Dogs fans want top teams in Athens
While scheduler Arthur Johnson confirmed to the Athens Banner-Herald that UGA has been approached about playing a nonconference game in Atlanta’s Georgia Dome in 2010, it’s apparently still not a done deal. Johnson said the Dogs, who travel to Colorado that season, still have two schedule spots to fill for 2010, “preferably at home.” Sounds like Georgia’s not going to jump on that dome offer unless it’s really sweet.
In the meantime, Johnson told the ABH, the New Mexico State Aggies have accepted an eye-opening payday of $925,000 to come to Athens for a Nov. 5 game in 2011, between the Florida and Auburn games. That’s the most UGA has ever bribed, er, paid a visiting team, but that’s apparently what schedule fodder costs these days. This will be the Aggies’ fourth trip to Athens, with the Dogs having posted big wins over them in 2002, 2000 and 1995.
That will make for a less than compelling schedule in 2011, when the Dogs’ nonconference slate also will include Louisville and Coastal Carolina in addition to the Trade School, and the rotating SEC schedule has us playing the two Mississippi schools that year.
So far, UGA’s effort in recent seasons to branch out from mostly playing designated losers with directional names in bolstering its nonconference schedule has produced middling results, with the likes of Boise State, Colorado, Okie State, Arizona State and, a few years down the road, Clemson. But in talking with Dog fans, I hear a definite yearning for the program to kick it up a notch and schedule a top name, preferably to a home-and-home deal, not a one-off in Atlanta.
The team mentioned most often by fans? Easy. Texas (where it’s still 10 to 9). Apparently a lot of the Bulldog Nation would like to see the Dogs matched up with the Longhorns and wouldn’t mind a trip to Austin at all. Other names that come up frequently in such conversations include Michigan (the Dogs were last in Ann Arbor for Vince Dooley’s major upset in 1965) and Oklahoma. USC’s Trojans, not so much. What with the distance involved, that seems like a better bowl match.
Speaking of bowl games, Collegefootballnews.com has come up with a fanciful “way too early” set of predictions for the coming season’s BCS bowl matchups, which you can read here.
And while on the subject of the BCS, I’m not a fan of that very flawed system of picking a national college football champion, but I know one thing for sure: Getting Congress involved isn’t a good idea. You probably read about last week’s hearing held by a House subcommittee in which a Republican congressman from Texas threatened the BCS with legislation preventing it from calling its title game a “national” championship unless it starts moving toward a playoff system.
Like most fans, of course, I’d prefer a playoff to the current mess involving polls and computer rankings, but the real problem with Congress getting involved is all the talk about how the BCS, controlled by the major conferences, isn’t a fair way to divvy up the spoils. This is prompted mostly by the Mountain West folks, still pouting over Utah not being in the most recent championship game. A Mountain West Conference rep called the current distribution of money “grossly inequitable.”
I’m sorry, but all college football conferences aren’t created equal, and while the best Mountain West team can occasionally whip a good SEC or Big 12 team, the level of play in the also-ran conferences isn’t up to what the big boys play. As the ACC’s John Swofford, current head of the BCS, told the Congressional panel, the current system “represents the marketplace.”
Eventually, the marketplace (the TV audience) will make its preference for a playoff heard loudly enough that the college presidents and bowls (the forces against a playoff) will have to come up with something along those lines. It may take a while and it no doubt won’t be a perfect system, but it’s likely to be a lot better than anything that Congressional meddlers can come up with.
Bulldog Bites: UGA’s men’s golf team is the No. 1 seed for the NCAA Regional that will be held next week in Sorrento, Fla. The Dogs and 13 other teams will compete at the Red Tail Golf Club May 14-16 for the chance to go to the NCAA Championship May 26-30 at the Inverness Golf Club in Toledo, Ohio. … While the Diamond Dogs were imploding last week, the softball team finished out its regular season with three wins and saw sophomore Taylor Schlopy named SEC player of the week and senior Christie Hamilton selected as pitcher of the week. The softball Bulldogs enter postseason play with a 39-9 record. … Mark Richt told the Banner-Herald that he’s content with keeping an indoor practice facility on the back burner while training, weight and recruiting facilities at the Butts-Mehre building are upgraded. … Collegefootballnews.com also has come up with a ranking of the best programs for producing running backs, and UGA comes in third behind USC and Auburn. Check it out here.
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222 comments Add your comment
WTF???
May 5th, 2009
10:32 am
Oooohh.. I hope we can win at golf….
Right On Time
May 5th, 2009
10:47 am
NEW MEXICO STATE????? NEW MEXICO STATE?????
For a million bucks you can get…NEW MEXICO STATE.
Happy stinking Cinco De Mayo. Give me a break.
