How'd We Get here?

In our weekly discussions this past season, the issue came up several times. CFB is NOT as good as it used to be, why is that? How'd we get here anyways?

So I tabled it for the offseason, and low and behold here we are! 

A couple points of emphasis. To go a little LOT deeper in my research I found Ryan Nanni and Steven Godfrey's podcast "Who Killed CFB?" Over the course of the 2024-25 season they present the usual and some less usual suspects - the NCAA, the Conferences, Coaches and Agents, the NFL... It's a really great and in-depth look at the state of College Football.

Some of you may remember Godfrey from his longform piece about 12 years ago on how Bag Men function in the shadows and backrooms of college athletics - Meet the bag man: 10 rules for paying college football players.  

Anyway, even if you did read it all those years ago, give it another read in today's light of day. Oh the good ol' days! Anyway, we discuss that and more in this episode. Both this episode and the Who Killed CFB? podcast starts with this quote, hope you enjoy!

“So I’m saying to myself, ‘Maybe this doesn’t work anymore, that the goals and aspirations are just different and that it’s all about how much money can I make as a college player? I’m not saying that’s bad. I’m not saying it’s wrong, I’m just saying that’s never been what we were all about, and it's not why we had success through the years.”  - Nick Saban after retiring from coaching

Just for your ears version AND our YouTube version

WLOCP - 4th & 3 Dudes, episode 28

In this week's episode, we have a recap of week 9, which was an off week for both the Dawgs and Cord's Beavers. Then we delve into the coaching carousel and talk about this weekend's showdowns.

Link, share and subscribe. Most of all, let's go beat the gators! Go Dawgs!

Some links from mentions in the show:

• the Haynes King article by David Hale and Dave Wilson
• 4th & 3 Dudes YouTube channel, and/or Spotify
• Kiffin's "Velvet Ditch" tweet

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!

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!

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.

Hate week, florida edition - 4th & 3 Dudes

I'll let you be the judge, but I don't think I exuded enough hate.

Rate, share, subscribe!

And/or follow us on YouTube!

Episode 9 - 4th & 3 Dudes

This episode may be sensitive for any Texas listeners. If you or someone you know suffers from the Georgia pass rush, seek professional help. And also grow a pair!

Follow, rate, review - 4th & 3 Dudes

Georgia vs. Alabama, a deep look at X's and O's

If you haven't already I think you'd really enjoy this National Championship preview podcast from Solid Verbal. Dan chats with Chris Brown of Smart Football, who always has a certain depth to his analysis. He has some interesting thoughts on how Chaney specifically could impact the game. And I particularly appreciated how he breaks down the relationship between Kirby and Saban and the role it could play in terms of each others' understanding and game planning going into Monday night.

Suffice it to say, Brown isn't just giving the the relationship cute lip service like many national analysts. Add it to your podcast feed...soon!

A little Tigers, some Rebels, then plenty of BBQ

Bob, Corbin, and I rehash the thriller in Columbia West and then turn our attention to Saturday's battle in Oxford. And if you're heading for the game this weekend, be sure and tune in all the way until the end for Corbin's BBQ suggestions.

Light on the sauce this week...

...but plenty of Dawg talk to go around as Bob, Corbin, and I discuss closing thoughts on Nicholls and look ahead to Saturday night in Missouri.

BullDawg Illustrated has lots of audio content each week if you're a podcast junkie like I am. Subscribe to them on iTunes, Soundcloud, or your favorite podcast catcher app for your phone. Mine happens to be Downcast, but there's plenty of others out there.

Bulldog Bytes with Weiszer and Page

Marc and Fletcher were kind enough to give me some airspace to try and keep up with Tony and Brian in another edition of their Blogger Roundtable.

Appreciate the guys having us on. I always embrace another chance to prove I have a voice meant for keyboarding.

Bulldog Bytes podcast with Weiszer and Page

Thanks to the guys at ABH for having us on the podcast this morning. I won't even hold it against them that they changed my OOC game answer from UCLA to Oregon State.

Click here or below to listen.

An IPF podcast debate

Yesterday some artists' renderings of the soon to be indoor practice facility were published. But last week Robert and I debated the topic ad nauseum. Sure, this IPF is an inevitability. The look and location of it are issues still to be settled. But it's coming.

Whether I like it or no.

LINK

**I tried to get this episode of the JunkYard Podcast uploaded to iTunes so that those of you that have subscribed could get it on whatever app you use to listen to podcasts on. I will continue to try as it's something I did several times last year when I was podcasting. But as of this moment, the success of such a task eludes me.

Anyway, thanks for listening.

Talking Dawgs during the Bye Week

Following up Blutarsky and Tyler wasn't an easy task, but someone had to do it. Many thanks to Marc and Fletcher for the invite to join them on their podcast as well as Groo of dawgsonline. If you don't follow their work, you should. It was fun to take a few moments to look back on the season thus far as well as ahead as what we might can expect. And I'll forgive Fletcher for trying to get me to look past Florida.  :)

Thanks again guys! Go Dawgs!

Dogbytes Online
Dawgsonline.com
DawgSportsRadio

The Junkyard Dawg Podcast Episode 15 - Joe Waterloo takes a mulligan

In the second part of our discussion we talk about Pruitt's defense and what we might can expect, how the schedule might be a good thing, and how Joe and I used to cheat at golf.

Now available on iTunes!!
Also on Stitcher!
Email questions and suggestions!

The Junkyard Dawg Podcast - episode 14 with Joe Waterloo

Joe Waterloo joins me in the Junkyard for a two part session. We start out by discussing how camp is going so far, the concussions, and how the secondary is shaping up.

There's been some changes since the last episode. Namely, it's finally available on iTunes after a five month battle with Apple. As a result there's a new feed that you can copy here. Thanks for downloading and Go Dawgs!

Junkyard Dawgs Podcast Episode 13 - Double dipping with Robert, part two

In this episode, Robert and I continue our discussion about Georgia Bulldogs football, concentrating on away games and much reminiscing.

*Although the internet couldn't confirm if he did indeed break his leg against LSU, Arthur Marshall has no stats for UGA in 1990. And we opened that season in Baton Rouge with an 18-13  loss. So all in all, nice call by Robert. Fistbump!

Thanks for tuning in. Find the podcast on Stitcher here or download the Android app. Also, email any and all feedback to thejunkyarddawgpodcast@gmail.com.

Junkayd Dawg Podcast Episode 12 - double dipping with Robert, part one

In part one, Robert and I discuss the attrition in the defensive secondary from both a positional and a more universal perspective. Is it us, or them?

Links from this episode:

- Tyler talks dismissals

- Find Robert on the Twitter