UGA 41 - USC 37: BUI Grades the Game

Whew.What a night.We have some amazing young play-makers on this team. They made some mistakes last night, but the also made some fantastic plays.

AJ Green is worth the price of admission. Branden Smith reminds me of Champ Bailey, when you are looking at his taillights they are always getting smaller. Brandin Boykin played his ass off. Rennie Curran was the difference.

While there was much improvement from last week, some of the same problems persist. Special Teams were Dr. Jekyll - Mr. Hyde. Joe Cox demonstrated the type of play I think we all expect of him. Offensive play calling once again left be confused. The defense, which had to be wore out following the first quarter, was unable to close it out late. Coaching, well, I just don't know what to think.

Grading the Game

Offense: B
The offensive displayed enormous improvement over the Stillwater game. AJ had a fumble, and Cox had an interception, but overall I thought the players played great.

Despite the fumble, AJ looked all world. This Dawg is amazing. I chalk the fumble up to fighting for extra yardage. We should all enjoy him while we have him.

Joe Cox had a workmen like game. The one interception was ill advised, but had he gotten the ball over the linebacker a big play was to be had.

The line blocked well for the most part. Cox took a big hit and fumbled on one drop back, but otherwise the line played well.

Richard Samuels was hell on wheels. The only person in the stadium that could stop him was Mike Bobo. Bobo did redeem himself with an excellent reverse call that demonstrated Branden Smith's amazing speed.

Defense: B-
To be fair, Willie's unit was placed behind the eight ball due to turnovers and Boykin taking it to the house. I think they played pretty well given the amount of time they were on the field. Fatigue surely set in late in the game when we were unable to stop Garcia. I could hear Larry counting the seconds down in my head. Scary.

I think we dealt with the run pretty well. They hit a few big plays on us, but I really like our defensive backs. Prince Miller did get burned on one play, but fortuntely for us, it was called back by a penalty.

We never really had an answer for their big tight end. Not really sure anyone will this year. He is a stud.

By the 4th quarter I was not at my best, but I think we were rushing three and playing a deep soft zone. I guess it worked, but I didn't help my life expectancy any.

Special Teams: C+
Branden Boykin! He was sensational on kick returns. Smith, when he wasn't fumbling, also ran hard. Smith just doesn't beleive in downing it. After watching him in the open field last night, I understand why.

Blair Walsh kicked it deep and had two touchbacks. The kickoff unit did allow one lang return, but overall this was the best we have done in quite some time. Walsh also hit another 50 yard field goal.

The punt game was not our strong suit. Butler kicked it decent, but a bad snap led to a safety. Our punt return team also allowed the Cocks to go all Mountaineer on us and faked a punt for a first down.

Coaching: C+
The psyche of the team had to be in shambles following last week's game and the subsequent finger pointing, contradictions, and yes rumors, appearing in the papers. Give the staff credit for keeping the team together through a difficult practice week.

Aside from Bobo, it is hard for me to be too critical of the coaching. Hell, I only have one gripe with Bobo. I do not know what the coaches were dealing with from a personnel standpoint. The odd time of possesion imballance had to of had an effect on the game plan, but for the life of me I cannot understand why Richard Samuels is not getting more touches. Especially given the amount of time our defense was on the field.

Again, the time of possession was hard on the defense. Willie's gang handled it admirably until late in the game. Garcia's running around as much as he was taking it's toll. End the end, the defense bent but didn't break. I will take it.

Coach Fabs let Walsh kick it deep and straight. That some "Change You Can Believe In". The returns were great, record setting I heard, but the fake punt we allowed was, well it wasn't good.

Overall: W
The game was exciting, and the Dawgs overcame a lot of adversity. Nice job.

I just get the feeling that we were the far more talented team and didn't really play to our potential. I hope I am wrong. I hope Carolina goes on to light it up the rest of the year, but I don't think that will be the case.

I'll go back to offensive play calling. The offense had a darn good night, but I still don't think you stop yourself. If they can't stop the run, don't stop it for them. I do not care how many great plays you have game planned during the week. If they are not making adjustments to stop the run, keep pounding it until the do. Once they adjust, then the other things will open up even more.

Whatever Happens Tonight, Bourbon Will Make it Better

I am not going to sugarcoat this. I believe we have the talent to win. I believe we have the coaching to win. But from all that has come out of Butts-Mehre we have no reason to expect to win.

Since the clock hit zero in Stillwater the Bulldogs have not been on the same page. From the rotations to the play calling, nothing has appeared in sync. Since arrival in Athens nothing has been cleared up. Injuries have been rumored, then denied, then confessed. Players have been "thrown under the bus" and psychies have been protected. Stories have been changed.

This is not what we have come to ecxpect from the Richt regime. Frankly, I expect it to end with tonight's performance. I expect the ship to be righted in Richt fashion. This has been an embarrasment and it will end tonight.

I do not have the access to give an accurate analysis of what has gone wrong, but if I know something has gone wrong the highest paid employee of the state of Georgia surely knows it has gone wrong too. He will fix it. He is worthy of the money he earns.

