Ratings and Rankings . . .

Thought about starting this thread for most of the day. Trust me, I am like you, love UGA and only want the best for our University. Being an old fart, sometimes I have nothing better to do than look at things differently than I did at a much younger age, maybe like 40 or 50. Or 60.

Read in the AJC and other media outlets both here in Florida and nationally about RANKINGS. Everyone wants to know where the "money makers" those that charge for "inside" information have ranked their respective team.

This late in the day, took me back to Boise State and the University of Georgia for openers. Anyone that cares to look, Boise State was not anywhere close to being ranked where the University of Georgia was, when it comes to player ratings. Not where the teams were rated, where the recruiting classes were rated.

How many on this board have read where the University of Georgia has been ranked in the top 10 for ever how many years. Those rankings come from people like ESPN, NIKE, SCOUT, 247 and the list goes on and on. They charge us to publish the information that they think they have a better feel for. Nothing wrong with that right, free enterprise. They must know more than we do, they tell us in so many ways that they do and we should pay them for their large data bases.

OK, down to the crux of the matter. If we have better players than say, Boise State, why do they beat us? If we have better players and a higher ranking that Michigan State, why do they beat us? If our class is ranked higher than South Carolina, why have they beat us two years in a row, and maybe looking at a third? Florida usually has a higer ranked team and ratings than UGA does, especially since SS and UM cast their lots with the Gators.

Lets move on to LSU, Alabama both SEC teams, but what about teams nationally that don't have the same recruiting rankings that we do, but seem to finish better.

Why are we getting beaten by these teams that don't get the amount of star recruits that UGA does? Is it because we don't have a good fan base? Is it because we don't have enough capital to provide excellent facilities for the players?

If anyone on this board can and will answer some of these questions, I would like to see what you think. I have thoughts, otherwise would not have started a thread like this one. If for some reason you don't have a thought on the above, makes me wonder why some of the things, such as opinions I see expressed on this board would stop short on a thread like this one. Don't back off and ask me what I think, most know that I am full of opinions. If you do that however, it will certainly make me wonder why first you would not have a thought on the subject(s). Second, I will tell you what I think some of the problems are, not because I want to start WWIII, just curious as to opinions.

Go Dawgs, coach'em up!!

easy one for me in one word Confidence. Some coaches for UGA do not have confidence in the players that they recruited.

Like I said before, and I'm sure I will hear flack, but for me it is the lack of coaching, CMR is a good man, but not a coach. BOBO is a good man, but not a OC. You look at what CTG has done in 2 years, and by that I mean the energy and the swager that has been lacking for the past 5 to 6 years.

This is why we will continue to win 9 to 10 games and maybe the east, but that is as far as we get. Until major changes are made so that we can get a coach that knows how to use its personnel and how to run it program with the best coaches S&C, ST, OC, ect.

After thinking about this question for a little while, I've come to the conclusion that it isnt as simple as I thought it would be to give an answer,however I do believe that for whatever reason for the last few seasons coaches,players,AD have all seemed to say the right things but are unable to channel it to winning. I agree that the offense has been the weakest link,in particular the OL and the OC,coupled with problems keeping a running back healthy. I guarantee every man,coach, player and coordinator wants to win every game,but,do they have the direction and cohesiveness to do it. I believe the right players are there,not sure about all the leaders. I hope the leaders prove me wrong and the players prove me right this season cause I'm getting weary of the ups and downs we've endured these last few years. GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There really isn't much of a difference between the top 20 or so recruiting classes. One prospect can raise (or lower) a team's standing in the recruiting rankings by as much as 6-7 places...and if the guy who is the reason your class is ranked third instead of eighth doesn't pan out...

Once a program can consistently land 4 star athletes, all that matters is how you coach them up. Much better to have a solid staff that can get young men ready and have a recruiting class ranked 20th than it is to have a top 5 recruiting class with Bobo as your offensive coordinator.

Richt may get "top" recruiting classes but he does not recruit well for the players in the trenches. Nor does he recruit enough of them.
While Richt is scrambling on signing day, Saban is recruiting for 2013.
Coaching is a 365, 24/7 job. A big part is recruiting.
I don't want to start anything but I find it incredulous that some of Richt's staunchest supporters complain the most about the OL.
You cannot separate the two.