DAWGS WIN!!! Georgia beats Tech 30-24

After a year of torture, the bragging rights for this rivalry shifted back to Georgia. And the Dawgs did this by going back to doing what they do best: running the football.

Washaun Ealey and Caleb King combined to rush for 349 yards against Georgia Tech's "Swiss Cheese" defense. King also accounted for two touchdowns on runs of six yards and 75 yards.

Georgia started off quickly. After getting the opening kickoff, they drove down the field and scored a touchdown after 10 plays, all of them runs. Tech was unable to score until the start of the second quarter, when Scott Blair connected on a 42 yard field goal. The Dawgs added three points on a 42 yard Blair Walsh field goal. Joe Cox then extended the lead to 17-3 with a completion to Michael Moore.

After halftime, the Jackets' triple option offense finally broke loose (partially). Josh Nesbitt completed a screen pass that Demaryius Thomas took in for a touchdown. On the next play from scrimmage, Caleb King broke loose for his 75 yard touchdown run to make the lead 24-7. Jonathan Dwyer added a running touchdown and Blair Walsh kicked another field goal before the end of the third quarter.

Georgia extended their lead to 30-17 with an early 4th-quarter field goal. After Tech scored again, Blair Walsh hooked the game-sealing field goal. However, the Jackets' last drive ended when Demaryius Thomas dropped an easy pass on fourth down.

The injuries were definitely on Georgia's side. Tech's defenders "dropped like flies" in the first half, with multiple defensive players and an offensive lineman leaving the game. Josh Nesbitt was then taken to the locker room late in the first quarter with an ankle injury. He wouldn't fully return until the third quarter. In between, Jaybo Shaw helped out the Dawgs' defense.

In a game where most Georgia fans didn't care or were conceding defeat before it even started, the Dawgs came out on top in their biggest win of the season. Mark Richt's team corrected many of their season-long problems, including turnovers (only one turnover - Tech had two), the play calling (going back to what we do best - running), and penalties (just five).

Georgia's defense finally stepped up and stopped an offense. They held Tech 109 yards below their season rushing average, which is an incredible accomplishment for a defensive coordinator who was expected to resign after the game. However, some of the credit for this has to go to our offense for controlling the ball and keeping the Jackets' offense off the field.

Now we finally get to think about a bowl game. More on bowl projections coming tomorrow or Tuesday. GREAT WIN DAWGS!!!

PETA's sticking its nose into other people's business - our business

PETA, which used to be called People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, has written a letter to Damon Evans asking for UGA to use an electronic mascot or solely a costumed mascot instead of a live bulldog.

In the letter, they stated that the specific breed of bulldog Georgia uses is prone to heart problems (the problem that killed Uga VI and Uga VII), breathing difficulties, and hip dysplasia.

Seriously? At least write the letter to Sonny Seiler, the guy who ALLOWS the school to use his pets as the mascots. Seiler doesn't have a problem with it (all seven Ugas have come from him). And also, the dogs are going to have those problems whether you use them as a mascot or not. Even if they aren't sitting on the sideline, and are sitting at home instead, they will still have the problems that PETA mentioned.

PETA then suggested that the school should use a robot or a costumed mascot instead. A ROBOT? SERIOUSLY? We're not talking about Georgia Tech here. And we already have a costumed mascot. Its name is Hairy Dawg.

I'm not saying that PETA's a bad organization, I'm just saying that they need to have a valid argument before they start sticking their nose into other people's business. Especially a university's tradition.

Shreveport or Birmingham, here we come

ESPN's week 12 bowl projections are out, and it looks like the Dawgs are heading to either Shreveport or Birmingham. What a shame.

Shreveport, of course, is the site of the Independence Bowl, which pits a low-level SEC team against a low-level Big 12 team. By the way, this bowl is sponsored by AdvoCare V100 (Has anyone heard of this company? I haven't). If the Dawgs go to this bowl, it's looking like they'll play Iowa State.

Birmingham is the site of the Papajohns.com Bowl, which pits a very low-level SEC team against a very low-level Big Ten team. This bowl game is relatively new, as it has only been active since 2006. If the Dawgs go to this bowl, it's looking like they'll play UConn.

Also, there's a new bowl this year called the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl :). It pits two extremely low-level teams from the MAC and Big Ten against each other.

Here are the projections for the BCS games:

BCS National Championship Game: Florida/Alabama vs. Texas

Rose Bowl: Ohio State vs. Oregon

Sugar Bowl: Florida/Alabama vs. Cincinnati

Fiesta Bowl: Boise State vs. Iowa

Orange Bowl: Georgia Tech vs. TCU

I'm happy about the last one because TCU will most likely kill Georgia Tech. The Frogs have a great defense, and that already great defense will have a month to prepare for the triple option. Also, TCU has an explosive and powerful offense, and the Yellow Jackets have an almost nonexistent defense. My prediction would be:

TCU 52, Georgia Tech 10

Turnovers and mistakes doom Dawgs to loss

When Georgia built a 20-6 lead over Kentucky at halftime, nobody expected that the Dawgs would end up losing the game. However, when your team plays like this, anything can happen. And that "anything" did happen, as four turnovers sent Georgia to a 34-27 loss to the Wildcats.

