Tuesday, August 23, 2011

What if we win?

After a 6-7 season that ended with a bowl loss to Central Florida of all teams, many Georgia fans have little to no expectations for the 2011 season. Opening against a top ten team in Boise State appears to be a challenge that this year's team may not conquer. Throw in a week 2 battle with another top 10 team in South Carolina, and it appears many believe Georgia is headed to an 0-2 start.

But what happens if we win???

A win over Boise would be huge for the confidence of the team, but not so much for the fans. As an SEC school, you are expected to win big games and given Boise State's current status as a non-qualifier, they are still a team that an SEC school should beat. But that win in week 1 may be the boost that the Dawgs need to be successful in the home opener on September 10. While the Dawgs may have given up a lot of running yards to Marcus Lattimore last fall, they were in the game until the 4th quarter and if not for a Washaun Ealey fumble, may have had a chance to win the game. We played that game without AJ Green as well.

Georgia wins in the first two weeks of the season may not mean a championship (of any type) but it sure as heck could be the start of a special season in Athens. The schedule gets easier, as the only team with a winning record (not including Coastal Carolina) the Dawgs will see in the 5 games is Mississippi State, who has to come to Athens. After that, the Dawgs head to Jacksonville to play Florida before 3 more home games against New Mexico State, Auburn, and Kentucky.

If the Dawgs somehow win the first two weeks, I would not be surprised to see the record at 10-1 or 9-2 by the time we head back to Atlanta to play Georgia Tech. To say these first two games are critical is an understatement.

Only 11 more days til kickoff.

6 comments:

Gov Milledge said...

I won't be at the Dome (in PCB), but the SC game feels close... picking up away game tickets at the Coliseum on Friday.

Tempted to wear a Gameday polo when I pick 'em up

DefJim said...

I think Coach Richt went 0-5 last year against the top 25 teams, win % 20% over last 2 years vs. top 25 teams, so, it's a real, real, real, real, 5-1 long shot, we win either Boise or SC or Miss State or AUburn or Florida. I'd say about 10-20% odds. Probably will go 1-4 in those 5 games, about Richt's average. Win the rest & finish 8-4. Improvement over 6-7.

Anonymous said...

CMR's record is 2-14 when going up on top 10 ranked teams that finished top 10. Boise will finish top 10. So, 2 out of 14 chance, means we have hope, 14% chance we pull out a 'W'.

DREWG said...

call me an idiot all you want but if we beat, and by all means we need to beat the hell out of boise. i do not want an emotional win going into USC, then is it not realistic that we will be undefeated when we meet florida? look at how the schedule looks. this isnt the same bulldogs the past 2 or 3 year, there is NO hangover from stafford/moreno era, i should say error. there are no more "its all about me" players. they arent looking over at AJ green praying that he saves them this year. no this year if different. there has never been an offseason like this as long as i can remember. Failure is not an option, this is the first "team" mark richt has ever had. I can't wait for the season to start. we will beat boise, no doubt, but will we get over confident and loose to SC? we shall see.

Jumper said...

"This year will be different"

Man, I've been sayin that since 2008, and the wins have been going down every year since 2007. Went down to 10 in 08, 8 wins in 09, and 6 wins in 10.

Bolivar Shagnasty said...

If you are asking your self "what if we win?" you must always be prepared to ask yourself the question "what if we lose?", preferably in a sane and rational manner. Unfortunately, realism and being rational aren't traits that usually accompany UGA fans, or southern football fans in general for that matter.