Georgia Bulldogs: 5 Reasons This Week's Game Is a Must-Win for Coach Mark Richt

Last night, I sat down an watched Mark Richt's weekly press conference. While most of the questions were vanilla, there was one exchange that stood out. Coach Richt was asked if this week's game is a must-win. Richt responded with much more attitude than we are accustomed. 

"Didn't I just say it's a really important game?" Richt said.

"But do you think it's a must-win?" the reporter replied.

"I think it's a really important game," Richt stated. "Do you want to ask me again? Because you can and I'll give you the same answer. OK?"

I understand his frustration. If you say that the game is a must-win an you don't win, it can damage your locker room. However, at the same time, you want to see that he understands the importance of the game and is adequately preparing his team. I feel certain that he understands the latter. However, I do want to list five reasons that I believe this is a must-win. 

1. This Team Needs to Learn How to Win a Big Game

If you have never coached, you might not get the importance of this point. However, I have coached a high school basketball team that was so successful that we started playing junior colleges instead of high school teams. The first season we switched to this type of schedule we started out 0-5. In the three seasons prior we had gone 102-5.  It was not that we were not good enough to win on that level are players just didn’t know how. Finally, we notched our first win against a junior college in our sixth try. The players were no longer nervous or intimidated. We won the next twenty games against JUCO’s and knocked off a team who was ranked #1 in the nation at the time.

My coaching had not changed. Their talent had not changed. The difference was we believed. The difference in the UGA-Boise State game was confident. Anyone who tells you that UGA didn’t want to be there is dead wrong. However, their nerves and lack of confidence were on full display. This is why they got three penalties during the first drive of the game.

The important factor in the UGA-Boise State game was confidence. Boise State has played several games on the national stage and won.

The Bulldogs have not.

Anyone who tells you that UGA didn’t want to be there is dead wrong. However, their nerves and lack of confidence were on full display. This is why they received three penalties during the first drive of the game.

Losing breeds losing. However, one big win can change the direction of a team for that season and for seasons to come. Right now they are playing games with the  memory of the UCF, Colorado and Boise State game in the back of their mind.

One win is all they need.

2. A Win Would Take the Pressure off of the Players

Make no mistake about it, current and former players love Mark Richt. They love him because they know he has their best interest at heart. I have interviewed several former players of coach Richt’s and every one of them would go to war for him today.

With the recent struggles of the Bulldog program, this has put an extreme amount of pressure on the players. This isn’t a team where the players have quit on their coach. This is a team that loves and respects their coach. However, they hear all the rumors. They read all the negative articles. Many of the players feel this burden when they step out on the field.

Student-athletes who are 18 to 22 years old are not built to carry this type of burden. They might play hard but they’re constantly worried that they might mess up and their mistake could cost Coach Richt his job. The Bulldog fans who think they are doing the right thing by making a scene on Twitter and Facebook are only hurting the team they say they love.

There is a time for fans to make their voice known. However, it is not after one game.

3. A Win Puts the Bulldogs in the Driver's Seat for the SEC East Championship

Yes, technically, UGA can lose this game and still win the SEC East. South Carolina has a brutal schedule that could easily lead to a few losses. However, as mentioned, I do not believe the players can withstand this loss and still win the SEC East. They need relief and they need confidence. If they lose this game the complaining is going to get louder and the wannabe reporters are going to become more vicious.

If UGA wins this game, the sky's the limit. They have a tough Mississippi State team at home; however, they will be favored in the rest of their games with the exception of Florida.

Georgia will be looked upon as an underdog because of the recent history of that game. If the Bulldogs win this game, they are in the driver’s seat. Even if they lose to Florida, the Gators are almost certain to have at least two conference losses. Imagine the relief that they would feel for each game. I don’t think the leadership that this team has will allow them to get content, but I do believe a win will allow them to play looser. 

4. Losing This Game Could Lead to the Players Tuning out the Coaches

I know this is not a political network. However, I feel inclined to share this point. The reason that our nation’s citizens are so frustrated with the political system is because we are tired of promises not being fulfilled. We are tired of hearing about positive change and only reaping negative results.

If Coach Richt does not get this ship moving in the right direction, this might become a problem in their locker room. Players will start drowning out the staffs voices because they’re tired of working their butts off and getting the same results.

Make no mistake about it, this offseason was the toughest of any in Richt's tenure. The staff put them on strict diets and exhausting work outs. They raised the bar of expectations and made the players reach for it. Those who were unwilling to fall in line were shipped out and rightfully so.

But what if they start out 0-2?

The players are going to become frustrated and perhaps rebellious. However, if this team wins Saturday they are going to continue to believe it is worth it. They are going to keep pushing themselves in hope of future victories. A win, and they believe; but losing this game could bring great harm to their chemistry. 

5. A Win Would Go a Long Way with Recruiting

Last season, despite finishing 6-7, UGA brought in what I consider to be the best recruiting class in the SEC. However, with all the coaching turmoil, they cannot endure another losing season.

This week, the nation’s top all-purpose running back, Keith Marshall, will be in attendance. He is considered to be leaning heavily toward UGA. However, that lean is based upon his relationship with Coach Mark Richt.

Marshall is not the only high profiled recruit that will be in attendance this week. There are several recruits that UGA desperately needs to land. A win would go a long way in reaching them and encouraging the recruits that have already committed.

I am sure that opposing coaching staffs are already using these negative articles and rumors as recruiting tools. They are telling players that if they commit to UGA, they will not even know who their coach is going to be.

Georgia needs this win.

Final Take

I want to encourage the Bulldog nation to not lose faith just yet. This season is far from over and a win this week could start a turn around. Regardless, support your team. You don't have to like the coach to cheer for the team. The coach might or might not be here in a few years. However, these players have chosen your team over every other team because they love being a Georgia Bulldog. The people in charge will make any decisions if they need to be made. All you need to do is cheer for your team.

Follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/thedrsec and visit our website at www.drsec.info