Weighing pros and cons of Dogs opening up against Boise State
Today's Boise State isn't the same program that fell to the Dogs in 2005. (Associated Press)
So Georgia’s going to swap out a home game against Louisville in order to open up next season against Boise State in one of those Chick-fil-A Kickoff Games at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.
I’m not sure I think this is entirely a good idea, though I can see some of the logic behind it. Georgia gets to dump a weak home-and-home series against Louisville arranged by Greg McGarity’s predecessor, will open the season in the national spotlight (keeping one of its SEC rivals from occupying that spot, though I don’t know how big a deal that really is, recruiting-wise) and will pick up a nice piece of change in the process.
But on the debit side, the Dogs give up a home game Between the Hedges (which is the biggest negative about it from my view as a season ticket holder) and will have to open up what needs to be a crucial turn-around season for Mark Richt’s program by facing one of the hottest teams in the country over the past couple of seasons. Probably without A.J. Green. True, the Broncos haven’t yet beaten an SEC team and will lose some of the talent from their current team, but this isn’t the same Boise State program that D.J. and company throttled 48-13 in Athens back in 2005.
Louisville would be an easier win. And an early season loss wouldn’t be a great way to bolster the confidence of a team coming off its worst season in many years.
It would, however, make the Georgia Bulldogs “relevant” from a national perspective as the new season kicks off. Which beats the heck out of being relegated to noontime games.
A gamble? Yeah. But if Georgia somehow wins, it will be a big boost to the team’s confidence and perhaps restore some of the swagger they’ve lost over the past couple of years.
While I was weighing all those pros and cons, I asked my brother Tim what he thought about it.
“It will be the first win in an undefeated season,” he responded. “I’ll let you know later as to which team I’m talking about.”
Indeed.
So what do you think of this move?
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239 comments Add your comment
Glad UGA scheduled this game
November 19th, 2010
9:10 pm
At least with Ga getting beat by BSU in their opening game the rest of us will be spared a week of Ga fans talking about being undefeated and SEC Championship bound like they were doing this year after they beat LoLaff
browndog
November 19th, 2010
9:23 pm
The team will be focused all summer on this game. This is a great move.
Rod
November 19th, 2010
9:26 pm
P. Bull,
Stokan said he is finalizing payouts of approximately $1.7 million to Georgia and $1.4 million for Boise State. He added Boise State will receive about 7,500 tickets for the 2011 game, leaving the rest for Georgia.
Weighing pros and cons of Dogs opening up against Boise State – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) | Best Dog Store
November 19th, 2010
9:39 pm
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Macclenny_dawg
November 19th, 2010
9:47 pm
Bill,
I think in 2 ways it helps. 1st way is it gives us a chance to get some National exposure right out of the gate for next year. We could be playing a team with the longest win streak in div 1!! But what I don’t like is it will be a tough game and it has been seen over and over when you come off a tough win the next week teams seem to come out flat!!! I actually think we should be playing some cupcake in the 1st game of the season!!! Our most important game each year is the next SEC game, not anybody outside the SEC!!! If we beat Boise then lose to South Carolina then we would already be behind in the division which should be our 1st goal!!! By the way we played defense this year I have a feeling it want turn out good!!! 2nd thing I like about it is if we could somehow win our 1st two games next year people could start talking we are National contenders. It also helps for the schedule in 2012 which I personally think is a BEAST!!! But my personal feelings says this is not a good move because any tough game outside our conference is just another chance for a loss. Also if we was to win the SEC and lose to a good non SEC school no chance to EVER play for a national championship!!! I personally think if we was to win the SEC it wouldn’t matter who our non conference schedule included. Reason being just think if we played Boise this year and they won does anybody think they wouldn’t be ranked higher than they currently are? There schedule stinks but with just two quality wins they would be playing for a national title!!Go Dawgs!!! 1 more chance Richt SEC championship or BUST!!
