The Sunday Treatment and A Trip Around the Dawgosphere

Well, I wasn't at the 1984 Clemson game when Kevin Butler hit one from " a hundred thousand miles" away. If memory serves, I couldn't go because I had a soccer game that day. A goddam soccer game! I sure hated I missed the game that everyone said was the greatest ever played in Sanford Stadium, but I think today at least tied it. Man, what a game! Incredible! 

In all seriousness, I honestly don't think I've ever experienced anything like that, from a fan perspective, in the 30+ years I've been going to Georgia games. The atmosphere. The drama. The storylines. The epic play of so many of our DGDs. It just...words just can't really describe what I was feeling after that one. Walking out of the stadium and seeing all the other Dawg fans, I could tell they felt the same way. It was cathartic, exhilarating, inspirational. I just happened to see Mettenberger make a run straight to Richt right when the game was over. The two embraced and shared some words. Later, after seeing the CBS interview with Richt, there could be no doubt that we've got one hell of a head coach. He's a perfect fit for us, and we're the right place for him.

And a quick Trip Around the Dawgosphere: 

•  One of my favs - the Mark Richt Victory Watch from Dawgsports. 
•  As always, great observations from Bernie. 
•  Tyler Dawgden's quick takes here and here. 
•  Seth Emerson's write-up at the Macon paper. 
• Not really Dawgopshere, per se, but I thought Schlabach had a nice write-up about the epic QB battle between Murray and Mettenberger. 

And here's the recap from ESPN. More detailed analysis later, but for now I'll just say this: yes, there are concerns on D. But just like the SC game, they got it done when they had to. Special teams seemed much improved, but more work needs to be done. And can we just get someone who can kick through the end zone already?! Offense, obviously, is just super. Great day to be a Dawg! 

P.S. Saturday's TV schedule was just announced. CBS has picked up the UGA vs. UT game. 3:30 kick.

Breakin' it Down: UGA vs. LSU

Sorry for not posting in a couple of days. Having to do lots of stuff with September being the end of the fiscal year for my day job and all. And thanks for all of the hits. Still not getting many comments, but that's okay. I've really been blown away with the response to this blog. Thank You. And I've got a FB page for GYSB now, so check that out when you can.

It's getting close. I can almost taste it. Can't wait to get to the Classic City on Saturday and do some tailgating, hang out with some great friends, and see what should be the biggest game "between the hedges" in quite some time. It should be one hell of a ball game. Let's take a look at some numbers:

The LSU Tigers have played four games so far and are undefeated. They are averaging winning by a score of 43 - 20. Their offense looks pretty prolific thus far. Averaging just under 500 yards per game, they get more than five yards per run and are obviously getting it done in the air as well. In terms of scoring, they are in the top 20 in the country. They are also pretty good on 3rd down and and do well in the red zone. Of course, our Dawgs are playing some incredible offense, too. Murray is the best QB in the SEC based on passer rating. And we've just got so many weapons on that side of the ball. I can definitely see a high scoring game.

Defensively, the Tigers are also getting it done. Though not as impressive, stat-wise, as their offense, they are pretty darned good. At least their starting 11 is. One thing I've noticed is this: they might have some depth issues on D. I think we saw it in the 2nd half against Auburn. If we can do our thing and put a pretty good number of points on the scoreboard, I think we can start wearing them down with our power-I run game towards the end. At least, that's what we're hoping for.

The Mettenberger situation is obviously a pretty big storyline. And I'm sure CBS will be all over it, just like everyone else. Frankly, I'm over it and it's starting to bore me.
 
The concerns for us? I think everyone is fretting about the special teams. I would have to think that Richt and Co. have got that situation tended to! Another concern? For some folks, it would be our defense. From my perspective, we have improved so much from game 1 to game 2, and from game 2 to game 3, that I think our D is ready to "rise to the occasion." I really do.

Should be an incredible day in the Classic City.

My prediction: UGA 48, LSU 33. 

Potential Poetic Justice: Might Murray Break the SEC Passing TD Record in Jax?

