All of the hype is almost over. It is less than 24 hours until Georgia and Alabama meet for the first time in the SEC Championship Game.
The enormity of this game has me reflecting a bit on my relatively short history as a Bulldog fan.
I was born in 1985, so I just missed the "Glory Days."
Baseball was my first love, probably because we went to a lot of Braves games, and because I played little league. The first Georgia game I can remember was the 1996 Auburn game, which was the first overtime game in the SEC's history.
I remember watching the Florida game in 1997, which Georgia actually won, and not realizing what a big deal it was that the Dawgs beat Steve Spurrier and the Gators. The significance of that win would be reveled to me over the next 7 years as I watched Georgia lose time and again in Jacksonville.
By the late 90's I was hooked. I remember being so excited when Georgia would be ranked in the teens preseason.
Mark Richt's first season will always be remembered for the "Hob-nail Boot" win in Knoxville, but at the end of that season, I remember thinking that this guy wasn't going to be able to get the job done. He ran the clock out on us against Auburn that season, then punted to Boston College in the bowl game with less than 2 minutes left.
Obviously 2002 was the year that Richt won me over, and for good reason.
I have documented the Richt Era extensively here before, so I won't go into a lot of detail, but I will say that the thing about Coach Richt that I have come to admire more than anything is the type of person he is. I had questions about him as a leader when he let Willie Martinez stay too long, but his hire of Todd Grantham has reinvigorated the program. I'm proud to have Coach Richt represent my university.
When I was a student at Georgia (2005-2007), my roommates and I would talk about what it might be like if Georgia ever played for a National Championship. The conversation kind of felt like talking about what you would do if you won the lottery. Georgia had some good teams in the 2000's, but they were never on the doorstep of the title game. They were never even in title contention by the time November came around, usually because of a loss to Florida.
In this blog, I said that this season should be different. I said that the expectations for this team were very simple. Georgia should be 12-0 or 11-1 playing Alabama for a chance to go to the National Championship game. Well, here we are. Georgia has met expectations, now it is time to exceed them. I'm sure that in January of 1983 Georgia fans never could have guessed that it would be 30 years until their team got this close to a National Championship again. Likewise, they couldn't have known in September of 1980 what a magical three-year run they were about to embark on. My son turns 1 on Sunday. If Georgia wins on Saturday, his uncle and I will tell him for years to come about how the Dawgs beat the Tide, the day before his first birthday. Who knows when he might get to see Georgia play in a game this big?
Moments like these aren't guaranteed. Tomorrow may be the peak for this program under Mark Richt. Tomorrow may be a disappointment, but a learning experience that will bare fruit in the future, much like the 2008 SEC Championship Game was for Alabama. Tomorrow could also the beginning of the Georgia Bulldog Era in college football, where the Dawgs go one a run like Florida and Alabama and win multiple National Titles.
Time will only tell what tomorrow's game will mean, but I do believe there is one, simple key to tomorrow's game.
Aaron Murray.
I've heard so much talk this week about the defenses. The defenses are a wash. Bama's defense is great, Georgia's defense is great. I've heard a lot of talk about the run game for both teams. We are going to be able to run the ball, and so are they. It is going to come down to the quarterbacks. AJ McCarron is a good quarterback who has been on a great team, won some big games, and made some big plays. Aaron Murray is a great quarterback who has been on some good teams, won a lot of games against inferior competition, and made no big plays in big games.
AJ McCarron can't win the game for Alabama. He can be a part of a team effort where he makes some plays that lead to victory, but he can't be the reason they win. Aaron Murray can win this game for Georgia. Aaron Murray can also lose this game for Georgia.
To even think about comparing Murray to Quincy Carter is an insult, but they do have one thing in common. They are both like a box of chocolates, you never really know what you are going to get. Carter was amazing as a freshman and beat LSU in Baton Rouge. Carter threw five picks as a junior and handed Lou Holtz a program changing win when he was at South Carolina. Murray has been spectacular at times, and at other times, he just leaves you scratching your head.
Aaron Murray is statistically the most efficient passer in the country. He has thrown for over 3000 yards and has 30 touchdowns in the SEC. I think that translates to about 50 touchdowns in the Big 12 or the Pac 12. However, you haven't heard Murray's name mentioned once in the Heisman race. Why?
Because Murray has come up incredibly small in Georgia's two biggest games of the season. Murray was ineffective at South Carolina and he was bad against Florida.
This week, Murray decided no to talk to the media for some reason. While Murray was silent, former NFL coach and current NFL commentator Tony Dungy said that he believed Murray was a franchise quarterback in the NFL, and that he would draft Murray in the first round of April's NFL Draft. Of course, this led to speculation that Murray would leave Georgia after this season.
If Murray comes back next season, barring injury, he will hold every significant passing record in school history, and he will throw for the most touchdowns in Southeastern Conference history. His numbers suggest greatness, but his play in big games suggest that those numbers are a product of a good system and weak opposition.
Tomorrow's game can change everything for Murray. Forget whether or not he goes pro, he can change his legacy if he wins tomorrow. Matt Stafford was the number 1 pick in the NFL draft, so on some level, he is successful. But Georgia fans love David Greene and DJ Shockley much more than Stafford, because they won. Murray can throw all the touchdowns he wants, but to score with the Bulldog Nation he has to win when it really counts.
It has been a long time since it has counted this much for Georgia.
We are so close.
1 game.
1 victory.
1 chance to play for the greatest prize in college athletics.
The nation expects Alabama to win. Alabama expects Alabama to win. Meanwhile, Georgia fans could be characterized as reluctantly optimistic. Don't get too excited, then you won't be too disappointed.
One of the problems with sports is that you aren't a winner until you are. Everyone always doubts whether a team, a coach, or a player can win the big one if they haven't won it yet. Phil Mickleson couldn't win a major. Then he won the Masters. He has since won three more majors. Now he is a winner.
Michael Jordon was drafted by the Bulls in 1984. He lead the league in scoring multiple times in the 80's, but the Bulls never won the NBA title. People questioned whether Jordan could lead a team to a title. Then, starting in 1991, Jordan won the NBA title every year he was in the league until 1998, a total of 6 titles. It sounds crazy now that anyone would have ever thought Jordan couldn't win the big one, because he is thought of as one of the greatest winners of all time.
Lebron James went through the same thing since he came into the NBA. He got his title last season with the Heat.
My point is this: a Georgia win tomorrow might shock a lot of people because Georgia hasn't won on this level in so long, but the lack of victory doesn't make you a loser. Georgia has had a remarkable season, and they are playing in a huge game against a program with as much history as any in college football. Anyone that tells you they KNOW what is going to happen tomorrow is a fool. These are two great teams and any number of variables could decide the game.
The motto for the Dawgs this season has been Our Team, Our Time, No Regrets. If they play with that mindset tomorrow, there is no reason the Dawgs won't be dancing on South Beach on January 7.
Glory, Glory to Old Georgia!
Dawgs 27 Tide 24
Friday, November 30, 2012
Monday, November 26, 2012
A Tale of Two Programs
It's been (some) of the best of times, and (some) of the worst of times, and it all started on one fateful night in September of 2008.
The Georgia Bulldogs were at the top of the college football world. They were the preseason number one going into the 2008 season, but they had dropped to 3rd by the time our story begins. Georgia was coming off a magical season in 2007 when they had finished as hot as any team in the nation. They ranked second nationally at the end of the '07 season.
Going back a bit farther, Georgia had been a power in the SEC for the past 6 years. They had played in the SEC Championship Game 3 times from 2002-2007, won 2 SEC Championships, and 2008 was thought to be the year they broke through and played for a National Championship.
