Same As it Ever Was

Ever since early Sept, when this amazing blog was born, we've been espousing (or just spouting about) the glorious virtues of running the football.

So now that the season has ended, & we are sitting at a very mediocre 8-5 (albeit the 13th straight season of 8+ wins, & the 10 straight under Richt), let's take a look at some stats.

See if you can find a pattern here.

- In the 5 losses:

* We were outrushed 823 to 546.
* Per game, that's 165 to 109 in favor of the opponent
* Per game, we avg 31 carries in the 5 losses

- In the 8 wins:

* We outrushed the opponent 1,547 to 843
* Per game, that's 193 to 105 in our favor
* Per game, we avg 37 carries in the 8 wins

So, to Coach Richt & to Coach Bobo...I hate to say "we told you so", because technically we did not (both coaches declined interviews & would not answer their doorbells).

However, team RTDB was spot on this year. No, it does not take a genius or a wily old veteran, or even Tim Tebow to know that running the ball more often & more effectively than your opponent - especially in the SEC - leads to many wins & few losses.

In closing, I would like to point out to all offensive coaches at UGA that all 6 of our top rushers in 09 (including 2 FB's) are returning in 2010.

Also, it is worth noting the following:

- Vince Vance is the only OL who will not be back in 2010
- Trinton Sturdivant will return (assuming his karma hasn't completely run out) next year, & we have 2-3 big time hosses signed for 2010.
- The starting QB next yr (Murray or Mettenberger right?) will come in having thrown a grand total of 0 passes for 0 yds in his college career.

This all points to a new blog next season, as RTDB has run it's course. You like that? You know what they say - always end on a high note & always keep em' wanting more.

Just a hunch, but since Kade Weston, Jeff Owens, Geno Atkins & Roderick Battle will all be playing on Sundays in 2010, perhaps "Please Stop Letting the Other Team Rush For 350 Yards Every Game" will be the new name.

PSLTOTRFTYEG.
Yup - that sounds good.

End of the Cox Era

Question...why do you play Joe Cox thru thick and thin...only to pull him in the 4th Quarter of his final game. Let the dude hand off. Let the dude throw it some more. What the hell? Time for some quality Logan Gray evaluation time? Time to show respect to A & M? Ugh. Let Cox finish.

While bitching...I should admit that I absolutely loved the double fullback formation. Seeing Chapas and Munzenmaier in the I formation was fantastic. Two big meatwheel, pipe-hittin fullbacks pounding the ball was a nice way to finish the season. Loved it.

We won on special teams and turnover ratio. Thank God! We kept penalties low and more or less kept huge mistakes to a minimum.

Overall, I believe it was a fair and square ass whoopin'. A great way to end the year.

The Dogs move to 13 seasons straight with a bowl appearance. 11-2 in those bowls ( I think...check my math there). Mark Richt is 4th among active coaches in winning percentage. I believe we also set some record with number of consecutive 8+ win seasons (13).

Anyhow...a new D Coordinator and a new QB combined with an experienced young team...plus...an "easier" schedule next year....I believe we'll be ok.

GO DOGS!!

The Something-or-other-bowl Preview

Ok...we had a tough year. But this is a lesson in pride. Respond to constant adversity with pride...play the way you know how...play for your team and your school, not for the record or trophy.

Anyhow...that's the type of nonsense I'm using as rationale to grill up steaks, fry a shit-ton of wings, have friends over, and tank back a bunch of cheap beer. I'm trying to work myself into a frenzy wherein I hold Texas A&M in utter contempt. A mock rivalry if you will...if only for the day. I'm having a hard time with it as they seem pretty mundane and non-confrontational.

They've never really done anything to me. I can't even hate maroon...can I? Who is that...Miss State? Ugh. I'm sure I'll find and share my motivation for hatred any day now...or make something up.

In lieu of any real analysis I present, instead, my version of the Texas A&M / Georgia preview if it were on any of the NFL preview shows....

"The key to this game for Georgia is to move the ball down the field and put it in the endzone. If Texas A&M can stop them from doing that and put points of their own on the board then THEY have a good shot at winning this thing".

Thank you. Go Dogs!

Conference Overhaul

So like I mentioned...in order to implement my plan, the conferences need to be overhauled. This isn't perfect by any means...but here's my first go at it.

Big 12, SEC, ACC, MAC - All stay the same

Big 10 - has 11 teams - add Notre Dame and call it the MID 12 Conference

Big East - add Navy, ECU, Army, Marshall

Pac Ten - add Boise State, TCU

Rearrange the displaced teams:

Western Conference: Fresno State, Hawaii, BYU, Utah, Air Force, Colorado St, Houston, SMU, Tulsa, Tulane, Memphis, Southern Miss

Sunbelt: Troy, Middle Tenn, U La. Monroe, Florida Atlantic, La Lafayette, Florida International, Arkansas St, La Tech, Western Kentucky, UAB, UCF, Rice

OTHER: Nevada, Idaho, Utah St, San Jose State, San Diego State, UNLV, New Mexico, Wyoming, UTEP, North Texas, New Mexico State (Problem here...only 11 teams)

I haven't yet decided whether we should create an upper tier of teams and reduce some of these...or if it's more interesting if we gave them all a shot.

Also...I've updated my thinking to say that, while you must win your conference, your conference doesn't entitle you to a BCS title shot. So if the top SEC team was somehow 9-4...and there were other Conference Champ teams ahead of you....you aren't in the top 4 just because we all just love the SEC. In fact, if that 9-4 SEC winner came in at #9 in the overall rankings...you don't go to a BCS bowl. Suck it. The SEC team that beat them could, in fact, play in a BCS bowl ahead of them...just not in the top 4 for the National Title.

Again...still working on it. Please check my math and make suggestions. I want a good system more than I want to be right.

Great Win

For those of you who had the joy of sitting on the Florida side of the stadium on the day we pimp slapped the Gators two years ago...you understand the special/similar nature of this win tonight. It was that sort of "shut the F up" win that speaks for itself. I live in Atlanta and enjoyed the easy drive down to the Tech campus for a pleasant tailgate. All the folks I hung with were polite and knowledgeable Ga Tech fans. More than that, they were college football fans. So it made for a good time.

At the game, however, I realized how much Ga Tech fans really do hate the Dogs. It sorta surprised me. I don't hate Tech like I probably should but boy oh boy was I unpopular last night. I was "that guy" in the student section. Not terribly rude or anything...just happy when the Dogs made a play. I actually walked to the exit just before the final Tech play...knowing that they were going to fail and knowing they would blame it on me.

Oh well...these are the type of fans that rubbed it in last year, so I suppose they can eat it.

For what it's worth, the Dogs had TWO guys run for over 150 yards each. I love that. We looked pretty damn good last night. Nice to do it to a team that was supposed to do it to you.

GO DOGS!!

State Champs

Wow.
It really happened.

RTDB fulfilled it's destiny, in game #12 of a 13 games season.

* Outrushed the #2 rushing team in the country, 339 to 205
* Ran it 44 times for a 7.7 avg gain
* Held GT to less than half of their per game rushing avg
* Won the turnover battle 2-1
* Only 5 penalties for 39 yds

It really makes you wonder - had Richt,Bobo & Co. listened to us since early Sept, would we be sitting at 10-2 right now & headed to Orlando?
The combo of Ealey & King was unstoppable.

I must say, regardless of what ass-bag bowl we end up in, I am feeling very warm & fuzzy about next yr.
Ok, so a little help from our good friends at the Maker's Mark distillery may have a little something to do with that, but still.
We have all 3 of our leading rushers returning (4 if you include Thomas), our best WR's, & a great battle between 2 soph QB's to lead the charge.
Losses on D will hurt, but w/Willie the Clown hopefully gone, those should be mitigated.

On that note, I am wholeheartedly against the return of CWM, but give him the credit he deserves in this penultimate game of 2009. He had a great game plan & stuck to it. Nice job Willie.
You still do not belong on the sidelines next yr, but you certainly showed that you are not an inept pudbag. Just a guy in over his head at the SEC level.

Looking forward to Nashville. Or Memphis. Or Shreveport. Or where the hell ever.

SEC, SEC, SEC!!

8-5.

Go Dogs!

My Flawed Proposal

I understand what I'm proposing needs work. I submit, however, that it needs a lot less tweaking than the current train wreck we call the BCS. Here goes my contribution to the never ending story. One more jackleg throws his $0.02 in...

THREE STEPS BEFORE IMPLEMENTING MY PLAN

1- Forget my plan unless this is achieved. Ready...here it is...Tell every president at every major college that they need to freakin get on board. We're tired of feeding your pockets while you stand by and defend an unsatisfactory system. I love capitalism. It's the best system. But this is capitalism with collusion and that makes you a crook, not an innocent guy trying to make a buck for your university. You'll make your money in my system, douche bags, just get on board or get out of the way.

2-Next requires another huge step. Give every conference 3 years to align, combine, dismantle or whatever they see fit to achieve 2 things. 1) 12 teams. 2) A clear cut conference champion.

3-Get rid of one cream puff match up. If the argument is that teams get too beat up OR the classic, "there's no time for a playoff"...then this helps a lot, does it not?

THE PLAN

-Continue to use the ranking system to determine the top 25 teams. NO POLL will be taken until after week 5.

-There are by now 6 major conferences (more on that later. maybe next post) with a clear cut winner and 2 at-large spots available for BCS selection for a total of 8 BCS teams. 2 less than now.

