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
bananas or cucumbers u pick
September 22nd, 2009
10:52 pm
Would it be ok for UGA to have a half a hundred hung on them every other year in Sanford Stadium?
41 38 49 38 45 24 37 41
September 22nd, 2009
10:55 pm
Willie M. would sure break scoring records in Sanford stadium if the home and home series would come to fruition.
MikeInValdosta
September 22nd, 2009
10:59 pm
Couldn’t disagree more. Many students love the Jacksonville trip, alumni love it more. It may be a hassle for those paid to attend (sports writers), but those of us that choose to attend love the setting. It is one of the best traditions in college football. A nice fall vacation. Money has nothing to do with it.
Vinings Dog
September 22nd, 2009
11:04 pm
Tradition trumps everything. The game is fine where it is and the South Georgia fans deserve a game in their backyard every year.
Jeff Schultz
September 22nd, 2009
11:12 pm
Mike, Vinings — I understand about the Jax tradition. That’s why I’m in favor or keeping it there every other year. But I think have it in Athens and Gainesville once every four years years would add to that.
Toots
September 22nd, 2009
11:20 pm
Jeff,
I never took you for a sentimental fool. It’s endearing as all get out.
superDawg
September 22nd, 2009
11:23 pm
Preach to the tekies.our bandwagon has been full since before you were born.
MT
September 22nd, 2009
11:24 pm
Changing the status quo would subtract from the game. 99 times out of 100, the game is the featured CBS game. The buzz buildup to the game, from students and alumni, is immense. The buzz at Brogen’s on SSI the Friday of GA-FL wkend is immense.
Would it add to tradition for alumni to make another weekend hike to Athens in the fall, even every other year like you propose? No. Would it add to the tradition of alumni making a pilgrimage to SSI for a round of golf and good times with their friends to make it every couple of years instead? No.
Would the pageantry, the spectacle of a traditional “neutral” site rivalry game, one of only two big ones remaining in the US (+Red River Shootout) be permanently lost? YES.
BugKiller
September 22nd, 2009
11:29 pm
Why NOT move it to Atlanta every other year?
Why do you think the Gators WANT it played in Jax EVERY year? Because they KNOW it is an ACTUAL advantage for them. Not some made up advantage.
And you’re wr-wr-wr-wrong (thanks, Fonzie) Jeff.
Florida HASN’T had the most talented team in many of their wins. How about 2002-2003? 2005?
Actually, for about a decade, the teams have been EQUAL in talent. So WHY did Mark Richt lose so often to RON ZOOK???
Because as Steve Spurrier so honestly stated, Florida has a VERY REAL advantage playing in Jax every year.
So why not move it to Atlanta every other year? Forget the on-campus idea.
Jacksonville is a hole. Atlanta is comparably much nicer. Also, Atlanta is RIFE with Gator alumni. Shouldn’t they have a stake in seeing THEIR team once a year as the SoGeorgia Dawg fans do?
You can make Atlanta the “home” site for the Gators. Make Jacksonville the “home” site for the Dawgs. Keep the 50/50 split. You know as well as anyone that the Atlanta sports council will make up the difference in lost seat revenue (the Jax stadium can hold about 8,000 more people for this game) with more money.
And THEN we can see if Florida can come up here and win every year in the GEORGIA Dome as they do in Jacksonville.
Jesup Dawg
September 22nd, 2009
11:29 pm
It is nice for the south Ga fans to have it in jville. Jeff you idea is better than the Ga Dome idea but neither will happen.
MrDawg
September 22nd, 2009
11:32 pm
Yeah….that GA Tech/FSU series sure is thrilling on each other’s campuses. Even though UGA has lost 16 of the last 19 – the excitement and memories continue. And all for one reason – Jacksonville.
And if you don’t understand – you’ve never been to Jax for GA/FL. Nice article though. The tons of comments should stroke your ego. Thanks for writing an article strictly for the comments.
Belvedere
September 22nd, 2009
11:36 pm
On a tangent here, but I remember when UF/UGA went home-and-home in the mid-90s while the Gator Bowl was being renovated. UGA and Clemson played both years. The alternating plan would allow UGA to resume the Clemson rivalry on a biennial basis.
Garrett
September 22nd, 2009
11:38 pm
Jeff, obviously you do not know much about the history of this series and what it means to Georgia fans and Florida fans. You have a very radical opinion and just don’t seem to understand the meaning of this game. I am tired of defending this but will keep doing it. First off, ARE YOU CRAZY PLAYING ON EACH OTHERS CAMPUS!!!!! Hate is brewed deep enough and going to play each other on each others campus is a recipe for disaster! Gators don’t want to come to Athens, Dawgs don’t want to come to Gainsville, plain and simple. Secondly you don’t understand what this game means to Georgia fans. It is a time during the year where Dawg fans can take a four day weekend, head to St. Simmons and enjoy a nice, fall weekend on the Georgia coast then head to Jacksonville for the game. I know so many Dawg fans that plan this trip in January and you would be taking that away by going to the other schools campus. So many people have the perception that since Georgia has had bad luck for a while in Jacksonville that we want to move it. What you don’t realize is the good time Georgia fans have going down and having a “mini” vacation during football season.
Finally the tradition and history that has happened there is un-matchable. It is the “World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party” and taking that away from the secenary in Jacksonville and the history that has happened between these two teams in this matchup is crazy. There is no home-field advantage for Florida or Georgia. I hope you have been in that stadium and know it is split, right down the line, 50/50. Florida does not get more seats since it is in Florida. There are as many, if not more Dawg fans there than Gators. I don’t know what you are think Jeff but that idea is even more crazy than going to the Dome. Keep it in Jacksonville, let us have a good time, keep that tradition that is the Georgia/Florida game.
Loran, Whatayagot?
September 22nd, 2009
11:39 pm
Even with the golf, beach vacation in November,etc., it still ends up as a home game for the Gaytors. Playing the game in Jacksonville does not necessarily help our recruiting. I like the rotation Schultz proposes. I’m for trying it. The times, they are a changin’.
Cuz
September 22nd, 2009
11:40 pm
Jeff you are doing your best to destroy my weekend at the Island formerly known as Saint Simons. Okay, you can stay at my house. But you have to make your own bed.
Garrett
September 22nd, 2009
11:41 pm
It is crazy!!
Cuz
September 22nd, 2009
11:43 pm
Don’t fix what aint broke. The game is fine. The location is fine. We just have not had the teams to compete with the Gators the last decade or almost two. But the pendulum may start swinging the other way. After watching UT-UF I once again believe in hope, change and the future.
Garrett
September 22nd, 2009
11:51 pm
Jeff, obviously you do not know what this weekend means to Dawg fans and are you crazy switching the game to each other’s campus!!!!!!! The hate is already brewed enough between these two teams and I can only imagine what bad things it could bring if they go visit each other’s stadium. Face it, Dawgs do not want to visit that place called Gainesville and Gators do not want to visit Athens. That is even crazier then moving it to the Dome.
