South Carolina game mars an otherwise promising first half for Bulldogs
ATHENS – Everything was rosy with Georgia football until this past weekend when it ran into a buzz saw in South Carolina operating under the name of Gamecocks. Then the nation’s No. 5-ranked team, the Bulldogs fell behind 35-0 before scoring save-face touchdown in the game’s final minutes.
Now Georgia finds itself having to pick up the pieces. All the optimism the Bulldogs had gained in by annihilating their opponents by an average of 26.3 points in the first five games was wiped away in one nationally-televised butt-kicking.
Since that game, Georgia coach Mark Richt has anybody who would listen – including his own players — not to read too much into one lopsided loss. As ever, he believes the Bulldogs are still a top-tier team that can win the rest of its games and contend for the SEC championship
“Whether you lose by a point or you lose by 28 points, it’s only one loss,” Richt said this week. “It’s not five losses. It feels like three or four losses, but it’s only one. The way the world works in the Southeastern Conference is the team with the best record at the end wins the East. There’s a lot more football to be played. Let’s see how it shakes out.”
He chalks up South Carolina’s domination to “a perfect storm” of atmosphere and performance that was reminiscent of what the Bulldogs were able to do against Auburn in their first black-out game at Sanford Stadium in 2007.
“It was kind of a perfect storm for us that day, too, with the emotions of the fans, the excitement of the fans and the emotion of the players when we kind of sprung that thing on them,” Richt said. “They were just at an emotional peak. We had something big happen early and it snowballed for us that day.”
Georgia scored 25-unanswered points to win 45-20 in 2007. But, he said, the Bulldogs weren’t 25 points better than Auburn. Neither, he said, are the Gamecocks four touchdowns better than Georgia.
“This game was a little bit like that for South Carolina,” Richt said. “Momentum got grabbed and they just kept rolling. We had opportunities that might could have made a difference. The first pass of the game, if [Bacarri] Rambo squeezes the ball a little tighter and comes down with it, that’s a big momentum play for us. Maybe we turn around and score, I don’t know. But we just never got momentum going in our direction.”
Richt’s point is less about South Carolina and more about the rest of the season. The 14th-ranked Bulldogs (5-1, 3-1 SEC) arrive at the halfway point still feeling like they’re a team that can fulfill all its goals from the outset of the season. As Georgia is off with a bye this week, here’s our assessment of what they’ve done so far:
OFFENSE
The South Carolina performance brought them down a notch, but it’s hard to deny what the Bulldogs have been able to do in the rest of their games. Georgia remains second in the SEC in scoring (41.3 ppg) and third in total offense (484 ypg)
It features an experienced quarterback in Aaron Murray, top-grade tailbacks in Todd Gurley, Keith Marshall and Ken Malcome fleet of proven wide receivers. The Gamecocks exposed Georgia’s weakness on the offensive line. But even with their failings in that game, the Bulldogs nine sacks allowed is fourth in the league.
“I think we’ll be fine,” said Murray, who “I thinknwe’re still very confident with who we have, with the play-calling and everything that’s going on. We just didn’t execute when the time came against South Carolina. There plays were there to be made; we just didn’t hit them. . . . I don’t think we’re shaken up at all.”
Assessment: Very good.
DEFENSE
This is the biggest mystery regarding the 2012 Bulldogs. They returned nine starters from a unit that finished fifth in the nation in total defense. Yet halfway through this season they’re ranked 51st in total defense, 68th against the rush and 79th in quarterback sacks. Worse, Georgia is giving up a lot of “explosive plays.” It has allowed 14 of 30 or more yards.
The easy answer is that Georgia had two starters out with suspensions the first four games and two others out for the first two contests. But Richt refuses to point to that.
“We don’t have any excuses,” he said. “We haven’t played as well. We’ve given up too many big plays. Some of it has been gap control; some of it has been communication on the back end. We’ve just got to get better.”
Third-year defensive coordinator Todd Grantham hasn’t been sharp in the area of game-planning. Ninety-four of the Georgia’s 135 points allowed – or 70 percent — have come in the first half, which suggests the Bulldogs haven’t been ready for what teams have thrown at them. However, with a 6.83 points second-half scoring average, Georgia is clearly making good halftime adjustments.
Assessment: Very average
SPECIAL TEAMS
Georgia is 91st in the nation in field goals at only .67 per game, but at the rate the Bulldogs have been scoring touchdowns (34), that isn’t necessarily been a bad thing. And when freshman Marshall Morgan has been asked to make a big kick, he has come through. Two of his four field goals (he has attempted only five) came from over 50 yards. However, Georgia has failed on three point-after attempts – two were plain missed – and have had three others bounce through off the upright.
