Georgia Bulldogs: What If They Lose To Boise State?

In all the chatter about how great Georgia's 2011 recruiting class was and how it seems that Mark Richt has the program back on track—ditching the perceived troublemakers and players with poor attitudes as well as bringing in a better approach to strength and conditioning—no one appears to be worried about the possibility of Georgia losing to Boise State in the opener.

Truthfully, it's a fair bet that Boise State isn't exactly taking this game lightly. They have been in this position twice before under the guidance of head coach Chris Petersen—beating both Oregon and Virginia Tech in 2009 and 2010, respectively—so they know what it feels like to play a big time game, under the lights, with a lot to prove.

So what of the argument that this game will prove how good they really are? After all, they haven't been nearly as successful against the SEC as they have against other conferences and Georgia dismantled them in 2005 at Sanford. Why should any Georgia fan be worried that this second meeting will be any different? 

Well, for one, this isn't 2005 and Kellen Moore is a far better quarterback than Jared Zabransky ever hoped to be. And second, while it's true that Boise State plays a perennially weaker conference schedule than their BCS counterparts, that also works to their advantage where games of this magnitude are concerned.

Boise State's 2011 schedule—beyond the opener against Georgia—isn't exactly worthy of much conversation. Honestly, if they beat Georgia, they have a legitimate shot at going undefeated. This game is their one big one for the regular season and they can afford to place it all on the line.

By contrast, Georgia has to be ready for this game and then be ready to get back to work against South Carolina in week two. That's two emotionally charged weeks of college football for a team that—let's be honest here—still has a lot of questions to answer about their toughness, their offense, and their defense—will that 3-4 be markedly better in year two?

So, why aren't more people concerned about the possibility that Georgia could lose?

For the record I do not expect to see Georgia lose their first two games, but I also can't say for certain that I know which game they will win—just being honest.

As much as Boise State can be viewed as a lesser opponent—unworthy of competing with the SEC—there can still be no denying the fact that Boise has consistently risen to the challenge each and every time they have been put to the test.

By contrast, Georgia has shown an heir of entitlement over the last two seasons, drunk off the fame and notoriety of winning so many games from 2001-2008. Has that attitude finally left the Butts-Mehre building or are their still guys that believe their own press, who couldn't tell you what GATA means if spotted the 'G' or the 'A'?

Georgia fans should be leary of having too much confidence until the 2011 product is seen on the field, because, until then, talk is cheap.

85 days and a wake-up folks, who's ready for some football?

Related articles

• Georgia Bulldogs: Don't Put All Your Eggs in Boise State's Basket (theladysportswriter.blogspot.com)
• Boise State gets a little less prepared. (blutarsky.wordpress.com)
• Slow down a little, aight? (blutarsky.wordpress.com)

Georgia Bulldogs: Don't Put All Your Eggs in Boise State's Basket

Photo Credit: David Tulis

"Every time we go out there, that’s what we think about — getting better to beat Boise State on Sept. 3rd."—(Georgia defensive back, Jakar Hamilton, AJC, 4/13/2011)

Speaking candidly, as a Georgia fan, I both love and hate that statement by Hamilton. I love knowing the team is doing all it can to avoid losing a big game, on a national stage, in the first game of the season. However, at the same time, I hate that the Boise State game has become the only reason some guys are so motivated to play because, while it would definitely be a great thing to see them win, it means nothing in the grander scheme of it all.

Point blank, I've seen Georgia play Boise State before and, while I respect everything Chris Petersen has done over the past five-years, I cannot say that I feel Georgia is the inferior team going into this match-up. Despite what these teams look like on paper, Georgia is capable of beating Boise State—if they play their brand of football.

That said, I am more concerned about the September 10th game against South Carolina than the one September 3rd against Boise—no disrespect intended to the Broncos—because all I want to see Georgia do in 2011 is get back to the SEC Championship game and Boise State has absolutely nothing to do with that happening.

Of course, the natural response to that last statement will be that the Boise game will set the tone for the rest of the year. Well, I only have one response to that: Virginia Tech.

The Hokies lost to Boise State to start last season, got embarrassed in week two by a Division I-AA opponent, but went on an 11-0 tear afterward and ended up winning the 2010 ACC Championship Game. So, you'll have to forgive me if I don't necessarily bite on the whole tone-setting approach.

Georgia could lose to Boise State and still be just fine.

Sure, it would be nice to have a repeat of 2005—defeat Boise in a big way and secure bragging rights over a team that many feel is one of the best in the country—but, if that happens, I can assure you that there will be a lot of unimpressed fans who were already feeling that Georgia was the better team anyhow—regardless of their mediocre 2010 record.