Obviously Jeff you do not know what this weekend means for Dawg fans. Taking Thursday off, heading to St. Simmons during the fall and being able to relax by the Georgia coast then heading to the game Saturday morning. This game means so much to St. Simmons and other surrounding areas because of the revenue it brings in. I know people who plan this out in January. There are not many times when you get to have a “mini” vacation during football season. This is probably the weekend I look forward to the most because of the fun it brings being able to hang out, Go to Brogans, enjoy Downtown, and watch the college kids crowd the beach.
Lastly the game is deeply rooted in Jacksonville and that is where it should stay. There is so much tradition and memories engraved in this place it would be ridiculous to move it somewhere. There is no advantage for one team. I am sure you have been in that stadium and know it is split right down the middle, 50/50. Gators don’t get more seats because the game is in Florida. There are as many Dawg fans, if not more, down there as Florida fans. The atmosphere during that game is unmatched and you are not going to get that by going to the other school’s campus. Keep the game there, keep the tradition, let us have our fun, and stop with this silly talk.
Herschel Talker
September 22nd, 2009
11:52 pm
Jeff – nice job on 790 today. You should have been more in the “Fire Booby” category. But otherwise, great job.
tabascojet
September 23rd, 2009
12:00 am
No complaints came from georgia before spurrier was coach. I say go ahead and play uga home games in athens and watch how fast florida continues to have the game remain in jax for their own home games. Without a 50/50 ticket split or revenue share id imagine you be begging to get back into the contract in short order.
Mutley
September 23rd, 2009
12:01 am
Great Tradition here, don’t mess with it. One of the few games to be played at a neutral site and just because it’s in Jax does not give the gators home field. The series started going the gators way when they hired Spurrier and Georgia hired Goof. See what keeping the wrong coach (Martinez) can do to a program.
45ACP
September 23rd, 2009
12:05 am
See you at Bennie’s Red Barn.
doggit
September 23rd, 2009
12:07 am
write about the falcons or something jeff – JAX is where it’s @
Pago Flyer
September 23rd, 2009
12:10 am
I was at Sanford Stadium when the Gators put about 50 points on the DAWGS, don’t want to see that again. And gee, downtown ATL…what a great tailgate place! Better be armed….
45ACP
September 23rd, 2009
12:23 am
The game should stay in Jacksonville. I have family in Palatka, FL. that I love to stay with and irritate at least once a year.
I need a cold beer
September 23rd, 2009
12:29 am
If its truly a neutral site it should be held in Alabama, or perhap South Carolina.
Coyote
September 23rd, 2009
12:31 am
I know I’m in the minority but I’ve been saying for years I’d prefer if this game was on campus. Half the season ticket holders never get to see this game in person because the same 40K renew their tickets every year. We miss the opportunity to bring arguably the season’s biggest game to our own campus. The city of Jacksonville benefits from the financial impact of the game instead of Athens and I’ve just never thought the atmosphere of any neutral site game was all that great. Plus, who says you can’t throw just as big a party on campus?
Tradition is overrated. Ask the Auburn fans if they regret moving the Iron Bowl to home and home.
Coyote
September 23rd, 2009
12:35 am
Oh, and just one more thing folks. For those of you that treat this weekend like a bowl trip, it might actually help UGA’s bowl options if more fans treated their actual bowl game like a bowl trip. This weekend more than likely impacts attendance at Florida bowls because only so many people can do that twice in the same season.
Hey Dude....
September 23rd, 2009
1:21 am
You didn’t grow up here man. You grew up in southern California. More power to you. Rock on. Hang ten and all of that. But, you don’t get us. And we laugh when you poke fun at us and our dimwitted brethren, and you write some good stuff, every now and then, and you make us laugh, every now and then, but you just don’t get it. This isn’t about a campus; this is about a weekend. This is about southern culture, which you just don’t get, no offense intended and I’m sure, none taken.
Legion Field is slowly rusting to death; nobody wants to play there, anymore. It was great while it lasted guys.
There is only one other truly neutral site left in college football: Texas/Oklahoma.
And Georgia/Florida.
This game turned Steve Spurrier into a Heisman Trophy winner. And Danny Weufferll (sp?) too. And Herschel Walker. The Gaffney boys. Lindsay Scott. Wayne Peace. Any wide receiver Florida has had the last ten years. Tim Tebow. The celebration a few years ago. Gene Washington and Richard Appelby. The Florida fans walking around the stadium with the goalposts and the Jacksonville mayor saying it’s, “Okay.” Larry Munson breaking his chair. Glynn Harrison’s touchdown run called back in 73, maybe 74. First and ninety nine a few years later. This isn’t about a campus.
Jeff, I lived in South Carolina for a few years in the ’80s and people would drive down to Jacksonville on Georgia/Florida weekend without any tickets and no prospects of tickets and they would go just to have fun; they don’t have anything like that up there. There’s nothing close to it in the ACC nor anywhere else in the SEC. The closest thing is an LSU night game; but still it’s different. Just as much alcohol, but you can’t describe it unless you’ve been there. My son saw his first keg stand there. Imagine the awkwardness defending myself to my son’s mother. And remember when they had the Northeast Florida Fair there? My son remembers poking a hungover carnie who was asleep and made him wake up and give my son a ride on the Tilt-a-Whirl a 8:00 in the morning. The carnie grudgingly woke up and gave my son a helluva ride, for about thirty minutes, while he was still dozing. Such memories. Hey he was a kid and it was Halloween and dressed up as Peter Pan, give us a break.
It’s not about a campus.
Poke as much fun as you like. But it’s all true. And it doesn’t happen in Pasadena does it?
mtraininjax
September 23rd, 2009
3:38 am
Explain to me how only getting 10,000 away seats at Florida Field is a good deal?
Wow, Man .....
September 23rd, 2009
3:45 am
Hey dude, from your rant, it sounds like you’ve already made alcohol a large part of your son’s life. Pity.
AthensGA
September 23rd, 2009
4:52 am
Our landfill is filling up, Leave the trash in St. Simons and Jacksonville. You wouldn’t know a good tradition if it bit you. Leave it in Jax.
Landshark
September 23rd, 2009
4:53 am
Enter your comments here
Great Plan…Take one of the few unique college games and dumb it down into to a typical home and away game…(cue sarcasm bath). Both Schools have enough home games…this is an event, a special game, practically a bowl game in the middle of the season. It of course has the “traditional” element, along with the Red River Shootout and the Army-Navy Game.
Ted Striker
September 23rd, 2009
5:16 am
I’ve been attending the games in Jacksonville since college in the 80’s and this year will be no exception. I wouldn’t want to see games in Jacksonville disappear.
That said, ROTATE THE GAME!
For some of us — many of us — the luster of the trip has grown tarnished by the sheer monotony of it being in Jax every year.
It’s not that I don’t enjoy Jacksonville, it’s merely that I’d enjoy it much more if there a little less of it. Put it in Jacksonville every other year. Then alternate it to Gainesville or Athens the other times.
CoastDog
September 23rd, 2009
5:22 am
How stupid is playing Florida in Florida every year?
Barry
September 23rd, 2009
5:29 am
So let’s see:
1) Jacksonville hotels raise their rates by 50% or more during this weekend;
2) Most UGA fans are from north Georgia, not south Georgia and many have never seen a UGA-UF game;
3) Our state can use the revenue;
4) Florida receives a small but real home field advantage every year;
5) And the answer is: let’s KEEP the game in Jacksonville every year????
