UGA blog finds new home
Morning all. As I’ve said a couple of times this week, we’re converting this blog over to a WordPress platform and it will be a permanent move the first of next week.
Those of you who are regulars probably know that I’m not what you’d call techno-wizard when it comes to these things. But from what I understand the technology offered in this new format should make the blogging and commenting experience better for all. Of course, I’ll be learning as we go along, too. But I’m hoping to provide more pictures and video and things like that which should bring the blog more to life.
Of course, this blog is nothing without all you guys so I want to heartily invite (read: beg) you to come over to the new site by CLICKING HERE ON THE NEW ADDRESS and save it in your browsers. As of Monday, Feb. 23rd, this will be the permanent home of the UGA blog you so love or, in the case of some of you, love to loathe. If you’d prefer to copy and paste or just memorize, the new address is: http://blogs.ajc.com/uga-sports-blog/.
See at the new place!
AJC > Sports > UGA > Blog > Archives > 2007 > November
November 2007
Vols, Tigers descend on the ATL
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The RVs and cars with flags a-flapping started rolling into downtown Atlanta Thursday afternoon. Bright orange- and purple-and-gold clad people started popping up in the hotel lobbies and restaurants on Peachtree Street and in Buckhead bars. Friday they’ll be joined by the teams they follow, Tennessee and LSU, and Saturday they’ll tee it up in the Georgia Dome for the Southeastern Conference Championship.
It’s an odd sight for Georgia fans this year in particular. Here their Bulldogs are, the highest-ranked SEC team in the nation, essentially assured of a BCS bowl bid with an outside shot of making it into the biggest of big game, and yet they’re on the outside looking in at the SEC title game being played in their back yard. As we’ve discussed before, it’s not an entirely bad thing for UGA. Its scenario is not likely to change dramatically regardless of the outcome. But as we all know, for competitors it’s all about the championships and other than the SEC co-championship the Bulldogs already own, there will likely be no others this season.
With that in mind we’re here today to find out a couple of things:
One, which team will Georgia fans be rooting for on Saturday? Do they root for their Eastern Division brother Tennessee, a bitter rival but one that could do them a huge favor by assuring that there will be no leapfrogging done by LSU in the polls? Or does Georgia’s hate for all things orange run so deep that they would not wish for any achievement for the Vols?
And two, never mind wants and needs, who do you think in your football-crazed brains is going to win Saturday’s game? Do you like the once-invincible-looking, formerly-No. 1-ranked LSU Tigers and their smash-mouth defense? Or do you see the Vols’ red-hot quarterback Erik Ainge carving them up in the perfect throwing-and-catching environment that the Georgia Dome provides?
Now don’t be shy. Let’s hear predictions and scenarios. I’ll go first. Ron Higgins of the Memphis Commercial-Appeal asked me for a prediction earlier today so I might as well share it here — Tennessee 42-40 in four overtimes (What can I say? These two teams love extra periods).
Now your turn… .
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UGA gets tough on athletes about academics
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The subtitle of this blog, in case you haven’t noticed, is “a beat writer’s perspective.” That’s because part of the reason we established these blogs is to give our readers kind of a behind-the-scenes glimpse at what it is we do and provide some perspective on what we write and why. Today is one of those days I want to utilize that format literally.
Sometime later today on the website and in tomorrow’s print edition a story will run on the Georgia men’s basketball team and its recent rash of suspensions and dismissals. At one point this season the Bulldogs were four players down due to academic suspensions and disciplinary dimissals. That number is now down to three because Billy Humphrey has been reinstated to the team and it will go down to two when Albert Jackson comes off suspension in two more games.
The story you’ll read (hopefully) gets into detail about how and why this all happened. It focuses a lot on UGA’s new academic policy for athletes implemented by Damon Evans back in January and how it contributed to the demise of players Mike Mercer and Takais Brown, who were suspended a total of 24 games as a result of it. The story was generated via what we call an “FOI” request, a reference to the Freedom of Information Act, which ensures that information not otherwise protected by federal law is available for public review. After all the suspensions and dismissals came down I filed an FOI to UGA asking for “any and all” documents detailing the reasons behind those suspensions.
What I got back was more than 200 pages of copies of e-mails, memos and letters exchanged between coach Dennis Felton, UGA athletic administrators and members of the Bulldogs’ academic support team regarding the academic doings of Georgia basketball players. Some of those correspondences were tersely worded and, for a time, there clearly was tension between the basketball office and the people in the Rankin Smith Academic Achievement Center.
That said, I thought Evans was eloquent in explaining that, while many people may see tension in those exchanges, he sees only communication and effort. He says it shows that high-level administrators and coaches are working tirelessly on a daily basis to make sure UGA athletes stay on track to graduate.
And I buy that. If there was one thing I came away with as a result of this project it was that these players had absolutely no excuse for missing all these appointments that are arranged for their sole benefit. The message is this: If you want to come to Georgia just to pursue your athletic endeavors then don’t bother.
And be advised, Georgia’s men’s basketball team won’t be the last team affected by Evans’ get-tough academic policy. There will be other casualties certainly, including football and other high-profile sports.
The bottom line is this: Georgia is serious about turning around its graduation rate and, no matter how much you warn them and fret about it, ultimately it is up to the athletes themselves to do what they have to do academically.
I also think Coach Felton is doing things the right way and will soon have the basketball program where everybody wants it to be on a consistent basis.
What are your thoughts on all this? Do you think UGA is going overboard with all the mandatory academic appointments and class attendance? Is it possible to say the Dogs are emphasizing academics too much?
Say you don’t care because it’s not football? Who knows, it may have affected football already (see suspensions from beginning of this season) and it certainly will before it’s all over.
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Van Halanger envisioned ‘07 success
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Yesterday I asked the rhetorical question, “who among you saw this coming?,” in regard to Georgia’s No. 4 ranking and BCS championship possibilities. Later it occurred to me someone who did and he said as much in this space.
That someone was the Bulldogs’ strength and conditioning director Dave Van Halanger and he said it way back in early July.
I went back into our archives just to make sure. No, he didn’t say Georgia would finish 10-2 and ranked No. 4 in the BCS. But he said this particular group of players had the two most important traits a team has to have to become a champion — “chemistry and morale.”
This is what Van Halanger said on July 2: “Nowadays everybody has good players and everybody lifts weights, runs and conditions year round. The difference is how the players truly feel about each other. They have to love each other and care about each other. Look around at these guys; look how hard they work. You see anybody complaining? Heck no. They’re having fun; they’re enjoying each other. That’s what’s gonna make them special.”
