AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > October > 24 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USDogs need to quit making excuses
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Terence Moore
Athens — Stop it.
Just stop it.
No more yapping about the neutral site in Jacksonville that isn’t. Yeah, the Gators had an edge with bye weeks before all of those other Georgia games, but get over it. Sure the Bulldogs suffered key injuries to a D.J. Shockley here and a Kregg Lumpkin there that left them bruised against Florida, but Georgia still had other gifted folks. Who cares that, as some raspy voice of doom would say, “Lady Luck” wasn’t with the Bulldogs in many of those losses to the Gators?
The SEC standings don’t care, and neither should you.
Two victories against the Gators in 17 meetings? That’s absurd, not only for Georgia, but for any program with thoughts of reaching the elite of college football, and thus the problem for the Bulldogs: Despite their six-year run of goodness under Mark Richt before this season, they’ve just been an elite wannabe.
You can’t become the real thing without a national championship in recent years, and you also can’t do so when you keep losing to a team perpetually among the nation’s elite from the same division of your conference.
So, yeah, I hear Kelin Johnson, for instance, speaking with passion about this often wrongheaded obsession in the Bulldog Nation with Florida. “I know people who have their whole week messed up when we lose [to the Gators],” said Johnson, Georgia’s senior strong safety. “It’s like those people can’t even function when they get up in the morning. Some of them drink themselves to sleep because we lost. It’s a shame. It’s funny. You can take it however you want.”
This is how Georgia coaches and players should take it: They should man-up. They should get the job done on Saturday at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium. Mostly, they should forget about all of that irrelevant stuff (locale, injuries, demons) surrounding the Florida game.
No way, the Gators have been that much more talented than the Bulldogs during Florida’s years of dominance that are becoming decades. In fact, the Bulldogs usually have been more talented than the Gators. “I agree,” said Barry Every, an administrative assistant in Georgia’s football department before joining Rivals.com this year as a national recruiting expert. “I’ve always joked that maybe Vince Dooley sold his soul to the devil. In my heart, during the seven years prior to this one when I was working at Georgia, only once was Florida definitely, without a doubt, the better team. That was Coach Richt’s first year.”
That was 2001, when David Greene was a redshirt freshman at quarterback with a slow bunch of Bulldogs facing a speedy Florida team during Steve Spurrier’s last year in Gainesville. Richt’s only victory over the Gators was a 31-24 triumph three years ago. So what’s the Bulldogs’ problem? “I just think they [freeze] up during that game,” said Every, telling the truth.
Whether Georgia players and coaches wish to admit it or not, visions of Gators always are rattling around their heads. It has turned them into a psychological mess at the sight of orange and blue. That said, Richt told reporters earlier this week that he doesn’t discuss that 15-out-of-17 thing with his players, but you just knew he had his fingers crossed while uttering those words. He even suggested as much later during a private moment.
“The bottom line is, I just don’t want to discuss what I say to the guys. You know what I mean?” said Richt, easing into a smile in a hallway at Stegeman Coliseum. “Yeah, I’ve talked to them, but I’ll be vague with the media about it.”
Still, inquiring minds want to know, which is why we asked Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford about the theme of his coach’s Gipper speech. Actually, it was more of a classroom lecture. “I can’t remember it all, except how the games have kind of gone in spurts, with Georgia dominating for a while and then Florida,” Stafford said. “Coach Richt just talked to us about trying to take back the streak and to start winning against these guys.”
Yeah. Like now. Without all of the excuses and alibis.
Permalink | Comments (205) | Post your comment | Categories: Terence Moore, UGA / SEC
Comments
By dandydawg
October 24, 2007 8:32 PM | Link to this
For the first time in my reading of your blog, Terence.. This is a great one and very true. I look for the Dawgs to play a great game this year…if they come to PLAY!
GO Dawgs!
By 1UGADAWG
October 24, 2007 8:35 PM | Link to this
Half way through your sophemore season, time to take the reigns Stafford!!! Lets go Dawgs
By JB
October 24, 2007 8:38 PM | Link to this
Please win; I cannot take another loss. Please throw us a bone.
By Michael Scharff
October 24, 2007 8:40 PM | Link to this
Mr. Moore, I think it is pathetic what many of the posters have to say in insulting you about your work. And yes, you are entitled to your opinion. That being said, it is unbelievable to me how much of a negative bias you have towards the University of Georgia, and in particular, our football program. As an intelligent sports writer, it should, I would think, be clear to you that, at this time in their respective careers, Tebow is much more consitently good than Matthew Stafford. Stafford may have a stronger arm, but he does not throw as accurately as Tebow, nor can he run with the speed and power Tebow displays weekly. This is not an excuse - it is a fact.
By david
October 24, 2007 8:42 PM | Link to this
please,please, please dawgs win for the sake of Jesus he said its time for a change and this will be the best christmas and thanksgiving i ever had
By cdawg
October 24, 2007 8:42 PM | Link to this
If you take away thos 15 wins by Florida over the past 17 years you will see how truly lopsided this rivalry is(approx 44-20-8). Dawg fans, let’s quit complaining and keep the game in Jax where it belongs and tradition should not be altered. Let’s get’m DAWGS!
By Mikey
October 24, 2007 8:44 PM | Link to this
Agree it is time to Man up- stop freezing up and bring back a victory. We have played them pretty close the last 2 years in spite of ourselves, so now it’s time to get over the hump. GO DAWGS !