-Keep all four BCS bowls intact but remove that annoying "conference tie-in" crap.

-Add the title game a week after the BCS bowls at a rotating site already hosting a BCS bowl...just like they do now.

-You MUST win your conference to qualify for the National Championship game.

-Example tourney. Remember, the title game would rotate. This is just a "what if" scenario.

ORANGE BOWL - #8 (at large) vs. #7 (at large)

SUGAR BOWL - #6 vs. #5

FIESTA - #3 vs #2 - Winner plays for title

ROSE - #1 vs. #4 - Winner plays for title

National Title - ROSE BOWL - one week later - Winner vs. Winner

You have not changed the length of the season. You have not done away with BCS money. You have a clear cut winner. You have greatly reduced the controversy of teams on the outside. Now you have a shot if you're in the top FOUR instead of two.

Now...I realize this is not the most original plan in the world and it is flawed. But the purpose of this science is to achieve the best results...not to make myself feel better. So...I'm going to let the season play out and then plug teams into my system. I will track it along with how the real BCS turns out. I am willing to be wrong but I would bet my system would answer questions left on the table after this season plays out.

A Bold Prediction

I know we're in a down year. I know we're at rock bottom. I know Ga Tech is the highest ranked one-loss team for a very good reason. I was at last year's game. Trust me...I KNOW! I get it.

I don't care though. I have this sneaking suspicion that we are going to embarrass the Yellow Jackets in their own house.

...just saying is all. I've got no evidence to support this madness.

Ga Tech 27, Georgia Bulldogs 35

Suck it.

In Fairness

When fair can be quantified, I'm all for it. Philosophically, however, the idea of "fairness" rings hollow throughout nature and the universe...

I say this because...well..I want to be "fair". My gut feeling is that Logan Gray and Zach Mettenberger are gonna get a big-fat-life-isn't-fair-sandwich next spring. Aaron Murray will step up and show why Dog fans have been hollering for months to put him in.

All I ask, though, is that the process by which we evaluate our next starting QB is fair. The results don't have to be. If those guys lose the competition...fine. Fair is fair.

In the end, fair competition for the starting QB position is only going to make our team better. I just hope the 2nd and 3rd place contestants...whomever they may be...realize that life ain't fair.

As a sidenote...a little itch in the back of my mind tells me that Zach Mettenberger is a MUCH better QB contender than we may think...even though I have all but decided that Murray is the guy.

Watch some video of this Mettenberger kid throwing a pass, though. He's gonna start for somebody someday. And that somebody will compete. The kid can chuck it.

Jackasses

By the way...for all you jackasses who bitched that putting in a freshman QB would be tantamount to giving up on the season...and that Joe Cox is our best chance to win...and that CMR knows best and we should finish the drill....eat a bag.

Despite sticking with ol' Joe...we are STILL 6-5 and we'll be lucky as hell to finish above .500. Is that the fantastic season you hoped to protect? Is that the lesson? Is that your point?

Thanks for your support. Don't come bitching to me when we've got an inexperienced QB next year and we coast into a 5-7 record...and we feel LUCKY to have done so.

Oh..by the way..let's hear it from the Logan Gray supporters about now...seriously. Make your plea. Can't wait to hear it. Tell me about how "serviceable" he'll be for a year or two.

Ugh.

Go Dogs.

UGA/UK

1st Quarter

Not great to start...a little slow. Good morning, Dogs...time to play. Defense is on the field...again.

Dumb penalty on Evans. Shocker. Nice hit when the dude is 5 yards out of god damned bounds. As a result...UK is sitting pretty at our 23.

Touchdown Wildcats. Nice assist from the stupid referee. He set a nice pick. This is what happens when you commit stupid penalties. Will Evans sit? Hell no. We don't have the stones to sit the guy.

CATS 6 (botched extra point), DOGS big fat ZERO

Nice return by Boykin. Let's see what Cox can do. I vote we run it.

Ok...just heard this story...may be old news for everyone else. On his visit to Florida, Orson Charles bumped into and BROKE the National Title trophy. Wow. Orson Charles just became my favorite Bulldog.

Wife hijacked the damn laptop for a spell. A few dumb penalties later I'm back at the keyboard.

Dogs 10, Cats 6

Ealey and Smith look good running the ball. Makes me hopeful for next year that we'll have a running game while we develop a true freshman QB that got zero snaps in '09.

Nice play for a TD to Orson Charles!!

Dogs 17, Cats 6

Looks like the game clock works again so I know now that there's about 1:30 left in the first half. Dogs seem to be running well and moving the chains. We're inside the UK 30.

Big 4th down decision coming up. I would go for it. But then again...I'm a fan. Walsh drills it, of course.

Dogs 20, Cats 6

HALFTIME

3rd Quarter

So we start the second half with a fumbled kick off. Kentucky scores in less than a minute. Turnovers continue to kill the Dogs.

Cats 13, Dogs 20

Looks like we've given Kentucky new life. They're now fired up for the second half and actually in this game.

Nice toss from Cox to Troupe to keep the drive alive. We needed that. King and Ealey looking good as a tandem.

...getting tired of saying this but, nice kick by Butler. Bad coverage and the ball topples into the end zone. Ugh. Come on, Dogs!! Let's wake up for the second half.

Decent defensive stand. Dogs flip field position by chucking a nice long pass to Tavares King. We're into Wildcat territory...strike that..TOUCHDOWN!!!. Rantavious Wooten!!

Nice!

Dogs 27, Cats 13

Usually when one of our guys gets a pass interference, I'll say we're guilty and stupid. I think this call on Evans was bad. Ugh. That's FOUR 15 yard penalties on us. Oh..and did I mention UK just scored a TD?

Cats 20, Dogs 27

By the way..notice a pattern? Big penalty on UGA....touchdown on the next play. And don't forget the other classic...big turnover...touchdown next play for the other team. Good times.

Georgia punts again. Good punt by Butler. Anyone else notice that Tavares King just trotted off the field in pain, holding his elbow? Ugh. I hope I was just seeing things.

Another game-changing penalty on UGA. Instead of a big fake punt conversion....it's coming back due to a penalty.

Also...Herschel Walker and David Greene have both been passed this year for all time records. One for SEC TD's and one for ALL TIME victories for a starting QB.

Meanwhile, FIVE 15 yard penalties haunt the Dogs. Don't forget that one of our penalties negated a 55 yard run.

Jesus Christ. Big penalty followed by a UK touchdown.

Cats 27, Dogs 27

So...can we recover from our own mistakes and step up to close this game out? We are dominating the stats. Unless you consider turnover/penalties.

UPDATE!!! Joe Cox throws an interception to a D lineman. UK ball on the 10. They drive to the 1. If history is any indicator..UK should score on the next play.

...and there you have it. Jesus Christ. We give everything away.

Cats 34, Dogs 27

Most important drive of the game now.

...wow...didn't even finish writing the sentence and we fumble again. Lost 10 yards. Jesus. Ugh...Cox hit as he throws. 3 and out.

Kentucky ball. Now they suddenly look like a fucking 10-1 team running up yards on us. Ugh...we kinda suck. Can we stop them now on 3rd down? I bet we cannot. I apologize for being the Negative Nancy...but the tough thing about being a Dogs fan is that I KNOW we won't get the 3rd down stop. It's a timeout. Let's see if I'm right.

And....wow...happy to be wrong. dumb play call by UK.

Nice pass to Tavares King. 38 yards. Go Dogs.

Gutsy 4th down call. Wish we weren't in a place where 4th down against the Kentucky Wildcats meant do or die.

Dogs fumble and turn the ball over at the 3 yard line. Wow. We make bad teams look and feel great.

FINAL DRIVE FOR THE TIE

So...we've given the ball over three times. We're down a TD and at the 50.

Oops. Cox throws a pick. Make that 4 turnovers. Go Dogs.

Ugh...

Kentucky fans are LAUGHING in our stands. Laughing. 4 turnovers. We gave away another game. These guys think they won on their own.

In truth....they have a better record than us...so I suppose they should be laughing.

Kentucky Preview

First things first. Kentucky is an SEC football team. As such, they have the ability to show up and beat you on your own field if you take them for granted. While they are not a perennial powerhouse, it would be foolish to show up and play with the sense of entitlement that we sometimes carry.

That said, Georgia is a better program and a better football team. We should win this game. I'd like to see us do it in a manner comprised of discipline, blocking, tackling, and execution. A simple plan but not always an easy task. Our problems this year are primarily of the "between the ears" type.

Show up. Execute. Run it. Tackle. Win.

GO DOGS!!

Farewell to Uga 7

Sad to hear a few minutes ago that Uga 7 has died. I truly believe that there is no team on this earth better represented by it's real life mascot than the Georgia Bulldogs. Uga 7 came and went far too fast. Despite his short tenure, I feel a bit of sentimental connection to 7 as I was at his first game (Georgia Southern) and his last game (Auburn)...and I got to meet the owner, Sonny Siler, earlier this year.

I will miss the little fella and I look forward to the introduction of Uga 8.

Go DOGS!!!!

Auburn Recap

Wow. Look what happens when you run the ball effectively, don't turn the ball over, and only have 4 penalties for 29 yards. You stay in the game. You grind it out. You win.

