Georgia-Florida game should take turns on campus
Yes, this is a cool scene. But it leaves me feeling half-empty. (Elissa Eubanks/AJC)
Just once I would like to see a decision made in college athletics that is based on something other than money.
I bring this up now because the UGA Athletic Association board is scheduled to hold one of its quarterly meetings Wednesday, and there is a familiar topic on the agenda: Where to play the Georgia-Florida game. The contract with Jacksonville runs through 2010, and given that everybody is making a lot of money — a factor at least as important as “tradition,” despite what you may hear — I suspect that’s where the game will stay.
But it shouldn’t. At least not every year. The Georgia-Florida game should be held every other year on the Georgia or Florida campus.
I know. What a novel idea, right? College football on an actual college campus.
This isn’t about some perceived home-field advantage the Gators have playing the game in Jacksonville. Florida has won most of the time in the past two decades because it has had the better team — not because the Gators can bus to the game. And I certainly don’t see the attraction to holding the game at the Georgia Dome, just for the sake of moving it over the border once in a while.
This is about what college football truly is supposed to be about: the campus atmosphere, the student section, the home-field advantage with a small section or two of visiting fans dwarfed by everybody else in the stadium.
Georgia and Florida have a sweet deal with Jacksonville. The schools make more money there than if the game was moved on campus. But let’s get real here. The SEC has a $2.25 billion contract with ESPN and an $825 million contract with CBS. In short, the conference already is sharing $205 million a year with member institutions before anybody sells a ticket or a sponsorship or begins fundraising.
Seriously, is another estimated $1 million a year to have the game in Jacksonville that big of a deal?
My plan: Keep the game in Jacksonville every other year. Then in alternate seasons, have the game on campus. That would put in once in Athens every four seasons, and once in Gainesville in a similar rotation. Everybody wins. The tradition of Jacksonville is preserved, and so is the real tradition of college football.
But my guess is that the spirit of Gordon Gekko wins out.
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251 comments Add your comment
SGADawg
September 23rd, 2009
9:37 am
Its funny how UGA “fans” want to move it to home and home like that will magically change the outcome of the games. I watched both games that were home and home in 94 and 95. Florida hung half a hundred in our beloved Sanford Stadium. I went to Ben Hill and watched them score another 50. I think that stadium is the most difficult stadium to play at in the country. How would playing there every other year be an advantage to UGA. Also it ain’t like Sanford Stadium would be a given win over the Gators every other year. Until we start beating them on a consistant basis it don’t matter where we play cause they have the physcological edge and all this moving the game just plays into it even more.
H
September 23rd, 2009
9:38 am
DawginLex and everyone else making the “UF didn’t want to move when they were losing–we’re losing because we’ve had inferior teams” argument,
I agree with you. We’ve probably been losing recently mostly because they’ve had better teams and played better games. But that doesn’t mean that having the game in Jax isn’t a huge advantage for Florida. If we had perfectly equal teams, Florida would have the edge because they essentially have the home field advantage. If you don’t believe me, ask our coaching staff!
Think about what your saying–Florida has had better teams, so we might as well give them a pseudo home field advantage too. Well that’s just great. JAX is a fun venue but for once, I think we should think about the team instead of how much fun it is to drink in Florida. Winning is more fun than that stuff.
TheItalianDawg
September 23rd, 2009
9:38 am
I agree with BugKiller and I add: Florida will love your plan Jeff simply because Florida will just play in Athens once every 4 years what a deal! Alternate between Atlanta and Jax seems fair to me. Jax is very advantageous for Florida believe it or not, our team does man up and play hard but between evenly match teams little things make huge difference!
ugagrad
September 23rd, 2009
9:39 am
Hey, here’s a novel idea: let students have first dibs on tix to game.
Otto
September 23rd, 2009
9:40 am
The only game that match WLOCP for intensity in an off campus is the Red River Shootout. Keep the game in Jax. If you are a UGA fan and are fair weather enough togive up sell your tix to a UGA fan that is not. Location is not the problem however coaching might be.
