There was never any doubt on UGA-FLA in JAX
Five burning questions as we head into the weekend:
1. UGA-FLA stays in JAX. Was there ever any doubt? I know a lot of Georgia fans were intrigued about the prospect of playing the Georgia-Florida game on campus or even in Atlanta’s Georgia Dome. And trust me when I tell you that Gary Stokan and the Atlanta Sports Council put on the full court press trying to convince Georgia athletics director Damon Evans and President Michael Adams that moving the game to Atlanta is something they should try once—if nothing else but to keep the revenue generated by the event in the state of Georgia. But never underestimate the power of the South Georgia Bulldogs. This is their game. And there are simply too many in the Bulldog Nation to whom the Jacksonville trip is a tradition worth keeping, regardless of the results on the field. The Georgia fans have done their part and turned out faithfully year after year in Jacksonville. Now the team needs to do its part and figure out how to beat the Mighty Gators.
2. Will Ryan Mallett have enough time to throw? The Arkansas quarterback had a good SEC debut last week as he lit up the Georgia secondary for 408 passing yards and five touchdowns. Well, Mallett may have played his first SEC game last week but his real SEC debut comes Saturday when the Hogs go to Alabama. Mallett looks like a very good quarterback but he has never seen speed on defense like he will see against the No. 3 Crimson Tide. So the short answer to the question is “no.”
3. Will LSU finally turn its offense loose against Mississippi State? The Tigers have been less than impressive in their three wins over Washington (31-23, although that one looks a little better now), Vanderbilt (23-9) and Louisiana-Lafayette (31-3). But some folks around the league have suggested that Coach Les Miles is waiting for crunch time before he shows us what he really has under the hood. In the next three weeks LSU goes to Mississippi State, Georgia and then returns home to play No. 1 Florida in Baton Rouge. It would appear that time has arrived for the Tigers.
4. How confident is North Carolina as they come to Georgia Tech? A year ago, when the rest of the ACC was still adjusting to Paul Johnson’s option attack, North Carolina gave up a bunch of rushing yards (326 on 54 carries) between the 20s but allowed Georgia Tech only one touchdown. That one came on an 85-yard run by Jonathan Dwyer in the fourth quarter. Other than that one big play, Georgia Tech did not have a snap inside North Carolina’s 23-yard line. Nine starters return from that Tar Heel defense. So I would say North Carolina is very confident as they arrive at Bobby Dodd Stadium.
5. How close is Miami to being the Miami of old? I talked to Hurricane coach Randy Shannon this week and he’s not prepared to say that Miami is all the way back. But the No. 9 Hurricanes, who thumped Georgia Tech 33-17 last week, will get a very good measuring stick on Saturday when they go to No. 11 Virginia Tech. The key to the game will be how well the Miami offensive line can protect quarterback Jacory Harris. Harris was rarely taken out of his comfort zone against Georgia Tech. Virginia Tech is very athletic and aggressive on its defensive front. Miami has lost in five of its last seven trips to Blacksburg
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201 comments Add your comment
Frank Lane
September 24th, 2009
8:14 am
Arkansas is going to surprise someone this year. Mallett has great vision and arm strength, but it may not be Alabama. If I were a betting man I would definitely take Arkansas and the 17.5 points.
Herodotus
September 24th, 2009
8:15 am
Tebow fumbled.
Diamond Dave
September 24th, 2009
8:17 am
“Tradition…regardless of the results on the field.” Did I read that right?
Mikey
September 24th, 2009
8:17 am
Tony,
One more question:
Will Ole Miss validate their ranking tonight?
PTC DAWG
September 24th, 2009
8:17 am
Bama and UF, neither are beatable…LOL….
Re #1, good job by the powers in charge.
ParrisIsland Dawg
September 24th, 2009
8:21 am
There’s nothing like beating FL in Jax. If we get over our mental block we have the athletes to do it.
GATA
RedKneckerson
September 24th, 2009
8:25 am
I think UGA is gthe best football program in America. (historically or current)
Jim Mora Jr.
September 24th, 2009
8:32 am
GO GATA!
Chris
September 24th, 2009
8:33 am
I personally think the UGA-FLA game should have been changed. Keep it in Jacksonville every other year to save tradition but move it Atlanta, or a home and home every other year to add an extra home game that Athens needs.
To say the South Georgia DAWGS demanded it to stay in Jax. just doesn’t make much since. I’m from south Georgia and have traveled to Jax. and Athens for a game. Unless you live in Brunswick, is traveling really that big of a deal for south Georgia fans?
I’d much rather go to a game at Sanford Stadium than Jax. A couple of hours difference in travel, big freakin deal! I think we should have kept tradition and mixed it up as well.
I hope this isn’t an athletic director that is to scared to make tuff decisions. Case in point….Willie Martinez. He has got to go Damon. If not, he will bring this program crashing down.
quaildawg
September 24th, 2009
8:36 am
Tony,
One question I have yet to see asked by any scribe. When is Tebow going to walk up under center? I recall Meyer making a big deal about that in pre-season and as of yet I don’t believe it has happened. That being said the issues he had last weekend in the passing game were obvious in that Tebow was very average when having to drop back further due to UT’s pass rush or when he was pressured period.
Just curious.
Starring Kam Fong as Chin Ho
September 24th, 2009
8:39 am
It’s Thursday, what time does Tech kick off? Can I still get a free Coke and hot dog if I get a ticket at the walk up window?
winderdawg
September 24th, 2009
8:40 am
Enter your comments here
CharliePell
September 24th, 2009
8:43 am
The Miami of old would have robbed a bank by game 4….
