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AJC > Sports > UGA > Blog > Archives > 2008 > September > 13 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USWinning the hard way … in the SEC
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Did the Georgia team that limped out of Columbia with an SEC win Saturday look like a potential national champion?
Well, yes and no.
It was a typically ugly, low-scoring Bulldogs-Gamecocks game that certainly didn’t see UGA firing on all cylinders, either offensively or defensively. Georgia’s offense, in particular, never could seem to get into rhythm. But if an SEC team is going to win the national title while playing in a conference that is much tougher top to bottom than the Pac 10, Big 10 or Big 12, it’s going to have ugly wins and even have to have a bit of luck here and there. Georgia reached that benchmark Saturday.
It was an SEC victory (no small accomplishment on any day) against a team that may have underperformed offensively to date despite having Steve Spurrier as its coach but which boasts one of the best defensive fronts in the nation. The South Carolina defense is probably as tough as any we’ll face this season.
That said, the Dawgs certainly aren’t yet playing at the level they’re going to have to reach and sustain in order to take home that crystal football at the end of the season.
The main problem areas: too many penalties, including those that stymied Georgia drives (like an illegal snap on third-and-goal at the 1-yard line) and those penalties that gave the Cocks first downs (six Carolina drives Saturday were extended by flags thrown on the Dawgs). As Coach Richt said after the game, that shows a lack of discipline as a team and “sooner or later it’s gonna bite us.” … Last year’s S.C. game bugaboo, dropped passes, returned, with Tripp Chandler muffing two on third-down plays and Kris Durham bobbling a TD throw. … The past two games have shown the Georgia defense pretty much incapable of putting pressure on a quarterback without blitzing. The down linemen just aren’t getting any traction. That was the case against Central Michigan and, as Richt said, in this game “nothing changed.” … The Dawgs’ run-blocking and pass protection continue to be spotty. Knowshon Moreno was stuffed too many times. After gaining eight yards on first down on a fourth-quarter drive (when all they had to do was get another first down to ice the game), the Dawgs couldn’t get those last two yards. And Matthew Stafford was sacked four times. It was particularly disturbing to see two of those sacks come on almost identical corner blitzes. … Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo couldn’t resist trying (unsuccessfully) for a big strike downfield when what he needed to do was eat clock. I thought he’d outgrown that.
So, it was a win, and an SEC win at that. But as Moreno said after the game, the Dawgs have “got a lot of stuff to work on.”
BULLDOG BITES: Among the good things about the game, Georgia allowed just 18 rushing yards and came up with a couple of key turnovers that sealed the win. … Moreno had a 32-yard punt return, though the resulting drive faltered. I wouldn’t want to see him back there on a regular basis because of the injury potential, but it’s a nice weapon to have in the arsenal. … You gotta love seeing Stafford scamper for big runs on those QB keepers. Unfortunately, we went to that well one time too often. It’s also great seeing Stafford throwing blocks for Moreno. It’s a team thing that will pay off down the road. … Drew Butler’s attempt at a pooch punt likely would have been more successful if it wasn’t his first time ever on the field as a Bulldog. Why didn’t they use him in one of the earlier games? … You got the feeling CBS’ Verne Lundquist and Gary Danielson have never seen a football player cramp up before, the way they were carrying on when that happened to Stafford in the fourth quarter. … That 50-yard pass to MoMass thrown off the back foot by a scrambling Stafford may have been caught out of bounds, but it was graphic evidence of what a phenomenal arm he has. And the 39-yard pass to A.J. Green was a big-time catch of a big-time throw. … A 77-yard punt? Wow, that could have been a game-clincher had it not been followed by Georgia lapsing into loose zone coverage that allowed S.C. to come zipping back down the field. Thank goodness they choked. … I’d love to hear Coach Fab’s rationale for those ridiculously short kickoffs he favors. Kick coverage obviously isn’t one of our strengths, so why not just stick it in the end zone?
Comments
By GTYJ
September 14, 2008 12:01 AM | Link to this
USCar is not a good team. No matter how you want to slice or spin it.
UGA may very well be in the NCG, but they sure as hell didn’t look like a top 25 team today.
By BjohnDawg
September 14, 2008 12:37 AM | Link to this
GTYJ,
I got news for you…VA tech is not a good team. And neither is the Jackets.
South Carolina would beat either one.
Ugly win for uga. Okay and Florida won a national championship by beat SC 17-16 when SC missed a field goal for the win.
National Championship teams find a win to win. LSU last year won a game in OT..who was that? I dont recall.
No team blasts every team, every game. To much parity in College football today.
UGA they played like crap. But still won. So the Dawgs will get better, or the dream will die. Simple as that.
PS….the short kick offs sux. Stop that nonsense and just kick the damn thing.
By pdawg
September 14, 2008 12:49 AM | Link to this
Last year we lost to SC in a game that we made a lot of mistakes….couldnt move the ball….didnt do that well on defense either….we lost the game. I personally wrote the team off after that game but guess what happens…. Ga. become the team nobody wanted to play by the end of the season. I will say they will work on their weakness and come out stronger and keep getting better. We won…lets go onto AZ and get another win. Its a win that matters. Just stay in the top ten and win the SEC and a national championship is a possibility. Go dawgs
By GTYJ
September 14, 2008 1:01 AM | Link to this
Hmm, I don’t seem to recall mentioning either VT or GT in this topic. As either one’s status has absolutely nothing to do with USCar sucking.
As far as an ugly win is still a win, sure go on and look at it that way. It’s technically true. But I sure as hell hope UGA players and staff don’t see it that way, or otherwise UF will do to them what USC did to OSU, you know the team you knocked on last week about an ugly win.
As far as GT being a good team, we shall see won’t we. No use throwing out moronic statements this early in the year right?
