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
Still@theKool-aidBAR
November 30th, 2011
12:39 pm
Tampa you making it to the ATL for the game?
JB
November 30th, 2011
12:40 pm
you hope with your heart and think with your brain …and eyes….and it ain’t bragging if you can back it up….And I think LSU can. We have faced a team like this…not even Boise….and we are a lot better team that played Boise that night…..But my eyes call back on the Vandy game….and Kentucky…and getting stuffed at the line the entire first half against Tech……………Yes, it would go down as one of the greatest wins in Georgia history……………But it won’t happen….And I love this team, but you gotta look at reality. LSU 38-17
TampaDawg
November 30th, 2011
12:43 pm
I thought the 2008 team had some great players in the skill positions, but like I said, unless you’re able to follow the team well, you didn’t hear about the mounting injuries in other areas of the team, especially in the lines. I don’t know that Stafford was looking towards the NFL though, he certainly didn’t put up numbers (not that’s the top determining factor for a QB, but it’s one of the only things you can control in that much of a team game).
Grantham's Mother
November 30th, 2011
12:45 pm
Son,
Someone from Columbus left another message for you. Call me after your nap.
TampaDawg
November 30th, 2011
12:46 pm
Trying to, but I have to be in a few other parts of Florida that day as well. Trying to promise myself if I don’t make it that I will be at whatever bowl they get.
Grantham's Mother
November 30th, 2011
12:46 pm
Son,
Don’t be late for dinner. Cooking your favorite!
SSIgator
November 30th, 2011
12:51 pm
JB -
Reality speak? On this site? Oh the blasphemy of it all. ARdawg, DawginLex, AltamahaDawg and the rest of the crew will kick you out of the KoolAid Club for comments like that.
LSWHO
November 30th, 2011
12:52 pm
I must be mistaken or something but isnt the score 0-0 to start the game or since LSu is no 1, do they get spotted 21? Thats the only way the DAWGS get blown out. Let the game be played….
WDE
November 30th, 2011
12:52 pm
@Still@theKool-aidBAR you know with all those the UGA coeds are easy remarks I’d be willing to bet one of them turned you down, tore out you heart and stomped that sucker flat as Lewis would say?
Todd Grantham
November 30th, 2011
12:53 pm
Hey Mom, it’s ok, it was Deion Bonner, a Safety I am recruiting from Columbus GEORGIA
AltamahaDawg
November 30th, 2011
12:54 pm
That team did have some great players at skill position. Surrounded by stand-ins.
GA?
November 30th, 2011
12:58 pm
I’d say LSU has reason to be.
LOVE IT
November 30th, 2011
1:05 pm
Bill-
Classic comment.. “Trust him, he’s a doctor.”
I’m love’n it!
ARdawg
November 30th, 2011
1:10 pm
Altamaha
Certainly I am speaking in perceptions. the 08 season was just a portion of the the perception to which I was referring. I remember the injuries to the OL. Stacking it with freshmen. The porous Martinez defense. Moreno was likely the only constant on the team that was loaded with 4-5 star talent. More than half of them hold overs from the 07 team. We had primadonnas on both sides of the ball. Half hearted effort in many of the 10 wins that year. Coaching? Players? I don’t know and it matters not now but, IMHO that was the biggest group of under achievers ever assembled at UGA.
I was stating that mid way through the 08 season. We were falling in the polls while winning because they were expected wins with lackluster performances. The 08 Dawgs didn’t impress pollsters.
I’m not trying to bust your chops here. You know I respect your knowledge and opinion of most anyone’s on the boards. Horrid in terms of record, no. Horrid in terms of underachieving as was 09 and 10. I like this bunch of guys we have (not that I didn’t like 08’s) but, What I see with these guys is, they like to play football. They’re not just mouthing the words, they mean it. If they lose to LSU I won’t believe it’s because they didn’t give it all. These bunch of guys will give it all and leave it on the field. I’m not impressed with blowouts, I’m impressed with play
evil empire
November 30th, 2011
1:22 pm
my god, what a bunch of idiots…LSU 38 uga 10…know your role and shut your mouths, dawgtards…
AltamahaDawg
November 30th, 2011
1:25 pm
My chops are intact. NP. Just bantering around as usual.
