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
Aeschylus
September 23rd, 2009
1:49 pm
GAGirl, I agree with your sentiments about UGA’s beautiful campus; however I must disagree with your assessment of UGA/SC. The 2 schools have a long-standing, healthy rivalry that predates their joining the SEC. I would say that UGA is SC’s second largest rivalry game next to Clemson. In fact, during the NC season in 1980, both of those schools gave UGA a couple of their most gut-wrenching games.
TechBuzz
September 23rd, 2009
1:52 pm
Waaaaa! Waaaa! Poor little dawg fans want to whimper home to athens after getting beat every year in jacksonville by those mean Gators!! Wah! Wah!! No talk about moving the game in the 70s and 80s! Typical of the whining Ga fans–can’t beat florida, move the game!! Ga fans trash their own campus–what else do you expect???
jerry
September 23rd, 2009
1:58 pm
I have a better idea. Either light a fire under Richt’s a$$ to raise the program above or at least on a par with the Gators or get someone in who will. But history tells us as long as the money is rolling in, UGA is not going to light a fire under anybody’s rear. Now that they don’t want you to get drunk the only real attraction to going to Jax is hoping to see a f–king miracle.
UGA ALL THE WAY
September 23rd, 2009
2:11 pm
Jeff, i totally agree with you man… It is a great tradition but trad. always changes. Plus, its not to neutral when they are still in Florida.
Habersham Dawg
September 23rd, 2009
2:22 pm
As has been stated previous, When Vince was out-coaching Fla, they didn’t want it moved because it was being played in Florida. Now for some facts. In pro ball, home field advantage usually equates to an additional 3 points for the home team and in college it seems to come out to about 7 points. FG for the pros and a touchdown for college. That being said, since 1990 the GA-FLA game has been played 17 times in Jacksonville and Fla has won 14 times. 8 of those wins were by 11 points or more, which is an indication that Florida was just better than GA those years. The other 6 times, Florida won by 7 points or less, which means that Florida and Georgia were close to equal in talent and coaching. Of those 6 loses by 7 of less had been played home and away, Georgia may have won 3 of them with the 2003 and 2005 games being two of them. Since 2001, Georgia and Florida have played close (except for 2007, the second coming of Tebow) and close games get won at home. Playing Florida at home every other year and winning could mean the difference between winning the SEC and playing for the NC. Florida gets that advantage every year and we don’t.
Blackberry Cobbler
September 23rd, 2009
2:31 pm
I don’t care where the game is played. Jax is fine. The tix are spilt 50/50 so it doesn’t matter.
What I want is for CMR to get this program where it needs to be. It’s taken a hit last year and this year and we haven’t beaten Florida in ages except for year before last when Tebow was hurt. Now, we’re worried about being #2 in our own state behind GT.
Stop arguing about Jax. Evans and Adams should light a fire under CMR and his staff and let’s get UGA back in the top 10.
Nashville Dawg
September 23rd, 2009
2:32 pm
I hate the Jacksonville thing- been following the Dawgs since 1976- I’ve never understood the allure. It’s an away game for GA and a home game for FL. Plain and simple.
George
September 23rd, 2009
2:34 pm
Year 1. Jax
Year 2. Athens
Year 3. G’Ville
Year 4. Atlanta and so on…..
Papergator
September 23rd, 2009
2:37 pm
Gators would love to go to Athens! It is one of the greatest college towns to visit, let alone playing between the hedges. UF wants 7 home games a year because our town’s economy is practically based off it. a home and home with UGA would allow us to schedule a “regular” game against normal cometition instead of paying a directional school to get their head bit off. I think that the importance of the game has changed after the NFL came to JAX, we are no longer the big show of the year for them.
AltamahaDawg
September 23rd, 2009
2:44 pm
Coach Smith, surely you are saying that Florida travels to J-ville on game day.
2002, we choked, other than that upsets are extremely rare. 2003 a 3 way tie in the east, we just happen to have the 27th tie break. Cannot really say we were far more talented. Beat them in 2004 because we had a more solid team, same in 2007. 2005, thier QB was just better than our second stringer. It HAS been talent. It always has been. Or at least players. Or hell call it coaching, but thats not the fields issue. If its not on that day, as it happens in all rivalries every now and then, UGA has upset FL as many times as they have in the series.