I have had this discussion with my friends from south Georgia every year. Despite the facts, they will not budge. They just love their Jacksonville/St. Simons/rip-off weekend, no matter what it does to the team or how many UGA fans are inconvenienced.
I think the game should be divided as follows: home and home, then J-ville, then Atlanta. But politically, that is unlikely to haappen.
Bob
September 23rd, 2009
5:56 am
That’s a pretty stupid plan. The tradition is awesome, and if it pays, fine. Why purposely try to run away from money? Profit is not evil, Karl.
FLA DAWG
September 23rd, 2009
6:31 am
How about a compromise – alternate between Jax and The Ga Dome. Then let’s hear Gator Fans say The Ga Dome is not a Neutral Site!
Sautee Dawg
September 23rd, 2009
6:44 am
Jeff, why don’t you ask Mr. College Football, (Barnhardt). He had an interesting piece about changing the location of the game a few months ago. Your suggestion not only involves disrupting our vacations but spending time with friends that have made this tradition a reunion for alot of fans.
Kinda sad when a tradition has to = a dollar!!!
JSS
September 23rd, 2009
6:48 am
“Hey Dude”
Jeff Schultz is from Long Beach, that is not surfer world, so you can lose that stereotype. People down in those parts are more likely to be longshoreman and “Tricky Dick Nixon” and Pete Wilson blame minorities for the woes of the world types… That was Reagan Country, people in those parts are just as scared of the ‘Hood’ as you and your chickenhawk friends. Man look at a map, he was so far from Pasadena, it is like driving from the Northside to Macon and if the I-10 or 710 has traffic it is 2 hours!
Jeff Schultz, we’ve been here before, the UGA-FLA on campus just became another game when they tried it in the 90’s… It can argued that Auburn-UGA is the game that would benefit from returning to a neutral field like the Dome. The series was best when they played in Columbus.
Jeff Schultz, bad for Georgia, bad for Florida, bad for Sports…
Paid for by the End The Madness Political Action Committee
JSS
September 23rd, 2009
7:09 am
Favorite SEC Moments… The Tradition, the games, the drunkeness!
James Jackson leads the GA Bulldogs to victory at Auburn… Drunken UGA fans refuse to leave Jordan-Hare. Water cannons are turned on them. My sainted Grandmomma who had marched in Birmingham in 1963 screamed at the television: “Somebody call the White House! Bull Connor done showed up at the Georgia-Auburn game!” Sniff-sniff
Next week…
Bear Bryant comes to Atlanta and the Selma “Bloody Sunday Riot” breaks out (four years early). Better known as I wonder why State troopers accompany coaches to the field… Southern Culture, you can’t beat it!
SuperB
September 23rd, 2009
7:17 am
Playing an AWAY game against Florida every year makes no sense. the only “tradition” is the yarly loss to the Gators. Play ‘em home and away!
hop
September 23rd, 2009
7:20 am
it is good to know that georgia does not care what jeff has to say and they will not on this point either.
fans loved to go to jackonville that provides a very special venue for this game.
it is one of the best traditions of college football and that tradition will continue, and jeff it is not about the money since the game would be a sellout where ever it is played.
ENRIQUE PUERTOS
September 23rd, 2009
7:26 am
COLLEGE FOOTBALL NEEDS TO BE KEPT ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES. WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO THAT TRADITION?…THERE IS NOTHING NEUTRAL ABOUT PLAYING THAT GAME AT FLORIDA EACH YEAR. THE CITY OF ATHENS AND GAINESVILLE AND THE FANS OF EACH RESPECTIVE SCHOOL ARE LOSING OUT WITH THIS ARRANGEMENT.
SatchelBuzz
September 23rd, 2009
7:26 am
Wouldn’t change the outcome.
THWG!!!
PTC DAWG
September 23rd, 2009
7:33 am
Leave the Game in Jax….I wonder if UF will have the flu after they either lose or UGA plays them close this year? LOL
AltamahaDawg
September 23rd, 2009
7:35 am
Wow, trying to get more crackers than MB this week?
F-105 Thunderchief
September 23rd, 2009
7:40 am
No. It should remain where it is. UGA is not at a disadvantage playing there. If that were true, it would not still lead the series despite the Spurrier era. It’s a great trip for fans. Jacksonville does not give Florida a natural advantage just because it’s in the same state. Ask any south Georgian (I am from there) and they’ll tell you there are at least as many UGA fans as Gator fans among the indigenous population. So, as far as moving the game … well, shut up.
TCFATL
September 23rd, 2009
7:43 am
Rotating the game between Jacksonville every other year and the respective Georgia and Florida campuses is absurd.
The result would be that Florida has a home game three out of four years in a row.
The only answer is to end Jacksonville and rotate this game between the campuses each year, like every other game.
Gen Neyland
September 23rd, 2009
7:47 am
This topic has more lives than 20 cats.
georgiadawg1970
September 23rd, 2009
7:48 am
It is time to move the game out of J’ville. I am tired of hearing that it is the only way for people from South Georgia to see the Dogs. That was frue in 1933 when most of the people were farmers and they worked from dawn to dusk six days a week and only had a mule and wagon for transportation. Now they let Mexicans do the farming and they ride around in big deisel trucks listining to Hank Williams Jr and smoking dope. Most of the old dirt roads form Hayhira to Athens is four land blacktop. They can get to Athens if the chose.
I also resent giving the AH’s from Florida and of my money. Half of them are yankees and the other half are foreigners. The only Americans down ther are in the panhandle and they all watch FSU.
Ohis State fan
September 23rd, 2009
7:55 am
Didn’t have any ideas on a new column idea, huh? Sad you had to just mail this one . . .
LoelGator
September 23rd, 2009
8:04 am
The Bulldog nation is more than the students in athens, and the bulldog nation,MR Schultz,don’t give a royal rip about who made or makes money. It s always about who won. Also no doubt the same money will be spent if the game comes to a Georgia location.
Now where to play it. It should alternate each year between Atlanta’s Dome and Jacksonville. That way you keep the tradition and built a new one. Anyone I mean anyone and everyone knows the home field means points and wins, period. So forget the money line and lets just play fair. Oh by the way and just a reminder, Steve Spurrier said Jacksonville was a home game for Florida.
UGASlobberknocker
September 23rd, 2009
8:12 am
No,, no a thousand times no. That game is one of the great college football traditions..why mess with it? both schools make enough money as it is…there are plenty of other games on campus to fill that need. I estimate 80% of the season ticket holders want the game to stay put. Why cater to a small minority of Dawg fans? How many people calling for change actually even go to Dawg games.?.not ,many I bet. Why change?..especially when Fla doesnt want to move it. I wish they would sign a 5 yr contract and forget this BS for a while.
jdawg
September 23rd, 2009
8:12 am
Mr. Shultz, did you get you property tax bill….well, it would be increased even more if the game was moved. I mentioned this times before….Georgia taxpayers actually do pretty well when you total what is spent in south Georgia and the Golden Isles. Yes, we need to win…heck we really do not look great at home. The tradition is set, and that dang Dome is not the answer, so just get over it. Have you paid and donated for 25 yrs plus? You get paid to go to a ballgame for a job…jdawg
athensdawg
September 23rd, 2009
8:14 am
jeff.
nice job yanking everyone’s chain on a slow wednesday morning.
