Georgia an underdog at Mississippi State?

Georgia has not lost a football game to Mississippi State since 1974. Georgia has not lost in Starkville, Miss., since 1951.

But as of Wednesday night most Vegas sports books had Mississippi State as a 1-point favorite over Georgia in Saturday’s game in Starkville.

These are strange times, indeed,  in UGA football.

As you know all too well, Georgia lost at South Carolina for the first time in 10 years and lost to Arkansas for the first time in 17 years and is 0-2 in the SEC for the first time in 17 years.

The next streak on the line is Georgia’s nine consecutive victories over Mississippi State. That streak dates to a 38-14 UGA loss in 1974 in Jackson, Miss.

The schools have played only 21 times in football despite both being charter members of the SEC. They have met only twice since 1997. Georgia leads the series 16-5.

Georgia’s all-time record in Starkville is 4-1, the lone loss a 6-0 defeat in 1951. Georgia won in Starkville in 1982, 1988, 1996 and 2005.

The teams also played three times in Jackson, most recently in 1974. Georgia was 1-2 in those games.

561 comments Add your comment

SOCAL Dawg

September 23rd, 2010
9:44 am

I love the Dawgs no matter what kind of a team we are but this is who we are. We are a team in decline. The stats prove that with no doubt. Miss St is a team on the rise. UGA should win but this is who we are …for now.

Paul in RDU

September 23rd, 2010
9:44 am

A couple of comments on the Vegas line:
It is not set based on how the people setting think the game will end up – it is set to try to have equal numbers of bettors on both sides of the line. If more money goes on one side than the other, then the line moves. In the case of UGA-MSU, the initial line was UGA -3. It moved to MSU -2 and seems to be moving back to even. When people talk about the home team getting 3 points they have the line confused with power ratings / Sagarin index / etc. Take the difference in the power ratings and give 3 – 4 to the home team.
Having said that, UGA beats MSU by 7.

Concrete Pete

September 23rd, 2010
9:45 am

Sorry I’ve been absent for the last few days, but unlike many, I do have a career that involves traveling. That being said, WE NEED A NEW STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING COACH!!!

how2fish

September 23rd, 2010
9:46 am

Dave in Vinings you tool…please either come up with some other drivel or take a long walk off a short pier..thank you signed The Bull Dog Nation.

how2fish

September 23rd, 2010
9:48 am

Concrete Pete do us a favor hold hands with Dave in Vinings while he is taking his walk. Please.

JBDawg

September 23rd, 2010
9:48 am

Dave, do you copy and paste the same post every morning? Take your rant else where. In Richt we trust!

WonderDawg

September 23rd, 2010
9:49 am

Dave in Vinings, who is the last college football program in the State of Georgia to get put on probation by the NCAA?

Ga Tech, dufus.

Dawglasville

September 23rd, 2010
9:51 am

Dave in Vinings – You seem sincere yet it smells of trolling. I love it when guys say that most people abhor UGA. Other than Tech fans and maybe the fans of other teams who choose to live in Georgia who are somehow bewildered that the AJC doesn’t cover their team, I’m not really sure that is true. Academically, UGA is 56, tied with Florida for the second best spot in the SEC. Athens is voted by national mags as one of the best places to go to school and live in the country. I do not know of any cheating on Coach Richt’s watch. Would someone please tell my why Coach Richt is such a hypocrite. Are you atheist or agnostic and just have a beef with Christianity in general?

DooleyNoted

September 23rd, 2010
9:53 am

When Sherill was there Starkville was a tough place to play. Mullin has things moving in the right direction.

gomdawg

September 23rd, 2010
9:53 am

H. Walker could not run behind this offensive line. That was supposed to be our strength I would have bet the house on this offensive line 3 weeks ago, now not a glass on water.Come on boys play hard damn the whole college football nation knew this was going to be our strength. You’ve got a good QB

PMC

September 23rd, 2010
9:54 am

Dogfaced, I don’t disagree there’s plenty of overall talent on the team… but they aren’t playing like it yet. Murray for his part has been mostly outstanding. They have plenty of capable talented players, they just aren’t yet executing well yet. They aren’t growing up fast enough for our likeing.

Chapas could have changed that game last week. AJ Green and Branden Smith could have changed that game…but they weren’t there.

They certainly don’t have the same amount of game changing players that they did 5 years ago. Some of it has just been missing on some players. Tavarres King should be grabbing this chance to prove he’s a deep threat.

