95 days...
All of Bulldawg Nation anxiously awaits the start of the '08-'09 season.
Standing on the precipice of greatness, some ask if the hunt for the national title is going to be an uphill battle. Some not so in tune UGA fans, with their sappy ideologies and uninformed tendencies, seem to believe that UGA will easily walk away from the upcoming season as not only SEC champs, but National Champs as well.
Tisk, tisk.
This UGA fan is no dummy. As much as I sincerely hope and believe we have the best shot since the Walker days' to scoop up the trophy, I still stand adamantly aware of the rigid climb that lies ahead. With that said, I give you my three keys for UGA to prove its ability and stake its claim as one of the elite college football programs in the modern era.
KEY 1: Wade the Wicked Schedule
| Sat, Aug 30 | Georgia Southern | Athens, Ga. | TBA |
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| Sat, Sep 06 | Central Michigan | Athens, Ga. | TBA |
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| Sat, Sep 13 | South Carolina * | at Columbia, S.C. | TBA | ||
| Sat, Sep 20 | Arizona State | at Tempe, Ariz. | 8:00 p.m. | ABC |
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| Sat, Sep 27 | Alabama * | Athens, Ga | TBA |
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| Sat, Oct 11 | Tennessee * | Athens, Ga. | TBA |
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| Sat, Oct 18 | Vanderbilt - Homecoming * | Athens, Ga. | TBA |
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| Sat, Oct 25 | LSU * | at Baton Rouge, La. | TBA | ||
| Sat, Nov 01 | Florida * | at Jacksonville, Fla. | TBA | ||
| Sat, Nov 08 | Kentucky * | at Lexington, Ky. | TBA | ||
| Sat, Nov 15 | Auburn * | at Auburn, Ala. | TBA | ||
| Sat, Nov 29 | Georgia Tech | Athens, Ga. | TBA |
Wow.
If anyone can show me a tougher schedule, please stand up now. Some might say that UGA has two cream puffs at the top and its typical, moderately challenging SEC conference schedule down the stretch. However, I submit that this schedule is a lot more than talk, and these teams are ready to pack the punch as well.
Georgia Southern is a perennial powerhouse in I-AA and could give UGA fits on the ground.
Central Michigan showed the nation how powerful its offense is during last year's bowl season. They led their conference in passing attempts and yards. So, they could give UGA fits in the air.
Either way, UGA's defense and its schemes are going to be tried during the first two games. Martinez' bunch will either accept the challenge and perform, or UGA will be out of the race early in Athens.
Simultaneously, UGA has to face ASU, LSU, Florida, and Auburn on the road. Not to mention, the LSU and Florida games are consecutive weeks. If heading into the Georgia Tech game undefeated, there will not be anyone in the nation who can say UGA is not a number one contender for the championship.
KEY 2: Watch Out for Turf Toe
Well, not turf toe exactly, but the injury bug. UGA has to have all its components in place to make a run. Not only do Stafford, Moreno, King, Massaquioi, Chandler, Green, Southerland, Ellerbe, Owens, Atkins, etc. have to stay healthy, but so does the most important part of the UGA attack—its offensive line.
If UGA is to perform at the level it's capable of, then coach Stacey Searles will have to keep his O-line in tact and operating on all cylinders. Drive blocking for Moreno and pocket formation for Stafford are notable (and obvious) areas of UGA's recent success. UGA will live and die in the trenches.
KEY 3: Do as Richt Does
The key factor in UGA's recent dominance and consistency is most certainly Mark Richt. During last season, all of Bulldawg Nation saw a different side of Richt. He was loose on the sideline and he thus allowed his team to be loose. This new strategy proved awfully effective.
However, with everything on the line this year, Richt has to show discipline like never before. He has to keep his players' minds and eyes on the prize. It must be a team effort. No more keg stands for Stafford or random fistacuff's with high schooler's. These guys should breathe football and academics. As a whole, the team must realize the potential it has and then do everything it can to achieve and maximize that potential.
