College football, Week 1: Somehow it keeps getting better

Paul Johnson.

Paul Johnson: Darkhorse?

Mark Richt.

Mark Richt: BCS contender?

Bill Curry.

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

Silly Bloggers

August 26th, 2012
5:05 pm

First? Had to try.

Mountain Dawg

August 26th, 2012
5:13 pm

Just bring it!

Jon

August 26th, 2012
5:19 pm

Eeeeee! Can’t wait!!!

P-Man

August 26th, 2012
5:28 pm

It’s about time! I thought this week would NEVER get here…

Miamidawg

August 26th, 2012
5:35 pm

The koolaide has been drunk. And here we go. Again.

5150 UOAD

August 26th, 2012
5:35 pm

Notre Dame is going to lose in Ireland
Auburn will lose to Clemson.
Got to LOVE the players getting suspended.

Sergeant Joe Friday, LAPD

August 26th, 2012
5:47 pm

You people are way to serious…it’s only a football game. I would hate to think what you all do in the off season to “entertain” yourselves. Don’t worry, Warden Richt has everything under control…especially with this schedule.

1eyedJack

August 26th, 2012
6:13 pm

Let’s kick this thing off and play two!!

jj

August 26th, 2012
6:21 pm

I know that “yankees” in the Northeast think they are fandom’s gift to football (or is it football’s gift to fandom), fans down here have passion, not just drunken intensity. Although a little drunken passion is cool.

Dawg Haus

August 26th, 2012
6:25 pm

Can’t wait!!

bugs

August 26th, 2012
6:32 pm

I was 10 yrs old when Tech lost to Tenn and Johnny Majos in 1956.Both teams were undefeated and
the game was truly a classic with 17 quick kicks.I was devasted when Tech lost 6-0.It was the Jackets only loss and signaled the end of their golden era.

Frank Lane

August 26th, 2012
6:32 pm

Love the Bryant quote.

Red Stick

August 26th, 2012
6:33 pm

Opening week is always great in college football.

Good luck to everyone this weekend.

Geaux Tigers
Go SEC

Thank God

August 26th, 2012
6:39 pm

Since the Braves have collapsed and Uggla has hit a paltry 204 this season…I’m a ready for some….college football. Go Dawgs

JB at home

August 26th, 2012
7:00 pm

My Dawgs will either go 9-3 or 12-0. The players will mostly decide, not the coaching. The team and the schedule are favorable. The OL and running game will tell us a lot. If we don’t see any holes open and a running game against Mizzuo, It’s be a touch and go year. A. Murray is pretty good, but not good enough to carry the offense.

chilidawg

August 26th, 2012
7:23 pm

My prediction for the Dawgs: This is the year… They will go undefeated and meet Bama in the SEC championship where we will get revenge for the 2008 blackout debacle. Then, according to the Mayans, the world will end on December 21st before we get to play for the BCS title.

Score Check

August 26th, 2012
7:28 pm

Coach Sick Satan = SCUM
Coach Sick Satan = SCUM
Coach Sick Satan = SCUM

Tweak your knee and he leaves you twisting in the wind.

LakeDawg

August 26th, 2012
7:32 pm

Go Big Blue!!!

BigDawg

August 26th, 2012
7:35 pm

I am looking forward to this year. I can’t believe a few years ago Less Miles and ESPN said you had to win your conference to play in the BCS! The Dawgs were clearly the hottest team at the time and would have drilled any opponent!! Politics, sigh…

bamaguy

August 26th, 2012
7:35 pm

I remember Mr. Bryant walking across campus (he would have you for lunch if you called him “coach” and you didn’t play for him and God help you if you were a student and called him “Bear”). People would literally stop talking and just be silent as he walked by.

One more time for football in the South. Best to all. Roll Tide.

Robert Warren

August 26th, 2012
7:39 pm

As fun as it was getting a bye in the semi-finals last year, Bama’s got to win the West this year.

Not Disappointed!

August 26th, 2012
7:53 pm

Let the Games Begin!!!

Go Jackets!

Howard

August 26th, 2012
7:53 pm

Jeff…when does the Tuesday Countdown start on a regular basis…and how many times will we hear/see of Bobby Petrino in the sports pages this year???

RBigFish

August 26th, 2012
8:03 pm

Schultzie , trying to sign up for your contest is the toughtest thing I’ve done lately. The 2nd word is damn near impossible to read and when you try to do the sound thing….what language was that ?

BigDave

August 26th, 2012
8:11 pm

I can’t wait to see My Vols beat North Carolina State 31-21 on Friday!

5150 UOAD

August 26th, 2012
8:15 pm

Big Dave you will only see that in your dreams.

5150 UOAD

August 26th, 2012
8:18 pm

How many SEC Starting players are suspended for the first games of the year or were just kicked off the team this year?
I know a few ACC teams have suspended players for first games.

Bone

August 26th, 2012
8:27 pm

Score Check needs his meds – repeating irrelevant drivel. RTR!

Jeff Schultz

August 26th, 2012
8:53 pm

Howard — Thanks. The Countdown is now an “irregular” feature, depending on items and, mostly, my time (it’s fun to do but laborious. takes a lot of time. but I think I’ll have one this week.)

