Richt: ‘I don’t personally think the season is riding on this one game’
Georgia coach Mark Richt said excitement over playing Boise State on Sept. 3 has been building since he first told the team about the matchup.
Here’s some quick quotes from Georgia coach Mark Richt and several players from Tuesday’s press conference. Dozens of media gathered at Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall to hear what Richt and a handful of players had to say about Saturday’s Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game matchup between the No. 19 Bulldogs and No. 5-ranked Boise State.
On the big buildup for the opening game in the Georgia Dome:
“Well, it is as big of a buildup for an opening game as we’ve had, because of who we’re playing and where we’re playing and maybe a little bit of the uniform issue and all that kind of thing. There is an awful lot of hype going into this ballgame compared to maybe some other opening games.
“I don’t personally think the season is riding on this one game. It’s really not. It’s a game that we absolutely want to win. It’s a game that we expect to win. We talk a lot about winning the Eastern Division because that is the one thing we can control. This really doesn’t have a bearing on the Southeastern Conference race, so it really doesn’t get in the way of that goal. But what I do think it’s going to do is give us a pretty good feel of what we’re made of right away. I think it’s also going to be great teacher of what it’s going to take to win in our league down the road. So I think it’s very positive that we’re playing the game. I certainly want to win it. I thnk it could create some really good momentum from that. But I don’t think everything is riding in the balance.”
Compare and contrast this game to 2005 when Boise State came to Athens and lost 48-13:
“At that time I know that was the upset special. That was kind of the game that a lot of people were pointing to to say that was going to be the upset of the week of the opening weekend of the season. A lot of people were picking Boise State to win that game. And I didn’t blame them. I looked at the film and they had quite a few pros on that team. We did get them here, we did get them on a blistering hot and humid day and I think that was a factor. And we just started well. We grabbed momentum early and never looked back. They never really got a chance to get it going.
“On any given day, if we had gotten the ball first and thrown a pick on the first play, who know what would have happened to us that day. The score that day wasn’t indicative, I don’t think, odf the difference in the teams as much as the momentum that was taken early and was never relinquished.”
What it has meant having Boise State transfer Michael Tamburo at Georgia:
“You’d have to ask Coach Grantham. I don’t know that he really spent that much time with him. We have everybody’s film. We can study everybody’s film. We talk to other coaches who have played them in the league. That’s where we get our information. Todd might have spent time with him but I really don’t know.”
Tamburo’s future prospects at UGA:
“It’s so early for him. He’s got ability. The one think he did where I got a taste of his abilities was in a practice game where he was one of the quarterbacks that played that day. you could see that he has some nerve standing in the pocket. The pocket wasn’t all that great at times and he stood in there and made some really fine throws and seemed to be very accurate. He hasn’t gotten an awful lot of reps at all with our offensive units. I’ve seen him throw a few passes here and there with our receivers. But at this point the guys that are getting the most work are the ones that are going to play right now.”
What other coaches have told Georgia about playing Boise State:
“I’d say opposing coaches say get ready. They say these guys know how to play the game of football. They’re going to get after you so you better be prepared. They’re relentless in their play and they’re well-coached. They believe. Lately they’ve started fast and furious on both sides of the ball.”
At least 10 true freshmen are on two-deep and others could be slated for special team. Which ones might make significant contribution?
“Hopefully all of them that get in, whether it’s special teams or offense or defense, will make some contributions. Malcolm Mitchell has made some plays for us. He’ll play. Will he do something spectacular this week? I don’t know. But he’s a young guy that’s done well. Damian Swann has gotten an awful lot of practice time, especially these last few days with Branden Smith’s setback. Ray Drew is going to get to play. There’s a few guys who are going to be able to play some snaps on offense and defense and a lot of guys will play on special teams.”
What do you think might be going to Isaiah Crowell’s mind getting ready to play a significant role in a game of this magnitude?
“He’ll play for sure. What I hope is going through his mind is his assignments and just knowing what to do on every play. We do have quite a few plays and he’s like any other true freshman. He’s trying to learn it, he’s trying to master it, trying to get comfortable with it. It is nice to have Aaron Murray in the backfield with him, who can guide him a little bit here and there, just to give him a little reassurance that he’s lined up in the right spot.