To the west, there was Alabama, one of the most storied programs in the history of college football. However, they came into the 2008 season longing for the success of the past rather than bragging about recent success. In hopes of summoning the ghost of "The Bear", Bama went out and hired Nick Saban. Saban had a promising first season in 2007, but his Tide was only ranked 24th coming in to the 2008 season. After an impressive start to the season, they came to Athens ranked 9th.
Hoping to carry over some success from the year before, the Georgia seniors called for a "Blackout." One Bama assistant famously predicted that Georgia was wearing black because they were going to their own funeral.
Bama dominated the Dawgs on their own homefield that night. It was 31-0 before halftime. The final score ended up being 41-30, but it was never that close. As the two teams left the field that night, there was no way of knowing that these two teams were heading in two very different directions.
Alabama would go on to be ranked number 1 in the nation in 2008 before losing a great SEC Championship Game to Florida. However, they would return in 2009 to overcome the Gators and eventually Texas would win the National Championship. They would return to the National Title Game in 2011, this time defeating LSU to claim their second title in three years. A Western Division Championship in 2012 means that Alabama has been to 3 SEC title games, won 1 SEC title, and won 2 National Championships since September 21, 2008.
Meanwhile, Georgia would go on to lose to Florida and Georgia Tech in 2008. Matt Stafford and Knowshon Moreno left after the season to go to the NFL, and the program would fall far and fast. 2009 would see a 5 loss season for Georgia and an Independence Bowl appearance that, despite winning, would best be forgotten.
2010 would prove even worse. Georgia lost four straight games in 2010. Those losses weren't against teams like Florida, Alabama, Michigan, and USC. No, those losses were to South Carolina, Arkansas, Mississippi State, and wait for it, Colorado. They would go on to lose to Florida and Auburn at the end of the season and at 6-6 played college football juggernaut, Central Florida in the Liberty Bowl. An uninspiring 10-6 defeat at the hands of UCF gave Mark Richt his first losing season in Athens. Georgia had hit rock bottom. There were legitimate discussions about firing Richt at the end of the 2010 season, and after losing the first two games of the 2011 season to Boise State and South Carolina, those talks intensified.
Being the pre-season number one in 2008 seemed like a lifetime ago, and Richt was one loss away from being unemployed.
The Dawgs managed to win the next 10 games of the season to finish 10-2, and played LSU in the SEC title game. Georgia stayed with the Tigers for a half, but were blown away late in the game. Georgia then fell to Michigan State in the Outback Bowl and finished the season a confusing 10-4.
Now we have seen Georgia go 11-1 in 2012. They lost their toughest road game of the season and looked terrible doing it. They beat the number 2 team in the nation on a neutral field. They destroyed their competition in November, and seem to be on a roll that we haven't seen since the '07 season.
After going from the top of the college football world in 2008 to near the bottom of the SEC in 2010, Georgia finds itself back in the big time again.
It has been over 4 years since that fall Saturday night in 2008 when Georgia fell to Alabama. At times, I have wondered whether or not Georgia could make it back to this point with Mark Richt as their head coach, but here are the Dawgs, one victory away from playing for the National Championship.
All that stands in their way is the team that sent them down that dark road - Alabama. The Tide comes into this game as the defending National Champions, and presumably the team to beat. Bama fans expect to win this game, as they expect to win every game, and go on to beat Notre Dame to claim what they believe to be their birthright, the National Championship.
Years from now, we might look back and say that this was just another Crimson Night in a Crimson Age of college football.
Or maybe, just maybe, we will look back and say this was the night that a new dynasty began. Only time will tell, but make no mistake, it only takes one game to change the course of history.
The Georgia Bulldogs were at the top of the college football world. They were the preseason number one going into the 2008 season, but they had dropped to 3rd by the time our story begins. Georgia was coming off a magical season in 2007 when they had finished as hot as any team in the nation. They ranked second nationally at the end of the '07 season.
Going back a bit farther, Georgia had been a power in the SEC for the past 6 years. They had played in the SEC Championship Game 3 times from 2002-2007, won 2 SEC Championships, and 2008 was thought to be the year they broke through and played for a National Championship.
To the west, there was Alabama, one of the most storied programs in the history of college football. However, they came into the 2008 season longing for the success of the past rather than bragging about recent success. In hopes of summoning the ghost of "The Bear", Bama went out and hired Nick Saban. Saban had a promising first season in 2007, but his Tide was only ranked 24th coming in to the 2008 season. After an impressive start to the season, they came to Athens ranked 9th.
Hoping to carry over some success from the year before, the Georgia seniors called for a "Blackout." One Bama assistant famously predicted that Georgia was wearing black because they were going to their own funeral.
Bama dominated the Dawgs on their own homefield that night. It was 31-0 before halftime. The final score ended up being 41-30, but it was never that close. As the two teams left the field that night, there was no way of knowing that these two teams were heading in two very different directions.
Alabama would go on to be ranked number 1 in the nation in 2008 before losing a great SEC Championship Game to Florida. However, they would return in 2009 to overcome the Gators and eventually Texas would win the National Championship. They would return to the National Title Game in 2011, this time defeating LSU to claim their second title in three years. A Western Division Championship in 2012 means that Alabama has been to 3 SEC title games, won 1 SEC title, and won 2 National Championships since September 21, 2008.
Meanwhile, Georgia would go on to lose to Florida and Georgia Tech in 2008. Matt Stafford and Knowshon Moreno left after the season to go to the NFL, and the program would fall far and fast. 2009 would see a 5 loss season for Georgia and an Independence Bowl appearance that, despite winning, would best be forgotten.
2010 would prove even worse. Georgia lost four straight games in 2010. Those losses weren't against teams like Florida, Alabama, Michigan, and USC. No, those losses were to South Carolina, Arkansas, Mississippi State, and wait for it, Colorado. They would go on to lose to Florida and Auburn at the end of the season and at 6-6 played college football juggernaut, Central Florida in the Liberty Bowl. An uninspiring 10-6 defeat at the hands of UCF gave Mark Richt his first losing season in Athens. Georgia had hit rock bottom. There were legitimate discussions about firing Richt at the end of the 2010 season, and after losing the first two games of the 2011 season to Boise State and South Carolina, those talks intensified.
Being the pre-season number one in 2008 seemed like a lifetime ago, and Richt was one loss away from being unemployed.
The Dawgs managed to win the next 10 games of the season to finish 10-2, and played LSU in the SEC title game. Georgia stayed with the Tigers for a half, but were blown away late in the game. Georgia then fell to Michigan State in the Outback Bowl and finished the season a confusing 10-4.
Now we have seen Georgia go 11-1 in 2012. They lost their toughest road game of the season and looked terrible doing it. They beat the number 2 team in the nation on a neutral field. They destroyed their competition in November, and seem to be on a roll that we haven't seen since the '07 season.
After going from the top of the college football world in 2008 to near the bottom of the SEC in 2010, Georgia finds itself back in the big time again.
It has been over 4 years since that fall Saturday night in 2008 when Georgia fell to Alabama. At times, I have wondered whether or not Georgia could make it back to this point with Mark Richt as their head coach, but here are the Dawgs, one victory away from playing for the National Championship.
All that stands in their way is the team that sent them down that dark road - Alabama. The Tide comes into this game as the defending National Champions, and presumably the team to beat. Bama fans expect to win this game, as they expect to win every game, and go on to beat Notre Dame to claim what they believe to be their birthright, the National Championship.
Years from now, we might look back and say that this was just another Crimson Night in a Crimson Age of college football.
Or maybe, just maybe, we will look back and say this was the night that a new dynasty began. Only time will tell, but make no mistake, it only takes one game to change the course of history.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
A historic season and its not over yet!
