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
USMC DAWG
November 18th, 2012
10:52 pm
So, UGA is ranked #3 in the Country/BCS and Tech fans go on a UGA blog and cry about their own team and how UGA sucks, etc…. Just Damn!
slawdawg
November 18th, 2012
10:53 pm
USMC DAWG…..And how ironic their names are Taco & Bob! Must be twins? Lol
CHDawg
November 18th, 2012
10:53 pm
Taco, if we made hotel reservations two tough games before we were assured of a Miami trip, that would make us too “tighly” wound…and stupid. I think I’ll just wait and see what happens. That is the excitement of football–the players actually decide this on the field. Not stats, Vegas bookies, coaches, and especially not trolls and fans on the AJC blogs!
Taco
November 18th, 2012
10:54 pm
Jarhead go to the Tech blog, it is always covered with UGA slumdawgs. Just in case you were wondering. BTW thanks for your service to our country!
Not So Fast
November 18th, 2012
10:54 pm
UGA matches up quite well with Bama. Alabama has a very fundamentally sound defense but no strong pash rushers (like USC east) and also their secondary can be attacked. UGA can exploit that if Murray is on and the receivers catch the ball this year. I’m not saying that UGA will win but it wouldn’t be a major upset of they did. Plus, Jarvis Jones can take over games. Ask Florida.
Strat Cat Dawg
November 18th, 2012
10:55 pm
UGA has amazing talent of defense (http://espn.go.com/chicago/video/clip?id=8636934). Aaron Murray has quietly become the #1 rated passer nationally and 1st in yard per attempt. You’ve heard of Gurshall? The Dawgs are well capable of beating Bama and giving ND a chance to show if they’re for real or not.
GTBob
November 18th, 2012
10:55 pm
So, UGA is ranked #3 in the Country/BCS and Tech fans go on a UGA blog and cry about their own team and how UGA sucks
Who is crying about anything? Don’t confuse crying with objective analysis.
Taco
November 18th, 2012
10:57 pm
Been a pleasure and good luck gentlemen. I will be cheering hard against you as always but I hope all the players and fans have a great and safe Thanksgiving. See ya later cornhole dawg.
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
10:57 pm
Look do you UGa fans REALLY think your team should be ranked #3? Do you really think the dWags are the 3rd best team in the country?
The Dwags are a good team but they have not played enough good teams to be ranked that high IMO.
Taco
November 18th, 2012
10:58 pm
“Not so fast” put down the whiskey Son and go to bed.
GTBob
November 18th, 2012
10:59 pm
Anyone up for a game of tickle?
USMC DAWG
November 18th, 2012
10:59 pm
“Jarhead go to the Tech blog, it is always covered with UGA slumdawgs. Just in case you were wondering. BTW thanks for your service to our country!”–Taco
So Taco, I guess you are lumping yourself in with “SLUMDAWGS”????
I just think it is odd, and I would even venture as far as say it fits the activity of a LOSER.
But I don’t know you well enough, nor do I think you are a Loser. just sayin…
Beast from the East
November 18th, 2012
10:59 pm
Who is crying about anything? Don’t confuse crying with objective analysis.
——————-
That is the funniest thing I have read in quite some time? Have to admit you are good for a laugh occasionally.
GTBob
November 18th, 2012
11:00 pm
Aaron Murray has quietly become the #1 rated passer nationally and 1st in yard per attempt.
He is ranked 85th against teams with winning records.
Not So Fast
November 18th, 2012
11:01 pm
The fact is if the Dawgs win out they would have beaten the #2 team twice and be SEC champions. So yes if they win out they will deserve their ranking. If they aren’t worthy of it they will lose and take a tumble.
Timeout
November 18th, 2012
11:02 pm
The Dwags? It’s called spellcheck fool.
And it doesn’t really matter what the fans think, does it? I’m sure Kansas St and Oregon fans thought they deserved their respective rankings. And we see how that turned out.
The AP Poll, Coach’s Poll, and BCS all ranked UGA #3. And that’s all you need to know.
slawdawg
November 18th, 2012
11:03 pm
Dawgs @ #3……EARNHARDT!!!!
slawdawg
November 18th, 2012
11:06 pm
GT Bob…..Don’t forget his other stat, Murray also helped the Dawgs kick Techs ass for 3 straight yrs!
CHDawg
November 18th, 2012
11:07 pm
GTBob, had the line of the year on this blog tonight. When a Tech fan said that not even Tech fans like Bob’s rants, Mr SAT 1600 responded, “I hear this a lot. Which ones dislike me?” I have never laughed so hard over an AJC blog post! Thx, Bob.