By this posting the debate is over anyway as the AD has already ended it, But by flying directly out of Athens (which I suspect we negotiated getting reimbursed for) going forward the last legit concern about the fairness of the location is gone. We are just going to have to deal with the voodoo-head issues on our own. I suggest having more points than them when the game ends.
Al Ciraldo
September 23rd, 2009
2:47 pm
I own you Munson!
Big XII
September 23rd, 2009
2:48 pm
Classic comic relief. Seeing you hillbillies argue over where the hillbilly bowl should be played. No one watches this game outside of Atlanta(no one else in Georgia has TVs).
ml
September 23rd, 2009
2:52 pm
You’ve got it right Jeff. As a long-time season ticket holder, this Dawg fan no longer even has the option of buying tickets to Jacksonville because of the minimum required contribution level. Bring it back to Athens every few years so that someone besides corporate clients and wealthy fans can see occasionally see the game in Sanford Stadium.
Rectal bleeding
September 23rd, 2009
2:58 pm
ml? Are you an UGA grad? Your sentence structure is indicative of a middle school girl.
AltamahaDawg
September 23rd, 2009
2:59 pm
ml, you can get tickets to this game FAR cheaper than the contribution you made to get tickets to TN Tech. You cannot possibly think it’s just wealthy people only in that stadium. A few years ago, some really smart fellow invented the notion of people selling tickets to football games.
Necromancer
September 23rd, 2009
3:10 pm
Year after year, the Gators have the ADVANTAGE. Screw this “tradition” BS and make the game more of a competition.
I have always thought that the GA/FL game has been unfair to the Dawgs in the sense that FL always has home-field advantage.
I support Schultz’s idea whole-heartedly.
Carey
September 23rd, 2009
3:36 pm
Enter your comments here
You know Bugkiller, I was exiled to. . . er, lived in Atlanta from 1972-1985. I think my Gators won. . . oh, about 3 frigging times in that span. Interestingly enough, I never heard a damn word from my UGa neighbors about your so-called advantages. So quit your whining and sack/shut up!
ARdawg
September 23rd, 2009
3:38 pm
TECHBUZZ
What a Goober. Perhaps you should read some of the blog besides one or two postings. The Georgia fans it would appear are pretty much split on this idea. BTW, how did that game with Miami work out for you?
UGADawg83
September 23rd, 2009
4:04 pm
Enter your comments here
Waycross Dawg
September 23rd, 2009
4:23 pm
Just as long as I can chug beer and take a dump behind a tree, I’m ready to play anywhere.
DawgMaster
September 23rd, 2009
4:27 pm
Playing in Jax is fun, but UGa usually loses due either to less talent or bad coaching. Richt lost 2 of 3 to Ron Zook! Richt needs to start winning that game more than once every now and then, or he can hit the road. UGA should be winning titles like UF! I’m getting tired of all these minor bowls.
billytdoogan
September 23rd, 2009
4:30 pm
Has anyone seen richt’s road win record? if this is another home game for UF, then it is an away game for UGA and richt’s 35-5 record should trump. fact is the game in jacksonville is tradition. why change that. regarding the game – FL wins most years not because of having better talent but rather the recent stigma that we lose to FL (having big willy does not help). before the 17 years they have dominated the series, it was the other way around. FL did not want to play us. get over it and lets win in jacksonville this year.
SSI gator
September 23rd, 2009
4:33 pm
Too bad guys. UGA just voted to keep it in Jax through 2016. Bring youre excuses with you.
AltamahaDawg
September 23rd, 2009
4:33 pm
Let’s all meet back here in 2016 and give this thing a real talking ’bouts.
TS
September 23rd, 2009
4:40 pm
GA Fans- I know 49-10 still stings. It burns. Take a deep breath. It was embarassing…
If the game was closer last year and you all beat us this year this whole thing will be laid to rest. UF plays one game a year at Alltel Stadium just like you. Tickets split right down the middle. People who call this game a home field advantage have obviously never participated in the WLOCP. It’s an awesome time and one team doesn’t have any more advanatge over the other. I’ve met some great UGA fans over the years and it’s always fun. 49-10 last year is what got this back in the spotlight. Period. PLay us closer this year and let’s put this thing to rest.
