Mr. College Football

By NASCARfan

July 28, 2007 10:57 PM | Link to this

Barnhart,

I am consistantly impressed with you and the fact that you refuse to sing the praises of a certain lisping sophomore quarterback / fullback who has yet to throw a meaningful pass or start as a quarterback in a meaningful game.

No predictions about a certain sophomore quarterback who grew in leaps a bounds and became the first quarterback of a certain school to consecutively beat three ranked teams, including a team ranked No. 5 in the nation and a team with the “best” defense in the nation? Or are you tying his fortunes to a Georgia o-line you believe is better than the idiots over at ESPN, SI, and TSN would have the rest of the nation believe?

By clax

July 28, 2007 11:35 PM | Link to this

Vols Rule….UT Wins SEC East and Takes the Title Game in the Dome in December!

By FearlessPrediction

July 29, 2007 12:51 AM | Link to this

All this Saban hype is dumb. No matter how many games he wins this year it will not be enough to make the irrational bama fans happy and they will lose to both AU and UGA. I’m questioning how good the Dawgs will be this year but the last time I doubted them they layed the 41-14 smackdown on UT a few years back.

By Buck in the NW

July 29, 2007 1:11 AM | Link to this

Tony, you are right on about the “OL”. hey may struggle at 1st but they’ll get the job done which will allow Bobo to use his weapon and score points. I use the term “weapon” in the singular for a reason. Bobo has built his “O” around Matthew Stafford and it’s his job to get the ball to the play makers, of which he has a bunch plus himself. I don’t know if you ever read your blogs, but if you do it would be an outstanding column if you wrote about what the difference will be having Richt as a head coach for the 1st time since he’s been in Athens. His “on the job” training is over, what will happen? funny, IMO, how we must answer the same question this season as ‘06, will the Receivers catch the ball?

By Bigcalidawg

July 29, 2007 1:30 AM | Link to this

All of “The Sky is Falling” junk surrounding our offensive line is horse hockey. Believe it, or not, we are one of those college football programs that have the luxury of “reloading” after losses to graduation/disqualification/post football…whatever.

It was a huge deal that Stafford started games as a freshman last year, simply because freshman rarely get significant playing time for us.

Just because you have yet to hear from a guy does not mean he can’t play. It just means he will be the next guy to go on to the NFL from our program.

We hype these guys up when they come out of High School, then, as soon as they have redshirted and played behind some NFL bound stud, there are perceptions that we have problems at that position because people forgot about him. Terrell Davis played very little as a Dawg. Doesn’t mean he couldn’t play.

Chill. Our nobody’s will become somebody’s.

By AJ

July 29, 2007 3:41 AM | Link to this

Terrell Davis played very little as a Dawg. Doesn’t mean he couldn’t play.

No it just means we had an idiot of a coach.

By Salty Dawg

July 29, 2007 4:23 AM | Link to this

Don’t blame Goff for Terrell Davis not playing. Davis pulled hiself from games crying about migraine headaches. Props to him for graduating from UGA. But, he was a crappy player for us leaving it all on the bench and not the field.

By Rudy's Back

July 29, 2007 5:11 AM | Link to this

Give it up!! The dogs will suck and choke as usual!!!!!!! Get your whinning overwith now so the rest of us who have REAL teams to root for don’t have to listen to your excuses.

RUDY!!! RUDY!!!!!! RUDY!!!!!

By Jay

July 29, 2007 5:24 AM | Link to this

Uh, Davis sat so that another back could play. What was that “losers” name? Oh yeah, Garrison Hearst.

By Larry

July 29, 2007 6:41 AM | Link to this

Let me see, if I remember correctly, just before the 1980 season Munson had a bleak outlook. Seems that things turned out o.k. that year. Then after Hershel left in `82 it was all over, but I recall a victory over a number one team (Texas) in the Cotton Bowl. Really, if Munson forecast anything but doom I would be scared to death. We will be just fine. GO DAWGS!

By Nole1

July 29, 2007 8:30 AM | Link to this

UGA will stink this year. There is no way they beat UT, UF, AU, OSU, I can see a 6 loss season for them. They are not that good and GT will beat them this year.

By Ben S.

July 29, 2007 8:45 AM | Link to this

thank you for that wonderful insight Nole1..very intelligent. The SEC is stacked from top to bottom as usual. Just look at the recruiting from top to bottom the past 3-4 years. You will see 7 teams in the top 15 every year. It should be an exciting year in the SEC, and I hope the Dawgs prevail. Good luck!

By workinDawg

July 29, 2007 9:13 AM | Link to this

Thanks Nole1, If anyone should know about “stinky” football teams it would be the Noles. You’ve had more than your fair share of crappy teams to watch. Good luck next year.

By workinDawg

July 29, 2007 9:13 AM | Link to this

Thanks Nole1, If anyone should know about “stinky” football teams it would be the Noles. You’ve had more than your fair share of crappy teams to watch. Good luck next year.

By cooter11

July 29, 2007 9:14 AM | Link to this

if you guys reload, better use some 00 buck against Vandi and KFC!!!LOL!!!

