From AJC correspondent Andy Johnston in Athens:
Georgia will begin the football season No. 23 in the Associated Press media poll, which was released this morning. It is the Bulldogs’ lowest preseason AP ranking since being unranked entering the 2001 season, coach Mark Richt’s first in Athens.
“I’m thankful we’re ranked,” Richt said after this morning’s practice. “It’s important to be ranked. I hope we play well enough to move up. That’s the plan.”
The preseason rank marks Georgia’s return to the AP poll after falling out on Oct. 4 last season. Georgia started the 2009 season No. 13 but was not ranked after the fourth week of the season.
The Bulldogs are ranked No. 21 in the USA Today coaches’ preseason poll, released earlier this month.
Georgia is among six SEC teams, the most of any conference, ranked in the AP poll. Two SEC teams are in the top four: No. 1 Alabama and No. 4 Florida. Arkansas, which will play Georgia in Athens on Sept. 18, is ranked No. 17. LSU is No. 21 and Auburn No. 22.
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Also:
Juggling topics with A.J. Green, from NCAA to NFL to . . . unicycles.
And please check out our bulked-up UGA page, ajc.com/uga, for more Bulldogs coverage.
163 comments Add your comment
how2fish
August 21st, 2010
4:06 pm
Still@theBar really I found it under AJC sports on the main sports page Entitled Georgia Tech No16 Georgia no 23…seems like a it could go either way..but rant on brother I guess your Ivy League panties (yes I said it) are really in a wad Nancy..bye the bye anyone named Still@theBar really want to talk about the evils of drinking?
RED DOG 77
August 21st, 2010
4:10 pm
Still@theBar……….You Son, are no match for how2fish. I have been following your exchange, sounds like to me you should just order another yellow jello shooter, make that two [ one for both ends]………and spin around that ‘ol bar stool, I hear it’s some kind of a great “rush”. Seems to me that is more your speed…………with my warmest Best Regards, RED
JacksonvilleDawg
August 21st, 2010
4:11 pm
I love the trash talk that comes out of the dawg haters. But looking at the polls there are a ton of question marks up and down the top 25. There are only two teams that really don’t have any question marks in the top 10, Ohio State and Boise. I guess by everyones account of how accurate these polls are we just as soon go ahead and crown them. They both return most of there starters from both sides of the ball. Bama and UF are both replacing a ton of people, mostly on the defensive side of the ball, not to mention UF replacing a coordinator.
RED DOG 77
August 21st, 2010
4:19 pm
The University Of Georgia BULLDOGS will move up the poll slowly but surely. This is our year for consistant improvement. With all the young talent we have waiting in the wings, we should improve significantly over the next few years, to where we are a legitament contender for the National Championship every year.
BG
August 21st, 2010
4:43 pm
Tech should try playing UGAs schedule every year.
Paul Has A Small Johnson
August 21st, 2010
4:50 pm
I dont care what we are ranked or if we lose 10 games, I just hope the 2 wins are FL and Tech
12-2
August 21st, 2010
4:58 pm
We are
# 6 in The SEC
in the AP Poll.
He won’t have to worry about that for long
- not staying where he is in the AP Poll
week 2 should take care of that.
how2fish
August 21st, 2010
5:01 pm
Paul Has A ….throw in UT and I’m with you brother.RED DOG 77 loved the jello shot comment..!
BDAWG
August 21st, 2010
5:06 pm
Instead of hoping, he better make sure that they play better or the new AD will find somebody that will. UGA should have never been allowed to fall to such a low standard. Pick up the offensive recruiting and the play and the expectations will be a whole lot better.
30-24 Dawgs - We Run This State!
August 21st, 2010
6:01 pm
Look forward to the Dawgs moving up into the top 15 by season’s end while maggots drop at least 4 games and drop out.
We Run. This State.
Delbert D.
August 21st, 2010
6:02 pm
how2fish – If everybody just stuck to their own chosen fan blogs, everybody would just sort of get along. Then the ajc.com web site would have to shut down due to lack of interest. Then, with the printed paper edition already on its last legs, what big city rag would we get, L.A. Times, N.Y. Times, Washington Post or Chicago Tribune? (the Trib ain’t in great shape, either.)
Tech Buzz
August 21st, 2010
6:20 pm
Richt can “hope” all day—it will not matter. Uga loses 3-4 games again, including losses to florida and tech. But, no more Shreveport trips for the dawgs—the SEC dumped that crummy bowl.
AltamahaDawg
August 21st, 2010
7:12 pm
Swapped it for the the Gator Bowl, who dumped another crummy conference.
