Thirty minutes to kickoff. Fans may want to get here quick before the blowout starts.
ATHENS — For the first time since November, I can begin a blog with, “Good morning from Sanford Stadium.” The Georgia Bulldogs plan to have the Buffalo Bulls for a light lunch.
Let’s get to the important stuff:
• 1.) It’s humid. I mean, really stupidly humid. My iPhone right now says 81 degrees (projected high in Athens: 93). But it feels more like a sauna on July 1 than the almost-fall cooling temperatures of Sept. 1. Logic suggests this will affect Buffalo more than Georgia, not that we would have attached any trace of suspense to today’s outcome even if it was 72 degrees with a soft ocean breeze. (The point spread is 37½. I say the Dogs cover. See the rest of my picks here).
• 2.) This is the first game for Russ, The Temporary Mascot, as Uga IX. I’m hoping this ascension to full time means the poor dog finally gets insurance benefits. I had to crack up at athletic director Greg McGarity’s statement the other day: “Russ has endeared himself to the Georgia people over the last three years. His dedication to duty when called upon has been exemplary and it’s fitting that he takes his place in the official line of Georgia mascots.”
People. The dog is in a crate. What’s he going to do? Make a break for it and hop a bus to Starkville?
(You may now commence with your cyber attacks on me for making Uga jokes.)
• 3.) This is a good chance for Georgia to test its depth on defense and try some players in different situations. Five defensive starters are expected to miss the game: Cornerback-wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell (sprained ankle), cornerback Sanders Commings (suspended two games for domestic battery), linebacker Chase Vasser (suspended two games for DUI), linebacker Alec Ogletree (violation of team rules) and safety Bacarri Rambo (violation of team rules). Georgia has never confirmed reports that the Olgetree and Rambo both failed drug tests or that they have been suspended (and for how long).
• 4.) I’m most interested to watch the Dogs’ offense, particularly the play of the offensive line (which I believe ultimately will determine what kind of season they have) and the effectiveness of freshman tailbacks Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall. As much as the excommunicated Isaiah Crowell was undone by off-the-field issues, most recently felony gun charges, he easily was the best running back the Dogs had.
That’s it for now. I’ll post any updates on the lineup and suspensions as warranted. Now, I may head down for a pre-game chat with Russ.
Welcome back to college football.
The cyber venting lines are open.
By Jeff Schultz
1,078 comments Add your comment
Bad Dawg
September 1st, 2012
3:44 pm
When are all of the suspended players going to be back? No way UGA beats Mizzou with this squad unless they lay an egg.
The Grinch
September 1st, 2012
3:45 pm
DawgNole
September 1st, 2012
3:43 pm
We DIDN’T have a problem with Buffalo today.
Anyone here actually think we were ever in a position to lose?
Rantastic Dawg
September 1st, 2012
3:46 pm
Sam the man. Grind it out.
DawgNole
September 1st, 2012
3:46 pm
Riches got to go
September 1st, 2012
3:39 pm
Oh Dawgnole I see.. Your a dawg fan trapped in a florida trailer park..it must be rough..
___________________
I repeat . . . stop acting like an idiot.
Bad Dawg
September 1st, 2012
3:46 pm
Murray a top 10 candidate for the Heisman? Laughable.
45ACP
September 1st, 2012
3:48 pm
Dawgs win!!! Go Dawgs!!!
Sunbury Ga dawg
September 1st, 2012
3:49 pm
They call him Gurley but he seems to be a man…..He seems to be legit!
Bad Dawg
September 1st, 2012
3:49 pm
Richt and Grantham better get on those boys in the locker room. Richt rewarded this team with a trip to the pool instead of practicing?
Rantastic Dawg
September 1st, 2012
3:49 pm
Jarvis was all over the field today. Had a great game. 22 point win. Come on crybabies, let the bawling begin.
DawgNole
September 1st, 2012
3:49 pm
The Grinch
September 1st, 2012
3:45 pm
DawgNole
September 1st, 2012
3:43 pm
We DIDN’T have a problem with Buffalo today.
Anyone here actually think we were ever in a position to lose?
____________________
We had a lot of problems with them–mostly in the first half, and mostly on defense. But we paid our million bucks and got our W.
Dawg man
September 1st, 2012
3:51 pm
Hearing theus out for awhile
5150 UOAD
September 1st, 2012
3:51 pm
A Win is a Win, but the Dawgs didn’t look close to a #6
No Dawgs Milady
September 1st, 2012
3:52 pm
Wow wee! The game proved that a gang of moron leghumpers can beat a high school team from Buffalo. I am soooooo impressed.
South Carolina will grind their hobnail boots into this disorganized bunch’s faces.
Rantastic Dawg
September 1st, 2012
3:52 pm
Sunbury
good little fishing hole.
Riches got to go
September 1st, 2012
3:52 pm
Dawgnole I will say again if you don’t like what’s going on move on to a different team. That’s not being an idiot that is just calling a spade a spade..if you feel like bashing ga on a message board is gonna get you heard by the AD your definitely one big IDIOT.. If you feel like this is attacking I’m sorry..I’m a dawg fan and a former ATHELETE that understands you don’t show your hand to some weak team..
dawggirl
September 1st, 2012
3:52 pm
Very worried about the injuries. Next week is going to be very tough.
joseph gamble
September 1st, 2012
3:52 pm
A bad defensive effort today.
WhiskeyDawg
September 1st, 2012
3:53 pm
Well, looks like red zone defense will be the thing this year.
Had 4 chances to stop Buffalo in the red zone.
Gave up 3 td’s and a field goal.
Grantham is OVERRATED and OVERPAID!
jvillebil
September 1st, 2012
3:54 pm
Crowell who? We’ll never miss him. Other than the Auburn game last year he didn’t run as hard as these two freshmen.