Tide4u2c
September 24th, 2009
8:44 am
Coming off the loss to Georgia Arkansas will be hungry wanting to make up for that tough loss with a win against Alabama a team that dominated them last year.It is just that Mallett will be facing a strong defense and won’t be able to put up enough points to win in the end and I think Mallett will throw an interception in this game.Arky likes to set up the run with the pass but they may try to change things up some.Meanwhile Alabama’s offense with Greg McElroy leading the way along with a strong running attack will be able to put up enough points on the Arkansas D to win.I’ll say
Bama 40 Arky 17 maybe 20 with a late field goal.
It is time for LSU to show us what they’ve got. They’ve got Miss St a team they should pretty much dominate on both sides of the ball.LSU has alot of talent and should be able to put this game away atleast by half time.The score should be something like LSU 45 Miss St 6. But LSU has’nt showed us what they can do yet so I’ll say LSU 27 Miss St 14.
As far as Miami I am not buying they are back yet until after this game with Virginia Tech.I don’t think the Miami offense will be able to put up alot of points on the Hokie D and I think it will be a close game. I’ll say Virginia Tech 24 Miami 21.
gatorcali247
September 24th, 2009
8:45 am
Dont get your hopes up for too many wins in Jax, UGA fans. Tebow leaves but Brantley is the real deal and better passer, UF will be loaded next year too
Otto
September 24th, 2009
8:48 am
Keep UGA/UF in Jax. The Dome has no atmosphere, and is generally a terrible place to watch anything. I have been to games in the Dome, Athens, and UGA/FL in both Athens and Jax. Something is special about Jax and CMR’s road record proves that winning the game is not about location. Keep the S. Ga fans happen and use it as a platform to recruit Florida players as they have.
The Atlanta Sports Council needs to go away, first giving Bama more of a presence in Georgia than they had before with the Kick Off Game and now trying to move UGA/UF.
gatiger2
September 24th, 2009
8:51 am
I personally see the Ga – Fla game in Jax much like the Auburn – Ala game once played at Legion Field. At some point because of the ” results on the field ” you have to do something to change that. There is nothing like home field advantage, no matter how great the party or how convenient the game to South Ga is. Ga will win now and then down there. Ga won’t win consistently until its played in Athens and where ever the Gators want to play their home game. I don’t understand not wanting to play in Athens. Just my opinion.
GeezusDawg
September 24th, 2009
8:53 am
GA-FL should change to home and home and we should pick Clemson back up on the schedule. It’s unfortunate that the “tradition” of the Clemson rivalry was dismissed so quickly, but the Jax “tradition” can’t be touched.
Tony, why in the h3ll do you have sugardaddie.com advertising during your CBSC show????????
Jonnyboy
September 24th, 2009
9:01 am
So this is Georgia football. You would rather play your home game in Florida. Denying the local economy of the windfall from out of town guest. Denying your fans and football team the Saturday campus experience. Yeah sounds that the powers to be really know what they are doing. This is college football not the NFL. I would be more than up set if my team auctioned off one of it’s home games every other year.
SEC4Life
September 24th, 2009
9:03 am
As a GA resident and loyal Dawg fan, I was buying AD Evans’ rationale for keeping the game in Jax until I saw one thing:
CBS agrees to televise the game nationally through 2016.
Don’t insult my intelligence by saying “tradition” was the leading factor in fighting to keep the game in Jax. I don’t care if the ticket allocations are 50/50, this is (and always will be) a home game for FLA. The game could be played in Orlando and it would STILL be a home game for FLA. “Money” made this decision, plain and simple.
And also don’t insult my intelligence AD Evans by saying that keeping the game in JAX can serve as a good “recruiting tool” for UGA in the state of FL. Are you freakin’ kidding me? Guys from FL aren’t looking to come to UGA. I take that back, top-flight FL recruits aren’t breaking down any doors to get to Athens. Think about UGA’s top three offensive weapons from last year: Stafford (TX), Moreno (NJ) and AJ Green (SC). UGA actually recruits better in states other than FL. If I’m a highly-touted recruit in FL, and I have FLA, Miami and (clears throat) FL ST to choose from, why would I go to Athens?
This game needs to alternate sites between Atlanta/Athens and FL in the worst way. AD Evans dropped the ball on this one. The city of Jax needs this game b/c the Jaguars are close to folding and they need the revenue. Not to sound cold-hearted or anything, but that shouldn’t be a concern of AD Evans or President Adams for that matter. They needed to decide what was in the best interests of UGA.
richtfan
September 24th, 2009
9:05 am
keeping it in jax is a huge mistake tony. mark richt is unfortunately not controlling the program to his liking.
Auggie Doggie
September 24th, 2009
9:09 am
Jonnyboy, How many NFL games are played at neutral sites?
outkasted
September 24th, 2009
9:09 am
since jevean snead is the best or 2nd best qb in the SEC…. he should have no problem with south carolina and their avg defense… theres no way ryan mallet will throw a completion for a score on that alabama defense…. blah blah blah… south carolina will win tonight and arkansas will beat alabama…by the way tony all the games are real sec games… last i checked they count in the record books….kentucky is going to give florida all they want to see too…its funny how alabamas only big win came against a va tech team who cant score in practice let alone a game…what about a trap gm for LSU since they come between the hedges next week…the so called florida defense thats 22 deep let a team who can’t throw and dont even trust their qb to throw run the ball down their throat if TN had any type of passing game…..the U is back and in the hunt…
CharlotteGator
September 24th, 2009
9:09 am
1. Keep the game in Jax. If UGA wins this year, I imagine all the “move the game” discussion goes away and is replaced with “we’re back, the tide is now turning to our favor…the Gator run is over esp. since Tebow is gone.”