By pj
October 24, 2007 8:48 PM | Link to this
shut up terrance. you were so right about mike vick it was ridiculous and thank you for being the sole african american voice of atlanta reason on that issue, but on this? come on. The Gators HAVE been better. theyve been better than everybody.
Sometimes I feel like your journalism isn’t accurate and balanced, but rather a pulpit from which you incite the masses. You don’t always have to take the most confrontational stance to get a point across. Have the Dogs “frozen” against the gators? Yes, in the past 5 or 6 years perhaps, but before that (Goff, Donnan) we were just not as good as they were.
I want to win this game, but again - Georgia is not as talented as Florida. Pat Dye you are not my good sir.
By John
October 24, 2007 8:48 PM | Link to this
Yet another stupid article by Terence Moore. Your setting records my friend.
By Maryland Dawg
October 24, 2007 8:49 PM | Link to this
I’m now 33 and I think Georgia has lost more games in my life time to these guys than we have won. I believe we can win this game but it is time we man up. Who cares if it’s played in Jacksonville every year? Who cares if they have the week off, (can’t use that excuse if we lose Sat.) The fact is, we have a good quarterback, not a great one, but he is going to be. We have a stud at tailback, and potentially another one who may get his first minutes on Sat. The recievers all have potential, but we all know what that means. So it all comes down to the defense. It’s time to see what Willie has up his sleeve. I’m on the fence about Martinez; but if he wants to solidify his resume, this is a good game to start.
I believe, now make everyone a believer.
By wes
October 24, 2007 8:51 PM | Link to this
u said it Terrance, dawgs need to come to play!!!!!!!!!!
By Acworth Dawg
October 24, 2007 8:51 PM | Link to this
Terence, I usually do not agree with much that you write but this one is about dead on correct. I don’t think the complaining would be as loud if UGA was winning this game more often.
By kelo
October 24, 2007 8:54 PM | Link to this
the fact is flordia just has a better football program and ga is living with visions of grandeur; sorry but you are not in the top 20 programs in the country!!
By cdawg
October 24, 2007 8:56 PM | Link to this
Well said Maryland Dawg.
By 1UGADAWG
October 24, 2007 9:08 PM | Link to this
Im with you Maryland Dawg, Im also on the fence with Martinez. We need our D ready @ kick off for a change!!! As for Stafford, 300 yards passing, 4 TDs. Come on!!! Hunker Down!!
By Roswell Ed
October 24, 2007 9:12 PM | Link to this
Terrence:
They are who we think they are.
Elite to the Dawged Nation is two or three losses a year.
Just ask them.
They’ll tell you that they are a top 5 program and in reality the only thing they have ever really had to support that fact was when MR WALKER(best college football player ever) was carrying the ROCK.
UF 31
UGA 17
DJ Roswell Ed sez:
All the morons say WOOF
and
Bark if you’re an idiot!
Tomorrow at work make a DAWGED fan bark. They will have to do it to be part of the CULT.
Look at their face when they do it and you will see how even they know how stupid they look.
WAR EAGLE!!
By A-ville Ranger
October 24, 2007 9:17 PM | Link to this
Before SC played us this year Steve Spurrier said ‘we have to start beating Georgia’.I don’t like him but when he said those words I got a feeling in the pit of my stomach….oh no not again.Thing is he had the balls to say it and the leadership to make it happen.If the coaching staff can’t overcome these near phobic reactions to UF it’ll never be a true power.Terrence is right, it’s not talent,we sign as much as UF,it could take one player with the right personality (Moreno ?) or maybe we’ll get a few breaks and fall backwards into a couple of wins that changes the psychology of it.
By DaveDawg
October 24, 2007 9:21 PM | Link to this
I’m the biggest Dawg fan in the world and TM is just telling it like it is. Don’t be defensive about it fellow Dawgs, because we’ve found so many ridiculous ways to lose this games over the years. We should expect no less than to be the best, and we’re clearly far from it until we start winning this game on occasion. Good column TM.
By David
October 24, 2007 9:26 PM | Link to this
I wish I could be as cool as “DJ Roswell Ed” and use words like “sez” on a regular basis.
By 1UGADAWG
October 24, 2007 9:34 PM | Link to this
Woof, Woof, Woof, Woof!! If Im an moron for being a Dawg fan then so be it!! As for looking stupid “War Eagle”, I think you need to look back at last year Vs. the War Eagles to see what “Stupid” looks like!! Go Dawgs
By Ryder
October 24, 2007 9:37 PM | Link to this
Great job TM, and I usually don’t say that about your articles. It was about time someone called out this team on why they get so scared of the Gators. Face it UF is in their heads and until Stafford plays a complete game they will always get beat by this squad. I want UGA to begin their own tradition of winning against Florida for once and not every seven years.
I’m sick of seeing UGA not being able to beat either UT or UF in the same year. It’s time for change! Until then they are elite wannabes
By Jaxdawg
October 24, 2007 9:38 PM | Link to this
I actually thought this was a pretty good article Mr. Moore. I’m a dawg fan who lives in Jax and I’m getting sick and tired of hearing Coach Richt talk about wanting to move the game to a home and home series…it’s ridiculous! This game is where it needs to be. Get your freakin team ready to play and stop making excuses.
By DWG
October 24, 2007 9:42 PM | Link to this
roswell ed was a different person the first few weeks of the season. he’s an embarrasment to roswell and auburn. I know a lot of great auburn fans and he doesn’t deserve to be a part of their family.
By JB
October 24, 2007 9:50 PM | Link to this
I agree with Terrence. Man-up, and act like you want to play and win. I will also say this to the team. If the same apathetic team that showed up in Knoxville shows up in Jacksonville, you all will get the hell beat out of you.
