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
Huh?
October 12th, 2012
10:01 pm
After the SC game, any UGA fan that would be happy slipping in the back door of the SEC CG game again should be ashamed.
Frock
October 12th, 2012
10:22 pm
I can’t tell who is more mentally unstable; Joe Biden or Mark Richt. I understand being positive to the press, but this our head coach is seriously delusional. What purpose does he serve to our team? He’s like a corpse on the sideline. Does he provide any input? Mark Richt has destroyed my enthusiasm for Georgia football. This has culminated over the last five years. It’s really sad. I bought season tix and have had to drag myself to Athens on Saturdays. Under his reign, we will NEVER beat a top tier team ranked several spots head of us. Any UGA that supports this man today is living a pipe dream. He is completely checked out of being a great team. You think the recruits don see this?? He is a narrow minded fool with a great heart that believes in the invisible man in the sky. Not being a champion. The in-fighting and lack of communication btw the coaches has existed sine the Martinez days at minimum. I know his or a fact. Straight from a current NFL players mouth. If ou accept the current Tate of this team, then stop complaining about losing to good teams. Stop whining and accept the outback bowl is the biggest ccomplishment you will ever see under Richt.
Sick and tired
October 12th, 2012
10:27 pm
Daltondawg – If pointing out the obvious was being disrespectful, then I apologize. You do realize that iPhones have spell check software – right? Anyway, I never said anything about the players so your new arguement makes no since. I only posted facts about our so called coaches. It’s difficult to argue with a 2-14 record isn’t is? Wanting better coaches that have a clue in no way means that I am not supporting the Dawgs. I am just sick and tired of UGA being embarrassed on national TV and Richt smiling and acting like everything’s ok. Same old song and dance with every blowout. It’s time for a change.
rhaize r. blaide
October 12th, 2012
10:50 pm
A week has gone by and I still have this bad taste in my mouth !! I’ve been disappointed a number of times but have never been this embarrassed of the result of a Ga. game….This team was way way way overhyped….moreso than the 08 team that was pre-season #1…..That team started the ball rolling to fire Coach Martinez….There is a large number of quality, good, and even great players on this yrs team….We have one of the top 3 states in the US to recruit from……Our facilities are second to no one (Ive seen ) and our fans, boosters, and ticket holders are the best…..Yet, we have the worst record in the country when it comes to beating ranked teams since 07……And whats worse is the losses are more pronounced and one-sided…..TIME FOR A COACHING CHANGE!!!!!!!!
Frock
October 12th, 2012
11:04 pm
Dalondawg and Sick and Tired: I can tell we’re all on the same page here. I can also tell that Sick and Tired is a devoted fan who is frustrated. Not some foolish, foul-mouth buffoon who jumps on these boards with negativity every time we lose. There comes a time when posting on these public forums is not going to cause anymore damage that what is already being committed by this coaching staff. Maybe it does have some influence on recruits who one across the comments, but it is very little. I have a friend who teaches at a certain school to a certain recruit who just flipped to SC. The kid flat out said “no, Spurrier is just smarter” when they had a comparison discussion about the staffs. These 17 yr old kids can pick it up on their own; Whether on visits or watching the games. CMRs time is over. It’s McGarity we want to read our comments. He will be the individual that forces Richt to step down. I also do not want to play in Atlanta. This staff is incapable of a full game strategy. Full game! Not gimmicky plays in the first 3 minutes, followed by conservative “what do I do? I’m confused” play calling for the remaining 45 minutes! I sat next to Bobo in a principles class in 1994. He was n idiot then and he is an idiot today. No business whatsoever OCing and SEC team. Well, maybe Auburn. 9-3. BC we lose in Jax and Oxford. Mark it.
Defense wins Championships
October 12th, 2012
11:05 pm
CMR You committed an act of treason. UGA lost to sc 3 years in a row. Change or RESIGN. l am one of your most ardent supporters. sc must be destroyed next year. Believe it. or else.
1969 Graduate
October 12th, 2012
11:42 pm
Coaching staff is far from decent. That’s the problem.
With a decent coaching staff we would have an offensive line, just to name one weakness which would be corrected.
I would advise our potential recruits to go elsewhere as long as Mr. Richt is around. It pains me to say this. Spurrier is our daddy. How did it come to this?