Whopper Dawg
November 19th, 2010
10:14 pm
Given this year’s programs, the probable outcome will be a defeat, perhaps a severe one. With Carolina next, the last thing this program needs is to start 0 – 2 which is a distinct possibility. We are looking at another 6 -6 season, maybe 7 – 5, firmly cemented in the lower tier of the SEC.
Rod
November 19th, 2010
10:38 pm
I don’t know who your team is, but it sure as hell isn’t the dawgs! So, stop saying we are going to lose unless you accidently stumbled upon the wrong blog. We ain’t losing to BSU and we ain’t losing to USC. All you negative people are dawg fans with no real investment in this team. Also, Richt is here to stay and if you don’t pay you have no say. The Tech blog is a page over from here.
Delbert D.
November 19th, 2010
10:46 pm
Speaking of cons (soon to be, anyway), holy crap!
http://www.tigerdroppings.com/rant/messagetopic.asp?p=22778676
Bobby Lowder and his buddies that aren’t yet in jail had better be looking for asylum in Liberia.
Alabama may lose its statehood and become a territory, to be replaced by Puerto Rico.
The fallout from this will be greater than Big Ivan, the 50 megaton Tsar Bomba back in the early ’60s.
He Hate Gator
November 19th, 2010
10:48 pm
Please Rod, I have a couple of degrees from UGA, undergraduate plus pharmacy and love UGA and Athens, just can’t take the allergies so live near the beach yet I think they will lose because the program has slipped. A true fan will evaluate fairly not blindly…
Top Dawg
November 19th, 2010
10:52 pm
Will Chris Peterson lead the Dawgs on the field next year to face his then-former school?
He Hate Gator
November 19th, 2010
10:54 pm
History has plenty of examples of proud empires and programs that slipped due to complacency and living in the past instead of the present…
Gen Neyland
November 19th, 2010
10:58 pm
For UGA (1.7 mil) and BSU (1.4 mil), the outcome is simple
Pros : A win
Cons : A loss
…and they keep the cash no matter what.
Delbert D.
November 19th, 2010
10:58 pm
@dawg with bag over head -”This is a recipe for disaster. 0-2 to start the season is a definite possibility.
Virginia Tech 2009 opener: lost to Boise State at the dome.
Virginia Tech 2nd game 5 days later: lost to James Madison.
But that is the ACC.
Otis My Man
November 19th, 2010
11:02 pm
DAWGS ROLL BY Boy-z St-ate. Get in a real confrence and then come back and ask permission to get in the door!
jojo
November 19th, 2010
11:03 pm
@ Delbert D. I just finished reading this. Suggest to all to give this a read. It takes about 30 minutes and if only 10 percent is true, so long to Auburn as an accredited university. Says a great deal about the wonderful state of politics in Alabama.
As for BSU, they do not lose all of their seniors, I think 12 or 13 starters are back. Should be a good game and as a resident of Boise I look forward to the trip to Atlanta. UGA fan first BSU second.
Otis My Man
November 19th, 2010
11:05 pm
Jo Jo they could have 28 seniors and will get thier butt kicked by UGA! I hope they all come back and have a reununion between the hedges!
Otis My Man
November 19th, 2010
11:06 pm
JoJo — you are pulling for the right team!!!!
not too thrilled
November 19th, 2010
11:08 pm
I am not too thrilled to hear about this decision. Although I admire McGarity’s philosiphy of “putting us on the national stage”, but this has the potential to be a 55-17 score like game, and our beloved Bulldogs would be on the losing end. If we were to lose that bad, that would not be good for the players’ confidence, and worst of all may set the tone for the season, a season that we MUST have at least a 9-3 year. We cannot afford another 6-6 or 7-5 year. Nonetheless, I love these dawgs and will always be proud and support them
Otis My Man
November 19th, 2010
11:10 pm
As an ole’ coach in Tallahasse used to say…. To be the best, you have to beat the best! Dawgs Don’t back down to anyone!!!!!
Delbert D.
