Great Win

For those of you who had the joy of sitting on the Florida side of the stadium on the day we pimp slapped the Gators two years ago...you understand the special/similar nature of this win tonight. It was that sort of "shut the F up" win that speaks for itself. I live in Atlanta and enjoyed the easy drive down to the Tech campus for a pleasant tailgate. All the folks I hung with were polite and knowledgeable Ga Tech fans. More than that, they were college football fans. So it made for a good time.

At the game, however, I realized how much Ga Tech fans really do hate the Dogs. It sorta surprised me. I don't hate Tech like I probably should but boy oh boy was I unpopular last night. I was "that guy" in the student section. Not terribly rude or anything...just happy when the Dogs made a play. I actually walked to the exit just before the final Tech play...knowing that they were going to fail and knowing they would blame it on me.

Oh well...these are the type of fans that rubbed it in last year, so I suppose they can eat it.

For what it's worth, the Dogs had TWO guys run for over 150 yards each. I love that. We looked pretty damn good last night. Nice to do it to a team that was supposed to do it to you.

GO DOGS!!

State Champs

Wow.
It really happened.

RTDB fulfilled it's destiny, in game #12 of a 13 games season.

* Outrushed the #2 rushing team in the country, 339 to 205
* Ran it 44 times for a 7.7 avg gain
* Held GT to less than half of their per game rushing avg
* Won the turnover battle 2-1
* Only 5 penalties for 39 yds

It really makes you wonder - had Richt,Bobo & Co. listened to us since early Sept, would we be sitting at 10-2 right now & headed to Orlando?
The combo of Ealey & King was unstoppable.

I must say, regardless of what ass-bag bowl we end up in, I am feeling very warm & fuzzy about next yr.
Ok, so a little help from our good friends at the Maker's Mark distillery may have a little something to do with that, but still.
We have all 3 of our leading rushers returning (4 if you include Thomas), our best WR's, & a great battle between 2 soph QB's to lead the charge.
Losses on D will hurt, but w/Willie the Clown hopefully gone, those should be mitigated.

On that note, I am wholeheartedly against the return of CWM, but give him the credit he deserves in this penultimate game of 2009. He had a great game plan & stuck to it. Nice job Willie.
You still do not belong on the sidelines next yr, but you certainly showed that you are not an inept pudbag. Just a guy in over his head at the SEC level.

Looking forward to Nashville. Or Memphis. Or Shreveport. Or where the hell ever.

SEC, SEC, SEC!!

8-5.

Go Dogs!

My Flawed Proposal

I understand what I'm proposing needs work. I submit, however, that it needs a lot less tweaking than the current train wreck we call the BCS. Here goes my contribution to the never ending story. One more jackleg throws his $0.02 in...

THREE STEPS BEFORE IMPLEMENTING MY PLAN

1- Forget my plan unless this is achieved. Ready...here it is...Tell every president at every major college that they need to freakin get on board. We're tired of feeding your pockets while you stand by and defend an unsatisfactory system. I love capitalism. It's the best system. But this is capitalism with collusion and that makes you a crook, not an innocent guy trying to make a buck for your university. You'll make your money in my system, douche bags, just get on board or get out of the way.

2-Next requires another huge step. Give every conference 3 years to align, combine, dismantle or whatever they see fit to achieve 2 things. 1) 12 teams. 2) A clear cut conference champion.

3-Get rid of one cream puff match up. If the argument is that teams get too beat up OR the classic, "there's no time for a playoff"...then this helps a lot, does it not?

THE PLAN

-Continue to use the ranking system to determine the top 25 teams. NO POLL will be taken until after week 5.

-There are by now 6 major conferences (more on that later. maybe next post) with a clear cut winner and 2 at-large spots available for BCS selection for a total of 8 BCS teams. 2 less than now.

-Keep all four BCS bowls intact but remove that annoying "conference tie-in" crap.

-Add the title game a week after the BCS bowls at a rotating site already hosting a BCS bowl...just like they do now.

-You MUST win your conference to qualify for the National Championship game.

-Example tourney. Remember, the title game would rotate. This is just a "what if" scenario.

ORANGE BOWL - #8 (at large) vs. #7 (at large)

SUGAR BOWL - #6 vs. #5

FIESTA - #3 vs #2 - Winner plays for title

ROSE - #1 vs. #4 - Winner plays for title

National Title - ROSE BOWL - one week later - Winner vs. Winner

You have not changed the length of the season. You have not done away with BCS money. You have a clear cut winner. You have greatly reduced the controversy of teams on the outside. Now you have a shot if you're in the top FOUR instead of two.