“But I’m sure he’s every excited. He did grow up wanting to be a Georgia Bulldog. He grew up wanting to play tailback for us. Through the recruiting process we pointed to this game as a game he’d get an opportunity to show what he can do, to show the college football world what he’s got. Since he’s gotten here he’s quickly understood it’s not about Isaiah Crowell; it’s about Georgia. I like even reading some of the quotes. Hes’ been very mindful of his teammates and he knows that he’s got a lot to learn and he does want to do whatever he can to help the team win. time will tell how much that will be as we go. He’s a very good football player. He’s a good kid and he’s had a good camp.”
A lot of things had to happen for him to be in this position.
“I guess you’re talking about Washaun Ealey and Caleb King and even Richard to this point, hasn’t practiced a lot lately. So the stage is getting set up for him certainly to get opportunities. I’m not made that he’s going to get opportunities. After watching him practice, you can see that he’s got a lot of ability. But he hasn’t gotten hit super hard yet either. We’ve had some scrimmages and he’s been hit. But somewhere along the line somebody’s going to get a real good shot on him and we’re going to see if he holds onto the ball and how he handles that. But I think he’ll be fine.”
Can you compare Aaron Murray to Kellen Moore?
“I wouldn’t put Murray in his category yet. Kellen has done so much. He will end up being the winningest quarterback I the history of college football. It’s not a slight against Aaron. But Aaron hasn’t played in as many games and won any championships or anything like that. This guy right now I would say is deadly accurate. There’s a difference between completions and hitting a guy dead on the run and hitting a guy exactly where they need to be hit. He’s throws it so accurately that he allows his receivers to really get some yards after the catch. I have not seen him use his wheels like Aaron has, but part of the reason why Aaron ran last year was maybe not being 100 percent sure he wanted to throw into a certain coverage, so he took off. He actually did a pretty good job of it. I think Kellen would be less likely to cross the line of scrimmage, although he’s mnobile and can make plays moving around. He’s a little bit more mature than Aaron in his play. I think Aaron is a heck of a player, and I think Aaron is going to play extremely well for us this season. Kellen is the leading passer in the country returning as far as QB rating and things of that nature. I think he hit 70 percent of his passes. Aaron is getting there, but I don’t know if here’s there year.”
We know Carlton Thomas is suspended for the first game. Are there any other players who are going to miss the first game for reasons other than injuries?
On the defense and the 3-4 going into a second season:
“I feel so much better about our defense than a year ago. I knew our guys weren’t sure what do a year ago 100-percent. You’re putting it in from scratch. Everybody’s trying to figure it out. Even the assistant coaches other than Coach Grantham were learning it as we went along. There’s absolutely nothing to draw from experience wise, but our guys understand it at a much greater depth. They are much better technicians than they were a year ago. Coaches have been able to spend more time emphasizing the technique on how to do your job well. There’s no doubt in my mind that we are better than we were a year ago. But we’re also playing one of the most prolific offenses in college football game one, so we’ll see how that translates but there’s no doubt that we are better than we were a year ago.”
On the wide receiver position:
“I love the camp that Rantavious Wooten had. I love the camp that Marlon (Brown) had. Tavarres King started out extremely well and got nicked up a little bit that slowed him down a little bit but he’s come on strong of late. Malcolm (Mitchell) has made some plays. Michael Bennett had a very good camp. Michael proved to be one of the toughest receivers that we got and showed up to work every day and he got better. (Israel) Troupe had a good camp. So we’ve got enough guys in my opinion to go out there and roll them around and let them all play and see who makes the most plays. At the tight end position, which we also consider receivers for us, I thought Aron White and Orson Charles had a great camp. I think Artie (Arthur) Lynch improved drastically. Of course we took Bruce (Figgins) and moved him from tight end to full back. Bruce got a whole lot better at fullback early on in camp especially. In the spring, we were still opitimistic about how Bruce would begin to perform as a fullback, but then as we got into camp and began to hit he really made a big, drastic jump from being a guy that maybe knows his assignment and get to and breakdown a little bit try to fit up on a guy to a guy that just started to run through people and really hit people on the run and do things that a fullback needs to do. Zander (Alexander Ogletree) is a pretty good fullback too. So we feel pretty good about skill.”
