Dogs play a home game in Atlanta?
Georgia fans put up with the fact that our “home” game with Florida every other year takes place in Jacksonville, but how would you feel if the Dogs gave up another game in Athens, say, in 2010, to play a nationally televised high-profile nonconference game at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta?
It’s a possibility, according to coach Mark Richt. The Athens Banner-Herald reports that when Richt spoke to the Augusta Bulldog Club Monday night an audience member asked what he could do about Alabama’s Nick Saban scheduling games in Atlanta, seen as a recruiting plus. “We’re working a deal that could possibly happen,” Richt said. “Maybe even the year after this.” He added, however, that a lot would have to happen for the deal to fall into place and “it’s really more of a pipedream than anything anybody should get excited about.”
Richt said somebody currently on Georgia’s schedule (which hasn’t been officially announced) would have to agree to come off in order for the deal to happen, and he’s not optimistic. But he did tease that “we think we have one team that everybody would be excited about.”
I’m of a mixed mind on this. On the surface, Georgia playing a Southern Cal or UCLA or Oklahoma in Atlanta for a national prime-time audience would seem like a golden opportunity to gain great exposure for the program, and a win in a game like that gives your team a boost with all those voters in the polls, as was the case after Alabama destroyed Clemson last season in Atlanta. Plus, as has been proved when the Dogs have played bowl games or SEC Championship games there, UGA fans can make the dome rock when they want to.
But the devil’s in the details, and for fans it might prove to be a raw deal. For one thing, the Georgia Dome doesn’t seat as many as Sanford Stadium (as has been pointed out when moving the Florida game there in alternate years has been discussed). And despite Falcons fans giving it their best shot, the area of downtown around the dome is not exactly prime tailgating territory. It would have to be a pretty great matchup to make me happy with giving up a Saturday in Athens.
So what do you think? A great idea or not worth the effort?
BULLDOG BITES: Richt also revealed Monday night that the NCAA nixed him attending Georgia signee Chris Burnette’s graduation ceremony since the player will just be a speaker, not the valedictorian. After all the posturing the NCAA did about this issue, that’s a typically hypocritical result. … C.J. Byrd has signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, UGA says, making him the fifth Dog to sign as an undrafted free agent. With the six Dogs who were drafted, that makes 11 members of the 2008 team going to the pros. … All three games of this weekend’s Diamond Dogs home series against Florida are sold out, UGA says. But tickets are still available for the return game against Jacksonville State Wednesday night and the final regular season home series against Vandy, May 8-10. … I caught Matthew Stafford on Letterman Monday night, and while his delivery of the Top 10 thoughts that went through his mind on draft day wasn’t the smoothest performance by an athlete delivering one of Dave’s Top 10s, he didn’t embarrass himself. Best lines: “Holy crap, I think I just pulled a hamstring” and “Why does Jessica Simpson keep calling me?” You can watch it here.
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136 comments Add your comment
Nick Saban
April 28th, 2009
3:55 pm
Oh please make it aanother BLACKOUT !!!!
Please ???????????????
I just love going to funerals.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
AltamahaDawg
April 28th, 2009
3:56 pm
Did I misread the topic, or does this have absolutely nothing to do with the Ga/Fla game?
funny line, “the area of downtown around the dome is not exactly prime tailgating territory”…… really?
Ozzfest
April 28th, 2009
4:13 pm
WE NEED TO GET A “KILLER” HOME & HOME FIRST. Arizona State, Ok State, Lousiville & Clemson(again????) ARE NOT PARTICULARLY ATTRACTIVE MATCHUPS. I WILL BE GOING TO THOSE GAMES, AND OREGON…BUT THOSE TEAMS DO NOT QUALIFY AS TOP QUALITY. AS A SEASON TICKET HOLDER, I HAVE WAITED 30+ YEARS FOR TEXAS, MICHIGAN, ND, OR USC…AND I AM STILL WAITING. SCREW THE DOME…LET’S TAKE THE RED & BLACK TO LINCOLN OR SOUTH BEND.
Cuz
April 28th, 2009
4:41 pm
I still like the idea of playing the Minnesotta Golden Gophers in a dome and dome series. Have you ever seen a Gophers home game at the Metrodome. They can’t even fill up the first level. Put in 20,000 sreaming Dawg fans and we would outnumber their fans.
Reality Check....
April 28th, 2009
4:43 pm
Nick Saban needs a reality check….
Otto
April 28th, 2009
4:51 pm
Oregon is tougher than Michigan or ND.
Jack
April 28th, 2009
4:52 pm
Someone please tell me how UF has a home advantage when the stadium is divided 50-50 between Georgia and Florida fans. Jacksonville has the largest Bulldog club outside of the state of Georgia, and is only a little over 5 hours away from UGA. Anyone who has attended the WLOCP knows that there are just as many Dawg fans tailgating around the stadium as there are Gator fans. Moving the game to Atlanta would do nothing to solve UGA’s troubles against Floruda, intstead it would most likely give the Gators a huge motivation to stomp all over us in a place to that is supposed to give us an advantage. The only thing that will help Georgia out against Florida do it on the field, regardless of the venue.