That said, quite a few people will be looking past Boise—win or lose—and pointing to South Carolina as the true barometer of what Georgia will be in year two with a more experienced Aaron Murray under center, bolstered by a second season of a Todd Grantham executed defense, with a new offensive line coach to lead the way, minus a few "cancers", led by a new approach to the strength and conditioning, and minus the talents of either an A.J. Green or a Justin Houston.

The level of exposure the game against Boise State offers may have injected some needed life into the program but, in my very humble—yet honest—opinion, Boise is the least of Georgia's concerns. The true questions will be answered in Knoxville (where Derek Dooley is spearheading a great turnabout for the Vols), in Jacksonville (where the changing of the guard has taken place and Georgia is desperate for a win), and in Athens (where the defending national champs (Auburn) and SEC East Champs (South Carolina) will come to play in 2011).

Sure a win against Boise State would be a great start, but I'd trade that for an SEC Championship and wins over Florida, Auburn, Tennessee, and South Carolina—just being honest.

So, hopefully, the coaches at Georgia are selling more than just Boise as motivation for the guys who will be representing the red and black because, as I said, Boise is the least of their concerns.

Georgia Bulldogs Football: Why Boise State and Why Now?

In case you didn't know, the Georgia Bulldogs and Mark Richt will be placed on display for the whole world to see at the start of the 2011 college football season.

The announcement that the Bulldogs would face Boise State, in Atlanta, for the annual Chick-Fil-A Kickoff game was both a surprise, and a statement, that the new athletic director, Greg McGarity, wants Georgia to get back to being a brand that the college football world recognizes a contender.

That said, the turmoil, and the question marks, surrounding Mark Richt, Georgia football, and the overall direction of the program just went from being a local/regional story to a national one.

Is that the kind of attention Mark Richt really wants?

Can this opportunity provide the spark that he and the team both need to get back on the right track this off-season? Will the fans who gave up on the coaching staff long ago come back and support them now—temporarily ditching their seats on the 'Fire Mark Richt' train?

These are the types of questions you have to ask because, while it's easy to applaud this move and say that it will benefit the program from both a financial and, hopefully, a recruiting standpoint, there are also more serious repercussions if the move backfires.

For one, this isn't the Boise State program of 2005. The one that Georgia dismantled and decimated at Sanford Stadium, 48-13. That was Dan Hawkins' team and he left shortly after said season for the "greener pastures" of the BCS friendly Big 12—opening the door for his offensive coordinator, Chris Petersen, to take the reigns. 

Chris Petersen has not only been every bit as successful as his predecessor, but he's moved the Broncos into the realm of major contenders.  His team has become a staple of the BCS Top 10 and, barring some unforeseen catastrophe, they are poised to make yet another appearance in a BCS bowl this year—their third in five years.

By contrast, Georgia hasn't seen a BCS bowl since 2007 and their overall win-loss record has dipped lower in each successive year since that time. 

That said, this time around, Boise is likely to be the favored team entering the contest.

In other words, this game would be a great opportunity for Georgia because Boise will enter 2011 as a Top 10 team, and if Georgia can beat them on a national stage, then it would be a tremendous start to their season.

That said, you also have to entertain the possibility of what it would mean if Georgia lost. That would certainly be a bad omen for Richt's future prospects—especially if the remainder of the season played out in much the same way the prior two have.

Of course, if the team lost but was able to find their footing and go on a run, a scenario pointed out by  one of my loyal readers, Bill B., then who knows. As Bill pointed out, both Virginia Tech (2010) and Oregon (2009) lost their season openers to Boise State, but still ended up finishing well.

That's a very good point, too. Oregon won their next seven games and moved into the Top 5 before a late season loss to Stanford spoiled their season. Still, a Pac-10 Championship and a trip to the Rose Bowl wasn't a bad consolation prize. 

As for Virginia Tech, they stand to win the ACC and they too could end up in a top-tier bowl come seasons end—so, there is a bright side.

However, you still have to wonder if this game is meant to send a message. Is this McGarity's way of letting Richt know this is his last chance to shine?

It could very well be and, for the sake of Georgia's fans, let's hope that he's ready to shine brightly.


Related articles

• Georgia Bulldogs Go "All In," Agree to Meet Boise State Broncos in Georgia Dome to Open 2011 Season (dawgsports.com)
• Boise St. to face Georgia in 2011 opening game (sports.espn.go.com)

Georgia Bulldogs Football: Will 2011 Be Mark Richt's Rebound Year?

