Live from the Dome: Favored Bama meets hungry Dogs!

That famous jokester Nick Saban leaves Mark Richt in stitches. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)

That famous jokester Nick Saban leaves Mark Richt in stitches Friday. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)

At the SEC Coaches’ Luncheon at the Hyatt on Friday, emcee Dave Neal asked Nick Saban if it was easier to keep a team motivated as a favorite, or if being an underdog was preferable. Whereupon Mark Richt said, “What does he know about being an underdog?”

Saban’s Crimson Tide is favored today by eight points over Richt’s Bulldogs, but an awful lot of folks — this correspondent included — are picking Georgia. Still, this matchup couldn’t have caught Saban unaware.

“Last summer I was at the lake (Burton, where every  big-name college football coach has a summer house) and I was fooling around in the yard, and two guys rode up on JetSkis,” Saban told Richt at the luncheon. “One of them was your quarterback Aaron Murray and the other was your center (David Andrews). And they said, ‘We’ll see you in the SEC championship game.’ ”

And here both teams are, Alabama ranked No. 2 to Georgia’s No. 2, Alabama favored but not nearly a lock, Georgia trying to seize its biggest football moment in three decades. But you knew all that already. So enough of me talking.

I’ll be here until someone is the 2012 SEC champ, and I’d appreciate it if you’d join the fun and frolic. And I thank you, as ever, in advance.

By Mark Bradley

2,729 comments Add your comment

Tampa Gator

December 1st, 2012
5:50 pm

True Crimson…

I was posting about hits to the head….as being even….but not the penalties for doing it.

SnoopyJenkins

December 1st, 2012
5:50 pm

AARON MURRAY…….that was a “weak ass” punk pass…this kid got all the records but cannot perform in BIG GAMES….hang in there DEFENCE

Bobo we need to RUN the damn ball more!!!!

Tim Brando

December 1st, 2012
5:50 pm

Tracy is hottttt….

Ric Flair

December 1st, 2012
5:50 pm

I hear Orlando is beautiful in the winter.

Wooooooooo!

Buckeye

December 1st, 2012
5:50 pm

No worries, dogs, you will be highly ranked again next February.

Knockahoma

December 1st, 2012
5:50 pm

Nice form by Booker.

Roy

December 1st, 2012
5:51 pm

I guess we’re going to have to beat Bama and the refs. Has there been a flag called on Bama all game?

nodefense

December 1st, 2012
5:51 pm

Its doesn’t matter who wins as long as the SEC wins it all.

Jimmy

December 1st, 2012
5:51 pm

Tide Rising is correct.
Bama has the advantage on the D line.
We just need a monster half by our O line and backs.

TruDawg

December 1st, 2012
5:51 pm

On that Bama TD run, Mike Gillard was the LB that played like a lil girl and didn’t close the gap and make the tackle. Shawn was calling out Gillard for his weak play.

Sam

December 1st, 2012
5:51 pm

Orlando! Haha they’re coming back to atl for the chick fil a

DawgnSeattle

December 1st, 2012
5:51 pm

That hit reminded me of hits on Warner and Favre…legal but CHEAP…and maybe for $$$$.

Buckeye

December 1st, 2012
5:51 pm

dogs better sign Garrett Booker before 2nd half. He’s a winner

Ric Flair

December 1st, 2012
5:51 pm

Mark richt – you can come get a tan with Ric Flair while you’re in Orlando.

Woooooooo!

Wicked Witch of the WEST

December 1st, 2012
5:52 pm

Same as LSU game last year hence here comes the Beat down….. South Carolina is better than UGA pathetic!

I'm 1-10 against ranked opponents...and you think I will beat Bama?

December 1st, 2012
5:52 pm

is it just me, or is that hairy dawg mascot the single most annoyinf mascot in all of football?

Tim Brando

December 1st, 2012
5:52 pm

Hey Garrett, congrats on winning the contest. Now if you would kindly step over here, the IRS would like to speak with you.

CANWE?

December 1st, 2012
5:52 pm

Yeah, Jimmy…good luck with that!

ShowMeYurTD's

December 1st, 2012
5:52 pm

Second half……jitters should be gone…..UGA comes back strong….balls to the walls……come on Richt, coach ‘em up.

Prometheus

December 1st, 2012
5:52 pm

I’m not UGa fan, but I’ll take CMR as my team’s coach all day. Great coach, great man.

Roll tide!

December 1st, 2012
5:52 pm

If we lose I can live with it and will pull for UGA over ND..just keep it fair both ways..Both teams are damn good and winner take all.

