Will Muschamp back in Georgia (and other nuggets)
Will Muschamp steps back over the Georgia state border tonight when he speaks at the Atlanta Gator Club. (AP photo)
First, an update: No moving vans spotted at Philips Arena yet.
Now, back to college football.
Will Muschamp makes his triumphant return to Georgia, although probably not how some Bulldogs fans once envisioned. He is speaking at the Atlanta Gator Club tonight. As a Gator.
I’ll be there and will have a chance to speak to the new Florida coach beforehand his talk to Florida fans, so if you have something in particular you would like to know — other than, “How can you do this to us?” — let me know.
Anyway, given tonight’s plans, I thought a college football appetizer this morning would be appropriate. Let’s start with …
♦ 1. Are the Gators going to be a “disappointment”?
ESPN.com did kind of a strange poll, asking readers what will be the most disappointing team in the SEC next season. The thing is, fans were asked to choose from only these five schools: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi State, South Carolina. ESPN’s explanation: “There are a handful of teams that could compete for the SEC title this fall and a few who could be in the thick of the national title hunt toward the end of the season. But there aren’t enough spots for everyone and in the wacky world of sports, one team will fail to live up to the hype.” They excluded Georgia. Complain to them, not me. After more than 38,000 votes, here are the results: 1. Florida (35 percent); 2. South Carolina (27 percent); 3. Arkansas (16 percent); 4. Alabama (12 percent); 5. Mississippi State (11 percent).
♦ 2. Spurrier extending Garcia ANOTHER lifeline?
South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia has been suspended five times in his college career, most recently for showing up at leadership seminar after having been drinking alcohol in April. At that time, he was suspended indefinitely. But when asked at a Gamecocks’ fan festival if Garcia would be back in the fall, coach Steve Spurrier said: “Stephen Garcia, in all likelihood, will probably maybe be given another chance if he behaves himself the way he should. I think he still has to do some things here in the next couple of months to prove worthy of being a student-athlete at South Carolina.” Probably maybe. That’s about as definite as it gets.
♦ 3.Mel Kiper likes the ACC and SEC
Kiper’s first 2012 “Big Board” is out. Of the 25 players on the board, 13 are from either the SEC (five) or ACC (eight). Here’s the list of players, with Kiper’s analysis of the SEC and ACC players. There are no Georgia or Georgia Tech players on the list.
1. Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford. 2. Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina. (Analysis: They haven’t been lacking defensive talent in Chapel Hill. Coples is next in line, a gifted pass-rusher suited to be a pure 4-3 defensive end at the next level.) 3. Matt Kalil, OT, USC. 4. Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina. (Analysis: A perpetual mismatch, Jeffery has been unstoppable since he got to campus. A huge target, makes all the catches and shows surprising burst, given such a huge frame at wideout.) 5. Matt Barkley, QB, USC. 6. Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford. 7. Justin Blackmon, WR, Oregon State. 8. Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State. 9. Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama. (Analysis: One of three players on the Crimson Tide to crack the Board. Great length for the position. Kirpatrick is solid technically and well-schooled.) 10. Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma. 11. Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa. 12. Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State. 13. Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama. (Analysis: A physical freak, I see Richardson as a better overall pro prospect than former teammate Mark Ingram. Explosive and so hard to tackle.) 14. Donte Paige-Moss, DE, North Carolina. (Analysis: He’s bigger than a lot of people have him listed. Paige-Moss gets a bump here because he exploded in the second half of 2010. He needs to carry that momentum into 2011.) 15. Cliff Harris, CB, Oregon. 16. Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College. (Analysis: Dependable tackling machine, Kuechly’s tape shines. Makes great reads, sees the play developing, sheds blockers well and has a ton of experience in just two years.) 17. Jayron Hosley, CB, Virginia Tech. (Analysis: One of the most instinctive corners I’ve ever seen. Led the nation in interceptions and seems to have a sixth sense on routes.) 18. Ray-Ray Armstrong, S, Miami. (Analysis: Currently the top safety on the Board. Armstrong has seen the field plenty in just two seasons. Good size, takes good routes and can play near the line.) 19. Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina. (Analysis: Another SEC corner with good size, Gilmore has played well against some top competition. Well-schooled, he has a chance to move up the Board this season.) 20. Manti Te’o, LB, Notre Dame. 21. Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia. (Analysis: The last corner on the Board, Minnifield has been dependable and was the best corner on a team that saw Ras-I Dowling drafted early in 2011.) 22. Jared Crick, DT, Nebraska. 23. Marcus Forston, DT, Miami. (Analysis: A big-time recruit, Forston has continued to develop and could move up the Board if he adds consistency. Dominant at times, but has had some off games, too.) 24. Andre Branch, DE, Clemson. (Analysis: Another defensive end coming out of Death Valley, Branch can get to the passer and has a lot of experience, and will be a fifth-year senior in 2011.) 25. Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama. (Analysis: A solid linebacker, another in a very talented Bama defensive unit. Upshaw saw the field as a freshman and has continued to progress.)
