Bulldogs open against SI coverboys
Athens — Already embracing the role of underdawg this season, Georgia’s football team is gonna love this: Its season-opening opponent is on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
Oklahoma State is featured on a regional cover of the SI college football preview issue – the first time current OSU student-athletes have appeared on a SI cover, the school announced.
On the cover: senior quarterback Zac Robinson and senior center Andrew Lewis.
Oklahoma State trumpets the coverage:
“OSU is one of three resurgent programs profiled in Austin Murphy’s cover story as a potential BCS spoiler and national title contender. The magazine tabbed the Cowboys as the No. 7 team in the country.
“SI also predicts the Cowboys to finish 10-2 overall, 6-2 in conference play and meet LSU in the Cotton Bowl. The magazine also picked senior cornerback Perrish Cox and junior wide receiver Dez Bryant as preseason All-Americans.”
SI says Oklahoma State has “an offense full of game-breakers” and an attack “so prolific the defense doesn’t have to stop opponents cold, just hold them off a little better than it did last year.”
Meanwhile, SI’s preview issue ranks Georgia No. 15.
The magazine is scheduled to reach newsstands today, although the Oklahoma State regional cover presumably won’t reach Georgia (except, perhaps, for the UGA locker room).
The Bulldogs play at Oklahoma State on Sept. 5.
———————————
Georgia coaches have been saying there are five candidates to start at tailback and three to serve as backup quarterback. Those numbers figure to be reduced soon after today’s late-afternoon scrimmage in Sanford Stadium. (Update: Because of weather, the scrimmage has been moved up to morning. In progress now. It is closed to media except for warmups, but will post update after CMR holds post-scrimmage briefing.)
Running backs coach Bryan McClendon said Tuesday that he has been giving all five tailback contenders roughly equal reps with the Nos. 1 and 2 offenses in practice and will do the same in today’s scrimmage. But after today, he indicated the field will separate and the parity will dissipate. “I was really hanging off until the scrimmage to give me some sort of pecking order,” he said. And by the way, McClendon said Caleb King, currently No. 1 on the tailback depth chart, “came in in much better shape” and is “working his tail off.”
Although the logical assumption is that Logan Gray will start the season as the No. 2 quarterback, coaches have said Gray is competing with freshmen Aaron Murray and Zach Mettenberger for the job. Asked Tuesday when that will be further sorted out, offensive coordinator Mike Bobo said it might be today or it might be the middle of next week. In any case, soon.
—————————————
Beyond specific depth-chart battles, the coaches are eager to see generally how the team performs in the first scrimmage of preseason camp.
“I’m interested to see how guys compete when they get hit , playing in the stadium and playing without their coaches behind them telling them what’s going on,” Bobo said. “I’m just excited to see who’s going to step up [and to] try to get an idea of what our identity is going to be, based on who can make plays and who will move the football.”
—————————————–
Every word gets parsed in Bulldog Nation, so when Mark Richt commented after several practices that defensive players were doing a good job of coming up with interceptions, concern understandably surfaced about whether the quarterbacks were doing a bad job of throwing the ball.
Richt said on Monday that most of the picks have come with the No. 2 offense playing against the No. 1 defense. And on Tuesday, Bobo said: “I think the defense has done a nice job of making plays . . . catching some balls and intercepting them. But when you’ve got two freshmen quarterbacks out there, you’re going to have turnovers. That’s just how it goes.”
————————————
Last thing. Wil Walton asked here yesterday for an update on Branden Smith, the speedy freshman cornerback.
The coaches have said they’re open to occasionally using Smith on offense at wide receiver. But so far, Smith said, he has worked only on defense and special teams (punt return, kickoff return and punt block).
Asked his expectations for his freshman season, Smith said: “Take it game by game, day by day. Try to get better. Play with my team. Learn from the vets. Win a national championship.”
That last sentence from Smith is your prize for reading to the end. Thanks.
