Stuffed Predictions: Dogs over Jackets; LSU and Bama roll

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Hello and welcome to that special time of year, and I speak of course of when we overindulge on turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, potatoes au gratin, Mr. Potato, potato chips and onion dip, creamed corn, that string-bean-mushroom soup-Styrofoam-onion-ring thing that nobody really eats but the dog loves it when you mix it in his kibble, probably something with cheese, rolls (three kinds), margarine (light) and three to seven desserts, after which we fall face down in our plate of Cool Whip remnants and lapse into a tryptophan coma … until we wake up at 3:45 a.m. and scream, “NOOO! I OVERSLEPT! Play-doh goes on sale at Toy Zoo for 39 cents in 15 minutes! Where are my keys!?!” And then you take one step and suddenly there’s a strange jingling sound coming from your stomach.

If you're in this picture, you really need to get a life.

If you're in this picture, you really need to get a life.

By the way, if you go to Walmart on Black Friday, just don’t tell Paul Johnson, or he might punch you. (Actually, after Johnson mocked a barking Georgia fan on his call-in show, saying, “He just got off from Walmart,” I had this vision of Johnson’s version of Hades: Handing out happy face stickers as a greeter .)

So here we are again: It’s Georgia (Tech) vs. Georgia (Tech). (You decide which school goes first. I’m Switzerland. Or Snellville.)

Georgia has the advantage of a better defense. But it has the disadvantage of every running back always seemingly injured, suspended or sufficiently numbed.

Georgia Tech has the advantage of a running game that Georgia hasn’t really stopped in three years. But it has suffered from the hiccups of youth and just allowed 31 points to Duke.

If Tech wins, Johnson may smile.

If Georgia wins, I figure the Richts get to at least second base.

Ever see that famous kiss scene in, “From Here to Eternity?” Get ready for Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr on the Georgia sideline.

Pucker up: Dogs win and cover 6.

Mark and Katharyn (or Burt and Deborah)

Hey! He got two!

Black Friday Blowouts!

(Guaranteed until 3:15 a.m.)

(Too late)

I wonder if Nick Saban also branded this on players' foreheads?

Wonder if Saban branded this on players' foreheads?

Arkansas at LSU: The Piggies think they can pull the upset, but I don’t see how getting waxed by Alabama 38-14 puts you in the same category as LSU (which beat Alabama). Rest easy, BCS. Tigers win but take Arkansas and 12½.

Alabama at Auburn: Bama blew a 24-0 lead to Auburn in Tuscaloosa last year and lost 28-27. Nick Saban probably still remembers the deli guy who accidentally put mayo on his turkey sandwich 37 years ago, you think he’s forgetting this? He even had a “Never Again” poster with images of the scoreboard and Cam Newton plastered on the locker room wall. Duck. Tide covers 21.

Clemson at South Carolina: Clemson has gone from BCS contender to getting dropped by Georgia Tech and N.C. State and beating Wake Forest by a field goal. For about seven minutes, they had everybody fooled. Gamecocks cover 4½.

Florida St. at Florida: Urban Meyer claims he hasn’t had coaching relations with Ohio State, at least not as he defines it, which should not to be confused with the truth. Just wondering: Given that gut-wrenching, emotional exit from Gainesville, will there be a “quality family time” clause in his new contract? Seminoles cover 2½.

It’s Urban Meyer as “Tommy Flanagan”

Laid An Egg Bowl: I’m not sure why Ole Miss subjected its fan base to extra weeks of Houston Nutt. Does masochism now qualify as a tax deduction? Miss State covers 17½.

Boston College at Miami: Miami president Donna Shalala didn’t consult with Al Golden before declaring the Hurricanes dead for bowl season, which is fine with Golden because he had planned to meet with realtors in State College that week, anyway. Canes work out their anger, cover 14.

NFL Fridge Pack

If Mike Mularkey is looking for a way to pass the time ...

If Mike Mularkey is looking for a way to pass the time ...

Minnesota at Falcons: The Vikings got themselves back into the Andrew Luck sweepstakes by breaking Adrian Peterson’s ankle. At least, that’s the story I’m going with. Biggest question this week is whether Matt “No Huddle” Ryan let Mike Mularkey call any plays Sunday. Birds cover 9½.

Gainesville West at San Diego: Tebowmaniacs are mad at Denver exec John Elway because he refused to pledge his undying devotion to Tim Tebow. So I guess this means winning two Super Bowls and being recognized as one of the 10 best quarterbacks in NFL history doesn’t qualify somebody as an expert. Blasphemy! Chargers cover 6½.