UnderDawgs | ALDLAND
November 30th, 2011
1:27 pm
[...] A report from behind enemy lines. [...]
TampaDawg
November 30th, 2011
1:27 pm
@evil empire … in a word, NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Go away troll, you have been wrong the last 10 weeks about the dawgs, guess you’re going for 11 in a row huh.
WDE
November 30th, 2011
1:30 pm
TampaDawg let little ol evil e run that mouth if he ever pulled for us we are doomed !!
Giftie Gie
November 30th, 2011
1:32 pm
Jarret Lee and undisclosed “others” have been ruled academically ineligible and will not play.
You’re Welcome
Grantham's Mother
November 30th, 2011
1:33 pm
No son, it was a 614 area code. Really.
Grantham's Mother
November 30th, 2011
1:33 pm
and remember to put your blankey up after your nap.
TechSuxAtFootball
November 30th, 2011
1:35 pm
Tech sux so at football, their favorite sport is filling our blogs with their nerd crap.
TampaDawg
November 30th, 2011
1:38 pm
What’s the deal with the Grantham’s mother deal. Not a snow balls chance in hell he goes to coach with Urrrrrrban
Giftie Gie
November 30th, 2011
1:42 pm
Who’s Grantham? Does that have something to do with Batman?
Paul Rhoades
November 30th, 2011
1:43 pm
two words for the LSU fans: iowa state
G-Dawg
November 30th, 2011
1:43 pm
Refs will not allow this game get outta control. Anticipating some BS calls against the Dawgs, especially if LSU struggles. BCS needs LSU to win, to keep face with the CFB nation (if Okie St wins big against Oklahoma…i can see BCS dropping Bama a spot). S. Williams needs to watch his temper and taunting…i can already see him costing us a few big plays. Refs gonna call some BS calls against the Dawgs…to give LSU the slight edge. Happens everytime we play the Tigers. If you dont think the BCS or SEC committees wont have their hand in this game…then you’re blind.
Giftie Gie
November 30th, 2011
1:50 pm
Ohh G-Dawg, you’re good.
Those excuses just roll right off of your tongue – and the game hasn’t even started yet.
WDE
November 30th, 2011
1:54 pm
@Giftie Gie could you be a bigger tool? No I didn’t think so either.
Giftie Gie
November 30th, 2011
1:57 pm
Yes. When erect.
Giftie Gie
November 30th, 2011
1:57 pm
Don’t be jealous though. Size isn’t everything.
TampaDawg
November 30th, 2011
2:03 pm
Aaaaand the moron went there.
Still@theKool-aidBAR
November 30th, 2011
2:15 pm
Tampa well we will miss your money in Atlanta. LOL
Be safe in your travels.
WDE……..actually no. I left her. I was at NGC and she was at UGA. It lasted 2 years. She was a great girl. We just had different ideas about where we wanted to go. We left as friends.
Still@theKool-aidBAR
November 30th, 2011
2:17 pm
Giftie Gie when you talk about it you are usually fishing in the Small Pond with a Short Rod.
TampaDawg
November 30th, 2011
2:17 pm
Thanks dude. Kinda cringe sometimes at some of the driving, but I get to help people make money when I do, so it’s worth it. May even have to record the game. That part’s not good at all.
G-Dawg
November 30th, 2011
2:17 pm
TampaDawg…i think that call against A.J. was because of taunting. Refs said he was taunting at the LSU crowd after the TD.
TampaDawg
November 30th, 2011
2:19 pm
Still@theKool-aidBAR
November 30th, 2011
2:17 pm
Giftie Gie when you talk about it you are usually fishing in the Small Pond with a Short Rod.
———————That one is gonna sting a little .. (some pun intended since it was from a Tech fan) .. nice one Still.
G-Dawg
November 30th, 2011
2:19 pm
Not excuses…just consistent observations regarding games of this significance. I dont expect you to get it…toolbag!!
Still@theKool-aidBAR
November 30th, 2011
2:20 pm
giftie gie just remember. I don’t care if you have BEEN THERE Before. It is all good after I get past that little bit you touched because it is ALL NEW and unused to me.