» SEC links: Florida, Florida and more Florida John Clay’s Sidelines
September 23rd, 2009
8:15 am
[...] Jeff Schultz of the AJC argues that Georgia-Florida should undergo a campus conversion. [...]
bad brad
September 23rd, 2009
8:19 am
Check out the cutoff for contributions to get tickets to the game in Jacksonville. The tickets go to high rollers and corporate types, not to the ordinary fan or the fan from South GA. When the Gators hung “half a hundred” on us in Sanford, it was a down year. The pendulum will swing back our way. This year they could score 50 and still lose. Just win baby.
Atticus
September 23rd, 2009
8:20 am
So Jeff, would you say the same thing about the Red River Shootout?
This topic is so OLD, can’t you come up with something better?
FloridaDawg
September 23rd, 2009
8:23 am
You could certainly save newsprint by moving the game…lot less to write about. No more excitement…Would still be televised but the announcers would always refer to how it USED to be exciting.
Every other year Florida would put 50 plus points on Standford Stadium scoreboard….that would be great TV and their fans could take a few clippings from the hedges.
Other than that…little left in recruiting and less donations from south Georgia.
What a great idea.
Ohis State fan
September 23rd, 2009
8:23 am
Talentless hack desperate for a topic – EVEN IF IT HAS BEEN COVERED A THOUSAND TIMES!!
Chopdawg
September 23rd, 2009
8:33 am
For the first time in over 20 years, I’m not planning on making the trip to the GA-Fla game & I’m already missing it…hope to be back in 2010! The GA-Fla game is more fun than any bowl game I’ve ever attended, with the possible exception of the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans; plus, is there a better view from the upper deck in any stadium in the world than from the Gator Bowl (I know, it’s Jacksonville Municipal Stadium now) with those bridges over the St Mary’s River?
When you go to the GA-Fla game, you go for the pregame atmosphere and for the game itself, and you know you’re part of a special happening. Never, ever move this game.
(Oh, and JSS…it was Wayne Johnson, not James Jackson, in Auburn that year.)
bamafan
September 23rd, 2009
8:38 am
Bama fans were disappointed when Auburn decided that it didn’t want to play us in B’ham at “a neutral site.” Legion Field was not neutral since Bama played at least four and sometimes more OTHER games there every year. Auburn had a point. The game moved to Auburn in 1989 and in return Auburn came to B’ham in 1990, 1991, and 1992 before going back to Auburn. Bama left Legion Field for good after 2000 game. Despite Bama’s success in Legion Field with Auburn, I think college football games should be played mostly on campus. Florida does have a distinct advantage in Jacksonville, no doubt. I do think Jeff’s proposal has merit as it keeps some of the old traditional way and also puts the game on Campus.
Indydawg
September 23rd, 2009
8:42 am
It’s not a neutral site, it never has been. Jacksonville smells anyway.
Habersham Dawg
September 23rd, 2009
8:46 am
If your tradition is to lose to Florida 16 out of 19 times since 1990, then I say move the game to home and home. I do not want to give U of F any advantage whatsoever. Especially since it can have national title implications.
Drunkdawg
September 23rd, 2009
8:51 am
The game needs to be rotated between the Florida campus and the Georgia campus every year. No more games in Jacksonville, what a joke and how stupid!
jerry
September 23rd, 2009
8:56 am
Let’s see how long “tradition” lasts if they start losing money in Jax. UGA has got to be the most money grubbing, horing out U. in the country.
Apopka
September 23rd, 2009
8:58 am
The GA dome is the biggest s–thole I’ve ever been to to see a game. There is only one bar you can drink at within half a mile and if you tailgate you get hit up by panhandlers all day. There is probably a 20 degree difference in the two cities on a fall day.
F-105 Thunderchief
September 23rd, 2009
8:58 am
It’s the Saint Johns river, not the Saint Marys, that’s north along the border.
TommyGator
September 23rd, 2009
9:01 am
Yes. It is about money. But your brilliantly biased analysis misses the real losers if the game gets moved. The game in Jax is not only beneficial to the economy of Jax, it is VITAL to the economies of the sall town along the Georgia coast. Talk to the local politicians and businessmen from Brunswick, St. Mary’s and the surrounding areas. This weekend makes the year for many of them.
It’s easy for UGA to think that moving the game will solve their problems in handling Florida on the field, That may or may not be true, after all the Gators have dominated EVERY team in the SEC east since 1990; and all but UGA are home and home affairs. That fact also tends to negate your concept that “college football on actual college campuses” is a unique concept, at which you just happened to arrive, as if it is some divine revelation.
This is a shallow, un-researched and knee jerk article. That said, it is about up to your usual standards.
oldschooldog
September 23rd, 2009
9:04 am
Give fans who have attended the game one vote per game attended over a lifetime. Who else should really have a voice? I can live with whatever result. All 30 of my votes go to home and home. Jax is a dump; Athens is Nirvana; road games absolutely rock; we need to add Ben Hill Griffin Stadium to our itinerary.
blazerdawg
September 23rd, 2009
9:08 am
The annual celebration of the Georgians victory over the Floridians/Spanish on the Battle of Bloody Marsh must stay on the coast. Until Savannah builds a 90,000 seat stadium, this game must stay in Jax. Go Dawgs!!
shannon1776
September 23rd, 2009
9:09 am
Bring it to campus. People say the trip doesn’t hurt us because Dooley never had a problem beating them there. When we held the talent advantage in the 70’s and 80’s, sure, we could win.
But when talent is equal, heck yes it makes it easier for Florida to hop on a bus and we have to fly. We lose one day of prep that UF doesn’t have to. Also, usually the last week of Octover is cooler in Athens with lower humidity. The game in Florida on the other hand is usually 80-85 with 80% humidity. That matters!!!
people, we are letting UF stick it to us with this deal. For the Spurrier years, they had a week off while we played. two weeks to prepare AND the lost travel day AND the higher humidity at that time of year MAKES a difference.
If you guys want to worry about getting hammered down there and party, fine. I want to win SEC championships!!! As long as the talent is equal, UF has the advantage.
Notice what happened the ONE time we had a week off? We beat them 42-30 with about the same talent level.
We have the week off THIS year. watch how we shcok everyone and beat them.
Home and home. THEN, we would be in position to maybe do something with the Ga Dome and open the year every year with a Notre Dame/Michigan/Texas or somebody. This will stop Alabama from coming in here to Atlanta every year and building a recruiting base by playing in the kickoff classic.
Think people!!!!!!!!
JSS
September 23rd, 2009
9:10 am
Sorry ChopDawg, I stand corrected…
After Tony Flannagan, I kinda lost track…
oldschooldog
September 23rd, 2009
9:11 am
On the subject of tradition…we’ve only played in Jacksonville Municipal Stadium a couple of years; played in Alltel a couple more, and the Gator Bowl a bunch. I’m not feeling it.