Ealey had 18 carries for 98 yards. Sounds like a Georgia running back to me. We tested them up the middle. Both of Caleb King's TDs were right up the gut. Last night was probably one of my top 5 fun games in Athens. The weather was perfect. The expectation level on both sides was realistic. I had tickets on the 50 about 20 rows up. We played a good game. We won. The Auburn fans (around me at least) were as humbled by this year as we are...therefore they were actually kinda fun to goof with. Adding to the enjoyment of the day was our decision to ride on a charter bus out of Buckhead that dropped off right at our tailgate at the arches. The bus then left at 11:30 back to Atlanta. It totally removed the annoying logistics involved with a Saturday in Athens...especially a night game. They are tough to pull off from Atlanta.

Anyhow, I'm writing at the level of a dull 4th grader at the moment and I'm not feeling that this will improve anytime today...maybe so...but I've got a Falcons game to watch.

...not much of an "Auburn recap"...but what the hell..

Go DOGS!!!

Auburn Game

Great win tonight. I gotta collect thoughts and write tomorrow. I went to the game on one of those drunken charter buses thingys. Good times.

9-4

Is it possible?

Perhaps more important, is it even worth the time to contemplate?
I say "yes", hence this post.

The odds are beyond infinitesimal....they're beyond microscopic. My name is not Danny Sheridan & I did not go to MIT, RIT, CalTech, or any other school w/"Technology" in it's name. Like Southern Tech in Marietta.

My degree is from the University of Georgia, & I had to take Statistics 101 twice in order to graduate. In 5 yrs (hey, I changed majors & added a minor so blow me).

So - this is based purely on a fan's (skewed) perspective & has no scientific merit whatsoever. Sound familiar?

Here we go:

* To beat Auburn will be difficult. Maybe a 7 on a 10 scale (sorry - no more math or science). Oddly, the home team historically fares well in this contest, & in case you forgot, the game is in Athens. We have a 3 game win streak vs. the War Tigreagles (or whatever mascot they decide on), & have not won 4 straight since Joan Rivers was still alive.
Even if you ignore the trends, Auburn is simply a good football team - at least on offense. And since we play defense like (insert analogy here) , I doubt they will have any trouble finding the end zone.
They may, however, have a tough time finding their way back to the "town" of Auburn, since most tractors don't have Nav systems yet (but there's probably an app for that).
This would appear to be a 50/50 game. That refers to both the score for each team, & the chance of UGA winning.

* While Kentucky is no Duke - wait that doesn't work anymore...I meant to say that KY is no FSU. Either way, we have no business losing to them at home. Or in Lexington, or on a boat, or in a car, or on a train. You get the point.

* GT. Hmmm. Logic (sorry) certainly says we might be better off calling in sick on 11/28 instead of getting our asses handed to us by those T-square jerk-offs who can't even fill 50,000 seats, & wouldn't be caught dead (or at least not w/out 3 or 4 half-lifes left) at Bobby Grant's place 2 yrs ago.
Seriously, if you've seen their games, look at the stands. Watching the Wake game this past week, I noticed large sections of open pasture. Maybe the GT bookstore had a sale on "World of Warcraft" at halftime - I don't know. But it was pretty weak.

Nonetheless, their ball team is fairly good & we will likely get smacked around like Tom Cable's wife/girlfriend/sister/niece/maid/waitress/grandma.
I'm thinking 40-17 if we're lucky.

But (you knew there was a but), this being a rivalry game, perhaps played in nasty conditions, & with GT's BCS bowl on the line....you just don't know. They'll be playing tight as a tick in a cat's ass, & we have nothing to lose. That is, besides a big rivalry game, & our pride. Just those 2 things.

Then the bowl game. Should we come out unscathed at 8-4, one would think that a Peach Bowl (suck it ChikFil-A. This is Atlanta - it's the Peach Bowl. Go kill some more poultry) bid vs maybe Klimpsun (yay - more orange), or VT would be the scenario.

Hence - 9 wins & 4 losses.

So, in summary, if we were to get the aforementioned Mr. Sheridan involved, he would run the data, look at the stats, call Sulu for some help, & tell us that UGA will likely finish 8-5, or 7-6, & that Sammy Sosa has a better chance of being cast as an extra in "Twilight" than we do at finishing 9-4.

Possible? Of course. Probable? No. Likely? Ask me on Sunday.

The Message is Clear

Dear Georgia Fans,

I have decided to hold off on our QB situation until next year. I like Joe Cox. I like him a lot. I have reasons to like him. Beyond being a great kid and great leader...I have reason to understand his challenge, to understand his struggle and to pull for him. I have given assurances to him and to this team that you would not understand. You are fans. I am the coach and we are the team.

You cheer for Red and Black. We wear Red and Black.

Football is a funny game and when fat, drunk, and over-hyped hillbillies cheer for and comment on the game, it's a great money maker. The downside, though, is that the same dipshits get to complain when it doesn't go as expected.

Hmmm...wait a minute...ok..

Therefore, I decided to play Logan Gray once we gained a 28 point lead. I decided to let him get in there and mix it up. To get in there and fail. To achieve. To learn. I decided that no matter what...it's time to give him the reps necessary to feel what its like to lead the Dogs for a half. I decided to turn it over to the youngster. Let's let Joe Cox coach him up. I decided that this kid is 100% the NEXT UGA QB.

Hmmm...wait...

I decided to play Joe Cox in the second half and let Logan Gray take a few...wait..

I think the BEST chance to win this football game lies in playing JOE COX. Therefore, I will play Joe Cox.

Thank you,

CMR

Tennessee Tech

Yawn.

Big homecoming game for the Dogs today...I think. Today should be the day when a young QB named Aaron Murray is fighting off butterflies. A day the fans get to have a look at the future. A day we can build some confidence.

Instead we're building a serious game plan around the QB that "gives us the best chance to win".

Think about that for a second. How can you fault that logic? I guess you can't. What coach would NOT want to put his team in the best position to win.

But then again...that's also a pretty handy cop out. It's a bit condescending and a bit of a rationalization to stay the course. To have to come out and say that means that he knows his judgement is in question. To have to say that is to state the absolute obvious and the given. What coach would ever HAVE to say something like that. We, as fans, assume that you are trying to win. Thanks, though, for reminding us.

Conclusion...CMR is outwardly defending his decision to keep Joe Cox at QB. More than that he is defending his decision to NOT take off the red shirt on either young QB or...start Logan Gray.

What I would like to see is for CMR to come out and announce his choice and reasons rather than hint and rationalize.

For instance...."I know there's a lot of talk about the young kid. We are NOT taking off the redshirt. He's not fully recovered or ready. We talked to him. Everything is cool. He'll compete in the spring".

There. Done.

It would certainly shut schmucks like me up. What the hell do I know? I'm just a jackass with a computer. Wouldn't it be better to be decisive and possibly wrong than waffling and kept in question?

Nevermind

Joe Cox has been named the starter for the Tenn. Tech game.

Mark this moment. It's the fork in the road. We had a chance to start down a new path but chose to stay the course.

Great...we just kept the redshirt on TWO guys that will consider a transfer now. Perfect.

I am a Dogs fan. I trust Mark Richt. I cheer for anyone playing in the red and black. It goes back to my question from a couple posts ago. Which is more arrogant? Me for thinking I see something from the stands that the coaches don't see? Or...the coaches thinking they see something from the sidelines that a bunch of angry fans don't see?

Just sayin' is all...

Some FBS Reality

Out of 120 teams considered part of the Bowl Subdivision. Here's where the Bulldogs rank:

Turnover Margin: 119. Yeah. Next to LAST

Passing Defense: 73

Interceptions thrown: 114. Please note. We're tied with a group of teams at 13 thrown so we're actually 119.

Fewest Penalties Per Game: 118

Fewest YARDS penalized per game: 115

Total Defense: 68

Scoring Offense: 73

Scoring Defense: 89

Sacks: 55

Total Offense: 97

Rushing Offense: 99

Passing Offense: 61

Turnovers Gained: 120...DEAD LAST!

Fumbles Recovered: 120...DEAD LAST! we've recovered ONE

Passing Efficiency Defense: 88

Net Punting: #1 in the Nation

Kickoff Return Defense: 107

In case none of this sinks in at first glance...let me clarify....The following teams are also in the FBS:

-Central Michigan

-Oregon State

-Bowling Green

-Western Kentucky

-Wake Forest

-New Mexico

-Idaho

-Louisiana Tech

-UTEP

-SMU

-Arkansas State

-Utah State

-Temple

-Louisiana-Monroe

-Kent State

-Middle Tennessee

We only WISH our stats were as good as those teams.

...want me to go on?

It Has Started

It starts with a trickle...

http://www.macon.com/shanks/story/886194.html

http://tinyurl.com/yfjdw4g

Again...if he is as good as he is supposed to be, he'll be gone after a couple years anyhow. If he's not as good as advertised, then I'd rather find out now. I'm just guessing...but if Logan Gray is such a hot #2, why is he fair catching punts? Why would you have not inserted him in the mix many games ago? I would offer that the Cox debate is all but over.

My personal opinion is that you know what you have as an athlete. It can all be measured. You know the probabilities based on stats. The only thing you don't know...can't know is response to adversity. Put Murray up against adversity now. Let's see how he reacts. I feel the same about Stafford and Matt Ryan. They both played early and succeeded. Stafford's NFL success is still TBD but I love that they're testing him now. These guys either have the mental fortitude or they don't. Carrying a clipboard does not better prepare you mentally for the ass whooping you're going to take. It doesn't prepare you for getting booed.

