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 > 2008 > August > 18
Monday, August 18, 2008
No. 1: Harder place to finish than start
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Consensus No. 1. That’s one heck of a note for Georgia.
It was a big deal when the Bulldogs were tabbed the preseason top team by the coaches. It’s an even bigger deal that that they’re No. 1 in both major polls. I have to admit I was surprised when the writers seconded that vote in the AP poll over the weekend. These are, after all, some of the same writers that picked the Dogs second to Florida in the SEC East at Media Days last month.
But that wasn’t the main thing. Sure as the world I thought the media masses would take into account preseason injuries and the schedule and drop Georgia down a peg or two. By the way, I should interject here that no AJC employees vote on the AP poll. A bunch of us used to vote on that and the Heisman Trophy and other things but stopped voting on all polls and awards shortly after the AP poll became a part of the BCS formula. Of course, it isn’t anymore but we still stay away from that stuff just the same.
So anyway, the poll came out and Georgia was No. 1 in AP, too, and the die has been cast on the 2008 season. There’s really only two ways for the Dogs to go from here: Either it will be the greatest season ever — considering the expectations and the schedule, et al — or short of playing in the BCS title game, a colossal disappointment.
I’m not going to get into whether I think they can do it or not. We have plenty of eloquent columnists that get paid to do that. But you probably won’t be surprised to know that very few preseason No. 1s finish the season with that ranking.
In fact, according to the AP, out of the 57 polls it has produced since 1950, only 10 preseason No. 1s went on win it all. That’s 17.5 percent, or 1.75 chances out of 10. By the way, the ones that managed to go wire-to-wire are: Southern California (2004), FSU (1999), Florida State (1993), Oklahoma (1985), Alabama (1978), Oklahoma (1975), Oklahoma (1974), Oklahoma (1956), Michigan State (1952) and Tennessee (1951). You’ll note that coach Mark Richt was was on the staff of the two FSU teams that did it.
So that’s just some food for thought going forward. Grab onto something folks because I can promise you it’s going to be on wild and crazy ride this season. We’ll be with you every step of the way.
The Knowshon Zone
I don’t know much about its genesis but you’ve for to check out the new fan site for Knowshon Moreno called The Knowshon Zone. Pretty simple really but let me know what y’all think… .
Tate gives up football
According to the Cartersville Daily Tribune, prospect Donavan Tate, the son of former Georgia standout Lars Tate, has given up football to concentrate on his baseball career. He’s supposedly a top 10 draft candidate in baseball. I’m sure it was a tough decision for the kid. I always think of George Lombard when I hear about these kinds of things… .
Trouble in Gatorland?
Real interesting “podcast” from the Miami Herald reporter that covers the Florida beat. At the paper’s sub-site known as Gator Clause Joseph Goodman states flat out that Percy Harvin is a bad team guy and blames him as the instigator of a recent sideline fight with teammate Chris Rainey. Listen for yourself… .
Eyeing No. 120
Great story in the New York Times about a guy that has seen all 119 Division I-A teams play in person. He plans to make it 120 when Western Kentucky moves up in 2009… .
Behind the curtain
You probably always hear those of us covering Georgia mention the name Claude Felton. Well the Bulldogs’ Hall of Fame sports information director was recently honored at an event in Augusta and the Augusta Chronicle chronicled it. Pretty much anybody in the business will tell you Claude’s the best.
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