This one hurt a lot.
For the past two years, Florida has come to Jacksonville and dominated Georgia. Florida was just better in every aspect of the game. Florida had better players and better coaches. That is not easy to accept, but it’s easier than what happen yesterday.
Georgia is not a great team and neither is Florida, but losing 34-31 in OT was just heartbreaking.
At halftime, you could see this game getting away from the Dawgs. 21-7 and all the momentum was with Florida. Florida was getting the ball to start the second half. But Georgia showed amazing fortitude by hanging in and chipping away at Florida’s lead. They even managed to tie the game at 24, and then the Gators came right back and took a 31-24 lead. Aaron Murray didn’t care. He lead the Dawgs down the field and threaded a pass through three defenders to AJ Green for another game-tying touchdown.
There will be some debate about the final Georgia drive of regulation. Georgia had 54 seconds to play, two timeouts and all the momentum. However, had Georgia gotten aggressive and gone three and out, Dawg fans would be killing Richt this morning. Richt played for overtime, and Murray through an interception trying to get the ball to the best receiver Georgia has ever had. Florida’s punter then kicked the game winning field goal, breaking Bulldog hearts everywhere.
Yeah this one is going to sting for a while.
It’s not that we were playing for a national title. Even an SEC East title was still a long shot with a win. It’s not that Florida was a great team and we had a chance to beat them. The reason this one is going to hurt is simply because we lost to Florida again. 18-21 games in this series have gone to the Gators.
When Florida is better they kill Georgia (2008, 2009) . When Georgia is better they manage to sneak by Georgia (2002, 2005). And this year, when both teams are not very good, Florida still beats Georgia.
This game was razor close by all statistical measures. On the scoreboard, it was a three point game. Florida had 23 first downs, Georgia had 22. Florida had 450 yards of total offense, Georgia had 439. Florida had the ball for 30 minutes and 38 seconds, Georgia had the ball for 29 minutes and 22 seconds.
What is even harder to deal with are the numbers that were in Georgia’s favor. Georgia was 8-15 on third down, while the Gators were only 4-14. Georgia had only two penalties while Florida had nine.
In reality there is only one number you need to know about the 2010 addition of Georgia/Florida, and that number is 4. 4 costly, game-changing, and heartbreaking turnovers. For the first time this season Aaron Murray played like a freshman. Murray has been nothing but solid under center for the Dawgs all season, but one bad half of football cost Georgia dearly. Richt took up for Murray after the game. Richt said that the first interception was a great play by the Florida defender, and he is right. Richt said the second interception probably sould have been caught by Aaron White, and he is right. But there is no doubt that Murray was rattled in the first half and it changed the way Georgia’s offense played. To his credit, Murray played at an amazing level in the second half, and showed poise and leadership in bringing the Dawgs back. Georgia scored 24 points in the second half. But at the end of the day, the interceptions and the fumble are the reason Georgia lost to Florida again.
I believe that Murray will eventually be one of the best quarterbacks that Georgia has ever had. He has the heart and drive to win, but he will have to get over costing his team the game yesterday.
Now the season comes down to this. Georgia must win 2 of their next three games to be 6-6 and make it to a bowl game.
You might be asking yourself, what does it matter if we go to a bowl game? It will be a crappy game that means nothing.
You would be wrong. Making it to a bowl game means you get to practice for that bowl game. It is an extra three weeks for the coaches to work with the players and I think we can all be sure that we need to practice as much as possible.
Georgia will beat Idaho State this weekend, and most of the starters shouldn’t have to play the second half. Then the Dawgs will get the number one team in the nation when they travel to Auburn. To assume anything but a loss at Auburn would be absurd. Which means that it will come down to the Saturday after Thanksgiving and Clean Old-Fashioned Hate between Georgia and Georgia Tech.
This Bulldog team will not be playing for a title, they will not be playing for a big bowl game. This Bulldog team has only one thing left to play for, but it is the purest pursuit in all of sports: Pride.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Time for the Cocktail Party!
What a difference a month makes. It has been a long time since the Bulldog Nation had been lower than we were following the loss to Colorado, but Coach Richt and his team have shown the heart of a true Bulldog in fighting their way back to a 4-4 record.