Larry
September 23rd, 2009
9:11 am
Forget the money – make it home and home!
M. Adams
September 23rd, 2009
9:14 am
Follow the money!
Ferndolin
September 23rd, 2009
9:16 am
MikeinValdosta: It IS about money, don’t kid yourself. People who make the trek to Athens also make the trek to Jacksonville. South Georgia fans should never be the swing vote in this discussion. I agree with Jeff. Regular season college football should be on campus, with an occasional acception, like every other year in Jacksonville. I do dissagree with Jeff about the ‘home field’esque advantage the gators have. I’ve been to the GA/FL game and it can be intimidating for fans so it must be for the players. Gotta be a factor. But hey, money rules in college athletics. Pathetic!
ccdawg
September 23rd, 2009
9:16 am
If its not at a neutral site do you think any of the outcomes would have been different? Do you think there would be ANY interest in GA/FL nationwide? Do you think it is in the top 10 rivalries nationwide? The answer is no to all of the above. Lets face it the GA/FL series gets a HUGE buzz by being played in a truly unique location with everything split 50/50. In the actual football game location is overrated. Look at Richt’s away record. A football field is a football field. And without Jax the series recently resembles FL vs Kentucky. The Dawgs need to man up and just start beating them down there. Then FL will want to move the game like they did in the 70s and 80s.
jcoleman
September 23rd, 2009
9:17 am
A good analogy is the Alabama Auburn game, which was always played in Birmingham until 1989. I was reluctant to the change myself, but the game is so much better now that it is on one of the team’s campuses each year.
Duluth Gator
September 23rd, 2009
9:18 am
I have no problem with moving the game to home and home or Atlanta then Jax every year. What I can’t figure out is why did Georgia dominate the series when Dooley was coaching and everything was fine. Really, moving the game might be a good thing but I feel the almighty dollar for the city of Jacksonville is dictating where the Dogs and the Gators play.
heyberto
September 23rd, 2009
9:18 am
Stirring the pot I see Jeff… but don’t be stupid… leave in in Jax.
Jax Dawg
September 23rd, 2009
9:20 am
It’s all about the $$. I live in Jax and the only reason I want the game to stay is for all the $$ it pumps into our economy. Nobody down here gives a crap about UGA other than hoping they bring their wallets.
The game should go back to rotating to Athens and Gainesville. I’ve been attending this game since I very young and have only missed the 97 game (bad one to miss).
For those of you who come down, you must see that the 50-50 split is slowing eroding in favor of Gator fans. They are buying up UGA tickets from fans. I’m in my 40’s now and I am not going this year and may never go again until it’s held in Athens.
Who wants memories of an annual a*# whooping and then having to endure the wrath of the AH Gator fans. I look forward to my continuing my weekend trips to Athens with my family. Much better family atmosphere and truly good memories.
Go Dawgs!
DawginLex
September 23rd, 2009
9:22 am
DON’T MOVE THE GAME FROM JACKSONVILLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bugkiller,
I’m not quite sure how old you are, but I have a sneaking suspicion that you are not out of your 20’s. That being the case, I can’t blame you for swallowing the SOS propaganda. The bottom line is this:
The 1990’s were Spurrier’s because our program was floundering.
However, since Richt has arrived, the series has always been competitive except for 2008. I know we are only 2-6 but, you can’t blame that on Jacksonville. If we were to figure out a way to win this year, the series will be 3-3 over the last 6 years.
If you move the game, you are admitting that florida has changed the mindset of the series and we will have lost before anymore games are played between the two.
I’m guessing you weren’t around in the 70’s and 80’s when we owned Florida. No matter what kind of year we were having, we knew we could win that game. Guess where it was played?
JACKSONVILLE-DON’T MOVE THE GAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MikeWood
September 23rd, 2009
9:22 am
How about having it in Atlanta simply for the students/fans who can’t afford to travel every year to Jacksonville to see a game. The cost alone for the fans here in Athens/Atlanta for the bulldogs fans in insane. I agree it is fun to travel to Jacksonville every once in a while but it would be nice if I could go see a Georgia/Florida game with out spending $600.00. You guys get so caught up in the fact that we believe it is a home game for the Florida players. I for one do not believe the win/loss has anything to do with the players travel time, but it is a lot easier for a Florida fan coming from Gainsville to make the trip. All I ask for in return is that same luxury every other year.
JSS
September 23rd, 2009
9:23 am
I laugh every time I read about the tradition of college football being played on college campuses… What planet are you people from? FSU-Miami (Orange Bowl), Notre Dame-Army (Old Yankee Stadium), Army-Navy (Old Franklin Field), Tenn-Bama (Legion Field), Notre Dame-Navy (Soldier Field), GA-Auburn (Columbus, GA) and Texas-Oklahoma (The old Cotton Bowl)… That is the history people… These new on-campus coliseums are relatively new, stop making them into something they weren’t…
Shug
September 23rd, 2009
9:24 am
Auburn was 18-34-1 playing Alabama at Birmingham’s Legion Field. Since moving the game to each teams campus, Auburn is 7-2. Get out of Jacksonville completely, there’s not very many home games to begin with.
Okefenokee Dawg
September 23rd, 2009
9:25 am
I say we split the difference, and play the game in Vidalia.
Denver Dog
September 23rd, 2009
9:25 am
I’ve been going for 30 years. I have had less fun lately, it is harder to get decent rooms, an oh by the way, we haven’t been wining. Let’s use this same logic. Since CMR and co are better on the road than elsewhere, let’s play in Gainesville every year. Heck with this neutral field stuff.
Leave it alone! What fools on this blog think that college football is not about money, big money? Both schools make a killing out of this, and we all know it. Most schools would kill for a rivalry in a place like this. Leave it alone, make improvements, like get the fair out of there during this game, have more parking, pay UGA more to come down. Leave it alone. When we dominated the series for the first 60 years, UF didn’t want to quit playing there every year.
collegeballfan
September 23rd, 2009
9:27 am
When Georgia is the home team the game should be in Athens.
If you are not going to play the home games on campus you can disband the team as far as I am concerned.
jcoleman
September 23rd, 2009
9:28 am
“These new on-campus coliseums are relatively new, stop making them into something they weren’t…”
new on campus coliseums?? bryant denny, jordan hare, neyland, etc, were all built in the 20’s or earlier. not exactly neuvo in my book.
Vince
September 23rd, 2009
9:31 am
I lived in Gainesville for the past for years and now live back in Dawg country. I am not a huge fan of Jax myself, maybe its the $380 a night hotel or the fact that we lose way too often, not sure. Florida fans don’t enjoy the trip like GA fans. They fail to realize how many UGA fans are not in JVille for the weekend except the game. A LOT of FL fans come up Sat AM and leave Sat pm. For us GA people, its a vacation. I also have a lot of friends who would love to have an opportunity to come to Athens for a game. They always tell me how great they hear downtown is and would love to do a home and home once in a while. I am sure quite a few UGA fans would love to experience the swamp and see why it is such a great home field advantage for the gaytors. I would love to see a cycle that includes a game in GVille, a game in Athens, a game in JVille and a game in ATL (there are a lot of Gaytor fans in the city, they love going to ATL to watch a game) Jax will lose out but maybe just an 8 year contract of that cycle would please everyone and then we could see how it goes. JVille is gaytor country, its an away game for UGA, no doubt.
