So Dan Hawkins is out at Colorado. No surprise, and we all know against which team he notched his final win. I’m fairly certain now that we’ll look back on this year’s loss at Colorado as the worst of Mark Richt’s career. Let’s count the ways:

• It was a poor quality opponent in an unnecessary non-conference game. So much for the “brand.”
• Georgia blew a double-digit second half lead. The Dawgs took a 24-14 lead on Marlon Brown’s 3rd quarter touchdown reception.
• From killer third down conversions to big plays, it was probably the worst performance by the new defense.
• At least 13 points were left on the field due to turnovers deep in Colorado’s end and a missed field goal.
• On a more personal level, an otherwise perfect road trip with thousands of Bulldog fans on hand will always have the loss associated with it.

Sure, there are a few other candidates. Most obvious is the 2006 Vanderbilt loss. That was bad, but the Commodores were in a period of building respectability under Bobby Johnson. In 2006, Vandy was a 4-8 team that lost to Alabama, Arkansas, and Florida by a combined 11 points. You could also go in a different direction and point to games in which the Dawgs were completely outclassed like the 2008 Alabama game. Last season’s loss at Tennessee was an unexpected blowout, but at least the Vols were a bowl-eligible team. Any loss to Tech is a low point. But for sheer you-gotta-be-kidding-me effect, losing that game in Boulder was as bad as it gets. No wonder they rushed the field.