On the pass protecting abilities of the tailbacks:
“They’re getting there. Richard’s never had a problem with that, but everybody else after him is fairly inexperienced in that regard. Pass protection is a skill or an art or whatever you want to call it, and like everything else it takes time to learn it. It’s a matter of learning who to block and how to get it done properly. And you got to have an attitude. Those linebackers that are 220 to 250 pounds come barreling down on you and they’re looking to sack your quarterback and you got to get nasty some times. It just takes reps. I’m not disappointed in anybody’s progress, but I wouldn’t say they’re just totally polished at it right now.”
On being able to use both Richard Samuel and Isaiah Crowell provided Samuel is healthy enough to play:
“I don’t think there is any doubt that we would hope for them to split the time, to share the load. Most everybody in college and pro football would much prefer having two guys that could get it done. I think that Richard’s style and Isaiah’s style contrast enough to where that would be really good for us too. If no one got hurt all camp, I don’t think there’s much doubt Richard would start and Isaiah would be number two but with both of them getting playing time.”
GEORGIA PLAYERS
WR Tavarres King:
- On Isaiah Crowell — “I think he’s ready, he’s a confident kid. He’s been playing this game for a long time and he knows what’s expected of him. He’s been doing pretty well on the practice fields and I think it’s going to easily convert to the game fields.”
- On the build up of the Boise State game — “It’s a huge game. I mean, the first two games we have are huge, but we’re focusing on the first one and trying to get a win. It’s just like any other game, you want to win every game you play and that’s what we’re going to keep focusing on winning the ball game.”
- On pre-game excitement — “I’m pretty calm. You put in all the work out on the practice fields and everything you do in practice is going to translate to the game. There’s no need to be nervous, just ready.”
- On the receiving corps — “I love it. Marlon Brown is going to be a tremendous player for us, I think. Rantavious. Wooten has made some huge strides. I think he’s turned the corner and he’s going to be good for us. Malcom Mitchell, you’ve heard about him from day one, he’s going to be a real good guy for us. These guys are level headed and they are going come out there very calm and play well.”
QB Aaron Murray:
- On having a feel for the game — “I think the comfort level continues to develop and I think you’re born with certain traits, whether it’s leadership traits or the ability to throw the football, and I think Kellen Moore has those both of those traits. He can throw the football really well and he’s a tremendous leader. I think as a quarterback, you definitely need that leadership skill to have guys look up to you, offensive linemen that want to block for you and receivers that want to make plays for you. He has that great quality about him and I think that’s one of the reasons he’s been so successful.
- On Dogs’ running game — “If the hole is there and everyone is covered, I’m going to take off and run, but I’m going to be a little smarter. I think this year, with my increased knowledge about defenses and our playbook, there will be fewer times when I make a misread or hold the ball a little too long. Then I’ll be able to make the passes and I won’t be running as much. I’ll probably be running a little less, but I’m not going to be shy. If I have the chance to run, I’m going to use it and try to get as much as I can and get down.”
- On how the coaches and fans feel about him running — “The coaches don’t always love it when I run, but sometimes they do. If no one is open and your options are to get four or five yards or to throw the ball out of bounds, you might as well get something positive out of the play. The fans love it, besides me parents probably.”
DE Abry Jones:
- On Georgia’s pass rush ability — “The confidence of the defensive line has gone up a lot, especially when it comes to the pass rush ability. Everyone on the feels that we can put some pressure on the quarterback. We know that we all have to step up and make plays.”
- On the game against Boise State — “This is an exciting game for us. We want to show our fans that we aren’t going to let them down and want them to know that we want to put the Georgia football program back on top of the college football world.”
- On the quarterback matchup — “I think this is going be a really good quarterback matchup. Kellen Moore has been around for a few years and is putting his name in the books as being one of the great quarterbacks in college football. Aaron had a tremendous year last year and I expect him to go into the game and get the job done.”
- On Georgia Quarterback Aaron Murray — “I think Aaron has the chance to have a big year. He’s a great leader, a team player that doesn’t really think about himself. Everyone on the team believes in him and trusts that he will go out and have a good game.”
- On having size at nose guard — “Having one good big man is always good, but to have two that can rotate in and out if the first one gets tired is always a plus. I think that you’ll see that when Kwame [Geathers] gets tired and [Jonathan] Jenkins goes in that you won’t see much of a difference.”
