National landscape, week one

Have seen and heard a lot of articles/discussion regarding where the expanded playoff stands after the first full weekend of play. So I thought I'd start a weekly look at things and sprinkle in my own opinions.

First and foremost, I think we can all agree our Dawgs should be at the top of any list. True, it's early. And many challenges lie ahead, both at home, on the road, and at (hopefully) the Benz Dome again. But it's already clear that our roster and this coaching staff can overwhelm an ACC championship challenger at the very least.

After Georgia, who sticks out? Miami is a hot pick after throttling the gators, but that is a bad football team. Napier won't last the month I suspect. Other ACC teams that could win the conference...both Techs. The Jackets are already 1-0, but feel like they don't have the roster to go the long haul. Virginia Tech was a popular dark horse before the season. They could still compete, but were pushed around by Vandy for much of that game.

So the ACC feels like a Clemson and Miami race early on, just waiting to see who else steps up.

In the Big Ten, Oregon didn't look ready and Ohio State eventually rose to the occasion. But I'd put Penn State at the top right now. Good win on the road against West Virginia.

Out in the Big 12, a lotta cupcakes. But I'd say Utah and UCF did the best at not playing with their food before digesting it.

So I'll go with Georgia, Clemson, Penn State and Utah as the top four as conference champions. The SEC will probably have the highest ranked non-conference champions, so I'd say three and maybe four others get in after the Group of 5 gets its bid. Notre Dame has the best track into the CFB Playoffs. After its win over LSU Sunday night, they are a virtual lock. So if we make the SEC's total number 5 (Bama, Texas, Ole Miss and Tennessee?), Ohio State and another Big 12 team should round it out.

1. Georgia (bye)
   
2. Penn State (bye)
3. Utah (bye)
4. Clemson (bye)
5. Notre Dame (hosts)
6. Bama (hosts)
7. Ohio State (hosts)
8. Texas (hosts)
9. Ole Miss
10. UCF
11. Tennessee
12. Boise State

Those are at least some intriguing match ups in Round 1. Still not sold on making the season this long. But I'd watch, and I guess that's why they expanded, right? $$$

the Friday Misery once wore orange

 "I want to coach a team that opponents don't look forward to playing." - Danny Ford, Clempson head side line roamer 1978-1989

I understand the sentiment Coach Ford. But feel the opposite about Georgia vs Clemson. And I think Coach Smart feels the same as I do. Maybe Dabo too.

A tail as old as time

Long time readers may recall, I both grew up in Athens and am the product of a Clemson Tiger household. Yes, those two things can indeed both be true! Dear ol' dad took me to 100% more games at Lake Hartwell's version of Death Valley than he did at Sanford Stadium. I both had an orange windbreaker as a kid AND remember listening to Munson on the radio calling Georgia games while I raked leaves in the backyard.

Talk about a conflicted upbringing!

"Coach, that boy Herschel is gonna be a problem for us isn't he?"

And yet it all worked out in the end. Dad went on to get his doctorate from an actual school, UGA, and Georgia continued this rivalry by flat out dominating! Also, I ditched the orange windbreaker for a gray Member's Only jacket in middle school and started doing impressions of Michael Jackson on the side.

The '80s! What a time!

The point I'm failing to get to is...I love this game! My greatest prediction in this series came when I was walking into Sanford in 2002, called the folks on my flip phone, and predicted a 31-28 Georgia win. Thank you Billy Bennett! 

Speaking of Sanford, this game was the first one under lights 'tween the hedges. Forty two years ago ABC moved the game to Labor Day night, gave Vince Dooley $50k for temporary lights, which he parlayed into $250k for permanent ones. Dawgs won 13-7. And then won every other game until we lost to Penn State in the Sugar Bowl. Meanwhile, Clempson went undefeated, but got caught giving recruits extra cow patties and had to forgo a bowl game.

To be honest, it's not much of a rivalry, as Georgia leads the series 43-18-4. But they've played some epic games. And two of which I was sitting beside my IPTAY father in Death Valley. We watched that 2003 team dominate with Pollack, Greene, and Fab Fly Freddie Gibson. And we watched that 2013 team come so close in a 38-35 Clemson win. 

Picture that Dad's colleagues hung at his desk

Saturday it's time to Hunker Down and grab that kitty by the tail, again!

Pro-NUN-see-a-shuns

As we begin another college tackle football season, I again begin to appreciate how we can both hate a team, yet respect their pride in said team. In our family text threads, the perfect Fall Saturday is when Georgia wins, Clemson wins, and South Carolina loses. We can't stand the Gamecocks, but Lord A'mighty they HATE them.

