Why the Georgia Bulldogs Should Win the SEC East in the 2011 College Football Season
by T Kyle King on Dec 10, 2010 12:15 AM EST
in Football
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PrintNot content merely to bust my chops, C&F also felt compelled to burst my bubble by demonstrating that Urban Meyer mostly just restored what had become the status quo in the SEC East since the 1992 divisional split. While it was not news that the Gators are good (or that Georgia must resolve its own issues before being able to take advantage of others’ issues), C&F’s latter posting sparked an interesting comment thread that reminds us that, as Chris Fowler has noted, "BCS" stands for "better check the schedule."
Here are the 2011 conference slates for the four teams to have represented the Eastern Division in the Georgia Dome:
- Georgia: South Carolina (9/10), at Ole Miss (9/24), Mississippi State (10/1), at Tennessee (10/8), at Vanderbilt (10/15), Florida @ Jax (10/29), Auburn (11/12), Kentucky (11/19)
- Florida: Tennessee (9/17), at Kentucky (9/24), Alabama (10/1), at LSU (10/8), at Auburn (10/15), Georgia @ Jax (10/29), Vanderbilt (11/5), at South Carolina (11/12)
- South Carolina: at Georgia (9/10), Vanderbilt (9/24), Auburn (10/1), Kentucky (10/8), at Mississippi State (10/15), at Tennessee (10/29), at Arkansas (11/5), Florida (11/12)
- Tennessee: at Florida (9/17), Georgia (10/8), LSU (10/15), at Alabama (11/22), South Carolina (10/29), at Arkansas (11/12), Vanderbilt (11/19), at Kentucky (11/26)
The schedule seems to set up fairly well for the Red and Black. The Bulldogs have three true road games, against three of the league’s bottom four teams, whereas the other contenders each have four away games against SEC foes. Florida and Tennessee face 16th-ranked Alabama; Georgia does not. Florida and Tennessee face eleventh-ranked Louisiana State; Georgia does not. South Carolina and Tennessee face eighth-ranked Arkansas; Georgia does not.
In 2011, which figured to be a fairly wide-open year in the SEC East even before Coach Meyer’s retirement, the Bulldogs should benefit from a comparatively weak draw out of the other division, with two Western Division teams visiting Sanford Stadium, the Rebels coming off of a down year, and the likely losses of key figures on the roster or on the coaching staff for both Auburn and Mississippi State.
None of these are guarantees, of course; there certainly will be some surprises along the way, and there is no telling which teams will be better than expected. Nevertheless, the Red and Black have as favorable a conference schedule next season as any team in the Eastern Division, which ought to give the Bulldogs a distinct edge in the race to earn a place in the SEC Championship Game.
We know that next season will begin in the Georgia Dome. Three months later, it ought to end there, as well.
Go ‘Dawgs!
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The SEC East
sucks. So Georgia may just win indeed. It is lame that Auburn got put in the SEC West. What a ripoff. Vanderbilt is west of Auburn and should have been in the SEC West. Auburn lost its annual rivalries with Florida and Tennessee, which had taken place for many decades, and got stuck playing Arkansas and what not annually. No one cares about those games. The old rivalries were far more interesting. We used to play Georgia Tech every year too. Since they aren’t in the SEC, I suppose this has nothing to do with that no longer happening, but somehow I’m not too sure. That’s my bitch session for the evening. I’m going to bed.
At least two SEC East teams are going to kick your teeth in next year.
I don’t know who your third opponent is, but Auburn will be the most hated defending conference champ in my lifetime. You lose Newton, your entire OL, Fairley, eight other defensive starters, and possibly Malzahn. Georgia will beat you senseless, and South Carolina will beat you worse than the NCAA is going to in 2012.
"They've just discovered a new use for sheep over there at Clemson... wool." - Lewis Grizzard
by GwinnettGamecock on Dec 10, 2010 3:50 AM EST up reply actions 6 recs
The NCAA & Auburn
The NCAA isn’t doing squat to Auburn other than precisely what Auburn instructs it to do. Bank on it and remember you heard it here first. Have I ever been wrong? The NCAA hates Georgia, Bammer and the like, and is unaware that South Carolina exists, but Auburn owns them and they like it. Regarding the loss of these players, perhaps Auburn won’t win the NC again next year, but none of you trifling snackwagons will either. And Auburn will replace those players soon enough with equally hard hitting and mean thugs. Auburn always has something up its sleeve, and it won’t be pretty for you. Cheers!