Now...I realize this is not the most original plan in the world and it is flawed. But the purpose of this science is to achieve the best results...not to make myself feel better. So...I'm going to let the season play out and then plug teams into my system. I will track it along with how the real BCS turns out. I am willing to be wrong but I would bet my system would answer questions left on the table after this season plays out.

A Bold Prediction

I know we're in a down year. I know we're at rock bottom. I know Ga Tech is the highest ranked one-loss team for a very good reason. I was at last year's game. Trust me...I KNOW! I get it.

I don't care though. I have this sneaking suspicion that we are going to embarrass the Yellow Jackets in their own house.

...just saying is all. I've got no evidence to support this madness.

Ga Tech 27, Georgia Bulldogs 35

Suck it.

In Fairness

When fair can be quantified, I'm all for it. Philosophically, however, the idea of "fairness" rings hollow throughout nature and the universe...

I say this because...well..I want to be "fair". My gut feeling is that Logan Gray and Zach Mettenberger are gonna get a big-fat-life-isn't-fair-sandwich next spring. Aaron Murray will step up and show why Dog fans have been hollering for months to put him in.

All I ask, though, is that the process by which we evaluate our next starting QB is fair. The results don't have to be. If those guys lose the competition...fine. Fair is fair.

In the end, fair competition for the starting QB position is only going to make our team better. I just hope the 2nd and 3rd place contestants...whomever they may be...realize that life ain't fair.

As a sidenote...a little itch in the back of my mind tells me that Zach Mettenberger is a MUCH better QB contender than we may think...even though I have all but decided that Murray is the guy.

Watch some video of this Mettenberger kid throwing a pass, though. He's gonna start for somebody someday. And that somebody will compete. The kid can chuck it.

Jackasses

By the way...for all you jackasses who bitched that putting in a freshman QB would be tantamount to giving up on the season...and that Joe Cox is our best chance to win...and that CMR knows best and we should finish the drill....eat a bag.

Despite sticking with ol' Joe...we are STILL 6-5 and we'll be lucky as hell to finish above .500. Is that the fantastic season you hoped to protect? Is that the lesson? Is that your point?

Thanks for your support. Don't come bitching to me when we've got an inexperienced QB next year and we coast into a 5-7 record...and we feel LUCKY to have done so.

Oh..by the way..let's hear it from the Logan Gray supporters about now...seriously. Make your plea. Can't wait to hear it. Tell me about how "serviceable" he'll be for a year or two.

Ugh.

Go Dogs.

UGA/UK

1st Quarter

Not great to start...a little slow. Good morning, Dogs...time to play. Defense is on the field...again.

Dumb penalty on Evans. Shocker. Nice hit when the dude is 5 yards out of god damned bounds. As a result...UK is sitting pretty at our 23.

Touchdown Wildcats. Nice assist from the stupid referee. He set a nice pick. This is what happens when you commit stupid penalties. Will Evans sit? Hell no. We don't have the stones to sit the guy.

CATS 6 (botched extra point), DOGS big fat ZERO

Nice return by Boykin. Let's see what Cox can do. I vote we run it.

Ok...just heard this story...may be old news for everyone else. On his visit to Florida, Orson Charles bumped into and BROKE the National Title trophy. Wow. Orson Charles just became my favorite Bulldog.

Wife hijacked the damn laptop for a spell. A few dumb penalties later I'm back at the keyboard.

Dogs 10, Cats 6

Ealey and Smith look good running the ball. Makes me hopeful for next year that we'll have a running game while we develop a true freshman QB that got zero snaps in '09.

Nice play for a TD to Orson Charles!!

Dogs 17, Cats 6

Looks like the game clock works again so I know now that there's about 1:30 left in the first half. Dogs seem to be running well and moving the chains. We're inside the UK 30.

Big 4th down decision coming up. I would go for it. But then again...I'm a fan. Walsh drills it, of course.

Dogs 20, Cats 6

HALFTIME

3rd Quarter

So we start the second half with a fumbled kick off. Kentucky scores in less than a minute. Turnovers continue to kill the Dogs.

Cats 13, Dogs 20

Looks like we've given Kentucky new life. They're now fired up for the second half and actually in this game.

Nice toss from Cox to Troupe to keep the drive alive. We needed that. King and Ealey looking good as a tandem.

...getting tired of saying this but, nice kick by Butler. Bad coverage and the ball topples into the end zone. Ugh. Come on, Dogs!! Let's wake up for the second half.

Decent defensive stand. Dogs flip field position by chucking a nice long pass to Tavares King. We're into Wildcat territory...strike that..TOUCHDOWN!!!. Rantavious Wooten!!