Why not just schedule GEORGIA STATE?!?! It gives them exposure and the pay could be cut in half.
I am so looking forward to Coastal Carolina and Louisville and then New Mexico State…yippee!! I will now double my check to the Hartman Fund.
ReptilesRule
May 5th, 2009
11:37 am
Since Florida and Georgia both play a neutral site game every year in Jax, it would be hard to schedule games away from your home stadium too often. We would love to have the Gators play here in Tampa every year, and even if it was New Mexico State, the place would be packed and would be a bowl type atmosphere. But, UF and UGA don’t keep spending millions of dollars constantly upgrading their stadiums so they can play more away games in a neutral site.
Cuz
May 5th, 2009
11:54 am
Louisville may put up a fight, it depends on the year how well that team does.
All that cash for New Mexico State? Well this schedule will be sure to please the ticket holders. I guess the Eastern Pennsylvannia State Fighting Amish were booked. Well their cheerleaders are not much to look at with those long dresses and bonnets. Although that mascot with the Abe Lincoln beard looks kinda cool.
Ed
May 5th, 2009
12:11 pm
New Mexico State, Coastal Carolina…sheez.
As for the BCS, I don’t care if they keep it the way it is, as long as we acknowledge that there really isn’t such a thing as a D-1 national champ.
You can’t have a national championship that involves a vote and a computer, and if anyone was a national champ last year, it was Utah, who went undefeated, won their conference, and dominated their BCS conf. opponent in a major bowl.
Schools like Utah, Boise State, and TCU, despite proving in recent years that they can beat schools like Alabama, Wisconsin, Oklahoma and Texas Tech, are shut out before the opening kickoff of the season. It’s time we recognize this system for the political farce that it is. I’ll say the same thing when the stars align and Georgia “wins” one, as well.
I suggest this: For mythical national championship purposes, divide D-1 into two subdivisions: BCS schools compete against each other under the current format for the BCS national title (which makes sense, since that is what’s happening now, anyway)
The remaining teams (MWC, MAC, WAC, and the like) can compete for another national title, say, the AP title. Everyone can still compete against each other, teams like Utah and Boise State can still play in major bowls, but at the end, crown the BCS champ and the top non-BCS school based on the AP poll, or something like that. Under this sytem, Florida and Utah would have been co-national champs last year. Can anyone look at last year’s results and conclude that would have been an unfair outcome? Anyone who watched Florida play ‘Bama and then Utah play ‘Bama might question whether Florida would even beat Utah head-to-head. I’d sure like to hear an Alabama player’s opinion on which opponent was better.
If you want to make it really interesting, play one extra game – a true national championship game between the BCS winner and non-BCS winner. I think a Florida-Utah matchup would have drawn a lot of interest, and it would be hard to argue against the legitimacy of the winner.
It’s time for the greatest sport in the world – college football – to stop making a joke of itself.
Tom
May 5th, 2009
12:19 pm
I simply don’t understand scheduling teams from outside the U.S.
RealDawg
May 5th, 2009
12:47 pm
Why not Old Mexico State? Oh, the whole pig virus thing may get in the way.
Voice of Reason
May 5th, 2009
12:48 pm
huh? outside th U.S.? who?
Voice of Reason
May 5th, 2009
12:50 pm
Question. Besides O.J. Simpson Reggie Bush and Lendale White, what other running backs has USC produced to be the number 1 producer of RBs?
Can't have it both ways...
May 5th, 2009
12:51 pm
New Mexico St, eh? Nothing to too excited about, but let me say this. For the author who brings up “middling results” from UGA reaching out to distant, different non-conf. opponents, let me say this. Who knew that Colorado was gonna be a bust these past few years (though they almost beat us)? Did you? No one did. The same goes for ASU and OK St. Good intentions by UGA, but bad luck getting a team that was high-profiled at the time. Personally, I’m very satisfied with their efforts. Would I like to see a Texas-UGA game? Certainly. But, the effort on UGA is there, and I do think better than “middling” results will come.
Keep in mind also, I’ve heard the same people get on this blog and b%tch about how hard next year’s schedule is. So, be careful what you wish for.
Cuz
May 5th, 2009
1:12 pm
Okie State appears loaded for bear this year. May be rough sailing in Stillwater.
LifelongDawg
May 5th, 2009
1:18 pm
Voice of Reason, I think the team “outside the U.S. is a reference to the immigration problem in New Mexico, and the reconquista that is taking place.
USC had Ricky Bell, Marcus Allen, Charles White, Anthony Davis, and Mike Garrett. Maybe not great pros, but excellent college backs.
KNelson
May 5th, 2009
1:21 pm
No wonder Georgia goes 4-0 each year. They pay for teams to come to Athens in order to get a W.