The Georgia Bulldogs might have lit just the spark they needed to get the fanbase and the players pumped up for a rebound in 2011.

Greg McGarity, Georgia's newest athletic director, announced on Friday evening that the team would open their season in the Georgia Dome—against Boise State.

Boise and Georgia have met before, but any Boise fan will be quick to let you know that this Boise team is nothing like the one the Bulldogs annihilated in 2006. No, this Boise team is likely to arrive in Atlanta sporting a Top 5 ranking and, very likely, will be favored to beat a Georgia team that will be coming off another disappointing season.

That said, will 2011 be the year that Mark Richt finally puts it all together?

If his staff can come up with a gameplan to defeat the Broncos in what promises to be a heavily red and black skewed crowd, then the rest of the schedule looks promising.

Georgia will have six true home games (South Carolina, Coastal Carolina, Mississippi State, New Mexico State, Auburn, and Kentucky). Two of those games are wins—no question. The others present a challenge but, in year two of the 3-4, one would hope that the defense is able to fix what ails them—starting with their propensity towards missing defensive assignments.

That factor alone might have cost them at least 1-2 wins this season.

Even more, road games against Ole Miss (who will be looking to replace Jeremiah Masoli), Georgia Tech (who will be replacing both Josh Nesbitt and Anthony Allen), and Vanderbilt, should present less of a challenge for Georgia than either Tennessee (who seems to have found their quarterback in Tyler Bray) or Florida.

One thing is for certain, Georgia fans will be looking for something big from Richt in 2011, as this could be his last year to prove his worth as Georgia's head coach.

College Football ATS Picks: Can South Carolina Seal The Deal Against Florida? (UPDATED WITH SCORES)

The Lady is getting tired of losing. Last week's 8-7 haul was okay, but, more will need to happen to get the site anywhere near the goal of finishing above .500 on the year.

So, no more chatter, just straight to 15 more picks—against the spread—this week. Find all lines at VegasInsider.com and, again, for clarification, these are spread picks only.

Here we go:

1. Connecticut vs. Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh (-5.5)

The Huskies are undefeated at home this year but the Pitt Panthers not only come in on a three-game winning streak, but are going for their third straight over Connecticut as well.
I like the Huskies to play the Panthers close tonight.

The Lady's Pick: Connecticut to cover. 


Final: UConn 30, Pitt 28—The Lady Wins!

A close one, just as I expected, with a thrilling finish by the Huskies late in the fourth quarter. The Big East is no longer Pitt's to win—it just got interesting. 

2. Boise State at Idaho: Boise State (-34.5)

It's Boise. They've been bored all season playing the mediocre talent of the WAC and the Idaho Vandals will offer them no respite from that trend.

The Lady's Pick: Boise to cover.

Final: Boise 52, Idaho 14—The Lady Wins! 

Boise State beat up on another under-manned opponent. Yawn. 

3. West Virginia vs. Cincinnati: West Virginia (-7)

The Bearcats lost Zach Collaros to a leg injury a couple weeks back, but he is set to return this week against the Mountaineers. Cincy's offense is far more productive and dangerous with Collaros at the helm and the Mountaineers have struggled to find their footing the last two weeks.

The Lady's Pick: Cincinnati to cover. 

Final:West Virginia 47, Cincinnati 10—The Lady Loses

Wow, way to NOT show up Cincy. Geez—miss Brian Kelly and Mardy Gilyard much?


4. Auburn vs. Georgia: Auburn (-8)

More than a clinch of the SEC West is at stake for the Tigers in this one. Georgia currently holds a four-game win streak over the Tigers as well. Add to that, an angry Cam Newton, and you have an Auburn team that looks set to rout the Bulldogs on Saturday.

That said, Georgia is playing for every bit as much as the Tigers. They want to end the season on the upswing and what better way to do so than to beat the No. 2 team in the country—at home?

Georgia has a good defense, some solid playmakers, and a golden opportunity. Expect them to be in this one til the bitter end.

The Lady's Pick: Georgia to cover. 

Final: Auburn 49, Georgia 31—The Lady Loses

It looked promising for Georgia, early, but the Newton train proved too much to contain in the end. Now the Bulldogs will have to scare up win number 6 in their final game of the season—can they handle the pressure?

5. Florida vs. South Carolina: Florida (-6.5)

Okay, so the Gators are feeling groovy after two straight wins and, despite their three-game losing streak, they still have a shot at the SEC East title if they win—at The Swamp—this weekend.
Steve Spurrier's group has had their ups and downs this season with big program wins over Alabama and Georgia, but heartbreaking losses to Auburn and Arkansas. However, they can sweep all that under the rug if they can upend Urban Meyer's team.