FS Sanders Cummings:
- On Georgia’s improved defense — “I’m a lot more comfortable this year. It’s like second nature to me now. I think that this is one of the fastest defenses that we have had at Georgia in a long time. I think that will help us defend Boise State’s offense because they play fast and score a lot of points.”
- On playing safety versus cornerback — “There isn’t much of a difference between playing corner and safety, it’s just space between the receivers. I am just as comfortable playing safety as I am at playing corner.”
- On Boise State Quarterback Kellen Moore — “He’s a great passer, he can run when the pocket breaks down, he’s a Hesiman candidate and the film shows why. He doesn’t hold onto the ball for long. If we aren’t there in three seconds, he gets the ball off. One thing we have to do is put pressure him and get to him quickly.”
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223 comments Add your comment
TampaGator
August 30th, 2011
4:57 pm
DawginLex…..
The best team in the country would have trouble scoring 31 points on Florida’s defense this year….much less Kentucky. Dream on with the score and you http://www.com post. The question at this point, will a Brantley-led Florida offense be able to score 30 on Kentucky…..but from all information gathered this summer…..the question is becoming less of a concern. Florida must now avoid injuries…..just like Georgia.
doggie
August 30th, 2011
4:59 pm
watched the video on georgiadogs… do the same….not nearly as aloof as chip made him sound. Cmr seems energetic and confident! Boooo chip…
TampaGator
August 30th, 2011
5:03 pm
UGAAmutt……..
Why don’t you stop laughing and go learn how to read. I wasn’t comparing the motivational skills of Muschamp vs. Meyer………I was comparing the motivational skills of Muschamp vs. Richt.
And…..the abilit to motivate has never been in question with Muschamp. It has been in question with Richt for years……..how else to you have so many top recruiting classes and so little to show for it…..especially against Florida?
Still laughing?
TampaGator
August 30th, 2011
5:06 pm
UGAAmutt…..
Suggestion. Let your brain, not your emotions, control your posts in the future.
kb
August 30th, 2011
5:11 pm
Georgia lost Central Fla. in 2010, this team is 0-0. Time for dawg fans who want to keep re hashing 2010 to get over it.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
August 30th, 2011
5:13 pm
No the first game is not that important.
We DO NOT strive for championships at UGA
we are a Miss St/ Kentucky caliber program
Its all about winning 10 wins here.
If we can win 10 wins then our team will get a 10 win championship watch and a t-shirt
Its all about 10 win seasons
DawginLex
August 30th, 2011
5:14 pm
Tampa
Glad you feel good about muschamp
As long as Tebow is not playing, i like our chances to be able to win
Kentucky pulls one every year at home. florida is ripe for the picking
Javaris C.
August 30th, 2011
5:15 pm
I’ll be watching the game….from jail.
kb
August 30th, 2011
5:15 pm
Gators, Don’t know if means much or not but Bobos offenses reamed Muschamp when he was at Auburn.82 points in 2 games.
UGAmutt
August 30th, 2011
5:15 pm
Here’s some control for you: 47-40-2…We’ve shut your team out 14 times in the history of these two programs…many by blow-out such as 42 when it was 75-0. CFB is cyclical, as you may know. The way the door is revolving UGA is primed to take a step forward, and Florida a step back. I don’t know who will win this year’s match-up, but last year should be a lesson for you. You are installing not one, but two new systems in your program. Muschamp and Weis and Quinn (in this “what have you done for me lately” world) have set a precedence of LOSING. You have very little experience AND depth on your o-line, no pro-style running backs, a basket case (see “Stephen Garcia”) for a QB, a lot of young talent that has produced JACK on defense, you lost your best CB whose absence decimates your secondary, and an unproven, overhyped and attitude laden recruiting class. Congratulations, Tampa. I bow to the greatness that your posts clearly demonstrate.
RedandBlackDAWG
August 30th, 2011
5:19 pm
Fla Dawg,
He simply placed the game in the proper perspective. Yes he wants to win the game, but given the first two games they play, which one would you think means the most to the DAWGS? I think he is quietly confident that UGA will be competitive in the game at the very least. he pep talks his players. He doesn’t need to pep talk the fans. I imagine at this point of the season, he is tired of all the media hype and just wants to get the game on.