By BeattieFeathers

July 29, 2007 9:41 AM | Link to this

UGA will lose to Kentucky and Vanderbilt again but will upset the Gators. The Dawgs will slip to 7-5 but will win their bowl.

By auforever55

July 29, 2007 9:57 AM | Link to this

OK, Tony, what has Saban done different than the other top coaches in the SEC? Why should Alabama have any such aura? It’s been 25 years since they were that kind of program.

By Barker169

July 29, 2007 10:07 AM | Link to this

Here’s my slant. The Dogs will average 37 points a game this season (with its OC patterned in the likes of a former OC at FSU). The weapons are there! It’s the defense that has to hold teams to 24-28. Lot’s of high scoring games this Fall. And, OBTW Nole1, if UGA plays FSU come bowl time, you’ll be crushed… mark it down. But, I see the Dogs in the SEC CG with one loss, perhaps losing to LSU, then crushing their bowl opponent for a fantastic season. Go Dogs!!!

By Newly

July 29, 2007 10:36 AM | Link to this

Coach Saban is truly a rock star. I have a pair of his underwear in my office.

By wes

July 29, 2007 10:41 AM | Link to this

Barker, 37 points a game? ROTFLMAO!!!!

Stafford threw for SEVEN Td’s last year and THIRTEEN interceptions.

Are you retarded or just a Georgia fan who never went to college?

By Dawgs Fan

July 29, 2007 10:58 AM | Link to this

Just a reminder to the Tech people that the Kentucky that beat Georgia also beat Clemson that beat Tech.

Also Georgia beat Tech for the 6th straight year. Don’t be stupid and mortgage the house to bet on Tech against Georgia this year.

Tech goes 6-6 this year and will once again play in the Emerald (nut) Bowl.

By TampaGator

July 29, 2007 11:31 AM | Link to this

Hey NASCAR fan…Tebow is a probably a better passer than he is a runner (proved that in the spring game) and, as we know, he is an excellent runner. Plus, his receiving corps is the best in the SEC…very fast and very athletic…and 2 or 3 deep at every WR position (and includes Harvin, Caldwell, and Murphy as the top 3). In addition, the Gators have three truly outstanding tight ends (really wide receivers) in Ingram, Casey, and Hernandez. It all depends on how well the young, but very talented defense plays this year…and if some of the young D-linemen step forward. Enjoy your knocks on Tebow while you can. Your blabber will stop Sept. 1 and then once again in Jax. Go Gators!

By Chopdawg

July 29, 2007 12:02 PM | Link to this

Hey Tampa Gator, we got a glimpse of the real Tebow in Jax last year, when Meyer made the mistake of putting him in the game deep in his own territory! If you’ll recall, he got racked on a keeper & coughed up the football. Gonna be a totally different year for Tebow: he won’t be able to play only in controlled situations. Spring games mean zilch in the fall. Our man Stafford’s been thru the fire already, Tebow hasn’t. Better prepare yourself for a step backward by your untested sophomore QB.

By Matt

July 29, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this

The fact is that Georgia is a second rate SEC program - behind LSU, Auburn, and Florida; even with Tennessee, Arkansas, and Alabama. And recent trends suggest they’ll slip more just because visor-boy and Satan are going to push Bama and the Cocks past the Dawgs. It’s a fact, people - get used to it.

By TigerManiac

July 29, 2007 12:05 PM | Link to this

LSU will win the conference easily this year, beating UF by 13 in the title game. Georgia? No chance—-too many holes on both sides. Tennessee—not enough talent. Florida—-lost their whole defense. USC? don’t make me laugh. Auburn? LSU will stomp them this year. Bama—-2-3 years away.

By Buck in the NW

July 29, 2007 12:08 PM | Link to this

SPEAKING OF REPTITLES, FOR A LOOK AT THEIR POLICE BLOTTER, GO TO ……SI.COM……..STUDENT ATHLETS DON’T DON’T DESERVE MUCH PUNISHMENT. iT’S A MUST READ FOR ALL DAWGS .

By fred

July 29, 2007 12:20 PM | Link to this

Sad to say but matt is correct. Georgia will be a second tier team. WHY? because MR cannot compete with the top programs in the SEC when it comes to recruting in his own state. I love MR as a man but our program will never be at the top level in the SEC. And anyone who thinks so is just not thinking clearly.

By fred

July 29, 2007 12:20 PM | Link to this

Sad to say but matt is correct. Georgia will be a second tier team. WHY? because MR cannot compete with the top programs in the SEC when it comes to recruting in his own state. I love MR as a man but our program will never be at the top level in the SEC. And anyone who thinks so is just not thinking clearly.

By fred

July 29, 2007 12:20 PM | Link to this

Sad to say but matt is correct. Georgia will be a second tier team. WHY? because MR cannot compete with the top programs in the SEC when it comes to recruting in his own state. I love MR as a man but our program will never be at the top level in the SEC. And anyone who thinks so is just not thinking clearly.

By fred

July 29, 2007 12:21 PM | Link to this

Sad to say but matt is correct. Georgia will be a second tier team. WHY? because MR cannot compete with the top programs in the SEC when it comes to recruting in his own state. I love MR as a man but our program will never be at the top level in the SEC. And anyone who thinks so is just not thinking clearly.

