4th & 3 Dudes - a CHAMPIONSHIP episode!

We discuss the epic, drama filled and RESILIENT win by the Dawgs over Texas! Then we delve into playoffs - scenarios, injuries, what makes sense and what doesn't. Go Dawgs!

SECCG Preview: Don't replicate. Just dictate.

It's Texas. Again.

With (almost) everything on the line, Texas comes to Atlanta to face a Georgia team that bullied them in Austin.

Both teams have (likely)^* secured a spot in the CFB Playoffs. So, just go out and win right?

Yes, but as we're all hearing, it's hard to beat a team twice in one season. Some recent examples:

In 2017 Georgia "got the dogshit" beat out of them on the plains by Malzahn's Tigers. Couple weeks later, it was ALL Dawgs in Atlanta. In 2021, Alabama jumped up and surprised Georgia in the SECCG, only to see the Dawgs take care of business with it all on the line in Indy.

This is a little different with the Dawgs having slowed the Longhorns' roll to a stop in Austin back in October. So now we're avenging our road win.

You can throw most everything out the window. I think this game comes down to these two points:

1. Which team runs the ball better consistently. We stuffed their run game on Oct 19th. Wisner had two yards per carry less than his season average. For us, Etienne had a great game, but even though he's upgraded to questionable, I doubt we see him. We need Frazier to have a night!
2. Protect the Mercedes Benz' real estate. Both teams turned the ball over back in October. Longhorns' were more costly. Don't give them a short field. Live to play another series and let Thorson do his thing when necessary.

I recall being very underwhelmed by the Longhorns' offensive line after the first meeting. Perhaps that was mostly due to our Muschamp-infused defensive gameplan, because they have played much better in recent weeks. Especially in College Station last week. They've reasserted their ground attack, which could mean Sark goes earlier to Arch Manning to see how we handle the RPO. Who knows.

But we do know it's going to be hard to replicate what happened in Austin. But that doesn't mean we can't dictate what happens tomorrow in Atlanta. GATA and Go Dawgs!

^*because you never know what shit narrative the committee is going to use week to week

Initial thoughts on Texas Dos

(No, I'm not here this morning to discuss Disney's Show on Brackets. We can talk about that when it matters - Sunday afternoon.)

It's hard to come up with anything we could sink our teeth into. Mainly, because if we've learned anything this season, Georgia has a knack for starting perilously slow. Many times it's the entire team (Kentucky, Bama, Ole Miss, Tennessee, and Tech). Other times it's just the offense (Clemson, Texas).

In Austin, we punched them in the mouth. No, the offense wasn't blowing fuses on the scoreboard. But a 23-0 lead at halftime doesn't just come from their QBs on the sideline looking like they are deer stuck in the headlights.

So I think we're in for a closer match on Saturday at 4pm in the Benz. From what I can tell, their offensive line play (which was abysmal in Austin) has improved. Some. If our defensive front can create something similar to the chaos they did in Austin, that would be a good place for us to start constructing some keys to this all important SEC Championship Game victory.

"What's the good word?" Dominance.

Why do Tech fans hate us so much?

19-3.

The Drought Breaker

That's Georgia's record versus little brother since Coach Mark Richt took over in 2001. He then went on to dominate this "rivalry" game to the tune of 13-2. And this is your daily reminder that CMR never , ever lost at his home away from home - Bobby Dodd Stadium.

Kirby is 6-1. With a win Friday night, he'll be one win short of tying the longest streak in the series which belongs to the Jackets at 8 games. "The Drought Breaker", Theron Sapp, helped end that streak in 1957. 

In essence, this rivalry was set on its ear once Vincent Joseph Dooley was hired in 1964. Ever since, Georgia coaches have made a living out of beating Tech, only Donnan has had a losing record in the series. Even Goff went 5-2!

While official record books have the series in Georgia's favor 71-41-5, Dawg fans prefer Coach Magill's 71-39-5. Tech played football at home in 1943-44 while Georgia men were abroad saving the world from sprecking the deutch. Here, the BDB staff holds the series count at 72-38-5. Because Jasper's knee was DOWN GODDAMMIT!!

Either way, the good word is definitely DOMINANCE. Go Dawgs! Tuck fech.

Hate week - signature wins and early thoughts

I've made no secret that I have not been impressed by Miami this season. But that is the North Avenue Trade School's signature win. They beat the Hurricanes a few weeks ago 28-23 at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field that Coach Mark Richt owns and drove his Ford F150 through for a decade and a half.

Most notably, this is the game where Coach Brent Key and his staff established a two QB system in King/Philo. Haynes King was coming back from an injury, but Aaron Philo had showed them something the week before in a loss at VA Tech. He didn't have a great game coming off the bench against the Hurricanes, but had himself a terrific night last week against the mighty Wolf Pack.

Anyway, they found a rhythm substituting their signal callers and Buster Faulkner called a great game in taking down an undefeated and, quite frankly, underwhelming Miami team.

