Gameday Liveblog - Boise State

Welcome to a new season Dawg fans! We'll be popping in and out with sights and sounds from outside the Georgia Dome. We're going to interview some Tweeters at the Tweetgate and hopefully wrangle some BSU fans to ask their thoughts on the game and why there's so much acid rain out in Idaho that it's turning the fields blue. If you have a question or comment, just post it.


Let's get after it!

Not all Bronco players are making the trip

Three Boise State players are evidently being held out of tomorrow's game due to eligibility concerns:

According to a Weiszer tweet a few minutes later Boldewijn and Febis are starters at WR and S respectively. Tjong-A-Tjoe is a reserve DT.

- - - - - - - - - - - - 

UPDATE - looks like it's based on them leaving the Netherlands early to finish their prep school in Boise, Idaho.

Trivial Update - Tricky lil Smurfs

#ThursdaysRTrivial will resume right after this PSA: Zabransky...now that guy could really spread the red!! But only for 1st half. #Dawgs


#ThursdaysRTrivial episode 72 "Fool me once..." Welcome back everybody! It's the weekly Twitter Twivia show that always has something up its sleeve. REPLY back your answer for a chance at an ACTUAL prize. The Broncos are known for their trick plays. What BSU receiver completed all 4 of his passes for 2 TDs last season?


For the second week of three Skelly has provided the actual prize. Here's the way this one played out:

So, returning champion Shan gets the tunes. Meanwhile everyone else up there gets a vial of Gargamel's potion. (Unless you'd all rather have some D.A.'s special purple drank.)

Friday Thoughts: Boise State

36 hours.

• One thing I neglected to mention yesterday in speaking of Kwame and Jenkins is this: they've been going against Ben Jones for a solid month. And all indications are that he has gotten the better of them, especially Jenkins. How frustrating is that? How much pent up hostility are they containing? 
• So...I'm sure they're eager to welcome Bronco center Thomas Byrd...all 5'11" 290lbs of him...to Georgia.
• Tomorrow, like most games, is about the line of scrimmage. If we can't win there tomorrow it is going to be a long season.
• But it's also about big plays. The Bronco offense is a power hitting deep threat always willing to red line it towards the endzone. If the defense manages the BSU yard eating and the offense can match or better the 20+ yard plays then we'll be in for a good game.
• Tyler hit on a big point for me when he wondered if the coaches can coach to win. Richt has installed a new attitude and has asked the players to Get on the Bus. Most have responded enthusiastically. Has this permeated throughout? Can the guys in the slacks and cross-trainers see the big picture? Or are they still suffering from game time tunnel vision?
• From my view, Grantham has every piece he needs to have a great defense. And Bobo has a full arsenal of weapons. Hopefully these kids have been coached up. Now it's just a matter of putting them in position to best help the team.
• Lastly, are we ready to play 60 minutes. If it's close late, there is absolutely no reason we shouldn't win that game. No excuses. We're deeper. We're more talented.

In short, you don't survive an off season of Coach T just to say "Oh well, we tried." That's so 2010 Dawgs. I hope we've put that behind us.


Be sure and come back tomorrow for the live blog. I watched this a while ago and now I'm not sure I can contain myself for what little is left of the off season.

CFA Kickoff: a Dawg Fan's Guide to Gameday

You all don't need the in depth talking to that I had to give the broncos yesterday. So I thought I would just provide you with a glimpse of what we can expect to see from the non automatic qualifying fans. From what I can tell it's going to be a lot like Jacksonville, with less jorts and hair gel.

How could she possibly say no?

Beastiality runs rampant.
Sad. Just sad.

Clapping impaired

In between sausage biscuits and codeine cocktails
Elvis was a BIG bronco fan.

Just rollin' like a pimped out potato be'otchez!!

Separated...

...at birth?

Spray the paint can dude. Don't
inhale it.

Sure. The economy is fine.

CFA Kickoff: a Boise Fan's 20 Step Guide to Atlanta

Welcome y'all! Thanks for stopping by. My name's Bernie and I'll be your tour guide for the next few minutes. I'm not an Atlanta resident, but I play one from OTP (outside the perimeter). But please don't venture out here to the suburbs during your stay. You're much more welcome down amongst the crack whores, panhandlers and petty thieves capital city's denizens.
I've put together a list of things to help you during your stay. We want you to feel comfortable while you're here and leave with an empty wallet and a full belly. I've even included some definitions I thought you might need help with so nothing is lost in translation. Let's get to it.