P.S. Don’t forget to watch Auburn trounce Oregon I think it is in the BCS Title Game!!
by Stephen1980 on Dec 10, 2010 11:58 AM EST up reply actions
Say what?
The NCAA isn’t doing squat to Auburn other than precisely what Auburn instructs it to do. Bank on it and remember you heard it here first. Have I ever been wrong?
Yes. Every time you post.
Just a little history…
I really can’t tell if you’re being facetious or if you’re just off you meds rocker… Either way, when the whip falls down, the NCAA might just relocate their HQ’s to Opelika.
"If we score, we may win. If they never score, we'll never lose."
-Erk Russell
by DavetheDawg on Dec 10, 2010 12:29 PM EST up reply actions
You were wrong the minute you decided to enroll at Auburn.
If I were your parents (or whoever fronted the money for your education up until the point you went to AU), I’d be bitterly disappointed that you didn’t make something better of yourself and take better advantage of the opportunities presented. Auburn? What a letdown.
He went to Westminister and had the cash to go out of state. And meets all stereotypes thereof.
Why someone in North Georgia would leave all the great schools of their state (and most of those types return right back to the Atlanta area) I have no idea.
So, I agree with you, and have no idea why TKK has allowed his off topic dribble to continue all season.
Mostly, however, he is just a troll. A little snob troll.
"One thing I will never do as long as I’m at Georgia is lose to Florida." - Herschel Walker
Yes, I recall
Most of the Westminster alumni I know (perhaps all of them) would become hermits before settling for Auburn. That’s just sad.
You must not know too many.
Not only is Auburn in the top four in matriculations among Westminster grads, it is the ONLY university IN THE NATION (public or private) which is among the top five among Westminster, Porter-Gaud and Webb grads. (Westminster and Porter-Gaud being arguably the most prestigious day schools in the South and Webb the most prestigious boarding school.)
Bammer isn’t in the top ten among ANY one of the three aforementioned preps, and Georgia isn’t among Porter-Gaud or Webb grads. Look it up on their websites.
Also, Georgia has higher SAT averages than Auburn (but not by much at all – and neither has an average which is impressive). And that is only since and because of the Hope crap, which just keeps most dawg worshiping, truck driving Cletuses out of Georgia and forces them to go to Georgia Southern and the like. And as I’ve said before, what is undergrad school other than playschool? I’m pleased to report that I didn’t go to undergrad at Auburn or Georgia.
At the grad level, Auburn has three colleges ranked in the top nine nationally (architecture, engineering and veterinary medicine), and “them dawgs” don’t have the first one.
They are basically a bunch of hillbillies, I would assert if I weren’t too kind for my own good. However, I am kind and would never be distasteful enough to criticize.
Glad to know you are both too good for Undergrad at UGA as well as Auburn
Also glad to hear that you think Georgia Southern is full of “truck driving Cletuses”.
I appreciate your candor.
Snob much? I bet you own one of those “We’re not snobs, we’re just better than you” T shirts.
"One thing I will never do as long as I’m at Georgia is lose to Florida." - Herschel Walker
Snobbery is a compliment to him.
It’s clear from his posts what kind of picture of himself he’s trying to project. If he’s lucky, he’ll figure out soon that it’s not a beneficial attitude to carry through life. But I’m sure he’s a big hit on the Plains.
True to form.
Auburn’s SAT averages were much further behind Georgia’s before “the Hope crap”. UGA has several graduate and undergraduate programs ranked in the top 5 nationally, including a couple first in their fields, but whatever. It’s still UGA, and I know what that means.
I know several Westminster grads, most of whom did their undergraduate studies at UGA, Duke, or Vandy with a couple of Ivies thrown in. A lot of them I met in law school. In Athens.
I, too, am pleased you didn’t go to undergrad at Georgia. I’d be embarrassed to have someone like you as a fellow alumnus. I hope you outgrow the smugness soon. It’s unbecoming.
What are you talking about? There is VERY little difference NOW!
One would think that with Georgia having twice Alabama’s population and the Hope crap to boot, the difference would be far greater than it is. I will post the ranges if you’ll remind me later. The middle third at both schools is basically a perfect overlap.
And trust me, I am not arguing that Auburn’s undergrad bastards are bright. I’m well aware than most anyone with a pulse could be admitted to undergrad at both Auburn and Georgia.
I teach Auburn undergrads as a grad assistant. When I tell them their research papers have to be at least fifteen pages long and they use size 20 font (I guess they think I won’t notice), I’m not impressed.