Many times in rivalry games, you hear that you can throw the records out the window, well this year, the records are all that matter. Georgia is 4-4 with a trip to Auburn left on the schedule. A loss to the Gators would most likely mean a 6-6 record at best, and possibly missing out on a bowl game for the first time since the mid-90’s.
Florida has lost three games in a row, and would fall to 4-4 themselves with a loss to the Dawgs. Their idiot fans are even calling for 2 time national champion Urban Meyer to be fired.
Saturday’s game will have a winner and a loser, like all games do. While the winner still won’t be a great team, the loser will be in a position that neither of these teams thought they would be in when the season began.
So what is going to happen?
Georgia’s offense has scored big in the last 3 games, putting up over 40 points in each game. Meanwhile, Florida’s offense has been terrible. They rank near the bottom of the SEC in almost every offensive category.
Georgia’s defense has been solid, allowing only 19.1 points per game. Florida’s defense has been just a little better at 18.7 points per game.
So here are the keys to the game:
1. There is nothing like an early lead. I firmly believe that whoever is winning after the first quarter will win the game. These two teams have a lot to lose with a loss. If either team can get a 7 or 10 point lead, the team that is down is going to get tight and probably make mistakes.
2. Score touchdowns! When you have a chance to score, put 7 on the board, don’t settle for field goals. Kicking field goals could keep the other team in the game. Missing field goals will lose you the game.
3. Turnovers. Nothing like a turnover to swing the momentum. The team that wins the turnover battle will win the game.
Prediction:
I’m not saying this just because I’m a Dawg fan, but I think Georgia is going to win on Saturday. And I’m not sure it is going to be close. The Dawgs’ offense has been getting better every week, and with King and Ealey both healthy and ready to play, Georgia should be at their best. The defense for Georgia isn’t perfect, but the Gator offense has been so bad, that it won’t matter. Enjoy Saturday Dawg fans, we deserve it.
Georgia 38 Florida 17
Many times in rivalry games, you hear that you can throw the records out the window, well this year, the records are all that matter. Georgia is 4-4 with a trip to Auburn left on the schedule. A loss to the Gators would most likely mean a 6-6 record at best, and possibly missing out on a bowl game for the first time since the mid-90’s.
Florida has lost three games in a row, and would fall to 4-4 themselves with a loss to the Dawgs. Their idiot fans are even calling for 2 time national champion Urban Meyer to be fired.
Saturday’s game will have a winner and a loser, like all games do. While the winner still won’t be a great team, the loser will be in a position that neither of these teams thought they would be in when the season began.
So what is going to happen?
Georgia’s offense has scored big in the last 3 games, putting up over 40 points in each game. Meanwhile, Florida’s offense has been terrible. They rank near the bottom of the SEC in almost every offensive category.
Georgia’s defense has been solid, allowing only 19.1 points per game. Florida’s defense has been just a little better at 18.7 points per game.
So here are the keys to the game:
1. There is nothing like an early lead. I firmly believe that whoever is winning after the first quarter will win the game. These two teams have a lot to lose with a loss. If either team can get a 7 or 10 point lead, the team that is down is going to get tight and probably make mistakes.
2. Score touchdowns! When you have a chance to score, put 7 on the board, don’t settle for field goals. Kicking field goals could keep the other team in the game. Missing field goals will lose you the game.
3. Turnovers. Nothing like a turnover to swing the momentum. The team that wins the turnover battle will win the game.
Prediction:
I’m not saying this just because I’m a Dawg fan, but I think Georgia is going to win on Saturday. And I’m not sure it is going to be close. The Dawgs’ offense has been getting better every week, and with King and Ealey both healthy and ready to play, Georgia should be at their best. The defense for Georgia isn’t perfect, but the Gator offense has been so bad, that it won’t matter. Enjoy Saturday Dawg fans, we deserve it.
Georgia 38 Florida 17
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Rankings/Bowl Projections
Top 10: Because who really cares who is #22?