2. If Alabama cares about this game, then no, Mallet is done. If they sleepwalk, then it’ll be close until their alarm buzzes and wakes them up. That D is stout and the offense is finding its legs/identity.
3. I hope its true that they’re staying vanilla until the ‘real games’. I don’t think you can just flip the switch in football and then turn on your ‘good’ offense at a moments notice. I suspect reality, however, is that they’ve just not found their rhythm. I know Miles can be a bit reckless, but I can’t imagine he’d hold back his offense to not “show” anything.
4. I couldn’t begin to tell you anything about UNC football. All people up here seem to care about is who is better Delhomme or Romo. That and the race coming up on Oct. 17. The only thing I’ve heard re: UNC football are UNC alumns complaining that the atmosphere in their stadium is dead because the students won’t get rowdy or into the game. That and that they have a ton of injuries on the OL.
5. Like others have said, I think this week will be a good indication. The previous two games they were fighting for something (i.e. state bragging rights, revenge, etc.). Now they’ve seen some success so the true test will be in how they handle that with a tough road game this weekend. If they’re 4-0 after beating Oklahoma, I’ll start to believe. They’re a young team though, and like all others, how they handle success will dictate their season.
Fleischman in Chattanooga
September 24th, 2009
9:12 am
Hoping Ole Myth gets their a$$es kicked tonight…
Meet me in the bathroom big boy
g8trb8
September 24th, 2009
9:13 am
you can play the game at parkview high school, the results are still going to be the same…the “superior” team doesnt always win, it is the team better prepared and more hungry.
TS
September 24th, 2009
9:16 am
I’m sure some South GA Bulldog boosters with deep pockets put a couple phone calls in to the appropiate places this week. IT was the correct decision. Florida-Georgia needs to stay in Jacksonville. The Dawgs are always calling us Gators out for not having any tradition but that’s what this is. Tradition. 49-10 is the reason this was back in the spotlight. Now let’s move on.
Gibby
September 24th, 2009
9:17 am
outkasted- that’s just plain silly. Arkt beats Bama AND the Chickens beat Ole Miss. I know you’re a UGA fan and these results would make your team look stronger, but come on. Are you also picking the Houston Cougars not to lose another game this year????
84 dawg
September 24th, 2009
9:18 am
CBS televising the game isn’t exactly what we want given the way we play down there. Maybe we could move the start time to 3AM and nobody would notice the annual a$$whipping we sustain year after year.
And Gator fans, spare me the scarey Brantly talk. The “Just wait till Tebow leaves-Brantly is the better quaterback” makes you sound stupid. Weren’t you guys screaming bloody murder because the Evil Genius had the nerve to vote Snead all SEC instead of the sainted Tebow. Now you tell us you have a better QB on your depth chart-uh ok whatever. Enjoy your success. Your program is admittedly miles ahead of ours, but stop bragging about your backup QB.
CharlotteGator
September 24th, 2009
9:19 am
Just my opinion, but you can’t complain about the recruiting edge Saban gets by playing the Kickoff Classic in the GA Dome, and then turn around and say playing in Jax gives you NO recruiting benefit.
When I look down the UGA roster I see some pretty decent players from FL.
- Bryan Evans (ok, he’s suspect, but I imagine he’s the best option if no one’s taken his job after the last couple of games)
Orson Charles (UF would kill to have him on their squad right now)
Aaron Murray (isn’t he one of the anointed future star QB’s?)
Rantavious Wooten (aren’t people asking for him to get on the field)
Carlton Thomas (all you heard about was this guy after the spring game)
Shaun Chapas (you guys love your FBs and he’s a good player)
Michael Moore (he’s emerging this season as a legit threat)
Jeff Owens (isn’t he your best DL?)
Gibby
September 24th, 2009
9:22 am
84dawg- I agree an the Tebow thing. Saying “Just wait til you see this Brantley kid play” is akin to saying “We won’t miss Stafford, we got Joe Cox”.
Tide4u2c
September 24th, 2009
9:23 am
Well next year Dawg fans it will be LSU using the GA dome.Alabama starts a home and home series with Penn St.
Alan
September 24th, 2009
9:25 am
Urban Meyer is laughing his butt off at the fact that some misguided Dawg fans have insisted on keeping the “tradition” of a game that’s 45 minutes from the UF campus, yet still counts as a “neutral site” in the eyes of recruits and pollsters everywhere. Folks, this isn’t the eighties anymore. Playing the Gators in their backyard EVERY year is a serious mistake. Simply too good a team with too much talent to give ANY kind of an advantage to them. The Jax money has spoken.
CharlotteGator
September 24th, 2009
9:26 am
84 dawg,
Completely agree. There will be a good drop-off after next season. That’s not to say Brantley won’t improve and be a good maybe great one, but it’s going to take time and he’s going to have to grow into it throughout next season. He might throw a better ball then Tebow, but so did Chris Leak and I don’t suspect there are many people putting him above Tebow. In fact, I remember him getting booed during Tebow’s freshman season (yet another example of a vocal minority embarrassing its own fanbase).
