Bulldogs turn focus to SEC game, BCS shot
ATHENS — The state championship won, Georgia’s football team enthusiastically turned its attention to what’s ahead: the SEC Championship game against Alabama and, for the winner of that game, a shot at the national title.
“We’re fixing to go out there next week and play the game of our life,” said Georgia senior safety Bacarri Rambo, referring to next Saturday’s SEC title game in the Georgia Dome. “Because that is going to determine who makes it to the national championship, which was our goal for the season.”
“Definitely, that’s what the goal was at the beginning of the season. We had the road-to-Miami slogan and everything,” said freshman tailback Keith Marshall, referring to the site of the BCS title game Jan. 7. “It’s good that we can almost taste it, but we’ve got to stay focused and worry about the SEC Championship game.”
Ranked Nos. 2 and 3 in last week’s BCS standings, Alabama and Georgia stayed on their collision course for Atlanta by defeating their arch-rivals by a combined margin of 91-10 on Saturday. Alabama’s 49-0 rout of Auburn clinched the SEC Western Division title and a berth in the conference title game. Georgia had secured the SEC Eastern Division crown two weeks earlier, but its 42-10 rout of Georgia Tech kept its momentum strong and its national-title hopes alive.
The Crimson Tide and the Bulldogs will meet at 4 p.m. Saturday in the Dome, both bringing 11-1 (7-1 SEC) records. Oddsmakers last week projected Alabama as an early 7-point favorite. All of the BCS analysts agree: The winner goes to Miami.
Alabama has won two of the past three national championships, including last season’s. Georgia last won a national championship 32 years ago.
“We’re very confident. We play this game just like they do,” Georgia linebacker Jarvis Jones said. “We put on our pads and shoes and everything just like they do. But definitely (there’s) respect. They’re a good program, and we respect them. I guess they respect us.”
They do, according to Alabama coach Nick Saban.
“Georgia’s got a really good team. They’re playing as well as anybody in the country right now,” he said on CBS immediately after the win over Auburn. “We’ve just got to keep focusing on the things that we need to do to play winning football.”
The Bulldogs put talk and thought of the SEC and BCS aside for a week of focus on the Tech game. Now they can talk and think about the SEC title game without denying what’s at stake: a BCS title game berth.
“We know this one game can make so much happen for us,” wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell said.
“The SEC Championship game (has) got to be our main focus; then we’ll worry about after that,” linebacker Alec Ogletree said. “But I know guys are excited about what could possibly happen.”
“This is the situation we wanted to be in,” tight end Jay Rome said. “And now we’re here.”
Georgia will be making its second consecutive trip to the SEC title game. The Bulldogs lost 42-10 to LSU there last season despite leading 10-0 after the first quarter. LSU then went on to lose to SEC West runnerup Alabama in the national title game.
“Last year was a little bit different for us,” Georgia linebacker Christian Robinson said. “I think we were a little bit happy just to be (in the SEC title game). And this year we’re coming, and we’re going to give it our all.”
“We’re ready,” Mitchell said. “I think we’ve got a high level of confidence to play in the game.”
Of Alabama, Robinson said: “They’re always well coached. They’ve always got some of the best players in the country.” And of Georgia, he said: “We have the same.”
The game is on.
– Tim Tucker, AJC
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105 comments Add your comment
Steve
November 24th, 2012
11:58 pm
Yeah, sic em leghumpers…….. GO BAMA. Get your hotel reservations made for Tampa,
Ga Dawgs 89
November 25th, 2012
12:01 am
Georgia – 32 Alabama – 24
Go You Hairy Dawgs!
Ga Dawgs 89
November 25th, 2012
12:06 am
@ Steve – Where do you live? I have a prize for you! It’s the “Small P^nis” Award. Your mom won last year! Go Dawgs!
jc_dawgs
November 25th, 2012
12:25 am
Dawgs!…….for 60 minutes…leave it ALL on that field. Win or lose…walk out with your heads high.