I have been to the game in Athens and in Jax. Atleast when I was in Jax I enjoyed the beach before and after SOS put it on UGA.
DC Dawg
September 23rd, 2009
9:40 am
Leave it in Jacksonville or alternate between Atlanta and Jacksonville. Keeps it a special event.
bobby1976
September 23rd, 2009
9:42 am
I think its a great plan. With Georgia now playing more games out of the SE(Az St, OK, Co.,OR, etc)…these are added expenditures for those of us who like to follow the dawgs. Every other year in Jacksonville is great. I would love to watch the dawgs play in the swamp. and the gators in athens.
A Different Take
September 23rd, 2009
9:42 am
My problem with the game in Jacksonville is not the game itself. This series has never been back and forth competitive. It’s always been a series of streaks. Georgia won early, Florida was dominant in the 50’s, the sixties was the most balanced, Georgia dominated in the 70’s & 80’s, and Florida has dominated the 90’s till now. And all of that is OK. (Though I’d love to see Georgia win more of the close games) The nuetral site is perfectly fine. My issue is the way that the city of Jacksonville treats visiting Georgia AND Florida fans. I would much rather the powers that be at UF & UGA spend more time hardballing the city of Jacksonville to be more welcoming of both fanbases. The hotel rates are up, the taxes are up, and the city police are totalitarian. I don’t appreciate the way that the city treats it’s visitors. It is a tremendous priviledge for Jacksonville to host this event and to recieve the revenue they recieve for this game. I just wish they’d act as such.
j
September 23rd, 2009
9:46 am
How pathetic is this? UGAY can’t compete with Florida in a neutral location so you think that having a home game every other year will help? What a bunch of B!tche$! How about getting a team that can actually compete with the Gators? Did that ever come to mind? UGAY will still get whipped no matter where you want to have the game!
Name (required)
September 23rd, 2009
9:48 am
UGA and UF already get to play in the Georgia Dome every year. Florida in the SEC game and Georgia in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl.
cut-off jeans
September 23rd, 2009
9:50 am
The Gaytors have a punk schedule with only 3 true “road” games.
Bulldawg
September 23rd, 2009
9:52 am
Before someone else asserts their “longevity” with the Bulldogs, I haven’t missed a game since 1978 and I think the “neutral” site in Jacksonville is a joke. Play the game the way it was meant to be played – home and away on the campuses. When a Georgia team crosses the Florida line you are no longer playing in a “neutral” location.
Dexterdawg
September 23rd, 2009
9:55 am
Enter your comments here This is a Bowl game during the season that sets Ga & Fla apart. We just need to win more but very few teams are beating Tebow-glad this is his last year! Home & home-this would just be another SEC game where it is now special and gets a ton of publicity. Why do you think Alabama is playing at the Ga Dome?
RxDawg
September 23rd, 2009
9:58 am
KISS = Keep It Simple Stupid
Don’t get in some crazy scenario where the game moves around to some different place all the time. Do one or the other. I say keep it in Jacksonville. There are so many advatanges and prestige to having the game there than what you just see on paper.
Jax Dawg
September 23rd, 2009
9:58 am
We may not win more often in Athens, but we will sure as hell have a better chance. Home field matters. The only bad part will be the trip to the scum swamp every other year.
We had to go to Shands Hospital recently in Gainesville. That town and stadium is awful. Thank God for Athens.
Dawg Fud
September 23rd, 2009
10:00 am
I like Jeff’s idea but i agree with Garrett. there is no way in hell i am going to Gainesville. there is just too much animosity between these schools…which stinks because I do like Jeff’s idea.
I also like the fact that the South Georgia folks get a “home” game. They are die hard alumni and fans and deserve a game within their proximity with a home game atmosphere – Jax provides that.
GO DAWGS!
Jax Dawg
September 23rd, 2009
10:01 am
Jeff, this topic certainly stirs up strong emotions on both sides of the argument. I’ll be interested to see what happens.
Dawg Fud
September 23rd, 2009
10:03 am
A Different Take – well said, ditto!