Of course, special teams encompasses much more than placement kicks. The Bulldogs allowed a 70-yard punt return TD to South Carolina and are last in the SEC in net punting and punt return yardage allowed. But they’ve also blocked two punts and an extra point, snuffed out a fake punt and returned a kickoff for a score.
“The coaches are keeping us motivated,” said freshman Josh Harvey-Clemons, who was named the Bulldogs’ special teams captain for the Kentucky game. “We’re really emphasizing special teams a lot. We know how important it is to the game.”
Assessment: Decidedly average.
COACHING
Obviously Georgia wasn’t ready to play in the South Carolina game this past Saturday. The Bulldogs didn’t appear to have a specific plan for dealing with defensive end Jadeveon Clowney beyond letting tackle Kenarious Gates handle him and the defense was gashed with big plays early and could not contain quarterback Conner Shaw on the zone-read, option keeper.
That said, that was the second “game of the century” kind of atmosphere the Bulldogs faced this season. Missouri was eyeing its SEC opener versus Georgia as one of the most important in school history. And after last-season’s post-game run-in with Vanderbilt, this year’s game featured a highly-charged environment. The Bulldogs obviously handled those challenges with aplomb.
“Overall I think we’ve coached pretty well,” Richt said. “A lot of really good things have been happening. When you lose a game the way we did [to South Carolina] you start to evaluate everything and we have. . . . But I still think we have good coaches and good players. I think we’re still a very good team and the future is bright.”
Assessment: Decent
PROGNOSIS
The Bulldogs finish against Kentucky, Florida, Ole Miss, Auburn, Georgia Southern and Georgia Tech. They’ll likely be favored against them all except for the No. 4 Gators on Oct. 27 in Jacksonville.
As such, Georgia is still very much in the SEC picture. If South Carolina loses two SEC games – the Gamecocks are on the road at LSU and Florida the next two weeks – the Bulldogs could regain control of the Eastern Division with a win over the Gators in Jacksonville. Should South Carolina beat LSU and lose to Florida, Georgia could forge a three-way tie at the same juncture.
“We’ve got an opportunity to get back on a winning track,” Richt said. “The best thing we can do is correct our mistakes. We had to assess some things we need to get better at. That’s what you do. . . . Hopefully we can go out and have a good performance against Kentucky and get our momentum going again.”
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653 comments Add your comment
Gman
October 12th, 2012
4:49 pm
Chris,
Your post about the quality of writing/editing on the AJC was satire, Right?
Smarticus
October 12th, 2012
4:51 pm
IT’S THE COACHING, STUPID.
dawgcrzy
October 12th, 2012
4:53 pm
steve spurrier, no killer instinct?
Daltondawg
October 12th, 2012
4:53 pm
Sick and Tired, I’m glad you you go around and proof read every comment on here. I don’t have that much time. I post my comment and keep going. So if a missed spelled word bothers you that much, you shouldn’t be on here. Sorry, everyone is not as perfect as you. The players ask us the fans to commit to the g. If you can support them, you should find another team. PERIOD.
*I apologize if anything is missed spelled. I’m posting from an iPhone. I hope this makes Sick and Tired feel better.
Learn how to respect people, and your life will be better. I promise.
GatorBait 18-4
October 12th, 2012
4:55 pm
Someone said< "well if we fire Richt, who should we get". Well here is my suggestion and he IS available:
Americus-Sumter coach fired over practice incident
1:02 pm October 11, 2012, by Todd Holcomb
Michael Pollock is officially out as head coach of Americus-Sumter.
The Sumter County Board of Education voted 4-1-2 this week to terminate his contract rather than put him on unpaid suspension, according to the Americus Times Recorder. Pollock was suspended beginning with the Sept. 14 game for a practice incident in which he reported kicked a player in the behind.
chuck
October 12th, 2012
4:56 pm
Murray and Richt live in a dream world. They say the same things after every flop in a big game. I like Connor Shaw over Murray any day, and I wonder if Richts wife can ever get him excited. Football doesn’t seem to.
chuck
October 12th, 2012
4:58 pm
And I am a Georgia fan from way back.
dawgcrzy
October 12th, 2012
4:59 pm
I know Chris Peterson said he was happy in Idaho, but I say McGarity, get that fat checkbook out and make him a offer he can’t refuse.
