Bulldogs No. 64? ‘Just plain ridiculous’ ranking draws rebuttals

Thought you might get a kick out of reading a couple of rebuttals to the Orlando Sentinel’s ranking of Georgia’s football team as No. 64.

First, from Barrett Sallee of CollegeFootballNews.com:

A blog post in the Orlando Sentinel got the Georgia Bulldog fan base up in arms Tuesday –- and rightfully so.

In their College Football 2010 Countdown, the newspaper ranked the Georgia Bulldogs No. 64 … one spot behind Ole Miss and two spots behind Mississippi State. That puts them among the 25 worst BCS teams in the country.

Georgia is a bit of a mystery this season. They are breaking in a new quarterback, installing a new defensive scheme and replacing six starters on a defense that was dreadful last season. But ranking them at No. 64 is just plain ridiculous. A favorable schedule and an above average running game will get the Bulldogs into the top half of the SEC in 2010, which is a far cry from No. 64.

It’s a Florida-based paper, so the rivalry between Florida and Georgia probably plays into the low ranking a bit. But come on … if you’re going to poke the rival, at least make it believable.

And from Hays Carlyon of the Florida Times-Union:

Luckily for Georgia, the Bulldogs don’t compete in the SEC West.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, they’d finish dead last this coming season.

One of the most respected sports departments in our state has unveiled a bold (comical?) prediction.

In its countdown of ranking all 120 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision teams, the Georgia Bulldogs are the 64th-best team in the country heading into the season. That clicking sound you hear is Mark Richt frantically stapling the printout to any bulletin board he can find on campus. Word is he wallpapered the team’s locker room with it.

Now, we all like to make bold predictions, and no one knows for sure how any team’s season will play out. But Georgia 64th? Really?

There are only three SEC teams the Sentinel thinks will be worse than the Bulldogs (Vanderbilt, Tennessee and Kentucky).

To twist the insult knife further, according to the Sentinel, Georgia would be the ACC’s seventh-best team in its rankings. Uga VI is rolling over in his grave.

To rank that low, Georgia would almost have to be a 6-6 team. . . .

To me, it’s more likely Georgia goes 10-2 over 6-6. But that’s the only beauty of the preseason. No matter how wild the prediction, nobody is wrong yet.

Except the Sentinel.

Just 66 more days of silliness, by the way, until the season opener in Sanford Stadium.

243 comments Add your comment

HugoStiglitz

June 30th, 2010
10:39 am

There are going to be differing opinions on UGA. They are coming off a pretty poor season and have retooled the defense and are starting a freshman QB who hasnt looked very impressive in spring workouts. You could easily say that they they will struggle because of these facts or that they will thrive with a good running game. It just depends on who you ask. In reality all they have to do is run the ball well and cut down on the turnovers/penalties and they should be much better then 64.

Jag Dawg

June 30th, 2010
10:39 am

This sounds like something that idiot and FL grad Mike Bianci would write. I believe he is their lead columnist. He craps orange and blue.

Urban Meyer

June 30th, 2010
10:44 am

Why do you UGA fans always point to one article and claim it’s bad and yet cling to another as the Gospel? The simple fact is that UGA can not beat UF. Given the facts as we know them, what makes UGA fans so sure that switching to the 3-4 is going to be a smooth transition? UGA will go at best 9-3. They will still have to buy tickets to see the SEC Championship game.

JB

June 30th, 2010
10:51 am

Real Florida fans ( not the dregs on here) are keeping an eye on Georgia…..I watched the 2007
RICHT COACHED team beat up florida, so they know it can be done…..Willie and company gone is HUGE. Recruiting has intensified although we seem to struggle to get some of these guys to play to their potential. There is a since of urgency in Athens. Gator visitors on here don’t know that, they just know they hate us and own us, but I’ve talked to a lot of the players in the program, Cummings from Augusta, Vasser from Gainsville, and they all say their is a new sheriff in town ( Grantham) and spring ball was loud, intense, lot’s of hitting and teaching. Ignore the banter from Gators on here, they hate us and trust me, any sign we are getting our act together will not sit well with them…..Gotta prove it on the field though….GATA

JB

June 30th, 2010
10:53 am

that’s sense of urgency………and there, not their……need to proof read……

Paddy

June 30th, 2010
10:59 am

Cindy…..believe this blog is for everyone! Alas, even Gators are welcome here. Is this not a wonderful country!

Dawglasville

June 30th, 2010
11:02 am

I wish Florida would schedule Tech for their homecoming game every year. That might squash the love fest Techies have for the Gators. There are more Tech fans on the Gator blog bandwagon than there are at Grant Field. Maybe one day you can live your football lives through your team instead of Florida. Maybe you will beat us again and you can give it a try. OK unleash the Shreveport, ACC Champs, our coach does more with less hounds. Make sure you pepper in a few redneck jabs. Man I can’t wait until Sept.

gcs

June 30th, 2010
11:02 am

Gee, I wonder who the Orlando Sentinel will put in their top 5.
I am guessing it’ll look something like this:
1. Florida
2. Miami
3. FSU
4. South Florida
5. Florida A&M

.

