UGA moves to No. 3 in BCS standings, within reach of national-title game
The scores from Eugene, Ore., and Waco, Texas, reverberated loudly across this state, seemingly putting the Georgia Bulldogs two victories away from playing for college football’s national championship.
Saturday night’s losses by previously No. 1 Kansas State (to Baylor) and previously No. 2 Oregon (to Stanford) triggered a celebration among Georgia fans and a shakeup of the Bowl Championship Series pecking order. In the latest BCS standings, released Sunday night, Notre Dame moved to No. 1, Alabama to No. 2 and Georgia to No. 3.
That means, BCS analysts agreed, that if Georgia beats Georgia Tech and Alabama beats Auburn this week, then the winner of the Dec. 1 SEC Championship game between the Bulldogs and the Crimson Tide would play for the national title.
The top two teams in the final BCS standings, to be released Dec. 2, earn berths in the title game, which will be played Jan. 7 in Miami. Georgia has not played for a national championship in the BCS era and last won the title in the 1980 season.
The losses by Kansas State and Oregon came just one week after Alabama’s loss to Texas A&M seemingly left the SEC at serious risk of not putting a team in this season’s BCS title game. Last week, Alabama and Georgia were Nos. 4 and 5 in the standings, behind three undefeated teams. That meant the league with six consecutive national championships could get back to the title game only if two of the three unbeaten teams ahead of Alabama and Georgia lost a game.
And on one chaotic night, two of the three did just that.
“Thank you Baylor, thank you Stanford,” Georgia cornerback Sanders Commings reacted via Twitter.
“We control our own destiny,” UGA linebacker Christian Robinson tweeted.
The turn of events raised the stakes for Georgia’s regular-season finale against Georgia Tech. The rivals will play at noon Saturday in Sanford Stadium. The Bulldogs (10-1, 7-1 SEC) would be knocked out of the national-title picture by a loss to the Yellow Jackets (6-5, 5-3 ACC).
On his weekly teleconference with reporters Sunday night, Georgia coach Mark Richt was asked a half-dozen questions about the BCS picture. Each time, he responded by talking about the game against Tech.
Richt wouldn’t even say whether he watched the Oregon-Stanford and/or Kansas State-Baylor games.
“You know what? I was thinking about Tech that night, all night, knowing what a big game it is,” he said.
Alabama is in a similar situation this week, also facing its in-state rival. But while Georgia has clinched the SEC East’s berth for the league title game at the Georgia Dome, Alabama (10-1, 6-1 SEC) must beat Auburn (3-8, 0-7) to represent the Western Divison there.
The SEC, of course, wasn’t the only beneficiary of Kansas State’s 52-24 loss to Baylor and Oregon’s 17-14 overtime loss to Stanford.
Notre Dame (11-0) moved from No. 3 to No. 1 in the BCS standings and can assure itself a spot in the national-title game by winning its regular-season finale at USC.
Brad Edwards, ESPN’s BCS analyst, expressed confidence after Saturday’s results that the SEC Championship game winner would get the other berth, provided Georgia beats Tech and Alabama beats Auburn. Fellow analysts Mark May, Lou Holtz and Kirk Herbstreit agreed.
Of course, there could be complications that again scramble the picture, such as a loss by Notre Dame, Alabama or Georgia this week.
If Notre Dame loses, there would be no unbeaten team left in the national-championship mix, and there surely would be an intense debate about who should play the SEC champion in Miami. In that case, another SEC team — Florida, which is No. 4 in this week’s standings — could be next in line if it wins its regular-season finale against Florida State.
Oregon is No. 5, Kansas State No. 6 and LSU No. 7 in this week’s standings.
The BCS standings include three components that count one-third each: the USA Today poll of current coaches; the Harris Interactive poll of former coaches, administrators and players and current and former media members; and an average of six computer polls. Notre Dame is No. 1 in all three components this week.
Georgia is No. 3 in the USA Today poll (up from No. 4 last week), No. 3 in the Harris poll (up from No. 5) and No. 6 in the computers (same as last week). Alabama is No. 2 in the USA Today and Harris polls and No. 3 in the computers.
The Associated Press poll, which is not part of the BCS formula, also has Notre Dame No. 1, Alabama No. 2 and Georgia No. 3 this week.
– Tim Tucker, AJC
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367 comments Add your comment
davidinloganville
November 18th, 2012
10:18 pm
What a year for mediocrity at the top, it must really suck at the bottom with ya’ll.
