AJC > Sports > Blog > Archives > 2007 > November > 22
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Will Georgia focus on the task at hand?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. I would tell you what I’m thankful for but Bisher covered that for all of us this morning.
So just let me say that I am thankful for Furman Bisher.
I’m also thankful for you ladies and gentlemen, even when you tell me I’m not very smart. Of course Mrs. Barnhart set me straight on that matter some time ago.
Here are five burning questions as we head into the weekend.
1. Will Georgia focus on the task at hand? When Georgia kicks off against Georgia Tech on Saturday, the Tennessee-Kentucky game will probably be somewhere in the third quarter. Coach Mark Richt will have the unenviable task of keeping his team focused on the Yellow Jackets and not what is going on up in Lexington, Ky. Once that game is over and Georgia knows its fate, the Bulldogs will settle down. But can they take care of business before hearing the final score from Kentucky?
2. Will Alabama show up at Auburn? Alabama will be there in body, but will they be there in spirit? Or have the veteran players packed it in? Knowing what I know about this game, the answer is no. It just means too much, particularly to the kids who grow up in Alabama. Bill Curry once told me that motivation was never a problem when he was the head coach at Alabama because wearing that Crimson jersey meant so much to his players. Nick Saban had better hope Curry is right.
3. Is Arizona State for real? Say what you want about Dennis Erickson but the man can coach football. He inherited a group of players who had been 7-6 and 7-5 the past two seasons and is now two victories away from the Rose Bowl. We’ll find out tonight how good the Sun Devils (9-1) are when they host Southern Cal (8-2). The Trojans have figured some things out and are playing well now. They can also get to the Rose Bowl.
4. Is this it for Coach Fran? Texas A&M (6-5) hosts Texas on Friday and a loss would give Dennis Franchione a five-year record of 1-9 against Oklahoma and Texas. The Aggies would be 18-22 in the Big 12 under Coach Fran. Combine that with the indiscretion of selling inside information to big-money boosters, and you must believe AD Bill Byrne will make a change.
5. What will Tim Tebow do? A long time ago Jim Croce told us you don’t tug on Superman’s cape. The Florida quarterback is not Superman but he’s pretty good. And when he’s challenged, Tebow is even better. Florida State linebacker Geno Hayes decided to call Tebow out this week, fully knowing that he was going to The Swamp. Good luck, Mr. Hayes, but know this: If Florida gets the chance to hang a big number on you and the Seminoles this Saturday, they will. Urban Meyer will not take his foot off the gas.