By fred

July 29, 2007 12:21 PM | Link to this

Sad to say but matt is correct. Georgia will be a second tier team. WHY? because MR cannot compete with the top programs in the SEC when it comes to recruting in his own state. I love MR as a man but our program will never be at the top level in the SEC. And anyone who thinks so is just not thinking clearly.

By fred

July 29, 2007 12:21 PM | Link to this

Sad to say but matt is correct. Georgia will be a second tier team. WHY? because MR cannot compete with the top programs in the SEC when it comes to recruting in his own state. I love MR as a man but our program will never be at the top level in the SEC. And anyone who thinks so is just not thinking clearly.

By fred

July 29, 2007 12:21 PM | Link to this

Sad to say but matt is correct. Georgia will be a second tier team. WHY? because MR cannot compete with the top programs in the SEC when it comes to recruting in his own state. I love MR as a man but our program will never be at the top level in the SEC. And anyone who thinks so is just not thinking clearly.

By Todd

July 29, 2007 12:37 PM | Link to this

You must NOT say nice things about Saban…You’ll upset the whiny, paranoid, red-headed stepchild, Auburn fans. Alabama hasn’t had that “aura” for 25 years? Are you conveniently forgetting that UA won a national championship in 1992? Oh, I forgot. ‘Bama is no longer relevant. I guess that’s why ‘Bama and Saban find themselves on the front of every sports page and website almost daily. UGA…we hope you beat the he## out of Auburn again this year.

By Mastergator

July 29, 2007 12:47 PM | Link to this

Greetings Dawg Fans,

Don’t listen to all the negative crap about your team. The #6 SEC team still beat Virginia Tech in an exciting bowl game….and let’s be real, VT was the ACC’s best team last year.

With that said - SEC East is anyones game. However, there are several truths:

1. Gators are National Champs, have the best coaching staff among many excellent coaching staffs in the SEC. And will win the SEC east as they become the dominant team ….again in the SEC East.

2. Phat Phil and the Vols will be better now that Cutcliff is bailing out Phil….Ainge will have a good year and the Vols will be #2 in the SEC East.

3. Cocks will pass the Dawgs as they the ball will bounce their way this year….and the talent level is catching up. Not much difference between SC, GA and TN. All good teams.

4. Dawgs Offense will be OK….Your defense is very suspect with a bunch on new players. I still can not believe how the Dawgs D choked as the Vols really took the wind out of your sails. Then could not seal wins against both Vandy and KY. Both drove the field at the end of the game to beat the Pups.

Also - Dawgs are so mentally Psyched out about JAX - they will fold as they always do. We automatically mark this game as a W - because we know GA will choke….snatch defeat out of the throws of victory.

There it is folks - the top 4 in the SEC East - all top 25 programs. But only 1 Top 10 program.

By stevethehawk

July 29, 2007 1:25 PM | Link to this

Fred, Georgia is a top tier team in the SEC. Think about it. Got it. Ok, now think about again and you will realize your error.

By Big Dawg

July 29, 2007 3:04 PM | Link to this

wes and others

Barker, 37 points a game? ROTFLMAO!!!!

Stafford threw for SEVEN Td’s last year and THIRTEEN interceptions.

Wes did you even watch Georgia play last year. 1st off Stafford was a true freshman, second 12 of those 13 interceptions were in his first five games while only came in his final 3. Third- 3 of those interceptions weren’t his fault, hit twice while throwing and once the receiver was pushed just before ball got there and went off his hands. Fourth- We averaged 7 to 9 drops per game last year and as a matter of fact our receivers/RBs dropped at least 9 sure TD’s during the regular season and 3 more in the bowl game. Matt Stafford being the leader he is put the blame squarely on his own shoulders but we had drops with Tereshinski and Cox as well. So those stats are very deceiving as the inconsistency on offense was caused by multiple breakdowns i.e. dropped passes, missed assignments, penalties and poor play selection.

As the last 3 games proved Matt Stafford grew up and that bodes very well for this team.

Go Dawgs

By David

July 29, 2007 3:28 PM | Link to this

Georgia is going to have a great year, I beleive the defense is going to have a few suprises for us this year, And with Stafford leading the offense i think this year is going to be very good and we just might win the SEC or atleast beat Florida! go dawgs!!

By David

July 29, 2007 3:54 PM | Link to this

Nascar fan you are the idiot my friend. Twice as many interceptions as touchdowns. Need I say more about Stafford and the pups. And to say that the O line of UGA will be good by October. That is the most comical comment I have heard in a long time but by then the pups will have at least three losses so I guess it really wont matter much.

By VanDSIRROM

July 29, 2007 4:01 PM | Link to this

David, if losing to Vanderbilt again means you’ve had a great year then 2007 will be great for the Dawgs.

As Tony predicts, the “winds of change” are blowing in the SEC East…by the end of the season everyone will realize that parity has arrived.