SSI gator
September 23rd, 2009
4:46 pm
You guys are such suckers for the AJC writers. They re-print the same crap to get your panties in a wad and it works every time. At least 8 more trips to Jax. Deal with it.
barneyb
September 23rd, 2009
4:49 pm
Jeff,
While I agree in principle that the game should be rotated (JAX is NOT a neutral site), here’s a problem I see in bringing it to Athens:
If you think our folks trashed the campus during the South Carolina game, can you see what Gaturd fans would do to our beautiful campus while they are here? I shudder to think-
Casual Observer
September 23rd, 2009
4:54 pm
Doesn’t FLA already have a home game at the Dome in December every year?
Darius
September 23rd, 2009
5:01 pm
It appears that Damon Evans, Adams, and the UGA Athletic Board all have bigger scrotal sacs than Richt and the UGA fans whining about the game being in Jax.
AltamahaDawg
September 23rd, 2009
5:11 pm
SSI, you got that right, I am convinced MB andf JS made a bet at the water cooler who could get more hits from a re-print this week.
Allen
September 23rd, 2009
7:23 pm
The game should be alternated each year between Jacksonville and Atlanta; and, it should remain in a neutral site with fans split 50-50. Let the Georgia & Florida fans in Jacksonville enjoy a short trip one year and then let the Georgia & Florida fans in the Atlanta area enjoy a short trip the next year. Pretty simple. The notion of “every FOUR years in Atlanta” is absurd . . . and so is Schultz idea of moving it to the campuses just like every other game . . . because it isn’t just like every other game. I am somewhat disappointed in today’s decision . . . for fairness, convenience, and expense sake, I was hoping we’d get every other year in Atlanta. This isn’t about W’s and L’s, it is about fairness to the State of Georgia’s economy that its’ flagship university play this game every other year in the State of Georgia . . . and not give it to Florida every year.
Jethro
September 23rd, 2009
7:42 pm
49-10 baby against arguably UGA’s best team in years with the #1 and #12 NFL draft picks. Since 1990 the record stands Florida- 16 wins, UGA- 3 wins. The Gators will play these guys anywhere.
Wesley
September 23rd, 2009
7:46 pm
I couldnt disagree more about moving the game from jax. It gives us South Ga. dawg lovers a chance to see the team play without a 4 hour drive……………’nuff said.
mexdawg
September 23rd, 2009
7:58 pm
Jeff you’ve probally never even gone to a Ga v Fl game in JAX so you know nothing of the tradition of this game.Therefore I could care less what you think.For those of us who have been going to this game for years we know why it is so special.There is not another game like it anywhere in the country.You also must factor in what it means to our south Georgia alumni.However the most important reason for keeping the game in Jax is for recruiting in south Ga and Fl.I’m glad the board agreed to extend the contract thru 2016.It’s the right thing to do.Now let’s go out and kick ASU a&#.LET THE BIG DAWG EAT.
AU Tiger in ATL
September 23rd, 2009
8:20 pm
Why not move it to Atlanta? Auburn and Alabama (arguably one of the biggest rivalries in existence ) fromerly played the “Iron Bowl” in Birmingham. Then Pat Dye broke the curse of The Bear making AU his bitch and made the King come calling…..and everyone lived happily ever after.
nub
September 23rd, 2009
9:25 pm
#*$^ on the gators the MIGHTY DAWGS still own the series….. DAWGNATION how bout we start “Georgia ant man enough to beat the gators in jax” campaign…….That should stir the pot!
ozzfest
September 23rd, 2009
10:15 pm
NO.
THE GAME SHOULD STAY IN JAX FOREVER.
IF YOU HAVE BEEN TO THE GAME, YOU KNOW WHY…IF NOT, SHUT UP.
