http://cfn.scout.com/2/716166.html Instant Analysis: Sugar Bowl By Matt Zemek Staff Columnist Posted Jan 2, 2008 Sometimes, life can be a broken record. The harsh realities of human existence can beat people down. Reality, in full color and real time, can be a source of tremendous pain. On some occasions, there are no answers, only the cold, hard facts. Yes, there are moments in life when the truth simply hurts beyond comprehension. Just ask the Hawaii Warriors. There wasn’t much to analyze about the 2008 Sugar Bowl. As was the case in Missouri’s Cotton Bowl crushing of Arkansas and USC’s Rose Bowl rout of Illinois, Georgia humiliated Hawaii for one simple reason: a mighty favorite played with hunger instead of complaining about a perceived injustice. Yeah, Mark Richt’s Bulldogs wanted to play USC in the Rose Bowl (as did all of America), but when given the WAC champions as their opponent, the boys from Athens didn’t sulk. They played with supreme ferocity and intensity on each and every snap. The result was a bloodbath, a frightening dismembering as complete and murderous as anything seen on a football field in quite some time. This isn’t funny, and it’s not meant to be: it was literally true that Georgia pounded Hawaii into the turf of the Louisiana Superdome with cruel and savage energy rarely seen in big-time college football. This was a vicious assault that took place in the Big Easy on Tuesday night. Colt Brennan was pulverized, tenderized and victimized in a game where his safety and well being surely looked to be in jeopardy at some points along the way. Brennan—a decorated and legendary player who has already claimed a lofty place in the college football pantheon—got knocked senseless in this game, less than two full months after suffering a concussion against Fresno State. With an NFL future ahead of him (not to mention the rest of his life after he eventually hangs up his NFL cleats), Brennan can’t afford to suffer another concussion, which will catch up with him in the long run. It was and is truly legitimate—and hardly an expression of hyperbole—to have genuinely worried about the health of Colt Brennan as this savage spectacle unfolded under the big dome. It needs to be said, just in case you might be thinking that Georgia’s display was in any way unwholesome: in a word, no. The Bulldogs weren’t dirty—Georgia simply played with otherworldly intensity, continuing the magical mojo that began with a rousing victory over Florida back on Oct. 30. On every snap against Hawaii, Georgia laid hard hits on every white-shirted Warrior. The proceedings got to be so scary that, in the latter stages of the second quarter and the early moments of the third quarter, at least one Hawaii player was either limping or stumbling off the field after every snap. At least one Hawaii body seemed to be greatly diminished in speed and strength after being obliterated by a devastating but clean hit from a Georgia player, all within the context of this undeniably violent sport. This wasn’t just a scoreboard pounding; it was a real form of physical punishment, plain and simple. This brutal beatdown occurred, again, for one simple reason: Georgia cared. Sure, that’s not a sexy storyline or an exciting epitaph, but it’s the only reality that truly matters. The only way this game was going to be close was if the Bulldogs had disrespected Hawaii the way Oklahoma did against Boise State (like Hawaii, a member of the WAC taking an unbeaten season into a big-time bowl game) in last year’s Fiesta Bowl. Safe to say, Georgia took Hawaii seriously, and after 60 minutes of overwhelming physical dominance in the trenches, the results—in terms of points scored by the Bulldogs and bruises suffered by the Warriors—spoke for themselves. Hawaii has a lot to be proud of after giving a state and the larger community of Pacific Islanders a lot of great memories and cherished moments throughout 2007. But on the first night of 2008, a harsh dose of reality entered June Jones’s world. Hawaii has nothing to be ashamed of, but the Warriors—who did deserve a BCS bowl bid—would be healthier and less humiliated right now if BCS bowl decision makers had put the Warriors in the Fiesta Bowl against Missouri (with the Orange Bowl pairing Oklahoma and Virginia Tech, in a deal that was suggested but then broken at the last minute). With that kind of sane scheduling, Mark Richt and the rest of the victorious Bulldogs would have been able to play USC. And when you consider the way New Year’s Day turned out, wouldn’t all of America want to see Georgia face Pete Carroll’s Trojans right now? The fact that such a game won’t happen is a criticism not of Hawaii, but of the sport of college football and the spineless leaders who did a disservice to both of the teams who competed in the 2008 Sugar Bowl. Hawaii deserved to have fewer concussions in a game played closer to the Islands. Georgia deserved a better opponent so that the nation could learn more about the Bulldogs’ true level of quality. College football deserved a better set of BCS bowl games than the ones created by the sport’s power brokers. That’s all there is to say after a Sugar Bowl that didn’t leave a sweet taste in many mouths.