Buffalo at N.Y. Jets: Rex Ryan’s stock has dropped so much, his wife just put her socks on. (Lost? Google.) Jets win but take Buffalo and 8.

Sorry, I just had to revisit this

Chicago at Oaktown: Jay Cutler is out with a broken thumb. Bears fans are irate. This makes two straight years he ducked out for something less kidney failure. For the love of Nagurski. Raiders cover 4½.

New England at Dream Team: The Eagles have won one in a row and LeSean McCoy thinks they can run the table and make the playoffs. Is there drug testing this week? Patriots cover 3.

Important “Sack Schultz” update: Congrats to Tony Vinelli (brother of Milli?), who won tickets to the Georgia-Georgia Tech game. He is 143-37 to this point. There are four contestants tied for first for the Hawaii trip and 27 folks within two of the lead going into the final week! I’m in 3,080th place. I think that means I have to drive the winner to the airport and feed their dog while they’re gone.

Toteboard
fbgamble“No wife can endure a gambling husband, unless he is a steady winner.”  — Thomas Robert Dewar.

Last week (hot garbage): 9-2 straight up, 2-8-1 against the line.

Overall (still profitable): 99-39 straight up; 78-58-2 against the line.

By Jeff Schultz

Follow me on Twitter (@JeffSchultzAJC). Friend me on Facebook (Facebook.com/JeffSchultzAJC).

331 comments Add your comment

Spike

November 24th, 2011
7:18 am

We Run This State.

BCSstinks

November 24th, 2011
7:20 am

RedandBlackDawg, GT faces defenses every game that are larger then there offensive line. Learn the sport of Football before you speak, please.

Saban

November 24th, 2011
7:25 am

DAwgs going down. Then LSU hangs 50 on them in the SEC Championship game.

Nothing new. Richt gets another contract, I get another national Championship.

At least the dawgs are 5 points better than Vanderbilt.

gtne80

November 24th, 2011
7:37 am

Each year at this time, I try to look at the year’s COFH match-up and logically determine, based on the year’s collective bodies of work which team is most likely to win. This year, I’ve tried to decide whether Tech can even make it competitive enought to bother to watch.

My conclusion, No. Anyone trying to predict a Tech win is not basing their conclusion on logic. Yes, UGA has on occasion played down to their level of competition when they have lacked motivation (e.g., Kentucky). However, when the opponent was one that inspired effort from the get-go, they have proven solid (e.g., Auburn). UGA will not be flat. They will not be looking ahead to the SECCG. They will take care of business against Tech.

Tech’s defense has been consistently porous all year. Teams that chose to focus on the run have been able to run with dominance. Those that wanted to pass have been able to pass. Tech’s inability to put Duke away in the second half last week is a microcosm of the season. Renfree and his cadre of receivers are an order of magnitude less talented than UGA’s Murray and his corps. Yet Renfree was allowed to pass 42 times without a single sack and very few “hurries.”

UGA’s defense is a tad undisciplined, but ultimately athletic and fast. Tech may be able to move the ball on occasion and may even fall into one or two big plays, but ultimately they won’t be able to sustain the ball control needed to neutralize the UGA offense by keeping them on the sidelines.

And that’s not even considering the debacle that is Tech’s “special” teams….

My conclusion, UGA by 17.

As a serious Tech fan, while I know it is unlikely to happen, I’m beginning to advocate that this end-of-year game go away. With the expansion of both conferences likely adding another in-conference game to each team’s regular season slate, it might be time to hang this one up. UGA could move an in-conference rival to the end of their schedule (maybe Florida?) and Tech could move the Clemson game to the end of the year (same considerations apply for USC and Clemson needing to clear a slot on their respective schedules).

Vain Jangling

November 24th, 2011
7:40 am

Quick everyone! We’ve no time to spare! Everyone, work together! We’ve got to get Rex Ryan back into the water! If these things stay beached too long they dry out and die! Oh the humanity! . . . Wait . . .On second thought, we could just go get a beer and then sometime next week load him up with too much dynamite like those whacky Taiwanese. Talk about flying blubber . . . Yeah, let’s just do that.

Tater Tot

November 24th, 2011
7:50 am

I sure am glad i got to come home from Dallas,Tx. to beautiful South Georgia. Wishing everyone on here a Happy Thanksgiving.

GO DAWGS !!!