CJ
September 23rd, 2009
9:31 am
Haha. You lost 16 out of 19 so it’s the locations fault. Plenty of other rivalries take place in neutral locations. Whining mutts and sore losers. That’s all UGA is. Go Gators!
world b
September 23rd, 2009
9:33 am
Gordon Gekko: And the under 40 audience asks a collective: Huh?
Jax Dawg
September 23rd, 2009
9:35 am
Denver Dog, you don’t have to worry about the fair anymore. Mayor Peyton took care of that. I hope you all keep coming and spending big $$. We need it.
Florida didn’t want to move the game when they were losing because that would have meant taking the game out of Florida every other year.
Sykojohnny
September 23rd, 2009
9:35 am
The over on the Florida game is already 100+. Just for Florida. The Gators are setting up a table for Tebow in the backfield so that he can sit down for a snack while Georgia attempts to rush him.
Will
September 23rd, 2009
9:36 am
This is the problem with the main stream media. You are are perceived as an elitist, and this article is added proof. Have you thought about how moving the game would effect the economy of the many communities in N Fla or SE GA? Of course not….. However you think moving the game in the name of “campus atmosphere” is a great idea for the game. What a crock, there is no better college atmosphere every Halloween weekend than in Jax Fla. Think about the “little people” sometime, moving this game would effect many.
Here is the deal and the prediction….This game will be played in Jax for the 20 years! Sorry Jeff, looks like you will have to drive down here every year. Nice try however.
Go Dawgs!
Tbone
September 23rd, 2009
9:36 am
This decision should not be difficult. The answer is simple…..a four year rotation….home and home in respective stadiums….and alternating neutral sites in Ga Dome and J’ville. This is easily the smart call. All the drunks that argue “tradition” to protect their orgie of a 4 day drunkeness should just “get over it”.
ROLL TIDE
September 23rd, 2009
9:37 am
Georgia needs to quit whining and play football. If you are a good enough team it should not matter where you play.
Chris
September 23rd, 2009
9:37 am
Oh so now it’s a road game to you dawg fans. How come you didn;t include that in richt’s road record then when you were gloating about how well he does on the road. Bwahahaha. Stupid fans. You sure weren’t complaining in the 80’s were you. Whiners!!
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!
schultz is mighty smart
September 23rd, 2009
11:01 am
In the business world, when you hear “we do that because we have always done it that way”,it means that it is an old outdated system, needing to be updated. Your idea makes as much sense as any. Not all the students can afford to make the trip to JAX. For the old farts who want a mini fall vacation, why not move it Hawaii, to satisifiy the “old guard”.
REAL FAN
September 23rd, 2009
11:01 am
If you care about the dawgs winning games at all, you will want this game played in our stadium every other year. If you dont care about winning games, shut the hell up!!!!
HOME
September 23rd, 2009
11:02 am
Enter your comments here
AWAY
September 23rd, 2009
11:03 am
————-
HOME
September 23rd, 2009
11:03 am
,,,,,,,,,,,
AWAY
September 23rd, 2009
11:04 am
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WOW!
September 23rd, 2009
11:04 am
WHAT A GREAT EFFING IDEA!!!!!
SCREW JACKSONVILLE
September 23rd, 2009
11:07 am
All you idiots can keep spending your money to go all the way down there and have a grand ole time watching the DAWGS LOSE! Not my idea of a good time.
TS
September 23rd, 2009
11:07 am
You bulldawgs sound like a bunch of Nancy’s. Huge mistake if this game is taken out of Jacksonville. Good luck pulling anothe recruit out of the state of FL if this happens. Duval county is a hot bed of hs football talent. I would be really shocked if it happens. Then again, if you have the whiniest fan base in college fb you will cry until you get your way. Grow some nuts and start winning.
Racine Dawg
September 23rd, 2009
11:11 am
The game in jacksonville is just another home game for florida. They always end up with more fans, and usually Georgia gets hosed by the refs, leading to defeat. Georgia needs to move this game to atlanta or athens every other year, and keep most tickets, giving florida only a few thousand! Somethings got to be done to stop this long period of losing.
GatorGuy
September 23rd, 2009
11:13 am
GGTOG&THWGT , your assessment of Gainesville is biased and ignorant.
AceDawg
September 23rd, 2009
11:14 am
TS – Being as we’d alternate games btwn the state of GA and FL in one format or another, we’d not lose the recruiting opportunities you speak of. It is more about distance than location, and the GA Dome is about the same distance from UGA as Jacksonville is from UF, so an alternating format clearly makes sense in equalizing the rivalry. UGA was stated as practically having a home game when playing two SEC championships in the Dome, as well as the Sugar Bowl there several years ago, despite the “neutral” field. Playing in Jville isn’t the main reason UGA loses, but playing in GA sometimes might be a reason that help leads them to more wins.
superdawg51
September 23rd, 2009
11:15 am
are you effing crazy….regardless of floridas recent dominance over uga this is one of college football’s greatest centerpieces. it is a college tradition people….we cannot allow it to end….period.
Jax Dawg
September 23rd, 2009
11:19 am
TS, so you think UGA losing in Jacksonville almost every year helps us in recruiting?
GatorGuy, Gainesville sucks and you know it. Take off your UF rose colored glasses.
Georgia-Florida game should take turns on campus | Jeff Schultz | Finally! Be free from smoking
September 23rd, 2009
11:20 am
[...] Venture Inward wrote an intriguing post today onHere’s a little tasterGeorgia’s athletic board will discuss extending the Jacksonville contract for the Florida game but should consider having the game played on campus every two years. … There are as many Dawg fans, if not more, down there as Florida fans. The atmosphere during that game is unmatched and you are not going to get that by going to the other school’s campus. Keep the game there, keep the tradition, let us have our fun, and stop with this silly talk. Link; Report this comment … [...]
TS
September 23rd, 2009
11:21 am
Ace- I hear you but FLA plays very well in the GA dome too. If you’re trying to escape the streak I don’t see how your chances improve by moving the game to Atlanta. Besides, the GA dome is awful. I would rather alternate home fields before they do anything at the dome. The closest bar is half a mile from the stadium and you get hit up by bums while you tailgate. Not a good atmosphere to have the biggest game in cfb.
Darius
September 23rd, 2009
11:26 am
I am glad to see so many UGA fans who appreciate the tradition and history of playing the game in Jax.
Meanwhile … someone needs to call a Waaaaambulance for those UGA fans (and coaches) crying about the game being in Jax. I never heard any complaints when UGA was beating UF just about every year in Jax.
As someone who attended both of the on-campus games in the 90s, they just did not have the same feel as the Jax game.
blazerdawg
September 23rd, 2009
11:29 am
Gainesville really does leave a lot to be desired. That downtown is as dead as Starkville.
