Dangerous Vanderbilt team awaits Bulldogs in Nashville
Heading over to Georgia for coach Mark Richt’s weekly press conference and player interviews. Let me know if you have some (reasonable) questions for which you’d like to get answers.
We’re at the halfway point of the season so we’re starting to see some trends statistically and otherwise. The Bulldogs are 4-2 overall and tied for the SEC’s Eastern Division lead with a 3-1 record. They lost to the two best teams they played and then won the next four games they were expected to win in relatively comfortable fashion. So I don’t know if we’re sure just yet how good Georgia is.
The rest of the season sets up well for the Dogs. But don’t discount this next game at Vanderbilt. This is no ordinary Commodores team. They have some offensive issues and are unsettled at quarterback. But they feature some playmakers and are stout on defense, and I think we’ve seen in Georgia just how effective that can be.
In the meantime, we have some questions we need to ask you. . . .
Georgia Tech won’t host Georgia until Nov. 26. But if you’re like us, you can’t help but be looking ahead to that intriguing matchup. Here’s what we want you to do:
Tell us your favorite play in the rivalry and the AJC will try to track down the players involved and tell you what they remember about that game and what they are doing now. Please send an email to Doug Roberson at droberson@ajc.com describing your favorite play in the series and why. Just one per reader, please.
MORE STORIES:
- Dogs likely to face Aaron Rodgers’ brother at Vanderbilt
- Breakdown of the Vanderbilt Commodores
- Malcolm Mitchell out, Isaiah Crowell in for Vandy
- What we learned from Tennessee game
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202 comments Add your comment
Think about this??
October 11th, 2011
11:16 am
Where would Richt be without Crowell, Mitchell on offense? Scary thought, they are better as freshmen at their posistions than senior players, fact.
Leads me to say, Richt better win out and locate a few more instant impact guys for next year if he want’s to get UGA back to a top 10 ten annually. Grantham is starting to roll and is slowly working out the defense. Richt and Bobo need some play makers of figure out how to create more wrinkles.
Next years UGA’s litmus games: SC, TN, at Alabama, Florida, Auburn and GT will be the tough games.
ARdawg
October 11th, 2011
11:19 am
Reality Check
“If” by the FL, AU, Nerd part of the schedule we are playing some good football (whether we win or not). Clicking on all cylinders both offense and defense I would not be disappointed at all in the year. It was certainly a bummer losing the first two out of the chute. What was disappointing about it was, I don’t think we should had. Honestly, I was looking for a 8-4, 9-3
TallyDawg
October 11th, 2011
11:20 am
After watching the Vandy/SC game, Vandy’s offense is as bad as their defense is great. I could actually see this being a low scoring game as Richt/Bobo play conservatively to not allow Vandy’s defense to beat them with the idea that Vandy’s offense isn’t a threat to put up more than 13 points. Don’t want to let their defense beat us like South Carolina did. Hopefully, we can put up 21 points in the first half and then cruise the second half. This game could possibly be scarier than it should be. Vandy is great in the red zone. I could see us doubling them in stats but winning close.
murfdawg
October 11th, 2011
11:20 am
Reality Check……You will like the schedule the next two years. Next year we pick up Bama. then the next year we pick up Clemson, LSU and Bama, along with fl, au, and tn will be good by then. I hope you will enjoy all those “real test”.
TallyDawg
October 11th, 2011
11:22 am
By the way, was it just my imagination or did this seem like the first game (not counting Coastal Carolina) where Murray seemed to have all day to throw? Is Tennessee’s line that bad or did our o-line make a vast improvement? I have gotten used to seeing Murray hit on every play. It seems as if Bobo/Richt expected to have time to throw the deep ball this game also?
BigGAdawg
October 11th, 2011
11:25 am
Can we PLEASE do something other than run up the middle on 3rd and long. If Bobo thinks that is a great play because they won’t be expecting it, DUUUH, of course they will be expecting it, you call that play nearly everytime. When you do something alot, the opposition will most certainly be expecting it–they look at film too!
DawginLex
October 11th, 2011
11:26 am
Our defense in 2012 and beyond with Grantham is going to be very good.
Our challenge next year is going to be our offensive line
We will be playing a lot of youngsters and we are going to have to sign a couple of JUCO players for depth.
This year’s line will seem like a dream compared to next year.
Dantzler-Tackle
Andrews-Center
Ward-Tackle(injured this year)
Lee
Gates
Jones, Anderson and Glenn graduate. that is a ton of experience.
TallyDawg
October 11th, 2011
11:26 am
@murfdawg – Dang, why do we have to have such a tough schedule in two years when we should be peaking (hopefully)?! Well maybe with the addition of Texas A&M and someone else by then, the schedule will be adjusted!
