Georgia Bulldogs in 2011 - Post #8

This post is about "tempered expectations." But before we get to that ...

Though I have had my criticisms of CMR over the years, the wholly disastrous and humiliating end of Jim Tressel's tenure as the head coach of the Ohio State University has made this Dawgs fan grateful for the dignified manner in which CMR has led our football program. Though CMR has never flaunted his values-led leadership in quite the (now repulsive) outward manner that Tressel did, I have always thought that CMR was the SEC's counterpoint to The Vest, The Senator, the "pure" Jim Tressel. CMR is widely known as a faith-driven man who has placed the measure of the growth of his players beyond the numbers in the win column. So I for one will praise CMR for continuing to represent the University of Georgia with honor and pride. If the college football world is sickened with discovering that one of its most lofty coaches only talked the talk, I suggest you look to Athens, GA for a man that walks the walk.

Now, on to some X's and O's ...

In contrast to the sweltering heat of the southern summer, my expectations for the 2011 season have fallen quite a bit. We are more likely to start 0-2 than 2-0, and I have a difficult time stating with confidence that we will beat either Boise St. or South Carolina.

My diminished hope rests largely on a ravaged offensive line entering the fall. Solid defenses like Boise St., South Carolina, Florida, and Mississippi St will give us fits. I think Auburn will be a hot team by the time we play them, and Kentucky seems to have our number of late. A loss to one of those two teams is probably more likely than Dawgs fans would like to admit.

Neither Tennessee or Ole Miss is likely to shock the SEC with a 9 win season, but both have playmakers and on a fluky afternoon, we could easily lose to either.

Earlier, I predicted a 9-3 season. A part of me still believes that mark is more than attainable. But there are so many "ifs" going into this season.
If the defense grasps the 3-4 and regains the form of those Georgia defenses of the early 2000's, we'll be good.
If the remaining offensive lineman don't get injured, Murray should have time to find Charles, King, and Brown.
If Crowell is as advertised, we'll have one of the best running backs in the SEC.
If ...

The diehard Dawgs fan in me wants to bring up all the "ifs" that Boise, Florida, Auburn, Miss St, and Ga Tech face going into the fall. But I was way too bullish on the Dawgs last year, and that is reigning my optimism in quite a bit.
And so, I think 8-4 is probably more realistic. Losses to Boise, South Carolina, Florida, and then one more to a team we probably shouldn't lose to but there will be at least one evening when all of our holes are exposed and the opposing team doesn't make a mistake.