Perhaps the worst of it – well, other than Daddy Steve – is that Mark Richt doesn’t even get it. What’s the opposite of a Damn Good Dawg? He’s an ACC guy, our CMR, at best.
You know something. I think Mike Bobo is a terrible offensive coordinator, but I’d rather have him as a head coach than Mark Richt. At least he is a Dawg.
Richt is a car salesman.
1969 Graduate
October 12th, 2012
11:47 pm
If we play in Atlanta, I will refuse to watch the game. We have no business backing into another undeserved championship game.
Fat chance though. We won’t beat Florida. We may not beat Kentucky. We’ve been exposed.
Mark Richt needs to run on his record. He is running from his record. He has no plan. Same old lines.
Old School
October 13th, 2012
12:12 am
Learn to love it Bulldog Nation cause its here for a while…our AD will always schedule enough “Slippery Rock U” types to get the desired 9-10 wins [ie. seat cooling victories] for cmr and staff followed by some bowl played in a stadium used for rodeos, monster truck races, tractor pulls, county fairs, moto-cross etc. Oh yeah and one football game . Don’t think so?? Go to the next Independence Bowl in Shreveport, LA
umyboyBLUE17
October 13th, 2012
12:42 am
I have seen much better uga teams lose to much weaker uf teams many times, no way we beat uf this year. Maybe we can end the season with a win against Perdue or NC st. if were lucky
St Simons
October 13th, 2012
12:47 am
well i’ve not said anything for 10 yrs, but i made up my mind.
Finally. And my support will reflect that. that is all.
kingdaddy
October 13th, 2012
2:16 am
I don’t blame any UGA fan for being mad. We’ve got 2 weeks, get it out of your system and come back when you can. We will be here no matter what any of you decide to do. UGA cannot curl-up in a ball and stay in the fetal position. Get a grip Dawgs. You don’t have to drink kool-aide and accept poor coaching. Give them hell! But at the end of the week, be ready to support the Daawgs or get the hell out of the way. Holler for Richt to be replaced, but don’t abandon the Dawgs. CONTROL YOUR ANGER. Don’t let trolls like topdog win. See through his pitiful disguise and follow your heart. Richt put the fans in a bad position, but we will be here ling after he is gone…
kingdaddy
October 13th, 2012
2:20 am
Top-mouth
I waited for your chicken-shiz butt till 2:00 am. You are a joke without a punch-line. I would have fixed that you puzzy…
Hugh
October 13th, 2012
3:17 am
I think the poor coaching rap is justified. The denial on the part of the coaches is problematic. Grantham was OK with the defensive effort against UT. Richt thinks he’s doing a good job of coaching. The problem goes way beyond the lose to SC. UGA is earning a national reputation for under achieving. That’s code for poor coaching. I personally think we are paying the price in recruiting. Again, this year Georgia has the best HS players in the country. Perhaps three of the top five, and we will not get any of them.
kingdaddy
October 13th, 2012
3:28 am
Hugh
you mean like Crowell? If they don’t want to be Dawgs, screwem. Don’t need them…
dockta
October 13th, 2012
3:31 am
Murray is part of the problem—-like i said if he was all that good why didnt Florida pick him up===he is from Tampa——hello—–one yard to go to score and what do they do at UGA==they pass on the next 2 downs and turn the ball over to SC===what kind of sane coaching staff would do something like that??????——————–I rest my case. A lot of whimps over there in Athens folks–if you do not have a running game that can pick up a yard in 2 plays–you need to go do something else with your life.
01HAWK
October 13th, 2012
6:36 am
UGA can run the table and win the SEC Championship………………………….But BCS voters will not put them in the BCS Title Game. This year, a one loss SEC team will not get in unless all of its games are respectable. Losing 35-7 is not respectable.
You can not get there by losing 35 – 7 versus any opponnent. There will not be a Title this year for UGA and with the amount of players leaving after this year, it will be awhile before UGA is considered a BCS Title contender.
01HAWK
October 13th, 2012
6:44 am
rhaize r. blaide…………………….have one of the top 3 states in the US to recruit from……Our facilities are second to no one (Ive seen ) and our fans, boosters, and ticket holders are the best.
I am sorry to inform you but UGA does not have the best facilities. Go visit the schools that are abouve UGA and you can make an opinion based on what you have seen.
1. Alabama: It was a tough call between Alabama and LSU for the top spot, but all the renovations to Bryant-Denny Stadium over the past few years gave Alabama the nod. Everything you need is right there at the Mal Moore Athletic Facility, including a full indoor practice complex. Nick Saban also said recently that a new weight room is in the works.
