Boise State: I Thought There were only 50 States

(Image: Copyright Bsuorangecrush. Click to enlarge for a massive pic)If you've ever been to Idaho, there are three things that stand out to you. First, it is a visibly stunning state. Mountains, the greenest fields I have ever seen, desert, 500 feet high sand dunes, beautiful lakes. Truly incredible. Second, the poverty there is abject. Plenty of trailers, shacks and the assorted living arrangements you would see in West Virginia or another third world country. As a bonus, they get 5 feet of snow a year. Third, Idahoans have a severe inferiority complex.



As someone once told me, "Idaho is the Mississippi of the West."



Raise your hand if you remember Boise State installing the Blue Turf. Keep them up if your first thought was "aww, how cute". Now, they pack in 34,000+ to Bronco Stadium. By the way, the picture above is from the night they set the attendance record against Oregon State at 34,137. For reference, that would have been broken in 1949 when Sanford was expanded to 36,000 seats.



I use all of this to preface this: Boise State isn't a joke. We can act disdainful, but their successes are real, even if they are against lesser opponents than what Georgia would play on 7-9 Saturdays a year. In many ways, they are the nouveau rich, but their money spends just the same as the old money does. They may play on blue turf, but they have won 38 of their last 40. They have a QB that will likely catch and pass David Greene (42 wins) and then Colt McCoy (45 wins) as the all time winningest college QB.



Oh, believe me, I'm going to make jokes about the trailers, the education system, hillbillies, being just behind Tennessee in 'educashun' spending, blue and orange, that horse, flat billed caps, drinking cheap beer, how few people actually care about football there and for thinking Oklahoma is the South. If the 4200 fans they are bringing want to know about SEC football, I am happy to oblige them. That doesn't change the fact that they should be the favorite to win.



So, Georgia has to win this for pride, for Greene, for the old money. But mostly for pride.



TD

Thoughts on Conference Expansion

To me, the most fascinating thing about conference expansion is the ripple impact of every move. It's extremely unlikely that Team A can move to Conference X without a corresponding move by Conference Y. So what does the end game look like?



Many pundits have speculated for over a year that we'll end up with four 16-team Super Conferences. That's probably true, but it looks like we'll see an incremental approach to that destination as only Larry Scott in the Pac-12 has put forth a real 16-team plan.



So...what happens when Texas A&M accepts the invitation to become the 13th member of the SEC? Here's my thoughts on the ripple impact...



What if Team 14 is Virginia Tech?

If the Hokies are the 14th team in the SEC, who will the ACC pursue to fill that spot? The best geographic/TV fits which generate the most revenue are Pitt, Syracuse and West Virginia. In fact, if I were the ACC, I would try and replace Virginia Tech with all three schools and jump to 14 teams.



The problem...taking three teams from the Big East virtually eliminates that league's existence. Without a scheduling partner in the form of the Big East, and with the ACC (at 14 teams), Big Ten, Big 12 and Pac 12 all at 9 conference games each, how does Notre Dame still fill out a schedule? Doesn't that finally give Jim Delany the Notre Dame pitch he's always wanted? Then Big Ten will need a 14th team. The Big Ten would go looking for a 14th team before the ACC could lock down Pitt, WVU and Syracuse.



What if Team 14 is Louisville or Missouri?

Then Mike Slive needs to be terminated immediately. Plus , if Louisville is the 14th team, that could be enough to destabilize the Big East enough for Jim Delany to make a move on Rutgers and get Notre Dame in the process. In other words, adding Louisville could end up strengthening the Big Ten. If it's Missouri...who knows.



What if it's really 16 teams with Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and someone else?

Look at how difficult it is to get one team to jump. It creates contractual problems, TV partner conflicts and most importantly political problems for the members. I just don't think a 16-team league can happen all at once. It'll take a few seasons to get there.



What about Oklahoma?

The Sooners are in a tough spot. They can't leave Oklahoma State behind for political reasons, and they need to play Texas every year for recruiting purposes. Texas will end up being forced to play Texas A&M by their state legislatures. There's no way Texas is going to play a nine game conference schedule plus Texas A&M and Oklahoma out of conference every year. OU isn't in a good position for leaving Texas' side now that the Aggies are gone.



So who do you think Team 14 will be? What unseen consequence of adding TAMU could be out there?



PWD

UGA vs. Boise State Preview (via CBS Sports)

Another hype video for the 2011 season

This one grew on me the longer it played. I'm definitely no fan of using quotes from Miracle for the Boise Game. Why? For heaven's sake WE should be the friggin' Russians in this one. Not Team USA. But that aside, it's not bad.PWD

Official: Aggies Are Looking (South)East

The Big 12-2 is officially on notice.  Texas A&M is officially withdrawing and seeking to join another athletic conference *cough* S-E-C!, S-E-C! *cough*.  The official release can be found here.  This is a final step before the consummation of the incorporation of Texas A&M as an official member institution of the SEC.

I can't overstate how excited I am about this move.  It provides the conference with a lot of business and academic advantages.  A&M is an AAU member, a potent draw for TV viewers in Texas and nationwide, and may (or may not) allow the conference to renegotiate its below market TV deal.  It also gives us fans reasons for celebration.   It's another place to go on a road trip and it gives us more exposure to what I consider one of the best fanbases in the country.  Aggies are good people.  They are what college fans were in the old days, passionate, but respectful.  I wonder how long it takes for them to become crazed tree-poisoners hanging around with us.  Plus, the speculation on the other potential invite breeds all sorts of fodder for message boards and talk radio.

I'll have more thoughts later, but it can't be long before an official SEC invite goes out to the Ags.

Quinton

Must Win?

Just thinking about the Boise State game vs. South Carolina game: Which is more important?

I'd say South Carolina. I'd also say Boise State is a more dangerous opponent than South Carolina.  What if we lose a close game (say, like what VaTech did with a last second thing) to Boise State, then whip South Carolina?  What if we get blown out by Boise, then whip South Carolina?  What if the reverse happens?

I know how I'd feel about each of those, but how would that go down with the fan base?

TD

Kickoff is Tomorrow

There is still time to join the 4th Annual Georgia Sports Blog College Football Pick'em.  First game will be tomorrow night.

Sign up here.

On Bacarri

I have to wonder, what is all the fuss?  Yes, he is our leading returning tackler.  Yes, he has an awesome name.  Yes, he adds experience to the DB corps.  Does it matter that he might have got beaten out for his starting job?  Is suspended for the first game?  Is about to transfer to North Alabama? Under NCAA investigation?

Honestly, I've spent the last three days trying to figure out what the fascination is.  I love the guy and the way he hits.  I am not a fan of his pass coverage.  I hope he plays and if he isn't suspended, then expect him to do so.  If he is suspended, it'll hurt, but I still think our DBs are solid.

Am I missing the source of continued fascination with his status?  Is it really just a hunger for anything negative about the football team, absent a last minute crime spree? 

Why the Miami thing is different

Two words: Subpoena power. 

The biggest hindrance to an NCAA investigation is they can't compel someone to talk.  Ask Danny Sheridan, Terrell Prior, Cam Newton, or Bruce Pearl.  True, there are tough penalties for lying, but if you get your house locked down, they can't come in. 

That is unless they can get the information some other way.  Such as through a bankruptcy proceeding.  Which you usually have when a Ponzi scheme falls in.  All 72 Miami Hurricanes that allegedly received benefits are going to be subpoened.  Some of them allegedly got plenty of benefits and have plenty of money with which to pay it back. 

It'd be easier sneaking the USS Ronald Reagan into Moscow than keeping all 72 quiet, especially considering they are all on the hook for perjury if they lie and contempt if they ignore the subpoena.  It is only a matter of time before the NCAA has more than Yahoo! and a convicted felon's word to go on.

TD

Depth Chart Update

I noticed the Depth Chart changed this morning, reflecting the updated status as the team prepares for Boise.

Interesting points:

• Samuel starting over Crowell.  Just interesting, not surprising. 


• Geathers starting over Jenkins.  Ditto.  Jenkins has been injured and is getting up to speed.  Geathers has been leading since spring and never ceded the position.  Like I said, expect to see the two of them together.