Meanwhile, what is Georgia's signature win? Texas on the road or Tennessee at home? Whichever, I'd also put Clemson (neutral site) ahead of Miami (homeish, also in Benz Dome).

At home. Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium (that is not named for a foreign car brand). At night. I expect a strong fight from the Jackets. Key has them at least willing to do football type things that Collins' squads found elusive - tackling, running fast, blocking, tackling. 

But still, we should stomp these jokers! Go Dawgs!

Chaos theory and vegan nerds

Well, this didn't age well. But really, who knows how this college football season will end up.

As college football fans, we don't root for teams other than our own. But we fervently root for chaos. The more chaotic the better. So Saturday night did not disappoint.

And to this point I need to give credit where it's due. I was against expanding the playoffs (and am still reluctant to embrace it fully) because I was worried it would dilute the regular season.

For 2024, it definitely hasn't. It's actually expanded the scope of what is relevant.

Get a BIG neck. Eat a steak nerds! - Erk Russell, probably

I actually switched over to the Indiana game Saturday at times just to check in. At least, I did until they were officially wetting the bed. Any previous season, I doubt that happens. And I bet many of you can say the same.

I've been telling people for weeks, now the only way to ensure the CFB Playoff committee can't screw you over (like last year) is to make the SEC Championship Game. Win, you get a bye. Lose, you've proven you are the second best team in the nation's best conference.

So we've moved from worrying if there will be three or four SEC teams in the playoff, to which SEC newbie will meet us in Atlanta.

For now, couldn't care less. That's something to think about on Saturday. It's Tuck Fech week! GATA!

Very muddy CFB Playoff projections

I stopped doing my weekly CFB Playoff rankings once the real deal came out. But this week I started doing some reading, took down some notes, and came up with this scenario that is somewhere between loosely accurate and bizarrely far-fetched!

One thing is clear about the CFB Playoff committee's thinking - they hold the SEC and Big 10 in high regard. At this point I don't see a second ACC or Big XII team getting in. So setting current, projected championship teams (Miami/SMU, BYU/Colorado) of those respective conferences aside, and assuming either Boise State or Army gets the at large spot...let's lay things out, with the playoff contenders in bold:

• November 23rd, 12:45pm - Georgia vs UMass
• Bama @ Oklahoma, Kentucky @ Texas, Ole Miss @ Florida, A&M @ Auburn
• Indiana @ Ohio State, Penn State @ Minnesota, Oregon (bye)
• Notre Dame vs Army
• November 26th, 7:30pm - next round of CFB Playoff rankings revealed
  
• November 29th, 7:30pm - Georgia vs GA Tech
• Bama vs Auburn, Texas @ A&M, Ole Miss vs Miss St
• Indiana vs Purdue, Ohio St vs Mich, Penn St vs Maryland, Oregon vs Washington
• Notre Dame @ USC
• December 3rd, 7:30pm -penultimate round of CFB Playoffs rankings revealed
• December 7th, NOON - Big XII Championship, teams TBD (doesn't really matter)
• December 7th, 4:00pm - SEC Championship Game, teams TBD
• December 7th, 8:00pm - ACC Championship Game, teams TBD (doesn't really matter)
• December 7th, 8:00pm - Big 10 Championship Game, teams TBD
• December 8th, noonish - (who the hell really knows!)

Let me be clear, nothing is certain. Of course. Notre Dame could lose to Army this weekend and somehow the committee still washes their feet in absolution. I can see a world where Indiana plays Ohio State close before losing, beats Purdue, and still gets in despite the Hoosiers best win coming against Michigan. (I mean, look at their schedule and tell me who they've beaten that matters.)

Looking deeper at the premiere conference - the SEC - Tennessee gets back in the mix only with help. So we'd have to lose to GA Tech and/or Bama loses to Auburn. Texas A&M gets back in the mix by beating the Longhorns. The rest is pretty simple as all five teams control their own destiny. With the exception of the Longhorns going to College Station to end the regular season, none of the contenders play each other until the SECCG. 

In the Big 10, Oregon obviously has the easiest path getting a bye week this weekend. After the Ducks, I don't like Penn State as a playoff contender considering their awful schedule. But if they beat the Gophers and Terps, they are likely in. Ohio State has the tougher schedule, undefeated Indiana and rival Michigan, but both are at home.

Indiana is a wildcard. They're undefeated for a reason: their opponents suck, but how much does that factor into the committee's ruminations...??

The ACC might be the most clear. SMU and Miami win and they are in their conference championship game. It would then be a winner goes to the playoff, loser does not. Turns out Clemson's loss to Louisville at home was an elimination game for the Tigers.

