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
FALKONS
September 1st, 2012
1:41 pm
You know Spurrier is looking at this game and plotting!!!!!!!
Heavyweight Champion of the Earl
September 1st, 2012
1:41 pm
Jawja’s defense does not look dominant…
Jeff Schultz
September 1st, 2012
1:41 pm
This isn’t good for Georgia defense. Buffalo just plowed them on that drive. It’s 24-13.
Under the Bleachers
September 1st, 2012
1:41 pm
That is one way to play defense…use 12
Josh Smith for 3
September 1st, 2012
1:42 pm
What an embarassing display on defense. Props to this Buffalo RB, but c’mon…
Aaron Murray SUCKS!
September 1st, 2012
1:42 pm
Whew! National Championship for the softest Team, State in the country, YEAH RIGHT! LOL.
Morgan
September 1st, 2012
1:42 pm
Again…our defense can’t stop Buffalo from continuing to score? Really?! A 94-yard drive!! PATHETIC!!!!!!!!!!! Absolutely pathetic!
Big Crimson 75
September 1st, 2012
1:42 pm
The sky is falling again!!!
Big guy
September 1st, 2012
1:42 pm
Hot knife thru butter
Dr J
September 1st, 2012
1:42 pm
I don’t get why we’re playing so soft on defense. It’s pitiful. This game should not be this close. 24-13 with Buffalo? What happened to Road to Miami? Won’t get to Miami playing like this.
J Dub
September 1st, 2012
1:42 pm
Beginning of the game, they said Ogletree out 2 games and Rambo out 4
45ACP
September 1st, 2012
1:42 pm
94 yard drive by Buffalo.
Big guy
September 1st, 2012
1:43 pm
Granthem needs another raise
Ignition
September 1st, 2012
1:43 pm
No NC for UGA with this D
Jimmy Crack
September 1st, 2012
1:43 pm
Obviously our defense is having issues. They better bring extra ear plugs to the locker room at halftime.
Grantham may pop a blood vessel.
dawggirl
September 1st, 2012
1:43 pm
Embarrassing is right. The line on this game was 38.
FALKONS
September 1st, 2012
1:43 pm
TOP 5 defense in the nation!!!!!!!!!! I think we already see what UGA will be exposed on this year! Their defense is a farce! A JOKE! O well! We are what we are! 9 maybe 10 wins if we get lucky! A crummy bowl game! Who knows but at least we will be fun to watch on offense!
Aaron Murray SUCKS!
September 1st, 2012
1:43 pm
Who is number 11? LOL
Under the Bleachers
September 1st, 2012
1:43 pm
Big Crimson 75
September 1st, 2012
1:42 pm
The sky is falling again!!!
It is raining Capitol One Credit Cards!
glory between the hedges
September 1st, 2012
1:43 pm
Thats pathetic defense…I hope those suspended players realize what they have done.
Morgan
September 1st, 2012
1:44 pm
Buffalo is a joke! But our defense may be worse! Wow!
Dude
September 1st, 2012
1:44 pm
Alright, I am mailing in the season, just go ahead and fire Richt, we are going 0-12!!!
Heavyweight Champion of the Earl
September 1st, 2012
1:44 pm
Grantham is calling for too many blitz plays. It is exposing the middle, and opening up lanes for the tight end. He needs to change it up a bit…
Gt fan
September 1st, 2012
1:44 pm
How good would GT & Tevin Washington look vs. Buffalo? Kinda like 2011 vs. W.Carolina, MTSU, and Kansas.
UGA is supposed to win by 40-50 (or more) even playing 2nd & 3rd teamers, they’re just that much better.
Relax on Gurley, UGA fans, I remind you … it’s Buffalo.
Dr J
September 1st, 2012
1:44 pm
94 yard drive? Are you serious? That’s not top 5 defense.
GATiger
September 1st, 2012
1:44 pm
So much for the vaunted Georgia defense. The mighty Bulls of Buffalo have outgained the Dawgs late in the 2nd.
45ACP
September 1st, 2012
1:44 pm
Gurley is back in the game!
Jeff Schultz
September 1st, 2012
1:44 pm
Don’t care about suspensions, etc. Can’t give up 94 yard drive to Buffalo.
Morgan
September 1st, 2012
1:45 pm
Outback Bowl…here we come!!! Again!
PreyDawg
September 1st, 2012
1:45 pm
That was a TERRIBLE looking defensive series. Do we think that the game is over?
Here we go again...
September 1st, 2012
1:45 pm
It could still be the road to Miami! If they move the Weed Eater Bowl there…
John Holmes
September 1st, 2012
1:45 pm
Let’s see. Gurly hasn’t seen the turf since his last TD. Another joke of a season. Defense is horrible. Grantham is mediocre. A complete and utter disaster. Play Gurly you dumbass!
Jeff Schultz
September 1st, 2012
1:45 pm
I would say Gurley is back, but you probably know that by now.
Under the Bleachers
September 1st, 2012
1:45 pm
I guess the backup QB’s will not be seeing any sustantial plaaying time today..unless a different UGA team shows up in the 2nd half.
Jimmy Crack
September 1st, 2012
1:45 pm
“Listen, Mr. Grantham, you better try to get your defense playing better or I don’t know how I’m going to feel, Mister!”
-Richt chewing out Grantham at halftime
Gt fan
September 1st, 2012
1:46 pm
UGA pessimists ……. UGA’s scout team could beat Buffalo, and TG & MR know that. Maybe TG is calling an unconventional gameplan so as not to show Mizzou much???
J Dub
September 1st, 2012
1:46 pm
#11 is Connor Norman, Rambo’s replacement….
Dr J
September 1st, 2012
1:46 pm
Gurley needs to be the starting RB.
Selfishness of Rambo, Ogletree, and Commings are the reason we are hurting on D right now.
oldbird
September 1st, 2012
1:46 pm
Hope our guys just weren’t up for this game. Otherwise, a long disappointing season. I haven’t seen us this flat since South Carolina in like 1988 or 89.
Under the Bleachers
September 1st, 2012
1:46 pm
“substantial”
UGA just needs to quit trying to play football
September 1st, 2012
1:46 pm
Why do we do this to our selves every year? When are we going to learn, UGA football is the worst in the SEC!!!
Dr J
September 1st, 2012
1:46 pm
O-line looks bad again. No pass pro.
Aaron Murray SUCKS!
September 1st, 2012
1:47 pm
Do u want Gurley in, do you want him out. This coaching staff is still suspect with these guys being together for several years, with the same system. Line Sucks, They play all the wrong people, in all the wrong places.
Under the Bleachers
September 1st, 2012
1:47 pm
The OL Looks bad
dawggirl
September 1st, 2012
1:47 pm
Holy mother of pearl.
Heavyweight Champion of the Earl
September 1st, 2012
1:47 pm
Take away that Gurley kickoff return TD, and it’s a close game folks…
nobody
September 1st, 2012
1:47 pm
They have more sacks than us dont they? WOW
John Holmes
September 1st, 2012
1:47 pm
Embarrassing. Pile of slop. 3 man rush destroys UGAs OL
Richt is a Bozo
September 1st, 2012
1:48 pm
We are never going to beat, Tennessee, UF, Vandy, SC, or Missouri like this?
Big Crimson 75
September 1st, 2012
1:48 pm
Damn!!!
Buffalo is calling time outs on Uga.