Report from a Dawg behind enemy lines: LSU fans ‘feeling cocky’
LSU fans are feeling good about their team and the Mad Hatter. (Associated Press)
For a view from Tiger land on how our opposing fandom is approaching Saturday’s SEC Championship game against Georgia, I checked in with my old friend Owen Scott, who grew up with me in Athens (where his mom still lives), graduated from UGA and has been a clinical psychologist in Baton Rouge for many years.
Owen’s wife is an LSU prof, his oldest daughter in a huge Tiger fan and his youngest daughter graduated from UGA last December but is “a Tiger first, Dawg second,” he admitted.
However, Owen, who’s been following the Dawgs all his life, has remained true to the red and black and posts comments on the Blawg under the name Dr. Morpheus.
“I’ve attended most of the LSU-UGA games in Baton Rouge and seen some great wins (2008) and tough losses (2003) here,” he said. He just lucked into two tickets to the Georgia Dome game at face value and will be in attendance Saturday.
The buzz in Baton Rouge, Owen said, has the locals “feeling cocky.”
Typical of the attitude, Owen said, was the discussion Tuesday on a Baton Rouge sports radio show where the host, former LSU basketball player turned football sideline reporter Jordy Hultberg, thought the Tigers being favored by 13 points was right on the mark.
Said Hultberg: “You gotta be loving what’s going on!”
LSU has seldom trailed, Hultberg said, and even when they were down by 14 points to Arkansas the Tigers had no problem quickly scoring 21 points. “They feed off of big plays, whether it be a big return, a turnover, a breakthrough run. … It was over at halftime.”
Owen Scott lives in Baton Rouge but has stayed true to UGA.
The host asked an on-air guest (a local insurance exec) for a prediction on the game with the Dogs and the response was, “I don’t want to be overconfident, but this team has taken care of everyone. It will be worse for Georgia than Arkansas,” which lost to the Tigers 41-17.
In an exchange with a caller, Hultberg said the LSU defense “is smothering. It just makes life miserable for the opposing quarterbacks. And I don’t see any difference with this coming Saturday. We’re coming to win. There’s no back door, we’re coming through the front door.”
Summing up the mood in Baton Rouge, Owen said: “The LSU base is not taking Georgia seriously. They expect to come into the Dome and blow the Dawgs out with their overwhelming defense and pounding rushing attack. It’s up to our guys now to show LSU and the sports world we belong on the same field with the best of the SEC West and consensus No. 1 team in the nation.”
But Owen, at least, is optimistic. “If the LSU players are drinking the fans’ Kool-Aid,” he said, “they will be in for a surprise when they see that, unlike Arkansas, Georgia can stuff the run and pressure the QB. Go Dawgs! GATA!”
Trust him, he’s a doctor.
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397 comments Add your comment
AltamahaDawg
November 30th, 2011
11:18 am
Excellent point TD, Appearantly it’s perfectly fine for our rivals to live in our past.
Still@theKool-aidBAR
November 30th, 2011
11:23 am
what
wins-by-a-link
November 30th, 2011
11:24 am
Most upsets happen when the favored team becomes overconfident, Has no respect for the opposing team and reads too many headlines telling them how easy this is going to be, Georgia coming off a losing season and being scoffed at for playing such an easy schedule should be angered by such disrespect, With nothing to lose and expected to be destroyed by mighty LSU, The Dogs could score a majot upset, At least we will soon find out just what kind of team Georgia has.
Flo-Ri-Duh
November 30th, 2011
11:27 am
Sea Biscuit had no chance against the greatest race horse of all time – War Admiral. Sea Biscuit was dwarfed in size by War Admiral. Sea Biscuit walked with a limp. Sea Biscuit did not even look like a race horse. Sea Biscuit faced War Admiral one on one in the greatest horse race of all time. This was during the Great Depression and a world looking for hope loved an underdog. Millions around the world were listening to the radio…… pulling for Sea Biscuit. War Admiral’s owner said that this would be a blow out…. no contest. $100,000 winner take all was on the line. That is equal to about $5,000,000 today. Sea Biscuit had one thing going for him, he didn’t know h was supposed to lose, he knew he was going to win, he had heart. Sea Biscuit won by a NOSE !!!!!
The UNDERDAWGS will win 17-16.
AltamahaDawg
November 30th, 2011
11:29 am
Get “it” done? Get what done? We were by far NOT the most talented team in 2008. Florida was, Alabama was. equal skill players and NOT EVEN CLOSE as far as both lines. (which as we see is everything) They had all thier talent on the field, we had just enough LB to walk through a game plan mid week, and DT standing in for DE just to do that. We went through our 3rd string LT anchoring a OL that was comprised of very little experience and questionable now, talent.
