AJC > Sports > Blog > Archives > 2007 > November > 08 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USDoes the Ball Coach have any tricks left for Gators?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Five burning questions as we head into the weekend:
1. Does the Ball Coach have something left in his bag of tricks?: On paper, Saturday night’s Florida-South Carolina game in Columbia should not be close. The Gamecocks are beat up after last week’s loss to Arkansas. The strength of the defense is the secondary where cornerback Captain Munnerlyn and safety Emmanuel Cook are really hurting. Steve Spurrier beat Florida in his first meeting with his old school in 2005. Last season he had the perfect game plan but lost 17-16 on a blocked field goal. A win over Florida would knock the Gators out of the SEC East race. Does he have something special cooked up for Saturday night?
2. How geeked up are Will Muschamp and Hugh Nall? Muschamp played at Georgia for Ray Goff. Nall was a center on Vince Dooley’s 1980 national championship game. Muschamp is the Auburn defensive coordinator and one of the young rising stars in the coaching ranks. Nall is the Tigers’ top-notch offensive line coach. Think they’ll have their troops ready when they walk Between the Hedges on Saturday? Yep, but so will Georgia assistants Stacy Searels (offensive line) and Rodney Garner (defensive line), who played for Pat Dye at Auburn. Stuff like that is why Georgia-Auburn is one of my favorite games.
3. Is Clemson ready for prime time? Clemson’s Tommy Bowden seems to begin every year on the hot seat but now he has a chance to have a very pleasant off season. Beat Wake Forest at home on Saturday and then beat Boston College the next week, also at home, and the Tigers will be playing in the ACC championship game for the first time. This team is capable of winning both games but can it handle the glare of the spotlight? Over the years Clemson seems to get in this position only to stumble.
4. Will Georgia Tech take care of business at Duke? If RB Tashard Choice is ready to go, I expect the Yellow Jackets to easily roll in Saturday’s game. Don’t quite know what it is, but Tech is a different team when Choice is on the field. It’s not just his talent, which is considerable. Tech just seems to have more energy on both sides of the ball when Choice is carrying the mail. Better make sure he’s healthy for Georgia.
5. Is Houston Nutt going to make it? After pounding South Carolina last week, the heat has subsided a little bit at Arkansas. What if the Hogs win at Tennessee on Saturday? The Hogs would then be 7-3 with games left against Mississippi State and LSU. Arkansas has had only one bad game all year against Kentucky (42-29). They lost to Alabama (41-38) on a last second touchdown pass and to Auburn (9-7) on a field goal, also with seconds left.
Comments
By physicsDawg
November 8, 2007 7:43 AM | Link to this
What is “geeked up” mean? Is that just a typo for “geered up”; but no, that would be “geared up.” I’m confused…
By TommyP
November 8, 2007 8:00 AM | Link to this
“Geeked up” is the same as “psyched up”, physics. It’s used quite often.
Why is Tony talking about Tech/Duke here? Gimme a break.
I’m one that thinks Clemson will choke…like they always do.
By D Ellis
November 8, 2007 8:02 AM | Link to this
about the ol’ Ball Coach. Guess what…the Ol ball coach has now lost 3 in a row…7 OUT OF YOUR LAST 10 SEC GAMES..I GUESS THE MEANS WHEN POEPL BEAT YOU IT IS NO BIG DEAL SINCE YOUR SEC RECORD AT SC IS PITITFUL…and once again LEE CORSO WAS RIGHT another year. Here is to UF pounding SC in the dirt.
Everyone is going to be geeked for this game…South’s oldest rivalry…how can you not? Both teams are improved alot from the beginiing of the season. Should be a great game.
No Clemson is not ready for the prime time…but yeah for once Tommy’s seat is not that hot…but the temp could change if he loses out….which is a pattern for him and his team
The real question is WHY IN THE WORLD IS TAYLOR BENNETT THE STARTING QB?????? He is ranked 120 in passer rating….he has thrown 2 TD’s all year….if your gonna take your lumps like Tech has this year…might as well take them with a true freshamn QB as oppossed to a JR QB who really isn’t that good and should not be starting now…but NO WAY IN THE WORLD SHOULD BE STARTING NEXT YEAR…STARTING TAYLOR BENNETT IS THE SECOND BIGGEST MYSTERY IN THE ACC..THE FIRST IS WHY IN THE WORLD DID TOM O BRIAN LEAVE A TOP 10 TEAM at B.C. a sure fire first day draft pick and Heisman candidate TO GO COACH AT N.C. STATE???????