♦ 4. Harvey Updyke vs. Mother Nature
In case you missed it, a grand jury issued six new indictments against accused Auburn tree poisoner Harvey Updyke, possibly the dumbest human being on the face of the earth, who allegedly poisoned the historic oak trees at Toomer’s Corner. Personally, I’m not pushing for Updyke to get sentenced for 20-to-life. But I do think he should be forced to spend the entire 2011 football season wearing a Cam Newton jersey. Also maybe have him stand at Toomer’s Corner and let Tigers fans “TP” him for 30 straight days.
♦ 5. And speaking of Cam Newton . . .
Jim Tressel, who may be circling the NCAA drain at Ohio State, has hired the Birmingham lawfirm of Lightfoot, Franklin and White. That’s the same firm that represented Auburn during the Newton investigation. Gene Marsh, the attorney who will represent Tressel, used to work for the NCAA infractions committee. The lesson here: It’s a lot more profitable working for the accused.
By Jeff Schultz
♦
– Earlier: Forget Hawks, Thrashers — J.B. Smith has other issues
– Earlier: Hawks’ decision to bring back Rick Sund was expected
Follow me on Twitter @JeffSchultzAJC; friend meat Facebook.com/JeffSchultzAJC
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193 comments Add your comment
schmeckdawg
May 19th, 2011
3:15 pm
John
May 19th, 2011
2:52 pm
This is Spurrier y’all, are you really surprised that Garcia is back? I’m not. The guy has proven that he has no morals.
SHOCKER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PMC
May 19th, 2011
3:17 pm
Courtney Upshaw sure would look good in a Falcons Uniform.
schmeckdawg
May 19th, 2011
3:17 pm
John
May 19th, 2011
2:52 pm
This is Spurrier y’all, are you really surprised that Garcia is back? I’m not. The guy has proven that he has no morals.
And people want to RAG on CMR for lack of discipline! Give me a freakin’ break!!!!!!!!
Buckeye
May 19th, 2011
3:19 pm
For those of you who responded with kind words….,
Schultz is the one that brought up the days old Tressel story, not me.
Record vs. UGA? Played once in the John Cooper era, I believe, and lost. Big whoop.
National Championships? More than uga and more recent that uga.
BCS Games/wins? More than uga and more recent that uga.
Go re-read the Mandel quote…………..and remember,
FEAR THE VEST
Buckeye
May 19th, 2011
3:21 pm
Lattimore is going to show The Annointed One II how it’s done. Man vs. boy.
If the workd doens’t end this weekend, it will surely end when the final seconds tick down and uga’s dream team is 0-2.
JB
May 19th, 2011
3:23 pm
If Georgia played OSU’s schedule the last 10 years, Richt would end up in the Hall of Fame. Just like Peterson at Boise, and I don’t doubt they have a decent team, But Vandy would win 10 a year playing that Schedule . The SEC is Physical, speed and great coaching and Athletes. There are no Saturday’s off in this league.
DIT
May 19th, 2011
3:26 pm
@schmeckdawg
No kidding. People love ragging on CMR when he disciplines when necessary. People just think that Spurrier is just colorful when he does not. I’ll take CMR over Spurrier anyday!
JB
May 19th, 2011
3:26 pm
And it’s why 90% of high profile National games on National televised games every weekend involve a SEC team. There is a reason.
JB
May 19th, 2011
3:28 pm
Buckeye………….You and guy predicting the end are about the same………Fools. You don’t who is gonna win what until it’s done and over. Go think of ways to defend that cheating cesspool program at OSU. They need you.
