Accept it UGA Fans. Mark Richt is a Good Coach.

Take your 10-11 win seasons, at least a New Year's Day bowl game (possibly BCS), and legitimate talks about your team making it to the championship game every year. Enjoy them.

As a fan, you never know how quickly success can come crashing down. Ask any Arkansas fan. Ask any Auburn fan. Ask any Miami fan. Ask any Tennessee fan. Ask any Texas fan.  Ask any Notre Dame fan how hard it is to get back to relevancy. Get the picture?

After the Bulldogs, lead by 12-year head coach Mark Richt, beat their archrival and undefeated No. 2 team in the country, Florida, in the team's biggest rivalry game, talk radio and papers in Atlanta radio have spent entirely too much time devoted to whether Richt should be fired or not.

Richt has run a clean and winning program, and what does he get from his "fan"base? No confidence and a place on the proverbial "hot seat" no matter how much success he has. Six reasons why Georgia fans' arguments are wrong and can give it a break.

1. "Richt can't win with blue-chip talent": Mark Richt has consistently brought in top-tier recruiting classes. He is helped by UGA's history and facilities, how former Bulldogs perform in the NFL, and ultimately his geographic location. The state of Georgia is the fourth best state for high school talent in the country, and Richt has had to fend off bordering state schools from intruding on his territory.

By Rivals.com's or Scout.com's standards, Richt almost all he can do as far as keeping his talent in-state and picking occasional five stars from bordering states. Bulldog fans argue that with this talent Richt should be winning title after title, a weak argument at best.

If you use recruiting as the only predictor of success, Florida State, Notre Dame, Clemson, and Virginia Tech should have been winning national titles for years.

2. "He will never win a national title.": I am sorry to break Georgia fans' hearts, but your program is not exactly used to winning championship after championship. The Associated Press has only awarded two national championships to UGA all time (1942, 1980). That's one more than Maryland and the same number as Minnesota. Let that sink in. Side note: Georgia also has two "Alabama" national championships -- the ones your program claims and no one believes.

The entitled thinking that Georgia should win be winning a championship at least every other year is a new concept brought about by Richt's early success, six 10-win seasons in his first eight years.

Richt should have gotten a shot at the BCS in 2007 when they were Bulldogs were "2004 Auburn"-ed and a two-loss LSU team got to the championship game instead. Georgia, led by Richt went to the Sugar Bowl and demolished Hawaii.

Vince with his star, Herschel.

3. "Dooley did it.": The almighty Vince Dooley did bring a national championship to Athens, riding the shoulders of one of college football's all-time greats, known simply as Herschel in these parts.

What is not as fondly remembered of Dooley is the start of his career. In his first 12 years, he had two 10-win seasons and a 4-5 bowl record. He also had three .500 seasons and compiled an 88-41 win-loss record.

Richt is in his 12th year. While he did have one "atrocious" season (6-7), a losing campaign capped by an Independence Bowl loss to UCF, he has two SEC Championships (just like Dooley) and has won 74% of his games with a win-loss record of 113-39 (better than Dooley). Richt is 7-5 in bowl games (better than Dooley).

Dooley's one national championship did not come until his 17th season at the helm of Georgia football. No way Richt can make it without one for another five years with this fan base, even with 10-win seasons.

4."Richt's players don't fear him.": Maybe they do not "fear" him in the same sense players at Alabama do Saban. However, no players love their coach more than the boys in Red and Black.

Just like Les Miles, Bobby Bowden and Pete Carrol, who have had pretty successful runs in college, Richt's players love to play for him. These coaches and others prove that you do not have to instill fear in your players in order for them to win.

5. "Richt has no control over his players":Put any group of 80, 18-23 year-old, young men in an enabling community that lets them get away with most anything because they play football. Now make said community Athens, with its unbelievable downtown atmosphere and tell me there will not be a few kids who get in trouble with the law. Not happening.

Add in UGA's toughest drug policy in the SEC and you have a mixture that looks like Richt has no control.

If a Bulldog violates the teams' drug policy once the player is suspended for 10% of the games, twice equals suspension for 50% of the season, and three times the player is dismissed from the program.

