Preview: Georgia’s ‘bus’ rolls on seeking 9th straight victory vs. Kentucky
Three storylines
Bus rolls on. The Bulldogs (8-2, 6-1 SEC) arrive at Saturday’s game against Kentucky (4-6, 1-5) having won eight straight games since dropping their first two to No. 5 Boise State and No. 10 South Carolina. The winning streak has been made possible, coaches and players say, by the team adhering to the its credo this season, “Get on the Bus,” as in “get on or get off because we’re rolling on.” That attitude has put Georgia in position to clinch the SEC East title and championship game berth with a victory.
Senior Day. Twenty-four players and four student managers/assistants will be recognized in Senior Day ceremonies before Saturday’s game. Among the seniors that will be playing their last games between the hedges are six starters: offensive linemen Justin Anderson, Cordy Glenn and Ben Jones; fullback Bruce Figgins; defensive end DeAngelo Tyson; and cornerback/kick returner Brandon Boykin. They’re 32-17 over the past four seasons.
Mark Richt’s milestones. By all accounts, a victory today will go a long way toward assuring that Mark Richt will continue as Georgia’s head coach past this season. Richt has just two years remaining on his contract after this season and was not extended coming off his first losing season last year (6-7). A win today would give him his fifth shared or outright SEC East title in 11 seasons and fourth championship game appearance. As East champs, UGA almost certainly will extend Richt’s deal after the season. With 105 wins in 141 games, he would remain third in winning percentage (.745) among active FBS coaches with more than 100 games experience, behind Oklahoma’s Bob Stoops and TCU’s Gary Patterson.
A Georgia win would . . .
Clinch its first SEC Championship Game berth since 2005
Be the 33rd for the Bulldogs’ senior class.
A Kentucky win would . . .
Be its third in last six games vs. Georgia and second in row in Athens
Keep an eye on …
For Georgia: Brandon Boykin. The senior cornerback from Fayetteville will be starting his 35th game for the Bulldogs – tops among defensive players – while also returning kickoffs, punts and taking occasional snaps on offense as a running back or receiver. He already owns the school record with 2,469 yards in kickoff returns and, with 30 yards on Saturday, will move to second all-time in the SEC. He needs 250 yards to run down Florida’s Brandon James as the league’s best ever.
For Kentucky: CoShik Williams. The 5-foot-9, 178 pound junior tailback from Hiram has provided a spark in the Wildcats’ running game after a pair of fellow Georgians – Josh Clemons and Raymond Sanders – went down with injuries. In the past four games Williams has averaged 86.3 yards rushing and scored two touchdowns.
The numbers game
4
Georgia’s national ranking in total defense
9
Wins in a row should Dogs beat Kentucky, most during one season since going 11-0 in 1982.
27
TD passes so far this season by QB Aaron Murray, a school record
179
Yards TB Isaiah Crowell needs to become the 12th UGA player to rush for 1,000 yards and only true freshman other than Herschel Walker.
The history book
Series record: Georgia leads 50-12-2, including 24-4-2 at Sanford Stadium
The last time: On Oct. 23, 2010, in Lexington, Ky., Georgia tailback Washaun Ealey set a school record with five rushing touchdowns and Brandon Boykin added a 100-yard kickoff return as the Bulldogs overwhelmed Kentucky 44-31 in Commonwealth Stadium.
The bottom line
A 30.5-point favorite, Georgia (8-2, 6-1 SEC) should win easily to clinch its fifth SEC Eastern Division title under head coach Mark Richt and earn its first berth in the league championship game since 2005. The Wildcats (4-6, 1-5) rank 109th or worse nationally in six statistical categories and are coming off a 38-8 loss to Vanderbilt while the Bulldogs are among the top 10 in five different categories. Expect a big day for quarterback Aaron Murray and the Georgia defense.
– Chip Towers
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177 comments Add your comment
GayDawg
November 18th, 2011
2:33 pm
Quick pole guys: silver britches or gray?
Gdawg
November 18th, 2011
2:34 pm
GTBob, or review the tech vs. MTSU tape, or was that Western Carolina??? So many patsies so few Saturdays in the fall. Good Luck at Duke, hope you prepared for crowd noise. You are not used to seeing all those fans in the stands!
true
November 18th, 2011
2:36 pm
SEC east is weak weak weak
GayDawg
November 18th, 2011
2:36 pm
can’t wait to scratch and claw and bit$h slap and pull the hair of those bugs. NERDS!