JB
May 5th, 2009
1:32 pm
New Mexico State is Disappointing . I would love to play UCLA, Washington State, Notre Dame, Boston College or Virginia Tech.
OZZFEST
May 5th, 2009
1:32 pm
(I AM A SEASON TICKET HOLDER.) THIS IS GETTING TO THE POINT OF STUPIDITY. WHAT KIND OF IDIOT WOULD PAY A CRAP TEAM LIKE NEW MEXICO STATE A MILLION DOLLARS? HERE WE GO AGAIN, DAMON…I ASKED YOU PERSONALLY WHEN YOU WERE GOING TO SCHEDULE A POWER…AND YOU SAID SOMETHING WAS IN THE WORKS. OF COURSE IF I WERE DON LEEBURN, I COULD GET AN ANSWER…BUT I ONLY MAKE $120,000 A YEAR SO I JUST GET LIED TO! THIS WAS THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY TO GET A NAME-BRAND-MAJOR-TEAM HOME & HOME, AND ONCE AGAIN UGA FAILS MISERABLY. WHAT DOES IT TAKE…DO WE HAVE TO START CHARGING $100 FOR TICKETS? OH NO WAIT WE ALREADY HAVE THAT IN OSU. (YES, I BOUGHT TWO.) THIS IS A JOKE AND SHOULD ANGER ALL GEORGIA FANS.
theTruth
May 5th, 2009
1:34 pm
OSU will be at top 10 team when we play them this year. Boise St was a top 15 team when they came to Athens. Georgia plays the TOUGHEST OOC schedule this year in the entire country. OSU, ASU, and GTech. Colorado had just won the big 12 north when they were scheduled. Looking ahead, Clemson and Oregon could be very good but you never know.
Teams like FLA are the ones that have a cupcake schedule. UGA tried to schedule Michigan twice (including last year) but they wouldn’t come to an agreement. I would love to see Michigan/OSU/UT/Penn St in Athens.
JMar
May 5th, 2009
1:36 pm
I agree that early season games should maybe be scheduled against tougher teams. Sometimes you schedule a team when they’re at the top – e.g., Arizona State, Louisville – and when it actually comes time to play them, they stink. Sometimes teams are far better than you expected when you scheduled them – e.g., Oklahoma State. But that’s strictly for early season games.
Would I like to see a UGA – Texas game? Yes. Would I like to see UGA play Florida, then Texas, then Auburn in three straight games? Are you insane? You’re setting the team up to lose big time when you have that kind of schedule, and that’s far less entertaining (in the short or long term) than watching them play NMSU.
Cuz
May 5th, 2009
1:40 pm
Not going to be alot of TV games in 2011. I think I will go ahead and buy the batteries for my radio.
KNelson
May 5th, 2009
1:45 pm
Georgia plays the toughest OOC schedule in the Country? Hahahahahahahahahaha. Please !
Native Atlantan
May 5th, 2009
1:48 pm
Opponents like Samford and Gardner Webb is why we have Georgia Tech around.
MiltonDawg
May 5th, 2009
1:49 pm
Damon is a moron! You want to be a National College Power, you need to play games that fans will enjoy and are great matchups. That’s like when Florida play Panama City Community College. It’s not too late to change it is it? Schedule another PAC-10 team like Washington or Oregon.
jaxdawg
May 5th, 2009
1:51 pm
I’m glad to see Georgia toning the OOC schedule down a little. I mean, come on, why do we need to schedule tough OOC games year in and year out when no one else in the SEC does?? Our 2011 schedule is starting to resemble that of the Florida Gaytors. They had a weak OOC schedule last year and look where it got them.
Can you say, UGA Nat’l Champs 2011?!?!
Go Dawgs!
RedandBlack
May 5th, 2009
1:52 pm
It is very disappointing to see the caliber of oompetition that is signed up for the 2011 season. The University of Georgia should seek better opponents to complete their football schedule in future years. Competition needs to be distiguished and recognizable. This looks like an Auburn or an Alabama schedule. Lets go Dogs! Book some good ones!! Go Dogs!!!
RAMBLE ON!!!
May 5th, 2009
1:53 pm
“Can you say, UGA Nat’l Champs 2011?!?!”BHHHWAAAAHHHHAAAHHAAAA!!!!
…no but you will anyway.
Native Atlantan
May 5th, 2009
1:54 pm
For all the people who love that UF game in Jacksonville, New Mexico State are the fruits of the labor. If you played the UF game home and home, that would open up both SEC powers for major home and homes. How many times do the Gators leave the state?
You could sell two for one and three for one deals to MWC, MAC, WAC and smaller Big East schools. What a concept!!! Improve your OOC schedule, quality opponents coming in and not have to buy directional schools for almost a million dollars & guarantee atleast seven games in Athens per year while getting more money.