Yeah he will make it….but after McFadden leaves he’s toast next year.
By Pat
November 8, 2007 8:05 AM | Link to this
Muschamp, Nall, Searels and Garner don’t get to play do they? Crossover coaches and black shirts and Texas A & M has stolen the real story lines for this game.
By gdawginkalamazoo
November 8, 2007 8:11 AM | Link to this
physicsDawg, Tony was thinking about Tech football. They get geeked up. You are not confused you are correct, SEC football gets geered up.
After Saturday SOS will be ready for retirement. He will be yanking players out of the game like you yank on a chainsaw that won’t start.
Don’t know about Clemson, ton of talent but Bowden seems to win just enough to keep his job.
By D Ellis
November 8, 2007 8:12 AM | Link to this
Oh yeah-GO DAWGS!
By m
November 8, 2007 8:20 AM | Link to this
If the ole ball coach had coached Ga Tech this year, Tech would be undefeated. If Chan Gailey had coached South Carolina this year, they probably would not have won a single game. There is a big diffence in someone who knows how to coach and someone who is totally clueless. Chan Gailey is the worst coach in the history of college football. Spurrier is obviously one of the best. Tech deserves better. FIRE CHAN TODAY.
By AUtiger
November 8, 2007 8:28 AM | Link to this
Texas AM has not stolen the spotlight for this game .. although could be those dirty ‘bammers just trying to throw salt in Auburn’s game by starting rumors during the week of one the biggest games of the season. Or its CTT’s agent just trying to make him a little more money in the off-season.
HOWEVER
The Tiger D is be ready and it will be the most intense UGA will see all year. Everyone is healthy. AND I love that fact the dawgs fans think Auburn’s offense is bad. They have been playing very well lately and watch Borges pull out a bunch of new plays to open the offense against a pourous Georgia D. WDE!
By braveswin
November 8, 2007 8:39 AM | Link to this
1 UF in a romp,SC has quit on the Coach #2Does it matter?…NO #3 No #4 Please refer to #2 #5 The writing is on the wall, he’s gone if not after this year then before the end of next.And by the way CTT will not leave AU (although the fans are going to be ticked off after UGA wins on Sat) WDE indeedBy Lee Corso
November 8, 2007 8:41 AM | Link to this
Not so fast, my friend… Georgia wins a close one…this close……by a FG.
Yes, I was right about SC, so will they stop playing that video at Williams-Brice now ? Heck, there was a time earlier this season when this weeks game was circled for Gameday, but oh…..how the once mighty 7th ranked cocks have fallen. Instead I think we will go to a Division II game.
By Carlton Powell
November 8, 2007 8:41 AM | Link to this
I’d like to think the Bulldogs have a good chance. But facts are facts, and the defense just isn’t any good. There was NO defense played agaisnt FL or Troy; the Bulldogs just outscored them. AU DOES play defense. I do think the game will be fairly close, but the Bulldogs will once again be outcoached by the AU position coaches and defense and offense coordinators. After seeing the Troy game I cannot buy into the GA coaching deal. I hope I am wrong, but cannot feel all that good about our chances. Black shirts, jerseys, etc. are just gimmicks. Football games are won with blocking and tackling. Leave the gimmicks at home, and bring out an aggressive attitude. Otherwise, it’ll be like high tide over level ground. Go Dogs!!
By braveswin
November 8, 2007 8:56 AM | Link to this
Carlton Powell,Both UF and Troy run the spread offense which is todays version of the wishbone ie the great equalizer(see Appy State vs Mich)so don’t say that no defense was played.The coaching staff has gotten us to 7 and 2 so they are not as inept as you apparently believe.The PLAYERS want the blackout and if you don’t want to participate…STAY HOME. I for one am sick of the coach bashing
By gdawginkalamazoo
November 8, 2007 8:59 AM | Link to this
Since this is the best defense Moreno will face all year we will find out how good he really is. I hope to see him get another SEC player of the week award. as in last years game turnovers will be the key.