After showing yet again that they are the best team in the state of Georgia, the Georgia Bulldogs will prepare for the Crimson Tide of Alabama in the SEC Championship Game.
I will have plenty to say in the coming week about the game with Alabama, but I think it is only right to take a moment to look back on the 2012 regular season.
Make no mistake, this was one of the greatest regular seasons in the history of the program. For only the fourth time in school history, Georgia has won 11 games in the regular season. It is the second time in the Richt era that Georgia has won 11 games in the regular season, the other being in 2002.
Georgia beat all of their historic rivals. Georgia beat Tennessee, Florida, Auburn, and Georgia Tech. It would be a mistake for Georgia fans to forget that the reason Mark Richt was hired in Athens. Jim Donnan had the program at a certain level, but he couldn't get this team over the hump against Georgia's rivals.
Georgia's season started out with what seemed like a huge win against Missouri. At the time, the Missouri game was thought to be a chance for this team to slip up on the road. Many national pundits picked Missouri to win that game because it was their first game in the league. Georgia, thanks to Jarvis Jones, set Missouri on the road to a rough first season in the league.
After some concerning performances against lesser competition came the revenge game against James Franklin and his Vanderbilt Commodores Georgia thumped Vandy in a game that was as dominant as you can be.
The Tennessee game was the best of times and the worst of times, but at the end of the day, it was a victory.
Then came the biggest disappointment of the season. South Carolina played a great game, and Georgia failed to respond to the challenge as they were embarrassed 35-7 in Columbia. Before that game, Spurrier said that Georgia was South Carolina's biggest rival although he knew that South Carolina wasn't Georgia's biggest rival. I think that is exactly how both teams played.
Georgia sleepwalked through the Kentucky game, but again won.
The season came down to one game. Georgia v. Florida in Jacksonville. At the time, Florida was ranked #2 in the country and could clinch a spot in the SEC title game with a win. Georgia, however, still controlled their own destiny thanks to two South Carolina losses. Shawn Williams made news by calling out the defense before the game, and the entire team responded. It wasn't the prettiest win in school history, but it looked pretty good from Georgia's sideline when the game was over.
All of a sudden, Georgia was back in control. Georgia turned away a tough Ole Miss team on Homecoming. Then, the Dawgs headed to the Plains to destroy Auburn to clinch a spot in the SEC title game for the second consecutive season. Wins over Georgia Southern and Tech finished out a campaign that all the Bulldog Nation can be proud of.
I sincerly hope that Coach Richt will finally be given his due for what he has accomplished in Athens. He is our coach, and he should be our coach for the foreseeable future. No more of this hot seat garbage. Mark Richt is the best coach Georgia has ever had, and he should be treated as such.
Now comes the biggest game for Georgia in 30 years. Make no mistake, Alabama is a great team and it will take a great effort from the Dawgs to win. However, after the seasons that we had in 2009 and 2010, its nice to be back at the top of the SEC.
For two years, Georgia has been criticized for their schedule and their has been an asterisk next to their success because they have not played Alabama. Well, bring on the Tide and shut up the critics!
GO DAWGS!!!!!
I will have plenty to say in the coming week about the game with Alabama, but I think it is only right to take a moment to look back on the 2012 regular season.
Make no mistake, this was one of the greatest regular seasons in the history of the program. For only the fourth time in school history, Georgia has won 11 games in the regular season. It is the second time in the Richt era that Georgia has won 11 games in the regular season, the other being in 2002.
Georgia beat all of their historic rivals. Georgia beat Tennessee, Florida, Auburn, and Georgia Tech. It would be a mistake for Georgia fans to forget that the reason Mark Richt was hired in Athens. Jim Donnan had the program at a certain level, but he couldn't get this team over the hump against Georgia's rivals.
Georgia's season started out with what seemed like a huge win against Missouri. At the time, the Missouri game was thought to be a chance for this team to slip up on the road. Many national pundits picked Missouri to win that game because it was their first game in the league. Georgia, thanks to Jarvis Jones, set Missouri on the road to a rough first season in the league.
After some concerning performances against lesser competition came the revenge game against James Franklin and his Vanderbilt Commodores Georgia thumped Vandy in a game that was as dominant as you can be.
The Tennessee game was the best of times and the worst of times, but at the end of the day, it was a victory.
Then came the biggest disappointment of the season. South Carolina played a great game, and Georgia failed to respond to the challenge as they were embarrassed 35-7 in Columbia. Before that game, Spurrier said that Georgia was South Carolina's biggest rival although he knew that South Carolina wasn't Georgia's biggest rival. I think that is exactly how both teams played.
Georgia sleepwalked through the Kentucky game, but again won.
The season came down to one game. Georgia v. Florida in Jacksonville. At the time, Florida was ranked #2 in the country and could clinch a spot in the SEC title game with a win. Georgia, however, still controlled their own destiny thanks to two South Carolina losses. Shawn Williams made news by calling out the defense before the game, and the entire team responded. It wasn't the prettiest win in school history, but it looked pretty good from Georgia's sideline when the game was over.
All of a sudden, Georgia was back in control. Georgia turned away a tough Ole Miss team on Homecoming. Then, the Dawgs headed to the Plains to destroy Auburn to clinch a spot in the SEC title game for the second consecutive season. Wins over Georgia Southern and Tech finished out a campaign that all the Bulldog Nation can be proud of.
I sincerly hope that Coach Richt will finally be given his due for what he has accomplished in Athens. He is our coach, and he should be our coach for the foreseeable future. No more of this hot seat garbage. Mark Richt is the best coach Georgia has ever had, and he should be treated as such.
Now comes the biggest game for Georgia in 30 years. Make no mistake, Alabama is a great team and it will take a great effort from the Dawgs to win. However, after the seasons that we had in 2009 and 2010, its nice to be back at the top of the SEC.
For two years, Georgia has been criticized for their schedule and their has been an asterisk next to their success because they have not played Alabama. Well, bring on the Tide and shut up the critics!
GO DAWGS!!!!!
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
This is my nightmare...
For years I have told people that I think the rivalry with Tech is an awful idea. Georgia has nothing to gain by playing Tech. Where the two programs are right now, Georgia should beat Tech every year. That is an amazingly high standard, that obviously can't be kept.
Mark Richt has done a fantastic job with this rivalry since he has come to Athens. 10-1 against Tech. Almost perfect. Almost.
The loss was in 2008, at home. The 2008 team was also the 2nd most talented team that Georgia has had under Richt. Second only to this year's team. Not making you feel good?
Before last week's game with Georgia Southern, I said that Southern would score more against the Dawgs than Tech would. I was surprised how well Georgia handled Southern's running game, especially in the second half. After Georgia's game finished last Saturday afternoon, I could not have been more confident that Georgia would crush Tech and head to Atlanta for the SEC title game.
So what changed?
Stanford beat Oregon and Baylor beat Kansas State.
But that is a good thing, right?
Yes. But it causes me to be more concerned about this game.
You see, I have always thought that the Tech rivalry was pointless because one day, I didn't know when, Georgia would be having a great season, and would be in the hunt for the National Championship. They would get to the end of the schedule, and they would have to play a mediocre Tech team. Then, inexplicably, the Tech team would upset my beloved Dawgs, and cause them to miss out on the National Championship.
This is my nightmare.
Georgia is more talented than Tech in every aspect of the game. Georgia is playing its best football of the entire season. Georgia has everything to play for, while Tech can do nothing on Saturday that can help or hurt them. There is no reason to think that this game should even be close.