And then there's little things too. Years ago, Dad and I had a nice Sunday at Augusta National (watching, not playing). We're walking out the gate and I pointed at Mike Tirico, who naturally was there to cover the little tournament they had going on. Dad had a long look of disgust, to which I asked why he didn't like the dude.

Turns out, Tirico pronounces "Clemson" in a way that is considered somewhere between a gross error and downright idiocy. He emphasizes the "s" as more of a "ZZZZ" if I recall correctly. Which is why I often type "Clemson" with a "p", because that's what I've heard since childhood.

Come on Tirico! How are you gonna make it in that business if you can't connect to a rural upstate South Carolina farming population. Jeesh.

Other adventures in pronunciations. en-dor As in Georgia fans enjoy indoor plumbing, now going on more than a century! Or how about, klown. Because our coach isn't named after one. And tra-dish-shuns. They touch a rock.

And we create HA-VOK! Go Dawgs!

Chubb didn't need a helmet in 2014

Quick housekeeping notes

Stapleton's White Horse will forever be my go to tune before a game. It was playing at our tailgate before we marched into the WLOCP last year...I lost my voice. Thanks to our youngest for the reminder!

And here's a link to the first episode of our podcast - 4th & 3 Dudes - in which Nama does his best to put a tent over a circus. 

In closing

I understand what Farmer Ford meant when he gave us that quote about the kind of team he wanted to build. But there's a real, tangible difference between opening up on national television against Clempson, as opposed to an Austin-Peay. Even at noon.

The players are tired at this point of lining up against their own teammates. They're hungry to hit someone in a different jersey. They want this game. Kirby wants this game.

I want this game. And I know you do too. It's been a long off season. About a week longer than we had gotten used to, am I right? Now let's bow our heads please...dear Lord, please allow our fellas to give Klubnik an awful nightmare tomorrow afternoon. And thanks for helping me get rid of that hideous windbreaker!

Amen. Go Dawgs!!

Kevin Grizzard, but just a gleam in Lewis' eye

"I hugged perfect strangers and kissed a fat lady on the mouth!"

Lord I miss Lewis Grizzard. So since it's Clempson week, here's his letter to a future son.

To my Son, if I ever have one:

Kid, I am writing this on September 3, 1984. I have just returned from Athens, where I spent Saturday watching the University of Georgia, your old dad’s alma matter, play football against Clemson.

While the events of the day were still fresh on my mind, I wanted to recount them so if you are ever born, you can read this and perhaps be able to share one of the great moments in your father’s life.

Saturday was a wonderful day on the Georgia campus.

We are talking blue, cloudless sky, a gentle breeze and a temperature suggesting summer’s end and autumn’s approach.

I said the blessing before we had lunch. I thanked the Lord for three things: fried chicken, potato salad and for the fact he had allowed me the privilege of being a Bulldog.

“And , Dear Lord,” I prayed, “bless all those not as fortunate as I.”

Imagine my son, 82,000 people, most whom were garbed in red, gathered together gazing down on a lush valley of hedge and grass where soon historic sporting combat would be launched.

Clemson was ranked number 2 in the nation, and Georgia, feared too young to compete with the veterans from beyond the river, could only dream, the smart money said, of emerging three hours hence victorious.

They had us 20-6 at the half, son. A man sitting in front of me said, “I just hope we don’t get embarrassed.”

My boy, I had never seen such a thing as came to pass in the second half. Todd Williams threw one long and high, and Herman Archie caught it in the end zone, and it was now 20-13.

Georgia got the ball again and scored again, and it was now 20-20, and my mouth was dry, and my hands were shaking, and this Clemson fan who had been running his mouth the whole ballgame suddenly shut his fat face.

Son, we got ahead 23-20, and the ground trembled and shook, and many were taken by fainting spells.

Clemson’s kicker, Donald Igwebuike, tied it 23-23 and this sacred place became the center of the universe.

Only seconds were left when Georgia’s kicker, Kevin Butler, stood poised in concentration. The ball rushed toward him, and it was placed upon the tee a heartbeat before his right foot launched it heavenward.

A lifetime later, the officials threw their arms aloft. From 60 yards away, Kevin Butler had been true, and Georgia led and would win 26-23.

I hugged perfect strangers and kissed a fat lady on the mouth. Grown men wept. Lightening flashed. Thunder rolled. Stars fell, and joy swept through, fetched by a hurricane of unleashed emotions.