By Jim
November 8, 2007 9:02 AM | Link to this
autigger-
OK, ESPN and Tony Barnhart write an article about tubby going to A&M, Tubby does deny it and it’s Bama’s fault how??? You guys are really pathetic. Let me tell you Alabama could care less who coaches at albarn. Oh, when Georgia beats the heck out of you I’m sure you’ll blame it on Big Al. Get a life.
By Titothebear
November 8, 2007 9:11 AM | Link to this
Hey Tony, do you have a thing for Houston Nutt or something? I mean, every single week seems like the Houston Nutt countdown, “will he be back?” or “will he survive?” Personally, I could give two sh!ts about Arkansas and their coach. Take Darren McFadden off that team and they’re as bad, if not worse, than Ole Miss. Come on Tony, give me more information on the more prevalent teams in the SEC, not stinkin’ Arkansas!
By Lowcountry Bulldawgs
November 8, 2007 9:20 AM | Link to this
D ELLIS:
I could not have said your #1 comment any better. Thnaks for the great laugh! GOOOO DAWGS!
By Eric 2
November 8, 2007 9:21 AM | Link to this
When we beat South Carolina, I thought we had accomplished something, then Vanderbilt beat them. KKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!
By gdawginkalamazoo
November 8, 2007 9:52 AM | Link to this
One thing for sure South Carolina “ain’t no powerhouse or nothin’ like that”. And did anybody remind Spurrier of that 321 yards? From one guy? Running the ball? 321? Vandy? Vandy? And they will be “rebuilding” again next year.
By physicsDawg
November 8, 2007 9:55 AM | Link to this
OK, so I’ll be there, IN BLACK. And, I guess I’ll be geeked up, too. Who knew?
I also agree with titothebear: Houston Whatt? Comments about Tennesse would be far more “burning,” since they control their destiny (and hence, ours).
By Roswell Ed
November 8, 2007 9:56 AM | Link to this
War Damn Eagle!
My favorite game of the year is just 53.5 hours away!!
I think AU has more talent but I thought that too last year and WHAP!!
Won’t run my mouth again. Just hope for a WIN!!
Is it just me or is the worst kept secret in the world that UGA will wear black Sat?
By Atlanta Gator
November 8, 2007 9:58 AM | Link to this
Sure, the Evil Genius will have the Plan. Question is, can his players execute it. Probably not this season, probably not this team.
These guys are professionals, but they still don’t like losing to family and friends. If they really are “geeked up,” well, they need to find different work.
No. Clemson is not ready for prime time. In fact, the Tigers are probably the fourth or fifth best team in the ACC in a season when Miami and FSU are in the bottom half.
Golly, if Tech can’t beat Duke, well, they should just go ahead and call the UGA game on account of darkness in Atlanta.
Nutt is a decent SEC coach, but I think his relationship is so shaky with his fanbase, his administration, and even his team, that two bad games in a row sends him packing. It’s also a crying shame that he doesn’t have a better supporting cast for McFadden.
By Atlanta Gator
November 8, 2007 10:03 AM | Link to this
gdawg~zoo——You don’t have to love the Evil Genius, but if he get another recruiting class like these last two, next year could be a breaktrough year for the Gamecocks. USC lacks a consistent quarterback and depth; I suspect the Evil Genius knows that, too, and is working to overcome those issues.
By GeekedUpGator
November 8, 2007 10:21 AM | Link to this
After seeing what Arkansas did to the (Game) Cocks, I have to believe that Harvin, James and Caldwell are gonna have a field day(night), literally and figuratively, over the chickens….GOOOO GATORS!
By Geeked
November 8, 2007 10:52 AM | Link to this
I always thought getting geeked up was what James Brown did before going on stage. The only coach smoking the rock is ole Willie Martinez. There is a video on You Tube of Muschamp cussing during the Arkansas game. I’ll try to find the link. I really wish he would come back to Georgia.