Your character and upbringing prepare you for that. Let's see if Murray is ready.

Which is More Arrogant?

Which is worse?

A fan base that thinks they can see something from the stands (or from home) that the coaches can't see?

OR

A coaching staff that thinks they can see something from the sidelines that the fans apparently can't see?

I would offer the following for our current state of the union.

OUR COACHES ARE WRONG!

Sorry. I don't pretend to be a coach. I don't pretend to think I know more. I just have a perspective and sense of dread that is shared throughout the Bulldog fan base. If our coaches do nothing to correct that which brings the dread...it's time to make adjustments.

Joe Cox is most likely a great kid, a great competitor, and a great leader. He is not, however, a great UGA quarterback. Nor is Logan Gray.

PUT...IN...THE...RECRUIT!

Let Aaron Murray fail. Let him suffer. Let him throw picks. His upside is great. His expectations are low. He can only manage the rest of a dismal season, right?

So WHAT if he sucks? We find that out now instead of waiting for three years behind 7-win Logan Gray. Ugh.

Mark Richt.....Wake Up. Show some emotion. Show some anger. Punch something. Grow a pair. Stop letting Florida manhandle you.

Have the balls to fire your coordinators. Have the balls to put in the young kid. Have the balls to actually show an emotional response to YET ANOTHER horrible loss. Come on man...respond!

...otherwise...get ready to sit next to me in the stands.

OH!...almost forgot....DUKE IS BOWL ELIGIBLE and UGA is NOT.

one more thing...the Dogs look fantastic in Black jerseys and in black helmets.

If you, as a Georgia fan, think that it's bad luck or makes us look bad....Suck it.

We look great in those uniforms. If you think we lost because of them, then you're dumb enough to think you could possibly WIN because of them. Neither is true. It's a style choice. So what?

I happen to like the way it all looks. Plain and simple. So what? Go F yourself if you don't like the change up.

Gators

Bring the Pain

I am happy to hear that Florida will be full strength on Saturday. I am happy to see that we are perceived as a weak SEC team coming into this game. I am happy that we are such underdogs. Bring it. I hope Florida and their fans assume the win. I hope they're looking forward to the SEC title game vs Bama.

Here's why. We have absolutely nothing to lose. Beat us and you were supposed to...lose to us and your season is done. What better way to approach a game?

This is the most liberating news (sadly) that Dogs fans can cling to at the moment. Same goes for the Tech game.

...but for now. My expectations are properly managed. I expect Florida to win because they are a better team than us. I say fine...bring the pain...but if we win...I'm laughing my ass off.

Suck it, Urban.

A Saturday off...

Nice to watch games with no real vested interest yesterday. Boy oh boy though...do the refs ever love them some Gators. The interception-turned-show-off-turned-fumble by the Gators. What a joke. Snapshots from two angles show clearly that the ball came out before it crossed the goal line. Overturned? Are you kidding? That's a Florida Gator right there! No celebration penalty! Video evidence? Not on my monitor. Sure...your double angle proof shown on national TV might say no touchdown...but that's a Florida Gator, dude! Touchdown!

Also found it curious that the blocked kick by Alabama was still a live ball for a good 3 seconds while the team ran off the field taking off helmets and celebrating. I sure would have loved to see a level headed Tennessee player pick that ball up and run with it. I also would have loved to see the play reviewed. I think you could argue: A) the ball was live as the Bama player took his helmet off. B) it's an excessive celebration penalty and Tennessee gets 15 yards and a rekick.

I think it would be a disservice to the game...but that's the rule and they've been enforcing it...why not now? Rest assured, if that was someone blocking a Gator kick...flags would fly from 3 directions. Just sayin..

But this is a place to talk Bulldogs. We've still got a shot to ruin Florida's day and a good shot to spoil Georgia Tech's little run. More on that later.

I leave you with a good mental picture I have for next Saturday...visualize Rennie Curran's facemask in Riley Cooper's chest as he drills him over the middle...the ball pops up to Rambo who sprints 45 yards the other way. Hell..I'd be happy with just the Curran drilling Cooper part.

More on the SEC officiating fiasco

Just to be clear...here at RTDB, we do not condone or encourage pissing & moaning - especially about the zebras - but when it gets to the point that a national commentator for a major network (Tony Barnhart of CBS via the AJC) devotes a column to that subject, it's gotten serious.

Tony spells it out pretty well here.

http://blogs.ajc.com/barnhart-college-football/2009/10/20/time-to-have-a-serious-conversation-about-officiating/

If you're feeling lazy & don't want to read his article, here are the main pts:

* The SEC crew that called the excessive celebration penalty against AJ Green (after which the league subsequently cried "mea culpa") made another major gaffe in the Ark/Fla game, which gave Fla a 1st down, & played a large role in their win.

* He feels - like we do - that this crew needs to get the boot for the remainder of the season. Screw up once in a big game...ok. Do it twice - adios.

* Officiating in general, all over the country, has gotten too visible. this is a bad thing. the point of having refs is to keep the players safe, ensure that no team gains a competitive advantage, & to keep up the flow of the game.

* When in doubt - don't throw the flag. When a ref is debating if it was a penalty or not...it wasn't.

Remember - this is football, not ladies golf in France (that's the best candy-ass example of a sport I could think of....mainly because it's French). Large, fast, aggressive men violently collide on every play. Players get hurt, they miss plays, they miss seasons - it happens.
If someone takes a cheap shot on a QB or a defenseless player - call the penalty. Hell, toss the guy if it's blatant. But don't walk off 15 yds simply because someone gets drilled, or lands on his ass.

* Finally, the conspiracy theory (aka - the refs are "protecting" Fla, LSU & Bama) is not the issue. The issue is incompetence.

Thoughts?

Run Game

Looks like the run game got better. Bobo called plays from down on the field.

I think this is a good time for the reminder.

http://www.cafepress.com/runthedamnball

BYE WEEK

It seems an oddity but I cannot deny it. The most sane week of my entire calendar is a Georgia bye week. I'm an idiot. I'm a die hard. I'm the guy that believes and defends when there is no hope and there is no defense. It will do my life and my marriage a lot of good to take a Saturday to just laugh at the nonsense. I love college football like no other spectacle. It is the pinnacle of pomp and circumstance...of team colors and fight songs...of irrational rants by fans that simply believe.

It is the best part of the year. It is quite simply...American. I love it so much it hurts.

....and to tell you the truth I need a week off. I can do my job. I can focus on life. I can return to my to-do list. I can be sane.

Let the other knuckleheads stomp, shout, and scream (to borrow a phrase). Let the pundits rant....let the douchebaggery reign supreme. Me? I'm going to laugh at it all...knowing that next week I will be among the band of fools...which I mock but for one glorious week.

Go Dogs!

A Good Start

Dogs 35, Vandy 10

I will say this. I am ready to give the ball to Ealey for the rest of the year. King and rest of the boys looked ok...but Ealey had 13 carries for just under 80. That's more like it.

By the way...they asked Eric Zeier before the game today what the key to victory was in his opinion. His response?

"Run it, Run it, and then run it again!" Thank you Eric.

For the record it pains me to say that I was glad to see the Gators pull one out of their rear ends today. They got straight up OUTPLAYED and managed to win. Good for them. It's the mark of a great team. For me though...I'm just glad they're unblemished for one more week...a HUGE Bulldog win in two weeks at the "neutral" site just stings that much more. I argued with a die hard Dog fan today who felt in his heart that we can't beat Florida. Really? You think that we have absolutely no shot? Really? Good God man....that makes me sad.

If we lose by 30 I will still tell you that we HAD a chance before the game started.

Don't ever say that we have NO chance. Then don't watch the game and don't celebrate if we win. If you believe that we have NO chance then that means you are just not a fan. You have left zero room for emotion. He who puts no emotion into a team is, by definition, not a fan. If you absolve yourself of heart and soul...then you may as well watch another game. It is the opposite of being a fan when you say..."I don't care if we lose...". You have as much at stake as my 93 year old grandma. Go away. Don't want you watching the Dogs.

I say we rest for a week. Put a great game plan together and come out swingin' on Halloween.

SUCK IT, URBAN MEYER!!

Vandy Preview

So tomorrow we play Vandy. I remember a couple years ago we had two weekends in a row in Tennessee and it was miserable. We got lucky to escape Vandy with the "W". Then Jim Rome, the douche canoe, called us out for stomping on the Vandy logo on the field. I happened to agree at the time with the snarky Rome. Whatever.

So here's the assessment. We have three losses already. We look bad on the field of play. Morale seems low among fans. Let me be positive for just a moment.

1. We still have a shot at a ten win season. Gotta win out and win a bowl.

2. There is a highly improbable, but possible nonetheless, chance that we win the SEC.

3. We can ruin Florida's season.

4. We can ruin Ga Tech's season.

The true measure of a team lies in its response to adversity.

Everyone knows how they would act if you got everything you want and if everything went your way. You meet the real "you" went shit goes pear-shaped and there's no apparent solution or reason to carry on...that's when the word "character" is truly defined. Let's see if we've got any...

Go Dogs.

Nice Story

In case you haven't seen this...it's a nice little article on the Hedges.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=4552978

Others in Agreement

it seems that Mr. Tim Tucker of the Atl Journal-Constitution sees things in the same light as the good folks at RTDB.
maybe we're onto something?

http://blogs.ajc.com/uga-sports-blog/2009/10/14/running-game-desperately-needed/?cxntfid=blogs_uga_sports_blog

if the above link doesn't work, simply visit the sports section at http://www.ajc.com/.