Strange Murphy

November 24th, 2011
7:57 am

I see the idiot Vick fans are still posting. Morons need to get over it.

dale morphy

November 24th, 2011
7:58 am

For most Georgia fans this game is at best the 2nd or 3rd most important game of the year (behind Florida and Auburn). Depending on what part of the state you’re from the South Carolina or Tennessee games are also more important. However, don’t overlook the effect this game has on in-state recruiting. Georgia’s recent dominance in this rivalry has had alot to do with their recruiting dominance in Georgia high schools.

cloudodust

November 24th, 2011
8:02 am

Margarine? Who eats margarine on any day especially Thanksgiving Day rolls? That just ain’t American. This country was founded on butter. When the Pilgrims landed, the first thing they did after off-loading the Mayflower was to sit down with the Indians, salt and BUTTER an ear of corn and called it Thanks For The Meal. We Were Growing Tired Of Pickled Herring. And Hot Buttered Rum. Nobody tried to pinch a calorie making Hot Margarined Rum. Besides, even the Pilgrims knew that if we were to die of clogged arteries, it’s best to please the taste buds in the process and that pleasure is derived from churned cream, not lab created imitations. Oh, and good luck to all this weekend.

BCSstinks

November 24th, 2011
8:06 am

gtne80, I have to ask what you have based this on? GT is sitting at 8-3 in a season that most predicted they would maybe win 6 games at best. Yes, teams have been able to run on them most of the time but they have also stepped up when they needed to and won a few games because of the defense. They shut a very high powered Clemson offense down that at the time was on fire. Clemson has more play makers and speed on the offensive side of the ball then UGAG does. Granted, when you look at this game and the athletes GT does not compare but stranger things have happened.

As far as Georgia’s Defense, how good are they really? For the first time this year they will play a team with a top 20 or even top 30 offense. UGAG played probably the easiest schedule in FBS this year, so do not jump the gun.

Super Committee

November 24th, 2011
8:08 am

It is facinating to see Tek fans spend so much time trying to prove the Dawgs haven’t played anyone so their defense is over rated but they run up yardage on the like of two Div 2 schools and Kansas so that makes their offnese #15 in the country.. It works both way boys

Kool-AidDrinker

November 24th, 2011
8:10 am

Next thing you know the “inbreed nation” (UGA fans) will be thinking they can whip LSU when they can’t win Saturday. I guess after Saturday GT will be the SEC East Champions. Nothing special about the SEC except for about 3 teams and the ‘dawg dookies” are not one of them. UGA extremely lucky to beat Vandy—UF had the worst team in decades and UGA had to come from behind and barely won. That is some powerful Kool-Aid the “inbreed nation” is downing!!!

Vain Jangling

November 24th, 2011
8:12 am

Mmmm . . . Butter . . .

Super Committee

November 24th, 2011
8:13 am

Tek will come out fired up and play a good first half… then the size, speed and depth difference will show up as the Dawgs slowly pull away and win……….. as usual…. tek fans hope is a powerful thing but when you are tek the outcome is always the same

Super Committee

November 24th, 2011
8:14 am

kool-aid… your envy is showing…

Super Committee

November 24th, 2011
8:15 am

kool-aid… if Duke csan put 31 on tek… how many will the Dawgs score.. can you count that high?

BCSstinks

November 24th, 2011
8:19 am

Super Committee, if you knew anything about GT then you would know they play a better 2nd half then a 1st half. In other words if they have the lead at the half UGAG is in trouble

Super Committee

November 24th, 2011
8:20 am

GTne80…… I agree with everything you said most sensible comment made on this blog

Kool-AidDrinker

November 24th, 2011
8:21 am

Hey Super——Nothing to envy in or around Athens unless everyone wants to have the same blood line. Can’t wait to see the dookies with their tails tucked between there legs as they exit on Saturday afternoon knowing there will be more coming in Atlanta the next week.

gtne80

November 24th, 2011
8:22 am

@BCSstinks – Yes, Tech beat Clemson but after last week’s shellacking by NCState, one has to wonder just how big of an accomplishment that really was. Maybe the Duke ugliness was a function of lack of motivation or overconfidence. That game required Tech to bring their own motivation. But go back another week and look coldly and unemotionally at how (un)competitive were we in our biggest game this year (i.e., Virginia Tech)? That game was at home on a Thursday night. We had everything to gain (potential ACCCG berth) in that game and we laid an egg.

