Thursday, April 2, 2009

Bringing Back Traditions: Dominating in Jacksonville

Georgia and Florida first met on the gridiron in Jacksonville, Florida in 1915. Georgia dominated that day, winning 37-0. Georgia would go on to 15 of the first 19 games played on the banks of the St. Johns River. In recent years, we have seen a reversal of this trend, as the Gators have taken 14 of the last 17. However, few people fail to realize that before the Gators' recent string began in 1990, the Dawgs had won 15 of the previous 19. What does this all mean?

It means it is time for the Dawgs to get back to the tradition of winning in Jacksonville. In recent days, there has been a lot of talk about moving the game to Atlanta once every few years. While it would be nice for Georgia fans to have the shorter drive every once in a while, I do not think moving the game to Atlanta would change the outcome of this series. It has always been a series of domination and in recent years it has swung the Gators' way.

When the Dawgs won in 2007 (in a game that was not as nearly as close as the 42-30 score indicated), I thought the series was finally going to turn around. While the result of the 2008 game was horrible, it does not mean that the Gators will continue their recent dominance. The WLOCP is a rivalry again, thanks in part to Evil Richt and Trinton Sturdivant's dancing With the 2008 game passed, the Gators have now had a 19 year period of dominance, the same length as two Dawg dominated periods in the series history.

It's over, Urban.

Here's to hoping 2009 marks the beginning of a new 19 year period of Georgia dominance in Jacksonville.