Make em quit! (explicit post, caution for sensitive clickers)

It's only Wednesday. I have a podcast to do tonight and I'm already tired of talking. Tired of typing.

Tired of losing to these assholes.

And that's just me. How do you feel about the state of our series against the Tide? And can you imagine how Kirby feels?

Our head guy was 0-1 against Alabama as a player. As our head coach, he is currently 1-6.

The one win was one we'll never forget. One we celebrated like malnourished and incredibly parched animals devouring a steak and goblet of wine. Crazed and deranged, but so goddamn happy!

Kirby likely felt the same, with the added cherry on top being it went down with his mentor/rival/former boss on the opposite sideline.

GATA 16! (via AJC)

Shit, I got sidetracked and all glory-eyed. Sorry. Because those are not these teams. These teams are not even the same as the teams that met last year in Tuscaloosa. Jalen Milroe used last year's win against Georgia to add a few zeros to his paychecks. (I guess Carson Beck did the same somehow...)

Back on track...I don't just want a win. I want to dominate in the trenches. I want Gaston thirty yards downfield shoving a d-end into the dirt. I want Gunner lowering a shoulder into a Tidy linebacker just for the blessed feeling of it being 2nd and 2 and not 2nd and 4. I want Kirby to throw his visor/headset not just in pure unadulterated frustration, but in all out fucking jubilation!

Cash Jones being hoisted in the endzone by Micah Morris like the angel he is. CJ Allen breaking hearts and Chris Cole hitting a running back so goddamn hard it takes the running right out of him. He's just a back, laying on the ground. Hoping he's injured just enough that he can stay on the sideline until their team bus is warmed up.

Yes, make em quit. Make them cry for their mommas. Make them be glad they're losing so they're happy there's less potential of playing us again in Atlanta. Make em act like Auburn fans and turn their sad September eyes towards basketball season.

"Tidy bama bangs you got there bro. But how ya like our Dawg fangs!"

Go Dawgs! Beat em by a hunnerd.

Bama @ UGA - shock the monkey!

It's a BIG week. And it's past time, so let's dig in.

Peter Gabriel's early 1980s hit song has many interpretations. It comes to mind as I write this post because I've always interpreted the monkey as not literal, but figurative. Metaphorical.

The song is about jealousy. Again, my interpretation. But I'm wedging it into this post because this series between Georgia and Alabama is also currently rooted in jealousy. Is it time to "get the monkey off our collective back"? Sure. But it's more than that.

Lemme explain. And let's start with a question. Is UGA now the premiere SEC football program? We can make an argument for the yes column. But it comes with caveats - that's partially due to the Alabama coaching change. And oh, also...Have we beaten them in Sanford? No, like recently?

Nope. The last time we beat Alabama in Athens I was a new dad to my now 24 year old. iPhones were not only absent from shelves, the phones we could carry in pockets were not Smart.

Meanwhile they've got wins against us in five different cities. This series (at least recently) is so jacked up, I can make two seemingly dichotomous statements that are both true:

1. In the modern era...let's says since 1980, Coach Mark Richt has been our most successful coach again the Tide. Yes, you are correct: He had an early win against both Franchione and Shula to prop that statement up on...
2. ...but I digress. It was Richt's 2015 loss to the Tide that was the beginning to his end.

Weird, right? Then again it's college football. It's SEC football.

Former Bama head dude and current Gamecock OC.
Lifetime loser to Georgia

Since 1984, we've gone 6-13 against the gumps. Our last home win was in 2003. We beat them on the national stage in Indy, so are we jealous of them as a program? I'd say probably not. Not anymore. But a rebuttal brings up two years of home games - 2008 and of course, 2015.

Not only bad losses, but two of the worst in program history.

"Overrated! OVERRATED!" - chants from the visitors in '08

"Dressing for their own funeral." - Scott Cochran in the lead up to our funeral in '15

These days are different. We fired Richt and got our guy in Kirby Smart. Bama fans lost their guy in Saban to retirement and as a result, carry a lot more envy than Dawg fans do. 

But that needs to play out on the field. That's something that didn't happen last year in Tuscaloosa, and it didn't the year prior in Saban's swan song in Atlanta. Saban (with and without Kirby) owned us, and now Kalen DeBoer is stating his case. Shock the monkey to life is what I say. No one would really be surprised when/if we win Saturday night. But it'd be nice to prove to those knuckle draggers that there's a new king in the South. 

Am I jealous of the Alabama football program? I would answer a lot less today than a few years ago. What would make my answer more definitive? A win Saturday night 'tween the hedges! Go Dawgs!

Bye week thoughts and episode 22

In the episode linked below, we cover most of my thoughts on the latest victory over Tennessee. I would like to add a couple more though.