The Most Interesting Man in the World
October 11th, 2011
11:26 am
Hilarious hearing GT fans say the Dawgs are playing an easy schedule. Are you kidding? Who has Tech played this year? UNC is the only mediocre team GT has played. The other 5 teams are wretched!
Not Complacent
October 11th, 2011
11:27 am
The Commode Doors could close the lid on the KoolAid bucket if we aren’t careful. Vandy represents the second best SEC team that Georgia has faced this season. I don’t really want to talk about that other game. I’m not into “woulda, coulda, shoulda”.
TallyDawg
October 11th, 2011
11:29 am
DawginLex – Maybe Grantham can lend us some of his d lineman next year after he has toughened em up ; ) Or we can send the olinemen to Grantham camp ; ) (just kidding before everyone slams me about the difference between o linemen and d linemen).
BigTimeTechFan
October 11th, 2011
11:31 am
check this out:
Nine new names have been added to the Maxwell Watch List.
The Maxwell Award additions include:
Giovani Bernard- North Carolina, RB, Freshman
Tajh Boyd- Clemson, QB, Sophomore
Isaiah Crowell- Georgia, RB, Freshman
Seth Doege- Texas Tech, QB, Junior
Lamar Miller- Miami (Fla), RB, Sophomore
Brock Osweiler- Arizona State, QB, Junior
Bernard Pierce- Temple, RB, Junior
Keith Price- Washington, QB, Sophomore
Tevin Washington- Georgia Tech, QB, Junior
Crowell is real good but I think Giovani Bernard is a little better, shifty like Crowell but more powerful. But hats off to both Freshmen for making the watch list. I would have put Orwin Smith from Tech in there before Washington but Washington get the ball more so his stats are better
Not Complacent
October 11th, 2011
11:33 am
@TallyDawg
Vandy moved the ball pretty well between the 20’s last week after their backup QB came into the game. If they learn how to make a FG, they could become dangerous.
duronimo
October 11th, 2011
11:36 am
Picking up on what Nick wrote, Crowell does spend a lot of time on the sidelines, especially at times when one would think he should be in there. Why was Samuel even recruited? I’m sure he hasn’t changed his running style since he was at Cass High. Any type of contact sends him to the turf …. perhaps at times, even a blade of grass. I’ve never seen anyone with his speed and bulk be such a powerless runner. And why does he get carries in situations that calls for what he doesn’t exhibit?
MY 2 cents
October 11th, 2011
11:38 am
What is wrong with T. King. The past few games Murray has gone to him deep a couple of times, some of those throws were long but there were some he could have went and got! He seems slow and lazy and for a lack of better words, not worth a rats ass! Anyone have an answer?
Old Dawg
October 11th, 2011
11:45 am
It appears that Orson Charles’ production has slipped recently. What kind of match-ups are the opposing teams creating to slow him down?
Also, coach Richt sounded like he was frustrated with the offense’s second half production Saturday night. I know UGA likes to take a conservative approach when it has a lead, but are the planning on changing that to score more and put the pressure on the opposition?
As always, thanks for your great work.
1969 Graduate
October 11th, 2011
11:45 am
Vandy is often a more difficult game than we’d expect, and they can’t ever be overlooked, nor can any team.
Especially considering the state of affairs on our offense…
Isn’t it pitiful that we are reduced to being truly concerned about the lowest tier of SEC teams? Even worse, we seem to be so truly excited when we win games against the bottom dwellers, as if these are our real competition.
Perhaps Vandy, MSU, Ole Miss, and the current imitation football team at Tennessee are our real competition! Our team has not been competitive with the SEC title contenders in several years, unless losing to them counts as competition.
Our UGA football program is only a step away from being invited to be the homecoming opponent at Alabama, LSU, and Arkansas. If such opponents are paid to be the sacrificial lamb, it might be an offer our program would accept.
Here’s a question for Coach: Coach, have you heard the rumors that several Top Twenty football programs are trying to lure Mike Bobo away from UGA to be their OC and call their plays?
That should break up the room, but it’s not a bit funny.
ARdawg
October 11th, 2011
11:46 am
duroninmo
You’re not being fair to Samuel. There is a couple thing things you should note. When he hits the secondary in stride he is a bull to take down. His problem has been hitting a hole. Has the holes been open? Samuels is susceptible and easier to tackle at the line or in the backfield. He is a particular type of RB in an offense that isn’t designed for his style. He’s not going to cut, slide or sneak past anyone. He needs a hole and about 4 steps, then he’s trouble. If he doesn’t get it, well you see the result. The blame on his ineffectiveness isn’t necessarily his
layinlow
October 11th, 2011
11:49 am
“What everyone must do at a halfway point — it’s just like the halfway point of a project the halfway point of anything you do — it’s how you finish that really is the key thing that everyone has to focus on right now,” McGarity said. “Once you think you might have it figured out or you may rest on your laurels so to speak, that’s when you have problems. The message that we need to have and the message that everyone needs to have is that each week gets bigger and bigger. To get to certain levels, you have to work that much harder.”