Gen. Peckerwood

1. Down south it is customary to make your own bed, even when staying in hotels. In fact, just sleep on top of the covers. This reduces the risk of bed bugs biting.

2. What are bed bugs? Some critters we used in the War of Northern Aggression (what you prolly call the Civil War) to get back at those yankees. What are critters? Well, you're just messin' with me now.

3. Speaking of yankees, it is not a pardonable offense to even utter the name (of the jackhole that burned our town down). Less'n you want to spend the weekend in the pokey with 15+ former Auburn players that think you have a pretty mouth, I'd suggest you leave your version of the (Civil War) packed in that duffle bag you brought as a suitcase.

4. You are only allowed to wear bright orange clothing with long sleeves, preferably layered. This helps local residents identify you even before you even speak.

5. If you like something called "soduh"...or "pop", I hope you brought some. We drink Coca-Cola down here son.

Tea. Sweet by nature.

6. Speaking of refreshments, tea comes sweetened and poured over a heapin' helpin' of ice. Now, you can add a lemon if ya like. Just don't ask for it hot unless it's before 8am. Cuz by then the devil himself is working up a sweat.

7. As far as refreshments of an alcoholic nature, we serve beer cold and pour our bourbon neat, on the rocks or over a Co-Cola (shortened version of what you call pop). We ain't gonna pretend this is South Beach and you're not on vacation. Football away games are a business trip. Treat them as such and you should do fine. However, if you'd like some fancy drink or some kind of "spritzer" (sp?)...try Midtown Mr. Trendy Toes.

8. If you transported car flags or other vehicle adornments into the state it is okay to use them, but only between the hours of 1am and 7am. If you venture out in a car loaded with orange and blue crap outside of those hours...well, I warned ya son.

9. Wear deodorant. Perhaps you didn't pack any. Hell, for all I know they may not even sell it out where y'all're from. If so, find the nearest store or your concierge and simply raise you're arm as if to ask a question.

10. Grits are served with each and every breakfast, sometimes lunch and often with supper (Supper?...it's a meal. Get used to it or you'll starve). A mess of them is a required daily nutritional allowance. Grab your fork, say thank you and eat them. Don't get sassy now.

11. When crossing streets, don't worry with crosswalks. We're all accommodating down here. As long as you're abiding by rule #3 we'll be happy to come to a complete stop so you can mosey on. (what's a mosey?...well I reckon it's at a similar pace to most of your tackle football players)

12. Air-conditioning don't grow on trees round these parts friend. So it can only be used by out of towners if you have paid the tax to City Hall. Just get on a MARTA bus and get off at the nearest MARTA train station. Collectors are scattered around like pecans off a tree, usually wearing old sweatshirts, pushing three-wheeled grocery carts and playing a 2 string guitar. Also, they don't wear deodorant which makes them easier to find.

13. Looking towards actual gameday reminders, grills require a license to operate in the state of Georgia. So leave the cooking to the true professionals. If you get hungry just before the game, simply find a nearby Dawg fan and he'll sell you a burger for a reasonable surcharge.

14. And btw, never, EVER refer to what we're doing on these grills as something called "barbecuing". BBQ (note the proper spelling there) is a product (ie. a noun) of hours and hours of slow heat, preferred seasonings and tender lovin care. It ain't no damn verb!!

For breakfast, lunch or supper.

15. If you happen by a tailgate you're likely to get invited in. If you accept the offer, do so with grace and reverence. We take pride in this and just get tickled to death hearing people like you talk. So don't get snappy when we say things like "Say that again?"...or "You talk like someone I saw in a movie once."...or "What's BOAISY? Why don't you [redacted]!!"

16. Actual game manners are next. Since you all dress like you're going to a Halloween party, you'll likely get searched pretty heavily entering the Dome. Just be glad it's not at Boddy Dobb. They take contriband to a whole nutha level.

17. Yes it's true. Even though you have your ticket in hand, you can't get into the GA Dome without a Waffle House receipt. And if you really want to enjoy the first half, get the hash browns "all the way, country". Your welcome.

18. We know you've all been bellyaching about this being a home game for us. But you know damn well it's not. You and the other bus load of Bronco fans can scream as loud as you want. We might even put one or two of you on the jumbotron so we can point and say "Look, it's those fellas that farted at our tailgate. They must've over did it at the Waffle House this morning."

