Hate Week 2012: Payback

The year was 2002.  In its second season under Mark Richt, the Georgia Bulldogs were undefeated heading into the showdown with Florida in Jacksonville.  The Dawgs had a strong defense led by Sean Jones and Boss Bailey and a rising star named David Pollack.  The offense was playing well too, with a finally healthy Musa Smith and sophomore quarterback David Greene coming into his own.  Georgia was ready to not only win the SEC but compete for a National Championship. 

Jump to today.  Florida is in its second season under Will Muschamp and are undefeated.  They have a strong defense led by veterans Omar Hunter and Matt Elam.  This offense is playing well, with senior running back Mike Gillislee carrying the load and Jeff Driskel quickly improving.  They are ranked near the top of the BCS standings and looking to reassert themselves on the national stage.  Sound familiar?

In 2002, the Gators decided to ruin the party for the Dawgs.  Make no mistake, the Gators were not playing their best football entering the contest.  As a matter of fact, they were still ranked, but at 5-3 they had already suffered a loss to an Ole Miss team that would finish the year at 6-6.  They had also been embarrassed by LSU two weeks earlier, losing 36-7 in Baton Rouge (doesn't this also sound familiar to Georgia losing 35-7 at South Carolina).  Despite this, the Gators walked into the stadium in Jacksonville and ruined Georgia's perfect season.

I think it is time to repay the favor.

Is Georgia playing good?  Hell no.  The loss at South Carolina was embarrassing and the defense looked pathetic in the close win at Kentucky.  But does that mean that there is not talent on the team? No. 

Make no mistake Georgia fans, it may look bleak.  But if you can't look at the big picture and see that a win could mean that all those goals from the beginning of the season will be back on the table, then you are just blinded with hate for the coaching staff.  A win Saturday means we will most likely return to Atlanta.  Would we be able to hang with Alabama, I have no clue.  But you can't find out if you don't even make it in the first place.  It's time rally around the team and get a little revenge for 2002.

And by the way, as Georgia we hate Florida.  That should be motivation enough.

GO DAWGS!!!!

Glory, Glory...HALLELUJAH!!!!

My first trip to Jacksonville since the victory in 2004 proved to be victorious this time around. I guess that means I am going to have to make the trip every year. I don't care how ugly the victory was, it was still a victory. And in this series, that is all that matters.

I will only spend a little breath on the bads, because we all know them. Special teams...WTF. Blair needs to see a shrink or something. The kick coverage was horrible too, even though I noticed a few more starters like Ogletree and Samuel out there. Murray made some great passes, but missed a couple of easy wide open throws. No where near as bad as last year, but still. Everything else wasn't perfect, but we won, so they are forgiveable. Now, onto the bright spots.

• People can give Todd Grantham crap all he wants about being a hothead, but he is one hell of a defensive football coach. He has turned this team into one of the best in the country in just two years. After the first play of the game that went for 72 yards, Florida had a grand total of around 160 yards. That is phenomenal against ANY team. The blitz worked well and we did exactly what you are supposed to do to a quarterback with a gimpy leg, make him feel uncomfortable.
• Jarvis Jones has been in beast mode all season, but it really showed. Man, I wish he would have came to Georgia straight out of high school. Grantham gets a lot of the credit for the defensive improvement, but I think Jones deserves a little bit as well. He is the play maker we needed to make the rest of the scheme work.
  
• Ogletree. Bad ass. All I need to say.
• Crowell had another solid game but the injuries keep biting him. I was proud to see him come back on the final drive and pick up a huge first down. People seem to be a little down on him right now, but come next season, injuries and conditioning will not be a problem.
• Coach Richt and Mike Bob deserve a lot of credit as well. The offensive game plan was pretty damn good. If Murray had not been all over the place with a few passes (and Walsh could actually make 30 yard field goals) this game could have been very one-sided. The play calling was very good.
• Hello Christian Conley! A couple of huge catches and one key PI call. It makes me giddy to think about the wide receiver position next season. King, Mitchell, Brown, Bennett, Wooten, Conley, and 6'7'' Lonnie Outlaw. That's a lot of size an experience for Murray to throw to.
• My final nod of the week goes to the much maligned Richard Samuel. He may still fall over way to easy when hit from the side and may never live up to the 5 star recruit he was out of high school, but Saturday this kid wanted that game and it was his determination that keyed the strong second half from the Dawgs. He ran hard and put his head down on every carry and showed the kind of emotion that has been missing in the Georgia backfield the last few years. When he crossed the goal line to give Georgia the lead, his excitement made me finally believe we were going to win the game. 17 carries for 58 yards may not be an impressive line, but this kid had one hell of a football game. It has been a long time, but in honor of Samuel's first touchdown since September 19, 2009, I present to you the return of the RICHARD SAMUEL TOUCHDOWN PYGMY GOAT (for more info, read this)