• Rambo second string, but Sanders Commings is the backup CB on both sides. I haven't gotten into the 'he's suspended, he's on the way out' stuff because it would only be speculation, at best.  It is important to note there is no one after Rambo on the chart (the pdf chart has Sanders as backup on one side only, but still no third string FS).


• Figgins and Ogletree as co-starters at FB.  Probably too early to tell if Figgins can go.


• Watts Dantzler as the back up RT.  Kid had a good camp.


• Branden and Brandon as co-punt returners.  I guess the same could be said of kick returns, but this probably speaks to the continuing unease about Branden's foot.

Anything else jump off the page to you?
TD

See also:
-Weiszer's take (Athens Banner Herald)

Vote for Hairy Dawg

Hairy Dawg is in the running for the 10th Annual Capitol One All-American Mascot Team.

The list of nominees:

Wilbur T. Wildcat - Arizona	Sparty - Michigan State
Aubie - Auburn	Mike the Tiger - LSU
Testudo - Maryland	Wolfie Jr. - Nevada
Hairy Dawg - Georgia	Boomer - Oklahoma
Brutus Buckeye - Ohio State	Big Blue - Old Dominion University
Duck - Oregon	Benny Beaver - Oregon State
Buzz - Georgia Tech	SuperFrog -TCU
Cy - Iowa State	Big Red - Western Kentucky

Big Blue from ODU is the defending champion.  As you can see there is some serious competition (read: mascots from schools with plenty of time and Internet).

Vote early and often at  www.CapitalOneBowl.com, on Facebook at ww.Facebook.com/MascotChallenge and via text voting.  The top eight vote getters in the first 12 weeks of the season will go head to head bracket style until a champion is named. 

TD

The SEC East

Last month, PWD laid out his case for how the SEC East might be won.  In essence, you don't have to be the fastest person in your group to survive a bear attack, you just have to not be the slowest.  Better known as the answer to the rhetorical: "How in the hell did South Carolina win the SEC East?". 

I prefer to look at it like a big election shocker.  Last year, the typical candidates were doing their own thing. Not paying attention to the little things that had gotten them to their elected positions in the first place. A lightly funded, sprightly upstart comes along and bam!  Upheaval.  Despite finishing in the bottom half of the conference in offense and defense, they win the East.

What happens now?  Well, it looks like Georgia and Florida have taken steps to change. I've been watching Florida with my typical condescension and disdain, but Weis is a much better Offensive Coordinator for their current offensive talent than whatever puppet St. Urban had there.  Their defense will probably take a step back due to the number of guys that are gone, but it was pretty solid, so it'll probably still be above average. 

Georgia.  Well, Georgia.  Georgia played one of the least inspired games offensively of the year against South Carolina.  In my opinion, we panicked after finding out we wouldn't have AJ and didn't change the game plan to reflect that.  Georgia's D held South Carolina to their lowest point total of the season.  I'm trending bullish on Georgia's offense and am very confident in the ability of the defense to improve in the key places it needs to, namely big pass play and run shut down.  Can we play with fire and determination?  Remains to be seen.

At this point, the polls are open and turnout can change things.  South Carolina needs a career year from Garcia (and him not getting into any public trouble).  They need Jeffrey to replicate his last season and to stay healthy.  They need the offensive line to be as good as they were to make room for Lattimore and give time to Garcia to find Jeffrey (insert your own joke here).  Their defense has some work to do.  Georgia is young at WR and RB, so how much will having the best TE in the nation mean?  On defense, there are question marks, but 3-4 2.0 will yield dividends.  Florida changed coaches, and schemes.  Will they have enough talent to overcome the change?

I say all of this to say the East is a toss up.  By my reckoning, it might not be decided until Florida goes to Columbia in November. I'm not ready to say Georgia will win the East.  I am certainly not ready to make the forgone conclusion they won't. 

TD
 

Following Georgia Football: Local TV Programming

Here is a list of the programing from Georgiadogs.com:

 "Inside Georgia Football with Mark Richt, presented by BB&T"
CSS 10:30am Sundays
WSB-TB Atlanta  12am Sunday Nights
WPGA Macon  12pm Sundays
WALB Albany 12pm Sundays
Cox Sports TV New Orleans- 3:30 (Central) Wednesdays
Georgiadogs.com - Mondays
Comcast On Demand- Available on Tuesdays
WRBL  Columbus  10pm Fridays

"The Road To Atlanta- The 2011 Georgia Bulldogs"
CSS Sunday  8/28 1pm (Check listings for additional airings)
WSB Saturday 9/3 12:30pm
WALB  8/27  7-8pm
WPGA 8/28 11am
Cox Sports TV New Orleans 8/30  11:30 (Eastern)
Georgiadogs.com

Football Replays
CSS- 11am Sunday*, 2pm Wednesday
*This immediately follows Coach Richt's Sunday morning show.

"Bulldogs Gameday"
WSB - 10am Saturday Morning

"Dawg Report"
CSS - Monday at 10pm

TD

Satire? NY Post Picks Gamecocks to Win it All

The NY Post is well know for their news, sports, politics and financial news coverage.  And their tabloid style and approach.

Either this is the most fascinating and subtle piece of humor I have ever seen or...yeah, it must be that.  His entire analysis of why South Carolina will win the National Championship is Steve Spurrier is the coach and he now has exactly the same athletes he had last year. Oh, and South Carolina is the 11th most profitable football program in the country.  Seriously. 

By the way, 11th in the country puts them 4th in the division and 7th in the conference.

TD

(h/t Matt Hinton @DrSaturday)

Preparations for Boise: Review of Camp

Almost a month ago, I laid out nine things I wanted to see that would make me feel good about the time spent at camp.  So, how'd it go?

• Kwame Gathers pushing John Jenkins for playing time - I'd score this a win.  Not only are they pushing each other, Kwame will start.  Jenkins has been hurt, so that has slowed his progression down, but look for both of them to get on the field together.  A lot. 


• Tackling to the ground - Win.  Guys are getting dinged up, but so far, Richt still has them going live.  Good.


• No discussion about blocking schemes in the backfield - We've had a little chatter about blocking, but instead of talking about how player X is ahead because he is a better blocker, we are hearing how players are pushing each other in different ways. It might be lip service, but at least it is better than flat out acknowledgment that if one player is in, we're probably running a certain type of play.


• More fullback involvement in the offensive scheme - Ah, yeah.  So, we'll just have to see about that Saturday.


• Scuffles on the field - I've heard snippets of guys getting on each other.  It does seem like they are ready to play someone else.


• The freshmen pushing other guys for playing time - Hello Malcolm Mitchell, Amarlo Herrera, Damian Swann, Ray Drew, and Ramik Wilson.  Fortunately, we haven't had to see how much freshmen are ready to play on the line, but it David Andrews will get some reps Saturday.


• Grantham quotes - Well, the back and forth over the bowl game was interesting.  Really, it was just a lot of forth.


• Richt keeping it real - No pool.  Check.  Going to the Dome for practice. Check.  Calling guys out. Check.


• No quotes from Walsh about kickoff schemes - I am still so negatively conditioned, until I see a ball bouncing around at the bottom of the goal post in the Dome, I am worried about it.

It's game week, y'all.  Time to get real.

TD

Playing in the Dome?

The atmosphere in the Dome will be very important to Georgia.  The program has been beat up, rightfully so, for eight months over the debacle against Central Florida and all of the non-sense from last season.  It will be very important for the 65K+ Georgia fans in the Dome to bring the pain.

Yes, Boise State has played in big stadiums.  Yes, they have played on big stages.  The only common denominator between the 2005 game and this game is the crowd.  Those dudes rolled into Athens shell shocked, and the Broncos were down by 17 before they realized what had happened. I think it'll be a madhouse in there. Loud as hell.  We have to make sure it is and keep that up, especially if the Dawgs get down early.

Mental status of this Georgia team appears very strong. It is on the fans to make sure they know we have their back.  I'll stay off a rant about booing, but suffice it to say we should leave the bad taste in our mouth over last year in last year, especially during this game.     

I've been at FedEx Field, where Boise State beat Virginia Tech last season, for a Redskins playoff game. Now, Redskin fans can be loud, however, it wasn't nearly as loud as the Georgia Dome is with Georgia people in it.  The crowd can be the 12th man for Georgia, as Boise State will have 15 or so thousand fans there. It is up to us to show the Bulldogs that their work is recognized by us.