Roll Tide with Pride!!!
November 25th, 2012
12:41 am
PLEEEEAAAASE! Beating UGA – arguably the #4 SEC WEST team will not be a problem for BAMA ……. and neither will beating Notre Dame.
Good luck in the Cap One – Dawgs!
ROLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL TIDE!
KBP
November 25th, 2012
12:46 am
Bama Fans. . . enough about how great you are. We lost on the road to the 6th ranked team in the nation. You lost at HOME TO THE 15th ranked team in the country and somehow we are supposed to have no chance in this game. We’ll all know around 7:30 pm next Saturday.
Joshua
November 25th, 2012
12:49 am
It’s going to be a good game…but the fact is UGA is more talented in every phase of the game. The only way Bama wins is if Murray plays poorly – like he has so many times in the biggest games. If Murray plays well, Bama cannot win.
UGA-Bama winner gets Notre Dame in Miami | UGA sports blog
November 25th, 2012
1:03 am
[...] Dome (4 p.m., CBS). The Bulldogs (11-1) beat Georgia Tech 42-10 in Athens on Saturday afternoon and the Crimson Tide (11-1) shut out Auburn 49-10 in Tuscaloosa Saturday evening. The day’s results left little mystery with regard to the [...]
BigDawg
November 25th, 2012
1:17 am
Steve, I will bet you your house Dawgs win, oh yeah that’s right I forgot you live in your mama’s basement! lol you idiot woof woof woof woof
Jomps
November 25th, 2012
4:01 am
Steve,
Go play with your building blocks and get off this site. It’s a douche like you that ruins sports blogs. Can I get your Mommy to come wipe you and feed you some breakfast?
On to football, this will be a classic battle and I (as a Georgia Fan and Alum) respcect the Alabama tradition and their players, coaches and fans., This should be one helluva game and I for one am glad the SEC is in the mix to send all these great teams to the BCS. I hope my dogs win but everyone on this board and in the game need to be a southern gentleman / lady and remember how your mother raised you.
Football Guy
November 25th, 2012
6:09 am
hahahahahahahahahahahahaha
hahahahahahahahahahahahaha
hahahahahahahahahahahahaha
haha…………………….
Can't Wait
November 25th, 2012
6:14 am
This is not the same team from the 1st half of the year. Glad our D got called out. UGA is riding a huge wave of momentum right now and I think they are going to be hard to stop. SEC title game will be huge and a lot of fun. Spot light will be back on SEC once again and the winner will crush ND in the title game.
BAMAMAN
November 25th, 2012
6:28 am
bama will be ready…….I think losing bell will make it tough to win yet ga just hasnt been in this kind of situation in ages, so it will be a loss, and I think
bama by 17
Destin Dawg
November 25th, 2012
7:08 am
Richt is 2 for 3 vs. Saban in the SEC…. I think we’re at least even on offense and we have a better defense… Murray can pass on Bamer… Gurshall can run on Bamer… Dawgs 28 Bamer 24
Sierra Dawg
November 25th, 2012
7:26 am
Actually, Richt is 2-3 vs Saban in the SEC: 1-2 at LSU and 1-1 at Bama. Either way, he’s beaten Saban ranked teams twice. How many other coaches can say that? Keep under-estimating Richt all week, Bama – it’ll make the final score that much sweeter. Here’s betting we see McCarron cry again Saturday night, and not from joy.
RMikel58
November 25th, 2012
7:59 am
The WHOLE KEY to Georgia is their DEFENSE. If our down linemen can put pressure on Bamas QB and rush his passes. If JJ can truely have a game of a lifetime, if our Defense hits hard without arm tackling we have a chance.
Bama has got some really talented players on both sides of the ball. They can score like Georgia can.
Its their Defense against our Offense and vice versa.
Alabama is looking to beating us again 31-0 by halftime as they did some years ago in Athens.
