ATHENS, Ga. --- Mark Richt says the ball simply has not bounced Georgia's way this season.
Georgia ranks 119th of 120 FBS teams in turnover margin. Through eight games, the Bulldogs have recovered only one of their opponents' 10 fumbles. They've lost eight of their 14 fumbles.
Georgia (4-4) will try to solve its turnover problem as it plays FCS opponent Tennessee Tech (5-3) today.
Richt said his players are trying to recover the fumbles. He said game film proves the balls usually fall closer to opposing players.
It's enough to drive a coach crazy -- and knock a team out of Southeastern Conference contention. Last week's 41-17 loss to Florida left Georgia 3-3 in the SEC.
"Why is the ball bouncing that way? I don't know," Richt said. "... I've studied that film, and for whatever reason, when the ball is on the ground it ends up closer to one of their guys than our guys. Why's that happening? I don't know. It's just happening, but that's football."
Opponents have scored 88 points off Georgia's 21 turnovers. The Bulldogs have scored only 21 points after forcing six turnovers.
The turnover deficit grew last week when quarterbacks Joe Cox and Logan Gray combined to throw four interceptions, leaving the Bulldogs with a minus-four turnover margin in the lopsided loss to the Gators. Neither team lost a fumble.
Cox has 15 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions. Richt considered benching the senior early this week before announcing the coaching staff's unanimous decision to stick with Cox.
Even so, Richt said he plans to play Gray for at least one series against the Golden Eagles of the Ohio Valley Conference. Richt hasn't given in to calls from some fans to turn the offense over to freshman QB Aaron Murray and begin playing for 2010.
"If we made a move and say we are playing for next year, in my mind, we've given up on the season, we've quit," Richt said. "We don't quit at Georgia, and we don't teach our guys to quit."
Richt announced one significant lineup change. Caleb King will start at tailback ahead of former Emanuel County Institute standout Washaun Ealey, who led Georgia with 70 yards rushing against Florida.
Richt said Ealey struggled in pass-blocking against the Gators.
TODAY'S GAME
- Tennessee Tech (5-3, 4-2 Ohio Valley Conference) at Georgia (4-4, 3-3 SEC), 1 p.m.
HOW TO WATCH
The Georgia-Tennessee Tech game will be available today on Comcast channel 602 on a pay-per-view basis in the Augusta market.
The game can be ordered by remote or by calling Comcast at (706) 733-7712. Cost is $29.99 each for residential customers only. Commercial establishments that want information about the game should also call (706) 733-7712.
Customers ordering the game must have a digital box. Because of technical limitations, the game will be available only in the Augusta area (Augusta, North Augusta, Waynesboro, Thomson).
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