Sugar Bowl - Georgia-W.Virginia

[JW]

Okay, since no one else wants to start it, though I know where are some Georgia fans on this forum: Let's go, Bulldogs. Get your asses in gear and get back in this game. SEC solidarity.

[TazFTW]

Go Not Georgia!

[Celeval]

Go Not Georgia!

[Dekanth]

Yay West Virginia!

[JonInMiddleGA]

It won't last long but ... THAT WAS BEAUTIFUL :) :)

[st.cronin]

Georgia has a football team?

[JW]

One thing I've learned already. W. Va. is fast. But so is Ga. The Bulldogs better get in the game real fast or they are going to find themselves in trouble.

[Senator]

I watch Georgia because of the Tucker kid.

[TazFTW]

Go Not Georgia!

[JW]

FWIW, this from an LSU fan who was at the Peach Bowl, from another forum:

THE UGA TEAM STAYED AT OUR....
...HOTEL.
THEY LIKE THEIR FANS, APPEARED TO BE UNFOCUSED AND OVERCONFIDENT. YOU REALLY DIDN'T EVEN GET THE IDEA THAT THEY WERE PLAYING A FOOTBALL GAME.
THEY BETTER GET FOCUSED QUICK.

[kingfc22]

Not looking good for UGA

[Karlifornia]

Wow this could get real ugly.

West Virginia, where it's all relative :D

[MrBug708]

Let's go WV!

[TazFTW]

Go Not Georgia! 21-0

[Poli]

GO SEC! :(

[Dekanth]

This is a thing of beauty.

[MikeVick7]

God forbid Skydog's Georgia squad losing to two shotgun spread offenses in one season. Those kinda offenses can't work against the SEC you know...

[Abe Sargent]

You know, as a WVU alum, I couldn't have scripted a better opening in my dreams, but as a WVU alum, I have to wonder what WVU will do to screw this game up....


-Anxiety

[Buccaneer]

Go Not Georgia! 21-0
YAY!

[Logan]

The Big East needs this win, as despite RU and Louisville leading their games before falling late, they are already 0-3, and going 0-4 would just give more fuel to the "BE doesn't deserve its BCS game" talk.

[mauchow]

Ooh, boy. I'm thinking... Ah, WV can get another touchdown before the half ends, but they don't have 2 minutes to score another one, they've got 17!

I thought Georgia was supposed to be good? LOL!

At least the Big 10 redeemed themselves with two good wins today with Penn State to get another one tomorrow.

[Galaxy]

Will West Virginia be a powerhouse team for years, with a relative soft conference and the ability to build on each year?

[ScottVib]

It's only the first quarter.

[ScottVib]

Will West Virginia be a powerhouse team for years, with a relative soft conference and the ability to build on each year?

Keep in mind their starting RB Slaton is a true freshman. Their QB White is a redshirt freshman.

WVU will be fine, they need this win to start next year ranked high enough to maybe have an outside shot at national title consideration next year.

[WVUFAN]

As much as I loved the first half, as any true WVU Fan knows -- this game is FAR from over.

[Poli]

Come on, Bulldogs!!

[Poli]

What's the Bulldog fight song, anyway?

[TazFTW]

Ha!

[ScottVib]

Touchdown EERs.

Edit - Man there are an awful lot of disappointed people wearing Red in the Georgia Dome.

[MikeVick7]

So awesome.

[WVUFAN]

JESUS.

28-0

Daaaamn.

[Galaxy]

Keep in mind their starting RB Slaton is a true freshman. Their QB White is a redshirt freshman.

WVU will be fine, they need this win to start next year ranked high enough to maybe have an outside shot at national title consideration next year.

Nice...With four straight bowl wins, a Big East title and a potential Top Ten finish and Sugar Bowl title, could they become a top 20-team for years and be able to recruit and compete?

[Dekanth]

They don't have 4 straight bowl wins. They have been to 4 straight bowls. In fact, I think they are just something like 5-16 in bowls, lilfetime.

[Logan]

Will West Virginia be a powerhouse team for years, with a relative soft conference and the ability to build on each year?

It's definitely possible. They have a great, underrated coach and have always recruited well. And the kids they have at the talent positions now can certainly lead them for at least two more years.

The rest of the Big East will start to catch up somewhat as the conference rebuilds (it should follow the same path as it did in the early 90s). Louisville should remain an above average team, we've seen Rutgers and South Florida make big strides this season, and Pittsburgh is bringing in a huge class this season on the strength of their run of the past couple years and the Wannstedt hire. Its also reasonable to see Syracuse return to its past success.

To an outsider, I can see how the BE could be regarded as a weak conference, but when you factor in that the three best teams during the regular season in the ACC (yes, I'm aware FSU won their championship) were old Big East teams, you have to let them slide for a couple years while the conference reloads.

[DeToxRox]

I am loving this.

[MrBug708]

Apparently Georgia plays in the PAC-10?

[mauchow]

The title of this thread needs to be changed to "Sugar Bowl - West Virginia"

[ScottVib]

Harsh... Commentator says the Georgia fans should look on the bright side, if the game was in New Orleans they would have had to shell out big bucks on the trip just to be down 28-0.

[RendeR]

Just popping in to say:

Georgia as a whole football team, umm....sucks. How did anyone ever have them ranked as high as they were and ARE? This team looks simply awful on the football field. maybe they're just a glass clown this season, looking good against a weak schedule, but someone in the ranking sysmtes really believed they were a quality team, and frankly, they are not living up to the hype.

Ick.

[ScottVib]

TD Georgia... it'll be interesting to see how WVU responds.

[Poli]

GO DOGS!

[Hammer755]

Ooh, boy. I'm thinking... Ah, WV can get another touchdown before the half ends, but they don't have 2 minutes to score another one, they've got 17!

I thought Georgia was supposed to be good? LOL!

At least the Big 10 redeemed themselves with two good wins today with Penn State to get another one tomorrow.
I wouldn't necessarily call a win over Fla State a good win.

