Gamecocks will be yelling ‘War Eagle’ during Georgia game
ATHENS – Georgia could be hoisting the SEC Eastern Division trophy by the end of Saturday’s game against Auburn on Saturday – or not.
There are three SEC East scenarios that could play out depending on Saturday’s outcomes:
- If the Bulldogs (5-2, 5-1 SEC) win Saturday at Sanford Stadium and South Carolina (7-2, 5-2) loses at home to Florida, Georgia will have punched its ticket for its fourth trip to the Georgia Dome for the SEC Championship Game and first since 2005.
- Conversely, if the Gamecocks win and Georgia loses to the Tigers, South Carolina wins the East.
- If the Gamecocks and Georgia both win, the Bulldogs would have to defeat Kentucky (4-5, 1-4) in Athens the following week to clinch the East. A loss to the Wildcats would give the title to South Carolina.
The good news is the Bulldog Nation should know what’s at stake by Saturday’s kickoff (3:30 p.m., CBS). South Carolina-Florida kicks off at noon.
So, like there were a lot of Bulldogs calling the Hogs this past Saturday night, there will be a lot of Gamecocks yelling “War Eagle” should South Carolina beat the Gators.
“If they can win seven SEC games in a row, we’ll congratulate them and go from there,” South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier told reporters in Columbia on Monday. “The only thing we need to think about is Florida.”
Georgia could lose to Auburn on Saturday and still get to the championship game if South Carolina loses and the Bulldogs beat Kentucky on Nov. 19. But if Georgia lost to Kentucky in that scenario, the Gamecocks would win the East based on the head-to-head tiebreaker.
All those scenarios aside, Georgia knows full well that it can afford to concentrate on nothing but Auburn this week. The defending national champion Tigers (6-3, 4-2) have struggled somewhat during this rebuilding season. But they’ve already done something the Bulldogs couldn’t do — they beat South Carolina 16-13 Oct. 1 in Columbia. And traditionally Auburn has always played well in Sanford Stadium, where they are 17-10 all-time.
Meanwhile, the heat seems to have been turned up on this rivalry after last season’s game. In the Tigers’ 49-31 win in Auburn last year, Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray was hit late on more than one occasion by Auburn’s All-America noseguard Nick Fairley and the Bulldogs’ offensive linemen retaliated late in the contest. Eventually two Auburn players were flagged for throwing punches and had to sit out the next week’s game against Alabama as a result.
Georgia center Ben Jones, who was in the middle of all that chaos, was asked if he thought those emotions might spill over into this year’s game.
“He’s not there anymore,” Jones said of Fairley, “so it’s a new year and a new start. We’re just focusing on protecting Murray and him not getting hit at all. No matter who’s there, we’re going to try to protect him.”
But the Bulldogs don’t need last year’s antics as motivation. Almost any SEC championship they have ever won has always come down to beating Auburn in November and Georgia is acutely aware of that.
“It’s one of the biggest rivalries in the game, Georgia-Auburn is. It’s huge,” junior wide receiver Tavarres King said. “It’s a game that’s always extremely high energy. We’re going to work our butts off this week to get things taken care of and so we can continue to control our destiny.”
Said Georgia coach Mark Richt: “With the wins that we’ve had and knowing what’s at stake and knowing we’re finally in a position to control it, I think the guys are feeling pretty good about it.”
– Chip Towers
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313 comments Add your comment
tim
November 8th, 2011
2:23 pm
Muschamp wants desperately to beat tho old ball coach….with Shaw and Lattimore out Gators have a shot….so Dogs we’ll win the east for ya’ll @ 12:30
Honest Bulldog
November 8th, 2011
2:23 pm
Don’t count your chickens before they hatch!! What arrogance! And you wonder why people can’t stand us!
Bank on IT
November 8th, 2011
2:28 pm
Comparing Stats with LSU! Are you Kidding me?
First and Foremost. Outside of the MSU game, every game LSU has played in against common opponents the LSU team played 3rd and 4th team players starting in the 3rd quarter and those games unlike UGA were decided practically by half time. Stats are for losers trying to make a case for an argument that is already lost.