That’s why Georgia fans stay in St. Simons!
Dawg Fud
September 23rd, 2009
10:03 am
A Different Take – well said, ditto!
That’s why Georgia fans stay in St. Simons!
Danny
September 23rd, 2009
10:03 am
I do not want to go to that crap-hole in Gainesville. Keep it in Jacksonville!!
Georgia
September 23rd, 2009
10:03 am
No real fans are whining tideroll.. There are no excuses. Georgia still owns the all time record in Jacksonville. It must stay in jacksonville. Anyone who doesnt want to keep it there is a nerd or doesnt want to make the trip. Best neutral regular season game in the country. Even talking about changing it is ridiculous
coach smith
September 23rd, 2009
10:07 am
IT IS an advantage for the Gators to have the game in JAX
They can practice on their own field the day before, Sleep in their own beds, go through all their NORMAL routines and have a VERY short travel
The Gators DID NOT win more recently because they had more talent…SORRY just not true
2002-2005? UGA made 3 trips to the SEC title game while Florida lost 4 and 5 games
2007? Georgia killed them
It is not a talent issue, the trip to play Florida IN Florida every year is in the heads of the Dawgs…so it is an advantage
By the way the last 5 years…it has been better Dawgs 2-3 vs the Gators
gt
September 23rd, 2009
10:11 am
if it is to be moved, let it be in the ga dome every other year-70 miles from athens. jax is a similar distance from gainesville.
tex-ok have a neutral site. it is a great tradition. keep it that way. NOT ON CAMPUSES.PERIOD.
Sanford Drive
September 23rd, 2009
10:11 am
The bottom line issue here is convenience. If Atlanta/Athens was located in South Georgia, this wouldn’t be up for discussion. It is a colossal pain to get down to JAX, or to SSI and get a charter bus for the game. However, it is a tradition unlike any other in college football. Why can’t we just keep one tradition in this world?
Also, do you really want GATOR fans in ATHENS? I don’t. Similarly, I have no desire to go to that nasty stadium of theirs. That is the ugliest stadium (from the inside) in college football.
Sanford Drive
September 23rd, 2009
10:14 am
From what I can tell, most of the ALUMNI want the game kept in JAX. At least, that’s the consensus among my friends and I.
McDonger
September 23rd, 2009
10:15 am
I don’t care if they start playing the game on THE MOON. I just want to see UGA be competitive more than once every seven years. WTF?
GGTOG&THWGT
September 23rd, 2009
10:17 am
This argument would never be if everyone had a chance to attend the ‘94 game in that trailer park called Gainesville. The city is almost as atrocious the fans. That game has to be the worst athletic event I have ever been to despite the score. The people; citizens, fans, officials, etc of Gainesville are pathetic when it comes to hospitality. During the rain, that dump they call the swamp looked more like a lake. And all the orange was nauseating. The next season in Athens was the worst event of any kind I have seen in Athens. That was my freshman year at UGA and I would rather not have that type of fan base given the privilege of ever coming into our beloved city again. The Florida fans make LSU fans look like Emily Post disciples. Keep them out of Athens as much as possible we don’t need any more cutoffs or trash.
NORRIS
September 23rd, 2009
10:17 am
Anybody who thinks that the gators dont have an advantage by playing in Jacksonville is a complete idiott and knows nothing about football.
Try playing the game in Atlanta for a few years and see how the gator fans like it.
When UGA has played in the dome for bowl games the number of UGA fans is tremendous.
I have been to the UGA/Florida game and there are always more florida fans. Duh, it is held in Florida. Not only that the state of florida gets to benefit from all the sales there. if the game was help in atlanta the revenue would go to our state.
I just dont understand how people can actually think that there isnt an advantage in every facet of the dilema. wake up people and alternate the games between the two states.
ALPHG8R
September 23rd, 2009
10:18 am
For anyone who is worried about ATL Gator alumni getting a game close to home, don’t fret we play in the Dome almost every December.
NORRIS
September 23rd, 2009
10:20 am
coach smith is right!!
florida advantages: no travel, practice on their own field, more fans, more revenue.
