College football, Week 1: Somehow it keeps getting better
Paul Johnson: Darkhorse?
Mark Richt: BCS contender?
Bill Curry: A step up?
Elevating college football to the appropriate level of importance in his small but powerful world, Bear Bryant once noted, “It’s kind of hard to rally around a math class.” And as if we needed reminding, the man operated at a time before outlandish concepts like “academic reform” and truth-in-scholarship limits.
Emotionally, however, not much has changed in the past several decades. For many, particularly in the South, the opening of college football season this week is like finally being given clearance to rip the gift wrap off of a box that has been sitting in the corner, seemingly taunting you, for eight months.
It’s time.
“If you grew up around here, the excitement is one of those things that you often think back to, like significant holidays,” said Bill Curry, the 69-year-old Georgia State coach, who is entering the final season (we assume) of his career.
“You remember where you were for certain games. I still remember listening to Georgia Tech and Tennessee on the radio in 1956. This is my 58th time doing this as a player, coach or broadcaster. I think the last time I had a Labor Day off was in 1954. I was in the seventh grade.”
This Labor Day weekend will see 124 games involving Division 1 teams (FBS and FCS). It begins Thursday when Georgia State opens against South Carolina State at the Georgia Dome, and South Carolina travels to Vanderbilt, an early SEC East Division measuring stick.
The parking lots surrounding the Georgia Dome will be like a 72-hour tailgate: There’s the Georgia State game on Thursday, Tennessee against North Carolina State on Friday and Clemson against Auburn on Saturday.
Georgia opens Saturday in Athens against Buffalo, a light yoga stretch before next week’s SEC opener at Missouri. Defending BCS champion and preseason No. 2 Alabama faces No. 8 Michigan Saturday night at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
The feast finally comes to an end Monday night when Georgia Tech visits No. 16 Virginia Tech, easily the most difficult opener in coach Paul Johnson’s tenure.
Then there will be a few days for fans to recover from their queso dip seizure before starting all over again in Week 2.
I’ve lived in Atlanta for 23 years. I never truly had a sense for how important college football was in these parts until moving here from a distant galaxy (California) in 1989. I remember sitting on a MARTA train, leaving the airport one Sunday morning after returning from an assignment, thinking, “Why are people talking about the Tennessee game? And Auburn? And who cares about Clemson?”
I don’t wonder anymore. Every year it gets bigger. Too big? Probably. The importance of college football for so many is out of proportion to the importance of academics and, well, real life. But there is a significant bonding element in the fall that nothing else compares to. In that sense, Bryant was correct: Regardless of age, race and socioeconomic level, we bond on a college football Saturday like we can’t over a math class – unless the curriculum includes trying to dissect the BCS formula.
It’s a significant season for all three local Division 1 teams. Georgia, by virtue of a strong defense and a favorable schedule, is the perceived favorite in the SEC East, which means it has a legitimate chance to win the SEC title. That potentially puts the Bulldogs in the BCS picture. (Standard caveat: This is a common refrain in Athens. But the Missouri game should tell us something.)
Tech’s record in the past two seasons (14-12 overall, 9-7 in ACC) hasn’t matched Johnson’s first two (20-7, 12-4), but the defense should be improved and maybe we’ll even see a completed pass on occasion. The Yellow Jackets could be a dark horse in the ACC Coastal. But that likely would necessitate upsetting Virginia Tech.
Curry’s goals are more modest: Just win. It’s year three of this start-up program and he would like to see the Panthers have some success before he moves into retirement and they move into the Sun Belt Conference next year.
“We’ll be improved in every area,” he said. “But so is our competition, drastically. With all our hearts, we’ll have to play our guts out.”
It’s what we look forward to this time of year.
By Jeff Schultz
•
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105 comments Add your comment
California Canine
August 27th, 2012
7:37 am
Richt has the perfect foil in Bobo. Richt stays above the fray and Bobo takes the heat. Bobo’s play calling is approved by Richt. He’s the CEO. And as long as that continues, we will have a shoulda, coulda, woulda season. Richt isn’t in the class of Saban, Miles or Spurrier. Sounds like we have a great team upcoming. Repeat: sounds like. Not with Rigid Richt at the helm. I told you so.
3d
August 27th, 2012
7:39 am
Now we know why Schultz is messed up in the head. La La land
ajg-marietta
August 27th, 2012
7:47 am
It is very nice to see the Panthers in Week 1 roundup. Good luck to all the Georgia teams, but especially the Blue and White.