1. Auburn
2. Oregon
3. Oklahoma
4. Boise State
5. LSU
6. Alabama
7. TCU
8. Michigan State
9. Ohio State
10. Nebraska
1. Auburn: I have watched many games this season, and there has been no team as impressive as Auburn. The biggest question about Auburn is there defense, but if they are going to score 65 points, the defense can be bad and still be ok. Next week’s game against undefeated LSU will be huge, as both teams still have to play Alabama later in the season.
2. Oregon: I’m not really sure how good the Ducks are, but they have looked good beating the teams they have played. If they can win at USC in two weeks, they will most likely run the table and play for a National Championship.
3. Oklahoma: Oklahoma is a good team that is getting better. Landry Jones is beginning to play like the quarterback that national pundits have said he is. If they can get past Missouri on Saturday night, then the only thing standing in the way of the Sooners making a return to the title game is an old school show down with Nebraska in the last Big 12 title game.
4. Boise State: I have nothing to say about Boise State.
5. LSU: LSU will be exposed for the fraud they are on Saturday when they play at Auburn. I believe LSU will lose three of their last five games.
6. Alabama: I still think Bama is the best team in the nation. The question will be whether the teams in front of Bama give them the chance to move back towards the title game. They can personally eliminate Auburn and LSU in the regular season, and I still think a one loss Alabama will play in the title game over an undefeated Boise State team.
7. TCU: I have less to say about TCU than Boise State.
8. Michigan State: Take a look at their schedule. The only game that the Spartans have left that is dangerous is at Iowa the day before Halloween. The Big 10 schedule is stupid. How can this team not play Ohio State?
9. Ohio State: No chance for the Buckeyes to get back in the title hunt, and because they don’t play Michigan State, this team might have punched their ticket to the Holiday Bowl by losing last night.
10. Nebraska: Even though they lost to Texas, Nebraska is still a very good team that will have a role in deciding who plays for the title. They will get a chance to eliminate Oklahoma in the Big 12 title game.
SEC Tie In Bowl Game Predictions:
SEC #8- Birmingham Bowl, January 8 (Mississippi State)
SEC #7- Music City Bowl, December 30 (Kentucky)
SEC #6- Gator Bowl, January 1 (Florida)
SEC #5- Chick-fil-A Bowl, December 31 (Arkansas)
SEC #4- Outback Bowl, January 1 (South Carolina)
SEC #3- Cotton Bowl, January 2 (LSU)
SEC #2- Capital One Bowl, January 1 (Auburn)
SEC #1- Sugar Bowl, January 4 (Alabama)
BCS Bowl Game Predictions: (Not what I want, but what looks inevitable)
National Title Game: Oregon v. Boise State
Rose Bowl: Arizona v. Michigan State
Sugar Bowl: Alabama v. Ohio State
Fiesta Bowl: TCU v. Nebraska
Orange Bowl: Florida State v. West Virginia
1. Auburn
2. Oregon
3. Oklahoma
4. Boise State
5. LSU
6. Alabama
7. TCU
8. Michigan State
9. Ohio State
10. Nebraska
1. Auburn: I have watched many games this season, and there has been no team as impressive as Auburn. The biggest question about Auburn is there defense, but if they are going to score 65 points, the defense can be bad and still be ok. Next week’s game against undefeated LSU will be huge, as both teams still have to play Alabama later in the season.
2. Oregon: I’m not really sure how good the Ducks are, but they have looked good beating the teams they have played. If they can win at USC in two weeks, they will most likely run the table and play for a National Championship.
3. Oklahoma: Oklahoma is a good team that is getting better. Landry Jones is beginning to play like the quarterback that national pundits have said he is. If they can get past Missouri on Saturday night, then the only thing standing in the way of the Sooners making a return to the title game is an old school show down with Nebraska in the last Big 12 title game.
4. Boise State: I have nothing to say about Boise State.
5. LSU: LSU will be exposed for the fraud they are on Saturday when they play at Auburn. I believe LSU will lose three of their last five games.
6. Alabama: I still think Bama is the best team in the nation. The question will be whether the teams in front of Bama give them the chance to move back towards the title game. They can personally eliminate Auburn and LSU in the regular season, and I still think a one loss Alabama will play in the title game over an undefeated Boise State team.
