Saturday Football Fever

November 28, 2009. Atlanta, GA.

The UGA vs. Ga. Tech game. I have been talking to my Georgia Tech friends about the big game today. They seem to think anything can happen. I am not sure, but my hopes are there! In short, all of the odds are against UGA in the betting polls, and GA Tech has QB Josh Nesbitt, who is probably the best running QB in the NCAA right now. When evaluating the situation, Georgia Tech won this battle 45-42 last season and that’s when Georgia had their weapons (Matthew Stafford, Knowshon Moreno, and Mohammed Massaquoi). This year, UGA has Joe Cox.

I like to believe that UGA can do it, though, and that the adrenaline and good coaching will pull them through another matchup. I, for one, am ready for the end of this “Joe Cox” season!

Go Dawgs!

Filed under: Uncategorized

November 14, 2009, Athens, GA.

This week, the South’s “oldest rivalry” is re-ignited when the Auburn Tigers (7-3, 3-3 SEC)  and Georgia Bulldogs (5-4, 3-3 SEC) meet for the 113th time at 7pm in Athens at Sanford Stadium. Former Bulldog head coach Vince Dooley played his collegiate ball at Auburn, and that’s why this is referred to as the “Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry.” Auburn is 1 of 2 teams that Georgia has played more than 100 times in their history.

Out of all of the meetings of these two teams, the Tigers hold merely a two game advantage. The rivalry is fierce and the outcome of their games is always close. The Tigers, however, have won 10 of their last 13 games at Sanford Stadium. The game will be broadcast on ESPN2.

Both teams are coming off homecoming wins. Auburn’s 63-31 win over Furman catapulted it into the Top 25 in the coaches’ poll. Georgia shut out Tennessee Tech 38-0.

Last time the two teams met in 2008, Georgia beat Auburn 17-13. But that was with Matthew Stafford and before Joe Cox was their quarterback. I am hoping Joe Cox can step up his game for the matchup!

Auburn player, Ben Tate has rushed for 1,142 yards this season. Auburn is currently the second highest scoring team in the SEC. Auburn’s defense is last in the league in scoring, and they are allowing more than 26 points per game.

The Tiger’s offense ranks 13th nationally in red zone offense, scoring on 31 of 33 opportunities.

This could be a high scoring game with many penalities and turnovers. From what I have read, and based on the record at Sanford Stadium, the Georgia Bulldogs are not favored to win. I am hoping they can dig deep to fight, fight, fight! and we can all see a great game tonight!

In other college football this week:

The key game this week isn’t in any of the major conferences, but in the Mountain West, where No. 4 TCU hosts No. 16 Utah at 7:30PM ET on Saturday. TCU is a 17-point favorite at home.

Another key matchup this week is in the Big Ten when No. 10 Ohio State hosts No. 15 Iowa. The Buckeyes are 14.5-point favorites at home against the Hawkeyes. This game will likely decide the winner of the Big Ten title and the automatic BCS bowl bid.

Steve Spurrier faces his old team  as well when South Carolina hosts Florida. The Gators are 15-point road favorites. Last year, Florida posted a 56-6 win over the Gamecocks in the Swamp. South Carolina has lost three of its last four games, but has yet to lose at home this season.

Saturday Football Fever commences with many great games to watch, as the college football season starts to wind its way down! I will be watching to see how all of these matchups turn-out!

Filed under: Game Thoughts

Tags: Athens, auburn tigers, Ben Tate, College Football, Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry, ESPN2, Florida., GA, georgia bulldogs, Iowa, Joe Cox, mark richt, matthew stafford, Ohio State, Sanford Stadium, Saturday Football, sec, South Carolina, Steve Spurrier, TCU, Utah, Vince Dooley

October 31, 2009 Georgia Florida Game. Jacksonville, FL.

Black Eyes, Black Helmets, Black Britches, Black DAY. The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.

Tim Tebow with his eye black. It always warms my heart to see the number of people he is reaching by putting scripture verses on his eye black!  It is reported that the number of people who see his eye black and look up the verses is in the millions! Saturday, the verse he had on his eye black was Phil 4:13 which says “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” These are the kind of black eyes I like! This is what I would call the GOOD in the game.

The black eyes that result in real black eye injuries are the ones when players are behaving badly. Clearly, on purpose if you view the video, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDOy-RMIpF0&NR=1, Florida linebacker Brandon Sikes intentionally eye gouged Georgia running back Washaun Ealey last Saturday. The officials did not see it, and it did not become apparent until after the game that such bad behavior had taken place. Brandon Sikes was given a one half of a game suspension against Vanderbilt. Certainly a small punishment for trying to gouge another player’s eyes out! This is what I would call the BAD in the game.

The black helmets and the black pants…definitely the UGLY in the game! I missed the Bulldogs’ silver britches. I understand that coming onto the field in black can help pump up the players and I get that. But, in a matchup between Tim Tebow and Joe Cox, well, Georgia never had a chance! The black helmets and black britches only marked an ugly ending to a dark day for Georgia. Georgia lost this game: 41- 17.

Filed under: Game Thoughts

Tags: Black Britches, Black Helmets, Black pants, Brandon Sikes, Eye Black, Eye Gouge, Florida Football, florida gators, georgia bulldogs, Georgia Florida Game, Georgia football, mark richt, Tim Tebow, UFLA, UGA, University of Florida, University of Georgia, urban meyer, Washaun Ealey