Fan talk: Which would you rather have, a win over Florida or the SEC East title?
Welcome to Saturday. Three weeks from today Mark Richt’s boys will tee it up in the Georgia Dome against the Broncos.
If you didn’t order tickets to that game before it sold out and didn’t sign up for the season tickets that arrived in mailboxes this week but you still hanker to see the Dawgs play this season, you’re in luck.
A limited number of tickets to three of Georgia’s home football games — Coastal Carolina on Sept. 17, New Mexico State on Nov. 5 and Kentucky on Nov. 19 — will go on sale to the general public beginning Monday, August 15, at 9 a.m. All tickets are $45 and can be purchased online or by calling the Athletic Association ticket office 1-877-542-1231.
All single-game tickets ordered will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis and mailed within 10 days of the order being submitted, the athletic association says.
Meanwhile, I went to the funeral for a longtime dear friend’s mom in Athens Friday, and it was a lovely service. It was, of course, a typical Athens funeral in that the first words I heard from one of the surviving sons were … “What about Richt?”
You gotta love Athenians and their 24/7 devotion to UGA.
Speaking of Athens, I’ll be over there a couple of days while I’m off on vacation next week (with my fingers crossed in hopes that by the time I return Georgia will have a healthy tailback in good standing). But before I go let’s clear out some Junkyard Mail. …
Our old pal Cuz wants me to ask Bulldog fans which they’d rather have, a win over Florida or winning the SEC East. Says Cuz: “Tough one for me because I, like you, remember the total domination we used to have over the Gators. I went to maybe seven JAX games before Florida won one. We were dumbfounded, then just started laughing at the Florida fans who went out of their gourds. Now I understand. But to me, winning the East has got to be the most important step for this team and for Coach Richt. Both would be wonderful, but if I have to choose one, it will be winning the East.”
I have to agree, Cuz. As much as I would love for Georgia to beat Florida this season (and if not this year, when?), I’d much rather have the Bulldogs returning to the Georgia Dome on Dec. 3. I hated the losses to the Gators in 2002 and 2005, but I wouldn’t have traded winning the East for a win in Jacksonville either year.
Dawgtired writes: I’m sending this in hopes that you will unveil the scam Boise State is trying to pull on America. Their plight has been well documented regarding the “little man” being denied a chance to win the national championship in the current BCS system. I despise the BCS system not because it keeps the “little man” down, but because it doesn’t allow more teams to settle it on the field of play. This brings me to the Boise scam. No one argues that BS is a good team. I feel they are talented and extremely well coached. Much has been said about their success recently against the “big boys.” No dispute from me. However, while many naysayers point out that BS would struggle in a major conference, the grind of a long season is only part of the explanation. You see, BS’ success should be credited to the genuis athletic director for scheduling these games with the big boys. Nothing to lose and everything to gain for the program. Much has also been made about BS really only having to win ONE tough game to go undefeated each year. But let’s look closer. Yes, they have beaten Oregon twice, Oklahoma, Virginia Tech and TCU. Each of those wins had the same thing in common. BS was smart enough to schedule these as opening games of the season or they were bowl wins. Each allowed at least 4 weeks to scheme and prepare. Some allowed 8 months prep time. This year UGA draws BS in the season opener. BS coaches and players know that their season and respectability depends on winning this game. Is there any doubt they have been preparing for 8 months? UGA on the other hand is more concerned about the SEC title. Please someone, ANYONE, schedule Boise in the middle of their season or late in the season when they can’t devote every hour of prep to you! May John Jenkins welcome Kellen Moore to his senior season. Thanks, Bill.
You make an interesting point, though I should note that Gene Bleymaier, Boise State’s “genius” athletic director and the father of the Smurf Turf, was fired this week in relation to the school’s NCAA troubles. But while I think, yes, Richt and his staff probably are (and should be) more concerned with the SEC schedule than anything else, UGA scheduled Boise State in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game for a reason … to regain the national football spotlight. I think the Dogs are taking the Broncos plenty seriously and certainly hope they’ve also put the past few months to good use.
Big Bad Brad writes: Bill, what’s your take on Texas A&M and SEC expansion? I don’t really see why everyone’s getting so excited about the prospect of the third- or fourth-best Texas program joining the best college football conference. I think the SEC is just fine as it is. You?