Hawg Molly
September 24th, 2009
9:27 am
SEC4Life….
So Aaron Murray, Orson Charles, Jeff Owens, Geno Atkins, Rantavious Wooten (need I go on?) are not “top flight FL recruits”? I beg to differ. Hopefully Charles breaks more than UF’s crystal trophy this year….like their hearts. Go Dawgs!
Denver Dog
September 24th, 2009
9:29 am
Ga Fla in the right place, right now! It was a great discussion, but it is over and done. As I have said many times before, if anyone doesn’t think that college football is about money, think again!. Leading up to the Spurrier era, all you ever heard was the Gators wanting to go home and home. This game is in the right place, right now, for the right time.
I’m not sure about Mallet. If they spent the spring and summer preparing for UGA, and didn’t win, who knows how they will perform. UGA showed that Ark can not run the ball, and can’t beat you passing. I’d say Tide rolls big time.
LSU will be ready for the next few weeks and beyond. There is no doubt that they are loaded with talent, so we will see how long it takes the big guns to start shooting.
How confident is UNC? All I can tell you is that Charlotte Gator is right on in his analysis except he left out the main thing about the fans up there, they are not counting down for the Panthers, they are counting down for the start of college basketball season. That is the sport up there, and it won’t be long til Butch realizes that and gets another real job offer. As far as Saturday, you can expect the Bees to be ready for the Heels. THey have a lot to prove now. The offense has been slowed and exposed, and now they have to show something different.
I’m not sure abut Miami, but they will be on the road this week. We will see if they are for real or not. They beat Tech, but they had a revenge factor, and Va Tech may not have the offense that they need to beat Miami. We will see though won’t we.
SEC4Life
September 24th, 2009
9:31 am
I’m also looking forward to watching Ole Miss tonight to see if they’re really worth the hype. I watched them a few weeks ago and I wasn’t that impressed.
Not to live in the past or anything, but if Tenn had a better QB then last week’s game would’ve been a lot closer than what it was. Meyer knows it, and Kiffin knows it too.
DawginLex
September 24th, 2009
9:32 am
SEC 4 life,
I think Orson Charles would disagree with you big time. So would Aaron Murray.
Eric
September 24th, 2009
9:34 am
Too bad about JAX. Atlanta would be a great venue for that game..and Atlanta deserves it. No one supports the Dogs more. Much as I despise that jerk in Fayetteville, I’d really like to see the Hogs beat the toilet paper/washing power gang. Va Tech is not all that. Miami will prove it. WDE!!
SEC4Life
September 24th, 2009
9:36 am
I stand corrected with regards to Charles, Wooten and Atkins.
We won’t know about Aaron Murray’s potential until next year.
m
September 24th, 2009
9:38 am
Tony, again you have the dumbest blog on the net.
North Carolina is confident??? That is all you got???
Are they as confident as Clemson was???
By the way Tony, when are going to point out that Georgia Tech is the ONLY team in the country confident enough to VOLUNTARILY schedule 3 teams from the mighty ess eee cee?
Thank God and Greyhound that the sec of coached, chan gomer gailey, is gone forever
shakazulu
September 24th, 2009
9:39 am
As a Gator growing up in Jacksonville, I was always amazed at the number of Georgia supporters in and around the area. And yes Tony, these are very influential folk who enjoy having the game there. As long as the results of the game remain one-sided, as has been the case since Spurrier, many UGA people will complain about the location. But, having grown up around the series in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, I can tell you that my perception is a bit different…when the Florida wins were a bit more scarce!! Kudos to the UF and UGA folks for keeping a great thing intact.
Jimmy
September 24th, 2009
9:40 am
Enter your comment Coach Richt wanted game moved. Can you imagine AD’S at Ala, Fla, Texas, Oka, USC, telling their coaches, we don’t care what you want?
AltamahaDawg
September 24th, 2009
9:41 am
Jonny, every town is always somebody elses “local economy”. The Coast of Georgia gains more from this economically than Athens would every other year. That’s just a false argument.
And you truly don’t think the players and fans get more from this “experience” than what one more home game would bring. How is 1/6 so much better experience than a truly unique event? That mighty subjective. I’d have to disagree as somebody who has been to plenty of both.
Tide4u2c
September 24th, 2009
9:41 am
I am not buying the Ole Miss hype but when I look at their schedule I could see them winning alot of games based just on that. If Ole Miss is as good as having been advertised and pumped up all pre-season they should pretty much dominate South Carolina tonight.I’ll definately be watching to see.
Denver Dog
September 24th, 2009
9:43 am
In the words of the Wizard of Oz, Pay no atteniton to the girl behind the “m”
Denver Dog
September 24th, 2009
9:45 am
Tide 4 us to c . I really don’t think that Alabama has any room to speak about someone elses schedule.
Todd
September 24th, 2009
9:45 am
Hey, dumbas..s that are still proposing in this blog that the game be moved and you give your proposal, do you not understand that the deal has been done?
Tony, the point missing is what MR said prior and now his “I know nothing, I just want to show up and play the game” Seargant Shultz impression is hillarious.
Hey Coach Richt, did you see how the Kitty handled himself prior to going down to the swamp? His dimeanor seemed to help out the outmanned Vols.
bbdawg
September 24th, 2009
9:45 am
Enter your comments here
I just hope that Evans negogiated better traffic control, more police and a more hospital environment.