After some slow offensive possessions, Kentucky took a 6-0 lead five minutes into the game (as the extra point snap was fumbled). Georgia then ripped off four scores before halftime - Joe Cox completed a touchdown pass to Rantavious Wooten and a second one to Orson Charles, and Blair Walsh kicked two field goals. The Dawgs had a commanding 20-6 lead going into the locker room.

Georgia then came out for the second half and made mistake after mistake. It started with Branden Smith fumbling the second half kickoff over to Kentucky. Randall Cobb ran into the end zone two plays later to cut the Dawgs' lead to 20-13. After the two teams exchanged punts, the Dawgs punched it in on another Joe Cox touchdown pass to take a 27-13 lead. However, everything went downhill from there.

Joe Cox should get most of the credit for the Kentucky rally, as his two interceptions and one fumble allowed the Wildcats to take the lead and hold on to it. (Yes, the fumble was given to Washaun Ealey, but it was actually Cox's fault). Morgan Newton threw for two touchdowns and Randall Cobb ran for another score to give Kentucky the 34-27 lead, which they would not relinquish.

Joe Cox completed only 12 out of 30 passes, but ended up with 291 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions (the last stat is the biggest). Washaun Ealey led teh rushing attack with 19 carries for 77 yards. Caleb King came in second with 18 carries for 77 yards. Branden Smith had a good first half, rushing three times for 52 yards.

Now, here's our biggest problem on offense: the play calling. Freshman tight end Orson Charles caught four passes for 73 yards in the game. All of that was in the first half. He wasn't even thrown to in the second half. When a guy is on fire like that, you need to get the ball in his hands. However, that's not the only example of stupid play calling from the game. Mike Bobo called a DRAW PLAY ON A 3RD-AND-LONG. When you have third and really long, at least pass the ball so you still have a chance to win the game and are not showing the defense that you're giving up.

I've changed my mind about our coaches after watching this performance. Both Mike Bobo AND Willie Martinez need to be fired during the offseason. And while I don't really want Mark Richt to be fired, I would not oppose this move.

Now we get to prepare for an epic beating in Atlanta next weekend. I'm saying the Yellow Jackets will put up 45 points again (and I'm kind of being optimistic there). We need to do SOMETHING to turn this program around.

UGA player arrested for driving without a license - AGAIN!!!

One of our backup offensive lineman, Jonathan Owens, was arrested today for driving a motorcycle on East Campus without a valid license. He was taken to the Clarke County Jail, but he was released about two hours later on bond.

Jonathan Owens has now joined Vince Vance and Vance Cuff as the three UGA football players to be arrested for a traffic violation this year. Mark Richt needs to seriously take action..starting with checking the players' driver's licenses. If they don't have one, he should march them down to the DDS office and get them one. He just needs to do something to fix this problem.

Also, Bill King at the Junkyard Blawg has suggested that all the fans wear black in honor of Uga VII. However, he did not want the players to wear the blackout jerseys.

Here's the best comment I read on this topic:

Bradley G said:
"I say the team should wear black jerseys...as long as it is clear the jersey switch is to honor UGA VII rather than another silly move to motivate the team to play better. At the very least, they should wear some kind of helmet decal to honor his memory."

I completely agree.

BREAKING NEWS: UGA VII HAS DIED

The AJC has just reported that Uga VII has died of an apparent heart attack. He was in his second year as the Dawgs' official mascot.

Georgia sideline reporter Loran Smith said, "Uga has gone the way of all great bulldogs...up in the sky."

Uga VII, named "Loran's Best" after Loran Smith, had a 16-7 record during his reign as the mascot, which was the shortest in the school's history.

Here are a few photos (all from the AJC):

Dawgs beat Auburn 31-24, are now bowl eligible

Not many people thought that Georgia would still be fighting to become bowl eligible in their 10th game of the year. However, a miserable and unimpressive first quarter turned into Georgia's sixth win of the season, therefore making them bowl eligible.

Auburn got the ball on the opening kickoff. They quickly and easily drove down the field against Georgia's "Swiss Cheese" defense (as College Gameday put it). On offense, the Dawgs quickly lost possession and had to punt. The Tigers then repeated their first drive and took a 14-0 lead.

Georgia finally got going in the second quarter, as Joe Cox completed a 50-yard touchdown pass to Israel Troupe. In the third quarter, a 51-yard field goal by Blair Walsh and a 1-yard run by Washaun Ealey gave Georgia a 17-14 lead.