By Mike
October 24, 2007 9:55 PM | Link to this
Yet another pathetic oversite article from Terrence. The Dawgs did turn the corner 3 years ago on this game. An injury to DJ Shockley the next year is NOT an excuse. ITS REALITY. The Dawgs nearly won with a totally inexperienced QB. No one outside of Gainsville with half a brain would say that Shock would not have made up a 4 point difference and then some. Last year, they played through Stafford’s inexperience to only fall by 7 to the eventual national champs.
BTW, the Dawgs were right in the National Title hunt in 2002. Whats the difference between a 2002 1-loss UGA team, 2003 1-loss LSU team, and a 2006 1-loss Gator team? UGA had the dumb luck of 2 unbeatens ahead of them that DIDNT PLAY EACH OTHER! Thats IT!!
So stop writing like the Dawgs are wanabes and start realizing what they have done in an extremely tough SEC!
By Tim Meadows
October 24, 2007 9:55 PM | Link to this
Could not have said it better myself - GO DAWGS !!
By miamidawg
October 24, 2007 9:59 PM | Link to this
This article hit it head on. It’s time to stop complaining (whether it be about Florida or some sports writer) and man up. It’s no ones falt except our own that we are 2-15 against the Gators. Hunker down Dawgs!!!
By DaltonDawg
October 24, 2007 10:01 PM | Link to this
Moore describes Florida this way “a team perpetually among the nation’s elite from the same division of your conference.” I agree with this description of Florida last year but since 2001 Florida’s record is 55-21 with 1 SEC Championship and 1 National Championship. In these 6 years Florida has been in the top 25 every year but has only been in the top 10 twice. Georgia’s record since 2001 is 61-17 with 2 SEC Championships. Also, in those same 6 years Georgia has been in the top 25 every year and 4 of those years in the top 10. I do agree that Georgia has not played Florida well in the past 15 years but who really has the elite program. Mr. Moore, does 1 year make a elite program? I don’t think so. By the way, I am proud of you not mentioning black or white.
By Bulldog Bob
October 24, 2007 10:04 PM | Link to this
TM is right folks! We have to beat Florida to become the powerhouse in the SEC East. However, we are starting to lose recruits to UF and the Vols because our inability to beat these teams consistently. We have to step up dogs and punch UF in the mouth. I am sick of this streak. MR could beat them at FSU. What is the problem? Do we need a team shrink since the prayer meetings are not working?
By Gold
October 24, 2007 10:11 PM | Link to this
Dogs <— correct. Dawgs <—not.
By G8TR
October 24, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this
“If you take away those 15 wins by Florida over the past 17 years you will see how truly lopsided this rivalry is”! You cannot be serious. So, how about if we just “take away” those prior Dawgs wins…This is most ridiculous logic imaginable.
Just about as ridiculous as the program that celebrates its head coach’s “wins on the road in opposing team’s stadiums” but won’t add in his losing record in a neutral-site series where half the stadium is wearing Red & Black.
Ever notice how a national championship game is played at a “neutral site”? The quality programs have to be able to compete at one. (Maybe the rest of the SEC should complain that the ATL location for the championship is too close to Athens and therefore unfairly benefits the Dawgs.)
Go back to celebrating your big Vandy win.
By Matt the Brave
October 24, 2007 10:20 PM | Link to this
How are you still employed by a paper that is in the state of Georgia by bashing the Dawgs? Stupid…
By Top Dawg
October 24, 2007 10:23 PM | Link to this
Good points, Terrence. That’s is one thing that has been so frustrating: so many of the years UGA definitely had the better talent.
By REPTILE
October 24, 2007 10:24 PM | Link to this
TIM TEBOW TO THE GEORGIA BULLDOGS. ”YOU TELL THEM I’M COMING!AND HELL’S COMING WITH ME,YOU HEAR? HELL’S COMING WITH ME!
By GatorGuy
October 24, 2007 10:26 PM | Link to this
cdawg “If you take away those 15 wins by Florida over the past 17 years you will see how truly lopsided this rivalry is(approx 44-20-8).”
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ! You cracked me up!
By montrealdawg
October 24, 2007 10:27 PM | Link to this
I have no idea what to expect on Saturday, although, given the inability of the UGa defense to tackle, I thinks it’s reasonable to expect Percy Harvin, Cornelius Ingram, et al to have career days. The UGa defense seems to rely on the big hit rather than the form tackle. That said, maybe they should just concentrate on hitting Tebow. Hit him in the shoulder, chest, back, thigh, (but not the knee). Earhole him. Make sure he remembers playing the Dawgs even if the Gator’s receivers gain a million yards. Then, maybe next week, Vanderbilt can finish the job and break their losing streak to the Gators and Spurrier in the same season.
By Hunk Erdown
October 24, 2007 10:35 PM | Link to this
I’m sorry that T Brown and Lumpy got hurt, but if that is what it takes to prove what I have been saying then so be it. The Dogs need to have one featured back to lead the way. It is Moreno, let him set the tone and carry the rock, plus the team..
Moreno has the guts, the spirit, and the talent to be the star on Saturday. Set up the pass off his running, but let him be THE MAN and we have a chance. Stafford has had many chances to step up and he has proven that he is just not ready. He may never be ready. Moreno is just begging for the opportunity to lead this team, so let him. Maybe he will get Stafford and the others fired up when they see his effort. Yes, it is time to man-up and Knowshun is the only one on this team that I see who has a chance to get these guys fired up and use the God given talent that they have been blessed with. Tripp Chandler has it but he don’t know it yet. Moreno knows he has it and he will prove it on Saturday. If Willie doesn’t have the defense ready to shut Florida’s offense down (at least to less than 20 points), he should be fired, period. It is time to put up or shut up. Florida is as vulnerable as they are going to get and if we can’t get it done with the coordinators we have, then it is time to put someone else in place.
