Florida 34 Georgia 31: Why The Bulldogs Are Still Heading in The Right Direction

The University of Georgia football team has proven two things to us in the past four weeks.

The Dawgs are playing well above the level of opponents they are supposed to beat, and they are playing on the level of teams they are supposed to compete with.

Georgia 41, Tennessee 14.

Georgia 44, Vanderbilt 0. 

Georgia 44, Kentucky 31. 

Florida 34, Georgia 31.

Georgia's major issue that existed from last season into the beginning of this year was that they were playing to the level of their "inferior" opponents and laying eggs against their highest competition.

Florida was showing Georgia just how terrible the Bulldogs actually were in the past. Weaker programs like Tennessee and Kentucky were starting to see Georgia as a joke.

But Georgia's performance last night indicated none of the above.

Georgia played with the Florida Gators. They took them into overtime. No eggs were laid.

Had someone shown you the four scores above at the start of the season you would probably feel pretty okay. Sure, losing to Florida stinks. And, yes, I am neglecting how awful Georgia looked in the first five games.

But that's because I feel like the Bulldogs turned a corner after that Colorado loss, and even with last night's heartbreaking defeat, I feel like the Dawgs team is still moving in the right direction.

The reason Georgia lost last night was simple: it could not stop turning the ball over, and it was the first time Aaron Murray had flashes of being a freshman quarterback.

But, outside of that, Georgia was the better team. Receivers were beating Florida's corners. The tailbacks and offensive line were winning the battles up front.

Aaron Murray just had four turnovers. He's a freshman. It was bound to happen.

But I want you to notice something. We blamed Georgia's terrible loss to Florida last season on turnovers. Joe Cox and Logan Gray combined for four interceptions.

And Georgia lost the game, 41-17.

This year Georgia turned the ball over just as much. But Georgia almost won.

Georgia was four plays away from being better than Florida, that team that appeared to always expose just how behind Mark Richt's program was.

Despite the better recruiting, the faster players, and the more advanced offense, Florida wasn't better than Georgia last night.

Both teams were on the same level.

Isn't that what we want? Florida has had a terrible year as well, but it's lost to the toughest of competition.

It's still Florida. The Gators still have the likes of Jeff Demps, Chris Rainey, Trey Burton and an insanely talented defense.

But Georgia had a counterpart to be just as impressive. A.J. Green, Washaun Ealey, Orson Charles and Brandon Boykin looked like top talent — the type of talent Florida has apparently been "stealing" from us.

And insanely enough, even though it was Aaron Murray who was the difference in the game, he too looked outstanding.

Murray had four bad plays, but outside of that he had 33 really good ones.

He's only a freshman folks. He's been our favorite player all year. He still has a very impressive 15 touchdowns to only six interceptions.

But to think that someone as good and fun to watch as Aaron Murray has room to get better is exciting.

A better Aaron Murray beats Florida.

I have no complaints. I knew growing pains would be an issue for this program, but I didn't think Aaron Murray would be as far along as he's been.

He's got room to improve. The entire team still has room to improve.

But they gave us one heck of a show last night, proving that are still moving in the right direction.

Florida had a week to prepare, but it was still neck-and-neck.

The offense looked good. The defense had flashes of brilliance.

I'm still supporting Richt, Bobo, and Grantham.

The coaching is no longer the issue at Georgia. It's pretty evident to me that the only thing holding this team back is the growth of these players.

A few plays here and there and Georgia's season could be heading to Atlanta.

Sure, say "coulda-shoulda-woulda", but I'm not one of those, "What have you done for me lately" kind of people.

I'm one of those people to ask, "What are we working towards? And are we going to get there?" 

I think Georgia is working towards being the best team in the SEC East. And I think by next season it will be there.