Why not play the game in the dome every other year. See how the florida fans like to travel.
GGTOG&THWGT
September 23rd, 2009
10:22 am
Norris I don’t think you have been to many games in Jax. The 15 or so times I have been it is generally equal but more often than not I see more Red & Black than orange & blue. Only in the last 8-10 years has there been an advantage to Florida and that is debatable.
ALPHG8R
September 23rd, 2009
10:25 am
I would love to play in the Dome, how great would it be to see that Florida speed embarass those puppies on artificial turf.
senoiadawgs
September 23rd, 2009
10:25 am
Keep the game in JAX where it belongs.
On to bigger things. So that trade school can put in massive defensive changes in the middle of the year. Their coaches can actually do something. Why can’t ours? I get more aggravated by this coaching staff every day. Darn Tech tries to improve and all we here from our coaches is our players just need to make plays, it not the D fault, it’s the turnovers/penalities, grrrrrrrr
joe joe
September 23rd, 2009
10:29 am
Play the games on the respective campuses. No brainer.
NORRIS
September 23rd, 2009
10:30 am
GGTOG?
I have been to several games. I really dont see how we can have an advantage by playing in the state of Florida. I can see several reasons why they would have an advantage.
PLEASE tell me what we gain by playing in Jacksonville?
ARdawg
September 23rd, 2009
10:33 am
I disagree with you Jeff. The tradition of the game is Jax. It is an edge to the Jorts in that it is a near home game but, if we have a team capable of winning it doesn’t matter. You have a small point about the campus atmosphere but I also disagree with you that it is missing in this game. In fact it is magnified through the whole city of Jacksonville.
The stadium (which I detest) seats more and provides much more common ground for tailgating and enjoying oneself. I actually enjoy frolicking with Gator fans this ONE time per year. For a city to visit and for things to do before, in between, and after the game, you cannot beat Jacksonville and it is a great host city. Athens and Gainesville cannot compare.
This day in age it is ALL about the money but, TWLCP is still about the tradition that just happens to make more money. Why? Because the venue is larger and so is the television audience. Having it on campus considerably shrinks both of those. The game being played on campus turns it into just another rival for a number of years then, just another game eventually.
It’s always good to discuss this issue but, I’d say you are on the wrong bandwagon
AceDawg
September 23rd, 2009
10:37 am
SCHULTZ: I am not against the alternating format, but you don’t want to separate home field advantage by multiple years where many players could graduate without their chance for a home game against UF or UGA (think of first time sophomore starters player at Jacksonville first year and graduating before getting a home game). A three way rotation of Jacksonville, Athens, Gainesville is better than four game alternating.
I’m happy with the Dome/Jacksonville alternating setup too. As long as games are split btwn GA and FL locations moving forward I’ll be happy.
Dawg Man
September 23rd, 2009
10:39 am
Damon Evans needs to move the game to Athens! Florida has a big advantage playing in Jacksonville, and it’s not fair that Georgia has to take a long bus ride to Atlanta and fly to Jacksonville, then another bus ride to the hotel, while Florida just takes a short, easy bus ride from Gville to Jacksonville. Georgia will keep getting the short end and losing in Jax until they move the game to Athens or atlanta! Evans needs to step up and make it happen!
Toom
September 23rd, 2009
10:40 am
Jeff,
I almost always enjoy your writing and what you’re throwing out there is not a horrible idea. But what qualifies you to such a strong opinion on this game? While campus games are great, we have 6 other opportunities to enjoy them each year and the Jacksonville trip is at once a great tradition, unique in college football, and personally, the most fun my buddies and I have every year.
Toom
NORRIS
September 23rd, 2009
10:43 am
Once again. What advantage does UGA have by playing this game in Florida?