Like the ACC, I don't see two Big XII teams getting in. Which leaves this projected layout:

• SEC - Conference champion, runner up, and two others. I'll go with Bama upsetting Texas for the SEC Crown. Longhorns host while Georgia and Ole Miss go on the road in the 1st round.
• Big 10 - Also, conference champion, runner up, and two others. I'll go with Oregon beating Ohio State (again). Buckeyes host while Penn State hosts as well, and Indiana goes on the road in the 1st round.
• ACC - SMU vs Miami, winner gets a bye. Loser gets a bowl.
• Big XII - More convoluted than the ACC, but let's say Colorado vs BYU. Winner take a bye. Loser a bowl.
• Notre Dame
• Boise State

The seedings if you will:

1. Oregon (bye)
2. Alabama (bye)
3. SMU (bye)
4. Colorado (bye)
5. Texas hosts 12 Indiana
6. Ohio State hosts 11 Boise State
7. Notre Dame hosts 10 Georgia
8. Penn State hosts 9 Ole Miss

Why do I feel I've just completed an exercise in futility? If you've read this entire post, thanks. And I'm sure you and I can agree, weird that an Indiana team could slide in ahead of a team like Tennessee. But it does bring a smirk to my face!

Go Dawgs!

Bye weeks and home games and seedings, oh my!

So how are we feeling with the updated ranking last night? Dawgs moved up after beating Tennessee, but looks like we will need help to earn either a first round home game, and certainly a trip to the SECCG and potential bye week.

To be honest, I was a little surprised our Dawgs didn't get more of a bump in the standings. Taking a broader view, it looks like the committee is trying to find value in things like strength of schedule, overall wins vs losses against ranked opponents.

But if that were truly the case, Georgia should be higher. Never mind what I type and what they think, what say you?

In the end, here on Nov. 20th, we still have more meaningful football to be played. We could say that in years before, but this year seems to be tenfold. I mean, would SMU @ Virginia be of much concern were it not for potential impact in the ACC Conference standings?

Regardless, make sure you are still participating in the Mumme Poll. The dear Senator is truly missed this season. It's the least we could do. Because God I miss his insight in times like this!

When anxiety gives way to Eagerness

You're having a nice meal in a very nice restaurant. It hasn't been perfect, but the company at the table is fun and engaging. Sure, you've had better meals. But it's a great evening and you won't have to do the dishes. The bar has a terrific array of bourbons. The wife is happy with her wine selection. Then...

CRACK! You bite down on something, a tooth crumbles and you just scream.

Life is pain. Mileage may vary.

Our Dawgs are out of sync, and almost out of time as well.

Yep. I think Saturday night was the first game in a while I didn't enjoy. Well, beyond the opening moments. After that it was a nightmare.

Sure, Tuscaloosa sucked. But we showed fight. Even a weird story like Jekyll & Hyde has some thrilling moments weaved into the insanity.

But Oxford man...no answers. No clue. No way. It was mistake after mistake where you just wanted to be able to take a knee the entire 4th stanza and get the hell out of there.

Jan.1st, 1993     Zeier > Herbstreit

Yet, once they had their second chance to storm the field and it was finally over, I could breathe easier. I still believe these are the best of times. I matriculated during an era when our best season (by far) was a Citrus Bowl trip. I remember leaving the stadium in Donnan's first game, an 11-7 loss to Southern Mississippi, we saw a kid holding up his free t-shirt for attending the game and setting it on fire!

I can take this and roll with it. Yes, it's your individual prerogative to call for a new quarterback, a new head coach (!!), a new coordinator. We got pantsed by Kiffin and you can be butthurt about it. But would you rather be a Seminole fan about now?

Didn't think so. Part of me was anxious about what we might see when the hypefulled up volunteers come rolling into town tomorrow. But I'm now eager, not anxious.

The whole team looked out of sync Saturday night in Oxford. Tanner mentioned on yesterday's podcast, it felt like the coaches had no confidence. The line can't block, the quarterback can't throw, the receivers can't catch. Jesus Christ on a bicycle! You may be sick of screen passes, but what is Bobo to do?

Punt. Okay, now let's do the defense....

Nope, that's enough. Let's move forward. Because whether you hate this team or you're sticking by them, we should all be able to agree that there's one team in the nation no one wants to play when their backs are against the wall - Kirby Smart's Georgia GotDamn Bulldogs!

They comin'!

Let them bring their boxes of Franzia, sing their strangely semi-fictional fight song, and talk about the days when Bill Clinton was misusing cigars and Tom Hanks was desperately trying to save Private Ryan from Nazi controlled Europe. I'm eager to see how we handle another strong defense. I'm eager to see how well the crowd affects their ability race the play clock. I'm eager to see Coach Strickland grab and struggle to hold Kirby's belt. I'm eager to see how the team responds. And by God, I'd love to see Thorson use another gap wedge right leg to paint their offense into a super tight coffin corner!!

I've mentioned how this team appears to lack a leadership that we've grown accustomed to seeing the last few years. Well, it's time to step up. It's getting late and the committee is seeing longer shadows. Let's tee it up 'tween the hedges and give them something to think about!

Go Dawgs!

4th & 3 Dudes - episode 12

Forced to rehash the Ole Miss loss, we add Matt Tanner in to set the scene that was Oxford Saturday night. Then we move on to (hopefully) greener pastures.