So, these are my keys. You may agree or disagree. Either way, if these three keys turn out in the Dawgs' favor, then I think you have to agree that the trophy is coming home to Athens.
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4 months ago
Well done. Good stuff. My take:
Point 1: I think you are giving way too much credit to the first two teams you play. GA will handle both of them. The stats you gave for Central Michigan are a bit misleading. They were 8-6 last year and registered losses such as 52-7 by Kansas, 45-22 by Purdue (the first time), 70-14 by Clemson, and 44-14 by North Dakota State. Something tells me the Bulldogs will be OK.
The stretch from Oct. 11 - Nov. 15th is the tough one. With an extra week and plenty of revenge ready for Tennessee, you'd think GA will handle the Vols. Easier said than done, I know. From there, it's just a bunch of tough teams and no bye week, bringing us to the next point...
Point 2: There will be injuries, just like every team. You just hope they aren't season-ending. With all those physical games, though, it would be impossible to avoid the injury bug completely.
Point 3: Richt is a great coach and guy, and I know he is loved by GA fans, but he has never taken GA over the top. He is in unchartered waters.
I would add a Point 4: Moreno. When in doubt, give the dude the ball.
4 months ago
good article. the biggest obstacle in my mind is just how backloaded the schedule is. i wouldn't want UGA's schedule (not that an SEC schedules are easy). LSU tripped up in the last game of the regular season but really got a chance to play for the national championship by a freak upset (pitt-WVU), and an impressive performance vs VT from earlier in the season.
i would say UGA can't lose after the Fla game. also you never know if teams like OSU or USC would be undefeated at that point and who the competition would be in the race fo the nationa ltitle. then they'd have to handle the west opponent in the ATL.
it's not impossible but it's one big mountain. good luck to the dawgs every game but oct 25th ;)
4 months ago
Great Article! I got to live an hour from Athens last year and experience SEC Football. The Dawgs made me a fan for life and I simply can't wait for the season. No doubt its a very tough schedule, but the Bulldogs are one of the few in the country that can hadle it. I can't belive how much energy Mereno creates in Sanford Stadium. There are only 3 events in my life that will give me uncontrolable goosebumps: My wedding day, When the doctor hands me my child, and when the Georgia Bulldogs came out of the tunnel against Auburn in black. GO Dawgs! Sic 'em
4 months ago
My favorite part of the article is sat the end of Key 1 where it says "Simultaneously, UGA has to face ASU, LSU, Florida, and Auburn on the road." What exactly is simultaneous? Do they play all those teams at the same time!?
Other than that I really enjoyed the article. The schedule is a huge talking point for the Dawgs this offseason. Just because it's a difficult schedule doesn't mean they can't navigate it to the championship. In 2006 Florida won the BCS Championship with the hardest schedule in the nation.
4 months ago
Good article. I hope the Dawgs are 8-0 before the Florida game. LSU should be a victory as long as the game is played in sunlight. Sorry to inform you, but the Dawgs won't beat Florida back-to-back years though.
GO GATORS!
4 months ago
The only thing UGA needs to be worried about today through August 30th is beating Georgia Southern. For two reasons. First of all, if they get into the mindframe of thinking ahead, it will catch up to them. Secondly, GSU is no pushover. Yes, they are FCS, but I looked at it, and there is not one person out there that knows what they are going to do during that first game. Their head coach is known for throwing the ball, but yet had the leading rusher in their league on their team last year...their QB. So we'll see what happens. You'll know by the end of the first quarter whether or not the players at UGA have gotten overconfident or not. Yes, they'll win just on sheer talent and scholarship numbers. But we'll find out a lot about their attitudes pretty quickly.
4 months ago
Jeremiah I hope the Dawgs and the Gaytors are both 8-0 going to the Party. It will make for the game of the year and we can shut the gaytors up for the second year. It will be the year of the DAWGS.
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