How highly ranked would Georgia have been preseason 2008 had we disclosed to the voters the 25 players that were not going to be on that team? somewhere around 6-12? 10 game prediction?
TampaDawg
November 30th, 2011
11:30 am
Thanks Altamaha. Smell is like most trolls, when they get made to look stupid, they kinda just quit posting for a while, which I am thankful for. If I get asked one more time from a dumb Gator fan like smell if I have ever been to Athens on a weekday, I might just choke a coworker.
DawginLex
November 30th, 2011
11:31 am
2008 defense was coached by Wille Martinez and therefore we had no shot of beating anyone.
If Grantham had been hired in 2005,we would have won a lot more games from 2005 thru today
AltamahaDawg
November 30th, 2011
11:31 am
Here is a hint too, we won still fell in the polls weekly, till they got us where they thought was fair given the losses of players already.
DawginLex
November 30th, 2011
11:32 am
tampa
dogs smell is a UT fan
Still@theKool-aidBAR
November 30th, 2011
11:32 am
Joey
November 30th, 2011
8:33 am
GT is a 4th rate,
There probably aren’t any LSU fans on here.
The tech girls like to play pretend – especially after getting a Dawg attack.
Joey you really are not that bright if you don’t think there are LSU fans on here. You need to check the FALCON blogs. There is plenty of Katrina Crap in Atlanta that still has not found it’s way back to their sewer towns in Louisiana. You dawgs are really paranoid about Tech fans, yet you say there are only 5 Tech fans. That seems strange to me.
TampaDawg
November 30th, 2011
11:34 am
Great point Altamaha. I was preppring for a second deployment in 2008 so I didn’t get to follow much but box scores, some highlights and one or two TV games. There was a lot in that that I had either forgotten or didn’t even know. But shhhhh, don’t tell flat tire, he thinks that 2008 was all the coaches fault.
TampaDawg
November 30th, 2011
11:41 am
My bad Lex, thanks for the point out. Knew he wasn’t a tech fan but for some …. ohhhh,,, I forgot, before the UT game he was telling me to BANK ON IT that T. Poole would rush for over 100 yards against UGA. Yeah, UT is no upgrade.
ARdawg
November 30th, 2011
11:41 am
Altamaha
We couldn’t win it all. I disagree, we were as talented or more than anyone in the country. Certainly as much as Bama and were demolished by Bama between the hedges. Embarrassed yet again by Tebow and Florida. We had the play makers on both sides of the ball. No reason for 3 losses that year and one of them to Tech. You can defend that all you want but, I ain’t buying it. Twice the talent on that team than this year. This team has twice the heart
Desert Fox
November 30th, 2011
11:43 am
LSU has great KO and punt returners. The dawgs cannot give LSU any TD’s or big gainers in either department. They’re going to score on Offense thats a given. To give them TD’s on special teams will only put the dawgs in a deeper hole. It’ll be hard enough scoring on LSU w/o having to overcome giving points up to their special teams. The key to GA’s offense is pass protection and the accuracy of AM. I doubt the dawgs will be able to run on LSU’s defense to where it makes a difference in the game. If the dawgs D can shut down LSU’s RB’s and make their QB pass more its to the dawgs advantage.
No TO’s at all, don’t fall for any Mad hatter tricks, keep the passing game clicking, play great D and the dawgs just might pull off the upset of the season. GO DAWGS!
AltamahaDawg
November 30th, 2011
11:46 am
They certainly had things that in hindsight they might have done differently. I think Richt learned a lot from that year. And the over-reaction to it in 2009. And I believe we are seeing some of that (education) on display right now.
SSIgator
November 30th, 2011
11:51 am
“The LSU base is not taking Georgia seriously”
Why would they? UGA lost to the only two good teams they played so far this year. Only UGA fans are taking themselves seriously in this upcoming game. Oh well, dreamers can still dream.
MarkDShark
November 30th, 2011
11:51 am
GaTruth: I was at that game. As I recall, LSU got flagged for a bogus call (payback for the bad call on AJ Green) on our last touchdown and kicked from the 20 (not 25) as well. The difference was that your kicker decided to kick it to Trindon Holliday (poor judgment), and your recever was only able to get about 10 yds on the return. Still, since LSU scored so quickly, UGA had more time remaining following the LSU kick than we used.