But then you remember last week. Stanford is a good team, so you can see how they beat Oregon. However, Baylor has a terrible defense. They gave up 70 points to West Virginia earlier this season. There is no reason to think that they could stop the inevitable Heisman trophy winner. But that is exactly what happened. Sports are the original reality television, and anything can happen.
There is only one thing about this situation that makes me feel better.
Mark Richt.
Richt has said all week that his team is focused on Georgia Tech. Some people might think that is coach-speak, but not me. Richt knows what is at stake. He has been at Georgia a long time, and there is only thing he hasn't achieved. This is as important to Mark Richt, his future, his family, and his legacy as it is to any person in this world.
Georgia can't win the National Title this Saturday, but they sure can lose it.
Mark Richt won't let them.
Tech's offense is a gimmick. They will move the ball, but at the end of the day, they are just not good enough to beat Georgia. Personally, I think the Dawgs are going to make a statement. They are number three now, and everyone assumes that the upsets last week mean Alabama will get a shot at Notre Dame for the title. I think the coaches and the players are going to send a little message to the nation to not count the Dawgs out just yet.
Georgia will win this game in convincing style, move on to Atlanta, keep the dream alive, and avoid my nightmare.
Georgia 52 North Avenue Trade School 13
GO DAWGS!!!!!
Mark Richt has done a fantastic job with this rivalry since he has come to Athens. 10-1 against Tech. Almost perfect. Almost.
The loss was in 2008, at home. The 2008 team was also the 2nd most talented team that Georgia has had under Richt. Second only to this year's team. Not making you feel good?
Before last week's game with Georgia Southern, I said that Southern would score more against the Dawgs than Tech would. I was surprised how well Georgia handled Southern's running game, especially in the second half. After Georgia's game finished last Saturday afternoon, I could not have been more confident that Georgia would crush Tech and head to Atlanta for the SEC title game.
So what changed?
Stanford beat Oregon and Baylor beat Kansas State.
But that is a good thing, right?
Yes. But it causes me to be more concerned about this game.
You see, I have always thought that the Tech rivalry was pointless because one day, I didn't know when, Georgia would be having a great season, and would be in the hunt for the National Championship. They would get to the end of the schedule, and they would have to play a mediocre Tech team. Then, inexplicably, the Tech team would upset my beloved Dawgs, and cause them to miss out on the National Championship.
This is my nightmare.
Georgia is more talented than Tech in every aspect of the game. Georgia is playing its best football of the entire season. Georgia has everything to play for, while Tech can do nothing on Saturday that can help or hurt them. There is no reason to think that this game should even be close.
But then you remember last week. Stanford is a good team, so you can see how they beat Oregon. However, Baylor has a terrible defense. They gave up 70 points to West Virginia earlier this season. There is no reason to think that they could stop the inevitable Heisman trophy winner. But that is exactly what happened. Sports are the original reality television, and anything can happen.
There is only one thing about this situation that makes me feel better.
Mark Richt.
Richt has said all week that his team is focused on Georgia Tech. Some people might think that is coach-speak, but not me. Richt knows what is at stake. He has been at Georgia a long time, and there is only thing he hasn't achieved. This is as important to Mark Richt, his future, his family, and his legacy as it is to any person in this world.
Georgia can't win the National Title this Saturday, but they sure can lose it.
Mark Richt won't let them.
Tech's offense is a gimmick. They will move the ball, but at the end of the day, they are just not good enough to beat Georgia. Personally, I think the Dawgs are going to make a statement. They are number three now, and everyone assumes that the upsets last week mean Alabama will get a shot at Notre Dame for the title. I think the coaches and the players are going to send a little message to the nation to not count the Dawgs out just yet.
Georgia will win this game in convincing style, move on to Atlanta, keep the dream alive, and avoid my nightmare.
Georgia 52 North Avenue Trade School 13
GO DAWGS!!!!!
Sunday, November 18, 2012
This Changes Everything
It has been 43 days since I walked out of Williams-Brice Stadium, numb, after watching Georgia's undefeated season ended with a huge thud. 35-7.
The backlash almost started immediately Fire Richt, Fire Bobo, Fire Uga! Ok maybe not Uga.
I wrote then, that despite the loss is Columbia, it was a long season, and Georgia still had a chance to achieve all of it's goals.
Going into the Florida game, Georgia fans were dejected. There's no way we could beat the Gators. They are the number two team in the nation. Remember Columbia?
After the Florida game, I said that we true Georgia fans needed to move to the middle of the band-wagon to make room for those who jumped off. Well, everyone get ready to get even more crowded, because everyone will be back on after this week.
I toot my own horn not to be obnoxious, only to give more credibility to what I'm about to say.
The biggest hurdle is still ahead. The Alabama Crimson Tide.
After what can only be described as an amazing day and night of college football, the Georgia Bulldogs control their own BCS destiny! Barring an upset of epic proportions next weekend, Georgia will play Alabama in Atlanta, with the winner moving on to play in Miami for the National Championship.
There will be plenty of time to break down the Georgia/Georgia Tech game, as well as the eventual game with the Tide in the Dome.
Right now I want to talk about the next few weeks.
Before Saturday, I thought Notre Dame would lose to USC. After watching, yes I actually watched USC play UCLA, I'm not as sure. Barkley is a mess at quarterback and USC's defense seems to have lost all of the talent that they were known for in the early 2000's. Irish eyes might be crying tears of joy next weekend as they cap an undefeated season and punch their ticket to the National Championship game.
Let's get two things out of the way right now. First, Florida will NOT be in the National Championship game, because they will lose, rather convincingly, to Florida State next weekend. The Gators are not a great team, and I think you might even see the human polls drop them this week just to make sure they aren't in position to get to the title game.
Secondly, if Notre Dame loses to USC, no other SEC school deserves a shot at the National title, other than the winner of the SEC Championship game. You need to take a good look at Florida State and even Oregon. The fact that there are so many SEC teams in the BCS top ten is a testament to the strength of the conference, but Florida is not great, South Carolina is not great without Lattimore, LSU should have lost to Ole Miss, and Texas A&M got way too big of a jump in the polls after beating Alabama. I love the SEC, but we need to beat a team outside of the conference to win our 7th consecutive championship.
Georgia, and Alabama,, are in the driver's seat, and before Dawg fans start raising their expectations too high too quickly, remember that this is Alabama and this is Nick Saban. If Georgia is going to beat the Tide, they will have to beat an angry team playing at their very best. Georgia will have to play their best game, not only of this season, but maybe their best game in a generation.
To steal a line from Ric Flair, to be the man, you have to beat the man, and Alabama is the defending National Champions for a reason. Georgia will have to earn every yard.
That said, think about the fact that 32 years later, Georgia has a chance, with freshman running backs to possibly play Notre Dame for the National Championship. If that doesn't make some chills run down your back, nothing will.
I love Georgia with all of my heart, and that heart is racing even now thinking about what could happen over the next two weeks. This Georgia team is more talented than any other team we have ever had. Ever. I hope so badly that the players are invigorated by this opportunity and respond by putting in the best two weeks of practice that they have ever had. As a lifelong Georgia fan, I have hoped that one day I would get the chance to watch my team play for the National Championship. Being this close to it is almost surreal.
No matter what happens over the next two weeks, Its Great to be a Georgia Bulldog!
This has been an amazing ride and it isn't over just yet.
Tech preview later this week. Happy Thanksgiving to all!
GO DAWGS!!!
The backlash almost started immediately Fire Richt, Fire Bobo, Fire Uga! Ok maybe not Uga.
I wrote then, that despite the loss is Columbia, it was a long season, and Georgia still had a chance to achieve all of it's goals.
Going into the Florida game, Georgia fans were dejected. There's no way we could beat the Gators. They are the number two team in the nation. Remember Columbia?
