Tuesday, October 9, 2012

One Goal



This season began with promise: an experienced team with a high ranking and an easy schedule.  Many of the players talked about an ultimate goal, making it to Miami for the National Championship game.  But as we watched the debacle that took place on Saturday night, all of those lofty dreams quickly died to the sound of Sandstorm over the loud speaker.  Maybe the players were not focused, the coaching staff ill-prepared, or maybe South Carolina is just that good.  We’ll never truly know why the game went so bad on Saturday.  But one thing has become abundantly clear: Georgia must beat Florida.

The coaching staff may mention other goals.  They’ll say we still have a chance at the East, that we can beat Auburn for 6th time in 7 years and Georgia Tech for the 11th time in 12.  They’ll say we can return to a New Year’s Bowl game and potentially a BCS game if we win out.  NONE OF THIS MATTERS.
The only goal the coaching staff and the team should be focused on is beating Florida.  The rest of the schedule is filled with scrubs (Kentucky, Ole Miss) and teams that clearly have no idea what they are doing right now (Auburn and Georgia Tech).  Beating them should be expected (and no, that does not mean overlook them, it just means Georgia clearly has more talent).  After two down years, the Florida Gators are trying to reintroduce themselves to the nation.  Their second season under Will Muschamp is beginning to bear a resemblance to Mark Richt’s second season at Georgia, with a strong defense, a reliable running back, and a quickly improving quarterback.  If the Dawgs hope to reclaim what was once a bright season, they must return the favor that the Gators gave them back in 2002.

Florida is still the team that I want to beat more than anyone, and I think most of the Dawg Nation would agree.  South Carolina appears to have turned the corner as an upper echelon team in the East and if the Dawgs don’t want to get left behind, they must take back control of the series in Jacksonville.  We all know the numbers over the last 20 some odd years, but let’s just look at the years under Richt.  Since 2001, Georgia has gone 3-8 against the Gators.  And while that number is still horrendous, it is much better than the one win in the ten previous seasons.  And that record is better when you look at the last 5 years, where Georgia has gone 2-3.  Getting to .500 over the last six would be huge.

The season is not lost, but it sure feels like it.  The fans are angry and some are acting really stupid.  To salvage the season, we need to feel good about something.  Beating Florida (I believe) is what the doctor ordered.  So forget our time, our team, no regrets.  It’s time to embrace the only goal that matters:  BEAT FLORIDA.

7 comments:

Seth said...

I COMPLETELY agree.....all roads to other goals(SEC East champs, SEC title game, etc.) go through Florida and they go through Florida EVERY YEAR!!! I still have a bad taste in my mouth from the 2002 loss that cost us a shot at the National Title......and the countless other times we got dominated in Jacksonville. BEAT FLORIDA has not meant so much to "save" a season than this year, not only for the Dawg Nation but for Coach Richt as well. He needs a big time win in Jacksonville like no other and this Saturday I will be yelling GEAUX TIGERS!!!!

BFR said...

Very well said, Streit. As Seth mentions, none of the other team goals are even relevant unless we BEAT FLORIDA. It means something, it's huge for the fan base, and it should be a big deal for the players/coaches.

This post should get some love & attention out on the rest of the Dawgosphere.

Anonymous said...

I too agree, and I also understand some idiot(s) egged and T/P'd some of the players homes. Stupid... This isnt an us vs. them discussion. As many of you may have seen on SI.com Andy Staples talks about what to do with coaches that cannot get over the hump. Now I am not talking of getting rid of Richt, I thionk he's the right coach. Nor am I talking of national championships. I am talking about beating ranked opponents on a consistent basis. The Defense is getting better but still struggled mightily - against a very good offense. And although Murray who is simply a fantastic talent is doing well - I am sorry but BOBO will not cut it. He simply doesnt have the knowledge, the tact or the ability to think outside the box. Opposing teams read our offense like a book. Beating Florida, Yep, definitley a must, moving forward from that point has to consist of greater talent if you dont want to then be perceived as the 2nd best SEC East team. 0-10 against ranked opponents is not a player issue, its a coaching issue.

Sports Dawg said...

Great post. We go to Jax and defeat UF, the we can talk about that other stuff. A win over the Gators won't be redemption for SC, but it will go a long way to repairing this season.

Corbindawg said...

100% agree. Got to beat the Gators in 15 days.

Anonymous said...

What about Kentucky? Just because Arkansas was up 45-0 at halftime doesn't mean we can look ahead to UF.

mike taylor said...

well said!!!!
BEAT FLORIDA!!!!!
i tired of uga winning the most overrated trophy year after year. it's time sh*t or get off the pot!!!
with that said, GO DAWGS!!!