I think the SEC should add schools only if it can expand its footprint and add television markets and revenue. While the Aggies may not be the top program in their state, they’re the one that would fit best with the SEC West and adding A&M would get the conference into a key television market. So if they want to join up, I think the SEC should take them. Now, who else should be added to balance the league? A lot of folks like Florida State, and the Seminoles are certainly a marquee program, but I think a more valuable addition to the SEC would be Virginia Tech, which would get the conference into the D.C. TV market (where, my son notes, conference games currently aren’t available). I wrote about this subject last year when the SEC and A&M were flirting, and you can read those discussions here and here and here.
Got a question for the Junkyard Blawg? Send it to junkyardblawg@gmail.com.
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375 comments Add your comment
"CaneDawg"
August 13th, 2011
4:19 am
If Commisioner Slives’ goal is form the SEC SuperConference, the league must get to 16 teams. It appears Texas A&M’s ticket has been punched by the SEC and they are definately in. Now we have 13 teams in the league. There are only three slots or openings remaining. These are the candidates for the SEC to consider that bring something new to the table: Oklahoma, Oklahoma St., Missouri, Va.Tech, N.C.St. and West Va. Only three of these schools will be added. Personally I’d like to see the SEC West end up with: L.S.U., Arkansas, Ole Miss, Miss St., Oklahoma, Okla.St.,Missouri, and Texas A&M. The East would be: Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, So.Carolina, Tennessee, and Vanderbilt. This is an awesome collection of programs and the SEC would make billion$ from the Networks for coverage of weekly awesome matchups.Commissioner Slive will continue to keep the SEC at the top of College Football with whomever the league decides it will chose for expansion.
Thomas Brown
August 13th, 2011
4:22 am
Georgia is # 22 in the Coaches’ Poll this morning for the # 11 all-time best in 1-A wins football program with Six (6) Count them (6) SIX National Championships in 1-A football recognized by The NCAA in the Official NCAA Records Book, a copy of which sits on my desk I purchased.
Mark Richt, even, for such a sorry team as ours, is 9-1 vs you YELLOWjackettes. Georgia tek is unranked and clearly out-classed by UGA again this season, on route to our 11-3 record.
Georgia tek, anyway, is on back-to-back REPEAT OFFENDER
NCAA PROBATION in football.
Thomas Brown
August 13th, 2011
4:28 am
Oh, boy, that is
JUST WHAT WE NEED
Alabama to join The SEC East, when we already cannot beat Florida and the vols in the same season, not in the entire Mark Richt era have we.
We add Alabama to our schedule every year – along with keeping Florida – whom we cannot beat either. We do this so that STINKING Texas A&M can join The SEC West along with giving up our win every year against Vandie (except 2006 when we Lost to a 4-Win Vandie team including their win over us 2006.)
Do you even stop to think about what you write ? Are you so caught up in CHANGE for the sake of CHANGE that you would seriously mess with a Conference who has won the last 5 National Championships in a row ?
To add a program that has been ranked # 19 one-time the last 11 final AP Polls ?
Again, for the 2nd time, I do NOT support Texas A&M in THEIR desire to join The SEC.
And, certainly not to face Florida and Alabama EVERY YEAR.
No.
"CaneDawg"
August 13th, 2011
4:38 am
The SEC haters are just bitter fans who wish their school was in the greatest conference in college football, the SEC. With the addition of the Aggies to the conference it will open up new avenues of recruiting in Texas by all SEC schools. Currently Vanderbilt has the most Texans on its roster than any of the SEC east members. That will change and it will be a relief for state of Georgia and Florida recruiting by SEC schools with the addition of another fertile recruiting ground, Texas. HunkerDown !!
1962 DAWG
August 13th, 2011
4:39 am
@Boise in ATL
Thanks for the good luck wishes. Same to you and the BS team.
Hope for a well fought game in the Ga. Dome on the 3rd. Hope both teams come away without injury.
As you stated the teams out west are passionate about football as well as the SEC teams. No doubts about that,
Dome will be rocking on the 3rd, with 80% Dawg fans in the house, this should be huge for our young team and hopefully we’ll have lots of things to celebrate.
