Would Gundy rant again? Will Caleb make trip?
Athens — Mike Gundy is quick to discount the notion that Georgia’s running game is uncertain.
“When we played down there last time,” the Oklahoma State coach said by phone Friday, referring to the Cowboys’ 2007 trip to Athens, “they were talking about difficulty in the running game and that they didn’t know who was going to carry the ball. And that was the first run-in we had with Knowshon Moreno. So we’re not really buying that Georgia is doing this rebuilding.”
When the Bulldogs open the season at Oklahoma State next Saturday, they will have a new starter at tailback — sophomore Richard Samuel.
“They say they have a back there that is better than the King kid,” Gundy said, referring to the injured Georgia tailback Caleb King. “I saw the King kid play in high school, so [if Samuel is better] that concerns me somewhat.”
Moreno, the 12th pick of this year’s NFL draft, made his college debut in Georgia’s 2007 victory over Oklahoma State with 70 yards rushing and 51 yards receiving.
Gundy spoke with Georgia reporters on a conference call Friday, eight days before the Bulldogs and Cowboys meet in Stillwater.
Among the topics that came up, of course: the famous YouTube video of Gundy’s tirade against an Oklahoma newspaper columnist.
“Certainly, I’m still baffled by [it] having over 2 million hits in the first 10 days or so,” Gundy said. “It still blows my mind something grabbed that much attention, but I guess in a technology- and media-sensitive world we’re in now, everybody is looking for information.”
Gundy said the rant, which came after a game two years ago, has had one unintended benefit: “It’s helped us in recruiting in a big way.”
It’s often one of the first things recruits’ parents, guardians and high school coaches bring up, he said.
Gundy said he would repeat the rant under the same circumstances.
“If I had it to do all over again, I would not have changed anything I did,” he said. “I felt we had a player that was treated unfairly, and it was my responsibility as the head coach to stand up for that player. I have three sons of my own, and if they ever went and played ball or did anything with their career and there was someone responsible for them [who] didn’t try to stand up for them, it would disappoint me as a parent.
“It has become somewhat laughable,” he said of the attention the rant received. “I have a 7-year-old son who can recite it word-for-word. He was at baseball practice this summer, 7-year-olds, and I heard him in the outfield [borrowing from the tirade by] telling one of his buddies, ‘You guys hitting makes me want to puke.’ I said, ‘Look, back off on that.’ Anyway, it has gotten blown out of proportion, but that is how it is.”
Another topic Gundy discussed on the conference call: his team’s defense, which last year allowed 406 yards per game.
“I think that we’re better,” he said. “We are bringing in players that are faster and more athletic, so our defense will continue to get better. I think we’re better; I don’t think there is any question. How much better, I don’t know. We’ll find out. We’ve got a tough test in the first game. Coach Young [new defensive coordinator Bill Young] has come in and done a nice job with the scheme. He has jelled with the three other coaches on that side of the ball.”
—————
Postscript: A few things from Friday’s UGA practice. . . .
– Caleb King remains sidelined with the hamstring injury he suffered Aug. 12, and there now is a question about whether he will make the trip to Stillwater for the opener.
“We’re not taking anybody on the plane unless we think they can play that game and help us win,” coach Mark Richt said. “If we don’t think he has any chance of playing, he won’t go. If we think he’s got a chance of playing, he’ll be on the plane.”
Richt and offensive coordinator Mike Bobo said they hope King will be able to practice Monday, although Richt noted: “Hamstrings are just funny things. . . . We’re hopeful that he’s ready to practice early next week, but I don’t know how he’s going to feel.”
Said Bobo: “It’s hard to prepare for him in the game plan when he’s not practicing, so hopefully he can get out there and practice Monday.”
If King isn’t available for the opener, Richt said walk-on Kalvin Daniels would be the No. 3 tailback behind starter Samuel and No. 2 Carlton Thomas. That puts Daniels, for now, ahead of highly touted freshman Washaun Ealey.
“I talked to Washaun today about: Keep competing,” Richt said. “Because three games down the road, you might be starting in this league, so you got to keep pushing, keep going. Sometimes kids will look at that depth chart and say, ‘My gosh, there is no chance.’ But two weeks later, you might be ‘it’ or at least be getting every other rep in practice. I just wanted to help remind him and all the young guys not to count yourself out, because things can change in a hurry. I don’t want them to lose the competitive edge.”
Richt said Ealey isn’t slated to play on special teams in the opener.
– Bobo seems to like the variety of the 6-2, 224-pound Samuel and the 5-7, 180-pound Thomas at tailback.
“You look at a lot of good teams across the country — college and pro levels — and a lot of them have two backs,” Bobo said. “One’s a changeup guy, and the other’s a powerful move-the-chains guy. I think it’s a great asset to have those two guys who are a little bit different.”
– Offensive lineman Chris Davis missed practice Friday with a sprained ankle. Richt said he expects Davis back at practice Monday. “We think he’ll be ready” for the opener, Richt said.
Davis, the No. 1 left guard, had been working at center recently because Ben Jones, the starting center, also is out with a sprained ankle. Kevin Perez worked at No. 1 center Friday.
Richt said he still expects Jones to return to practice early next week and to play at Oklahoma State.
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112 comments Add your comment
Blindog
August 28th, 2009
2:09 pm
FIRST, now I promise to never do that again
CMR
August 28th, 2009
2:11 pm
We are going to DESTROY the pokes come Sept 5th!!
Blindog
August 28th, 2009
2:14 pm
I really think our offence will have a great day,it’s up to the defence to do what an SEC defence should do and shut them down!! GO DAWGS!!
Paul
August 28th, 2009
2:21 pm
Three quotes? Was Gundy in a hurry?
Saint Simons
August 28th, 2009
2:36 pm
OSU 48 – UGA 3
Saint Simons
August 28th, 2009
2:37 pm
I make myself want to puke. hahahahahaha!!!!!! By the way, I am gay!!
m
August 28th, 2009
2:38 pm
Hey SS, are you coming to the tickle pile party tomorrow in midtown?
reservoirDAWG
August 28th, 2009
2:39 pm
I’m a man, I’m 40!