But good luck the rest of the way, hopefully your teams views aren’t akin to your own. I, unlike most of the GT fanbase, wish UGA well in games not against the yellow jackets.
By alabamadawg
September 14, 2008 1:14 AM | Link to this
USC has some great studs playing and can beat anybody in the country…UGA has some great studs playing and can beat anybody in the country…Go Dawgs!!! Boy what talent in the SEC!!! Go GT too… I’m a nice fan
By FLA DAWG
September 14, 2008 1:14 AM | Link to this
Whenever a Dawg Fan complains about the performance of our team many other Dawg Fans call them Bandwagon Whiners. Well,only a dumb cow follows the herd to the slaughterhouse. We “whiners” are not afraid to observe and comment on the truth.
You can’t make chicken salad from chicken s** - we were lucky to win today. I hope like he!! we learn and grow from this otherwise teams like Arizona State, Alabama & LSU will eat our lunch.
You can bet your butts Richt is telling his players the same thing.
By blitkrieg is back!
September 14, 2008 1:48 AM | Link to this
Will somebody PLEASE GET THE ALUMNI TO CALL FOR THE BLITZ! I MEAN REALLY! THAT IS THE SECRET TO THE SEASON. WILLIE MARTINEZ SHOULD STOP BEANING A WEAKLING AND GET THE BOYS BLITZING. WATCHING THE GAME WAS LIKE HOPING TO DODGE BULLETS HELPLESSLY! DID Y’ALL FEEL THE SAME? BLITZKRIEG OR BUST BULLDAWG NATION! GO DAWGS, SICK EM’ AND SICK WILLIE! GET HIM TO BLITZ! GOD BLESS GEORGIA!
By pj
September 14, 2008 1:48 AM | Link to this
As UNLV proved, by beating ASU in OT tonight and potentially ruining an ESPN gameday visit next Saturday - anyone can beat anyone on any day. UGA didn’t have it today. Penalties, drops, lack of blitz pick ups… but…
we won.
USC got beat by Stanford last year… USC is an amazing football team. Look, we made the plays we needed to make in the most clutch situations. We didn’t start throwing interceptions or get gashed for big drives. We held an SEC team to 18 yards rushing.
South Carolina is going to beat Tennessee, mark my words.
A win on the road is a great thing - especially this season. Let’s call it what it was - a tough lesson learned - and move on to ASU. We won the f’n game folks…
Those of you b*** about details… remember that we didn’t win this game at HOME last year… count your blessings, shut up and hunker down for next week.
By Chatthills Jacket
September 14, 2008 6:33 AM | Link to this
I did not see 1 Heisman Caliber Player much less 2 on the field today. No Blitzing and Smelley still passed for 270 yards. Yes, Carolina only rushed for 18yds. but they had 37 more total yards and 52 fewer penalty yards. Thanks for the turnovers or this may not be a win.
By 82DAWG
September 14, 2008 8:25 AM | Link to this
Um blitkrieg, you will live and die with the blitz. When you blitz all the time it exposes the secondary to easy completions if the blitzers can’t get to the QB quickly enough. Our defensive success the past few years has been predicated on pressuring the QB with the four man DL rush. Simply stated, they are just not getting it done this year. There are just no Pollacks, Johnsons, Howards or Moses this year.
By tbone
September 14, 2008 8:56 AM | Link to this
Can we just get rid of Willie. He has no clue.
By AltamahaDawg
September 14, 2008 9:39 AM | Link to this
You’ve got t be kidding to think we TRY to kickoff short like that. If that was a favorite plan, why on earth would they be bringing and playing a walk on freshman to try to do something different, after saying all week they were not pleased with it.
By CDawgs8
September 14, 2008 10:24 AM | Link to this
Dawg Fans.. Stop complaining about the defense.. we allowed an SEC team to score only 7 points. Apparently Willie knows what he is doing! Yes, we are not getting enough pressure with our lineman but that was our problem last year when we lost early and we won this week! Penalities are the thing we need to worry about… not our defense!
By madisondawg
September 14, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this
dawgs will get slammed by Fla-LSU-Auburn probably Tenn CMR needs to stick to coaching and cut out the TV ads. He does not have control of this football team. They think they are a lot better than they are. That game should not have been on CBS it was embarrassing!
By AltamahaDawg
September 14, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this
FLA DAWG, I have been reading this blogs for years and I have YET to see anyone accused of being disloyal for fair and accurate critique about a performance. I have seen that proactively defensive mantra of “dont call me a bandwagoner” a hundred times however by folks (not saying you, but whoever it is that you are defending) that just prefer to “complain” without really having anything constructive. Complaints are fine but thats all they are. Why is somebody a homer or a dumb cow, if they choose to be more analytical. The attitude I see in here that I dont get is somehow if you DON”T get pizzed every game, you aren’t smart. Or at least not smarter than a football coach.
Why are you preaching about truths, and slaughterhouses? Did I miss somebodies suggestions to improve the teams play that were treated rudely somewhere?
By dawgforlife
September 14, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this
Kicking it short of the end zone IS the Georgia coaching staff’s philosophy. Kevin Butler, who disagrees (and whose son is our backup punter), has talked about this a lot on the radio. The reason they’ve been dissatisfied with Walsh’s kicks is his HANGTIME. They want more time for the coverage to get down there. That’s why they tried the walk-on. But the point made is that even if the kick goes where it’s supposed to, it’s still contingent on our coverage stopping the returner, and that’s sometimes a big IF. Why not just stick it in the end zone (which Walsh is fully capable of doing) and settle for a touchback. Seems a lot better idea to have opponents start on their 20 instead of closer to their 40, as has often been the case.