Nice!

Dogs 27, Cats 13

Usually when one of our guys gets a pass interference, I'll say we're guilty and stupid. I think this call on Evans was bad. Ugh. That's FOUR 15 yard penalties on us. Oh..and did I mention UK just scored a TD?

Cats 20, Dogs 27

By the way..notice a pattern? Big penalty on UGA....touchdown on the next play. And don't forget the other classic...big turnover...touchdown next play for the other team. Good times.

Georgia punts again. Good punt by Butler. Anyone else notice that Tavares King just trotted off the field in pain, holding his elbow? Ugh. I hope I was just seeing things.

Another game-changing penalty on UGA. Instead of a big fake punt conversion....it's coming back due to a penalty.

Also...Herschel Walker and David Greene have both been passed this year for all time records. One for SEC TD's and one for ALL TIME victories for a starting QB.

Meanwhile, FIVE 15 yard penalties haunt the Dogs. Don't forget that one of our penalties negated a 55 yard run.

Jesus Christ. Big penalty followed by a UK touchdown.

Cats 27, Dogs 27

So...can we recover from our own mistakes and step up to close this game out? We are dominating the stats. Unless you consider turnover/penalties.

UPDATE!!! Joe Cox throws an interception to a D lineman. UK ball on the 10. They drive to the 1. If history is any indicator..UK should score on the next play.

...and there you have it. Jesus Christ. We give everything away.

Cats 34, Dogs 27

Most important drive of the game now.

...wow...didn't even finish writing the sentence and we fumble again. Lost 10 yards. Jesus. Ugh...Cox hit as he throws. 3 and out.

Kentucky ball. Now they suddenly look like a fucking 10-1 team running up yards on us. Ugh...we kinda suck. Can we stop them now on 3rd down? I bet we cannot. I apologize for being the Negative Nancy...but the tough thing about being a Dogs fan is that I KNOW we won't get the 3rd down stop. It's a timeout. Let's see if I'm right.

And....wow...happy to be wrong. dumb play call by UK.

Nice pass to Tavares King. 38 yards. Go Dogs.

Gutsy 4th down call. Wish we weren't in a place where 4th down against the Kentucky Wildcats meant do or die.

Dogs fumble and turn the ball over at the 3 yard line. Wow. We make bad teams look and feel great.

FINAL DRIVE FOR THE TIE

So...we've given the ball over three times. We're down a TD and at the 50.

Oops. Cox throws a pick. Make that 4 turnovers. Go Dogs.

Ugh...

Kentucky fans are LAUGHING in our stands. Laughing. 4 turnovers. We gave away another game. These guys think they won on their own.

In truth....they have a better record than us...so I suppose they should be laughing.

Kentucky Preview

First things first. Kentucky is an SEC football team. As such, they have the ability to show up and beat you on your own field if you take them for granted. While they are not a perennial powerhouse, it would be foolish to show up and play with the sense of entitlement that we sometimes carry.

That said, Georgia is a better program and a better football team. We should win this game. I'd like to see us do it in a manner comprised of discipline, blocking, tackling, and execution. A simple plan but not always an easy task. Our problems this year are primarily of the "between the ears" type.

Show up. Execute. Run it. Tackle. Win.

GO DOGS!!

Farewell to Uga 7

Sad to hear a few minutes ago that Uga 7 has died. I truly believe that there is no team on this earth better represented by it's real life mascot than the Georgia Bulldogs. Uga 7 came and went far too fast. Despite his short tenure, I feel a bit of sentimental connection to 7 as I was at his first game (Georgia Southern) and his last game (Auburn)...and I got to meet the owner, Sonny Siler, earlier this year.

I will miss the little fella and I look forward to the introduction of Uga 8.

Go DOGS!!!!

Auburn Recap

Wow. Look what happens when you run the ball effectively, don't turn the ball over, and only have 4 penalties for 29 yards. You stay in the game. You grind it out. You win.

Ealey had 18 carries for 98 yards. Sounds like a Georgia running back to me. We tested them up the middle. Both of Caleb King's TDs were right up the gut. Last night was probably one of my top 5 fun games in Athens. The weather was perfect. The expectation level on both sides was realistic. I had tickets on the 50 about 20 rows up. We played a good game. We won. The Auburn fans (around me at least) were as humbled by this year as we are...therefore they were actually kinda fun to goof with. Adding to the enjoyment of the day was our decision to ride on a charter bus out of Buckhead that dropped off right at our tailgate at the arches. The bus then left at 11:30 back to Atlanta. It totally removed the annoying logistics involved with a Saturday in Athens...especially a night game. They are tough to pull off from Atlanta.