They saw or will be watching game films on the S Carolina game. Saban will be looking for our weaknesses in our OL to put pressure on Murray.
This is where Bobo will have to do some creative play calling because Bama will be blitzing 2 out of 3 plays and determine which side to blitz on.
If Murray can see that then maybe he can call an alternate play like a screen or a dump pass play over the middle.
Our OL will have to create holes open for our RBs to go thru and get good gains of yardage. Alabama is quik like florida and very disciplined team. No turnovers or penalties that give Bama life or that kills our drives.
I think that Alabama isnt as good as they were 2-3 years ago but just waits on teams to make mistakes to capitalize on. Their a very opportunistic team.
Georgia may have the best team in 30 years but all that can be negated should they lose to Alabama.
All the Pro-Scouts will be attending this game and alot of these players will get a chance to show their stuff.
Listen to me Georgia players……….. You are as good if not better Offensively and Defensively as Alabama is. They are looking forward to playing Notre Dame for the BCS Title.
My cousin thats a big Bama fan and lives in Huntsville told me that he alrready has booked a room down in Miami for the BCS game.
There is alot of people who give Georgia NO CHANCE of even beating Alabama and are already making plans to attend the BCS Bowl Game. Alot of talk is that Bama beat us handidly in athens years ago and next weekend wont be close.
They say Alabama will score 40pts or more and Georgia no more than 20.
If you let Bama dominate the game then Saban will pour the points on us and embarrass you guys infront of a national audience.
If you beat Alabama in the Dome which no one gives you a chance then ill be laughing because my cousin will have to sell off his tickets, take a loss and eat some of his expenses.
I believe in you Dawgs, i know you have it in you to compete and win against Alabama but the question is do you have what it takes?
BobDawg
November 25th, 2012
8:05 am
BAMAFAN, sorry for Bells broken leg. How big was he in the passing game?
RMikel58
November 25th, 2012
8:18 am
Just remember this Dawgs…………if you dont practice hard and get ready for Alabama you can rest assure that they will be ready for us and is expecting a blowout by halftime.
The Atlanta Falcons played the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl years ago and went down to Miami and partied all night long.
Denver practiced at a private location, focused on the task at hand and beat the falcons. The Broncos partied after the game. The Falcons didnt party after the loss but did have some people arrested.
Study those game films of Bama and Texas A&M and youll see that Alabama is beatable and has weak spots and puts their shoes on just like everyone else.
All sports announcers say Alabama will be heading to face Notre Dame in the BCS, most everyone in the united states is betting bama to win big over you guys.
Alot of georgia fans think the sameway too.
Dont get cheated again guys, all those practices, all those hopes, forgoing the NFL Draft to stay for a miracolous year of winning it all……………..dont allow it to be in vain.
Be ready to play and remember that you dont have to be better than Alabama to win , you just have to be a better team that day to beat them.
This is for our University, our recruiting, your friends and family, something you will always remember that nobody can take away from you.
All these people afraid that youre gonna get embarrased again, no one giving you a chance to dominate Alabama in all aspects of the game.
Beating Alabama is more important than beating Notre Dame. Beat them and no one can say youre a soft team with a soft schedule.
Be pumped up and psyched to play like theres no tomorrow! Show everyone you belong but lose to Bama and all the critics will say you really wasnt that good. Alabama is already looking forward to playing Notre Dame.
Lose Saturday and the pollsters will drop you far down in the polls. You have a chance to wear the SEC Ring and possibly a BCS Ring.
No Mark Richt has had that chance to show people who you are and win it all!
Jojoba
November 25th, 2012
8:24 am
Just make sure you don’t smoke the DOOBIE OF YOUR LIFE THIS WEEK, Rambo.
Lonnie
November 25th, 2012
8:27 am
Good point KBP! This is a different team with a different time!!!!! The talent will shine on Saturday!!! Let’s go Dawgs!!!!!! To be the best beat the best!!!!