By Chatthills Jacket
September 14, 2008 11:17 AM | Link to this
Tech fan that hates how some of our fans just talk CRAP on your site, sorry. That being said a poster said what I said differentally. Tenuda lived and died with the BLITZ. You did not blitz much and still could not cover the passes and that don’t look good. We tried to cover/hide weak DB’s buy blitzing and getting to the QB quick and if we didn’t we got burned and dead tired by the 4th qtr. Selected Blitzes are ok but don’t sellout your DBs. You guys did look bad in this game. ASU lost but, that should not make you guys happy. CMR and Willy need go get the kids focused better for next week. 146 passing and 79 rushing for your 2 Best players is not good when most top 10 teams were putting up 30 or more points. Good LUCK see you TURKEY DAY WEEKEND.
By ace harris
September 14, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this
Georgia will never win a national title under Richt. He has one glaring weakness, he gets too enamored with his assistant coaches. A primary example was callaway. He was a horrible line coach and a worse asst. head coach. yet he would still be there if he hadn’t left on his own {then there would be no Searles} do you realize Richt has never fired a coach at Ga.? Neither Martinez nor Bobo are qualified for their position. Georgias secondary is terrible and that is the position Martinez coaches; they can’t tackle and they can’t cover me! If you want to see how defenses are schemed check out USC or Oklahoma. I don’t know for the life of me why Martinez is so afraid of blitzing everybody doe’s it but Ga. Mark {no pun intended} my word Ga. is a long way from a national championship as long as Richt is happy with the status quo.
By AltamahaDawg
September 14, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this
I guess I wasnt very clear. I dont mean that its not a philosophy to kick it short of the goal line. It is. Bill assersion was we TRY to kick it “rediculously” short.
There arent even NFL kickers that can consistantly kick it into the endzone every time from the (new placement this year) 30. I agree IF that were an easy solution, OBVIOUSLY that’s what they would do. The problem is trying to do that, coming up short, the last thing you want is the ball advanced up the middle, where the biggest seam is always going to be. What I’ve heard coaches say is that is the worse case possible.
Last year when we did kick it to the correct placement, just short of the goal, to one side, it was very effective.
The other thing I have noticed is watching others teams, Sat and Sun, is that its not going deep in the endzone very often. So its either not that easy, or strategy.
I read this past summer, when the new rule came out, that the average KO went to the 4 yrd line, and is now expected to go to the 9. (makes sence). I think the issue is that we are 5-7 yrds short of that average. Sounds like a freshman to me.
We arent doing a very good job. My point is that its most probably NOT due to coaches lack of understanding what our capabilities are right now.
By The Ole Ball Coach
September 14, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this
Ugly win for uga. “Okay” and Florida won a national championship by beating SC 17-16 when SC missed a field goal for the win. How poetic!
By quitmandog
September 14, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this
A win is a win is a win,I hope we can win the rest of our games by a touchdown.And all of you that are saying the cocks are not any good,must have watched another game.We did not play very good,but I think the cocks will beat some good teams.Go Dogs
By Don
September 14, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this
Bill King, you pretty much hit the nail on the head. The only thing that I would add is that Moreno did not get enough touches on running plays, passing plays and kick/punt returns. Can’t believe that he did not return another punt after his great punt return at the beginning of the game. I remember when Champ Bailey played for Georgia it took them a while before they figured out that if they wanted to win games they had to get the ball in his hands. Same goes for Moreno. Give Moreno the ball enough and he will break a big one take it to the house. Another player that should get the ball more is A.J. Green. None of the catches he made in this game were as easy as the ones dropped by Tripp “Butterfingers” Chandler and Kris Durham. Durham’s catch was not a tough one like some have argued. It hit him right on the numbers! Bobo’s play calling was awful. The worst I have seen it since he became OC. How many deep balls did he have Stafford throw? Stafford had 10 incomplete passes. Four of them were dropped and the other 6 were deep passes. There was certainly a lack of short and mid range passes. That bugs the crap out of me because Stafford was dead accurate on his short and mid range passes yesterday.
On the other side of the ball. South Carolina would have won this game if they would have started to throw the ball to their Tight End at the beginning of the game. It must be noted that USC’s tight end can catch the ball! Willie Martinez had not plan to cover him and once it became apparent that USC was going to throw the ball to him Georgia continued to try and cover him with Line Backers.
Not much of what Georgia did today made any sense. Gotta blame that on the coaches. With that said, this game has become the bump in Georgia’s road every season and they never look very impressive during this game each year. They have cleared the bump in the road and I think the future looks brighter now.
Go Dawgs!
By 74 Dawg
September 14, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this
Congrats to Carolina on a gutsy, tough game . They probably played their best game of the season . That said,they showed the Dawgs where they need some work - Def end, and offensive line. Both should improve game to game. The loss of Sturdivant looks HUGE at this moment,but the guys there now will just have to improve as they get more experience. That said, they look a little lite to take on Alabama’s mountain and foothills right now. Stafford will have to win that one for us, or the defense. And,just asking, but why is it we always seem to get teams after a tough loss,w/ their backs to the wall ?
By AltamahaDawg
September 14, 2008 3:04 PM | Link to this
I guess the fact that our coaches actually said in an article last week how good it was to have Dewberry back to cover the SC TE who had 100 yards last week, a was one of thier best weapons, is what lead you to beleive that they “had not planned” to cover him. BTW, we have some of tha fastest LB in the conference, who would you have covered him with?
By NikkiFree
September 14, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this
Boy! I know a win is a win but Sutherland, Owens, and Sturdivant’s absence was very obvious.
Also, FEED THE GREEN coach Bobo. A.J. Green deserves to get the ball more. After all, he is actually holding on to it. A rare commodity for us right now.