Sick 'em
May 19th, 2011
3:29 pm
Y’all remember when the two traditional Big 10 giants, Ohio State and Michigan, played the self-titled Game of the Century at the end of 2006? After rolling through the Big 10, these 2 teams were ranked 1 and 2 nationally. Ohio State won a nailbiter by 3 points. If only the season had ended there, things would’ve been dandy in Big 10 land. But they had to play non-conference teams in their bowl games: Michigan got rolled by USC 32-18, and Florida destroyed Ohio State 41-14. And to think that the arrogant Big 10 argued that Ohio State and Michigan should’ve played a rematch for the national championship!
schmeckdawg
May 19th, 2011
3:30 pm
DawginLex
May 19th, 2011
1:31 pm
Can’t wait to see Muschamp and Weis at each other’s throats when that 400 LB blob of an OC starts with his ego trip.
CHARLIE WEIS
DESTROYER OF ALL YOU CAN EAT BUFFETS AND MAJOR COLLEGE FOOTBALL PROGRAMS
How could YOU be so WRONG?????????? He’s a 500 lb. blob!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Keep Hunkerin’!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
John
May 19th, 2011
3:31 pm
Good to see Suck…I’m mean Buckeye on here posting his continual mindless dribble. Go find an OSU blog. No one really cares what you say or think on here, note: mindles dribble, Vandy would win 8-9 games a year with OSU’s schedule.
Buckeye
May 19th, 2011
3:31 pm
dawg gone,
Three words today: built ford tough
schmeckdawg
May 19th, 2011
3:34 pm
@Buckeye
Where are you going to go when the NCAA-holes drop the hammer on the “vest” and your beloved program??????
Maybe you will hit The Joke By Coke sites!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
dawgster
May 19th, 2011
3:34 pm
Well, I see the classless SSlgator has chimed in again…You have to feel sorry for him as he is an angry little man in my opinion based on his obsession of bashing the dawgs and Coach Richt every chance he gets…He seems obsessed with the UGA progarm, for some reason…sounds like he is envy of us….but I expect he will continue to enhance us with his absurd remarks and his little knowledge of football…Of course its easy to do that sitting behind the comfort of your computer….
UGA Man
May 19th, 2011
3:35 pm
What’s sad is seeing Dawgs turn on Muschamp. Come on – that’s weak. He’s still a former Dawg captain. No, you don’t have to wish him success in Gainesville, but all this @#$% Muschamp stuff is embarrassing.
Buckeye
May 19th, 2011
3:37 pm
JB,
Not going to engage with you regarding “that cheating cesspool” comment other than to say many a fine student athlete has suited up in the scarlett and gray. Eddie George is a perfect example who aside from winning the Heisman, was just named to the college football HOF. I will not write off the hundreds for the stupidity of a few. I know you know the names.
P.S. It’s not 1980 anymore.
P.S.S. Cesspool – you’re not referring to the uga fan base urinating/deficating on your own campus are you?
P.S.S.S. Or, are you referring to the tons of litter you leave behind after your drunken “built ford tough” football saturdays?
Buckeye
May 19th, 2011
3:37 pm
I want a nickle for everytime Win With’s little hair whisp blows in the breeze this coming season – then maybe I could afford the product that helps keep it in place.
schmeckdawg
May 19th, 2011
3:37 pm
dawgster
May 19th, 2011
3:34 pm
Well, I see the classless SSlgator has chimed in again…You have to feel sorry for him as he is an angry little man in my opinion based on his obsession of bashing the dawgs and Coach Richt every chance he gets…He seems obsessed with the UGA progarm, for some reason…sounds like he is envy of us….but I expect he will continue to enhance us with his absurd remarks and his little knowledge of football…Of course its easy to do that sitting behind the comfort of your computer….
dawgster,
He is angry because he has gaytor arms and is frustrated because he can’t reach his unit to yank it!!
Sorry AJC!!!!!!!!
dawgster
May 19th, 2011
3:39 pm
And by the way SSlgator…for the record.,..I dispise having to say negative things about you or anyone else, especially as I have no clue to what their story is, but you continue to bash our program so expect some true dawg fans to defend our program whether we have problems or not, why not concentrate your efforts on your gator program….Don’t believe you had alot to brag about last year either…however, you did beat us so I guess that gives you the right to bash us….go dawgs
schmeckdawg
May 19th, 2011
3:42 pm
dawgster
dawgster, don’t you and every other DAWG wish these sites were out when we were playing the gaytors when Dooley was coaching?
