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AJC > Sports > UGA > Blog > Archives > 2007 > October > 22 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USOn neutral sites and home-field advantage
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I saw Coach Mark Richt on TV the other night talking about the future of the Georgia-Florida Rivalry on the River (the new politically correct name for the former World’s Greatest Outdoor Cocktail Party) and whether it might stay in Jacksonville.
Like most UGA folks, Richt doesn’t consider Jacksonville to be a really neutral site, other than the 50-50 split of the tickets. He expressed some support for the idea of rotating the game after the current Jacksonville contract expires, possibly between Gainesville, Athens, Jacksonville and Atlanta.
The latter, Richt noted with a grin, is certainly every bit as NEUTRAL a site as Jacksonville.
A rotation like that might end up pleasing more people than simply a Jacksonville-Atlanta rotation or leaving the game just in Jacksonville. It certainly would bolster each team’s home schedule every four years and make the site of the game no longer a bone of contention for Dawg fans.
Of course, playing the game in Athens every four years might not provide as much of a home-field advantage as the Gators would get out of a game in Gainesville. In recent years, playing Between the Hedges hasn’t really given the Dawgs that much of an edge. Sure, with some opponents, the Sanford Stadium crowd is vocal and becomes a factor, but often large sections of the stands seem more inclined to sit and wait for something to happen on the field. The noise level certainly doesn’t approach Knoxville or Baton Rouge, despite the best efforts of the UGA student section, which remains on its feet for the entire game and does its best to be a factor.
Unfortunately, not enough UGA students can get tickets to the games, a point the school’s Student Government Association made last week at that meeting of the UGA Athletic Association’s board of directors where most of the media attention was focused on plans for an indoor practice facility.
The Athens Banner-Herald reported that Katie Bowers, student government president, asked the athletic association to set aside more of Sanford Stadium’s seats for UGA students. Many students who wanted to get season tickets this year only were able to get tickets for some of UGA’s home games, she told the board. She pointed out that UGA sets aside a lower percentage of its seats for students than many other schools, including Florida. About 19 percent of Sanford Stadium seats go to students compared with 24 percent at the Swamp, she said.
I know alumni support is a crucial financial component of the Georgia program’s success, but I think it ought to be a given that any UGA student who wants to attend all the football games (not all of them do) ought to have the chance to do so. It shouldn’t be all that hard to ascertain what percentage of the student body would attend if it could, and seats should be allocated for them to purchase. If they don’t buy them all, nonstudents certainly will scoop up the remainder.
It would make Sanford Stadium a much more intimidating place to play if we had more screaming students on hand.
ON THE NEWSSTAND: Sports Illustrated has come out with a special issue devoted to 75 years of SEC football, and the issue has six different covers, one each devoted to UGA, LSU, Alabama, Tennessee, Florida and Arkansas. Georgia’s cover features Vince Dooley, Frank Sinkwich and Herschel Walker, who probably would top most lists of the top three Bulldog football figures of the past 75 years. Herschel is one of those profiled as the greatest players, and the 1980 Dawgs are profiled as one of the best title teams. In looking at the conference’s early years, UGA tops the 1940s while the Institute on North Avenue (which no longer belongs to the SEC) ironically was the top team of the 1950s. UGA ranks third in number of conference championships with 12, behind Bama’s 21 and UT’s 13. The special issue sells for $6.99.
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Comments
By DawgGrad311
October 22, 2007 8:40 AM | Link to this
I agree with the allotment of ticket distribution. Not too long ago I was standing every for every minute, cheering on my dawgs, all the while I would pan across the stadium to see most everyone else sitting on their cozy padded portable chairs. They would get up when something good would happen, but sit 90% of the game. Fans need to realize the power of the crowd before something good happens. Good observation for an old timer Billy boy.
By BlueMoon
October 22, 2007 8:50 AM | Link to this
Not only should the students get more tickets, they should be lumped together more at the stadium. You want some noise? That would give it to you.
By big dave
October 22, 2007 9:07 AM | Link to this
2 things> 1, it’s so pathetic that dawg fans whimper about the game in Jax. so what it’s a few more hours away from athens than gainesville. every thing about the game is equally split, including the number of fans outside the stadium. we use it as an excuse because we are such complete losers when it comes to suiting up and playing like men. we owned UF for years down there now the tide has turned and we whine like beaten puppies. it’s so embarrassing. there’s no better atmosphere in college football than that game and to think it’ll be shut down because we can’t put our jock straps on straight and go down there and fight is absurd. quit making excuses and instead execute the dang plays, that’s why we’ve been losing. let’s grow some balls and stop complaining. 2, i agree that sometimes the fans seem to sit on their hands, but keep in mind, all these so called loud stadiums are right up on top of the field, there’s no 25’ wide walkway between the fans and field, plus we have an open end zone, those other 2 loud stadiums are completely closed in. those 2 things dampen some of the noise. so your observation isn’t completely fair. of course bill, do you go to the game? sounds like you’re usually home on the coach so how do you know?…and as an extra point, if MR and Stafford want to show we’re not dead, then this would be a nice time to show some progress. i don’t want to hear how we’re young, i don’t want to hear how we have a soph QB, becuase UF is in the same exact boat, if we go down there and get our faces pounded in, then something is wrong and MR isn’t as good as advertised nor is Stafford. This is time to put up or shut up. no excuses, two young teams, two completely different approaches to the game. i guess though if we do lose, you whimpering fans out there can blame it on the bus trip to Jax like you do every year. so pathetic, so creampuff. let’s grow a pair and go down there and win.