Only one other SEC school (Kentucky) has penalties for failing one drug test -- and you see how that program is doing. At Alabama, Florida and LSU it takes four violations to be dismissed. Gators who fail their drug tests for marajuana three times lose only 20% of their games. This is unfair approach is one Richt can no go backwards on. Instead he has to fight negative recruiting on this matter and push forward.

So it looks as if Georgia players are in trouble much more than other programs because the other programs are able to keep it on the hush longer as to why a player who appears healthy is not playing.

 6. My ultimate trump card, which leaves Georiga fans speechless, "Who are you going to hire that is going to be better?": Of the 124 schools in the FBS, only five (Alabama, LSU, Ohio State, Oregon, and Kansas State) would not consider hiring Richt in place of their current coach not an upgrade. Why? Because he runs a clean program and is seems to always be in the hunt for a national title.

Also Bulldog fans must realize what Nick Saban is doing with "The Process" at Alabama is the only place like it in the county. He is the only person with such coaching talent  and there is not anyone out there close to what he does. 

Saban is Usain Bolt in a 100-meter race and the rest of college football is like Jared Lorenzen trying to catch up. There is only one of him and he is not leaving.

You had a $90 million football surplus last year to use for hires? Great. You are still not luring Saban away from Alabama. Not only that, there is no a coach with Richt's consistency and knack for winning available.

So on the behalf every college football fan, "Georgia fans, give it a break."

Honey Badger Didn't Care, Saban too Tough, Howard Happy, My New Home

Matthieu will have to look elsewhere to play this season.

There has been a celebration in the South. In small towns all over Alabama and Arkansas, chocolate fountains have been working hard, and there is a shortage of all-you-can-eat and cotton candy supplies at Golden Corrals in light of recent news out of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

As we know, Tyrann Mathieu was dismissed from the LSU football team on Friday for an undisclosed violation of team rules, which will help the entire SEC West in their respective journeys to the SEC Championship.

Reports say that the Honey Badger could not stay away from hitting the pipe. His decision have cost selfish player playing time for the Bayou Bengals in the past, leaving coach Les Miles no other choice but to dismiss the Heisman Trophy finalist. Does this sound like someone you would want to hang out with?

On his Twitter feed, the 2011 unanimous All-American wrote, "The realist hearts have been through the most pain!! I'm out!!"

By horrifying the LSU English department, Mattieu showed again that he simply does not get it. He does not understand how actions have consequences and when you break rules -- over and over again -- you will be punished accordingly. He does not demonstrate an understanding that the game is not all about him. Now he will learn this lesson at a FCS program (reportedly McNeese State in Lake Charles, Louisiana).

As a fan of college football, it is sad to see arguably the most exciting player in the game no longer able to compete with the top talent. What is worse is when an individual with his talent, who has the chance to set an example for young people, can not get his act together though given multiple opportunities.

ALABAMA TRANSER TO TRANSFER: After four practices under Nick Saban, cornerback Travell Dixon has completed paperwork to transfer from the Crimson Tide. The junior college transfer was expected to see significant playing time, but reports from Tuscaloosa say that Dixon was experiencing, "a little overload."

Call me crazy, but isn't that what is to be expected when you commit play for Saban? Isn't that what makes playing against the Tide's defense so good and so dang difficult for opponents? Isn't that what makes Alabama players NFL ready as soon as they are drafted?

The good news is Alabama will, like LSU with Mattieu (though his back-up Tharold Simon also missed games last year because of drug related problems), fill in their new loss with another speedy monster on the depth chart.

Howard at his Laker press conference.

HOWARD APPEARS TO BE HAPPY, FINALLY : Dwight Howard was traded from the Orlando Magic to the Los Angeles Lakers this week in a four-team deal. Just go look at Y! Sports site if you want to see all of the players involved. Blogger will not let me have that long of a post.

It only took the Magic two years, a Howard agreement on an extension, and a two better offers turned down. Yes, Orlando got rid of the best defensive player in the game, and they got the fourth best player of all the teams and no one to fill Howard's void. Thirty-year-old Magic general manager Rob Hennigan has plenty of work to do. On the bright side, because of his age he has plenty of time to do it.