This was just a great weekend. A gritty, gutsy effort for the Dawgs. This is the type of game that Georgia loses in this series, but we somehow found a way to win. The celebration was great and my favorite quote came from Georgia receiver Michael Bennett:

"I've never seen so many drunk people in my life. I jumped in crowd and all I could smell was whiskey."

And in victory, what a glorious smell that is!

GO DAWGS!!!

Final Thoughts and Prediction

Unfortunately, a busy work schedule that had me on the road a few days this week has prevented me from doing further analysis on this week's game. I will be leaving for Jacksonville in the morning, but here are my final thoughts:

• Throw the series history to the wind. If there was ever a chance for Georgia to right the ship, now is the time. Florida has a new coach and is not the juggernaut they were during the Tebow years. Georgia needs to win to get some momentum going.
  
• Brantley will help the Gators, but not that much. On a gimpy ankle, Brantley will be immobile. If Florida wins on Saturday, I do not think it will be because of Brantley. Rainey and Demps will need big days.
• Missing Geathers and Williams will hurt in the first half, but will be great in the second. If the Dawgs keep it close in the first, I think they can wear Florida down like LSU did.
• Crowell needs a big day. If Aaron Murray has to try and win the game, I am afraid we will lose. For their struggles, the Gators defense still allows less points per game than Georgia's does.
• The most important match up is the Georgia line against the Florida front 7. If they can keep Murray upright and create holes, the Georgia offense should move.
  

I never feel good about the Florida game and this year is no exception. Of course they get Brantley back and we get guys suspended. That's how it always happens. But this year, I can honestly say we have more consistent play makers than they do. The Georgia defense has been opportunistic this season and I expect that to continue on Saturday. This game will be close, but I can see the Dawgs getting a key second half turn over that turns the tide.

Georgia 30, Florida 20

Dear god, I hope I am right on this one!

GO DAWGS!!!

WLOCP 2011: V: For Victory

Good evening, Dawg Nation. Allow me first to apoligize for this interruption. I do, like many of you, appreciate the comforts of every day routine, the security of the familiar, the tranquility of repetition. I enjoy them as much as any bloke. But in the spirit of this rivalry, whereby those important events of the past, usually associated with the end of some awful bloody struggle, are celebrated with a nice holiday (for most of us), I thought we could mark this Cocktail Party, a day that is no longer fondly remembered by Georgia fans, by taking some time out of our daily lives and have a little chat.

There are of course those who do not want us to speak. I suspect even now, there are those in places like Gainesville who wish that the Bulldog Nation remains dormant. Why? Because while their record over the last few years may be used in lieu of conversation, words will always retain their power. Words offer the means to a meaning, and for those who will, the enunciation of the truth. And the truth is, there is something terribly wrong with this rivalry, isn’t there? For years, Georgia was the dominant team, but only the recent failures are pronounced. Media, fans, and even the players, have come to view this as a one sided affair where only one side has a chance at victory.

How did this happen? Who’s to blame? Well certainly there are those more responsible than others, and they have been recognized, but again truth be told, if you’re looking for the guilty, you need only look in the mirror.

I know why you did it. I know you were afraid. Who wouldn’t be? 3-18. The timeout. Hanging 50. Terrance Edwards drop. Tebow. There were a myriad of problems which conspired to corrupt your reason and rob you of your common sense. Fear got the best of you, and in your panic you turned to the media, such as the AJC and ESPN. They promised unbiased coverage and demanded you respect their opinions. Today, I ask you to forget the recent past and remember why this game is considered a rivalry. 31 years ago, Lindsay Scott wished to embed the memories of late October in Jacksonville forever in our memory. His hope was to remind the world that heart, determination, and spirit are more than words, they are perspectives. So if you’ve seen nothing, if the pain of the long drive home from Jacksonville each fall is too much, then I would suggest to you that you allow this October 29 to pass unmarked.