Darius
September 23rd, 2009
11:34 am
While I have lived in Atlanta since the mid 90s, I grew up near Jax and there were just as many UGA fans as UF fans in Jax area and in North Central Florida back in the 80s-90s. So, let us not pretend that there are not a ton of UGA fans in Florida who love having the game in Jax.
The simple fact is this … moving the game is not even being discussed if not for UGA’s 2-17 record in Jax over the last 19 years.
Pitbull
September 23rd, 2009
11:34 am
Please move the UGA – UF game to sanford stadium every other year for the following reasons:
Sanford Stadium seats 15,000 more fans than Alltel Stadium so higher attendance.
It would open up an away game on the schedule every other year which means UGA could schedule a major team that requires a home and away agreement to come to Athens on the years the game is in Florida? Anyone want to see Penn State, Michigan, Notre Dame, the real USC, Texas in Athens for another nationally televised game? I would.
We could renew the annual rivalry home and away with Clemson – agreat rival in the 70’s and 80’s who always brings its crowd to fill Sanford Stadium.
Tailgating (without trashing) on campus prior to the UGA – UF game and then clubbing in Athens after the game. Heaven.
The UGA – UF game has been an exclusive game for rich old men rather than a game for the average student who cannot afford the room rates for the weekend in the area. The team is for the students. Give it back to them.
AJ
September 23rd, 2009
11:37 am
Too many comments to read them all, so hopefully not repeating. This game is a NATIONAL GAME. It helps expose the SEC to the whole country (yes, the SEC is all over anyways), but when someone in Oregon knows that the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party is a football game played by UF & UGA in Jacksonville Florida that’s saying something! If (and it’s a big “if) UGA could put the better team on the field, they will win whether it’s in Jacksonville, Athens, Atlanta, or Gainesville.
Sam The Man
September 23rd, 2009
11:39 am
Hands down this is one of the best football experiences going. Everyone travels so everyone is in good spirits. Sure there are pockets of drunk idiots who act like jerks, but that’s college football. For the most part, Jacksonville represents a nice getaway for fans from both teams.
This proposal is stupid. Don’t write about stuff you don’t know about. How many years in a row have you been going TO the game Jeff?
Beat it…
DawgFan36
September 23rd, 2009
11:43 am
The game is not leaving Jacksonville for a few years. When Arthur Blank builds his new bad ass staduim for the Falcons in 3 or 4 years the game will be played in that stadium every other year. The GA Dome is a crappy stadium that will become the home of Georgia State Football. Tech could play there but you’d have to cover the entire upper level with tarps so they could “sell it out”.
ReptilesRule
September 23rd, 2009
11:44 am
Good God! This again??? Why didn’t you just bring up the OJ Simpson case again and whether he really did it???
ClubHound
September 23rd, 2009
11:45 am
The party scene in Athens is great—plenty of top clubs, chicks everywhere, good restaurants. The entertainment scene in jacksonville, a blue collar city, totally sucks! Overpriced, low quality restaurants, lame clubs, and the chicks are mainly redneck, trailer trash types. Move the game every year to Athens then Atlanta! Florida’s had a home game too long!!!
ARdawg
September 23rd, 2009
11:47 am
I have to agree with GatorGuy here. It’s about getting our hat handed to us for the last 20 years. I don’t remember the big war cry about moving the game when it was Georgia doing all the winning. You cry babies talking about a Florida advantage are just that. Whining EFFING cry babies. We’ve spanked their heineys before and let our program descend while theirs as ascended. If you think moving that one game is going to make a difference I have some primo land in the Okeefenokee to sell you.
Jeff Schultz
September 23rd, 2009
11:48 am
Funny of the people who are against this idea, how many are just upset about the potential of screwing up their three-day weekend in St. Simons. Selah . . .
Garrett – I know all about the history. As for me being crazy? Yeah, maybe.
Herschel – Thanks. Bell makes it a fun and fast few hours.
Way Down South — I have been to Gainesville.
Jdawg – Never really thought of that. But no – I don’t think my taxes would change.
Atticus – Actually, I never really wanted to see the Red River Shootout in Athens.
F 105 – And the St. John’s flows north, for those who don’t know that bit of trivia.
World B – Is “Wall St” that old? … Hey, I’m sure the kids have seen it in Bravo or something.
Jeff Schultz
September 23rd, 2009
11:58 am
UGAGRAD – You’re right. That is a novel idea.
ACEDAWG – 4 years players are on roster for all 3 venues. If they leave early, that’s their problem.
Tim
September 23rd, 2009
12:00 pm
Funny how this never come up before 1990 when UGA was dominating. Did UF still have the advantage? If so, I never saw it and it never translated to the field. The Red River Rivalry is in Texas but you don’t hear OU fans clamoring to move it to some place in OK every other year to “make it fair”. The better team wins every game in every sport, no matter the venue. Moving it out of Jax only hurts the tradition and majesty of the game. Don’t UGA fans see that, year in and year out, the game is mentioned in the best rivalries of college football, even with regard to recent times?
If you move it, that goes away. Why fix something that’s not broken? Everytime I go down there, all the UGA fans are having a good time. This is more about the old alumni that can’t either afford or physically make the trip, the same people that DON’T contribute to the campus atmosphere or the game atmosphere.
RedRocket
September 23rd, 2009
12:02 pm
Could you imagine the amount of fist fights that would happen in downtown Athens if we played the Gators at home??
gratefuldawghead
September 23rd, 2009
12:03 pm
It wasn’t fun when the Gators came to Athens last time, but it was scary coming out of Jax last year. I saw a UGA fan get hit over the head with a beer bottle by a Florida Red Neck. It won’t matter where the game is played if Georgia doesn’t start winning more!
GO DAWGS!
Trash Man
September 23rd, 2009
12:06 pm
Can you imagine the mounds of trash that would be left on the UGA campus if all those redneck florida fans showed up? It would make the scene last game look minor—it would take weeks to clean up. Keep the game away from Athens! Move it to the Ga Dome—downtown atlanta is a dump anyway and more trash from fans will probably make it look better.
RWL
September 23rd, 2009
12:27 pm
You completely missed the boat! SEC football is about TRADITION….Georgia-Florida is special for many reasons but the main reason is tradition. AND, my friend, as far as economic impact goes….yes, Jacksonville does benefit significantly, but you FAILED to recognize that Atlanta does not need another game….(College Kickoff Classic, GT games, SEC Championship, and a Bowl Game). Additionally, The UGA-FL game brings a huge financial impact to the Georgia Coast, St. Simons Island, in particular. It is the biggest weekend of the year there and the merchants and local economy really rely on that to bouy themselves in these rough times. Your opinion and thought process is evidently not thorough…find another career.
AC
September 23rd, 2009
12:35 pm
I think it needs to stay in Jacksoville with a game in Atlanta every 3 to 4 years. I think the campus idea sucks. It would greatly favor FL in terms of home field advantage. 2 out of 3 games would be home games with one being a major advantage.
Now, if we did one in Athens and 2 in Jax, that might be even.