November 19th, 2010
11:20 pm
jojo – 13 of 22 Boise St. starters return, and all of their backups except for #2 QB and the #3 MLB. The Dawgs return 14 starters and 15 backups from the depth chart. Big losses at DE (3) and LB (4) for Georgia. This assumes Green and Houston leave.
Otis My Man – “got to beat the best”, that’s right. Sorry, can’t stay, checking out for tonite.
Boise Dawg
November 19th, 2010
11:25 pm
Delbert D. you keep saying BSU’s back up isn’t coming back next year…. Joe Southwick is their #2 QB and he is a redshirt freshman. Also Jermey Avery is a key back up running back #26 and he is not coming back.
Why are so many Georgia fans afraid of Boise State…. I feel ashamed, has it gotten that bad in my former home state?
46-40
November 20th, 2010
12:01 am
BSU is really BS. They play a WEAK schedule and everyone knows it. GA will be weaker next yr (less weapons) than this yr, but will probably win 8 games by winning some of the close ones. Face it: BSU is only ranked because of the win/loss record coupled with top teams loses with real opponents. I believe GA could beat BSU this yr.
uga-brave
November 20th, 2010
12:39 am
the heck with the spread. what is the over/under on players suspended?
opening line 7 1/2.
What?
November 20th, 2010
12:44 am
A lot of UGA fans scared to start the season 0-1? Oh how the mighty have fallen.
ARdawg
November 20th, 2010
12:50 am
I’m surprised at you Bill. To even suggest Boise might beat UGA is blasphemy. It won’t happen. We’re not VT unless of course Richt doesn’t have our boys ready which is a real possibility. Hopefully the heat on his a$$ will make a difference this offseason. Forget about it. If Boise marched in now today, we’d still beat them as bad as we are.
DawgVoiceofReason
November 20th, 2010
2:05 am
How does this game fit in with McGarity’s scheduling philosphy? If we want to play big-time games, then why did we drop Oregon? I’m confused at this point. Yes, I think we can beat BSU but I don’t think we would or should be the favorite. And yes, I was at the home game where we rolled over BSU. Given this year’s teams, I think they would beat us as badly as Auburn did. We wouldn’t be able to stop Kellin Moore, any more than we stopped Cam Newton.
Our defense is still pretty bad. I’m still hopeful that Grantham can do good things in a year or two, but I’m definitely no longer excited about him as a D-coordinator. We didn’t even slow Auburn down, much less stop them. What happened to the aggressive, attacking style of D he was going to bring? Against Auburn, we mainly stood around until the play developed, seldom putting pressure on Newton and never hitting him hard (until he was well down field). From what I could tell this year, we got ZERO benefit from him vs. Martinez (not that I want Willie back, that’s for sure).
Weighing pros and cons of Dogs opening up against Boise State – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) | Dog Store Blog
November 20th, 2010
2:49 am
[...] News Sources wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerpt [...]
Weighing pros and cons of Dogs opening up against Boise State – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) | Dog Store Blog
November 20th, 2010
2:49 am
[...] News Sources wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerpt [...]
Never going to Outback resturant again...
November 20th, 2010
3:14 am
I LOVE IT !!!!!
George P. Burdell
November 20th, 2010
6:58 am
One thing is for certain. The number of suspensions for the first game will be down from this year, no matter what happens off the field.
Easy Wini
November 20th, 2010
7:01 am
This will be great early pub and a Dawg blowout is a great way to create some momentum. The Dawgs will beat boise easy in the Dome. Boise’s overrated anyway.
Red
November 20th, 2010
7:05 am
ALL YOU FANS THINK THIS IS A BAD MOVE BECAUSE YOU’RE AFRAID OF AN 0-2 START CAN GO TO THE TECH BLOG. IF YOU ARE ASKING FOR A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM THEN ACT LIKE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP FANS WHO WILL SUPPORT THIS PROGRAM. YOU WANT A CUPCAKE SCHEDULE, SUPPORT THE WAC CONFERENCE.