By Dawgbyte
September 14, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this
An “ugly” win is infinitely better than a “pretty” loss. Just don’t let either become a habit.
By Oledawg
September 14, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this
All the penalties yds were not deserved. You can easily subtract 50 yds from the total and discuss the issue. More discipline, yes, but not the overiding issues that the numbers imply. We were homered, plain and simple.
The Dawgs didn’t lose another player to injury which means we are better conditioned than most people think. I just don’t know how Moreno stays healthy with the cuts he makes and the licks he takes. He’s the persona of Walter Payton or “Sweetness”. We should call him El Dulce (The Sweet). He is so not into himself, the epitome of sweetness in a person. The Gameday tribute to him by ESPN made up a little for the attempted railroading last week.
Now, I want to hear what is going to happen to Rome for calling CMR a “pimp” last week. Does anyone know the advertisers on Rome is Burning? Please post them where we can dump our frustrations in their laps if we don’t hear from ESPN. He should not get away with inserting politics into college football. He gets more aggressive when he gets away with it. If you are not from UGA, then your school and coach can be next because power corrupts absolutely , especially in a tv idiot. His e-mail is:jimrome@espn.com. Does anyone have his bosses’ e-mail? Please post.
By animaldr
September 14, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this
The sky is not falling!
The defense and WM gave up 7 points! Too many pass yds in the second half. Real problem is QB pressure.
Don’t worry too much about the offense. This SC defense is very good. OL needs to grow up.
Stupid penalties need to end. Drops need to end. Better game plan- yes.
But don’t forget we have won 10 in a row. Nine by double digits.
GO DAWGS!
By Which is it?
September 14, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this
Its strange to me that Our 4 star recruits on defense cant get pressure against offensive line walkons and 2 star players.Then other teams are pressuring ours Qb with no problem. Is it coaching or is the players really not 4 stars players? Both must be bust!
By spike
September 14, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this
Ugly. But give the Cocks credit. They really battled and always play us tough. Gators,Vols,LSU beware!! The Cocks will beat at least one of you. You have been warned.
By is there a rift among UGa Coaches
September 14, 2008 4:22 PM | Link to this
The CBS boys noticed Willie Martinez Chewing out John Fabris with the poor special teams play and had to waste a Time Out. Seemed it happened last week too that Martinez got in John Fabris’s Face. Are the Dawgs confused on who is supposed to be on the field? Seems people are starting to point fingers at one another and this is gonna spell trouble for the dawgs.
By mdawg
September 14, 2008 5:05 PM | Link to this
I agree Spike, wouldn’t be surprised if Cocks finish 8-4. As for all the other B.S., no need to worry about it. Our guys need to take this game, correct mistakes, and continue to improve each week. Focus each week and win ‘em and we’ll be in BCS game b/c our schedule. We are playing with a young o-line most of which have never played vs SEC competition. SC might have the best D-line and overall def we will face all year & even though we struggled and didn’t look good we won and that’s what we can take from this game. It cost us dearly last year but we continued to improve for the most part and we have to do the same this year and our coaches will have to get the job done. Biggest areas for improvement are penalties, kick offs/kick coverage sux, and no pass rush up front. Got to believe if line stays healthy they will continue to improve and give Staff better protection.
By 79BullDawg
September 14, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this
At this rate we’ll be undefeated and ranked 12th by the time we play Tech. At least we have Roads Scholars.
By Syd
September 14, 2008 5:50 PM | Link to this
USC and OU will be double digit favorites in every one of their remaining games (can Mizzou really play on the same field with the Sooners?). UGA could run the table and still be playing Eastern Carolina in their BCS game.
By Bulldog Bill
September 14, 2008 6:15 PM | Link to this
“It’s not like (they)were some big tough team or anything. After all, they did lose to Vandy…” -Steve Spurrier
By spike
September 14, 2008 6:28 PM | Link to this
mdawg.. It is great to see Spurrier losing it before our very eyes, isn’t it?
By Cuz
September 14, 2008 6:40 PM | Link to this
I hope we have Road scholars this weekend when we play in Tempe. Apparently the loss by a team before we play them makes them more dangerous. If SC plays the rest of their games like they did us, they will win more than they lose. Having so many players on their team from the state of Georgia really motivates Carolina to play us hard.
I prefer an ugly win to a moral victory. We get the win and SC gets the moral victory. I think next year during the game I am gonna keep a paramedic on standby.
Congradts to a gritty performance by the gamecocks. As usual, it was not over till it was over.
Yes I know it is Rhodes.
Not time for the fire everybody group to start up. Besides, it gets tiring to read the fire, insert name, just because the offense or defense did not play up to your expectations. I expected to win, well we did, but by a lot less points than I thought, I was wrong. Not somebody else’s fault for my delusions of grandeur.
By Jay
September 14, 2008 6:45 PM | Link to this
I think that unless you suffer a loss, then you should not move down in the rankings based on 1 game. It is ridiculous that we beat a SEC team that has one of the best defensive lines in the country but still got bumped. It does not make any sense to me. After 2 games or more, if we are barely getting the W, then it would be logical to move us down. Unless Missouri beats Oklahoma, then I doubt if we will be in the NC, even if we run the table and win the SEC Championship. We can’t get any love from pollsters.
By Honest Mark is a ref
September 14, 2008 6:53 PM | Link to this
between his assistants …that seem to want to agrue…funny!
By FLA DAWG
September 14, 2008 7:58 PM | Link to this
AltahmahaDawg,
You must have missed a few weeks of reading this site last season when fans were screaming for Bobo to open the offense and Martinez to tighten up the D. And the response from many fans was to label these fans as bandwagon whiners and traitors. If the archive from last season is available go back and check.
