Should Georgia and Clemson play a spring football game?
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney would like a spring exhibition game. (Associated Press)
Whenever talk of Georgia’s traditional football rivals comes up, I like to point out that there was a time not so long ago when the rivalry with the Clemson Tigers was as big as, if not bigger than, the annual game in Jacksonville or even the in-state battle with the Yellow Jackets. Then conference scheduling difficulties made it no longer possible for the Dogs and Tigers to meet every year — a definite loss for the two fan bases of the neighboring schools.
When Georgia and Clemson do play, it’s more than just your typical nonconference game. So as a longtime proponent of playing Clemson more than just a couple of times per decade, I was pleased to be tipped off by the Senator to an idea Tigers coach Dabo Swinney has about livening up spring practice by emulating the NFL and having Georgia and Clemson play an exhibition game.
Talking with the Charleston Post and Courier, Swinney noted that in spring practice players “get tired of going against each other” and suggested, “Let’s go play Georgia. Don’t you think that could generate some good money with all the Clemson fans and Georgia fans? Let’s split the gate down the middle.”
Loading ...I like the concept of a spring exhibition game. A lot. In fact, I’d like it even if it weren’t Clemson, but considering the two schools’ athletic history and close proximity to each other, I think the Tigers would be the perfect opponent for such a game.
Of course, it should be noted that Swinney may not be all that serious about this. And the money angle probably has more appeal to Clemson, which is currently running athletic deficits, than to UGA, which sits atop a fat $60 million surplus. But the Dogs could always make their side of the game a charity thing.
The likelihood of injuries wouldn’t seem to be much greater than in an intrasquad game. In fact, just about the only downside I can think of to an exhibition like this is that even agreeing ahead of time to play second- and third-stringers, the full roster wouldn’t get as much playing time as it does when you divide up the Dogs into the Red and Black teams.
But the excitement generated by playing another team would certainly get the players revved up more. And such a match would more closely resemble the pressures of a real game and perhaps provide a more accurate picture who which players are really ready for prime time.
Where to play such a game? I suppose the easiest thing would be to make it at least a two-year deal and play home-and-home in Athens and Clemson. Or maybe this would be a good opportunity for the two programs to play a game in Atlanta other than in a Chick-fil-A bowl.
Speaking of Georgia-Clemson, the two schools next are scheduled to play each other in 2013 in Clemson and 2014 in Athens, and T Kyle King believes the week before the Dogs play South Carolina would be the perfect spot on the schedule. As he points out, back in the Vince Dooley days, Georgia routinely played the Tigers and Gamecocks back-to-back. T Kyle likes the idea of a “throwback” schedule like that. Sounds good to me.
But back to the spring. What do you think about Georgia playing a spring exhibition game, against Clemson or anyone else? Are there compelling reasons not to do something along those lines? Feel free to comment, vote in the poll or do both.
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173 comments Add your comment
Dawg Fud
March 11th, 2010
12:54 pm
Love the idea. A legitimate tailgate in the spring — awesome! I married into a Clemson family and this would be a great family gathering for me so I am biased.
UGAX – great point about putting the cash back into education
YoungDawg
March 11th, 2010
12:57 pm
Only if every D1 school does the same thing!
Daniel #12
March 11th, 2010
12:58 pm
C,mon Bill. It wasn’t conference scheduling difficulties that ended the annual rivalry. We have increased our schedule from 10 games to 12 per year and still only schedule Climpson every so often. UGA’s athletic dept. saw the game as a recuiting boon for Climpson and a no win for UGA. I am all for a Spring game. Is this allowed by the NCAA?
Billy Jack could fight
March 11th, 2010
12:59 pm
Awesome idea…I watched the replay of the 1983 game played in Death Valley on ESPN classic yesterday….it ended in a 16-16 tie….brought back memories…
Bubba
March 11th, 2010
1:03 pm
Found this posted today:
Tech head coach Frank Beamer took time out of his weekly news conference on Tuesday afternoon to lobby for an exhibition game for college football programs. Citing examples of the NFL and high schools, he’d like to see colleges be able to schedule one exhibition game in preparation for the season.
“It makes sense to me,” he said. “Here you’ve got the pros and they’ve got four and high school’s have scrimmages. In college, you play an opponent and that’s the first time you’re hitting someone besides your own teammates. I just think that [an exhibition] would be a good idea.