By Chucktown
November 8, 2007 10:53 AM | Link to this
I love how yall think that Clemson finishes every season badly under Bowden. Last year we played bad late, but finished 2005 with 4 straight wins, 2004 with 4 out of 5 wins (1 against the mighty SEC), and 2003 with 4 straight to end the season (2 coming from the SEC). Get a clue before you judge the Tigers…
By Chucktown
November 8, 2007 10:53 AM | Link to this
I love how yall think that Clemson finishes every season badly under Bowden. Last year we played bad late, but finished 2005 with 4 straight wins, 2004 with 4 out of 5 wins (1 against the mighty SEC), and 2003 with 4 straight to end the season (2 coming from the SEC). Get a clue before you judge the Tigers…
By joe
November 8, 2007 10:58 AM | Link to this
Hey Gaytor geek,
Arky has two NFL caliber running backs, UF has NONE…that is the difference there…it will be nice watching SOS haunt T-bag and company up and down the field Sat night…
By Geeked
November 8, 2007 11:04 AM | Link to this
Here is the muschamp video,if I did it right. [http://youtube.com/watch?v=yyeby6qHlDA]
By tim in atl
November 8, 2007 11:05 AM | Link to this
By Eric1
November 8, 2007 11:10 AM | Link to this
War Damn Eagle from here too!!! Really, really, hoping for a win!!!
By Geeked
November 8, 2007 11:11 AM | Link to this
Maybe it will work this time text to be linke
By GT
November 8, 2007 11:20 AM | Link to this
Florida is not Florida this year, meaning the name and the product are not the same. I think one of those Chinese imitations has been smuggled into the country. It looks enough and acts enough like a Florida team to fool you but it is not Florida. For this reason I believe Spurrier will win. Hell he almost beat or should have beat the real Florida teams, why not this one. A Arkansas team is build perfectly for playing a Spurrier team. They’re superior rushing game keeps the South Carolina offense off the field, it is a team like Auburn that lines up well with a team like Arkansas not USC.
By FLA DAWG
November 8, 2007 11:41 AM | Link to this
Once again Gator fans are using their emotions to predict a victory. Spurrier is a great gameday coach. He will have his team high as kites and ready to play against UF -ESPECIALLY after their loss last week. If you guys think Florida is going to pound SC you are mistaken. The Gamecocks can win this one.
By whiteandgold
November 8, 2007 11:43 AM | Link to this
I think we will have a slight chance to beat Duke. 14-13
By Ed
November 8, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this
The Evil Genius may still seem evil at times, but I haven’t seen much evidence of the “genius” part since around 2000. His offense has stunk the past three years against the Dawgs, but his defense has been excellent, even in the two losses. Last I looked, Spurrier doesn’t have much to do with that side of the ball.
Occasionally his offense clicks like the glory days of old (like the second half of the Tenn. game), but too often it sputters, like against Vandy this year and Georgia the past three years. The SEC caught up to his schemes a long time ago. Nothing against Spurrier, but like his old nemesis Bobby Bowden, the game appears to be passing him by. The fear factor is long gone. Spurrier and the Gators of the 1990s were a perfect match (college football in the State of Florida was dominant in general), and neither have been quite the same since, Florida’s charmed 2006 title run notwithstanding.
By 1eyedJack
November 8, 2007 12:07 PM | Link to this
By Chris
November 8, 2007 12:12 PM | Link to this
I predict Tech drives 60 yards on the opening drive, kicks a FG on 3rd and 1, and then promptly goes into a ball-control shell on offense for the rest of the game. The defense holds serve for 59 minutes and then Thaddeus Lewis completes a 78 yard pass to Eron Riley, who has just incinerated one of our crappy cornerbacks, for a touchdown. Correy Earls then returns the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown and the 10-7 win. Earls is admonished on the sidelines by Gailey for “showing off” on the return.
Truthfully, I expect Choice to get maybe 20 carries and just over 100 yards (Duke couldn’t stop you from putting up 5+ ypc, Tony) and Dwyer to get the rest of the work. Taylor will play most of the series, but I expect Nesbitt to get a larger share of the work than he has in past games.
By UGA
November 8, 2007 12:16 PM | Link to this
War Smeagle… Win my precious!
By noyellowinthisblood
November 8, 2007 12:36 PM | Link to this
Maybe we will play Back in Black to accompany the blackout.
By DOG FAN
November 8, 2007 12:57 PM | Link to this
Will will be a UGA coach next year.
By Mike
November 8, 2007 1:07 PM | Link to this
Hopefully TN’s defense will put everyone in the box against McFadden and make the QB beat them like they did against GA. Somehow, TN was able to shut down GA’s rushing attack so maybe there is hope.