Van Halanger went on to say that even though they were young he thought the Dogs could win the SEC championship and, therefore, could possibly compete for the national championship.
As we all know, Georgia did not get the opportunity to play for the SEC championship. But it is SEC East co-champion and, more importantly, is the highest-ranked conference team at the end of the season with an opportunity to play in the biggest bowl game.
So I had to call Coach Van yesterday and remind him of our midsummer’s conversation.
“I remember,” he said excitedly. “I saw it then and I see it now. These are good kids and they’re talented football players but the most important thing is they really care about each other and they play for each other. That’s why I said they were special. And they are.”
As for being able to identify Georgia’s capabilities way back in mid-summer, Van Halanger laughed. “You’ve got to remember I know what a championship team looks like. We were a top-five team like 14 years in a row at Florida State (1987-2000). I think we have something similar going on here at Georgia.”
There are indications that may be happening. The Bulldogs have won 71 games in seven seasons — or 10 per season — under coach Mark Richt and his staff. Georgia has won more SEC games than any other team the last six seasons (Georgia 63-15; LSU 62-15) and the last 11 seasons (Georgia 106-32; Florida 103-35; Tennessee 103-35). Meanwhile, half of the 83 players that have seen action this season are freshmen or sophomores, including 6 true and 19 redshirt freshmen. Lest we forget, they also redshirted 14 freshmen this season.
Georgia might have the toughest schedule in the nation next season but they’ll also begin the year ranked in the Top 5 and therefore will be in position to compete for the national championship again. And thanks to this year’s youth, ‘09 looks pretty good, too.
“We’re about to get it rolling, Chip,” Van Halanger said, his grin evident even over the phone.
Who among us could doubt him?
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Do Dogs deserve ranking, big bowl berth?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
First of all, I need to go back and check and see how many of y’all predicted the Bulldogs would finish the season in the Top 4 of the BCS. Be honest now. I know I didn’t. I still don’t know if they belong there. In fact if I was pressed to say whether I thought Georgia was the fourth-best team in the nation this year I’m not sure that I could answer in the affirmative.
But No. 4 is where the Dogs are and, if they stay there through next weekend, they’re guaranteed a spot in one of the big-daddy bowls. Remember, there’s no guarantee Georgia will remain where it is after this Saturday’s games. But odds are it will and even if it doesn’t it won’t drop significantly. What we do know as that the Dogs should be in a major bowl somewhere.
Now obviously the Sugar Bowl is out of the question because the SEC Championship Game winner — Tennessee or LSU — will fill that slot. So that leaves the Rose, Orange and Fiesta bowls as options.
Those are my questions today: Do you believe Georgia is actually the fourth-best team in the country and which one of those three bowls would you prefer to see the Dogs get into? And this, too: Do the Dogs deserve all this love while not even representing their division in the conference championship game?
I know, I know; there are still scenarios that would put Georgia in the BCS Championship Game. But I don’t see West Virginia losing to Pitt. I DO see Missouri losing to Oklahoma, however, but the Dogs need both to go down to get into the biggest game and I just don’t see that happening.
But I’d say the Rose, Orange or Fiesta would be a pretty good consolation prize. Here’s some good and bad on each.
Rose: Good — Georgia hasn’t been there since Sinkwich and Trippi led the way on Jan. 1, 1943 and nobody does it better than the good folks of Pasadena as far as hospitality, or so I’m told. Bad — you may be playing a very hot Southern Cal team on their turf.
Fiesta: Good — The Dogs have never played there and the weather is always nice in Tempe. Plus, Georgia gets a preview of 2008 when it plays at Arizona State. Bad — I can’t really think of any except for the possibility of losing to Bob Stoops’ Oklahoma squad. Let’s just say Stoops comes up pretty low on the nice-guy totem pole.
Orange: Good — Georgia would be playing there for the first time since Jan. 1, 1960 and you’ve got to love the beach and the warm weather. Bad — There’s a good chance your opponent would be Virginia Tech, which you just played last year. Boston College and quarterback Matt Ryan would be a better matchup but neither has the appeal of the other bowls.
So have it. I’ll be chiming in throughout the day.
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View from the press box
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The first thing that hits you here is the cold, the second is the fact that not all the stands are full and the third is Georgia Tech. The Tech defense has set the tone early with Georgia not going much of anywhere on its first two drives. Georgia has also narrowly avoided a couple of big mistakes. Stafford threw into traffic and had the ball batted and nearly intercepted. Mikey Henderson nearly fumbled away a touchdown on a punt return. Brannan Southerland is dressed but not playing much ealry. He has a bum ankle. Rennie Curran was back in as a starter at linebacker and has helped hold Choice in check.
Georgia is having trouble moving the ball but a big run of 32 yards from Thomas Brown and a 17-yard catch by Mohamed Massaquoi on Burnett put Georgia in position for the field goal. Still Georgia is having trouble with the defense. Chester Adams and Fernando Velasco, Georgia’s only two senior linemen, have both been called for holds.
Georgia cannot figure out how to defend Choice in the wildcat formation. The running back took over for Bennett at quarterback and kick started the Yellow Jackets’ drive. After putting Georgia on its heels, Choice took a hand off and went 12 yards for a touchdown to put Tech up 7-3. Remember Tech has led in the last two Georgia games.
Georgia has lost defensive end Marcus Howard to injury. The defensive end suffered a right hip injury and is questionable for the rest of the game. Howard is backed up by Jarius Wynn, Jeremy Lomax and Brandon Miller.
Marcus Howard is back and Tech is still running Choice right at Georgia
Stafford just ran in his second touchdown in the last two weeks. This time Stafford went in from 31 yards out. Against Kentucky Stafford used the same play to go for a 10-yard touchdown. Stafford has run considerably less this year than last but it has been successful when he has pulled it down.
Georgia’s defense starts slow a lot of the times but the unit appears to be confused against Tech. Everyone is keying on Choice and that has allowed the receivers some room to find openings. Bennett has had a couple of chances at touchdowns, one has been dropped the other was a bad throw. He finally hit Colin Peek for a 17-yard touchdown. Peek was wide open. It was his first touchdown of the season.
Andy Bailey is warming up to kick a field goal. Georgia also Drew Bulter as an option.