[st.cronin]

Just popping in to say:

Georgia as a whole football team, umm....sucks. How did anyone ever have them ranked as high as they were and ARE? This team looks simply awful on the football field. maybe they're just a glass clown this season, looking good against a weak schedule, but someone in the ranking sysmtes really believed they were a quality team, and frankly, they are not living up to the hype.

Ick.

They are having a bad day. They did have some good days.

[RendeR]

They are having a bad day. They did have some good days.I can accept that I suppose. I know I grew real tired of hearing about them all season and was expecting to see something impressive today. I'm feeling very dissapointed in this bowl game.

[mauchow]

Ummm... OFFSIDES? They missed that one, forcing WV to punt it. Good defense by Georgiia though, finally.

[Recoil]

As a Jackets fan, I'm finding this game pretty amusing. My pessimistic side says UGA pulls one out of their ass and still wins.

[ISiddiqui]

Unfortunetly it seems Georgia wants to make this into a game. Stop it!

[QuikSand]

That boy run so good...

[kingfc22]

That boy run so good...
http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/images/smilies/biggrin.gif Beat me to it

[MizzouRah]

It's really been a good run of bowl games this year. I'm thoroughly enjoying each and every one of them.

[ScottVib]

Should've thrown the ball.... (I was yelling at the TV)

[mauchow]

That was a big fourth down conversion.

[Senator]

Even the Yahoo main page can't believe it...



http://www.echoicewrestling.com/what.jpg

[ISiddiqui]

Ugh... West Virginia is giving this game away.

Senator: LOL! That's great.

[kingfc22]

We might actually have a game now

[st.cronin]

I would have figure the final score something like Georgia 10, WVU 6.

[JW]

Ga. has to attack on D in the 2nd half, send a lot of people. They have to blow up some WVa plays. They really haven't stopped WVa the entire half. They may get burned doing this, but surely they won't get burned any more than they did in the first half when they were sitting back on their heels and waiting to see what WVa was going to do. They need to force some 2nd and 3rd and longs.

And I honestly think Ga. thought they were going to come in and win this game without any trouble. It happens. WVa is a very good team and can prove more than Ga. by winning this game, like a top ten finish among other things.

[cthomer5000]

Uh-oh, unfortunately dat boy don't hold the ball so good....

[SackAttack]

Isn't that his 2nd or 3rd lost rock of the game?

[ISiddiqui]

West Virginia is self-destructing.

[kingfc22]

UGA down by 3

[cthomer5000]

West Virginia is self-destructing.
what he said.

[JW]

what he said.

Where did the rest of the Ga. fans go? Ga. has shown a lot of guts by not folding and by staying in the game. They could have given up. They still have to make some stops to win this game. WVa is playing a very gutty game.

[cthomer5000]

I have absolutely no idea what has been going on for the past few minutes in this game with the refs and the spot of that ball.

[ISiddiqui]

These refs are confusing... what is with the refereeing in these bowl games anyway?

[TazFTW]

Where did the rest of the Ga. fans go? Ga. has shown a lot of guts by not folding and by staying in the game. They could have given up. They still have to make some stops to win this game. WVa is playing a very gutty game.
I've seen Skydog viewing mrskippy threads over at the Greydog boards.

[Celeval]

This is one hell of a game.

[TazFTW]

YES!

[Celeval]

Damn, that guy's fast.

[ISiddiqui]

Wow... West Virginia finds its offense again, just when it most needs it!

[bronconick]

Slaton= running like everyone else is in cement.

[TazFTW]

Son of a...

[kingfc22]

this game just won't end

[ISiddiqui]

I wonder how many people thought this would end up as a shootout?

[JW]

How does someone get that open twice in a row? The WVa defense is now looking like the LSU defense did in the first quarter against, lol. But can Ga stop WVa just one time now?

[ISiddiqui]

Ugh... it still bothers me that bowl stats count as season stats. All these old timers have their records gone because these postseason games now 'count'.

[cthomer5000]

Ugh... it still bothers me that bowl stats count as season stats. All these old timers have their records gone because these postseason games now 'count'.
Agreed. They could have at least made a good faith effort to go back and combine the old regular season + bowl stats. It was a terrible, terriblce decision by the NCAA.

[dixieflatline]

Why isn't GA calling a time out here? Horrible coaching.

[ISiddiqui]

Agreed. They could have at least made a good faith effort to go back and combine the old regular season + bowl stats. It was a terrible, terriblce decision by the NCAA.I suspect that it was because the NCAA wanted to count the bowls as part of the 'regular season' to stave off arguments that the BCS is basically a postseason playoff in a certain guise.

[TazFTW]

BALLS

[ISiddiqui]

WOWOWOW!!

What a BALSY CALL!!

[Dekanth]

Ballsy call and it worked!

[MikeVick7]

And wow.

[Celeval]

Hell of a call.

[Galaxy]

WOW

[Abe Sargent]

Hello Georgia, here are Rich Rod's gigantic balls.


-Anxiety

[cthomer5000]

That was a thing of beauty.

[ISiddiqui]

That may have been the greatest call I've ever seen.

[Mustang]

Wow.. may take the entire team to lift up him up with those large brass balls..

[RendeR]

Damn, even I have to admit this turned into a damned entertaining ballgame.

Props to Georgia for not caving in when down by 28 points, props to WVU for hanging tough and fighting hard for this one, AWESOME call on that fake punt.

[GrantDawg]

That may have been the greatest call I've ever seen.

No, it was the worst coaching I've ever seen. I knew the fake was coming. My guess is half the stadium knew the fake was coming. The only ones clueless were wearing red on the sidelines. After the crappy job they did all game, I guess they decide they didn't deserve to win. Good game, WVU.

[cthomer5000]

Big East power!!!1

[Celeval]

Two very good BCS games so far. If FSU-PSU and the Big Game are as good as the two today, it'll be one great week.

[ISiddiqui]

YES!!

West Virginia wins!! 38-35!

[MikeVick7]

So the Shotgun Spread produces 386 yards rushing and 510 yards of total offense against a vaunted SEC defense huh?

Interesting.

