Around the Dawg House will bring you daily updates from what people and publications are saying about Georgia, from inside and outside of Athens.

Hines Ward honored by the SEC

While at Georgia, Hines Ward seemed to do it all for the Bulldogs. And now he’s being honored by the SEC for his efforts in college.

Ward was named Georgia’s representative for the 2018 SEC Football Legends class. Ward, along with other members of the 2018 class like Shaun Alexander and Darren McFadden will be honored prior to the SEC Championship game, which will take place on Dec. 1.

In his time at Georgia, Ward finished second all-time in receptions and fourth all-time in receiving yards. Prior to a standout career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Ward played at Georgia from 1994-97. While he’s most well-known as a wide receiver, he also played some quarterback and running back for the Bulldogs.

In his senior season at Georgia, Ward was also named First Team All-SEC and helped lead Georgia to a 10-2 record.

The former Bulldog and Pittsburgh Steeler will also be recognized as UGA’s legend — as well as his coming induction into the Circle of Honor — this Saturday during the game against Vanderbilt.

ESPN says Georgia is one of nine teams that can still win it all

For some, the 2018 Georgia season will only be considered a success if it ends with the Bulldogs winning the national championship. Well, according to ESPN, Georgia can still do that.

ESPN’s Heather Dinich wrote that Georgia is one of nine teams that can still end up winning the College Football Playoff. Of the nine teams, Georgia has the third best odds to win, behind only Alabama and Ohio State.

But the Bulldogs only have a 52.6 percent chance of making the playoff, which is lower than that of Clemson and just ahead of Notre Dame.

Dinich also offered a warning as to why Georgia might not be able to win it all this season.

“A Heisman hopeful, and the schedule,” Dinich wrote. “The Bulldogs are No. 6 in strength of record, which isn’t bad at all, but Missouri is the only opponent they’ve played with a record over .500. Georgia also doesn’t have any wins over ranked opponents yet, as South Carolina has dropped out of the AP poll since its loss to Georgia.”

It’s worth pointing out that Georgia’s schedule is about to get much, much tougher. After the Bulldogs take on Vanderbilt, it’s next four games all come against ranked teams, including a potential top-5 matchup against LSU on Oct. 13.

As for the lack of a Heisman Trophy candidate, it’s worth mentioning that the only Heisman Trophy winner to lead his team to a national title in the College Football Playoff era is Derrick Henry.

Dawgs in the NFL

Week 4 of the NFL season concluded on Monday night as Chris Conley and Justin Houston both helped lead the Kansas City Chiefs to another win, pushing them to 4-0.

Conley and Houston weren’t the only Bulldogs to have big weeks, as Nick Chubb and Sony Michel both had their first career 100-yard rushing games and touchdowns.

Below is how just some of the 35 former Bulldogs in the NFL played during Week 4. A.J. Green of the Cincinnati Bengals was named the Top Dawg, thanks to his game-winning touchdown catch against the Atlanta Falcons. He finished the game with four catches and 78 yards.

  • Justin Houston, Outside linebacker, Kansas City Chiefs: Houston had two tackles, including a sack against the Broncos.
  • Chris Conley, Wide receiver, Kansas City Chiefs: Conley hauled in four passes for 13 yards in the win. However, he did not catch a touchdown pass, as he had in the pas two week
  • Sony Michel, Running back, New England Patriots: The rookie carried the ball 25 times for 112 yards and a touchdown in a win.
  • Nick Chubb, Running back,  Cleveland Browns: Chubb finished with only three times but turned them into 105 yards and two touchdowns. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Chubb became the first player in NFL history to rush for 100 or more yards and two touchdowns on three or fewer carries and is the first Brown to rush for multiple 40-yard touchdowns in a single game since Hall of Famer Jim Brown  did it back in 1963.
  • Ramik Wilson, Linebacker, Los Angeles Rams: The former Bulldog led the Rams with 7 tackles in a 38-31 win for the Rams
  • Todd Gurley, Running back, Los Angeles Rams: Ran 17 times for 83 yards and caught four passes for 73 yards and a touchdown..
  • Geno Atkins, Defensive Tackle, Cincinnati Bengals: Atkins finished with five tackles in a 37-36 win for the Bengals.
  • Shawn Williams, Defensive back, Cincinnati Bengals: Williams added four tackles.
  • Matthew Stafford, Quarterback, Detroit Lions: Stafford went 24-for-30 with 307 yards passing and two touchdowns in a loss to the Dallas Cowboys
  • Alec Ogletree, Linebacker, New York Giants: Ogletree had 12 tackles, the most by any former Bulldog in a game this week. Two of those tackles were for a loss.

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