How2fish

June 30th, 2010
11:04 am

Urban Meyer… 2007 and we are due to dance again this year…

Jawja Redneck

June 30th, 2010
11:07 am

At least we can beat Flarda in watermelon seed spittin contests!
yall come on up to Dublin and join in some good ole Jawja redneckin fun!!!

Hillbilly Dawg

June 30th, 2010
11:13 am

Yu stoopid Tek fans are krazie. We ar gonna aveng are lossis tu Tennasee, Kentukie, and Florada as shure as I am missin 10 teef. Dream team! Go Dawgs!!!

Time

June 30th, 2010
11:15 am

Maybe this completely farcical ranking from the Orlando Sentinel has more to do with the UF and Meyer than one would think. Maybe it’s their way of trying to get back in the good graces of Meyer and the program. Or maybe it’s their way of trying to motivate the Dawgs with bulletin board material so that they’ll beat Meyer and UF.

Has to be something. Because anyone with any amount of logical thinking and college football knowledge knows UGA won’t be the 64th best football team next year. Whether the Tech losers that spread their filth on this blog want to admit it or not, UGA is a bona-fide football factory that produces NFL players at as good a rate as anyone else.

Yep, they had a down year last year. The decision to go with Cox was flawed from the start, but understandable. He’d payed his dues and deserved the shot. But just to remind these little Tech insects infesting this place, in your BEST year you’ll have in a decade, and UGA’s worst year it’ll have in a decade…YOU STILL GOT BEAT. Wasn’t even close.

Jawja Redneck

June 30th, 2010
11:15 am

There’s the Hubcap Hurl, the Bobbin’ for Pig’s Feet Fest, and Redneck Horseshoes — in which toilet seats are the objects thrown. Each individual event has its own legion of fans, roster of popular competitors, and history filled with tradition. People still talk about the 12-year-old boy who played the Southern ode “Dixie” with his underarm and palm back in 2000, everyone recognizes that Melvin Davis is the Babe Ruth of Bobbin’ For Pigs’ Feet, and it’s common knowledge that the Games don’t begin until the Ceremonial Grill is lit. Like SEC football or hating Jeff Gordon, the Redneck Games, too, have become a favorite pastime for Southern sports fans.

HAHAHAHAHA!!!! PRICELESS!!!

Lowcountry Bulldawg

June 30th, 2010
11:19 am

How did this evolve into UGA vs. Florida? Hell its obvious Florida whips our arse. Jeez! Yeah this year “could” be different due to UF losing Tebow and UGA finally addressing the D, but again the same thing has been said since 1990. Until UGA goes out a dominates UF and strings together back to back wins UGA has to accept it for what it is.

Mike

June 30th, 2010
11:20 am

John Brantley, Florida’s untested QB, has never been tested against tough competition, in high school, or in a college game.

Sure, Brantley had a good game against Charleston Southern and Florida International, but the stiff immobile QB will be no match for the 3-4.

On ESPN recent poll, out of 15 choices, fans ranked Brantley last.

Just not very good.

Murray will outperform him this year.

Lowcountry Bulldawg

June 30th, 2010
11:23 am

Also, please UGA didnt look good in the SPRING! The SPRING! Spring is for repetition and building depth and simulated game exp. Do you really think CMR would throw out the play book to have the rest of the coaches have 5 months of film to pour over? Really! Really! Good grief some fans you just can’t make happy.

Scott

June 30th, 2010
11:26 am

Jeremy Fowler just trying to get back into Meyer’s good graces after the Meyer meltdown on video 4 months ago. Hope Meyer is feeling better, he didn’t look so good and healthy in this video where he told Fowler he’d go at it, if conditions were different.

Check out the video of Jeremy Fowler embarassing Meyer, who was embarrassed he was caught on video, Fowler got him good, 190,000 views:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgqQshESm8s

Ricky Bobby

June 30th, 2010
11:28 am

If you ain’t first, you’re last……..shake & bake! RTR

Rocky Topper

June 30th, 2010
11:31 am

I don’t agree with 64th at all. I think that ranking is much too high.

Jawja Redneck

June 30th, 2010
11:36 am

UGA has officially moved from second tier to third tier in the SEC!
Down areound Vandy and UK and UT!
Oh, what? UK and UT beat you last year? Wow, I was going to say luck for JAWJA there was Vandy and Uk, but I forgot about UK last year and your perennial beatdown by UT. Couple that with the Vandy flop a couple of years ago and what do you have???

LOSERVILLE!!!