Justin
September 23rd, 2009
12:39 pm
I couldn’t agree more.,..just play the games at their home fields, alternating each year. Screw Jacksonville!
ugafan007
September 23rd, 2009
12:43 pm
ive been a fan for 20+ years and the uga vs uf game is not and never will be considered equal as long as its in jacksonville yes its rich in tradition being there but fair not in the least. if you want a neutral site play in alabama or something if not we should do home and home game thats the only ways to solve this. all yall complaining about it are just money grubbing punks and get over yourself s. i mean really uga haves to fly there flordia takes a less than 2 hour bus so not its not fair never has been so.
GO DAWGS
Rebel Fan
September 23rd, 2009
12:55 pm
JSS,
You are right about traditions. I grew up a SEC fan (Ole Miss, class of 2001) and tradition matters. The third weekend in Octobet was always Tenn-Bama weekend. Halloween weekend was Ole Miss-LSU. And GA-FLA was always played in Jacksonville. One of the greatest calls ever was hearing Larry Munson scream LINDSAY SCOTT! LINDSAY SCOTT! LINDSAY SCOTT! and the commentary after that where he broke the chair and talking about “All those dawg fans that have Condos on St. Simons Island.” “MAN is there going to be some proprty destroyed tonight,” I believe was the call.
That being said, however, times are changing and, unfortunately, money is talking. People are more concerned with the almighty dollar than anything else associated with colege football rivalries. After 2012, i think, OU and Texas wont play in the old Cotton Bowl becasue they are moving to the new Cowboys stadium. Why are they moving to the new stadium? Money, plain and simple.
Why not experiment with this new home, home, Ga. Dome and Jacksonville scenario. Take a 4-year stretch and say “let’s see what works.” It couldn’t hurt to try something new. If it doesn’t work? You can always go back to Jacksonville and keep playing there. The only wrinkle in the home and home scenario is to give the opposing team more than 10,000 tickets. Give them 20 or 25,000.
TS
September 23rd, 2009
12:58 pm
ugafan007- was it equal when you owned us? I believe the game has been there since the mid 30’s and you all own the series record. The tide will turn again. The series has always been UGA beating Florida when they weren’t supposed to and vice versa. That’s what makes Jacksonville.
You can’t run from a whoopin’!
JaxGator
September 23rd, 2009
12:58 pm
Moving the game would be ridiculous. I went to my first one in 1952.There is no other game with the atmosphere, tradition, and excitement as the Florida-Georgia game in Jax. I went to both campuses in 94 and 95. Not even close in excitement and fun. I have been to the Dome for all the SEC championship games that Florida has played. No great areas to tailgate and not as exciting.
The game is always listed as one of the top ten games every year; if the location is changed, then it will be just another SEC game.
Aeschylus
September 23rd, 2009
1:00 pm
Leave the game the hell alone. I know, repetitive here but this is a unique game like few (very few) others. Like Steve Spurrier once said, “they write books about this game.” It even has it’s own Hall of Fame.
Always loved the effect and atmosphere on St. Simons Island and giving UGA folks a chance to take a mini fall vacation. And finally, to you non-UGA/UF people: no, MOST UGA fans and alums are NOT whining about advantage/disadvantage. B.S.! Dooley owned the Gators and guess where each game he coached against UF took place! He even loved the fact that the last game he coached in was the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville (vs. Michigan State).
Again, leave the game the hell alone and if you don’t have a Dawg (or Gator) in the hunt, go away because we don’t care.
Darius
September 23rd, 2009
1:02 pm
I always get a good laugh when UGA fans start calling fans of other SEC schools “rednecks” … pot/kettle.
ryan
September 23rd, 2009
1:05 pm
Those of you talking about having the game in Atlanta are being ridiculous. The choices are home-home or Jacksonville. Last I checked, ATLANTA IS STILL A HORRIBLE PLACE TO HOST A COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEKEND.
The Dawgs have a fantastic road record under Richt so playing in Jax should not be a problem (thankfully for Richt’s record this game is not counted as a road game).
The game in Jax helps both team’s recruiting since it’s such a unique trip and always a nationally-televised event. Dawgs will get a couple of kids out of Jacksonville this year.
Any game formerly known as The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party should not be messed with!!
Aeschylus
September 23rd, 2009
1:11 pm
To Darius: can see the point. All of the SEC schools have “rednecks.” We ARE in the South…
That being said, I believe I can recall at least a few hundred occasions of fans from every sister school leveling the same charge at Georgia people (pot-kettle indeed).
Afternoon Grab Bag | MrSEC.com
September 23rd, 2009
1:17 pm
[...] game will continue to be played in Jacksonville after 2010.Jeff Schultz of The AJC thinks it’s time to play the game on campus.Tony Barnhart, also of The AJC, examines three “quality of life” games: South [...]
GAGirl
September 23rd, 2009
1:17 pm
After seeing what the South Carolina fans did to north campus 2 weeks ago (see pictures on ajc.com) do we really want gator fans in Athens??!!?? We don’t even really have a rivalry with USC and they trashed our campus and pooped on it??? Auburn fans did something similar 4 or 5 years ago. Gator fans are the WORST! Let them trash their own state and keep them off our beautiful campus!!!
Darius
September 23rd, 2009
1:23 pm
Aeschylus – I agree that any of the SEC schools using “rednecks” against any of the other SEC schools is pot/kettle.
GAGirl – lswho fans are the worst.
Pi$$onaDawg
September 23rd, 2009
1:41 pm
Yes, let the game come to Athens. The Athens-Clarke county police need to get some DUIs to generat money for the town. I think Gwinnett will get a few too. Gwinnett will get the hotel money and all the golf games right? There is little benefit for the game and it’s fans to have the game in Athens. South Ga. gets much needed money for that 4 day party. Shut-Up & Man-Up Dawgs then win the game. Just think it will be Halloween this year. I wonder what costume the Dawgs will wear this year? Convice stripes or just the same old repeat loser.
Pi$$onaDawg
September 23rd, 2009
1:44 pm
Sorry, Convict Stripes.
Mike T.
September 23rd, 2009
1:44 pm
Leave it just as it is now. In Jax. A tradition since 1933.
bkbroila
September 23rd, 2009
1:47 pm
Just keep the damn game in Jax and make them pay each team 5X the sweet moolah….UGA should be paid more to travel there IMO
Aeschylus
September 23rd, 2009
1:49 pm
GAGirl, I agree with your sentiments about UGA’s beautiful campus; however I must disagree with your assessment of UGA/SC. The 2 schools have a long-standing, healthy rivalry that predates their joining the SEC. I would say that UGA is SC’s second largest rivalry game next to Clemson. In fact, during the NC season in 1980, both of those schools gave UGA a couple of their most gut-wrenching games.
TechBuzz
September 23rd, 2009
1:52 pm
Waaaaa! Waaaa! Poor little dawg fans want to whimper home to athens after getting beat every year in jacksonville by those mean Gators!! Wah! Wah!! No talk about moving the game in the 70s and 80s! Typical of the whining Ga fans–can’t beat florida, move the game!! Ga fans trash their own campus–what else do you expect???
jerry
September 23rd, 2009
1:58 pm
I have a better idea. Either light a fire under Richt’s a$$ 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
))),
Bill
October 14th, 2009
4:27 pm
The Georiga Dome shouldn’t mean a home field advantage for the Dawgs. The Gators have played there more than the Bull Dogs.