I was thinking, reflecting, back on the 2011 season the other day, as I often do. These reflections coupled with a long text thread with Kensingtondawg last night made me think about this point even further.
Sure, Georgia lost 4 games to 4 really good teams. But the Dawgs still won 10 games, and damnit, that still means something.
Now, the naysayers are going to continue to say that Georgia didn’t beat anyone of consequence. Which is true. But Georgia also didn’t lose to anyone to be ashamed of either, and that is more than most teams in the country can say. Hell, that is more than Georgia can say, a year removed from losing to Colorado, Mississippi State and UCF.
Most of the top teams have inexplicable losses on their resume, but not Georgia.
Michigan State lost to Notre Dame. USC lost to Arizona State. South Carolina lost to Auburn. Clemson lost to NC State and Georgia Tech. Michigan lost to Iowa. Oklahoma lost to Texas Tech. Oklahoma State lost to Iowa State. West Virginia lost to Syracuse. Nebraska lost to Northwestern.
The biggest problem the Dawgs have had over the last couple of years hasn’t been talent. It hasn’t been Xs and Os. And really, if you want to get down to it, it hasn’t been playcalling. But what has plauged our football program is focus, heart and desire. To win 10 in a row and not trip up shows the team has good focus, maturity and leadership. Especially after the way it started.
Again, like I said earlier, some perspective is needed when talking about the Dawgs in 2011. Was it frustrating sometimes? Sure. But the right steps are being taken to get this program back to being elite again. Considering how down it hit rock bottom in 2010, I’d say Georgia is heading in the right direction-for now.
Corbindawg
What are the “right steps” being taken Corbindawg??
Better play on the defense, turnover margin improving, better fundamentals, 9/11 starters on defense returning.
I agree completely.
Does that mean we or coach Richt is satisfied? NO!
It takes steps to build a program like we all want and OUR team took several in the right direction this past season.
Has even the Great Nick Satan done it without some mishaps?
NO!
I recall a loss to La Lafayette and Utah. Oh, USCe and Auburn in 2010 and what a meltdown in the AU game….
Nuff said…
I agree that a very large part of what was has been missing is focus, heart and desire. I think that’s why so many were encouraged after the South Carolina loss and the Auburn win. We seemed to have found the focus, heart and desire so many of us have come to expect as the signature of a Georgia football team. That it could go missing for so long is troubling though. And that it seems to come and go, sometimes quarter by quarter is very frustrating to many, myself included. In the past, even when Georgia teams were just not very good you did not question their heart or desire. The Dawgs always left their best on the field.