ARdawg
November 30th, 2011
11:57 am
Altamaha
The 08 team was as or more talented than any team in the country. I believed it then and now. That team was full of primadonna’s and lazy unmotivated players and coaches. I lost count of the gimmicks Richt was pulling from one week to the next. I hope they learned from that experience. It would be a waste if they didn’t. The unrealized potential of that talent we’ll never know
TampaDawg
November 30th, 2011
11:59 am
Great memory recall there Mark. Yeah, the AJ Green penalty has to go down as one of the worst I have seen. Now they want players to just score, hand the ball to the ref and as a team, all go sit on the bench next to each other quietly as to not offend the other team.
DawginLex
November 30th, 2011
11:59 am
SSI don’t get your tampon in a bunch
The gators will get to the Dome
Clemson 63
Florida 3
2011 Chik Fil A Bowl
ARdawg
November 30th, 2011
11:59 am
SSI Gator
You don’t come around as much since the annual beatdown in Jax has turned the other way. Of course if my team experienced what yours has this year, I probably wouldn’t either
Scraping Teeth
November 30th, 2011
12:00 pm
Gator fans your ship has not found the bottom of the ocean yet. This has got to be the best sinking ship ever….. Well, except for the ship that has not been found yet in TN. WOW, how can it go so bad so quick? At least UGA’s down years are better than most. I do not see either of the programs making a come back anytime soon.
DawginLex
November 30th, 2011
12:01 pm
ARdawg
Besides Martinez/Grantham the biggest difference between 2008 and 2011 is Aaron Murray. Stafford was always trying to force things with his big arm and only cared about his NFL stock.
Murray is a student athlete who will probably never play in the NFL who wants to win championships.
Beano Cook
November 30th, 2011
12:01 pm
I agree that it will be difficult for LSU to get up emotionally for the upcoming SECCG. My only disagreement is with the contention that it will matter. LSU can sleepwalk through this game and come out with a W. They are just that much better than Georgia in their football fundamentals.
I expect and understand that Georgia fans will disagree with my assessment, and I frankly couldn’t care less. The final score will determine whose prognostication was the most accurate. Meanwhile, the trash talk on this blog is quite amusing. I would like to thank all of you for your contributions.
DawginLex
November 30th, 2011
12:03 pm
beano you old fart. Why don’t you read or have someone read to you?
I said LSU 27 GA 17
SSIgator
November 30th, 2011
12:03 pm
“Trust him, he’s a doctor”
It is like George Carlin once said, “Somewhere out there is the world’s worst doctor – and someone has an appointment with him tomorrow.
ARdawg
November 30th, 2011
12:07 pm
DawginLex
I never saw “that” leadership quality from Stafford. Rifle for an arm, tough, mobile and 9 of 10 on target. He never did have a feel of his receivers though. Seems he was almost robotic. RoboQB. Obviously talented and good as referenced to his status in the draft and NFL. Personally, I just admire the “footballer” attitude as opposed to the “I’m here for 3 years, please me” entitlement junkies.
We have a lot of “footballer” attitude on this team this year
AltamahaDawg
November 30th, 2011
12:08 pm
That’s fine. We seem to remember different rosters on the field that year.
SSIgator
November 30th, 2011
12:08 pm
DawginLex -
I see you are once more responding to comments. You sure are moody about that. Since you are a self-proclaimed fifty-three years old, have you talked to your Dr. about that male menopause thing yet?
Deano
November 30th, 2011
12:08 pm
SSI Gator
No one cares what you have to say on here. Turn your Commodore 64 off and go upstairs and see if mom has lunch ready. This is a blog pertaining to the teams in the SEC championship game. Go get ready to watch your mighty Gators get their taints handed to them by Rhode Island State in the Salad Bowl.
Scraping Teeth
November 30th, 2011
12:11 pm
Chic fil a will not take the gators at 6-6. They will play around the 15th of Dec. at this point.
SSIgator
November 30th, 2011
12:13 pm
ARdawg -
I did not realize that you missed me so. Just returned from our holiday travels. Next time I will be sure to alert you as to our plans so you will not be so anxious regarding my whereabouts.
TampaDawg
November 30th, 2011
12:14 pm
Isn’t Beano that stuff that helps relieve you from having gas? Anyway, the 2005 LSU teams was ultra talented also and the catchy phrase we heard back then was “LSU might want to start prepping for the NC game instead of focusing so much on the SECCG” .. not that they did that, but it’s fan base sure tried to tell everyone about it prior to the game.
ARdawg
November 30th, 2011
12:15 pm
Altamaha
Who on that team in your opinion wasn’t highly recruited and exceeded expectations? Seems to me most didn’t reach they’re potential
ARdawg
November 30th, 2011
12:17 pm
SSI
Don’t flatter yourself. I didn’t miss you. I did notice however that the blog was much less filled with bile vitriol sarcasm and I knew it must be you
TampaDawg
November 30th, 2011
12:18 pm
The salad bowl? That’s hysterical.