Bill King fairly stepped in and commented that just because many fans are expressing their outrage over problems with the team that did not make them any less loyal Dawg Fans.
I’m a ‘79 alum and love The Dawgs. I cheer for them win or lose. But any fan has a right to complain about inadequate gameday preparation and lousy play calling. Read the article on this site about how Richt and the other coaches were telling the players all week long how this would be a close game and it could easily come down to one key play. Well, if you tell someone that long enough they believe it and even create it.
We were lucky to win this one - not because of lack of effort or talent on our side but because of poor preparation and playcalling.
By Rabiddawg
September 14, 2008 8:04 PM | Link to this
Ok, one thing that is burning me up is the fact that we constantly get no love. We keep dropping when we win. The so called experts say that GA southern and Cent Mich hurt us. If that is the case why is Missouri deserving of praise? Wooo they beat Southeast Missouri State, Nevada, and uh oh, what out this week for mighty Buffalo. Please give me a break. All I ask is consistency in the polls. Fla wins against USC in 2006 when USC missed a field goal that would have won. Fla was #1 at the time and guess what, they stayed #1. BS.
By wreckmaniac
September 14, 2008 8:26 PM | Link to this
UGA does have Road Scholars and RoadKill Scholars and Rode Scholars and Rowed Scholars but,alas, no Rhodes Scholars.
By DOGGIE
September 14, 2008 8:57 PM | Link to this
Yea boy, that was a real power house the Sooners layed out - Washington will be lucky to win 2 games this year! I believe northern jealousy is showing - they want to put us in our place. IF we do manage to run the table undefeated and win the SEC championship, they have to move us back up - in their own words, we have the hardest schedule in the nation. Yea, sure they will - bunch of HOMERS! GO DOGGIES! JUST WIN BABY!
By Cuz
September 14, 2008 9:03 PM | Link to this
wreck, that was great. Do you right comedy for a living? If so you might want to analyze your career choice.
FlaDawg so long as we can disagree without being disagreeable. Heck all Alt and I are talking about is the fire, insert name, they suk. Questioning plays, schemes, even players inserted in certain situations is what we think is quality analysis. Alt and I have no problem with that. And I know that I am speaking for Altamaha without consultation, but I cannot stand the fire, insert name, because the coach did not do what I wanted. To me, that is whining. Pointing out plays, schemes, that is analysis and bring it on.
It appears I am being redundant in my redundantcy. Apologies on my part.
By Cuz
September 14, 2008 9:21 PM | Link to this
Ah the heck with the polls. We are 1-0 in the SEC east. Just get us back to Atlanta baby and the rest, well I am not going to measure CMR by how many crystal footballs reside in the Butts-Mehre building. I will measure him by how many more SEC Champs flags fly around the top of the stadium. Just my opionion.
By Denver Dawg
September 14, 2008 9:34 PM | Link to this
The “spin” doesn’t stop here.
South Carolina is not a good team. Georgia looked like sh1t on Saturday. Period. Would you guys just man up and say it.
CMR asked, “The question is, are we going to take care of business? The answer is: NO.
By Rabid Dawg
September 14, 2008 10:06 PM | Link to this
Just enjoy good ole SEC football and let them second tier conferences argue. 3 weeks in SEC 26-6 PAC 10 14-14. I think they teach math out west.
By Dr. Morpheus
September 14, 2008 11:02 PM | Link to this
Don’t forget that the past 2 years SEC teams barely made it into the BCS championship game and played a team that had run over a lot of weak opposition. Florida was not supposed to have a prayer to beat Ohio State. LSU was felt to be evenly matched with them. The SEC has big time credibility because of the job those teams did on Ohio State. An ugly SEC win means a lot more than a blowout over a PAC-10 team or Big 10 team. And I sat up to watch Arizona State get beat by UNLV (in football, not roundball). I hate to play them on the road after they took an embarassing loss but they didn’t impress me on D.
By Pewtus Gortsler 65
September 14, 2008 11:20 PM | Link to this
Cloedus Bivins had a sudden urge of the Jolley Trots and made her way to pound the porcelain at the Brice. Unknowingly she encountered long lines and the heat was draining. I continued to drink my coke and dark liquor on the upper deck giving Gamecock people Hell. Go Dawgs ………Pewtus
By Georgia Sucks
September 14, 2008 11:44 PM | Link to this
Georgia schitz eaters is just like the SEC OVERATED!! In two weeks the leghumpers won’t be in the top 15. Bet on it dumb ugay rednecks.
By THWGT
September 15, 2008 1:34 AM | Link to this
Why does the AJC insist on having a damn Yellow Jacket dart across every article I view on the GEORGIA page obscuring it for 5 seconds? Shouldn’t it be obvious that is annoying to UGA fans?! No, I don’t want to buy 4 tickets to a GT game with 4 slices of pizza, 4 drinks, a parking pass, and free programs for $99.
By FLA DAWG
September 15, 2008 7:16 AM | Link to this
Cuz,
Fair enough - and well said.
By AltamahaDawg
September 15, 2008 7:44 AM | Link to this
If you look back and compare the extremes on both ends: folks who say nothing can ever be wrong and to saying so makes you a bandwagoneer,(which would be a pretty odd use of that term anyway) and the nothing is ever right, and if you ever look at the positives, you are stupid, crowds, I think you will find the latter is 10-1 and much more vocal and idiotic. I’ve never understood the need to defend that. Just let folks speak for themselves. Frankly I think the leverheaded poster expressing fair observations and concerns, have never needed defending. The cronic complainers ARE everything they get accused of and why do we care..
Incidentally, for me I would never call anyone disloyal or the like, I just respond in disagreement with amateur and often incorrect assessments. I invite and look forward to thier responces.