But no, I’m sure Damon Evans and the fat cats on the board love using those high dollar boats, luxury condos and homes down on the S. Georgia coast. The heck with doing what’s best for UGA and college football…those overpaid board people need to take care of themselves.
WTF???
May 5th, 2009
1:54 pm
We’re getting bashed for our occ schedule? Go look at Floriduh’s….
RedGADawg
May 5th, 2009
1:55 pm
This announcement smells of puppy poop! Home games are TN, Vandy, Miss State in conference and get excited Coastal Carolina, New Mexico State, Louisville and GA Tech. I hope all these teams are better in two years as of now there may only be one top 25 among them, I believe Paul Johnson can look good in the ACC. Not much value for the entertainment dollar with this schedule. May stay home and put money in big HDTV.
KNelson
May 5th, 2009
1:55 pm
Tennessee plays UCLA and Florida in the first 3 weeks of the season ! Georgia your schedule is pathetic year after year.
jaxdawg
May 5th, 2009
2:02 pm
We definitely won’t overlook the TRADE SCHOOL in 2011. They should be our toughest OOC game of the year…oh, nevermind, we play Lousiville!
The schedule should set up nice for us…
Native Atlantan
May 5th, 2009
2:03 pm
KNelson, who is your team? It probably wouldn’t be too difficult to bash their schedule….or league. Gee, let me guess….a team who has beat their state rival once on eight years?
Otto
May 5th, 2009
2:05 pm
WTF is right. Look at UF’s schedule. Hopefully Louiseville can rebuild by then.
Denver Dog
May 5th, 2009
2:07 pm
It apparently doesn’t matter now does it. Penn State for years has loaded up with Lehigh, Temple etc, it is ok when they do it. Ohio State loads up against Ohio U, Bowling Green etc. It seems as if it doesn’t matter no does it. Ok State, Arizona State, Ga Tech, looks pretty good to me. Why all the whining. Going to Colorado, the last I checked,they shared a national championship with Ga Tech, and they played a real schedule. Must not be true UGA fans to do all that whining.
BJohnDawg
May 5th, 2009
2:08 pm
KNelson…you are full of it. You play UCLA a team that cannot win in it’s own conference. But they can sure beat Tenn.As for Florida, everyone in the EAST Division plays Florida.
However, Damon you guys get an F on this one. And I am a Big Dawg fan.
Fans are tired of the scheduling of New Mexico State, Coastal Carolina. Just because other schools do does not mean Georgia should.Let Alabama schedule and get beat by the LA-Monroe’s of the world. I would rather go to Ann Arbor or Austin or LA to play USC, then these teams that are push overs for a win.
I dont expect to play Michigan or Ohio State between Florida and Auburn, I just expect us to play them sometime. And Texas too. If we cannot get to the BCS champ game, then do it the 12 game schedule for Pete’s sake.
I need a drink.
Denver Dog
May 5th, 2009
2:10 pm
Hey Tech Fans, maybe we can get Garner Webb, and Wingate on our schedule and that will make us have a tough schedule. Pull up your panties Tech folks. As they say down at the varsity tech boys, don’t throw rocks if you live in outhouses.
WTF???
May 5th, 2009
2:14 pm
KNelson, what do you think UT’s record will be after the first two weeks of the year? Action, reaction. Not rocket science. For heaven’s sakes, someone pull SC & Florida’s schedules. Two losses & you are done in the BCS. Looks like UT will be done by end of September.
slimpickens
May 5th, 2009
2:15 pm
Bill, Can we play your school Tech, twice?
WTF???
May 5th, 2009
2:18 pm
I would put Clemson back on the schedule, maybe throw in a Pitt or Mizzou. There is no way I would schedule Texas or Oklahomo in the regular season. Ohio State??? Brang it, Suckeyes have proved in more than one case that they don’t belong on the same field as the SEC. But no way in hell I’d put the Longhorns or the Sooners on there. Lets win out & hope to get them in January….
Gummy Bears...Bouncing here and there and everywhere....THEY ARE THE GUMMY BEARS!!!!
May 5th, 2009
2:18 pm
Can we play devry?
Big B CH 99
May 5th, 2009
2:18 pm
Most of the SEC is scared to play tough OOC, b/c if they played teams from other good conferences (Big 12) & that Conference beat them people might start to say that the other Conf. is the best in the country, but we won’t ever have to worry about that b/c the SEC ain’t gonna play good OOC competition.
JP
May 5th, 2009
2:18 pm
Seriously?!?! Why are people complaining?!? Think about the run of Florida then Texas then Auburn…I dont care how good that team is, that kind of schedule is setting yourself up for disaster. Get over it people.