The Professor
August 27th, 2012
7:56 am
Here’s your Bulldog Math Problem of the Week
f(x,y,z) = 3.2x² + 8y•π + √5z³
Solve for f(x, y, z), given:
X = the probability that the UGA will make it through a season without another player being arrested and locked up in jail
Y = the number of legitimate college courses that UGA football players have passed
Z = on a sleaze scale of 0-10, with 0 being the sleaziest and 10 being morally and ethically upstanding, where is Mark Richt?
Congratulations if you came up with the correct answer, which is ZERO
Well-Endowed Panther Fan
August 27th, 2012
7:58 am
Good luck to GSU on Thursday night. Can’t wait to do the Panther Pounce again after a long off-season! #STATEofSHOCK
escaped from email purgatory
August 27th, 2012
8:02 am
So I click the “Sports” tab atop the ajc.com home page this morning.
Anticipating the usual dose of annoying pop up ads for Range Rover, Laughing Cow Cheese, etc. Gotta pay the price to see last night scores.
As this morning’s ad is loading, I think to myself “Where’s the Close button? They get smaller every day.”
To my surprise, instead of a member of our Atlanta Dream (who shall remain nameless because I don’t who the hell any of them are) materializing on my screen, up pops a digitally enhanced image of a sports scribe known by many and loved by (provide your own metric).
Like I said before, “Where’s the ‘Close” button?”
Just joshing, Schultz. You look pretty good (for a digitally-enhanced middled aged dude).
Holy crap! You’re in the left margin too.
dtanner
August 27th, 2012
8:21 am
will know it’s officially football season when i see my first friday predictions jeff
rm
August 27th, 2012
8:27 am
Couldn’t agree more Jeff. I love this time of year! Go Dawgs! And Panthers!
dawgfan
August 27th, 2012
8:40 am
1 = The number of times the Joke By Coke has beaten UGA in the past 12 years.
11 = The number of times in the past 12 years that “The Professor” has spent his entire Thanksgiving weekend crying like a little 4 year old girl over yet another loss to the UGA Bulldogs.
Yep Jeff, college football is a wonderful thing.
GStateBen
August 27th, 2012
9:18 am
Time for the Panthers to take this state over.
#STATEOFSHOCK
bubba4dawgs
August 27th, 2012
9:25 am
bugs, I recall that game in ‘56 when Johnny Majors kept the Tech Nation on pins and needles the whole game! It was probably one of the best one man shows ever played on Grant Field! I was a Tech fan back then. You are right, it was the end of the Tech era. Sometime along about then, a player by the name of Theron Sapp crashed over for a touchdown and Georgia beat Tech to end the “drought”. Tech had won about 8 straight games. It happened on Grant Field as well! Those were the good ole days in the SEC. How well I recall them! I loved attending the annual Ga./Ga. Tech freshman game when even the officials payed. It was played on Thanksgiving Day and all proceeds went to charity. The them was “strong legs run so that weak legs may walk”. All proceeds went to the Scottish Rite Hospital. After the game, a trip downtown to Rich’s Dept. Store to watch the lighting of the Christmas Tree and choruses. Everyone would stand out in the street and watch the Christmas pageantry. Those were indeed the good ole days.
Anyway, I live in Knoxville and good ole Johnny Majors is still here and just a big a legend here as he was then! Fans believe he’s the greatest Vol ever and I have to agree! Thanks for bringing up that game in ‘56…….great memories!!
DaJake
August 27th, 2012
9:47 am
1- How many times has Mark Richt beaten Florida 2 seasons in a row? 0
2- How many times has Mark Richt beaten SC since 2009? 0
3- How many times has Mark Richt won more games after winning the East? 0
4- How many top 20 teams has Mark Richt beaten since 2009? 0
Anyone see a trend?
909
August 27th, 2012
10:04 am
I expect UGA will win the SEC East.
Besides the usual yoga games vs. Buffalo and FL-Atlantic, conference “cupcakes”
include Vandy, Kentucky, and Ole Miss. Tenn and Florida will be jokes this year.
After losing to GaTech, UGA will reach the SEC title game where Bama will wipe the field with UGA.
SimpleDawg
August 27th, 2012
10:09 am
From California, huh?
Explains an awful lot……
LHarding Dawg
August 27th, 2012
10:11 am
I believe DaJake and DeRick have been hanging out together.
LHarding Dawg
August 27th, 2012
10:12 am
909 must be hanging with the other Da’s.