If we expect demand the team that is wearing the Red and Black to show up, play a whole game and leave it  on the field for four quarters, they should get the same effort from us. 

TD

Following the Money

Do the guys online know more than us?  Check out Bodog's odds on who will win the SEC (h/t @CFTalk):

Bama: 9/5
UF: 9/2
UGA: 5/1
LSU: 5/1
SC: 6/1
Arky: 13/1

Everyone else is at least 18/1.  Bama is a prohibitive favorite to win the West at 10/11.  LSU checks in at 5/2 and Arky at 6/1.  In the East, Florida is a slight favorite over South Carolina at 9/5 to SCs 19/10.  Georgia is right behind them at 2/1.  No other East team is better than 15/2.

More interesting are the player props.  The bettors have Murray and John Brantley both pegged at 60/1 to win the Heisman, but Brantley is fairly far ahead of Aaron when you lay money on most passing yards in the conference.

Fairly fascinating stuff.  I don't regularly bet on football, so understand that this information may seem normal or not fascinating to you if you do.  

College Football Pick'em Kicks Off in One Week

Get registered and get your picks in.

We have a Thursday night game (Kentucky vs. Western Kentucky in Nashville), so you'll miss your points if you don't get your selection in for that game by kickoff. 

To participate, just join our pool at Fun Office Pools.  They are spam free and run the simplest, easiest to navigate pool around.  Remember, we'll pick winners only, but with confidence points.  The more points you assign to a game, the more likely you think your selected outcome is correct. If you're right, you'll get the amount of confidence points you assigned to a game.

TD

So, Denver is Finally Seeing What Nearly Everyone Else Knew

Tim Tebow is, at best, a gifted athlete that got as far as he did at QB due to the system he was in.  He is likely to be the third string QB in Denver this season...if they don't trade him.  An undrafted free agent from the University of Minnesota is drawing the praise Tebow normally gets, but as an undrafted free agent vs. 1st round pick, the former Gopher will be on the practice squad. 

As much as I don't like Tebow, I hate the media's obsessive deification of him even more.  Tebow is by all accounts a strong Christian man, just like many, many strong Christian men that have played football before him.  He accomplished some very impressive things at Florida. He wasn't the first football player to go on missions.  He wasn't the first to win the Heisman.  He was the first college player to perform medical procedures on the privates of 14 year old boys, so he has that going for him. 

I'm just shocked the media is still scratching their heads over the 'fall' of Tebow in the NFL.  Keep the sharp stuff away from Thom Brenneman. 

New UGA Promo

Pure gold.  I hope to find an embeddable copy, but this is awesome stuff.

Great work by Glen Owen and the other DGDs in the Bulldog Collective

TD

On Rankings

Every year, I struggle with the continuing irony that teams many, many media people think can finish with no more than 8 wins is ranked by the media. While the polls are a necessary evil of college football, I tend to agree with Blutarsky (my most sincere apologies) that doing any type of national poll before October 1 is folly. 

So, if Georgia is that team this year, are there reasons that you see for the media and coaches to rank Georgia in the top 20?  I mean, I think we could finish with 10-11 wins.  I also think we could finish with 6-7.  I guess that is why I think pre-season polls are so difficult to deal with, especially the coaches' poll.  That one has a bearing on who ends up in the BCS games. 

Any team in the preseason top 15 or so that wins all but one game has a much better shot at a BCS game than any other team that does so.

I guess I started writing this post as a question about Georgia's ranking, so I apologize for the little rant.  I know we are the sixth or seventh ranked SEC team, but is the SEC so much better that an 8-4 SEC East team should be ranked with virtually all other 9 win teams at the end of the season? Are there reasons Georgia got the ranking love?

Bruce Pearl to Receive a Show Cause?

Andy Katz at ESPN is reporting it.  His former assistants will each get one year, with Pearl getting a multiple year show cause.

In all likelihood, this is the end of Pearl's collegiate coaching career.  His assistants might get another shot, but it'll be a while.  They'll be like the plague for a number of years, but guys that can recruit as well as Jones won't be out of the game forever, even if it means working the Ohio Valley Conference.

NCAA is sending the message.  Don't lie to us. 

File Under: Things that Make Paul Westerdawg Happy

This:

8. In all likelihood, the team will not head to the pool at the Ramsey Center this fall camp.
“I doubt we go to Ramsey,” Richt said. “This might be the first time that we’ve gotten all 29 practice opportunities in. We haven’t gotten there yet, but we’re on track.” 

I'm ambivalent about the pool thing, honestly.  We didn't fall off the past few years because of going to the pool.  We fell off because we weren't totally and honestly committed to the single minded pursuit of playing the best football possible, from the AD to the managers, with the goal of humiliation and domination of all teams faced.

Going to the pool isn't the issue.  Going to the pool is a sign.  Not going is a sign, as well.  If this represents a dedication to that single minded pursuit, awesome.

TD

Replacing Veteran Receivers

We know the drill.  Yeah, the QB is coming back, but his top two targets from 2010 are now in the NFL.  Nearly 50% of the catches and over 50% of the yards receiving from last year have to be replaced.  Only two guys with over 300 yards receiving last season are back.  Only two guys returning caught 25+ passes in 2010.   

Not a good thing for a QB to try to over come, especially with a brand new offensive coordinator.

Wait, you thought I meant Aaron Murray? I'm talking about Boise State's Kellen Moore.  For comparison sake, Aaron lost a shade over 40% of the catches and just under 48% of the yards receiving from 2010.  So, is it just assumed that Kellen can, by sheer will, make those new guys play like receivers that are now in the league?

I'll grant Boise's running game has a much more experienced feature back and their offense was 150 ypg better than Georgia's last season.  However, Georgia has continuity on their side (insert your own snark), with Boise State's offensive coordinator being poached as The Answer to Texas' offensive issues.  Brent Pease will replace Bryan Harsin, the best offensive coordinator in Boise State's history. 

More importantly, Moore is losing 41% of his career pass completions and 44% of his career yardage with Titus Young and Austin Pettis' departure. 

I keep hearing how much Georgia lost with AJ Green and Kris Durham's departures.  I agree.  You know what I haven't heard?  How much Titus Young and Austin Pettis' departures hurt Boise State.  Now, there is no doubt Kellen Moore is the real deal.  I am not debating that.  I am saying that Young and Pettis' departures from Boise State mean at least as much to Boise's passing offense as Green and Durham's does to Georgia.  Maybe more.

We find a way to slow down their running game and put Moore in a place of having to force throws at guys he might not trust or having to decide to tuck the ball, it could be a fun night.

TD

Tickets for Trade: Need Boise St. will trade...

I need 2 tickets for Boise State. Here are some ticket combos I'm willing to offer up for trade (Pick one):

A. Florida -- 2 lower level tickets

B. Auburn -- 2 upper level tickets

C. Kentucky -- 2 lower level tickets

D. Ole Miss -- 4 lower level tickets

E. New Mexico St. + Ole Miss -- 2 lower level NMSU + 2 lower level Ole Miss

Simply pick the offer that interests you from the list, and we can talk specific seat locations. Best way to reach me is via email:

decaturdawg (at) hotmail (dot) com

Please include your Georgia Dome seat location in your email. Go Dawgs.



PWD

Playing the Role of Terrence Cody will be Alshon Jeffrey

I know a fat man when I see one.  I see 1.

It is a three weeks until we take on South Carolina in Athens, so a lot can change, but if Jeffrey is playing up around my weight, I don't care how good his hands are, we can send an end out to cover him.  Unless this is some weird Spurrieresque plan that involves moving Jeffrey to Hback/Full Back to get Garcia another option to dump the ball off to so his passing stats stay up, thereby keeping him off the sauce.

He looks like Jamarcus Russell right before Al Davis mumbled incoherently at him about aliens and stuff.

TD

Suits and Sneakers

For all the news that comes out about Georgia Athletics, one thing that too often gets over looked are the good deeds done and legitimately positive impact they make on the Athens community and beyond.  Last night was one of events. 

Mark and Cindy Fox hosted Suits and Sneakers at Stegman last night, benefiting the American Cancer Society.  This is the second year the Fox's have hosted this in Athens, after doing it during their time in Reno.  It was good to see so many people in the community out supporting the cause.  The coaches, Greg McGarity, many higher level university administrators, and Athens/State business leaders were there to support this worthy cause.  The silent auction items were well bid on and the live auction items, including a Herschel Walker signed GATA sign that I am still probably breaking a Comandment over, had plenty of action.