Bailey missed so don’t be surprised if Ben Wilson or Bo Stansill becomes the kicker in the second half.
The score of the Tennessee game has not been announced here. But when it is it will be interesting to see the reaction of the Georgia team. The Bulldogs already appear to have their hands full with Georgia Tech. If something distracts Georgia it could be trouble for the Bulldogs.
Mike Bobo just had his first look at the UK Tennessee game. He didn’t have time to watch the end and went back to the coaches’ box.
Sean Bailey had just added to the long plays at Georgia this year. Bailey hauled in a 55-yard pass. That is the 52nd play for 25 or more yards Georgia has had this season. Southerland punched it in and Bailey made the point after. The kick barely made it through.
Thomas Brown’s 32-yard run was Georgia’s 53rd play of 25 yards or more this season. It was the third touchdown run of 30 or more yards for Brown. He had 50 and 41 yard TD runs against Ole Miss.
It may not be what Georgia fans want to hear, but the Tennessee win could be considered a good thing. The Bulldogs, provided they hang on, are a solid at-large BCS team and would be very attractive for the Orange, Rose or Fiesta bowls.
Number seven sure has been lucky for Georgia.
There were three huge plays that could have turned this game around for Georgia Tech. The first came in the first quarter when Mikey Henderson bobbled a punt only to scramble back and cover it in the end zone for a touchback.
The second huge play for Georgia was a lateral that missed the mark and Morgan Burnett grabbed. Burnett was on his way for a touchdown when Knowshon Moreno knocked the ball out of his hands. Moreno then covered the ball in the end zone for another touchback.
The final big play involved yet another touchback. Mikey Henderson was back once again to field a punt. But he couldn’t grab it before it bounced off the head of Ramarcus Brown. The ball bounded into the end zone and Brown covered it for a touchback.
Keep your hand on the TV clicker
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’ve caught a lot of heat, particularly from fans of teams other than Georgia, about outlining a scenario in which the Bulldogs could play for the national championship this season. And that’s fine. That’s what these forums are for, to give people a place and an opportunity to express their views and opinions.
But as I’m sure many of you guys saw, Step One of that scenario was completed Thursday night as Southern Cal steamrolled Arizona State in Tempe. Since the Sun Devils were ranked one spot ahead of the No. 7 Bulldogs in the BCS rankings, it should follow that Georgia should move up. That would only happen, of course, if the Dogs took care of Step Three, which is to beat Georgia Tech in Atlanta on Saturday (3:30 p.m., ABC).
By halftime of its game, Georgia should know whether or not Step Two was successful. Success, of course, would mean Kentucky was able to beat Tennessee for the first time in 23 years, one of the Giant Ifs in this formula. Those two kick off at 1:30 p.m. (CBS), so Dogs fans watching from home likely will be wearing out the “jump” button on their remotes during the first half of the Tech game. That is, assuming UK-UT is still a game in the second half.
You won’t be able to watch on TV to see if the “Biggest If” in the formula comes through in Georgia’s favor - Step Four: UConn (9-2) defeating No. 3 West Virginia (9-1) at Moutaineer Field. However, ABC may offer you a few glimpses. It is one of three regional games ABC is broadcasting Saturday at 3:30 p.m. (the other one is Oregon-UCLA).
Finally, if all that works in Georgia’s favor - as you can see it would have to be quite a fortuitous day for the Dogs - then UGA fans might be more apt to watch ABC’s 8 p.m. broadcast of No. 2 Kansas at No. 4 Missouri in Kansas City, Mo., rather than ESPN’s 8 p.m. showing of Alabama at Auburn. Missouri over Kansas is Step Five but it’s not an absolutely necessary step. A Jayhawks’ win and then a loss in the Big 12 would serve as an adequate substitute scenario.
The bottom line is this: What a Saturday to be a college football fan and a Georgia fan in particular and watching games at home on television! Never have the Bulldogs had more of a vested interest in what all is going on elsewhere, except of course 1980 when they found themselves rooting for Georgia Tech against Notre Dame (the Yellow Jackets came through with a 3-3 tie for youngsters).
Again, I’m well aware all this is quite a long shot for Georgia and I qualifed that when I first broached the subject. But it is a real possibility and sure is fun to follow.
So which of these steps do you believe are most likely to happen and which are least likely to happen? Anyway the Huskies can handle West Virginia in Morgantown? Can UK break the streak? Can Tech break the streak?
Beats me but you can be sure I’ll be watching on the tube up in Wisconsin. Well, at least after Georgia’s basketball game against the Badgers is over and I’ve filed my story. That’s right. I’m going to miss a lot of it. But you can bet I’ll have multiple browsers open.
C-ya!
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Buck from NW gets best seat in house
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Today’s blog is dedicated to Price Cochran.
Say you don’t know who he is? Yeah you do. He’s better known as “Buck from the Northwest” in this space. He’s one of the most loyal bloggers I know of and, as I’m proud to say, one of the most sensible and even-keeled.
As “Cuz” announced in a small post on the previous blog, Buck passed away yesterday after a yearlong battle with cancer. Now I won’t profess to knowing Mr. Cochran very well though we did exchange a couple of personal e-mails in the past few months.
The most cherished of those I received was when Buck finally got to go to the Georgia-Florida game this year. It was his last wish.
He was so happy to have finally seen in person what all the fuss is about. And then his beloved Bulldogs went out and won one of the more amazing games any of us have ever seen.
Anyway, Buck sent me a link to a “shockwave photo jam” website where the pictures he took during that trip to Jacksonville are posted. “So you can see what one of your bloggers looks like,” he wrote to me then. By the grace of God I saved that e-mail and that link and I’m going to encourage y’all to check it out today:
http://www.shockwave.com/contentPlay/photojam4.jsp?doc=8370657/1193787051681_403.
Meanwhile, I’ll include below the notice from Cuz of Buck’s death. After that I’d say it’s only fitting to make “thankfulness” the theme of today’s blog (I won’t be posting tomorrow but I will on Friday). Let’s keep it Bulldog-based though.
So you guys tell me what about the Georgia Bulldogs you’re most thankful for. You know, Knowshon or Richt or beautiful fall Saturdays or what have you.
And remember to tip your cap toward the sky on Saturday because you know ol’ Buck from the Northwest is going to be looking down on his Dogs as they toil with Tech on the Flats.
Happy Thanksgiving y’all.
