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!

I live in south Florida.  Weston, to be exact.  As you can imagine, lots of gators (we're literally on the edge of the Everglades).  And, lots of Gators.  The kind that bow to Gainesville and wear Jorts.  In south Florida, like most of the state, it is pro-UF.  They're everywhere...kind of like silverfish.

I overheard a couple of guys at my local diner the other day talking about college football.  My interest piqued when the subject of the WLOCP came up in their conversation.  These guys were about my age:  mid-40s.  They also were obviously Florida Gators.  My attempt at eavesdropping was constantly interrupted by my wife as she was attempting her own conversation with me over such drival as, "When are you going to finish re-screening the pool cage," and "we got another letter from the homeowners association about our sidewalk.  It's still dirty."  I love you, honey...but please.  The enemy speaketh:  Know Thy Enemy.

The jist of the conversation seemed to be about how great their Spring game was.  How great the offense looked.  How great the defense looked...at times.  Then, as if a fog of despair had rolled in, the subject quickly changed.  "That Knowshon Moreno killed us.  Absolutely killed us."

"Yeah, Stafford ain't that great (keep thinking that, buddy), but they've got Herschel, Jr. back there again."    

However, they didn't dwell on this subject too long.  Of course they brought up the "Dark Ages" (1990-2003) and all was right again in their world.

But these guys are old enough to know.  They weren't born during the Reagan administration and only have a 15 year period to reference their entire football heritage.  These guys were around when Appleby-to-Washington stung 'em in '75.  They remember "4th and Dumb."  The 1980s was just as painful to them as the 1990s were to us.

"No way anyone in this rivalry reels off more than 2 or 3 in a row.  Parity," says one.

"Oh, I think we'll still own Georgia, but they'll sneak in a win every 2 to 3 years to keep it hot," says the other.

Then, the conversation quickly turned be to their defense and ultimately Knowshon.  "We've got to find a way to stop Knowshon."

By now, my wife is ordering her third glass of bad Pinot Grigio.

"Sorry, honey." I say.  "I just wanted to hear the thoughts of some of my contemporaries."  She'll never understand because she's British.

"Well, did you enjoy their conversation?" she asked.

"Thoroughly." I said.  

Folks, it is a rivalry again.  Perhaps not in the minds of anyone born after 1980, but definately in the consciousness of a large population of Gators who know.  If we can win again in Jacksonville, I think it'll make believers out of every gator.

Go Dawgs!

Folks, it's getting old.  Two more arrests which, quite frankly, takes a little bit of wind out of our post-Sugar Bowl sails.  I'm not a prude, and ain't no preacher...but it's really getting very, very old.

I'm not buying into that Athens PD/Clarke County PD/UGA PD conspiracy crap.  Though it is true that Athens has and will always have a disproportionately high number of cops-to-civilian ratio it is all the more reason to watch your P's and Q's, whether you are a student athlete or not.  If you do stoopid things, the Law of Averages will almost certainly catch up with you, whether you go to school in Athens, GA or any other college town.  With this knowledge in mind and our recent history of legal run-ins, why is the message not getting across?

These most recent infractions, though minor, are parts of a greater, embarassing sum.  Wish I had an answer.

Who is to blame here?  Tubberville?  Hugh Nall?  Ryan Pugh?  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teVd7i4XmFw

That's twice in the same season that a pre-meditated and deliberate attempt to maim a football player has occurred.  Witness the previous infraction against Glenn Dorsey.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqiLlOybz9s

I hope Mike Slive is paying close attention to this.  If it happens again next year, something has got to be done.  

I hate Auburn.

Charles Davis is not ready to anchor sports in market #199 Mankato, MN.  He's a hack.  Even worse, he's a Tennessee hack.  If you're going to have a Tennessee hack call a football game, get someone who actually was good.  Maybe Al Wilson or Willie Gault or somebody.  Horrible.  