Last night was only one of many such events put on by Georgia's coaches and athletics administration.  Their impact, through both large visible events such as this one and the small day to day stuff, is nearly incalculable. Too often, we (personally and the fan base) focus only on the negatives.  I wanted to make sure I didn't do that in this case. 

NIKE Reveals Georgia's Uniforms for Boise St.

Nike has pics of the new UGA Pro Combat Uniforms. You can see them here. They aren't my cup of tea per se, but they look dramatically better than the rough drafts that were floating around.



I actually like the Silver helmet especially given that we have some history in that area with the pre-1964 uniforms. However, the uber wide red stripe blows. Regardless, it's a one game deal. And we aren't doing it as a motivation technique...just a money grab...so I'm fine with it.



Mainly, I want to see the gloves. If they are waterproof and cool, I'll be purchasing a pair.



PWD

GSB Annual College Football Pick'em Reminder

Just a quick reminder...

Each week we'll have about 10-15 games for you to pick - we'll be picking the winners only - no spreads - but you'll also have to assign confidence points to your picks. The more points you assign to a game, the more likely you think your selected outcome is correct. If you're right, you'll get the amount of confidence points you assigned to a game.

To participate, just join our pool.  The peak number was over 500 a couple of years ago.  I'd love to get past 600 this year.

Two Weeks Out: How do you feel?

Ok, so we've had a couple of injuries, but beyond a stress fracture, nothing too serious.  We've had a brouhaha about unis.  We've learned that my kid is a likely agent's runner, or at best, is likely to be a mule for unscrupulous memorabilia sales folks.  We've learned there is a possible new mantra for this season.

How do I feel?

Honestly, I am still rating the Dawgs a hold.  I want to, make that desperately want to, believe the changes in approach that are becoming a bit more evident will be the difference between the past few year's non-sense and winning the way we did in the early part of the decade.  I also want to believe someone will step up out of the receiving corps, the offensive line will remember that they are as good as they were before last season, we have a decent running attack, play calling will leverage advantages, defensive schemes won't break down, we cover wheel routes and QB delay keepers, and all the kickoffs will be out the back of the end zone.

The only thing I feel confident happening regularly, at least right now, is the kickoff thing.

How do you feel?

TD

Texas A&M's Breakup Talk with Big 12

Good stuff from from Bandit Ref.







PWD

Diamond Dawgs Returning

Looks like Perno will have a strong nucleus of his NCAA regional team back, including ace Michael Palazzone.  Of the current Dawgs that were drafted, only Cone, who was a first rounder, RHP Cecil Tanner and OF Chase Davidson signed pro contracts.  Tyler Maloof and Peter Verdin will return this spring with Palazzone. 

Also, several of the top rated signing class signed contracts, including first rounder Dante Bichette, Patrick Leonard, Matt Taylor, Nick Delmonico, and Tyler Greene.  Wayne County star Tyler Palmer, who was drafted by Florida early, but got hurt over the summer, not to enroll, either. 

That leaves LHP Jarrett Brown, RHP Mike Mancuso, RHP David Sosebee, OF Hunter Cole, and OF/RHP Heath Holder all joining the Diamond Dawgs for the Spring.  If any one of those pitchers can step up and be a starter, Perno's team will be in good shape. 

Georgia's 2011 Schedule: Reason for Hope?

All of us have looked at 2011 and scratched our heads.  On one hand, the schedule sets up very nicely for the Dawgs to have a season that should be much better than last year's bucket of fail.  On the other, we could start out 0-2 and no number of two touchdown wins will turn some people around.  I can't think of a season since 2000 that I have looked at and thought we could be anywhere from 11-1 to 5-7, and I wouldn't be surprised at any of those outcomes.

I'll get to the Boise State and South Carolina games later.  On paper, we should head into Florida no worse than 5-2.  I know there are those out there that think we'll lose to Mississippi State or Ole Miss, but the Rebel Bears are worse than last season and Mississippi State needed the least inspired performance (until the bowl game) out of a Georgia team since the debacle in Knoxville in 07 to win.  Not to mention, State lost their Dcoordinator, three of their starting linebackers and that monster in the middle of the line that kept Georgia from doing anything on the ground. 

Tennessee legitimately worries me.  That isn't to say I think we'll lose to them, but they have a ton of upside potential.  They also still have a younger squad than Georgia Military.  That and as good (or bad) as Bray might be, he has fewer weapons than Murray.  And he isn't Murray.

So we go into Florida at 5-2.  Putting aside Florida, who on the back end of the schedule worries you?  Auburn?  Kentucky?  I mean this is the SEC, but we could be a legit 9-3, either way. 

I realize this is a very quick whip around the schedule, but it isn't hard to see a world that 9-3 is the very worst we could finish. Would that be enough?  If one of the nine is Boise State, does that change things?  How about Florida? South Carolina?

I don't say this will be dispositive.  I realize we have to show up to win, but the schedule is one that a coach under pressure to put up wins has to love.  Can the renewed...whatever it is...pay off?

TD

Orson is cleared

Film at 11 as I am posting on my phone.

More Nevin Shapiro Confessions

EDSBS has the latest series of "confessions" from Nevin Shapiro, the bomb carrying U killer.

PWD

Burning Down the House

It is only a matter of time before it happens.  Miami, 'da U, will be a mere afterthought of the football world.  Ask anyone under 30 about SMU football.  They just look at you blankly.  Yeah, they might be able to say they got in trouble once.  Maybe, just maybe, they can tell you (wrongly) the Mustangs are the only major sports program to get the 'death penalty.'  But most likely, SMU is just a punch line.  A place June Jones moved to after rebuilding Hawaii.  C-USA punching bag.

I don't think Miami gets the 'death penalty.' The NCAA won't have to impose it.  Miami's faculty will burn the program down.  Wholesale.  They'll have no choice.

Just looking at SMU, Baylor and the Albert Means, here is what Miami will likely self-impose:

• At least a two year bowl ban. 


• Reduction of 15 or more schollys for three years.


• Restrictions on recruiting, likely to include reduced coaches visits and official visits.


• Any major supporter that even looks like they could be dirty from the past twenty years will be unwelcomed.


• Firing the AD and wholesale house cleaning in the athletic department compliance office.

It is conceivable they will only play a conference schedule for a season, as well. 

If even half of what Shapiro has said is true and can be remotely trusted, Miami's football and men's basketball programs are toast.

TD

See also:
- Hurricanes End Career on High Note (Spencer Hall - EDSBS)
- Don't blame just Shapiro (Greg Cote - Miami Herald)
- Miami AD's own glass house (Mike DeCoursy - Sporting News)
- Craig James: "Wait, yachts and jet skis?"*
- Richt is to blame because Paul Johnson is a better coach (who's ever turn it is at the AJC)**

*I kid.  I'm sure James was a strict cash only guy.  
**Not yet, but it isn't a stretch.

Should the SEC poach the ACC?

Is there opportunity here?

Yesterday, I wrote about SEC Expansion and Virginia Tech.  I'll admit it, there are some good reasons for the SEC to look at FSU or Clemson.  Both are well within the current footprint of the conference.  Both have regularly scheduled match ups with current members, plus longstanding rivalries with other members.  Both have strong athletic programs.  Academics?  Well, Clemson is very strong....

However, Slive would have to fight a very tough battle with Georgia and Florida on FSU, Georgia and South Carolina on Clemson.   I'd be unhappy with either.

Then there is Tech. There could be some good reasons for the conference to think about Georgia Tech, but the only one I can come up with is academics.  Georgia has a strong hold on the Atlanta TV market, as does UF, Auburn, Alabama, and Tennessee, for that matter.  They don't bring anything new to the table for athletics, other than a cute offense in football (before you flame me, I know they are a pretty good athletic department, and Mossad could learn a thing or two from them about information control).  I guess if you were choosing between South Florida and Tech, Tech is an easy choice, but I'd consider Tech about even with NC State, if NC State were the only choice.

But North Carolina State isn't.