The program at UGA is STILL the 5th or 6th or 7th best program in the conference and without major injuries to your rivals teams we all know that games and results would turn out differently. But that is part of the game. LSU, Alabama, Arkansas, USC, Florida and then Georgia and Auburn. Let Mike Leach take over at Ole Miss and see if Georgia would want to play that helter skelter offense an an annual basis. Do not look over your shoulder but Dooley at Tennessee is going to have a junior laden team returning in 2012 and life may be a little different for some of those teams they play.
Bet the House
November 8th, 2011
2:33 pm
lay the 12.5 points—this will be easy money. Ga’s O will light up that bad auburn defense in a huge win. Dawgs win big and clinch the SEC east!!! Ga 37 Auburn 13
GA Sandlapper
November 8th, 2011
2:34 pm
Is it baseball season yet?
Bank on IT
November 8th, 2011
2:40 pm
Lets continue on:
UGA signed a class of All Stars( according to many on this blog). Some( Mitchell and a Few others have done quite well). Others like Crowell have shown glimpses of brilliance, but on that road, he had been suspended twice, had to be toned down for trash talking and sulks on the sidelines when he gets pulled. All in all one would look at that and say he is selfish and arrogant. Mr. Crowell is not going to stay at UGA more than a couple of years or until he either is dismissed or flunks out. We all hope he does not and gets his act together, but chances are he is just using his current situation to get that big signing bonus and monthly check in the NFL.
UGA has done a nice job of getting some players ready to play and others to play multiple positions to help them in their cause. But anyone knows that playing the easiest schedule in the conference has made this team a “paper champion” and the steps for UGA will become much tougher for them starting this weekend. Auburn, Kentucky, GT, SEC CG, Better bowl game against a top team from another conference. In reality, UGA could go 3-2 or 1-4, that is why some folks are laughing at this trash talking and comparing UGA to the great teams in and around the league.
flatsdawg1
November 8th, 2011
2:42 pm
Delusional dog, I almost spit my drink on the monitor!! If that score came true, the dogs would jump LSU in the BCS and I would defecate some masonry!! lol
SCMAN
November 8th, 2011
2:49 pm
Spurrier will beat UF. Now what will Auburn do with a bye week to prepare? I say they beat the Dawgs.
TampaGator
November 8th, 2011
2:55 pm
As the entire year has gone, if Brantley is 100 percent on Saturday, the Gators will be tough for SC to beat. If not, the Gators become easier to beat. But Jacoby Brissett is starting to get the entire offense for Florida, and that is not a good thing for the rest of the SEC. 6′6, 250 lbs., great arm, quick, strong, great instincts, innate QB skills, calm, collected….simply a future star. As I posted before, Auburn might want to start recruiting another outstanding Florida second string (current 3rd strong) QB in Jeff Driskell….because he will probably be looking to transfer (like Cam did behind Tebow) after next year.
Also……Richt probably thought the pressure was over after the Florida game……well…..let Georgia lose to Auburn and SC beat Florida…..and all you Dawg fans will be jumping back off the bandwagon once again….waiting for summer to come around again to rekindle your dreams (or you reoccuring nightmare). But….if the Dawgs don’t win the East this year, they may never win it again.
TampaGator
November 8th, 2011
2:57 pm
SCMAN….
Is Spurrier playing QB for SC this weekend. If not, how is he going to beat the Gators? I thought the players on the field did that or didn’t do that each week.
Cardinal Sin
November 8th, 2011
3:14 pm
Don’t worry UGAY will not win against Auburn as SC deserves to be the East Champ!
Bank on IT
November 8th, 2011
3:24 pm
TampaGator
November 8th, 2011
2:55 pm
You cannot talk common sense to some UGA fans, We all have those type fans but some of the UGA dimwits are way out there. They really think they are an elite team and can compete with the 3 best teams in the conference, or the top teams like OKS, Stanford, Oregon, or Oklahoma.
UF/USC should be a good game, depends on who is playing and how healthy they are.
UGA/Auburn should be a good game, if Auburn defense plays decent their offense will keep them in the game, but UGA owes Auburn for last years beat down and physical poundings.
Bulldawgman49
November 8th, 2011
3:50 pm
Here we go Dawgs win in close one !!!! Raise the Trophy and here we come ATL. might be playing # 1 team in the country wow could get any better than that !!! I see the SUGAR fall from the Sky .
GO DAWGS !!!