What's Important
September 23rd, 2009
10:44 am
I don’t see many other of the SEC teams willing to give up a home game every year. Quite frankly, I’m surprised that the other teams aren’t upset that Florida gets 7 home games every year. To the people who say “if you’re good it doesn’t matter where you play”, could you explain the premise of “the 12th man” and “home field advantage”? I for one would enjoy getting to see the game in person every other year. Yes, I’m older, but I am also someone who can pay the freight for season tickets. Quite frankly I’m not interested in fans having the opportunity to “frolic” with the opposition’s fans. Our chances of winning might not be better by playing every other game on campus, but they sure couldn’t be hurt. As to the television audience, I can remember more than one game that was barely visible on TV because of the damn fog. Guess you can tell what my vote is. By the way Jeff, great job on 790 yesterday. Imagine working with Mike Bell is certainly a change of pace for you. Please continue to fill in for Pollack whenever possible.
StuDawg
September 23rd, 2009
10:45 am
Well of course MikeInValdosta couldnt disagree more! YOURE IN VALDOSTA! Screw Jacksonville! That place is a s#!*hole and we get our butts handed to us every year. Why we keep putting up with this is ridiculous! Screw you ROLL TIDE! Go read a damn BAMA paper!!!! This is a great idea SCHULTZ!!!! The only thing better would be to never go back to Jacksonville at all and play them all on campus!
Shankit
September 23rd, 2009
10:45 am
GREATEST JAX GA. FLA. STORY EVER, Lewis Grizzard, 1980
Nortre Dame No. 1
Georgia No. 2
Athens fans leave on Thursday, stop in Folkston at the buffet, load
up on turnip greens, fried chicken, knowing it would be their last meal
until they sobered up on Sunday.
Get to the stadium early Saturday, have a few Jacks, close game,
Florida goes ahead, less than two minutes left in the game, fans get
pissed and leave.
Belue to Lindsey Scott for the win.
Fans hear the commotion, rush to their cars, and learn Tech has upset
Notre Dame, switch channels, learn Georgia has come back and won.
Moral – Leave AThens on Thursday so they don’t miss anything, and wind
up missing the whole game.
the real Old Gold
September 23rd, 2009
10:49 am
This game would be better on campus anyway. Both stadiums are much bigger than the stadium in Jax. Plus Jax has a terrible downtown and nowhere to stay within miles of the Stadium.
Jax Dawg
September 23rd, 2009
10:51 am
McDonger, right on my brother!
THWGT
September 23rd, 2009
10:54 am
Any news about this week’s game (opponent)? I sense a “trap” game in the making. UGA has yet to put together solid performances in all three facets of the game on the same Saturday. ASU sandwiched between two SEC games has all the makings of a trap. I only pray our coaches and players are putting more emphasis on this week’s opponent than the blogesphere.
F JACKSOVILLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 23rd, 2009
10:56 am
I have been there, last year. WHOOPDYEFFFFINGDOO!!!! The first and last time I will ever go to that game if it is in Jville. I will never go back, ever. SCREW Jacksonville! That place is a sesspool full off white trash GAYTORS! Put the game on campus where it belongs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GatorGuy
September 23rd, 2009
10:57 am
Living in Atlanta, this would be good for me personally because I would be able to attend more FL/GA games. That being said, this is about UGA getting their tails kicked for the last generation or so. Let’s call a spade a spade. (some) UGA fans think their chances of winning will be better in Athens or Atlanta. There is no doubt in my mind that if UGA had won even 35% of the games over the last 20 years, this would not even be a topic of discussion.
I am sick of hearing about how UGA had to bus to ATL and then take a flight to JAX. How about you build a longer runway in Athens so you can fly a bigger plan. The flight to JAX would be shorter than the bus ride from Gainesville!
Let’s think about the gameday experience. Is everyone looking forward to tailgating in a confusing patchwork of downtown parking lots? 57 degrees. Or would you like to spend the weekend in SSI , Jax etc with open fields and 75 degrees?
Cuz
September 23rd, 2009
10:59 am
Stick a fork in it. This one is done.
F TRADITION!!!!!!
September 23rd, 2009
11:00 am
I dont want a tradition of LOSING!!!!! Jacksonville is an advantage for the gators and we dont need to give them that!