Unless I'm mistaken, the preseason BCS rankings are supposed to be a formulaic listing of which teams are most likely to win the next year's college football national championship. So then why is it the BCS came out with a top 25 list that has Georgia at the top? Either the computers have gone haywire, or that's a real jab in the side of every other college program in the nation.
I think anyone who loses one of the most accurate kickers in recent college football history, gets out-rushed in over half of their divisional games, and barely squeaks by Troy shouldn't be given half the respect the University of Georgia has been given this offseason.
The University of Georgia will not know what to do with a bulls-eye as big as the one the BCS has painted on their backs. Riding the wave of their win over Hawaii, sportswriters all over the country are tabbing Georgia as something special next year. Some going so far as to project Georgia to win this year's title. Everyone will look to give them their best shot, including a handful of teams with payback on their minds. And now the Troys on UGA's schedule have something even more to play for.
Also, their schedule is not the cakewalk it was last season. In 2007, Georgia only played four ranked teams on their way to their bowl game against their highest-ranked opponent, an inflated No. 10 Hawaii. This year, half their games are against ranked teams with the lowest-ranked being Alabama, a team that out-rushed them in their Sept. 22nd meeting and that they only beat by three.
And one of those six ranked teams is Florida. I'd bet dollars to doughnuts that Urban Meyer has had that celebratory dance from last year on repeat in the weight room VCR. Florida was absolutely embarrassed in that game, and revenge — plus an offense led by a pissed-off Tim Tebow — will come into Jacksonville after a home game against Kentucky. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs will be coming off a physically-demanding road game against LSU. Back-to-back losses are to be expected.
It might sound a little strange at first, but Georgia really didn't have too many big wins last year, and they were consistently, well, inconsistent. They had to go to overtime to take Alabama, they struggled to put away Troy and Kentucky, and needed a fumble recovery and last-second field goal to defeat Vanderbilt. Too much has been made about their wins over Florida's suspect defense, an unpredictable Auburn team, and a completely overmatched Hawaii team. For a team where three of its games came down to four points or less, a clutch kicker is a necessity.
Over the course of next season, I see Georgia coming out the gate and winning their first two games against lowly Georgia Southern and Central Michigan and handling South Carolina. But a cross-country trip to Arizona State on Sept. 20th might give Georgia their first loss of the season and leave them vulnerable to a loss the following week against Alabama at home. At a predicted 3-1, the Bulldogs then get a week off to rest up for four straight weeks against Tennessee, Vanderbilt, LSU, and Florida. I see the Bulldogs splitting those games, losing to LSU and Florida. Then there's two road games against Kentucky and Auburn which the Bulldogs should again split and an easy season-ending game against Georgia Tech. That's 7-5 at the end of the season and a trip to the Fill-in-the-Blank Bowl on New Year's Day.
Happy holidays, Bulldogs. It's going to be a long season.
August 26, 2008
Dave:
You are very mistaken, in my opinion. First, there are no BCS rankings. The first edition of BCS rankings will not be released until October. What has been released are the AP polls (no bearing on the BCS) and the coaches’ poll, which is one, albeit significant, component of the BCS. Secondly, I believe most, if not all coaches vote on who they believe is the best team at the outset. Their votes are typically influenced by how a team ended up last year, and how many players, especially impact players, a team has returning. Georgia finished #2 last year, and has virtually every key starter, save one or two, coming back on both sides of the ball. Anything can happen during the course of the season, but a team that is #2 at the end of 2007 and has most key personnel returning should be ranked at or very near the top at the beginning of 2008, don’t you think?
August 26, 2008
Ronaldo Schwatz:
Obviously you tried to get in school at UGA and they rejected your application.
August 26, 2008
Hunter:
I will be writing you each week to remind you how much of a moron you are. We have 2 SEC championships and 5 years of finishing in the top 10 under Mark Richt. We will be just fine. If you are a UF grad that would explain a lot. I doubt you have ever played a down of football in your life. Your writing proves you don’t have much football knowledge and have to make statements about a “pissed off Tim Tebow”.
August 26, 2008
workinDawg:
LOL….I am speechless. I’ll tell you what, set the over/under at 7 wins and I’ll bet any amount of money you desire. Don’t know if you noticed, but UGA was pretty consistent at the end of last year. They consistently kicked the crap out of everyone they faced. Expect more of the same this year.
August 26, 2008
Ken:
I love how Ryan brings up last years scores, a few easily confirmed statistics, and very valid points while other than Dave’s “a returning #2-2007 team makes a #1-2008”, a valid argument, everyone else is posting emotional drivel. Georgia squeaked by some tight games last year to end up #2. I don’t think Georgia is a #1 team due to their lack of consistency last year. Say what you want but leave the “you got rejected from Georgia” trash at the door. Make arguments , no excuses.
August 26, 2008
brandon:
This has to be one of the worst written articles I have ever read. Do you know anything about about college football, or do you just make up things to write. Georgia is the most talented team in the nation regardless of schedule, and that is why the AP POLL and the college Coaches picked them #1. Don’t quit your day job or at least start doing some research.