By UGA_Gurl
November 8, 2007 1:14 PM | Link to this
1 - Gators win… 2 - History is against UGA for sure; visiting team seems to have an advantage and, as shown in the AJC, the lower ranked team seems to pull the “upset”… Both teams will be ready and should be a good game… 3 - Clemson doesn’t win out 4 - GT takes Duke by 10 5 - Nutt can thank DMac for one more year of job security as the Hogs run over, through, and around TNBy Golfintiger
November 8, 2007 1:56 PM | Link to this
Muschamp needs to be geeked up because of the thrashing the defense took last year. Of course a whole lot of that was due to the inept AU defense after Cox got hurt (again) on the first play of the game. Muschamp has something to prove and the AU defense is getting better every game. Over the last 5 games AU has given up 7, 7, 30, 3, and 3 points for a 10 ppg average. That’s good for #8 in the NCAA total defense and #5 in scoring defense for the year. This will be the best defense UGA has faced all year. Conversely, this is one of the most balanced offenses Auburn will have faced…
Meanwhile UGA’s defense has given up 26 ppg in the last 5 games and no less than 17. UGA is averaging giving up 150 a game on the ground during that stretch. AU is 52-7 when they rush for over 150 yards under Tuberville…
Some more stats, since 1980, Auburn is 10-3 in Athens. All 3 losses came when Auburn was unranked. AU is 9-0 in Athens in that stretch when ranked going into the game (1999 Auburn was unranked and won).
Should be a very good one and an old fashioned SEC battle. The team that runs the ball most effectively will win.
By GT80
November 8, 2007 2:21 PM | Link to this
The Evil Genius will keep it close but UF wins at the end. Man I wish we had an Evil Genius as our coach, instead of “He’s a Good Man” Chan.
2nd game of the year I root for the Doggies. I appreciate a good SEC rivalry.
I think this is Climpsen’s year. How we beat them I still don’t know, oh yea I do, 5 missed FGs & a big penalty on the TD just before halftime. It certainly wasn’t because of Chan’s offense or great coaching. That loss messed up their minds so much they forgot to wear their jocks the next week at VT. They’ve righted themselves since and they should be the best team in the ACC. Of course the Evil Genius might still beat them at the end of the year.
Duke is GodAwful. 108th and 101st in the nation in Scoring offense and defense. Last in the nation, that’s 119th, in rushing offense. But wait, 56th in passing offense. All they have to do is throw 7-10 yard down and outs over and over and our D will wear down. Of course Chan will over use Choice and then he’ll be questionable for the UGA game, because that’s what Chan does. Jackets will win, but it will be close. Ugghhh. Another Chantastic victory en route to another 7-5 record and trip to Boise. Man that sucks.
ARK beats UT behind McFadden and Jones. Nutt survives but decides to quit anyway. And the coaching carousel begins. I hope we are one team looking for a new coach as well.
By yellowblood
November 8, 2007 2:38 PM | Link to this
We will destroy Duke this Saturday. They are one of the worst Teams in all of College Football. Never the less we will have an energetic Tickle Pile immediately after the game at the Baseball Stadium. All are welcome.
By WILL
November 8, 2007 3:21 PM | Link to this
Since I’ll be driving up to Classic City tomorrow to watch my Dawgs, I won’t be able to make my Feerless Friday prediction of a South Carolina Chicken defeat! So I’ll do it today.
As I predicted a month ago….South Carolina will get destroyed by the “turds” and Carolina’s record will be 6-6. Actually, I predicted this more than a month ago when the Chickens were #6 in the country then got trounced at home against Vandy! Tony, look it up.. You know I have been right all the way. Please don’t pick the chickens in your blog tomorrow. You can ride my picks if you like. No charge.
And for you cocky chicken fans, I predicted a 7-5 finish for you but I’m going to change that to 6-6 because Clemson will trounce you too. Nice 5 game losing streak to end the year. See ya in September when its payback time!
By gdawginkalamazoo
November 8, 2007 4:12 PM | Link to this
I certainly hope Moreno, Brown and the rest of the RB’s got to watch Auburn stuff McFadden and Jones on film. Hopefully they learned something. Can’t imagine how stoked Muschamp will be Saturday. Hope they don’t point any mics at him during the game. Those M’Effers from Arkansas. God Dawgs!