Good luck to you and the Broncos the rest of the season but this opening game gonna be a tough one for both teams.
7576DAWG
August 13th, 2011
4:40 am
If we add more teams to the SEC then we will have 9 conference games a year and 3 non= conference.Slive and all the Presidents of the SEC schools also need to put everything behind an 8 to 16 team playoff. I don’t know which would be better but without a playoff we will have a hard time getting an SEC team even in the championship game unless the BCS will take a two loss SEC team.
Thomas Brown
August 13th, 2011
4:45 am
12th man, by the way, was ON THE TEAM for Texas A&M that year, and
QUIT
before the bowl game
Which he did
NOT PLAY IN
when called from the stands in the bowl game
I mean, give me a break
Thomas Brown
August 13th, 2011
4:51 am
I already discussed the recruiting in the state of Texas, which The SEC does very well in already. Try reading instead of repeating the same ole lies and garbage about how a team who has been ranked once the last 11 seasons in the AP Polls and that # 19 when they also LOST to EVERY SEC team, is going to help our recruiting in the state of Texas. They cannot EVEN RECRUIT in the state of Texas with SEC teams now, and they are in Texas. A remote middle of nowhere in Texas but there and cannot compete now in recruiting. And, no one watches Texas A&M LOSING to every SEC team as it is. Let alone, they cannot even beat the Big XII teams, nor beat even ACC teams nor beat Big Ten teams even or PAC-12 teams.
Texas A&M. Break up The SEC for that.
So we can play Alabama and Florida every year.
Yeah, right that is just brilliant.
I vote NO to Texas A&M.
Boise State has no hope vs The SEC
either.
None, 32-18 Dawgs.
Dirty Dawg
August 13th, 2011
4:57 am
Your question was which would we ‘rather’ have…well since the question infers what would we ‘wish’ for, then I say I want it all…Florida, SEC-East, Boise State, South Carolina. I mean if we’re wishin’ and hopin’ then go for broke.
As for Boise State, maybe this AD thing will be a distraction for them, but regardless, I still say that their wins over the bigger teams, namely Oklahoma and Virginia Tech, were flukes. Oklahoma was in a game they didn’t want to be in and even then it took a series of impossible, trick, plays for BS to pull it off. Virginia Tech too took their game with BS way too lightly and ‘gave’ ‘em the game again and again. We obviously won’t be taking these guys lightly since we’ll be the underdog with a lot to prove – to everybody.
A multi-team playoff is a crock. At best you match the, final, top four-ranked teams in two ‘featured’ bowl games – 1 vs 4, 2 vs 3 – with the winners playing in the NC a week, or two, later. That way the bowl system would be kept whole with all those traditions in tact.
"CaneDawg"
August 13th, 2011
5:13 am
TB, No Guts, No Glory. To be the man you gotta beat the man. If we gotta face Bama & UF, we gotta play to win. You sound like Bobby Bowden before he ran to the ACC. We own UF and UGa won’t back down from the Tide either. If our goal is to win championships we must win against those teams to get the national exposure. If our coaches can’t get it done then maybe we need new coaches. In a superconference a one loss or even two loss team will get more respect than unbeaten teams in lesser conferences. There’s nothing to fear but fear itself, my friend. Go Dawgs.
"CaneDawg"
August 13th, 2011
5:18 am
There will definately be changes and the BCS will fade into some form of a playoff to decide a National Champion. Maybe they will set up some kind of Final Four in college football. Go Dawgs !!
Fair and Balanced
August 13th, 2011
5:20 am
If BS is really a bunch of ….well BS, GA has a chance to proove it. Texas is not in the Southeast part of the US. They don’t belong in the SEC.
Remarkable
August 13th, 2011
6:43 am
I agree with you Bill that Virginia Tech would be the logical, smart addition to balance out the SEC east, but what if (As many are saying.) VT will not leave Virginia? How can you take one team without having their counterpart (for balance) in the fold? The SEC better have the next play already mapped out before this one is through being run.
What if VT will not join the SEC, who then? No other scenario gives them that BIG market. NOT Clemson, NOT Georgia Tech, NOT Louisville, Not Missouri, NOT even Florida St.
I for one hope that the SEC will stop with this Expansion to 14 teams, We don’t need to be a 16 team league for any reason. You could start watering down any chance that current teams have of going undefeated.