Mike

June 30th, 2010
11:36 am

Brantley’s a frail guy, who got sacked a ton over Spring.

In October, I don’t see him making it through LSU, Alabama, Miss St. without an injury. He’s going to be sacked 15 times and hit 30 times hard in those 3 games, Florida gave up 30 sacks last year, and Tebow was MOBILE, Brantley’s a statue. I don’t think Georgia will even face Brantley, unfortunately, I’m pretty sure he’ll be on the bench with an injury on oct. 30.

Who’s Florida’s back up QB?

Dawglasville

June 30th, 2010
11:40 am

Jawja Redneck – Man up. What is your team, school, or place of origin? If you want to step in the arena be man enough to take the shots.

Scott

June 30th, 2010
11:41 am

I expect Murray to exceed what Stafford and Greene did in their 2nd year, he has more weapons around him.

They averaged around 57% accuracy, 18 td’s, 11 int’s.

I expect Murray to go 54% accuracy, 18 td’s, and 6 int’s.

Let’s put it this way, if Murray turns into an interception machine like Cox, he’ll be put on the bench, Gray or Mason will get the starting position and never let go, and Murray doesn’t want to sit on the bench with an offense as loaded as Georgia’s.

JaxDawg

June 30th, 2010
11:47 am

@CodyDawg – Mute point? Or, moot point? Doesn’t matter… Some interesting comments given on the Sentinel’s website in response to the ranking. Almost universal disgust and offense taken, and not only by UGA fans. Even UF folks were like, “Uhh, I hate UGA, but that’s absurd…”

How2fish

June 30th, 2010
11:47 am

Dawglasville I don’t think Jawja Redneck will declare he has all of the marking of a troll with a keyboard..

Dawglasville

June 30th, 2010
11:52 am

How2fish – Agreed.

FreddyT

June 30th, 2010
11:53 am

Would like to guess what University in FL has the only J-School. Hint: Gators

Dawg Tired

June 30th, 2010
11:53 am

Based upon the ranking, I’d be amazed is the guy writing the article can actually count to 64.

Reptiles Rule

June 30th, 2010
11:55 am

OK..let’s try this again…CONGRATS to the South Carolina Baseball National Champion Gamecocoks!!! You guys did the SEC proud! Great accomplishment coming back from losing the first game and never quitting on a dream. Go SEC!

Cindy Hendrix

June 30th, 2010
11:59 am

To typical Gator fan& Gator daddy I am very well aware that this is published by the Atlanta Journal I said so in what I wrote go back & read more closely before you respond!& I was not referring to you as I aslo stated again read more carefully! & by the way this particular article is about UGA Football & that was my response there are other articles on here as well!! & yes I do know how to start a private discussion about UGA!! by the way I,m not the omly UGA fan on here read on & pay attention we Dawg fans like to talk about UGA as much as UF does about the Gators! ut since this paper is publised in Atlanta you expect to find a lot of aticles about UGA & other sports teams!

Reptiles Rule

June 30th, 2010
12:01 pm

BTW…It doesn’t matter what the Orlando Slantinel or Paul Finebaum or anybody else says…it all gets settled on the field anyway. As it should be. And one more thing, I can assure you that the Orlando paper doesn’t represent the opinion of the Florida Gators as even Spurrier back in the day wanted to kick them off campus and he didn’t exactly have a love affair with Mike Bianchi either.

How2fish

June 30th, 2010
12:01 pm

Mark this down I don’t agree with Reptiles Rule often but I second the shout out to USC baseball team great win! Congrats!

JMac 01203

June 30th, 2010
12:05 pm

I will admit that #64 probably is a bit low. The best record they can reasonably expect is 8-4, and that is a stretch. More than likely aanother 7-5 season and another bottom tier bowl awaits. I think that the true rating should be somewhere between 35 and 40, with Bama, Florida, Arkansas, LSU, Auburn, and S. Carolina ahead of them in the conference. Yeah, although I think that it is a hoot that someone picks them that low, I have to disagree. It is possible it could happen, but chances are they will wind up in the high 30’s.

JMac 01203

June 30th, 2010
12:05 pm

I will admit that #64 probably is a bit low. The best record they can reasonably expect is 8-4, and that is a stretch. More than likely aanother 7-5 season and another bottom tier bowl awaits. I think that the true rating should be somewhere between 35 and 40, with Bama, Florida, Arkansas, LSU, Auburn, and S. Carolina ahead of them in the conference. Yeah, although I think that it is a hoot that someone picks them that low, I have to disagree. It is possible it could happen, but chances are they will wind up in the high 30’s.

GATOR DADDY!!!