By Quaildawg

July 29, 2007 4:14 PM | Link to this

Matt & Fred, Or should I say “Dumb & Dumber”. UGA as a “second rate” SEC program has won 2 SEC Championships 2002 & 2005 and has competed in more SEC Championships than any other program in this decade (3)Their winning rates in the top three in the nation over the past six years. You two techies need to go back to putting together that jaloppy and quit wasting time on the internet.

By Big Dawg

July 29, 2007 4:28 PM | Link to this

Mastergator

Greetings Dawg Fans,

Gators are National Champs, have the best coaching staff among many excellent coaching staffs in the SEC. And will win the SEC east as they become the dominant team ….again in the SEC East.

Greetings Mastergator but your team has more holes than the Dawgs and your own Coach pointed that out at the SEC media day. Teebow may become a great QB but he will go through some growing pains this year. You only have 2 returning starters on D and your OL is thin as well and you still don’t have SEC quality RBs. All those great WRs are only a factor if Teebow can consistently get ball into their hands and with a mediocre running attack and thin OL that makes it that much more difficult. As for the defense Coach Strong is an outstanding Coach and even he is worried about this group as they haven’t shown very many signs of playing as a cohesive unit. Plus with all the off field problems and I’m not talking about nonsense stuff but players with drugs, fighting, shooting guns and other things it will be interesting to see how many suspensions are handed out to bring the players back under control. So you may want to reconsider that prediction of yours.

Go Dawgs

By Wally Butts

July 29, 2007 4:51 PM | Link to this

This is the greatest time of the year to be a Dawg ! We are undefeated. Until we lose lets show everybody what a pack of bigmouths we really are.

By 2N4YEARS

July 29, 2007 6:01 PM | Link to this

TampaGator: I agree that the Crocodiles have much more talent that any other SEC team, maybe the Nation, at WR, but Tebow hasn’t proved anything except he can stand in between plays for Leak. He’s not a ‘great’ runner like some think —it’s only the blocking schemes that Meyer runs. Now that teams know what to expect, YOU should expect to be crying in your Beer A LOT this year. Croc’s go 8-4, maybe 9-3 with some breaks.

By Ben

July 29, 2007 6:02 PM | Link to this

Why do Techfans keep putting themselves down? They keep bringing up the Vandy and Kentucky losses. What does that say about your program? If Georgia beats you…..then Vandy and Kentucky probably would have too.

By DJISTHEGREATESTQBEVERTOPLAYINTHEHISTORYOFFOOTBALL

July 29, 2007 8:26 PM | Link to this

Georgia’s offense going to be pretty good? Who is goint to block, catch and run? Like you said about the ol and more…..They have TWO guy in their first 10 that have ever played a down.

Their WR’s are extremely average..below average that is. And the starting RB Lumpkin can’t out run many of their offensive linemen.

By thinkingDawg

July 29, 2007 9:24 PM | Link to this

I hate to make predictions, but here is my best shot:

Nick Saban will throw 0 passes, catch 0 passes, run for 0 yards and have 0 tackles for Alabama this year.

By UFownsUGA

July 29, 2007 9:44 PM | Link to this

BigDawg

You are clueless.

UF has a thin OL???? They return 4 of 5 starters from the NATIONAL TITLE team and are very deep in experience behind them.

UF returns only 2 starters on D. UGA only returns 3 starters on D. That one guy is gonna be a HUGE difference? Sure…

I dont see how you can say UF has a mediocre running game when UF was ranked 3rd in the SEC in rushing last season and UGA was ranked well below them with almost 600 less yards. That’s also with the Gators focused on the passing game and UGA focused on the run.

Seriously you should read a thing or 2 before you talk out of your rear end.

As for off the field incidents, In the last 5 years 3 times as many UGA players have been arrested than UF players have.

By Atlanta Gator

July 29, 2007 11:15 PM | Link to this

UFOwnsUGA——I know it’s fun to type off a zinger or two, epecially when tweking our Dawg friends, but here’s the reality: the Gators have no proven running back that it worthy of that designation. Out best back graduated, and freshman WR Percy Harvin produced more rushing numbers at the end of the season than any of our returning backs. Yeah, you could say that the Gators have a pretty big question mark hanging over their running game at the start of this season …

Regarding our returning lettermen on defense, yeah, our kids are more or less comparable in experience to the Dawgs, but so what? We only get to play them once, and at least 11 defensive players for both teams will have started 8 games by the time the two teams meet in Jacksonville. Frankly, I’m more concerned about our defense in early season match-ups against Tennessee and Auburn.

As for your other comments, I deem them to be within the acceptable realm of Gator-bites-Dawg smack talk. Enjoy the t**-for-tat, but before you utilize all of your rhetorical weapons against Big Dawg, please keep in mind that he is one of the enforcers of etiquette and politesse on these blog boards.

By auforever55

July 30, 2007 2:11 AM | Link to this

Well, Todd. You explain it to me then. Saban had a great year and won the MNC over an OU team that had been blown out its previous game. He lucked into an SEC title. He’s never been undefeated and has had ONE 1-loss season in, what, 11 years in college. He’s had several five-loss seasons. If being “on the front page” is what you are looking for, congratulations. That won’t help you win a game.