Nama touched on it, but it wasn't emphasized enough that our defensive front isn't generating enough pressure. Especially on third down.

That may be the best offense we see for a while. And when I look at upcoming quarterbacks we are scheduled to face, Aguilar may be a step or more ahead of the rest. I don't know. I guess we'll see if the national media's "faith" in Arch reaps any rewards.

If what I typed above is true, it bodes well for our defense getting better as the season progresses.

And I keep going back to something Kirby has mentioned a couple times - this team has something different. You can argue, successfully, previous teams have been more talented. But specifically looking at last season in comparison, this team has something they didn't - leadership.

So I trust they are healing up, getting better, and getting some rest this off week. Then they're ready to GATA!

Now, onto the show! Please subscribe, like, subscribe, comment...all that stuff. Thanks!

Tennessee...whew!

What a game on Saturday huh? Aguilar is a couple steps up from that other kid whose name I can't pronounce. Or type.

So what did we learn? I'll take a stab at a list. 

• We're a good team. We're built different than previous versions of a Smart led team. But we can compete against this 2025 schedule and beyond I think.
• We're a young team. I believe we are deep, but when you go on the road in the SEC and that roster gets trimmed down, it exposes your youth. Proud of the way Kirby and Co. rallied them into a team that could fight back.
• We're a lucky team. That's a pretty good kicker (went 3/3 the week prior with a long of 53). I don't think the false start penalty mattered. Good snap, good hold. Bad swing.
• The OL especially struggled. I thought the play calling got too conservative after that amazing drive to open the second half. But on the other hand we seemed to click in 13 personnel. I hope to see that a lot going forward.
• In fact, I would bet if we looked at Reddell's participation, most of his snaps would land in the 4th quarter. Barbour we know is done for the year, and Elyiss Williams made the trip but I don't recall seeing him. I'll re-watch tonight.
• Regardless, with three tight ends and one back in, we really found success both on the ground and off play action especially. I'd love to see more of this going forward. Even with Barbour out, I think we are deep enough at tight end and I think the backs we have would thrive in it.
• If there is one thing thing that surprised me more than anything else, it was our defensive backs, especially Ellis Robinson IV. We know they're going to end up in one on one a lot to start games against Heupul offenses. Even as Schu and Kirby began to put the "roof" back on with our safeties we continued to struggle in 50/50 matchups.
• Also worth noting, Tenn's receivers are better this year. That fact plus Aguilar's arm and composure caught us just as off guard as our secondary.

All things considered, we got to the season's first bye week at 3-0. Just as we hoped. So there is that. Most importantly, the coaches have some good film on their young guys and we should be healthier at OL before the tilt against the Tide. 

Looks like we're recording this week's episode on Wednesday. I'll try and have more then. Go Dawgs!

The OL, Gunner and episode 21

Below is the 21st episode of 4th & 3 Dudes. You can like, share and subscribe in your favorite podcast feeder and on YouTube. Thanks to our guest hosts, Cuz Kate and Ainsley! First, a couple thoughts on our first SEC showdown of the season!

I was one who asked for patience with the offensive line before the start of the season. But after Saturday's showing against the Governors, I was disheartened.

After re-watching and seeing some analytical posts, I feel much better. It's a unit with a LOT of talent and potential. It's there, just not consistent yet. I stand by my point in the podcast that they are not up to the standard we need for an SEC road game, especially. However, I think we'll see growth sooner rather than later.

If you've joined the Bulldog Bourdon Social Club, Jon makes some great points about Gunner in the VIP lounge. I agree that QB1 won't be hemmed in on Saturday, and I think the stats and, more importantly, the scoreboard will reflect that.

Regardless, we'll rely on our defense and special teams a lot this season. Go Dawgs! Let's beat the Vols...again!

Transitioning from week one to week two

Below is the latest episode of 4th & 3 Dudes. You can like, share and subscribe in your favorite podcast feeder and on YouTube. But first, a couple thoughts.

Last week the coaches let Gunner hold the reins for three quarters. I make a point in this episode that when Pugs came in the offense really didn't miss a beat. So I wonder if this week the split will be closer to 50/50. Even better, would like QB2 and even QB3 to get some game time experience.

Overall I think we all agree that its great to see so many young players get time on the field. I mean, Elyiss Williams caught a touchdown pass in his first collegiate game!

But like Nama said, at the end of the day, we really just want to end the game against the Governors without injuries. A healthier team heading to Knoxville would make us all happy. Especially the coaches.

Okay...on with the show!

Marshall and week one is here!