“Right now, I don’t know why we wouldn’t do something like that. It makes sense to me.”
When asked if he meant playing a FCS opponent such as a JMU or Richmond, Beamer said he wasn’t necessarily thinking that explicitly.
“I think people would have to work that out,” he said. “But whoever you play, at least you get some of the things out of the way that come up in that first game.”
At the moment, there hasn’t been much in the way of discussion on the topic. But Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez came out in support of the idea, saying that would be the one rule he would change.
“I don’t know how much there is,” Beamer said when asked about support for the idea. “But I’m going to see if there is any move in that direction. It makes sense to me.”
Chicken Dawg w/ Tail Between Legs
March 11th, 2010
1:05 pm
No way!
We play too tough a schedule all ready!
Waaaaaa! I’m a big chicken!!!
Dawg Olvinist
March 11th, 2010
1:10 pm
Ga-Clemson—tee it up baby!! A spring game is better than these boring intrasquad matches. Bring it on! Plus, it will a lot more fans out for the game and I can do real tailgate party!!!
ToccoaDawg
March 11th, 2010
1:16 pm
Clemson and Georgia should play every year in the regular season. clemson should play Furman and Georgia plays Georgia State in a spring game.
Blue Max
March 11th, 2010
1:19 pm
Toccoadawg, just play tech in the spring.
ToccoaDawg
March 11th, 2010
1:23 pm
we play yech at thanksgiving
ramseydawg
March 11th, 2010
1:25 pm
Why give Clemson any Georgia exposure. Let them play Furman. We have nothing to gain but recognition for them
ToccoaDawg
March 11th, 2010
1:27 pm
ramseydawg they would have to play Furman because Wofford would beat them.
Clemson possibly proposing a spring exhibition game against UGA - TideFans.com
March 11th, 2010
1:28 pm
[...] Should Georgia and Clemson play a spring football game? | The Junkyard Blawg "Talking with the Charleston Post and Courier, Swinney noted that in spring practice players [...]
dawgfan
March 11th, 2010
1:29 pm
Bad idea. The spring is for teaching and fundamentals. If you’re playing a real live opponent its putting the cart before the horse. The team may not be ready for that. This isn’t pick up basketball or flag football. You can’t just throw 22 guys together and decide to go play a tackle football game. You have to be ready. Our guys don’t need to worry about whether they can beat Clemson in the spring. They need to worry about whether they can block, tackle, and do their jobs. And what if we lose this exhibition game or just look like crap? Don’t think for a second that it wouldn’t be used against us come preseason poll time. Its hard enough to win a national championship as it is. Why make it even harder with some meaningless exhibition game that would drop you 5 spots in the preseason polls if it didn’t go well?
I see absolutely no point in this other than money. It might be good for the fans, but not good for the coaches and players. I think its a horrible idea.
38 Yardline Dawg
March 11th, 2010
1:29 pm
I don’t think we should pay Clemson $300,000 to play us! http://espn.go.com/blog/sec/post/_/id/9452/georgia-releases-future-nonconference-foes
Sanford Drive
March 11th, 2010
1:32 pm
A good idea in theory, but would we do a home-and-home every spring? I’m sure a lot of alumni don’t want to go to Clemson to watch a Gday game.
jacket3
March 11th, 2010
1:39 pm
Great Idea…been kicked around a long time. Your article mentioned money and such….”Georgia’s AD could donate their portion to charity”. Why not “donate everything to the students to keep tuition costs from tumbling out of control….and the kids are the real winners in all of this….besides it the students and the parents that pay most of the cost for school. What a wonderful way for UGA to give back to the kids and community.
DawgsForever
March 11th, 2010
1:40 pm
There really wasn’t a scheduling conflict…we simply stopped playing Clemson regularly so that we could play at least two Louisiana Tech’s, Furman’s, or Georgia Southern’s of the world. Coaches prefer playing patsies for job security reasons….see Richt’s future schedules! We do have Clemson and Oregon on future schedules so that means we actually risk losing a non-conference game 4 times in the next 8 years. But does anyone really consider Oregon and Clemson our equal???? Even these could be argued as playing down in competition! Where is Texas, Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Miami or anyone else of general high caliber???