By AltamahaDawg

July 30, 2007 8:46 AM | Link to this

Ben, tech fans are so set on coming in here and trying any attempts to put down thier rival UGA, they simply do not care if they have to ridicule thier own team to do so.

Somebody explain to me about all the buzz with SC. True, thier talent is starting to catch up, but how all of a sudden does that put them over the top? One (1) very impressive recruiting class -vs- the rest of the division that has been recruiting in the top 10 for many years now. Thier talent is about as good as everyone else now? Maybe at limited spots, but not across the board, not 3 deep. I think they are certainly due to beat anyone at anytime, but that is still going to be considered an upset for a few more years. Plus the problem is, the rest of the division seems to be improving as well.

By AltamahaDawg

July 30, 2007 8:55 AM | Link to this

plus, who over the age of 16 uses the terms “owns” and “clueless”?

If my team had just won a NC, I believe I would choose a nic that showed some pride, Instead of being obsessed with one of your rivals.

ALSO, you do not want to mess with Big Dawg. He knows more about football , (prabably more about UF football), than you do, by a long shot. He will, of cource, politely dismiss you however as just another trash talking bandwagoneer.

By SEC is Football

July 30, 2007 8:55 AM | Link to this

auforever….It always amuses me to hear other talk about what Saban didn’t do and not recognize what he did. However you want to look at it, at LSU he won 2 SEC titles in 5 years and a National Title. Tuberville has only won 1 SEC in 9 years and AU has not won a National Title in 50 years. If you don’t believe that Saban will make a difference, simply take a look at the recruiting class he is putting together. It is a very talented year for HS players in AL and he will likely pull 15-17 of the top 20 players as well as several top players from other states. We have interest from kids who would have never been interested in Alabama before and that is because of Nick Saban and what he has done. BAMA will be a MUCH better team with Saban as our coach.

By The Murf

July 30, 2007 9:24 AM | Link to this

By UFownsUGA

July 30, 2007 9:41 AM | Link to this

Sorry but he made very misinformed statements about Florida’s Oline and running game. ITs a fact UF outrushed UGA last year with NO proven running back and ranked 3rd in the SEC in rushing. Its a fact UF returns the best line in the SEC. All I did was point out his critique is baseless and can be proven wrong with actual factual statictics.

By Marietta Dawg

July 30, 2007 9:48 AM | Link to this

I think the DAWGS have the potential to be a very good team but I am worried about the early games because I think they need some time and experience before the do indeed play like a very good team.

I’d like to see us back to winning 10+ games in 07 but if it doesn’t happen this season it is ok. I know it will happen soon.

Tampagator, Mastergator and all other gators, I’m not going to talk trash about UF until we beat you guys again. Do I think you will be a NC-caliber team in 07? No, because of the leadership and experience you lost on defense and lack of experience at the QB position. I think that will cost you a couple of games.

But I am not going to claim that UGA will beat you because a lot of learning and growing up (for both teams) can happen between 9/1 and the end of October.

I DO think that by the end of the season UF will be solid if not exceptional.

Logic tells me to pick LSU to win the west and probably UT to win the east with LSU winning the SECC. But I am not sold on Les Miles. LSU is loaded with talent, though.

I’d love to see UGA step up and make it to the SECC game but as of now I think we may be too young a certain key positions, especially on defense.

If we somehow find a way to make it through September (S. Carolina at home and BAMA at Tuscaloosa) then I’ll (obviously) re-evaluate my thinking.

Every year since Richt has been at UGA I have always felt the defense has been the primary reason we won so many games. The offense had its’ moments but I never really felt it played up to its’ potential.

For the first time going into the season I am more worried about the defense than I am the offense. I really do think this offense will be scoring some points by early to mid-October. I know we have the talent and I feel pretty good about Stafford being an All-SEC type QB.

On defense I think we have some positions where some highly ranked kids were recruited that haven’t lived up to the hype yet. Hopefully it’s a matter of them needing to grow up a little and NOT a matter of them just not beeing as good as originally anticipated.

In any event, bring on the season.

Go Dawgs!

By Marietta Dawg

July 30, 2007 9:48 AM | Link to this

I think the DAWGS have the potential to be a very good team but I am worried about the early games because I think they need some time and experience before the do indeed play like a very good team.

I’d like to see us back to winning 10+ games in 07 but if it doesn’t happen this season it is ok. I know it will happen soon.

Tampagator, Mastergator and all other gators, I’m not going to talk trash about UF until we beat you guys again. Do I think you will be a NC-caliber team in 07? No, because of the leadership and experience you lost on defense and lack of experience at the QB position. I think that will cost you a couple of games.

But I am not going to claim that UGA will beat you because a lot of learning and growing up (for both teams) can happen between 9/1 and the end of October.

I DO think that by the end of the season UF will be solid if not exceptional.

Logic tells me to pick LSU to win the west and probably UT to win the east with LSU winning the SECC. But I am not sold on Les Miles. LSU is loaded with talent, though.

I’d love to see UGA step up and make it to the SECC game but as of now I think we may be too young a certain key positions, especially on defense.