Auburn's NC
November 18th, 2012
10:20 pm
So only one of the six? Interesting. Also interesting that regardless of how good the Auburn and Oregon offenses were, the SEC team still won. Because even a medicore SEC Defense was better than their opponent.
Rick James
November 18th, 2012
10:21 pm
@GTBob
Again, you have beaten one good team this season. A team that almost lost to La-Lafayette. Congratulations
—————————————————————————————————————————–
That’s one more that Tech has beaten and they are on the verge of playing for the ACC title..Notre Dame is ranked number one and has only beaten one solid team(Oklahoma).Alabama is ranked number 2 and did not play any of the top three teams in from the east.Teams can only play who they are scheduled to play and the good ones dont lose to the likes of Middle Tennesee St. It’s not like Georgia is playng in the SEC championship game at 6-6.
Lou Skunt
November 18th, 2012
10:21 pm
Note to GTBob. Maybe you should find a hobby. You seem to have too much time on your hands.
USMC DAWG
November 18th, 2012
10:22 pm
“I can pretty easily dispute that Auburn won their NC because of their amazing defense.”–GT Bob
News Flash, GT Bob!
Auburn beat the OREGON DUCKS for the BCS NC…. you know… the same Oregon Ducks that had the NUMBER ONE offense in the country… DEFENSE WINS FOOTBALL GAMES, GT Bob!
slawdawg
November 18th, 2012
10:26 pm
Everyone……His Name is BOB…..Enougn Said…..Case Closed!!! WE OWN THIS STATE!
GTBob
November 18th, 2012
10:26 pm
Auburn beat the OREGON DUCKS for the BCS NC…. you know… the same Oregon Ducks that had the NUMBER ONE offense in the country…
News flash! They didn’t beat them because they were playing amazing defense. It is possible to outscore the other team without playing much defense.
CHDawg
November 18th, 2012
10:28 pm
Tech averages almost 40 points a game and they are a top 20 O, so this weekend will be a good test of an SEC defense. Georgia is roughly middle of the road at 6th in the SEC. If Bob’s theory is true that SEC defenses are overrated, then Tech should easily hang more than 40 on the weak Dawg D. Tech’s D should be able to stop any SEC offense because we don’t play offense in the SEC. Let’s mark this post. Bob could be right. They hung 45 on us a few years ago.
USMC DAWG
November 18th, 2012
10:28 pm
“Overall Tech is a pretty bad team. In regards to passing defense, Tech might be the worst team in the country.”–GT Bob
Give it up, GT Bob! You sound like a HORRIBLE fan. Tech deserves better.
You are not representing Tech very well.
Are you really a Tech fan???
Taco
November 18th, 2012
10:30 pm
If Tech beats UGA I say UGA must leave the SEC and join Mountain West or the Traditional Black College Conference. They lose to Tech this year and choke they will just one step above FAMU.
GTBob
November 18th, 2012
10:30 pm
Notre Dame is ranked number one and has only beaten one solid team(Oklahoma)
Im pretty sure most people would consider Stanford a solid team.
ROLL DAWGS!
November 18th, 2012
10:31 pm
Squash the BUGS!
Auburn's NC
November 18th, 2012
10:31 pm
Dude. . .the final score of the Auburn/Oregon NC Game was 19-22. That is NOT an offensive shoot-out. And that was an Oregon team that had been scoring 40+ points in their games. And scored 72 in one of their games! DEFENSE decided that game!!! Only a fool would say otherwise.
Put in Timeout by Ken Suguira,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned once by Bill King & Chip Towers but only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
November 18th, 2012
10:33 pm
It should be a long week but a fun one. When will the AJC run the UGa vs GT jokes story.
CHDawg
November 18th, 2012
10:33 pm
Not by your standards…Stanford lost to Washington! The same Washington that lost to LSU’s terrible SEC offense and overrated defense 41-3!
USMC DAWG
November 18th, 2012
10:33 pm
“News flash! They didn’t beat them because they were playing amazing defense. It is possible to outscore the other team without playing much defense.”–GT Bob
Folks, I can say with great certainty that GT Bob is NOT a graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Everyone knows that Oregon prides itself and gets all of it’s publicity based on a high scoring, up tempo OFFENSE.
Then they faced Auburn in the BCS NC game and Nick Fairley and the other criminals(term of affection, we have our own) shut Oregon down with DEFENSE…. GT Bob…. “DEFENSE”… can you repeat that word, please… DEFENSE???