Dawglasville
March 11th, 2010
1:43 pm
Clemson, Tech, and another game with national attention (Penn St., Oregan, Notre Dame)and then a patsy.
Dawg 39
March 11th, 2010
1:43 pm
We have too many teams now that consider the Dawgs to be 1 of their top 3 rivalry games. GTech, USC, UF, Tenn., Auburn, etc. We do not need to add Clemson to that list unless they join the SEC. A spring scrimmage type game would probablly benefit the Tigers more than the Dawgs. Still think it would be a good idea. Also I hate Orange, Tigers, & particularly Gators.
ozzfest
March 11th, 2010
1:44 pm
DAMON AND AURTHUR JOHNSON HAVE ALREADY WASTED THE 2013 AND 2014 NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE WITH CLEMSON.
NO MORE ACC OPPONENTS…UNLESS WE CAN SCHEDULE MIAMI OR FSU!!!
TEXAS, USC, MICHIGAN, NOTRE DAME….I MEAN, WE HAVE NOT PLAYED A SINGLE POWERHOUSE IN MY LIFETIME…AND I AM 41!!!
DAMON, WAKE UP!!!
Dawgonit
March 11th, 2010
1:45 pm
I agree with Kieth B. It would be better for UGA to play a Ga Southern or State. Smaller schools would be safer with injuries, no recruiting threats, UGA donates to charity, Smaller school still makes a little, and helps prove if players cant cut it against a D2 school then they obviously wont be ready for D1. Charge $3 or $4 for the game, make it fun. NOT A RIVALRY!
ozzfest
March 11th, 2010
1:46 pm
BY THE WAY, I STILL HAVE MY “CLEM” AND “CLEM’S SON” SHIRT!
AceDawg
March 11th, 2010
1:47 pm
Sounds good – Spring games are still helpful when it is only your team, but an opponent allows you to try play calling against an opponent that hasn’t trained for you. I will say – the one sad thing about no contact on QBs is that how do you know they can hold onto the ball if they are hit, and can they really, truly handle the pressure when its not a whistle but 300 pounds stopping them?
ozzfest
March 11th, 2010
1:48 pm
BY THE WAY, I STILL HAVE MY SIZE XL “CLEM” AND “CLEM’S SON” SHIRT FROM 1986…..ANYBODY INTERESTED IN BUYING IT?
waynester
March 11th, 2010
1:49 pm
Superb idea regardless of what other SEC teams opt to do. Some seem concerned about the hard hitting that would occur in such a game– after last year’s showcase of poor tackling I think it’s more worrisome going against our own guys and soft-pedalling during the spring tilt– let ‘em hit hard for goodness’ sake! To those concerned about other teams recruiting the Peach State– every program in the country is already looking our way–it’s a GOOD thing. More of our kids getting opportunities at a higher education when only a limited number of openings are available at UGA is good for competition (which is what I thought this was all about) The mighty Clemson recruiting juggernaut is a drop in the bucket compared to all the other schools seeking our homegrown talent. If we’re not getting the cream of the crop from our own state that ain’t Clemson’s fault. Finally, just because we’d rather play them in the regular season every year like we used to– don’t let the PERFECT become the enemy of the GOOD. A spring slobberknocker with the Tigers is a whole lot better than what we’re doing now, whether it was Dabo’s idea or Richt’s. If they’re able to whup us on the field or recruiting let the best men win, period.
VIVA COMPETITION!
zach
March 11th, 2010
1:50 pm
Oh Captain, my Captain… As a recent Georgia Alum, it really bothers me that you spell Clemson with a “p.” I think this would be an exciting sell to recruits as far as getting more national television exposure. How could ESPN not televise this scrimmage?
boston dawg
March 11th, 2010
1:51 pm
83% yes? are you guys high?
yes, the 2010 season is a long way off and we all miss it, but the red & black scrimmage is about getting players on the field and seeing how they hold up in hold up in game situations, not an “event.” as ‘captain’ said, nothing is to be gained by an exhibition, whereas more injury potential, less playing time for backups/underclassmen and recruiting damage could be done by giving clemson football a yearly, in-state platform. no worries though seeing as it would never happen anyway.
as far as the regular season goes, we played ‘em in ‘02/’03 and will play ‘em again in ‘13/’14. i’m comfortable with a home/home every ten years or so with them. we already play a tough enough acc opponent every year without adding another.
if that’s not enough for some of you “old school” dawg fans who “remember the 80’s” may i suggest hopping on your kid’s xbox sometime and playing uga/clemson every spring, fall, hell all year long.