By big dave
October 22, 2007 9:13 AM | Link to this
2 things> 1, it’s so pathetic that dawg fans whimper about the game in Jax. so what it’s a few more hours away from athens than gainesville. every thing about the game is equally split, including the number of fans outside the stadium. we use it as an excuse because we are such complete losers when it comes to suiting up and playing like men. we owned UF for years down there now the tide has turned and we whine like beaten puppies. it’s so embarrassing. there’s no better atmosphere in college football than that game and to think it’ll be shut down because we can’t put our jock straps on straight and go down there and fight is absurd. quit making excuses and instead execute the dang plays, that’s why we’ve been losing. let’s grow some balls and stop complaining. 2, i agree that sometimes the fans seem to sit on their hands, but keep in mind, all these so called loud stadiums are right up on top of the field, there’s no 25’ wide walkway between the fans and field, plus we have an open end zone, those other 2 loud stadiums are completely closed in. those 2 things dampen some of the noise. so your observation isn’t completely fair. of course bill, do you go to the game? sounds like you’re usually home on the coach so how do you know?…and as an extra point, if MR and Stafford want to show we’re not dead, then this would be a nice time to show some progress. i don’t want to hear how we’re young, i don’t want to hear how we have a soph QB, becuase UF is in the same exact boat, if we go down there and get our faces pounded in, then something is wrong and MR isn’t as good as advertised nor is Stafford. This is time to put up or shut up. no excuses, two young teams, two completely different approaches to the game. i guess though if we do lose, you whimpering fans out there can blame it on the bus trip to Jax like you do every year. so pathetic, so creampuff. let’s grow a pair and go down there and win.
By Phil
October 22, 2007 9:15 AM | Link to this
I don’t remember the Georgia nation complaining about playing in Jacksonville when their team won something like 16 games out of 17 played in the late 70’s and 80’s. Take responsibility for having inferior teams and stop making excuses!
By Dogforlife
October 22, 2007 9:34 AM | Link to this
You should read the blog more often, Dave. Bill’s been a season ticket holder at Sanford Stadium for many years. Yes, he goes to the games. And his observation about our crowds is unfortunately on the mark.
By Tim
October 22, 2007 9:37 AM | Link to this
Who would want to trade the St. Johns River for the asphalt of Atlanta? Just win!
By joe
October 22, 2007 9:40 AM | Link to this
Don’t they call it the Georgia-Florida game because G comes before F in the alphabet?
By Mike Bobo 17 INT
October 22, 2007 9:41 AM | Link to this
The Jax site is neutral as neutral can be and just provides additional fuel that the Dogs play the weakest road schedule know to man.
The Dogs have 5 road games this year, but technically 4 1/2 when considering the Jax game. What is hilarious is that the Dogs could not even contemplate winning in the Swamp, but AU did it this year.
The last time the Dogs played the Gators between the hedges, Spurrier hung 52 on them, so they Dogs have to stay in Jacksonville to ever have a shot of beating the Gators.
I think Florida as won 15 of the last 17, someone please correct me if I am wrong.
By big dave
October 22, 2007 9:43 AM | Link to this
i guess i’ve only read it when he seems to be getting tips on the game from his young son at birthday parties. either way, fix the distance between the fans and players and fill in the end zone, it’ll get much louder. and besides, we’re usually consider a top 10 most difficult place to play, we must not be all that quiet.
By Capt
October 22, 2007 9:49 AM | Link to this
Play it in Alabama or California and be neutral. Better do it home and away like everyone else.
By shannon
October 22, 2007 9:53 AM | Link to this
The site is neutral; we need to quit complaining and win some games.
How can it not be neutral when the tickets are split 50-50
It is going to suck if the game is moved from Jacksonville.
It is one of the best events in college football, let’s keep it that way, let’s not change it just because we keep getting beat. Is it really going to change just because we play somewhere else.
I am so tired of Mark Richt complaining that is not a neutral site give me a break just win the game!!!!!