WTF???
May 5th, 2009
2:23 pm
Let’s put this into some perspective, say you are an avid golfer. You want to lower your handicap by 10 strokes over the course of a summer. Do you go play Augusta National or Pinehurst every round? Absolutely not. You may be a better golfer, but your score will not reflect that. Same with UGA. Of course we could schedule the big boys (even though we play a few every year in conference play). Drop one of the OCC games & we’re toast. Because there is a very high probability we’ll drop at least one SEC game throughout the year.
BoiseDawg
May 5th, 2009
2:26 pm
Voice of Reason: Answer to your question… Hard to argue that USC is not Running Back U. In addition to OJ Simpson, Reggie Bush and LenDale White… you forgot Mike Garrett, Charles White, Anthony Davis and Marcus Allen. I count 5 Heisman Trophy winning RBs in that bunch and I believe Anthony Davis finished 2nd in the Heisman voting. Any schools out there that have 5 Heisman winning RB’s? I doubt it.
WTF???
May 5th, 2009
2:26 pm
Big B – None of the major conference powerhouses schedule tough OCC games. And if they do, it’s usually a home & home then it’s off the schedule. Sometimes it happens by accident, for instance South Florida a few years ago, Boise every few years. But for the most part, the major conferences let their conference games count for their strength of schedule.
Bill King
May 5th, 2009
2:27 pm
I don’t think anyone is really advocating putting a team like Texas in the New Mexico State November slot between Florida and Auburn. But devoting one of the early-season nonconference dates to a team like that would be a big upgrade for the schedule.
rick
May 5th, 2009
2:29 pm
I for one would rather go to Athens and see a Dawg win rather than a lost.An SEC schedule is enough.Forget about all these urealistic expectations with a tough out of conference schedule. The Dawgs will never win a MNC playing these tough out of confernce opponents.
Johnny DangerDawg
May 5th, 2009
2:29 pm
If we do play a top team like Texas, let’s please make it a home-and-away. Let’s not reduce our number of home games to go play in Atlanta. Also, I know Dawg fans would love a roadtrip to Austin, the *second-best* college town in America!
WTF???
May 5th, 2009
2:30 pm
Bill, it would be a big upgrade for the fans. Not necessarily for any NC hopes we may or may not have for that particular season. You know our Dawgs are slow starters under Richt, usually not playing our best ball until late in the season. If we were to do it I would bump Yech from the final spot (hell with rival week, I mean, considering they’re not really a rival…).
reservoirDAWG
May 5th, 2009
2:30 pm
I’m torn on this one. Just more reason for a playoff.
Stephen
May 5th, 2009
2:32 pm
This article said virtually nothing that wasn’t the complete opposite of the truth:
1) UGA’s OOC schedule is/has been/will be very ambitious. See “Can’t Have It Both Ways…”
2) No UGA fan that understands anything past ranting would make an argument against New Mexico State (unless the argument was “Between Auburn and UF?? That should be a BYE). UGA fans want to win a championship and that isn’t done by losing to UF or Auburn. The chance of losing either of those games increases exponentially with the difficulty of the games around them.
3) UGA playing UT or UM or USC? WHY? What UGA fan wants to see that happen anywhere other than a BCS game? Think strategically here folks.
Go Dawgs.
IwannaForget
May 5th, 2009
2:34 pm
That 2000 game was a doozie. For some reason I decided to get to that game early that morning & drink like it was 1999. Very long & interesting story short, I lost alot of money, made a complete ass of myself, accidentally damaged property so I was told, womanized every female I saw, & didn’t feel right for the next few days. I also had a “My name is Earl” size list of apologies to hand out after it was all said & done. Every time I hear about New Mexico State I kinda cringe.
Matt
May 5th, 2009
2:36 pm
I’m fine with it. Why schedule tough teams when you dont have to? We already play a tough SEC schedule. Look at FU’s schedule this year..it’s more pathetic!
WTF???
May 5th, 2009
2:36 pm
Ah Stephen-san, you have great knowledge of Dawg ambition. Veddy good.
AltamahaDawg
May 5th, 2009
2:37 pm
Knelson, yea, that takes real balls to go out and schedule that game with Fl. Still dodging my question I see.