Layinlow
October 12th, 2012
5:00 pm
DaltonDawg, you literally “missed spelled” misspelled. But keep your head up and live to fight another day.
umyboyBLUE17
October 12th, 2012
5:02 pm
Enter your comments here
umyboyBLUE17
October 12th, 2012
5:07 pm
All of you posters fretting about finding a suitable replacement fo Richt remind me of an abussed woman wondering where will I go, what will I do. It is not about Richt and it’s not bout future recruits it’s about UGA.
Daltondawg
October 12th, 2012
5:10 pm
Layinlow, that was on purpose. You’re such a tight @$$, that’s why you didn’t get it. You continue to make yourself feel better, by trying to belittle others. I really like when you guys try to act bad over the internet. Especially, when you probably don’t have an ounce of athletic ability. Have fun keeping up with those Catamounts. It’s obvious, you missed my point.
dawgcrzy
October 12th, 2012
5:13 pm
already read that Terry kid might be looking around, it is about Richt, and it is about recruits, coaching and recruits are UGA
dawgcrzy
October 12th, 2012
5:15 pm
we got recruits,just need a coaching staff that can coach’em up
dawgcrzy
October 12th, 2012
5:16 pm
hell we just need a coaching staff that can coach
umyboyBLUE17
October 12th, 2012
5:17 pm
When was the last time anyone wearing a helmet with a G on actually poped someone on the field? The last time I remember was Q. Harrow vs AU almost a friggin year ago, nobody on that whole defence will hit just for the sake of hitting. When defences have a rep of popping recievers ball starting falling on the ground and recievers arms all of the sudden shrink six inches.
umyboyBLUE17
October 12th, 2012
5:21 pm
when did TT stop looking around, Boise came to ATL with one four star and kicked our butts while the dawgs boasted 25 4 and 5 star players
Layinlow
October 12th, 2012
5:37 pm
DaltonDawg, that was lame. Please.
kingdaddy
October 12th, 2012
6:04 pm
Terry is the last thing we need. He can’t catch the ball if Murray is knocked on his a$$ all the time. WE NEED ROAD-GRADERS FOR OUR RUNNING GAME & A POWERFUL FAST DEFENSIVE LINE. We also need COACHES WITH MORE THAN HALF-A-BRAIN! For the lamecocks, nothing short of a GAME-PLAN would have worked. Our kids are fine, our coaches never adjusted on either side of the ball. IT WAS RICHT’S FAULT! Don’t make excuses for him. Hold him accountable…
Dawg89
October 12th, 2012
6:32 pm
An earlier post made mention of Murray not winning big games and the more lightly regarded Connor Shaw getting the job done at 13-1 as starter. I would say that has to do with coaching. Murray is talented, but seems to make incredible mental mistakes. Due to poor luck, he always seems to pay for each mistake instead of getting away with it every once in a while.
kingdaddy
October 12th, 2012
6:58 pm
Trolls still suc. Like it or not, we’re still 5-1. What’s your team ranked???
Top Dog: AKA: Kingdaddy's Daddy.
October 12th, 2012
7:08 pm
Paul Finebaum’s radio show ripped Richt and UGA a new one over how soft and undercoached the Bulldogs are. The Alabama Tide rollers repeatedly demanded that Richt either step down or UGA fire him and find a real SEC style coach. Finebaum again chided and ridiculed the delusional UGA fanbase for following a coach that’s lead Georgia to national mediocrity. It’s gotten so bad that Bama fans are demanding change at UGA. One Bama lady asked Finebaum if Saban would be willing to take Richt under his shoulder and teach him how to get a killer instinct (balls) to which Finebaum quipped Richt is the last guy in the world Saban would lend a helping hand to. That’s a damn shame the Bammers are pitying Dog fans suffering with a coach that’s lost his last 5 big games in a row in the past two seasons. One guy said this, (Kingdaddy please listen) if you support what Richt has going on at Georgia, you are committed to losing big games and committed to a program that clearly has lost its way or idenity. I agree.
I support UGA, but the finesse, ACC/FSU 90s heydey Richt has got to go. The SEC isn’t for soft, meek, mild-mannered coaches. Has anyone ever called Spurrier or Saban that? 12 years is long enough. Richt had time to change as Spurrier did and he couldn’t. It’s time for a head coaching change asap.
Kingdaddy you haven’t answered me and this is the 3rd damned time I’ve asked you: WHAT’S YOUR PREDICTION OF UGA vs UF ?! How bad will GA. beat the Gators and save Richt’s job?! Still waiting on your answer ?
