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
fcmr
October 31st, 2009
7:05 pm
Best comment you had today. Fortunately I did. Did you?
j
October 31st, 2009
7:05 pm
all that is left now is for the U.G.A.Y. team to let tebow peel their foreskin.
He really gets happy anytime he can get his hand on one of those.
Black Out
October 31st, 2009
7:05 pm
I’m taking Tenn Tech and laying the points…
IT'S GREAT TO BE A GATOR!!
October 31st, 2009
7:05 pm
GATORS 41 UGA 17 SWEET!! UGA = GATORBAIT!!! KEEP MARK RICHT!
darrell starks
October 31st, 2009
7:05 pm
WHY IS THIS GAME ON TV ITS EMBARRASSING.
GO DAWGS!!!!!!!
Gator in the Hootch
October 31st, 2009
7:06 pm
Hey, GEORGIA s—s—-. The Gators 4th string is better than your first string. And the Gator’s waterboys are better than your coaches! AGAIN AGAIN AGAIN AGAIN AGAIN AGAIN….17 OUT OF 20 AGAINS….!!!!!!!
Simply the Truth
October 31st, 2009
7:06 pm
Do you people really beleive that this LOSS is entirely WM’s fault?
uncle bsdawg
October 31st, 2009
7:06 pm
The black helmets and pants are stupid, stupid, stupid! You need do something with the coaching to be Florida not wear stupid black pants or helmets.
booger
October 31st, 2009
7:06 pm
the main ingredient of a true rivalry is that the two teams are competitive against each other…………..
georgia tech breakin neckz
October 31st, 2009
7:07 pm
then tebow threw that record breaking td in ga face then really was’nt gracious when he was interviewed about breaking walkers record
CMR needs to go
October 31st, 2009
7:07 pm
PHIL – you say the players are terrible – but I thought UGA has had all these great recruiting classes under CMR. Hasn’t UGA been in the Top 5 (or at least the Top 10) in recruiting the last 5 years?? Then it MUST be the coaches don’t know HOW to coach good recruits.
Yamadawg
October 31st, 2009
7:07 pm
CBS: “You want your offense to get well? What do you do? Play Georgia.”
Pathetic. But, unfortunately, true.
Pepper Rodgers' Toupee
October 31st, 2009
7:07 pm
Those helmets looked really good. Nice touch.
Ronald C Hester
October 31st, 2009
7:07 pm
Let face it, Georgia need a real coach. Mr. nice guy always finish last. The D did not show up today. Thank a lot coach M. Maybe you will fine a job coaching pee wee D somewhere next year. Can someone tell me why is Joe Cox still our quarterback. This is one of the worst coached Georgia team that I have seem in 35 years. It6 is time for a change.
Joe "Sucks" Cox
October 31st, 2009
7:07 pm
At least we had an extra week to prepair for that A$$ whipping.
Redo man
October 31st, 2009
7:08 pm
Missed that one. I thought Florida was playing Georgia this weekend. I didn’t know Grambling was on the schedule. I guess Georgia is going to win next week because they took two weeks off.
Joshua
October 31st, 2009
7:08 pm
GBO- throw enough money a man’s way and he will do about just anything( yes I mean Charlie Strong). Make him the highest paid assistant in NCAA and he will be wearing Red and Black next year. HANDS DOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GBO
October 31st, 2009
7:08 pm
GA will beat AU??? On the basis of what? Does GA’s “stellar” performances against TN and FL indicate a win? Are you suddenly going to develop a defense and a running game? I’m impressedthatyou havebeen saving it for the final stretch. 6 and 6 at best.
Pit bull
October 31st, 2009
7:08 pm
Gator in the Hootch, you’re right, we your bitches WM
booger
October 31st, 2009
7:08 pm
tebow doesn’t even know who herschel is
RedNBlack
October 31st, 2009
7:08 pm
Uhmm, thanks coach Richt.
ncdawg95
October 31st, 2009
7:08 pm
On a more optimistic note, who would be some good head coaching candidates for the Dawgs? David Cutcliffe is tearing it up at Duke and we could definitely make it worth his while. Who else?
Barry Jay
October 31st, 2009
7:08 pm
Murray and Mettenberg (sp} is redshirting this year. They will have four years of eligibility so that hopefully, we will get it together. Our secondary will be much improved in the next two years. I think our D Line will be as well. I know this year is not over, but my heart is broken. I will keep watching and keep hoping for wins. I’m even done with criticizing Cox. There is no reason to any more. I don’t even believe we can beat the nerds.
Better enjoy it this year geeks. If you win this year…it will be the last win for a while.
CJ Dawg
October 31st, 2009
7:09 pm
White and Gold and still living with mom–Our team may be down, but i guarantee on a personal note that THIS Dawg can whip THAT Tick any day. Just remember, I still get to wake up feel good about being a faithful fan and whipping ya’ll last 8 of 9 and you have to look at…I hate to know, but I’d guess about 1 buck 65 pale faced, bug eyed whiny a$$…and that’s just your blow up doll.
playmeortrademe
October 31st, 2009
7:09 pm
I keep saying Richt can’t win a big game. 2007 was a fluke and we didn’t even win the SEC that year. He peaked in 2005 with the SEC title. He’s done. No more gimmicks. Black Helmets???? Get somebody that will light a fire under these kids behinds!!!
SOOHSO
October 31st, 2009
7:09 pm
Pathetic…..enough is enough is enough. CMR is the new Tubberville and Fulmer.
WildBill
October 31st, 2009
7:09 pm
Gonna be a long ride home tonite. Dawgs, you shot yourself in the foot again with the penalties, and dumb plays. You tried hard to win, and for that, I am proud of you.