Football Wizard
November 8th, 2011
3:53 pm
PREDICTION: FL beats SC and GA beats AU on Saturday. BOOK IT!!!
Chip Towers
November 8th, 2011
4:45 pm
Eric C.: You’re right. Poorly stated on my part in this instance. I broke it down in Monday’s story that Georgia is 8-1 against Auburn since 1966 in years in which it won the SEC Championship or made it to the SEC Championship game. The exception was that ‘05 game when they lost 31-30 on that incredible Auburn pass play at the end. . . . I’ve added an “almost” thanks to your gentle reminder.
Lance
November 8th, 2011
4:50 pm
No way UGA should lose to AU. If they do it would be a total collapse.
Lotus
November 8th, 2011
5:33 pm
Defense has struggled against strong teams this year, Boise scored 35, South Carolina scored 45, both teams raked up @400 yards of total offense. hopefully, the defense will actually decide to show up this time. Offense has scored a lot of points, but made too many mistakes like fumbles for 6, int’s for 6, special teams have been bad in big games giving up td’s.
bugsquacher
November 8th, 2011
6:25 pm
havent you ever heard…..”birds of a feather flock together” ? war eagles & chickens…
bugsquacher
November 8th, 2011
6:28 pm
hey chickens……enjoy watching the sec championship game at home… on the couch…. too bad, so sad…. and you to war chickens…… (farleys revenge)
Jordan
November 8th, 2011
7:33 pm
http://isportsweb.com/2011/11/08/ugas-kicker-controversy/
flatsdawg1
November 8th, 2011
7:37 pm
I’m a dawg that is cautiously optimistic and believe the game will probably go to OT,with a very nervous legged Blair Walsh to win it. Should be a good old fashioned football game won in the trenches, hopefully by the bullpups. USC/uf will be over before then so we will know. I wonder if Richt will be back on the hot seat if they lose?
1969 Graduate
November 8th, 2011
7:39 pm
The upcoming games against Auburn, Kentucky, and Georgia Tech are important. Heck, they’re really the whole season for the members of our football team, all of whom know what it will mean to them to make it to the big show.
I have my doubts about the coaching staff, but the youngsters on our team have, for the most part, done a pretty good job so far. I’m sure they know – as we all know – that beating Auburn and Georgia Tech is crucial to the success of their season, and will prove whether the wins against lesser opponents really matter much.
Kentucky, too, as losing to them would be a major downer.
I don’t see our guys choking though. They’re not like some teams which start strong and then choke (not mentioning any names, but there’s one just an hour or so east of the state line). Our teams tend to get stronger as the year goes on.
I hope Auburn shows up with the their A Game on Saturday. Given what our boys did in the recent showcase at Homecoming, we may have a team that’s ready for a real test. I hope Auburn can give it to us.
Assuming we play as well as we’re beginning to look capable of, and assuming our coaches don’t screw things up too bad, I doubt even an A+ effort by Auburn will be enough to derail this Georgia team.
Somehow, I have a feeling we’ll be cooking with gas on Saturday. I think even our (formerly) not so special teams play will be good.
It is about one game at a time, so there’s little reason to even read the inane comments by boys who live in their mom’s basement, and wish they’d been smart enough to go to the fine trade school on North Avenue.
If I were LSU, I wouldn’t be making reservations for Atlanta just yet. The Razorbacks love to beat LSU, especially in what looks like a good year for LSU.
Can’t wait for Saturday. Bring it on, Auburn.
Go, Georgia Bulldogs!
flatsdawg1
November 8th, 2011
7:48 pm
I’m not running for anything but I approve the above message
Niceville Dawg
November 8th, 2011
7:53 pm
Well said ‘69.That 3 way tie could be a mess on their side.Regardless of who comes out of the east.I believe the highest ranked team would go.
flatsdawg1
November 8th, 2011
8:03 pm
If the Dawgs can win ten in a row that would be very impressive. If you’ve watched the games, this defense is becoming the beast of the east, and the offense is just behind the d. Special teams will work itself out, I bet ya Boykin takes one to the house in this game. I think Brandon Harton could help alot, this kid is fast, can be a good complement to Crowell.
zbulldawg
November 8th, 2011
8:27 pm
Well now Chip blocks those comments that call him out on his material
zbulldawg
November 8th, 2011
8:37 pm
Just blocked another one.It’s his way or no way.It’s all good the truth is what it is !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
zbulldawg
November 8th, 2011
8:47 pm
Next time you interveiw UGA ask them what their record is for 2011
SatillaDawg
November 8th, 2011
10:50 pm
Go Georgia Bulldogs!