This team could be a lot better once they start executing. They simply aren’t doing that at a high level yet.

the Reel deal

September 23rd, 2010
9:55 am

September 23rd, 2010
9:44 am

In a study conducted by AOL Fanhouse that looked at Academic Progress Rate (APR) averages for players under of 107 of the 120 Division I coaches from 2003-04 to 2008-09 school years (including APR averages for those coaches even if they were at multiple schools in that span), Tech coach Paul Johnson’s teams’ average rank of 980 was No. 5 in the nation.

The top four are Northwestern’s Pat Fitzgerald (985), Air Force’s Troy Calhoun (985), Clemson’s Dabo Swinney (982) and Greg Schiano at Rutgers (981).

As a conference, the ACC ranked No. 1 in APR average (964) ahead of the Big 10 (956).

http://blogs.ajc.com/georgia-tech-sports/2010/09/23/johnson-doing-well-in-apr/

McDawg

September 23rd, 2010
9:58 am

who cares about Vegas-i want to know is will the O-Line block, will the RBs hit some holes and create space, who is going to play NT and where are all the turnovers

I recall the UGA/MSU game in 74

September 23rd, 2010
9:59 am

The 1974 team was one that frustrated us all. We had tw QBs ……. thrower Matt Robinson ( NY Jets ) and Ray Goof the runner and Dooley did not know which one to play from one day to the other. UGA ran the veer, which was some sort of variation of the Wishbone where the QB just read the openings in the line and then reacted by keeping it or pitching it or dropping back quickly to throw it. Messy with tons of fumbles and such. UGA unlike all the other Veer teams was un successful with it, oddly. Eventually Dooley junked it for the Power I.

In 1974 UGA was like 6-4 and ended up in the old Tangerine Bowl ( now Citrus) and LOST to Miami of Ohio and they were lead by a QB named Sherman? who played quite awhile in the NFL as a running back. They also had other really good players but so did UGA. UGA just laid down that year but made up for it in 75 and 76.

MSU in 74 had Rocky Felker as their QB and they ran the veer or the wishbone and they handled UGA cause we could not stop the QB. Either we cane up to hammer him or he pitched it wide and they picked up chunks of first downs. That is one memory that still disgusts me today. very much like GT in 08. Ugh !!!

This UGA squad is one that has no class or pride. They are individual stars …….. in their own minds. They do not play as a team and they are divided along future success lines and the R word.

Aaron Murray must throw the ball better. He has 6 passes that if played over would be in the win column for UGA. It is not all ealey and AJ’s and the D’s or the O line’s fault. Blame can go all around this team and to the coaching staff.

Too little and too late for this year. Change must bring in a new era ………..this one is stale.

Go Dogs.

Paul in RDU

September 23rd, 2010
9:59 am

Dawglasville – “Dave in Vinings” is a troll. That same stuff has been copied and posted time after time – under plenty of different names. Kind of like the long version of “45-42″ “30-24″ or “We run this state”.

ESPN3

September 23rd, 2010
10:01 am

Jawja on ESPN3 along with Toledo,,,Western KY,,,Eastern Maine,

yes Jawja is a football powerhouse

WonderDawg

September 23rd, 2010
10:01 am

Don’t blame our O-line or our QB. They are only as good as our OC will let them be. And in Bobo’s case, not very.

This is more about our predictable playcalling and outdated (for college) offense. With a fleet footed QB like Murray, we should already be running some plays out of the spread. The power I formation works if you have Bama’s O-line, but not ours.

saban

September 23rd, 2010
10:02 am

Winning at Mississippi State would be a wonderful win for the dawgs. Next you can celebrate the possibility of beating Vanderbilt.

Nah, Mississippi State wins by 30. Vanderbilt wins but only by 10. Dawgs put up a valiant fight at homecoming.

Concrete Pete

September 23rd, 2010
10:04 am

how2fish I’m just pointing out the problem that no one in the general fan base will seem to acknowledge. I’ve been saying our S & C program was sub par since a very mediocre Kenny Irons ran over UGA in ‘05. I’ve spoken to several ex players and coaches (College and NFL) and they’ve all agreed that the problem starts there. In the mean time, if my comments annoy you, try killing time by washing your own clothes so your mother doesn’t have to.

dawgfacedboy

September 23rd, 2010
10:05 am

PMC- I agree with you, loaded but living up to expectations has been all to familiar as of late. Why is that? Do you think the same players mentioned would be underperforming at say Bama, Florida, Texas, Ohio St.?? Just asking. Spurrier wondered almost 20 years ago what happens to all that talent in Athens. We are getting the players we just don’t get the most out of them. WHY???

saban

September 23rd, 2010
10:06 am

Did the ACC approve Georgia for membership?

sandman053

September 23rd, 2010
10:07 am

One thing that didn’t get picked up on in the earlier post about having seven home games is the increase in revenue..The extra ticket sales just for that one game (92,000 tickets at $40 each) is 3 point something million. Sorry I’m too hung over to do math, but anyway I don’t believe this is a terrible idea. Like the earlier comment that was posted..when we start running the table in the SEC, THEN we can go play Boise State Okie State, and other OOC games.