Red
November 20th, 2010
7:31 am
Also, this game could be a “job interview” for Petersen to see how his coaching style fares against the SEC. Could UGA buy his contract out if they like what they see? Stirring the pot…
Don
November 20th, 2010
7:43 am
Sounds reasonable, but recruiting will not be helped, but certainly not having another SEC team in our backyard showcased on National TV won’t hurt. Winning against a decided program like BS would be a boon on a National stage. Losing, well…we know what that will be like. Getting a look at Chris Peterson as a head coach candidate (if 2011 turns sour) isn’t a bad thing either. Would he leave BS for UGA? You’re kidding, right? I have to ask? Really? Anyone think GMc is doing this to test the CP waters in the event CMR goes south with UGA in 2011…Think about it. I would. Chick-Fil-A wanted this bad enough to give UGA 60K+ tickets making it a “home” game, payout LU to end the contract and find them another opponent. I say UGA is in a win=win situation. Beat BS and you vault in the polls. Lose and it will start the tailspin and machinations to getting a wholesale coaching change in Athens. Where’s the loss in that?
I agree…van Halenger needs to go back to Tallahassee. Everyone knows about the feud between he and Searles and the splintering of the strength and conditioning program. CMR let this get out of control and now it’s broken. Bobo is a Thomasville idiot drunk. Everyone knows THAT, too. He needs to go back to So. GA and make babies.
Richt is a good man, even a fine man. Loyal, and compassionate. But, the time has come for his laissez faire attitude towards his team and staff to end. Enough is enough.
JB
November 20th, 2010
7:51 am
I like it. Dawgs start thinking/working for 2011 January 1st. opening with a barber college team gives them little off season effort. They know they are the opening act for 2011 on National TV. Good for the coach’s also.i say we come out ready. Jarvis Jones will put folks on notice that game, and we have some pretty haughty Freshman and red shirt frosh who will see the field for the first time, plus King/Ealey back AND both kickers. Go Dawgs
FootballFan
November 20th, 2010
7:54 am
For all you people writing Boise State off, remember that Boise State beat OU a couple years back. Nobody said that could happen either.
jackyldo
November 20th, 2010
7:54 am
Boise beat Va Tech this year at Landover, Maryland neutral site.
For the poster who wrote about have our “tale” between our legs.. Dawgs have Tails ..
Boise graduates their top two receivers, TE, 2 OL, 1 DE and 3 out of 5 starting DB’s. They also lose a guy that both kicks and punts for them.
Kellen Moore is a junior with no rumblings about him leaving early although I don’t see why he wouldn’t being the top rated passer in the country. He must have the same motivation as other Juniors in light of the NFL CBA changes to come.
We gain 60,000+ seats in the Dome and $1.7 million dollars, that will pay for the bus charters., and gain a home game in 2012 aainst a MTSU or similar opponent.
Win/win all around ..
JB
November 20th, 2010
7:55 am
YOU CAN NOT JUDGE THIS YEARS BOISE TEAM WITH NEXT YEARS BOISE TEAM !
Andy in Blairsville
November 20th, 2010
8:01 am
After the Taters win, this will do wonders for their recruiting out of the South.
Old Dawg
November 20th, 2010
8:03 am
I know the Georgia Dome is a smaller venue, but this will essentially be a home game and the noise level will be awesome. I know UGA lost to West Virginia in the Dome but overall the Dawgs have done well there. Crank up the noise and it will impact Boise State, just like it did in Athens in 2005.
While UGA may lose AJ and others to the NFL, let’s think positively and hope they play one more years as Dawgs because of the lockout or because they like the college game.
In other words, I’m pumped about the game and I’m maintaining a good attitude!
dawgs and cubs in 11
November 20th, 2010
8:26 am
dawgs and cubs will win championships in 11.
mark richt is the greatest coach in the history of georgia football. it is not his fault that the players are not playing up to his standards….i mean, gosh, that guy from auburn would only make it as a tight end here. can’t you people see anything? thats how high his standards are.
coach todd granthams defense is unstoppable, it is not his fault that the players are not playing up to his standards. when they get players that will quit making mistakes and play up to their standards we will be unstoppable.
the players haven’t been listening. when we get players that will listen and stop getting thrown in jail, gosh…we will be unstoppable and mark richt can expose his fantastic witness to the entire world.
praise the lord and GATA!!!! we will destroy boise state and then the rest of the SEC.
go dawgs!!! you bandwagon fans need to go root for the gators or tech.
the cubs are the greatest franchise in the history of baseball and they too will achieve dominance next year. i cannot wait…..
