Live from hot Jax: Only 30 (of 32) writers pick the Gators!
This is not as it seems. The sweater is orange. It is, of all things, a Gator dog. (Photo by M. Bradley)
Jacksonville — It was raining when I boarded the plane at Hartsfield-Jackson at 7:45 a.m. It is not raining here, unless you count sweat beads. Here it’s hot. Here it’s hot even by Florida standards. And, speaking of sweat …
Your genius correspondent managed to leave his glasses in Tim Tucker’s rental car at the stadium, necessitating another walk to/from distant Lot P. This marks the second time in 13 months I’ve left my glasses in a rental car, and the first was in Tempe, Ariz., where it was only 97 degrees and we were parked even farther away.
But enough about this perspiring writer. Let’s talk about other writers. The Florida Times-Union asked 32 writers, some of whom might actually have seen Georgia play in the past five years, for a prediction. (None of the 32 were from the AJC, you should know.) Thirty picked the Gators. The two exceptions: Matt Hayes of Sporting News and Scott Michaux of the Augusta Chronicle.
By tradition the Georgia-Florida crowd is split down the middle, but there seem many, many more Gators here this time. Perhaps Georgia fans are keeping a lower profile. Perhaps they sold their ducats. Perhaps they’re using the proceeds from that windfall to buy out Willie Martinez.
And I have to tell you, it has been a long time since I arrived at a stadium (with or without glasses) feeling as I do. I don’t see a way Georgia can win. I suppose Florida could fumble 10 times, but I can’t really see Florida doing that. And I can’t see the team with the better offense and better defense not winning.
But I have, as we know, been wrong before. I covered the Super Bowl between the Rams and the Patriots, in which St. Louis entered with the better offense and defense. I picked the Patriots to lose 42-3. They won 20-17. So I guess stranger things have happened. But not many, I submit.
With that, the floor is open for your comments and observations and contributions to the Free Willie Fund. I’ll be here all day, unless I feel the need to walk back across the parking lot and sweat through my shirt again.
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3,111 comments Add your comment
Dawg-On_IT
October 31st, 2009
4:24 pm
Penalties are part of the game. Some of the worst call against us have been questionable.
willie martinez
October 31st, 2009
4:24 pm
kiss it jerry
Cautiously Optimistic
October 31st, 2009
4:24 pm
I say time for a pick 6!!!!
TXDawg
October 31st, 2009
4:24 pm
SouthTXDawg, you have to ignore the fleas that are attracted to us DAWGS. Just ignore him.
Cuz
October 31st, 2009
4:24 pm
I was born in a cabbage patch according to my Mom n. ga. dawg.
Wont Jones
October 31st, 2009
4:25 pm
So what do you think of Obama care?
Mike S
October 31st, 2009
4:25 pm
Joe Cox has to be the absolute worst QB in college football… meanwhile Aaron Murray and Zack Mettenberg ROT on the bench.
j
October 31st, 2009
4:25 pm
watch florida run this back for a score. mutts have no balls at all. what a joke. you guys remind me of a big ten team. slo as molasses.
Terd Feurgusson
October 31st, 2009
4:25 pm
at this point, I don’t care if we win or lose…get that idiot Cox out of the game
bugsquacher
October 31st, 2009
4:25 pm
hey life long dawg…. not even in dawg years will we catch them
FLA DAWG
October 31st, 2009
4:25 pm
Mark,
We are obviously bad enough that Richt should be putting in one of next year’s QBs every other series for experience – agreed?
BugKiller
October 31st, 2009
4:25 pm
MARK!!!
You need to ask DAMON EVANS why this football team is the most UNDISCIPLINED football team in the COUNTRY!!!
You need to ask him if he is going to hold MARK RICHT accountable for his team’s CONTINUED undisciplined nature for TWO YEARS!!!
No More
October 31st, 2009
4:25 pm
Cox misses Mikey Moore open on the flag pattern and T. King long. FL has ZERO respect for his ability to throw the ball over 20 yards down the field. I feel like I’m watching the 1979 Dawgs with Pyburn at QB
Wont Jones
October 31st, 2009
4:25 pm
ALFAC question: Florida
Apache Bob
October 31st, 2009
4:25 pm
When are you idiots going to realize the play of the Georgia team has nothing to do with how much you bark, It is Georgia who is inferior abd they will get their butt kicked today like Tennessee did to them.