Ga. Boy
August 28th, 2009
2:47 pm
YEA WE ARE REBUILDING….. SEE YA SOON!!!!
Villa Rica DAWG
August 28th, 2009
3:02 pm
I’m nervous about this first game. However, I can totally see us dominating them in true SEC fashion. I just hope that if that happens everyone doesn’t think to themselves, “Hey! We just beat OK State so we’re one of the best teams in the country.” Then I can see us getting knocked off by one of our SEC opponents…
Art Vandalay
August 28th, 2009
3:06 pm
Gundy, you should be concerned about Samuel, very concerned! It’s time for a big ol’ can of Red & Black Whoop Ass to be opened in T. Doomed Pickass stadium! GOOOOOOO DAWGS!!!!
JaxDawg
August 28th, 2009
3:10 pm
I’m just curious to see how the talking heads will treat a UGA victory in this game.
Will it be:
“Well, clearly OSU was overrated to get beat by UGA”
OR
“UGA was impressive, beating a very good team on the road in OSU”
Unfortunately I think it will be more that OSU is overrated than the Dawgs are a good team that beat another good team in their own backyard.
GeoffDawg
August 28th, 2009
3:12 pm
Saint Simons is a man! He’s 40! And he still lives with his mom!
Be-little, BeBOLD
August 28th, 2009
3:13 pm
Dawg poop all over the field after OSU finishes off you bow-wows!
RAMBLE ON!!!
August 28th, 2009
3:22 pm
I am g@yer than Saint Simons.
Paul H
August 28th, 2009
3:29 pm
I’m not sure I would be proud of my 7 year old seeing me act that way. I agree that a head coach should stand up for his player, but there are better ways to do it.
Paul H
August 28th, 2009
3:29 pm
UGA 35, OSU 28.
Saint Simons Tech Buddy
August 28th, 2009
3:29 pm
OSU 45 – UGAy 42
Paul H
August 28th, 2009
3:30 pm
Hey look everyone, Saint Simons has a “friend.” That’s cute.
Paul H's "Really Close Friend"
August 28th, 2009
3:32 pm
OSU 45 – UGAy 42
Good Luck, really. I mean it.....
August 28th, 2009
3:40 pm
I’m actually kind of jealous that UGA is opening with OK St. I think a big game like that sets the tone for the season and builds confidence. I liked it when Tech would open with a tough game, like the Notre Dame game a few years back (though Notre Dame didn’t put up much a fight) or when Tech played in those Kick-off Classics, I remember us getting whipped by Penn St. the first game after the 1990 NC season. Tech would also open with decent oppenents like Syracuse, BYU, Arizona, but lately its been 1-AA creampuffs the last few years.
tom
August 28th, 2009
3:43 pm
breaking news: another armed robbery on the tech campus.
stoopid
August 28th, 2009
3:45 pm
Jaxdawg,
I would think it depends on how we play in the victory to see how they portray us. If we look head and shoulders above the pokes then we will be the “impressive” team. If we just scoot by, and play sloppyass football and squeak out a win, then more than likely the Pokes are just “overrated” Im hoping for option A myself!! Cmon 9/5!!!!!!!!!
stoopid
August 28th, 2009
3:49 pm
I mean for god sakes, we won the 1st three games last year and fell in the standings after each victory. What?
collegeballfan
August 28th, 2009
3:54 pm
I am saying UGA is in for a tough afternoon against OSU. First game,
on the road and a lot of guys handling the ball in their first game.
Talent wise UGA should win hands down, no contest. But all the intangibles…….?
Fred
August 28th, 2009
4:05 pm
It’s going to be a shootout in Stillwater. I like our offense better and ga’s defense has us. I think we pull it off by 7. The inexperience of a new qb will show up in a big first road game. Only 8 days til the big game! It’s going to be fun!
Huck
August 28th, 2009
4:18 pm
Dawgs 42 Cowpokes 17 No contest….
Rashad Jones
August 28th, 2009
4:23 pm
bump
Saint Simons
August 28th, 2009
4:24 pm
Hey “m”…why don’t you and I get together somewhere and have our own little private “tickle” pile party…..I’ll do the tickling….
MoWreck
August 28th, 2009
4:25 pm
Blindog, you need to learn to spell better in your bulldog blogs. Its offense and defense, not offence and defence. Where you go to school?
PTC DAWG
August 28th, 2009
4:26 pm
I’ll take UGA and 45….to the person predicting that, name your price.
Burdell
August 28th, 2009
4:36 pm
JaxDawg–
It will be the first scenario. Because, contrary to redneck belief, the rest of the country really doesn’t give a flip about the Bulldogs…maybe in the Southeast…but that’s it.
OrangeCowboy
August 28th, 2009
4:37 pm
“Three quotes? Was Gundy in a hurry?” It says “a few quick highlights” and “more later”. Wouldn’t that indicate that there was more than three quotes? What do want, bulletin board material? Not going to happen. Trust me, Gundy is plenty respectful of the Dawgs as are all us fans.
Mick
August 28th, 2009
4:44 pm
Turnovers will decide the outcome. And with ga having so many first time starters handling the ball and OSU not, I see that being the deciding factor.
OSU 38
Ga 30
Gundy: Series with UGA helped Oklahoma State in Georgia | AJC College Sports Recruiting
August 28th, 2009
4:47 pm
[...] with reporters a little after lunch. Of course, my queries were all about recruiting while colleague Tim Tucker grilled him on the Cowboys’ high-octane offense and low-octane defense and other such [...]