38 Yardline Dawg
August 30th, 2011
5:21 pm
Richt’s comments at press meetings are less inspiring than insurance seminars, and Dawg fans should be pretty used to that by now. However, I’m anxious to see what happens Saturday. I know Richt has the team pumped with crazy uniforms (again) and our players are calling their shots online. But Boise is used to winning lately (only lost 2 games in 4 years!) and has much to gain from a win over UGA on the road.
Everything I read about my Dawgs says we’re ready for success, including a much improved defense that will surely be tougher than anything the Blue Ponies have faced. I do hope our guys are ready to back up all the talk, since talk is very cheap these days and we have much to prove on the field.
Athens Dawg
August 30th, 2011
5:29 pm
Why do haters come on this page? Every thing about UGA they rave about. #Obsessed
Bob
August 30th, 2011
5:29 pm
I agree with Coach Richt; however, I do think the season (and his job) is riding on the SC, Tenn, Miss State, UF, and Auburn games. Any combination of two losses and I believe he’s gone…maybe just a UF loss.
38 Yardline Dawg
August 30th, 2011
5:32 pm
Oh, tennessee tom…everyone knows you and your UT mutts are the experts in getting beatdowns from left coast teams, aren’t ya?
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
August 30th, 2011
5:37 pm
If he loses to FL again he needs to go
Stinger2
August 30th, 2011
5:39 pm
Anyone who is a true UGA fan and wants Richt gone is
not realistic. His record speaks for itself. Who would
UGA be able to hire as a head coach that would be a better one than CMR?
ActionFaction
August 30th, 2011
5:43 pm
Kellen Moore will dismantle your secondary with the skill of a surgeon and the dome will fall silent as Dawg fans observe in amazement.
FLA DAWG
August 30th, 2011
5:47 pm
RedandBlack,
I truly hope you are right. But at the very least the guy could have chosen his words more carefully. Hell man an SEC HC should NEVER speak anything to anyone about a forthcoming game not meaning that much to the season.
I recall our opening game in 2008 (I think) against Ga Southern. Yeah, we won but we looked sick. I actually thought Richt was hiding some of his plays so as not to telegraph what he’d do against tougher teams. Well, I was dead wrong. This coach has not prepared his team adequately for an opening game in over 3 years.
I’d love to see a great turnaround and gladly eat my words. But history is on my side and I think Richt struggles to go 1-1 at best.
Bob
August 30th, 2011
5:48 pm
@Stinger2…with all due respect, don’t you think UGA is capable of hiring a coach that can do better than 2-8 against the gators? I do, especially with the talent, facilities, tradition, and resources we have. I’m not satisfied with the mediocrity we’ve been paying for the past two seasons.
FLA DAWG
August 30th, 2011
5:57 pm
Bob,
That is the bottomline for this entire season as far as I am concerned.
I couldn’t agree more.
AltamahaDawg
August 30th, 2011
6:02 pm
You mean over that same time frame Bob, or ever? I think Mark Richt is capable of doing better than 2-8 going forwards, so if that is your criteria, why go through another curve. A “new” coach has to do exactly what Richt has to do to beat UF, so there is no big secret to that. Looking back, perhaps somebody else picks up a game or two, but who is to say he beats AU 4/5, or Tech 9/10? Kind of a guessing game. Probabaly better odds to just fix the known issue on the team for the past 2 yrs and move ahead.
AltamahaDawg
August 30th, 2011
6:03 pm
What’s the bottom line for this season?
DAWGMAN
August 30th, 2011
6:09 pm
I am prepared to eat crow. Fried crow, baked crow in a pie, poached crow with onions, potatoes, and garlic, crow sausage with good thick meaty bacon, crow & Jack, and so on will be gobbled and slurped up by me. The morning after give me a crow, egg, and cheese biscuit with crow-eye gravy. Let me have some of that good aribica coffee with crow’s feet to stir in my sUGAr.
I will acknowledge coach as a genius, and Bobo too!
It’s the players that have to do it for each other, though.
Just get the MO and GO.
Don’t get nasty sometimes.
Show up nasty, but quiet.
Don’t talk nasty; BE NASTY
Then go ring the bell.
Be a BULLDAWG.
TampaGator
August 30th, 2011
6:09 pm
DawginLex……
What happened last year when Brantley (who was a horrible QB last year) was playing against Georgia? Speaking of chances….I like the Gators and Brantley better with Weis as the OC, not Addazio.
UGAMutt…..much better post. Less emotion. More brain….but not very clear thinking.