Expect the Gamecocks to make a game of this one.

The Lady's Pick: South Carolina to cover. 

Final: South Carolina 36, Florida 14—The Lady Wins!

This was kind of like watching a horror film. I didn't want to see a good outcome for either team, but settled on Spurrier because he was the lesser of two evils. Still, it was great to see Chris Rainey be rendered a non-factor.

6. Alabama vs. Mississippi State: Alabama (-14.5)

Mississippi State lacks a lot in the offense department. Chris Relf isn't a very good quarterback and Vick Ballard has had good games against midling run defenses. The Bulldogs are where they are in large part because of their defense—period. So, a hat tip to their defensive coordinator, former Middle Tennessee head coach, Manny Diaz is in order.

That said, don't look for Alabama to run all over MSU this weekend. They have struggled mightily against physical front sevens and the talent in the secondary can be opportunistic when they are on their game.

14.5 points is too much to give to an Alabama team that has not shown much dominance this year.

The Lady's Pick: Mississippi State to cover. 

Final: Alabama 30, Mississippi State 10—The Lady Loses. 

Now the Tide play like winners. Hope they have a plan for Auburn next week—personally I hope they decimate Cam Newton and ram road the heck out of Nick Fairley.

7. Iowa State at Colorado: Iowa State (-2.5)

This is a tricky one because Colorado has been every bit the atrocious team we thought they would be to start the season—culminating in their embarrassing loss to Kansas last week. By contrast, the Cyclones beat Texas and have an under-rated leader in quarterback, Austen Arnaud.

So, the Cyclones should easily cover that 2.5, right? Wrong.

This is exactly the sort of game that just screams for big performances out of the Colorado players who just saw their coach get fired and want to save face. Plus, to be clear, Iowa State is not as good as their win over Texas seemed to allude.

The Lady's Pick: Colorado

Final: Colorado 34, Iowa State 14 —The Lady Wins

Ah yes, the coach gets fired and the Buffs play one of their best games of the season—who could have imagined that?...oh yeah—ME. 

8. Notre Dame vs. Utah: Utah (-5.5)

The Irish are just trying to get out of the season and into full recruiting mode. They lost their top quarterback for the season and don't seem to have much life left.

Plus, Utah is mad as a hornet after being trounced by the Horned Frogs last week. They're looking to do some trouncing of their own on a bruised and battered Irish team.

The Lady's Pick: Utah

Final: Notre Dame 28, Utah 3—The Lady Loses 

Ouch, TCU took Utah's pride AND their will to live. 

9. North Carolina vs. Virginia Tech: Virginia Tech (-3.5)

The Hokies have gotten back on the winning track in a big way since losing to James Madison in week two—rattling off seven straight wins.

Butch Davis' Tarheels have rebounded well, too, playing themselves into bowl eligibility after many left them for dad following an agent scandal that, all but, decimated their defense. Can they keep up with Tyrod Taylor and upset the Hokies this weekend?

The last loss the Tarheels suffered was at the hands of Miami—Virginia Tech has a much more balanced team.

The Lady's Pick: Virginia Tech. 

Final: Virginia Tech 26, UNC 10—The Lady Wins!


Oh those Heels' sure made a game of it for a little bit, but Virginia Tech woke up and remembered they still had plenty to play for and closed this one out before it got too out of hand.

10. Purdue vs. Michigan: Michigan (-13)

Michigan's defense is terrible and no one can feel confident that Denard Robinson is capable of finishing any game in which he takes a big hit. That said, Purdue has a halfway decent defense—despite their record—and they are playing at home.

For some reason, I like the Boilermakers chances to make a game of it on Saturday.

The Lady's Pick: Purdue

Final: Michigan 27, Purdue 16—The Lady Wins!


All I can say is, whew.

The Lady's Luck Picks:

11. Kentucky (-14) vs. Vanderbilt

Final: Kentucky 38, Vanderbilt 20—The Lady Wins!

12. Colorado State (+6.5) vs BYU

Final: BYU 49, Colorado State 10—The Lady Loses. 

13. Penn State (+18) at Ohio State

Final: Ohio State 38, Penn State 14—The Lady Loses.

14. Illinois (-21) vs Minnesota

Final: Minnesota 38, Illinois 34—The Lady Loses.

15. Kansas State (-13) at Missouri 

Final: Missouri 28, Kansas State 38—The Lady Wins! 

Final tally: 8-7...just great *sarcasm*