Keeping with the franchise tradition of big-time big men, the Lakers again stole the greatest big man in the game from Orlando as they did with Shaquille O'Neal in 1996. Other similarities include their draft position (No. 1 overall) and nickname (Superman). Remember how these two bicker about how different they are? And how Howard said he does not want to follow O'Neal professional career?

Now the Lakers are the team to beat in the Western Conference because they have the most complete starting lineup with room to add a few wiley veterans.

Some things change, but Ole Blue remains the same.

ON A PERSONAL NOTE: I would like to apologize to all three of my readers for not posting more often lately. There have been several events that I would have loved to share my opinion on, but I have been moving into a house from the south Hall County Georgia to the northern parts. The move has cut down on the time I have been able to sit down and write. However, because of the move, I now I have a beautiful new desk, a better view from my desk, and the improvements in overall quality of life that come along with moving from an apartment to a house -- like a quite night's sleep and a new pillowtop mattress, which will change your life. All are welcome.

SEC Media Days, Cam Newton Street, Hold the Joe But More Kobe Please

We find ourselves in the middle of the beginning of the unofficial kickoff of college football. A little wordy, huh? It is easier to call them the Southeastern Conference Media Days, where coaches begin to make excuses for why their team will not live up to expectations (Steve Spurrier and Joker Phillips), respond with numerous wild card answers (John L. Smith and Les Miles), or simply fulfill an obligation to their conference (Nick Saban). 

No matter how your coach answers, the SEC Media Days are the biggest of their kind for the most competitive league in any sport so enjoy the make-believe camaraderie and hopefully we get a coach to drop gems like Missouri's T.J. Moe, "They say girls are prettier here, air's fresher, and the toilet paper is thicker."

Couldn't agree 'Moe', T.J.

This lonely student's sign reads: Protect the Paterno statue.

Some Students Ask for More Joe Please:
In more Joe Paterno news, students -- a population of two -- are camping out in order to protect the statue, which remains erect outside Beaver Stadium.

An anonymous flight from Ohio read "Take down the statue, or we'll take it down for you" (a hopeful me desires for this news to be true).

I wish I would have made note of this in my last post, but the chances of the statue being vandalized is somewhere around 100%. This is all the more reason to take the thing down from its current location and follow my instructions. Students from Penn State have tweeted that "these few students do not represent the entire campus population."

All the more reason for the "protesting" students to take advantage of their parent's investment -- because it does not last forever -- in room and board, and go back to their dorm and hold their own Paterno-crazed pity party.

Cam Newton Way Should be a toll road if plan comes to fruition:
He has NFL records. He was named the NFL Rookie of the Year. He has a statue at his alma mater (Can you even call it that when he only spent eight months there and did not receive a degree from there? Or Blynn Junior College? Or Florida? I digress.). But getting a road named after him? You must be out of your mind.

He is a 23-year-old admittedly "very immature" quarterback. And while -- speaking from experience-- this is to be expected for a man of his age, let's give him some time before we Georgians give him such an honor. For one, it would cost the residents of Scarborough Road in South Atlanta money, time and effort to change their address. Residents also report to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that they are not ready to name a street after a person with a scandaled past.


A second hearing is still on the agenda where the proposition will likely be shot down. If the road does pass a second vote, can we all agree it should at least be a toll road?

Give me more Kobe
NBA Commissioner David Stern has come forward saying that at the next olympics it is possible we see the 23-and-under rule enforced. Within these parameters, USA basketball would still be able to use NBA professionals with onlythree players over the age of 23. This would help protect players in the NBA from participating in the Olympics and coming home injured a la Blake Griffin and Kyrie Irving.

If Stern gets his way, you won't see Kobe or LeBron in USA unis anymore.

Thirty-three-year-old Kobe Bryant thinks the same way I do about the Commissioner's proposal, "It's a stupid idea," Bryant said. I could not agree more with the Olympic gold medalist.

Whether or not to play should remain up to the players, who risk injury and fatigue in the next 82-game season. Some argue that NBAers in international play makes for a competitive disadvantage for the rest of the world.

Um... is that not the point of competition? To be the best? In addition to winning another gold this summer clips such as these will be recorded for all Americans to "Ohh" and "Ahh" over.