19. Otherwise you're only allowed to cheer when Pat Forde or Kirk Herbstreit are there to lead it. Forde might make it, but Herbstreit is still too scared to come within so far of anything red and black for fear that Mitch Davis still has eligibility in his pocket and bad intentions in his heart.
20. Lastly, after the game...Delta's ready when you are. Just don't get in front of any departing Georgia fans Sunday. We all have SEC speed in Georgia y'all!

Thanks for stopping by. And next time you're around this way, stop on by Athens. We'd love to have you over again, anytime.

*Dawg fans...you're guide to the weekend comes tomorrow. Hunker down and let's get after it!

Key Matchup: nose to the grind

When thinking about matchups that intrigue going into Saturday's opener, the first one that jumps to mind is Boise State's interior line against Kwame and Jenkins.


Thomas Byrd is a RS Senior center who's been named to the 2011 Rimington Trophy watch list. He's 5'11" and 290lbs. And he's charged with controlling the big apple that fell of the Geathers' tree and Big John. To help Byrd the Broncos will surely rely on Jr guard Joe Kellogg (6'2", 303) who along with Byrd is the core leadership for the BSU offensive line. Handle these two and the rest could crumble.


Honestly, I'm not sure who they'll have on the other side of Byrd. And to be even more honest, it shouldn't matter. Coach Peterson's roster includes 4 (four) offensive linemen that tip the scales over 300lbs. And the biggest of those is a freshman at 313lbs. If we can't get a push up the middle on these guys and force Moore to rely on quick drops and dumps...then we're in trouble come next week.


Let's face it...


Kwame's been the story of the football program since the 2010 season ended. He's the poster child for the change in nutrition and conditioning. Hell, for all intents and purposes he might just be the damn bus driver when you get right down to it. He was pissed off that we had to go out and get the top JUCO player at his position and decided that whatever was holding him back last season was not going to hold him back anymore.


Now...can he translate all that work and effort into something substantial on the field? I really think he can be our defensive MVP on Saturday and the season as a whole.


But it's not going to just be #99. We'll also see a lot of Jenkins who has to be at least a little frustrated. He's worked hard the month of August and still hasn't gotten ahead of the guy that couldn't consistently get on the field last season. Big John came to Athens to make an impact and I'm sure he wants to in this game, right out of the gates. There was a pretty steep learning curve for Jenkins that I overlooked. Just in terms of getting used to SEC level practices alone is a lot to handle in a summer.


To close, I'm interested to see how Grantham utilizes his personnel along the front seven. If Geathers/Jenkins are everything they should be then a 4 man front should suffice nicely in most situations. With the talent that we have at LB we could also see some 3-3-5. So...no question that we should see a lot of both nose tackles Saturday night. 


But, can the Broncos handle them?

This and that

 Some items of no particular interest, some of which are gameday related. You realize, it's only two days away now.

• Toying with the idea of doing a live blog on Saturday. I figured there's going to be a lot of great Dawg fans sitting around on their butts just waiting on this thing to start. I'd love to post some pics and maybe videos of the action outside the stadium pre-game. The downside is that this requires lots of battery power for the handheld device, but I've purchased an extra battery pack for just such a problem. The other hurdle is that when I use Cover it Live as I did for Nat'l Signing Day 2011, it worked really well but required a lot of time (and battery power) to approve comments...which is really the purpose of a live blog. So I may just do a blog similar to what I did for last year's GA/fla game. But with hopefully more comments.
• Of course...by 3pm the live blog may just become an after thought at the bottom of my pocket. We'll see. Let me know if you have any preferences in the comments.
• And regardless of what is going on here, I know ecdawg is having a live blog Saturday. So be sure and check that one out.
• I've been fiddling around with the advertising on the site. Apologize if this has been at all distracting. I'm trying to get away from ones that are too much in the way, like between the posts. I'm also trying to use ones that are more specific to our wants. Turns out Blogger has some other options than what I was using so we'll see how it goes. 
• Of course, if you'd like to donate a few pennies directly to keep the blog afloat of the economic tumult, just click the "DONATE" button over - - - > there or here.
• I've also been contemplating the idea of some bigger changes. But Mrs. Bernie I think has convinced me to hold off. Change is good, but sometimes the status quo is just as good if not better. 

Just know that I appreciate the visits and will continue to stand by your side and fight the EVIL WAYS OF BOREDOM....AND MISINFORMATION!!!

SEC Video: Countdown to Kickoff - UGA vs Boise State

SEC Video: On the Air with Mark Richt