Oledawg
August 28th, 2009
4:48 pm
Well, there goes “The Surprise”. Sounds like Gundy has his head on right for playing the Dawgs. Look out for a bunch of Kamikazis proving their loyalty to a coach that takes up for them. If the Dawgs don’t get’em by halftime we will be in for a wild day. You can break that visceral spirit by halftime where they are too caught up in what to do instead of when to do it. If they have half a chance at halftime, they will play on guts alone for ole’ Gundy and T Boone.
Fred, perhaps you should dream of something other than; 1. An “inexperienced” 5th yr senior and 2.”road game”. You should review our road record (and while you are at it count bowl games) to get a better view of your statement. Think of the “inexperienced” qb as a “Mini-Me” Richt on the field. This kid may know more than your OC and with that comes confidence and aplomb. We have more knowledge to defend vs. your qb than you do ours.
OrangeCowboy
August 28th, 2009
4:57 pm
JaxDog-Along the same lines, if (notice I said IF) OSU were to win, do you think the UGA fans will give OSU credit for being good or do you think they will blame the coaches, say UGA had a bad day, needs a new QB, etc?
Gundy Rant
August 28th, 2009
4:58 pm
I am surprised that this reporter got an interview at all….Gundy, staff and players are not talking to the media till Aug 31.
Oledawg
August 28th, 2009
4:59 pm
Orange Cowboy- It’s statements like yours that worry us most. Your fans and Gundy viewing us the way youall have stated it here means you are serious and focused. That’s dangerous to us. It means that you aren’t looking at the hype and playing us thru rose-colored glasses. Stay around and let’s talk football.
Fred
August 28th, 2009
5:01 pm
Review your road record? When have you ever gone on the road outside the sec until last year?
Yes you’re correct. There’s no need to worry about putting in an unproven first time starter. And replacing Moreno will be easy. That guy saved you in many games last year when you needed it. Yes Im sure Cox won’t be nervous at all and all his passes will be just like a 3rd year starter.
As for bowl games. Who have you played recently? A bad Michigan state team? Hawaii? Come on. Yes Im sure this “kid” knows more than our Coach. Now that is rich. Yes you know it all. UGA has the best players coordinators in the country. They should just not even play and give them the win. Gee let’s see. I would rather play against a team that has a starting qb that is all big 12 or play against one that hasn’t played in a complete game his career. Wow that is a tough one.
Fred
August 28th, 2009
5:09 pm
Orange
We have plenty to respect. They whipped us 2 years ago on their turf.
swimdawg68
August 28th, 2009
5:14 pm
OSU does not experience the kind of speed on defense they will see on Sept 5. We have some guys on that d-line that are not only big but they are quick, many of those guys were hurt last year for most of the season.
Our OL has been rated as one of the top 5 in the country. From tackle to tackle we average over 300 lbs. We have too many offensive weapons to describe. The OL will open some big holes for our backs and when the put 8 in the box Cox will hit Green, or any one of our talented receivers. I want to see them try to double cover Green and put single coverage on Moore, Brown or our big tight ends.
I predict a 2 touchdown win by UGA. Games are won and lost on the line of scrimage and we will dominate on both sides of the ball. Wait until they get a look at Trinton Sturdivant our LT. (6-5 and 306)Not only is he big he is extremely quick off the line and very strong.
Cuz
August 28th, 2009
5:15 pm
OrangeCowboy, if OSU wins, I will be one of the first to congratulate your team. I did it with Tech last year, it is called sportsmanship and I am a fifty year old MAN( sorry could not help myself even Gundy admits it is funny) that believes in sportsmanship.
Oledawg
August 28th, 2009
5:19 pm
JaxDawg speaks straight to the matter. The media and some naysayers won’t find anything good in it for the Dawgs or the Cowboys. They don’t like Richt (too Godly for this game) nor Gundy (”who does he think he is to criticize a “Journalist”?”). So neither coach will come out with accolades from this game. If your three “stars” don’t all do well then they will say that you were overhyped. If ours don’t , it means that the Dawgs are in media jeopardy of losing all our games. The only winners will be the teams and fans in witnessing a good game between two good teams to start the year. Conjecture afterwards is left to those wiser Monday Morning QBs who don’t know diddly-squat until a game is over. These selfsame naysayers can’t find their ass with both hands and a search warrant in Georgia or Oklahoma. Screw them! Let’s play football.
Dawg85
August 28th, 2009
5:31 pm
I think the Dawgs will be fine despite the lost of Stafford and Moreno. The defense should be much better and I think the offense is going to surprise people. Tough schedule but these Dawgs will be dangerous. BTW– i for one loved Gundy’s tirade a couple of years ago. He was defending one of his players against a stupid and insulting reporter. If you can dish it out you better be able to take it.
Dawghater
August 28th, 2009
5:31 pm
Answer – OSU, Univ of FL and GT.
Question – name at least 3 UGA beatdowns during the 2009 season!
PAT
August 28th, 2009
5:36 pm
Swimdog. Are you kidding? . Yes there is no speed on defense on any team except for sec schools. Those silly other conferences are all slow tiny guys. GIVE US A BREAK. It’s even funnier that you write that considering the defense ga played last year. That speed sure was a factor in giving up 38 or more points 5 times.
BixbyPoke
August 28th, 2009
5:38 pm
I don’t buy that Georgia is rebuilding either. They just suck. Pokes by 20.
The Truth
August 28th, 2009
5:40 pm
Man, I am ready for college football…how ’bout them Dawgs! I think CMR has been playing his cards “close to the vest” and we’ll surprise a lot of folks. Even my ole nemesis CWM will have our defense playing faster and better. Watch out for Orson Charles and Carlton Thomas to be game changers. And Joe Cox will be as steady as Buck Belue. Bring on the Cowboys….whoaaaaaa!!!! (Guess it’s probably time for my meds.)
