My Thoughts on the National Championship Game

Here are my quick thoughts on the National Championship game:

- Oregon was cursed from the start. As the Ducks were making their way down the tunnel towards the field, Chip Kelly stopped to shake hands with Craig James - CURSE OF DEATH!

- Oregon had a good defensive game plan. they were really able to limit Cam Newton's running. If their offense would have been even half of what it was the rest of the season, the Ducks would have won.

- Auburn's D-line mauled the Ducks. Fairley and company were so much bigger and stronger. Why Chip Kelly ever tried to run the ball near the goal line is beyond me.

- Speaking of Fairley, he was dominant but still as dirty as ever. The other personal foul that was called against Auburn that left a Duck player bloody was even dirtier. Auburn definitely lived up to its reputation as the dirtiest team money can buy.

- LaMichael James seemed off. Oregon used Kenjon Barner a lot more in the first half. Seems odd that the nation's leading rusher was not getting the ball more often.

- Both offenses looked shaky at first. the 35 day lay-off will do that to you.

- Having the game end like it did kind of made me sick. Oregon got the turnover to tie the game, but Auburn ends up kicking a field goal after a running play that everyone stopped on because they thought he was down. COME ON. I was so looking forward to overtime, where these two squads might have kept playing all night and the final would have been something astronomical like 71-70 (and no, I did not do the math, so I do not know if that score is even possible).

All in all, it was a pretty entertaining game. Congratulations to the War Plains Tigers, enjoy it while you can. There is no guarantee that trophy will still be yours in a few months.

To the 2010 college football season, I bid you adieu good sir!

The Countdown 2010: 6 Days To Go, Terry Hoage

6: Terry Hoage, DB #14 (1980-1983)

"The best defensive player I've ever coached and maybe the best one I've ever seen," is what Vince Dooley said about Terry Hoage at an Academic All-America Hall of Fame induction. Such is fitting for a superior athlete that dominated on the field, in the class room (graduating with a 3.85 GPA), and helped Georgia dominate college football in the early 1980s.

Hoage came to the Georgia Bulldogs from Huntsville, Texas and as a freshman he was responsible for a blocked field goal in the 1981 Sugar Bowl that secured the 1980 National Championship for the Bulldogs.


Go to the 38 second mark in this video to see Hoage's blocked FG

His next three seasons saw him perform at a legendary level, as he helped guide the Bulldogs (as one of the team’s essential playmakers), in an era of Georgia football that would claim a national championship, three SEC championships, and go 43-4-1. In that time, Hoage would display his talents through such achievements as claiming the SEC record for interceptions in a season with 12 during the 1982 season, and finishing his career 3rd all time at Georgia in career interceptions.

Hoage’s college career was filled with a plethora of honors and accolades: Two time consensus All-American, two time Academic All-American, two time SEC Defensive Player of the Year, 1984 SEC Athlete of the Year Award, and also being awarded the 1984 Top V Award that is given to the country’s top student athletes. Hoage also finished 5th in the balloting for the 1983 Heisman Trophy, gaining more votes than any other defensive back had ever received up to that time.

His post-career honors continue his legend with his inductions into the College Football Hall of Fame, the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, UGA’s Circle of Honor, the Georgia-Florida Hall of Fame, Academic All-American Hall of Fame, and being named to the Walter Camp All Century Team.

Hoage would go on to be drafted in the 3rd round of the 1984 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints. Hoage’s professional career would last 13 seasons, where he would play for 6 teams and win a Super Bowl Championship with the 1991 Washington Redskins.

Hoage currently lives in California where he and his wife operate Terry Hoage Vineyards. As is typical with Hoage’s football career, Wine Spectator Magazine named the Hoage’s the Top New California Wine Producers for 2008.

Terry "Superman" Hoage pic courtesy of DawgBone

The SEC Goes for 4 in a Row

If Alabama can knock off Texas in the National Championship Game tomorrow night, it will mark the 4th consecutive BCS Championship for the Southeastern Conference. While the media likes to talk about the resurgence of the Big 10 this bowl season, the best football remains in the South. I personally think Bama is simply too complete of a team to lose this game. Much like Florida, the Texas offense relies too heavily on the quarterback to make plays. The absence of a running game and constant pressure from the Bama front will force McCoy to make a couple of bad decisions. The 'Horns will put up a good fight, but in the end, I think Bama will take home its seventh national championship.

Prediction: Alabama 24, Texas 17

Defending National Champs...Who Cares???

When the Dawgs meet the Gators in Jacksonville on Saturday, it will mark the fourth time this decade Georgia has faced a defending National Champion. In the three previous contests, Georgia has emerged victorious. The Dawgs defeated LSU in 2004 and 2008 after the Tigers had taken home the BCS trophy. And we all remember what happened the last time the Dawgs faced a defending NC Gator team with a bye week to prepare:



Let's hope the Dawgs bring some of the same fire they brought to the table in 2007. GO DAWGS!!!

The Countdown 2009: 2 Days to Go

2

The number of recognized national championships for The University of Georgia. Georgia won its first championship in 1942 and the second came in 1980. Here is a look back on the 1981 Sugar Bowl, which capped off the Bulldogs' perfect 1980 campaign.

The Countdown 2009: 80 Days to Go

80

As in 1980, the year of Georgia's last National Championship. Georgia finished the year with a perfect 12-0 record as Coach Vince Dooley brought home the first National Championship to Athens since 1942.

This video shows members of the '80 Championship team discussing the attitude of that team.

I'll be wearing Crimson and White

For the second straight game, Florida plays a team whose primary colors are a white and a shade of crimson. No matter how much pride I have for the SEC, I cannot bring myself to root for the Gators. I hope Sam Bradford and the Sooner offense score enough points to make poor little Timmy cry.

I hate Florida.

Go Sooners!!!