The Mirror

It doesn't lie. It is devoid of emotion. It shows us things we may not want to see. It's, at times, not your friend....but if you seek improvement...it's your only savior. Enter "The Mirror" for the 2009 Bulldogs.

This is all BEFORE TODAY...where we gave up 45 points:

Total Rushing: 105th

Third Down Conversion Efficiency: 50th

Turnovers Lost: 105th (120th ranking worst in college football)

Fumbles Lost:100th (worst is 117)

Interceptions Thrown: Tied for 84th (out of 120)

Scoring Defense: 85th (120 is worst)

Pass Efficiency Defense: 65th (out of 120)

Third Down Conversion Defense: 33rd

TURNOVER MARGIN: 115th (120 is worst)

Fewest yards Penalized: 103rd (120th is the worst)

Fewest PENATLTIES: 115th (120th is worst)

Total Passing yards: Joe Cox 23rd

Scoring Offense: 60th

Total Offense: 86th (out of 120)

Total Defense: 64th (out of 120)

Time of Possession: 96th (out of 120)

NET PUNTING: Georgia= 4th. GO DOGS!!! Thank God we have another Butler.

Truly amazing that we've won a game.

Perhaps the most amazing stats:

RECRUITING CLASS:

2006:#4

2007:#13

2008:#5

2009#6

Projected 2010 : #2

RUN.

THE.

DAMN.

BALL.

YOU.

DOUCHE.

BAGS.

We're number 105!

That's right. Lest you think I am but another old fashioned, run-the-ball-jackass...I offer this fact.

Georgia ranks 105th in running.

Thank you. Good night.

Tennessee Game

Perhaps no live commentary today. My father is coming over so now I have a live person to complain to...also, it may be a bit rude to have my head in the laptop. Not sure he would get what I'm doing. "Put down that damn robot box and let's watch some damn football"....or something like that.

Go Dogs!!

Thursday Night Before Tenn

Ok...I know it's natural to hate all teams that wear orange of any kind...but I have to say...for some reason Tennessee really rubs me the wrong way. Nobody sucks quite like Florida but Tennessee sure does give them a run for the money.

Something really crappy and hard to quantify reigns in Knoxville. Something stupid, orange, formidable, reprehensible, detestable, and downright hillbilly-ish.

In a sick way, I hope that Lane Kiffin hangs around for awhile. Why? Because he's young, because he's fearless, because he is dumb and brash, because he's a Vol, and most of all...because he has a really punchable face. Jesus...who wouldn't want to slug that jackass right in his smug face? I love it. I haven't wanted to belt someone in orange this bad since Ron Zook. He just happened to turn out not to be worthy of the orange that I hate. Illinois? Ugh. I almost wish him luck now. I'd punch his stupid face and then hope he beats douchbag Tressel. Just sayin' is all.

But back to real football. SEC football. The Dogs have a chance to do something here. That "something" is win the SEC. How great would that be? We win out our SEC games and we win the East. Then we'd face some assbag, overhyped west team. After that, we're the best 2 loss team in the nation.

I realize that I'm about as unreasonable and fickle as a fan can get..but that's why I blog instead of writing for a respectable, professional organization.

SUCK IT, KIFFIN!!!

Go Dogs!

Accountability? I think not

yes I know - Mr. Emerson already posted similar sentiments earlier, but I needed to get this out of my system before I started shooting anything w/black & white stripes.

Dear SEC officiating crew -

I can't honestly say that UGA deserved to win (only 49 yds rushing total?), but it's amazing the way that you took it upon yourselves to play such a vital part in the outcome.

Maybe LSU drives for the winning score anyway, but starting off 15 yds in the hole for no reason was a killer - especially when a FG wins it.

The whole meaning behind that penalty seems to have been lost - I thought it was created to discourage (and punish) players who taunted the opponent or opposing fans?

Hell, even the call against LSU was questionable.

We've all seen those SEC commercials promoting sportsmanship - since when are enthusiasm, elation & sheer happiness unsportsmanlike?

Are they worried that LSU's feelings might be hurt by watching AJ Green yell & hug his teammates?

The worst part is that these refs - or any others - have virtually no accountability. They will not have to answer to the media or to the public at large.

In addition, coaches do not have the option of challenging these types of calls - why? Had they gone to the video replay, it would have been overturned in a heartbeat.

An SEC official just went on record saying that exact thing.
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=4534433

When a blind-side hit to a QB's head after the whistle earns the same punishment as jumping into your teammates arms after scoring the go-ahead TD, something is wrong.

Yes - I know I'm pissing & moaning because my team lost. But they were doing fairly well at losing the game all on their own.
They didn't need any additional help from the zebras.

Sunday Dogs Hangover

I'm still a little bummed but have made peace with the fact that we did not win the game and did not...ugh...deserve to win the game. We did everything I hoped. We got stops, got a key turnover, and didn't make any huge mistakes. What we didn't do was execute on offense in the first half.

King, Samuel, and Ealey combined for 45 yards.

Huh?

Yeah. 45 yards rushing for the Georgia Bulldogs in a major SEC matchup. I know it's hard to not pass the ball when we've been so successful doing so. Great. At least then use the pass game to establish a late running game. Do one or the other but at least establish ball movement on our terms. We went out there and let the LSU defense dictate to us what we needed to do rather than us doing what we wanted to do.

Whatever...we've still got a lot of football to play...it just bums me out to know for certain in early October that you've got ZERO chance of a National Title. We can only hope to spoil the seasons of others by winning the SEC.

Go Dogs.

Much Better Now

Ok...I've calmed down a bit. I believe my compadre Jon brings up good points in the post below.

I will say this. Some people like hot tea. Some like iced tea. Some like both but nobody likes lukewarm tea.

That's what we're brewing here. Luke-freakin-warm tea. This is tough for me to say because Joe Cox has earned his spot and has played well enough to compete. Hell, he even looked damn good on the last drive....in fact, the refs stole his thunder.

Having said that, I believe it's time to drop some ice cubes in the tea that is the 09 Bulldogs. We've got two losses now. We're done. Let's see some Aaron Murray at QB. I understand that Logan Gray is next in line...but if he's that good, he should be in there now. I'm saying the season is wide open now. I believe if you let the youngest prospect with the most possible upside step in and fail now...that way you've planted a seed and gotten the jitters out when its acceptable.

It won't be acceptable in two years...or three..when he gets a shot. Put in the young buck...thank Joe Cox for the leadership and hope that Murray, Ealey, White, Charles,Wooten, Smith, Boykin, and Tavares King are truly your future.

Cox is not the (main) problem

after having time to think somewhat rationally, & put 5 games worth of "data" into perspective, a major theme jumps out.

Cox will neither win nor lose many - if any - games for UGA, & should not be counted on to do so.
He's too inconsistent.

He was definitely off his game for much of the day today - no doubt. Had he not overthrown AJ in the 1st qtr, we are 4-1 right now.
On the flip side, he looked like Montana or Elway on a couple drives.

But benching him in favor of Gray or Mettenberger ain't the answer.

This team has no identity right now.

The OSU game notwithstanding, we were an offensive machine & a defensive joke for 2 games. 41 & 52 pts. Then, Mr. Hyde shows up.
We play lock-down D for 2 games & look like a Pop Warner team on acid on Offense (except for Green).
So which is it guys - who do you want as your leader? Cox or Curran? b/c it can't be both.

We need to find a way to play a complete game. Had someone told me that we'd hold LSU to 12 pts through the 3rd qtr, I'd have been thrilled. Alternatively, if you told me the Dogs would have a big fat zero on the board at the half, & less than 100 yds rushing for the day, I would've told you that LSU wins by 25.
Now that each group knows what the other is capable of, this is the turning pt of the season.

We're at a crossroads w/2 foreseeable options:

1) either the offense plays w/confidence & precision b/c it knows the D can stop the opponent w/regularity, & the D plays w/passion & (controlled) aggression b/c it knows the Off can bail them out if they make a few mistakes. Result? 9-3 & maybe even a BCS bowl.
Or....
2) we fail to find a balance & the rest of the season is a maniacal, maddening roller-coaster (i.e. we beat Fla & Aub & lose to TN, GT & Vandy), & finish 7-5.

time to choose gentlemen.

Congrats to the REFS!!!

Congratulations are in order to today's referees. Before today I believed that if you put yourself in a position to lose a game due to a bad call, then you didn't play well enough to win. Maybe I still believe that but I am doubting that logic at the moment.

So...AJ Green makes a spectacular catch in the back of the end zone over a defender to basically win the game with one minute left. I mean an AMAZING catch. That was the play on the field made by the player. But hold it right there....the referee decided to inject himself into the situation. Not by making a call about the play on the field...but to inject a random judgement on his interpretation of Green's level of happiness after the catch.

Green caught the ball, stood up, ran up to his teammates and jumped into them. He was then FLAGGED for excessive celebration. In most cases, so what?

Let me tell you "so what?"...

1- He didn't celebrate any more than any other guy in college football after a TD

2- The ref could not sit down at a monitor and show you where he was excessive.

3-it's an OPINION not a call about an actual play. What a time to render that opinion.

4-it cost us FIFTEEN YARDS on the kickoff. The difference being...we could have kicked into the end zone for a touchback...instead...they get the ball at the 20 or 30 and run it back to our territory.