After the Florida game, I said that we true Georgia fans needed to move to the middle of the band-wagon to make room for those who jumped off. Well, everyone get ready to get even more crowded, because everyone will be back on after this week.
I toot my own horn not to be obnoxious, only to give more credibility to what I'm about to say.
The biggest hurdle is still ahead. The Alabama Crimson Tide.
After what can only be described as an amazing day and night of college football, the Georgia Bulldogs control their own BCS destiny! Barring an upset of epic proportions next weekend, Georgia will play Alabama in Atlanta, with the winner moving on to play in Miami for the National Championship.
There will be plenty of time to break down the Georgia/Georgia Tech game, as well as the eventual game with the Tide in the Dome.
Right now I want to talk about the next few weeks.
Before Saturday, I thought Notre Dame would lose to USC. After watching, yes I actually watched USC play UCLA, I'm not as sure. Barkley is a mess at quarterback and USC's defense seems to have lost all of the talent that they were known for in the early 2000's. Irish eyes might be crying tears of joy next weekend as they cap an undefeated season and punch their ticket to the National Championship game.
Let's get two things out of the way right now. First, Florida will NOT be in the National Championship game, because they will lose, rather convincingly, to Florida State next weekend. The Gators are not a great team, and I think you might even see the human polls drop them this week just to make sure they aren't in position to get to the title game.
Secondly, if Notre Dame loses to USC, no other SEC school deserves a shot at the National title, other than the winner of the SEC Championship game. You need to take a good look at Florida State and even Oregon. The fact that there are so many SEC teams in the BCS top ten is a testament to the strength of the conference, but Florida is not great, South Carolina is not great without Lattimore, LSU should have lost to Ole Miss, and Texas A&M got way too big of a jump in the polls after beating Alabama. I love the SEC, but we need to beat a team outside of the conference to win our 7th consecutive championship.
Georgia, and Alabama,, are in the driver's seat, and before Dawg fans start raising their expectations too high too quickly, remember that this is Alabama and this is Nick Saban. If Georgia is going to beat the Tide, they will have to beat an angry team playing at their very best. Georgia will have to play their best game, not only of this season, but maybe their best game in a generation.
To steal a line from Ric Flair, to be the man, you have to beat the man, and Alabama is the defending National Champions for a reason. Georgia will have to earn every yard.
That said, think about the fact that 32 years later, Georgia has a chance, with freshman running backs to possibly play Notre Dame for the National Championship. If that doesn't make some chills run down your back, nothing will.
I love Georgia with all of my heart, and that heart is racing even now thinking about what could happen over the next two weeks. This Georgia team is more talented than any other team we have ever had. Ever. I hope so badly that the players are invigorated by this opportunity and respond by putting in the best two weeks of practice that they have ever had. As a lifelong Georgia fan, I have hoped that one day I would get the chance to watch my team play for the National Championship. Being this close to it is almost surreal.
No matter what happens over the next two weeks, Its Great to be a Georgia Bulldog!
This has been an amazing ride and it isn't over just yet.
Tech preview later this week. Happy Thanksgiving to all!
GO DAWGS!!!
Friday, November 16, 2012
UGA v. GA Southern Preview
The Bulldogs are a 38 point favorites against the second best team in the state of Georgia as Georgia Southern comes calling in Athens on Saturday. The Eagles will run the triple option that is a left over from former Southern and current Tech coach, Paul Johnson.
All I have heard this week is that Southern ran for over 300 yards against Alabama last year.
There are two things that I'm sure of:
1. Georgia will win this game by double digits.
2. Georgia will not cover the 38 points. That point spread is crazy.
Southern will get things going on the ground at times during this game, and they will score enough to make some Georgia fans angry. Then you will hear that Tech will run all over us because if Georgia Southern can score what ever number they score, then Tech is going to score 100 points. Those people are dumb, and we shouldn't listen to them, ever.
The reason Georgia will win this game is that there is no way in this world that Georgia will not score as much as they want on Saturday. Southern's defense doesn't have as much talent as Auburn's defense, and you see what Georgia did to them last week. Southern will be fired up, they might sack Murray early, and you might start getting nervous. Please don't. Don't waste your nerve on this game. It doesn't matter what the score is, Georgia will win.
Now, if you are a true Georgia fan you know that the biggest game on Saturday is not in Athens. We have to stay up late to watch Kansas State play Baylor and Oregon play Stanford. Now when I say we have to watch these games, I mean that those two games are on at the same time, and Tennessee/Vanderbilt is on as well. You will have to switch between all three games to stay awake, because, if you are anything like me, its hard to watch some of these games.
I don't think this is the weekend for an upset, but you have to watch just in case.
Why is it such a big deal? If two of the top three teams lose, then Georgia will have something they haven't had in 30 years: a chance to play for the national title.
In 2002 Georgia finished second in the nation, but they never had a chance to play one game to get to the title game. In 2007, Georgia had to watch and hope, and then still got left out of the title game.
If two of these team lose, then the Georgia/Alabama game will be a national semifinal in the Georgia Dome.
At this point it is still a long shot, but it is worth keeping an eye on these other games, because you just never know what will happen.
This weekend should be fun, but not as fun as next weekend.
Georgia 45 Georgia Southern 31
GO DAWGS!!!
All I have heard this week is that Southern ran for over 300 yards against Alabama last year.
There are two things that I'm sure of:
1. Georgia will win this game by double digits.
2. Georgia will not cover the 38 points. That point spread is crazy.
Southern will get things going on the ground at times during this game, and they will score enough to make some Georgia fans angry. Then you will hear that Tech will run all over us because if Georgia Southern can score what ever number they score, then Tech is going to score 100 points. Those people are dumb, and we shouldn't listen to them, ever.
The reason Georgia will win this game is that there is no way in this world that Georgia will not score as much as they want on Saturday. Southern's defense doesn't have as much talent as Auburn's defense, and you see what Georgia did to them last week. Southern will be fired up, they might sack Murray early, and you might start getting nervous. Please don't. Don't waste your nerve on this game. It doesn't matter what the score is, Georgia will win.
Now, if you are a true Georgia fan you know that the biggest game on Saturday is not in Athens. We have to stay up late to watch Kansas State play Baylor and Oregon play Stanford. Now when I say we have to watch these games, I mean that those two games are on at the same time, and Tennessee/Vanderbilt is on as well. You will have to switch between all three games to stay awake, because, if you are anything like me, its hard to watch some of these games.
I don't think this is the weekend for an upset, but you have to watch just in case.
Why is it such a big deal? If two of the top three teams lose, then Georgia will have something they haven't had in 30 years: a chance to play for the national title.
In 2002 Georgia finished second in the nation, but they never had a chance to play one game to get to the title game. In 2007, Georgia had to watch and hope, and then still got left out of the title game.
If two of these team lose, then the Georgia/Alabama game will be a national semifinal in the Georgia Dome.
At this point it is still a long shot, but it is worth keeping an eye on these other games, because you just never know what will happen.
This weekend should be fun, but not as fun as next weekend.
Georgia 45 Georgia Southern 31
GO DAWGS!!!
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Georgia Bulldogs: SEC East Champions!
When the night began in Jordan-Hare Stadium, the home fans spirits were lifted by the loss of cross-state rival Alabama, and there was a sense of hope in the air. By the time the night ended, the home fans were long gone, and the stands at the north end of the stadium were rocking with fans celebrating a division championship.
Georgia took care of business in an impressive way against Auburn on Saturday night. They scored touchdowns on their first 4 possessions and took their foot off the gas mid way through the third quarter. Make no mistake, Georgia could have picked their number against Auburn, and I'm not sure if the two teams played until the rapture, that Auburn would have scored on Georgia's defense.
