Tuesday, April 28, 2009

UGA considering game in the Georgia Dome?

Georgia is in preliminary discussions with the Georgia Dome about participating in their new kickoff classic style season opening game in 2010 (source: Athens Banner-Herald). Per the article:

"Richt said somebody currently on Georgia's schedule would have to agree to come off the schedule to make the deal work, and he wasn't optimistic that would happen."

When you look at the 2010 schedule, Georgia currently has only four home games scheduled with two open slots left for home games. In even numbered years, Georgia only gets three SEC home games due to "hosting" the Cocktail Party in Jacksonville. For a variety of financial and political reasons, Georgia needs six home games.

In other words, Mark Richt is likely alluding to the possibility of moving or cancelling the Colorado game in Boulder which is currently scheduled for 2010. Georgia has schedule flexibility to play a road or neutral site game vs. the Buffs in 2011; however, UGA's available dates are likely either Week 4 or Week 5 of that season. Colorado already has four non-conference games for 2011, and it would be extremely difficult to move their games around.

Basically, Georgia would need Colorado to look at their 2010 schedule and think that playing UGA is just too much competitively, and let us out of the deal.

It's very possible that Richt is referring to UCLA as the team that the Dawgs might play in the Dome next year. The Bruins tried to book a game with Auburn to open next season in the Dome, but the Tigers couldn't/wouldn't do the deal.

I think the much easier option for getting into the Georgia Dome season opener would be in 2011. That would require talking to Louisville about moving the season opening game with them to 2010, moving it later in the season in 2011, or canceling the entire series against what is now a glorified cupcake.

At the end of the day, Richt is right. Playing in the Dome in 2010 is a long shot.

See Also:
-- Dawgs to play game in Dome - AJC
-- UGA vs. UCLA Game Recap from '83 (Life After Herschel) - SI
-- Auburn walks away from UCLA - FanBlogs

PWD

No comments:

Post a Comment