It may not be pretty, but hte Dawgs will return to the ways of the victorious. Triumphant will be the Dawgs. Spurrier will sputter in the face of Rennie and his renegades.

So show up Dawg fans, with Bourbon in hand. For ours will be a glorious conquest of the rivals from east yonder. The grease is hot, time for a chicken in the pot.

Is Spurrier Still Worth the Hate?

During his tenure at Florida there was no other as reviled by the Bulldawg Nation as Steve Spurrier. Personally, I have not forgotten.

I have not forgotten the end around pass to put 50 on the Sanford Stadium scoreboard. I have not forgotten all the shots he took at the Dawgs in the press. I have not forgotten the press conference when he was introduced as the Redskins coach and stated his goal to make turn the Cowboys into his version of the Georgia Bulldogs. I will never forget.

While last week's performance is not a good omen, I still have the prayer that we will hang 50 on his sorry ass tomorrow. I also hope we do it next year in foodlionville and every time we face him.

So how 'bout you, do you still get fired up for Spurrier, or is he just an old "has been" the game has left behind?

Doc Saturday Piles on the Dawgs

I am trying, really trying to look ahead and stay positive. Richt has faced adversity down in the past in he will do it again.

I have tried the "we played a top 10 team in their house with a young set of skill players...." bit to no avail. It was fairly natural for the Dawg sites to be hyper critical of our effort, but the national guys have not been any gentler with our anemic offensive production.

Were we supposed to get bonus points for having the same number of runs as passes? Ah, forget it. Read this.

Brace yourself for the annual Georgia-South Carolina taffy-pull - Dr. Saturday - NCAAF - Yahoo! Sports

I think we can take a low-scoring game for granted, and Georgia will be fine with that, as long it comes out on the right side -- Cox was only supposed to be a "manager" who did the easy things and kept the defense out of trouble, anyway. If he struggles again in the process of going 0-2, though, with Arkansas, Arizona State, LSU and Tennessee coming up, it's hard to imagine there not being a collective grumble for one of the kids to get their turn. That may seem a little premature, but UGA is already fighting out of a corner; with the Bulldogs' schedule, they can't afford to be patient with 0-2.

Is a Defensive Cock a Cock at All?

Doesn't look like the Gamecocks are expecting much from their offense either. Will the Braves game Saturday night be higher scoring than the Dogs affair? Dear Lord, how I would love to hang fifty on SOS, especially this week!
Morris: Call single-digit wins 'walking up the score' | GoGamecocks

There is not a USC fan who would not joyously take a 3-0 victory over Georgia on Saturday and brag to all of his friends about it for most of the next year. Not one of those same fans would turn down a slew of SEC victories in which USC barely cracked double figures on the scoreboard.

Understandably, Spurrier has a difficult time with such a concept. This is the man who injected fun into football in the Southeastern Conference. This is the guy who became known as an “offensive genius” at Duke and Florida because he drew up daring ball plays perhaps better than anyone in college football history.

While it might be OK for USC fans to begin thinking of Spurrier some day soon as a “defensive genius,” it is awfully hard for the Head Ball Coach to swallow such talk. Even his Florida teams that featured outstanding defenses were rarely recognized for anything but having the ability to score on any play from any place on the field.

Defense rules in USC-UGA games | GoGamecocks

“It’s not ... two WAC teams going at it early in the season, where it’s wide open,” USC play-by-play announcer Todd Ellis said. “It’s just smash-mouth defense, let’s see who will make a mistake or not.”

The Gamecocks had a couple of costly mistakes in last year’s 14-7 loss — a pair of fourth-quarter turnovers inside Georgia’s 20-yard line that sealed their fate.

Ellis, a former USC quarterback, believes the schedule is partly responsible for the low scores. USC has been Georgia’s first SEC opponent since the Gamecocks joined the conference in 1992.

The early-September date comes when coaches are trying to determine who their best playmakers are, and are using more conservative game plans than later in the season, according to Ellis.

Spurrier said the Gamecocks were too conservative in their 7-3 win at N.C. State. USC threw downfield three times and was reluctant to give tailback Jarvis Giles many touches after the freshman lost 9 yards trying to cut back on a second-quarter run.

@Ludakit, the Navigator

While I have had a very hard time looking forward, @Ludakit takes his eyes off of the rear-view mirror and takes us forward.
Where do the Dawgs go from here?

What UGA needs to do is go back to a simplified game plan that involves the running back more. Richard Samuel looked good, although he did have a tough time breaking tackles. The possible addition of Caleb King to the backfield back from his hamstring injury may help that some. If offensive coordinator Mike Bobo wants to build a game plan, it has to start with running the ball first and daring the Gamecocks to stop it.

Still Hungover, but Getting Cocky

As we begin preparations for the big Chicken Fry Saturday night, the hangover from Stillwater just will not go away. I am really trying to work on my attitude, after all that is the only thing I have any control of. It is difficult, to be sure. I take back my tweet from the T-Bone, I will not be referring to Joe Cox as "Joe T 4".  That was over the top and I apologize.