….i now will remove the tounge from my cheek and take another sip of coffee.
Special red panties with magical powers
November 20th, 2010
8:28 am
Last week, Auburn undressed the dawg players right there on the field and left their lucky red panties laying around all over the place. It was soooooo embarrassing with all those dawg players scrambling to get dressed again.
Dawgtards are bad enough with ball control, couldn’t they at least learn to keep their panties on?
Dirk Dobber, High School Recruiter
November 20th, 2010
8:34 am
Pros: This will introduce UGA’s next coach, Chris Peterson to UGA and the SEC.
Cons: We could’ve beat Louisville.
To raise the money to buy Mark out & pay Chris, we can make a wild fantasy movie about college football in the state of Alabama. The plot can be crazy, like they play 8 home games apiece – and we can run the SEC Referee’s Office out of Birmingham! And a big banker uses TARP money in one of the poorest states, and, yeah, gives it to a dog track, and a gambling casino, then bails and leaves you & me the taxpayer holding the bag! And the gambling casino uses that money to pay for professional players!
But that would be a documentary……… …
Mobile Dawg
November 20th, 2010
8:36 am
McGarity to Richt: I absolutely want you back as a head coach. Mark, we’re an SEC power, don’t let me down. I brought this game to the dome to show everyone you are one of the top coaches in America, if you’re gonna run with the big dawgs, you got to learn to pee in the tall grass.
Dirk Dobber, High School Recruiter
November 20th, 2010
8:37 am
Special red,
Knowshon leavin your boys jocks on the field while we danced the Soulja Boy still burns, I see.
guy
November 20th, 2010
8:57 am
did you really just write that a pro for this game would be that uga would be relevant again?
lolz.
Bob
November 20th, 2010
9:02 am
With a screen name like “He Hate Gator”, you sound more like an uneducated thug Florida fan. Nice try though. CMR will soon sign a new contract.
OkefenokeeDawg
November 20th, 2010
9:12 am
“but this isn’t the same Boise State program that D.J. and company throttled 48-13 in Athens back in 2005.”
**************************************
True, Bill, and this isn’t the same UGA program from back in ‘05.
Foxsports.com lists it bowl projections today, and UGA isn’t on the list. 35, yes, 35 bowls this year, 70 teams, and UGA isn’t mentioned.
Richt and Co better be glad that Dawg fans are so fanatical, and will sell out the Ga Dome, or the Chick-fil-A folks wouldn’t have given UGA a second thought.
Nobody nationally gives UGA a second thought anymore.
And I thought the ‘09 season was “rock bottom.”
bigdsel
November 20th, 2010
9:32 am
i think this will jumpstart our season, those cupcake games didn’t do it for us this year, Uga had a worse qb, last year when they played ok st. in still water, but they beat sc, ark, barley lost to lsu, I think the dawgs will prep harder all summer long. GOO DAWGS!!!!!
KeepDreaming
November 20th, 2010
9:52 am
Did I miss something? Who did BSU beat to REALLY become relevant? V. Tech? Oklahoma in a fluke win that any college football fan would admit took A LOT of magic to pull off. BSU came into Athens sporting the big Jared Lebranski as a Heisman hopeful, and by the end of the second quarter, he was on the sidelines permanently with a towel over his head. I heard the same nonsense from Hawaii fans when on vacation before the Sugar Bowl a couple years back. BSU plays cookie cutter teams and THAT is why they are undefeated and so ‘impressive’ on a national level. They have NEVER beaten an SEC team, and NEVER will!