The ability to put pressure on the quarterback was the key. Brennan seldom got to look for his primary receiver last night much less his second and third choices. :!:
I .. <t>Called the blowout for the Dogs and IMO it was an easy call to make. As for Hawaii what a collection of Star Wars characters in the movie scene cafe. I enjoyed watching the Dogs kick them all over the Dome.</t>
I have no beef with Bulldog players playing all out until the final whistle but going for it on 4th down twice in the fourth quarter of a blowout was, perhaps a little bit of bloodlust. But I guess that they proved a point. They had enough talent to play for the NC. They just choke so much that they didn't even win their own division in the SEC.
I <t>had two concerns for Hawaii coming into this game and it proved to be the difference in the game.<br/> <br/> I didn't know if Hawaii could stop Moreno (who was the difference on the ground), and I didn't know if Hawaii's tackles could contain the pressure on the edge from Georgia's quick defense. The answer to both was.. they couldn't.<br/> <br/> UGa was really trying to put it on Hawaii, but that's just the game today.<br/> <br/> I really hate these sweeping condemnations of 'reality' about teams from the WAC. I don't remember many writers talking about the reality of the WAC pushing around the ACC when Fresno pushed around GTech.</t>
I don't think the Dawgs choked this season. They just were too young. They grew up as the season went along. Moreno was unknown when the Dawgs faced SC and UT. There were 3 fresh on the O line. As for their division. They tied for it. As for pounding Hawaii late. I'm glad they did. UGA didn't want to play Hawaii. They got stuck with 'em. Like it or not style points do come into play. I'm becoming a huge fan of Mark Richt. He's figuring it out. Next year it's important for UGA to start in top 3. I think they should start at #1 myself.
Not only is Corso ridiculous so is Mark May when it comes to UGA. Corso predicted a 38-31 Hawaii victory. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJXR7QSWey0
In this video Richt confirms my thoughts. UGA had a lot of growing pains this year costing us 2 games. They grew up mid season. http://youtube.com/watch?v=k1YPiDYLLYo&feature=related Next year will be the year of the Dawg. I don't see Georgia starting in any poll less than #3.
What I don't understand is why it took you so long to become a fan of Richt. He's been good coach from day one at Georgia. Only LSU has won more SEC Championships in the 2000's, and Ga and Florida are tied with 2. =============================================== After seven years heading up the Bulldog program, Mark Richt has made it clear that winning with consistency will be a standard for years to come. In seven seasons, his Georgia teams have won two SEC Championships (2002, ‘05), won three SEC Eastern Division titles and tied for another, and his 71-19 record is fourth best in the country in winning percentage among active coaches (.789). Richt was named SEC Coach of the Year in both 2002 and 2005. His record against non-conference teams is 29-2 and his teams are 25-4 when playing in an opponent’s home stadium. Head coach Mark Richt calls the plays from the sideline. He is one of only nine head coaches in Division I-A history to record 60 or more wins in his first six seasons and 70 or more wins in his first seven seasons. Richt is one of only six coaches in history to win two SEC championships (2002, 2005) in his first five years, and one of only five head coaches in SEC history to record four straight 10-win seasons (2002-05). ===============================================
LOL...TB is always complaining about the Georgia Bowl opponent...they are never good enough for the Dawgs. He's also complained mightly about Richt till he made that post above. Loyal fan!!
Reading between the lines Terry there's not much doubt in my mind Tailbacks big problem with Richt is that he hasn't beaten Florida consistently, and in my opinion that is not going to change. I've heard Dawg fans three times in the last 18 years talk about how now they've turned the corner and found out how to beat Florida. That is after each one of their three victories in that period of time. So far they have not been able to follow up with the 2nd one in a row. While I cannot say for sure they won't do that next season I would say that history over the last 18 years speaks against them beating the Gators next season.
First off UGA has got stuck with some pretty crappy bowl games. What was it 02 when they were stuck with FSU? Now Hawaii? BCS doesn't work. Loyal fan? That doesn't jive with me. A loyal fan is someone who criticizes what's wrong and deserves better. Richt's been too nice. He's made a lot of bad moves that deserved called out. I call 'em as I see 'em. This has been Richt best coaching job to date. It was ugly up until mid season. Richt changed and that allowed the team to come together. Richt also gave up the offense. I demanded that from almost day 1. So don't call me out as a band wagon fan. I would still be demanding for his head had he not made the changes. He's on a roll. I'll give him his props!
I think that they get stuck with crappy bowl opponents is because they deserve them. Nice to see that the team grew up during the season. Maybe some day their fans will.
By the way Tailback I am extremely happy for you that Richt saw the light this season and overnight became a good coach. I guess all those wins and SEC Championships up until then were just blind luck.
I took care of it for you Bill. edit: I know you were just kidding around but you have to come up with a better analogy. Sorry. Terry