August 26, 2008
Wes:
Wow, you obviously are not very knowledgeable about college football. No Georgia fan would argue that the team that showed up the first half of last season is worthy of a #1 ranking. That team had freshmen all over the offensive line and really hadn’t confirmed its identity yet. The line got better and the underclassmen gained experience and skill as the season went on. At the end of the season last year, Georgia was one of the best teams. They basically obliterated everybody they played from the Florida game on, and they lost very little after the season, hence the #1 ranking. By the way, I was at the Troy game, and it was not nearly as close as the score would indicate. Georgia was a bit sloppy, but even so, they dominated the game. Troy scored in the final minutes of the game after marching down the field against the second team defense. I don’t think Richt thought that they would even try to score at the end, as it was obvious that they could not win. If Georgia isn’t your #1 this year, who else deserves to be? If you want to complain about Georgia’s ranking, please tell us who should be ranked #1.
August 27, 2008
Matt:
Sorry to ruin your whole premise about UGA’s close games last year, but neither the Kentucky game or the Troy game was close. Maybe you should watch some football if you want to write about it. Yeah Vandy was down to the wire but, as someone who watches the games and the games of other teams, it was no closer than UF’s game against an Ole Miss team that UGA blew out. Georgia should not lose any more than 1 game all year, and when the dust settles in Miami, you’ll see who’s holding that trophy. By the way, can you provide us a link to those BCS standings you were referring to?
August 27, 2008
Biggerthanbigdawg:
Will you please put down the crack pipe? You are high!!!
August 28, 2008
jason:
There is no BCS preseason poll, the first BCS Rankings for 2008 will be released October 12.Good job on this moronic article
August 28, 2008
Jimmy Sack:
You get paid to write this? You’re fired
August 29, 2008
Deth Ro:
Right on bro for hitting the nail on the head! Other than 1980 when they had Herschel Walker does ANYONE remember Georgia not choking? Every year Georgia has top notch players, a cupcake or 2 on the the schedule, great coaches and every time they had a big game they had to win they always lost. The game agains Hawaii was pathetic as Georgia ran up the score, was going for 4th downs in the 4th qtr, kept their starters in the whole game then pounded their chest after the game like they had beaten a real power. USC, LSU even OSU would’ve mopped the Bulldogs up last year as we all know Georgia can’t win against a top notch opponent when the stakes are highest. Good luck Georgia - learn the Heimlich maneuver as we all know you will choke.
August 29, 2008
ugadawg950:
Deth Ro, you obviously have no clue about how the Sugar Bowl went down. The first string didn’t play past the halfway mark of the 3rd quarter!! We went for it on fourth down TWICE, and both times were in the first half! We actually had walkons playing in the fourth quarter! The entire fourth qaurter wasplayed by 3rd strinf defense! 41-10 isnt “running up the score”! Its just being that much better than your opponent! Its nice to see that bias is alive, as I’m sure its okay to you when teams like Florida play “cupcakes” year in and year out and win 52-10…..thats okay obviously….or Im sure its okay for OKlahoma to beat Sam Houston State 52-3…..its only wrong when UGA does it
August 29, 2008
Jason:
There is one thing I agree with, and that is Georgia has the toughest schedule in the upcoming season. I would also add that the SEC has so much talent and is very difficult to get through the season unbeaten. However, you probably never made these statements about Ohio State and any other Big Ten teams that win season games by the skin of their teeth. No conference championship game, yet they alway get a bid to participate in the final game year after year. The Big Ten has had their you know what handed to them each and every year by the SEC and yet the SEC teams still do not get the respect they deserve. You must have interviewed well to get the job, but hopefully your 90 day review will give you the direction you need for improving your quality of work.
September 1, 2008
Hjumper:
Man, Georgia plays in the SEC, the toughest conference in the country and you say that last year was a cakewalk… Also ya we had a great kicker last year and this year we may have an even better one.. he kicked one over 50 that could of gone over 60 and he is a cocky one with a great atttiude…. Hey I was at georgia during the 80 national champs and they had to get breaks along the way… that is why they play the games let watch on and enjoy……
September 1, 2008
Elliottgator:
I am glad that UGA is ranked #1. And I am sure they will not stay there. There is no way Georgia beats Alabama, then LSU and UF back to back. IT WILL NOT HAPPEN…. I don’t give a crap what kind of Sh*t Richt pulls in Jax this year…. The SEC will continue to beat up on each other, but it will be Ohio State and USC in the Ntl Champ Game - - - but Tebow and Harvin led Florida will beat UGA in Jacksonville 34-23. believe it.
September 14, 2008
Ryan:
It seems as though my predictions are coming true as they merely ‘handled’ South Carolina and are incredibly ripe for a loss heading into next week’s game.
Hey, guy who wants to bet the over/under at seven games. Still want to go? I’ll put down $100 bucks right now after seeing that pathetic performance this afternoon.