[ISiddiqui]

No, it was the worst coaching I've ever seen. I knew the fake was coming. My guess is half the stadium knew the fake was coming. The only ones clueless were wearing red on the sidelines. After the crappy job they did all game, I guess they decide they didn't deserve to win. Good game, WVU.Oh please!

Hindsight is always 20/20.

[vtbub]

Wow!

[JW]

No, it was the worst coaching I've ever seen. I knew the fake was coming. My guess is half the stadium knew the fake was coming. The only ones clueless were wearing red on the sidelines. After the crappy job they did all game, I guess they decide they didn't deserve to win. Good game, WVU.

I think you're right about that. Replay showed only one defender at home; everyone else was running backwards. And the biggest danger they faced was the fake at that point. It seemed really obvious. I also wondered why Ga kept playing zone and rarely filled the run gaps with their linebackers. WVa made their big gains up the middle, breaking past the line and finding the linebackers out of position to make the tackle over and over again, including on their last td. And, honestly, Ga was not ready to play at the start.

Gotta give credit to WVa. They are a great team, were ready for the challenge, and deserve a top ten ranking which they will get now.

[cthomer5000]

Even in the loss, Georgia showed some real guts by not packing it in down 28-0.

Still, I'm very happy for West Virginia and the Big East. Looking at the rankings, WVU could finish as high as #6.

[GrantDawg]

Oh please!

Hindsight is always 20/20.

I called it before the play. They had been setting it up all night. It was a complete no brainer. The Dawgs sent ONE MAN to block the punt. A brain dead idiot could see that was a perfect place to send a fake. My grandmother could have run for the first down, and she's been dead for 20 years.

[ISiddiqui]

I called it before the play. They had been setting it up all night. It was a complete no brainer. The Dawgs sent ONE MAN to block the punt. A brain dead idiot could see that was a perfect place to send a fake. My grandmother could have run for the first down, and she's been dead for 20 years.Yes, that's nice that you called it, but a vast majority of people were stunned by the play call. Look at the posts after the play. They weren't surprised that Georgia didn't see the fake punt, they were surprised by the fake punt call itself.

If it was so bloody 'obvious' they were going to fake it, I don't think people would be saying how balsy the call was.

[GrantDawg]

Yes, that's nice that you called it, but a vast majority of people were stunned by the play call. Look at the posts after the play. They weren't surprised that Georgia didn't see the fake punt, they were surprised by the fake punt call itself.

If it was so bloody 'obvious' they were going to fake it, I don't think people would be saying how balsy the call was.
Really? The Georgia messageboards were full of people saying "watch for the fake," "they are going to fake it." It was clear. I'm sorry if you weren't paying attention enough to see it. Apparently neither was Richt.

[WVUFAN]

What Georgia messageboards are you referring to?

[GrantDawg]

What Georgia messageboards are you referring to?

Dawgvent. I was reading at the time of the call. Shoot, one guy said his wife called it before it happened.

[ISiddiqui]

I wonder how many of those people call 'watch for the fake' on EVERY punt (as I know plenty of people who do so and then claim "I called it" the one time they actually fake it).

Most people HERE didn't see it as obvious. Most people here were shocked by the play call.

[cartman]

Commence the couch burning, Morgantown.

[JW]

I think it was both obvious and ballsy.
It was definitely something Georgia should have been looking out for considering the field position and situation and the punt formations WVa had been showing. And I know I was thinking about it. In fact I was wondering if WVa wasn't going to just go for it on the play to begin with. It seemed to me they really needed to keep possession and it was worth the risk.
At the same time, most coaches would not have done it. So it was ballsy. But whether is was obvious or not, Georgia should have kept more people on the line on the play just in case.

[GrantDawg]

I wonder how many of those people call 'watch for the fake' on EVERY punt (as I know plenty of people who do so and then claim "I called it" the one time they actually fake it).

Most people HERE didn't see it as obvious. Most people here were shocked by the play call.
You really didn't see that as a perfect situation? They had been doing that spread with the three man screen all night and the Dogs hadn't even tried to go after their punter. They sent ONE MAN after the punter. It is not exactly rocket-science to call a fake there. It is not exactly rocket science to send two guys on the outside on a punt, either.

[Swaggs]

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

:) :) :) :) :)

[ISiddiqui]

You really didn't see that as a perfect situation? They had been doing that spread with the three man screen all night and the Dogs hadn't even tried to go after their punter. They sent ONE MAN after the punter. It is not exactly rocket-science to call a fake there. It is not exactly rocket science to send two guys on the outside on a punt, either.You would think that Georgia special teams players, whose job it is to realize what is going on during special teams play, would realize such an 'obvious' situation and would wait until the ball was kicked before turning completely around. The fact that they didn't even consider it showed me that it wasn't as obvious as some hardcore fans thought it was. I mean EVERY special team play, except the one rusher, turned and sprinted. I'd expect one or two to backpedel for a bit first if it was that obvious they were going to punt.

[timmynausea]

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

:) :) :) :) :)


Ditto.

[JW]

You would think that Georgia special teams players, whose job it is to realize what is going on during special teams play, would realize such an 'obvious' situation and would wait until the ball was kicked before turning completely around. The fact that they didn't even consider it showed me that it wasn't as obvious as some hardcore fans thought it was. I mean EVERY special team play, except the one rusher, turned and sprinted. I'd expect one or two to backpedel for a bit first if it was that obvious they were going to punt.

But then you would also think West Virginia wouldn't let Georgia wideouts get ten yards open deep late in the game on two plays in a row. It would have seemed obvious that Georgia was going to take some deep shots. Coaches and players don't always do the best thing. In the case of the fake punt, if the player had the option to run the fake if the opportunity presented itself, which is often the case with punts, then Georgia might well have created the opportunity by not keeping more people up. They should have played for the fake possibility whether it was obvious or not. It would be interesting to know if the play was called from the sideline as a fake or an option to fake or punt.

[timmynausea]

Apparently Greg Blue wasn't impressed with WVU despite their BCS record 382 rushing yards.

"No, that was just us," Georgia senior safety Greg Blue said. "They're not top 10."

In fairness, I'm not sure he got a real good look at Steve Slaton. It was probably pretty much a blur to him.