When Georgia beat Alabama 18-17 in 1965, it was a staggering victory. When we came back against Georgia Tech and won 29-28 in1978, the Chapel bell rang all night. When we beat Florida 26-21 in the last seconds in 1980, we called it a miracle. And when we beat Notre Dame 17-10 in the Sugar Bowl that same year for the national championship, a woman pulled up her skirt and showed the world the Bulldog she had sewn on her underbritches.

But Saturday may have been even better than any of those.

Saturday in Athens was a religious experience.

I give this to you, son. Read it and re-read it, and keep it next to your heart. And when people want to know how you wound up with the name “Kevin” let them read it, and then they will know.

- Daddy

Welp, here we go!

It's here. As our beloved coach says, "Talkin' season is over!" 

IT'S GAME WEEK ‼️

🏟️: vs. Clemson
📅: Saturday, August 31 | 12 PM ET
📺: ABC/ESPN+#GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/jaZp2KMMpl

— Georgia Football (@GeorgiaFootball) August 26, 2024

The 2024 college football season is among us. There are so many changes (rules, conferences'  landscapes, coaches, schedules) my head is spinning faster now than that time I first saw my future wife walk through the lobby of Russell Hall!

But...it is well!

Remember, I'm not promising much. Certainly nothing is being posted here on the daily. I'm enjoying our new lifestyle deep, deep in SE Georgia a lot, as well as semi-retirement. Suffice to say, I have more time on my hands, but am busy filling it with...getting old. I had rotator cuff surgery last month, so the golf clubs are tucked into a corner of the garage and Kirby has me down as out indefinitely.

All that aside, here are a few thoughts on my mind before our opener against Clempson:

• I hope we beat them good, because if not my tiger family is gonna text and call like it was 1981, the year Clemson first got telephone service.
• Ahh, injury lists and late August, a power couple since well before BradJolina. Still...not great, but getting better.
• Can't wait to see Beck and this offense do work. It's hard to believe we could lose Bowers, Ladd, Milton & Co. and may be even better offensively.
• (insert second offensive bullet point) I hope this OL is nasty good!
• I think the defense will be great...eventually. We may have to be patient, but hopefully not too long given this gauntlet of a schedule. Let's pencil circle that first off week in September as a time that maybe the coaches have enough on tape to make adjustments and fine tune this talented but young defensive roster.
• Over/Under on number of punts Thorson has this season? I'll set that line at 31, one less than last year.
• Who's the new name you're most excited to see? I'm hearing Nate Frazier (RB) is the real deal.

As Groo recalled, Kirby said "We built a program to be sustained." Time to go get after it!

Dear Senator, thanks and rest in peace

It was Saturday morning before I realized Senator Blutarsky had passed away. In the weeks since he wrote about being sick, like many of you I'm sure, I've been checking Get The Picture for more than updates on college football's comings and goings.

When I joined the Dawg Blog roll in 2008 there was Paul Westerdawg's crew at Georgia Sports Blog, there was Dawg Sports, Groo's DawgsOnline, David Hale's Bulldog Blog, The Grits Tree, Bubba 'n Earl, Bulldawg In Exile, a kid named Mackie over at Blogging Pantsless.

And fittingly, it was Mackie who messaged me Saturday morning to check if I'd heard. I quickly clicked my GTP bookmark and there were the words on my phone. The good Senator had passed away Thursday.

Over the weekend I started this post a few times. I didn't know Michael personally (although I'm still honored he graced my comment section that time Coach Richt admitted he didn't read Blutarsky's blog either), but wanted to share some thoughts of appreciation.  Others have offered their words as consolation and remembrance. Weiszer had interviewed him before, and Tony knew him professionally as well as from UGA fandom. 

Senator Blutarsky's iconic Get the Picture banner

More broadly, his daily readers have long ago formed a community, one that gathered daily to not only discuss college football but also read Brochstein's words, his explanations, his passion. When I needed to better understand the comings and goings of the latest NCAA development, I didn't got to ESPN or Sports Illustrated. I went to Get The Picture. Blutarsky was genuine, loyal, intelligent, passionate. He was prolific! Who else could nudge the ball rolling and see it form out as The Montana Project? He created a reasonable and accurate poll in The Mumme Poll. He put together a lexicon of common terms we use around Georgia football.

Anytime I got a link from his illustrious space to my little corner spot here, I was proud to have earned the Senator's attention. Going forward, I'll miss his words, guidance, explanations, Musical Palate, humor, Monday morning viewpoints...

For years, there's been such comfort in having Michael's experience blended with his history and knowledge of Georgia football. He made the blogosphere a much better place. And for that I am deeply grateful.

The best to ever wear the Collar!