I have been to the game in Jacksonville at least 10 times I never felt like I was not welcome or that Florida had some built in advantage.
Oh no we have to fly while the gators drive booo freaking hoo.
quit crying and let’s just win.
By ben
October 22, 2007 9:56 AM | Link to this
Doesn’t matter where they play, UGA will lose regardless.
By Mike Bobo 17 INT
October 22, 2007 9:58 AM | Link to this
I heard a rumor that Athens is considering replacing this declining football program that will never have another shot at a National Title with Ladies Dogs Lacrosse Team.
I agree with this move, because I suspect Athens has a better shot at a National Title in Women’s Lacrosse, because it seems that UGA Women can win National Titles.
Sanford Stadium would be a nice fit, a very nice fit for Women’s Lacrosse.
By ben
October 22, 2007 10:00 AM | Link to this
If CMR were a REAL SEC player/fan, instead of a Miami-playin’ Nole in Bulldog clothing, he’d understand that many Dawgs make a weekend out of that game and include St. Simon’s, Savannah, etc. into their plans.
By foxdog
October 22, 2007 10:01 AM | Link to this
The best thing that can happen for UGA in the GA-Fla game is to change the schedule so UGA has an open date the week before the game, just as FLA has had during the past several years.
By Mike Bobo 17 INT
October 22, 2007 10:04 AM | Link to this
Thank you Shannon. CMR just confirms that UGA does nothing but whine, starting from the head coach down.
Play every other year in the Swamp, then you see some serious whining.
By red92s
October 22, 2007 10:09 AM | Link to this
Dawg fans are pretty quick to boast about Richt’s incredible SEC away game record, and what an excellent coach that makes him. Were any of those sites “neutral”?
Why complain when you go on the road to play an SEC team, when your coach has the best SEC road record in the conference. Statistically, are isn’t UGA more likely to win an SEC road game than an SEC home game?
By dawgfacedboy
October 22, 2007 10:21 AM | Link to this
Stop whining and try winning!! CMR is 1-5 against Fl. and we’ve had a better team for everyone of those losses except last year and we had our chances last year as well!
By Columbus Dawg
October 22, 2007 10:23 AM | Link to this
Why screw with the best road trip in the country? There’s nothing better than four days on the GA/FL coast in late October. Win or lose, it’s hard to beat the Cocktail Party.
By No Dawg in the fight
October 22, 2007 10:28 AM | Link to this
We don’t hear Oklahoma complaining about the Texas-OU game being in Dallas every year. The stadium is split 50-50, just like GA-FLA.
By big dave
October 22, 2007 10:37 AM | Link to this
wonder if we have the better team this year? why couldn’t Pat Dye question our manhood against these guys. but hey, we got the week off BEFORE the game this year. based on some fans, we might as well go ahead and chalk this one up as a win. of course, the same fans whine about the location. here’s a couple ideas, catch the ball and don’t miss field goals. it’s a simple strategy but by gosh, it might just work.
By Dawg
October 22, 2007 10:41 AM | Link to this
FL want everything from GA…water, games, money. The game is about money and jacksonville makes more in the UGA vs. FL game then 3 or 4 Jaguar games. Just move it back and forth between states to even out the economy.
By Don
October 22, 2007 10:49 AM | Link to this
Hmmm…Game in Jax vs. home and home…hmm. Schools of thought: 1) we need to win wherever, regardless. 2) FlA has an advantage in Jax, sorry, it’s true. 3) Student Tix…legitimate gripe. Get Demon Evans to speed up getting seats in East end zone to field level. Aluminum from row 10 to ground…prolly what…1500 - 200 seats? Pile students in end zone from corner of end zone to corner of end zone. Sell new available seats in old student section to alums at prem price. Ath Assoc gets more money, students get more tickets and you get a pretty noisy situation with all those screaming drunk kids pounding on aluminum…It isn’t rocket science. 4)Athens, JAX, Atl, Gainseville rotating or Home and Home.
By Will
October 22, 2007 10:56 AM | Link to this
Jacksonville was a neutral site when Coach Dooley led the Bulldogs. It does not appear to have been a neutral site since then.
I bet if UGA runs off 3-4 straight wins over the Gators, UGA fans will be satisfied with the current playing arrangements.
If you have ever been to Jacksonville and to a Bulldog bowl game in either Tampa or Orlando, you know that the atmosphere, color and spectacle is more entertaining at the World’s Largest Cocktail Party.
Winning will resolve this issue.
