It's almost here

Thursday is behind me (thank goodness, I'm glad to have a test and communication law logs completed, as well as the 11 pm sports show). Friday is here and with it all her glory. The excitement of the game is right here.

Big news last night, as USC was toppled by Oregon State. The Beavers have become USC's bugaboo in recent history. USC was flat outplayed, no question about it. For as amazing as USC has been under Pete Carroll, they somehow always find a way to lose to a much inferior opponent. That's very perplexing. Maybe they read into their press clippings too much? Maybe it's just that hard to bring it mentally every single week. Now, what looked to be the most dominant team of the season could be out of the national title hunt. Still a long ways to go, but there are still a lot of quality teams that have not lost or only have one loss. But things will be shaken up before it's all said and done. USC is the media and ESPN darling, so if any team can come back, it could be them.

Georgia now sits primed to reclaim the top spot in the polls if they can Finish The Drill against Alabama. Oklahoma could get a test from TCU, and that game will be very interesting.

For now, class calls. I hope to do a game prediction later today.

1 more day...

(even more) Motivation

Well, as I’m sure many have noticed, Alabama’s strength and conditioning coach gave Georgia a bit of bulletin board material when he told his team in practice that Georgia was wearing black on Saturday because “they are going to a mother f-ing funeral.”

Guess what? I agree. Those wearing black at a funeral are usually doing the burying. So sure Alabama, we are wearing black on Saturday for a funeral, and we are the undertaker.

I don’t think this will have too much of an impact on Saturday’s game. With Gameday being here for the first time since 1998, a primetime and nationwide audience on ESPN, the blackout, and two undefeated and top 10 teams going at it, I think Georgia will be plenty motivated. Plus, add in the retirement of Larry Munson, the “funeral” statement, as well as all day to tailgate, and emotions will be ready to boil over come kickoff time.

Apparently some Alabama fans are planning to wear white to the game. Go ahead. Georgia doing the black out is part of what makes college football so much fun, so Alabama fans wearing white just adds to that.

I’m definitely excited about the weather as well. At last glimpse, the low could drop into the high 50s Saturday night, while the high Saturday will be around 72 with a mix of clouds and sun. It will be a great day to be outdoors for sure. Campus certainly has had a fall feel about it, a feeling that those who love college football and this time of year anticipate throughout the summer. That crispness to the air is a much desired break from the oppressive heat that late August can bring to Athens. At any rate, it makes me able to walk across campus with a heavy book bag without needing a shower afterwards, or looking like I just took one, usually a combination of the two.

Keep counting down the days, Dawg fans. Saturday is almost here, and it’s going to be an epic day.

3 more days…

It's about to get dark

I will give some quick thoughts on Arizona State before I delve into the epic day that will be Alabama.

Overall, Georgia accomplished what it needed to in the desert. They got an impressive win, showed signs of improvement, and didn’t get too banged up. Knowshon added another highlight to his ever growing highlight reel. The game wasn’t really as close as it could have been. Pressure was finally put on the opposing quarterback. The kickoff coverage is looking better. Georgia still showed some signs of red zone troubles, but that’s something that can improve, and I believe it will once Brannan Southerland returns to the offense. He will be back on special teams for Saturday, but it looks like he won’t go full force until Tennessee. Penalties were atrocious, but not all were Georgia’s fault. The Pac-10 officiating crew had a say in many of those.

This Saturday could possibly be one of the most epic days in Georgia football history. Think about everything going on: ESPN College Gameday returns for the first time since October of 1998. According to Paul Westerdawg, this is only the ninth time in program history that two top 10 teams will battle in Sanford Stadium. ESPN will broadcast the game under the lights and primetime at 7:45, so the whole country will be watching. With the 7:45 kickoff, tailgating will be rocking in Athens. I remember the feeling in 2006 before the Tennessee game. There was certainly an electric vibe in the atmosphere. And let us not forget, Coach Richt has asked for a blackout.

I have had mixed feelings on the use of the black jerseys, but I am starting to come around. I have held fast to the notion that they aren’t very special if Georgia wears them very often, say once a year. It becomes expected, and they lose their magic. But, the initial feelings and excitement from the Auburn game last year can’t ever be duplicated. That was a special moment, but it can’t always be that way. If the players want it, then do it. I still hope it isn’t used too many times, though. The Notre Dame Green jerseys are very special, no matter when they are wore. They seem to be more of a surprise when they wear them, but even when it hasn’t been a surprise, the fans love it. Saturday’s game will be epic for several reasons, so cementing the moment with the blackout is cool. And again, the players want it.

Alabama will travel well, and their fans will be jacked up. I have been critical of the noise level in Sanford in the past, especially from the Student Section. One thing I do hope to duplicate is the noise from the Auburn game last year. What a very, very wild place. I implore everyone to get in their seats early. I want Sanford to be a zoo when Brook Whitmire announces to the masses that it’s Saturday night in Athens.

I’ll try to post some more thoughts through the week about what’s up in Athens.

5 more days…