PTC DAWG
March 11th, 2010
1:53 pm
I’d rather play Clemps son more in the regular season. Beating those jokers is always fun.
Yeah, I was in school in the early 80’s, and we had some great games with’em.
Belvedere
March 11th, 2010
1:55 pm
38 Yard Line, referencing the same article, I don’t think Clemson should pay $300,000 the previous year when Georgia visits. It’s a wash, moron.
Bring back the rivalry! The two schools are, what, 80 miles apart? And they’ve played four times in the past 20 years? What a crock of crap.
OrlG8r
March 11th, 2010
1:56 pm
As a Dawg fan, I think UGA should switch to the ACC permanently. They more closely match-up with the Dawg talent level over there anyway….:D
McDawg
March 11th, 2010
1:58 pm
i like it in theory but the pressure to win the game would throw the focus of spring which is to find out which guys fit where, building depth, and coaching fundamentals
schmeckdawg
March 11th, 2010
1:58 pm
OEJ let’s swap Clemson for Vandy. The Commode Huggers would seem to be a better fit for the acc. Plus Kentucky is a fun road trip with scorching hot women!
Charles Herty
March 11th, 2010
1:59 pm
Maybe put Ga Tech on the schedule so we can beat them twice a year.
Dumb idea
March 11th, 2010
2:02 pm
Why risk injury in a meaningless game? Keep the “rivalries” to the regular season….
schmeckdawg
March 11th, 2010
2:02 pm
Good call NCDAWG. I know we always have a tough schedule; however, I would rather play Clemson every year, than a lot of the teams we are playing now. I mean playing some of these out of conference school is pretty cool but who is going to get jacked up over UGA-colorado besides us and them. The whole South would be juiced if we could play the Tigers every season. GREAT rivalry!
EW
March 11th, 2010
2:04 pm
The NCAA probably has some lame rule against it. It’s not worth the CHANCE of someone getting hurt. It would be overhyped and under-enjoyed. It would help Clemson more than UGA. If we aren’t actually going to PLAY the other team why PRACTICE against them? This is NOT like an MLB exhibition where they actually play a real game with the same rules….I could go on forever….I’m in favor of playing them in the regular season but not a “scrimmage”
EW
March 11th, 2010
2:06 pm
ozzfest…try ebay. this ain’t craigslist, it’s a blog
Georgia-Clemson in the spring? « The next Lewis Grizzard
March 11th, 2010
2:11 pm
[...] Georgia-Clemson in the spring? AJC Junkyard Blawg here. [...]
Evansdawg
March 11th, 2010
2:24 pm
I miss playing the Tigers. It was my most fierce enemy back in the day living on the state line in Augusta. Bring it on. I the QBs can’t be hurt and its a true practice situation, so be it. Its a great way for the schools to generate excitement and money. It could be a great brand new tradition that pays tribute to the history of the rivalry between the two schools. Have the two schools spend a couple of days actually practicing WITH each other…then have an exhibition game celebrating the relationship and friendly rivalry. I would love it.
Dawg 3/20
March 11th, 2010
2:29 pm
Dawgs need to get their QB some PT in a real game against a legitimate team before they visit daddy Spurrier. Murray hasn’t played in a real game in almost two years come September…….against high schoolers and defenses where 90% of the players are now in the stands watching football and not playing it.
Froggy Dawgy
March 11th, 2010
2:32 pm
“I wish Clemson could join the SEC and we give the ACC Kentucky”
Why is that so you don’t have to play and lose to irrelevant Kentucky again?
buzz is wiser
March 11th, 2010
2:40 pm
First, I hate both of you but I think it would be a great idea. Yeah Clemson would reap the economic benefit from such a game but the only thing better than a $60 million surplus is a $61 million surplus. Imagine the buzz that would come from a game like this from a national perspective, not to mention you guys of bull”dawg” nation. You guys went crazy over a D-coordinator you would just love this. It’s probably not going to happen but I would like to see it.