No more excuses, either get tough and play some guts football or lets stop all the talk about NCs and just be a mediocre team. This finesse junk is for the birds, its time to not just man up but lets Erk Russell-up.
By Long Arm of the Law
October 24, 2007 10:36 PM | Link to this
Good job Terrance.
By Sadstateofaffairs
October 24, 2007 10:38 PM | Link to this
I love Stafford’s quote to end the column: “I can’t remeber it all…”.
What a frickin’ pretender he is. I guesss he needs some “dope b***” to come over to his apartment and he and our starting tailback can “get busy”.
Anyone remember what Chris Leak did his last 2 years when he had an off-week? He was in Athens scouting us out and licking his chops to beat the Dawgs. Stafford? He’s worried about where his next “body shot” is coming from! What a joke…
By Robert
October 24, 2007 10:41 PM | Link to this
First off,
Mr. Moore is a rascist. This is the first column I’ve read of his in months. I’m sorry I broke my self imposed ban. This is drivel that any first year journalism major could do. AJC- PLEASE fire this idiot. My grandfather had a saying that holds true even now. “You’re known by the company you keep” Because of his national attention becuase of the Barry Bonds and Vick situation, the AJC is known because of this man. It saddens me. It really does.
On to the game. I really think that UGA will win Saturday. Richt has a knack of getting his teams ready to win games that most people give them no shot in. LSU in ‘05, Aub, GT and VaTech last year. This is why Stafford came to UGA and I think that he’ll have his defining moment as a Dawg Saturday. With the young pup Moreno pounding it , Stafford will have a nice day Saturday. The D has to hit “superman” hard and often. Make him think about the hits and that battle is won. Let’s see the fire that those teams I mentioned showed in the wins. It’s time to make this a rivalry again. Go Dawgs!!
By Doc Reem
October 24, 2007 10:41 PM | Link to this
Terrance I love you dude! You tell the truth most of the time even if some people don’t want to hear it! Right on point with this one I’m form Athens, Ga. and and I’m sick of how this series has panned out over the years. Man the F up DOGS! No excuses at least leave it on the field!!!!
By Dr Morpheus
October 24, 2007 10:45 PM | Link to this
Under Ron Zook, Georgia was typically the better team and we still lost consistently. The only way out of this bad dream is to win. And win. And win. Let’s do it.
By rolling_in_coleslaw
October 24, 2007 10:47 PM | Link to this
Truth hurts don’t it dawgs!
By Gator Joy
October 24, 2007 10:50 PM | Link to this
Jawja is still leading in the victories … We still need to avenge the 77-0! DAWG GONE! GOOOOOOOOOOOO G-A-T-O-R-S!!!!!
By scott in south ga
October 24, 2007 10:50 PM | Link to this
I totally agree with you TM….it is not even a rivalry anymore…it is a freaking joke to uf and the entire nation. Almost 2 decades of getting beat by that bunch…Very embarrassing. But Saturday we can start to turn the tables. Come on DAWGS….this is a must win for the program. I just don’t know if we can even stay on the field with them? DAWGS..come out and punch them in the face repeatedly. DO WORK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! late
By Roswell Ed
October 24, 2007 10:55 PM | Link to this
If the truth scares you then
skip my blog
Remember over the last 26 years that Florida’s record compared to AUs record against UGA is just just 1 win and 1 tie better.
A UGA prayer:
Thank you lord for Vandy, UK, GT, Miss, and Miss St
Do you guys know what it feels like to beat UF 2 yrs in a row?
Ask your father.
WAR EAGLE!!
By K-9 Teeth
October 24, 2007 10:58 PM | Link to this
Mr. Moore,
The one problem I have with this article is the use of the word “Dogs” in the title. Perhaps you should have used “Dog Fans” because I have never once heard any player or coach make any excuses about the slide against Florida. Coach Richt is 1-5 against them. I feel like he should be 3-3, but that’s football, you don’t think Bobby Johnson doesn’t feel like he should be 2-0 against the dawgs the last 2 years? Some people are getting on Stafford for him not remembering what Richt was lecturing about with regards to the streak but to me that underscores the real point, these guys are young, 18-20 years old, the most pressure they have on them is looking good to the ladies, mama and daddy and espn. They couldn’t care less about some “streak” that is really only important to a bunch of whining fans that never suited up for a football game, not even in Pop Warner leagues. These guys are just trying to win a Game. All the psycho babble crap about the streak makes for good print I suppose no matter how much poppycock it truly is.
By Dawg70
October 24, 2007 11:12 PM | Link to this
I’ve been a dawg since 1965 and watched this game very close every year. Never drove to Jacksonville thinking we had better talent and we didn’t. We just had better coaches in the Dooley/Russell years. Happy Feet Spurier couldn’t do it as a player but was able to win big as a coach at Fla. because UGA and the rest of the league had poor coaches including the pumkin in Tenn. I agree that we were lacking in talent when Richt came on board but I don,t agree we caught up talent wise until the last 3 years. Now that Fla. no longer has a week off before the game, things will turn soon. We have beaten ourselves the last 3 years. that will change also. Maybe not this year but soon.