Aaron Murray was spectacular.
Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall were sensational.
The defense was dominating.
And even the punt team was fantastic, three times pinning the Tigers inside their own 5 yard line.
You cannot dominate another team more than Georgia did on Saturday night.
Many will look at this game and believe that it says more about Auburn than Georgia, and that is fine. For the Dawgs, only one thing matters. Two years after experiencing their first losing season under Coach Mark Richt, the Dawgs are going to their second straight SEC title game.
Richt has been consistent that Georgia's first goal each season is to win the East. Now with that goal checked off, Georgia looks to take the next step and win the title game. Richt said after the game that this team is not done yet, and that there was no big locker-room celebration this year.
With Alabama's loss, the Western Division Champion is still to be determined. However, it would take a Tide loss to Auburn to open the door for LSU or Texas A&M to make it to Atlanta, so it is a pretty safe bet that Georgia will meet the Tide for the first time in the SEC title game, and the first time since the infamous 2008 Blackout Game when Bama rolled Georgia in Athens.
I saw another Dawg fan post on Facebook on Sunday morning that Georgia will not play for the National Title. I really don't understand some Georgia fans.
One month ago he probably would have said there is no way Georgia will beat Florida and win the East. Before the Alabama game on Saturday, he probably would have said there is no way that Texas A&M would go into Tuscaloosa and beat the number one team in the nation.
Can we please stop this?
There is only one thing that can be certain at this point in the season: nothing is certain.
Oregon will be the new number 1 in the human polls. They still have to play 3 games. All 3 games will be played against ranked teams. An ESPN analyst said that playing those games would help Oregon's ranking in the BCS computer polls. Of course, he is assuming that Oregon will win all three of those games.
Notre Dame should have lost to Pitt last week. Notre Dame looked pedestrian against Boston College on Saturday night. Notre Dame still has to play at USC to finish the season, and the Trojans won't have anything to play for except ruining Notre Dame's season.
Kansas State is a one man show, and they still have to play Texas.
Of course, for Georgia, any road to Miami would have to feature a victory in Atlanta over Alabama.
I'm not going to sit here on November 11 and predict that Georgia will play for the National Title, but you can't tell me it won't happen.
The one thing I am willing to predict is that Georgia will play in a BCS game. Florida will lose to Florida State at the end of the season, knocking them out of contention. As long as Georgia doesn't get run out of the Georgia Dome by Alabama, the Dawgs will make their 4th appearance in the BCS.
A few weeks ago, I said that Georgia fans should let the season play out before making judgments on this team and this coaching staff. Now, I think, we can all see that this team had one bad night, but has showed great character in coming back and playing their best football at the end of the season.
The story of the 2012 Georgia Bulldogs is still to be written.
Georgia took care of business in an impressive way against Auburn on Saturday night. They scored touchdowns on their first 4 possessions and took their foot off the gas mid way through the third quarter. Make no mistake, Georgia could have picked their number against Auburn, and I'm not sure if the two teams played until the rapture, that Auburn would have scored on Georgia's defense.
Aaron Murray was spectacular.
Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall were sensational.
The defense was dominating.
And even the punt team was fantastic, three times pinning the Tigers inside their own 5 yard line.
You cannot dominate another team more than Georgia did on Saturday night.
Many will look at this game and believe that it says more about Auburn than Georgia, and that is fine. For the Dawgs, only one thing matters. Two years after experiencing their first losing season under Coach Mark Richt, the Dawgs are going to their second straight SEC title game.
Richt has been consistent that Georgia's first goal each season is to win the East. Now with that goal checked off, Georgia looks to take the next step and win the title game. Richt said after the game that this team is not done yet, and that there was no big locker-room celebration this year.
With Alabama's loss, the Western Division Champion is still to be determined. However, it would take a Tide loss to Auburn to open the door for LSU or Texas A&M to make it to Atlanta, so it is a pretty safe bet that Georgia will meet the Tide for the first time in the SEC title game, and the first time since the infamous 2008 Blackout Game when Bama rolled Georgia in Athens.
I saw another Dawg fan post on Facebook on Sunday morning that Georgia will not play for the National Title. I really don't understand some Georgia fans.
One month ago he probably would have said there is no way Georgia will beat Florida and win the East. Before the Alabama game on Saturday, he probably would have said there is no way that Texas A&M would go into Tuscaloosa and beat the number one team in the nation.
Can we please stop this?
There is only one thing that can be certain at this point in the season: nothing is certain.
Oregon will be the new number 1 in the human polls. They still have to play 3 games. All 3 games will be played against ranked teams. An ESPN analyst said that playing those games would help Oregon's ranking in the BCS computer polls. Of course, he is assuming that Oregon will win all three of those games.
Notre Dame should have lost to Pitt last week. Notre Dame looked pedestrian against Boston College on Saturday night. Notre Dame still has to play at USC to finish the season, and the Trojans won't have anything to play for except ruining Notre Dame's season.
Kansas State is a one man show, and they still have to play Texas.
Of course, for Georgia, any road to Miami would have to feature a victory in Atlanta over Alabama.
I'm not going to sit here on November 11 and predict that Georgia will play for the National Title, but you can't tell me it won't happen.
The one thing I am willing to predict is that Georgia will play in a BCS game. Florida will lose to Florida State at the end of the season, knocking them out of contention. As long as Georgia doesn't get run out of the Georgia Dome by Alabama, the Dawgs will make their 4th appearance in the BCS.
A few weeks ago, I said that Georgia fans should let the season play out before making judgments on this team and this coaching staff. Now, I think, we can all see that this team had one bad night, but has showed great character in coming back and playing their best football at the end of the season.
The story of the 2012 Georgia Bulldogs is still to be written.
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Georgia/Auburn Preview
The Deep South's Oldest Rivalry is renewed on Saturday night when the Dawgs travel to the Plains to take on Auburn. Historically, this game is is full of upsets and road victories. Those two trends will battle each other in this game.
Let's just focus on the Mark Richt Era and talk about the significance of this rivalry. In 2001, Richt's first season in Athens, Auburn beat Georgia when Richt failed to show he understood how to handle late game clock management. It seems like a joke, but Mark Richt had doubters in Athens after his first season, so he is used to being on the hot seat.
In 2002, Georgia won an epic game on the Plains to clinch a spot in the SEC Championship game for the first time in school history en route to their first league title since 1982. David Greene found Michael Johnson in the back of the end zone with under a minute to play to secure the win.
In 2004, Georgia was dominated on the Plains by an Auburn team that eventually finished the season 14-0 and finished #2 nationally. The highlight of that game was Auburn running back Cadillac Williams throwing a touchdown pass on the way to a decisive Auburn victory.
In 2005, Auburn won in Athens when Georgia had a chance to clinch the SEC East when quarterback Brandon Cox found a open receiver on 4th and 16 late in the game. Auburn ended up running the clock down before kicking a game winning field goal to give the Tigers the 31-30 victory.
2007 was the famous "Black Out" when Georgia ran right through a good Auburn team on their way to a Sugar Bowl victory. 2010 was Cam Newton's one and only contribution to the rivalry as Auburn overcame a three touchdown deficit to blow Georgia away in the second half. Nick Fairly attempted to kill Aaron Murray that afternoon, and the referees seemed like they were okay with it. To my recollection, that is the only game in Murray's career that he had to be taken out of because of injury.
2006 is the game I want to focus on.