I really cannot complain too much about the players. They played hard. They tackles well, and the blocking did not look that bad. Sure they dropped too many passes, but haven't we grown accustomed to that over the years? The coaching leaves me befuddled.

I fully support this coaching staff and know that we are lucky to have them. They had a bad game, an awful game, in two of the three facets of football. The defense looked really good. A 53 yard field goal and some lengthy punts, however aided by bounces and rolls, were bright spots, too.

But the head is still pounding.

Assessments like this one do not help.
Richt sees Gamecocks' speed on display | GoGamecocks

“Definitely, I think Joe will be sharper as we go,” Richt said. “But overall I think he played a pretty decent ballgame. It wasn’t anything to sit there and say he was spectacular by any means, but he was solid.”

Then comes news that the man that would be facing Trinton was named SEC defensive lineman of the week. When it rains it pours.
Call is right for USC's Taylor | GoGamecocks

Stepping in for the suspended Clifton Geathers, Taylor had a debut for the ages. In addition to setting up the only touchdown in the Gamecocks’ 7-3 win with the forced fumble and blocking the punt, Taylor finished with six tackles and led USC with three tackles for loss.

The redshirt freshman was named the SEC defensive lineman of the week.

This shouldn't be as big a challenge as Dez Bryant was, especially with Garcia pulling the trigger for the 'Cocks. Still, the size advantage they have over our DBs is great cause for concern.
Press conference report: LeCorn could return at Georgia | GoGamecocks

South Carolina could be getting a key piece of its passing game back this weekend.

Dion LeCorn, expected to be a starting receiver before breaking his leg on the final play of the spring game, has been practicing this week and hopes to play Saturday against Georgia.

USC coach Steve Spurrier said LeCorn, a possession receiver with 41 career catches, has looked good running in practice. In addition to LeCorn, freshman receiver Alshon Jeffery has moved up the depth chart and is currently working as the backup to starter Tori Gurley at one of the Gamecocks’ three receiver spots.

I predict a fairly gloomy week here at BUI. Expereince tells me the best cure for this type of ailment is a little "hair of the Dawg", unfortunately the bar does not open until 7 pm Saturday night.

Full Contact Tuesday: Game 2

A day at the beach was good for BUI. No internet, no Dawgs, just a nice day in the sun with plenty of happy children and some excellent go-kart racing.

Before we move on to the conference opener I have a few final thoughts on Stillwater to share.

• We are 6-4 in our last ten games.
  
• There were many, many empty seats, that would have never happened in Athens.
  
• The performance was poor, but the effort was good. That was encouraging.
• The fanbase is being fanatical, that is to be expected. The faithful are NOT calling for Richt's head, those that are have more serious problems than Georgia football and are just projecting.
• My prayers are with Trinton.
• The lockerroom and team chemistry/unity may not be all that we were told. After reading Hale's tome grading the OSU game I am very concerned. A great deal of "finger pointing" is going on. The quotes Hale provides are simply scary.  

"Coach Ball is in the box, so he doesn't have direct contact with us, and he didn't realize that until the end of the game," Moore said. "We didn't know what the rotation was going to be like and we basically stuck with just the three guys." 


"I'm not sure why we didn't sub some other people in," Cox said. "That's not my decision. Whatever reason Coach Bobo and the other coaches did that for, you'd have to ask them."

"With some of the things they were doing on defense, our playcalling was more limited that what we thought coming into the game," White said. "We have a lot more that we could throw out there. I feel like a lot of our weapons on offense weren't completely utilized to their potential."

• There are many, many more quotes like these in all the papers, basically players pointing fingers at coaches. I can't ever remeber this happening before.

Enough with all that. Let's get the grease heated up so we can fry us some chicken.

My how absence makes the heart grow fonder. Just not too sure that 20 carriers was anywhere near "too much". I just hope we have some coaches paying attentino to the substitution rotation. Caleb King expected to play against Gamecocks | Blogs.OnlineAthens.com

“I think it will be a tremendous blessing for us to get Caleb back and help Richard with the amount of volume he’s getting,” Richt said on his weekly call-in show. “He had 20 carries. I don’t know if that was too much or not.”
Samuel rushed for 89 yards in his first college start.
King began the preseason atop the depth chart, but missed more than three weeks of practice before returning on Sunday.
“He looked good,” Richt said. “I saw nothing in his gait that would make me feel like he was holding anything back. I actually saw him before practice and he said he was ready to go, he was going to play this week. We have no limitations on him in practice tomorrow other than if you give him too many reps, sometimes they’ll fatigue and when you fatigue is when you might re-pull an injury like that.”

For all the questioning of Caleb's King's mental state, I certainly hope he is back and feels appreciated.

For various reasons, all of the "border wars" are extremely important to me. This week's contest brings about a family feud situation. My Uncle and his children are Gamecocks. Last Thursday's game was the first time the Gamecocks competed in football without his presence in over 25 years. Get well soon, we will miss you this weekend.

I haven't found a lot of information on the UGA-USC game yet, most people are still "digesting" the crow we were served in Stillwater. Hope to have more soon. I for one am ready to turn my attentino to the Food Lion Footballers.