Kobe also told a Y! reporter earlier this week that it is "possible" he retires at age 35. Say it ain't so. Sure Bryant is made fun of for the number of shots he takes, but a 1 1/2 years ago he ranked as the ninth best player of all time (and his stock is only rising). Of course, he may be modeling his career even more so like his idol Michael Jordan by testing retirement and coming back as a player-manager down the road.

The Weekend That Will Be: Week 4

Arkansas at Alabama- The SEC's top offense will travel to Tuscaloosa for a showdown with the SEC's top defense.The lack of a running game stopped the Hogs from defeating the No. 1-ranked Crimson Tide last year and once again, the game may come down to how well each team can run the ball and effectively control the clock. If Alabama running back Trent Richardson can keep his pace going the Razorbacks' explosive offense can not get on the field. Also watch to see how a young offensive line from Fayetteville reacts to playing in one of the toughest stadiums (and most picturesque) in the game. Alabama moves to 4-0 and their coach Nick Saban remains undefeated against Arkansas.

Oklahoma State at Texas A&M- In what may be the last game between these two teams for quite some time as the Aggies move to the SEC, plenty of points will be scored. Watch for the running game to be key in who wins the game on Saturday. Texas A&M running back Cyrus Gray will go for his ninth consecutive 100 yard rushing game. The winner of this shootout may very well be the team who has the last possession. If you like defense stay away from the Aggies and Cowboys. Texas A&M wins at home.

Florida State at Clemson- One team is coming off their coach's biggest career win and the other off of a disappointing loss. Clemson coach Dabo Swinney kept his job for a couple of more seasons last week with a win over the defending national champions. Was rushing the field necessary? No and proof Clemson is not quite ready for the SEC. Swinney had an outburst that was reminiscent of Houston Nutt's "We Got that Wood" speech. Luckily for Swinney, he probably keeps his job. Seminole quarterback E.J. Manuel has been officially ruled "questionable" for the game on Saturday at Death Valley. Without Manuel it will be harder for FSU to pull off my upset special, but they still come out on top.

LSU at West Virginia- One can only hope the rumors of LSU students running into West Virginia classes in Morgantown and yelling "Geux Tigers!" is true. It is hard to believe it is not true, knowing rabid LSU fans. The Mountaineer offense is averaging 42 points per game and LSU's defense is giving up about 4.2 points per game. West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith will feel pressure. Pressure to perform and more pressure from the Tigers' defensive line. The Tigers, who have played the NCAA's toughest September schedule, will continue their dominance, winning easily.

Other picks (winners in bold)
North Carolina at Georgia Tech- Just do what you did last week Tech, over 600 yards on the ground and more than 12 yards a carry.

Georgia at Ole Miss- The Hot Seat Bowl ends with even more pressure on Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt. The Bullodgs are too talented.

Vanderbilt at South Carolina- Did I call that the Gamecocks would struggle last week? Vandy wakes up from their dream and plays more like the Vandy we have come to know.

Southern California at Arizona State- USC is young, six total freshamn starters. A tough night road test will prove to be too much.

Notre Dame at Pittsburgh
Florida at Kentucky
Oregon at Arizona

Cam Newton Back in the News

The NCAA has released information saying they have begun a new investigation into Mississippi State's recruiting of former Auburn QB Cam Newton. MSU Head Coach Dan Mullen was Newton's offensive coordinator at the University of Florida and still maintains a strong relationship with the Heisman winner. Newton was thought to be headed to State for sometime but surprised many and headed to Auburn.  His questioned Auburn recruiting created a media fire storm during the 2010 season. My question is if he is found guilty of participating in a pay-for-play scheme at State would that not only affect State's current program but also his Heisman, the Auburn wins and National Championship? Talk about a quick way to heat up a low scoring rivalry.

My thought is he, similarly to USC RB Reggie Bush, was playing when he should not have been and the wins he contributed in should be vacated. Let it be known I do not have it out for Newton, but I am a fan of justice. I, like everyone else who watches football, am absolutely amazed by his abilities and think the Carolina Panthers are crazy if they do not take him with the number one overall pick in next week's NFL Draft.