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
59 comments Add your comment
Saint Simons
August 12th, 2009
6:28 am
((((( 45 42 ))))) hahahahahaha
Big time?? Not
August 12th, 2009
7:22 am
Four tickets, four hot dogs, four cokes……loser
Saint Simons
August 12th, 2009
7:25 am
UGA is # 171 on Forbes list of the best colleges in America – GT is # 501 – hahahahahahaha, oops, I mean wah,wah,wah!!!!
Dan A.
August 12th, 2009
7:29 am
I’ve noticed in reading a few articles lately that there is one extremely retarded Georgia Tech fan who has nothing better to do with his time than wait around for Georgia news to get posted so he can make a smartass remark. Sad…. but Tech fans never really have had much to talk about, have they?
Anyway, I’m particularly interested to hear how Washaun Ealey does in the scrimmage today.
Spike
August 12th, 2009
7:32 am
Saint Simons is loving that gay GT poster with the football team posing shirtless in front of the transformers. You just can’t make stuff like this up. hahahahahaha.
BullDawgBred
August 12th, 2009
7:58 am
(((((38-3)))))——>>>>You are only as good as your last game!!!!
Final 2008 polls:
11. UGA
Was Tech in the top 20?
Oh yeah and 7-1
Saint Simons
August 12th, 2009
8:15 am
(((((45-42)))))hahaha and we had a great Tickle Pile on your campus!!!!!!!
Who Cares
August 12th, 2009
8:33 am
Who Cares!
Paul
August 12th, 2009
8:34 am
This should be an exciting year for UGA. Very hard schedule starts @ OSU. Beat them and we are in the top ten.
Stinger
August 12th, 2009
8:36 am
You’re in for a long season with your high school quarterback Joe Cox Sucker. Your offense will be more pathetic this year than your weak azz defense. Mark Richt would give his right eye to have a QB the caliber of Jaybo Shaw this year. Oh yeah, running back, forget about it. What a joke. We have walk on running backs that would start for your team this year. 45-42 will be 56-6 this year. You can have all the recievers in the world, but if you don’t have anyone to get them the ball, they are useless.
weaintthere yet!!
August 12th, 2009
8:53 am
Gosh…. JusT think when the dawgs face a real tough SEC defense. Oh well we better batten down the hatches. PICKS GALORE! Here come the excuses already BOO BOO! BTW does Willie have a clue yet?
CW
August 12th, 2009
8:55 am
Stinger, put the crackpipe down. This has to be a fan of another team stirring the pot.
weaintthere yet!!
August 12th, 2009
9:00 am
Well first day of pads ….. I wonder who will get injured today because of poor conditioning and not using proper technique. We shall know by 5 pm when the ole excuse train gets rollin! Already seeing glimpses of youth and inexperience at QB.
GeoffDawg
August 12th, 2009
9:10 am
SI cover jinx! Sweet.
RFP
August 12th, 2009
9:17 am
I agree with Geoff. Getting the SI cover is a jinx.
Stinger, we have 4 Elite 11 QBs on our roster, so we’re not worried about the QB position. Tech needs to worry about all of the defensive players that graduated last year.
Topdawg
August 12th, 2009
9:21 am
Stinger, are you kidding me? I can’t believe what I just read, 1st of all let me establish something real quick here: If you couldn’t tell by the screen name, I am a Georgia fan. As usual, it seems I have forgotten more about football than you mentally challendged tech fans ever knew. Jaybo Shaw? Mark Richt would give his right eye? Are you aware of the fact that he’s not even gonna start for HIS OWN TEAM? Perhaps you should direct your “positive energy” towards the starting quarterback, a young man by the name of Josh Nesbit! But I guess with all your envy it’s hard to find time to go look at you own pathetic teams articles and comment, I mean who really wants to talk about dungeons and dragons when you could read an article on real football team and pretend to know something about them? I can’t wait till November to see exactly how many of you bumble bees have the stones to comment on these articles then. GO DAWGS!!!