PT
October 12th, 2012
7:17 pm
I really don’t think the administration at Georgia gives a rip about championships or titles.
Georgia is at the top each year for profit margins among college football programs. I believe they were only $2 million behind Alabama after its last National Title in income revenue. Why would Georgia feel they need to spend the same percentages on its football program as Alabama when they have a similar return on a smaller investment? Other teams can have their titles, but Georgia is laughing all the way to the bank
Russa
October 12th, 2012
7:22 pm
“Neither, he said, are the Gamecocks four touchdowns better than Georgia”
Hey S. Carolina, I think Richt might have said you’re not really that great
PT
October 12th, 2012
7:27 pm
I don’t think Richt is in a position to judge good football teams, heck he hasn’t beat one since 2008. How would he know?
Beast from the East
October 12th, 2012
7:29 pm
“Momentum got grabbed and they just kept rolling. We had opportunities that might could have made a difference. The first pass of the game, if [Bacarri] Rambo squeezes the ball a little tighter and comes down with it, that’s a big momentum play for us. Maybe we turn around and score, I don’t know. But we just never got momentum going in our direction.”
Ah, that’s it! Coach that “momentum” up, Richt. Studying cutting edge football is really starting to pay off. LMAO!
Gman
October 12th, 2012
7:32 pm
Good news dawg fans. Just think how much more “experience’ our line will have after a few more butt whippings. We might become average if we can just get trounced a few more times.
Exciting times! Thanks CMR!!
BadBadDawg
October 12th, 2012
7:35 pm
Most of you morons probably dont even go to the games. To read these blogs, its mostly the same whining biatches day in and day out…..
Top Dog: AKA: To HELL with the Defeatist.
October 12th, 2012
7:37 pm
Richt has never been able to put together a solid offensive line even going back to his FSU heydays as Bowden’s OC. All the guy every cares about is the overachieving, limited QB……guys like Casey Weldon, Chris ”1-15 Panthers” Weinke, Joe Cox, and Aaron Murray. Richt also loves WRs and the O-line,TEs,FBs, and RBs don’t mean as much to him. They are role players in his system which is totally pass to set a meager/marginal run game. Richt’s approach to offense was finesse in the 90s and he feasted on playing inferior, weak ACC teams that FSU played on a regular basis. He could NEVER beat the vintage-era Miami Hurricanes in a big money, high stakes game. Which lead Bowden to say: ” When I die they’re gonna write on my daggum headstone, I couldn’t beat the daggum Miami Hurricanes” ! To hell with the defeatists and I don’t care about offending the delusionalists who get drunk on pussy pink kool-aid daily. I only care about a school who’s great legacy is getting tarnished by a coach who was a bad fit from the very start. It’s all boiling down to one game now for Richt: BEAT UF OR do the right thing Richt. Resign for the glory of ole Georgia and free yourself for the glory of the ministry. Go ‘Dogs !
PT
October 12th, 2012
7:40 pm
BadBadDawg
October 12th, 2012
7:35 pm
Your correct! I’m ready for a change. How about you?
Top Dog: Real Dogs RULE this blogs !! LET"S GO !!
October 12th, 2012
7:52 pm
kingdaddy you are the bitch, you uglydrunkbitch. How would UGA fare against ‘Bama? Only in your drunken mind Richt-led Georgia would beat Oregon or West Virginia! LOL! This is BS and kingdaddy is a queer, leghumping coward. Hey Y’all since queermommy has no heart, can somebody anybody tell me how do you feel about Richt-led UGA’s chances in a big game in Jax versus UF ? Give us your true thoughts. I promise there will be no attacks to your responses ! Real UGA fans have no fear to speak their minds ! GO ‘DOGS !!! WOOF !!!
Palm Springs Dawg
October 12th, 2012
8:01 pm
I find Mr. Towers’ article ridiculous. Typical press B.S. We play/played a lollipop schedule until we ran into South Carolina who have one of the top five coaches in college football. If I were King, I’d call him up and ask how much he wants to move to Athens and Ag Hill.
Sad to say, I was bit by the optimistic bug for still another time. Richt is a nice guy, so I’m told, just out of his element. He doesn’t know how to prepare a team and being the hard headed guy that he is (see Willie Martinez) he won’t fire Bobo or Grantham unless McGarity puts his feet to the fire. But if that happens, then Richt stays. I don’t want that. And we get all this wonderful stuff for a mere pittance. . . he gets nearly $3M for being an also ran in the SEC. He’s definitely also ran material.