Tom Brennaman comitted the greatest Faux Pas in the history of broadcasting.  He referred to us as the Gators.  Damn you, Tom Brennaman.  Are you secretly Mark May's lover?  Did ESPN put you up to that?  I know the hour was late and Charles Davis' cologne was beginning to burn your eyes, but you are a dorkman.

Could Fox Sports run anymore commercials?  Could this game possibly have been stretched any longer?  Does Jimmy Johnson have anything to add?  Could you air one more pre-produced package on the Hawai'i Malaluca Shukalooka Ramalama DingDong overweight mascot dance?

Oh, and a word about instant replay.  What was that stupid zoom camera stuff promoting a commercial all about.  They would pick out a play that occurred about about 2 quarters earlier.  

It's too bad the Sugar Bowl was a guinea pig broadcast for FOX.  Too bad they had to do a "dress rehearsal" during an actual live BCS game to prep themselves for the later games on their schedules (with real announcers, I'm sure).  Poor Hawaii fans.  Hawaii fans had to two types of slaughter:  The first wrought by the Dawgs.  The second:  a protracted slow death on live television that could have been wrapped up about 2 hours before it eventually ended.

Being an "Older School" Dawg I can honestly say that I was truly enjoying the Boston College/Clemson matchup yesterday.  Boston College, to their credit, hung on and won a very competitive game.  Clemson had a chance to tie, but missed a long field goal attempt that never had a chance as it drifted short of the goal post in the dense, cold air of Death Valley.

A prior commitment prevented me from watching any football all day until I returned home and tuned in to the game halfway through the 3rd quarter.  I immediately began pulling for Boston College because Clemson wears orange, was once an annual early-season big time rival, and has whipped us in some good head-knockers in days gone by.

However, when I realized that Cullen Harper is the son of former Georgia lineman Jeff Harper who was instrumental in our 1980 National Championship, my allegiances, if only for this game, suddenly shifted.  I can't explain it, but the shots in the stands of the proud, tortured father with his head phones cheering for his son instantly, if for the moment, transformed me into a Clemson fan.  More than anything, I was a fan of the Harper's; of a father and son.

As it happened, with Clemson driving late in the game, the son lofted a perfect ball to his receiver racing past the defender.  The ball hit his man in stride.  The game-winner was dropped.

Clemson should have won and Jeff Harper and his son should have shared that victory cigar after the game.  My brief time as a Clemson fan is now over, but I am a fan of the Harpers.  And I truly hope that Jeff Harper, and his son Cullen, may enjoy a victory cigar as they beat South Carolina next weekend.

Did anyone experience or witness the actions that many of the Auburn blogs are accusing Georgia fans with?  I've read everything from, "They make LSU fans look like boyscouts...", to "It was the worst experience I've ever endured at a football game..."

Were Georgia fans being normally obnoxious (God bless us) or extra obnoxious (that's the spirit!)?  Are the Auburnites merely venting because they are realizing that they not only have a crappy school, but they have a crappy school in the state of Alabama?  Perhaps the realization that their ownership of the Dawgs in Athens has been, let's say, repo'd.

I'm just curious.  I would have given just about anything to have been a part of that on Saturday!

In my lifetime:

1961
1963
1964
1965
1969
1971 (ruined a perfect season)
1972
1974
1977
1978 (A tie...but cost us the SEC)
1979 (Almost won the SEC with a 1-3 non-conference record.)
1983 (Boy did we miss Herschel that day)
1984
1986 (Yeah, we won...but got hosed.  Literally.)
1987
1988
1989
1990
1993
1995
1997 (This game stung.  Just hammered the Gators and came out flat.  I believe Hines Ward got hurt on the opening kickoff.)
1999
2000
2001
2004 (Cheap shot on Reggie Brown missed by typically inept SEC officiating crew)
2005 ( Luckiest 4th and 10 in the history of the series.)  

I hate Auburn.