TampaDawg
November 30th, 2011
2:21 pm
I remember it G-Dawg, but I believe even the head of SEC officiating even said later that it wasn’t the correct call. He caught the ball, tossed it aside, and walked around the outside of the endzone.
And while we are at it, why would they even care if you taunt the crowd. The crowd, falsely believing it to be their right (all crowds), do MUCH worse to players. Throwing taunting flags for taunting players is bad enough, but the crowd too? Just stupid.
G-Dawg
November 30th, 2011
2:23 pm
Giftie Gie
November 30th, 2011
1:57 pm
Don’t be jealous though. Size isn’t everything.
_______________________
Thats what his boyfriend said!!
And they do make devices to help with your shortage.
G-Dawg
November 30th, 2011
2:25 pm
I hear ya TD…i just hope for a fair shake at this game. Dont like seeing refs getting too involved with games of this significance. Doesnt allow teams to get in a good flow. Regardless who was playing in it.
Grantham's Mother
November 30th, 2011
2:31 pm
Son, the man from Columbus just called again. Said the AD just upped the Asst. Coach budget significantly. CALL HIM BACK! We need the money, Honey. That Dawg money is chump change.
MR FOOTBALL
November 30th, 2011
2:32 pm
LSU’S 2007 CHAMPIONSHIP A JOKE, THIS TEAM LOST TO KENTUCKY AND LOST IT’S LAST SEC GAME TO A SIX LOSS ARKANSAS TEAM. NATIONAL CHAMPIONS…..RIGHT.
OVER RATED THEN AND OVER RATED NOW, OREGON, BAMA , ARKANSAS ALSO WAY WAY OVER-RATED. ARE WE SUPPOSED TO THINK ORGEGON IS GREAT BECAUSE THE IDIOTS AT ESPN SAY SO? OREGON WOULD LOSE TO VANDY.
LSU MUST LOSE TO SPARE THE NATION OF HAVING TO WATCH THE MOST PATHETIC BORING GAME EVER PLAYED. ALABAMA VS LSU.
MR FOOTBALL
November 30th, 2011
2:36 pm
ALABAMA VS LSU. THE MOST OVER HYPED GAME EVER. IT THAT WAS THE GAME OF THE CENTURY THEN MAYBE NO MORE COLLEGE FOOTBALL SHOULD BE PLAYED BECUASE IT WAS PATHETIC. THE MOST PATHETIC PART WAS ALL THE PUNDITS TRYING TO PRETEND THEY LIKED AFTER THEY HYPED SO MUCH.
Who Cares
November 30th, 2011
2:53 pm
We see the headline today about how cheap the SEC Championship tickets are going for; 1. Bama fans are dumping them, 2. Most non-homer football fans feel the point spread of 13 is just about right. Yawn… I’ll stay home to watch the game so I can switch over to Andy Griffith Show re-runs when things get ugly. Here’s hoping I don’t have to count on Thelma Lou before half time!
WDE
November 30th, 2011
2:55 pm
Still@theKool-aidBAR I just KNEW there was a story there somewhere! And funny that giftie gie mistakenly thinks tool in this instance means tool instead as a code word for Ahole…
AFDawg
November 30th, 2011
2:56 pm
Bill, That is just gross you bringing it up about a kid who graduated from UGA but is a “tiger first”. What is he — some kind of prissy momma’s boy. I felt so sick after reading that I couldn’t read on any further. Thanks a lot for bringing that up and making me sick to my stomach — you know you could have conveniently left that piece of sickening information out of the article. Do all of us a favor — we don’t want to hear about your stupid friends anymore. Yuck!
AFDawg
November 30th, 2011
3:00 pm
G-Dawg, AJ didn’t say a word — he just looked up at the crowd. It was one of the worst cases of referee interference influencing the outcome of a game I’ve ever seen in my life. I hope the jerk is no longer allowed to officiate.
Land of the Lost
November 30th, 2011
3:02 pm
If Alabama had someone who could kick a field goal more consistently, LSU would be watching the game on TV in Baton Rouge. I don’t think I could take another LSA-Bama game for sure…