During Saturday's 45-21 win over North Texas, Aaron Murray became just the second ever SEC QB to hit 100 touchdown passes. When it was all said and done, he had also hit 101 and 102 after another very impressive showing by our Heisman-worthy gunslinger. He is now second all-time in the league behind Danny Wuerffel's impressive number of 114. If Murray stays healthy, it's almost a given that he will take the record. But when might he do that?

I think a lot of us remember the unfortunate events of the 2009 UGA/UF game. For starters, that was the one when we broke out those god-awful black helmets. Lord help! We also got our butts kicked. It was terrible. It, unfortunately, was the one when Tebow broke Herschel's SEC rushing TD mark as well. I remember watching that run when he took over the record. It chapped my hide...man, I was pissed! You knew he was gonna break the record, but why oh why, did he actually have to do it while playing against us! It stunk! You remember it. Most of us do...

However, I believe that it is totally in the realm of possibility that Murray will break Wuerffel's mark...in Jacksonville! Against Florida! Wouldn't that be something? Poetic? Hell yes! Based on the numbers, Murray is averaging around two and half TDs per game in his career. Let's say his career number holds over Georgia's next four games - that would put him at 112 coming into Jacksonville. Then two would tie; three would take the mark. I just think that would be a damn beautiful, cathartic thing. We'll see...

Thoughts on the UNT game, and a Trip Around the Dawgosphere

Greetings and GO DAWGS! Well, it might not have gone like we planned or wanted, but I'll take it. 45-21 looks pretty good to me, and a lot of us knew that this was going to be a solid, well-coached North Texas team with some pretty decent talent. I think all of us know that now. I tip my hat to HC McCarney and the Mean Green. They were in it to win it and they played hard.

I'd previously written a preview for this season in a publication I write for and had made a point to mention that while we wouldn't have great special teams play, we would at least be solid. I'm really starting to wonder if I was wrong on that. And folks - that could be a big problem. Like Dooley always said, having a solid kicking game is the key to competing and winning in the SEC. If we don't fix this, we're just pissin' in the wind, I'm afraid. Two touchdowns on ST lapses - not good. With that said, I think we can shore it up and be alright. The coaches and players have some work to do. Let's see how it plays out...

Aaron Murray is a DGD and one hell of a quarterback. Based on QB rating, he is the best in the SEC and I think he may very well be the best in the country. Well done, sir! Our running game wasn't nearly as effective as it had been the previous two games and I think that was by design. Again, let's give UNT credit - they schemed and planned to stop the run and make UGA beat them in the air. Which we did. Gurley got some good, tough yards. Most impressive. I thought the O-line did well and hats off to our TEs and receiving corps.

Defense equaled awesome, in my opinion. Kudos to Grantham, asst. D coaches and most importantly - the players. Thompson is a very good QB and they had some weapons on that side of the ball and I thought our boys did great.

So A's for the offense and defense; a D- for special teams. A repeat of those grades will most likely mean that we'll be 2-2 a week from today. Got to clean up those special teams. I think we will...

And a Sunday tradition on GYSB!:

A Trip Around the Dawgosphere

• One of my favorite Sunday write-ups, Tyler Dawgden's Sunday Morning Comes
• Negativity and bad vibes from the evil one, CCRider - Sports and Grits: North Texas Game
• The Senator's Observations from the 45
• The Sic 'Em Dawgs recap.
• From Seth Emerson at the Macon Telegraph: "We got ourselves into a fight" and the final recap.
• And my all-time favorite reoccurring Dawg Blog feature: The Mark Richt Victory Watch

GO DAWGS! 

Dawgs vs. the Mean Green

Alright, hope all is well out there. I meant to get this post up yesterday. Oh well...

