AJC > Sports > Blog > Archives > 2007 > September > 19
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
It’s time to challenge Georgia’s manhood again
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Just one man’s opinion:
1. It’s time to challenge Georgia’s manhood again: In 2002, the last time Georgia went to Alabama, former Auburn coach Pat Dye (a UGA grad) wondered aloud if Georgia “was man enough” to win at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Georgia met the challenge, won in Tuscaloosa and it launched the Bulldogs to an SEC championship. In Alabama, Georgia is going to meet a team that, under new coach Nick Saban, will play with a lot of energy and intensity. If Georgia can’t-or won’t—match that intensity, the Bulldogs are going to get beat. I agree with Mike Bobo, Georgia’s offensive coordinator. It’s time for this football team to grow up. It’s time for some leaders on this team to step up. SEC road games are played at an entirely different level. In short, this ain’t Oklahoma State.
2. Of course Florida ran up the score. So what? Yes, Florida tacked on a couple of touchdowns for style points last week in a 59-20 beat down of Tennessee last Saturday. It was done for two reasons. 1) Before last Saturday, folks were talking about LSU, Oklahoma, and Southern Cal as the three best teams in the country. Now they are talking about the Gators; 2) Florida wanted to make a statement about where it’s program is headed. If Tennessee’s players and coaches didn’t like getting beat badly it is, quite frankly, up to them to do something about it.
3. Georgia Tech will still win the ACC Coastal: It would be a mistake to read too much into the loss to Boston College. BC is much better than I thought and should win the Atlantic Division. The Yellow Jackets will get another shot at the Eagles in Jacksonville on Dec. 1.
4. Spurrier’s not sandbagging this week: Two weeks ago before South Carolina played Georgia, Steve Spurrier was wondering if his team could compete with the Bulldogs. He was setting everybody up for what turned out to be a 16-12 win for the Gamecocks. This week he is really worried that his offensive line will not be able to compete against LSU. He is right to worry. Spurrier’s hoping his defense can make it a low-scoring game that he can steal in the fourth quarter with a field goal. I don’t see it. I see an ugly game that makes CBS wish it had taken Georgia-Alabama.
5. If Alabama beats Georgia, it will have a huge season: This summer I saw Alabama with 7-8 wins at best. But if the Crimson Tide wins in Tuscaloosa on Saturday, they are capable of beating every remaining team on their schedule with the possible exception of LSU. And that game (on Nov. 3) is in Tuscaloosa. Florida State and Auburn can’t score. Tennessee can’t stop anybody. Alabama has more athletes than Houston, Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Louisiana Monroe.
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