JAdams
August 12th, 2009
9:26 am
Tech is on a one game losing streak. Alabama is on a 2 game losing streak. hahahahha
Saint Simons
August 12th, 2009
9:33 am
Osu 48 – Uga 3
Another day in paradise
August 12th, 2009
9:35 am
To “Stinger” and all your buddies………….thanks for the laughs!!!!
Otto
August 12th, 2009
9:52 am
Stinger lol you GT guys are a riot.
Hopefully Gray can keep the job and come in as a situational QB. He has been loyal to the program and looked good in the spring game. I’d like to see him start next season.
Hungry Dawg
August 12th, 2009
10:06 am
To all those Tech fans predicting that OSU will stomp UGA the current line is OSU by 6. Considering that they have home field advantage which is usually good for a 7 point swing the odds makers are basically calling this game a draw. Couple that with UGA’s record vs. non-conference teams under Richt and the 2nd best on the road winning percentage of any team in the FBS and I like our odds of winning in Stillwater. From what I’m seeing on the OSU blogs they are taking UGA very seriously and realize that this might just be their toughest game of the season. The Dawg’s will use this game to silence the doubters and you guys get to watch with growing apprehension as UGA piles up the victories this season on their way to a final reckoning with Tech. We are really going to enjoy starting another long string of victories against Tech and will be shooting for 8 in a row this time. Enjoy your one win while you can, because it’s going to be a long time before your next one against the Dawg’s.
Go Dawg’s Sic Em Woof Woof Woof!!!!
mightyKC
August 12th, 2009
10:15 am
yeah, the old SI cover jinx. too bad tebow was on it 4 times last year. oh well.
also, dawg fans, why do you think st. simons shows up every day? because you geniuses comment on it EVERY DAY!! it’s classic. stop showing that it hurts you so much and maybe he’ll stop doing it. shoot, the way people complain about it EVERY DAY, i wouldn’t be surprised if all of the other pup rival fans come on here and impersonate our friend and copy/paste in his every-day post.
mightyKC
August 12th, 2009
10:15 am
((((( 45 42 ))))) hahahahahaha
4tix4dogs4cokes
August 12th, 2009
10:28 am
Stinger — Thanks for the enlightened and very credible analysis. I am sure it was difficult to come up with such keen and thought provoking insight, but you pulled it off. Well done sir, well done!
Money
August 12th, 2009
10:28 am
Jaybo Shaw??? Didn’t he de-commit to Middle Tennessee State at the last second to sign with Tech?
Wil Walton
August 12th, 2009
10:34 am
Thanks Tim!
brad
August 12th, 2009
10:38 am
As an OSU fan, I can tell you that I am pretty nervous about this game. It will probably be one of the best defenses OSU faces all year and because it is the first game of the year, I do not know if our offense will click like it normally does. Anyway, I look forward to the match up…should be a great game!
Another day in paradise
August 12th, 2009
10:39 am
MKC. Hurting? HAHAHAHAHAH! Are you kidding? UGA fans and everyone else in the SEC as well as some ACC (VT and BC) are laughing at you!!! Keep it up. You and all your buddies are adding a tremendous amount of comedy for all of us. Hahahahahaha!
dawgstephen
August 12th, 2009
10:51 am
BRAD..
Welcome to the forums. I too think it will be a great game and congratulate both schools for scheduling a home and home opener such as this series. I will warn you, this blog’s comments are not moderated, and user names are NOT required or registered, so 99.9 percent of everthing here will just be useless dribble. I am only here because someone has to post something sensible, and I myself run a blog, a REAL blog where there is moderator approval to every post. Funny, wth that in place, i have yet to receive a single post that i had to deny.