2. LSU: LSU’s Football Operations Center is an all-in-one complex that includes the locker room, weight room, training room, video operations center and the coaches’ offices. Built in 2006, it also has a full indoor practice field and is conveniently located right across the street from Tiger Stadium. LSU spared no expense in building this crown jewel, and the practice fields are all right there behind the center.
3. Tennessee: Not only has Neyland Stadium gotten a multi-million dollar facelift over the past few years, but the Vols are set to move into a new $45 million football facility this fall. The Vols already had an indoor practice facility, and their new digs will include everything from a mixed martial arts fighting cage, to a restaurant, to cell phone recharging stations in the players’ dressing cubicles in the locker room.
4. Georgia: A $40 million expansion and renovation of Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall was completed last year, and the new facilities are as plush as any in the country. There’s not a full indoor practice facility, but a 30-yard field that allows the Bulldogs to warm up. The locker room has a commons area that features televisions, massage centers, computer stations and video game stations.
5. Auburn: The Tigers opened a new $16.5 million, 92,000-square foot indoor practice facility last fall that includes a 100-yard field. Auburn previously had a smaller building that housed a 40-yard field and could only be used for smaller workouts. The facility connects to the main athletic building and student academic center with everything centrally located for the players.
6. Florida: The Gators’ football facilities were spruced up considerably a few years ago under Urban Meyer, and everything is right there at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (The Swamp). The entrance to the football offices, complete with trophies and memorabilia, is gorgeous. There is no indoor practice facility, and the practice fields aren’t very close to the stadium.
7. Arkansas: The Hogs, who already had some of the best facilities in the league, are scheduled to move into their new $35 million football operations center prior to the 2013 season. They already have a full indoor practice facility, and Razorback Stadium has been touched up nicely over the years.
8. Ole Miss: The Rebels’ all-in-one indoor practice facility is one of the more underrated ones in the country. Everything is right there, from the weight room, to the locker room, to the coaches’ offices overlooking the indoor practice field. There’s also a tunnel that takes the players into Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
9. Mississippi State: The Bulldogs are breaking ground on a new $25 million football complex sometime this year, and there are also plans to expand Scott Field. The $10 million Templeton Athletic Academic Center was built in 2008 and is a huge draw for recruits.
10. Missouri: A $16 million expansion and renovation project opens this summer. The new facility will measure more than 100,000 square feet, almost doubling the space in the Tigers’ old facility. The locker room will have eight 30-inch plasma high-definition televisions throughout the room.
11. Texas A&M: What the Aggies have now is first-rate, and they’re in the process of doing some renovations. When those renovations are complete, they could easily move into the top half of the league in terms of overall facilities. It’s hard to beat Kyle Field on a Saturday afternoon.
12. South Carolina: Williams-Brice Stadium is the epicenter for the Gamecocks’ facilities. The weight room is new and spacious, and the Gamecocks have also recently redone the locker room. They only have a smaller indoor practice facility, 50 yards long, and the coaches’ offices are badly in need of renovation.
13. Kentucky: The Nutter Training Facility has been Kentucky’s football home since 1987. New practice fields were added in 2005, and the complex is highlighted by a 9,000-square foot weight room and new locker room. The Nutter Field House includes a 100-yard practice field, and Commonwealth Stadium has a new locker room complex as well as new video boards and audio system.
14. Vanderbilt: One of second-year Vanderbilt coach James Franklin’s priorities was to upgrade the Commodores’ facilities, and he’s going to get his wish. Vanderbilt Stadium is getting a new field this season. A new locker room and team meeting room are being built at the McGugin Center, and an indoor practice facility is also on the way and will be in place by 2014.
Cal22
October 13th, 2012
7:08 am
U G A ys hope for another SECCG ends tonight. Every year you guys have to cheer against somebody to have any hopes of making a run, but those games come earlier and earlier each year.
Cal22
October 13th, 2012
7:10 am
You’re in good company though… the president has been cheering against his opponent for quite awhile, too.
the dog
October 13th, 2012
7:14 am
this situation has reached the “critical mass” point.
My assesment…
Offense: FAIL
Defense: FAIL
Special Teams: FAIL
Coaching: FAIL
Administration: FAIL
Murray: FAIL, FAIL, FAIL, FAIL……Loser! LOSER!!!