Oledawg
August 28th, 2009
5:41 pm
“Whooaa up!” there, Fred. We weren’t speaking of the most nervous qb to hit the field. Personally, I hope Cox takes a dump and blows chunks before the game so he is riding only on adrenaline. I did put the words in quotes that you used(albeit it was my quotes) or implied and asked you to take a look. Guess you didn’t. I thought you guys were big on that “going to a gunfight with a knife” business. We don’t think we are beyond a lot of factors that will delineate our teams from each other, but we ain’t going to show up with our johnson in our hand. Ok St has enough talent that you don’t have to factor in inexperienced personnel or road games being a factor with this Georgia. Next it will be crowd noise. Oops! You can’t use that one either, can you?
Preston
August 28th, 2009
5:56 pm
Yeah right Burdell, that’s why we get talent from all over the country to come play for us. Most recently, a certain RB by the name of Moreno and a QB named Stafford. But nobody else cares or pays attention to UGA football. What a moronic statement.
Oledawg
August 28th, 2009
6:13 pm
Now I know yall haven’t had much rain, but I hope some of your little heads didn’t shrivel up more. That would put your hat brims down around your butts. That would leave you with a short nose and chin in front and a surprised look in the back. Otherwise you would be talking thru your hat. Fred, you sound like the latter. Perhaps your qb’s experience hasn’t put him on the “good experience” side of things. That “losing experience” your qb has would only be good for us, wouldn’t it?
Orange Cowboy- you come on our blog peacefully and seems to me you have good football remarks to make. Welcome and hope to hear more. Right now your team is much more interesting than “Chokelahoma” who seems to get all the media butter and cream just to waste it in a big bowl game that the media and ESPN put them into. It makes you look like the A&M of Oklahoma.
PAT
August 28th, 2009
6:14 pm
He’s right preston. no one outside of the south gives a crap about uga. just like you don’t give a crap about the pac 10, big 10, big 12 etc? it’s pretty simple. giving the name of two players who went to your school doesn’t make his point valid.
Midland Dog
August 28th, 2009
6:15 pm
I liked Gundy’s rant, also. He showed spirit and stuck up for his kids. I think we’re in for a good game.
Jealous
August 28th, 2009
6:16 pm
Ahjhh, is little Burdell jealous his yellow fuzzies aren’t national? I’m sowwy little baby. I guess the rest of the country is in to that “redneck” thing. You are the dumbest moron on this blog for posting such an idiotic comment. Denial is not vey becoming.
Mike
August 28th, 2009
6:18 pm
Looking forward to next weekend also. This game and VT/Bama. What a great start to the season. I think GA OSU could go to OT with a very high scoring affair. Bama beats VT in a close low scoring one.
Cuz
August 28th, 2009
6:20 pm
All I know is that when I was in Minnesota early this month everyone I met could tell that I had a Georgia hat and not a Green Bay cap. Just a G on the cap. Their comment. You guys play some ball in that SEC dontcha know. I would reply, in their language, Yah you betcha.
Jealous
August 28th, 2009
6:20 pm
PAT (he or she?)
Those were 2 BIG time players now plying their trade in the NFL and making millions. It most certainly makes the point valid. If noone gave a crap about UGA they wouldn’t want to play for the Dawgs and there would be no pre-season rankings, or mid-season ones for that matter. Stick to your chuckling SNL skits, OK?
Oledawg
August 28th, 2009
6:34 pm
Gundy and Richt are smart enough to control the game on both sides of the ball. Other than the initial sets of downs (trying to surprise each other), I’ll be surprised if the first half isn’t pretty much of a control yawner to let them settle the butterflies. It won’t stay that way second half. I give the edge to UGA on the basis of experienced substitution in the second half. They avoid “the wall” and tighten down the ball control after taking the lead. This game could be decided by kickers. Fred, you should be looking up all the great kicking stats we had last year.
Sad Richards
August 28th, 2009
6:40 pm
Enter your comments here
Sad Richards
August 28th, 2009
6:42 pm
You reckon Jeff Owens is having himself a big cheeseburger right about now?
OrangeCowboy
August 28th, 2009
6:50 pm
Oledog- OSU fans have been focused on this one since about 5 minutes after the Holiday Bowl ended. The team/coaches have been focused on it all thru spring ball and summer. One reason is I think they are tired of everybody saying we can’t beat the “big guys”. A win over UGA would help shut that up and set the tone for the season. No question, biggest and most-anticipated opener ever for us.
Oledawg
August 28th, 2009
6:56 pm
UGAVII is a great mascot most of the time, but we do have a problem with him leg-humping anything with chaps. Don’t get me wrong ’cause he cleans himself, but your chaps and armadillo boots look like someone has spit honkers all over them. And don’t run near him with a football in your hand. His grandfather almost made an Auburn player pay the family jewels price. Nope, you just can’t trust those Bulldogs.
OrangeCowboy
August 28th, 2009
6:56 pm
Swimdog-sturdivant is a stud, but our LT, Okung is also 6-5, 305 and is projected as a top 15 NFL draft pick. So, it’s not like we haven’t seen big, strong, good o-linemen.
okay idiots, listen up
August 28th, 2009
7:29 pm
Ok State 07, Ok St 09, no difference. Dawgs will rule. Get ready Jackets, 8 of 9 is coming soon.
Virginia Cowboy
August 28th, 2009
7:33 pm
I love the banter from both sides but I do find it amazing how little respect the Dawg fans give the Big 12. The comment from Swimdawg68 about Georgia dominating on both sides of the line proves the point. Do you really think that O-State and other Big 12 teams score as many points as they do because their offensive lines suck? Also, if you think that Oklahoma and Texas don’t have some big ole boys on their defensive lines that are fast you’re not thinking straight. Both the SEC and Big 12 have powerful teams crawling with great players. Discounting a team or a conference because they are not SEC will end up biting you in the butt! This will be a great game. The Cowboys win by a field goal, 31-28. Go Pokes!
82dawg
August 28th, 2009
7:36 pm
OrangeCowboy, my project team is in Tulsa, half of them are OSU grads and I tried hard to get SOMETHING in the form of smack out of them last week and I got nothing. There is as much interest in this game in Oklahoma as there is in a Braves – Nationals game in Atlanta. You might have been on this one since about 5 minutes after the Holiday Bowl ended, but most OSU people don’t really care one way or another.