They wouldn’t be able to open their mouthes!!!!!!!!
John
May 19th, 2011
3:42 pm
@Buckeye
Nice come back there at JB. What a maroon! (Not moron, I’m being kind here) Obviously you are not bright enough to come up with your own material so you just piggy back off others.
“Not going to engage with you regarding “that cheating cesspool” comment.”
Yet you did?? Sound like a little techie on here talking about a cesspool (I know you are, but what am I….sniff, sniff) Let me take that back about the techie thing. I apologize to the tech fan base out there for that was not fair to you. Go away Suckeye!
DawginLex
May 19th, 2011
3:43 pm
Buckeye,
Tressel got the dreaded “vote of confidence” from Gene Smith.
That normally would be a death knell but considering he works for Tressel, it was just sucking up to the boss.
Cue the Godfather Theme Song right about now in the background
DawginLex
May 19th, 2011
3:44 pm
Don’t bash SSIGator.
The SSI stands for Social Security Income.
He doesn’t remember where he posted last!!!!!!!!!!
Irk
May 19th, 2011
3:45 pm
Coach Richt is telling us his new back needs to learn to pass block so I assume Coach does not believe the world will end this Sat. and there will be football in the fall
schmeckdawg
May 19th, 2011
3:45 pm
UGA Man
May 19th, 2011
3:35 pm
What’s sad is seeing Dawgs turn on Muschamp. Come on – that’s weak. He’s still a former Dawg captain. No, you don’t have to wish him success in Gainesville, but all this @#$% Muschamp stuff is embarrassing.
Embarrassing for who? Screw Muschump!!!!!!! And just for s*&^s and giggles, you can throw Kirby Smart in there too!!!
John
May 19th, 2011
3:46 pm
Come the end of September, Buckeye will no longer be on this blog because his beloved suckeyes will have lost 3 by then. Enjoy UGA’s record of tis past year this coming Fall. Count on it!
DIT
May 19th, 2011
3:47 pm
“Coach Richt is telling us his new back needs to learn to pass block so I assume Coach does not believe the world will end this Sat. and there will be football in the fall.”
GOOD ONE!
Buckeye
May 19th, 2011
3:48 pm
John,
Vandy is going to surprise a few folks this year…mark my words.
If Win With is still hangin after the 0-2 start, imagine losing to Vandy!!!
schmeckdawg
May 19th, 2011
3:52 pm
Buckeye
May 19th, 2011
3:48 pm
John,
Vandy is going to surprise a few folks this year…mark my words.
If Win With is still hangin after the 0-2 start, imagine losing to Vandy!!!
Yeah, you want to play the what if game *uckeye what would have happened to you little nellies if Scumbag Tressel and the NCAA would have known the TRUTH about your players and kicked them to the curb before The Sugar Bowl? You still would 0 fer against the SEC!!!!!!!! You dirt bags!!! By the way, Tressel is done!
DawginLex
May 19th, 2011
3:53 pm
Vandy can go 5-7 and lose to UGA. They would throw a parade in Nallyville
DIT
May 19th, 2011
3:53 pm
Now you have my attention Buckeye. I don’t see Vandy being that much better. What do you see that will make them better?
Buckeye
May 19th, 2011
3:54 pm
John,
Unless you want to buy my house at 2007 prices, I’m not going anywhere.
I just like to pop up every now and again to let dogs like you know I’m still here.
If not for me, you’d only have poor little ol tech to pick on because every one else in the SEC! SEC! kicks your arse.
schmeckdawg
May 19th, 2011
3:54 pm
Check that, Tressel knew, he just didn’t tell the WORTHLESS NCAA-holes!
Buckeye
May 19th, 2011
3:54 pm
dit,
Coach, brains and attitude w/ an emphasis on Coach, brains and attitude.
Buckeye
May 19th, 2011
3:56 pm
schmeck,
My worst nightmare, back to 0-10. In all honesty, it’s gonna happen. I’ve got a copyright filed for the t-shirts. Figured they’d sell better down here than up there.