BoiseDawg
May 5th, 2009
2:38 pm
Scheduling Oklahoma State and Arizona State in the same year is probably a little much, especially given we play Arkansas, Auburn and LSU in the west this year. But at a minimum we should be scheduling at least one team (in addition to Tech) from a major conference as a home/away every year. I for one would prefer that team be a Big 12, Big 10 or Pac 10 power over Clemson… nothing against Clemson, just like a little variety. If we want to pay to bring in a WAC team, why not Fresno St. Hawaii or Boise St?… at least make it a respectable WAC team.
pdawg
May 5th, 2009
2:38 pm
This blog sounds more like a blog Moore will write not Bill King….wondering if Moore is off today….just saying
Say no to NMSU
May 5th, 2009
2:41 pm
Bill,
Lets face it. UGA will never schedule a top 5 or 10 team as an early noncon foe. CMR said as much in an article with the AJC a year ago when asked if UGA would ever schedule a USC, etc. His exact verbatim reply was “Um, no. I don’t think we want to do that.”. And while I know Damon Evans is the AD who actually does the scheduling we all know CMR has a big say in the scheduling.
I think its obvious from what we’ve seen that he and Damon Evans are satisfied with scheduling good, middle tier teams like Ok St, Az State, Louisville, etc but that we will never actually step up to the plate and schedule someone that is a regular bcs conference champion. We could have had Va Tech which has won the ACC 3 of the last 5 years in an opener and instead we let Bammers take them.
As long as we continue to schedule good midlevel but certainly beatable teams and avoid the true big boys in each conference we will forever lag the truly big time programs.
WTF???
May 5th, 2009
2:41 pm
I thought they fired Terrance Moore?
Fools Gold
May 5th, 2009
2:42 pm
Why dosent mutt nations football team play that school that borders its northeast corner. Um North Carolina seems a better notch than a New Mexico or a Coastal… but then again this is expected from a Fools Gold football program.
PTC DAWG
May 5th, 2009
2:42 pm
Only an idiot would question our scheduling of late. I can’t believe the AJC blogger is now questioning it. Get a grip..
Who else would you propose between FU and AU? Are you so called UGA fans really that dense?
Rob
May 5th, 2009
2:43 pm
What’s the big deal? Everybody schedules a couple of cream-puffs every year. Florida played The Citadel late in their schedule last year. They ran the score up on them unmercifully and then went on the win the NC.
WTF???
May 5th, 2009
2:43 pm
Dude, if Bammer is stupid enough to continue scheduling like they are, let them. It’s only a matter of time before it bites them in the ass.
Clay
May 5th, 2009
2:43 pm
Bring some very exciting teams to Athens to play the Dawgs such as, Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Penn State, Florida State, Miami and Ohio State. Bring them to ATHENS not Atlanta!!! Stadium holds nearly 20,000 people more than the Georgia Dome and Athens is a great college atmosphere! Not Atlanta!!!!
WTF???
May 5th, 2009
2:48 pm
Fools Gold, why don’t you worry about beating UNC & let us talk about our own schedule. What was the score? 28-7?
playoffs are not conference vs. conference
May 5th, 2009
2:51 pm
they should be designed to find the best TEAM in the country. Utah whipped up on Bama last year. Why can’t they have a shot? George Mason made it to the final four. Cal State Fullerton goes to Omaha nearly every year. I’m sick of the greed that these state and federally funded BCS programs display. It’s a sport not a business…. or is it?
WTF???
May 5th, 2009
2:51 pm
Clay, to hell with bringing them to Athens. We need to play them in New Orleans, Pasadena, Glendale or Miami…. Not in Athens….
Gators eat boogers
May 5th, 2009
2:53 pm
Look at Uf’s schedule this year. What a joke!!!!
WTF???
May 5th, 2009
2:55 pm
You can’t just say it’s a sport not a business with the revenue these schools generate based off athletics alone. That is kind of a naive statement. It takes a ton of money to field these teams, plane tickets, room & board, food, equipment…
jaglaw
May 5th, 2009
2:56 pm
hey, as much as I hate to say it, the Truth and jax dawg are right. UF has a cupcake schdule and have for the past few seasons. If we play Texas and loose by a point, and UF beats Southeast Central Florida Technical College by 100 points, we have a loss and they dont. thus, they play for the NC and we get a pat on the back for having a entertaining schedule. until some of the voters start acknowledging the teams with a difficult schedule, the teams UGA plays OOC will be easy. It is sad because it takes away from the regular season. OH wait, thats all college football has,..”regular season”… we need a playoff.
theTruth
May 5th, 2009
3:05 pm
KNellie, once again an idiot. Let’s see, OSU, ASU, Gtech. Name ONE school that has a tougher OOC. TN? Yeah, UCLA (didn’t you LOSE to them last year) OHIO, WESTERN KY, and Memphis? That is a joke just like you are. Maybe we should schedule cupcakes like Wyoming on our schedule for easy wins. Oh wait…….
theTruth
May 5th, 2009
3:07 pm
jaglaw, you are correct. Just like last year, that schedule caught up with UGA. It was ranked as the #1 toughest schedule and UGA got beat up on injuries.