Anyhow, I'm writing at the level of a dull 4th grader at the moment and I'm not feeling that this will improve anytime today...maybe so...but I've got a Falcons game to watch.

...not much of an "Auburn recap"...but what the hell..

Go DOGS!!!

Auburn Game

Great win tonight. I gotta collect thoughts and write tomorrow. I went to the game on one of those drunken charter buses thingys. Good times.

9-4

Is it possible?

Perhaps more important, is it even worth the time to contemplate?
I say "yes", hence this post.

The odds are beyond infinitesimal....they're beyond microscopic. My name is not Danny Sheridan & I did not go to MIT, RIT, CalTech, or any other school w/"Technology" in it's name. Like Southern Tech in Marietta.

My degree is from the University of Georgia, & I had to take Statistics 101 twice in order to graduate. In 5 yrs (hey, I changed majors & added a minor so blow me).

So - this is based purely on a fan's (skewed) perspective & has no scientific merit whatsoever. Sound familiar?

Here we go:

* To beat Auburn will be difficult. Maybe a 7 on a 10 scale (sorry - no more math or science). Oddly, the home team historically fares well in this contest, & in case you forgot, the game is in Athens. We have a 3 game win streak vs. the War Tigreagles (or whatever mascot they decide on), & have not won 4 straight since Joan Rivers was still alive.
Even if you ignore the trends, Auburn is simply a good football team - at least on offense. And since we play defense like (insert analogy here) , I doubt they will have any trouble finding the end zone.
They may, however, have a tough time finding their way back to the "town" of Auburn, since most tractors don't have Nav systems yet (but there's probably an app for that).
This would appear to be a 50/50 game. That refers to both the score for each team, & the chance of UGA winning.

* While Kentucky is no Duke - wait that doesn't work anymore...I meant to say that KY is no FSU. Either way, we have no business losing to them at home. Or in Lexington, or on a boat, or in a car, or on a train. You get the point.

* GT. Hmmm. Logic (sorry) certainly says we might be better off calling in sick on 11/28 instead of getting our asses handed to us by those T-square jerk-offs who can't even fill 50,000 seats, & wouldn't be caught dead (or at least not w/out 3 or 4 half-lifes left) at Bobby Grant's place 2 yrs ago.
Seriously, if you've seen their games, look at the stands. Watching the Wake game this past week, I noticed large sections of open pasture. Maybe the GT bookstore had a sale on "World of Warcraft" at halftime - I don't know. But it was pretty weak.

Nonetheless, their ball team is fairly good & we will likely get smacked around like Tom Cable's wife/girlfriend/sister/niece/maid/waitress/grandma.
I'm thinking 40-17 if we're lucky.

But (you knew there was a but), this being a rivalry game, perhaps played in nasty conditions, & with GT's BCS bowl on the line....you just don't know. They'll be playing tight as a tick in a cat's ass, & we have nothing to lose. That is, besides a big rivalry game, & our pride. Just those 2 things.

Then the bowl game. Should we come out unscathed at 8-4, one would think that a Peach Bowl (suck it ChikFil-A. This is Atlanta - it's the Peach Bowl. Go kill some more poultry) bid vs maybe Klimpsun (yay - more orange), or VT would be the scenario.

Hence - 9 wins & 4 losses.

So, in summary, if we were to get the aforementioned Mr. Sheridan involved, he would run the data, look at the stats, call Sulu for some help, & tell us that UGA will likely finish 8-5, or 7-6, & that Sammy Sosa has a better chance of being cast as an extra in "Twilight" than we do at finishing 9-4.

Possible? Of course. Probable? No. Likely? Ask me on Sunday.

The Message is Clear

Dear Georgia Fans,

I have decided to hold off on our QB situation until next year. I like Joe Cox. I like him a lot. I have reasons to like him. Beyond being a great kid and great leader...I have reason to understand his challenge, to understand his struggle and to pull for him. I have given assurances to him and to this team that you would not understand. You are fans. I am the coach and we are the team.

You cheer for Red and Black. We wear Red and Black.

Football is a funny game and when fat, drunk, and over-hyped hillbillies cheer for and comment on the game, it's a great money maker. The downside, though, is that the same dipshits get to complain when it doesn't go as expected.

Hmmm...wait a minute...ok..

Therefore, I decided to play Logan Gray once we gained a 28 point lead. I decided to let him get in there and mix it up. To get in there and fail. To achieve. To learn. I decided that no matter what...it's time to give him the reps necessary to feel what its like to lead the Dogs for a half. I decided to turn it over to the youngster. Let's let Joe Cox coach him up. I decided that this kid is 100% the NEXT UGA QB.