By Andy
October 22, 2007 10:58 AM | Link to this
Here we go again, another round in the most unfair series in college football. I love the Dogs and Herschel was my childhood sports idol. I think Coach Richt will retire as the best Dog coach ever. But he will also retire with a horrendous record against the Gators because the game is a home game for the Gators EVERY year! I’ve read that Mark Richt wants a rotating series between Gainesville, Athens, Jacksonville and Atlanta. That would be a better system, but not as good as a simple home-and-home series. That way we get the Gators Between-the-Hedges every other year. But Georgia’s administrators, boosters and alum are to short sighted for that to happen. But at least they have a nice hangover to go along with the annual loss. They would rather the Dogs be dominated yearly in Gainesville as their 2-14 record the past 16 years illustrates.
So Coach Richt and the Dogs are stuck with an away game every year against our best opponent. And real Georgia fans are stuck watching our annual loss on TV. I mean who really wants to go to Jacksonville? It’s not the best place to visit! But I am sure that Urban Meyer and the Gators will do everything in their power to keep the series in Florida every year, and I don’t blame them one bit. UGA and their fan base earned a major assist for helping Florida become National Champions in 2006, and Meyer wants the Bulldogs to keep on helping the Gators. By the way, would Ohio State agree to play Michigan in Detroit every year? Would Alabama agree to play Tennessee in Chattanooga every year? And would the Gators agree to play LSU in the New Orleans Super Dome every year? Yeah right, let’s see how fast those Gators start complaining about that suggestion. Let’s get those Gators Between-the-Hedges every other year and let Coach Richt show them what home field advantage means!!
By Mikey
October 22, 2007 11:05 AM | Link to this
Leave it where it is. This is a home game for us South GA / North FL DAWG fans.
By Stephen
October 22, 2007 11:07 AM | Link to this
Hey sorry if someone already wrote it I dont have time to read all the blogs, but I DO NOT BUY the argument about how Sanford is quiet because of the open end zone. Remember LSU in 04? The whole stadium was shaking during the pregame GEORGIA-BULLDOGS chant. I’m pretty sure the endzone was still open even then…I guess we need a team to come in that whooped us twice in the previous season to get our homecrowd pumped.
By red92s
October 22, 2007 11:09 AM | Link to this
Let’s get those Gators Between-the-Hedges every other year and let Coach Richt show them what home field advantage means!!
The Great Coach Richt has better odds of winning on the road, given his home/away record.
By Florida Dawg
October 22, 2007 11:12 AM | Link to this
Vince Dooley didn’t think Jacksonville was a neutral site. It was in UGA’s favor…Dooley owned the “Gator Bowl”! Moving the “Cocktail Party”, the greatest show on earth, would upset those people on St Simons and Jekyll Island. They may distroy some property……
By SFU
October 22, 2007 11:16 AM | Link to this
This is from a Dawg fan’s prospective: The last time we played in Athens, Spurrier hung one on us. It wasn’t much better when we played them in the Swamp. So, it’s not the site, it’s the teams on the field, that count. That said, I still say move it to Atlanta and let the Gators see if having 50% of the tickets makes it seem like a “neutral” site.
By NASCARfan
October 22, 2007 11:18 AM | Link to this
Hey Bill, I tried to talk to Chip about this MONTHS AGO!!! All he did was blow me off and give us some idiot comments from Michael Adams’ Puppet, Damon Evans. You need to print out this blog and paste it to Chip’s desk. I am sick and tired of him ducking this issue just because Michael Adams doesn’t want him to write about it. This is a serious misallocation by the Atheltic Association, and is an embarrassment for this school. I am sick and tired of hearing Michael Adams’ Puppet make excuses and telling flat out LIES about the student ticket allotment. Something needs to be done, and it needs to be done NOW!!!
And Shannon, just because the stadium is split 50/50 doesn’t make it neutral. Florida gets to treat this game as an extra homegame EVERY year. The Dawgs have to treat it like an extra away game EVERY year. How is that neutral? The Dawgs have to travel and they miss a day of practice. The Gators get to sleep in their own beds, practice in their own facilities. Also, back in the day, the Dawgs never had better talent, they had better coaching. Bear said it best about Florida, if they ever got any coaching they’d be consistant winners. Well, since 1990, they have had good coaching (it also coincided with a time when Georgia didn’t). Now that coaching and talent are equal, if you don’t think the fact that Florida gets to use this as a de facto homegame doesn’t play a part, you’re retarded. Moving the game to Atlanta every other year is the best thing that could happen to this series. Atlanta is only one extra mile away from Athens than Gainesville is from Jacksonville. I say that would even the series considerably.