Here’s Cuz’s original note:
It is with deep regret that I inform the Bulldawg Nation of the passing of Buck Cochran in the Northwest. Buck has had terminal cancer for over a year and he and I have talked and corresponded for a long time. He was a true friend. a loyal fan, a staunch Matthew Stafford supporter and a defender of Dawg sports from any outside hater. But he also had a love for sports period, especially college ball which enabled him to become great friends with Gen Neyland and an admirer of Wareagle.
Buck never complained about the hand that life had dealt him. He and I were firmly convinced that he was just going to a better place with great seats.
Buck was able to see his beloved Dawgs one last time this year when he attended the beatdown, our turn, in JAX. If some of you remember, I said I knew we would win because I had a good luck charm attending the game. I knew there was no way we would lose Buck’s final game. The dawgs gave him a going away present that he cherished. The trip took alot out of him, but he told me that he would have it no other way.
Our season is not over, we have one tough regular season game left with Tech and a bowl game to go. Buck’s race is done, and he has taken the prize that was waiting for him in the end. I mourn the loss of a good friend, but I celebrate the life of a great man and a true Dawg fan. Buck and Erk will be watching the game together this Saturday. God rest you Buck and save me a seat. I will see you in the bye and bye.
Hoops and Richt’s Tech worries
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I wasn’t exactly sure what might be on everybody’s minds today so let’s just call this a clearinghouse day. I’ll offer some tidbits on a few different things and you guys weigh in on what you want (as if y’all needed my permission where to take a discussion).
Not that anybody cares but I’m exhausted. This is the time of year when basketball overlaps football and then you add in a holiday week and everything just kind of gets compressed (including my brain). Add to that some unexpected storylines — i.e.: Humphrey arrested, Mercer dismissed — and you can see how it can get away from you pretty quickly.
Anyway, I’ve seen a good bit of discussion on yesterday’s blog about Dennis Felton’s decision to kick Mike Mercer off the team so let’s get into that a little. Obviously that’s a major blow to the team from an athletic standpoint. Mercer was the second-leading scorer on last year’s team before going down with a knee injury that forced him to miss the last 10 games of the season. That, by the way, is when he started to get into all that trouble for missing tutorial appointments.
Anyway, it’s all a shame because I think Mercer is a decent person and he’s certainly intelligent beyond the way he may perceived through all of this. I had just talked to him the other day and he was very contrite and forthcoming about his troubles and I was surprised to learn he was actually on schedule to graduate. At the bottom of this file, perhaps I’ll list some of his quotes from that interview because otherwise they won’t see the light of day.
But mainly Mercer is a very good basketball player who would have had — and maybe still will have — professional opportunites. This latest development certainly doesn’t help his situation because, believe it or not, the pros look at character, too. I just hope Mike settles in at another school and gets a degree before he tries to pursue professional money either here or overseas. He has a good family behind him and I’m sure he’ll take the best interest of his little daughter to heart.
I’m sure by now you’ve also seen that Billy Humphrey was reinstated. I’m not surprised at the outcome — I’m a big civil liberties guy and I couldn’t believe UGA and the police did what they did — but I WAS surprised by the swiftness with which the whole thing was resolved. I won’t pretend to have this great insight into who Humphrey is and his guilt or innocence in all this but from what I can tell he’s a good kid that stays on the straight and narrow and a pretty good basketball player as well.
As for football, CMR had his weekly presser today and, the most notable thing about that was how much respect he has for Georgia Tech. Now I know all coaches are going to talk up their opponent the week of the game but it wasn’t until Richt began to run down Yellow Jackets’ list of defensive and special teams national rankings that I really got an idea of how good that club is. I read most of the stuff our guys write on them but I hadn’t really perused Tech statistically and, as Richt said, “they’re scary defensively and on special teams.”
Here’s some of the stats to which he was referring: Rushing (1st ACC, 18th NCAA), quarterback sacks (1st, 1st), tackles for loss (1st NCAA), net punting (1st ACC, 3rd NCAA), kickoff returns (1st, 15th) and kickoff return defense (1st NCAA). The bottom line is this: Tech runs the ball well, plays good defense and has a good kicking game. That’s a winning recipe last time I checked.
OK, here are some Mercer quotes from late last week (obviously before his dismissal):
When did you learn you were suspended 15 games?
“I was told over the summer, in the middle of the summer semester. My first reaction was I was upset about it. My first impression was I was out six and when they told me it was 15, I didn’t think I had missed that many appointmenmts. But you live and you learn. I just look at it as a blessing in disguise, that it will give me time to rehab my knee and come back fresh at SEC time so I can help my team win.”
You’ve been practicing with knee brace right? So you could play right now if not for the suspension?
“I could definitely play right now.”
How in the world could you get to the point that you were suspended for that many games?
“After I got hurt it was hard for me to get around. Having to get from one side of campus to the other and having to be there in 30 minutes was tough. It got to the point where I just wasn’t going to make it anymore. I count most of that to the time I was injured. But that’s no excuse. I should have taken care of my business.”
Were you depressed?
“I wasn’t depressed. I knew I was going to get out there and play basketball again. There was no depression.”
So how are you doing now?
“I’m doing fine in schoolwork. I’m doing real well toward graduation.”
Is it still hard to focus when you’re unable to play in the games?
“No definitely not. My head is into the season. My team’s doing really well and the freshmen are playing good basketball right now. We still have a long ways to go; we haven’t played the really tough competition yet. But I’m going to be ready for when I get back out there because I’ve been working hard rehabbing and with weights and all that. I’m just trying to wait my turn.”
You know there are many out there who don’t think you’ll finish your career at Georgia. Are you still eyeing the NBA or professional ball?
“I’m definitely trying to graduate. I’m not thinking about leaving school early or anything like that. I’m here to be in school and play basketball and I’m trying to do that.”
So exactly when will you return to action?
“Mississippi State.; It’s circled on my calendar.”
What do you think that first game back be like?
“I definitely think it will be a big boost for our team. SEC time is a time when everybody is physically and emotionally drained. I think I’ll be able to step in and be an energy boost off the bench and help my team win.”
How do you get through it in the meantime?
“Just being out there in practice with the guys. I know they need me out to push them in practice to get them where they need to be. Really I’m kind of like a player-coach, just directing the young guys. I’m just trying to help my team win in any way I can. Time’s moving slow right now but I’m sure it’s going to come faster.”
