LIVE: Georgia looks to make quick work of Buffalo, move on
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
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1,078 comments Add your comment
gbal
September 1st, 2012
12:53 pm
three kickoffs in the endzone is great special teams solution
Under the Bleachers
September 1st, 2012
12:53 pm
Franklin from Missouri will wear that defense out if they play this same way.
5150 UOAD
September 1st, 2012
12:53 pm
45 have a good and safe cookout. What is on the Menu?
ARdawg
September 1st, 2012
12:53 pm
Maybe that *cough* vaunted defense can step it up this time
Under the Bleachers
September 1st, 2012
12:54 pm
The middle is open on every play.
5150 UOAD
September 1st, 2012
12:54 pm
WOW he was WIDE OPEN.
If you have this many 2ndsrt guys missing for Mizzou that will not be good.
FALKONS
September 1st, 2012
12:54 pm
Reciever wide open! This defense is a work in the making! they are not what everyone talks them up to be but maybe they will get better!
Jeff Schultz
September 1st, 2012
12:55 pm
Keith Marshall in.
gbal
September 1st, 2012
12:56 pm
Samual and Marshall in the backfield… Run a FB play now and then!
FALKONS
September 1st, 2012
12:56 pm
I love Michael Bennette! He is just a good football player!
Under the Bleachers
September 1st, 2012
12:56 pm
That play will not work against good SEC defenses
Dr J
September 1st, 2012
12:56 pm
The defense will get better guys. My gosh it happened one series. They’ll improve. Don’t expect them to be the best defense in the country within a few drives. They’ll improve play by play.
Big Crimson 75
September 1st, 2012
12:56 pm
Must be nice opening with the sisters of the poor!!
As always, we’ll take care of the heavy lifting for the Conference tonight.
FALKONS
September 1st, 2012
12:56 pm
Good to see R Wooten back a really good fast reciever!
Dr J
September 1st, 2012
12:57 pm
Stop overthrowing Murray!!!! O-line is holding up well.
Under the Bleachers
September 1st, 2012
12:57 pm
The OL is still getting pushed back with just 3 pass rushers.
5150 UOAD
September 1st, 2012
12:57 pm
45 anybody heard from CUZ? Any idea how Baylie is doing?
gbal
September 1st, 2012
12:58 pm
AM off on the log balll…. there’s another RB
Dr J
September 1st, 2012
12:58 pm
@Big Crimson 75, what about last year when we opened with Boise State when you guys opened with KENT state??? HAHAHAHA Get off our board.
Jeff Schultz
September 1st, 2012
12:58 pm
Aaron Murray is off target so far.
Josh Smith for 3
September 1st, 2012
12:58 pm
Murray is just so streaky. He can look like Peyton Manning for an entire drive and then overthrow wide open receivers.
gbal
September 1st, 2012
12:58 pm
BS
Under the Bleachers
September 1st, 2012
12:58 pm
Dr J
September 1st, 2012
12:57 pm
Stop overthrowing Murray!!!! O-line is holding up well.
R U Kidding me. Three pass rushers and getting knocked back
5150 UOAD
September 1st, 2012
12:59 pm
Is this the new thing at UGa? The 2 running backs were 3 & 4 since 1 can’ wear 34?
ARdawg
September 1st, 2012
12:59 pm
5150
If you run that diarrhea with the women like you do on the blogs you don’t deserve a break
gbal
September 1st, 2012
1:00 pm
great camera work on Peachtree!
Dr J
September 1st, 2012
1:00 pm
Marshall Morgan can’t kick. Ouch.
Under the Bleachers
September 1st, 2012
1:00 pm
Looked line my slice on the golf course
Dr J
September 1st, 2012
1:01 pm
There are going to be close game’s this year…next week could be one vs. Mizzou, we gotta nail those kicks. And come someone please get that QB?!
Josh Smith for 3
September 1st, 2012
1:01 pm
Good lord that wasn’t even close…
Under the Bleachers
September 1st, 2012
1:01 pm
No Middle on UGA defense
Jeff Schultz
September 1st, 2012
1:01 pm
Yeah, that kick was pretty bad.
gbal
September 1st, 2012
1:02 pm
jenkins is a hoss
Jeff Schultz
September 1st, 2012
1:02 pm
Fire Grantham!
Fire Bobo!
(Sorry. Just trying to get ahead of the curve.)
southgadawg
September 1st, 2012
1:02 pm
freshman kicker….nerves!! good leg though
Under the Bleachers
September 1st, 2012
1:02 pm
JJ looks fat and slow, and his other DL are standing up and getting pushed back
Senor Coughee
September 1st, 2012
1:03 pm
D needs to tighten up a bit.
chem
September 1st, 2012
1:03 pm
No one wants to fire Grantham
Dr J
September 1st, 2012
1:03 pm
So far I’m not impressed at all. Need better run blocking by the O-line, our defense needs to ramp it up and tackle better and contain that QB. James Franklin from Mizzou is going to destroy our defense if we play like this on defense next week. Aaron Murray needs to actually hit his targets. Score should be like 28-6 right now.
gbal
September 1st, 2012
1:03 pm
and the first extra point hit the uprite
Jeff Schultz
September 1st, 2012
1:03 pm
FYI — Gurley apparently has gone to locker room. No official report.
Under the Bleachers
September 1st, 2012
1:04 pm
Jeff Schultz
September 1st, 2012
1:02 pm
Fire Grantham!
Fire Bobo!
(Sorry. Just trying to get ahead of the curve.)
Now That was Funny!
Under the Bleachers
September 1st, 2012
1:04 pm
Jeff Schultz
September 1st, 2012
1:03 pm
FYI — Gurley apparently has gone to locker room. No official report
Turning Pro!
Jeff Schultz
September 1st, 2012
1:05 pm
Under The Bleachers — That’s funny.
Doggie
September 1st, 2012
1:06 pm
Would Alabama only be ahead 1td? Doubt it. Other than Gurley, same ole.
dawggirl
September 1st, 2012
1:06 pm
Oh god, don’t tell me he’s injured.
Ignition
September 1st, 2012
1:06 pm
Aaron Murray just isn’t accurate.. And wow is this vaunted defense gettin moved on ..
This is very underwhelming…
Morgan
September 1st, 2012
1:06 pm
Haha!!! Jeff, that was great!
Under the Bleachers
September 1st, 2012
1:06 pm
Breaking New!
The BIG 10 is Horrible.
5150 UOAD
September 1st, 2012
1:06 pm
JEFF who is doing the Live TECH v TECH game?