By big dave
October 22, 2007 11:23 AM | Link to this
all you apologist for the dawgs can’t come up with 1 other reason it’s an advantage for UF other than the long drive. your heads are in your rears just like the dawgs when they take the field. and you want it to be a home and home? i just read how our fans are quiet and sit on their hands. but yet it’s an advantage to play between the hedges? come on, it was all fair 20 yrs ago but somehow it’s become unfair. ugh. it’s so pathetic for you folks to make excuses for dropped passes, missed field goals, bad tackling, and poor coaching. those are the reasons we’ve lost. if there is a downside to the game it’s we do lose a home game every year and since we schedule a couple grandma states every year and have to watch those games at noon in 100 degree heat it would be nice to have UF at home every other year. but my long road trips to Jax have been way more memorable than all but a couple of home games i’ve been two in the last 15 yrs. i’d much rather go down there and lose but have a heck of a time with a long weekend that watch us give up a victory to Auburn on 4th and 50, or look like a pop warner team against TN or have a weak south carolina team come in and make us look stupid.
By Roswelldoc
October 22, 2007 11:24 AM | Link to this
I wonder if Coach Richt thinks the Georgia Dome is a neutral site when they play there for the SEC Championship against the SEC West champion. 50/50 split of crowd is always a neutral playing field.
By Florida Dawg
October 22, 2007 11:26 AM | Link to this
As a Florida Dawg living in Jacksonville in the 70’ and 80’s I am well aware of the “Florida fans” wanting to MOVE the game out of Jax because they had their butt beat most every year. That is a fact. Now…the gators are SO happy! All we (UGA) need are coaches who believe we can do it! We can win…Florida proved it could be done.
By gomdawg
October 22, 2007 11:35 AM | Link to this
I went to Ga/Fla weeekend for 10 years was the best place for the game and I think it needs to be in Jax, always best times on my life always remember them. So much to do and see . Georgia will take the gators this weekend Ga. 37 fla. 20 I believe in my DAWGS.
By gomdawg
October 22, 2007 11:35 AM | Link to this
I went to Ga/Fla weeekend for 10 years was the best place for the game and I think it needs to be in Jax, always best times on my life always remember them. So much to do and see . Georgia will take the gators this weekend Ga. 37 fla. 20 I believe in my DAWGS.
By Wilmington Island Dawg
October 22, 2007 11:35 AM | Link to this
The annual Georgia-Florida weekend is the greatest event in college football. The four days are a special treat for anyone who participates. My first game was ‘73 and I haven’t missed one since ‘77. The game was certainly more fun when we won on a regular basis but the event is much bigger than the game. I went to Gainesville once and honestly I’d rather go to Starkville.
By Pitbull
October 22, 2007 11:36 AM | Link to this
**I would like for UGA to play the Gators in Sanford Stadium every other year because:
1 I could tailgate on North campus for the game like I do for the other home games.
2 It would open up home and away scheduling options for UGA to schedule more out of region major opponents.
3 Sanford Stadium is a much better venue for football than Jacksonville. We have the 5th largest on campus stadium in the country so we should use it for beating UF.
By Andy
October 22, 2007 11:54 AM | Link to this
I’m a Georgia fan, but I would much rather have the game in jacksonville than atlanta. Atlanta is a dump and the Georgia Dome is the ugliest stadium ive ever been to.
By Biggest Dawg
October 22, 2007 12:01 PM | Link to this
Florida has enjoyed numerous advantages in this series. Jax is not a nuetral site, the gators always have the week before the game off, our recruiting has been hurt by Damon Evans requiring the recruits to graduate from high school before playing for the dawgs. Plus Florida’s a bunch of cheaters and stupid people that don’t know, they are just poopy heads.
By AltamahaDawg
October 22, 2007 12:09 PM | Link to this
Hey Bill, I have to say, that is mighty nice of you. I understand you have stood outside the stadium and offered your tickets to some poor student that didnt have one. Way to go!
Wait, what? ohhh not you, but somebody else should. hmm ok.
Another temporary solution could be that the student that DO get tickets, could just be loud. I know its diffucult to forget that there could be a few hundred more student there, but wouldn’t that help?
These tickets that you so graciously volunteered (somebody else) to give up, would most likely come from the bottom level of contributors, namely recent grads, which in my opionion are only marginally less loud, if any.
By Not Andy
October 22, 2007 12:14 PM | Link to this
Andy is possibly the dumbest individual ever to stumble upon the AJC website. The UGA-UF game is played in Jacksonville because it is on the Georgia-Florida Border. The examples he gives about other big college rivalries being played in other big cities are ridiculous. UGA-UF in Jacksonville is a tradition. I will give an example of a good rivalry that another poster gave earlier, Texas-Oklahoma. You never hear anyone on either side gripe about the game in Dallas. If Atlanta was added into the rotation, I hope that the neutral game in Florida would be moved to Tampa.
By biggest dawg
October 22, 2007 12:19 PM | Link to this
Oaklahoma doesn’t complain about playing in Dallas, because they usually win. We’ll quit crying when we win again. You Florida people can’t figure anything out!