5-It took the attention from the players performance to the referee's opinion.

6-where is the accountability for the ref? will he be fined? reviewed? fired? demoted? NO! He'll go on to the next. Aw shucks...oops. Sorry guys.

7-LSU fans will tell you..."Hey they called the same penalty on us too!" Bollocks!! You wouldn't be freakin celebrating if not for the garbage call to begin with!!! Get back on your stupid airboat and go bang you cross-eyed cousin.

This make me sick. We won the game. Plain and simple. We didn't play well. We put ourselves in a dangerous situation but we had the guts and the luck to pull through. Joe Cox led his team to victory only to have some putz referee teach AJ Green a lesson.

If Green danced on the corpse of the defender...then fine. Throw the flag. If he spit on someone. Fine. If he taunted, farted, punched, cajoled, shoved, or moonwalked...FINE. Throw the flag. He freakin stood up and joined his teammates in pure bliss.

You filthy scumbag ref. You dirtwad, assbag, dingleberry chomping loser. Die in a fire.

Oh...and the Dogs allowed a TD at the end. Nice no call on the karate chop hold to spring the run.

SOUR GRAPES TONIGHT BOYS...SOUR GRAPES.

LSU GAME

Almost time for kickoff. I love Verne Lundquist but I'm still mad at him for last year's Ga/Fla game. He seemed all too pleased with a couple dirty Florida plays...but that's just sour grapes on my end. Anyhow...Lundquist wasn't ready when they went to him for opening comments today. He looked like a drunk jackass. I guess I can call it even. Now I sorta feel bad for him. I'm overly sensitive to how announcers call games. I just hate it when it feels like the play-by-play guys are falling over themselves to praise the other team. I will try to open my mind for this one. Here goes...

Offense: Wish we would've been able to start on D. Sluggish first series. Three and out.

34 yard pass for LSU. Our D line gets no pressure and our secondary leaves enough room to complete a pass to an elephant. Why do we sit on our heels and wait?

Big interception for Boykin!! Great job kid...now take a knee in the end zone instead of running out and getting tackled at the one freakin inch line.

Coming into the game at -9 on turnovers...that interception was big for us. LSU was +7. Go Dogs.

Oh boy...last week I said Cox was accurate. He has missed a big 3rd down and now he just missed an 90 yard gimmee to a wide open AJ Green. Come on, Joe. Wake up.

This is our 3rd drive. 6 plays. 2 three and outs. Terrible field position. Great field position for LSU. I'd love to try to make LSU actually work for it. Good job by the D. We're lucky to be down only 3-0.

Well....6 and out this time and we put them at their own 20. Feels like we're now starting the game and we've spotted them 3 points.

LSU 3, Dogs 0

SECOND QUARTER

LSU will have to actually earn something on a drive now. This would be a good time for a 3 and out.

No such luck. We can't seem to stop them. Another big pass play. Why isn't Rennie Curran on the field? Oh..and another big pass play. We look lost.

Hey there! Good morning to Reshad Jones! He kept his assignment and made a good tackle. Let's all say thanks and hope the rest of the D wakes up too.

Commercial comments: Ok..so there's a commercial for Clear, a new internet provider. The commercial shows the point of view of a woman on the go. She's at the dog park...with a laptop in hand video chatting her husband. Pay attention to your dog, lady. Then..she's riding shotgun in a car driving downtown..on her laptop video chatting her daughter. Then..she's watching video while getting spa services. So what have we learned? Be a completely self consumed idiot who runs around town while your kids are at school and husband is at work watching tv on your laptop which you take with you everywhere while you don't even have the common decency to talk to the people around you. Cool. Least she could do with all that internet access is search Monster.

Back to the game. We finally have decent field position. Let's see if we can sustain a drive. No.

3 and out. LSU has run TWICE the number of plays.

I wish I could report otherwise. We look like straight up garbage. ANOTHER huge pass play for LSU. Wide open. No pressure. No coverage. Easy as pie. We have had our D on the field ALL day. So bad.

Ok then. Just gave up another 10 yard 3rd down conversion. 6 minutes left in the half and we have run 15 freakin plays on offense with one first down. I'm going to go stew in a corner and not post again until I can say something nice.

Nice hit on defense. We will not get this ball. It's not a fumble. Great hit. No turnover.

HA!!! HA!!! LSU just failed on 4th and Inches at our 10. SUCK IT LES!!

I love when the pundits call him the "Riverboat Gambler"...I notice they aren't slinging that term around at the moment.

We punted for the 5th time. LSU gets the ball for the last three minutes...then...guess what?...they get it to start the 3rd. This is a big series for the D. We need to get it back and score before the half. I am as frustrated as a Dog fan can be right now. GO DOGS! WAKE UP!

We are so lucky to be down only 6-0. This is the worst I've seen us play in years. Hope Richt has something up his sleeve during halftime.

We had the ball for under ten minutes. We went 3 and 0ut 4 times and got 1 first down.

HALFTIME.

LSU 6 UGA 0

Three sacks and LSU punts from the back of their end zone. Nice. Well done boys. That's the pressure we've been looking for.

Ben Jones just did us a favor with the flinch. The play was terrible. Thankfully, we got another shot. Missed White in the end zone. The ref missed a holding call on LSU in the end zone...and Blair Walsh missed the field goal. I am going to start pounding beers.

Ok...I'm talking to myself out loud at this point. I just said..."If nothing miserable happens here..we win." LSU punted. The Dogs caught it and we're taking over. Dogs are gonna win here. All we need is one drive. We are a ranked team. Freakin' Duke could have scored against LSU by now.

Hmmm...a new #24 running for the Dogs. 7 yards and bouncing up...looks familiar. Washaun Ealey is finally getting some PT. Two runs, first down.

Dogs get another first down. Go Dogs. Keep plugging away.

I'm just gonna say it. What is wrong with Cox? He looks pretty bad today. Terrible accuracy. I thought at one point he was a touch guy with precision. Not looking like it today.

Ok. What a big stinky crock of dog poo!!! They call Charles for a 15 yard penalty after catching a ball. Now we're called for 5 more. 20 DAMN YARDS!!!! Stop it. Terrible call. The kid was happy. Ok. We're overcoming adversity from the refs and from ourselves. First down Dogs at the 15.

Keep giving the damn ball to 24! Run. The. Damn. Ball. Thank you.

Correction. Great call, Bobo. Perfection. Nice little screen for a huge 1st down.

FOURTH QUARTER

LSU 6 UGA 0

Biggest play of the game. 3rd and Goal. Looked like a TD to me. Ugh. Here we go.

TOUCHDOWN!!!!!

SUCK IT LES!!!!

LSU 6 UGA 7

Nice defensive stand by the Dogs. We're starting at our own 3. This could be a defining drive for the season. We have a chance to burn tons of clock and put up points. Man that would be something. Go Dogs.

Alright...so that was ugly. Good punt is all I can say. Dogs D on the field again expected to create a miracle. Good luck boys.

Wow. Great job. I like the pressure. Saw Kade limping off the field. Tape 'em up doc. We need him back out there asap.

I sorta like that we've tried to get the run back. Ealey looks good. Bonehead penalty kills us again. 3rd and long yet again.

I like that we didn't force it on 3rd and long but sheesh...Cox is a senior. Try for first down.

Yet another great punt by Butler. Dare I say he's the MVP today?

Starting to worry about the D. LSU had 3 and 10. Got it. 2nd and 10. Got it. Next play 15 yards. This could end badly.

Another easy 12 yard pass for LSU. What are we doing? Certain sack turns into a 26 yard QB run. I am now officially nervous. We need a HUGE stand inside our own 15.

Ok...this is sour grapes. There were TWO facemasks on that play and they only called the one in favor of LSU giving them first and freakin goal. UGH! Why is this funny to the announcers?

That's a huge bone job on us. It would've been 3rd and 6. Now we're up against it and have to use our timeouts. It's a major shift in the game. These are the small plays that nobody seems to care about that would drive me up the freakin wall as a coach.

Yeah. I'm gonna be sick. Big stop on the two point conversion but boy oh boy.

LSU 12 UGA 7

So here goes. Adversity is sitting on your couch. Fat, sweaty, nasty, ugly, stinky adversity. Here he is. How are you going to react? How does Joe Cox handle this? If we have Brady, we're laughing. This is his game. If we have Matt Ryan, we feel great about our chances.

Joe Cox...you are on the freakin clock. 2:47 left. A touchdown wins. Radio silence until the end of the game. Nothing I say matters to begin with. It sure won't matter now.

Joe Cox passed the test. Officials stole the game. I am going to post a separate rant for this one.

FINAL

LSU 19 UGA 13

Brown Liquor vs. Cold Beer??

So, the age old question....what's the better game-day libation - a few good quality liquor drinks (Maker's Mark preferably), or barley pop?

Let the debate begin.

1 vote for the good ol' brown liquor (with 2 in the tank).

LSU Preview

So the polls get us again. The experts...the pundits.

We have been put in the 18th spot and we play the #4 spot. Great. Win and get respect and move up...right? No. Not really. We're now being told by Vegas, the writers, and the experts that even though LSU is ranked #4 by THEM..suddenly they aren't for real. They're overrated. They're pretenders. Now then....this puts us in a pickle, does it not? We are suddenly the favorite in this game. It would somehow be a letdown to lose against a team that is ranked 12 spots higher than us.