Jojoba
November 25th, 2012
8:43 am
This is so easy for richt. While Saban has to review tape of uga the last few weeks to find out how to stop a uga team that whipped Tennessee by 7 and kicked the shyt out of Kentucky by 5, all richt has to do is reach into the file cabinet and grab the gameplan from the beatdown he gave Boise st in the opener last year. Errrrrr, um. Okay, grab the folder marked “UCF bowl game win”, what’s that you say? No such win exists?
Oh I know! Use the gameplan from last years SEC championship where richt beat the crap out of Lsu….okay that never happened.
Wait I got it! Get a bunch of stickers that read “we own this state” and pass them out to fans and….WAIT, STEVE SPURRIER BOUGHT THEM ALL BECAUSE HE HAS BEAT RICHT 3 STRAIGHT YEARS?
Ouch
Earl Von earl
November 25th, 2012
8:47 am
Jarvis jones and John Jenkins will knock mccarron silly. Malcolm Mitchell scores at least twice and Gurshall goes for at least 150. Score it 31-28.
Tarryuga
November 25th, 2012
8:55 am
Here’s hoping the Dawgs don’t come out flat and sloppy!!
Alabama can be beat if UGA shows up…
December 1, 4PM, some heads are gonna roll and I hope it’s the fat ass elephants from Tuscaloosa!!!!
GO DAWGS!!
SIC’EM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jojoba
November 25th, 2012
8:59 am
Richt plan for this week:
Monday- prayer group
Tuesday- swim and dive with team
Wednesday – call recruits and sing happy birthday
Thursday- film ford f150 commercial
Friday- cash 3 million dollar pay check
Saturday- Saban foot enema
Tarryuga
November 25th, 2012
9:10 am
Jojoba, you Sir are an idiot.
Mark
November 25th, 2012
9:24 am
Nothing in the past matters. Nothing. All that matters is this week. You can beat Bama if truly believe and GATA. Leave it all out on the field and play lights out. Bama has no respect for you, esp their fans. Either way, I am soooo proud of my Dawgs. Go take it.
ARdawg
November 25th, 2012
9:44 am
27-13 DAWGS
Georgia defense turns it up big. Bama, the end truly is near
What they’re saying in Georgia about Alabama’s opponent in the SEC Championship Game (links) – Alabama – Crimson Tide News
November 25th, 2012
9:56 am
[...] victory sets up Saturday showdown* Georgia playing at level we haven’t seen under Richt* Bulldogs turn focus to SEC game, BCS shot* Short takes (UGA): Rambo’s ascent, Gurley’s comfort* Notebook: NFL decision awaits [...]
Say What???
November 25th, 2012
9:57 am
The SEC CHampionship is truly setting up to be the mother of all games. I think that this game will be the best game of the year. Anyone who is projecting a blowout on either side is just delusional. Both teams will have to play their game of the year to win. I think our defense is outstanding and will show up to play. The only real question mark that I see is Murray. He has shown so much talent this year, but he has shown that he has problems with the big games. And it doesn’t get any bigger than this one. I hate to put the pressure on one person, but I think the outcome of this game depends on which Arron Murray shows up. However, this game is setting him up for redemption. All our critics point to us not winning the SEC CHampionship, not winning the National Champioship, not beating good teams, Murray can’t win against a top ranked team, etc. With a win this Saturday, the Dawgs can silence all of that… I know… I know… Everyone will change their tune to “Well, it was just one top ranked team… Sec Championship… National Championship… But we will all know what that means.
Come on Dawgs!!! Finish the Drill! Play the game of your lives! This is what you have worked so hard for!