Jake
May 5th, 2009
3:08 pm
If the SEC schedule was like the ACC, PAC 10, or Big 10 schedule we probably would go out and find Top 10 teams for Non-conf games! Like it is now we do play 4 top tens as it is. However, the last time I looked Okl St will be in the pre-season Top 10
PMC
May 5th, 2009
3:09 pm
I have no idea the difficulty it takes to build a college schedule… but this is not a matchup anyone other than New Mexico State should be excited about.
Thanks for calling it to our attention.
Reebok
May 5th, 2009
3:13 pm
Tech fan here. I was quick to give the Dogs their props for lining up a very tough schedule this year, and I am sorry to see it’s back to the same old Directional-School crap in 2011. As a veteran of the Gardner-Webb debacle, I’ll tell you that scheduling teams that you are expected to beat the crap out of cannot help you long-term. See you on the Flats in November…
Reebok
May 5th, 2009
3:15 pm
OK, one small caveat to my previous post…with a 12-game schedule, plus a bowl game and possibly a conference championship game, maybe it does make sense to schedule one glorified scrimmage to work the kinks out or give your team a breather mid-season. But Coastal Carolina & East West Mexico Tech in the same year…?
gtforever
May 5th, 2009
3:16 pm
UGA, what a JOKE!
Jake
May 5th, 2009
3:18 pm
Reebok, You guys have Jacksonville St and Duke? What are these games?
Voice of Reason
May 5th, 2009
3:19 pm
thanks for the answers guys. I didn’t realize there were that many from USC. Pretty impressive by USC.
KNelson- can you name a school with a tougher OOC schedule?? If not, then I guess you admit, by default, that UGA’s is the toughest!
OldTech
May 5th, 2009
3:20 pm
As a Ga Tech fan who lives in what is primarily UGA & Auburn territory, I have attended many meeting with representatives from the athletic departments of those two schools. I have asked these representatives point blank about their non-conference scheduling. The answer has always been, “We can sellout our stadium whoever we play and the economic impact of having 7-8 home games is too large to ignore” In other words, if we play the teams we want to play, they will want home-and-home contracts and we will not be able to play 8 home games a year. Auburn and UGA are “forced” to play 4 away SEC games per year and do not want the home field sitting empty any more Saturdays than absolutely necessary. So they schedule New Mexico State and pay them big bucks to come to the slaughter. But at $40+ per ticket for 90,000+ seats, or over $3.5 million dolaars in tickets sales, plus concessions, local business impact at restaurants, hotels, parking, etc. $925,000 seems a reasonable price to pay. That is why UGA, Auburn, Florida and other schools who can sell out they stadiums regardless of the competition will not play more than one quality non-conference game per year.
Voice of Reason
May 5th, 2009
3:21 pm
gtforever- you shouldn’t call UGA a joke for scheduling cupcake teams. GT is a cupcake team. (yes I know, you guys beat us this past year. Even a blind squirrel will find a nut every now and then)
DawgGirl32
May 5th, 2009
3:22 pm
“As long as we continue to schedule good midlevel but certainly beatable teams and avoid the true big boys in each conference we will forever lag the truly big time programs.”
Scheduling cupcakes hasn’t seemed to hurt Florida much…
Tom
May 5th, 2009
3:22 pm
“Georgia fans are passionate, but let’s face it….they’re not the brightest fans. Passionate, but not bright”.
- Eric Zeier, November 21, 2001
Bostonian
May 5th, 2009
3:24 pm
BC would beat GA. Have before and will again. GA will be 8-3 this season
Voice of Reason
May 5th, 2009
3:24 pm
very educational OldTech… thanks.
jaglaw
May 5th, 2009
3:26 pm
I am reminded of FSU when they first joined the ACC, a pathetic conference AT THAT TIME (emphasis added) and FSU had a 3 to 4 game season. they played bigf teams OOC and walked through their conference. I know that is no longer the case, but dont be suprised if one of the better MAC conference teams do the same in the ucoming years.
I can see it now, Utah or Boise State beats a UCLA, MIss.State, Notre DAme and walks through their conference….next up..National champs.
Voice of Reason
May 5th, 2009
3:30 pm
The only reference to that Zeier quote on google is a reference back to the AJC blog where a GT fan has said it before. Where, and to whom did he say this Tom? (reference)
WTF???
May 5th, 2009
3:31 pm
LOL!!!! posting as gtforever saying “UGA, what a JOKE!” Now that is funny!!!
Right On Time
May 5th, 2009
3:32 pm
Stephen, Matt, PTC, etc.,
First, I assure you I am a UGA fan through and through and only mildly crazy.