Lt Col Razorback
August 27th, 2012
10:13 am
JB and chili,
Of course the dawgs will win a bunch of games this year! With the exception of Mizzou and a couple of other SEC teams, they don’t have any competition! Buffalo, Florida Atlantic, and even Ole Miss are hardly teams to be taken seriously this year. Sure most teams have a couple of light-weights on their early season schedules. They are there to give those teams a little practice and build up their confidence. My alma mater has Jacksonville State and Louisiana-Monroe on their list for the same reason. But with the Bull Dawgs’ schedule, their team will be not only be confident, but overconfident. And when/if they make it to the SEC championship game against Bama (or LSU?) (I’m a realist. The U of A will be 3rd in the West, at best), they will wish they had played someone…anyone… who they had to really try hard to beat!!
dawgfan
August 27th, 2012
10:21 am
I expect that whatever Georgia Tech does in the ACC Coastal, very few people will care.
Yet another general college football blog is dominated by talk about UGA. We run this state indeed. Always have. Always will.
HUH?????
August 27th, 2012
10:27 am
“It’s a significant season for all three local Division 1 teams. Georgia, by virtue of a strong defense and a favorable schedule, is the perceived favorite in the SEC East, which means it has a legitimate chance to win the SEC title.”
And like last year, UGA will get slammed in the SEC Championship game.
zbulldawg
August 27th, 2012
10:27 am
JEFF, and any body who will LISTEN !! Let’s have a vote to keep Russ the mascot at UGA the whole year. Come on people let me hear it !
Buzzed
August 27th, 2012
10:28 am
DaJake: The trend is that you’re a big zero.
5150 UOAD
August 27th, 2012
10:47 am
Vandy is still VANDY and that will be proven Thursday night.
Bo in North Carolina
August 27th, 2012
11:13 am
Bubba4dawgs: The Ga/GaTech freshman game was great. Also, the day before the game both teams were taken to the hospital and visited the kids. It really made an impression on the players from both teams.
Old Dawg
August 27th, 2012
11:13 am
Let the good times roll!
College football is finally here!
Al
August 27th, 2012
11:14 am
Ga. Tech is still GA. TECH and that will be proven Labor Day night
mrb
August 27th, 2012
11:18 am
Jeff, where did you get that picture of CMR? When was he a contestant on American Idol?
Wilson Pickett
August 27th, 2012
11:25 am
Best of luck to all you good folks and your favorite teams!!!!
Roll Tide
Not sure about the Coach Bryant statement Jeff quoted but the story is either at A&M or KY some of the school faculty questioned the amount of money being spent on football to which Bryant replid…”let me know when you get 50,000 to show for your class”. I was lucky to be a fan during the Coach Bryant years since that was a great ride….then the wheels came off when the educated smart folks on the BOT make one Notre Dame after another (mistakes at hiring football coaches). This time I will enjoy the Nick Saban ride as well for who knows what the BOT will do this time.
Buckeye
August 27th, 2012
11:40 am
I wonder how much hair Win With has left?
harold
August 27th, 2012
12:08 pm
UGA HAS THE EASIEST SCHEDULE IN THEIR HISTORY! WITH UGA TALENT THEY SHOULD GO 13-0.
RICHT BLEW IT IN 2002 AND 2005 AS WELL AS 2008. IF HE CAN’T GET IT DONE WITH THIS TALENTED TEAM THEN IT IS TIME FOR RICHT TO GO.
5150 UOAD
August 27th, 2012
12:14 pm
Get you one…….
http://www.englishbulldogpuppychase.com/english-bulldog-puppies-for-sale/index.htm
Uga of your own. great pups and family.
5150 UOAD
August 27th, 2012
12:15 pm
harold
August 27th, 2012
12:08 pm
UGA HAS THE EASIEST SCHEDULE IN THEIR HISTORY! WITH UGA TALENT THEY SHOULD GO 13-0.
RICHT BLEW IT IN 2002 AND 2005 AS WELL AS 2008. IF HE CAN’T GET IT DONE WITH THIS TALENTED TEAM THEN IT IS TIME FOR RICHT TO GO.
=====================================================
Bobo is still the OC…………….nuff said.
DIT
August 27th, 2012
1:05 pm
Call me crazy, but what on earth are the tech people on here talking about UGA? I think y’all have your hands full against VT coming up. I think y’all will win actually, but again, why are you on this blog talking about UGA???
Let’s talk about tech. Any bold predictions coming from the north ave side on your team?
Highly Respected Southern Troll
August 27th, 2012
1:17 pm
The college team in Georgia most likely to win a championhip this year is located in Statesboro.
dawgfan
August 27th, 2012
1:20 pm
“Let’s talk about tech.”
If I had a nickel for every time I heard someone say that I would have a nickel.