There are some winners though…
Russ……and I can’t think of the others right now……but I’m sure there are more……at least I think so..
53½ arrests in four years
October 13th, 2012
7:43 am
It’s pretty obvious that dawg fans are overwhelmingly sick and tired of CMR. It’s time to show this clown the door.
the dog
October 13th, 2012
7:47 am
UGA’s next head coach: Larry Kehres
Never heard of him?
Record:167-7 six (6) National Championships (all undisputed) since 2000, 10 overall since 1993
Overall record: 317-24-3 (.924 pct) 20 undefeated seasons
An AFCA Coach of the year a whopping 24 times in a 27 year career
Yes….it is Division III, but right now this where UGA is…
My point is, that if you can win at that level based on the talent level that you have to work with, the same can be accomplished at any level with a comparable level of talent as compared to the rest of the teams is your league.
It’s all about coaching……and right now UGA is in the failure mode in that area.
I would not hesitate to guess that if you gave this guy the talent that currently exist on the UGA roster, he could win going away.
Many will laugh at this. But the fact remains that he couldn’t be any worse that what us currently occupying the offices at the Butts-Mehre building now.
I am including a few quotes from his bio.
According to Kehres, a successful football program is built on organization and consistency.
“We have built a successful program, in part, because our coaching staff has remained intact and is committed to our system,” he said. “We feel our program is well-organized. Our players know what is expected of them. They know that we believe in taking advantage of opportunities and not beating ourselves with mistakes.
“Offensively, we like to attack the defense and make them cover the whole field. Defensively, we want to create big plays. As for the kicking game, I believe in being aggressive and winning the field position battle. Being consistent in all three phases and being well-conditioned puts you in a position to win games in the fourth quarter.”
Sound like something you could get behind?
Nub
October 13th, 2012
7:57 am
I would be interested to get some thoughts on the down side of bringing in a new coach… If the goal at UGA is Championships we haven’t had one in 7 years… I believe at worst UGA should be playing for SEC chapionship every 3 years…
redandblack
October 13th, 2012
8:20 am
@ the dog
I am familiar with this guy. He coaches at Mount Union in Ohio. They are a Division III school. (you have to start somewhere). I agree wholeheartedly with you. He is also the AD there. Another area where UGA is sorely lacking.
Your point is a valid one. I went to their website and checked out his bio. I am amazed at what he has accomplished not only as a coach, but as an AD.
Mount Union Current Head Coaching Notes
· Overall Record: 317-24-3/.924
· OAC Record: 219-8-3
· Overall Home Record: 180-9-3
· Overall Road Record: 127-10-0
· Neutral Site: 10-5
· Playoff Record: 73-13
· 205 All-OAC First Team selections
· 250 All-American selections
· 5 winners of the Gagliardi Trophy given to the top all-around football player in NCAA Division III
All of this in a division that actually has a playoff system/format (think the coming BCS system here).
I also agree that coaching is coaching…..you either have it or you don’t. And currently we “DON’T” have it. I for one would like to see what a guy like this, if given a chance to run a big time program (and yes it is currently debatable whether or not UGA is in anyway considered a big time program) could do…
redandblack
October 13th, 2012
8:27 am
@ Nub
I believe they should be playing for it every year.(insert Bama & LSU here)
I believe they should be getting every top flight recruit in the state (again insert Bama & LSU here)
starting to see a pattern here?
Layinlow
October 13th, 2012
8:54 am
I have to disagree with you guys because Jim Donnan won a national championship at Marshall in a higher division of college football than this coach. Donnan also had a stellar record at Marshall overall. Moving up to the bigtime doesn’t always guarantee future success.
flo-ri-duh
October 13th, 2012
9:01 am
Statistic never mentioned about Richt. Every starting QB at UGA from Coach V. Dooley until Matt Stafford with Richt has been from the state of Georgia. Stafford, Cox, and Murray are all from out of state. A native Georgian QB and UGA wins the big games – out of state QB and they lose the big games. Just a coincidence? Another possibility is that these QBs have played with an under talented OL. That theory in mind – the next winning team at UGA will have Theus, Tunsil, Kublanow and Crowder on the OL and a native Georgian at QB in Brice Ramsey. Will Richt hold it together long enough for these young recruits to get it together? Say two or three years down the road. And where will the defense be by then? Key to this class of recruits is QB, DB, OL and DL.