FLA DAWG
August 21st, 2010
7:54 pm
Dawg Nation,
I am surprised by the over confidence I am reading lately. If you keep in mind that our starting QB has not taken a GameDay snap, that we have a completely new (though I believe vastly superior) D, young, raw talent with some experienced anchors and Bobo calling O Plays, we are NOT the powerhouse many of your seem to think.
South Carolina has a real shot to knock us off early on – and that is where our weakness is due to the above facts. If we can keep it together early on we MIGHT have a shot at Florida but that is something of a longshot.
I hope I am all wrong but while faith can move mountains it cannot beat a better and more experienced ball team.
dawg nation
August 21st, 2010
8:50 pm
Who cares!!!!! GATA DAWGS!!!!!!!
Circus Act
August 21st, 2010
9:27 pm
What does that Clown Richt mean he “HOPES” ? This guy is should be toast if he doesnt gets UGA at lest 9 wins.
Rodney King
August 21st, 2010
9:39 pm
Come on people, can’t we all get along? UGA fans, back off spouting off on your record against Tech. Its common knowledge even out here in LA that you beat the bees like a drum. UGA fans, I know its hard to be humble when you root for the Dogs, but try just a little more humility, because many readers on this blog are not as fortunate as you. UGA rival fans, emphasize more the positives of your own team. Sure, you may not be a Top 20 Public University. Sure, you don’t have a college town equal to Athens. Sure you may not own 132 SEC titles, and National Championships in 8 sports, but there are plenty of things for Tech and every SEC team to be proud of, its just that you may have to dig a little harder to find them, but they are there.
AltamahaDawg
August 21st, 2010
9:41 pm
Where have you been reading anything lately from Dawg fans other than realistic expectations?
J Clay
August 21st, 2010
9:44 pm
Looking forward to game 1 – regardless of who we are playing, always a great day (assume the same for fans of every school around the country). This is my 10th year of season tickets since graduating and this year I’ll be taking my daughter to her first game. As for the polls, to be ranked at all pre-season this year I’d say is good (based on last year and new QB). To the on commentor, I actually don’t see the normal over confidence in UGA fans this year – I do see a lot of optimism and excitement, much different though than over confidence. My prediction for the year 9-3 or 10-2, which would be a step in the right direction (unless the 3 losses are Florida, Tech, and Tennessee). WIll be interesting to see how long the Tech talk contiues, the ACC appears to be much improved this year. Less than 2 weeks until kick-okk with all the games on Thursday!
J Clay
August 21st, 2010
9:46 pm
South Carolina always has a chance of knocking us off – they have played us consistently well for many years now. It will be a tough game, and it will be hot as hell in Columbia for a noon kick off
Reality Score
August 21st, 2010
10:12 pm
If richt wins 8 or more games—dawgs are happy. They like a “nice” coach. Winning is secondary. Remember, he won the SEC when florida and bama had terrible coaches.
JB
August 21st, 2010
10:23 pm
Interesting thought…..UGA is ranked anywhere from unranked to 20 in the polls….Oklahoma is ranked in the top 10 in almost all polls. Both teams were 8-5 last year. UGA returns 10 on O, 6 on D. Oklahoma returns 5 on each side. What’s the difference??? Why is OU ranked so much higher than UGA? Preseason polls don’t mean crap…..we’ll know the truth sometime in late October, then finally around Thanksgiving what kind of team we have.
Time
August 21st, 2010
10:30 pm
I love it, the techies still spouting in UGA blogs. Appreciate the laughs guys. Hope ya’ll enjoyed your once a decade good season, even though you couldn’t beat UGA that was mired in the worst season it’ll have in a decade…LOL.
As far as the rankings go, they’re meaningless. UGA could be ranked 64th (Orlando Sentinel..lol), but if they go out and win the East, then win the SEC, they’ll be playing for the NC. Just like every other SEC school has that same opportunity regardless of what their preseason rank is.
12-2
August 21st, 2010
11:14 pm
“if they go out and win the East, then win the SEC, they’ll be playing for the NC” by Time.
AltamahaDawg
“Where have you been reading anything lately from Dawg fans other than realistic expectations?”
RED DOG 77
August 22nd, 2010
12:11 am
12-2…..You make between very little to no sense whatsoever to me. Why not try brushing up on your communication skills, or you could chose to just float around the internet, all by yourself, like always………..also, why in the world did you change your name from ” BuLLdawg ” to 12-2 ?……….Just wonderin’…………Regards to you ” little Miss Debbie Downer “……., RED
12-2
August 22nd, 2010
12:18 am
“If Georgia is fortunate enough to reach the championship game, I, like many Bulldog followers, would gladly take time off work, plunk down some serious cash, and head out West like we had three months earlier for Boulder. For a trip to Glendale, AZ, however, I wouldn’t mind sweating out a Georgia victory of a touchdown or less.”