But if you see what I see, if you feel as I feel, and if you would seek as I seek, then I ask you to stand beside me this Saturday, in the stands of Jacksonville Stadium, and together we shall give them all a Georgia victory that shall never be forgot!

V is VICTORY!

Hate Week 2011: The Warm Up

Florida Hate Week doesn't officially begin until Sunday but with both teams on a bye this weekend, it is never too early to start hating the Gators. We all know Georgia's lack of success against Florida over the last 20 years, but for the first time in a long time, I can honestly say that the past should have little affect on this year's game. Here is why:

• This is not the typical match up of ranked teams. Yes, this game means a great deal to the SEC East race, and specifically to Georgia . But both teams are coming off disappointing seasons in 2010 and have seen South Carolina pass them as the top team in the east. There's no national championship implications, no Heisman trophies, just two historic rivals meeting on the field.
• Urban Meyer is gone. So if Tim Tebow. Florida may have been struggling last year coming into the game, but they still had Urban on the sideline. There is no more curse of Tim Tebow or Urban's crazy spread offense.
  
• Muschamp was a Dawg. Yes, he may be burning bridges fast, but he still played football at Georgia and that will not be forgotten. As much as he claims to be all in at Florida, I can't see Muschamp pulling any of the tricks Spurrier or Meyer would have against Georgia.
• We both have byes this week. No one has the advantage in the rest department. After all these years of Georgia coming in beat up while Florida is healthy, Georgia actually looks like the healthier team right now. Florida will get Brantley and rested Demps back, but the Dawgs get Alec Ogletree, Malcolm Mitchell, and (hopefully) a revived Isaiah Crowell back.
  
• Georgia has a lot more on the line than Florida. Muschamp's job is not in jeopardy, it is his first year with a new offensive scheme. But Mark Richt (despite 5 straight wins) still has to be a little uneasy about his position. Georgia has not been to the SEC Championship game since 2005. Florida has won two NCs in that time.

None of these factors mean Georgia is going to win or that the team will forget their shortcomings in Jacksonville. What it does mean is that I am going to try and remove the past from my analysis of the game. Just as I won't talk about Tim Tebow, neither will I talk about Knowshon Moreno. Florida's dominance over the last 20 years won't be discussed, nor will Georgia's dominance for the first 90 years or so of the 20th century. This game is the dawn of a new decade and hopefully this will all just become a thing of the past.

Which is Better: An Off Week or a Cupcake?

Watching Alabama absolutely thrash Georgia State (as expected) last night, a question popped into my head: Is it better to have an off week or play a cupcake opponent the week before a big game? This is the scenario that is playing out before the Iron Bowl next week. Auburn is off this weekend after defeating Georgia while Alabama played a first year program in Georgia State that they could have beaten with their walk-ons playing the whole game. Here are my thoughts on each:

Off Week

Off weeks are typically never a bad thing in college football, particularly when they occur later in the season. In addition to two weeks to focus on one opponent, they allow the chance for a team to get healthy. We all know that Florida often schedules an off week prior to Georgia game. As he has done in the past, Urban Meyer used this extra week this season to add a wrinkle to his offense that made it difficult for Georgia to prepare. Florida's success in the last two decades, while not entirely the result of the off week scheduling, at least shows the value it has to have an extra week to prepare. Georgia is fortunate to have its off week this week as quarterback Aaron Murray is banged up and would most likely be unavailable to play.

Cupcake Games

While having a week off is great, I almost think that scheduling a cupcake game may actually be a better option. Particularly since almost every team has at least one 1-AA game on its schedule, why not play that game the work before a big match up? You can still take advantage of the game planning you would with an off week but it also gives you a chance to put any wrinkles into action. If a starter is hurt and needs the time off, there is no fear about resting them. Plus, if the team is playing well, you won't lose the momentum you had by not playing at all.

Given the choice of scheduling a weak opponent against an off, particularly late in the season, I would lean towards the cupcake. I think Alabama will be in a much better position than Auburn heading into next week. While they may have been preparing for Auburn some this week, the Georgia State game offered them a break from the pressure of winning their biggest game of the season.

Please give your thoughts an opinions in the comments.

Thoughts on Florida and Where To Go From Here

With the alcohol completely out of my system, here are my thoughts on the loss to Florida on Saturday:

- I have seen this written a lot and I have to agree, Georgia looked completely unprepared during much of the first half. Murray made a couple of bad throws and the team looked like a deer in the headlights.