knottpinetall
October 13th, 2012
9:10 am
Ritch’s comments rationalization at its best. I am surprised he is not more candid. If it were not for the history of failing to measure up to top tier teams, this analysis might mean something, but this game is just final proof the Bulldogs are not ready to compete with the top teams of the SEC and will not be competitive until the whole coaching staff is replaced.
flo-ri-duh
October 13th, 2012
9:14 am
Next head coach – who? Div III – what? Why don’t wee get coach Rodney Gentry who has coached pee we football at LaVista Calif for the last eight years and has won 8 pee we championships and never lost a game? He’s 64 and 0. Just kidding but translating div III to div I is a MAJOR stretch. Afterall two of the best coaches in college football today BOMBED OUT when they tried to coach in the NFL. Saban and Spurrier weren’t good enough for the next level despite their success at Div I. A few years ago Notre Dame tried a coaching legend from a high school in Oho. He was fired one year later. Div III is a long way from Div I. It’s just not that easy. Kirby Smart is the next head coach on UGA’s radar should coach Mark Richt leave UGA. Personally, I hope Richt runs the table and beats Florida. It’s a long shot now but could happen.
Xenophon
October 13th, 2012
9:33 am
Let’s get something straight here about all the “ten wins” season stuff. Going 10-2 today is like going 8-2 or 7-3 back in the ten game season days. In other words, if you’re content with being a little above average and always losing to the top ten teams, you’re a happy Bulldog fan. Richt has lost whatever cache the Georgia teams had earned under Dooley. We can be twisted into pretzels by Florida and now by Carolina. (Don’t get me started about Alabama.) As long we put up with this situation, we will continue on this path. We need a coach who will not let us lose by more than two touchdowns and will keep us in contention at least 50% of the time. With Georgia’s tradition and talent base, we should be able to achieve this. But we have to WANT to.
Phil
October 13th, 2012
10:16 am
flo-ri-duh
I agree Kirby Smart is a good choice. Former Dawg, has worked under Saban and I would think has picked up some very good knowledge working for him. If we can’t get Saban himself, then a Saban student would be a great choice. Smart would not keep Bobo, I think he has enough sense to realize Bobo is way over his head. Smart can’t be any worse than Richt, can he? I mean come on, Smart could win 10 games this year with this schedule. The difference I believe Smart would have had his team ready to go against South Carolina this past week. I don’t think a Kirby Smart coached team would lay down against ranked oppoenets like Richts’ team always do. What can it hurt? We can’t be any worse off!
DP
October 13th, 2012
10:37 am
Richt is actually talking about how the choice of jerseys was a big factor in winning a game against Auburn 5 years ago? Did the infamous “Blackout” game against Alabama teach him nothing? And he’s suggesting that once momentum is going for or against you, you can’t really do anything about it. It’s clear he’s never to going to figure out that you don’t win big games with gimmicks and you have to build a program where the coaches and players are tough minded and able to deal with adversity.
And it does matter whether you lose by 3 or by 28. One is being competitive, the other is taking a beating. For a head coach to say otherwise is pathetic.
Kirby Smart
October 13th, 2012
10:42 am
Its time. Mr McGarity – DO YOUR JOB! Hire Smart before someone else does.
Mark Richt
October 13th, 2012
10:53 am
The silver lining is the great year I am having doing commercials.
That doesn’t count?
MontanaDawg
October 13th, 2012
11:01 am
I still cannot get over the loss to SC. Our schedule is so soft this year that we should run the table with the talent we have. No question about it. The reason UGA fans have become so frustrated and down right upset about season after season of mediocrisy is that these coaching staffs are getting paid more and more unfathonable salaries. With money comes responsibility to be among the elite teams. The current coaching staff is not getting it done. Period. Georgia sends more players to the NFL every year than just about any other school. Why can’t Richt, Grantham, and Bobo get it done???
IT is Over
October 13th, 2012
11:29 am
The CMR era is over. He will likely resign after what ever low level bowl Georgia goes to. His contract was newly re structured to make a walk away easy $ for both parties to do. This way, there would be no embarrassment to either side and the story line would be that CMR has decided to pursue hs missionary work full time.