ESPN3

September 23rd, 2010
10:07 am

The University of Jawja Puppies have been neutered.

Pretrino & the Ole Ball Coach took care of that.

They’re going into Starkville singing a chorus in a high voice.

an old girl's song ..."torn between two lovers"

September 23rd, 2010
10:09 am

Richt is torn between doing his missionary work and coaching. Folks, it is that simple. he has obligations to his crew his team and the school but deep down inside, I know that he wants to be in maybe Africa, serving mankind.

He is to me, like an big time executive that has a long, satisfying career with plenty of money and then the guy decides to become a teacher. See? Richt is torn between two loves ………. coaching football to young men and mentoring them OR his Christian missionary work.

This uncertainty transfers to the coaching staff, the players, because he has the overall LACK of intensity and they pick up on it.

It is that simple gang.

There, y’all have it.

Go Dogs.

Dawglasville

September 23rd, 2010
10:10 am

the Reel deal – I don’t think people question Coach Johnson’s commitment to academics. My guess is quite a bit of that success would be credited to being at a service academy. I am also not doubting that the ACC is the best academic football conference. There is no secret why the SEC is such a powerhouse in football. Only Vandy, Florida and Georgia crack the top 60 schools in the country. The other schools don’t crack the top 100. It is pretty cool, I hate to say it, that Florida can be really good in academics and sports.

Bulldog Dead

September 23rd, 2010
10:12 am

Pete, you are absolutely correct. The same reply that I have received from ex players regarding the weakness of our strength and conditioning- No discipline or accountability from the S&C coach. Nice guy though. I worked out with Kasay and Mervos. Mervos handled the lines primarily and focused on bulk and brute strength- He would kill you if you took a rep off. Kasay- very disciplined and worked with backs, receivers etc. Focused on strength, speed, endurance.- You did not take reps off with him or he would make you pay. Based on conversations with ex players- coaches check them off without doing workouts. It is obvious.

From the mind of Bobo

September 23rd, 2010
10:12 am

1st down – Long pass down the middle
2nd down – Run up the middle
3rd down – Long pass down the sideline
Repeat until game is over
Post game Interview – “I am driving this bus, the players need to get out from under it”

ESPN3

September 23rd, 2010
10:12 am

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

Neuter (neutered)

Neuter is a Latin adjective meaning “neither”, and can refer to:

Neutering, the sterilization of an animal

Dawglasville

September 23rd, 2010
10:13 am

Paul in RDU – Then I guess it was rude of me not to recognize Dave in Vinings work. Thanks and Go Dawgs.

Spurrier

September 23rd, 2010
10:13 am

All that drinking, breaking the law and playing in the pool is paying off. ” GO MISS.STATE “

Paul in RDU

September 23rd, 2010
10:15 am

Reel deal – CPJ is a vast improvement over Gailey when it comes to expectations (both football and academic), but 4 of the 5 years listed in the APR study he was at the Naval Academy

Macon T Dawg

September 23rd, 2010
10:22 am

Take this to the bank: the Dawgs will upset Miss State! Their D is not very good and Murray will light up the miss st DBs for big points. Dawgs 39 Miss State 19.

L-Dawg

September 23rd, 2010
10:23 am

Bulldog dead – you are dating yourself. Ha. I took weight lifting class one summer with coach Mervos. What a ball buster. There were a bunch of players in the class including his son who played line for the Dawgs, there was no AC in stegman and we used to throw up almost daily. After 3 months I was eating nails for breakfast!

Bulldog Dead

September 23rd, 2010
10:24 am

Pretty sad state of affairs when we are talking about the UGA Dogs upsettin MSU Dogs. First time in my 51 years this would be considered an upset.

Dooley

September 23rd, 2010
10:25 am

Here is an idea – CMR needs to take the playsheet away from Bimbo and call the plays himself for 4 qtrs. Keep the offense on the field with long time controled drives and keep the D fresh. Bimbo can get towels and drinks for the guys during timeouts.

Gay Dawg

September 23rd, 2010
10:28 am

I will be in Starkville rooting my dawgs!

Bulldog Dead

September 23rd, 2010
10:31 am

Yeah, I an old Fart. BUT- I played with that 1980 Line and bumped heads with the Ray Donaldsons- tackling dummy yeah, but noticable difference in the strength and conditioning compared to this edition

roughrider

September 23rd, 2010
10:32 am

I am a loyal UGA fan but don’t think Coach Richt is earning his $2 million + salary this year, along with last year.