Now, this announcement about playing NEW MEXICO STATE in 2011 was dissapointing for multiple reasons: 1. It costs almost a mil., 2. It is a boring, boring game, 3. It is a step backwards from the previous steps taken in serious team scheduling.
I understand the need to have either an off week before or after the fla game, and I understand that if you get the bye before fla it is adventageous to schedule a weaker team for the week between fal and auburn (Troy in 2007). I am also aware that an SEC schedule is tough on it’s own. I have seen other schools schedules. I don’t pay to see those games. I pay to see UGA.
Now, I think the #1 revenue driving Athletic Department in the country should reward it’s loyal donors and sponsors with some good, fresh, competative entertainment. I, for one, think UGA SHOULD schedule top tier teams and should EXPECT to win those games. I have heard how the Jax game dictates the need for 6 home games which negates any chance of playing a major home/home. Then change that. If the Dawgs of 2002 or 2007 had a victory against one of the teams mentioned above, their SOS may have put them into the BCSCG. AZ ST, Colorado, OkST were all good starts and I was happy. But Louisville and MEW MEXICO STATE are like playing West Virginia in the Sugar Bowl and look how that turned out. There is something to be said for team buy in also.
UGA should take the attitude of anybody, anytime. So should the fans.
pdawg
May 5th, 2009
3:32 pm
That makes a lot of sense…..Terence Moore is fired!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! King i hope you will not be the next Terence Moore here…..sorry if you have to blog like he did to……..anyways
Voice of Reason
May 5th, 2009
3:33 pm
Bostonian- will one of our games be cancelled and the bowl game not happen this year. We play 12 games plus a bowl game and 8 and 3 only add up to 11 slick. How long ago did BC beat UGA?
jaglaw- Notre Dame doesn’t have a conference.
Rob
May 5th, 2009
3:33 pm
Last year, UF had Citadel, Hawaii & Miami on their schedule and beat them a combined 152-32! So, how does scheduling teams you are supposed to beat the crap out of hurt you in the long run? It doesn’t freakin matter. Stick to the books techies, y’all don’t know football!
pdawg
May 5th, 2009
3:33 pm
By the way guys check out Florida’s schedule last year and see if it pays to schedule like they do
athensdawg
May 5th, 2009
3:35 pm
Why not put clempson back on the schedule permanently? That would be a start. Our athletic department is a bunch of weenies. We don’t want to play anyone – we can’t give up the extra game – blah blah blah. All about money…..for god’s sake, go play some people that are good.
Yeah, this “representative marketplace” we have is real good…it has UGA and USC play overmatched opponents instead of facing each other in Pasadena. Why? Well….we have heard all the excuses……..
I’m tired of watching the same ole teams play in the BCS every year….and then listening to the hours of justification by whomever has the broadcast contract about why the BCS is an effective system.
Artie
May 5th, 2009
3:36 pm
Mark it down…UGA gets taken to the wood shed by the ‘Pokes in Stillwater!!!
Oledawg
May 5th, 2009
3:41 pm
Where did Tee Martin go to coach this year? I thought it was NMSt. If so, I’m surprised the Vol’s fans haven’t said anything. Is there a connection and will they use the trip to show recruits that they will stand up to mighty UGA? Don’t forget Central Michigan, UAB, Ga Southern and other “cream puffs” that played bloody nose-to-nose football for 4 qtrs. Let other teams scream about a weak ooc schedule. Fellow Dawg fans, keep it to a low ebb and volume. Appalachian State/Michigan ring a bell?
WTF???
May 5th, 2009
3:44 pm
lol!!! 8+3=12. BC beat UGA agin…
Huh?
May 5th, 2009
3:46 pm
Those of you whining about the OOC schedule must not have been around much in the 90’s and early 00’s when we would have played a pop warner team for the right price. Go look at those schedules. It was embarrassing. Things have drastically improved in the last few years. You have nothing to whine about. As Bill mentions, the only thing missing is a few blockbuster opponents every few years. You can’t play those games every single year though. Its logistically impossible.
K-Town Dawg
May 5th, 2009
3:46 pm
Bostonian,
Why don’t you stick with making baked beans and samuel adams, and leave the college football to the big boys.
jaglaw
May 5th, 2009
3:47 pm
voice of reason, i know ND doesnt have a conference…but Utah and Boise state do. read carefully and you will understand my statement.
Diggity Dawg
May 5th, 2009
3:49 pm
“BC would beat GA. Have before and will again. GA will be 8-3 this season”
Hey Bostonian. Which Georgia game are you NOT predicting the outcome to?
Or does 8+3=12 in ACC land?
WTF???
May 5th, 2009
3:50 pm
Dude, it said ND walks through their conference. If they do not have a conference, they should not have been included in the statement. I’m just sayin….