“Obviously you’re winning the games that really you need to win,” McGarity said. “At the same time, those teams have really struggled. I don’t know if there’s a (conference) win among them. You’ve got to keep things in perspective because there are some big tests coming up.”
These are quotes made by McGarity in todays edition of the athens banner herald. What I glean from thses comments is that McGarity still isn’t sold on this team and it’s to early for the Richt pollyanna’s to celebrate.
Jason
October 11th, 2011
11:50 am
@Kevin – Yeah, UGA sure dominated South Carolina! They held them to ONLY 45 points! And Lattimore only ran for 176! They even made Garcia look competent. I mean hey, Navy and Auburn couldn’t even accomplish that feat!
Rusty
October 11th, 2011
11:51 am
MY 2 cents,
Watch the games before you make comments. T. King looked fine against Tennessee, made a couple of nice catches early. Murray missed him deep twice or he would’ve had a break out game, I hope those weren’t the throws you think he ‘could have went and got!’.
Macclenny_dawg
October 11th, 2011
11:52 am
Why don’t we run some quick slants and wr screens early to get Murray involved earlier.
dawgfacedboy
October 11th, 2011
11:53 am
Let’s be honest here people, Vanderbilt is not a “dangerous” team. UGA does not need to take them lightly but that hardly has to do with Vandy being “dangerous”. It’s a road SEC game with a UGA team that is relatively inexperienced at many positions yet is showing some promise. This is a fragile team that does not needs to take every game seriously and continue to improve each week. USC had how many turnovers, 4 or 5, and they still destroyed Vandy. No Vandy is not “dangerous”. This should be a blowout if UGA comes prepared.
db
October 11th, 2011
11:55 am
Dangerous Vanderbilt team??????????????????
LMAO
Jason
October 11th, 2011
11:55 am
Dangerous Vandy? Oh, how the mighty have fallen! Dangerous Vandy? As in the ones that put up the goose egg against Alabama and the 3 spot against that South Carolina team that UGA “dominated”? Of course, then again Vandy did seem to play better against Ole Miss than Ga did. Is that the reason Vandy is dangerous?
RAMBLE ON!!!
October 11th, 2011
11:56 am
Should be a great game. To evenly match teams, if intelligence isn’t factored in.
Tough call on this one. I’m going to factor in the intelligence and pick Vandy 24 UGA 23.
Really?
October 11th, 2011
11:56 am
Georgia has more 5* recruits on their cheerleading squad than Vandy does in their home team!
Georgia is
October 11th, 2011
11:57 am
The new Tennessee.
They get all these five stars and nobody knows what happens to them.
mmraines01
October 11th, 2011
12:01 pm
Reggie Ball…UGA’s MVP
Wet Willie...keep on smiling
October 11th, 2011
12:02 pm
UGA will not blowout Vandy and will be lucky to win. UGA aint all that and have played nobody with a decent team and that includes USCe and Blowme State.
DawginLex
October 11th, 2011
12:03 pm
Vandy is struggling on offense and has changed QB’s. That will give them new hope and optimism. They also have a new coach who appears to have a nice plan in place and has made some recruiting in-roads.
If our defense continues its play and we don’t turn the ball over, we should win by 3 TD’s. Bama was up 7-0 late in the 1st half and eventually just wore them down.
I say 27-10 or something like that.
Jason
October 11th, 2011
12:03 pm
@Most Interesting Man in the World – I’d acknowledge that Tech hasn’t played a team like Boise St. yet. However, I’d also say that North Carolina could give South Carolina a game, and that Maryland and NC State could even play with the likes of Ole Miss/Miss. St./Tennessee. Heck even Kansas could probably play with Ole Miss.
DawginLex
October 11th, 2011
12:05 pm
layinlow
We have all read McGarity’s comments from 2 days ago numerous times thanks to you posting them 40 times.
His plan has not changed since the beginning of the year
You must have just figured that out.
GTBob
October 11th, 2011
12:07 pm
Dangerous Vanderbilt team? The same team that has scored 3 points in the last two games combined? A team that played UConn closer then Western Michigan did? If UGA plays their scout team they will easily win.
Mike Bobo 17 INT
October 11th, 2011
12:12 pm
Chip, tend to agree with you. UGA has had a mediocre first half (not including Boise and USC), and now cold water is going to be splashed on their parade.