Gdawg
November 18th, 2011
2:37 pm
you nerds are sure funny—-not! I am glad we consume your lives.(if you call your pitiful existance a life).
do you still have flag boy??
CPJ's fupa...
November 18th, 2011
2:39 pm
Offensively against conference competition, Kentucky ranks…
11th in the SEC in scoring offense (12.3 points per game),
11th in rushing offense (94.5 yards per game),
11th in passing offense (149.8 yards per game),
12th in total offense (244.3 yards per game).
Defensively …..
11th in the league against the pass (217.2 yards per game allowed),
11th against the run (234.0 yards per game allowed),
11th in total defense (451.2 yards per game allowed),
12th in scoring defense (36.0 points per game allowed).
nuff said…
bobby
November 18th, 2011
2:39 pm
IF UGA DOES’NT TURN THE BALL OVER AND PLAY THEY WAY THEY PLAYED AGAINST AUBURN ANTHOER EASY WIN.
GT Joe
November 18th, 2011
2:42 pm
I just wish you guys would stop beating us every stinking year! I’m so frustrated, it makes me want to be gaydawg, leroydawg, trailerdawg, and……ST. Simons 45-42 hahahahahahahahahahahahaha 2008 flashback!
DawgMa
November 18th, 2011
2:42 pm
Yellow Jackets are maggots that matured. But once a maggot, always a maggot.
McDawg
November 18th, 2011
2:45 pm
we need to explode from the opening whistle-run up some points and then let all the seniors have their day
FtWorthDawg
November 18th, 2011
2:48 pm
To be honest I am not worried about the spread. My main concerns for the game tomorrow are :
1. UGA winning the game by a comfortable margin and staying focused
2. No injuries (especially on the o line)
3. Improve the kicking game. Both kicking and punting need to improve
That’s it.
GT Joe
November 18th, 2011
2:51 pm
Mutts have no opponent this weekend. GT plays a much, much tougher Duke team!
East Repeat
November 18th, 2011
2:51 pm
Yea, Tampa, i did do a lot of talking on the blog, but heck, BLOOD was in the water at UGA and i could not resist. Despite my ranting, I do respect UGA and Dawg fans.
Spaceman- I am hoping the OBC is still hungry after not getting a repeat shot at the SECCG and wants to coach a few more years. got 2 more years of Lattimore. SC needs a talented QB- heck can’t we get a super talented QB that wants to play with lattimore for 2 years?
TampaDawg
November 18th, 2011
2:52 pm
Which blog Spaceman? I checked King’s Most Meaningful Georgia game blog.
GT Joe
November 18th, 2011
2:52 pm
Duke could beat UGA, Alabama, and LSU in a triple header. SEC is the weakest conference anywhere.
Jeremiah Attaochu
November 18th, 2011
2:55 pm
GT JOE,
Go back to the Tech blog before I punch you…
Ginger or Maryanne ??
November 18th, 2011
2:56 pm
No way wildcats are a 30 point pushover. Lot of GA kids on that team that would love to spoil the dawgs season. We should win easily, but it will be bit of a fight.
GayDawg
November 18th, 2011
2:59 pm
Can’t we all just get along?
TampaDawg
November 18th, 2011
3:01 pm
Either way East Repeat, you have my respect for sure.
BTW guys, I think Duke and UK would have a 0-0 15 overtime tie. They both suck. But in the battle of who sucks worse, always default to the ACC team. It seems that it works that way in the bowls.
GT Joe
November 18th, 2011
3:02 pm
Duke could beat anybody in the world, and gaydawg is really cute.
East Repeat
November 18th, 2011
3:02 pm
Yes, bobby, I told my UGA friends it would take a 5-6 turnover debacle with a couple of those going for scores for KY to have any chance. No way, in my opinion, Dawgs lose this one. KY is jelly this year. Clear, greaseless lubricant to be applied where the sun don’t shine, or in this case, smeared all over Sanford Stadium. Somebody better put some plastic over the hedges!
BiggdawgK
November 18th, 2011
3:03 pm
East Repeat.
Thanks for the classy comments. Let me add my voice to those wishing for a full recovery by Latimore. I hate when he gains a lot of yards on the Dawgs but the kid is a class act all around. I think the double punch of Crowell and Keith Marshall will get Georgia back on the winning path in next years SEC opener however.