By FLA DAWG
October 22, 2007 12:22 PM | Link to this
Jacksonville has never been a neutral site. It was an unfair advantage for the gators even when we used to beat them routinely in the 80s. The Ga - Fla Game should be a Home and Away / Athens and Gainesville site like other games. It won’t matter this year. The smelly reptiles are going to murder us.
By SECfan
October 22, 2007 12:24 PM | Link to this
Neutral or not, losing it the best thing that can happen to UGA - it’ll hasten the inevitable cry to hire a new coach. After 5 years… you recruited ‘em, you coached ‘em, and you own ‘em. If you can’t play any better than UGA does, the coach needs to go.
By South Georgian
October 22, 2007 12:31 PM | Link to this
I know of what I speak. Jacksonville is the second largest Georgia city. The number of Dawg fans in Jacksonville is at least as large and likely larger than the Gator backers. I know everything revolves around Atlanta and Athens, but please leave us this one, tiny shred of nearby UGA tradition.
Oh yeah, and move the Iron Bowl back to Legion Field.
Oh, and did you hear, they’re going to tear down Yankee Stadium. Nothing is sacred in this world.
By AltamahaDawg
October 22, 2007 12:32 PM | Link to this
Nascarfan, Uf travels to Jville on Friday just like the Dawgs. They do not get and extra day, they do not sleep in thier own beds. (I don’t think it too wise, to have a entire football team traveling the DAY of a huge game)
On the student tickets, I beleive Chip answered your guestion. He didnt remember exactly, But I do when we went throught this whole deal last year. UGA percentage of student allotment is actually better than any of the big SEC schools. Pehaps the smaller school, with less demands and smaller enrollments can accomodate more. I totally agree with you that it stinks, But stop trying to make it out as some conspiracy of Micheal Adams to make UGA football games so popular that tickets allocations had to kick in. Its called supply and demand. And more student tickets only means that less recent grads get tickets. (unless Bill King would like to offer his) Not sure thats much more of a fairness factor. I have a feeling that on about, Oh 2 years, you are going to think thats not too fair. You paid tuition all those years and now willing to contribute to the actual expence of running the department, but you can’t get a ticket because some 1st quarter kid, who might not even be in school next year, is guaranteed a seat.
By Robert
October 22, 2007 12:34 PM | Link to this
I do not agree that it is a neutral site, I have been going for the past 10 years or so. I would suggest the ATL/JAX rotation.
*Why should the city of Jacksonville get the tourism boost when that money should be split between the two states. *
I think that is just common sense. When schools sign up for a series it always goes back and forth from two locations.
By NASCARfan
October 22, 2007 12:40 PM | Link to this
Altamaha,
We wouldn’t be having this conversation if the alumni were actually worthy of their tickets. That is to say that they’re not, no matter how much money they pay for them. They are the weakest, least loud group of alumni in the whole SEC. You may be one of the few, my friend, but the fact remains that Sanford Stadium has such a weak homefield advantage because of the lack of students per percentage of seats and because our alumni SUCK!
Once again, we wouldn’t be having this argument if the alumni did their jobs that come with having a coveted seat. I’ll never understand UGA alumni. Pay so much for each seat just to sit on your hands instead of trying to will the Dawgs to a win, the way Gator alumni and Vol alumni and Bammy alumni do in their stadiums? They don’t deserve the tickets, plain and simple.
And stop insinuating that the student sections aren’t loud enough. Are you kidding me? Each game I’ve been to (because I was one of many who only got the four game package and can’t afford scalped tickets) the students arrived inside the stadium long before our sucky alumni and the we in the student section stood the whole damn game and shouted our lungs soar. Not a single alumni can say they did the same. Not even you, my friend.
But trying to cast despersions on the student section when they’re the only group in the stadium who act like they actually give a damn, Altamaha? That’s dirty pool, not to mention flat untrue. And well beneath you.
By AltamahaDawg
October 22, 2007 12:41 PM | Link to this
Andy, In case you havent noticed, the UGA side of G/Fl game is not half empty. I’ve been going about 25 yrs now, and it seem to me , its usally about as many Dawgs fans as they allow. So how is that “the real UGA fans” dont get to see the game? Isn’t that the same number of half the Dome, with the exception of which UGA fans finds it more convieniant, which I suspect is the real motivation of half the comments in here to move it.
By 82DAWG
October 22, 2007 12:43 PM | Link to this
I think the biggest reason we always lose to Florida is the bye week Florida has always enjoyed prior to the game. This year we have it and they don’t. However, this year we also have an overrated QB, a HS offensive line and a defensive scheme that is 20 years outdated. So, I think the bye week won’t play that big of a role this year.
However, the biggest reason I would give for moving this to Athens and Gainesville is that we could open up our schedule to playing another team worth seeing. We have to have 6-7 home games every year to make the budget.