Hmmm...wait...

I decided to play Joe Cox in the second half and let Logan Gray take a few...wait..

I think the BEST chance to win this football game lies in playing JOE COX. Therefore, I will play Joe Cox.

Thank you,

CMR

Tennessee Tech

Yawn.

Big homecoming game for the Dogs today...I think. Today should be the day when a young QB named Aaron Murray is fighting off butterflies. A day the fans get to have a look at the future. A day we can build some confidence.

Instead we're building a serious game plan around the QB that "gives us the best chance to win".

Think about that for a second. How can you fault that logic? I guess you can't. What coach would NOT want to put his team in the best position to win.

But then again...that's also a pretty handy cop out. It's a bit condescending and a bit of a rationalization to stay the course. To have to come out and say that means that he knows his judgement is in question. To have to say that is to state the absolute obvious and the given. What coach would ever HAVE to say something like that. We, as fans, assume that you are trying to win. Thanks, though, for reminding us.

Conclusion...CMR is outwardly defending his decision to keep Joe Cox at QB. More than that he is defending his decision to NOT take off the red shirt on either young QB or...start Logan Gray.

What I would like to see is for CMR to come out and announce his choice and reasons rather than hint and rationalize.

For instance...."I know there's a lot of talk about the young kid. We are NOT taking off the redshirt. He's not fully recovered or ready. We talked to him. Everything is cool. He'll compete in the spring".

There. Done.

It would certainly shut schmucks like me up. What the hell do I know? I'm just a jackass with a computer. Wouldn't it be better to be decisive and possibly wrong than waffling and kept in question?

Nevermind

Joe Cox has been named the starter for the Tenn. Tech game.

Mark this moment. It's the fork in the road. We had a chance to start down a new path but chose to stay the course.

Great...we just kept the redshirt on TWO guys that will consider a transfer now. Perfect.

I am a Dogs fan. I trust Mark Richt. I cheer for anyone playing in the red and black. It goes back to my question from a couple posts ago. Which is more arrogant? Me for thinking I see something from the stands that the coaches don't see? Or...the coaches thinking they see something from the sidelines that a bunch of angry fans don't see?

Just sayin' is all...

Some FBS Reality

Out of 120 teams considered part of the Bowl Subdivision. Here's where the Bulldogs rank:

Turnover Margin: 119. Yeah. Next to LAST

Passing Defense: 73

Interceptions thrown: 114. Please note. We're tied with a group of teams at 13 thrown so we're actually 119.

Fewest Penalties Per Game: 118

Fewest YARDS penalized per game: 115

Total Defense: 68

Scoring Offense: 73

Scoring Defense: 89

Sacks: 55

Total Offense: 97

Rushing Offense: 99

Passing Offense: 61

Turnovers Gained: 120...DEAD LAST!

Fumbles Recovered: 120...DEAD LAST! we've recovered ONE

Passing Efficiency Defense: 88

Net Punting: #1 in the Nation

Kickoff Return Defense: 107

In case none of this sinks in at first glance...let me clarify....The following teams are also in the FBS:

-Central Michigan

-Oregon State

-Bowling Green

-Western Kentucky

-Wake Forest

-New Mexico

-Idaho

-Louisiana Tech

-UTEP

-SMU

-Arkansas State

-Utah State

-Temple

-Louisiana-Monroe

-Kent State

-Middle Tennessee

We only WISH our stats were as good as those teams.

...want me to go on?

It Has Started

It starts with a trickle...

http://www.macon.com/shanks/story/886194.html

http://tinyurl.com/yfjdw4g

Again...if he is as good as he is supposed to be, he'll be gone after a couple years anyhow. If he's not as good as advertised, then I'd rather find out now. I'm just guessing...but if Logan Gray is such a hot #2, why is he fair catching punts? Why would you have not inserted him in the mix many games ago? I would offer that the Cox debate is all but over.

My personal opinion is that you know what you have as an athlete. It can all be measured. You know the probabilities based on stats. The only thing you don't know...can't know is response to adversity. Put Murray up against adversity now. Let's see how he reacts. I feel the same about Stafford and Matt Ryan. They both played early and succeeded. Stafford's NFL success is still TBD but I love that they're testing him now. These guys either have the mental fortitude or they don't. Carrying a clipboard does not better prepare you mentally for the ass whooping you're going to take. It doesn't prepare you for getting booed.

Your character and upbringing prepare you for that. Let's see if Murray is ready.