Could the SEC make a move for UNC, Duke and NC State?  It gets them into a two growing large markets.  It brings decent football from two schools.  It bring two top flight academic institutions and when you add the four with Texas A&M, it is a huge academic boost.  It would put the SEC even with the Big East in the national basketball discussion, meaning a renegotiation of the TV package (for comparison sake, the ACC just signed a 12 year, 1.86 billion deal with ESPN, comparable to the SEC's per year deal).  It would cripple the conference of the in-state rivals of three members. 

Imagine at least 5-7 more basketball games and all conference tourney games on national TV. Before you start on UNC would never leave the ACC, did you think Nebraska would leave the Big 12?  Given a choice between being a possible non-BCS school (especially with the shenanigans at Miami) or moving to a better long term option with the three schools they are most closely tied to, and getting the money that comes with a move to the SEC?  Not a stretch.  NC State would move in a heart beat, too.

Strangely enough, the sticking point might be Duke's faculty living with a move to the unwashed academic masses of the SEC. Currently, the median USNews ranking in the ACC is 34.5, with FSU's 111 taking up the rear. The SEC's median is in the high 90s, with unranked Ole Miss and Mississippi State bringing up the rear.  That isn't an insubstantial consideration for Duke's faculty and academic reputation.

Hey, I grant North Carolina has their own issues with the NCAA, something that would be the source of multiple jokes if they come to the SEC.  I also grant this isn't the football marriage some might be dreaming of.  But again, if the option is TAMU plus FSU/VaTech/Clemson or TAMU plus Duke/UNC/NCState, I am pretty sure I know which one Slive will have the public and private consensus for.

I'd also consider Louisville a nice backup contender if the conference only goes to 14 schools.  Their basketball would help.  The football isn't good again, but they could help push the brand into the Midwest some.  Plus, Kentucky doesn't seem too upset over building a deeper rivalry with someone they can be a bit more competitive with.  However, I think Louisville is one of those ask before we ask Directional Florida to balance the conference deals.

As a final point, I will say that there are significant psychological downsides to taking in three ACC schools.  But if Slive can't convince Texas and the Oklahoma schools to join, these three make the most sense to me to get to 16 members. If it is Va Tech and Louisville, you just about have to get a Texas or Oklahoma with TAMU (which I just don't think will happen without Okie State) to build out to 16.

What if TAMU decides to stay? Can the SEC move on VaTech and the three North Carolina schools and make it work? I don't know.

I guess the real question is will the SEC be the first to make a move to 16 teams.

Yahoo! Sports just nuked Miami

Hurricane basketball coach Frank Haith, Nevin Shapiro, UM President Donna Shalala (Image: Yahoo! Sports)

It is never a good thing to see a picture of a convicted Ponzi scheme artist, one that admitted to giving potentially millions in improper gifts to the school's athletes, with the head basketball ball coach and president.  For reference, that is a check the president is holding.

Also, at least four coaches who are now at other institutions are implicated, two at 'Bama, one at Florida, one at Louisville.  It is a fascinating read.  Almost like "Blue Chips," but deeper, for a longer time.  And at a real place, one that hasn't had the most pristine history.  Strangely, Miami might have done Randy Shannon a favor by firing him.

I wonder if Al Golden has a clause that covers him if the 'Canes are given the death penalty.  It is a long way from talking to Charles Robinson to Julie Roe Lach, but damn.

TD

UPDATE: It just got real.  Orson Charles is implicated (h/t Sic'em Dawgs).  Shapiro allegedly gave Orson a tour of his house during a recruiting visit during his junior year in high school. Relatively minor, in the scheme of things. Not sure what, if anything, this does for Orson, but a quick thought is Georgia will probably declare him ineligible, investigate, sick Mike Glazier on the NCAA to petition for his immediate re-instatement.

Must Put Down the Kool Aide

Ohhh, yeah!

Weiszer and Legge are killing me.  As a fan base, we weren't too happy hearing about the "freed me up to focus on football stuff" from Richt.  But if...IF...this is working and will transfer to game day, more specifically late in drives and late in the fourth quarter, then we won't have to kick field goals on fourth and one from the three very much. 

"Get on the bus."  If...IF... we start out 2-0, this will be the battle cry of the season. 

Who Would the SEC Target from the East?

I am still not convinced the SEC will expand...yet.  As I pointed out, this could be a move by TAMU to get Texas and the Big 12 a bit closer to even.  Not saying it will work, but it could be going down like this.  Also, the SEC won't likely move without a very good idea about who will balance the conference, and a better idea if it'll be 14 or 16 now.  And when 16 will happen.

The last time Mike Slive did something that wasn't planned to the barest detail, he was born a day early, although he did that on purpose.  As PWD put it to me, the conference presidents are strategic people.  They won't just jump on Texas A&M just because they can.  There are only three programs out there that I see as legit Napoleon Battle Plan types (show up and see what happens, making it worth moving to 13 schools without a 14th): Notre Dame, Texas, Oklahoma. 

So, we've all debated the merits of pursuing Texas, TAMU, Oklahoma, and Okie State. Notre Dame ain't coming. What if Slive and the Presidents are looking East?

If TAMU wants to come, great.  I don't think Slive will ask until the SEC has a very good idea who the 14 (and possibly 15 and 16 will be).  Slive knows the first dude in line has to load up the plate or some of the tastier morsels will be gone from the buffet.  The SEC can't/won't chance just getting TAMU and hoping to add a solid 14th, then get stuck with A) some random school that doesn't fit strategically, or B) Slive being forced to jam an in-state competitor school down a current member's throat.  Before you get all "adding FSU hurts Florida, which is good for Georgia," remember FSU hurts Georgia in recruiting plenty.  Same goes for Clemson.

So that leaves us with Virginia Tech, right?  Not a bad pick: strong academics, to satisfy those that would worry about such things; good athletics, to help with the product that brings the money in.  Strong DC area alumni base, getting the conference some access there (although DC is not a college football town; I'd equate it with Philadelphia in that it is much more a pro-football, college basketball town).  There is the pesky issue of UVa, as the Virginia Legislature might block a move without knowing what would happen to UVa's interests, but that isn't insurmountable like it would be in a state that cares a lot more about things such as that.

But what if the SEC decides it is time to go to 16 schools, and to do it now? How do they go about that? I have a couple of ideas that I'll post about later today.

What are your thoughts: Will the conference just get 13 and see what happens? 14 or 16?  What schools can they target/will they target?

TD

For Further Reading:
- The Search for Number 14 - Team Speed Kills

4th Annual Georgia Sports Blog Football Pick'em

In conjunction with FunOfficePools.com, we will be running our 4th Annual College Football Pick 'em Contest. Last year, we had nearly 500 people participate. 

Each week we'll have about 10-15 games for you to pick - we'll be picking the winners only - no spreads - but you'll also have to assign confidence points to your picks. The more points you assign to a game, the more likely you think your selected outcome is correct. If you're right, you'll get the amount of confidence points you assigned to a game. We'll be picking games that include UGA, the other SEC teams, GT and some of the best other games of the week as well. Also, I like to throw in random games the odds makers think are close (remember, the spread is purely informational, we aren't picking against the spread).

To participate, just join our pool. It's completely free to play, and FunOfficePools.com is spam-free as well. The pool is open now to join, and first picks are due by September 3rd, but we do have Thursday and  Friday games the first week that will close prior to kickoff, so sign up now. The pool will run the whole regular season, concluding on December 6th with, among other games, the conference championship games. Let's get as many of you signed up as we can, and find out who really is the best at picking winners in football.

If you've already signed up, click here to go to the FunOfficePools main page and log in.  PWD and I are talking about the prize, but it'll be nicer than a signed copy of his bar tab.

TD

SEC Presidents send message to TAMU

Having some experience in dealing with high level university administrators, I have graciously decoded the message Dr. Bernie Machen released through the SEC office regarding SEC expansion.  You're welcome.

“The SEC Presidents and Chancellors met today and reaffirmed our satisfaction with the present 12 institutional alignment.  We recognize, however, that future conditions may make it advantageous to expand the number of institutions in the league. We discussed criteria and process associated with expansion.  No action was taken with respect to any institution including Texas A&M.”

