UGA blog finds new home
Morning all. As I’ve said a couple of times this week, we’re converting this blog over to a WordPress platform and it will be a permanent move the first of next week.
Those of you who are regulars probably know that I’m not what you’d call techno-wizard when it comes to these things. But from what I understand the technology offered in this new format should make the blogging and commenting experience better for all. Of course, I’ll be learning as we go along, too. But I’m hoping to provide more pictures and video and things like that which should bring the blog more to life.
Of course, this blog is nothing without all you guys so I want to heartily invite (read: beg) you to come over to the new site by CLICKING HERE ON THE NEW ADDRESS and save it in your browsers. As of Monday, Feb. 23rd, this will be the permanent home of the UGA blog you so love or, in the case of some of you, love to loathe. If you’d prefer to copy and paste or just memorize, the new address is: http://blogs.ajc.com/uga-sports-blog/.
See at the new place!
AJC > Sports > UGA > Blog > Archives > 2007 > December > 27
Thursday, December 27, 2007
A different breed of Dog for this fight
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Greetings! Mele Kalikimaka and Hau’oli Makahiki Hou! That means Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in Hawaiian. That is at least according to my new friend Teddy Williams of Honolulu, one of our readers who has been keeping me on my toes about all things Hawaii.
Sorry I’ve been away for a while. Like most of you I was spending some much-needed time with my family for Christmas. But I’m back now and you can expect daily updates at least through the bowl game.
As for Hawaii, let me tell you, these folks are fired up about their football team and their matchup with the Bulldogs in the Sugar Bowl. From Ni’ihau down to Kaho’olawe and all the islands that comprise the “Aloha State,” the Warriors are all the rage. It really is quite an accomplishment what coach June Jones has been able to do with that little football program out in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
My colleague Tom Stinston went out to Oahu right before Christmas and had extended interviews with Jones and quarterback Colt Brennan for stories that will be running in these pages in the coming days. That’s just a small part of a bunch of great Sugar Bowl coverage we’ll be providing our readers.
As you’ve probably seen, Carter Strickland is already in New Orleans and was with the team as it went through its first practices last night and earlier today at the Superdome. As you’ve probably also noticed, Carter has been cranking out the copy and will continue to do so for the coming days. Columnist Jeff Schultz is on his way, national college report Tony Barnhart will be out there and I will he heading over on Saturday. We all have our various assignments but feel free to let us know what you’d like to read about and see.
Now let’s get busy getting down to the nuts and bolts of this game. I have to admit, I’ve been a little surprised by all the angst I’ve been hearing from Dog fans about this game. Having covered this sport for newspapers for 20 years, I know as well as anyone that anybody can beat anybody on any given day and Hawaii is certainly capable of beating Georgia. But come on… .
Just looking at it objectively, I don’t believe the Warriors can match the Bulldogs athletically. At least on paper they can’t. Yes, they have a great quarterback. Yes, they have great receivers. They have a very experienced offensive line and, relative to years past, a very good defense under the direction of an exceptional coordinator in Greg McMackin.
But football, in my experience, usually comes down to whipping the guy in front of you, and I see a lot more guys for Georgia that should be able to whip the Hawaii guys they’ll be facing on Tuesday. Let’s face it, the Bulldogs have been recruiting a different breed of player the last several years. As far as blocking and tackling, I have to think Georgia has an advantage there.
Now skill wise, there’s no denying that Hawaii is a special team that’s done some special things. But when you’re putting the ball in the air 50 to 60 times against bunch of athletes of Georgia’s caliber, I have to think a few of those are going to end up in the Bulldogs’ hands.
The key for Georgia is to play inspired football. The Dogs can’t come out flat or thinking that they can just roll their helmets out on the field and be able to win. They’ll need to come out and establish their dominance quickly and meaningfully. The longer Hawaii hangs around and believes, the harder it’s going to get.
And, lest we forget, Georgia has a lot to prove. If the Dogs are to be believed they were wronged by the BCS system and I would think that should be incentive enough.
Am I missing something here? Tell me where you think Hawaii has the advantages? What about the latest lines? Georgia’s down to about 7.5-point favorite. Sound about right to you?
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