 RIP Que! #DamnGreatDawg

A 2x National Champion
A 2x SEC Champion
A 2x Peach Bowl Champion
A Sugar Bowl Champion
A Rose Bowl Champion
An Orange Bowl Champion

Forever and always, a #DGD.

RIP UGA X 🐶#GoDawgs https://t.co/QJmwx4pDYG pic.twitter.com/nTLFttlznp

— Classic City Collective (@ClassicCityCLTV) January 23, 2024

An appreciative nod to The GOAT

Giddy. Wordless. Surprise. Bewilderment. 

Awestruck.

Yes, I think awestruck is the best way to describe how I felt when the news dropped. Like yours I'm sure, my phone began to buzz incessantly. I tried to keep up with the scrolls of message boards and twitter, and easily resisted logging onto FB where I was sure to find...

Calm down errybody! Already read on FB that Kirby has turned down the falcons to accept job in tuscaloosa 😂😂

— Chris Burnette 🏆🏆 (@BernieDawg) January 10, 2024

Two other thoughts. First, what an amazing career for Coach Saban. He set the standard in the 2010's, one that we strived for even as we rebuked it. Remember "The Georgia Way"? Kirby Smart may very well still be our head coach without Nicholas Lou Saban Jr., but would he be the coach he is today without him? Would he be able to manage his roster with such savvy?

Would two years ago last night have been as sweet? No. So a humble hat tip to the man that set the standard that only our coach could surpass.

Second, now this is the kind of coaching search that should be televised 24/7 until Dan Mullen calls Tuscaloosa home! 😜

Onto Bobo Year 2

 Emerson had me with this:

By the points-per-game metric, Mike Bobo-coordinated offenses now account for two of the three highest-scoring teams in school history. Anybody still criticizing Bobo’s credentials or capabilities is not to be taken seriously on the subject anymore. (LINK $)

In an article that is both a fair and honest assessment of Coach Bobo's first year of his second stint as Georgia's offensive coordinator, as well as thorough look at the depth chart he should have returning for year two, it's hard not to be really excited about the future.

While much of the 2023 offensive production has left Athens in favor of the NFL Draft or the transfer portal, the depth and talent at the RB and WR positions is impressive. Of course, more changes are practically imminent, especially after Spring practices. But Kirby and Co. continue to manage the roster more than effectively.

One of the moves Seth points out that I am also keeping an eye on is Xavier Truss. Searels is the OL's third coach in five seasons, yet we've continued to trot out solid units despite injuries and absolute studs going to the NFL. If Truss decides to return, at best we get another starter. And at worst we get an experienced offensive lineman that can plug into multiple positions.

 - - - - UPDATE - - - -

Ratledge makes his decision official. 

#GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/7dRhU6K2sC

— Tate Ratledge (@tateratledge22) January 5, 2024

Considering Stackhouse did earlier, if Truss is staying as well, I would expect that news to drop soon. 

Looking ahead. And then a little further.

About the new SEC schedule, and particularly, Georgia's. A few quick bullets and then some devil's advocacy.

• I was a big proponent of the SEC moving on to a nine game scheduling format. Ultimately, they stayed at eight. But looking over that gauntlet, hoo boy!
• Here's to hoping Kirby's boys can use that CFA Kickoff as a jumping off point the way they did in 2022 vs. Oregon!
• But even if we do get the best of the Tigers in Atlanta, that SEC slate is tough! 
• The road games look especially daunting, and not just with the trips to Tuscaloosa and Austin. Ole Miss got a thumpin' in Athens and they'll be looking for some home cooking with Jaxson Dart returning for his eighth season.
• But hey! Two off weeks!

A lot has been said since the 2023 CFB Playoff was set, as to whether a 2-3 loss Georgia team would make the new 12 team format in 2024. As Seth Emerson pointed out in last week's mailbag ($$), it would depend on how things were playing out, both regionally and nationally. It's hard to imagine the top three SEC teams not making the bracket. Maybe four if the media deems the conference "tough" enough.

But what if we ran it through and beat them all? I am intrigued by an expanded playoff, and I'm definitely looking forward to experts like Desmond and Kirk not helping a committee form the best (or most deserving) (whichever) (whatever) four team bracket. Twelve feels like what expanded playoff advocates have been saying all along, "Let it play out on the field!"

But to be honest, I'm still concerned. What does the Georgia Tech game look like if we know that we're in? Personally, I've been more than pleased to see the way Kirby and Staff have handled their personnel late in the season. We didn't need Brock Bowers to beat Tech this year, but we knew we needed him the next week.

I trust our coaches to do what is best for the team, short term and long term. It's just all those scenarios where an expanded playoff adversely affects the regular season (and possibly even conference championship games) are not only still there, but now they're looming right around the corner.