June 30th, 2010
12:11 pm

I’m an absentee father who doesn’t pay child support and my kids will grow up to be in porn if they’re girls or be recidivist criminals if they’re boys- in other words, a typical male from the state of Florida.

dKnocker

June 30th, 2010
12:25 pm

OK, ranking the ‘Dawgs #64 is meant to tick y’all off. But, interesting how upset you all get at something so stupid. How’s it feel to be like a GT fan putting up with the neglect of the AJC and seeing UGa aggrandized for Herschel, 1980, Charlie Trippi….?

AMSTERDAM SAM

June 30th, 2010
12:28 pm

Urban Meyer – God didn’t limit the intelligence of all men – just you and your smarter brother, Oscar.

FLDAWG

June 30th, 2010
12:37 pm

Last year UGA was worse than this year and still went 8-5. This year will be better for UGA in so many ways. Am I saying they will win it all, NO but UGA will not lose 6 games. Losses to Ark or SC, FL and watch out for Auburn. Tech still nothing to worry about, 30-24 9-1 for last 10 years.

Look Alive

June 30th, 2010
12:41 pm

is the woman that made the ratings attractive or homely? Most sideline reporters use their looks to get a job on tv but if you are not attractive then it may be the orlando paper for you. really, is she attractive and stupid or homely and stupid —does anybody know?

Mike=Patrick

June 30th, 2010
12:45 pm

I love how Patrick errr Mike in typical fashion uses contradictory statements to try and make a point.

Somehow because Phil Steele says UGA is a darkhorse for the MNC he implies that to mean Steele is picking UGA to win the East WHICH IS NOT TRUE seeing as Steele has UGA ranked 19th and the Gators rankes 7th.

Patrick errr Mike also claims Murray will be better than Brantley by pointing out Brantley is currently 15th out of 15 on a FAN POLL on ESPN. Thing is though Murray ISN’T even thought of enough to even be listed as one of the 15 QB’s to be voted on.

Typical Patrick making dog fans look like the moron he is…

I feel bad for you other dog fans that this guy is even able to be associated with those of you with half a brain.

tim

June 30th, 2010
12:50 pm

mike you are delusional…you don’t know anything about Brantley..In Jax it won’t even be a contest because the puppies will have at least 3 losses by then..so stick your not knowin head back up your butt and don’t come out till a gator calls you

savannahdawg

June 30th, 2010
12:55 pm

First the bama writer, now this jackass from Orlando. When do you guys stop posting this senseless crap. This guy is a sports writer? Probably just moved to that department. This guy was writing home and garden crap a week ago.

Paul Feinbaum

June 30th, 2010
1:06 pm

BIRMINGHAM IS THE CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE
SABAN IS A BETTER COACH THAN CORSO

jesse james

June 30th, 2010
1:27 pm

You know everybody hates the Yankees, Notre Dame, the Celtics, the Packers, and now they hate the Ga. Bulldawgs. This is great company to be in because they have always been programs that people love to beat because they were a measuring stick. Now the Bulldawgs are there. People love to put them down, but they always seem to come up in conversations.

The General Feeling

June 30th, 2010
1:29 pm

Somehow, the mutts will find a way to step in it, again.

Reality Check

June 30th, 2010
1:31 pm

Every single UGA article’s comment section confirms that the Gators are so deep inside UGA’s fan base’s heads that they can’t see straight. What the Orlando Sentinel wrote has nothing to do with it being a “Florida paper” or them having it in for the Bulldogs. NO ONE, and I mean NO ONE in Florida thinks about the Bulldogs like you pathetic sods think about the Gators (24-7). Gator fans have other things to think about, like continuing to be a top 5 team.

You’re not in the same league.
Not even close.
Get over it!

Les W. Moore

June 30th, 2010
1:33 pm

If only there were a SEC divison for teams nick named bulldogs, then UGa would have a better shot.

ol'seadawg

June 30th, 2010
1:39 pm

I believe my Dawgs is gonna fool some people this year and get back to what they used been JUNKYARD DAWG DEFENSE and RUNNING THE BALL and Jacksonville will be the good times it used to be! A sea of red and black!! GATA go hairy Dawgs
For a Florida paper, the Florida Times Union is good and fair.

Dawglasville

June 30th, 2010
1:42 pm

Reality Check – Aren’t you a Tech guy?

AltamahaDawg

June 30th, 2010
1:46 pm

OK so the guy is officially off the bandwagon and trying to stir up some responce. Great. That’s why you put somebody 2 spots out of the top 25. There is your looking for the worse, bombthrowing, outsmarting yourself statement. It’s not even that odd for folks to make the “biggest disappointment if the wheels fell off” kind of predictions. Not much to lose predicting an unknown team low in the ranking. If they don’t do well, he can say told you so. If they do well, he can claim how smart he was because obviously they had to “fix” what he pointed out.

BUT 65TH? It just makes you wonder what this guy does for a living? This is not about UGA, it’s about his credibility. I would have assumed that he wants to be taken serious as a sport journalist again. Guess not.