- As I said in my drunken rant, Urban Meyer's use of Chris Rainey really solidified everything that was questioned about his character. All he wanted was to win to the point of using Rainey as the feature of the offense for much of the first half.

- I watched the game with a Florida fan and had some great conversations throughout the game. While the TV kept trying to point out the "brilliance" of the Urban Meyer wrinkle offense, we both agreed that if they had just let Brantley sit back and pass, Florida could have had a much bigger lead.

- Aaron Murray played like a talented freshman. The mistakes were bad, particularly the fumble that not only killed a good drive but flipped the field. The second interception was Aron White's fault. That being said, there is not way this game goes to overtime without Murray on the field. The coach staffing seemed to abandon the running game in the second half, leaving it all on Murray. He answered the call. Unfortunately, the high throw to AJ in overtime will erase the great second half effort.

- Caleb King was a beast when he got the ball and Ealey was clearly bothered by the knee, but the total carries were basically the same.

- Could this finally be the breakthrough we have been waiting for from Orson Charles?

- Where is Wooten?

My last thought concerns overtime. For Georgia, going to overtime was the perfect set up for a victory. Florida was without their starting and back up kickers and the pressure was on their punter. If the Dawgs at least had a field goal on the board when Henry goes to kick, it would have been a much tougher situation. But with no fear of a loss with a miss, Henry nailed the kick. Georgia never seems to get the lucky bounces against Florida. Another game in Jacksonville lost and with it, perhaps even bowl eligibility. I surely do not want the season to end in Sandford stadium in four weeks, but it may just happen.

Time to die

Coach Meyer, I hope you can sleep well tonight. You officially sold your soul, playing Chris Rainey A TON tonight. You got the victory, but it wasn't clssy. Screw you and your team. The Dawgs played harder tonight.

DAMN IT!

Superstition Is in the Air

With Georgia-Florida falling on one of the best holidays of the year (candy, parties, hordes of scantily-clad women), plus our recent record against Florida, superstition is always in the air on this weekend.

UGA definitively wins annually in one department.

Whether you always hit up Brogen's at the St Simons Pier, rent a condo on Jekyll Island or simply destroy property down in Jacksonville, every Dawg has a superstition or tradition they follow over the annual WLOCP weekend. Some, such as the detailed ones over at a female UGA blogger's The Adventures of the Redshirt Senior, tilt more to the personal side.

I was not aware of the superstitions followed by some of the Dawgs on the team highlighted by UGA alum Mark Schlabach, from Blair Walsh's eating a mini box of Raisin Bran before every game since Oklahoma State '09 to Ben Jones' unusual warm-up routine:

Before every game, Jones goes through the early parts of pregame warm-ups in his bare feet. The junior center from Centreville, Ala., even practices snaps with quarterback Aaron Murray without wearing shoes.

"I did it during my senior year of high school," Jones said. "I was sleeping on the bus and we got to the stadium, and I didn't have time to put my shoes on. So I went through warm-ups in my bare feet. We ended up winning the game and had a great season. I've done it ever since."

While "Shoeless Jones" is one of the more unusual football player rituals I've heard of, I particularly enjoyed this story I came across of an Erk Russell superstition...

Erk took a scout team tight end, Robert Miles, on as a reserve defensive end after offensive coordinator Bill Pace offered him to Erk and remarked to Erk as an afterthought, "Robert Miles is a pansy." Erk utilized this comment with regularity a year later, throughout the 1980 season as a superstition during the championship run (read the full story here, from Vince Dooley's Tales from the 1980 Georgia Bulldogs).

At the end of the day though, traditions and superstitions are one of the great things to pass from generation to generation of players and fans, and it makes college football's heritage richer and more enjoyable than the bland, corporate NFL.

Whatever your superstition is, whether it happens in Atlanta or down on the pier in the Golden Isles, enjoy your Cocktail Party weekend.

Will Jacksonville kill the season...again?

"A long ride back from Jacksonville,
500 miles from a game we should have won,
Man we ought to burn down that stadium."

-Corey Smith

Georgia's annual trip to Jacksonville has turned into a nightmare over the last 20 years. A series that the Dawgs once dominated by Georgia has now completely swung in the other direction. With the Gators taking 17 of the last 20, many Georgia fans have become accepting of the fact that this game is a loss on the schedule every year. But in a series that has been this lopsided, the games are usually pretty close...until the last two years.