[JonInMiddleGA]

"No, that was just us," Georgia senior safety Greg Blue said. "They're not top 10."

You their Bitch, Blue.

[GrantDawg]

Apparently Greg Blue wasn't impressed with WVU despite their BCS record 382 rushing yards.

"No, that was just us," Georgia senior safety Greg Blue said. "They're not top 10."

In fairness, I'm not sure he got a real good look at Steve Slaton. It was probably pretty much a blur to him.

Classless prick. If he hadn't played with his head up his butt all nighht he might of takled somebody. Shut up and eat crow, Blue! You played like manure.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Classless prick. If he hadn't played with his head up his butt all nighht he might of takled somebody. Shut up and eat crow, Blue! You played like manure.

But other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how did you like the play?

:D

[GrantDawg]

But other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how did you like the play?

:D

Loved it. That John Wilkes Booth sure can act.

[Bee]

That was a good game. I think Georgia had the better talent on the field, but they looked completely unprepared for the WVU offense. West Virginia looks like they could be good next year, returning a lot of their starters. They need to improve their pass defense if they want to be a top ten team next year though. It's one thing to miss tackles and give a big run or two, but they were having major problems covering Georgia's receivers downfield and also didn't have the speed on the defensive line to pursue the QB when he rolled out.

[General Mike]

Congrats to West Virginia. A well deserved victory for the 'Eers fans.

[ISiddiqui]

Apparently Greg Blue wasn't impressed with WVU despite their BCS record 382 rushing yards.

"No, that was just us," Georgia senior safety Greg Blue said. "They're not top 10."

In fairness, I'm not sure he got a real good look at Steve Slaton. It was probably pretty much a blur to him.
Well that just makes him look good, doesn't it? Pssst, you are supposed to jaw about the other team being not that good when you WIN, Blue!

[Noop]

I wouldn't necessarily call a win over Fla State a good win.
You do know that Penn State has not played Florida State right? They play tonight... normally I would say now i want Florida State to blow you guys out the water but my grow disdain for Bowden and Co. wants them to lose so we can be rid of these people who decided it's fun to make a mockery of Florida State.

[Ben E Lou]

I missed most of the second half, dealing with the trespasser and the Keystone Cops. It was our coaching staff's job to have our guys ready to play inferior competition. Clearly, after our kids realized that WV was at least as decent as Vandy and we therefore needed to expend some effort, we beat them like they deserved. I put this one squarely on the shoulders of CMR. Unbelieveable. The level of unpreparedness of this coaching staff has been astonishing this year.

[WSUCougar]

Very entertaining game.

[Tekneek]

Well that just makes him look good, doesn't it? Pssst, you are supposed to jaw about the other team being not that good when you WIN, Blue!

It seems like quite a stupid comment to make. Is he saying that the Georgia defense just sucks and has been overachieving all year, or that they just didn't bother to show up? Saying the other team sucks and the only reason they did well is because you sucked more is not really smart, IMO.

[Klinglerware]

I hope that all of the "Big East doesn't deserve it's autobid" talk dies down a little. The conference is certainly still wounded, but they played competively in bowl games against ACC, Pac 10, and SEC teams that essentially played on their home turf. The Big East still needs to rebuild, but this year's performance does bode well for the future...

[st.cronin]

The Big East is the Bomb, baby.

[Swaggs]

I missed most of the second half, dealing with the trespasser and the Keystone Cops. It was our coaching staff's job to have our guys ready to play inferior competition. Clearly, after our kids realized that WV was at least as decent as Vandy and we therefore needed to expend some effort, we beat them like they deserved. I put this one squarely on the shoulders of CMR. Unbelieveable. The level of unpreparedness of this coaching staff has been astonishing this year.


Toss a little blame at the refs and you could teach Sore Losing 101.

Georgia with its 4- and 5-star talent at every position is clearly more talented, particularly on the o-line, where they blew us off the line for three quarters. Their offense owned our defense after the first quarter, but WVU's offense owned the Georgia defense the entire game. The only time the Mountaineers offense was slowed up was when penalties got us into 3rd and long situations.

[st.cronin]

I missed most of the second half, dealing with the trespasser and the Keystone Cops. It was our coaching staff's job to have our guys ready to play inferior competition. Clearly, after our kids realized that WV was at least as decent as Vandy and we therefore needed to expend some effort, we beat them like they deserved. I put this one squarely on the shoulders of CMR. Unbelieveable. The level of unpreparedness of this coaching staff has been astonishing this year.

WVU would be two touchdown favorites against Vandy on a neutral field.

[ISiddiqui]

WVU would be two touchdown favorites against Vandy on a neutral field.
At least.

To compare the two is, as someone pointed out above "Sore Losing 101".

[Chubby]

Hahaha WVU beats Georgia at home in a bowl game. As other people said, that was an obvious punt fake situation tho I suspect it was a "if it's there take it, otherwise punt" call.

Let me know when the Georgia defense shows up for last nights game.

[GrantDawg]

WVU would be two touchdown favorites against Vandy on a neutral field.

Yes they would. And they would beat them by two touchdowns, too.

[MikeVick7]

I missed most of the second half, dealing with the trespasser and the Keystone Cops. It was our coaching staff's job to have our guys ready to play inferior competition. Clearly, after our kids realized that WV was at least as decent as Vandy and we therefore needed to expend some effort, we beat them like they deserved. I put this one squarely on the shoulders of CMR. Unbelieveable. The level of unpreparedness of this coaching staff has been astonishing this year.
C'mon SkyDog, you're better than that. "we beat them like they deserved"????? Can you put your SEC machismo away for at least one game? Good lord.

[Bee]

I would disagree that Georgia clearly beat them after realizing WVU was a legitimate team. 1st Quarter was all WVU, most of the 2nd quarter was all Georgia coming back. Second half was pretty even I thought... Georgia had 209 yards, WVU had 200 yards. WVU drives were killed by penalties, Georgia drives were killed by turnovers. I didn't think either defense could stop the other offense without some luck.

[st.cronin]

I'm quite frankly sick of people talking about the Big East like it's the Sun Belt. I think it's as good a conference for football as the Big 12.