GTBob
November 18th, 2012
11:09 pm
GT Bob…..Don’t forget his other stat, Murray also helped the Dawgs kick Techs ass for 3 straight yrs!
He has only played us twice.
dawgma
November 18th, 2012
11:09 pm
GT will be a 21 pt dog. UGA handily beat the fire out of the best option offense in the state Saturday with GSU.
Hmm, let’s see, dogs playing for a national championship berth against a GIMMICK offense they just crushed and a rival they hate… JACKETS – THEY GOING TO BE HAULING YOU ALL OFF THE FIELD ON STRETCHERS.
GTBob
November 18th, 2012
11:09 pm
I have never laughed so hard over an AJC blog post! Thx, Bob.
You are welcome. I am here to inform and entertain.
Not So Fast
November 18th, 2012
11:10 pm
All the trolls on here are worried because they know if the Dawgs can win the next two games there is no way in the world Notre Dame can beat UGA. I guarantee you whether it is Bama or the Dawgs that Notre Dame is toast. And that scares them because then they won’t be able to talk crap about UGA or Richt anymore. All those fake fans who like to bad mouth Bobo, didn’t this offense just break the TD record from the 50’s? That’s with Richt not running up the score like some teams (cough, Oregon).
GTBob
November 18th, 2012
11:10 pm
GT will be a 21 pt dog.
I am fairly certain the spread will be less than that.
CHDawg
November 18th, 2012
11:11 pm
Good night, Bob, and thx for completing half of your mission–entertainment.
GTBob
November 18th, 2012
11:12 pm
All the trolls on here are worried because they know if the Dawgs can win the next two games there is no way in the world Notre Dame can beat UGA.
UGA came pretty close to losing to Tennessee and Kentucky. I would say Notre Dame has a shot.
zbulldawg
November 18th, 2012
11:13 pm
Please don’t loose Notre Dame !! We want a repeat of 1980 !! It’s a two game season now. Your GT fans keep talking Let your bumble Bee mouths over load your A$$. LET THE BIG DAWG EAT
7576DAWG
November 18th, 2012
11:14 pm
All I know is there are 14 SEC teams and Georgia is one of two that will play for the SEC Championship for 2012. You haters can hate all you want but those are real facts and whether they win or lose the SEC Championship Georgia was in a position at the end to control their destiny and not many teams can say that. If they beat Tech and Alabama, GEORGIA WILL GO TO THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME.
I hope they can beat Tech and Alabama but if Georgia loses in the SEC Championship game they will still get to play in the Capital one or the Outback which would not be bad for a two lose season.
The key point is: It looked like there was enough support to keep an SEC team out of the National Championship game even though the SEC took up 5 of the top ten BCS rankings but with the upset’s yesterday either Georgia or Alabama will play in the BCS Championship and that is nearly guaranteed now.
So to all the SEC haters out there, get over it. WE ARE BACK. Now in order to unseat the SEC you will have to actually beat someone from that Conference. Which is the way it should be. Can’t wait until the playoff get’s here so this type mess want happen because of haters of the SEC Conference and ESPN is the leader of those haters.
Laughingstockcocks
November 18th, 2012
11:14 pm
Berganmont, are you styling yourself after the The Bergamot sour orange, Bergamont Beebalm. the HMS Bergamot, or Bergamot Station , a future station on the light-rail Expo Line in Los Angeles Metro? Let me guess, sour orange?
Strat Cat Dawg
November 18th, 2012
11:15 pm
In other statistical news, Jarvis Jones is 1st nationally in forced fumbles, first in tackles for loss and tied for 8th in sacks, despite only playing in 9 games.
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
11:15 pm
Timeout
November 18th, 2012
11:02 pm
The Dwags? It’s called spellcheck fool.
==========================================
Tell your fans that…It is actually DOG
Then your fan was on TV at the Michigan State bowl game last year with a Huge GO DWAGS sign….It was all over the net. I am sure you can find it if you look.
GTBob
November 18th, 2012
11:18 pm
Can’t wait until the playoff get’s here so this type mess want happen because of haters of the SEC Conference and ESPN is the leader of those haters.
You do realize that if there were a playoff this year that UGA would more than likely be left out, right?
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
11:19 pm
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3397259550881&set=p.3397259550881&type=1&theater
zbulldawg
November 18th, 2012
11:20 pm
LET THE BIG DAWG EAT
Rick James
November 18th, 2012
11:21 pm
@GTBob
Im pretty sure most people would consider Stanford a solid team.
—————————————————————————————-
Hold on Bob..When I mentioned how Stanford was having sucess on the field and is a great academic institution that obviously can recruit good football players unlike Georgia Tech you called them average.Now to verify your point they’re solid.Which is it Bob?