Should be read as:

 "The SEC is digging that stuff you are offering.  It is just that too many people are around eyeballing us to see how we are going to conduct ourselves, and we aren't willing to be "that guy."  Believe us, we are "that guy."  We think you should meet us at the Dew Drop Inn by the interstate, Room 17, about midnight, and we'll show you just how much "that guy" we are.  We'll bring some Cold Duck and hit the slot machine in the men's room at the gas station. By the way, if we get asked, we gonna act like we don't know you and tell folks we think you are a bit trashy for our tastes. No offense meant."

TD

SEC Expansion: Bama and AU to the East?

If the SEC expands to include Texas A&M plus another school slotted for the West, I expect Alabama and Auburn to both move to the East.

SEC East:

Alabama

Auburn

Georgia

Florida

Tennessee

South Carolina

Kentucky



SEC West:

LSU

Texas A&M

Arkansas

Miss State

Ole Miss

Vanderbilt

TBD

If the league slots FSU or Missouri caliber program in the West, the balance would be reasonable. If they go after Virginia Tech again, then the divisions would basically stay the same as they are now and Bama/AU wouldn't move.



A nine game SEC schedule would likely be a part of a 14 team league. Especially now that the Pac 12 and Big Ten are going in that direction.



What's the benefit to UGA beyond more quality home games? Well...we would get a balanced SEC home/away schedule of 4 home, 4 road and 1 neutral. Today, Georgia has a 4-3-1 SEC schedule on odd numbered years and 3-4-1 on even numbered years. It would actually be easier to keep the Cocktail Party in Athens if the SEC expands to 14 teams and goes to a 9 game league slate.



Imagine a slate like this on an even numbered year:

Home:

UT

Alabama

Arkansas

Kentucky

Georgia Tech



CUSA Team

Div I-AA Team



Away:

Auburn

Texas A&M

South Carolina

Mississippi State



Neutral:

Florida

What's your take?



PWD

Am I the only one?

That saw this and thought "Good for Coach Wilson?"

I mean, you can be all "Ha, ha, guys" and kiss their butts or you can say, "You know what? Stop with the Indiana will never be good routine."  The Coach defended his school.  That is what I would want my coach to do.  I guess only radio jocks can have bad attitudes and diss others.  Turnabout is not allowed.

The way Trudeau was acting, you would have thought Wilson brought up his arrest for supplying booze to high schoolers.

John Kasay's Letter to Panther Fans

After 16 years, John Kasay's tenure with the Carolina Panthers has ended. Kasay prepared a handwritten note for all the Panther fans. He leaves as the last remaining member of their expansion team. Letter via (The Observer).



Kasay was a Damn Good Dawg. And a class act to the end of his career in Charlotte.



Helps if I spell his name right. geez.

Will the Aggies move to the SEC?

Dying or just getting started?

It seems like a good move.  Texas A&M and the rest of the 8 leftovers in the Texas Longhorn conference, are getting a complete rodgering less than advantageous deal.  Don Beebe might have saved the Big 12, but due to the concessions given the Longhorns, it is only a matter of time that several of the other schools will look for a change.

So we are working on the assumption that the change would be a power play by the SEC to get TAMU and another top tier team or three, in all likelihood from either from the Big 12 or the ACC.  Oklahoma or Oklahoma State come to mind.  Georgia Tech, Clemson, FSU, Virginia Tech and Miami do, too.  For what it is worth, TCU makes some sense. But is SEC expansion the only thing that makes sense?  As Blutarski put it, I'd be more impressed if Mike Slive were talking about A&M moving to the SEC.  If the SEC does this, it won't be out of charity to TAMU or another team.  It'll be because Slive and the Presidents think it'll be a long term net money win.

Does adding TAMU help expand the TV footprint significantly enough?  I don't know.  The SEC is already on two national networks each week, with nearly every game broadcast regionally. Yes, it gets the SEC into the Texas market.  It would be good for SEC fans in Texas to be able to see the SEC regional games, but what does that do for the conference? Would adding TAMUs football and basketball revenue be a strong enough argument, when added to the expanded TV footprint, to make the move without knowing what other team would be used to balance the conference?

Is it more plausible that the Little 9 of the Big 12 look to balance their conference.  I can see a scenario that they make moves to encourage Texas to go independent, either by figuring out how to get them out of the Big 12 or otherwise.*  Otherwise isn't as good a deal, as any newly formed conference would not be a BCS conference, although it would likely quickly qualify, especially if Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Missouri, Texas Tech and Texas A&M are in play.  What if you add TCU to that mix?

The best argument against this happening is that the Big 12 needs Texas more than Texas needs the Big 12. Is that still the case? Texas has made it such that those programs are subservient to the Longhorns.  Is a Big 12 without Texas better off long term for the majority of those schools than with a Texas dominated Big 12?  That might be the question of the day and the source of the TAMU to SEC talk.

If the next best argument for Texas to stay in the Big 12 is that Texas A&M and Oklahoma wouldn't want to give up playing Texas every year, the simple counter to that is that Texas doesn't want to stop playing them, either. The Red River Shootout and the Texas-Texas A&M games are two of the top 10 or 15 rivalry games nationally.  An independent Texas can't afford to give up those games. The Texas legislature probably wouldn't let the Longhorns give up TAMU or Texas Tech (or probably Baylor), anyway.   I'm not sure what the arrangement would be, but I feel pretty good about the leverage those teams might have if Texas chose, or were forced, to leave to be independent.  Furthermore, Texas probably doesn't have the leverage that Notre Dame does, so they might be outside the BCS looking in for a while.  Is it worth being equated with BYU, Army and Navy at BCS time?

Finally, the Longhorn network complicates any move of Texas to another conference. Again, I'm not sure of logistics and finances, but somebody, somewhere will have to convince Texas a move to their conference is a win for them.  No other conference is going to sell out to get Texas the way the Big 12 did to keep them.  What does giving up some of that Longhorn network money, or more fairly sharing conference money, and with more forks in the pie, do to Texas' decision making? 

From a fan's perspective, we seem to love this (FWIW, I'm ambivalent about a 14 or 16 team SEC).  From a business standpoint, if this is a move foreshadowing the true super conferences, it might make sense. If this is just a grab for A&M because we can, does it make sense?  For whatever reason, something isn't adding up with A&M just up and moving.

Am I way off base here?

TD

*I looked at the current Big 12 bylaws.  By my view, a vote of 75% of the board of directors of the conference, by amending the bylaws, vote Texas out of the conference.  I'll grant this is a very quick reading and interpretation of the bylaws.  If anyone knows for certain this is or isn't the case, please let me know in the comments.

UGA vs. Florida (The Spurrier Years)

Wait...don't change the channel. I'm not a masochist. This video showcases Spurrier's Florida teams from 1964-1966 including the demolition of Spurrier's SEC title chances in '66.



Good stuff.

Coastal Carolina kickoff time set...probably

Just noticed that the SEC composite schedule has this listed at 1pm on PPV.   It isn't on the Georgia sports website, but given that they are oftentimes the last to admit a scheduling item (hello, men's basketball), that isn't surprising.  

Other SEC games that weekend include Tennessee at Florida (CBS-3:30),  Auburn at Clemson (ABC - Noon), Ole Miss at Vandy (SECNetwork-12:21), Navy at SC (ESPN2-6pm) and Louisville at Kentucky (ESPNU-7pm).

TD

First Scrimmage Stats

The top two QBs threw for a combined 300+ yards and a three TDs.  The top three RBs got 150+ yards and 'ran really well'.  Alec Ogletree stood out on defense.

Sound familiar?

It should it is the stats from the first scrimmage of 2010.  In an ongoing effort to remind myself it has all been done, I looked at the first scrimmage stats from last year to see how they did.  To remind myself that this is a scrimmage.  We have a long way to go.  

But, no one got injured.  There is that.

TD

First scrimage stats, 2011 (from Georgiadogs.com)

Da Broncos

V/O: Treasure Valley Community Television Channel 11 is proud to present this locally produced broadcast, brought to you by Quinn's, serving the best beef, gravy, beer and finger steaks in Boise for over forty years.

[ open on exterior, Quinn's Lounge]
[ dissolve to the Green Laminate Table, where Gavin Hauder and his Boise State Bronco Super Fan friends sit, surrounded by day old prime rib and finger steaks] 

GAVIN HAUDER: Good afternoon, my friends, and welcome to "Gavin Hauder's Super Fans"! I'm Gavin Hauder, and with me, as always, are the Super Fans: Ethan Probst ..