By boroblueyes
October 24, 2007 11:48 PM | Link to this
The problem with the dogs is coaching and motivation or the lack thereof.
By Mike
October 24, 2007 11:55 PM | Link to this
There are WAY too many Dawgs fans agreeing with Terence here. Im about sick of seeing Dawg fans WHINE!! STOP CRYIN and be proud of what the program has done! bTW the future looks bright too. Richt has turned a rotten egg into an omlete and all I hear from Dawg fans is “well…maybe we can get 8 wins this year.” How about “DAWGS ARE GONNA WHIP THOSE GATORS!!!”
By AL
October 24, 2007 11:59 PM | Link to this
Good article. (can’t believe I said that). This years theme stop Tebow. It’s that simple. Down in the trenches stop Tebow. Punch them in the mouth from the word go. That’s what the Dooley teams did that Richt’s teams have never done that. We beat them in the trenches during the Dooley days. Had a chance to go to Jax, hoping if I stay away this year we’ll start something different.
By FLA DAWG
October 25, 2007 12:03 AM | Link to this
Glad to read your comments Mr. Moore. Glad that someone is willing to call it like it is. The Dawgs CAN win this game but they have to be prepared to take this game before they hit the field and stay in the damn game for 60 minutes. I kind of have the feeling they are going to do it this time.
By bk hawk
October 25, 2007 12:26 AM | Link to this
Right on Mr. Moore. Preach on Brother, its time to win and do it now!
By TheItalianDawg
October 25, 2007 12:28 AM | Link to this
good article!
By JP
October 25, 2007 1:09 AM | Link to this
So then for the sake of me not dying a john bonham-like death of choking on my own vomit in my sleep, WIN THE GAME KELIN!!!!
By Roger
October 25, 2007 1:23 AM | Link to this
I AGREE WITH TERRENCE NO MORE EXCUSES, IT IS SENSELESS TO THINK THEY ARE THIS MUCH BETTER THAN US FOR THIS LONG—IT IS TIME TO FEEL THE OLD “BULLDAWG BITE”
By Poor Ed
October 25, 2007 1:29 AM | Link to this
Hey AL! Wasnt old man Dooley coaching when the Gators went over the top on Russells 50s stylestuff the rundefense, winning 2 out of 3 from84 to 86? And then Spurrier came on and changed everything in the SEC, (if not college football entirely)? Wasgood olesmash mouth then? Uh huh. And Meyer is moresmash mouththan Spurrier, right? Uh. Keep watching thoserun Lindsaytapes, dude. That was your (very brief) time. And to think about the future for the Gators.... Man. Maybe you guys should lobby for a move to the ACC, or maybe even the WAC. Well, enjoy the Sporstcenter highlights while youre still alive. Run Lindsay, yeah! Whatever!
By uga-brave
October 25, 2007 1:30 AM | Link to this
terrance,
right on point its amazing how good of a writer you are when you leave certain things out of your opinion.
this game is a weigh station for CMR and his staff. two weeks to prepare better show up for this game or else some serious questions might start needing to be addressed.
little willie is already on the hot seat with the masses, give up 30 plus in this one and even your buddy richt might vent on the blog around 7:oo sat.
By Yellow Jacket
October 25, 2007 1:44 AM | Link to this
Its really sad that UGA has such a losing streak against Florida, considering that the football program is pretty much all the school has going for it.
By NorCalDawg
October 25, 2007 2:08 AM | Link to this
Even sadder that you’re on our blog at 1:44 AM.
By VANCe Leavy
October 25, 2007 2:24 AM | Link to this
kudos Terrance! It’s time for Mark Richt to lead his Dawg to a victoy. Milk toast or not????????? Go Dawgs!
By Keno
October 25, 2007 2:36 AM | Link to this
Terence is right on. The talent is there, but something’s missing. Remember the Goff years when Steve Spurrier would make comments about Georgia having such great talent, but Florida winning the games. I thought Georgia had a great recruiting class last year and the year before. How in the world did Tennessee wipe the flow with them, then lose so badly to Alabama. I think Jim Donnan would have turned the Florida corner, given time. Bottom line this year (I hate to say it) Florida 42 Dogs 14.
By Rudy's Back
October 25, 2007 3:54 AM | Link to this
The dogs are a joke. They’ve NEVER been a legit top 5 team much less a National Power. 1980 was a FLUKE!!! Just look at what happened in 81,82. In 2008 and beyond, it won’t matter because C.W. is puting together some MONSTER recruiting classes. N.D. will dominate the remainder of this decade and beyound!!!!!
By Bud Wiser
October 25, 2007 6:33 AM | Link to this
Richt’s record against Florida may be 1-5, but last I checked he never set foot on the field to play. Georgia may in fact be the permanent rescue home for the most classic chokers of all time. They have suffered more dropped passes in the last 4 years than is imaginable….it’s like trying to watch Micheal J. Fox eat peas from a spoon, simply unbearable.
Dawg fans should be like Techies and be happy to have an average college football team, going to some mediocre bowl each year playing another mediocre team in front of a half-filled stadium of uninterested fans. The havoc wreaked by Jan Kemp years ago has permanently barred UGA from recruiting the really stupid superior athletes, most of whom go to UF, USC (Caifornia and the Evil Genius), AU, ND, etc., you get the picture. These dawgs are happy little yard pups, who go and hide under the bushes when a bigger, faster, better team comes to town. Everyone knows what happens to dogs chasing cars……they eventuall get run over. Well, watch out Dawgs and Dawg Fans, Florida is driving to Jacksonville this week. Just roll over and play dead, because that is what you will be after the “game”.