He Hate Gator
October 12th, 2012
8:03 pm
A decent explanation of the improvement in the SC defense from ESPN: “Most recently, Spurrier promoted Lorenzo Ward to replace highly successful defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson, who took the Southern Miss head-coaching job after last season. Ward’s first game in charge was a 30-13 win over Nebraska in the Capital One Bowl at the end of last season. In seven games as coordinator, his defense has yet to give up more than 17 points in a game and has given up more than 13 points only once.
Spurrier said last week that Ward has simplified what the Gamecocks are doing on defense, which has made them that much more effective. It’s a defense that has made very few mistakes to this point this season.?” What has Richt done? hired a coordinator that knows only the 3-4 for a league dominate at the line of scrimmage.
NorthGaDAWG
October 12th, 2012
8:06 pm
Richt: What do you think BOBO? We are 4th and goal…..
BilBo: Ummmm, lets through a pass just shy of the goal line..
Lorenzo Ward: Yea do that….
(next qtr)
Richt: ok we are 3rd and 3 whatcha think bobo..?
BilBo: Ummmmmm, well we just ran twice up the middle… lets try throwing the ball 42 yards down the field…
Lorenzo Ward: Yea… do that..
Results…….35-7
Excellent play calling in big games guys…………… not
Beast from the East
October 12th, 2012
8:12 pm
He Hate Gator,
I seem to recall a large number of posters saying that UGA should make Grantham the head coach, just a few months ago. Oh, how things have changed. Just look at his defense against quality opponents last year. That #5 defensive ranking was padded against patsies. Stats can be twisted, but wins and losses cannot. He was the 4th or 5th choice for a reason. No one wants to coach for Richt unless they are just looking for job security. His assistants do not become head coaches and he is the longest tenured coach n the SEC. Speaks volumes, in my opinion.
kingdaddy
October 12th, 2012
8:16 pm
topdog
You are so brave on your keyboard. Everyone of your post prove what a douche you are. You aren’t a UGA fan, just another troll. What was your name before you changed it. I must have spanked you real good. You have anger issues that show your immaturity and it’s obvious to everyone you live in a trailer. Probably a booger-eater. I’ll tell you what, even a snot-nosed kid can talk big on a post. How about meet me at the Dew Drop Inn tonight in Savannah, Ga. I’ll be there @ 9:00 until I’m ready to leave. You’ll know me, I kinda stick out, lol. Bring it boy. I can tell you ain’t got the stones.
BTW, if you are such a Dawgfan, (liar) why call me out? I guess I embarrassed you before. LOL, you embarrass yourself, you don’t need my help…
Top Dog: Real Dogs RULE this blog !! LET"S GO !!
October 12th, 2012
8:19 pm
Hey Y’all True Dogs out there in the viral world, since queermommy has no heart, tell me how do you feel about Richt-led UGA’s chances in a big game in Jax versus highly-ranked UF ? Remember QB Murray has never won a big game. Give us your true thoughts. I promise there will be no attacks to your responses ! Real UGA fans have no fear to speak their minds ! GO ‘DOGS !!! WOOF !!!
It’s past time for the real Dogs to take a stand on the blog and push the sympathizers,delusionalists,appeasers,liars, and defeatist perverts off this blog. This will be the beginning of the Georgia Renaissance right here right now!! We need to come together and agree to disagree about the direction of the program. Are we gonna sit back a let Bammers pity us for suffering 33 years without a national championship or step up and change our minds and attitudes for the greatness of Georgia ?! We know things can’t keep being done as is by those currently in charge because they have proven themselves to be incompetent.
Whatsay my fellow Dogs what chance do we have vs. UF? Do you even want UGA to win and prolong the Richt-era ? It’s time to get real !
kingdaddy
October 12th, 2012
8:24 pm
I will be leaving soon top-mouth. What you doing, working on an excuse? You don’t like my opinions because you are a loser troll who has been repeatedly thrashed on these blogs by Lex, Brain and many others. You are a very uptight anal nutbag who is in need of an attitude adjustment. I got just the thing for you Lucy…
kingdaddy
October 12th, 2012
8:34 pm
Top-mouth
Ain’t nobody want to talk to you Lucy, or haven’t you noticed that yet, lol. What a loser.