The sad part to me in this investigation is the Mississippi State program could suffer probation, scholarship reductions, and/or vacated wins. Yes, if found guilty they would have done wrong and deserve their punishment. But can we give them a break? It finally felt like something was going right in Starkville and half the state of Mississippi had legitimate reason to believe they would have a winning season this season (No way I am talking about the Ole Miss fans. They are a long ways from a winning season. Heck, they lost to Jacksonville State and Vandy!). I want to believe Dan Mullen was doing it the right way in one of the hardest places to succeed in the SEC.

Word of advice I had last week for Auburn and it still holds true... Go ahead and build the statues of Bo Jackson and, my favorite Tiger ever, Samford Bulldog football coach Pat Sullivan. Honor them with all the laud they deserve. But let's hold off on the Newton trophy at least until all the NCAA allegations are washed away.

For the Auburn fans whom I have offended, check out the Saban statue with his most faithful follower.

In exciting SEC news check out this link for the SEC Composite Schedule. Print it out. Put it on your desk. Put it on your fridge and let's hope the next 4 months flies by so we can kick it off again.

Best College Football Weekend

I am coming to you live from Vicksburg, Mississippi. Because I am on vacation I am trying to work when I can. I will be updating this as I can, but here is the work I have done so far.

Auburn vs. Alabama- I have had more trouble trying to justify a winner in this match-up more than any all season. Alabama is the favorite, according to Vegas, has home field advantage, and their Head Coach Nick Saban has had extra time to prepare for this game. Auburn, on the other hand, though lacking any as semblance of a defense all season, has not been stopped. But Auburn has yet to play a good team on the road and has struggled against the run, the Tide’s specialty. It is because of this I am going to take the Alabama Crimson Tide. Auburn fans will simply not be heard. Heck, the Auburn band has been moved to the upper deck! These people just don’t like each other. Alabama will rely heavily on the run but Alabama QB Greg McElroy will have to make a few important 3^rd down conversion passes to Julio Jones. The Tide win in a close one, and Tuscaloosa implodes from the celebrating.

LSU vs. Arkansas- A huge game that will shape the BCS bowl picture as much as any adds to what is already one of the best young rivalries. With a win both teams figure to lock up a bid to the Sugar Bowl. For Arkansas and LSU, success of the season rides on this game. Arkansas fans have felt all year that this year was crucial in the turnaround under Head Coach Bobby Petrino. Can the Hogs deliver results after such high expectations? The previous 5 games have been decided by less than 13 points so expect a tight one. The game will come down to whether or not a stout LSU defense can stop an Arkansas offense that has been rolling. In one of the most fun match ups all weekend two top 10 NFL prospects will go head to head as Arkansas QB will try to pass on LSU CB Patrick Peterson. The Rock will be doin just that this afternoon, rockin' as the Razorbacks figure out the LSU defenses and, depending on the unpredictable computers, lock up a bid to their first BCS Bowl.

Mississippi State vs. Ole Miss- For the first time in my life I will spend the day in Mississippi on the day of the Egg Bowl. Nationally, this game does not get the recognition that some rivalry games get, but don’t tell the folks from Mississippi that. Heck, the Bulldogs Head Coach Dan Mullen will not even say the words “Ole Miss,” in stead calling them “the team from up North.” I am watching the game with die hard State fans and one thing is certain, it is always good when Ole Miss loses, but so much better when State has the pleasure of giving them the loss. With that said, the only factor that makes this game close is the game is played in Oxford. Mississippi will have a hard time stopping the counter attack of State QB Chris Relf and RB Vick Ballard and really has no offensive threat of their own. Ole Miss QB Jeremiah Masoli was supposed to save the season for the Rebels but has failed miserably. The hurt continues today in an intense atmosphere, and State people have bragging rights for another year.

Arizona at Oregon- The game tonight in Autzen Stadium is the last true test the Ducks of Oregon will face before the national championship. Senior night versus a good Arizona Wildcats team that is coming of of two conference losses will be tough but doable for Oregon. Arizona beat Iowa earlier this year at home and has shown flashes of things to come from Head Coach Mike Stoops. The flashes will not be enough tonight as  Oregon running back LeMichael James leads this high scoring offense to another victory.

Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State- The Battle for Bedlam has extra meaning this year as the two teams involved are fighting for a spot in the Big 12 Championship. The rivalry has been dominated by big brother Oklahoma, winning 80 of the 104 games. Oklahoma State is seeking the teams first 10 win season in school history in what was supposed to be a "rebuilding year," but I think they will have to wait until their bowl game to get it. The Cowboys will not handle the pressure of the beating the Sooners, who have been there done that. It is a struggle, but Oklahoma QB Landry Jones, with the help of a big performance from RB Demarco Murray, will pull out the W.

Other Picks (in bold):

Boise State at Nevada

Michigan State at Penn State

Florida at Florida State

Kentucky at Tennessee

South Carolina at Clemson

Oregon State at Stanford

Notre Dame at USC

Michigan at Ohio State

Some picks for Saturday

Fall may be my favorite time of the year. It's a relief to be able to walk outside and not start sweating immediately. It's always fun to celebrate another year of life, but even better than these things is college football. Week to week, trying to predict what will happen and then watching the drama unfold is easily one of my favorite things. I thought about doing all of the SEC games but then I would have limited my blog. So I will dabble in all leagues. Where I am from and how I have been raised will influence which teams I write about. I know I will tend to talk more about the SEC. Here is how I see some of the games this weekend unfolding.

Arkansas vs. Auburn- One of the biggest games of the year in our household. The old man always says Arkasnas can lose every game but the Auburn one and he will be happy. It is the SEC game of the week for a reason. The game is almost as big as the pair of 6'6 quarterbacks matiching up. Ryan Mallet and Cam Newton could be deciding the SEC Offensive MVP this weekend on the plains. I don't see Auburn's secondary stopping Mallet. Arkansas has proved that they have a much improved defense from last year. Arkansas MUST be able to run the ball, block Auburn DT Nick Fairley to give Mallet time, and score some points in the 4th in order to win. To take a line from my Dad, I see the Hogs rumbling down from the Ozarks and spoiling the home teams party.

Alabama vs. Mississippi- This one could get very, very ugly. Julio Jones will not have to worry too much about his hand because Saban may not even pass the ball after what happened last week, running for less than 50 yards in the 2nd half. (And they tried to compare that RB tandem to McFadden and Jones... please) He is looking to take out his anger on somebody and poor somebody is Ole Miss. I don't see him taking out the starters until Alabama is up by 50. The black bear will not be roaring this week.

Florida vs. Mississippi State- Yet another Mississippi school at the wrong spot in the schedule. Florida misses Dan Mullen and his offensive creativity. State, on the other hand, is loving their new commander and chief. But he still does not have the players he had as the UF offensive coordinator. No way Urban Meyer loses three in a row and may show off some of his speed to Mullen. Look what you used to have. State might can hold it close but the Gators stop the bleeding and win one.

South Carolina vs. Kentucky- Upset special… Randal Cobb is one of the most fun players to watch in college ball and gets a chance to show off his skills again. After the emotional victory last week there is no way planning for Kentucky was the main focus. USC matched up great against Alabama because they stop everything that happens in the middle but Kentucky tries to spread everything wide. Cobb goes wild and comes away with the win.

Ohio State vs. Wisconsin- We’ll see how OSU handles being back in the number one spot. They will take care of a “What in the world happened to Wisconsin Badger” team. So much promise at the beginning of the year but a frustrating loss to a much improved Michigan State team has those in Madison wondering how the season will unfold. OSU knows they control whether or not they play for the ‘ship and will play like with fire. Defense is too good to let Wisconsin RB John Clay, a player scouts are drooling over (or at least I would be if I was one), do too much damage.

Furman vs. Samford- Rivalry game in the Magic City this week. The Bulldogs looked good in a game versus Western Carolina last week and look continue the momentum. Playoffs for the Dogs? As a proud alumnus I certainly hope so. Look for Chris Evans to continue to add to what is already the most rushing yards in school history in a little bit of an upset against the No. 26 team in FCS. Samford Bulldogs improve to .500 in the conference.

Other Winners (in bold)-

Boston College vs. Florida State

Georgia vs. Vanderbilt

Illinois vs. Michigan State

Southern Cal vs. California

Maryland vs. Clemson

Iowa vs. Michigan

Texas vs. Nebraska

Miami (FL) vs. Duke
Who ever Boise State plays vs. Boise State