Anyway, I have to go to the dry cleaners right now and get ready to fly out to Jersey in the a.m. Do hold me to my promise to post the stats next time, though.
I've seen the stats.
What I’m talking about is that the difference used to be greater. I apologize if that wasn’t clear in the first sentence of my comment.
I’m not interested at all in your flight to Jersey. I’m likewise not interested in your dry cleaning. I’m not interested in your promise to post statistics. In fact, let me just go ahead and make it simple: based on your comments I’ve read on this site, the chances are very great that I won’t be interested in anything you have to say. Post away if you like: free country and all that. But don’t flatter yourself that it’s interesting for anything other than an opportunity to inspire a roll of the eyes and a snide comment. If that’s what you’re after, you’re doing a great job. The rest is entirely unimpressive.
Cheers!
by NCT on Dec 10, 2010 7:46 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I thought "Westminster grad"
meant he competed at that fancy dog show they have every year up there in NYC.
Apparently not. Oops.
I can bake like a demon.
Hi Podunk!
I suppose I should give you an “E” for effort. I wouldn’t look for NCT. He was PMSing again. No worries. Probably down at oh-so-glamorous-assuming-you’re-a-“dawg”-from-the-turnip-patch Blake’s by now. Or Flex, more likely. Hope you enjoyed your jaunt to Vegas!
by Stephen1980 on Dec 10, 2010 10:37 PM EST up reply actions
True...
The SEC East was definitely down this year, but the SEC West was quite pathetic until the last couple of years, with Arky, Miss. State, Ole Miss, Auburn, and Alabama being mediocre to bad most years.
Sure, Auburn, Arky, Bama, and LSU have been decent to good the last few years, but before that it was horrid division.
It’s cyclical.
"You can't print what I said, but they have to catch us." - Chipper Jones
We don't need Auburn in the SEC East.
Every division needs thei black sheep. We’ve got Tennessee, thank you very much.
"If we score, we may win. If they never score, we'll never lose."
-Erk Russell
by DavetheDawg on Dec 10, 2010 10:00 AM EST up reply actions
Kyle, I'm staying more cautious about next year.
CMR is pushing hard (harder than I recall recently) to haul in Georgia natives in this upcoming recruit class (recruiting the “Dream Team.”) CTG will be tailoring his recruits to his style of d-ball. I expect nothing more than another year of growing pains, as older players continue adapting to the 3-4. Newer (or brand-spanking new) recruits might be filling some high profile positions (CB/LB/WR to name a few). I need not even mention reconfiguring the offense to deal with the loss (possible, but likely) of AJ Green, unless someone steps up in a big way. Of course, when Massaqoi (sic?) left, I was worried we would be short at WR…man, was I wrong!
I hope to see improvements, especially in preventing big plays and 4th quarter play, while holding onto our gains in discipline: fewer penalties, less turnovers. Any degradation in these areas may lead me to start to entertain Afghan Dawg’s point of view.
I still think we’re 2 years away from significantly impacting the SEC and national scene. I just hope the alumni and fans have enough patience to see CMR through this rebuild.
If you're gonna do it, go ugly early.
Next year...
I am cautiously optimistic. We’ll know a lot about this team after the first two games.
Heck, I thought THIS year stacked up favorably for us, too. So much for that…
"You can't print what I said, but they have to catch us." - Chipper Jones
I appreciate the effort to get my hopes up...
… but I’m going to remain solidly pessimistic until Georgia has proven with their play on the field that I should think otherwise.
I mean, you could also look at the schedule in the following light:
- After starting off the season in prime-time against a major OOC opponent, you turn around and have to face the defending SEC Eastern Division champions, who are in the midst of the best run in their football history under their hall-of-fame coach who certainly knows how to beat Georgia.
- Since he’s not going to Gainesville, you have to face Dan Mullen’s Western Division Bulldogs, who were good enough to solidly beat you this year.
- Coach Giggity rarely has two bad teams in a row, so Ole Miss should have a strong team next year, as well.
- The progress made by Derek Dooley’s Vols was impressive from Game 1 to Game 12. If they continue that momentum, they should be a formidable team in 2010, as well.
- And then you have to beat Florida, who could be 1-11, but the 1 would probably be against us.
- And that doesn’t factor in Boise State or Georgia Tech, both of whom are teams who you could beat, but who could also very easily beat you if you have a down day.
