[JRL]

By Tony Barnhart | Monday, March 3, 2008, 07:45 AM
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s funny how you stumble onto things when you’re actually looking for something else. I was doing my spring football research the other day when I came across this.

If you are a Georgia fan and you believe that coaching is very important in college football, here is evidence that backs up your claim that Georgia will have the toughest schedule in the nation in 2008. With national championship talk in the air as Georgia starts spring practice today, here are a few things to consider.

The SEC has five head coaches who have won national championships:
Alabama’s Nick Saban (at LSU in 2003)
Florida’s Urban Meyer (at Florida in 2006)
LSU’s Les Miles (at LSU in 2007)
South Carolina’s Steve Spurrier (at Florida in 1996)
Tennessee’s Phillip Fulmer (at Tennessee in 1999)

Only one team in America has to face all five of those coaches this season and that’s Georgia: at South Carolina (Sept. 13), Alabama (Sept. 27), Tennessee (Oct. 11), at LSU (Oct. 25), Florida in Jacksonville (Nov. 1).

If you look at the non-conference schedule it gets even better for Georgia. The Bulldogs play at Arizona State on Sept. 20. The Sun Devils, who were 10-3 last season, are coached by Dennis Erickson, who won two national championships at Miami (1989, 1991).

If you go to the lower divisions, there are two more coaches who have won national titles. The Bulldogs host Georgia Southern in the opener (Aug. 30) and Eagles coach Chris Hatcher won a Division II national championship in 2004 at Valdosta State.

Paul Johnson, the new head coach at Georgia Tech (Nov. 29), won two Division I-AA national championships at Georgia Southern in 1999 and 2000.

So that’s eight games against teams whose coach has won some kind of national championship.
And just for fun, you can throw in Auburn’s Tommy Tuberville who had a 13-0 team in 2004 that didn’t get a sniff at the national championship.

The point is this: I don’t know what Georgia is going to be paying Mark Richt this season (and he’s due for a raise), but he is going to earn every penny of it. And if Georgia goes 13-0 against that schedule, their ain’t no doubt they’ll be in Miami for the BCS championship.

[Tuck4Bama]

That is a very tough schedule. There is no room for a let down in intensity in any part of their schedule. I hope they can keep injuries to a minimum because they will need all starters in every game.

[Stoney]

Realistically can they survive the tide so to speak...how hard it is going to be to face these teams and keep the intensity level up? There are several coaches who are looking to best the Dawgs so they can get ranked higher than what they are and of course there is the prize the National title. Will Georgia get caught looking at the polls and get overconfident like Ohio State?

[JRL]

Originally Posted by Stoney

Realistically can they survive the tide so to speak...how hard it is going to be to face these teams and keep the intensity level up? There are several coaches who are looking to best the Dawgs so they can get ranked higher than what they are and of course there is the prize the National title. Will Georgia get caught looking at the polls and get overconfident like Ohio State?

I hope not. I don't think they will get over confident as they will likey lose a game or two. In order to win it all you need two deep talent which they have, you need a favorable schedule which they don't have and you need luck - something we won't know about until the season is complete.

I will be beside myself if they make it to the big dance and jumping over the moon if they win it all but.......... if they don't I'll still have a life.

[Stoney]

I think the losses will be to Bama and Tennesee other than that who knows.... ya'll may beat Tennesee and turn around and lose to Florida.

[JRL]

Originally Posted by Stoney

I think the losses will be to Bama and Tennesee other than that who knows.... ya'll may beat Tennesee and turn around and lose to Florida.

Let me guess - Bama will go undefeated

[Highflying]

The SEC is so tough by the end of the year all the teams and so beat up it pitiful! I like to see OSU play that scheldue

[Stoney]

Originally Posted by JRL

Let me guess - Bama will go undefeated

All I will ask you is this who has the easier schedual? Who has more expectations put on them by the media? Who has nothing to lose? That formula makes one team very dangerous to overlook.

[JRL]

Originally Posted by Stoney

All I will ask you is this who has the easier schedual? Who has more expectations put on them by the media? Who has nothing to lose? That formula makes one team very dangerous to overlook.

All I ask is who has the best players / team? UGA, even with the tough schedule, has a better shot at going undefeated than Bama My guess UGA will lose one maybe two - Bama three maybe four.

LSU has the best talent in the west then probably Auburn with the next best group - In the east UGA then Florida.

[Stoney]

LSU will be lucky IF they go 6-6. Auburn will fold after a few games. Georgia is under pressure not seen for 28 years. Alabama has some "Playmakers" now and even under manned last year's squad took Georgia into overtime. Now this year's squad will be on par with Georgia's, I know now its about experience.... well I can say this the game cannot get here soon enough!

[JRL]

Originally Posted by Stoney

LSU will be lucky IF they go 6-6. Auburn will fold after a few games. Georgia is under pressure not seen for 28 years. Alabama has some "Playmakers" now and even under manned last year's squad took Georgia into overtime. Now this year's squad will be on par with Georgia's, I know now its about experience.... well I can say this the game cannot get here soon enough!

LSU 6 - 6 I'll take that one.

Auburn fold - I dunno bout that.

UGA pressure - nope - not when you have the talent.

Last year Bama took UGA to the wire because UGA looked at them and thought - we can beat those guys without a problem.

[Stoney]

Originally Posted by JRL

Last year Bama took UGA to the wire because UGA looked at them and thought - we can beat those guys without a problem.

And what has changed? Georgia will be in the same mode this season being ranked #1 right? Alabama will give them a war they won't forget I just hope it is on "Prime-Time" for the whole nation to see. Man just talking about the Alabama & Georgia game gets me ready to put on pads and hit somebody. I believe this is what football fans live for...SMASHMOUTH FOOTBALL SEC STYLE!

[JRL]

Stoney I honestly think next years game will not come close to the excitment of last years. UGA was playing its fourth game with a Fr OL.

Either way I look forward to the game and have Sept 27th marked.

[Highflying]

Georgia not man enough to beat Bama JL

[Tuck4Bama]

I love the enthusiasm but you all understand this is SEC football. Right?

Mississippi State will be beter than last year, Vandy always upsets somene, South Carolina should be better.

The way I see it we won't know who has a shot at the SEC crown until at least 5 Games into the season.

But that's just me.