UGA: 9-3 has never been so disappointing

UGA finished the regular season with a 45-42 home loss to Georgia Tech, losing the state's bragging rights for the first time in seven years. There were lots of questions after the loss. Coach Richt answered the most obvious one on Sunday - Will Willie Martinez return as defensive coordinator? Richt said that he does not expect any changes to be made in the coaching staff. He explained that due to injuries, that the team did not run as many tackling drills during practices this year to avoid further injuries. Next year, injuries in practice will be a chance they have to take. Poor tackling was a big part in Tech racking up 400+ yards rushing on the Dawgs. Fans certainly are calling for Martinez to be gone. If he goes, the first names that come to my mind as a replacement are John Chavis and Will Muschamp.

At first glance, Will Muschamp seems like the best fit. He's from Georgia, played for UGA, his family is here, and he has been a successful defensive assistant at Auburn, LSU, and Texas. However, Texas stated that Muschamp is the heir apparent to Mack Brown as head coach of the Longhorns, and agreed in principle to raise his salary to $900,000. That would probably keep him there, despite the attractiveness of returning home to Georgia. But Mack Brown is under contract through 2016. That's a long wait.

John Chavis is Tennessee's defensive coordinator. The Vols defense played well this year. Unfortunately for them, their offense looked like a high school team. Lane Kiffin is bringing his father, Monte, from the Tampa Bay Bucs' staff to coach the defense. Chavis is familiar with SEC offenses and how to defend them. If Georgia changes its mind and makes changes to the staff, Chavis should be highly considered as the new defensive coordinator.

The other question of the weekend - Will Georgia still go to the Capital One Bowl? The answer: probably. The Capital One Bowl is contractually obligated to take the SEC team with the best record, or within one win of that record (Ole Miss), that doesn't go to a BCS game. So, assuming Bama and the Gaytors go to a BCS bowl, Georgia should be in. The folks in Orlando know that Georgia will fill more seats than Ole Miss. Stafford vs. Pryor...Knowshon vs. Beanie.

Simply put, Georgia vs. Ohio State is sexier than Ole Miss vs. Ohio State. Ole Miss is a better fit for the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, playing a team from the clusterfuck known as the Big 12. Perhaps Texas Tech, who probably deserves to play in a BCS bowl. What was that you said about a playoff, Barack?

For those who give a shit, Georgia Tech may be playing a home game in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl against the likes of LSU or South Carolina.