For the rest of the game, the scoring went like this: for Auburn, a field goal by Wes Byrum and then a 99-yard kickoff return. The kickoff return came after a big touchdown run by Caleb King. King then broke the 24-24 tie with another big run to give the Dawgs a 31-24 lead, which they would not relinquish.

This game had some huge turnarounds for the Dawgs. Many of their problems from this year seemed fixed during the game. This inclues the rushing game (169 yards), the penalties (only four for 29 yards), and the turnovers (none - Auburn turned the ball over twice).

However, the game also included two huge losses for Georgia. A.J. Green was injured during the second quarter and is out indefinitely. Mark Richt has said that Green might be back for a bowl game.

Also, safety Bacarri Rambo was carted off the field after making a huge hit that jarred the ball loose from an Auburn receiver. He lay on the field motionless for 12 minutes before being taken to the hospital. Reports from the hospital say that he has a serious concussion. However, his play did end up helping the Dawgs win (as Auburn lost yardage on their next two plays, the last of which was a fourth down).

Here's some stats: Washaun Ealey rushed 18 times for 98 yards (5.4 average), Caleb King rushed 10 times for 66 yards (6.6 average), and Joe Cox was 9-of-17 for 173 yards, 1 touchdown, and no interceptions. Israel Troupe, Tavarres King, Orson Charles, and A.J. Green (before being injured) were the top receivers.

According to Mark Richt, the play of the game was a terrible Joe Cox pass that should have been intercepted. However, the ball bounced off an Auburn player's hands and right into the hands of Orson Charles. It was a big gain for Georgia that got the entire offense fired up and was possibly the game changer.

With the win, Georgia improves to 6-4 (4-3 SEC). The Dawgs will next take on the Kentucky Wildcats in Athens. Kentucky is also 6-4 this year, but has a miserable 2-4 record in the SEC. I'm expecting the Dawgs to win this one.

This is the blog's 200th post!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is the blog's 200th post!!!

And, with the 200th post, I get to post a hilarious story about three Tennessee football players getting arrested.

They were arrested after trying to rob a gas station at 2 AM - with a pellet gun. This happened just after Lane Kiffin told a potential Tennessee recruit that he would be pumping gas for the rest of his life if he committed to South Carolina.

Also, one of the guys was wearing a Tennessee shirt during the robbery - which helps the cops out a lot. And the guy they tried to rob didn't have any money at the time - which is bad planning.

If three Georgia players tried to do this, they'd get arrested for driving without a license before they ever got to the gas station. Seriously, it seems that a lot of our players get arrested for that.

Game Preview: Auburn at Georgia

The 7-3 Auburn Tigers will visit Athens tomorrow to take on the 5-4 Georgia Bulldogs. The game will be played at 7:45 PM and will be televised on ESPN2.

Auburn has greatly improved from last year. They have a 7-3 record (better than ours) and won five games in a row to start the season. However, they have gone mostly downhill since then, losing three in a row to Arkansas, Kentucky, and LSU. They then rebounded with wins over Ole Miss and Furman.

Georgia has had a terrible year so far. They have a 5-4 record and opened with a loss at Oklahoma State, which was followed by close wins over South Carolina, Arkansas, and Arizona State. After that, they lost two in a row to LSU and Tennessee before rebounding against Vanderbilt. However, they lost to Florida, but rebounded against Tennessee Tech.

Auburn's explosive offense will be a challenge for Georgia's defense. Our D will have to really step up and stop this offense if they want to win the game. When Auburn's offense shows up, they can put up points very fast. However, the Tigers' defense will most likely not be a challenge for our offense.

Inside the Numbers:

• Auburn leads the all time series 53-51-8, but Georgia has won the last three meetings, including two at Auburn.
• Georgia's offense is scoring 28 points per game, which is 62nd in the FBS.
• Georgia's defense is allowing 27 points per game, which is 71st in the FBS.
• Georgia has the following rankings in the FBS: 119th in penalties per game, 119th in turnover margin, 120th (last) in turnovers gained, 88th in total offense, and 36th in total defense.
• Georgia is #1 in the FBS in net punting.

What bowl will Georgia play in?

Kevin at sicemdawgs.com posted a good article today on what bowl the Dawgs might be playing in this postseason. Here's a summary of his main points (which were based on what David Hale wrote):

Here are Georgia's bowl possibilities and what would get them there.

• Outback Bowl: UGA must beat Auburn and Tennessee must lose to Ole Miss.
• Cotton Bowl: usually goes to an SEC West team.
• Chick-fil-A Bowl: Atlanta won't want UGA after the Dawgs play Tech there.
• Music City Bowl: SEC #6 or #7 plays here, UGA would need to beat Kentucky
• Independence Bowl: UGA would have to beat Auburn and lose to Kentucky.

Kevin then decided that if Georgia wins its three remaining games, they will go to the Chick-fil-A Bowl. However, he then predicted that Georgia will beat Auburn and Kentucky and then lose to Georgia Tech (which means Music City Bowl).