Win and you exposed a "fraud". Lose and you drop out of the top 25 and everyone jumps on the LSU bandwagon and brags that they've arrived.

Look..it all means nothing. Win the game and move on. I, as a fan though, have the luxury of fretting such nonsense.

It seems the key matchup today is their safety against our stud receiver. That's nice and all but I think it comes down to least mistakes made. We have the same talents and athletes. We have the same tough schedules. We just have to have better focus and execution.

BLACK OUT!!

It's official. I'm that guy. I'm that jackass. I'm the douche yelling, "Blackout!"

I don't care. We need a boost. Let's do it. In the post below I hinted at it. Now I'm in full swing. What the hell? It really can't hurt us. It could only draw more attention to the Dogs.

The only possible result is a stoked crowd. If we lose, we lose. If we win...we win big against #4 in the country.

BLACKOUT!

Sunday Follow-up

I know it's sorta played out in some people's opinion...but wouldn't it be great to have a blackout against LSU? They are riding high at #4. It's the CBS game of the week. I'd love to see it. I don't think we're cursed from the 'Bama game. We actually lost that game by less than a TD. It was the 1st half shell shock that people remember. I would vote to do it again.

Also...notice how beloved teams like USC beat a lowly PAC 10 rival and move up 5 spots. UGA beats a lowly PAC 10 team and moves up 3. Interesting.

I am not surprised and not worried about it. We have #4 this week....#1 in a few weeks...AND our reward for clearing those hurdles would be Bama/LSU/Auburn or some other highly ranked team. Bottom line...and I believe this....we run the table and we are in the NC game. Think about how many huge teams we would have had to beat to be 12-1.

Rankings

The following teams lost this week:

#4

#5

#6

#9

#18

#22

#24

Georgia won a close one as #21. Additionally, other ranked teams squeaked it out (much like we did).

Let's see if we rise. And if so, how far? Don't be shocked if we hover or drop. Seriously, the way these polls work...until your team is "chosen" forget it. SEE ALSO: Miami Hurricanes rising to #9 last week only to get spanked.

ASU Game

Time for kickoff. I hope we win the toss and elect to put our defense on the field.

First series. Two runs and an incomplete pass. Not the end of the world.

DUMB PENALTY COUNT: 1. Jeff Owens gives ASU a first down.

Good D on the first series. One dumb penalty but we held tough overall.

I know the blog is called "Run the damn ball" but that was a very nice call to throw to the fullback.

I stand corrected again. WOW. A.J. Green is a man. What a catch and juke for 6.

UGA 7 ASU 0

Would I be the first to ask whether or not our secondary is questionable? It seems like any team out there that wants to chuck it 20 yards or so is welcome to do so.

Lucky to hold them to a field goal.

UGA 7 ASU 3

Nice series on offense. Again...we benefit from a dumb penalty on ASU. Caleb King looked great. Go Dogs.

UGA 14 ASU 3

DUMB PENALTY #2: Prince Miller pass interference allows ASU to keep the drive going. Followed up by an ASU receiver pushing off on us to complete a follow up 13 yard catch. Jesus he got away with one.

DUMB PENALTY #3 : holding moves our offense to first and 20 from the 10. Can't start an effective drive like that. Suddenly, it's 3rd and 18. Dropped pass makes it 4th and 18. Penalty put us there. Sorry to be negative but I believe it to be true.

Gamble and Curran are studs. Our defensive seems to look better when those guys are turned loose.

Not sure what this means about the perceived value of this college football match-up but I've seen at least 4 commercials for the "In Styler" hair straightener. Huh? This is college football and there are 2 minutes and 2 seconds of ad space. An ad for female hair straightening instruments tells me that there are A) shitty ad sales guys at ESPNU B) a lot of chicks from ASU watching.

I'm increasingly impressed by the touch of Joe Cox. To the degree that Stafford had arm strength, I believe Cox has accuracy. Pretty impressive.

By the way...Kevin Butler's kid is our punter and he leads the nation so far. Nice.

DUMB PENALTY #4 - Instead of our first sack....we have a holding in the secondary for an automatic first down for ASU. About a 20 yard swing. Gives ASU a shot in the arm and possession in our territory. Most importantly, it's UNEARNED.

Thankfully, our back-up safety Rambo picked one off. Go Dogs.

HALFTIME: UGA 14 ASU 3

Yikes. UGA is MINUS SEVEN on the turnover margin for the season. Caleb King gives ASU the ball inside the Georgia 35. Wow. We would be an incredible team without the self inflicted wounds.

...and there you have it. Georgia hands ASU the ball on our 35 and allows them to score a touchdown. ESPNU focuses on the small crowd from Tempe...full of half-assed football fans and bullshit artists screaming meaningful things like..."that's what I'M talkin 'bout".

Ugh...please don't let this team hang around for God's sake.

UGA 14 ASU 10. Really? Jesus boys. Step up and put them out of it.

...and there you have it again.

Joe Cox throws an interception for a touchdown.

UGA 14 ASU 17.

The announcers are SO excited to give credit to the Sun Devils when in reality it is all UGA killing themselves. Wake up boys.

4TH QUARTER

Dogs ball. 3rd and Goal from the 1. Hats off to the Sun Devils for not being total pantload PAC 10 opponents. I hope to beat them of course but they're showing some courage.

Now if you'll excuse me...i'm watching an important ad about the InStyler again.

I don't know how to express disappointment and yelling thru this blog but boy oh boy...they just showed the AJ Green catch and there's no doubt he tapped a toe for a touchdown. Somehow though...SOMEHOW..these dipshit refs concluded that there was no touchdown. How dare you. UGH. Even the ESPNU guys were shocked.

I realize that we have played poorly and put ourselves in a position to fail thru bad calls. I realize it's our fault...but....UGH!!! It was a brilliant catch for a TD. No doubt.

UGA 17 ASU 17.

Dogs ball around the 50. Tied at 17. We've already gotten all the bad calls and made the dumb turnovers and penalties. 13 minutes left. If I know the Dogs...we'll drive and score a couple times to secure the ugly victory. Key term...Victory. I hope I'm right.

Let's be honest Dog fans. That pass interference call on ASU was a make-up call. We just got a huge break.

DUMB PENALTY #5. Holding. March the Dogs backwards after a big run play. Jesus.

Big 2nd down play. Decent 3rd down call. TERRIBLE SPOT. Come on, man. Good God.

We've put ourselves in a place where douche bag refs can give false hopes to a team we should have already put away. Our fault. Not mad at AZ.

WOW. We have opened ourselves up to total nonsense. Their safety just totally shoved the ref and he threw a flag...oops. NOPE...he took the flag back. Now we call a belly dive and fail. JESUS. We are losing the game all on our own.

Ok...we have the ball. 7:45 left. Tie game. We run it for 9 yards. Amazing right? We can run the ball. How about this? Let's run the ball 60-something yards and stick it in and then hold them for the win.

Nah...let's throw it into coverage and almost give up another pick 6. ASU ball with 6 minutes left in OUR territory. We have tried at every turn to give this game away.

Let's go D!!

Wow. ASU dropped 2 passes. They are trying to give us the game too. Shall we take it? Yes, please.

OH NEVERMIND!!! We throw another pick. GOD BLESS IT!!. ugh.

Ok...so then we get down to a field goal and AJ Green blocks a kick to save the game? Are you kidding me? These guys are trying to kill me!!

Go DOGS!!!

We've got 4 minutes for a game-winning drive. Please. Please. Please. Do something good.

Wowzers...the long toss to Green. This kid is making his bones on every play!!!

Looks like we can run it down to a few seconds and kick a field goal. Standby.

Ok. That's EXACTLY what we're doing. Go Dogs. Go Walsh.

Timeout called with :02 left.

Fingers crossed.

I'm not gonna lie. I just jumped up and down like a little kid...clapping, whistling and shouting.

GO DOGS!!!!

W. That's all that matters. Big ole capital W.

UGA 20 ASU 17

SUCK IT PETRINO!!!!!

p.s. - I hate Florida with all my heart but I hope Tebow is OK. He took a huge shot in the UK game. I would never truly wish injury on an enemy. Additionally..to wish injury on a dude of that character would make you just evil. I hope, for real...that Tebow has no serious injury.

Arizona State Preview

Really hope the weather doesn't take the crowd and the Dogs out of rhythm. Now more than ever, I implore Bobo to set the tempo with our ground game. While I am thrilled to death that Cox is throwing the ball very well...my only point is that run establishes throw...that's it.

When it's rainy and the ball is slick, perhaps we should hand the ball off a dozen times before we start chucking it up for grabs and allowing Arizona State to make big plays and take the crowd out of it. I would love to be at the game but boy is it tough to stay focused when the weather is miserable. SEE ALSO: Georgia Tech game in Athens last November.

Go Dogs.

Gameday

So it's another beautiful fall Saturday. It's 10am EST so that means it's time for College Gameday on ESPN...or...if you're me...it's time to go to the freakin' outlet malls because your wife thinks you need more shirts for work.

The Dogs have another night game, though, so I can do my husband-ly duties and still make it back in plenty of time to catch the end of the noon/1pm games and the start of the afternoon match-ups.

GO DOGS!! Don't fall asleep today boys. SEE ALSO: USC v Washington.

Congrats to Joe Cox

Congrats are in order to Joe Cox as he was named SEC Offensive Player of the week by the conference and the National Offensive Player of the Week by the Walter Camp Football Foundation. Not bad! Go Dogs!