July and right now
November 18th, 2011
3:05 pm
UGA man here, class of 71 & 73. Compared to July and the doubt about Mitchell and our back situation and Crowell and now …………… I LOVE IT !!!
FUN KNOWING THAT UGA IS GONNA WIN THE EAST AND PLAY IN THE DOME and whup gt and play in a very nice bowl.
Gooooooooooooooooooooooooo Dogs.
GT Joe
November 18th, 2011
3:07 pm
I am not schizophrenic. And neither am I.
BiggdawgK
November 18th, 2011
3:07 pm
Chip I hate to say this but you could take some pointers from that goofball that runs the tech blog. He bans anyone who says anything slightly against the north avenue trade school. Of course he allows his little tech sweeties to spew the most hate filled vitrol against Georgia anyone has ever read. I know he is a hack but at least he is a homer hack.
East Repeat
November 18th, 2011
3:08 pm
Hold off BiggdawgK, give us SC fans a couple more years of wins. We will need another Hall of Fame coach following Spurrier and Holtz to keep us winning. I know most SEC folks can’t stand Lou Holtz, but he brought SC back from the dead and Spurrier has taken it another step. Man, I hope SC gets a talented coach. You know, Petterson or Patterson, someone like that. It is hard for SC to compete in the SEC without top coaching. Blog you later….
UGA Insider
November 18th, 2011
3:09 pm
I hope everyone will show up and stay late after the game! It’s gonna be a great celebration about 3:30. I can’t wait!!
Dbalcer
November 18th, 2011
3:10 pm
I wish that comments at the AJC were moderated better. Thanks to Repeat for the classy comment. Most of the USC fans I have met have been equally classy. I hope Lattimore recovers well. I will be in my seat as soon as the gate opens ready for a very special senior day. GO DAWGS!!
UGA Insider
November 18th, 2011
3:21 pm
East Repeat,
USCe was my pick to be the #1 team in the country pre-season looking at the schedule. I knew the D was going to be awesome because your boy Ellis is a great coach. He is actually gonna be your next head coach just to let you know.
However, I have been shocked by the offense or lack-of. Ashlon Jeffries came into camp fat and out of shape and the Garcia think went way too far. Losing Gurley was a crushing blow as well. Your schedule set up perfectly with the only tough game being Arkansas. Auburn is terrible and had NO reason beating you. Then Lattimore was the tri-fecta but you beat everyone without him. The main problem I think is Jeffries being fat and Gurley
JAWJeRDAWG
November 18th, 2011
3:37 pm
To All – re our Tech nemesis blogger(s):
Here’s a comment by Ken Sugiura (November 16th, 2011 2:13 pm) on his GT blog about the multiple posts from :
GT Joe, aka GTBob, Superman, Super and Yellow Fuzz (are one and the same); which brought forth the ire from Tech fans on Sugiura’s blog. ..
“Posting under someone else’s handle is grounds for a ban. If you think the First Amendment grants you the right to say whatever you want on a private company’s website, then you probably need to study up on the First Amendment. I might tread cautiously. You’re infringing upon other people’s enjoyment of the site, which is also grounds for banning.”
Thus, pay this multi-personality poster no mind nor give him / her no response; anyone who repeatedly ‘talks to him / herself definitely has ‘problems’.
I no longer read his / hers, nor Thomas Brown’s or tide roll’s rants, or anyones who constantly shouts in ALL CAPS; they’re just are all ignored.
Since we don’t have an ignore button, I’ve found that a few quick taps of the space bar will quickly scroll down past these. …
Go Dawgs! Take care of the Wildcats this weekend, stay injury-free, and let’s win the SEC East!
One step at a time, then focus on beating GT next game.
After that, then it’s time to game-plan, practice hard and stay injury-free, get our injuried player’s back who might have healed up and are ready to play, then show up and play a hard focused offensive, defensive, and special teams game and beat the SEC West representative in the SECCG.
We’re almost there. Keep focusing on game-planning and execution like you particularly did against AU, and UGA should represent the SEC East well. Not saying we’ll win, but I think we’ll be a respectable opponent!
All the best to the UGA coaches, players, and fans as we move forward towards these goals! .. Go Dawgs!