If we somehow find a way to make it through September (S. Carolina at home and BAMA at Tuscaloosa) then I’ll (obviously) re-evaluate my thinking.

Every year since Richt has been at UGA I have always felt the defense has been the primary reason we won so many games. The offense had its’ moments but I never really felt it played up to its’ potential.

For the first time going into the season I am more worried about the defense than I am the offense. I really do think this offense will be scoring some points by early to mid-October. I know we have the talent and I feel pretty good about Stafford being an All-SEC type QB.

On defense I think we have some positions where some highly ranked kids were recruited that haven’t lived up to the hype yet. Hopefully it’s a matter of them needing to grow up a little and NOT a matter of them just not being as good as originally anticipated.

In any event, bring on the season.

Go Dawgs!

By PauldingDawg

July 30, 2007 10:34 AM | Link to this

Matt: UGA a second tier SEC team? We just won the SEC year before last, won in 2002, and played in the championship game in 2003. UGA has the best record over the last 5 years of any SEC school, and ranks among the top five in the nation. You, apparently don’t do a good job of keeping up with football. If you don’t know much, you shouldn’t talk much. Yeah, we had a rough year last year with a shaky QB situation, but a bad year does not a bad program make. We’re under the radar this year, and that’s fine. We’ll play the games and see where the program is at.

By bama fan

July 30, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this

Why all the dislike towards Richt by some of his own fans? Richt is a good coach and he will have Georgia competitive again this season.

Florida has too much to replace to win the East. I think they finish third in the East.

LSU should win the west, but with “The Hat” coaohing them I’m not sold yet. He will have an opportunity to prove himself to the LSU fans that still doubt his ability.

Is he the next Larry Coker, or not?

UTee will be improved with Cut running the offense….if UTee has a bad season Phat Fill will be gone.

Stevie Gator will have the roosters from SC competitive and he’ll probably beat Florida this season as he was VERY close to having his second in a row last year. He’ll out coach Oscar Meyer again.

I think Rich Brooks is a good coach but I doubt he’ll be able to sustain the success he had last season at UK. The UK admin wil then make the worst mistake they could possibly make by firing Brooks. He’s the best coach they’ve had in years.

Vandy……….will be Vandy.

Ole Miss will struggle again, as will MSU. Although both will probably improve from last season.

Cowburn will lose a couple of games, if not three.

Alabama will lose a few but not in the same way they have in the past, which is losing leads late in the game due to lack of depth and fatigue.

The SEC should be fun to watch this year, again.

One thing is certain, if games were won and lost on paper we wouldn’t need to play the games. Fortunately that isn’t the case.

By AltamahaDawg

July 30, 2007 10:56 AM | Link to this

I don’t see him saying anything about not outrushing UGA. Thats not really an issue, and frankly not such a feat. What he was refering to the lack of any SEC caliber RB on the 07 roster. In case you cant look up the FACTS that you love to refer to, the bulk of your yards came from a QB, a WR and a now-graduate, last year.

Also your insunuation that UF concentrated on the pass, while UGA concentrated on the run last year is simply statistically and philopsophically inaccurate.

As far as the line, he said not DEEP. I’ll save the explaination of what that means.

By austindog

July 30, 2007 11:19 AM | Link to this

I don’t think Florida will get to the NC game this year. USC and West Virginia should both go undefeated so there won’t be any room to back in again.

By bk

July 30, 2007 12:30 PM | Link to this

You guys make me laugh. In all your posts, there is only one mention of the defending SECW champs. We have the leading Heisman contender (#2 last year) and a favorable schedule. I know we are the step-children of the SEC, but c’mon. You act like we don’t even exist.

See you in Atlanta this December.

By austindog

July 30, 2007 12:43 PM | Link to this

bk, how much do you think Vegas oddsmakers paid Fish to field that punt last year?

By bk

July 30, 2007 12:53 PM | Link to this

I don’t want to talk about it, austindog. UF was on the ropes and ready to fall. Take the ^%@$%^ touchback!

Inexcusable

By DawgByte

July 30, 2007 12:58 PM | Link to this

GatorNation:

Lightning won’t come in the ‘07 bottle for this Gator team. Your ‘06 Championship can best be described as LUCK! Talk about backing into the SEC Championship - the Reptiles should have lost to USC, VU & UK… however the ball always seemed to bounce your way. The SEC championship was handed to you on a silver platter, by an Arkansas player who should have his head examined for trying to make an over the shoulder catch inside the 10 yard line. The GatorNation is awfully cocky about a team that has to replace their starting QB and almost their entire defense. Tim ‘Jump Ball’ Tebow has a LOT TO PROVE and won’t have Leak to bail him out when he’s got to carry the offense on his back. Percy Harvin can only do so much when his QB is spending 1/4 of the game on his back!

By goose

July 30, 2007 1:38 PM | Link to this

Nutt brought 95% of the “silliness in Fayetteville” on himself. Explain the 1000+ text messages to a female news anchor in 2 months or why in each of the last 3 years the Arkansas passing game regresses into nothing?