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Believe it or not, national title within reach
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Well, here we are in Week 13 of the college football season and, remarkably, Georgia is sitting at No. 7 in the BCS rankings and No. 6 in the AP poll. Now let’s hear it, who among you saw that coming?
I didn’t. I thought it was possible the Bulldogs could lose as few as two games (I thought three was more realistic) but I never dreamed they would be in this position — Eastern Division champions with SEC and national championships still within their reach.
That’s right; I said national championship. Now let me preface this with, I don’t expect Georgia to either play for and certainly not win the national title. Heck, I don’t even think it’s going to make it to the SEC title game. But, the point it, it IS a possibility.
Don’t think so? Here’s how:
— Kentucky beats Tennessee Saturday to put Georgia in the SEC championship game,and the Dogs beat Georgia Tech to finish the regular season 10-2.
— No. 2 Kansas loses to Missouri this weekend, then Missouri loses to Texas or Oklahoma in the Big 12 title game.
— No. 3 West Virginia (9-1) loses to Connecticut (9-2) in Morgantown on Saturday (I know, this one is a real stretch). The Mountaineers still have Pittsburgh (4-6), too.
— No. 6 Arizona State loses to Southern Cal or Arizona in the next two weeks.
— Georgia beats No. 1 LSU in the Dome to earn the right to meet Ohio State for the BCS national championship.
Crazy as it sounds it’s definitely not beyond the realm of possibility. Here’s the kicker: Just think, if the Dogs take care of business against South Carolina in Week Two then they’re probably already in the think of the national championship hunt.
You can bet that has crossed Mark Richt’s mind. In fact he admitted as much after this past Saturday’s win over Kentucky. He said he pulled out the game tape from the South Carolina the other day and scrolled through it again, “I guess because wanted to see all the plays we missed.”
But there’s nothing the Dogs can do about that now. All they can do is control what’s in front of them and, all of the sudden, all of those possibilities are pretty good. Even if Tennessee wins and they don’t get to the SEC championship, Georgia will be part of the BCS bowl package if it handles Tech on Saturday (that’s another story altogether). And don’t automatically pencil in the Dogs for the Sugar Bowl. President Adams himself was telling me this past Saturday that the Orange Bowl has a great interest in bringing the Georgia folks down to Miami. How would you like that?
OK, what would you say the odds are of the Dogs playing for the national championship? Should they get by Tech would you rather see them take on LSU in the SEC title game or cruise on into a BCS bowl (provided of course the Tigers beat Tennessee)? And if it came down to any of the BCS bowls, would you rather see Georgia in the SEC traditional Sugar Bowl or maybe the Orange or one of the others?
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Dogs did what they had to do
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
That stiff breeze you may have felt in Atlanta was the collective gasp of relief let loose from Georgia’s sellout crowd at Sanford Stadium 65 miles to the East. The turnover prone Bulldogs got away with one here today, ladies and gentlemen, winning 24-13.
Georgia played much the same way it did last year in Lexington when it lost to the Wildcats. The Bulldogs had four turnovers, all of them of the ill-timed variety, and after spending the whole first half playing from behind, could never shake the Cats in the second half. But give Georgia credit. It overcame a lot of distractions to do what it needed to on this day.
There were several key differences in last year and this one, however.
Kicker Brandon Coutu wasn’t injured this time. His 46-yard field goal with 2:09 gave the Dogs the breathing room they needed.
Georgia has Knowshon Moreno this year. He became the first UGA tailback since some guy named Herschel Walker in 1982 to rush for more than 100 yards in five consecutive games. The freshman finished with 124 yards on 22 carries.
The Dogs’ defense is better. They gave up three points in the final three quarters and made fourth-quarter stops this time, as opposed to letting the Cats drive the field like they did at the end of last year’s debacle.
But Kentucky had the Dogs worried the entire day and well they should have been with Andre Woodson under center for the Wildcats. The senior signalcaller didn’t have his typical game but his presence was a constant threat to the Bulldogs. None moreso than when UK trailed by eight points and took over deep in their own territory just under five minutes to play. Tight end Jacob Tamme was wide open in the middle of the field, three steps ahead of linebacker Rennie Curran, and Woodson’s pass was just out of his reach. Otherwise we might have been looking at overtime.
Here’s the most impressive stat of all: With the victory, Georgia has won 70 games in seven season under coach Mark Richt. He’s just the eighth coach in college football history to do that.
Now, let’s see how that Tennessee-Vandy game turns out.
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Soulja Boy defends ‘fun’ tactics
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Just got through sitting down with Mark Richt for his regular Thursday chat with reporters. I always enjoy these sessions because they’re always very relaxed and it’s a day in which we sometimes ask questions that may be a little bit more of an offbeat nature.
Instead of a podium/audience situation, we do the Thursday deal in a conference room of the sports information office and Richt sits at a table with all reporters who cover Georgia regularly.
Earlier today I had done a radio show in Birmingham, Ala., and I was telling Richt about how the hosts had said they had heard from some Auburn fans that thought some of the antics Georgia pulled — the “blackout,” I guess, the deliberate excessive celebration and the dancing to Soulja Boy on the sidelines during home games — lacked “class.” Of course, as I told that radio audience, I just think Richt has discovered what buttons to push with this particular young team and that it seems harmless enough and certainly seems to be working.
Richt was not defensive at all about it but said that they were simply having some fun and he didn’t think either Georgia or its players was being disrespectful.
“I don’t think anybody’s trying to rub something in,” Richt said. “It’s not like that’s the first time that’s ever happened. Teams do that kind of thing all the time when they’re getting ready for a kickoff or something. I’ve seen other teams do their little things. Nobody’s trying to disrespect anybody.”
Richt said he certainly is not paying any attention to such criticism; that he is simply trying to coach up and motivate his team.
“I don’t think you can go through a season without making somebody mad,” he said. “We’re not trying to.”
The funny thing about all that is Richt talked about how his family and his players are trying to get him to learn the Soulja Boy dance so he can do it on the sideline. But it didn’t sound like that’s about to happen.
“I don’t even know how to do the Electric Slide yet, so I don’t know if you’re allowed to jump right into the Soulja Boy dance,” Richt said. “I don’t know if there’s a progression there.”
Anyway I’d like to hear everybody’s thoughts on whether Richt’s methods are grating on opponents.
Also, there’s been some complaints that we haven’t talked enough Xs and Os here lately so I’ll try to get to that just a little.