AltamahaDawg
November 18th, 2011
3:38 pm
Well if they do, at least it’s better to have your wheels blowout when the bus is sitting in the parking lot of the destination, and not on the side of some 2 lane road, eh?
brandon
November 18th, 2011
3:46 pm
For KENTUCKY: CoShik Williams.
Not: For Auburn
QueerGuyForTheStraightEye
November 18th, 2011
3:51 pm
Dawgs will rule the planet next year! PReseason #1 baby!!! Crank up the Madonna CD and dance!
Dr. Morpheus
November 18th, 2011
3:54 pm
How hard is it to show class on the other guy’s blog? Ask East Repeat… he’s one of the few who shows he’s got the right stuff. And let me chime in on wishing Lattimore a swift and total recovery. When he’s healthy, he can put the game on his shoulders. The Bulldog faithful can only hope Crowell matures into someone of that stature.
GayDawg
November 18th, 2011
3:57 pm
I wish Lattimore a speedy recovery as well. Let me know if he needs a massage…
BILLY JACK
November 18th, 2011
3:59 pm
GT JOE I WOULD LOVE TO BASH YOUR ZIT FACE AND STUFF YOUR POCKET PROTECTOR UP YOUR A$$
Burdell
November 18th, 2011
3:59 pm
Speaking of split personalities TampaDawg…don’t you also post under Tech Rocks! as an avid Tech fan. Silly IP addresses…
GayDawg
November 18th, 2011
4:01 pm
Amen Billy Jack. GT Joe needs a good spanking…
Burdell
November 18th, 2011
4:03 pm
But best wishes for the Dawgs tomorrow. This Tech fan is rooting for you guys. The team has done what it has needed to since the loss to USCe….won 8 straight. Would hate to see it all go down the tubes with a loss to UK. Jackets were in a similar position in 2009 needing a win against Duke to make it to ACCCG.
AltamahaDawg
November 18th, 2011
4:08 pm
Well I don’t personally know anyone who would actually let themsleves use the term “elite program” for fear of sounding like a compelte tool, so not much chance of that.
AltamahaDawg
November 18th, 2011
4:12 pm
BTW, what exactly is so easy about winning the Class A state championship?
GayDawg
November 18th, 2011
4:14 pm
Billy Jack’s initials: beejay…
me first!
AltamahaDawg
November 18th, 2011
4:14 pm
I’m just wondering how many times I can get a boy named “who cares” to raise his hand.
AltamahaDawg
November 18th, 2011
4:16 pm
No, I guess I haven’t heard an elite team?
JAWJeRDAWG
November 18th, 2011
4:17 pm
Burdell, Delbert D., and other GT faithful:
Good luck to Georgia Tech tomorrow against Duke.
I hope both our teams, UGA and GT, play with no further injuries.
On the 26th, I want to see UGA play GT play our best against your best with each team’s O, D, and ST playing their best at full strength.
No excuses. Then the winner can banter about braggin’ rights. Sound fair? ..
Go Yellow Jackets, and Go Dawgs!
CHDawg
November 18th, 2011
4:26 pm
Joking aside, Tech is a lot of fun to watch. I like watching the option tick, as long as it isn’t ticking against UGA. I’ll tell you though, all this talk about LSU and Tech is premature. KY beat Ole Miss worse than we did, so they can put a game together. I’m hoping for a big win, but if we can put up another offensive display like NMST and AU, I think it confirms a lot of improvement in our O.
Still@theKool-aidBAR
November 18th, 2011
4:27 pm
good luck Seniors. Well it looks like the players that didn’t think they had a shot at the NFL at least Majored in good Fields of Study. NFL dreamers were Housing, Magazine, and PE majors.
kb
November 18th, 2011
4:29 pm
GT Joe, Kind of like the 4 teams Tech’s beaten that have 7 wins between them. Too bad we still don’t have a really good team coming up until the SEC championship game. You could go to the Duke board where tech is relevant.Tech schedule is ranked 71st by sagarin georgias 29th. Funny that the ACC 7th or 8th best teams fans like to talk smack with fans of a program who call them their bitch.
A Complete Blank
November 18th, 2011
4:32 pm
If only Rich Brooks could come out of retirement for this one… It would be ANOTHER win in Athens for the Wildcats… Another 10 years of Richt is PERFECT for DAWG Nation!!
GayDawg
November 18th, 2011
4:35 pm
kb: not a very kind hearted person, are you?