As for the game, our defense s*cks and couldn’t stop the Sisters of The Poor if they had to go 95 yards in under a minute. Awesome raw talent on defense, but Soft Willie doesn’t know what to do with it.
Virginia Cowboy
August 28th, 2009
7:46 pm
82dawg- Most OSU fans are careful with our trash talk, especially when it comes to football. We don’t talk a bunch because we don’t have a history of being that good. Hopefully we will win enough going forward to develop a vocabulary of random smack to a level that may rival the top tier SEC teams! One can only hope!
mike on lake hartwell
August 28th, 2009
7:50 pm
i believe i’ll take uga pluthe six, considering their unbelievable road record.
uga won 10 games b4 stafford and moreno and they will do it after.
suckers.
mike on lake hartwell
August 28th, 2009
7:51 pm
Enter your comments here
plus
Oledawg
August 28th, 2009
8:27 pm
Sorry, Va Cowboy. Stuck in ACC country,eh. VT will be the team worth following. Beamer always has them contending, just like the Dawgs and the Longhorns. Good luck to them in Atl, but know VT lost their best running back. The Big 12 is the only contending Conference(not team) for the NC besides the SEC. Since the last 3 NCs are from the SEC and UGA plays them regularly and have beaten the reigning NC for the last 2 yrs (we intend to make it 3), we do sorta’ think we have tougher competition. We don’t have brain farts so regularly that we don’t notice the top of the recruiting heap is from the SEC AND Big 12. It doesn’t mean that crap doesn’t happen(i.e.;TT&Tex,Ole Miss& FU) but it does mean we are playing NCs,NC contenders and top 10 teams weekend after weekend plus a few damn nasty teams in between. We don’t throw the ball as much as yall, but there are fair passers among these teams. We all kinda imagine a little more toughness and football glory with our running game, but that is not necessarily true. We feel that our offenses(SEC) are balanced so as to enhance each part . All Big 12 teams don’t sling it like TT, but their play kind of forces you to live and die more by the pass. As a famous college coach said once,”When you throw the ball three things can happen, but two of them are bad.”. We prefer to lower the odds and run it as well. In the SEC you will find more speed players on D than O. You can pass it all you want, but those players are there to keep the two bad things for you happening in our favor if any team thinks they want to live by the air. Our players have been acting up the last few years and think they can beat any team because they can. That doesn’t mean that Okie St plays inferior teams or even pussies like some say. Nope, just trying to explain the SEC/UGA thing that some of you have questions about.
GO DAWGS!!!
Mister T
August 28th, 2009
8:33 pm
OK, if you recognize me at all you know I don’t post here often. I am a Tech fan after all. But I have to say guys that uga seems to be just as obsessed with Tech now as Tech fans have been with uga. It appears that the earliest Tech posts are really posers…uga fans posing as Tech fans. Aside from being immature, they also show a level of concern that I didn’t exist among uga fans.
uga should never be in a rebuilding mode considering the load of talent that they bring in every year. The OkSt coach is right in pointing out how noone really knew knoshaun when they came to Athens in 07, and then they were introduced. It could be someone else this year. Who knows?
I still find the obsession with Tech to be intriguing especially since it was obvious that none of the early poser Tech posts were real. Tech be came the talking point. Interesting.
Good luck to the dogs…no not really, but do stay healthy. Certainly don’t wantto see anyone hurt on either side.
Oh Yeah,
THWg!
chazzo
August 28th, 2009
8:35 pm
Wow. Gundy is an idiot with pointy hair. Take him out, dawgs.
Oledawg
August 28th, 2009
9:03 pm
Don’t yall mind those claims about big players at UGA. They actually are small compared to others we have had. A few years ago we had a guy so big the players dubbed him “Sun Blocker”. Must have been the way he smeared himself all over the guys he blocked. Maybe not. It’s the little 6′ 220 lb guy with the great motor that gets your butt. Did I mention that speed on our lines is a premium moreso than bulk? Bulk has its place also when you have our 330 pounder who can run the 40 in 4.6 secs.(Just checking to see if you are paying attention.)
We as a group of fans do not seriously belabor other fans and teams. Unfortunately someone comes on professing to be a Dawg fan and says something naive, but most UGA fans are more knowledgeable than I will ever be and are sensitive to your little hearts. But some of them are butt ugly and mean. I’m not mean, but my smallest ferrier son is. He and his Montana buddies set snares with net falls to catch elk. Then they get a cowboy they don’t like and tie him across the horns and turn’er lose. He tells me that most of’em come up from Oklahoma.
Life coach
August 28th, 2009
9:33 pm
Oak state; watch out for the ThuGAs. You have the horses to win and I’ll be pulling for in the big THUGA beatdown.
superDawg
August 28th, 2009
10:25 pm
NUFF SAID!!
superDawg
August 28th, 2009
10:26 pm
Get after that you know what!
truth
August 28th, 2009
10:28 pm
ACC 6-4 vs sec 2008 season
superDawg
August 28th, 2009
10:32 pm
Old Dawg I enjoyed that.HUNKERDOWN!
superDawg
August 28th, 2009
10:33 pm
MACRO YOU DON’T KNOW THE TRUTH.
Coach Gundy
August 28th, 2009
11:12 pm
I’M A MAN!!! Dawgs will hang 40!
OSU-Cowboy
August 28th, 2009
11:26 pm
You dawgs have the misfortune of having whipped us like rented mules in 2007.
“Misfortune?” you ask.
This is a VERY different squad now. I am hoping that your player assume they’ll get the same fight from us that they got in 2007. Your arrogance may well be your undoing.
We’ve been waiting for this for 2 years, and we will be ready with attitude, in our house. Y’all come on by, ya hear?
Beware of the junkyard dawg
August 29th, 2009
1:58 am
Hey gundy, Better have my dounuts!!!