Gen Neyland
September 24th, 2009
9:45 am
Okay. Some here perceive UGA-FL in JAX to be an away game for Georgia. Logistically, I’d agree. Yet I thought I’d read where CMR said it doesn’t matter to him where they play UF, they need to play Florida better. And isn’t UGA’s road game record something like 1,500-4 under CMR..? Groundhog Day looks like it’ll continue. Learn from it instead of fighting a battle that’s out of your control. Those that get into this event should relish the opportunity (see Buck’s Photojam from JAX one more time, you guys) to be a part of it.
Party Boy
September 24th, 2009
9:48 am
ALABAM DESTROYS ARKANSAS this Saturday.
#1 BAMA FAN
September 24th, 2009
9:48 am
OUTKASTED, YOU ARE A CRACKHEAD. BAMA WILL ROLL SATURDAY AND I WAS WONDERING IF THE 15.5 WAS THE SPREAD OR THE OVER/UNDER FOR SACKS/KNOCKDOWNS FOR MR.MALLETT. RTR
DawgsBack
September 24th, 2009
9:52 am
Mark it down—in 2010, UGA gets control of the series with UF with a good beatdown. Ga’s pass rush will get to Brantley, and he’ll throw 2-3 INTs!!! Dawgs on top baby! Just like the old days!!!
Pago Flyer
September 24th, 2009
9:54 am
Why would anybody want to “tailgate” downtown ATL? Doesn’t make any sense!
Tide4u2c
September 24th, 2009
9:55 am
Denver Dog,
Well last year before the season everybody said Alabama’s schedule was too tough with all of them tough road games and yet everything changed at the end of the season suddenly Alabama’s schedue was weak because the SEC was down. So I don’t want to hear about a weak schedule.No matter how hard you try you cannot blaim Saban for trying to have a weak schedule,etc.Every since he came to Alabama he has a goal and desire to play atleast 1 OOC marquee opponent every year. It was Florida St then Clemson and Virginia Tech this year and next year it will be Penn St.Plus Alabama has beat all the teams they have played sofar pretty easily which is what you are supposed to do if you are ranked 3rd and looks better than all the other teams that have played.Cal does look good too though.
ATL SUX
September 24th, 2009
9:56 am
Tony, have you been to downtown Atlanta recently? That place is a scary dump. The next gov(hopefully with balls) better get control or there won’t be any sporting events down there within the next 10 years. Also, what’s the deal with all the illegals downtown all the time. Is Atlanta a sanctuary city or something? I’m glad the game is staying in Jax so St Simmons and Fernandina will keep their economy intact. South GA Dawgs rule! Atlanta sux!
Carlton Powell
September 24th, 2009
9:59 am
I certainly understand the sentiments for making the GA-FL game a home and home deal. However, it will NEVER happen. Too many people love the late autumn vacation along the GA-FL coast. These vacations and relationships they bring are well too institutionalized. Further, at one time the Jacksonville GA Bulldog was one of the largest, if not the largest. Afterall, Jacksonville is the largest town/city in south Georgia for all intents and purposes. Yes, having to give up the home date every other year does affect scheduling making it hard to schedule home and home series with other major powers outside the conference. But, if CBS has agreed to televise the game through 2016, then the lost revenue is made up. From what I have heard, for many of those going to the coastal area’s, the game is not of all that importance. I am sure there are plenty of people that don’t agree, and I am probably wrong. But, I have heard these sentiments expressed. Does FL have an unfair advantage by playing the game in Jax? Probably not. All GA needs to do is get some players that can play well and coaches that have good game plans to execute in the intense environment of the game.
AltamahaDawg
September 24th, 2009
10:01 am
Walsh, top PK in the country out of Fl. Some folks think Benidict, right out of J-ville is the best OL in the country in this years class. From what I have seen Charles was an absolute steal from out of the state of Fl. I also don’t think you can underestimate how much the in-state Ga. recruits pay attention to the game in J-ville.
TopDAWG
September 24th, 2009
10:05 am
Diamond Dave stated…
“Tradition…regardless of the results on the field.” Did I read that right?
Yes Sir,
You are correct. My son is graduating from high school this year and does not believed my beloved Dawgs are a national team because we seem to always get dominated by UF. For those of us in our 40’s and 50’s we remember the glory years of dominating Florida but remember that was two decades ago. You know…many of us Dawg fans are guilty of using the past the same as those stupid bugs in Atlanta are. But I will guarantee that we will win our second national title before they win their fifth!!!
hop
September 24th, 2009
10:05 am
it has obvious that damon evans is calling all of the shots as far as football is concern by dishing any regard mark richt had with the game.
since when does the AD run the football program, i thought the football coach does as they do throughout the rest of the sec.
there are problems with both evans and richt, the jacksonville situation is just one problem the other is scheduling as well.
vince dooley,while he was the georgia AD allowed the head coach to run their own programs,but not damon evans and the scheduling has already hurt the dawgs.
Kiffinisatosser
September 24th, 2009
10:13 am
Who cares about tonight’s game. All it will prove is that one brand of crap is carappier than another. Should be fun to watch the HBC explode a few times and to see the patented Nutt caught in a Headlight look.
If the Shoneys Big Boy had an evil twin, it would be Houston Nutt.
murfdawg
September 24th, 2009
10:13 am
I’m glad the game is staying in Jax. The only thing worse than having Yankees in Tara is having Gators in Athens.