BAMAMAN
November 25th, 2012
10:40 am
destin what? ga defense better? best look at the stats lol bama way better statistically take the points the 2 defenses have allowed…….bama superior, offensively the scoring almost the same. I think though something’s in the air, bama has been in the championship so often that maybe they aren’t as hungry. I think ga will lay it all out, I don’t know if it will be enough, then again, ga is thrilled to be here and they are hungry! Don’t know if that will equate to a win
thetruthandnot
November 25th, 2012
10:42 am
I’m not gonna lie can’t call this game,Its gonna be hard fought.The team that make mistakes is sure to lose,if UGA plays a perfect game they win,but remember its Saban and the Tide your favorite weapon will be taken away. better have a back up or it could get ugly fast.
Terry Chance
November 25th, 2012
10:51 am
As a Bama fan I expect this game to be a knockdown dragout for both teams. I don’t see many weakness with Georgia, they are playing at a high level and are peaking at the right time. Anybody that thinks this game is going to be a blowout with either team , don’t know much about football.
Rick James
November 25th, 2012
11:12 am
Notre Dame is not impressive at all..The would be underdogs to Alabma,LSU,Texas A&M,Georgia,Florida and South Carolina,
Jsonic
November 25th, 2012
11:14 am
I love the arrogance! Any SEC team will beat the Irish??? The ONLY SEC team that had a schedule almost as tough as the Irish was Florida. ND is more than ready for the test! Not saying the Irish will win but it will be a close game. The defenses will dictate the game with one or two big plays making the difference and a field goal deciding the out come! Please though all you SEC fans, keep saying how your gonna crush the Irish! Teams have been saying it all season and it hasn’t happened yet. UGA got CRUSHED by SC and Bama by A&M. ND has fought all season to win it’s games. They only had 2 or 3 easy games, the rest were nailbiters to the end. Everybody gets up and plays their best against the Irish and the SEC will be no different but ND knows how to fight for 60 mins and they know how to win. Whoever plays them it will be a game for the ages! Get ready………………..HERE COME THE IRISH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rick James
November 25th, 2012
11:20 am
There is a reason that Notre Dame decided to affiliate with the ACC one of the weakest football conferances in America..
azdawg
November 25th, 2012
11:41 am
I didn’t think the dawgs could beat FL but they did, barely. Thought they had a chance to beat SC but they lost, badly. Both of those games AM had a hard time staying upright and was under pressure most of the time. He does not do well in those conditions. Thats what concerns me vs AL. They will come after AM. He won’t have much time to set up and find the open receiver. Bobo has to come up w/plan to offset the pressure. Murray’s not a very good runner, AKA, Johnny Football. Would help immensely if the dawgs can effectively run the ball. Dawgs do well offensively when AM has time and the Oline opens holes for Gurshell. It will be a monumental task if the dawgs can pass and run against the AL defense.
Jarvis Jones is key to the dawgs success on D. AL runs same O as dawgs do. Turn JJ lose and allow him to reap havoc on the AL QB. Tackle well!! Tree had great game vs GT but if he doesn’t go for Lacy’s lower body and wrap up you’re going to see Lacy get big gains after contact. Tree can’t go high on Lacy it won’t work. Same for all of dawgs defenders. Can’t give AL time to throw the ball. Must pressure their QB relentlessly. In short, I don’t think GA will beat AL unless the dawgs have the game of their college careers. Lets hope so. Love them dawgs.
Nemoque
November 25th, 2012
12:18 pm
As a Bama fan, I am more concerned over Georgia than Notre Dame. Whoever wins next Saturday will certainly have a great oppotunity to beat ND. I wouldn’t bet on the SEC championship game. I don’t know who is going to win this blood bath. This game, I suspect, will be determined by two or three plays. Kirby Smart and Saban will have to come up with one of their best schemes to win. Bama is not as good as they were over the last three years, but they’re still very good.
yarddawg
November 25th, 2012
12:33 pm
Love up here at college moma, send us damn money!
OrlandoDawg
November 25th, 2012
12:55 pm
NC game in Atlanta next Sat…..Look for a good ole SEC slugfest…Bama fans, hers to a good clean game and may the best team win…I will be pulling for either to cream ND in Miami……Go Dawgs!
