Arkansas at Georgia: Could a Bulldog Loss Ignite Mark Richt's Hot Seat?

Larry Burton (Syndicated Writer) Is there any year that goes Georgia's way lately? We've been hearing for too many years now that things are turning around, yet seeing the results makes this turnaround seem like the Titanic dodging icebergs.

Should the Bulldogs lose as badly against Arkansas, at home, you can expect the heat to finally ignite the hot seat that Richt has been sitting on for the past few seasons.

For all the Georgia fans who point to his win - loss record, ask Phillip Fulmer and Tommy Tuberville how that worked out for them, and Tuberville beat Alabama six years in a row, and Fulmer had a long streak too.

Should they also lose to Florida and Auburn, which seems very likely from what we've seen from the Dogs so far this year, then the fire from the hot seat could just burn Richt.

Throw in another loss to Kentucky and it's got to be all over.

A losing record in SEC play won't keep a guy employed at a premier program like Georgia for very long. Back to back 8-5 seasons aren't what Georgia is used to. Richt may have help get himself in trouble.

The bar is simply set too high for 8-5 seasons and constant second or third place finishes in the East Division.

With the impending loss of offensive start A.J. Green and other stars, it's hard to see the better days ahead that Richt has promised.

Nick Saban has done no coach in America a favor by coming to Alabama, a wrecked program, and turning it into national champions in just three years.

Richt has been there nine years and has yet to even play in a title game, much less win one.

There has been some success, two SEC titles, but those were overshadowed by bad losses in those same seasons. And there has been no undefeated seasons, as Tuberville had before his firing.

So who could do better than Richt?

A lot of Georgia fans are hoping that Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart is taking copious notes as Nick Saban's right hand man in Tuscaloosa, and that he will come marching home when called for the big job.

While Richt could right the ship and continue to hang on, long term, even most ardent Bulldog fans know the Richt era is soon to be over.

Ten years seems to be the kiss of death for SEC coaches, and Richt is in his tenth here at Georgia.

Time will tell, but this week's game is a very big one for Richt.