North Texas. Don't know much about 'em? Well, neither did I. Not really. But I've been researching them a little bit and I've got a few thoughts:

• This is not the Mean Green from a few years ago - that team was basically awful - only winning a handful of games during a four year stretch. 
• Their HC now is Dan McCarney, formerly the head guy at Iowa St. and considered by many to be a pretty darned good coach. They've won more games in his two years than they did the previous four.He's got old-school sensibilities and we'll most likely see a well-coached team. 
• The Mean Green offense is actually pretty good. Their passing game ranks 28th in the country at right under 300 yds per game and their QB, Thompson, is good. Like real good. Unlike Clemson and USCe, we'll be seeing more power-I and pro-set stuff, and Thompson is a traditional pocket passer. As I've said recently, we should be well-prepared for this type of offense as we practice against it regularly with our own offense. Also, this will be a good run-up for the LSU game.
• They've got a couple of decent running backs as well and by all accounts they have a good group of O-linemen. 
• And they've got a few playmaker on defense. They can bring some pressure and make some plays. 
• UNT is no longer Sun Belt, they've moved up to Conference USA. Whoop, whoop!!! 

I think the key to having a good and successful day is coming out on fire and ready to GATA (get after their asses). Our Dawgs need to play with a passion and intensity, while still playing smart of course, and try to go ahead and take control of this game early. If we can get some early scores and if our D does what it should and we get some pressure on their QB, then we could easily find ourselves up maybe 3 or 4 touchdowns when we hit the locker room for halftime. If we can do that, then we could get a ton of reps for some of our back-ups and younger guys. That would be most helpful for our cause moving forward. We've got the ability, playmakers, and talent to do exactly that, and I think we will.

My prediction: UGA 55; UNT 19 

GO DAWGS! GATA!!!

Florida's Woes on Offense

Some have mentioned that the UF offense needs "more weapons." Here's their strategy moving forward:

A Trip Around the Dawgosphere: 18 September 2013

Let's check the pulse of the Dawgosphere:

From OnlineAthens.com

• Garbin gives some love to a DGD (Damn Good Dog), Scott Adams. I remember watching that very tall lineman block for the likes of Tate, Worley, and Hampton back in the 80's. Rest in Peace, # 75.
• A few days ago I did a post about Tyler Dawgden's terrific post about an alternate reality if we had listened to the haters and cut Richt loose a few years ago. Well, Mr. Sanchez [correction: CCRider - I knew that too, just got my names mixed up -MM] decided to enter the fray in his decidedly negative, contrarian way.
• The Lady Sportswriter, Kimberly Nash, lets us know that Richt isn't taking the Mean Green lightly.
• Via the one and only one, Seth Emerson, over at the Macon Telegraph (the best source for UGA news - why torture yourself w/ the goddam AJC?) - Linebacker Controversy! OMG!
• The North Texas game will be carried on SEC TV. That's Peachtree TV for most folks around here.
• From the AB-H, Aaron Murray is one TD away from 100!
• My obligatory Get The Picture mention. Thought I'd go with this one after what I posted about Texas on Monday. Seriously, if they lose this one - I'd say all bets are off. Brown might not finish the season. 
• And Dawgsports' SEC Game of Interest - Week 4: UF vs. UT. Let's go...meteor?

So as for it not to appear that I'm just completely mailing it in and piggy-backing off of my fellow Dawg Bloggers, here are some of my prior thoughts vis-a-vis the North Texas Mean Green (but see - I'm just linking myself, just like I am with all of the others...ha, ha, ha! I'm such a  hack!) But wait - here's a block quote also:

I don't know much about them [North Texas] other than they're called the Mean Green and they've had a lot of money pumped into the program lately (think a poor man's Oklahoma St.). A few years ago, they hired Dan McCarney, formerly the HC at Iowa St., and the team has posted more wins in his two years (9) than they did the previous four seasons.

But seriously, it looks like North Texas is not your typical Sun Belt C-USA team. It looks like they've got a pretty good QB and can move the ball. It's nice that apparently they run a lot of pro-set and and power-I

type stuff with a traditional pocket passer. That will give us a good trial run for LSU. We should be ready for the Mean Green. I mean - hell - our D practices against this type of O every week. We should be able to GATA, take care of business, and get it done!

I'll be posting a good bit more about UNT the next few days.I'll also be revealing the meaning of life on Friday. So you'll definitely want to check back for that.

Until next time.

GO DAWGS!