You look at our 2011 schedule and see “SEC Champions.” I look at our 2011 schedule and see, “We’re going to need a bigger goat.”
Has Mullen said he’s not going to UF (or Miami)? Last I heard, he’s still saying that he “has no plans” of leaving, which is exactly what every coach who’s ever left has said up until the day they’re introduced as the new coach in the next town.
"It'll only be reviewed because the guys up in the booth want to watch it a few times too." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xf16_mw0nxs
You're right, AdamLilly.
I thought I’d heard yesterday that Dan Mullen denied that he had any interest in becoming Florida’s head coach, so I just went with it. Now that I go back and look at his quote myself, however… you’re correct.
I’m very happy at Mississippi State and have no plans on going anywhere.
That’s basically just the regular coach-speak. He has no plans… until Florida knocks on his door and asks him to hold their sacks of money for a second… just to see what it feels like.
by vineyarddawg on Dec 10, 2010 12:05 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, I think it's just a matter of how soon Mississippi State travels to Jacksonville . . .
. . . for Jeremy Foley to meet with Dan Mullen face to face.
(Can you name the last time a new Florida coach was hired following a regular season in which his team earned a Gator Bowl bid? Charley Pell.)
Go 'Dawgs!
by T Kyle King on Dec 10, 2010 12:26 PM EST up reply actions
I concur
I’ll reserve judgment until I see the product on the field. Our offense struggled early without AJ, and we’ll be without him next year.
True, but, this year, we'll know going into spring practice that A.J. won't be on the field.
The Bulldogs’ preparations, up to and including the week of the season opener, all operated from the reasonable yet erroneous understanding that Green would be playing.
That doesn’t mean Georgia shouldn’t have adjusted to his absence more quickly, but A.J.‘s absence was felt more acutely because it was unexpected and last-minute, and because the coaches weren’t sure they could trust the inexperienced quarterback to run the full offense without him. None of those circumstances will apply in 2011.
Go 'Dawgs!
by T Kyle King on Dec 10, 2010 12:28 PM EST up reply actions
I agree with you Vineyard. It will suck, and I will hate it, but next year is a hot seat year for me. The prove is on the field and in the W-L column.
I am not subjecting myself to any more off season hype. I will be most impressed if I hear CMR say much of the same.
"One thing I will never do as long as I’m at Georgia is lose to Florida." - Herschel Walker
Oh the Irony
If Peterson were to come to Gainesville, leaving UGA to open up the season against a green BSU coach and you guys curb stomp them…only for Peterson to hang a W on the board in Jax.
Not that I think he’s coming. But the thought made me giggle.
"Did you spill the whisky? You did, didn’t you? Okay, go ahead and eat the floormats."
While that certainly could happen, . . .
. . . I’d be far less worried about a Chris Petersen-led Gator program than a Dan Mullen- or Charlie Strong-led Gator program. Dirk Koetter and Dan Hawkins didn’t exactly pan out when they left Boise for a BCS conference.
Go 'Dawgs!
by T Kyle King on Dec 10, 2010 12:30 PM EST up reply actions
By the way, Bourbon_Meyer, I have to ask:
Does the fact that Florida is changing coaches mean you’ll be changing screen names? I’m just curious.
I wondered the same thing about Dawg Sports commenter wwcmrd? when the Mark Richt hot seat talk was at its most inflamed.
Go 'Dawgs!
by T Kyle King on Dec 10, 2010 12:32 PM EST up reply actions
Great question, been wondering same
EDSBS used to have a commenter named ‘Pat Dye’s Liver’ so I think some names are timeless. Dubious Urbz will fade out of anyone’s memories any time soon. Plus, 0’llI still drink the hell outta some bourbon so that won’t be changing.
I forgot Koetter came out of there. Also, don’t overlook this guy’s BSU background:
"Did you spill the whisky? You did, didn’t you? Okay, go ahead and eat the floormats."
by Bourbon_Meyer on Dec 10, 2010 12:43 PM EST up reply actions
No wonder I was confused...
I thought it meant why would carol murder richard dawson?
"If we score, we may win. If they never score, we'll never lose."
-Erk Russell
by DavetheDawg on Dec 10, 2010 12:47 PM EST up reply actions
That's weird.
Why would anyone want to murder Richard Dawson? Have you ever seen him on match game re-runs?
I thought it stood for “well-written code might really deliver.”
(I’m an I/T guy.)
by vineyarddawg on Dec 10, 2010 2:27 PM EST up reply actions
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