Go for Texas A&M but you better hope for Virginia Tech too. Otherwise it could be a big problem.
BigDAWG1
August 13th, 2011
6:56 am
In a pertfect world a win over FLD. that nails down the SEC title.
Dagny
August 13th, 2011
7:22 am
Serious Dawg fans need to start organizing and demanding that Richt be fired. Otherwise, sports writers will be asking the same questions this time a year from now.
Richt represents mediocrity. Saban, Miles, Spurrier, and Chizik represent excellence and championships. Richt simply isn’t in their class, nor will he ever be. Richt would have to be incredibly lucky to win the division, and the odds against him winning the SEC championship would be at least 50:1.
Those are the simple facts, and there’s no amount of enthusiasm or cheerleading or Top 5 recruiting classes that can get around it.
As they say in poker, “Read ‘em and weep.”
Trial by fire
August 13th, 2011
7:27 am
Gators 45
Dawgs 17
Georgia win the SEC? Puhleeze, don’t make me laugh.
slydog
August 13th, 2011
7:32 am
I see no reason why both are not on the table. UF is in the SEC East. Lets agree that in most years, a victory of UF and/or Tennessee is the ticket to the Dome. How often is a loss to UF a ticket to winning the SEC East? In most years, Alabama, LSU, and Auburn cannot get to the Dome without having beaten one or both of those opponents.
slydog
August 13th, 2011
7:41 am
As far as a Super Conference, I believe 16 teams will be way too imbalanced for the likes of the SEC. 14 is the magic number and it will stay that way. This isn’t the WAC after all. Count Texas A&M and Missouri in. Why not Oklahoma? #1. The state legislature will not let them leave OK St. behind, especially with a billionaire oilman behind them. #2 They have more options than any other team besides Texas and can go independent with the same if not more success for a little while. I believe most of the former teams of soon to be former Big 12 will join the PAC 12, WAC, and MWC, therefore making those conferences stronger and getting the fans closer to a playoff. Why? There may or may not be any undefeated or one loss teams in most years. Missouri will be the winner because of geography (they border Tennessee and Arkansas), logistics, and ease of transition.
Bob
August 13th, 2011
7:47 am
SEC East without question. If you lose the game it is bad, AGAIN. But by winning the SEC East you are beating the Gators at their objective too. Championships and the opportunity to play for the title are the goal.
As for the Aggies, if they are allowed by the Texas Legislature, I think it is a done deal. And for those of you who want to complain about their recent records, fine. Then we should never have taken in South Carolina, a historically forlorn program. A&M has a history in the Lone Star state second only to Texas. They have tremendous fan support and history. They have a huge alumni around the world and provide more officers to the United States Armed Forces than any school outside of the Service Academies, so they have fans all over the country.
I am not crazy about expansion, but others are going to do it and if we don’t the SEC will be left behind. And you all can forget Va Tech coming to the SEC. Ain’t going to happen. The State Legislature beat the hell out of UVA to have them force the issue of Va Tech to the ACC and they are not about to let the Hokies leave the Wahoos on the Chapel steps. No matter how much the folks in Blacksburg might want to come, they aren’t. It will wind up being Clemson and/or FSU.
If it does wind up Texas A&M and OU, then only one team will move from west to east. For the person who is panicking because we might have to play Alabama every year, relax. Auburn would be the team moving. But regardless, not sure why the panic. Richt is 3-1 against Bama and 6-4 against Auburn. Give it a rest.
Buckeye
August 13th, 2011
7:49 am
The dogs wll neither beat FLA or the SEC Least
Isaiah, “The Annointed One II” has already come up lame.
Thomas Brown
August 13th, 2011
7:56 am
No Guts no Glory,
What a crock.
Florida we have proven we cannot beat.
Do you really think that we can beat Nick Saban’s Alabama, either ?
Do you ?
Thomas Brown
August 13th, 2011
8:33 am
If Scout.com is so wrong saying Boise State averages the # 69 recruiting class EVERY YEAR: (1) Why has BS only won 8 of 31 games against any of the 6 BCS Conferences ALL-TIME, EVER ? And, (2) I presume the NFL are also ninnies like Scout.com and the games on the field against the 6 BCS Conferences with BS only 8 wins in 31 games, because the NFL has 15 Boise State players to 45 for us.