Super Committee

November 24th, 2011
8:22 am

BCS… I have watched several tek games this year and the Duke game is the most recent evidence that you don’t know what you are talking about

Super Committee

November 24th, 2011
8:25 am

kool-aid…you have to resort to insults because… you can’t think of anything else to say or you are immature or you are insecure or your just tired of losing to UGA

Super Committee

November 24th, 2011
8:27 am

kool-aide… you didn’t answer my question… If Duke can score 31… what will UGA score… question to hard?

Kool-AidDrinker

November 24th, 2011
8:27 am

No, I resort to insults because my life sucks.

Kool-AidDrinker

November 24th, 2011
8:28 am

Yes, tough question. Maybe 49?

Kool-AidDrinker

November 24th, 2011
8:30 am

Super—Here’s one for you—If Vandy can put up 28 and UF 20 (worst team UF may have ever had) how many do you think GT will put up–of course a basket weaving major can’t count that high. . You guys will never dispose of the arrogance you are consumed with. If you think AU had a good team you are drinking the Kool-Aid big time.

Super Committee

November 24th, 2011
8:30 am

Kool- aide… you didn’t even graduate from Tek did you…

Larry

November 24th, 2011
8:31 am

Jeff,

Happy Thanksgiving to you and all the good bloggers!

Larry

TampaGator

November 24th, 2011
8:32 am

What does Urban Meyer have to do with the Florida-FSU game? Nothing. And that is what the game is this year, almost means nothing, except to the two teams and the fans of the two teams. But the fact remains, these are two very disappointing teams playing out the year and looking to a brighter future.

Georgia wins easily over Tech. Georgia is just too fast and big for them. And more talented.

LSU’s defense shuts down Arkansas and wins by at least 10. It IS all about the D.

Bama crushes a bad Auburn team. All about the D at Bama and all about Auburn not having one.

And Clemson returns to their better multiple personality and whips South Carolina.

And whatever happened to the Vikings? Falcons win! Falcons win!

Super Committee

November 24th, 2011
8:33 am

Kool-aide you answered a question with a question….man you have some real anger management issues… maybe you should seek professional help….you still haven’t answered my question.. are you afraid of the answer?

Switzerland

November 24th, 2011
8:33 am

gtne80-

Pretty thoughtful analysis and I’d say I probably (although relectantly) agree. However, I’d much rather see a competitve game.

You have to wonder how all the talk and action on conference expansion will affect these cross-conference, end-of-season rivalry games. While I’d hate to see them go away, you have to wonder if Tech wouldn’t be better off without it.

It seems that this game is largely for the Atlanta and North Georgia fan base, just as Florida is more meaningful to South Georgia, Auburn for West and West Central Georgia, South Carolina for East Georgia, etc., etc.

In my 40 plus years of following it, the folks in South Georgia don’t follow the Tech rivalry that closely anway (Tech doesn’t seem to fare well recruiting there, largely because the South Georgia kids, players and students, don’t or can’t get into Tech……at least they didn’t when I was there).

Must be a bummer for the Tech program ending the season (most years) with a loss against a school where they have a real recruiting disadvantage.

Super Committee

November 24th, 2011
8:33 am

I understand now. I was wrong to think I had a clue about anything. My favorite hobby is collecting comic books–so I like Sci-fi.

Kool Aid

November 24th, 2011
8:36 am

I’ll be surprised if UGA scores over 24 points–but 24 won’t beat 38, even with the math they teach in Athens. So Super –now you answer my question.

Super Committee

November 24th, 2011
8:36 am

kool- aide you clearly suffer from low self-esteem..this UGA /Tek thing is affecting your personality. Maybe you should give it a rest for a couple of years until you recover.. gotta go now… but I’ll be back to check on you…

Al Groh

November 24th, 2011
8:37 am

Where did I leave my dentures?

Al Groh

November 24th, 2011
8:37 am

Where are my Depends. I may need those.

Super Committee

November 24th, 2011
8:37 am

Tek will score 24… UGA will score 42. UGA> Duke

Tony

November 24th, 2011
8:38 am

The Tech-Dawgs game is for fun. I’m a Tech fan and I certainly want them to win however it’s not a matter of life and death. The economy is a mess; a war with families losing homes and jobs. The reality is that Georgia should win every year because they have all of those 4 and 5 star athletes, although the last few years they have greatly underachieved considering their talent level. Tech has mainly 2 and 3 star atheletes. To say we’re number one is kind of silly considering your talent pool. Tech continues to give up big numbers in the passing game and they have way too many turnovers against Georgia each year which kills our chances to win. We wish everyone a Happpy and safe Thanksgiving. God bless America!