[JonInMiddleGA]

The level of unpreparedness of this coaching staff has been astonishing this year.

As someone who gets to see quite a bit of coaching unpreparedness, my only question would be why you're the least bit astonished by this in January? Or in this January?

The coaching staff has been the key weakness in Athens for a pretty good number of years now IMO, to the point to where it's something I expect from them, just like very good TE's & DB's that like to knock the crap outta people.

Make no mistake, there's none of my usual malice to Athens in the observation, it's just the way I've seen it for years. Ray Goof, Jim Doofus, and now the next contestant in the needs-a-play-on-his-name-nickname game.

[digamma]

As someone who gets to see quite a bit of coaching unpreparedness, my only question would be why you're the least bit astonished by this in January?
I can't for the life of me figure out to whom you might be referring.

[Ben E Lou]

As someone who gets to see quite a bit of coaching unpreparedness, my only question would be why you're the least bit astonished by this in January? Or in this January?

The coaching staff has been the key weakness in Athens for a pretty good number of years now IMO, to the point to where it's something I expect from them, just like very good TE's & DB's that like to knock the crap outta people.

Make no mistake, there's none of my usual malice to Athens in the observation, it's just the way I've seen it for years. Ray Goof, Jim Doofus, and now the next contestant in the needs-a-play-on-his-name-nickname game.Up until the last season and a half or so, I hadn't been all that down on Richt and his staff. Lately, though, this has looked more and more like the Goff and Donnan years, just with better personnel, which has caused the end result to be better. Next year could well tell the tale of Richt's longevity as a Head Coach at this level. Unless Stafford turns out to be ready-for-prime-time as a true freshman (or Cox as a RS), this will be the first time that Richt has to run an offense with personnel that doesn't come close to matching his philosophy. It'll be interesting to see if he plays to the obvious strengths of TB and Lump, or if tries to do the same things he did with Greene and Shock. The lack of roll-outs with DJ and the lack of toss sweeps with TB would indicate that the latter is likely. If that is the case, we could be staring 7-4 and 3rd or 4th in the East right in the face.

As a side note, you have to wonder what Danny Ware's future is now. With Lump clearly being back, I suspect that Ware's best bets for ever getting meaningful carries are injuries, or both TB and KL turning pro next year.

[GrantDawg]

As a side note, you have to wonder what Danny Ware's future is now. With Lump clearly being back, I suspect that Ware's best bets for ever getting meaningful carries are injuries, or both TB and KL turning pro next year.

My prediction: Lump will start next year, with TB getting a good amount of carries. Lump goes pro, TB doesn't, but it doesn't help Ware get any more carries. I see Ware disappearing either into fourth-string, or leaving all together.

[Ben E Lou]

My prediction: Lump will start next year, with TB getting a good amount of carries. Lump goes pro, TB doesn't, but it doesn't help Ware get any more carries. I see Ware disappearing either into fourth-string, or leaving all together.That seems very likely.

[Ben E Lou]

That seems very likely.Dola:

Except the "good amount of carries" may be relative:

2005....

Brown: 5.01 ypc, 11.3 carries per game
Lump: 5.08 ypc, 5.1 carries per game
Ware: 4.87 ypc, 7.8 carries per game

Take away Ware's carries almost entirely, and TB and Lump are still sharing only 24 carries per game. This man does not like to run the football, even when it is successful. :(

[GrantDawg]

Dola:

Except the "good amount of carries" may be relative:

2005....

Brown: 5.01 ypc, 11.3 carries per game
Lump: 5.08 ypc, 5.1 carries per game
Ware: 4.87 ypc, 7.8 carries per game

Take away Ware's carries almost entirely, and TB and Lump are still sharing only 24 carries per game. This man does not like to run the football, even when it is successful. :(

Yup. And the line will not be as good next year. We are going to be going "pass happy" next year. You suggested earlier that this would be the first team not matching his philosophy. I think it is actually the exact opposite. Barnes, Cox, Stafford are all pocket passers that have thrown a lot of passes in the high-school career. Whoever gets the job (most likely Cox) is going to be a better true passer than Richts had (Shockley being a pass-run guy with a strong arm but no touch, and Green being inconsistent in stretches). Georgia is going to average 40 passes a game from now until Richt goes to FSU.

[Ben E Lou]

Yup. And the line will not be as good next year. We are going to be going "pass happy" next year. You suggested earlier that this would be the first team not matching his philosophy. I think it is actually the exact opposite. Barnes, Cox, Stafford are all pocket passers that have thrown a lot of passes in the high-school career. Whoever gets the job (most likely Cox) is going to be a better true passer than Richts had (Shockley being a pass-run guy with a strong arm but no touch, and Green being inconsistent in stretches). Georgia is going to average 40 passes a game from now until Richt goes to FSU.I agree that whoever gets the job will *eventually* be a better true passer than Shock or Greene, but not next year. We don't know what Bailey's going to have coming into the season, so our best receiving threats are probably Martrez and MoMass. MoMass looks like the real deal, but Milner has shown a penchant for dropped balls, and without Pope around and Bailey recovering from surgery, MoMass likely draws a LOT of attention. I don't think the line is going to be as bad as you might think. I don't mind youth on the offensive line. Youth at QB, on the other hand, is just a bit scary. I'd rather take my chances with Lump/TB than hitch our hopes to a completely-untested QB.

Now, they did work Asher at WR last week.... ;)

[GrantDawg]

I agree that whoever gets the job will *eventually* be a better true passer than Shock or Greene, but not next year. We don't know what Bailey's going to have coming into the season, so our best receiving threats are probably Martrez and MoMass. MoMass looks like the real deal, but Milner has shown a penchant for dropped balls, and without Pope around and Bailey recovering from surgery, MoMass likely draws a LOT of attention. I don't think the line is going to be as bad as you might think. I don't mind youth on the offensive line. Youth at QB, on the other hand, is just a bit scary. I'd rather take my chances with Lump/TB than hitch our hopes to a completely-untested QB.