Mobile Dawg
August 29th, 2009
3:48 am
Pokes, this Dawg team properly prepared and hungry will be formidable and can play with anyone in the country. It’s full of atheletes and playmakers top to bottom that should have something to prove.
That said, no serious Dawg will be taking you for anything other than a top 10 team, i.e. the insomnia tonight. Our problem, at least mine is that I don’t know who will show up. I’m sure if we show up anyway other than 100% ready it will be a long trip back to Athens.
That said, I have complete confidence Cox will become the leader that this team has so sorely needed. Fear a line up full of solid players top to bottom with a common purpose, rather than one with a couple of stars studding. UGA is due. If we show up look for all you can handle and more. I hope it’s a great game, start to finish, that’s what college football is about.
heeldawg
August 29th, 2009
5:33 am
Good to see so many OSU fans here. Interesting discussion on the upcoming tilt in Stillwater.
The way I see it, both teams have something to prove. Georgia, the underdog (officially, now; the line came out this week at OSU -6.5) want to prove there is life in the Georgia program after Stafford and Moreno. OSU wants to show it can win a big game against a big-time opponent.
OSU has the decided edge in studs on offense–Robinson and Bryant and Okung et al are all players. And I think Georgia has the edge on defense (by about 100 ypg last season, with what many at Georgia consider a subpar defensive year).
OSU will come out fired up, and will likely use several trick plays and other gimmicks early (reverse pass with Bryant, flea flicker, etc) to try to gain the psychological upper hand. Georgia will come out on offense and just try to chug methodically up the field, letting their defense set the tone for them.
If the trick plays work and OSU gets an early lead, the crowd will stay into it and the nose will tighten a bit for the Dawgs. If Georgia gets an effective pass rush and keeps Robinson out of his comfort zone, the ‘Pokes could be looking at an early deficit that could bring back memories of 2007. If OSU starts to look out of synch, a “here we go again” mentality could take root among the players and fans. That could be devastating to a team just learning how to deal with success again after a long period of irrelevance.
Given Richt’s road record and season opener history, and given that Georgia’s defensive line will likely be the best OSU has seen since they lost to Georgia in 2007, I look for the Dawgs to shut down the Cowboys’ running game and harass Robinson with stunts and defensive misalignments so that the offense never gets completely on track. Richard Samuel and Carlton Thomas both have big days, as does AJ Green (the “other” great receiver on the field, who is getting little PR at this stage in the game). Georgia strikes early, leads by 10 at halftime, and cruises to a 7-10 point victory as the OSU defense settles down a bit in the second half. Final score? Oh, something like 31-24.
Steve Spurrier
August 29th, 2009
6:02 am
Soften ‘em up, Gundy.
Big time?? Not
August 29th, 2009
6:35 am
Four tickets, four hot dogs, four cokes
gatorhater
August 29th, 2009
7:18 am
heeldawg. I agree with you. The start of the game is crucial and will go a long way in determining the winner. If we come out and establish the runnig game and shut their O down early, I think we can grind out a win. And make no mistake it will be a fight! I think the teams are evenly matched and you can argue that they have better skill players. But top to bottom, I think our talent and depth will be the deciding factor. And no, OSU fans, Im not talking smack. Watch gameday or listen to the radio. All the experts agree that the SEC has the best talent. A lot of the bloggers here from OSU appear to take it personal when their talent level is questioned. 31-21 UGA. GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!
pokesfan
August 29th, 2009
8:34 am
Guess when we scored 41 against zero u last season at home, zero u’s defense wasnt good. PLEASE! OU, sorry mean zero u has a better defense than the puppies. So puppy fans keep believing that because the puppies play in the SEC that OSU wont know what to do against a SEC defense. Get a grip, the puppies are not stopping this offense on are own field, 42-21 OSU
Paddy
August 29th, 2009
9:44 am
I am already out of my meds and the games have not even started! Who do we play again on the 5th? Who cares, we win by 10. Where is that Dr’s damn phone number? Somebody please help me!
Instantclassic1
August 29th, 2009
9:47 am
OSU 37
UGA 20
OrangeCowboy
August 29th, 2009
9:47 am
Heeldawg- I agree with your assessment that OSU has the better offense and UGA the better defense. However, the 100 YPG is somewhat skewed by the fact we play in the Big 12, where the offenses are generally better than the SEC. Of course, the flip side of that is that our offensive numbers get skewed by the Big 12 defenses generally not being as good. So, maybe that’s a wash. I guess what this tells us is that defense still wins games since the SEC has had a decided edge in heads-up matches with the Big 12.
As for our game, I don’t think you will see “trick” plays to start. Because of the nature of OSU’s offense, maybe you tend to think they run a lot of trick plays, but they really don’t. One or two a game at most. No, I think OSU will come out and just run their regular offense, but maybe with a few new wrinkles that UGA hasn’t seen or been able to prepare for. I really think OSU will want to just come out and go head to head and see how they match up with UGA and let them know they aren’t intimidated. You come out running a bunch of trick plays, that tells the other team you don’t think you can match up with them heads-up.
All that said, I do agree with you that the start of the game is crucial. If UGA gets a 10-14 point lead, it could be very difficult for OSU to come back because your o-line will be able to grind on us at that point.
As for your pass rush getting to Robinson, he doesn’t get sacked much and he can be at his most dangerous when flushed out of the pocket. He can make things happen whether it’s dumping the ball off to a RB or taking off with it himself.
I don’t know that UGA’s d-line will be the best we’ve seen since playing you in 2007. Texas has some beasts on their d-line (Orakpo and others) and Kendall Hunter had 160 yards rushing on them at Austin last year. OU’s d-line is pretty good too. Gerald McCoy is an All-American. Remember, OU held UF to 25 points less than UGA did (I know, I know you had guys hurt last year). UF scored 24 points on OU, and OSU scored 41 points on OU last year. Bottom line, I’ll be really surprised if UGA shuts down OSU’s run game.
