This is far too painful. This is the second game I've attended (the other was the 2006 Tennessee game) during which we had a sizeable, manageable lead at halftime and simply went to sleep defensively in the second half. Throughout our trials and tribulations this year, I have stipulated that this season would only be a failure if we lost to Tech.

Consider this:

1) Fifth game under Willie Martinez (2005 Auburn, 2006 Sugar vs. WVU, 2006 Tennessee, 2008 Alabama, 2008 Tech) in which his offense has given him 30 points and we have still lost. Prior to his arrival, Richt teams had NEVER LOST when scoring at least 18.

2) First defensive coordinator given 40 points in regulation who still lost. The 1999 Dawgs lost to Tech 51-48, but they did so in overtime.

3) First loss to an ACC team under Richt.

4) First loss to a non-conference opponent at home under Richt.

5) First loss to a non-conference opponent in the regular season under Richt.

6) Second time in Georgia history we've allowed two 100-yard rushers (1999 Ole Miss)

7) First loss to Georgia Tech under Richt.

and, unless everyone loses, this will be the first ten-win Mark Richt team to finish outside of the top ten, assuming we win our bowl game. If they put us in the Outback against Michigan State, call us a 9-win team. No way that defensive scheme stops Javon Ringer unless he breaks both legs and starts crawling backwards.

Contract extension? Richt must be out of his mind. I'm sick to my stomach. I'll post again when we know what our bowl is...I'm considering not posting again until one of two things happens: either Willie gets fired or baseball season starts. I'm too disgusted by all of this; it's just bile.

THIS WAS AN INFINITELY WINNABLE GAME. There is no excuse for refusing to adjust to THE ONLY PLAY THAT GAVE YOUR DEFENSE TROUBLE during the first half. Willie, you had to make one halftime adjustment, and you didn't do it. They ran ONE PLAY ON US and it failed to work exactly twice. There is no excuse for being staked to a 16-point halftime lead against a small team with a gimmick offense and failing to adjust. There is no excuse for allowing them to continue scoring with the same play after losing that lead.

I'll see you again during bowl season. I've got to untie my stomach right now; it's in yellow-and-white knots.

I couldn't have said it better.
I've been in a foul mood since the first play of the second half.
This defense rolled over and died. We knew exactly what they were going to do but it didn't matter.
The defense owes Mohamed Massaquoi a big apology. He played his best game as a Georgia Bulldog.

Our players can stop Michigan State's running game we just can't stop the option.

You know what I'm struggling with......there wasn't any NEED to adjust anything at halftime. They only scored 6 on the D the 1st half.
I wouldn't have adjusted ANYTHING.

Exactly, wlayton. I told my son at halftime the only way we could lose is if we changed anything on D because we had their offense stymied. And I proceeded to tell him there would be no logical reason for us to change anything. Guess I forgot to account for the \"Willie factor\".

YEP!!!

Well put Dapolla. I am on the band wagon with you on this one.

good points all. what confounds me is that tech had one play to stop, but at least they had more than one player that hurt us - wm couldn't figure out a scheme to stop kentucky either and they only had one player to stop!

wm was certainly not the only problem we had this season, but I feel that with bvg (or some other good dc) as defensive coordinator, we could have beaten bama, definitely would have beaten tech, would have won a number of games more handily, so we'd be looking at probably only losing to FL who seem unbeatable at the moment.

It's all just too frustrating at the moment - what could have/should have been...