Now, they did work Asher at WR last week.... ;)
Who said anything about "rather?" This what Richt will do. I'm the opposite of you on the line/QB thing though. I have seen many freshman QB come in and perform well, but a freshman (even sophomore) on the line are almost always bad news. We should have starters that have played a decent amount, which is good. There is no way they'll be close to as good without Tanner, Gilles and Roland.

[Ben E Lou]

Who said anything about "rather?" This what Richt will do.Well yeah. I'm just hoping (probably against hope) that the man might be remotely flexible. Don't ask me why, but I am.

[st.cronin]

Mark Richt will not be appreciated by Georgia fans until he's gone.

[GrantDawg]

Mark Richt will not be appreciated by Georgia fans until he's gone.
I do appreciate what he has accomplished. He won the first SEC title in 20 years and then won another just a couple years later. He doesn't play the style of football I like, and I think he'd be better off hiring a OC, but don't think I don't like him. He's probably going to be the best coach UGA will ever have. It doesn't mean I don't wish we could step up one more level to win it all. I don't think we will under Richt unless he does hire a OC.

[Ben E Lou]

What GrantDawg said.

[st.cronin]

From everything I've read about him, he's a terrific coach and a FANTASTIC human being who brings credit upon his institution.

[WSUCougar]

He's probably going to be the best coach UGA will ever have.
Seriously? I would think that is blasphemous talk down your way.

[Ben E Lou]

From everything I've read about him, he's a terrific coach and a FANTASTIC human being who brings credit upon his institution.Greg McMichael used to the Braves' closer. A female friend of mine would always counter my criticisms of him with "but he's such a good Christian!!!!" My standard response then is the same one I have now: That's wonderful. Good for him, and for his family. Next time I need a substitute Sunday School teacher, I'll keep him in mind, but I don't care how he lives his life off the field. I'm concerned about what he does on the field.

[st.cronin]

Greg McMichael used to the Braves' closer. A female friend of mine would always counter my criticisms of him with "but he's such a good Christian!!!!" My standard response then is the same one I have now: That's wonderful. Good for him, and for his family. Next time I need a substitute Sunday School teacher, I'll keep him in mind, but I don't care how he lives his life off the field. I'm concerned about what he does on the field.

I understand what you're saying when you're talking about pro sports. When it comes to a university, or even a high school, though, you're not just talking about a sports team. The 'win or else' mentality that you see from fans of, for example, Texas, I find incredibly distasteful and actually slightly sickening.

My grandfather's first and favorite job was at UW-Madison, and my fiance earned her degree there. We root for their sports teams, but what we both want to watch are athletes who represent the university well in all respects and athletes who play hard and who exhibit class as much when they lose as when they win. Guys like Randle El (Antwan's little brother, a WR who keeps getting arrested) are an embarrasment to the program, and if the choice was between one guy like that and a National Championship, or no guys like that and a winless season, we would both take the winless season.

[Huckleberry]

The 'win or else' mentality that you see from fans of, for example, Texas, I find incredibly distasteful and actually slightly sickening.
1.) Where do you see this and are you seriously saying that it is worst in Texas fans?

2.) What's your beef with Texas. I could be wrong, but I seem to recall a few unprovoked shots at Texas from you.

[st.cronin]

1.) Where do you see this and are you seriously saying that it is worst in Texas fans?

2.) What's your beef with Texas. I could be wrong, but I seem to recall a few unprovoked shots at Texas from you.

I actually don't have anything against Texas. I'm referring to intimations over the last few years that if Texas lost to Oklahoma, or didn't win the Big 12, or some other crazy goal, that Mack Brown should be fired. That's just absolutely silly.

I think you and I got into it a while ago over Mack Brown running up the score.

The attitude I'm talking about you also see at Ohio State, Notre Dame, and some other places.

[Huckleberry]

I actually don't have anything against Texas. I'm referring to intimations over the last few years that if Texas lost to Oklahoma, or didn't win the Big 12, or some other crazy goal, that Mack Brown should be fired. That's just absolutely silly.

I think you and I got into it a while ago over Mack Brown running up the score.

The attitude I'm talking about you also see at Ohio State, Notre Dame, and some other places.
Mack still had a job after 5 straight losses to OU and still would have had a job after 6 straight losses to OU. Find a competitive school in the country that doesn't have at least a sizable subset of fans screaming for a coach to get fired after 5 straight losses to their most bitter rival and I'll give you a gold star.

As for running up the score, you and I disagreed on when it's taking place. I didn't and still don't think kicking a field goal in the second quarter qualifies. And I didn't and still don't think letting your starters play the first drive of the 3rd quarter and run basic isos and hitch patterns qualifies.

Fans at places like Texas and Ohio State always talk loudly. No matter the topic. There were people saying Mack should be fired if he didn't kick two of our players off the team as soon as rumors of allegations surfaced two weeks ago.

[GrantDawg]

I understand what you're saying when you're talking about pro sports. When it comes to a university, or even a high school, though, you're not just talking about a sports team. The 'win or else' mentality that you see from fans of, for example, Texas, I find incredibly distasteful and actually slightly sickening.

My grandfather's first and favorite job was at UW-Madison, and my fiance earned her degree there. We root for their sports teams, but what we both want to watch are athletes who represent the university well in all respects and athletes who play hard and who exhibit class as much when they lose as when they win. Guys like Randle El (Antwan's little brother, a WR who keeps getting arrested) are an embarrasment to the program, and if the choice was between one guy like that and a National Championship, or no guys like that and a winless season, we would both take the winless season.

Too much money involved to say college football is not a pro sport.

[Tekneek]

Like most other things, winning is all that matters.

[st.cronin]

Too much money involved to say college football is not a pro sport.

Even if I stipulate that it is in some sense a 'pro' sport, there is still more at stake than just what is on the field.

And Huck: Relax. I have nothing against Texas or Georgia or Ohio State or Notre Dame or any other school we can come up with. What I strongly object to is the attitude (which I agree you can find within the fan base of many schools) that winning a championship is THAT important.

[Crapshoot]

Too much money involved to say college football is not a pro sport.

Except of course, for the players themselves. I don't disagree with you, but it is another reason why I can't stand the NCAA.