So what all this means is, I have no idea who is going to win this game! I just know I’ve been looking forward to it for a few months and we only have one week to go. I have my season ticket and will be in attendance. Should be one of the best non-conference games in the NCAA for the whole year.
Bensondawg
August 29th, 2009
9:56 am
Paddy, I feel your pain. None of my doctors will see me during football season. Even the “Nervous” hospital won’t take my calls. I think we play U Conn in Moscow, Idaho the first game. I can’t help you but somebody please help me!
Shards1967
August 29th, 2009
10:26 am
St Simons called asking if I had any razor blades, he needs to shave his legs to be ready for when shcool opens at tech. HAHAHAHAHAHA
How many top 10s at season’s end for Tech in 50 years???? 2?? 3? UGA??? maybe 20?
Saint Simons
August 29th, 2009
11:01 am
Somebody help me!
I went to Georgia Tech and have my head stuck up m’s arse.
Jim
August 29th, 2009
12:15 pm
St. Simions you are really confused. It’s not OSU 48 UGA 3, but it was LSU 38 Tech 3. Your day is coming in November so Ha-ha-ha while you can.
I hope to see pressure by our defense like Hawaii to shut down Ok State’s game plan.
Cox don’t have to throw the long ball to be successful, remember it only takes 10 yards to keep a drive going. What we don’t want is 3 and out then punt. For my money I’d just soon leave the punters and field goal kickers home and tell the O to suck it up because we are not punting or kicking field goals.
Cox has quality tallent to work with. People key on Samuel and Green, but don’t forget about Champus and Moore.
I would also use Thomas and King to return kicks.
Can’t hardly wait for kickoff this Sat.
George O'Leary
August 29th, 2009
12:17 pm
Where’s the scotch?
Gator Fan
August 29th, 2009
12:39 pm
As much as I don’t like Ga, I do hope they win this opener against the big 12. Since i rooted for them this game though, I am hoping they lose to GA Tech again. Simply for the fact of the humiliation of losing to an in state rival, and I live in Ga, so its always fun to bring that up.
Scott - OSU
August 29th, 2009
1:11 pm
I’m not saying that we will roll over Georgia’s defense, but to say its DL is heads and shoulders better than Texas’s or Oklahoma’s is a bit over the top. OU’s supposedly terrible defense held Florida to 24 points. We scored 41 on OU. We can and probably will score on Georgia. Our defense is what will decide the game. Can we check your offense at all? I know we will not win if we can’t force Georgia out of a power running game.
Beating us in 2007 is kind of irrelevant. OSU is a much better team today. And I agree that the SEC is the most talented conference in the country. But you don’t get to bring the entire SEC with you. Just Georgia’s talent (which is dang well enough!).
I think we win. Fans on either side predicting an easy win are being delusional.
gratefuldawghead
August 29th, 2009
2:53 pm
Fired up about opening in Stillwater great exposure for both teams.
HUNKER DOWN DAWGS!
BE#3
August 29th, 2009
3:36 pm
The difference between Georgia’s DL in comparison to say Texas or OU is the depth. Georgia will have a continuous rotation of linemen…..especially interior lineman. The real question on the DL is who is going to emerge at DE. Battle has looked good in practice. Dobbs stood out late last year even with his injuries. Washington could be the sack specialist that we saw in Howard in ‘07. Poor Kiante Tripp has been moved around so much but is an amazing athlete and is huge. He might be another guy that makes a name for himself this year!And then Houston might be the real deal coming back against Arkansas.
I think the biggest question going into next Saturday is the DE play. Not worried about Joe C., the RB’s or who JC will throw to. Not worried about the LB’s, DT’s, or DB’s. I want to see pressure and containment from the DE’s. Oh yeah, and to not see a kickoff go out of bounds at the 20!
BigDawgExpress
August 29th, 2009
4:00 pm
Say you’re referring to a team’s performance from the previous year.
This team plays in the SEC and faced Alabama, LSU, Auburn, Florida, Kentucky, Vandy, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Their out of conference games included Tech, Arizona State, and Michigan State.
Now consider that this team had 112 penalties, 35 of which yielded first downs. This team recovered only 5 fumbles ALL year, and had only 11 interceptions. On top of this there were numerous out of bounds kickoffs that gave the opponent the ball on the 40.
Oh, no need to mention the season ending injuries of several key starters.
Given these facts, what would you think this team’s record would be? I can’t imagine that many would think that a team like this would win 10 games. Well, we did!
This year’s version of the Georgia Bulldogs will be much different! There’s no way we’ll perform so badly in so many areas. Sure, we lost Stafford and Knowson but there’s a true team concept this year and everyone will contribute. I’m not saying we will beat Florida but I expect great things this year.
Now, bring on the ‘Pokes!
clmax311
August 29th, 2009
10:42 pm
Big XII offense vs Sec defense = Big Game and bragging rights. UGA has a lot to overcome being outside the hedge with new weapons on offense, but A.G. Green is the real deal and will help Cox and the Dawgs offense even things out if the running game with the fresh onset of distracting injuries can step up and be a factor.
The Game lies in if the Cowboys can spread the UGA defense and put a up 30 or more points. If they can it takes out the running game and puts tremendous pressure on Cox. Special teams will become a big factor at this point with a heavy favor for OSU shortening the field by 20 yrds per kick with top 5 punter and return team.
Athons has UGA offensive line at #3. OSU is not far behind at #7, so as stated early, it all falls down to which you would rather have a fast mediocre defensive line (OSU) or an unestablished offensive backfield in hostile territory. This game will be hard fought and will either resemble the OSU/Texas or UGA/Georgia Tech, with turnovers being a key focus for newly hired OSU Defensive Coach Bill Young and Georgia coach Mark Richt working on goal-line and short-yardage situations.