Sanford Drive
April 28th, 2009
4:56 pm
Jack,
I think people want it moved since most dawg fans are in ATL/Athens, and it’s a hell of a drive.
austindog
April 28th, 2009
5:23 pm
Jack:
Gainesville to Athens: 351 miles.
Athens to Jax: 362 miles.
In football field lengths, Florida starts their drive at the Georgia 19, where the Bulldogs start on their own goaline.
Otto
April 28th, 2009
5:36 pm
The only thing UGA can do to help is to schedule a by week before the game which UF has historically done.
Dooley almost always had a cupcake or off week before Jax. Spurrier did the same. Going forward it looks like both teams will face a SEC West from rotation the week before Jax during most years.
Jack is correct the stadium is 50/50 and moving it would just give uF more incentive. UGA needs to get it done on the field and CMR was doing a good job of changing that.
The ‘07 dance cost UGA last year in the UF players eyes and the refs. UGA was in it before a turnover was taken away with a penalty same as the Bama game. Last year was CMR’s only blow out loss to UF. CMR has still has not lost to the same coach for more than 2 years in a row.
Keep the game in Jax.
pete
April 28th, 2009
5:51 pm
Being a lifelong Tech fan,I have to admit that nothing compares to a football Saturday in Athens,Baton Rouge, Oxford,Auburn etc.The Dome is an insult to loyal fans.What do you Bama fans think about giving up your tailgating to hang around the great neighborhood around the Dome?
Robby
April 28th, 2009
6:44 pm
If playin usc, oklahoma, texas, ohio state then YES…anything other than a historic top ten program…..NO EFFIN WAY
SoCal Dawg
April 28th, 2009
6:51 pm
Otto are you sure you’re not a Carolina fan cause you sound chicken!
James
April 28th, 2009
7:25 pm
I think the game being played inJacksonville every year is best. It’s a great environment and not a bad drive from Athens. It’s like a mini vacation for the family. This wouldn’t even be an issue if we had won the last 10 in a row.
And we don’t need to worry about recruiting in the state of Georgia. We pretty much get who we want 90% of the time.
Jack
April 28th, 2009
7:35 pm
I will admit it is a bit of a drive, however most UGA students love the fact that the game is as far away as it is. UF students view it as quazi homegame because it is so close, while UGA students are able to use their extra two days off as a vacation. The game is and has been a huge event for DAWG fans for over 80 years and it would continue to be if the football team had the ability to perform. Face it the Georgia Dome is fun for SEC Championships and the occasional Peach Bowl, but thats all it is. Moving the game to Atlanta would be like every other game UGA has to play there and would seriously deminish the tradition of the rivalry.
Tommy
April 28th, 2009
7:57 pm
No HOME games in the Dome unless one of the GA/Fl games. Now if an opponent wants to play their home game against us in the dome that’s ok.
SC Dawg
April 28th, 2009
8:11 pm
The only way a game will work at the Georgia Dome is if it’s a neutral site with where there is no return game required. It cannot come at the sacrifice of a home game.
LSU_TIGER
April 28th, 2009
8:18 pm
Hey Saint Simons, We’ll be Glad to play ya’ in the Dome again. You can’t compete with the SEC. You just got lucky by the Dawgs mistakes.
mexdawg
April 28th, 2009
8:35 pm
Some of you people just don’t get it.We need the Fl game in Jax for RECRUITING in south GA and FL.You better belive that FL ST will own south Ga if we move this game.As far as the dome goes I don’t care if we ever play another game their unless it is an SEC championship game.Worse part of Atlanta, terrible for tailgating, very unsafe….not exactly the college football experience I want to be a part of.Keep the games in ATHENS where they belong.
Jax Dawg Fan
April 28th, 2009
9:14 pm
Question: What happens if the GA-FL is played in the Georgia Dome…and Florida wins?
Answer: GA fans will never hear the end of that.
Stay in Jacksonville. Unbelievable national exposure. Unique to College Football…..a true mid-season bowl game…..Glory Glory To Old Georgia!!!
Dawgtime
April 28th, 2009
9:28 pm
Why do we continue to renew the contract with the Gators in Jacksonville? Neutral site, yeah right. Travel to the game and you will realize that it is a UF home game. That series is so strange to me. I know it’s a money thing, but it is a bias. Would UF play in Atlanta every year for the same amount of money?
bank walker
April 28th, 2009
10:49 pm
It’s floating around that it’s the Texas Longhorns. Although it would be a better game in Athens, a one and done with the Horns,in the dome, would be awesome!