By Brad

July 30, 2007 1:49 PM | Link to this

It’s a good thing the teams have to suit up and actually play or you guys could decide this thing right here and now. I think the Dawgs might be pretty damn good this year and will show up ready.

By Airheadmotorcycle

July 30, 2007 2:29 PM | Link to this

Big Dawg, Saying UF’s OL is thin just shows you don’t know what you’re talking about. They bring back 4 of 5 starters, and were the strength of the Gators last year. Between you and NASCARfan, who is obsessed with UF’s QB, your fellow Dawg fans should be embarrassed.

By Atlanta Gator

July 30, 2007 2:32 PM | Link to this

DawgByte——In fairness to last year’s MNC Gators, you have to be in a position to take advantage of the “luck” when the ball bounces your way. The Gators were in such a position; most others were not. Things happen; that’s why they play the game, instead of mailing in the results based on the pundits’ predictions and betting lines.

With all due deference to the very good Auburn team that beat the Gators last year, you could also make a pretty good argument that bad luck and bad refereeing cost the Gators a chance to win against the Tigers. As for the Arkansas WR’s inability to catch, that’s called “skill” (or lack thereof), not luck. I attended the SEC championship game, and I can also vouch for the fact that there were at least two flagrant pass interference non-calls that the Hogs got away with, one of which occurred about 30 feet from where I was sitting. “Luck,” as they say, is a two-edged sword.

I’m not one of your usual Gator-bites-Dawg (or vice versa) AJC blog smack-talkers, but my favorite recent Dawg-bites-Gator blog comment proposed that the Gators had just been lucky for most of the last 17 years against UGA. Uhh, okay, just lucky. Right. How about better coached? In my experience, better coaching wins close games, and that’s as good an explanation as a 17-year stretch of good luck, don’t you think?

Luck may win a game or two; good coaching tends to linger for a while … . and I think you would have to agree that the Evil Genius was a better game-day coach than either Ray Goff or Jim Donnan. Whether Mark Richt or Urban Meyer is the better coach remains to be determined, and “luck” will have very little to do with it.

Oh, yeah, it also helps if you have a 6’5” defensive lineman with 30-inch vertical leap. Just ask the Evil Genius; he’ll explain that one to you. : D

By austindog

July 30, 2007 2:47 PM | Link to this

I guess credit goes to the gators for forcing mental mistakes, but man, over the last couple years Florida has won too many on late game opponent mistakes and borderline calls. Georgia is the #1 culprit, if the Bulldogs could get that “Bills in the SuperBowl” complex out of their heads and stop spotting Florida the first quarter every year, we might get to win the Cocktail Party someday.

By Taurus

July 30, 2007 2:50 PM | Link to this

Hey goose, I agree with Nutt not ever establishing a QB or passing game, but fans going after him personally with the whole text messaging thing is ridicules. This is how it is going to play out. Arkansas will win 9 or 10 games this year. On the other hand Dennis Franchione of Texas A&M is on the hot seat because he can’t beat Texas or Oklahoma, and this year will be no different. He will get fired, and Texas A&M will hire Nutt, because he recruits the state of Texas well, gas gotten the best of Texas when they were on Arkansas schedule, even when they had Vince Young, and they figure with their size and facilities and location he can make them that much better.

By Nitetime

July 30, 2007 2:54 PM | Link to this

Dawgbyte, thanks for the wonderfully intelligent post there. So what statistical anomaly do you attribute to UF’s dominance over UGA the last 14 years or so? Let me guess, we were handed the title game as well since Ted Ginn would probably have accounted for 36 points himself right? By your logic, wins against LSU and UGA were complete luck as well. And let me guess, the basketball titles are tainted because somehow you’ve determined college basketball is ‘down’ over the last two years. You’re an absolute moron.

It’s a shame your post and some others made it because posts like MariettaDawg’s and other Georgia fans on here is what makes this site worth visting. Welcome to adult conversations where logic, opinion, educated guesses, and slight amount of trash talk combine to make for interesting conversation. Make sure to join in when you learn to tie your shoes.

By AltamahaDawg

July 30, 2007 4:52 PM | Link to this

Atlanta Gator , for what its worth I cringed a bit at the “luck” comments. Not that I dont think the 06 gator werent, oh they were!, But because I agree with you, it goes both ways, and you have to still win the games, even if things bounce your way. It’s not the fault of UF if the ARK player muffs the ball. Uf didnt “assign’ him to Ark. Nor should UF appologize for UCLA pulling off the unlikely. Would be pretty difficult to find any NC, ours included, that didn’t contain a few breaks. As much as I bemoaned the turn of event that got UF invited, they certainly took care of business in the title game. I’m sure every dawg fan would love to get a few breaks any time they can. (and surely ol lady luck is keeping score)

As far as the cocktail party, I guess you could call it coaching, since coaches run the programs. To me its really so much more simple than any hex or complex. Over the span of recent gator dominance, they simply have had a better team, some barely some obviously. 02 was an exeption. The last time UGA went to J-ville with a better team, we won the game. We just need to do that more often. I do not think either team will make any long runs as has been the case in the past going forward.