SEC FAN
March 11th, 2010
2:41 pm
Dawgsforever,
Oregon and Clemson aren’t on Georgia’s level? Oregon is the pac 10 champion and Clemson is the ACC runner up while Georgia spent this last year in the sec’s bottom seeded bowl the Independence. I would hardly say they are not on Georgia’s level. Oregon is not only on Georgia’s level but at this point in time is superior. In historical terms they are not on Georgia’s level but in present day terms they are better. Clemson is debatable although overall I think Georgia is a bigger program in terms of historical accomplishment and in the last few years. But not so much better as to say Clemson is not on your or close to your level. Clemson is just behind Georgia.
As for where are Texas, Ohio State, Michigan, Nebraska, OU, Penn State, USC, Miami? Miami and Michigan have slipped a bit. Miami did have home and homes with UT a few years ago as did ND and UCLA. Texas played home and homes with Ohio State a few years ago. OU played a home and home with Bama in the early 2000s as did UCLA but OU has not picked up the sec again since then. Penn State plays at Alabama which is a bigger name than Georgia and Penn State has a storied history with Alabama. Like Penn St Nebraska and USC have played Bama several times over the years in big time intrastate rivalries. If these teams along with OU come back to the sec they would probably prefer to resume home and homes with Bama who they consider a name on par with their own. Ohio State also played a one game neutral site game against Bama similar to Bama’s game against VT but OSU hasn’t visited the sec since then in the regular season. Its doubtful they would step into the conference again unless they took on Bama in a big time traditional name matchup similar to their home and homes against Texas and USC.
UT is the 2nd biggest traditional name in the SEC and they have played a lot of home and homes throughout the last 1-15 years all over the country with Cal, ND, Miami, UCLA, etc. I wouldn’t be surprised to see UT pick up some more of these big time rivalries assuming Dooley can get the vols back to a competitive state again.
Texas and USC however have had home and homes with Auburn though so maybe they would also consider Georgia too.
A good realistic game for Georgia would be Nebraska. Nebraska has had big home and homes all over the country with programs like USC, VT, Penn state, Bama etc. If they played VT then they would certainly be willing to play Georgia which would also give the Huskers a great recruiting venue.
Tiger88
March 11th, 2010
2:42 pm
UGAX: I was at that one, too. …’tween the hedges. It was an incredible kick. The next two years were just as crazy or crazier: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucxgIGhmwes Think this was ‘86 – Treadwell’s revenge Part II.
Gotta get this one going again – I miss those days.
DawnTiger
March 11th, 2010
2:49 pm
Captain, it is a shame that as a UGA grad they didn’t teach you how to spell CLEMSON. But you obviously learned how to hold a grudge.
I think this game is a fantastic idea…bring it on!
Allen
March 11th, 2010
2:49 pm
Seems like a good idea. Perhaps the athletic department could donate the proceeds to the academic operations of the university. Charity begins at home, after all.
EisenDawg
March 11th, 2010
2:56 pm
Bad idea! I don’t have a problem playing Clemson or anyone else DURING the season. Maybe baseball or some other sport, but not football. With the extra adrenaline flowing, there would be everything to lose and nothing to gain. It just would not be worth the risk. No,the spring G game is all about letting our own players get a chance to showcase what they can do. You put it into a “game” with another team, and then the coaches might be tempted to sacrifice teaching and grading our team, to “winning” the game. And if we blow someone’s knee out, it will go from bad idea, to a really stupid idea. And, heck, if you lost this meaningless fiasco, it might even adversely affect the BCS voters.
Stinger
March 11th, 2010
2:57 pm
Looks like many of you are skeerd of the tigers.
ChamDawg
March 11th, 2010
2:58 pm
Great idea — I love it. Same chance of injury either way (in theory).
As for the naysayers (e.g. Captain) who say “No” we don’t want to play Clemson ever again (spring or fall), we don’t want to make our season tougher, legitimize them in any way, or elevate Clemson’s recruiting abilities inside the state of Georgia — your position is a dubious one at best.
Using that line of reasoning, we ought to drop Ga Tech from the schedule and swap Auburn for Miss State (or Ole’ Miss) as our permanent SEC West opponent, right? Who cares about the rivalry, when you can make your schedule easier and make recruiting tougher for another school? Why not leave the SEC altogether and play an easier conference? [See how silly this sounds]
I say ink Clemson for a spring deal and try to work them in semi-regularly in the Fall (every other or every third season, alternating sites)