Come one AJC you can do it too!!!
http://www.dawgstephen.blogspot.com
DOGGIE IN NC
August 12th, 2009
10:53 am
OK State better be better than OK – they had better be on fire and bust’n Doggies in the mouth because the Doggies will be coming at them FULL BORE – ALL DAY! I expect nothing short of a great game. GO DOGGIES!
Stinger
August 12th, 2009
10:58 am
Duh, Top Dawg, yes I am aware that Jaybo doesn’t start for us because we have a better quarterback. YOU DON’T, you idiot!!!!!!!!! Now who knows more about football?
Tim Tucker
August 12th, 2009
11:04 am
I updated this above, but in case you missed it: Today’s scrimmage, which was scheduled for late afternoon, was moved up to morning to try to beat the worst of the weather. Will have story after CMR’s post-scrimmage briefing.
Dawghater
August 12th, 2009
11:05 am
Hey “JAdams”. One question. Did UGA beat Alabama or GT last year. And one more. What was UGA ranked last year and how did that work out! Enjoy Stillwater, Jacksonville and Bobby Dodd this year. Joe Cox might need to be traded in for “Cash for Clunkers”.
Another day in paradise
August 12th, 2009
11:15 am
Stinger. Did you forget to take your anger managment medication again? Take a deep breath. Everything’s going to be ok.
4tix4dogs4cokes
August 12th, 2009
11:30 am
Stinger shoots and scores again. Genius!! The level of discourse and sophistication that you bring to the dialogue is a refreshing change from the usual adolescents that we frequent these sites. I especially appreciate your measured responses to other posters. Clearly, you exemplify the well rounded “Tech Man” that is produced on the storied Flats. I know that Techsters swell up with pride upon reading your postings. You are in the pantheon of other distinguished posters such as (m, god and greyhound, RambleOn!, et al). Of course, these are aliases for the same poster, but you get the point. Keep up the good work!
big dawg 89
August 12th, 2009
11:31 am
thanx for answering mr walton’s question tim. good to know we don’t go unheard. many of us were wondering about smith…
and if you get a chance, see if there’s a possibilty of samuel moving to safety. i keep hearing it’s not entirely out of the question, depending on king,jackson, and ealey…thanx.
K-Mart
August 12th, 2009
12:05 pm
OSU’s SI cover looks like the center is getting it in the butt
Bryan G.
August 12th, 2009
12:18 pm
Here is why SI is stupid:
They predict OSU to be 6-2 in conference and 10-2 overall. They predict UGA to be 5-3 in conference and 9-3 overall.
So, neither UGA or OSU is losing a nonconference game? Should make for an interesting battle in Stillwater…
dawgstephen
August 12th, 2009
12:34 pm
good post there bryan g….shos how much they really looked at what they were saying.
http://www.dawgstephen.blogspot.com
godawg
August 12th, 2009
1:59 pm
I can’t believe I’m typing this but…I think that Tech fans may be more delusional than the Coots…damn, just damn…
rhp997
August 12th, 2009
2:09 pm
As an OSU graduate and lifelong fan, I thought I might add a few comments to the discussion:
- Yes, OSU is taking the opener very serious, and yes, most fans are extremely nervous about this game. “We” had our eyes opened two years ago during the beatdown UGA handed our “unstoppable offense” (or was it “world’s greatest offense”??). Man for man, UGA was bigger and stronger than OSU two years ago and I don’t expect that to have changed.
- The SEC takes football much (much) more seriously than the Big 12 and deserves their ranking atop the college football scene
- The OSU offense is very “stoppable” – especially in the first games. Historically, opening games have been unkind to OSU followers; rarely does the team look prepared (think back to the bad snap that concluded the first series two years ago…) and rarely does the offense click. Turnovers, penalties, and misqueues have historically been the norm…
- The OSU defense is bad and will not show marked improvement (if any??) from last year. If there is a strength, it will be against the run. If you’re QB can throw at all, he’ll be completing passes all day. Don’t expect a pass rush, esp. given the UGA OL. I would also expect to see big chunk gains from the running game. I’m glad UGA doesn’t run the spread, but I still think they will score points aplenty.