By NASCARfan
October 22, 2007 12:48 PM | Link to this
Altamaha, he didn’t answer any questions, and you’re wrong, the percentage IS WORSE than other SEC Schools. The SCA President saw fit to bring that to The Puppet’s attention. Altamaha, in 2 years, I could be in Alaska or Minnesota, or North Carolina, or anywhere I can find a job doing what I want to do. I’m not worried about tickets in 2 years, I’m worried about them now. Here’s guessing, Altamaha, that you had no problem getting season tickets for the Dawgs when you were a student. I thinkyou’re too far removed from your time as a student to really understand what a fight this is with the school and the media. Chip didn’t take our complaints seriously. The Banner doesn’t, either. God knows Michael Adams and his Puppet could care less about the students. And it shows every Saturday we have a homegame and the stadium is more like a morgue sometimes when compared to The Swamp, Death Valley, or Neyland.
It’s wrong, Altamaha. This is OUR school as much as it ever was yours, and we deserve the same kind of considerations. For you to say otherwise is selfish and hypocritical.
By Jonathan
October 22, 2007 12:56 PM | Link to this
Institute on North Avenue? Why don’t you just say North Avenue Teade School. Or, “wer dem smart kidz frum gorga do”. A.K.A. GEORGIA TECH. Believe it “THIS IS THE YEAR OF THE YELLOW JACKET!!!!!”
By Jeff
October 22, 2007 12:59 PM | Link to this
Obviously, the best future for this match up is rotate the game between Jax and the Ga Dome and continue to sell the seats 50/50.
By Brunswick Marsh Dawg
October 22, 2007 1:01 PM | Link to this
The game being in Jax has been a advantage for fla. for 2 reasons, 1-It’s a bus ride from gainesville to Jax and a plane flight from Athens, thus giving the gaytors and extra day of practice. 2- fla. has had the bye-week before the game since 1991. I don’t care what anybody says, put the the two of them together and that, my friends, is an advantage. Remember all the success we had in Jax under Dooley? We almost always had the bye-week before the game.I for one want the game to remain in Jax because I beleive we’re talented enough to at least split the next 10-12 games there. We’ve had plenty of chances to win the last 7-8 years, alot of the time coming in the higher ranked and better team. It’s 90% mental for the Dawgs when it comes to fla. We have to win a couple in a row to get over that hump. Dooley used to say when they crossed over the St.Johns River on the bus on Sat. going to the stadium, they knew they we’re going to win. Spurrier got his teams believing that it was like a home game for them…it’s played in fla. in a stadium named (formerly) The Gator Bowl. They bought in to it and the rest is history. Bottom line is we have to take advantage of this rare bye-week, show them a few new wrinkles (something they haven’t seen), play loose, don’t coach “not to lose”, but coach to win, and let the cards fall where they may. Imagine how much crap Dawg Nation will get if the series does go on a rotating basis and the results stay the same? Pull your heads out of your butts Dawgs and just relax and play Georgia football!!!
P.S.- Each campus in Austin and Norman for the Texas/OU game are almost the exact same distance to Dallas where the “neutral” site game is played.
By Buck in the NW
October 22, 2007 1:11 PM | Link to this
This game has the tradition behind it that ONLY Texas/Okla. have. Until the Dawgs started losing I never heard a word about moving to a different site. I guess it’s come down to the Dawgs whining and turning tail to run because they can’t beat the Reptiles. It’s a shame that the Dawgs are afraid to play the game until they win then if you want to talk about moving the game, do so. Even though we lost, I remember Athens being empty on the week end of the Ga. / Reptile game. Coach, why don’t you try winning a few and then complain.If we did our part then this game would have an effect on not only the SEC. Championship but would play into the NC equation. Just win and quit crying.
By AltamahaDawg
October 22, 2007 1:13 PM | Link to this
So its not a matter of fairness and equity, it’s because you deem the Alum to be too mild mannered, THATS how tickets should be allocated. Sorry, that just not how it works. I’m pretty sure the decision is NOT going to rest of a subjective measure of old fart cheering voice. Beside that is not who is going to have thier tickets pulled, it’s your buddies that just graduated last year. Now as I remember, although it been a while, My first few years back, partly because I was still trying to fool myself into beleiving I could still hang, I was as loud as any student. Some alum are loud, some student might not be. I have been over in the end zone behind the bridge before and those students were not. I’ve been up in the 600 level for kicks and really Not so much noise. Some are , some arent. That cannot be the policy determination. Perhaps grouping them together might create more noise, but that’s an entirely differnt issue.
I have to say, I would be a lot more sympathetic if you would just arue that Students should be able to attend thier universities functions. THAT I could agree, was an issue of fairness.