Ginger
October 31st, 2009
4:25 pm
At least kickoffs have been better…defense has to stop Fla. Man up and show pride
UGA Coaching Staff
October 31st, 2009
4:25 pm
We have addressed the penalties
Now were ready
74 Dawg
October 31st, 2009
4:25 pm
I don’t care if they wear pink fn helmets,just stop w/ the stupid penalties and play some real football.
Firemarkricht.net
October 31st, 2009
4:25 pm
Just thinking about it, the helmet gimmick is SUCH an embarrassment. Like my spelling, probably.
got to make some changes...
October 31st, 2009
4:25 pm
I get so sick of us getting so excited about a good punt!! What the hell are we doing!!!!!!!!
SOUTHGADAWG88
October 31st, 2009
4:25 pm
Need a big stick!
TXDawg
October 31st, 2009
4:25 pm
I heard Herschel was coming back to use that last year of eligibility today in case Tebow breaks his record.
Cuz
October 31st, 2009
4:25 pm
Well if you count me, 45ACP and you Jerry, there are three.
Terd Feurgusson
October 31st, 2009
4:25 pm
21-3 in just a few…
bugsquacher
October 31st, 2009
4:26 pm
cbs is getting pissed,,, they are wondering why they picked this game
ATLDawg
October 31st, 2009
4:26 pm
If you’re looking for H1N1 vaccine, look no further than JAX b/c FLA is putting on a clinic.
Buckhead Bulldog
October 31st, 2009
4:26 pm
Good job ya redheaded Cabbage Patch idiot!
Great kicking though……Jeeezzz!
Ginger
October 31st, 2009
4:26 pm
Want to see us blitz more and challenge every play from the corners…stick to your man like glue
Chained Dawg
October 31st, 2009
4:26 pm
Im am getting a little impatient with CMR sad to say.
JB
October 31st, 2009
4:26 pm
At least Joe Cox is getting some playing experience. This will be very helpful for ________?
Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller? Bueller?
Mark Bradley
October 31st, 2009
4:26 pm
Another drop.
Chance to go three and out now.
BIG TECH FAN
October 31st, 2009
4:26 pm
The Fig Newton Defense stops TEBOW for a loss! AMAZING!!! Storm the field FleaBags!
Cuz
October 31st, 2009
4:26 pm
I like the black helmets, don’t be so dang negative.
boots
October 31st, 2009
4:26 pm
Our defense really does have some good players on it. I don’t have the answers, but Florida is not unbeatable and we can stop them. Just takes heart.
Mark Bradley
October 31st, 2009
4:27 pm
Dog fans getting into it.
Dawg Man 24/7
October 31st, 2009
4:27 pm
Feels like the 90’s all over again! I really hoped i wouldn’t have to live through that shat again!
j
October 31st, 2009
4:27 pm
at this point, I don’t care if we win or lose…get that idiot Cox out of the game.
Dude you ain’t winning this one. Stop dreaming and accept reality. The mutts are going to stink for the next five years.
Tech will do the same to you next month.
Terd Feurgusson
October 31st, 2009
4:27 pm
Time for a penalty
What ever for
October 31st, 2009
4:27 pm
Great – UGA kicks field goals while FL scores touchdowns -
Mark Bradley
October 31st, 2009
4:27 pm
Three and out. Maybe the game is turning.
Dawg-On_IT
October 31st, 2009
4:27 pm
3 and out
45ACP
October 31st, 2009
4:27 pm
Stopped Tebow for no gain. YEA!!!!!!!!!!
Make em punt.
Chained Dawg
October 31st, 2009
4:27 pm
OMG a three and out!
Terd Feurgusson
October 31st, 2009
4:27 pm
j – FU idiot
Mark Bradley
October 31st, 2009
4:27 pm
I said, “Maybe.”
TXDawg
October 31st, 2009
4:27 pm
Nick Williams looks excited to be on the field….nice stand DEF.
Ginger
October 31st, 2009
4:27 pm
Martinez not aggressive enough for me
UGA Coaching Staff
October 31st, 2009
4:27 pm
We stopped em yea!!!!!!!!!!!
Told you fans
Ryan
October 31st, 2009
4:27 pm
LOL at our defense dancing after FINALLY making a play. You are getting beat down, show some class you idiots.
tyler
October 31st, 2009
4:28 pm
They can get something going here, make it a game