The folks who DO label each other in here, one way or the other, aren’t likely to care what you say or what Bill said last year. Haven’t you figured that out yet?
By bull-gator
September 15, 2008 7:52 AM | Link to this
In the SEC a win is a win. Sure, the game was ugly for both teams on both sides of the ball. But, UGA won and that’s what matters. I get so sick and tired of these media idiots hyping the Big 10. The SEC will be represented in the BCS National Championship game. The question is which team? It could be Georgia, Florida, LSU, Auburn, Tennessee or Alabama. Bring on the Trojans!
By Jeff Patton
September 15, 2008 8:04 AM | Link to this
USC will go with out any real competition until it is too late against the SEC!
By john adams
September 15, 2008 8:17 AM | Link to this
a non-bias opinion, southern cal would beat uga or uf by 4 touchdowns.
By Texas Dawg
September 15, 2008 8:53 AM | Link to this
I felt sick Saturday after we won…not cause we won but becuase of the way we played. Yea, I know a win is a win and SC is an SEC school. I still feel like we didn’t look like a top 10 team. Do we think other coaching staffs did see the issues we had. Biggest issue…No pass rush with the D-Line…#2..o-line…looks great against d2 schools…poor agaisnt the first d1 school we play..#3..penalties…I understand that champoin teams win some close games…just expected the close games to be to the likes of LSU or FLA…not SC..Go Dawgs and Crush Arz
By Dawgsrule
September 15, 2008 9:13 AM | Link to this
Texas dawg. You need to pay attention to the SEC if you think that. Heck we lost his game last year and still blew out UF, & Auburn. In 1980 when we won the NC we won this game by 3 points. In 2006 when UF won the NC they beat SC by 1 point because SC missed the game winning field goal. I think this game was a huge learning experience for our entire team. I thought our defense looked outstanding besides penalties. Even with the penalties they still held SC to one score. I hpoe the dawgs do come out on the winning side of a few more close hard fought battles like this one before the season is over. That way they will be prepared for tight games. USC(trojans) has only had 1 tight game in 2 years and they lost it to Stanford. Their players don’t know what to do when someone hits them in mouth and they have win a close game. If we won this game last year we might of had a BCS NC right now. Bottom line is we still look better than last year when we finished #2. If people out there think we are going to blow everyone away then they better wake up. You don’t win the SEC without playing tough close games. Finding a way to win is what makes a champion.
By Football Guy
September 15, 2008 9:21 AM | Link to this
Hahahahahahahahahaha hahahahahahahahahaha hahahahahahahahahaha hahahahahahahahahaha!
By Dawg Fud
September 15, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this
my thoughts…
time to go to the depth chart for tight end position. Chandler is wretched.
i thought Bobo called a good game in the first half. we had the matchups we wanted, called the right plays, and simply did not execute. we missed some big play opportunities. however, Bobo has still not learned to grind the ball out to win a game. of course, richt never did this either when he was calling plays.
spurrier abused our defense in the 2nd half. gary danielson of CBS made a good point about the matchup of SC tight end Cook on our linebackers. get it together Willie.
should have won this game 28-14.
also, does anyone know what that blow up was about between willie martinez and jon fabris on the sideline?
By no blitzing
September 15, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this
Can anyone tell me why we don’t blitz, why drop the linebackers back into zone coverage when they can’t cover. We were picked apart underneath, which is where the linebackers were supposed to be, if they can’t cover, then they might as well try to sack. I don’t see into the score of this game to much, we’ve had alot more talent than SC for the past 6 years, but yet we can’t figure that game out. But a W is a W and we’re 3 and 0
By COVER TWO
September 15, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this
“GEORGIA SHOULD HAVE DONE THIS OR THAT”, “We” had too mqny penalties, ect.,ect.,The list of things the dawgs did or didn’t do to please the dawg nation is long…But we did win…against a very good USC defense.
The majority of the complainants have never put on a jock, much less stepped on a hostile field to play a “friendly” game of DIV.I-A football.
“WE” WON THE GAME….THAT SHOULD BE SUFFICIENT FOR ALL OF YOU WHO’VE NEVER SET FOOT ON THE CAMPUS! DON’T WORRY ABOUT THE POLLS.
KEEP SMILING TILL 10:00, AND THE REST OF THE DAY WILL TAKE CARE OF ITSELF. (made famous by H randolph holder)
By FLA DAWG
September 15, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this
Hey john adams,
Yes USC is good - but how good? One would normally be impressed with a big win over Ohio State. But let’s put it into perspective; Ohio State was lucky to beat Miami of Ohio last week. Ohio State is not a good football team this year.
By texasdawg
September 15, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this
Hello, has anyone noticed that the same team USC beat to leap to number one got throttled by mighty UConn this weekend as well. With a win over Ohio State, who is overrated, they may have a schedule that when 2008’s final polls are completed that will not feature a top fifteen team.
By AltamahaDawg
September 15, 2008 11:52 AM | Link to this
Can anyone tell me what game you were watching that we werent blitzing in?
So who would YOU blitz and who would you have cover?
By Dawgsrule
September 15, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this
We should blitz Curran more often. He has excellent closing speed and doesn’t miss a tackle. I think we played this game well defensively. We didn’t have to show our blitz pakages off to get the W and that was the game plan. Now ASU won’t have much to go off of. We are gonna need quite a few tricks to get by the rest of our schedule.
As far as the polls go… have you seen them. We could very possibly play 4 top ten teams. If we win those games then we will jump OU and probably USC if we do it convincingly.(finish like last year.)
By grady murphy
September 15, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this
If georgia keeps winning we’ll be out of the top ten by years end. Wonder if pollsters would do this to USC or Notre Dame???????????