[timmynausea]

Back to the Sugar Bowl for a second, here's the College Football News instant analysis. http://www.collegefootballnews.com/2005/Columnists/MZ/Bowls/IA_Sugar.htm

The guy may be going a bit overboard as far as calling it one of the most dominant 3 point wins ever, but the game did have huge implications in terms of the Big East's reputation as well as how effective the spread offense can be. Also it's nice to read this:

The same team that had no answers and no solutions at quarterback on Labor Day weekend had the combinations needed to embarrass, outclass, undress and humiliate an SEC power used to playing high-stakes, high-publicity games.

[GrantDawg]

Except of course, for the players themselves. I don't disagree with you, but it is another reason why I can't stand the NCAA.
Agreed. I think the NFL ought to have to pay for their farm system, but too many people like to pretend that Div 1 football is something other than what it actually is.

[Solecismic]

Lloyd Carr has brought home shares of five conference championships and one national title in the 11 years he's been at Michigan.

He already has 102 victories, and is, despite three home losses this year, 62-9 at home.

He has a winning record against every single Big Ten school, including Ohio State. He has beaten Penn State seven straight times. He has never lost to Indiana.

But he has lost to Ohio State four times in the last five years. Hence he is a crappy coach who, although in no real danger of losing his job, would be fired by about half of Michigan's fans right now.

I agree that the expectation of winning at some programs is entirely out of hand, and ruins the fun of the sport. When a 7-5 season is the school's second-worst in 40 years, the pressure is beyond belief.

[JonInMiddleGA]

What I strongly object to is the attitude (which I agree you can find within the fan base of many schools) that winning a championship is THAT important.

Well, that is the primary job of the coach. It's what they're hired for (or whatever level of winning is deemed appropriate by the school), it's what they typically get fired for failing to do, not sure that you can really lay blame on "the fanbase" for having the same criteria.

[Huckleberry]

Even if I stipulate that it is in some sense a 'pro' sport, there is still more at stake than just what is on the field.

And Huck: Relax. I have nothing against Texas or Georgia or Ohio State or Notre Dame or any other school we can come up with. What I strongly object to is the attitude (which I agree you can find within the fan base of many schools) that winning a championship is THAT important.I understand, but don't misrepresent things as if that's all that matters. Fans at places like Texas, Michigan, etc. expect their coaches to do the good citizen thing and win championships. It's not that winning is all that's important, but yes it is really freaking important. Mack Brown is catching internal hell right now about our graduation rate and he is about to coach in the national championship game. There's nothing untoward about expecting a coach to win big when they have the resources that coaches at the above-mentioned schools and their ilk have, IMO.

If Mack Brown were to be fired, the next coach would accept the job knowing that he's expected not only to win, but also to maintain a good program image while doing it.

edit -

Almost forgot, Mack Brown makes over $2M a year. Yes, that means he needs to win. Getting good grades and not getting arrested alone doesn't bring in the kind of revenue that justifies that kind of salary. If the only expectation was a clean program, then coaches couldn't make that kind of money. You take the pay, you take the expectations.

[GrantDawg]

Well yeah. I'm just hoping (probably against hope) that the man might be remotely flexible. Don't ask me why, but I am.

You know, with all the talk about the offense, we are missing were the Doawgs are really going to hurt next year. The defense is going to be a big question-mark, especially if Moses jumps (which he will).

[st.cronin]

I understand, but don't misrepresent things as if that's all that matters. Fans at places like Texas, Michigan, etc. expect their coaches to do the good citizen thing and win championships. It's not that winning is all that's important, but yes it is really freaking important. Mack Brown is catching internal hell right now about our graduation rate and he is about to coach in the national championship game. There's nothing untoward about expecting a coach to win big when they have the resources that coaches at the above-mentioned schools and their ilk have, IMO.

If Mack Brown were to be fired, the next coach would accept the job knowing that he's expected not only to win, but also to maintain a good program image while doing it.

edit -

Almost forgot, Mack Brown makes over $2M a year. Yes, that means he needs to win. Getting good grades and not getting arrested alone doesn't bring in the kind of revenue that justifies that kind of salary. If the only expectation was a clean program, then coaches couldn't make that kind of money. You take the pay, you take the expectations.

Understood. What drew this out of me were the Georgia fans in this thread picking on Richt - which obviously they have the right to do, I just wanted to point out that by any rational standard Richt is somebody that Georgia fans should be grateful to have.

[Rich1033]

Lloyd Carr has brought home shares of five conference championships and one national title in the 11 years he's been at Michigan.

He already has 102 victories, and is, despite three home losses this year, 62-9 at home.

He has a winning record against every single Big Ten school, including Ohio State. He has beaten Penn State seven straight times. He has never lost to Indiana.

But he has lost to Ohio State four times in the last five years. Hence he is a crappy coach who, although in no real danger of losing his job, would be fired by about half of Michigan's fans right now.

I agree that the expectation of winning at some programs is entirely out of hand, and ruins the fun of the sport. When a 7-5 season is the school's second-worst in 40 years, the pressure is beyond belief.Im a big critic of the coaching but I don’t really want Carr to go. However there have been problems that really need to be addressed. If Carr insists on putting loyalty to his friends above correcting obvious problems, then I believe a change should be made. IMO, we should at least see changes in the S&C program along with a LB coach to replace Hermann.

I love Lloyd as a person and think he is a tremendous representative of the school. It is just frustrating when Lloyd’s loyalty to Debord, Hermann and the like becomes a hindrance to on the field performance.

[st.cronin]

Actually, upon reflection, what probably made me sensitive to this was Alvarez's retirement. I think Alvarez could have coached 3 more years, won 3 games a year, and still gotten the same kind of love upon retirement. Barry was appreciated by Badger fans, better appreciated than many coaches with better records at other schools. I can't think of another coach as beloved by the fanbase - maybe Joe Paterno.

[Solecismic]

I love Lloyd as a person and think he is a tremendous representative of the school. It is just frustrating when Lloyd’s loyalty to Debord, Hermann and the like becomes a hindrance to on the field performance.