By Big Grey
October 25, 2007 6:49 AM | Link to this
To be the man you have to beat the man and yall never do
Go Gators
By Big Daddy
October 25, 2007 6:49 AM | Link to this
Just face it the dawgs suck!!!!
By Dawgman
October 25, 2007 7:03 AM | Link to this
This year, with the open date, UGA should win this game easy over a banged up UF team that is overrated anyway. Plus, Stafford will put up big numbers against a bad UF defense. Look for the dawgs to roll big this Saturday, and I’ll be partying hard at the landing on Friday and Saturday nights baby!!!
UGA 38 UF 16
By Alpharetta Dawg
October 25, 2007 7:29 AM | Link to this
Right on Terrance…the one point I would disagree with is that UGA has been better since 2002. UF was clearly better last year and without question is better this year. UF found ways to win when they were down and so should UGA. The forumla for winning as an underdog is Heart + Desire + Preperation + GREAT COACHING = Victory. So far this UGA team has not demonstrated these attributes for 4 quarters espically the coaching part…see UT/SC game! Let’s put it together this weekend DAWGS!!!!
By bamadon
October 25, 2007 7:34 AM | Link to this
Yes it is time for Georgia to beat the hell out of Florida. Just like it is time for Bama to beat the cow college!!! Roll Tide and good luck Dawgs!!!
By Jimnow
October 25, 2007 7:36 AM | Link to this
Here’s a good statistic for you all…every Gator fan under the age of 73 has a winning record versus uga. It’s great to be a Florida Gator!!
By Chuck Carswell
October 25, 2007 7:38 AM | Link to this
Terence, Why have you become so militant lately? You are almost as bad as Stephen A. Smith. Stop it. It doesn’t become you. Chuck
By Rudy's is a loser
October 25, 2007 7:38 AM | Link to this
Rudy’s Back,
Notre Dame…are you kidding me? UGA is medicore but ND will dominate for the remainder of decade? Given that you posted in the middle of the night I have to assume you are simply smashed out of your mind! ND is getting worse not better…you will be 2-10 this year!!!! CW and ND is on track to have the worst offense in the NCAA in the last 9 years!!!! They are aweful and you are an idiot!!!!!!!
By W
October 25, 2007 7:39 AM | Link to this
The program has turned as “soft” as Richt. Reality sux, but so do the dawgs this year (and last). Two years of rebuilding? I thought we had recruting classes in the top 10 under Richt. Unless some heads roll after this year, we’ll be a perennial 9-3 team. You know how bad it’s getting when you’re actually celebrating after beating Vandy! What the heck happened?
By Dawgman's an IDIOT
October 25, 2007 7:48 AM | Link to this
Over-rated? The DAWGS were blown out by Tennessee and Fla beat by 39 points. Florida beat Kentucky and Dawgs barely beat Vanderbuilt. Sorry, But UGAY is overrated!!1
By mart
October 25, 2007 8:21 AM | Link to this
My take on the UGA-Fla. game is that it’s one of those rivalries where the better team almost (maybe always) wins. There is rarely if ever an upset, and the margin of victory represents just about how much better the winning team actually is. Try to think of a year when there was a real surprise.
By G'Vegas Dawg
October 25, 2007 8:26 AM | Link to this
HOLY COW!!!! I actually agree with TM. Good article and complete truth. I am also oh so tired of hearing about how “young” our team is. Florida isn’t that much older if at all, and they are finding a way to win all the time. It seems we get one excuse after another from our coaches, and I for one am sick of it. It is about time we suck it up and kick some gayturd a$s this weekend in Jax.
By George
October 25, 2007 8:27 AM | Link to this
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA H A HA HA HA HA HA HA. This is one of the funniest headlines I have EVER read. Dawg fans not make anymore excuses. Yea that will be the day. The Dawg nation is the MOST PATHETIC in the country and will ALWAYS come up with some of the worst excuses in the book when the pups underachieve year in and year out.
By Gordon
October 25, 2007 8:39 AM | Link to this
Be patient Dawg fans. It’s not time yet. 2011 is your year to beat the Gators. Then you can party like it is 1997 or 2004.
By Carlton Powell
October 25, 2007 8:41 AM | Link to this
Great column. Right on point. IF the Bulldogs are EVER to become an elite football program, they HAVE to get it together against the Gators. To be an elite football program, the team MUST be in the hunt for a NC every so often. Any legitimate hunt for an NC by the Bulldogs runs through J’ville. Quite crying about locations. The game is NEVER going to a home and home basis. Too much political pressure to keep the game in J’ville. Afer watching the LSU-Auburn game last Sat. evening, I didn’t think the Bulldogs even had a player that could have played for either team. Upon 2d thought, don’t think that the players are that much less talented, but they have NOT been coached “UP.” If the Bulldogs are to make anything of this season, they need to win one against at LEAST 3 of the last 5 games. It’s time to man up. As George Allen used to say, “the future is NOW.” No excuses.
By RugbyDawg
October 25, 2007 8:41 AM | Link to this
Good work T.Moore Go DAWGS the time is now!!
By Dan
October 25, 2007 8:43 AM | Link to this
For once I agree with you TM. Let’s just get it done and have 2 wins this decade!