Wreck

August 26th, 2012
9:11 pm

GO JACKETS.

White shirts yeller britches give em hell you sons of &%$#@*!

5150 UOAD

August 26th, 2012
9:20 pm

Damn HILL you turned that into a TO.

UGA football fans

August 26th, 2012
9:28 pm

facebook.com/ugafootballfans

old dog

August 26th, 2012
9:44 pm

The dogs will disappoint again, as long as Richt leads the program.
All hat and no cattle.

Ted Striker

August 26th, 2012
9:45 pm

Good column.

Mike Robinson

August 26th, 2012
10:07 pm

GO BACK TO CALI, JEFF. YOU WILL NOT BE MISSED, I PROMISE.

Jabber

August 26th, 2012
10:18 pm

Jeff,

I expect GTech to be win many more games than last season, mainly because of the experienced off line.

UGA? They usually underachieve, hate to admit it, but I think all 4 times Richt won the East, he won less games the next season, just isn’t the type of coach that handles expectations well. Mark Richt hasn’t won a game against a top 20 teams since 2009. Agree with you, look for another early loss in Mizzou. And another to SCarol, and another to Florida, and another to Auburn, and to top it off, ole Paul Johnson wins the capper.

macrotech

August 26th, 2012
11:12 pm

SO ready for some college football!!! Go Tech!!!

collegeballfan

August 26th, 2012
11:37 pm

“The importance of college football for so many is out of proportion to the importance of academics and, well, real life.”

The importance of football to the average college fan has gone up as the average intelligence of the average college football fan has gone down.

Sir Livedalot

August 27th, 2012
12:02 am

Jeff I did not know you were almost as old as I am. That gives me a new found respect for you even though I don’t always agree with you. But that is whatmakes your column interesting. The Bear was revered in Alabama as evidenced by the time he was walking through the campus and a student said “It’s a great day Coach Bryant” and the Bear replied “You are welcome”. Take care Jeff and have a wonderful season cheering on the Dawgs.

Sir Livedalot

August 27th, 2012
12:07 am

Just kidding Jeff I know you are not as old as Coach Curry but I still enjoy your articles.

William Casey

August 27th, 2012
12:13 am

I always thought the Bear Bryant quote was “It’s hard to rally around a chemistry lab.” Well, I guess it’s the thought that counts. LOL

William Casey

August 27th, 2012
12:32 am

Maybe it was a math class.

stony

August 27th, 2012
12:48 am

The civility tonight is great. All the comments have been good, but Chilidawg, when I read your post, I almost fell out of my chair laughing. Funny and topical is good enough to get you 15 minutes at the local comedy club.

Class of '98

August 27th, 2012
1:54 am

Jeff, did you expect folks on that Marta train to be talking about the Atlanta Hawks??? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. The top three sports in the south are 1) College Football season 2) National Signing Day 3) Spring Practice.

And we like it that way.

jc_dawgs

August 27th, 2012
3:25 am

Best defense in the country and a seasoned and proven qb. Got to like our chances….even with CMR and Boo boo.

Larry

August 27th, 2012
6:09 am

Jeff,

Good stuff. Glad you’re now a convert to real college football southeast football.

As I think GT playing VT in the first game is much more favorable. Tech will be 100% rested (more physical) and prepared, and as we have often witnessed, VT loses a game early. And because of their wide open style of play, they are usually a top 5 team by November.

But then, VT also had had about 8 months to prepare for GT’s unique offense.

Interesting all around.

Larry

August 27th, 2012
6:13 am

Sorry, but I cannot stand typos from mydeamon possessed laptop.

Again…

Jeff,

Good stuff. Glad you’re now a convert to real college football…southeast football.

I think GT playing VT in the first game is much more favorable. Tech will be 100% rested (more physical) and prepared, and as we have often witnessed, VT loses a big game early. Then, because of their wide open style of play, they are usually a top 5 team by November.

But then, VT also had had about 8 months to prepare for GT’s offense.

Interesting all around.

From a Georgia boy…go Dawgs, go Jackets and go Falcons!

Woofy One

August 27th, 2012
6:27 am

Go Panthers!

August 27th, 2012
6:36 am

Cant wait for the Georgia State game thursday! Panthers are goin to come out like gangbusters.
Thanks for including GSU in this, the 3rd FBS program in the STATE.

John Heisman

August 27th, 2012
7:35 am

“It’s better to die a small child than fumble the football.”

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

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……

william casino

August 28th, 2012
11:21 am

Atlanta, home of the college football hall of fame (soon). That should clarify how important college football is around these parts!

Go JACKETS! THWG!

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
12:42 pm

Be nice if we could beat a hall of fame type team.

dTdog

August 28th, 2012
2:33 pm

the only team on Ga’s schedule that can possibly match up is south carolin and they are overrated. Look for Murray to light up their weak secondary and Grantham’s D to get 2-3 turnovers. Dogs beat sc 30-13.

schultz for brains

August 28th, 2012
8:10 pm

I see why you don’t get it, now. you are from California!

Russa

August 30th, 2012
7:11 pm

“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.”

“favorable schedule” and “BCS Picture” means UGA would have to do a lot of convincing this season to show voters they would deserve a BCS shot over a team with a tougher schedule who is also in the mix