Bama-Arky will be like fl-ut. Bama will win, but will look like they are playing with the flu.
If LSU was that powerful, they would have shown it. They are probably not a #7 team, but they just keep winning.Not a lot of style points but a lot of wins.
As and Engineering school, Tech puts a lot of stock in numbers. They have massaged all the numbers from last year and this year , and they think their offense is just one play behind last years. But the defenses have had 25 years and four weeks to prepare and I think they have finally figured it out. Tech’s next four games are tough and the tracks are greased for them to slide to a 6-6 season.
Atlanta Gator
September 24th, 2009
10:14 am
Hop—-In Gainesville, Florida, coach Urban Meyer gets his say, but the buck stops at the desk of athletic director Jeremy N. Foley. In the better Division I football programs, the coaches are not autonomous; the coaches must answer to someone, whether it’s the AD, the chairman of the athletic association, or the university president, as they should. When you get paid several million dollars a year, you’re expected to perform, and to report regularly to your boss.
Tampa Dawg
September 24th, 2009
10:16 am
The thought of moving the Ga-Fl game to the Ga Dome makes me physically ill. We spend 4 days partying at St. Simons Island every year with a huge group of people, playing golf, etc. Going to the cesspool in downtown atlanta with all that crime, vagrants, rude police, etc. — that would be terrible and I doubt my group would even go. Ga did the right thing, plus they will make a lot more money. Playing the game in Jacksonville has nothing to do with the results. Richt needs to man up, get some better assistants, recruit some better talent, etc. to beat florida.
Larry Munson
September 24th, 2009
10:17 am
I saw where them Dawgs was heading and knew I’d be better off on my bass pond. If i was starting out today, I think I’d try and call Tech games instead.
Frank Derrickson
September 24th, 2009
10:21 am
GA-FL: A class mate of mine and I will be attending our 35th consecutive GA v FL game. I may be off by a game but I think that in our 34 years Florida is now ahead by 2 games (18 to 16). Back in the 70’s and 80’s it was Florida who wanted to move the game because the Dawgs won all the time. I am sure the day will come again when GA will be winning and FL will be complaining about the unfairness of the venue.
TS
September 24th, 2009
10:25 am
Once Richt goes to FL State after Bowden retires to become OC under Jimbo we won’t hear anymore on this. I’ll give Richt credit, he can stir a fan base with his black-out, endzone stunt, move the game from jax shenanigans.
EW
September 24th, 2009
10:25 am
Glad they aren’t moving the game out of JAX. The UGA fans always show strong in JAX and being in FL has nothing to do with the results on the field. FL has simply been better than us over the past 20 years. You can hate it all you want but we gotta show it on the field before we can say anything to gator fans.
Tide4u2c
September 24th, 2009
10:28 am
Nobody can really predict the future and upsets do happen but so far Alabama looks like a top 5 team and has the best resume so far to make the claim of being a top 5 team and to have that #3 ranking. Yeah I know it is still early in the season and there’s alot left to be played. We
need to see how Virginia Tech does against Miami tonight but Virginia Tech is a top 10 ranked team that Bama beat pretty easily especially if you lookout at the other teams in the top 10 and look how they played.It is looking good for Alabama and a big win against Arkansas this saturday would solodify it even more especially if Virginia Tech wins tonight.
EW
September 24th, 2009
10:31 am
And thank you to the Gator fans (and other mature people, you know who you are) who attempt to have a legitimate discussion on the blogs. I am so sick of reading tech fans posting nonsense on here (at least it has trailed off some as the reality of a disappointing season looms). It’s great to be an SEC fan everday, and even better being able talk to people who are FOOTBALL fans rather than childish homers. And thanks to TB for being one of the few, if not the only, ajc blogger with some sense.
mightyKC
September 24th, 2009
10:32 am
boy, i don’t ever remember the drive being 45 min from Jax to Gville? you dawgs are hilarious…now that the whiny pups travel time will be shorter than the gators, what will you complain about next? unbelievable
Gatorzone
September 24th, 2009
10:33 am
Dawgsback, keep holding onto that dream!
dan
September 24th, 2009
10:34 am
1. Blah Blah who cares anymore. Much ado about nothing. The game was never going to move from JAX.
2. Until Arkansas can get a defense, they will never be more than 8-4. They should have been embarrased to let Joe Cox hang 52 points on them.
3. LSU hasn’t shown me anything yet. They have the talent, but I can’t gauge them because they half ass around too much like UGA. They’re capable of hanging some points on MSU. But will they? That remains to be seen.
4. I think Tech will beat the Tar Heels this year. Tech has played two solid teams in Clemson and Miami. They’re more seasoned in big games and PJ is still pissed about last week’s loss. I think the Tar Heels better have their heads on straight, because they’ll get a whopping if they’re looking past the Jackets.
5. I think Va. Tech is too one dimensional, with the defense and special teams carrying the team. I hate one dimensional teams, because you never know how they’ll perform from week to week( i.e. Georgia Tech with their offense). Miami seems a little more balanced on offense and while they’re not great on defense their more seasoned than they were a year ago. I like Miami in this one.
NC Dawg
September 24th, 2009
10:35 am
I have never been to a Georgia/Florida game in Jax. I was in Athens on that forgettable day in 1995. Even though this game is clearly an advantage for Florida playing so close to campus, the tradition of this game is rich. Win or lose, countless Dawgs congregate in Saint Simons and party it up. I was in Saint Simons a few years ago and it is a blast. The game needs to remain in Jax.