BTW, just so you’ll get over it, if the real Bulldawgs show up it will be a close game. Unlike you, I don’t know what will happen in Jax, but I do know what will happen at the DDI tonight if you had any stones. We all know you won’t show. Kinda like the Bulldogs at Columbia. Bring it Lucy…
BadBadDawg
October 12th, 2012
8:34 pm
You two should get a room………….
kingdaddy
October 12th, 2012
8:40 pm
Dawgfans
I’m leaving now. I will check back in late to tell you if top-mouth went to the hospital, or just didn’t show. I’m mad at Richt, but will always support THE SCHOOL, THE FANS, AND THE TEAM…
kingdaddy
October 12th, 2012
8:42 pm
You are a bad, bad, BAD dawg. I stay with my own species…
kingdaddy
October 12th, 2012
8:45 pm
BadBadDawg
he called me out. What would you do, get a room??? I’m an Alpha Dawg…
wreckmaniac
October 12th, 2012
8:48 pm
PL…leese get over it. Its Thursday night. UGA has lost many times in the past and will in the future. Good grief. Toughen up.
wreckmaniac
October 12th, 2012
8:50 pm
The solution is to join the Big East.
wreckmaniac
October 12th, 2012
8:51 pm
Why play in a conference you don’t belong in ?
Top Dog: OOPS!!......I ran kingdaddy off again, y'all.
October 12th, 2012
8:53 pm
Hey Y’all I want everyone to read kingdaddy 8:16 post. Is this the best we can do as so-called UGA fans ? That post clearly verifies what Finebaum, the Bammers, and the national think of the typical UGA fan …….ignorant and uneducated. kingdaddy is the epitome of the mediocrity trash that has infiltrated and polluted our once proud fanbase. kingdaddy, you fear me with reason, I’m the Champ. I’ve ran your ass off this blog many times this year. n. For as ignorant as you maybe the seminole problem that UGA has at head coach is bigger. Besides its not going to help you rehab to a sensible UGA fan if I keep putting another steel-toe boot to your already battered azz. It’s only going to help you continue to show more ignorance and cause you to continue to destroy what little self-esteem you have at the same time. LOL! . Down goes kingdaddy, Down goes kingdaddy……..I’ve ran him off the blog again! Yeah run, you bum. Get off this blog and run to a bar and get drunk …you actual will wisen up then LOL !!!
bamaguy
October 12th, 2012
9:07 pm
Something you will never see: A picture of Mark Richt holding a crystal football over his head. If that is OK with you, it is OK with me. I don’t have a “dawg” in this fight. If not, take a chance and make a change.
Top Dog: OOPS!!......Another KO of kingdaddy.
October 12th, 2012
9:09 pm
Wreckmaniac: I know you are fed up, but UGA is getting closer to change with every rout we endure. UF is the next and only big game left on a very soft schedule.
They say that Richt tweeted that he’s rooting for LSU to beat SoCarolina. If this is true he’s as big embarrassement as John L. Smith is to Arkansas. Can you blame top recruits for de-committing from UGA and this loser Richt ?
Top Dog: Richt has lost many big games.
October 12th, 2012
9:55 pm
Richt has a legacy of beating mediocre teams and losing big games even as his days as Bowden’s OC. He always lost to the Miami Hurricanes in big games. In 93′ he lost with Charlie Ward at QB vs Notre Dame in the game of the Century. In 96′ Bowden/Richt/FSU were routed 52-20 by “the ol ball coach” (Spurrier) & UF in the national championship games. In 98′ Bowden/Richt/FSU was beaten in the first BCS championship game by Phil Fulmer’s Tennessee Volunteers. In 99′ Bowden and Richt held on for dear life to outlast Michael Vick’s VT Hokies for the title. In 2000, Bowden/Richt/FSU were dominated by Stoopes and the Oklahoma Sooners and lost the national title. Looking back when Richt was at FSU under Bowden the Seminole won game after game against hapless ACC competition. In 91′ they beat Michigan in a regular season game only to succumb to the Hurricanes in the 17-16 Wide Right I epic game. FSU finished in the top five 14 consecutive years but only won “two” titles.The 93 National title was more Notre Dame’s than FSU’s due to ND’s head to head win over FSU, but the writers gave the ring to Bowden. Even the FSU fans were fed up with Richt’s failures in big games and were glad to see Richt leave after Oklahoma held his FSU offense scoreless in the 2000 championship game. Stoopes exposed Richt once and for all.
Richt has made very little changes to his offense since arriving at UGA. He gave the keys to his playbook to Bobo and the dated offense feeds on talent. Spurrier knows Richt so well that after looking back the 35-7 rout isn’t surprising. Richt can’t change the offense and he has Bobo fronting as OC and Murray as a QB to catch the heat when it breaks down in big games. We will never see a crystal ball in Athens as long as Richt remains.