As I've said here before, I knew his daughter Beth when I was a student. She's a great girl, not to mention a real knockout. Anyone who can raise a daughter like her has to be a good person.

[cartman]

As I've said here before, I knew his daughter Beth when I was a student. She's a great girl, not to mention a real knockout. Anyone who can raise a daughter like her has to be a good person.

pix pls, thx

:D

[Buccaneer]

"SEC machismo". Isn't that redundant?

[timmae]

I missed most of the second half, dealing with the trespasser and the Keystone Cops. It was our coaching staff's job to have our guys ready to play inferior competition. Clearly, after our kids realized that WV was at least as decent as Vandy and we therefore needed to expend some effort, we beat them like they deserved. I put this one squarely on the shoulders of CMR. Unbelieveable. The level of unpreparedness of this coaching staff has been astonishing this year.

There are so many wrongs in the paragraph above I don't even know where to start...

I would like to think that when you used the word 'inferior' that you meant "Low or lower in quality, value, or estimation: inferior craft; felt inferior to his older sibling", but somehow, in the context, I saw "Second-rate; poor: an inferior translation" instead. I don't think that WV is a second rate team and they proved so by winning the game. Next, I didn't realize that you had multiple sons playing on the Georgia team. Or by saying "our kids" are you taking ownership of someone else's children? "Therefore needed to expend some effort"?? Did you assume that they thought they were running a race against a man with no legs? Since when does any bowl bound team not require "some effort". And then again with the "we". I must have missed it, are you somehow employed by Georgia? Were you playing on the field last night? Squarely on the shoulders of one person? Are there not 11 players on the field at any given time for each team? I suppose "CMR" was responsible for the missed tackles, poor pursuit angles and overall shoddy play.

Let me fix that post for you...

I missed most of the second half so I may not know what exactly happened to the team I was rooting for. It was their coaching staff's job to have the players ready to play what proved to be tough competition. Clearly, after the young men realized that WV was beating them up and down the field and that this team was better than they had expected, Georgia fought back and made a decent game of it. The entire team was not prepared for this game and they should all shoulder some of the blame. The level of play of the entire team what should have been expected this year.

[Ben E Lou]

There are so many wrongs in the paragraph above I don't even know where to start...

I would like to think that when you used the word 'inferior' that you meant "Low or lower in quality, value, or estimation: inferior craft; felt inferior to his older sibling", but somehow, in the context, I saw "Second-rate; poor: an inferior translation" instead. I don't think that WV is a second rate team and they proved so by winning the game. Next, I didn't realize that you had multiple sons playing on the Georgia team. Or by saying "our kids" are you taking ownership of someone else's children? "Therefore needed to expend some effort"?? Did you assume that they thought they were running a race against a man with no legs? Since when does any bowl bound team not require "some effort". And then again with the "we". I must have missed it, are you somehow employed by Georgia? Were you playing on the field last night? Squarely on the shoulders of one person? Are there not 11 players on the field at any given time for each team? I suppose "CMR" was responsible for the missed tackles, poor pursuit angles and overall shoddy play.

Let me fix that post for you...

I missed most of the second half so I may not know what exactly happened to the team I was rooting for. It was their coaching staff's job to have the players ready to play what proved to be tough competition. Clearly, after the young men realized that WV was beating them up and down the field and that this team was better than they had expected, Georgia fought back and made a decent game of it. The entire team was not prepared for this game and they should all shoulder some of the blame. The level of play of the entire team what should have been expected this year.What a weenie.

[Buccaneer]

Awww, timmae, you've done it now. You will have released the SEC Machismo Fury. Being in Chicago, I guess you don't know that FOOTBALL is LIFE down there.

[Buccaneer]

Awww, timmae, you've done it now. You will have released the SEC Machismo Fury. Being in Chicago, I guess you don't know that FOOTBALL is LIFE down there.
What a weenie.

(Beat ya to it, dog) :)

[Ben E Lou]

What a weenie.

(Beat ya to it, dog) :)...like we all didn't already know that. :p

[Buccaneer]

...like we all didn't already know that. :p
I know, it's tragic that I don't have football any higher than #19 on my list of priorities and what I think is important in life. :p

[MikeVick7]

I thought the correction was excellent. Certainly better stated than SD's original...

[Bee]

I thought the correction was excellent. Certainly better stated than SD's original...

except for the last sentence, which I've read 3 times now and still don't understand. :D

[timmynausea]

They asked Greg Blue if Steve Slaton is a great running back.

"No. He was just an average running back, you know? He was just fast."

I guess they'll have to put an asterisk next to Slaton's name in the Sugar Bowl record book to point out that he was an average back playing a "superior" team and somehow lucked into breaking a 25 year old Sugar Bowl record with 204 yards rushing. As a true freshman.

[MikeVick7]

They asked Greg Blue if Steve Slaton is a great running back.

"No. He was just an average running back, you know? He was just fast."

I guess they'll have to put an asterisk next to Slaton's name in the Sugar Bowl record book to point out that he was an average back playing a "superior" team and somehow lucked into breaking a 25 year old Sugar Bowl record with 204 yards rushing. As a true freshman.The whole Georgia contingent continues to scare me.

[digamma]

As a side note, you have to wonder what Danny Ware's future is now. With Lump clearly being back, I suspect that Ware's best bets for ever getting meaningful carries are injuries, or both TB and KL turning pro next year.
This may deserve a thread of its own, but UIRs this morning have Ware transferring to Georgia Southern.

[Ben E Lou]

This may deserve a thread of its own, but UIRs this morning have Ware transferring to Georgia Southern.Yeah. That was being floated around the UGA paysites yesterday. Nothing official-sounding yet.

[GrantDawg]

This may deserve a thread of its own, but UIRs this morning have Ware transferring to Georgia Southern.
Going to join Van Gorder's new outfit? Not a bad place for him.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Depending upon what they do with the offense down in Statesboro, I can see Ware fitting in pretty well & putting up some very nice numbers.

[Ben E Lou]

Depending upon what they do with the offense down in Statesboro, I can see Ware fitting in pretty well & putting up some very nice numbers.IF he can hold on to a few pitches. :(