Al Groh

November 24th, 2011
8:38 am

Where’s my playbook? Oh, nevermind, probably wouldn’t do any good anyway.

Al Groh

November 24th, 2011
8:39 am

If this gig doesn’t work out I guess I could be a Walmart greeter with those UGA fans.

Pjs Manboobs

November 24th, 2011
8:41 am

So, BCSstinksstinks thinks we keep score by who does the most with the least ability? PJ will never get many good recruits because of his system, which he has far more loyalty to than Tech. After O’Brien is gone from NC State, he will be headed that way.

Al Groh

November 24th, 2011
8:41 am

I may just put myself out of my own misery and get into with Todd Grantham after the game.

roughrider

November 24th, 2011
8:44 am

I just hope that losing Saturday’s game does not damage Tech’s psyche to where they lose another bowl game.How many have they lost in a row now?

buckheaddawg

November 24th, 2011
8:44 am

AJC, you guys should really clean these “blogs” up. Otherwise it’s extremely cheap & discrediting. Give everyone 1 user name and password and allow people to comment on each other’s posts. Dumbest blog I’ve ever seen.

Al Groh

November 24th, 2011
8:44 am

I think we just need to run out of there way and let them score. That way we can get the ball back. I think I can get Manboobs Johnson to buy off on that gameplan.

Kool Aid

November 24th, 2011
8:48 am

Super—hard to understand how you think UGA is better than Duke—-I think UGA only scored 19 (1 TD) at home against the mighty Kentucky (powerhouse?) Wildcats. You take care now and don’t worry about the game Saturday. I guess the UGAG fans will be calling for MR to get fired when he loses. Such fickle fans you are.

If UGA's D is overrated, how about GT's O?

November 24th, 2011
8:53 am

GT’s “vaunted” offense has some Inflated numbers to say the least. Hell Miami held them to 7. Best games, against the almighty Kansas, they have given up 42 points or more in 9 games and are 2-9. Oh MTSU? 106th in total d and 2-8. Western Carolina you might ask? 1-10! Are you kidding? Not to mention the acc. GT’s opponent’s. Overall combined record is 55-65! Wow awful. Oh and UGA’s? A not so great but at least respectable 64-57. So before we talk about how overrated one team is, take a look in the mirror. GT fans like.to point at UGA’s “overrated” defenestration’s, but fail to see how the matchups in this game clearly cavorted UGA. UGA is 2nd against the run and GT is 2nd in rush offense. What do people say, offense wins championships? NO. Defense does. Tech’s O is 17th in points scored at 36.5 a game, UGA is not far behind at 23rd with 34.3 ppg. The real difference is on defenestration’s where UGA is 11th in ppg allowed at 17.8. Mighty GT? 56th at 25.3 ppg. Just some fun facts for everybody to think about. Happy thanksgiving!

Coffee Bluff DAWG

November 24th, 2011
8:56 am

UGA D will stuff the GT running game. GT won’t be able to run over 700 lbs of NT on the UGA D line.

Since GT has no passing game to speak of the only chance GT has is to get to the corner, which is unlikely with UGA speed.

GT is about as good as UK so I’ll pick the DAWGS by 9.

Matt "CHOKE" Ryan

November 24th, 2011
8:57 am

Lol

November 24th, 2011
2:31 am

“Even to this day it is still a mystery why he is still hated, even though he has moved on to lead another franchise”

Um, well maybe because he is a sociopath who gets excited in seeing dogs get drowned, electrocuted and slammed to the ground. Not to mention he was admittedly lazy and didnt prepare for games. He would be the last one in and the first one out.

He sure looked good “leading” the “dream team” to a 3-6 record. He didn’t play when the Eagles won their 4th game of the season.

_______________________________________________________________________________

47-21 vs Green Bay in the Georgia Dome & a pick 6 to end the half – That was beautiful. :)

BCSstinks

November 24th, 2011
8:58 am

Super Committee, if you base it on last weeks game for GT, then we shall do the same of the DAWGS. They beat Kentucky 19-10 at home!!!! Yeah, that is a strong win there. DAWG fans never seem to amaze anyone with the way they are so unknowledgable when it comes to football.

Not one time have I said GT was going to win the game. I have simply stated some facts about the games and competition to this point and UGA has had the easiest schedule in FBS against some terrible offenses.
BSU 30
NMS 40
USC 79
MS 87
UF 92
UA 93
UT 97
Vandy 100
Ole Miss 114
UK 117
CC AA and no rankings
GT 15

When you play these teams with the offensive rankings they have, GA should be showing a good D.