GTBob
November 18th, 2012
10:33 pm
Give it up, GT Bob! You sound like a HORRIBLE fan. Tech deserves better.
I stood in the stands this season and watched us get blown out by BYU, and MTSU. I also watched us completely give away a game to a below average Miami team. Even yesterday I watched us struggle against a pretty bad Duke team. Im sorry, but im realistic. We aren’t a very good football team and our passing defense is beyond putrid.
slawdawg
November 18th, 2012
10:33 pm
As usual, the Co-Tex Yellow Spine Jackets are at it again!
Taco
November 18th, 2012
10:34 pm
Yes the TECH defense is awful. Our coaches fries fish. Whatever. I still thank God every day I did not go to UGA.
Gdawg
November 18th, 2012
10:34 pm
GT Bob, here is what you are trying to forget by living through other teams:
Since 2000 UGA is 10 and 2 against Tech. Overall UGA is 62-39-5 alltime.
Tech is the 3rd or 4th best team in the state of Georgia.
Don’t talk trash to a team who has a record of 10-1.
Vandy, MS State, Ole Miss, KY, TN, Arkansas, Texas A & M, SC, Missou, etc., etc. would all dominate EVERY Team from the Another Candy Conference. Fl State will get destroyed by FL next week and they are the best team in your conference. FL is only 1 win away from a MNC again this year. AL…GA…are only 2 wins away from the National Title Game. I don’t see the ACC vying for a National Title for years to come…
Rick James
November 18th, 2012
10:34 pm
@News flash! They didn’t beat them because they were playing amazing defense. It is possible to outscore the other team without playing much defense
—————————————————————————————————————————–
Using that logic Tech with its magical offense should be undefeated..I guess Georgia wont have to play defense next week, just outscore Tech and win the game.Thats crazy Bob!!
GTBob
November 18th, 2012
10:34 pm
Then they faced Auburn in the BCS NC game and Nick Fairley and the other criminals(term of affection, we have our own) shut Oregon down with DEFENSE….
They gave up 450 yards and 19 points with a month of preparation. That isn’t exactly impressive.
Paul in NH
November 18th, 2012
10:35 pm
ND has only beaten one solid team (Oklahoma)? I guess Stanford (BCS #8) and Michigan (#19) are just chopped liver.
Taco
November 18th, 2012
10:36 pm
Gdawg grow up. Nobody cares what you think and you are not the hall monitor on this site. Trash talk if you want and all you want. UGA has the first real chance to get the NC since Herschel walked off campus and nobody wants to see them choke and watch you whine more than me. Squeal like a pig.
Not So Fast
November 18th, 2012
10:37 pm
GTbob is a troll who even Tech fans dislike. Yeah SEC defenses are so overrated but everytime they play in the BCSCG they shut down better offenses. I mean Auburn with its middle of the pack SEC defense two years ago shut down that high powered offense. The same defense who Murray carved up pretty well. Do you even have any football knowledge?
slawdawg
November 18th, 2012
10:37 pm
Tech must stand for….Terrible Effort Cone Heads!!!
USMC DAWG
November 18th, 2012
10:37 pm
“Yes the TECH defense is awful. Our coaches fries fish. Whatever. I still thank God every day I did not go to UGA.”–Taco
Taco, they are both very fine institutions. You SHOULD be proud if Tech… unlike GT Bob. I don’t think he ever attended Georgia Tech.
Gdawg
November 18th, 2012
10:38 pm
Taco,
I’m glad you didn’t go to UGA, either. You can’t write a well-organized sentence to save your life. ” Our coaches fries fish.”
You would want to say, “Our coaches fry fish” or “Our coach fries fish”. You’re welcome…
GTBob
November 18th, 2012
10:38 pm
I guess Georgia wont have to play defense next week, just outscore Tech and win the game.Thats crazy Bob!!
How is it crazy? GT games are pretty much like that. If UGA stops GT more than once in the game then they will win.
Rabid Dawg
November 18th, 2012
10:39 pm
@ GTBob
There was more talent floating in my bowl this morning compared to Tech’s football team this year.
You are just pissed caused your team stinks…and they are going to continue to stink! Enjoy!
Taco
November 18th, 2012
10:39 pm
Slawdawg? Seriously? Was Cornhole already taken? I bet your stage name is Cotton Candy.
GTBob
November 18th, 2012
10:39 pm
GTbob is a troll who even Tech fans dislike.
I hear this a lot. Which ones dislike me?