Florida has absolutely waxed the Dawgs the last two years. In 2008, the Georgia team that was preseason #1 kept it close until late in the first half, but seemed to give up in the second. Hell, the only touchdown came late in the fourth quarter on a touchdown by Joe Cox. Last year, clearly the Gators were more talented than the Dawgs and once again sent the Dawgs north with a bad loss. But this year, things may be different.

While Georgia struggled in the early part of the season they have gotten it together lately. Scoring over 40 plus in three straight SEC games, even if they are bad teams, is still an accomplishment. Throw in the fact that the defense is also playing better and things are looking pretty bright for the Dawgs. With the best receiver in the country and a star in the making at QB, Georgia has some weapons similar to what they had back in 2007.

Florida has struggle all season long, not just in their last 3 losses. If they were not playing the likes of Miami(OH) and South Florida in their first games, they may have more losses than the Dawgs right now. John Brantley has not been the answer they thought, their receivers have really struggled, and Florida fans are left questioning the ability of offensive coordinator Steve Addazio.

For once, everything appears to be set up in Georgia's favor. But history tells us that Florida will make the changes needed to beat the Dawgs. While their offense has been bad, the Florida defense has been solid. I don't expect the Dawgs to walk up and down the field like they have the last few weeks. The return of the criminal texter, Chris Rainey, and a healthy Jeff Demps will also provide a spark to the Florida offense. I'm not expecting the Florida team from last year to be back on Saturday, but I certainly expect a better one than we have seen this season.

Mark Bradley of the AJC wrote a column yesterday entitled, "What if Richt DOESN'T beat these Gators?" What kind of question is that? Yes, Florida is struggling, but they are still a team filled of 4 and 5 star players with a two-time national champion coach. If the Dawgs lose on Saturday, then it is another Georgia loss and the 2010 season will go on. The Dawgs may miss a bowl game for the first time in forever, but that is about the worst of it. No one is getting fired if we lose on Saturday. Nothing is worse than the Colorado loss this year, even if we lose by 50 on Saturday.

Do I think the Dawgs can win tomorrow? Hell yeah. Are we going to win? I may not be so enthusiastic, but it just seems like this Georgia team is playing harder right now. If they win, we may have a return trip to Jacksonville in January for the Gator Bowl.

Dawgs 23, Florida 21

GO DAWGS!!!

Jersey Shore Endores The Guido Gator Life

I can't believe The Situation would ruin his abs and pecs like that!

Our good friend Alex recently had the opportunity to be the primary photographer on a photo shoot with the cast of Jersey Shore. To his shock and horror, the guido gang has fully embraced the Florida gator lifestyle (how do people live like that)?

This is an just another example of the Florida fan bases' continued flirtation with guidos (we've discussed this here before). Here's some other pics we were able to get, including this one from the guidette JWoww, who would be lovely if it wasn't for all of that gator bullshit:

Even Tebow wants a piece of that guido!

C'mon Ronnie! That shirts ruining some good shots of those guns!

Vinny behind the scenes with his souvenir garbage.

Gators eat sammiches!

WLOCP 2010: The Crossroads

The annual match up with Florida always seems to be the most pivotal game on the schedule. In recent years, we have seen this game cost the Dawgs a shot at the national title (2002), spark the team for a late season run (2007), and completely humble a team that had great expectations (2008). This year’s game means so much because instead of championship implications, it has bowl implication. More specifically, whether Georgia will reach a bowl game at all.

At 4-4, the Dawgs need two more victories to become bowl eligible this season. With Idaho State coming to Athens next week, there is little doubt the Dawgs will get to 5 wins. But if they lose on Saturday, there is no guarantee win #6 will happen. Auburn is currently atop the BCS standings and despite Georgia’s 4 game win streak over the Tigers, a victory this year is definitely a long shot. And then there is the final game of the season against Georgia Tech. As an underdog last year, Georgia ran its way to victory over the eventual ACC Champions. And while the Jackets surely have struggled at times this season, the game will be even tougher if the Dawgs head in with a losing record.

But if the Dawgs win on Saturday, Georgia may be in line to head back to a New Year’s Day Bowl. While I am not crazy to think we could play for the SEC Championship, I think a victory on Saturday will help lead to a 7-5 record for Georgia. With the struggles of the East, I can see the Dawgs receiving an invite to either the Outback Bowl or the Gator Bowl, both on January 1.
But first, we have to take care of business on Saturday. Florida, we’ll see you at the crossroads on Saturday.