Plus, episode 19 of 4th & 3 Dudes at the bottom, where Nama and I discuss how we think the team shapes up against last season's stats and the 2025 schedule. (Cord had a shit week and couldn’t join us. Not sure what that means for his Oregon State Beavers as they go up against Cal tomorrow night. We’ll see.)

But first, a few additional thoughts on our Dawgs as well as the weekend slate.

Special teams. I make this point in the episode below, but wanted to emphasize it a little more here. Hopefully it doesn’t happen often tomorrow, but when we line up to punt it won’t be a good time to leave your seat to go to the restroom. I’m going to play close attention to who the coaches are trusting in this phase of the game. Same for the return game.

Special teams can make or break a game, as we know. There are a lot of position battles to pay attention to tomorrow: OL, CB, Safety. Really every position has a depth chart to be chiseled out during these first two games before the trip to Knoxville. We need to include special teams in that focus for the sole purpose of flipping the field at keys moments later in the season, getting the offense in better field position with punt returns, protecting our kickers to do their job, etc etc.

The weekend looks glorious too. I'm looking forward to GA Tech at Colorado tonight. Tomorrow I'm excited to see what Fran Brown's fightin' Orangemen can do against Tennessee. Our Dawgs in the middle of the afternoon along with Bama going to Tallahassee. Tomorrow night Clemson hosts LSU in the fight for the rights to the term Death Valley. And Sunday I'll be watching both VA Tech at South Carolina and Notre Dame at Miami. I'll Monday night's tilt between TCU and North Carolina on hold and see if something better opens up.

What game(s) has you excited?

Okay, now on with show! Little longer than usual. But Nama and I are excited to talk about Georgia football again!

Game week thoughts - Marshall

I'm not one to typically dabble in week zero tv watching. But we've had nothing but rain down here and that meant that our usual Saturday golf game was cancelled. That probably saved me $10, which is the usual buy in for the Saturday game, but meant I needed to find some things to do around the house. 

So I turned on ESPiN as background noise. It was the Aer Lingus Football Classic, live from Dublin Ireland where Big 12 powerhouses Iowa State and Kansas State both struggled to keep a handle on the football in the first half. In the second half the teams erupted for 31 points. In the end it was a Kyle Konrardy field goal and a long game ending drive for the Iowa State win.

Not a great week zero of college football, which is tradition in itself. But was enough to lead me to just a few thoughts.

• First and foremost, I'm reminded that this is our second season without the Great Senator Blutarsky to lead us. Still the best college football blogger that ever has been. I'll continue to miss his words and insight.
• Secondly, the second season of 4th & Three Dudes is set to start this week. We had our official podcast planning session last week and are looking forward to entertaining as many as three or four of you weekly. You can watch us here, or search for us by name in your podcast feeder's search bar.
• Of course there's a lot of talk about how the SEC finally moving to a 9 game conference scheduling format affects Georgia. Most favor our permanent three as Auburn, Florida and either Tennessee or South Carolina. Too bad it won't be Texas since we always find a way to beat those bastards.
• Reports out of camp are mostly encouraging. Hope you're hearing the same. In general it sounds like Gunner is really stepping into his role and the talent is rich. Still pretty young and raw overall, but sounds like they will be ready to hit someone wearing green ASAP, and should be ready for that first road trip test up yonder by week three.
• Someone asked me yesterday what we are ranked. I answered that I think we're around 5, but the truth is not only do I not know for sure but I don't really care.

And I'm willing to bet that is about where you are too. I've never worried about preseason rankings, because the subjectivity is not just obvious, but it's rampant. Plus, winning two very recent National Championships has a way making college football a little less stressful.

Saturday, toe meets leather. And the rest will be sorted out with Coach Smart steering our ship.

All aboard!

Talking season blues

Still reeling over Sunday's Failure at Foley. Coach Johnson has me ever hopeful. But we have to be able to find better pitching than that. Ugh.

But a CWS run was a needed break from CFB talking season. It's a tough time to be a fan. Gone are the days when you just had to worry about how many days were left until kickoff. Now there's that, and all of the many and varied opinions about what is best for the sport we so dearly love.

Coach Smart took aim last week at the transfer portal. And rightly so. Like him, I hold an SEC Championship in very high regard. And while his staff and players were preparing for the 2024 SECCG, they were also dealing with players, both publicly and privately, readying to jump ship.

Can your Coach Goff era mind even imagine such a thing?! The playoff bracket hadn't even been dealt with and players are looking for "better" opportunities elsewhere.

Let's be honest with ourselves. We know Kirby Smart isn't leaving Athens for the NFL, much less any other program. But I can totally see the 24/7/365 recruiting of both future and current players, managing all of the egos, NIL deals, etc....driving him away. And I wouldn't blame him.