Pitbull
August 27th, 2012
1:59 pm
Two facts:
1. Colorado won the real National Championship in 1990.
2. Paul Johnson quit winning when Chan Gailey’s recruits left.
Dogs Swallow
August 27th, 2012
2:03 pm
It has been since 2007 that UGa last beat a quality opponenet . They have yet to beat a ranked team in 2 years. Play the easiest schedule in all of the SEC and you “Homers” brag? Georgia you wont be playing for an SEC title this year or nextyear and as far as that top defense, lesser teams have outscored you and they will again.
Pitbull
August 27th, 2012
2:03 pm
Another fact:
Tech is scared to schedule Georgia Southern because if they get beat they are afraid of being called the third best college program in the state.
7576DAWG
August 27th, 2012
2:03 pm
I hope nobody really thinks that Georgia’s schedule is easier than Georgia Tech’s schedule. Virginia Tech and maybe Clemson is it. In fact the only schedule easier than Georgia Tech’s schedule is Southern Cal.
Pitbull
August 27th, 2012
2:04 pm
Another fact:
Georgia could strengthen its schedule by booting the Tech game to the curb and picking up a real 1A opponent instead.
I wish we would do so.
aprilglaspie
August 27th, 2012
2:05 pm
bamaguy, I remember Mr. Bryant showing up to do the coach’s show on GPTV when I worked in the studio. Drunk as a lord, unable to remember player’s names.
7576DAWG
August 27th, 2012
2:22 pm
Pitbull
I agree. Georgia get’s no benefit from having Tech on the schedule. Georgia Tech is the only team that ever benefits. If they win they get immediate recognition. Tech move way up in the polls and Georgia drops like a rock. If Georgia Tech loses , no big deal because they weren’t suppose to win.
Having Georgia Tech on our schedule is a no win situation.
Steve
August 27th, 2012
2:25 pm
GA Tech still has a football team???
Tide Rising
August 27th, 2012
3:10 pm
Man I am amped. I can hardly stand it. The UPS guy better watch out or I’m liable to tackle his ass when he brings my package today.
Red Stick (formerly known as jumbeaux tiger),
Great to see you on for another season. I know you guys are stoked. Hopefully it will come down to the 2 of us in a 3rd game of the century. The Earth is going to shake on Nov. 3rd.
Spinoza
August 27th, 2012
3:21 pm
Indeed it is “too big” and out of control. We saw that with Paterno who was virtually a king (or Pope) at Penn State protecting a coach who molested children. Richt’s team has multiple arrests every year, most of the star “student-athletes” can’t construct a grammatically correct sentence when they are interviewed. 80% of those admitted to play football have applications which would be laughed out of the admissions offices if they came from a non-football player.
Yet, during a recession, during times of high unemployment, with cuts to universities and high schools alike going to the level of the classroom this culture keeps pouring money into its football infrastructure. It is a stupid inversion of priorities and one of the reasons that the South remains economically and educationally behind most other regions.
Spinoza
August 27th, 2012
3:26 pm
Wilson, China and Europe will let you know the consequences of not being able to do math in the future. Quote hick coaches about the lack of popularity of math classes all you want. With a few more brains you would be a halfwit like the players and coaches you worship.
dwagdawg
August 27th, 2012
4:42 pm
Hey dwagfan (aka Carl Spackler) you get that gopher off the golf course yet? You really are a moron……
DawgNole
August 27th, 2012
5:40 pm
dawgfan
August 27th, 2012
8:40 am
1 = The number of times the Joke By Coke has beaten UGA in the past 12 years.
________________
You’re not much of a dawg fan because you keep embarrassing real dawg fans by spouting this lie. Once again I must remind you that it’s one Tech win over UGA during the past ELEVEN years (not 12). Quit making a fool of yourself by posting BS.
Currently today Lost 9 in a row to teams making any top 25 poll; Currently today Lost 7 in a row to teams who made the Top 10 after # 9 Auburn 2006; and Lost Currently today 9 in a row every SEC team making winning SEC Record starting Ky 2007
August 28th, 2012
2:53 am
BCS Contender, UGA ?
Let me get this straight because we do not play a single team who will make the Top 10, all of a sudden THAT is enough that Mark Richt is a BCS Contender this 1-year window losing our entire Defense after 2012 and facing Alabama 2013.
Missy State and Vandie are the only SEC teams Currently today who have beat fewer teams making the Top 10 after 2005 than Mark Richt. In all 11 years to-date, this his 12th season, Mark Richt is a gruesome 3 Wins in 16 games against teams who made the Top 10.
flamboyant upset
August 28th, 2012
8:32 am
… and a light yoga stretch in Blacksburg for the Jackets.
John Holmes
August 28th, 2012
9:42 am
Mark Richt = The Linda Lovelace of the SEC… Chokes on the big ones……