By Headknocker
September 15, 2008 2:52 PM | Link to this
Say what you want about winning ugly, all I know is we’ve won our last 10 in a row, and they weren’t ALL ugly. Some of them were downright pretty.
This is the game we would have lost last year and we won! Virtually every game is a stumbling block. THe sports pundits have already put USC in the BCS Championship because they are looking at their schedule and don’t see a loss. All six of the computer rankings used in the BCS use some form of schedule strength in the algorithim that ranks the teams. If we can win out or finish with one loss against our schedule we will be fine.
By Ed
September 15, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this
Good blog, Bill, but I’m still amazed by the national championship talk. It’s as if the SEC East and conf. championship is a given and the only question is whether we’re good enough to hoist the crystal trophy (which represents a mythical championship, no matter how pretty it is).
We’ve now fallen to third in the AP poll, which means that if USC and Oklahoma win out impressively (sound familiar? See 2002) and a few of the big names on our schedule have off years, Georgia may be locked out of the title game. We’re already hurt by ASU’s meltdown against UNLV and fall from the top 25.
It would be different if we were Ohio State playing in the weak Big 10 or USC playing in the weak Pac 10, but this is the SEC, where even top, BCS-level teams are lucky to win the conference once every 5 years or so, if that.
Let’s put that 13th conference pennant atop Sanford Stadium first, then worry about playing for the crystal trophy. If we can get past S. Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, LSU, Florida, Vandy, Kentucky, Auburn, and whoever wins the West, then the rest should take care of itself.
By Headknocker
September 15, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this
Any of you who want to fire Willie Martinez are insane. By the end of the year we will all be begging the Athletic Department to give him a raise in the hope that we might hang onto him another season.
By Gary
September 15, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this
I don’t think its necessary to reinvent the team yet, and those journalists and other observers who say Georgia may not be as good as expected just aren’t doing their homework. I see 2 problems that contributed to the game being uncomfortably close, an inexperienced offensive line, and dropped passes. The same 2 problems that contributed to the loss to SC last year. SC has a tough and experienced defensive line that pretty much had their way against our young line, just like last year. Three critical dropped passes that would have led to first downs or a score were another eerie reminder of last year. But in the end, our playmakers, our defense and our depth kept us in the game and unlike last year, we won. That is the big difference and why I’m not as upset as many dog fans about the game. Many of the same complaints I’m seeing now were made last year and look what happened. As soon as the young line got some SEC experience, we started moving the ball at will on almost everybody. A.J. Green looks like he’s a keeper so some of our older recievers who have not learned how to hang onto Matt’s throws will spend more time on the bench. This team didn’t play well, yet still won. That says something about the team. We knew going into the season there would be close games. From what I’ve seen of the SEC so far, we are still the team to beat, and we have the horses to win. The line needs to step up, and so does Trip Chandler. This team got better every week last year, and I expect the same this year. Despite “dropping” to #3, this team could and should win out. They have the weapons. You armchair coaches take a seat in front of your TV and leave the coaching to the best staff in the league. These dogs are alright and I’m pretty dam’ proud of them. Go Dawgs!
By Whitegoat
September 15, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this
As a Gamecock fan I appreciate some of the positive comments. It is much better than last week. At any rate, I stated if the dogs win I would tip my hat off to you. It has been done.
By Headknocker
September 15, 2008 5:29 PM | Link to this
ED, Good point. Why do we need to screw everything up by talking NC. Just enjoy the ride.
By doglvr
September 15, 2008 5:33 PM | Link to this
Everybody seems to think that USC should have won the game but didn’t simply because of their blunders. But nobody has said much about the mistakes that would have probably made the score more respectable for our Dawgs. The Durham dropped touchdown pass and Samuels turning out instead of in during his run near the goaline surely would have produced a touchdown. Having said that the score should have been more like 24-14!
By Cuz
September 15, 2008 7:14 PM | Link to this
Whitegoat, let me personally congradutlate your team on playing a hard fought game. They believed they could win and for awhile it looked like they were right. The gamecocks played like champs and if they played the same every weekend, they would be world beaters. If you could bottle some of that beat UGA and sprinkle it on the field every weekend, no telling what you could do. Dude, you guys have a defense, and it looks like you are developing an offense. If you play the same game against Clemson, you beat the dawg, well you get my point, out of them. Good luck the rest of the way. And thanks for being such a gentleman. It is refreshing. Yeah we smack talked, yeah it was fun, but take what you did in our game and transfer it to the rest of the season. Once again, good luck.
By voice of reason
September 15, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this
It’s looking more each week, so far, that we won’t be firing on all cylinders until about mid-season. Particularly on the O-Line. The D is playing pretty solid but the offense is very shaky to date. Give SC credit though, they put pressure on MS all day. Sure wish we played them a little later in the season but you have to play some SEC games early and it might as well be them. I just don’t know why this trend exists with a program like UGA’s. Mid-season on, we’ll be untouchable. Until then, just win baby!
By AltamahaDawg
September 16, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this
Whitegoat, needeless to say, we want SC to win a few NOW. I was outspoken that I didnt really see what the big deal was about the defense up there earlier. The one thing I had noticed in the 2 games prior is that when any team tried to get to the outside, SC seems to get just swarm that. I had figured it to be lack of speed from the opposition. I can safely say now, SC can flat out close in on what looked like sure gains to the outside. And they dramatically sured up thier inside this week.
I think (as some in the media have echoed) that LSU might be the only defensive front 7 we face again that is that big, fast and capable all year.
By timthebrave
September 16, 2008 11:33 AM | Link to this
I think we did play a big 12 oklahoma state last year. I think I saw 2nd and 3rd stringers by the fourth quarter. I know that beating up the 2nd and 3rd best teams of the big 12 is not as hard as beating south carolina. I’ll take the 7 point win and move on. GO dawgs!!