Posted by Patrick Garbin
12-2
August 22nd, 2010
12:20 am
12-2 because I want to reflect the POSITIVE NATURE of the Georgia Bulldogs’ fanbase and how great we have been the last 4 years at 38-14
12-2
August 22nd, 2010
12:23 am
QUOTE by
RED DOG 77
“we ,my friends will begin winning championships like Fla has in recent years…….It is our turn now”
END QUOTE
12-2
August 22nd, 2010
12:28 am
“Bottom line is this, UGA has consistantly done better with Coach Mark Richt over a nine year period than with any other coach in the history of University of Georgia football. I just want to see how big a man ol ” BuLLdawg” is going to be when we rip through our 2010 schedule like prunes through a goose !……………Regards, RED” DOG 77
12-2
August 22nd, 2010
12:31 am
RED DOG 77
July 31st, 2010 1:18 am
“Some fool on page one called Aaron Murray a “midget” that would have a hard time seeing over Dline. Yup, there are some fools out there, Aaron Murray is exactly the same hight as Drew Brees QB of the world champion New Orleans Saints…………Don’t foget, you fish eyed fool, Aaron Murray is a dual-threat, mobile QB………………… by in large the BIG DOG is gonna eat !!! and not just in 2010, but for some time to come………”
RED DOG 77
August 22nd, 2010
12:32 am
JClay……….Yup, yer dern tootin it’ll be hot as hell in Columbia for the South Carolina game. Thing is JC, it’s gonna be just as hot for them as it will be for us. Whats more, with a veteran Oline, and two pretty fair RBs, my guess is we play keep away. I would say by mid-way through the third quarter, the ” fighting chickens ” should be pretty gassed………yeh, yer right, they usually play us pretty hard, their only problem is depth on defense……..This year the heat should be our freind, I’m hoping it’ll be 100 at kick-off……………Georgia 31 South Carolina 17………lets hope I’m right ! GO DOGS !!!!……..Regards to you JClay……..RED
12-2
August 22nd, 2010
12:39 am
RED DOG 77
August 1st, 2010 11:55 pm
“The Drew Brees comparison was a perfect example of how a QB that is 6 ft 1 in can be pretty dadgum good in college or the NFL.”
12-2
August 22nd, 2010
12:46 am
AltamahaDawg
August 17th, 2010 10:51 am
“Actually Tampa, being sent to the “alternative” school is NOT an indication of seriousness. All that means is that he was suspended from a regular one. In a public school system, you have to provide an alternative, and that’s it, pimple faced kids that said the wrong thing, or the street bullies.”
“I’ve seen kids suspended and teachers fired over things that you and I wouldnt call serious, but school systems believe thier hands are tied, and open to lawsuits if they engage in any sort of selective reasoning.”
RED DOG 77
August 22nd, 2010
12:47 am
12-2……..WOW !!! I’m impressed !……I am truely flattered that you keep a file on my posts ! However, I still don’t seem to grasp your intellectual prowess. Is it me ? or is it that you make very little to no sense whatsoever ?……….I’ll take the latter……..nailed ya didn’t I ” BuLLdawg ” !……….Once a “Debbbie Downer ” always a ” Debbie Downer “……..with my warmest Best Regards, RED
RED DOG 77
August 22nd, 2010
1:00 am
JClay……..Hope you and your daughter have a great time at the game two weeks from today ! It warms my heart to know you will be raising a BULLDOG daughter ! Have fun and God Bless, RED
L.A. BULLDAWG
August 22nd, 2010
1:08 am
IM NOT SWEATING THAT GEORGIA IS UNRANKED. I THINK ITS GOOD THAT WE COULD JUST GO OUT THERE AND PLAY FOOTBALL. WE HAVE OUR ENTIRE OL COMING BACK AS WELL AS 2 GOOD RBS. A.J. GREEN IS THE BEST PLAYMAKER IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL. ALL AARON MURRAY HAS TO DO IS MANAGE THE GAME AND UTILIZE OUR PLAYMAKERS! ON DEFENSE, I THINK RUNNING A 3-4 UNDER GRANTHAM WILL PLAY TO UR STRENGTHS. ATHLETES AT LB AND SECONDARY WILL SURPRISE!