Cautiously Optimistic
September 23rd, 2009
10:28 pm
I must say this, as UGA fan, it feels like a road game every year. I cant say for the players and coaches of course. I would love to go to a UGA/UF game but the tix are high enough as it is much less the trip down hotel and such. I cant afford that and my family does not care for football enough to want to make that a vacation or long weekend. So for others in my boat, we will likely never get to attend the cocktail party.
I would love to hear some of the former players take on this, to see if it has a road game feel to them? Even though the seating is 50/50 it feels of a road game to me.
Why cant Atlanta have some of the $ being made? Why should Jax. make the $ every year?
Gator fans, if it were played here (ga dome) can you honestly say you wouldn’t mind coming here every year or sitting at home watching when you could have possibly been there? Can you honestly say it wouldn’t feel like a road game?
Dawg fans, wouldn’t it feel great to think, hey we match up pretty well against them on a givin year and think, and they have to come here to play us? Dont you think it would give some extra moral for the game? Dont you think that would pump the players up more?
I’m not crying about the game or trying to break up the “tradition”, I’m just stating some facts and trying to show another point of view.
Saint Simon s
September 24th, 2009
12:04 am
I think we should play that game in Atlanta, but at Grant Field; since that is a neutral site and a college site. And, I think we should play the game in Tallahasee, at Doak Walker Bowden Stadium, since that is a neutral site and a college site. And, I think it would be fair to play the game in Charlottesville, Virginia, a Scott Stadium, because UVA has no college football tradition and the the players may learn something looking up at Monticello. And, I think we should play the game at Michigan Stadium because, aside from it, too, being a neutral site and a collge site, it is the big house and naturally it can fit the world’s largest cocktail party. In short, the game should be played everywhere except Athens or Gainsville because it’s all about tradition, the SEC, those stupid chain emails about Southern Girls vs. Northern Girls (which, incidentally, is true) and that way the game is played every year at a neutral site. Because you can’t spell non-offensive without neutral. Oh, and one more thing: Georgia fans need to quit complaing because we used to own the rivalry. You want to blame someone? Blame Coach Dooley! Yeah, you read it right. Had he retired with grace and let Erk take over, our program would have been fine. But instead he hires the Goof and then Donnan. By my math that is a generation of lost football at UGA while Spurrier has UF on warp speed through victories. And, for those of you who are confused: I am not St Simon (45-42) hahaha. He’s a f$g and takes it in the rear like a Tech fan from mid town.
MVP
September 24th, 2009
4:34 am
Sounds like mark richt has no say so where the game will be played at, according to mr. evans
dd
September 24th, 2009
6:44 am
Does anyone have the all time series record between UGA & florida handy?
I’m new to college football.
Does florida lead this series?
georgiadawg1970
September 24th, 2009
7:01 am
This has nothing to do with the score. The classless AH’s in J’vill wlll not get anymore of my money. They overcharge us then are rude and obnoxious. If you folks like to be treated like that go ahead. A fool and his money will always part.
georgiadawg1970
September 24th, 2009
7:08 am
I hope Damon chokes on his six pieces of silver.
Atlanta Sucks
September 24th, 2009
10:48 am
No to Atlanta! Downtown atlanta is like a big ghetto, with homeless everywhere looking for cash, crime, no tailgating spots and nothing to do! Keep the game in jax baby—-3 days of nonstop golf, partying all night, beautiful florida / georgia chicks at the clubs!!! Nothing like it!!!
Island Dawg
September 25th, 2009
9:32 am
I live on St Simons and am tired of the Jax crap. This game is not for South Georgians. I have to pay at least a hundred per ticket every year despite having “season” tickets. Also the Island gets utterly trashed by dumba$$ college students and/or wannabe college students. The Dome is a horrible idea. Halloween inside in DT ATL, seriously?Home and home after ‘16.
lilikindsli
September 29th, 2009
8:06 pm
LCr808 I want to say – thank you for this!
lilikindsli
September 30th, 2009
10:55 am
VEPuBR I want to say – thank you for this!
Globals
October 2nd, 2009
8:24 pm
all good things
Unalelian
October 10th, 2009
11:16 am
Great. Now i can say thank you!,
Verrang
October 13th, 2009
11:36 am
Very cute
))),