By gdawgfan
October 25, 2007 8:47 AM | Link to this
Terrance you are exactly right with the Bulldog nation. Loot at the two teams, Fl gets a priced recruit qb in tebow and he is a hiesman candidate his sophomore year GA gets a priced qb recruit and he is still learning not to throw off his back foot. Florida gets Urban Myer and he wins a national title second year GA gets MR and he has been in 3 sec championship games winning 2, but no national titles. Florida has a great game plan in big games, GA has the same game plan every game run get 2 yards, run get 1 yard and throw and get no yards. Florida fans have expectations to win Nation championships GA fans want to win 9 games and the Peach Bowl. I have been saying this for a long time, I think Mark Rict is a GREAT guy and good coach, but he will never win a nation title at GA. He has two bad coordinators who are better off as position coaches.As much as people say about MR being a calm presence, in college ball you have to fire your kids up and get them ready to play, that calm approach works in the pro, look at Dungy, but in college you have to get some passion and get fired up. I am ready for West Virginia’s coach to come here and lead us to a nation championship. Richt will leave for Florida State when Bowden steps down nin a couple years. By the way Florida will win Sat. by at least 14 because they are more aggressive and the dogs defense is horrible for whatever reason! final score Fl 28 dawgs 14.
By Bigdaddygtr
October 25, 2007 8:53 AM | Link to this
The Gators will ROLL. It will definately be a blowout, probably 41-17. The bulldogs are just not on their level and don’t look like they are gonna be anytime soon. Have you seen that kid Tebow play? He changes everything, and the Dawgs couldn’t stop Tennessee’s pathetic offense, how are they gonna deal with Tebow, Harvin and co?
By Chris
October 25, 2007 8:56 AM | Link to this
My sentiments exactly, Terence. What disturbs me just as much as the excuses though is the whole “I don’t get it” attitude of the Dawg players. I can assure you the Florida players get it. Spurrier got it and he instilled it in the program. He still gets it, as a matter of fact. Until those that get on the field “get it”, forget it - edge to Florida; and level of talent will never matter.
By Wilmington Island Dawg
October 25, 2007 9:00 AM | Link to this
This is just a game. There are more pressing and important issues to deal with. Fires in CA, war in Iraq, global environment all need to be addressed.
That being said you are dead on. At some point you gotta man up. There an be no more excuses. You walk the walk. I started going to Jax in ‘73. We seemed to find a way to win most of the time. I truely believed we found overcome any obstacle. Its gut check time Dawgs, is it in you?
By Jim Nasium
October 25, 2007 9:05 AM | Link to this
Even if the Dawgs come to play and play their best game of the season, they won’t win. You’re two plays away from being 3-4 and you think you can “man-up” a win. Please; you ain’t all that and a bag of chips. You better hope you just get a 2-3 record out of your last 5 games because 1-4 is biting you on the heels. Ooops. I forgot; Troy is 5-2 and beat Ok State as bad as you did -so no pressure going into Tech if you drop 4 straight.
By D Ellis
October 25, 2007 9:06 AM | Link to this
Roswell Ed
Do you know what it feels like to have your face stomped on while being ranked 5th in the nation at your own stadium by a UGA team unranked sitting at 6-4….yes you do sir…or mam.
By Lowcountry Bulldawg
October 25, 2007 9:09 AM | Link to this
*“It’s like those people can’t even function when they get up in the morning. Some of them drink themselves to sleep because we lost. It’s a shame. It’s funny. You can take it however you want.”
This is how Georgia coaches and players should take it*
That is a great line from Kelin and the next line by TM is classic. The Georgia coaches and players should get hammered and pass out if they lose. Gotta love it!
Good article TM!
By D Ellis
October 25, 2007 9:09 AM | Link to this
Roswell Ed-please phone Tommy Tubberville and ask him if you guys are beating the Dawgs this year late in the game and approaching the game winning drive…..”Coach are you gonna squib kick to the Dawgs 45 to try and catch them off guard”?
By Kurt
October 25, 2007 9:12 AM | Link to this
Dear Terence, I’m not a gator or a dawg fan, but watching both teams play on the idiot box, Florida is a far superior team then Georgia. Comming from Big-10 country either of theses teams could beat the no.1 ramked buckeyes. The SEC is so much more a stronger conference. Trouble is, how much longer are the bulldawgs going tu put up with a 8-3, 7-4 seasons with Coach Richt at the helm. Theses are not national championship record seasons and will never be close to them this way. Michigan will fire Coach Carr this year if they don’t beat the buckeyes on their home turf. Even though Coach Carr will be at final season with an 8-3 record but he can’t beat Ohio State. The year of 8-3, 7-4 aren’t going to set well soon for Georgia. Georgia needs to contend for conference and national championship. No excuses with all the talent on hand. Florida will win big again and Georgia will be fighting for just either an 8-3 season or 7-4 season.I feel sorry for uga. Thank you, a Buckeye haithful. P.S. To let you all no Ohio State is a long way from being no.1 football team in the country. The BCS is corrupt. Even though Ohio State and Jim Tressle are always at the top in the Big-10.
By Spike
October 25, 2007 9:18 AM | Link to this
Terrence.. You are exactly right. Time for the Dogs to grow a pair and play tough the whole game!!
By G'Vegas Dawg
October 25, 2007 9:23 AM | Link to this
Willmington Island Dawg…..that is the attitude that gets the dawgs 2 wins in 17 tries. Yes, everyone knows it is just a game. And yes, everyone knows that there are more pressing issues going on right now. BUT, if you don’t want to talk football get on another BLOG!!!! When you say your prayers at night you can think of the fires in Cal, or the war in Iraq. But, for the next 3 days there should be nothing else on any Dawg player or fan’s mind except for beating FLORIDA. Appathy, modiocrity, or “it’s just a game” is what get us killed year in and year out in JAX!!