Brown Dog
November 25th, 2012
1:03 pm
BobDawg
November 25th, 2012
8:05 am
BAMAFAN, sorry for Bells broken leg. How big was he in the passing game?
Bob, we’ve now lost three front-line receivers. Somebody will have to step up. The game will come down to the offensive lines. The team that can run the ball wins the game. Good luck. Should be fun.
OrlandoDawg
November 25th, 2012
1:09 pm
The SEC East is on top again, the West is on the downswing, East will rule for the next 10 years, and the cycle will reverse then….maybe…Go Dawgs!
Voyager Dawg
November 25th, 2012
2:18 pm
Hey Steve. We’ve beaten your Gators two years in a row now. Get used to it. Get used to seeing if someone else can pick us off so you can back into a better bowl. And all of the comments about rednecks and in-breading are hilarious coming from Gainesville affectionately know as “Hog Town”. I don’t see any cosmopolitan city between Starke and Mayo. You sound like Spurrier. It’s good knowing that you guys still hate us and would spend your time on our blog.
Ramajamaalabamahammer
November 25th, 2012
2:32 pm
We hear ya knocking…but you can’t come in. RTR!
flo-ri-duh
November 25th, 2012
2:49 pm
I will give my take on the SEC champ game after I review the A&M beat down of Bummer. However it is starting to feel like an OT game! I have already correctly predicted that the Bugs would only score 10 on UGA, that the Game Crocks would choke against the Lizards and LSU, Bummer would lose to A&M, Oregon and K-State would lose, the Lizards would lose to UGA. The only one I missed on was LSU/Bummer – which Les Miles blew by going to a PREVENT your self from wining defense with 6 minutes to go. Also predicted Lizards over ACC, Gamecrocks over the ACC. What does ACC stand for? Almost College Club!
flo-ri-duh
November 25th, 2012
2:59 pm
Notre Dame is good at one thing – goal line defense, especially when playing with the “HOME” refs.
Stiffneck
November 25th, 2012
3:23 pm
Rambo keep your mouth shut. Heard you on ESPN talking about how Bama doesn’t match up. Seriously?? Remember the SC game when the guy took the ball out of your hands? Now you just gave the tide something to chew on.
Lou "the toe" Groza
November 25th, 2012
5:45 pm
It becomes a matter of who will play as a team. Dawgs have come together as a team the past few games. Bama is good but has been shown not to be invincible. It depends upon which Georgia team shows up in the Dome. This team has a heart that many prior teams have not had, including seniors that have stayed for this year, and some new freshman that believe they can win. Dawgs win in a squeaker, despite issues on special teams. Just believe in a group that has heart.
OWe all know two or three factoids
November 25th, 2012
6:12 pm
OUR O Line at UGA is NOT a complete work.Wevlack physicality and depth and maybe even some meaness.
The GT game means nothing. Yes, GT has a nice little rushing game but they are NOT even close to being a decent team and in fact, they are horrible.
UGA had better be ready for a rough and tumble brawl of unbelievable prortions. MURRAY will be the key. Can he play w.o. Getting rattled???
Go Dogs!!!
Savannah Dawg
November 25th, 2012
6:22 pm
@Steve…….I guess you need Bama to do what your gay “azz” gators couldn’t do, beat the Dawgs. Quit being such a crybaby!! We can’t help it that , as you like to say, the Dawgs broke it off in the Gators!!!! Suck it Gaytor boy!!
gamecock realities
November 25th, 2012
6:46 pm
SC hired there football coaches thatnwon a MNC at another school. Diesel, Spurrier, Holtz ALL won the MNC at another school. BRAD SCOTT was an assistant at FSU when FSU won the MNC.
SC has not won one thing worth talking about with all of these ultra successful guys at the helm.
SC has ZERO TRADITION.
Go Dogs !!!!