ATHENS, Ga. -- Georgia is getting its wish -- just a little late and in reverse.
No. 1? Don't be surprised to see the Dawgs on top of one poll or another to begin the season.
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| Heisman hopeful Knowshon Moreno hopes to lead the Bulldogs to a national title. (Getty Images) |
National title shot? Sure, if they follow through after last season's botched attempt.
But what does all that mean in July?
And where, hairy hounds everywhere might ask, was that love eight months ago? When the smoke cleared on the sport's greatest season ever, Georgia was in a fog. It started the final weekend of the regular season ranked No. 4 in the BCS. After losses by No. 1 (Missouri) and No. 2 (West Virginia), it ended the regular season No. 5.
The UGAs didn't handle the disappointment well. Some Georgia types carped about not being able to play USC in the Rose Bowl. That made it seem like the program didn't want to be in the SEC's pride and joy, the Sugar Bowl. A day after LSU wrapped up its second national championship in five years, school president Michael Adams proposed an eight-team playoff that was obviously more political than practical.
The "reward" came late enough for Georgia to feel something less than rewarded. For the first time since 1971, a conference finished with the top two teams in the final Associated Press poll (LSU-Georgia).
Preseason No. 1 hype has rarely descended upon this ultimate college town. If Georgia starts on top of the AP poll, it would be a first. If that happens, cue the poor mouthing. Funny how an offseason of outrage can morph into a preseason of caution.
"I'd prefer to be ranked No. 25 and work our way up," defensive tackle Jeff Owens said Thursday at the SEC media days, "than being No. 1 and everybody is gunning for you. Everybody wants Georgia. Who doesn't want Georgia?"
Well, last season it was those same pollsters. The stink from a 21-point midseason loss to Tennessee never wore off. There wasn't much sentiment outside of Athens to reward a team that didn't even play in the SEC title game. Still, Georgia stated its case from message boards to the coach's office.
"I felt like if I didn't say anything, the players would be let down (saying) 'Coach isn't even fighting for us,'" coach Mark Richt said. "We were disqualified for a rule that doesn't exist. The system does not say you must win your conference to be 1 or 2."
True. Nebraska infamously played in the 2002 BCS title game a few weeks after being routed by Big 12 North champion Colorado. On a scale of BCS travesties Georgia's barely moved the needle. Strip away the emotion. How was anyone supposed to choose between eight two-loss teams in the BCS top 11. Georgia (11-2) was merely one of them.