By jaxbeachdawg
October 25, 2007 9:26 AM | Link to this
I am going to make this as short and simple as I can. In my opinion I don’t think that we have the atheletes on the defensive side of the ball to match up with the gators this year. Does anyone remember the UT game? I have never ever been more embarrassed for a “once proud georgia defense”. Somewhere in the heavens Erk must be scrathcing his bald head.
Bottom line. Martinez MUST GO! Do what ever it takes to take Will Muschamp from AU and bring him home!
GO DAWGS!
By BC
October 25, 2007 9:30 AM | Link to this
Mr. Moore, I don’t particulary like you as a sports writer. I can’t remember in recent history agreeing with you. However, you are absolutely correct with your verbal spanking of My Bulldogs. It is time to “man up”. No excuses. Just play the game like a real SEC champion should play.
By orlando dawg
October 25, 2007 9:31 AM | Link to this
I’m tired of listening to everyone down here in O-town taking this game as an afterthought, another easy win for Florida. The sportstalk radio stations here don’t give any respect to the Dawgs. To them, Tebow is Superman and Georgia has no Kryptonite.
Coach Richt, it’s time to quit being passive against these guys. It seems Georgia plays not to lose instead of really getting aggressive when they play the Lizards. I hope they really get after them. If they bring the same game they brought against Bama and don’t turn the ball over, they can beat these guys. Auburn sure figured out how to get it done.
By dawfacedboy
October 25, 2007 9:33 AM | Link to this
I can’t believe it!! I actually agree with TM!! We’ve used every excuse in the book when it really just comes down to this: We don’t show up to play! We are beat before the kickoff! In the past few years, have we even played a good game but lost to Fla? For that matter do we ever play well but lose? NO! We look confused and lost and get embarassed! The last few Fla. games I remember we played about as bad and inconsistent as possible and came up short! Billy Bennet missed how many field goals?? 4? 5? We give up 14 quick points 2 years in a row? Fumble on the opening drive of the second half? Dropped passes, missed open receivers, do I need to keep going? If we don’t play like we did against Auburn last year we are going to get lit up against the Gators this year!! We only beat Fla. once when Zook was there and that was when we had Davis, Jones, Bailey, Gilbert, Pollack, Greene, Musa Smith, Brown.
By sando
October 25, 2007 9:34 AM | Link to this
Terrence, An unusually good column for you. Best part about it was that it lacked your usual racial vent. Go Dogs!
By mike in Athens
October 25, 2007 9:51 AM | Link to this
The reason that GA has lost to FL so often since 1990 is that FL had a better progarm in the 90’s and has had the better coach in all but three years (02,03,04). Even against a bufoon like Zook, Richt dropped 2 of 3. The talent gap has been closed, but our program still lags behind FL where it matters, National Championships.
By jp
October 25, 2007 9:53 AM | Link to this
Rudy’s Back: 1980 was a FLUKE!!! Just look at what happened in 81,82.
Maybe you should look at what happened in 81 and 82 (that would be two more SEC championships, two more Sugar Bowls, and a Heisman).
That was one of the dumbest things anyone has ever posted.
By Big Donnie Donger
October 25, 2007 10:00 AM | Link to this
If the Dawgs defense couldn’t run with Tennessee, why in the worlld would anyone thing they can run with Florida? The defense is sloooow.
By Borodawg
October 25, 2007 10:01 AM | Link to this
“Excuses and alibis..”? What are you talking about?! Writers like you are the only ones making excuses. We own up to it when we lose. Well, I do anyway. It’s typically you AJC ‘journalists’ that say stuff that’s not pertinant to the situation or create headlines that generally have no truth in fact. We are Dawg fans and hate it when they lose and celebrate when they win. Nothing more. We get excited when we have ‘top 10’ recruiting or when we’re ranked, etc etc. But ‘we’ don’t whine. It’s writers like you who seem to just create stuff out of nothing. Hopefully this year the Dawgs won’t get behind by 14 in the first 5-6 mins. If we can hold their scoring down and and if Stafford has a great game and if we play for 60 mins, we have a great chance to finally beat Flawda. They are a very good team but we have a chance. Go Dawgs!
By ga dawg
October 25, 2007 10:02 AM | Link to this
Terence Moore writes like a 9th grader from the hood. Someone from the ajc needs to translate his p** poor writing into something readable.
By Lee
October 25, 2007 10:23 AM | Link to this
Terrence, you got this one right - no excuses. Dawgs need to win against Florida…consistently.
By DuluthDawg
October 25, 2007 10:27 AM | Link to this
I am a huge Dawg Fan and not embarrassed about it. As for the game this weekend, I’m sorry to say it will end in another loss. The Gators run that spread offense that UGA can never stop. Why? Because we play a base defense and never have the right players on the field to stop the run. Our corners play 12-15 yards of the receivers and we play our safeties 30 yards sown the field. The only chance UGA has to stop UF is to blitz on every down. I hope Martinez figured that out during the off week. The past 2 years Auburn blitzed over 75% of the time and they are 2-0 vs FL. Lastly, i hope they leave Brandon Miller at home. I hate critizing kids but if he is in there it will appear that he is playing for FL not UGA. Thats how bad he is!!
By Submariner683
October 25, 2007 10:34 AM | Link to this
Playing the game every year in Jacksonville is just absurd. There is nothing neutral about it. How about the Georgia Dome for a neutral site?
I’m not saying that is the reason Georgia losses this game every year, but it probably doesn’t help. This series needs to go back to a campus to campus series. Or make the Georgia Dome the other “neutral” site every other year.