1. Quinn came from the playoff Seahawks who beat the defending SB champs in the playoffs….and by the way helped his team perform much better than the press said they would.
2. Weis came from the playoff Chiefs after winning many SB title with the Patriots (three, in fact)
3. Muschamp and Texas hardly had a record of being losers….unless you call winning conference titles and going to national title games…..losing.
4. OL starters-
LT – Xavier Nixon (three year starter and former all SEC freshman team)
LG- Todd Weiner (three year starter at Notre Dame before transferring to Florida after graduating early….obviously, not very talented or very smart)
OC – Jon Harrison – Redshirt Soph and first year starter, but time and experience on the field…and very good.
RG-Jon Haliipio (Jr, and three year starter)
RT – Matt Patchan (Jr, injured a lot, but probably Florida’s most talent OL…and will be one of the best in the SEC this year if he stays healthy)
Backups:
G-James Wilson (Sr and former starter)
G-T-Chaz Green (RSFr and one of the most sought after OL in the country two years ago)
Yep—very inexperienced and untalented OL ready to crumble at everyone’s feet this year)
5. No pro style RBs.
1. Chris Rainey 2. Jon Demps 3. Trey Burton 4. Mike Gilleslee 5. Mack Brown
Give me Georgia’s depth chart at RB and let’s compare experience and depth.
6. The basket case has Charlie Weis coaching him now, not Addazio. We will see on that one. Weiss has a good record of developing struggling QBs at NE, KC, and ND.
7. I guess you didn’t watch the Outback Bowl where Floyd, Easley, and Powell all starter and dominated the line of scrimmage when they were in the game. That is doing jack. Speaking of jack, what has Geathers and Jenkins done by comparison?
8. FYI….Muschamp says his secondary will be a strength this year for the Gators, led by future all-SEC and AA, Matt Elam at safety….and including chumps like Cody Riggs, Jeremy Brown, Jaylen Watkins, Marcus Robertson, Josh Shaw, and others. They are all very fast and excellent cover guys. Robertson is a freshman and is bigger and faster than Janoris Jenkins, and Muschamp says he has the best one on one cover skills on the team….just needs some experience…which he will get before the Gators play Georgia. Also….another seconday name to remember….Pop Saunders. Muschamp is raving about his play at FS.
9. Obviously, you have not been following Gator football this summer. Muschamp says Easley, Floyd, and Powell (the three problem kids from last year) have great attitudes and motors. All three will be starting this Saturday and will be a terror on SEC fields all year.
10. No need to bow, just read without emotion.
UGA Law Dawg
August 30th, 2011
6:12 pm
I am researching the states lemon laws to determine if we have a case if we buy what Mark is selling.
He is a salesman one hundred percent thru and thru. Maybe a used car salesman or one of those extended warranty salesman.
FLA DAWG
August 30th, 2011
6:12 pm
C’mon Alta,
Ref; Bob’s blog. He’s talking about Richt, his record against UF and the fact that with all of our player talent, facilities and money spent on coaching staff we should be an SEC Powerhouse again – and not the brunt of jokes in The SEC.
And,”I think Mark Richt is capable of doing better than 2-8 going forwards”. Well hellAlta, is that the bar you’ve set for Richt’s success against UF!?
TampaGator
August 30th, 2011
6:13 pm
Flat tire…..
If?
NOTSO FAST
August 30th, 2011
6:14 pm
Coach R is already getting ready for a lost. They need to win and then they can expect to win in the SEC. You can’t win them all without winning the first. He is exciting.
TampaGator
August 30th, 2011
6:14 pm
Flat tire…..
More like…..when!
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
August 30th, 2011
6:14 pm
Altamaha
The goal is to win the east period
To do that you have to beat east teams. The main east team is FL. Lose to them and your on the outside looking in unless FL losses out which in the last 20 yrs they rarely do as they have appeared 10 times in the 18 SEC championship games
GT and AUB are not as important bud and Aub has been down except for 3 years under the Richt era
Please stop with GT, GT cannot fill a high school stadium and has only appeared in one BCS bowl in 40 yrs
tony
August 30th, 2011
6:15 pm
Richt: ‘I don’t personally think the season is riding on this one game’
If the season ended as shown below, which 2 teams will play for the NC?