This article should sum it up:
http://cfn.scout.com/2/1115664.html
Mike Bobo 17 INT
October 11th, 2011
12:14 pm
All is not right in Athens; not even close. If the Dawgs played in the West this year or had Florida’s SEC schedule, they would end the year with at least four losses, maybe five-six, given the greater likelihood of injuries, questions about depth at key positions, and poor morale given the past four seasons.
The Bulldogs continue to have issues with players quitting; 14 that were on this roster at the end of 2010 are gone early, with only
Mike Bobo 17 INT
October 11th, 2011
12:15 pm
The schedule has been too easy, and remains relatively easy aside from Vandy, Florida and Auburn. UGA has not been stress tested yet.
truedawg
October 11th, 2011
12:17 pm
I wanna know about Tree and now that we have play makers spread over the D, will we see more rotations? Will Mitchell be 100% for UF? Will we see the FB used more or maybe..just maybe see Jenkins in some ole “fridge” running plays on short yardage? Can Figgins handle the ball? or what reason do we never see any FB with the ball? imagine on 3 and goal on the 3 jenkins as FB and Figgins carrying the rock…How could you stop that??
Also will we see CMR calling more plays after the recent comments about “wishing we’d been more agressive” ? GO DAWGS!!!
JB
October 11th, 2011
12:19 pm
We need to be fair. We jump on Tech for having beat no one…..Here’s a clue….we ain’t either. Georgia Football to me is beating good teams and making the news. We’ve done neither. I’m encouraged by the defense, but we are a long way from being a good ball club. We have not beat a ranked team since the 2009 season. And if we don’t beat Florida this year, we might as well take them off the schedule and end the misery.
Big Dawg
October 11th, 2011
12:20 pm
Just my opinion but Cornelius Washington should be suspended for the rest of the season for the DUI and besides he was consistently taking himself out of plays and taking plays off. This past weekend was actually a big improvement over him being in the games anyway.
My only question to Coach Richt is why is Richard Samuel still a running back, he is hurting this kids future and also his team’s by having him at running back? They should be able to see that Samuel is not a running back.
IC Cake
October 11th, 2011
12:20 pm
relax–Ga will beat vandy easy, even with some backups in the game. They can’t match the dawgs speed. IC will run wild and may get 200. Dawgs win in a rout: 37-13
ARdawg
October 11th, 2011
12:20 pm
Vandy will be a much tougher opponent than will the Nerds from Tech
Mr. Dawg
October 11th, 2011
12:20 pm
Everyone that knows anything about college football is aware that Georgia should win. But if ever there was a “trap” game this could be it. The Bulldogs are coming off an emotinal win with Florida looming. I can assure you Vanderbilt will be playing hard. This is a big game for the Commodores’ season right now. Georgia needs to take this game serious. Anyone who is still bashing the Bulldogs and Richt but at the same time thinks this game should be taken lightly is contradicting themselves.
truedawg
October 11th, 2011
12:22 pm
UGA isn’t on the same level as LSU or Bama, but very very capable of beating any other team in the SEC. All this talk of Ark being so good is crazy!! Do you remember last years game? Ark barely escaped..Do you think UGA is better this year than last? yes. Ark is worse than last year, if the Dawgs played them Saturday UGA would win 28-17. Last Vandy…UGA better be ready on the OL, but will win by 14. GO DAWGS!!!
henry from TN
October 11th, 2011
12:23 pm
since the dawgs beat the vols i believe they will win the SEC east….
MY 2 cents
October 11th, 2011
12:28 pm
Rusty You must not be watching the same games I
MY 2 cents
October 11th, 2011
12:30 pm
am. Cause he does look slow and puzzled and quite scared to me. I think its safe to say he hasnt panned out just like M.Brown
Joey
October 11th, 2011
12:31 pm
Lowcountry, I’ve got to see us beat a good team – the wins to date have been over awful teams – before I will consider Richt “vindicated.”
With our D playing as it is, we should be favorites in every game left, except Tech, if they keep winning.
ARdawg
October 11th, 2011
12:33 pm
truedawg
Arkansas is a good team and improving daily. Petrino, like him or not is an excellent coach. Arkansas had virtually nothing in the cupboards when Petrino arrived. Arkansas will make some noise. They will beat Carolina. They have a whammy on LSU but, I don’t know if they have the horses to beat them this year. If Arkansas’s running game develops and the defense comes around, look out
Joey
October 11th, 2011
12:34 pm
Come on Big Dawg, most teams don’t even suspend for DUIs, and Grantham doesn’t strike me as a coach who would put up with a player taking plays off.