St Simons
October 13th, 2012
11:54 am
kingdaddy, i’m an alum with 3 – count em THREE little bundles of joy
in Athens, so not many are ’supporting’ UGA more than me &
mrsstsimons.
but I will NOT support that – what I saw Saturday. NOTHING for
the Alumni Assoc until a permanent quarterback AND coaching change
is made. DONE – d-u-n – done.
John The True Dawg
October 13th, 2012
11:55 am
shut up all you haters!!!!
Gurley, Murray and Jones, the three finalist for the Heisman!!!! book it.
11-1 UGA wins the east, destroys Alabama, and beat Oregon 55-9. Book it!!!!!!!!!!!!
How it is
October 13th, 2012
11:57 am
CMR teams cannot win BIG GAMES when ther talent level is equal tomother excellent teams. Proof of this is his 0-10 w/l record lately.
Vince Dooley COULD WIN a healthy % of those games back in the day, because I saw them all.
Dooley reallyn recruited local Georgia HS talent with a few players from Jacksonville or Tampa area or SC. HE instilled a mental toughness. CMR instills his faith. WONDERFUL CMR is in his teachings of faith, but he NEEDS to ALSO teach MENTAL TOUGHNESS.
John The True Dawg
October 13th, 2012
12:00 pm
I hate you people.
Georgia gets cheated our of the south Carolina game because of the refrees!!!!!!! MURRAY DID NOT THROW AN INTERCEPTION!!! IT HIT THE GROUND. THEN THEY NEVER CALLED SOUTH CAROLINA FOR BEING OFFSIDE S AND HOLDING OUR DEFENSE. AND WE SCORED A TD ON THE ONE AND GOT CHEATED OUT OF THAT. THE SEC REFS GOT THE WORD FROM ON HIGH THEY WANT SPURRIER TO WON. WE WERE CHEATED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WE ARE BY FAR THE BEST TEAM IN THE COUNTRY.
Dreamers about LSU whupping SC
October 13th, 2012
12:07 pm
LSU does not have a passing attack and their O line is decimated with injuries. SC might blow them Out and if so, moves to number 2 and UGA will possibly lose two more as they swoon from disappointment.
UGA class of 71&3, married to UGA alumna, with tons and tons of UGA alumni in immediate family
Kirby Smart
October 13th, 2012
12:11 pm
@John the dumb dawg – you ok bro? Oh I get it sarcasm. Mr McGarity – DO YOUR JOB! Fire the guy. We are tired of turning the other cheek at UGA. The man needs to go preach somewhere else. We would like to win a few championships here!
Sleepy Dawg
October 13th, 2012
12:12 pm
We need to go ahead and hire a colored boy for coach. He can relate to thug life mentality of the modern athlete. Coloreds like other coloreds that is just the way it is. We need to recruit the most troubled youths with skills we can. I do not car if we have 50 arrests a year, I just want a title in Athens. And get rid of all the drug suspensions. Who cares if these boys get blunted and do a little caine. It is their life. If there are other off the field troubles like stabbings and such just sweep it under the rug, win at all costs. I am tired of having to settle for these results, use the kids up, and when they are done with eligibility, repeat the cycle, and our problems are solved.
rhaize r. blaide
October 13th, 2012
12:14 pm
For all U Kirby Smart supporters he will not coach Ga…..His relationship with Ga. has soured and bridges have been burned….Hey, I’ll bet Tenn. will give us permission to talk with D. Dooley….In fact, I expect they will provide him transportation to Athens !!!
John The True Dawg
October 13th, 2012
12:15 pm
we were cheated.
kingdaddy
October 13th, 2012
1:35 pm
St. Simons
I understand your feelings. I’m mad as hell at Richt too. I’m not saying forget about it, I’m asking for us to try to regroup. BTW, I love the islands. I’ve spent many hours fishing the St. Simons pier. Enjoy your kids and the beach…
kingdaddy
October 13th, 2012
1:40 pm
Sleepy,Dopey & Sleazy Dawg
Just another Tech troll joining in on the fun? No UGA fan would say what you did. Get a life moron…
kerryb
October 13th, 2012
1:50 pm
Once again a UGA blog with a bunch of idiots in it. No surprise there. If anyone saw that SC game and did not realize what happened you don’t know football. An inexperienced O-line finally caught up to UGA against one of the best D-line’s in the country. That’s all it was. After a game like that I expect them to play better because they sure got an education in that one.
kingdaddy
October 13th, 2012
1:53 pm
kerryb
don’t forget all the “pressure” we put on Shaw…