- That said, this year’s squad bears little resemblance to the one that laid an egg in Athens two years ago. Zac’s experience and mobility add a different dimension. Even though he seemed to struggle with it a bit at times last year, Zac is probably the best QB I’ve seen at running the option. Kendall is fast and an extremely effective cut-back runner; Toston is the North/South guy. But the offense hinges on Dez; compare the two halves of the Holiday Bowl against Oregon as exhibit A. When Dez was healthy, Oregon seemed headed for a stunning loss; when he went out with an injury around halftime, the game was essentially over.
If I were betting on this game, my money would probably be on UGA – but I think OSU has a chance to pull off the (non-upset) upset. It should be a great game – strength vs. strength! I’m impatiently counting down the days until kickoff!!
Tim Tucker
August 12th, 2009
2:10 pm
Interesting tailback stats from today’s scrimmage. Separate story is posted.
ron mexico
August 12th, 2009
2:10 pm
4tix4dogs4cokes
you are hilarious! love your posts.
Oledawg
August 12th, 2009
2:29 pm
Nice Bryan G.. Your math and analytics are better than the writers and editors of SI! They probably are scrambling now to preserve their forecasts from becoming completely diced. So much for their well thought out prognostications.
Stinger
August 12th, 2009
3:34 pm
Hey Saint Simons, what time I you coming over. I just bougt a new teddy.
godawg
August 12th, 2009
3:40 pm
Hey bugs! Check out how you fared in the rankings:
http://www.bustedcoverage.com/?p=11671
gratefuldawghead
August 12th, 2009
3:46 pm
Wow just noticed Oklahoma State plays 8 games at T. Boone Pickens Stadium…How did they pull that off?
Looks like Samuel wants to run the rock!
Can’t wait for kick off Sept 5!
GO DAWGS!
Spike
August 12th, 2009
4:21 pm
rhp 997 .. Nice post. Let’s get ready to rumble!!
Stinger
August 12th, 2009
4:26 pm
Whoa Nellie, if Richard Samuels can run all over your defense, just think what Dwyer, Jones, Allen, and Nesbitt will do. It’s gonna be fun.
Your 2 high ranked Freshmen QB’s didn’t do very much however. Can you say overated ( Should be 1 or 2 stars?????? )
'Bama 1
August 12th, 2009
4:43 pm
Oakie State will beat them like they are the neighbors youngons
ratdawg
August 12th, 2009
6:13 pm
Hey Bama 1…just curious what your prediction is for VT/ALA game? I’m thinking 1st year starting QBs don’t fare too well against Hokie defenses in the past. Patiently waiting for your delusional response.
Reality Check
August 12th, 2009
7:54 pm
Stinger and Dawg Hater, denial of reality is a sign of mental illness. You are both having parinoid delusions and are in complete denial of the reality of the Tech situation. CPJ is another Chan Gailey. Except for the fluke win over Ga. the 2008 season was the same as 2007. You will see by seasons end and your illness will get worse as the denial gets more pronounced. You guys are sick. Admit it.
dawg man
August 12th, 2009
8:04 pm
Hey! You tech SCUM…suck this! One out of eight!!!HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHH.
That was no fluke; Johnson let up!
August 12th, 2009
8:07 pm
dogs don’t get a second chance in Howladay Stadium this year. The game is two-first half and second half. First half don’t count.
