More Eavesdropping on the enemy...

by DavetheDawg on Jul 12, 2008 12:31 PM EDT

Not really "eavesdropping," but definately conversing with the other side.

I just got back from a bid-ness trip to Orlando and met one of my new co-workers who graduated from UF in '01. I did not immediately reveal my affinity to all things Red and Black, but could hardly mistake this young man's connection to UF...seeing that his entire workspace cubicle was a virtual shrine to any/all things Gator. When the inevitable question was asked of me, "So, where did you go to school?" I proudly said, "UGA...class of '86." My new co-worker's happy-go-lucky demeanor immediately changed and a serious pall replaced his otherwise youthful, pink and rosy complexion.

"We've got to beat Georgia. If we don't win a game this year, this is the one. But of course, we've got an incredible offense..."

To which I replied, "Yeah, but defense wins championships. I think we've (UGA) got both sides of the ball covered."

By now, my young friend became a bit more uncomfortable with the whole direction of the conversation. But then, the predictable history lesson was summoned: "Well, we pretty much own you guys. 15 of 18 or something like that."

To which I replied, "Yeah, perhaps that era has ended. I think you'll find that a little research will reveal the streaky nature of this rivalry. And it is a rivalry again. But good luck to you, anyway." I still don't think the younger generation understands how important history is in a rivalry at all.

If he is typical of the general Gator consensus out there, the pressure is on. The sort of pressure we heaped upon ourselves as a fan base and team for nearly two decades. It's palpable.

How 'Bout EM!

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Good to know

By the way, the stats to quote in situations like that are these:

The Gators won seven straight series meetings from 1990 to 1996 and six straight series meetings from 1998 to 2003. The Bulldogs won seven straight series meetings from 1904 to 1927 and from 1941 to 1948, and the Red and Black won six straight series meetings from 1931 to 1936 and from 1978 to 1983. If the Saurians own the series, why do we have a ten-game lead in the overall standings (47-37-2), why did they never win more than two in a row before the mid-1950s, why did they never win more than four in a row before the early 1990s, and why do we have twice as many six- and seven-game winning streaks over them than they have over us?

From 1990 to 2007, Florida went 15-3 against Georgia. From 1971 to 1989, Georgia went 15-4 against Florida. Such is the streaky nature of most rivalries; similar trends are evident in Alabama-Auburn, Oklahoma-Texas, and Florida-Florida State.

In the last four years, the series is tied, 2-2. In the last eight years, Florida has won two S.E.C. titles (2000 and 2006) and Georgia has won two S.E.C. titles (2002 and 2005). The margins of victory in five of the last six series meetings have been seven, three, seven, four, and seven points, respectively, with the lone double-digit victory in that span being claimed by Georgia. In short, this is a close series between elite equals. Assertions of ownership by either side at this juncture are exceedingly ill-advised.

Worms turn, pendulums swing, trends end . . . and, ultimately, every ‘Dawg has his day.

How ‘bout ‘em, indeed. Let the big ‘Dawg eat.

Go 'Dawgs!

by T Kyle King on Jul 12, 2008 2:09 PM EDT 0 recs

Speaking of defenses (or lack thereof...)

I just read on a pay-site that Florida’s starting safety is out with an ACL. I never, ever wish an injury on anyone…but I guess life is what happens when you have other plans.

Of course, Tebow will win two Heisman’s this year: Quarterback and strong safety.

by DavetheDawg on Jul 12, 2008 2:42 PM EDT up 0 recs

You're dead on with your assessment of the Gator mindset

I’m in grad school at UF (don’t ask…if you had told me five years ago that I’d end up at school here I’d have probably punched you) so I’m around them year-round. In the span of one day (October 27, 2008 to be exact) I went from being patronized every time the subject of GA/FL came up to being despised for my association with Knowshon Moreno. They’re basically assuming that we’re going to be undefeated and hoping they can keep up to make it a 1-2 matchup this October, but you can tell they aren’t very confident about once we tee it up (and this is from people who probably don’t even know about the problems they’re having at safety and DT right now).

The mindset of this series has completely shifted. I was in school when the mental jinx was probably at its worst (2000-2004) and I’m hearing basically the same things at UF now that I heard at UGA during that time. I had friends come down for the basketball game in February and the baseball series in April and they all got the same impression. If we can come out and punch them in the mouth for a quarter or so (and based on looking at the two teams right now I think we should be able to), we might just see an implosion that we’re all familiar with, just from the other side. I realize this is all anectdotal evidence and none of it comes directly from players, but I can promise you that mentality from the fanbase bleeds over more in college football than it does in any other sport.

Now, could they beat us? Absolutely. It just isn’t going to be because they have the mental edge like it used to be.

by FisheriesDawg on Jul 13, 2008 11:00 PM EDT 0 recs

The Gator's ain't all Growlin'

I spent yesterday evening at my local Loco’s, surrounded by three Gator fans… My Bulldawg buddies had already left to go hear CMR and Coach Felton speak at the Conference Center… I, however, was committed to viewing TitleTown on ESPN @ Loco’s… I asked my friends how they felt about this year’s WLOCP…

Friend #1 said that “The Gators are going to whip UGA, and everyone else on their way to winning the NC…”

Friend #2 said that he, “think(s) it will be a good game… Can your boy (Stafford) expose our defense? I don’t think so…” When pressed about our defense vs. their linebacker shaped QB and their running game, he stated, “Our (UF’s) running game is SOLID” He seemed to think that their offensive machine would “shred” UGA’s defense, but thought we would score some points too… He predicted a high scoring affair with UF coming out the victor…

Friend #3 confided, when the other guys weren’t there, that he was nervous this year for the first time in… ever… He knew about their safety shuffle, was optimistic about the running game and Tebow, but doesn’t think it will be “enough to beat UGA”... He also stated that while he thought that “the celebration”, while “classless”, was a major contributing factor to our win last season… Imagine that, a gator reckognizing the obvious…

-Cheers!

cookin and smilin

by cookin and smilin on Jul 17, 2008 1:58 PM EDT 0 recs

Good stuff

Friend #2 obviously hasn’t gone back and watched last year’s WLOCP tape. I think Stafford did a pretty decent job in exposing (or affirming) the Gator “D”. His numbers certainly didn’t suck and I seem to recall two very long touchdown passes.

In my humble opinion, we’ve got every bit as dangerous and verile of an offense as they do and are much better equipped on defense. We’ve got depth…everywhere. Florida is really flirting with disaster, but of course they’ve got OMG Omar Hunter, and Tebow will play strong safety if needed.

by DavetheDawg on Jul 17, 2008 6:21 PM EDT up 0 recs

We need a Poll...

How many times will we sack Tebow this year?

That was/is my all-time favorite bumper sticker!

I am going say that we get 7 sacks on Tebow… the Dawgs will get 9 total, but two will be on the Gators back-up QB after Tebow is taken out (early in the 4th) to avoid injury in a blow-out…

UGA 53 UF 17

cookin and smilin

by cookin and smilin on Jul 18, 2008 12:40 PM EDT 0 recs