JB

September 23rd, 2010
10:32 am

Well, ask ANYONE outside OUR bubble if we have a problem in Athens…………….Dropped from pre season #1 to underdogs to Mississippi State in a pretty short cycle. When AJ and Durham leave this year, who’s going to catch passes next year ?…………..Some wiz kid Freshman I hope…

Burton Dog

September 23rd, 2010
10:34 am

“Bulldog Dead”, you are totally correct with your comments. I hope CMR and all the coaches will read it. A couple other blogs today are dead on with the “no emotion or interest” thing that CMR displayes. We have all seen the same thing for several years and it only gets worse every year. There is no excuse for not having a “stable” of good running backs, with the recruits available to us. Anyone who has played the game knows we are headed in the wrong direction.

The silly GT comments need to be sent to some 5th grade blog. and leave this space for adults.

JB

September 23rd, 2010
10:35 am

If we only played a ACC schedule……We would show’em.

Otto

September 23rd, 2010
10:35 am

Agreed with WonderDawg at 10:01

MSU played a better Auburn team very close, UGA is the underdog.

how2fish

September 23rd, 2010
10:35 am

Concrete Pete really I didn’t understand the depth of your football knowledge and contacts. Who exactly are the founts of wisdom you talk to..or are you under a code of strict secrecy. Did you see last weeks game…the players were better in the 4th quarter they shut down ARK and went on 2 scoring drives in 10 mins…did you see anyone so gassed they were puking on their shoes..no you did see a 200lb tailback get beat by a 290 lb lineman, and a defender take a bad angle. But in the 4th quarter the Dogs played there best football of the season IMHO. The idea the UGA players are unprepared for the rigors of the SEC is laughable, the fire, coaching, execution etc may have flaws at times but you don’t respond like the Dogs did last week in the 4th if your not in shape.

How MSU will play

September 23rd, 2010
10:38 am

MSU will play a hard, tough, very physical SEC style of football. Over the years, they play really hard. Usually, over the years, they were not very talented with skill players. Their linemen are usually big, and strong and they will bring it on. Their corners will be very physical with our receivers.

If UGA goes over there with their Hollywood (in their own minds ) attitudes, then we will be very stunned at the end of the day. This game could turn ugly very fast. Mullins is a quality coach.

New AD Greg McGarity, is doing something that he did not expect and that is to really OBSERVE the coaching that needs to come from the entire UGA staff. He also expects to see the POSITIVE results. He also expects to guage HOW the players respond to Richt under adverse conditions for the rest of this year. This is where the rubber meets the road.

Now is the time that Richt can prove to the world that he and his staff are big time coaches. If they do not, then it is time for them to leave the school. This team is their players and their schemes and their fan base.

Step up UGA staff …………now.

Go UGA Dogs.

JB

September 23rd, 2010
10:38 am

Can we schedule Kansas ?

Lowcountry Bulldawg

September 23rd, 2010
10:38 am

Remember Dawg fans we were begging at one point for CMR to turn the playcall ing over to a designated OC. At one point the fanbase was bit%hing bout his calling of a game and now we want him to resume the duty’s.

Also Bulldog Dead, congrats on your tackling dummy status in ‘80, but unless you have “knocked” heads with this edition or woke up and seen how these guys are lifting at 6 in the morning you should just shut your mouth.

Dawgs Tell

September 23rd, 2010
10:38 am

@Pete and Bulldog dead—- You are right on!!! S&C is not on par with other SEC programs. Just open your eyes and look at the O/L and D/L at Bama,LSU,S.C. Auburn. Ark had a good size line also. We are signing small players in linemen including linebackers or we do not build them up in our S&C program.

Phil

September 23rd, 2010
10:39 am

Richt’s new strategy this week: A road Blackout!!

Bobo’s new play for 3rd and 4: All receivers go to the end zone and Murray throws up a Hail Mary from 60 yards out.

Granthams new strategy: Doesn’t have one, defense couldn’t tackle my Grandmother.

Dirty Dawg

September 23rd, 2010
10:40 am

In case anybody cares we also lost to Miss State once in Atlanta at Grant Field some time in the 50’s. Tech played Ole Miss in the afternoon and we played State that night. All I remember is that it was a miserable – rain and stuff plus we lost – and my Dad almost came to blows with some cow-bell ringing peckerwood…I was pullin’ for a fight but I guess my Mom put a stop to it.

Smart like a Fox

September 23rd, 2010
10:40 am

looks like some of you are gonna ride that rocket all the way to the ground….Alum I guess