First of all, the Bulldogs had to practice at 5:30 a.m. this morning because of scheduling conflicts with some academic matters. In retrospect Richt thought it was helpful because the weather was obviously very cool that time of the day and the winds were calm unlike they were during the afternoon. It also offered Georgia the chance to have a little more recovery time before Saturday’s early kickoff (12:30 p.m.).
On that note, Richt is really pleading with fans what are coming to the game to please get there a little early and get into the stadium and to your seats in time for Senior Day, which is slated to begin about 12:15 p.m.
It looks like Georgia is as healthy as it has been all season for this game. Richt said he doesn’t think backup tailback Jason Johnson (neck) will be able to play. Other than that every player not already out with a season-ender should be set to go.
Earlier this week Richt talked about: How last year’s loss at Kentucky should serve as motivation enough for the players; that dropped passes haven’t been an issue of late and that’s a testament to both quarterback Matthew Stafford and the receiving corps; that the team hasn’t been dominant this season but has seemed to be getting hot at the right time. He also lauded Chester Adams, Fernando Velasco, Geno Atkins and Asher Allen and talked a lot about how good Kentucky quarterback Andre Woodson is.
That’s about it in a nutshell. Have at it.
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Basketball signees offer Dogs hope
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’m here in the Beverly Chapman Library of The Wesleyan School in Norcross. I just got through writing a story on Howard “Trey” Thompkins, who was having a signing ceremony here along with two of his classmates. As you should know by now, Thompkins officially signed with the Georgia Bulldogs to play basketball for Dennis Felton. The fact that I’m here covering it should be enough to tell you that this is a big deal.
For what it’s worth, you should know that we don’t generally cover signing ceremonies. It’s more of a friends and family thing and, after all, hundreds of kids sign scholarships and we can’t be at all of them so we usually choose to not go to any of them so as to not offend anyone.
I came here today because Thompkins’ signing with Georgia is a big deal. It’s a big deal in and of itself — he’s rated the No. 7 power forward in the nation — but it’s bigger because of what all has been going on with Georgia basketball the last several years. The ruin that the Jim Harrick scandal left the program in is well documented. But then there has been more recent — and seemingly yearly — setbacks that Felton has endured as he’s tried to rebuild the program on a foundation of hard-nosed discipline and personal responsibility. That has proven his most difficult challenge.
The latest setback was starting guard Billy Humphrey’s shocking arrest Tuesday for possessing a weapon on campus. We’re still trying to get to the bottom of why police had a warrant to search the East Campus Village dorm room Humphrey shares with Mike Mercer (word is they were looking for cannabis). But all they found was a souvenir knife Humphrey collected on his trip to South America this past summer as part of a college all-star team. But because it was deemed a weapon with a blade of more than two inches, Humphrey is facing a felony charge. I don’t see how that could stick, but …
Humphrey’s troubles come on the heels of what at one time was 30-games worth of suspensions to three players for failing to meet the guidelines of Damon Evans’ new academic responsibility policy. Takais Brown has since been dismissed from the team and Mercer (15) and Albert Jackson (6) are now suspended a total of 21 games. This in a year the Dogs appeared ready to make a move in the SEC.
But all that came before Wednesday. Today Felton got the signed letters-of-intent of Thompkins, Dustin Ware and Drazen Zlovaric. They’ll join five other top-notch signees who will have an impact on the Bulldogs as freshmen this season.
Felton is in Year 5 of his toilsome tenure at Georgia. Do you think he’s ever going to be able to round the corner with this program and take it where he’s been saying he is for the past several years? Do you see the last two recruiting classes as signs the Bulldogs are almost there or are you more inclined to focus on the negative news that seems to crop up more often than not?
For what it’s worth, I’ve interviewed all three of Georgia’s basketball signees for this year’s class and they’re all very impressive young men. Thompkins in particular has a big loving family and clearly has benfitted from a private-school education here and at Oak Hill Academy. The Dogs got a good one in him and all three say it’s their intention to change the way people view Georgia basketball. Y’all buying it?
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This time Richt calls for a ‘redout’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
He did it in a sort of tongue-in-cheek way, but Georgia coach Mark Richt calling for a “redout” of Saturday’s game against Kentucky.
“We’ve decided to have a redout,” Richt said during his weekly press conference Tuesday at Stegeman Coliseum. “Everybody wear red. I think they’d do that anyway but it’d be nice if everybody did that Saturday. It’d be nice if everybody got jacked up about wearing red. Maybe we’ll wear black in our pregame warmup and come rushing out of the wearing red. Whatever it takes to get everybody excited, let’s do it.”
Clearly Richt is somewhat concerned about there being a dropoff in atmosphere for this Saturday’s game against Kentucky. Kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m., meaning the Dawg Walk will be at 10:45 a.m.
“I know that sounds early for the Bulldog Nation, but I think we saw last weekend what can happen when everybody gets together and does it right,” Richt said. “The students were up and ready to go even before we started warm-ups and I don’t think that has happened in the seven years I’ve been here. We’d all like to see that happen again.”
Richt opened the press conference by thanking the “Bulldog Nation” for its support of the blackout for the Auburn game. Of course Georgia went on to thump the Tigers 45-20.
“We’ve got recruits still talking about it; all the players are still talking about it; I’m getting all kinds of e-mails and letters and that kind of stuff,” Richt said Tueday. “I think the one thing that everybody was saying was, it wasn’t so much that the players were wearing black jerseys. It was the feeling of the Bulldog Nation coming together and doing something special. That’s the kind of synergy we can have if we all play our part. And it definitely gets the players jacked up.”
So what’s the feeling on a redout? You guys down with that or are you tired of the Bulldogs calling on its fans for external motivation? Are you concerned about a letdown against Kentucky or do you feel the stakes of playing for a share of the SEC East title should be plenty motivation enough?
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What do you make of The New Richt?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Well what a weekend it was. I have to admit, I was surprised by the black jersey thing. I didn’t think Mark Richt had it in him. Too much of a traditionalist. Too conservative, I thought. But that was the old Richt. Obviously aliens have swooped in and overtaken his body.
We knew we’d be seeing a different Richt this year when he made the announcement that he was handing over gameplanning and playcalling duties to his young understudy Mike Bobo. But I don’t think any of us saw coming the radical changes that have resulted.
First you could tell that he was more into the games on the sideline. Then we noticed how he was much more interactive with the referees. We knew for sure we were seeing a new man when Richt ordered the team to run onto the field and get an excess celebration penalty after the first TD in the Florida game.