RED DOG 77
August 22nd, 2010
1:09 am
AltamahaDawg………Do you have any idea what 12-2 er……a……”BuLLdawg” is ranting about ? If you have a clue, please inform……..Darwin would have great interest as well, if he were alive today, I’m sure he would say something like ” very, very interesting indeed “…….Regards AD, RED
RED DOG 77
August 22nd, 2010
1:11 am
LA…………Right-on brother !
Florida Dawg
August 22nd, 2010
3:29 am
We are a good team..it’s just that 22 other teams are apparently better.
I think we could do something about that…and I would have thought that we could have started years ago.
12-2
August 22nd, 2010
3:42 am
Chris
July 10th, 2010
6:02 pm
‘No other university in the country would put up with this kind of behavior’? Are you 14 years old?
No coach in the country can control what his players do during the off season.
I’ve never been as proud of a head coach at GA than to have Mark Richt at the helm. The man has proven by his actions that he is an exceptional individual
We get by SC and it could be a magical year.
12-2
August 22nd, 2010
3:53 am
patrick
UGA is clearly as good or better than any SEC team over last 9 years.
PERIOD.
He has my respect. Period.
Derpy derp diddily ding dong doodily!
reality
August 22nd, 2010
7:56 am
UGA’s football program has come down to hoping that they can beat GT thereby spoiling a top 5 finish. No hope for SEC Championship.
Spike
August 22nd, 2010
8:01 am
If we could only get richt to do another dive on espn, then I think the ranking would increase. You what if dogs are rather humorous.
KNelson
August 22nd, 2010
8:14 am
When Georgia is ranked #1 on November 1st it will be after 2025. I dont expect georgia to crack the top 15 this year and will not remain in the top 25 very long. Its gonna be another tyypical georgia football season. High expectations low results.
MSBULLDAWG
August 22nd, 2010
8:18 am
Wishing you luck with the exception of a Nighmare In Starkvegas, GO DAWGS … More Cowbell..
dawgfan
August 22nd, 2010
8:39 am
First of all, I am not worried about our preseason ranking.. Secondly the AP is the most useless poll around. Its not calculated in the BCS calculations, why is there such a big deal about it? If you want discussion talk about the coaches poll or Harris since they actually has an effect on the outcome (which I believe we are ranked about the same in the coaches, Harris not out yet) . I lost all respect for the AP poll when the AP gave USC the national championship in 2003 when LSU actually won the national championship game. Then they failed to award it to Auburn in 2004 even though they had a perfect record. Atleast be consistent!! And they should strip the 2004 NC title from USC for their guilty verdict..
904DAWG
August 22nd, 2010
8:49 am
I understand we have a new QB and a new Defense. We have a nice schedule to do some damage with, and still we’re ranked in the 20’s
I have to remind you all, UF has a “new starting” QB that has only played weak mop up and against Kentucky (which he couldn’t score in) and a new Defensive Coor. ( UF fan – do you really not expect the same drop off on defense that you had after losing your O-Coord last year? ) I think we all know —– He’s no Charlie Strong!
Add in your 1st schedule in over 5 years where you have to play 2 good teams back to back (check it out) makes your beginning ranking very iffy at best.
BTW: Termgator – you only know what Urban wants you to hear about how your doing. (UF practice is CLOSED, so Urban can *”sercretly”* install a passing offense because if Brantly runs, Brantly gets hurt) Urban’s “word” to non gator fans has no merit (another 3-4 loss year and he’ll blame it on being young) remember the class that just left had 4 losses the 1st year they had to start.
UF is Overhyped and Overranked (I remind you UF was only up by 3 over USC with 7 min left in the game last year) UF has the worst WR core they’ve had in DECADES!
I can’t wait for the return of Urban Crier! you should have went with your gut and quit! Your run is over!
GO DAWGS!!! GATA
tell me again
August 22nd, 2010
8:56 am
hey fudge packer – silly boy – UGA DID PLAY Boise (back when they were the “GREATEST OFFENSE OF THE CENTURY” and we smoked them like that 100 pounds of weed that Tech’s Houston was arrested for having in his possession back in 2005…..if Boise played in the SEC they would get trampled. What is amazing is that these teams that routinely play a schedule full of nopbodys are even ranked.
AltamahaDawg
August 22nd, 2010
9:30 am
No Red I don’t. Just assuming since I gave him heck about modifying my statements to lie about their meaning he is just randomly quoting me verbatim with no particular point from it.
I’m just hoping he can get through the a Sunday without cursing God too many times.
guy
August 22nd, 2010
9:43 am
IF we can beat S.C. this could be a great season.The confidence would be there to move to the next level.Discipline!