Denver Dog
April 29th, 2009
12:30 am
Hey D Scott, I remember how Calvin tortured us during his stint at GT. I hope that they do team up well, but if I recall I said #1. Maybe Calvin compares with Hines Ward, Jake Scott, or Terrell Davis, you know, the super bowl MVP’s from UGA. However, he needs to show something other than old gold in his backbone.
I guess there aren’t any Woffords or Gardner Webb teams in the NFL. That is his expereince base, but make no mistake about it, he has talent. Take your Tech comments to your Tech blog, if there is such a thing.
BigMike
April 29th, 2009
12:33 am
If we must play at the Dome, let us whip Florida’s A#$. Also let GT play LSU there on a regular basis, it would be an upgrade from North Ave Stadium,38-3,let me type that again,38-3. Before any of you turd’s put 45-42, just remember 1-7, Tech’s record against M Richt!
DawgDayz
April 29th, 2009
12:41 am
Why would anyone want to see us play Notre Lame? They are awful, step down from Okie State.
Lets get a home and home series against Penn State, Ohio State, Texas, Oklahoma or USC. They draw of an early season game of this magnitude would be great.
Otherwise, the athletic department needs to start talking about lengthening the runway in Athens. Chartered larger aircraft would then be able to get in there without question. That would take the whole Atlanta/ Dome game out of the mix.
Alumni and Boosters put the money to lengthen and strengthen the runway to allow 737’s in there.
Cuz
April 29th, 2009
12:52 am
There is a football game during the GA-FLA weekend? I thought I just went to Saint Simons to stay drunk for four days and play golf.
Carlton Powell
April 29th, 2009
7:59 am
Ok, enough already. Putting ANY game in the GA. Dome is dumber than dog $$hit. Sooner, rather than later the only home games will be against DII or 1A teams. It’s bad enough already. The home schedule will have meaningless games played in the middle of summer at 1pm, a la GA. Southern last season. No matter what one’s feelings are concerning the GA-FL game in Jax, the fact remains that UGA gives up a prime home date every other year. Meeting financial goals requires booking a team seeking a larger pay day, and makes scheduling home and home series against national powers difficult. Transportation between ATL and Athens is NOT that difficult. Such arguement is foolish.
GatorBird fan
April 29th, 2009
8:33 am
First of all we should wait till the Atlanta Falcons win the Superbowl this next season. After the birds win Blank will see to it that the new stadium be built in North Fulton/south Gwinette or Cobb county areas (like everyone wants anyway). See to it that it holds 90K +….then The GATOR fans would love to see a Jacksonville/Atlanta series with the Pups!!!…………… Now that: ……………………………..
Micheal Vick is gone the demographic area of the GA Dome doesn’t fit the fan base. Those PEOPLE in that area don’t really like Matt Ryan or the Falcons anymore. Nor is their a problem with killing dogs for fun. 70% of the season ticket holders come from the N.Fulton/Gwt/Cobb area’s…BUILD IT THEY WILL COME!!!
DAWGS!!!!
April 29th, 2009
8:38 am
BILL KING…. now you know what to write to get a great BLOG going….. GA/FLA game location….LOL
Robert
April 29th, 2009
9:40 am
If we are going to play a huge OOC game, I’d rather play it in Sanford Stadium. If you want to play a game in the Georgia Dome, I am fine with the annual UF game, but one of the greatest parts about college football is the tradition. What is the incentive to play in the Georgia Dome?
Doug Roberson
April 29th, 2009
10:52 am
Hey guys. I’m the new beat writer for Tech. Interesting Ideas you’ve got here on the UF game. I actually attended UGA and I’m in favor of having a home and away game for Georgia/Florida. Thoughts?
Johnny DangerDawg
April 29th, 2009
10:58 am
Why are all of you assuming UGA would play Southern Cal in Atlanta? Richt has said in the past that he doesn’t want to schedule USC because the SEC schedule is already hard enough. If UGA were to play in the dome, they would play a decent team from a major conference (Clemson, Arizona State, Michigan State, etc.).
Pedantic
April 29th, 2009
11:56 am
Please call it Southern California or USC. It’s not “Southern Cal.” The university discourages that moniker.
Bill King
April 29th, 2009
2:16 pm
About “Southern Cal.” Why should UGA fans care what their administration prefers? I understand folks in San Francisco are sensitive about “Frisco,” but that doesn’t mean much elsewhere. I also hear the North Avenue Trade School prefers not to be called that, but … And Mike Adams doesn’t like the use of the cocktail party name. Good luck to him on that.
JenniferGO Dawgs
April 29th, 2009
2:28 pm
I think it only fair to play in Atlanta, Look, do you really consider Jacksonville, FLORIDA neutral territory. I don’t think so! So, go back and forth one year in Atlanta the next in Jacksonville, that would be fair.
Brad
April 29th, 2009
10:08 pm
Atlanta is a dumphole!