By Dawg Pound
November 8, 2007 5:07 PM | Link to this
1) The old ball coach or evil genius will have something cooked up for his former team…but it won’t be enough for a hungry gator team. If talent were equal on both sides of the SC team, USC would prevail, but it is not. Gator D will play much better than it did against UGA and UF will win by 14+.
2)Former players now the opposing coaches…as usual this should be a great game. AU has advantage with experience, although this is somewhat negated by playing the game late in the year. UGA has the advantage of momentum on the O from the UF game and the players are trying to inspire the fans with the “blackout”. Can’t wait for this game…every year.
3)TB has barely made it for the last several years. He continues to get very good talent, if he will learn to coach every game of the season, then CU will be very good. He will win one of the next two, but not both. Eventually, CU fans will tire of his inability to close out the season by winning the games he should and he will be done.
4) Why is this even being talked about? If GT can’t take care of Duke…Chan pack your bags.
5) I hope Houston makes it in the next game by pounding UT. He should.
By toemeetsleather
November 8, 2007 5:50 PM | Link to this
i think chan has done another wonderful job this year…you do not lose one division winning qb like reginald ball every year…GO JACKETS…DUKE THE DUKIES…ENGINEERS RULE AND WE WILL BEAT THE PUPPIES THIS YEAR!!!
By How funny is that sh1t!
November 8, 2007 6:28 PM | Link to this
I can’t get over the 1st post, “What is “geeked up”? Hey physicsDawg, now we have a 2nd definition of “geeked up.” It’s defines people like you who hang out in a lab 24/7 and never get out! You be “geeked up” my friend!
By How Sweet!
November 8, 2007 6:33 PM | Link to this
There’s no way that Tashard should play this weekend. Does Gailey fear losing to Duke without him? If he so much as tweaks that knee in the Duke game, Gailey should be fired on the spot. I can’t believe that this is even being considered!
By Travis Hill
November 8, 2007 6:49 PM | Link to this
I think Houston Nutt is getting a bad wrap from Arkansas fans….He’s a great coach….He did mess up in the assistant coach hiring….but if I were an Arkansas fan I would want to keep him….
By auburnal
November 8, 2007 6:51 PM | Link to this
am afraid how double t’s defection to texas a&m[does not he look like an aggie] will affect war eagles…hopefully our sanford stadium home field advantage will prevail…if you drop back cox will have a field day!!!!!hopefully will be another dreadful martinez game plan…..WARRRRRRRRRRR EAGLE!!!
By Replay
November 8, 2007 6:53 PM | Link to this
“What if” Black Jerseys?Here’s a photoshop picture of Moreno in the black jersey.
http://georgiasports.blogspot.com/2007/11/black-jerseys-what-wed-look-like.html
By gamecockgary
November 8, 2007 6:54 PM | Link to this
elite east team will prevail this weekend///GAMECOCKS RULE!!!!urban cryer will be a cryin’ as his reptiles will sink again in to “other teams listed alphabetically”…next year gamecocks will be national champs fulfilling ole ball coach’s dream!!!
By Replay
November 8, 2007 6:54 PM | Link to this
“What if” Black Jerseys?Here’s a photoshop picture of Moreno in the black jersey.
http://georgiasports.blogspot.com/2007/11/black-jerseys-what-wed-look-like.html
By Gamecocks STILL talkin' trash?!
November 8, 2007 7:16 PM | Link to this
Gamecockgary:
Okay, after you put down the crack pipe, maybe you will realize that you SUCK and the Gators are going to tear you a new one this weekend.
By Crabbfan
November 9, 2007 9:40 AM | Link to this
Comparing Florida’s backs, Georgia’s backs, etc to McFadden and Jones is a laugh! M&J are on amother level. Arky ran over SC, but Florida won’t. Spurrier is still Superior to Meyer, so like the past two years, UF-USC will be a close game. The question is,”How will the Gators stop Cory Boyd and Mike Davis?
Auburn wins with defense.
Clemson is not that good. They just have an easy ACC and OOC schedule.
Tech wins with defense.
Nutt is gone. After McFadden and Jones go pro, Arkansas has nothing for the future.