Pitbull
September 24th, 2009
10:38 am
I love UGA and the Dawgs but I am really upset with them not moving the game to Sanford Stadium every other year. When they expand the stadium to 100,000+ ans still continue to hold a home game in AlaTel Stadium they are going to indeed look foolish. I want the Gators on the Georgia campus, but without the trashy tailgating. Go Dogs!
McDawg
September 24th, 2009
10:40 am
1) good decision
2) if you give Mallett all day to throw he is a very good QB
3) LSU keeping it simple
4) ?????
5) the QB had all day to throw the ball against Tech -Defensive Line also dominated a feckless Tech OL so jury is still out on ‘canes
ED-Covington
September 24th, 2009
10:41 am
If LSU didn’t need to show anything against Wash. & Vandy, why would they show it against MissST.?
CBS would pay the same money to televise the Fla-UGA game if it was in Athens….GREECE! Having it in Jax makes no difference to them.
UGA-Fla. kept in Jax. to satisfy south Georgia fans? There are exponentionally more UGA fans in metro ATL.-Athens than there are in south Georgia.
ugajersey.com
September 24th, 2009
10:42 am
Before you head down to Jax, go get your dog an EXACT Replica of Uga VII’s jersey. Go to, http://www.UgaJersey.com
EW
September 24th, 2009
10:43 am
Can anyone enlighten me on whether this is a money making decision leaving the game in JAX? Do both schools make more by keeping it there or does one make more than the other? I know that the PC answer is the tradition blah blah blah but money is usually the driving force behind big decisions like this. Thoughts?
HH
September 24th, 2009
10:44 am
So far as the game goes, what difference does it make? As things presently are, and look to be for the forseeable future, unless significant changes are made, FL will beat GA 4 out of 5 times on average, no matter where its played. GA fans need to be more concerned about making changes that will result in UGA’s football program being raised to the level of UF’s then where the game is played.
AltamahaDawg
September 24th, 2009
10:47 am
Got some mind readers in here I guess. Even IF you insist on taking Mark Richt’s cropped comments, which he has said were way overblown, to literally mean that he is absolutely opposed to playing at J-ville, he knew the Atlanta proposal was one game every 4 years only. I dont think this will crush his spirits to have a decision go 25% not exactly as he wanted. Stuff, (he has alos been quoted as saying he wants) cost money and he knows the drill. I doubt he was In Evans office a few years ago asking if he could open the season halfway across the country either.
Slick Willard
September 24th, 2009
10:47 am
TopDawg, my understanding is that the Gators have only 3 national championships now. Are you conceding a fourth before UGA wins another? Not a very lofty goal for the Dawgs.
Jeff
September 24th, 2009
10:49 am
The same person that schedules stupid to get “the brand” out there has now just given Upchuck another extension of a UF “home” game. Until we get people involved with the decision making that make smart decisions- this is the crap we will have. Yes, we OWNED UF for 20-30 years in JAX (note to stupid gaytors- yes- OWNED)but would be great to play home and home series.
Gatorman
September 24th, 2009
10:49 am
EW- It’s probably hard to quantify. How much $$ does the athletic association get from the South GA boosters every year? I’m guessing it’s a pretty big sum. I went to a wedding down there two years ago and never had any idea the amount of old money there appeared to be. I’d guess it’s a win-win for both schools. Keep the boosters happy and keep this game in the spotlight.
AltamahaDawg
September 24th, 2009
10:51 am
EW, they are guaranteed more money every year, than what the estimate are for home game split every other year. J-ville also pays all the expenses to run the game, and the travel costs, which they would each have to bear to stage a home/away game.
What I would be interested to know is what is the thing that they negotiated this time that “leveled the playing field” as Adams had said some weeks ago.
MY guess is additional travel reimbursment to fly direct from Athens.
11Dawg
September 24th, 2009
10:54 am
So what if it’s in the state of Florida? Last time I checked, the stadium was half red and half blue.
Also, you keep talking about how you want the game played in Athens (Florida is 1-0 in athens, BTW), but fail to mention how you would feel about playing in the Swamp every other year. If you think the Gators have a home-field advantage in Jax…
EW
September 24th, 2009
11:01 am
Thanks for the input guys. Gatorman, I see your point about the old money coming from south ga boosters but I’m not sure I would say that a game in JAX is going to make or break that donation every year. But then again there is certainly lobbying coming from boosters all over that I am not aware of and the South GA ones may have some clout.
Altahama- Thanks for the input.
My feelings are that not having this game at the respective home stadiums is really disappointing personally but I can understand the logic. I can’t imagine the atmosphere in Athens and Gainsville if these were home games. I hope to see it in my lifetime but who knows, money talks. I love going to UGA games but I almost feel like the crowd is waiting for something to happen to get loud (not to mention the sororities and fraternities treat it as a who’s who of the social ladder rather than a football game…my apologies for offending anyone but just my perspective). Point is, I think that the Gators in Athens would make for an environment I have never seen but would love to experience.
Gatorman
September 24th, 2009
11:11 am
It would be great to see the Gators in Athens. I’ve been to a couple GA games these past few years and it’s a great game day atmosphere. Then again, Jacksonville for Fla-Ga can’t be duplicated on either campus. It’s much more than a game on Saturday.