Coffee Bluff DAWG

December 1st, 2012
5:52 pm

Got to get away from the turnovers to win. Murray with a pick followed by a cheap helmet to helment hit no call.

bawbie

December 1st, 2012
5:52 pm

True_Crimson

December 1st, 2012
5:52 pm

@harleyman

I just know what I saw on the camera. One is not allowed to block an opposing player in the back. I’m quite certain that is against the rules.

Left Coast Dawg

December 1st, 2012
5:52 pm

Days of Infamy = Bitter Tech Fan…please save your irrelevant babbling (not to mention lack of facts to support your claims) for someone else who cares……likely nobody.

At half time Break.... Phil Will....

December 1st, 2012
5:53 pm

go eat another idiots sandwich or two.

Buckeye

December 1st, 2012
5:53 pm

dogs get quiet at halftime.

Checking Lady Gym dogs schedule

Frank

December 1st, 2012
5:53 pm

hey Buckdick, that was a bit of a late cheap shot on Murray. Period. No question. All of the internet and TV announcers are in agreement. Do you understand!
a screwed up no-call, no matter how the game turns out.
either call them all, or Don’t call them at all. that was a fail.

aaron ashmore

December 1st, 2012
5:53 pm

@Buckeye
You are so right. Thats why I don’t care for them. They get a high ranking every year and never live up to the hype. One of the most overrated teams in college football.

I'm 1-10 against ranked opponents...and you think I will beat Bama?

December 1st, 2012
5:53 pm

hey Ric Flair, that Dial kid may have a future with the Four Horsemen!

bawbie

December 1st, 2012
5:53 pm

Dawgs need to learn hoe to tackle after a pick… Our offensive guys are not man enough

Prometheus

December 1st, 2012
5:53 pm

Nick is ruthless, and, he has best team.

Tom

December 1st, 2012
5:54 pm

Half Time – Time for all you dumb ass UGA fans to start blaming Bozo – sic Bobo

Tampa Gator

December 1st, 2012
5:54 pm

Nothing would make me happier than to see Bama playing in the Chick FIl A bowl…..come on Dawgs…..come out smokin……you gotta want it…..NOW.

Buckeye

December 1st, 2012
5:54 pm

I detect an uptick on the dog bitterness meter

DawgnSeattle

December 1st, 2012
5:54 pm

Bama looks/is bigger and stronger than our guys. Even the kicker is bigger and stronger then ours…lol.

Tim Brando

December 1st, 2012
5:54 pm

Tracy Wolfson or Erin Andrews?

bawbie

December 1st, 2012
5:54 pm

I guess Richt will take his team to the Ramsey Center after the game for a swim……

True_Crimson

December 1st, 2012
5:54 pm

My only point is really that some calls get missed. It is inevitable. One can whine about it — or not. This is a very good officiating crew, but nobody is omnipotent.

Buckeye

December 1st, 2012
5:55 pm

Aaron,

All you need to know about the dogs is summed up in one word. Remember this:

Delusional

Roy

December 1st, 2012
5:55 pm

30 minutes for the rest of your lives gentlemen. 30 minutes till Miami.

falconsrus

December 1st, 2012
5:55 pm

Dawgs are going to finish the drill in 2nd half and I mean we fix-in to take these boys out to the wood shed GATA

Prometheus

December 1st, 2012
5:55 pm

Bush league hit, I don’t care who you are rooting for.

Tampa Gator

December 1st, 2012
5:55 pm

Tampa is nicer in the winter than Atlanta or Orlando…..maybe the Tide will select the Outback Bowl instead.

Booze Hound

December 1st, 2012
5:56 pm

Shot on Murray was no more illegal than the bodyslams of Tech players by the Dawgs last week. Quit whining.

True_Crimson

December 1st, 2012
5:56 pm

@Tim

I like both, but I’ve only seen one nkkid! ;)

aaron ashmore

December 1st, 2012
5:56 pm

True_Crimson

December 1st, 2012
5:56 pm

@Tim

I like both, but I’ve only seen one nekkid! ;)

playmeortrademe

December 1st, 2012
5:56 pm

This is just like last year. IF UGA doesn’t score to start the half, it’s not going to be good. Alabama knows that they have worn the defense down and will be able to run at will. The Alabama coaches know Murray will not beat them, so they’ll key on the run until they know UGA is forced to pass, then pin their ears back and pressure Murray. Georgia may score a garbage TD after Alabama pulls away. Alabama 31-14. Should have scored when we had the chance.

Tampa Gator

December 1st, 2012
5:57 pm

Tracy all day long over Erin on the football field….maybe EA somewhere else.