7. TCU: I have less to say about TCU than Boise State.
8. Michigan State: Take a look at their schedule. The only game that the Spartans have left that is dangerous is at Iowa the day before Halloween. The Big 10 schedule is stupid. How can this team not play Ohio State?
9. Ohio State: No chance for the Buckeyes to get back in the title hunt, and because they don’t play Michigan State, this team might have punched their ticket to the Holiday Bowl by losing last night.
10. Nebraska: Even though they lost to Texas, Nebraska is still a very good team that will have a role in deciding who plays for the title. They will get a chance to eliminate Oklahoma in the Big 12 title game.
SEC Tie In Bowl Game Predictions:
SEC #8- Birmingham Bowl, January 8 (Mississippi State)
SEC #7- Music City Bowl, December 30 (Kentucky)
SEC #6- Gator Bowl, January 1 (Florida)
SEC #5- Chick-fil-A Bowl, December 31 (Arkansas)
SEC #4- Outback Bowl, January 1 (South Carolina)
SEC #3- Cotton Bowl, January 2 (LSU)
SEC #2- Capital One Bowl, January 1 (Auburn)
SEC #1- Sugar Bowl, January 4 (Alabama)
BCS Bowl Game Predictions: (Not what I want, but what looks inevitable)
National Title Game: Oregon v. Boise State
Rose Bowl: Arizona v. Michigan State
Sugar Bowl: Alabama v. Ohio State
Fiesta Bowl: TCU v. Nebraska
Orange Bowl: Florida State v. West Virginia
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Still a chance to turn the season around
I was talking to a friend last night after the Georgia game and he made an interesting comment. With Georgia’s victory over Tennessee yesterday, they now stand at 2-4. If Georgia could manage to finish 7-5 this season, it would mean finishing 6-1 after a 1-4 start and the Bulldog Nation would be very happy. However, what if the season had worked out this way: Georgia splits the two games with Arkansas and South Carolina and takes care of business on the road against Mississippi State and Colorado. They beat Tennessee just like they did yesterday. They would be 5-1 at this point and ranked in the top 15. However, Georgia then loses to Florida, Auburn, and Georgia Tech to finish the season 8-4. Georgia fans would be livid and calling for changes. Just a thought.
Yesterday’s game is what every optimistic fan thought Georgia would be capable of this season. Murray played a great game, and the defense put pressure on Tennessee and forced turnovers. The run game is still MIA, but at least we saw the offensive line do some good pass blocking.
If you want to hear about impressive, check this out.
Here are Aaron Murray’s stats for the 2010 season if you project what he has done already over the rest of the season:
61 % completion
20 touchdowns
6 interceptions
2700 + yards passing
Murray has been great so far, and if the rest of the season works out like that, Georgia should have at least 10 wins with him playing that way.
So what is the problem?
The running game is the problem. Georgia ranks 77th in the nation rushing the ball. Ealey and King have not built upon the game they had against Georgia Tech last season. Obviously this season is not going to be a special one in Athens, but if the next few seasons are going to be better, Georgia has to get the running game back on track.
The solution?
Isaiah Crowell.
Cross your fingers and hope that Georgia can land this major recruit. Could be the kind of guy that could turn the entire program around.
Yesterday’s game is what every optimistic fan thought Georgia would be capable of this season. Murray played a great game, and the defense put pressure on Tennessee and forced turnovers. The run game is still MIA, but at least we saw the offensive line do some good pass blocking.
If you want to hear about impressive, check this out.
Here are Aaron Murray’s stats for the 2010 season if you project what he has done already over the rest of the season:
61 % completion
20 touchdowns
6 interceptions
2700 + yards passing
Murray has been great so far, and if the rest of the season works out like that, Georgia should have at least 10 wins with him playing that way.
So what is the problem?
The running game is the problem. Georgia ranks 77th in the nation rushing the ball. Ealey and King have not built upon the game they had against Georgia Tech last season. Obviously this season is not going to be a special one in Athens, but if the next few seasons are going to be better, Georgia has to get the running game back on track.
The solution?
Isaiah Crowell.
Cross your fingers and hope that Georgia can land this major recruit. Could be the kind of guy that could turn the entire program around.
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