ETHAN PROBST: Hey, Gavin.

GAVIN: ..Logan O'Connell..

LOGAN O'CONNELL: [ while chewing his food; distracted ] Gavin.

GAVIN: ..and Hunter Rasmussen.

HUNTER RASMUSSEN: How are you doing, Gavin?
 
GAVIN: Alright, we're talking here, live from Quinn's, in the heart of Boise, Idaho. The City of Trees, and home, of course, to a certain football team, known the world over, as.. Da Broncos! 

SUPERFANS: Da Broncos!

GAVIN:  As you know, our beloved Boise State Broncos are traveling to take on another 'so called' power conference poser to start the season in Atlanta.  Let's go around the table and see what we think the outcome will be between the Broncs and the Georgia Bulldogs.  Hunter?

HUNTER: Da Broncos, 77-9.  Georgia's got a good kicker.

GAVIN: True.  Ethan?

ETHAN: Da Broncs, 46-6.

GAVIN: [surprised] You think they can hold the Broncs under 50?

ETHAN:  [apologetic] Oh, I thought you meant just the first half.  Da Broncos 92-6.

GAVIN: That is more realistic.  We do have Chris Petersen.

ALL NOD IN AGREEMENT AND FIST BUMP AROUND THE TABLE

GAVIN: Logan, put that beer down, I'm the only one old enough to drink.

LOGAN: [sarcasticly*] Sorry, dad.  I didn't think you were looking.

GAVIN:  Don't worry, dude.  What do you think about the game?

LOGAN: Whatever.  No one is actually going.  When are we playing Idaho?

GAVIN: Don't be that way!  We'll have a packed house of 34,000 when we open at home against Tulsa! Da Broncos are more than just the Vandals' overlords.

LOGAN: Whatever.

GAVIN: Rapid fire question time.  This is the time of the show that I use a technique I learned in Psych 101 at CWI last year to get the gut feeling of the person being asked the question.  Ethan,  How about Boise State vs. the 1985 Chicago Bears?

ETHAN: With the mini-Ditka?

GAVIN: Yes!

ETHAN: Broncs 45-10.  If Ditka were full sized, then it would be closer.

GAVIN: Hunter, Boise State, with Kellen injured and Petersen's hair messed up vs. Arsenal in soccer.

HUNTER: Broncos, 7-nil.  Da Broncs' defense is just that good.

GAVIN: Logan, Broncos vs. Patton's 2nd Armored Division?

LOGAN: Who is Patton?  I know we can beat Idaho.

GAVIN: Dammit, Logan.  I'm not letting you come next time.

ALL ARGUE IN THE BACKGROUND

GAVIN:  That is all the time we have.  Tune in to Super Fans next week when we examine who will finish second to Kellen Moore in the Heisman voting, or if they'll just invite only him.

Fade out.

SG Kenny Gaines to play for Hoop Dawgs

Gaines, a Rivals150 (three star) shooting guard from Whitefield Academy will help solidify a recruiting class that is looking stronger. Gaines plays on the Georgia AAU team with recent commit Charles Mann and top target SF Marcus Hunt.



Georgia is still working on their internal investigation of the situation surrounding Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. This is a good get for Coach Fox and an indication of the headway he is making into a very important AAU program in the state.



TD

Jarvis cleared to play

Good news.  No word on Caldwell-Pope. 

I surmise it to say this guy didn't think Jones would play.  Or that Aaron Murray doesn't have two arms.  Facts, pishh!  This is the Intertubes, baby.

Seriously, good news that he is cleared to play.

TD

PS.  I was so excited that Jarvis was eligible, I missed the last paragraph about the AJC's investigative team getting stymied by UGA.<font face=sarcasm> What are they trying to hide!  We demand to know! There has to be more! Thank God the AJC is here to protect us from obfuscating athletic administrations. Send Mark Winne in now!</font> 

No word on if Tech's NCAA appeal is going anywhere, because, you know, no one is bothering to ask.

Ben Jones: Leader

I really want to believe this.  I do.  I've just got to see tangible evidence on the field of that before I'll do so.

Ben, by all accounts, is as genuine and real as the article makes him out to be.  Country strong. I hear the great stories about him and his locker room leadership.  I've seen the intensity on the field.  However, I waited and waited and waited to hear about him stepping up in the locker room last season.

Maybe it was what happened at the end of the Mississippi State game.  Maybe he isn't a run the coaches off and have a prayer meeting type of guy.  Heavens know Georgia could have used that along about 9:20 Mountain Time on October 2, 2010. There was no evidence that he, or anyone, did that last year.

I don't say this to knock Ben.  He's been a Damn Good Dawg and outside of a few plays, plays that inappropriately overshadow his consistently strong play, he has been a fantastic center.  He is one of my favorite Dawgs.  I just wonder why he didn't put someone, anyone, against a locker last season and come down on them.

I really want to believe.  Hopefully, I'll have reason to.  Based on his vocal leadership during practice, I will.
TD

Circuit Of Estoril - Moto GP Course - Portugal - CCA GoPro 960@720p

Circuit of Estoril - Moto GP course - Portugal - CCA GoPro 960@720p

advance track formation at circuit of Estoril - Portugal - 7 May 2011 "Power slide" at minute 4.45

One Difference Between Richt and Dooley

Sorry, not drawing a comparison between Vince and Richt.  Richt and Derek Dooley.  Perhaps you have heard about the arrest of Vol's senior Austin Johnson last month for basic stupidity. You know, the kind that would get you two games and a weekend of steps in Athens. 

In Knoxville, it gets you court costs and 'internal punishment.'  The snarkiest among you would say that the difference is a police force that views behavior one way, versus the other way. 

The chief difference is the way they view publicity over the player punishment:

"If we could go back three days and just erase everything (media outlets) wrote, it'd be great news but we can't do that," Dooley said after Thursday's practice at Haslam Field, according to the Tennessean.

I imagine it would.  That way Precious could just pretend like it never happened.

Say what you want about Richt, but if you want a good example of soft on player conduct, look north.  Richt might not want the bad publicity, but he doesn't blame the media's handling of news as a way to divert from the issue of a "team leader" banging up cars and starting a fracas and how the head coach handles that behavior.

Yeah, Right

If Stephen Garcia really contemplated transferring after his 5th suspension, I believe that would qualify him for the Mike Price Career Mismanagement Award.  I mean, where else is he going to have a head coach that is as tolerant as Spurrier and a position coach that understands how hard it is to be brotastic in Columbia?

Honestly, he was forced to miss a week of spring workouts.  That is like being sent home from work for not coming to work.  Transfer to where?  As far as I know, Houston Nutt is done taking fliers on QBs transfering in for their last year.

V. Rossi Moto GP France 2011 (music Video)

V. Rossi Moto GP France 2011 (music video)

Is it just me?

I'm having a difficult time not drinking a big glass of kool aid with the news coming out of Athens.  On one hand, I know we are still thin at offensive line and are one injury away from a true freshman starting.  On the other, the defensive news is just delicious.

Or it could be I am just that hungry for football to start.

TD
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UPDATE: Check out today's practice pics on Dawg Post.  Justin Scott-Wesley is even more cut than he was based on his pictures from the state track and field championships.  Also, the over/under this season on the number of dbacks that take on Figgins one on one in the flats on a toss sweep and need to be helped off the field is 2.5.  Damn, he's a beast.

Number 1

Number one in our hearts, number 3 in our program? (Image: Hipple)

We've made jokes waxed sarcastic about it around here, but once the balls are in the air, two potent play makers sharing a number is no joking matter. 

So, will a number change take place?  I think it will.  Looking at it logically, I don't see any way the coaches let two players that could end up on the field at the same time share a number.  Yes, Crowell picked #1.  There are 105 players in camp, so there is no way some players can't share a number.  I grant these are the same coaches that have a penchant for calling timeouts on 3rd and short from inside the opponents 10 yard line, but this is a simple fix.  One that someone will make.

Of course, we could see Crowell take #6, but that would preclude Big John from becoming part of the power package and plowing holes for him.  Not that I think that was the reason Jenkins picked 6.  Hmmm...

TD

Another 2011 Season Preview Video

I liked this one because it's a bit more realistic.



Although, I don't see why every college football video has to be the soundtrack to something out of a Harry Potter vs. Braveheart fight scene.

