Tuesday Morning ‘Dawg Bites

Welcome to Tuesday, Bulldog fans! In case you didn’t know, I spent my formative years in the 80’s (emotional development was thwarted during the same span). As such, I will try to bring you the best** music from this seminal decade that also produced the minivan.

We’re only a few days away from an actual Game Week, and some might say there is real college football being played this weekend. It will be here before you know it, and over almost as quickly. I knew you were waiting, as this all-too-obvious duo states.

And now on to news and notes of the Georgia Bulldog variety

For your “Throwback Tuesday” enjoyment, Justin Fields has been named The starting quarterback by The head coach Ryan Day at a state university in Ohio. Unlike in 2013 when UGA seemingly faced a former player every week, we probably don’t see Jacob Eason or Justin Fields unless it’s the post-season. Hopefully not a bowl game in Florida, but the Peach or Fiesta might be nice.

Phil Steele likes what he sees in Athens. One can pick apart his argument. One can also choose to say “GATA!!!”

By now, Sam Pittman is arguably the most recognizable assistant coach in Bulldog history (if you have YouTube videos of your tweets, and probably don’t know how to tweet yourself, you’ve reached the perfect level of fame). And some of his current big uglies are getting love from the ESPNs, via their own version of a pre-season All-American team. For a better look at who else comes over for 4 fried chickens and white bread to Coach Pittman’s house Sunday evenings, check out MaconDawg’s OL position group breakdown. Rodrigo Blankenship being left off any pre-season list is nothing less than a travesty.

I don’t like to steal thunder, but the Red and Black has their own breakdown on a position group: running backs. I for one, would love to see Prather Hudson get significant garbage time carries.

I don’t know what is less surprising. That Georgia is the #3 team in the recently released AP poll, or that the misplaced Florida love is so prevalent. Clemson received 52 of the 62 #1 votes, Bama receiving the other 10. I heard that every poll had Clemson in the 1 or 2 spot, but not every poll had Alabama in the 1 or 2 spot. We’ve got the 15th toughest schedule in the nation, but voters like our chances to win the SEC East and get to Atlanta, and give us a punchers chance against the SEC West winner, i.e. make the CFB playoffs.

Quick side note: Texas A&M is scheduled to play the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 6th ranked teams. They have control of their own destiny, I just don’t think they have the horses to pull off all those upsets.

Staying on this meaningless topic, 35 times teams have appeared in the AP top 25 pre-season poll since 2000, only to finish the season unranked. You know which school has accomplished this the most (4 times)? It’s initials are Auburn Tigers.

Some at ESPN have gone so far as to predict UGA to take home the whole enchilada. I don’t gamble, so I don’t follow this particular fellow. And I quit watching GameDay after Corso’s stroke and when they gave Desmond Howard top billing. Maybe someone more informed can tell me if this is a good thing.

247sports (with a hat tip to the Senator) takes a look at who will travel for that first game. The limits are vastly different for this opener compared to last season: 70 for a conference road game versus 125 dressed for a non-conference home game.

Speed kills. And Coach Kirby Smart knows how to use it. I’m not sure if we will see this as a special return team team, or as a one-time Wild Dawg formation, but I’m all for it.

We’ll have more throughout the day with a player spotlight and more opponent previews. And as always...

GO ‘DAWGS!!!

**I lied.