Gdawg
November 18th, 2012
10:40 pm
Taco…get back to the fries bin. You are not scheduled for a break for another hour! Speaking of squealing like a pig…oink for me Manboobs Johnson! Hey! UGA just scored again…
Taco
November 18th, 2012
10:40 pm
You got me GDawg. Laughing too hard and typing too fast! Good one.
michael
November 18th, 2012
10:40 pm
Fire Mark Rich?
GTBob
November 18th, 2012
10:41 pm
I don’t think he ever attended Georgia Tech.
You think wrong.
slawdawg
November 18th, 2012
10:41 pm
Taco….We will still kick Co-Techs ass whether we play for the NC or not…..as usual !!! You may continue to piss & moan for another year….as usual!
CHDawg
November 18th, 2012
10:42 pm
GTBob wrote,
>>I hear this a lot. Which ones dislike me?<<
I would start with the ones from whom you hear it "a lot."
GTBob
November 18th, 2012
10:43 pm
You are just pissed caused your team stinks…and they are going to continue to stink! Enjoy!
I am not even the slightest bit upset.
USMC DAWG
November 18th, 2012
10:43 pm
Listen, I have a healthy respect for Tech. I will not overlook this game. I am from Atlanta and went to Georgia, so I know that every year it does not matter what the records are; EITHER team can win this game. And Paul Johnson is a great X’s and O’s offensive coach.
Taco
November 18th, 2012
10:44 pm
I love the UGA fans. They are so tighly wound right now they can hardly stand it. They all have that nervous sweat going right now because they smell the choke coming somewhere. It may not be Tech but they are sure something bad is about to happen.
Not So Fast
November 18th, 2012
10:44 pm
People can hate on UGA all they want because despite how all the trolls on here feel if UGA wins out their in. And they would have beaten the #2 ranked team in the polls twice.
slawdawg
November 18th, 2012
10:45 pm
As a matter of fact cornhole was already taken, by some asshole named Taco!
kevin
November 18th, 2012
10:46 pm
GT Bob, I noticed that you’ve been on this blog for the past hour commenting on other people’s comments. And I’ve noticed you doing the same thing for a few years. I’m sure you’ll come back with some comment about me, deflecting my words. That’s OK, b/c I’m about to turn my computer off and spend the evening with my wife. I’m going to pray that you find some enjoyment in life that doesn’t involve hating on Georgia fans and feeling impressed with your Georgia Tech education. It doesn’t make you sound any better when you AGREE with all the stuff people say to you about GT. You can’t disagree with it, so you just agree, as you should, and then go on to jab at all things Georgia. Seems like with your superior education, you could remember your reading comprehension skills and figure out how big a loser you make yourself out to be. It’s just pathetic, and I hope you come to see this for yourself. Lots of people are educated, but many educated people don’t act like it. There only so much credit we should give people who have “book learning,” and for the record, I have three degrees, including a doctorate. All from different schools. None of them from Georgia. But I grew up in GA and I’ll always be a Dawg fan. You should do the same. Be a GT fan and keep your UGA hatred to yourself. I promise that you’ll feel better if you just let it go. Blessings
GTBob
November 18th, 2012
10:47 pm
EITHER team can win this game.
Ill gladly take a straight up bet on UGA if you are offering.
Taco
November 18th, 2012
10:48 pm
I want to see a string of post’s from all the UGA fans who don’t smell a big let down coming from somewhere? Who has total confidence in this team? I believe they may crush Tech but ………? Anyone making hotel reservations yet for the BCS?
USMC DAWG
November 18th, 2012
10:49 pm
I am just laughing and find it strange that two Tech fans would come a UGA blog and spout their garbage…… LOL! Get a life guys. It’s just College Football.
GTBob
November 18th, 2012
10:50 pm
That’s OK, b/c I’m about to turn my computer off and spend the evening with my wife.
Have a good night!
GTBobSUCKS
November 18th, 2012
10:51 pm
Me and my Dad Gtbob know nothing about football.We come to the UGA blog to find out how it feels to have a winning season.No one is at GT blog because we suck.We are an embarrassment to the state of Georgia and college football.Please excuse me and my dad we are idiots.Thanks UGA fans and go Dawgs.
Taco
November 18th, 2012
10:52 pm
Someone please buy Kevin a flower, he is so nice. This is supposed to fun. Would it be fun if we all said nice things and got along? Kev sounds like tree hugging Obama Democrat. Love ya Bro but please head on to bed. Slawdawg no need to curse at me, Kevin would upset.