I personally think the "Fix You" video from the Gators (and later copied by the Gamecocks...or vice versa) in 2005 or so was the best preseason video for being just do damn dark.

ESPN College Gameday Site Projections

I think "guesses" is a better word, but here goes.

Week 1: Oregon vs. LSU
Preseason #3 vs. #4 in a neutral site contest at Jerry World. Biggest no brainer ever. Update: Confirmed.

Week 2: Notre Dame at Michigan
Rumors suggest that Ann Arbor is the target (Now confirmed) . is honoring Desmond Howard and the game is already marked on the ESPN tentative calendar. Personally, I'd send the crew to Happy Valley as PSU (#25) hosts #2 Bama. Both are ABC/ESPN games. Updated: Confirmed.

Week 3: Oklahoma at Florida State
Preseason #1 vs. #5. This is a no brainer. Update: Confirmed.

Week 4: Missouri at Oklahoma
This is wide open. Alabama hosts Arkansas, but that game is a near lock for CBS. I'm going to go with preseason #1 Oklahoma hosting #21 Missouri. Downside to this guess would be the back to back appearances by OU. Also, the lack of an SEC home game to this point makes a trip to Tuscaloosa a strong possibility as well.

Week 5: Nebraska at Wisconsin
Nebraska's first Big 10 game looks like the leading candidate. Bama at Florida would be a solid guess except it looks slated for a CBS primetime slot. I don't see Disney promoting counter programing.

Week 6: Miami at Va Tech (?)
If Cheaty McSweatervest and Pryor were still at Ohio State, I would've said Ohio State's first visit to Nebraska would be the choice here. But this could be UF at LSU, Auburn at Arkansas, Texas vs. Oklahoma, or Miami at Va. Tech. I like the Hokie's here, but it's just a shot in the dark.

Week 7: Oklahoma State at Texas
I could also see Michigan at Michigan State due to weak scheduling both Sparty and UM could both be staring at 1 loss or less entering into this game. Arizona State at Oregon could factor into the mix, but it seems less likely. I'm also doubtful that Auburn at Florida will have much sizzle by Week 7 as both teams could have 2 losses by then.

Week 8: Wisconsin at Michigan State
The slate is really weak for this one. USC at Notre Dame will air on NBC so it's likely out and Oklahoma State vs. Missouri has zero national appeal. Auburn at LSU is another candidate.

Week 9: Stanford at USC
Another less than stellar group to choose from. Texas A&M hosting Missouri will be an intriguing destination for them as well. If UGA makes it through the first two games undefeated, another Cocktail Party visit isn't out of the question.

Week 10: LSU at Alabama
This should be the biggest game of the week. If either team falters, then Arkansas at South Carolina could also be a big deal nationally.

Week 11: TCU at Boise
The best game of the day will could end up being Stanford at Oregon, but I think ESPN is going to want to promote this one instead. Especially if BSU takes down UGA in Week 1. Other big games for the weekend include Miami at Florida State and Nebraska at Penn State.

Week 12: USC at Oregon
Mainly because I think Oregon is getting screwed out of hosting ESPN the week before. Oh..and this week sucks.

Week 13: Alabama at Auburn
Past two national champs going at it in the Sanctions Bowl. Realistically, ESPN could end up at any rivalry game this weekend. FSU at UF, ND at Stanford,


When I look at that slate in all at once, it looks lite on SEC home games. That probably helps Alabama hosting Arkansas in Week 4.

What are your thoughts?

PWD

Hoops Schedule Update

ESPN today announced the semi-final pairings for the CBE Classic. Georgia will face California and Missouri will face Notre Dame in Kansas City on Nov. 21st. Win or lose, the Dawgs will play on Nov. 22nd in either the championship or consolation game.

Cal finished the season with an RPI of 76. It's a good neutral site match-up...especially compared to facing Missouri in a near home game. As we've said before, the UGA basketball schedule is much more ambitious than our talent level would suggest we can handle without Travis and Trey. At least, we'll be battle tested by the time the SEC schedule rolls around.

UPDATE: Rumblings on the scheduled game time for Xavier are Nov. 25. If that's true, we're looking at a stretch of games that includes (via MemphisDog):

Date	Team
11/21	California (in Kansas City)
11/22	Missouri or ND (in Kansas City)
11/25	@ Xavier (rumored date)
11/28	at Colorado
12/2	vs. Cincinnati
12/6	vs. Georgia Tech
12/17	at USC

There's a blackout period of sorts from around Dec. 8-13th for final exams, and we already have smaller games booked post-Christmas. If that's when they plug the Xavier game into the schedule...


See Also:
-- Tentative 2012 Schedule - SicEmDawgs.com

PWD

Jerez MotoGP 2011

Jerez MotoGP 2011

Starting my camera in Madrid airport, I jumped on a short flight and landed in Jerez for round 2 of the 2011 MotoGP Championship. Here is my short ...

Pre-Season Polls

Georgia gets ranked 22nd in the USA Today Coaches' Annual Dart Board Line up of teams we've heard of Pre-Season Poll.  Yawn. 

Hey, I'm happy we're ranked, but there is nothing about this team that makes me think we should be ranked. Looks like people who are head coaches are placing their bets on the moves Mark Richt has made this off season. 

Why the AJC is such a joke

A UGA player not getting arrested for receiving a relatively minor citation makes the paper. While a two year long NCAA investigation into Georgia Tech resulting in sanctions goes unreported until the final day of the process.

That's not a shot at Chip Towers. It's a huge shot at the gross incompetence and/or negligence of the former Tech beat writer and the AJC's Sports Editor. Every time I think I'm done commenting on the GT thing...I get dragged back into it.

PWD

Heart of the Matter: Georgia's Offensive Line

Need a big year from Cordy (Image:SBNation)

In February, what if I told you Georgia would have more Preseason All-SEC players on the offensive line than any team but Alabama? We know we have 86 starts and combined 113 games across the projected starting line. We have Army All-American Game participants and highly recruited players. In all honesty, I'd have been surprised to hear we had more than anyone but the Tide.

For what it is worth, until the we start play, I view the 'line sucks' talk as a media storyline to discuss the players that have left the program. Yes, it is an area of concern, but if you read most media accounts, Georgia will have two decent returning starters and a bunch of walk-ons playing. When have we had too many non-injured, game tested linemen? Last year? That group didn't exactly set the world on fire, allowing 25 sacks on the season.

Looking at this starting group:

Player	Ht	Weight	Starts	Games
Cordy Glenn	6-5	348	36	39
Ben Jones	6-3	316	35	39
Kenarious Gates	6-5	328	3	10
Chris Burnette	6-2	313	0	0
Justin Anderson	6-5	342	12	25
Orson Charles	6-3	241	16	25

I am not worried about the starters. The only one without game experience might be the smartest player on the team, played in the Army All-American game and was a four star recruit. Sure, we face very tough tests the first two games (and the rest of the SEC schedule, for that matter). But the players with game experience have faced the very best players in the nation during their time in Athens. They'll be fine. Do I worry about injuries? Always. Conditioning, in particular will play an important role here. Bobo and Richt like to rotate in linemen and probably won't be able to do that as much as they like early.   We are stout with our starters, though.

The backups might be green, but by no means are they bad.  All are big kids that will need to adjust to the speed of the game. All are talented.  Several will have to step up and be big contributors early. This will be where the Coach Friend earns his money.

Before you start on the new offensive line coach, the last one we had, who everyone seemed to think was the greatest thing since sliced bread and is part of the solution at Texas, didn't exactly burn it up last year. The play last year seemed to be as much a part of the general lack of giving a damn than lack of ability. That and a continued insistence on calling plays that required a freshman QB to stay in the pocket without options. Searles certainly didn't work the wonders last year that we saw in past seasons.

Play calling will be a big part of the success of this line, as it was part of the lack thereof last year. Plays that give us the opportunity to put another big man on the line, think Lynch or White, and flex Orson out will help. Plays that the give playmakers options in space. Or that put Murray in the backfield with Nick Marshall on one side, Crowell on the other and Branden Smith at slot, just to watch defensive players panic.

The real question in my mind is will the play book adjust to take some pressure off the line, through innovation in rushing plays, a mindset change in passing philosophy, or both. If we do that, the line will be fine.

TD