WhiskeyDawg
September 1st, 2012
3:54 pm
gURLEY IS burly!
Rantastic Dawg
September 1st, 2012
3:55 pm
S.C. was lucky to get away from Vandy after getting “plucked”, lol.
5150 UOAD
September 1st, 2012
3:55 pm
The dawgs made such quick work of Buffalo the Starting QB was still playing with 8min left in the game and looks like it cost the Dwags Thesu for the MIZZOU game.
Richt the Dale Earnhart of college coaching!
AAAAA Athens Bail Bonds R Us
September 1st, 2012
3:55 pm
Any more dawgs arrested today?
Sunbury Ga dawg
September 1st, 2012
3:55 pm
It’s just game one guys, wow, already jumping ship? The Dawgs will be alright, a win is a win, they will regroup and be ready for action next week. wonder how we did on the injury front? Gurley seems to be LEGIT…….
VinDawg
September 1st, 2012
3:56 pm
Have no idea why Theus was in the 4th quarter, with a 21 point lead????
jvillebil
September 1st, 2012
3:56 pm
Need to look at putting Richard Samuel back on defense I don’t think he’ll see many touches on offense.
NCDawg
September 1st, 2012
3:57 pm
Buffalo is not bad. They have a really good running back. The Dawgs looked uninspired to be sure. Murray was too pumped in the 1st quarter. Gurley is the real deal. Prepare to hear the feed the stud chorus.
southgadawg
September 1st, 2012
3:57 pm
Running backs a whole looked pretty good. It goes without saying Gurley looked better than anyone on the Dawgs!!!
TrimHedger
September 1st, 2012
3:57 pm
Richt was right, Gurley ain’t nuttin special.
Betcha $20 Richt starts Malcome or Samuel against Mizzou.
Hairy Gurl Smack Down
September 1st, 2012
3:58 pm
Goodness gracious, My gawd in heaven, he’s just a Gurly freshman
AZDawg
September 1st, 2012
3:58 pm
Bowling Green is working the Gators…That could be a close game as BG is better than Buffalo….
Big Crimson 75
September 1st, 2012
3:58 pm
Congrats uga.
Gurley does have a little T-Rich lite look to him.
I hope for your sake, Mitchell, Tree & the rest REALLY improve the Defense — y’all need it.
TrimHedger
September 1st, 2012
3:58 pm
Special Teams- A
Offense- A
Defense- D-
jvillebil
September 1st, 2012
3:59 pm
Last year they did a lot of outside pitches for Crowell early in the season because he didn’t like to run hard up the middle. I think Marshall needs two or 3 of those a game because he’s also a speed burner, but is also will to run inside. Like what I see with the running backs.
Dr J
September 1st, 2012
3:59 pm
Gurley better start vs. Mizzou or I’m complaining.
Needless to say the running game is no longer a question mark for UGA.
53 arrests in four years
September 1st, 2012
3:59 pm
Even now the GSP is arresting dozens of drunk leghumper fans driving back to their double-wides. Or single-wides. Tents. Under a rock.
Whatever, a really trashy bunch.
TrimHedger
September 1st, 2012
4:00 pm
Who is K Marshall, did he play in this game, I must have missed him.
Limerick
September 1st, 2012
4:00 pm
No passes to the tight ends, interesting.
jvillebil
September 1st, 2012
4:01 pm
Surely you jest Trimhedger?
jvillebil
September 1st, 2012
4:01 pm
Bennet look good
AP
September 1st, 2012
4:01 pm
Thought Murray looked off again today in his timing, but at least he didn’t throw any interceptions.
Rantastic Dawg
September 1st, 2012
4:01 pm
I doubt UGA will fall in the polls any farther than S.C. will for that pitiful game at Vandy. Chickens should drop at least 3 spots. UGA will remain #6.
Glory between the Hedges
September 1st, 2012
4:01 pm
Buffalo would give Vandy a challenge…With that said, our suspensions do seem like they are going to hurt us after watching this game. I am just so excited about Gurley. The guy is a TD machine. Has all the tools you want. Just work on his blocking a little more. The man is special.
SOS
September 1st, 2012
4:03 pm
Field goal kicker was 1-2, starting punter didn’t pin them deep one time.
Swann had a nice 30 yard punt return
Gurley had a super 100 yard kick off return.
Conley had a nice punt block.
jvillebil
September 1st, 2012
4:03 pm
Sometimes hard to get up for an uninspiring opponent. Kind of like swatting at a spesky mosquito until you finally just squash him.
Buffalo Biff
September 1st, 2012
4:03 pm
If UGA is the number six team in the nation, then my genitalia is made out of diamonds. Or red panties, might be a better analogy. Just sayin’.
Big Crimson 75
September 1st, 2012
4:04 pm
Toughness is still a question mark.
Mental toughness. Physical toughness.
Run the damn ball!!
Buzz2011
September 1st, 2012
4:04 pm
Dogs cover what Schultz? If they had played a big time team the Dogs would have given up 500 yards. No defense again. The Dogs are in trouble.
Yellow Fuzz
September 1st, 2012
4:04 pm
Told you georgia would NOT cover!
AZDawg
September 1st, 2012
4:05 pm
Now that the game is over aren’t we all suppose to log on and say “a win is a win”?? Then we fast forward to November and punch the “Do nothing Hope Certificate” ticket….then we roll back to next week have Bozo dial in a pre determined locked and loaded game plan to throw on 1st & 2nd and run on third and long…..and “Hope” we win…..Folks, Hope is not a strategy!!!!
Change is hard but change is often good…..Bye Bye Bozo!!!