Now this: An elaborate scheme to simulataneously deceive and involve the public in his decision to let the team wear black jerseys as they have bugged him about for the last five years. Say what you will about it but it was pretty cool the way it came off, at least I thought.
Which brings me to: Carter Strickland is working on story about the transformation of Mark Richt. I think the tentative plans are for it to run this Wednesday. First I wanted to get some discussion rolling on the subject here. I’m sure his recent antics aren’t sitting well with everybody, even some of those in the Bulldog Nation. Either way, I’d like to hear what you think about the new “Great Motivator” Richt.
Secondly, for publication alongside Carter’s story, we want to hear the thoughts and opinions of Georgia fans from the metro Atlanta area about the Bulldogs’ coach. So here’s what I’ll need from you: E-mail me directly at ctowers@ajc.com and tell me what you think of the transformed Richt. Please include your name, address, phone number, occupation and relationship to UGA (such as longtime fan, Class of ‘82, etc.). Be advised that it is VERY important to include your phone number so that we can verify information and/or call with additional questions should we have any.
Your participation is greatly appreciated. In the meantime, feel free to blog away here and let us know what you think about it.
And while we’re at it, let’s talk about the future of the black jerseys. Richt has already said they’ll probably break them out again for the bowl game if they’re fortunate enough to be the home team. You cool with that? What about the future? Would you like to see them utilize them once a year? Save them for special occasions? Put them away forever?
Some of you will be glad to know this is the last I plan to weigh on all things black. At least I hope it is. I will definitely be checking in and responding to (reasonable) posts today. C-ya later.
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They whipped them
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Well there you have it. The black-clad Bulldogs just beat Auburn. Check that, they whipped the Tigers’ butts. Not the whole game, mind you, but when it mattered most. I definitely thought Georgia could win this game but I never dreamed of a final score such as 45-20.
Was it the “Blackout” that did it? Doubtful. As we had into the homestretch of the season, the Dogs are doing it with offense. Saturday represented their third consecutive game in which they scored 40 or more points. To put that into perspective, that hasn’t happened since 1942.
Oh, yeah, and it’s the first time since 1982 Georgia has beaten Florida and Auburn in the same season.
And, it should be pointed out, this came against an Auburn team whose defense came into the game ranked No. 5 in the nation in scoring defense (14.5 ppg). Knowshon Moreno went over 100 yards again — 22 for 101 at last count. That makes him the first Georgia back since Verron Haynes in 2001 to go over the century mark in four straight games.
So what do you think? Are they ready for Kentucky? Is the SEC Championship possible? Are the Bulldogs’ BCS bound?
We’ll see soon enough.
The black mystery continues …
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
OK, I just got through talking to Georgia coach Mark Richt not five minutes ago and I asked him directly: What color jersey is your team going to wear Saturday against Auburn?
This was his answer:
“You’re going to have to refer to any answer I’ve given to this point,” he said. “That’s my comment. I’m tired of the question.”
Of course every answer he has given to this point has been somewhat ambiguous. Thursday he answered in a serious, matter-of-fact tone but not with a frown or a scowl. He even followed it with, “but I like everybody” and a big smile. You have to understand, he prefaced his brief Thursday meeting with the media by saying, “please don’t ask me about the jerseys. I’m not talking about that anymore.” Then, of course, I asked him anyway.
He was, it should be pointed out, dressed in all black.
So what do y’all think? Do you believe the Dogs are going to come out in black jerseys? And what would you think if they did? I know Georgia is all about tradition and, likewise, a lot of its fans are traditionalists. Too gimicky?
Or do you think all this is a ruse or do you think he actually complied with the seniors’ wishes to wear black jerseys and he’s just trying to keep their secret without lying?
Here’s some other tidbits from our short session: Thomas Brown, Kade Weston and Kelin Johnson are going to play. Donovan Baldwin and Quintin Banks are not. That’s all for now.
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Outlook blurry on Dogs’ hoops season
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
We interrupt all this talk about blackouts and old football rivalries to bring you this bulletin: Basketball season has arrived. In fact, it’s right on top of us. The Bulldogs — that’d be both the male and female variety — open the season Friday night in a rare twin bill at Stegeman Coliseum.
Coach Andy Landers’ squad are sort of stumbling into the first game. They suffered a rather unsightly loss to something called the “Premier Team” in their last exhibition Tuesday night. Not sure what to make of that but the Lady Dogs are usually pretty good and I don’t have any reason to think any different.
Now to coach Dennis Felton’s men’s team. I’m sure many of you will recall my discussions of them back in the offseason. I talked about how they finally resembled a real SEC team and that this was their year to make a move in the league, what with Florida and Kentucky in transition and Georgia finally having a full complement of talented players.
Of course, that was before all the news regarding suspensions and dismissals and the like came down. Now leading scorer Takais Brown is gone, second-leading scorer and best overall athlete Mike Mercer is suspended for 15 games (or half the season) and 6-10 center Albert Jackson is out for the first six games. I’m holding my breath that they’ll get to this first game without any further negative developments.
But, as they say, it is what it is. Once again the Bulldogs are going to have to overachieve in what has been the toughest division of the toughest conference in basketball. I will say this: I see much more potential in the 10 scholarship players that will start the season than those I have witnessed in the not-too-distant past.
These freshmen Georgia has brought in are closer to being able to compete on this level than usual and they will have to. The Dogs will have to get major contributions from Jeremy Price, Chris Barne, Jeremy Jacob and Troy Brewer. And a big X factor could be the play of freshman Zac Swansey at point guard. He won’t have to play a bunch behind the warrior Sundiata Gaines but he’ll have to prove a capable stopgap.
So, all that said, what do you guys think the outlook is for the basketball team? Think they’ll make the NCAA tournament? The NIT? No postseason? Do you believe it’s NCAA or else for coach Dennis Felton and his staff?
There has been record season-ticket sales so apparently there is some optimism out there. Let’s hear what you think.
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Dogs’ seniors call for ‘blackout’ on Saturday
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Move over Penn State. The Georgia Bulldogs want a “blackout” for Saturday’s game against Auburn.
Penn State fans are famous for the “whiteouts” of the Nittany Lions’ home games. In other words, every fan in attendance wears white shirts and tops. Consequently the stands at Beaver Stadium are completely awash in white.
Well Georgia’s senior players have requested that the Bulldogs’ fans do the same thing except by wearing black. Head coach Mark Richt brought their wishes to the media gathered for his weekly news conference Tuesday at Stegeman Coliseum.