This was Matt Stafford's freshman season, and a freshman running back named Knowshon Moreno was stadning on the sidelines watching. Georgia came into the game at 6-4 having already lost to Tennessee, Florida, Vanderbilt (at home on Homecoming), and on the road at Kentucky. Rebuilding or not, this was unacceptable for Georgia. Now, all the Dawgs had to do was travel to the Plains to take on the fifth ranked Auburn Tigers who had hopes of not only an SEC title, but a national title.
What happened next will forever be remembered by Georgia fans. Auburn quarterback Brandon Cox threw 7 passes in the first half, none of them hit the ground. He completed 4 to his team, and 3 to Georgia defensive back Tre Battle, one of which was returned for a touchdown. Georgia won the game 37-15 and won the rest of their games that season, including a Chick-fil-A Bowl victory over Virginia Tech.
Okay, that was a lot of history to make this simple point, Georgia better be ready to play on Saturday night. This game defines seasons, more often than not. It seems like one of these teams always has something big to play for in November when this game is played, so it makes or breaks your season.
Of course Georgia wins the East with a victory, and Florida wins the East with a Georgia loss. But rest assured, Georgia and Mark Richt lose a whole lot more with a loss. This is the worst Auburn team Richt has ever faced. This is the worst Auburn team in my lifetime (since 1985). Auburn only has Georgia and Alabama left on their SEC schedule, they have yet to win a game in conference play. The last time Auburn went winless in the conference: 1952! This could be the worst Auburn team in the last 60 years! Georgia can't lose this game!
The fact that Georgia fans are even a little nervous about this game, is not a good sign. But in the Richt era, Georgia constantly plays down to lesser opponents.
I don't think that is going to happen on Saturday night. Georgia knows what is at stake. Georgia has everything to play for. Auburn will be firing the coach and starting over as a program in 3 weeks, while Georgia will be taking their best shot at Alabama.
This is going to be a 3 1/2 hour party for Dawg fans! Georgia will get on them early, stay on them throughout, and spend the fourth quarter thinking about which Gatorade tub to hit Richt with at the end of the game.
Georgia 42 Auburn 6
GO DAWGS!!!!!!
Let's just focus on the Mark Richt Era and talk about the significance of this rivalry. In 2001, Richt's first season in Athens, Auburn beat Georgia when Richt failed to show he understood how to handle late game clock management. It seems like a joke, but Mark Richt had doubters in Athens after his first season, so he is used to being on the hot seat.
In 2002, Georgia won an epic game on the Plains to clinch a spot in the SEC Championship game for the first time in school history en route to their first league title since 1982. David Greene found Michael Johnson in the back of the end zone with under a minute to play to secure the win.
In 2004, Georgia was dominated on the Plains by an Auburn team that eventually finished the season 14-0 and finished #2 nationally. The highlight of that game was Auburn running back Cadillac Williams throwing a touchdown pass on the way to a decisive Auburn victory.
In 2005, Auburn won in Athens when Georgia had a chance to clinch the SEC East when quarterback Brandon Cox found a open receiver on 4th and 16 late in the game. Auburn ended up running the clock down before kicking a game winning field goal to give the Tigers the 31-30 victory.
2007 was the famous "Black Out" when Georgia ran right through a good Auburn team on their way to a Sugar Bowl victory. 2010 was Cam Newton's one and only contribution to the rivalry as Auburn overcame a three touchdown deficit to blow Georgia away in the second half. Nick Fairly attempted to kill Aaron Murray that afternoon, and the referees seemed like they were okay with it. To my recollection, that is the only game in Murray's career that he had to be taken out of because of injury.
2006 is the game I want to focus on.
This was Matt Stafford's freshman season, and a freshman running back named Knowshon Moreno was stadning on the sidelines watching. Georgia came into the game at 6-4 having already lost to Tennessee, Florida, Vanderbilt (at home on Homecoming), and on the road at Kentucky. Rebuilding or not, this was unacceptable for Georgia. Now, all the Dawgs had to do was travel to the Plains to take on the fifth ranked Auburn Tigers who had hopes of not only an SEC title, but a national title.
What happened next will forever be remembered by Georgia fans. Auburn quarterback Brandon Cox threw 7 passes in the first half, none of them hit the ground. He completed 4 to his team, and 3 to Georgia defensive back Tre Battle, one of which was returned for a touchdown. Georgia won the game 37-15 and won the rest of their games that season, including a Chick-fil-A Bowl victory over Virginia Tech.
Okay, that was a lot of history to make this simple point, Georgia better be ready to play on Saturday night. This game defines seasons, more often than not. It seems like one of these teams always has something big to play for in November when this game is played, so it makes or breaks your season.
Of course Georgia wins the East with a victory, and Florida wins the East with a Georgia loss. But rest assured, Georgia and Mark Richt lose a whole lot more with a loss. This is the worst Auburn team Richt has ever faced. This is the worst Auburn team in my lifetime (since 1985). Auburn only has Georgia and Alabama left on their SEC schedule, they have yet to win a game in conference play. The last time Auburn went winless in the conference: 1952! This could be the worst Auburn team in the last 60 years! Georgia can't lose this game!
The fact that Georgia fans are even a little nervous about this game, is not a good sign. But in the Richt era, Georgia constantly plays down to lesser opponents.
I don't think that is going to happen on Saturday night. Georgia knows what is at stake. Georgia has everything to play for. Auburn will be firing the coach and starting over as a program in 3 weeks, while Georgia will be taking their best shot at Alabama.
This is going to be a 3 1/2 hour party for Dawg fans! Georgia will get on them early, stay on them throughout, and spend the fourth quarter thinking about which Gatorade tub to hit Richt with at the end of the game.
Georgia 42 Auburn 6
GO DAWGS!!!!!!
Saturday, November 3, 2012
UGA v. Ole Miss
A week after one of the biggest wins Georgia has ever had over Florida, the Bulldogs return home for the first time in a month to take on the Ole Miss Rebels.
Geogia proved last week that a big win doesn't have to come on the back of a great performance, but this week, Georgia is looking to not only win the game, but start playing like a team that can compete for a championship. Georgia's task is very simple, win the next two games, Saturday against Ole Miss and November 10th against Auburn, and punch their ticket for a second straight SEC title game.
In the span on just one week, Georgia has gone from hoping to get a shot at a trip to Atlanta, to it being a huge disappointment if they don't get to Atlanta.
Before they look too far down the road, Georgia better be ready to play Ole Miss this weekend. Now, you might not know his name, but I bet everyone already knows the head coach of Ole Miss. His name is Hugh Freeze and the reason you know him is because he was the coach of Michael Oher, from the book and movie "The Blindside." Freeze was hired at Ole Miss last December, and he is a candidate for SEC coach of the year because he has the Rebels playing as well as they have since Oher left campus in 2009. Freeze is known for offense, and his team is averaging 32 points per game this season.
At quarterback, the Rebels have Bo Wallace, who has been good at times this season. Of his 9 interceptions this season, 7 of them have come in Ole Miss' 3 losses. Wallace has also been sacked 18 times in 8 games, so keep an eye on Jarvis Jones this weekend, because he could have yet another stand out game.
If there is one player for the Rebels that could really hurt Georgia it is running back Jake Scott. Scott has 3 100 yard rushing games this season and has rushed for over 600 yards on the season, despite the fact that he missed the first game of the season. However, Scott managed only 49 yards on 19 carries against Alabama earlier this season.
Georgia is a 14 point favorite in this game and they should cover the spread easily. While Freeze has improved this team greatly from last season, they are still not at the level of the elite schools in the SEC. They don't have the depth that Georgia has, so this game might be close at half time, but it shouldn't be close in the 4th quarter.
For Georgia, this game is about one thing, and one thing only: Get right!