Otto
August 13th, 2011
8:33 am
#1 Goal — Boise St win the alternative is unthinkable for SEC pride.
no dog
August 13th, 2011
8:33 am
If Bowden is chicken to play in the sec, what doe that make the dogs for not wanting Abama in their division? Splain that BuLL…
Best Dawg
August 13th, 2011
8:34 am
Bill,
This is undebatable. Obviously the SEC East title.
BackHomeDawg
August 13th, 2011
8:35 am
What a pleasant surprise! Insightful, knowledgeable and respectful comments. Guess the idiots haven’t gotten out of bed yet,
ARdawg
August 13th, 2011
8:40 am
Ah the bitter Buckeye. You know, we may no beat FL or win the east but, at least we won’t be on probation he he heh
Otto
August 13th, 2011
8:40 am
16 team conf. with 4 divisions maybe possible especially with the Big10(+2) and PAC12 possibly agreeing to a plus 1 format.
The super conf and plus 1 paves the way for a playoff which I loath the idea of. It destroys the magic of the regular which is a playoff where one game can change the entire landscape. Fantasy league are not needed to keep interest in majority of CFB games.
3 division games 2 permanent and 2 on rotation and the a playoff between division winners.
Spike
August 13th, 2011
8:45 am
Because I live in Florida with these guys… Beat the Gators.
Otto
August 13th, 2011
8:49 am
OU will most likely hitch their train to Texas and their 1st choice if the Horns go solo will be the PAC12+? Okie Lite will most likely follow OU and comes as a package deal.
FSU should be target #1 for the SEC it solidifies the SEC’s TV and a recruiting footprint in pretty much all of Florida except for the Miami area. Va Tech is interesting but the area is pro 1st and the recruiting field are good but not the best. U Va may also be hitched to Va Tech. UF may object to FSU but they play every year anyways.
Troll Power Ratings
August 13th, 2011
8:54 am
@Boise in ATL: You sir, are a worthy “opponent” and have a refreshing perspective and attitude.
Otto
August 13th, 2011
8:54 am
Bob, Clemson does not grow the SEC, sure the culture fits but this about $$$. SC does not produce enough talent support to Top 15 D1 schools. Further Clemson’s decline came with the end of the UGA series. They do not have the stage to sell to Ga. recruits. Yes they have GT but that does not get TV ratings, media exposure etc.
I would rather see Mizzou over Clemson, it grows the market and talent base. It is also one less school to have a strong foothold in Ga. and FL, UGA’s top recruiting grounds.
AltamahaDawg
August 13th, 2011
9:03 am
Stupid Question.
Dogs Smell
August 13th, 2011
9:05 am
If one man does not make a team you pup fans sure are freaking out about Crowell. He will be groin out of games all season long.
Destin dawg
August 13th, 2011
9:12 am
classy BoiseinAtl……..but Grantham’s 2nd year… 3/4 defense = turnovers… awesome kicking game = field position… Junkyard Dawgs are BBBBAAAAACCCCKKKKK !!! UGA 31 Boise State 17 UGA 24 S.C. 17 UGA 35 Fla.21
King Gator
August 13th, 2011
9:15 am
SEC East, SEC, BCS… Beating Georgia is just a speedbump on the road to success. Go Gators!
AltamahaDawg
August 13th, 2011
9:17 am
Maybe that was harsh, the question is fine. The answer is obvious, would be a better way to put it. Any clear thinking dawg fan understands winning the east trumps any single game. Even that one.
But for those willing to sell thier rings to beat the gators, a couple of points (some already made).
1. Winning the east means beating a lot of other rivals in the process.
2. Winning the east in effect beating UF at what thier goal was.
3. Grow a pair. I guarantee thier fans wouldn’t trade.
iowa dog
August 13th, 2011
9:21 am
We can and will do both. Beat Florida and win the sec east.
From Where I Sit
August 13th, 2011
9:25 am
GA won’t have to worry as neither will happen!
FL or SC will win the EAST in 2011!
Enough Said!
Les Miles
August 13th, 2011
9:33 am
I play Florida and Alabama EVERY season; and am 3-3 against UF, 4-2 against Bama. Call me crazy, but, not may other schools would do that well against those two.