Help us
November 30th, 2011
12:18 pm
Look at the rednecks falling from the sky! Rednecks are coming out of the woodwork on both sides… How many of those posting here have actually graduated either LSU or UGA? I’m thinking 10% at best…
Beano Cook
November 30th, 2011
12:20 pm
Wasn’t really intending to address you in particular Lex, but your contributions have been appreciated along with all of the others. This blog is very much like a train wreck. It is difficult to avoid gawking at such an immense tragedy unfolding before your eyes. I’ll probably come back Sunday just to review the excuses. I expect “LSU Played Dirty” and “SEC Refs Cheated”, but I’ll be curious to see if there are any originals.
TampaDawg
November 30th, 2011
12:24 pm
Help us
November 30th, 2011
12:18 pm
Look at the rednecks falling from the sky! Rednecks are coming out of the woodwork on both sides… How many of those posting here have actually graduated either LSU or UGA? I’m thinking 10% at best…
———————————-
How many on the Braves and Falcons blogs actually played for the Braves or the Falcons? I would say 0% at best. Try posting something that actually matters.
SSIgator
November 30th, 2011
12:25 pm
Beano Cook -
Don’t bother. They will be too busy digging out their VHS tapes and watching replays of their only national champ. game in over thirty years.
DawginLex
November 30th, 2011
12:25 pm
SSI
Like I said, don’t get your tampon twisted and make sure you conjure up an extra gallon of that orange and blue kool aid you are drinking if you think Will Muschamp and charlie Weis are anything but interim coaches at florida until the next great thing gets hired.
Too bad he won;t have Tebow to play QB for him whoever he is
How does it feel to know I was EXACTLY RIGHT??
No Tebow=No titles
Tebow is Florida’s Herschel
3 years and counting
Scraping Teeth
November 30th, 2011
12:26 pm
THE DAWGS ARE BACK! LIKE IT OR NOT!!!!!! DBAGS!!!!!!!
DawginLex
November 30th, 2011
12:27 pm
so now we have to show our diploma in order to blog?
That counts SSI out
WDE
November 30th, 2011
12:28 pm
@Beano Cook riddle me this we are getting to play for the SEC title explain the ‘immense tragedy” part to me please….I can think of 10 teams that would love to be in our place.
Still@theKool-aidBAR
November 30th, 2011
12:31 pm
You mean The UGa fns will have to go to the car and get the Handicap placard from their rear view mirror to show they have a UGa diploma? I guess the LSU grads will have to grab some toilet paper and crayons to create their diploma.
Nom Nom Nom Chuck's Taylor, or Norris if he is avaliable
November 30th, 2011
12:31 pm
@SSI
“Don’t bother. They will be too busy digging out their VHS tapes and watching replays of their only national champ. game in over thirty years.”
Huh?
TampaDawg
November 30th, 2011
12:32 pm
SSIGator, first your attempts to get Tebow back for 6-8 years of eligibility failed. Then your unhealthy coach who needed his family will relocate the family and tell them “see you in 10 months” each year coaching at OSU. It’s ok buddy, cry it out man, cry it out.
TampaDawg
November 30th, 2011
12:33 pm
hey Kool-aidBar, half the techies didn’t even get one and then want to cry saying “it was too hard, I can’t do it”
AltamahaDawg
November 30th, 2011
12:33 pm
I absolutely love this group of kids more on this team than that one. That’s really not the issue I piped in on. That was that 2008 was far from Horrid by normal standards and its just patently unfair to say that a team that beat up “should have” won more than 10 games. I really wasn’t getting into personalities, or perceptions. This line of discussion has seemed to have morphed to something else, I’ll try to steer it back to my point. What I remember is we had no lines to even practise with much less play against some of the best team in not just that year, but in several years. I find that to be pretty a pretty significant factor.
If I had to deal in pure perceptions though, I remember that team as the same boys that NOBODY was questioning their primadonna status when they were beating UF, AU,(when NOBOY was calling the blackout “gimmicky) tech and blowing out HI in the Sugar Bowl and ending the year as one of the best team in the country. Maybe you were calling them all lazy and selfish in Feb. of 2008. I just don’t remember anyone else doing that.
Still@theKool-aidBAR
November 30th, 2011
12:37 pm
Tampa that is close to true. The only thing easier to get than a UGA diploma is in a UGA freshman coed drawers. LOL