Speaking of the CFB playoff bracket, we do see one positive change. Unfortunately the talk of expanding the format from 12 to 16 seems to gain more traction, but at least they have fixed the seeding problem. Now the top four teams will get the top four seeds (hard to believe it took even this long to figure that out). 

Many years ago I wrote here that I just wished the SEC would secede from the NCAA and have it's own championship. Why does it need the Atlantic to Pacific conference or that diluted mixture of midwestern powerhouses and downright wannabes? Bring a nice cupcake in mid-season, keep any cross-conference rivalries if you want. Then make a 10 game gauntlet by GOD! schedule and rake in all the Mickey money you need want.

Oh well, just some words to dream by...

I am excited about the 2025 version of our Georgia Bulldogs that is shaping up. I bet Kirby already has the right message for them to start the season. Keep striking through those summer calendar days, then let's get after that ass!

My Mom made a Life Path worth following

As many of you know, my mom passed away back in January. Jane Hutchison Burnette was a devoted daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, sister in law, aunt, cousin, and friend to hundreds of us on this Earth. She liked to cook, for others. She steadfastly prayed, for others. She taught many years. First as a social studies teacher, eventually at what was way back then Burney-Harris Middle School off of Broad Street in Athens before stepping aside to be a full time mom. Then later, as an ESOL teacher before retiring to be a full time grandmother.

She could sew, cook, bake, and was as religious about walking for exercise as she was about her faith in our God. She liked a good old-fashioned, a crisp martini, a chilled glass of wine, a good book, an endearing British tv show...and even read her eldest son's blawg on occasion. 

Which is why this tribute will be housed here. Not sure if God foots the bill for Wifi (and in so many ways I'm hopeful and certain He doesn't), but if not I know there are many who may enjoy some words about her. 

Just know, this is mostly for me.

In a great way, my Mom is the reason I enjoy writing. I can't type that without paying tribute to Dad. After all, he is the retired English teacher. Some of you may have had him for English class if you travelled through Cedar Shoals High School as a teenager. Eventually he settled in Clemson and tortured upstate kids with British Lit and writing workshops. He's published one book and is currently working on the sequel!

But it was one summer break as a seven year old when Mom had me making homemade books and then filling their pages with stories. My days as an only child were soon to end. And it's safe to assume when a woman is 8 months pregnant she wants to stay indoors and avoid that Georgia heat and humidity as much as possible. So, we'd make bread pizzas, pitchers of sweet tea and Kool-Aid, make homemade hardbacks, and then I'd fill them with words.

The last few months I've found many moments reflecting back on my memories of Mom. There's a LOT of recipes of course. I'll never use another lasagna recipe that isn't hers. There was our first Christmas in a house with a fireplace. It was 75 degrees outside, but she insisted on a fire to gaze at and hear the pop! Having a roaring fire while the windows are open is a memory that'll never fade. (sidenote: Mom loved Christmas! So much so that as I sit here typing I have Christmas Carol earworms on repeat.)

I had my first (legal) margarita with Mom. She took me to La Fiesta on College Station Rd. Not sure if it is still there, but they indeed carded me. Speaking of margaritas, when I took the future Mrs. BernieDawg home to meet the parents, we entered the kitchen just as she was slurping a spilled margarita off of the countertop! No surprise, she often was the life of the party.

Mom took to parenthood with open arms, literally and figuratively. She was instrumental in forming us into who were are today, especially my younger sisters as they have entered motherhood along their mother's path. And of course she adored being a grandmother, the littles' Ya-Ya. A woman who could do so much, I truly believe she was put on this Earth to be a mother and grandmother, first and foremost.

As the oldest, I have 55 years of memories with Mom. I feel lucky, even though I wanted more. Along the way, there were so many walks, celebrations, happy hours, Sunday dinners, laughs, tears, strife, hugs, beach chair chats, and life lessons. I'll miss sharing those things with her. 

I'll miss our phone chats too. Long ago I snuck into her phone and changed my name in her contacts to The Dude. All these years and she never changed it back. So when I'd call she'd pick up, "Hey Dude!" Then she'd update me on any comings or goings since our last conversation. Her last text to me:"Have a good weekend!! Love you back again and more 💓💓💓 Love to Jenn & the girls!"

Occasionally I have moments when I pick up the phone to send her a text., share a picture with her. I suppose that will fade with time. But our family is big on passing down important things, like southern recipes, traditions, and of course precious memories.

Rest easy dear Lady! Your work on Earth is done. And know that I have already started one of your treasured Prayer Lists, and will do everything I can to carry on, close to your path. 

Love ya Mom!

Tshirt blanket, Mom's last Christmas gift to me

Mom and Dad bookending the grands