Joe Cox Gets the Win and Respect

You can bore yourself with my little-girl-whiney-half-assed live blog from the Arkansas game...or...you can believe this. Joe Cox looked really good and as long as the Dogs don't kill themselves..they're gonna be real damn good.

GO DOGS!!

Petrino the savior

Ok...Petrino is supposed to be the "savior" of the Ark program (last I checked, Houston Nutt was a pretty successful coach), & bring them back to the glory days (aka the last week in Dec, 1969).

I don't get home delivery of the Arkansas Gazette (the comic strips were too confusing), but I wonder what they'll write tomorrow - despite the outcome of the game?

* Does a savior let his starting LB bump the ref & get the boot due to 2 PF's?
* Does a savior completely forget about the best WR in the SEC on a key 3rd down?
* Does a savior lose control of his team after having the opponent on their heels?
* Does a savior...oh wait, never mind. Petrino just accepted the head job at Tennessee. Does Lane Kiffin know?

Arkansas Game

Game just started. We elected to put our defense on the field first. I love that. We're hitting big already. Good start.

Petrino looks like a Pro Bass Angler. What a douche.

Turnover. Wow. What a killer. This is why we lose games. I've said it before. Our mental game. See also: my assessment of the SC game last week. Georgia is Georgia's toughest opponent.

...and the crowd goes wild. We gave them the ball inside our territory and it leads to a touchdown. Geez. When will we stop this madness?

HAPPY TO BE WRONG...we looked good throwing. Nice drive. Touchdown. Suck it, Petrino.

Yikes. Big play for the Hogs. Touchdown. This game needs to settle down. We're a better team. They're riding high on luck and emotion.

Ok...a lame series. Whatever. The game feels like it has settled. Got them inside their ten. Hey Bobby...get cocky and test us again. Please.

Nice. A turnover in our favor. Suck it, Petrino.

Not a bad little drive. One run for Caleb King. Looks slow. To be expected. Got a field goal. Suck it, Petrino.

You've got to be kidding. ANOTHER turnover. Merry Christmas Petrino. You douche.

This is unbelievable. When the game is settled. We look fine. When we shit the bed, they capitalize like you're suppose to. Georgia beating Georgia.

Perhaps I should change to name of the blog to, "PROTECT the damn ball". So thus ends a HORRID first quarter. Two turnovers and our secondary got burned about 4 times.

Let's all put TWO FINGERS in the air. Forget the 4th Quarter. We need a big second.

-SECOND QUARTER-

Oh boy. Now the penalties have started. Why put the other team on the field?

BACK TO BACK penalties for over 20 yards. It's 3rd and 28. Goodness gracious.

Ahhh yes. No worries. We throw an interception to top it all off. Merry Christmas for the 3rd time in you territory boys. If you dont' beat us, you suck.

Starting to settle down again. D is recovering...I think.

Dogs trail 21-10.

My goodness. A HUGE completion for over 20 yards coming back because of a holding call. Ugh. We want to lose.

HAAAAA!!!! Yes. A huge run for at touchdown and they showed Petrino's jerk FACE while it happened.

Nice. We stopped them and now we're sustaining a drive. 7 minutes left in the second and the Dogs are marching.

What do you know? Caleb King is starting to punch Arkansas. A good sign. The kid can run. I hope his legs stay fresh. However, too many penalties to succeed. We have to have more discipline. Thankfully, Arkansas is killing themselves with penalties now too.

Thank you very much. Dogs back on top.

BIG HIT!! Turnover and touchdown? We'll see. We never get these calls. Standing by for results....Nah. Good call. It wasn't a catch. Damn.

Nice little scramble at the end of the half for a field goal. Well done boys.

....and we get the kick off to start the half. Suck it, Petrino.

HALFTIME- DOGS 27 HOGS 21

Kickoff. Penalty on the Dogs. Half the distance to the goal. Ugh. Go Dogs.

I'd love to see a fake punt...but please don't. UGH...A.J. Green is on the trainer's bench. No thank you. Please stretch and return to the game.

This says something about the Dogs. Arkansas just converted their first 3rd down.

Good GOD...ANOTHER huge touchdown pass. Our secondary has been burned 5 times plus tonight. I love Boykin but he is getting torched.

How do we respond? Holding...let's move it backward. Ugh.

I like our Michael Moore alot better than the fat bloated ass bag Michael Moore that makes smug, self serving "movies".

By the way. Touchdown Dogs. Huge play by Tavares King.

Beautiful Two Point conversion ruined by a penalty. Are you kidding me? Somebody step up and make these kids learn the value of execution!

Arkansas has to run out of big plays. Seriously.

Ok...so on a play where they fumble...we give them a penalty. Half the distance to the goal. WHAT?? Good GOD man. Stop with this nonsense.

Ok...there it is. Touchdown Hogs. We are literally GIVING them the game. Take it. Have fun. We apparently don't want it. You have had to earn practically nothing.

WOW. Eat it Petrino!!!!! Two plays and a touchdown. NICE!!!!

Let me just say...the Dogs can play ball. I am happy with our output. Our ONLY downfall is that we try to give it away at crucial points.

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Looks like we're losing another key defensive guy. Vance Cuff is laid out on the turf. Damn it.

Tavares King just dropped a sure touchdown..and then a sure first down. That's really tough.

FOURTH QUARTER - Dogs 42 Hogs 38

I think there should be a flag for receivers who always do the "throw the flag" motion at the referee. Is there any play that a receiver doesn't want a penalty on?

Wow. Big hit on us...while our guy was out of bounds. No flag. Huh?

3rd and short ruined by penalty. Thank god King finally caught a big third down pass. Phew...

Well...another 3rd and short turned into third and long. Really? WHERE IS THE DISCIPLINE??

Oops. Nevermind. A.J. Green just owned the Hogs. Touchdown. Suck it, Petrino.

So twice we've followed a touchdown with an out of bounds kick. Start at the 40 again. Ugh.

We need a huge turnover here. They are knockin on the door. Well...a kick is better than a TD.

I wish I was kidding. Looks like we've fumbled AGAIN. FOUR freakin turnovers. Do you doubt me now? We are trying to lose. Period. Plain and simple. We would love to blow this game.

Standby for the replay judgement. PHEW!!! We kept the ball. Thank God.

DUDE!!! Butler boots a 64 yard punt to pin the Razordicks back inside their 20. Nice.

Situation: Dogs 49 Hogs 41. 5 minutes left. Hogs at their own 11. Game on.

Dogs get a big sack and Mallet throws it to the turf monster. Time to punt from your own end zone.

Oops. You kinda dropped a turd didn't you? Dogs ball on the Arkansas 30. Caleb King runs it to the 15.

Walsh puts it thru. Dogs up 52-41.

It was a noble effort, young Mallet. You played your ass off. Go to sleep. Night, Night.

oh...and also....

SUCK IT PETRINO!!!!

Petrino

What a schmuck. Let us not forget that this is the man who left in the middle of the night...in the middle of the season. He left notes in the the lockers. "See you later, thanks for the laughs".

Grown men getting notes in their locker. Their leader lacking the decency to, at the very least, stand in front of them and announce his desertion. As a Falcons fan I found out he left while watching ESPN on a random Tuesday night in December. I see some dude standing at a podium doing the Arkansas woo-pig-sooie-jackass-hillbilly-chant and think to myself, "wow that guy looks like our coach...weird". Turns out this was our coach. And it was weird.

My brain tried to process the information on a timeline. Monday Night Football: lose badly as a head coach in the NFL. Late Monday night: make phone call to accept a job that you've been telling the public hasn't been offered to you. early Tuesday morning: compose letter. hang in locker. Tuesday night: woo pig sooie.

Pig Sooie indeed. Talented coach...but what a turd. I'd love to hear his speech to the Razorbacks about heart and finishing what you start...and being a man..and facing life's challenges head on.

Go Dogs.

Suck it, Petrino.

South Carolina Game

First off, congrats to South Carolina. They took advantage of our mistakes like you are supposed to and Garcia finally pulled his head out of his ass and looked like a college QB. We were somewhat lucky to come away with the win.

The Dogs once again looked like a great team in need of discipline. Tons of penalties. 3 turnovers. and a safety. How many times can you turn the ball over and expect to succeed? Our mental mistakes in the form of both penalties and turnovers were enough to make me want to jump off a bridge. First down Bulldogs? No sir...that's holding...let's move it backward. Third down...incomplete pass...time for South Carolina to punt? Nor sir...let's move the chains for them with a penalty. Ugh.

I don't have the exact stats but it felt as though every time we got in the red zone we'd get a penalty or some bad break and end up kicking a long ass field goal. Meanwhile we kept trying to hand it to them in our territory.

I dig the night games. ESPN took way too many time outs and the game took forever. I do appreciate not sitting in direct sunlight though.

As for our game plan...can someone explain to me why we insist on high risk passing that stops the clock in the fourth quarter? Or better yet....why float one out there for a pick six deep in the fourth quarter in your own territory?

Run the damn ball, Bobo.

Other random notes:

Out for the season: Rod Battle, Senior Def. End & Freshman Def. Tackle, Derrick Lott. I had a guy tell me the other day that college football injuries are insignificant...especially at a school like Georgia where you're supposed to have 5 guys waiting behind him to jump in. I don't buy that...people compete for a starting job and they reward the best player that spot. They'll sub in the next guy but there's no substitute for snaps in a big game.

Wear it Proud

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