Personally, I see this as a potential hard fought classic that the Dawgs can use as a stepping stone to becoming what they should of been last year, if Joe Cox is able to step-in and perform like this is a mid-season game at home. But ultimately will have to give a big edge to the Cowboys due to the overwhelming pressure this team will have to face on the road with only practice snaps under their belt this early in the year.
OSU Cowboys 42 Georgia Bulldogs 28
DawgNation
August 30th, 2009
12:40 am
Clmax311,
I must admit that your post is one the more intelligent ones and in my opinion spot on. I do disagree with the final score however as I don’t think the final will be that far apart. I have no idea who will come out on top. That is the beauty of college football. Any given Saturday anyone can win. This isn’t 2007 and I haven’t seen either team take a snap so predicting a score would be silly. Can’t wait to see what I think will be a much tighter game than a lot of dog fans are hoping for.
drbasic1
August 30th, 2009
4:13 am
Hello everyone, I live in Texas and am a diehard Dawg. I have been studying on Ok st since spring. I can match up personnel from each sides OL and DL. Trying to be unbiased, on both size and speed and physical strength (i.e. squat , bench, etc…) both teams haves some hosses and studs, however the overall physicallity goes to Georgia. Lets face it, i don’t care how good the backs are, or the receivers, or the quarterbacks, with out the offensive line blocking and carrying out assignments, or the defensive line eluding blocks and pressuring the quarterback, the rest is meaningless. In other words, the game is decided in the trenches. Based on this, speed goes to the dawgs, strength to the dawgs, speed, virtually even, which only leaves execution. Based on all these factors, it would come to who executes the best. This is IMPOSSIBLE to predict, thus we look to the intangibles and special teams. Based SOLEY on last year (since all has been quiet on the kicking situation with the dawgs, and a new punter), special teams go to OK st. Also based on last year, the intangibles also go to state. These statistics mean about as much as the computer based calculations which determine the BCS standings, i.e. a bunch of crap!
From a humanistic standpoint I see it this way for what it is worth……..hometeam advantage goes to state, fan participation pretty much even as Ga will have a very large fan base at the game. CMR road record and opening day record, decisively goes to Ga. Prove to media and self life goes on after staff and moreno=(EVEN)=verse Okst to beat the “big boys”.
As most of you feel this will be a HIGH scoring affair, i strongly disagree. The state defense will have something to prove and step up, as will the Dawg defense, so i see a much lower scoring game than is expected by most.
Putting ALL of this together and here again watching OK st for some time now, I see a score more something like 21-17. Who wins you ask??? Flip a coin my friends, it will be close and could go either way. I tried in all my heart to say Ga wins in a shootout, but i just don’t see it either way. I would love to talk some smack as my heart tells me to do so, but the fact is, I can’t. I do believe the SEC is much more smashmouth football than the big 12 and i believe as CONFERENCE goes, the big 12 in no-way stacks up to the TYPE ball the SEC plays week in and week out, but you can bet the farm the NC game this year will between the SEC and the big 12. It will not be Ok st. Will it be the dawgs from the SEC??…my heart says of course, but then their lies this pesky gator thing……and it makes me cringe to say the ONLY time i will EVER cheer for the gators will be when they whip the longhorns butt in Jan. GO DAWGS>>>>>LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!!!!
Virginia Cowboy
August 30th, 2009
11:31 am
Enter your comments here
clmax311
August 30th, 2009
11:45 am
Thanks Dawg
Virginia Cowboy
August 30th, 2009
11:49 am
OleDawg-Thanks for the insightful explanation of the SEC attitude toward other conferences. I do believe you are spot-on and represent the more thoughtful among Dawg and SEC fans. I loved reading through this thread this morning and seeing all the very smart posts from both sides. I can’t wait to see the game and find out who is right.
I keep hearing GA and OSU fans asking for a blowout! Regardless of who wins a blowout will be bad for both teams. We want it to be a tight and well played game on both sides. If it’s a blowout it undermines the quality of the losing team and makes the win less valuable. A hard fought close game will ensure the winner gets tons of credit for beating a quality opponent and the losing team stays in the NC hunt. At least until we play OU in Norman and you guys play Florida.
As far as VT, I have to say that their fans may be worse than SEC fans. My daughter goes to VT but I have a hard time getting behind the team or the ACC. It’s pretty hard supporting a “Hokie”. Just don’t sound right, you know?
Also, for those Georgia Fan’s headed to Stillwater and looking for a watering hole don’t miss going to Eskimo Joes! During my college days I killed a lot of braincells in that place! (That may be evident in my writing skills) You can bet it will be rocking that weekend and Joe’s will be the place to be.
Blindhawg
August 30th, 2009
2:01 pm
You want the defence to look good,try a ball control offense.Defences always play better when well rested.
Mike T.
August 30th, 2009
9:36 pm
Jax St. 28 Tech 3
42-45 a fluke!
savannahdawg
September 1st, 2009
9:13 am
Good luck with that high school team GayTech fans. Maybe one day Tech can play a real non-conference schedule……..Those rings still shining? Bet they look real nice. Mayby you can get some new rings to remember winning the Jax St game!
Andrew Hall
September 1st, 2009
8:53 pm
Ok look here is what i think is going to happen. Joe Cox is no stafford but he will be accurate when is needed, a fifth year senior even without alot of experience knows how to make the big time throws. About our running game, our offensive line is very big and very talented i hope stacey searls is here for years to come. You will see a mix of speed and surprising power in richard samuel he will go for around 90-100 yards with 2 touchdowns. A.J. Green and marlon brown will be huge factors in the game considering the mediocre secondary of Ok state, we need over 150 yards combined between the two to be able to match the firepower of the OSU offense. On the defensive side of the ball i do believe that in the trenches Georgia has the upper hand,considering our defensive line combined tips the scales at over 1100 lbs. But our secondary has been spotty ever since Van Gorder departed. If the dawgs can stop the run and keep the passing game within reason,then we will pull through. I was thinking more along the lines of a 24-31 UGA by no means a smackdown! GO DAWGS