I#1 Oklahoma – 12-0
#2 Oregon – 12-0
#3 Boise St -12-0
#4 Ga -11-1 (Ga wins the Southeastern Conference)
I like the way our players have responded to Tom Grantham’s 3-4 defense. His total defense was rank 23rd in the nation. At the end of VG’s first season as the DC his total defense rank 49th. The next season his total defense rank 15th in the nation. I won’t be surprise if Todd Grantham’s total defense is rank #1 in the nation in his 2nd season.
TampaGator
August 30th, 2011
6:16 pm
Seriously…..
I think Georgia will lose by 10 or more to Boise….but then come back and upset SC in game two. Then lose to Florida later in the year…..but still win the East because of the win over SC and Florida’s very difficult SEC scedule. This is your year…..don’t blow it.
But……wishing you beat Boise this Saturday.
TampaGator
August 30th, 2011
6:18 pm
Tony…..
Oregon would play Oklahoma..
but Oregon will not beat LSU down there.
In that case, it would be Oklahoma vs. Boise in a rematch.
TampaGator
August 30th, 2011
6:20 pm
Tony……
Really……number one defense in the nation this year? Better than LSU? Better than Bama? Well….it is still summer, I guess.
FLA DAWG
August 30th, 2011
6:22 pm
TampaG,
The reverse…………..(maybe)……….My Dawgs will either lose both games OR beat Boise State by 3 then lose to a very strong SC.
FLA DAWG
Class of ‘79
AltamahaDawg
August 30th, 2011
6:23 pm
None of that even made any sense flat tire. You drive me crazy with this stuff. You don”t disagree with things I say, you just use it to make some different point.
HE SAID:”don’t you think UGA is capable of hiring a coach that can do better than 2-8 against the gators?” ..so I didn’t set the bar, that was HIS quote. My point is spot on.
And why are telling me about winning the east being the goal, which I have never said wasn’t. Never even close to saying anything like that. In fact I have suggested that winning the east if far more important than beating UF. So yea, I got it. More so than you, because you are only focused on one “way” or path in which we could win the east, not the actual goal.
FLA DAWG
August 30th, 2011
6:30 pm
Alta, Flat, TampaG,
Let’s all take a chill here for a sec and agree that The Dawgs, after all the pressure Richt has been under for years, the incredible recruiting and support of McGarity and Adams MUST either win or lose respectfully against Boise State then beat SC to keep his job and set at least a possiblility of a winning season. Yes?
BroncoBill
August 30th, 2011
6:30 pm
You have a heck of a coach. Class act all the way. Bronco Nation is hoping we bring a better game on Saturday than we did the last time. I think the Blue and Orange will show up. What a great match up. Can’t wait.
UGAmutt
August 30th, 2011
6:32 pm
Wow Tampa…you actually took the time to prepare a post. Congrats. You said that those linemen are three year starters, supposed to do this, should do that. Your only returning experience is Xavier Nixon (seven starts) and Halapio (also seven starts). Of those linemen, the only ones with Pro-Style background? Dan Wenger. So you have a combined 17 starts for the University of Florida on that oline. Now, for your RB’s…which of them are capable of carrying the ball BETWEEN THE TACKLES for a PROSTYLE SYSTEM? Not Demps or Rainey (#1 and 2 on DC respectively), who are both spread slashers designed for outside runs. Also, I don’t give a @#$% what Will Muschamp says. He’s a first year HC who hasn’t experienced SEC football since he was getting rammed by UGA at Auburn (unless you count getting rammed by ALABAMA at Texas). He could say that he has the best secondary in the country and it’s nothing but deflection until they produce on the field. Your team is in a serious down year…expect that to be your new tradition, much like the 90 years of football prior to 1990.
FLA DAWG
August 30th, 2011
6:35 pm
BroncoBill,
Class Act my friend.
I wish all posts (I admit including mine) were as respectful and in the spirit of college football.
Good Luck On Football Saturday!
FLA DAWG
UGAmutt
August 30th, 2011
6:36 pm
Good luck BroncoBill…this should be a seriously exciting game.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
August 30th, 2011
6:37 pm
Altamaha
10 appearances out of 18 SEC championships
That ought to tell you that beating FL is most important thats the point
You dont beat them then your chances dwindle. Just ask Tenn in the 90’s
Get it now
AltamahaDawg
August 30th, 2011
6:40 pm
I’m prefectly chilled.
win or lose to Boise. MUST MUST MUST be convincing improvement. check.
not sure the SC game is the end all. 0-2….. would certainly be a tough few next few weeks. (and a touch path to the East) I just think the east champ is going to have 1 division loss and maybe another conference loss, so nobody is out of it week 2.