East Cobb Hokie
September 24th, 2009
11:13 am
Denver Dog, I tip my hat to Bama fopr taking on some tought OOC games. This years CFA Kickoff Classic against us, and now a home and home with Penn State. Also glad to see the Dawgs beefing up their schedule. How about a home/home with VT?
lake oconee dawg
September 24th, 2009
11:14 am
Enter your comments here
G8R GRAD
September 24th, 2009
11:19 am
Perspective, people.
We didn’t her any discussion regarding field neutrality or home field advantage when UGA was beating UF’s keester every year in the 70’s and 80’s!
LAKE OCONEE DAWG
September 24th, 2009
11:25 am
No way Jax is neutral….Play the game in the Dome every year and check Urban’s reaction. NO WAY HE WOULD GO FOR THAT. THAT WOULD PROBABLY SEND HIM TO NOTRE DAME….We are playing into the Gators hands with this decision. When the GEORGIA-FLORIDA HIGH SCHOOL ALL STAR GAME WAS PLAYED IN FLORIDA EACH YEAR, FLORIDA HAD MORE WINS THAN GEORGIA. WHEN THE GAME CAME TO THE GEORGIA DOME AND FLORIDA GOT BEAT 3 OR 4 TIMES IN A ROW, THEY CANCELLED THE GAME….AND ALL THIS TALENT THAT UGA HAS THAT I HAVE BEEN READING ABOUT…TALENT MAKES PLAYS….I HAVE NOT SEEN MANY PLAYS….BUT I FORGOT, WILLIE MARTINEZ HAS SHACKLES AND LEG IRONS ON ALL OUR GUYS AND ONE ARM TIED TO THEIR SIDES TO SLOW THEM DOWN, SO IT IS REALLY HIS FAULT….THE STUPIDEST (IF THAT IS A WORD) PEOPLE IN THE WORLD COME ON BLOGS LIKE THIS AND SAY THE STUPIDEST THINGS ABOUT FOOTBALL. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THEY DON’T KNOW THEIR ARSE FROM 2ND BASE…. I HAVE JOINED THE RANKS OF THE STUPIDEST, BECAUSE I AM HERE COMMENTING TOO…..
GaCracker
September 24th, 2009
11:29 am
Keeping the UGa/UFla game in Jacksonville is keeping it in Florida and much closer to Gainesvillle than Athens – bad move!
TommyP
September 24th, 2009
11:29 am
Wish we had Schlabach writing this column.
2) “Mallett looks like a very good quarterback but he has never seen speed on defense like he will see against the No. 3 Crimson Tide.”
Really, Tony? So because Georgia’s defense doesn’t have much of a coordinator, they also don’t have any speed? Truth is Georgia has as much speed on the defensive side as anyone. Branden Smith, Brandon Boykin, Prince Miller…..Bama has faster corners? Rennie Curran, Marcus Dowtin (many programs wanted him as a tailback), Cornelius Washington??? Is there a DE in the NATION faster than Cornelius Washington?????
It’s not about speed but scheme and the execution of the gameplan.
3) How many coaches actually have all of this new stuff in their playbooks each year? Maybe new coaches taking over a program (Mullen???) but Miles hasn’t put anything top-secret in. So overblown.
4) UNC gave up 324 rushing yards last year to Tech and you’re saying that UNC’s defense will come in with extreme confidence???? Are you friggin’ kidding me???????? Any team that gets gashed for 324 rushing yards is not going to come in with extreme confidence. Tech not scoring TDs says more about their lost opportunities than it does about UNC’s confident defense. LOL
Can’t wait for your 10 favorites tomorrow, Tony.
Today would’ve been a great opportunity to talk about a great SEC tilt tonight in SC vs. Ole Miss. (for the record, I’m picking Carolina in the upset)
Nachos
September 24th, 2009
11:30 am
Woop dee damn doooo! Mallet threw all over UGA’s defensive backs… thats like scoring with a fat chick from Auburn.. No big deal.
G8R GRAD
September 24th, 2009
11:32 am
ugajersey.com:
As shameless a promotion as I have ever seen.
The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well.
Dr. Phil
September 24th, 2009
11:34 am
Adams has the nose of a bloodhound when it comes to money, and he is very creative at finding ways to divert money into his own accounts and that of his wife, who has her own Mrs. Adams retirement account from Foundation Funds. Anyone who believes that Adams is not making self-serving financial deals just has not been around the man. If the game stays in Jax, it is because Adams wants it there, regardless of what he might say.
AltamahaDawg
September 24th, 2009
11:35 am
PLus, we have barely attracted 95,000 fans to Sanford this year. Fla has had over a 250,000 already. We just can’t compete with that.
AltamahaDawg
September 24th, 2009
11:37 am
….except that he actually already said that Adams wants it there.
Denver Dog
September 24th, 2009
11:46 am
Tide 4 us, I agree to some point, but I think the reason that everyone was down at the end of the year was not that the SEC was weak, but that Utah overachieved and won the Sugar Bowl. I think every game should be tough, but then that is what cuases losses, and then tha is whay causes lower rankings. Until all the conferences and all the schools do it, it doesn’t matter. I like the Tide team this year, but I don’t think that they are as tested as the #3 shows. Having said that, I don’t see anyone else any better right now.
As far as Saban and the one OCC team, I think that these schedules are made several years in advance, and maybe his input will be felt by 2011 or 12. I particularly like to see those games early, as it makes it easier to recover. Why you might ask? One of the teams is going to lose.
Go dogs, good luck against the thorwers this week. TIde should have no problems there.