Not So Fast
November 18th, 2012
11:21 pm
The defense took a while to gel because of their idiotic off the field issues and what looked to be a lack of intensity. But it has looked completely different since Shawn Williams called them out. If they do win the next three games he is a big reason why. So yes they did struggle with UT and with Kentucky but this is a different team than earlier in the year. How many points did Ole Miss just hang on LSU?
Rick James
November 18th, 2012
11:23 pm
@Paul in NH
ND has only beaten one solid team (Oklahoma)? I guess Stanford (BCS #8) and Michigan (#19) are just chopped liver.
————————————————————————————————————————————–
Choppep liver? No. Impressive? No
Not So Fast
November 18th, 2012
11:25 pm
And if there was a playoff GTBob this year the equation would still be the same for UGA. Win the last two games and they would be in. So how would they be left out of the BCS any differently?
Glory Between the Hedges
November 18th, 2012
11:26 pm
If Georgia gets to the title game our defense will be licking its chops if Notre Dame makes it. There is no dominate team this year in college football and I think that’s a good thing for a change. If UGA gets to Miami they earned it. They would have beaten 2 top 5 teams in the same year. That’s just a fact.
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
11:26 pm
The following is the most intelligent post ESPN’s Heather Dinich has ever posted:
Who programmed “overrated” into the computers this year? There’s no way Georgia and Florida are THAT much better than the ACC’s top two teams — if they even are better at all. Florida State has a chance to prove that this weekend, when the Noles host the rival Gators in the final game of the regular season. On second thought, Florida’s unwarranted ascension in the BCS standings might be the best thing to happen to FSU because if they win on Saturday, it will carry even more significance.
A shakeup in the standings was expected this weekend after Oregon and Kansas State both lost, but the rapid promotion of the SEC East comes as a surprise while the ACC maintained its status quo. Florida beat Jacksonville State. FSU won on the road to clinch the ACC’s Atlantic Division. Georgia overcame a slow start to beat Georgia Southern, not to be confused with Georgia Tech.
The SEC is rewarded for beating up on the little guys while the ACC is penalized for it.
Not So Fast
November 18th, 2012
11:30 pm
Put in Timeout, tell me again who Florida State lost to this year?
Timeout is a FOOL
November 18th, 2012
11:30 pm
And why do you continue to use either one of the spellings – DAWGS or DWAGS? Just use DOGS since it’s the correct spelling. Oh wait. . .must be because you’re a FOOL.
I also noticed you didn’t respond to the rest of the post. Why? Because there is no valid argument you can make. Again. . .FOOL.
Not So Fast
November 18th, 2012
11:32 pm
Yeah and FSU did clinch on the road…but weren’t they playing a team with a linebacker as their QB?
Glory Between the Hedges
November 18th, 2012
11:34 pm
Look at it this way …Georgia showed the country that the 35-7 South Carolina score was a fluke by beating Florida. Florida has beaten South carolina badly and Lsu and A&M.Their offense may be struggling right now but their defense has been stout this season overall.
charliecfbfan
November 18th, 2012
11:34 pm
I’m sorry, but this article has no merit, Heather is a woman. This is sports, not knitting and gossip hour. Seems pretty desperate to me..
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
11:36 pm
What more is there to say? The Polls have been and always will be a Joke and Politics. There have been 24 different top 10 teams this year. Yes, like the pollsters really know so much or do they have agendas?
Not So Fast
November 18th, 2012
11:38 pm
FSU clinched against a team that was down to a player who was a linebacker as their Qb due to a massive injury attack to their Qb’s. FSU’s out of conference schedule was a bigger joke than any team in the SEC’s. So that article is a joke.
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
11:40 pm
charliecfbfan
November 18th, 2012
11:34 pm
I’m sorry, but this article has no merit, Heather is a woman. This is sports, not knitting and gossip hour. Seems pretty desperate to me..
=======================
So you are a Fan but she is PAID by ESPN but you think you know more about Football then her because you pee standing up? Your wife must be so happy to be married to you.
foolishness.org
November 18th, 2012
11:41 pm
What more is there to say? The Polls have been and always will be a Joke and Politics. There have been 24 different top 10 teams this year. Yes, like the pollsters really know so much or do they have agendas?
Then why do you care what UGA fans think? Why does it matter if they think their team deserves the #3 ranking? Are they not as biased as the pollsters? It doesn’t matter what ANYONE thinks because this will all be settled in the Dome on Dec 1st.
Not So Fast
November 18th, 2012
11:43 pm
FSU lost to a team that Tenessee beat… That’s all that needs to be said…nice try though put in timeout.