GA BOY IN KUWAIT
August 12th, 2009
8:14 pm
STINGER says, “You can have all the recievers in the world, but if you don’t have anyone to get them the ball, they are useless”
YOU MEAN WHEN YOU GUYS HAD CALVIN JOHNSON AND COULDNT DO ANYTHING WITH HIM?
harleydawg
August 12th, 2009
9:04 pm
stinger, why dont your backs do something in the weak acc, why did your guys lose against lsu, dawgs backs would avg 250 to 300 yds a game in the acc, samuel would have at least 6 400 yrd games, setting all ncaa records in the acc but he wanted to play against the best in the sec
GooseDawg
August 13th, 2009
6:59 pm
Brad,
Welcome to the forum! We too look forward to the road trip to Stillwater. BTW, most real Dawg fans aren’t as mean-spirited as a lot of the posts on here would lead you to believe. Remember, it’s real easy to talk-err-type a BIG game from the comforts of your keyboard ya know (just look at the multitude of useless, daily posts from pathetic folks–mostly dawg haters, that contaminate this otherwise great web-site). Anyways, if you are planning on attending the season opener at Boone Pickens, I’ll think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the friendliness of the thousands of UGA fans that will actually make the long roadtrip to Stillwater. All will be passionate, some will be overzealous (and probably overserved) but the vast majority will be gracious guests. It seems to me that Stillwater suffers a similar fate as Athens, GA for folks in need of a hotel room, there just aren’t enough beds for everyone.
rhp997,
Really enjoyed reading your post. Thanks for the insider info. on your Pokes. I really think it’s gonna be a great game but I KNOW it’s gonna be exciting. Unlike most Dawg fans (or supposed Dawg fans–you never know on THIS site) I’m not taking the Cowboys lightly. Dez Bryant’s size and NFL talent going up against our inexperienced secondary is my primary concern. Could be a long day for our young pups at the corners.
I do think we put some big points up against OSU’s “less than stellar” defense but if we don’t get a pass rush w/o having to blitz, I’m afraid this game is gonna turn into a shootout and possibly one of those, “whoever has the ball last wins” game. I do know that whichever one of our DE’s is trying to get around your sure fire NFL first rounder OT, Russell Okung won’t be making much of an impact on many (if any) plays. OK, I’m worried and anxious as hell. Is it Sept. 5 yet?
dawgfanforlife
August 14th, 2009
8:29 am
to the OSU fans posting on here…..thanks for your honest imput….and the real dogs fans are nervous about this game too…looking forward to sept 5
HOWORANGEAREYOU
September 10th, 2009
10:59 am
Dawg Fans, I came across this blog while searching for something else, so I thought I’d leave this:
The first thing that struck me when arriving at Boone Pickens Stadium last saturday was the Georgia fans. You are the definition of a class act. The Georgia fans earned a spot at the top of my list of the best I’ve ever seen visit Stillwater. You were the only visitors that I would put in a category with the Texas A&M fans who I have always felt were in a category by themselves. I hope that other than the outcome of the game, you enjoyed Stillwater and our new stadium.
Second, the Georgia football team, it’s coaches and support personel represeted your school in a manner that many others around the country should try to mirror. Of course there was plenty of trash talking on the field, but it stopped there. Although this was the most physical, hard hitting game that fans in Stillwater are likely to see this year, it was also probably the cleanest we’ll see, no dirty tactics, just tough, physical play.
As for OSU’s play, the offense did what was expected, it sputtered and coughed most of the game just as it has in early season games since Mike Gundy and his staff took over.
What was probably more shocking to OSU fans than it was even to Georgia fans was the Cowboy defense. After Georgia’s first drive, it seemed to everyone wearing orange that nothing had changed from last year other than the defensive coordinator’s name. From that point on however, nothing about the way OSU’s defense performed remotely resembled what we have become accustomed to seeing.
Georgia’s offense, like OSU’s will improve over the course of the season and will simply wear most defenses out. Cox will grow into a very good QB. He’s tough, athletic, intellegent, showed great poise and took care of the ball. All three of the Dawgs turnovers were forced, not bad plays by the offense.
Finally, I just want to again say thanks to all of the Georgia fans that made the trip, you guys are a great example for college fans everywhere.
We would love to have you come back to Stillwater sometime.
Good luck this season, I hope you win ‘em all from here on out.