By Whitegoat
September 16, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this
The Gamecock defense has played well, but the offense has miles to go. I saw they are last in the SEC rushing. The offensive line lacks speed and that initial push. Thank God for Moe Brown though. We will all live, hopefully, to play again. Thanks Cuz and Altamaha.
By Chuck
September 16, 2008 2:34 PM | Link to this
* Off Subject *
Anyone want to get together in Tempe this weekend? Is there a particular blog or website people are checking out? Feel free to contact me off list - Chuck phoenixdawg@hotmail.com
By Dan
September 16, 2008 8:40 PM | Link to this
Hey GTYJ,
I got news for you, UGA is NOT afraid of Florida!I’m so sick and tired of hearing about how Florida is going to be p** and want revenge. Who gives two s** what Florida thinks? If the Gators want to bring their best shot, let them, b/c the Dawgs will give them theirs and we’ll see who the better team is. But this suppossed mental edge that the Gators had over UGA is over! The Dawgs are 2-2 vs. the Gators the last 4 years. As for South Carolina, yeah they’re not a good team, but they play up to their competition. They beat UGA last year, and Florida and Tennessee a few years back. They’re the kind of team that has some talent but they haven’t been able to put it all together yet. Their tight end is a very good player and their defense plays tough in the red zone. Don’t be surprised if they shock a team or two this year.
By GTYJ
September 17, 2008 3:32 PM | Link to this
Hey Dan, I never said you were afraid of UF. I said if your teams plays the way they did against USCar you should be.
Also, I don’t think I mentioned anything about UF wanting revenge, or having a mental edge over UGA. They have a good shot at winning because they are a great football team.
By Cuz
September 18, 2008 12:32 AM | Link to this
Right now I could care less about UF, lets win against ASU first, then we worry about the next game. I see a blackout coming down the tracks.
By AltamahaDawg
September 18, 2008 12:45 PM | Link to this
BLACK OUT BAMA talk will be swirling around, I’d say by Tuesday of next week.
By Eric The Dawg Fan:
September 18, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this
Go Dawgs. Lets silence all the naysayers that we are number 1. It’s a Darn shame that these sports analyst and coaches determine who should be number one by the number of points scored on an opponent.
The SEC Is by far the most toughest conference in the NCAA. Not only the SEC Conference, but these College Football Teams located in Georgia are Darn good too. Georgia Southern University has several Championship Titles dating back since the early eighties.
For Georgia to beat Georgia Southern does not undermine the talent that GSU possess. The excuse the sports media were making was that the USC Trojans came to Va. (a Non Contender in the ACC) and demoralized them by running up the points, and that Georgia played a Division I AA Team. Well People, That doesn’t prove that they (USC Trojans) should be No 1 in the Country over the Georgia Bulldogs.
Then here comes week two, Ga vs USC (South Carolina) and won a close victory over the Gamecocks. Then they ( The Sports Media, Sports Analyst, and the coaches ) saw fit that Georgia should fall back to number 3 because a Big 12 Conference Team called OU (OKlahoma) beat another non contending team convincingly, and Georgia played a close game with South Carolina.
It should be noted again that the SEC is by far the toughest Conference again in the NCAA this year. That was a great defensive game overall between Georgia and South Carolina. Whatever happened to if you win, you stay ranked in your position, you lose, then you drop back?
SEC Power Florida Gators played very close games on their road to a national title, and the media kept them ranked. So why so much of the disrespect to Georgia?
We all know by now that those so called sports analyst from ESPN, and the media are bias against the DAWGS. They have their own favorites regardless of the team win loss record.
Now they can shut their mouths for a minute because the so called great Big 10 are not winning as they thought they would. The BIG 10, PAC 10 , and the BIG 12 are all over rated. You know, and I know it.
The PAC 10 has only one school ranked in the top 10. The Big 10 has none. with the Powerful SEC Conference having five teams in the top ten. This has never been done before. The SEC is dominating the top ten ranking as well.
The Dawgs deserve better and more respect than is given to them. So I say this: DAWGS, go over to Sun Devil Stadium, and run the numbers up on Arizona State University. This time, leave no doubt. Lets put these so called sports analyst voices to rest once, and for all.
I know that some of you critics may not like what I am saying. So I will say this:
“LIKE IT OR DONT LIKE IT. LEARN TO LIVE WITH IT, BECAUSE THE DAWGS ARE THE BEST THING GOING TODAY”.
Go Dawgs. Beat the mess out of ASU………………………
By GTYJ
September 18, 2008 7:12 PM | Link to this
Hey, eric. What has UGA done on the field to be number one? Your argument is that they should be there because they were handed the spot pre-season and shouldn’t drop after a win. Well, why were they pre-season #1? Performance from the previous year? Returning starters? Or was it pure hype and speculation? Yeah, the last option sounds about right.
When the media was giving all the love to UGA, you loved it, and now that is no longer the case, you hate it. It has nothing to due with bogus sportswriters, and everything to do with the fact that they aren’t biased for you.
You have no claim over the #1 spot with USC dominating OSU. Absolutely none. No one else does either
As far as Oklahoma, they simply looked more impressive, so why shouldn’t they move up? Pre-season biases?
By JesusH
September 23, 2008 5:57 PM | Link to this
Dear Santa:
My only wish is that UT loses at least 6 games this season so that we can finally have Coach Fulmer “retire” with his phat $5.5M dollar consolation prize. Its okay if Georgia, Alabama and Auburn really pour on the points too, as that will only increase the Coach’s commitment to doing the right thing by the team. Albeit 2 years too late.
thanks,
JesusH