Let’s just win, that is so much easier.
kb
August 30th, 2011
6:47 pm
Georgia will beat Boise just like Fla, SC, Bama, LSU,Arkansas, or Auburn would beat them and the other 11 teams in their conference just like Boise, usually does, but last year tied for their conference championship with Hawaii and Nevada.Yes Hawaii had a 7-1 conference record last year, so excuse me if I’m not blown away. Could Boise beat Georgia , of course they could but they shouldn’t and probably won’t. Boise chest thumps over beating 2 and 3 loss Pac 10 , big 12 and ACC teams. Beating Ga Tech would be a big deal for these little blue ponies. Moore good Qb , but anyone think he’s that much better than Colt Brennan was? Remember the Hawaii team that Georgia defense wouldn’t be able to stop. If Georgia goes out and plays football like their capable of this game isn’t very close, time to see if 2010 taught the dawgs (that were a part of it) any lessons. By the way watched Boise (a more talented version) blow a 3 TD lead to Nevada in 2010 , and guess who Nevada lost to Hawaii.
TampaGator
August 30th, 2011
6:47 pm
UGAMutt…..
Halipio started every game for the Gators last year, including the Bowl game, and 7 as a freshmen. How does that equal 7 starts? Nixon started 7 games as a freshman and most last year (except the ones he missed when injured)…and made the all-SEC freshman team. I have no idea where you are getting your information, but I think that data is from 2009 start stats.
Demps and Rainey ran up the middle on dive plays all the time for the last couple of years….in the SEC. They just aren’t capable of doing it 35 times each per game. So Rainey will do it 10 times, Demps will do it 10 times, Burton will do it 10 times, Gilleslee will do it 5 times….and Brown will watch a lot from the bench. P.S. Rainey ran out of the I-formation in a pro set his entire HS career in Lakeland and was one of the best HS RBs in the nation doing it. He has been electric running out of the I-form in practice this summer, both inside and outside, as has Demps. They are going to be a dynamic duo in that formation this year…with Burton doing a lot of the 3rd down and short work (at 6′3 and 235).
Well……as I said….I think Muschamp is a better motivator than Richt and will be coaching at Florida long after Richt has left Athens…..maybe this year if he loses to Boise and SC to start the year…..
……and…..if he does lose those two games…..watch the hot air come out of the Georgia fans summer championship balloon….real fast. I hope Georgia wins the first two….but watch what happens if they don’t. I won’t be nice words coming from you and Bulldog Nation….just like two years ago when you cut Martinez head off…..and nearly cut Richt’s head off last year.
tony
August 30th, 2011
6:48 pm
TampaGator, I’m hoping my dawgs will beat Boise St and win the SEC so we will be in position to play for the NC. If your goal is to play for a NC then every game on your schedule is very important because you never know how many teams will go unbeaten.
AltamahaDawg
August 30th, 2011
6:50 pm
Great. Thats great for Florida. I though we were taking about Georgia.
And why would I ask TN, when I could ask the 02,03,04,05,07,08 Georgia teams. Seems better to use the actual example from the team, this coach.
TampaGator
August 30th, 2011
6:52 pm
kb…..
Last year’s and this year’s Boise team is a lot better than that Hawaii team. Hawaii had no defense, and you can’t beat an SEC team in a bowl without a strong defense. That is why the Big 10 has done Ok against the SEC in bowl games….they play defense first. Well….Boise has an excellent defense. Comparing those two teams is like comparing good tasting apples and delicious oranges.
Georgia will have to play their best game to beat Boise. And they may. But don’t fool yourself in thinking Boise could not play well in the SEC. They could…with the team they had last year and this year. And they are extremely well coached.
TampaGator
August 30th, 2011
6:56 pm
Well…….I am sitting home in bed after some surgery today. Got to get better before Saturday. The wife says I have to stop now and get some rest. Lights out on the computer, she says. So, goodbye.
But…..we are one day closer to kick off…….Glory…Glory….Glory…..SEC football is almost here.