“The seniors are encouraging the Bulldog Nation to wear black on Saturday,” Richt said dutifully. “I asked them why and they said they thought it would be cool and it would show some unity between the team and the fans.”
Richt said a group of seniors brought the idea to him after practice on Monday. He said he asked them, “what do I tell everybody?” They said, “tell them it’s a sign of unity in the Bulldog Nation.”
“That’s why I’m wearing black today,” Richt quipped, “to get into the spirit.”
The trouble is, there’s not much time to get the word out. Traditionally Georgia fans wear red to games and, if they don’t have black Bulldog garb, will they be able to find it? So time is of the essence.
“It’s a quick turnaround but I hope all the fans get excited about it and do it,” Richt said.
Clearly there is some concern it won’t be pulled of properly:
Said senior tight end Tripp Chandler: “If it’s done right it can be pretty good but everybody’s got to commit to it. Everybody’s got to make sure whatever they bring is black. We can definitely pull it off. We’ve just got to get the word out.”
So there you go. I’m doing my part. What about you?
Are you gonna wear black to the game Saturday? Do you have something black to wear to the game? And do you see the whole movement as a distraction to what is obviously a huge game for both teams?
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History points toward Auburn victory
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’m working on a story this week on the Georgia-Auburn football series. In addition to being the oldest rivalry in the Deep South — been going on 115 years folks — it is also one of the most heartbreaking rivalries you will ever see.
By that I mean, whichever team has the most to lose in any given year usually does. Last year is a perfect example. The Tigers were cruising along, ranked No. 5 in the country, eyeing an SEC Championship and an outside shot at a national title and facing at home a Georgia team that had lost four of its last five games.
So what happens? Georgia thumps them 37-15.
That’s been the tendency over the years. Remember 1997, 1983, 1978, 1971, 1964, 1942? Certainly there have been exceptions. The 2002 and 2004 seasons immediately come to mind. But in the grand scheme of 110 games over 114 years heartbreak has been the overriding theme.
And that’s why this year’s game sets up perfectly for Auburn. At this point, Georgia has everything riding on this game. The Dogs HAVE to win to keep alive their SEC title hopes. The Tigers have possibilities of their own but not quite as much to lose.
I know there are some of you that have witnessed this game even more than I have. Am I crazy or does everything about this game point toward Auburn victory?
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Dogs fortunate to get out alive
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’m not going to say I told you so but … OK, yes I am.
To be exact I think my statement was, “I wouldn’t be surprised if this game was 24-23 either way,” or something to that effect. Well never mind the final score, that’s the kind of game it was. To Georgia’s benefit, the rest of the nation will see the final score of 44-34 from Saturday’s non-televised game and say to themselves, “Looks like Georgia handled Troy pretty well.”
Well, only 90,000 or so were here at Sanford Stadium to see it but those that were and those that followed it closely via radio or online know full well the Bulldogs were fortunate to come out on top in this one. Troy rolled up over 400 yards offense and that’s certainly a concenter. And early on at least, it looked like the Trojans were going to take advantage a mistake-prone Georgia team. The Bulldogs had three turnovers by halftime and committed several costly penalties and found themselves trailing a couple of times.
But the Bulldogs buckled down and did what they had to do. In their defense, these are hard games to play, guys. Early on I was reminded of three other such contests I witnessed, UAB in 2003, Central Florida in 1999 and Wyoming in 1998. What do those games have in common? Well, besides Georgia winning by slim margins, they all came against good non-conference opponents sandwiched between big conference games (LSU and Alabama in 1998 and ‘99 and Vanderbilt and Florida in 2003).
Troy is a really good team that will win its league and play in a bowl game. Georgia needs to walk away from this one taking nothing from it other than, “glad we won that one,” and get ready for Auburn. A lots at stake for the Dogs from here on.
That’s my impression. What’s yours?
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Everything is still possible for Dogs
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
TGIF and hope you guys have a great weekend planned. You might want to start with coming to Athens for the Georgia-Troy game because it won’t be on TV and it promises to be a doosie. I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if Georgia won 24-23 or lost by a similar score. I’m not saying the Bulldogs’ level or vice-versa. It’s just that where the game falls and in the grand scheme of things I think it’s going to be hard for Georgia to come out and play real well and, conversely, I think the Trojans will be motivated like it’s their national championship game. All that said I still think the Dogs will take care of business but I wouldn’t show up expecting a blowout.
Sorry about no blog yesterday. I actually did one but, in my slammed state yesterday I forgot to notify our online folks to post it. Consequently it never saw the light of day. It was short and lame anyway. I was trying to come up with a cool nickname for Knowshon Moreno. I’ve seen “Special K” and “No-Mo” among others so I thought it’d be fun to see if we could come up with something better. Feel free to weigh in on that if you must.
Today I wanted to do the very thing that coaches absolutely hate for people to do and that is to look ahead. The Bulldogs have four games left and, believe it or not, every goal they had in the preseason is still possible. That’s amazing to me considering how badly they playeed against South Carolina and Tennessee. Losing to the Gamecocks at home — and I still think the Dogs were the better team — at this point will prove to be the bothersome splinter Georgia just can’t get rid of.
But, looking forward, the Dogs could very realistically run the table (acknowledging that Auburn will be a war as usual). Of course they would still need Tennessee to lose to either Arkansas, Vanderbilt or Kentucky in order to make it to the SEC Championship Game. But not making it to the Dome might not be the worst scenario for Georgia.
Think about it: Should LSU handle Alabama Saturday, run the table and represent the West in Atlanta, the Tigers would remain the highest-rated team in the SEC and a favorite to win the SEC title. I don’t think LSU would be a good matchup for Georgia or any other East team for that matter.
So maybe the best scenario is for Georgia and Tennessee to tie for the Eastern Division title and then for the Vols go to Atlanta and get their butts kicked by LSU. The Dogs already are the second-highest rated team in the league. If LSU somehow gets a berth in the BCS championship game, it’s not unrealistic that Georgia would also get a BCS bid and land in a very good bowl.
Granted, a lot has to happen between now and then, not the least of which is Georgia taking care of business against Troy this weekend. I’m not being delusional here. I still see the Bulldogs as a very flawed team and one that’s extremely fortunate to be where they are at the moment. But they are where they are and crazy things happen in this game, especially this season.
What do y’all think?
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