GO DAWGS!!!

Murray and Brantley: QBs Headed in Opposite Directions

Coming into the 2010 season, many of the “experts” ranked Florida quarterback John Brantley as the third best quarterback in the SEC despite the fact that he had never started a game in his collegiate career. Ryan Mallett has once again had a fine season for Arkansas and we all know what Cam Newton is doing on the Plains. So at this point in the season, who is the third best quarterback in the SEC?

The answer is certainly not Brantley. Not a true fit for the Urban Meyer offense and without many of the key weapons Tim Tebow had to work with last year, Brantley has struggled to the tune of a passer rating of only 117. How bad is that? Only Jordan Jefferson and Larry Smith, two quarterbacks who are more dangerous running the ball than they are throwing, are worse in the SEC. Florida’s best offensive game this season came against Kentucky, when back up Trey Burton scored six touchdowns. Many have wondered if Brantley may lose his job to Burton if the Gators offense continues to struggle.

The real answer to the question is Georgia freshman Aaron Murray. For all of us who have followed the roller coaster 2010 season, we know the one bright spot has been the play of the kid from Tampa. His 157 rating is fourth in the SEC, while throwing for 12 touchdowns and only three interceptions (tied for least amongst starters in the SEC). His running ability has also provided the Georgia offense with a spark and he has contributed fours scores on the ground.

These two quarterbacks appear to be at very different junctions in their career. Brantley may be playing for his job on Saturday while Murray could be writing one of the first chapters in a historic Bulldog career. Considering how bad Florida wanted Murray out of high school, a victory on Saturday could be that much tougher for the Florida staff to swallow. Earlier this year, I quoted an interview Murray did with David Hale about his decision to choose Georgia over Florida. Here is again:

"It was huge just because the perception is that if you're in Florida, you're going to go to one of those three schools Miami, Florida or Florida State. It wasn't tough for me because I knew where I wanted to go, but for the people down there, everyone's a Florida fan, so they were all like, 'You need to go to Florida, blah, blah, blah, this and that.' In the end, I was going to go where I felt more comfortable. I fell in love with Georgia."

"So I went to Georgia, and the next week I went to Florida. I left there and I called my mom and I'm like, 'I'm ready to commit.' She was like, 'Oh, so you're ready to commit to Florida?' I was like, 'No, I'm ready to commit to Georgia.' Right then, when I left Florida with Georgia on my mind, I knew that it was the place for me. "

GO DAWGS!!!

Jacksonville - Bringning you the worst in football fashion since 2005

Why does it seem like both the Georgia Bulldogs and the Florida Gators need gimmicks to fire up their teams for the annual showdown in Jacksonville? One would think that nearly 100 years of games, often with SEC title implications, would be enough. But no. Florida recently announced they will wear their new Nike Pro Combat jerseys this Saturday. Here is a picture of what they will look like:I don't know what's worse, the alligator scales on their helmets or the black "Grambling knock-offs" that the Bulldogs wore last year.

Let's not forget that the Gators started all this ridiculousness with their one orange sleeve jerseys back in 2005.

Uniforms don't change the players who wear them. For a home game, they may make a difference, but in a game like this, they are just a distraction. Both Georgia (2008 vs. Bama and 2009 vs. Florida) and Florida (2009 vs. Bama and 2010 vs. LSU) have lost their last two games when wearing alternate iniforms. Let's hope that trend continues with a Georgia victory on Saturday.

GO DAWGS!!!

The Mississippi State Factor

2004 was Coach Richt's fourth year on the sideline for the Georgia Bulldogs. After already winning an SEC Championship and playing for another, Coach Richt had one item left on his SEC checklist: beat the Florida Gators. An experienced Georgia team led by seniors David Greene and David Pollack had thumped defending national champion LSU a few weeks earlier, and despite a slip up against Tennessee, were expected to compete for the SEC Championship.

Florida, on the other hand, was struggling. Coach Ron Zook was already on the hot seat the week before the Georgia game when he took his Gators to Starkville. Mississippi State was in its first year under Sylvester Croom and not expected to hang with Florida. On that day, the western Bulldogs beat the Gators 38-31, and the term "getting Croomed" was born. The next day, Florida made Ron Zook a lame duck coach by announcing that he would not return for the 2005 season.