Tressel gone? I said he’d resign sooner than later. It’s later. Don’t see it happening.
Hell, Clinton was getting hummed in the Oval Office. He was neither impeached nor resigned.
schmeckdawg
May 19th, 2011
3:58 pm
@Buckeye
I really do feel terrible that Tressle “didn’t know who to tell” about his players, like the President, AD, janitor, coed, the Home Economic Teacher, the obituary writer at the Columbus paper, the nine million people that work for Wendy’s, Inc. et al. I know it just had to keep him up at night!!!!! SCUMBAG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DIT
May 19th, 2011
3:58 pm
I was not trying to be a smart alleck(sp). I was just curious what you are seeing. Honestly, what you stated will not make Vandy better this year. If you want to get into pissing contest, the part about “emphasis on Coach” would be one that is better than OSU’s coach. Heck just about all College Coaches are smarter than Tressel these days. He put y’all in a pretty deep hole that will be tough to come out of for some time. “Brains & attitude?’ Well, if that’s what you call brains & attitude, you can kepp it.
Vandy will win 5 games, UGA will not be one of them, and everything will be good in Nashville. I like Vandy, great academic school, but I don’t see the football team doing any better than last year. Could be wrong!
dawgster
May 19th, 2011
3:59 pm
@shcmeckdawg….,agree 100% with your comments…What gets me about this guy is the dawgs have not really been relevant in this series for a number of years, so it makes you wonder why he even gives us the time of day or is so concerned about our program….go dawgs
THE Dixie Redcoat Band
May 19th, 2011
4:01 pm
It’s fun reading the billboards on I 94 in Ann Arbor….”lia liar..vest on fire”.
schmeckdawg
May 19th, 2011
4:04 pm
Buckeye
May 19th, 2011
3:56 pm
schmeck,
My worst nightmare, back to 0-10. In all honesty, it’s gonna happen. I’ve got a copyright filed for the t-shirts. Figured they’d sell better down here than up there.
Tressel gone? I said he’d resign sooner than later. It’s later. Don’t see it happening.
Hell, Clinton was getting hummed in the Oval Office. He was neither impeached nor resigned.
Clinton was indeed impeached sir. And as a Southerner and college football being a religion in these parts, what Tressel has done is a WHOLE LOT WORSE that what Slick Willy did!!!!!!! Hell, if you look at Hillary that is a no brainer!!!!!!!!! Tressel has no excuse! Bwahahahahaahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!
schmeckdawg
May 19th, 2011
4:05 pm
Buckeye, do you know me because only my “friends” know me a Schmeck…no joke!
schmeckdawg
May 19th, 2011
4:06 pm
meant as…sorry!
schmeckdawg
May 19th, 2011
4:09 pm
Buckeye,
You know what the worst part of y’all getting busted is? That scumbag Bobby Petrino is going to get another win on his record…thanks alot!!!!!!
Signed,
The Atlanta Falcons
Leg humpers are forgetting one key fact of history
May 19th, 2011
4:10 pm
Richt was even owned by Ron Zook, so don’t get your hopes up too much over Muschamp and Charlie Weis.
ga gator
May 19th, 2011
4:11 pm
And the fun begins. Interesting that US 441 runs between Gainesville and Athens.
schmeckdawg
May 19th, 2011
4:24 pm
Leg humpers are forgetting one key fact of history
May 19th, 2011
4:10 pm
Richt was even owned by Ron Zook, so don’t get your hopes up too much over Muschamp and Charlie Weis.
THAT’S GONNA LEAVE A MARK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dawg Gone
May 19th, 2011
4:27 pm
Buckeye 3 words for you …Sit Five Games….
Get outta here
May 19th, 2011
4:32 pm
Speaking of who’s done what lately, GA Tech has won a football national championship a lot more recently than UG-Athens.
schmeckdawg
May 19th, 2011
4:35 pm
Get outta here
May 19th, 2011
4:32 pm
Speaking of who’s done what lately, GA Tech has won a football national championship a lot more recently than UG-Athens.
EWWWWWWWWWWWW, that’s a good one. At least we didn’t have any blemishes on our record. Y’all had to tie a really crappy UNC team to remain undefeated!!!!!!!
Be proud little Buzzy!!!!!!