Now, just how many resignations will be on Richt’s desk Monday?
M. Adams
October 31st, 2009
7:09 pm
Richt and staff have become a major embarrassment to the UGA program. Days are numbered.
booger
October 31st, 2009
7:09 pm
asking tebow about herschel is like going to a zaxbys and asking who dominique wilkins is
CornDawgs
October 31st, 2009
7:09 pm
I SAID IT’S GREAT TO BE A JAW-JUH CORN DAWG!!!! GREAT TO BE A JAW-JUH CORN DAWG!!!!
georgia tech breakin neckz
October 31st, 2009
7:09 pm
florida would’nt do that to tech they would’nt even get the ball cause gt would run all the time off the clock
Dawg Man 24/7
October 31st, 2009
7:09 pm
CMR is now 2 and 7 against florida! That is terrible! He will not win another! I really do like CMR, but i personally believe he will not last much longer in athens! I think even if he makes changes it wouldn’t help! The damage is done! The magic he had is gone. I have a guy at work who has been telling me since last year after the tech game that paul johnson was the better coach. I argued with till no end that he was wrong. Now i am in agreement with him. He also said that paul johnson would be the coach that gets CMR ran out of athens. All dawg fans know we will not put up with losing to f-ing yech! What will it take to get this program to the elite level? I used to think CMR was that guy, but i know longer do.
ncdawg95
October 31st, 2009
7:09 pm
CUTCLIFFE – pay now and pay big. CMR to FSU and everyone goes away happy
Joe "Sucks" Cox
October 31st, 2009
7:09 pm
VanGorder come back
Mike S
October 31st, 2009
7:10 pm
Embarrassing. Georgia should be ashamed of themselves for that pathetic performance. Mark Richt has 2 choices – 1. fire Willie Martinez and bench Joe Cox – 2. Pack your bags and get the F*** out of Athens. Right now I don’t care which one it is.
Pit bull
October 31st, 2009
7:10 pm
Stop talking about changing head coaches, Richt just needs to change his coaches thats all!
41 38 49 38 45 24 37 41 17 20 45 41
October 31st, 2009
7:10 pm
UGA is a wanabe football program !
White & Gold Forever
October 31st, 2009
7:10 pm
CJ – you sound like a 12 year old – enjoy your LOSER team and helmets.
Ed Nichols
October 31st, 2009
7:10 pm
I graduated from UGA in 1962. And I have never been more ashamed of our football program. Undisciplined players. Coachs that smile when ther’re behind 30 points. And BLACK Helmets. Red helmets are part of our great tradition. What are they going to do next–get rid of UGA?????
ryan
October 31st, 2009
7:10 pm
As a former Georgia bulldog fan UGA sucks after what i saw it made sick. I’m done with Georgia i’m tired of seeing Georgia get the A$$ kicked by Florida an Tenn every year. I have had it ! I don’t care what they do with the coaches UGA is never going to win a national title
Brock
October 31st, 2009
7:10 pm
Wow- another gimmick attempt at a win? Everyone is laughing at the dogs.
Doug
October 31st, 2009
7:10 pm
Let’s not forget that LAST year was a disaster, too. Consensus #1 going into the season, #1 NFL draft pick at QB, Moreno, etc. We had to scrap to beat South Carolina, lost to FL by FIVE touchdowns, and blew a 16 point lead over GT. Mark Richt can’t win with talent, and can’t win without talent. He HAS to go. Damon Evans, too. Next year will be even worse. The lowest point in my 40 odd years as a Dawg fan.
Enough
October 31st, 2009
7:10 pm
THIS HAS TO BE THE BEST THEY CAN DO BECAUSE THEY HAD TWO WEEKS TO PREPARE. I’ve been a bulldog fan for over 20 years. This is embarrasing. This is worst than how Jim Donnans teams played. It’s time to let Richt go. He’s a Florida guy. Don’t really think he’s thinking about what it means to win here in this state. To give up 40 plus against Florida two years in a row? He’s gotta go. Look at the penalties, turnovers, stupid mistakes.
CMR needs to go
October 31st, 2009
7:10 pm
What georgia tech breakin neckz? I saw the post-game interview of Tebow by Tracy and thought he was VERY humble. He even said that breaking Herschel’s record, which he has always admired and respected (which he stated), is very humbling to hear his name mentioned with the likes of Herschel. So – my friend – I don’t think you heard the interview – how much more of an honor could he have paid to Herschel with out kissing his hindside?? Please actually LISTEN to interviews before posting false comments.
georgia tech breakin neckz
October 31st, 2009
7:10 pm
any question
Super Dog
October 31st, 2009
7:11 pm
RICHT SAID WE LED THE ACC IN PENALTIES WHEN HE WAS AT FSU
REALLY DID FSU PLAY ANY TALENT IN THE ACC IN THE 90′S NOOOOOOOOOO
THAT ATTITUDE IS WHY WE WILL NOT BEAT FL
ncdawg95
October 31st, 2009
7:11 pm
Richt will not fire his coaches – he has no record of doing it. The only way to get rid of Martinez is to cut the head off the dragon, and that’s Richt. Cutcliffe!
Pepper Rodgers' Toupee
October 31st, 2009
7:11 pm
Leather helmets. That would be novel.
tech1buzz
October 31st, 2009
7:11 pm
defense defense that’s our plan if willie can’t stop them nobody can… yeeyyyy….. god what a joke Georgia is ha ha ha ha ha … insects rule
45ACP
October 31st, 2009
7:11 pm
Fire all the coaches. That will solve all the problems.
Some of you Dawg fans make me want to barf.
You are so smart and can out coach anyone in the land.
Apply for a coaching job and prove it.