Despite winning the game against Florida, this hasn't looked like a team that can stay on the field with Alabama for a full four quarters. We need to see something this weekend that makes us believe that we can, not only get to the Dome, but shock the world in the process.
We need to see something out of Aaron Murray. In his last four games, Murray has thrown seven touchdowns and five interceptions. Incredibly mediocre. Murray is the leader of this team, and if Georgia has a chance to do something special in December, he will have to lead the charge. Alabama won't give Georgia 6 turnovers, I promise you that.
We also need to see the return of the Freshman Phenoms. The last time Georgia was at home, Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall were the talk of the SEC. They were playing at an amazing level, and Georgia was looking like an offensive jugernaught. For the past month, however, the two freshman have been MIA. Gurley has only one touchdown in his last three games. We need these guys to get back to doing what they were doing in September.
Finally, we need to see this defense play like they did last week, every week. Personally, it is far more frustrating to have a defense that is capable of playing great but constantly under-performs, than it is to have a crappy defense to start with. It makes no sense that this defense has to be called out and challenged before they come prepared to play. In my opinion, if we see Georgia's defense return to playing the way they did against Kentucky, then it is not a problem with coaching, it is a problem with the players. In this league, you have to come ready to play every week, not just when your backs are against the wall. I believe this defense has something to prove, because at this point, they might be talented, but I think they are also lazy.
In the last 4 weeks, Georgia has gone from the top of the world, to the bottom of the barrell, and back again. The Dawgs have four games left in the regular season, and they are going to be double-digit favorites in every game. Three of the four games left are in Athens. Four games is a quarter of the season, and it is time for this team to create some momentum heading toward Atlanta and the SEC title game. Play well on Saturday. Then head to Auburn to give Gene Chizik a final farewell. Then come home and beat the daylights out of two in-state teams. That is the plan for November. Simple, right?
Now, very quickly, I have a quick guide for Georgia fans for the rest of the college football season. Because the Dawgs have gotten themselves back in the picture for the big game in January it is worth taking a look at what Georgia needs to happen. First we need Kansas State to lose to Oklahoma State this weekend. After the Cowboys, K State only has Texas left on its schedule and they don't play a championship game. I don't trust Texas to beat anyone, so OSU needs to take K State out of the ranks of the unbeatens this weekend.
Secondly, Georgia fans need to be USC fans on Saturday night. Just hold your nose and close your eyes and hopefully it will be over quick. USC is the most talented team on Oregon's schedule.
Okay, I forgot, you need to just buy a USC T-shirt because the Trojens are probably the only team left that could be Notre Dame too. Ugh.
Georgia needs 2 of the 3 remaining unbeatens to lose to open the door for a 1 loss team to make it to the National Championship Game. After Alabama beats LSU this weekend, Georgia will be the highest ranked 1 loss team, so the chance is there for Georgia.
Oh yeah, then Georgia has to beat Alabama, but we will worry about that later.
Have a good week, and GO DAWGS!!!!!
Geogia proved last week that a big win doesn't have to come on the back of a great performance, but this week, Georgia is looking to not only win the game, but start playing like a team that can compete for a championship. Georgia's task is very simple, win the next two games, Saturday against Ole Miss and November 10th against Auburn, and punch their ticket for a second straight SEC title game.
In the span on just one week, Georgia has gone from hoping to get a shot at a trip to Atlanta, to it being a huge disappointment if they don't get to Atlanta.
Before they look too far down the road, Georgia better be ready to play Ole Miss this weekend. Now, you might not know his name, but I bet everyone already knows the head coach of Ole Miss. His name is Hugh Freeze and the reason you know him is because he was the coach of Michael Oher, from the book and movie "The Blindside." Freeze was hired at Ole Miss last December, and he is a candidate for SEC coach of the year because he has the Rebels playing as well as they have since Oher left campus in 2009. Freeze is known for offense, and his team is averaging 32 points per game this season.
At quarterback, the Rebels have Bo Wallace, who has been good at times this season. Of his 9 interceptions this season, 7 of them have come in Ole Miss' 3 losses. Wallace has also been sacked 18 times in 8 games, so keep an eye on Jarvis Jones this weekend, because he could have yet another stand out game.
If there is one player for the Rebels that could really hurt Georgia it is running back Jake Scott. Scott has 3 100 yard rushing games this season and has rushed for over 600 yards on the season, despite the fact that he missed the first game of the season. However, Scott managed only 49 yards on 19 carries against Alabama earlier this season.
Georgia is a 14 point favorite in this game and they should cover the spread easily. While Freeze has improved this team greatly from last season, they are still not at the level of the elite schools in the SEC. They don't have the depth that Georgia has, so this game might be close at half time, but it shouldn't be close in the 4th quarter.
For Georgia, this game is about one thing, and one thing only: Get right!
Despite winning the game against Florida, this hasn't looked like a team that can stay on the field with Alabama for a full four quarters. We need to see something this weekend that makes us believe that we can, not only get to the Dome, but shock the world in the process.
We need to see something out of Aaron Murray. In his last four games, Murray has thrown seven touchdowns and five interceptions. Incredibly mediocre. Murray is the leader of this team, and if Georgia has a chance to do something special in December, he will have to lead the charge. Alabama won't give Georgia 6 turnovers, I promise you that.
We also need to see the return of the Freshman Phenoms. The last time Georgia was at home, Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall were the talk of the SEC. They were playing at an amazing level, and Georgia was looking like an offensive jugernaught. For the past month, however, the two freshman have been MIA. Gurley has only one touchdown in his last three games. We need these guys to get back to doing what they were doing in September.
Finally, we need to see this defense play like they did last week, every week. Personally, it is far more frustrating to have a defense that is capable of playing great but constantly under-performs, than it is to have a crappy defense to start with. It makes no sense that this defense has to be called out and challenged before they come prepared to play. In my opinion, if we see Georgia's defense return to playing the way they did against Kentucky, then it is not a problem with coaching, it is a problem with the players. In this league, you have to come ready to play every week, not just when your backs are against the wall. I believe this defense has something to prove, because at this point, they might be talented, but I think they are also lazy.
In the last 4 weeks, Georgia has gone from the top of the world, to the bottom of the barrell, and back again. The Dawgs have four games left in the regular season, and they are going to be double-digit favorites in every game. Three of the four games left are in Athens. Four games is a quarter of the season, and it is time for this team to create some momentum heading toward Atlanta and the SEC title game. Play well on Saturday. Then head to Auburn to give Gene Chizik a final farewell. Then come home and beat the daylights out of two in-state teams. That is the plan for November. Simple, right?
Now, very quickly, I have a quick guide for Georgia fans for the rest of the college football season. Because the Dawgs have gotten themselves back in the picture for the big game in January it is worth taking a look at what Georgia needs to happen. First we need Kansas State to lose to Oklahoma State this weekend. After the Cowboys, K State only has Texas left on its schedule and they don't play a championship game. I don't trust Texas to beat anyone, so OSU needs to take K State out of the ranks of the unbeatens this weekend.
Secondly, Georgia fans need to be USC fans on Saturday night. Just hold your nose and close your eyes and hopefully it will be over quick. USC is the most talented team on Oregon's schedule.
Okay, I forgot, you need to just buy a USC T-shirt because the Trojens are probably the only team left that could be Notre Dame too. Ugh.
Georgia needs 2 of the 3 remaining unbeatens to lose to open the door for a 1 loss team to make it to the National Championship Game. After Alabama beats LSU this weekend, Georgia will be the highest ranked 1 loss team, so the chance is there for Georgia.
Oh yeah, then Georgia has to beat Alabama, but we will worry about that later.
Have a good week, and GO DAWGS!!!!!
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