SSIgator
August 13th, 2011
9:41 am
“Which would you rather have, a win over Florida or the SEC East title?”
Kind of like, “Which would you rather win – the Lottery or the Irish Sweepstakes?”
Either way, nothing but a pipe dream for the dream team.
old dawg
August 13th, 2011
9:47 am
SSIgator = mentally ill to come on UGA blog all the time…….. there are meds for depression !!!
Paul in NH (formerly RDU)
August 13th, 2011
10:08 am
Good to see an E-mail from Cuz – I hope he and his daughter are doing well.
War Eagle
August 13th, 2011
10:13 am
Good question, as bad as Auburn has beat up on bama the last 9 years(7 wins), SEC title is goal to achieve in SEC. Auburn will always play bama, but SEC title game is very difficult to reach
Pago Pago Dawg
August 13th, 2011
10:13 am
CaneDawg…..Plz hit the “enter” button every 10,000 lines..gesh.
We do hope and pray that the DAWGS beat up on BS since BS will play the Rockets at The Glass Bowl on Sept. 17th.
Paul in NH (formerly RDU)
August 13th, 2011
10:28 am
I see buLLdawg (aka Thomas Brown) is back and also off his meds. Boise State may be 8-23 versus the 6 AQ conferences but they are 6-1 in the last 5 years.
Thomas Brown
August 13th, 2011
10:40 am
CHICKEN ?
EXPLAIN IT ?
What does it make Mark Richt’s record vs the DOWN SEC
if
he LOSES to South Carolina in game 2
against The SEC East (DOWN as they are and have been)
over the then last 6 years ?
Duh. Mark Richt will not even have a winning record vs the DOWN SEC East over the then last 6 years, if he loses game 2 vs South Carolina
And, you want us to
MAN-UP
and be forced to play Alabama every year so that we can let a team in to bump Nick Saban’s Alabama over to our Division of The SEC, because we
JUST HAVE TO HAVE Texas A&M
who the last 11 years have been ranked 1 time in the AP Poll Top 25
That 1 of the last 11 years Texas A&M was ranked they were # 19
and, LOST to EVERY SEC team they faced that 1 year they were ranked.
Texas A&M with their all-time 39 % win percentage vs The SEC
This is why we must
MAN-UP in your estimation, when Mark Richt cannot have even a winning record over the last 6 years then that day, if he loses game 2.
We are not capable with this “coaching staff” of Mark Richt to beat Alabama and Florida every year in the same division.
Figure it out.
Good Lord.
Be realistic.
Thomas Brown
August 13th, 2011
10:45 am
I’ve got a better answer, if all we are going to do is answer Bill’s fool question for the next week while he is on vacation :
NEITHER.
We are not going to beat Florida because he is 2-7 vs them.
We are not going to win The SEC East, because even with our cupcake schedule of 10 cupcakes and NO Arkansas NO Alabama and NO LSU, over the last 6 years that day when we lose as everyone says we will vs South Carolina in game 2 we will not even have a winning record over the then that day last 6 years vs The SEC East, but
YOU
come running in here bragging to me that because of the weak schedule we have, we will WIN The SEC East.
How are we going to WIN The SEC East when over the last 6 years, if we lose game 2, Mark Richt will not even have a winning record vs this DOWN SEC East.
Trick Question.
Answer is which we would rather ?
That is like when is he going to stop beating his wife ?
Buckeye
August 13th, 2011
10:47 am
AR dog
Bitter not. Check the rankings Mr. #22 – juat about where you belong because you continue to be an average team.
You won’t be ranked come game 2 …………… Mr. Lattimore vs. Master Isaiah.
Rabun Dawg
August 13th, 2011
10:47 am
With regards to expansion, why is Missouri being mentioned? Just what would they bring to the table? St. Louis is a big Pro sports market, and most there are not passionate about college sports. Not sure about Kansas City,but my guess is that pro sports dominate there as well. Why not Miami as an addition? Clemson nor FSU enhances any tv market if that is the desire, and VT and UVA are not going to be split apart, probably the same with OU and OK.ST. The U would certainly bring the south Fl market in , if it is not already there.JMHO