With the Gator's struggling, Georgia took advantage and earned their first victory over Florida in the 2000's. David Greene hooked up with Fred Gibson in the fourth quarter to help seal the victory:


Six years later, the Dawgs head to Jacksonville with Gators reeling from a defeat at the hands of the Mississippi State Bulldogs. After the rough start for Georgia, the Dawgs have won three straight SEC games while scoring at least 41 points in all three contests. Florida has lost three games in a row, averaging only 14 points per game.

Will the Mississippi State factor be enough to help Georgia get back above .500? We'll find out Saturday in Jacksonville.

GO DAWGS!!!

80's Music Video of the Week - Halloween Edition

Well, it looks like Streit and I are the only one left in the ATL. So, with all due respect to Streit's video for his WLOCP post, I am here to present the BNE 80's Music Video of the Week.

Tomorrow is Halloween (yes Dawgs fans, its not just the WLOCP), and I hope that at least one team will feel the fear and fright from a thrilling upset this weekend. And speaking of thrilling, this week marked the release of 'This Is It", the 80's legend and self-proclaimed "King of Pop", Michael Jackson's final performance and movie. In dedication to Michael, Halloween, and the hope for an upset, or at least a thriller by the Dawgs, I now present the iconic 80's music video, "Thriller".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkjtctcuQ9Q

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

WLOCP - Nothing To Lose

While Bubba, BFR, and Josh are living it up in Saint Simmons and Jacksonville with most of the rest of the Bulldog Nation, I unfortunately am having a crazy week at work. We all know what this game means and a Georgia would upset would be amazing. If Florida plays offense like it has the last few weeks, the Dawgs definitely have a chance. The South Carolina and Arkansas games proved we have some amazing athletes who can make plays and score. For Georgia, we are out of the SEC race, so at this point we are just playing for pride.

In honor of this year's cocktail part, I present the video of the week, "Nothing to Lose". I know it's not 80's, but I'm not Bubba or Josh.


Prediction

I think Georgia will be fired up and ready to erase some of the bad memories of last year. Does that mean we have enough to beat this insanely talented and experienced Florida team? Probably not. The Dawgs will give them a fight, but it won't be enough in the end.

Florida 27, Georgia 17

GO DAWGS

We're Outta Here

Bubba, BFR, and I are headed to St. Simons where we shall partake in debauchery with minimal interference from Teblowme's followers, before heading on the par-tay bus Saturday.



HATE ORANGE. HATE BLUE. HATE GATORS.

Key Matchups: AJ Green vs. Joe Haden

This is a blockbuster matchup between two players who were recently named Mid-Season All-Americans by The Sporting News.

We all know what Green has meant to Georgia this season. Without AJ and 41 catches for 682 yards and 6 touchdowns, Georgia's record may be 1-6 instead of 4-3. He has clearly separated himself from Julio Jones as the best recevier in the SEC, and with Dez Bryant suspended and Eric Decker injured, is now the front runner for the Bilitnekoff award.

Joe Haden is the top performer in the experienced Florida secondary that helps anchor the nation's #1 defense. On the season, Haden has been a force in the passing game, recording two interceptions, three pass breakups, and two sacks. He has also been a solid tackler, recording 39 total tackles (including 4 for a loss).

What makes this match up so intriguing is how Florida will handle the distinct size advantage Green has. At 6'4'', he towers above the 5'10'' Haden. Georgia will need to rely on Green to create separation, because Haden has the closing speed to make any small holes in coverage disappear. If Haden (and some help from safeties) shut down Green, Georgia will be forced to use its tight ends and slot receivers if it hopes to generate any kind of pass offense.

Baby Steps: Margin of Victory

Since 1990, Florida has dominated the Georgia-Florida match up winning 16 of the 19 contests between the two teams. Under Steve Spurrier in the 90's, Florida absolutely owned the Dawgs winning 9 of the 10 games. The average magin of victory (for either team) during that span was 25.2 points. The largest margin of victory was 40 points coming in 1996 when the Gators won 47-7.

Since 2000, the games have been decidely closer. Despite a 39 point victory for Florida last year (which is clearly an outlier this decade) the average winning margin has been 11.5 points. While Meyer has continued Spurrier's winning tradition, the victories are not coming as easy as they once did. Under Mark Richt, the Dawgs have won twice in Jacksonville. The average score of the games during the Richt Era - Florida 24.75, Georgia 17.8. We may not have found the edge in the won-loss column, but at least the score is trending closer.