Beat Auburn!
wins-by-a-link
November 8th, 2011
11:36 pm
Hard to believe any team in SEC east will be able to compete with the west champion, Wheather its Bama or LSU or even the Warthogs, I think Ga has improved and SC has regressed, If Ga can beat Auburn in a convincing manner and avoid injuries they might be able to make the SEC championship game interesting.
mark
November 9th, 2011
5:38 am
so we might loose the Alabama game next year and play Missouri ??? what a joke our conference now sucks!! all for the dollar, I believe it’s time to just start watching pro football ,they are ruining our league, what a joke
War Dang Dawg
November 9th, 2011
10:02 am
That’s fine, they can yell what they want. As long as Georgia fans don’t yell “Go Gators.” Or, as Rep. Corrine Brown (D-FL) would say, “Go Gata”.
Don’t go to the dark side. Seasons come and go, but your soul is for eternity.
ole yeller
November 9th, 2011
10:03 am
@mark.
Let’s face it Money talks and bull s—- walks.
War Dang Dawg
November 9th, 2011
10:06 am
Auburn’s good, but we’re better. Georgia 27-17. It’ll be raining Dr. Pepper in Athens.
DwayneL
November 9th, 2011
2:03 pm
It really doesn’t matter, LSU will crush UGA is they make it to Atlanta!
MsBooey
November 9th, 2011
2:22 pm
what if they both loose
zbulldawg
November 9th, 2011
2:24 pm
I got a YELL for YA’LL REPLACE CHIP TOWERS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
All In
November 9th, 2011
2:26 pm
Enter your comments here
Correction
November 9th, 2011
2:43 pm
UGA is 7-2 not 5-2
Gator man
November 9th, 2011
2:51 pm
Does it matter, LSU is going stomp Georgia to the ground, there last 5 games have been against teams with losing records, they have lost to every team this year with a wining record.
Please, at least SC will play good for a half in the SEC championship Georgia should run the table, they are playing a Auburn team that have lost 3 games, how did these losers from Georgia manage not to play LSU, Ark, Ala? when everyone else in the East had to play them.
Please Georgia, do your self a favor and sit the Sec championship game out””
UGA Insider
November 9th, 2011
2:52 pm
Ashlon Jeffries has been the biggest disappointment in the SEC this season. He was fat and out of shape when he came into camp and never progressed. His only goal going into the season was to stay healthy for the NFL. Look for the wheels to come completely off the USCe program with a blowout loss to UF and Clemson. Spurrier is retiring as well after bowl loss to whomever.
Dawghater
November 9th, 2011
3:07 pm
Here is the scenario. Regardless of the team from the East that goes to the SEC Championship game they will get spanked by LSU or Alabama. The East team wants no part of either of these schools.
Dawghater
November 9th, 2011
3:09 pm
UGA will do drugs tests after the seaon again. Surprising I know! They can suspend the kids for the offseason.
Jim
November 9th, 2011
3:18 pm
you forgot the 4th scenario — if both UGA and USC lose.
MarineDog
November 9th, 2011
3:39 pm
Does anyone know if Malcome Mitchell will be playing this weekend?
Buckhead Bulldog
November 9th, 2011
3:48 pm
1 year pretenders
Chip Towers
November 9th, 2011
3:50 pm
MarineDog: He’s officially listed as questionable but personally I wouldn’t expect much out of him. He ran agilities on the side Tuesday and today was supposed to be a big on-field test for him. But Dogs closed practice to media so we won’t see.
Chip Towers
November 9th, 2011
3:53 pm
Jim: It’s mentioned. Read thoroughly.
MarineDog
November 9th, 2011
3:56 pm
Thanks Chip! Hopefully the rest of the WRs will do enough to make up for his absence if that should indeed be the case. Looking forward to a hard fought game!
Big D
November 9th, 2011
8:22 pm
Chip, I can forgive all of the typos but the Dawgs record is 7-2, 5-1. Please at least read your articles once before posting. Thanks an GO DAWGS!!!!!