end zone than the up rights.
LSU 42, UGA 10
December 1st, 2012
10:48 am
Show me a reason why UGA will beat Alabama, and I’ll listen. Right now all you have is a UGA loud mouth player’s “we better in every position!”
But what evidence is there that UGA is better? I see Bama, National Championships, lost only 5 games in 4 seasons and beat a plethora of ranked teams many times in a blow out. I see experience, size, higher ranked recruits, proven coach.
Now lay out why UGA is better and I’ll list… read…
Truth
December 1st, 2012
10:51 am
Credit where due: Georgia has played better in the latter half of the season.
Against the likes of Auburn, Georgia Southern and Tech.
Tampa Gator
December 1st, 2012
11:17 am
Why is Georgia better…….
Florida beat Texas A&M……..Georgia beat Florida……..Texas A&M beat Bama. That is one REASON.
Another one…….Georgia has better players on defense……see above.
Another one…….Georgia has a more talented QB.
Another one…….Georgia’s RBs are just as good as Bama’s RBs….maybe better.
Another one…….Georgia WRs are as good as Bama’s…..maybe better.
Another one…….Georgia is a better pass rushing team than Bama.
Another one…….Georgia has better safeties….both to play in the NFL next year.
Another one…….Georgia….I believe….will be more motivated to win.
Bama has one major edge on the field……the OL….and that is the only edge.
But Georgia has the edge on the DL…….and that is a big edge.
Only negative……..Saban vs. Richt…..will Richt finally step up and coach well in a big game????….
Tampa Gator
December 1st, 2012
11:21 am
………and I think Florida will be playing Texas A&M in Atlanta next year…..
Tampa Gator
December 1st, 2012
11:25 am
Watching ESPN game day……..
And Fowler just said FSU was beating Florida until Manual fumbled…….like when…..a true freshmen LB….Morrison….knocked Manual into Nebraska….with him leaving the football behind. Truth…..they were leading Florida until the middle of the 3rd quarter….when Florida just took the game from them physically.
……..and did anyone see the story on Jarvis Jones this morning on Game Day…….wow…..much, much more respect for what Jarvis has done and overcome now. He could have gone another direction…..and he didn’t. He went in the opposite direction and has become a true man of character and achievement……and not just on the football field. Very inspiring story.
Joey
December 1st, 2012
11:30 am
Look techie (10:48), Rambo isn’t the only one saying that – lots of analysts are saying that Bama is deeper but UGA’s starters are as, or more talented than Bama’s. Their O-line is the big advantage, and it may be enough. But to act as if UGA has no chance in this game is silly.
But you go ahead and cling to that stupid, “last 4 seasons . . . .” crap – we will see in a few hours what ‘08 and ‘10 mean in this game. We’ll see how that works out for you
********************************************************
Hey Truth, why leave out UF, and even Ole Miss, who lost by 3 to A&M, and torched Auburn and Ark before we ended their run – badly – a little worse than Bama did actually. Ole Miss left here and came within seconds of beating LSU, yet you and your bunch like to rank UGA below LSU and A&M.
Something gets a little smelly with you guys – smells like jealously.
Y’all do come back after the game for a chat – I’ll stop by, win or lose.
Will y’all?
Truth
December 1st, 2012
11:32 am
Florida was lucky to play A&M early and to play LSU when their O-line was decimated — one week after they scratched by Auburn 12 – 10. Florida would defeat Georgia about 85% of the time if they played an infinite series of games, but the Gators aren’t really as good as their record implies.
Georgia was mutilated by SC and almost lost to Kentucky. A&M (good football team, BTW) caught Bama flat and got a quick 21 point lead. They still needed an improbable interception in the end-zone in the final seconds of the game to win.
Truth
December 1st, 2012
11:34 am
@Joey
I watched the Georgia vs. Ole Miss game. The only thing that Georgia could do against them was hit long passes. If Ole Miss hadn’t been so depleted from injuries in their secondary, it’s doubtful that Georgia would have won that game.
Joey
December 1st, 2012
11:36 am
Tampa, you think UF will give up a home game (A&M)? Could happen though, UF is gonna start next season ranked 1 or 2.
You are right about Jarvis – it is unbelievable how humble, mature, and team-oriented he is, and how much he has overcome. He deserves every bit of it.
I hope we get to see him for years to come on Sundays.
Pete
December 1st, 2012
11:38 am
Dawgs 24-Bama 17
Joey
December 1st, 2012
11:40 am
Truth (11:34), you went to sleep apparently. UGA got 533 total yards – 384 passing, and 149 rushing.
Keep spewing – you look rediculous . . .
ARdawg
December 1st, 2012
11:45 am
Better yet, why do you Tech trolls think anyone gives a fat rats patootie what you think?
WE OWN THIS STATE!!!
Truth
December 1st, 2012
11:50 am
UGA truly does dominate Georgia Tech.
Hey! That’s something…
ARdawg
December 1st, 2012
11:53 am
Truth = Techie with a bag on his head. Who could blame him?