By TrayOfFish

July 30, 2007 5:38 PM | Link to this

The SEC is so weak. What an overrated pile of pretenders. Florida, LSU, and the used-to-bes. Sounds like a bad band.

By willie willie martini

July 30, 2007 5:55 PM | Link to this

I hope we have a good defense , I hope the G day game was a bad dream. I hope we have good defense. I hope the Auburn game and the West Virginia Sugar Bowl game in 05 was a bad dream.I hope we have a good defense. I hope that score of 51 points by Rocky Top between the hedges was a bad dream. I hope we have a good defense.I hope the homecoming game was a bad dream (What! Vandy?). I hope we have a good defense. I hope we beat Kentucky.I hope we have a good defense.I hope we really didnt loose Paul Oliver. I hope we have a good defense.I hope Larry Munson is wrong. I hope we have a good defense. I hope Brian Van Goiter will come back. I hope we have a good defense

By Kay

July 30, 2007 11:41 PM | Link to this

IF Nutt leaves, Butch Davis will take his place. Go DMac!!

By NUTTIN BUT WINS

July 31, 2007 3:04 AM | Link to this

Ark was lacking a passing game and a real offensive coordinator last year. This year they have both. If our QB stays healthy With our running game plus pass we will win west and championship game. See you in New Orleans.The Drama crap was thrown out of court because it was mostly false, no merits. Nutt will receive a new contract extention. We are having teh best recruiting class in years. it’s all good

By TC

July 31, 2007 4:25 PM | Link to this

What is an MNC?

Why is it only referred to by fans of teams that do not win National Championships?

By OFFESSTEARP

July 31, 2007 11:58 PM | Link to this

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By Chris

August 1, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this

Todd,

You are an idiot. It shows in that an Bamer fan would root for UGA to beat AU. You’re just upset that Auburn has beat the hell out of Bamer the last 5 times in a row. You have to now align with other teams in hopes that they will beat Auburn. The truth is Bamer has become less of a rivalry than the AU/LSU or AU/UGA games. We just put Bamer down as a win each year and think about the real powers in the conference.

By UGA LETS GO

August 3, 2007 10:22 AM | Link to this

As much of a Dawg fan that I am..i just can help but worrying about the young D that we will field and we are not in a candy land conference…we are in the SEC. For the first time in a while our Offense is better than our D and that means we will have to put up big scores because our D will most likely especially in the beginning season give up big plays…..but I think our O bails us out this year….with such a talented backfield with Lump, Brown, Moreno and King we have the option of switching attacks up and even spreading young defenses thin…linebackers covering our fast halfbacks. With one person focusing on offensive play calling now this will also help our O out a lot….i think if we handle the beginning of the season well with Oklahoma St and SC we will be in the right position to thrive this year..that would give our D and O confidence and finally some true game experience against two potent offenses and fairly good defenses especially….not to mention they are big games. If we fall to either one of the times early in our schedule I don’t think we make SECC game because we have far more tougher competition after those games however we still win 8 – 10 games this year.

The UF vs UGA game is going to be a old fashion SHOOTOUT….both teams field young inexperience D’s and that means lots of big plays because of good coaching on both parts. However UF simply has more talent at Receiver and having Percy who is a big play threat every time he touches the ball they would edge us in a shootout….just too many weapons and it would be hard to stop them on third downs especially when they can spread the field and run Teebow if necessary….BUT…if UGA is smart….they keep the game low scoring by using the run game…our backs are better than UF’s and if we control the clock with long drives this game could easily be ours because of the young UF D who would be susceptible to the play action pass…but this a vice versa scenario and I truly see this year as being a dead even matchup and it will be one of the greatest games this decade between the two….they just are so much a like if you ask me this year….both have unproven D’s both have holes both have young very talented players and Sophmore QB’s who both are mobile although Teebow is considered a better runner. This game will be great especially if they both show up…dare I say it……UNDEFEATED…what a great game it will be…mark my words….LETS GO UGA!

By Big Boy

August 3, 2007 10:49 AM | Link to this

TO MATT: A SECOND TIER PROGRAM DOESN’T WIN THE SEC TITLE 2 TIMES IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS. YOU ARE AN IDIOT!

By ripkelly

August 3, 2007 10:17 PM | Link to this

1 win, 4 losses in the east last year. yep, uga is indeed a powerhouse.

good day.

By on the field

August 4, 2007 1:58 PM | Link to this

And still, the winningest SEC program in the past five years. Look it up.

By UGAfan'98

August 4, 2007 6:09 PM | Link to this

LSU will with the SEC West…South Carolina will win the SEC East…LSU should take the SEC Championship game…That’s all you need to know about this year’s SEC season…

By Tigzilla

August 9, 2007 10:23 AM | Link to this

TC,

The MNC is the “Mythical National Championship”. It’s derived from the fact that the BCS is a joke and anytime you have a bunch of sportswriters from the NE and West Coast voting on rankings and coaches trying to vote fairly without alienating their confidence in their own team, how can anyone actually validate the ranking a team receives? It’s also used by those who want a playoff of some degree… not just this mockery of an algorithm.