In short:

• Tough schedule = 👀
• ESPN personalities' value = 💩
• 🤞 expanded post-season doesn't devalue the regular one!

the Friday Misery is home for the Holidays

“I am at the moment writing a lengthy indictment against our century. When my brain begins to reel from my literary labors, I make an occasional cheese dip.” - Ignatius Reilly

John Kennedy Toole’s protagonist was pretentious, arrogant, and bloated - both by brain as much as stature. But in times like these…I just wish Mr. Toole had more than one novel to delve into.

Crimes by Committee

Because if you replace just a few words in the quote, it explains our state of discontent these last few days. 

century Committee

occasional frequent

cheese dip Old Fashioned

There we go! Because a gluttonous group of glory holes can’t have it both ways. Best or most deserving…? Can we add another subgroup here - cheaters or non-cheaters? How about GOATs or wannabe-GOATs? Oh wait, they actually covered that one pretty well.

No, I’m not going to harp on it too long. Because you’re tired of rehashing it too. But to punish a team that did everything they could do, won every game including their conference, but because their defense wouldn’t be as good without its star injured quarterback…sorry ‘Noles. And to reward one team SO much for beating your week to week #1 as to elevate them fours spots, all while dropping said #1 team five spots??

That’s enough. My brain is reeling again.

I’m just thankful to have one.

On the other hand, pass me a pacifier

We sure got greedy quick didn’t we dear Reader? I seem to recall in the not too distant past, a time when we would’ve given an appendage just to be in last Saturday and Sunday’s discussion. And not like a Mr. Mays’ pinky digit either. Like a full on, non-dominant or dominant, God-given limb!

Sorry momma, but them aughts and such was Hell!

So yeh, I knew when I woke up Sunday and recalled the final SECCG score, that we had about as much chance of making it into the College Football Championship as Bama did of converting a 4th and 31 for a tuddy on the final play of the game on the plains as an internet wanderer has of going surfing for an hour without stumbling on another 7-8 articles about the NFL’s new wonder couple. 

So, like you most likely, I was resigned to stop whining and reflect on the unprecedented 29-0 run. What a time! We brought back a trophy and Bama-Covid from Indy, and just kept rolling! How many games were there the last couple seasons when the team was not playing to their standard, that we thought we’d actually lose? At Missouri, nah. Homecoming for Kentucky, nope. Hell, the regular season closer against Tech with an interim coach had my 1990’s self in awe!

Peach Ball dropped wide short!

It wasn’t until last year’s Peach Bowl that we finally broke a sweat! Whew.

And then this season? Can you imagine being down at half to the gamecocks and not being bent out of shape? Two weeks later on the Plains…okay, had to get on our knees and pray to dear Ol’ Munson’s Ghost that Abuurn’s secondary got a sudden case of dyslexia and thought that was OWBRES lining up in the slot.

Again, whew!

Anyway, all that to say it’s been quite a run Dawg fans! And despite what those kissin’ siblings up on rocky top, and those toothless reptiles down in the swamp might think…hell, throw in the 2023 SEC championship gumps…just like Kirby told ‘em, “We ain’t going NOWHERE!”

Now, please bow your heads…dear layin’ in a manger Baby Jesus, please keep the lights bright this Christmas. For both those with 5 stars and those without. (Don’t let the tithing plate keep passing you by Vandy.)

Enjoy the Army/Navy game ya filthy animals! Go Army! #beatNavy

Epilogue

Yes, I found the keys to this thing somewhere around the intersection of Inspiration Ave. and Got a Lil Time on My Hands Cir. I’d like to keep posting somewhere between frequently and weekly. But most likely we’re coasting into a “let’s see how this goes” time period.

Full disclosure, we have moved to coastal Georgia and I won’t get to as many games as I used to. With the move, a new gig, a rebuilt engine and a cracked tooth, I managed only two this season. But rest assured we watch every game, relish any game we can get in Jacksonville and any opportunity to tailgate with our old crew, as well as see some of y’all OG readers in red and black!

Now I’m off to clean some things up around here. Somehow since I last logged in the spam filter caught tens of thousands of spam comments. Blessing and a curse and all that. So I’ll first try and get commenting figured out, but it’ll be regulated to some degree to start with. 

Until next time, I’m putting the keys in my pocket this time. Then I’ll text the daughters to remind me of how to drop on of those “pins” from my iPhone so I can keep finding that intersection. Go Dawgs!

"Coach, did you hear Bernie may be bloggin again?"
"Oh he is is he!"