I’m not casting despersions on the student section. I’m saying nothing keeps them fine young folks from being every bit as loud as they want to be. You are saying they already are doing as much as they can, How does that change then? If they cant be any louder, how will they. I assume you mean, would just be MORE. OK, arent we really just talking a few hundred, maybe several thousand. You are telling me when 80% of the stadium is as you say DEAD, a few thousand more students are going to transform the stadium? And that group of a few thousend has to be significantly louder that he (real, not hypothetical old fart) folks they displaced so I doubt it would be that noticable.
I’m all for replacing old farts with co-eds BELIEVE Me. But thats not who got your ticket.
By RedDawg
October 22, 2007 1:13 PM | Link to this
there is no way Jax is a neutral site for Georgia, you can argue all day long that it is, but it is not. 6 hours driving is not the same as 80 minutes. add to that the bye week that Florida always enjoy before Georgia game and you get a really difficult game for the dawgs. georgia clearly had the better team in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and we only won once although our losses were by a TD or less. i think we can pretty much win this game if marteniz grow some balls and play tough at the line of scrimmage. Hey marteniz did you see how Alabama shut down Ainge, look and learn you dumb a$$, you will never create pressure on Tebow with your front 4, dont dream about it. wont happen, you need to mix things up!
By AltamahaDawg
October 22, 2007 1:25 PM | Link to this
Nascar, I realize you are not worried about tickets 2 years from no, BUT somebody is, and as you point out its just as much their school as yours. I understand your issue, but who gives them up? sadly its the guy not paying the bills.
As far as what i could do 25 yrs ago. Not sure that really relavant, as it not then, its now. I also could get alum season passes for a couple of hundred in “donations” back then too, so the reality and economics of 1985 don’t really apply. I will say, I am absolutely positive, I would have been extremely piszed if i could not have gone to football games, and you are correct, its a mater of perspective. Wouldnt have been the last hard fact lesson I have had to learn of perspective giving away to reality.
And BTW, you are stop confussing me again. Is it a matter of fairness or as you say “not even having this conversation if the alum were louder”?
As far as the percentages, I can tell you that last year UGA did have a highest percentage of allocation, Chip pubished them.if that has changed, then maybe so. I suspect we arent the highest, arent the lowest.
By Pat
October 22, 2007 1:25 PM | Link to this
Why play in Atlanta when our home stadium one hour away has 20,000 more seats? Keep it in Jacksonville. Once we play in The Swamp everybody will be moaning to move the game back to J’ville. If we could win a couple all of this talk would stop. Money will ultimately decide.
By Atl Gator
October 22, 2007 1:27 PM | Link to this
I don’t want to get in the way of all this in-fighting… but it is refreshing that some Georgia fans/alumni actually appreciate The Cocktail Party where it is, for what it is.
While I agree that the argument of a consistent bye week being an advantage is legit, a 5 hour bus ride for the team is not a reasonable gripe. A couple of movies or a nice nap, I would assume, isn’t that terrible or draining. But I didn’t play college football.
It shouldn’t be hard for Georgia players to get up for this, especially considering the way the series has evolved. The talent level has rarely been exceptionally advantageous for either team in the past 20 years, at least. I don’t think, on paper, the story is any different this year.
I wouldn’t mind at all for the game to be alternated between Jax and Atl. That would be great to travel 17 miles to the game every other year. But don’t mess with this. It’s a great trip for everyone involved. Even my UGA friends that complain about the site, CAN’T WAIT to make the trip to Jacksonville every year.
Anyway, 2 average defenses should make this an interesting game. I feel like UF should win, but I think it will be closer than some of you expect…after all, you guys had a bye week coming into this one. :-)
Go Gators!
By DWG
October 22, 2007 1:27 PM | Link to this
Bill, You do not speak for the majority of the UGA fan base. The only fans that complain about the game being in Jax are the ones that DO NOT GO TO THE GAMES! Every dawg fan I know looks forward to the cocktail party every year. Going to st. simons and boozin it up at the beach win or lose is what the GA/FLA game is about. Please speak only for yourself and not real dawg fans. Your stance on this speaks volumes as to what type of GA fan you really are. We need a real fans perspective. Go Dawgs!
By DenverDawg
October 22, 2007 1:37 PM | Link to this
I agree with you about how Dawg fans don’t cheer until something happens (except the students of course). I was in the alumni section at the Oklahoma State game and you would have thought I was at an opera. One “fan” behind me asked me to sit down because he couldn’t see! I reminded him that he was at a Georgia football game where it was third and long for the visiting team, not his daughter’s piano recital.
Give the students the tickets!
By AltamahaDawg
October 22, 2007 1:38 PM | Link to this
Gentlemen, whatever your feeling that we need to move the game to that sterile, non college atmosphere- where the hell do i put my grill, Dome, can we get past this notion that UGA wakes up and drives all day to get to the game and UF just skips over. They both travel on Friday, they both sleep in hotels in Jville the night before, nobody gets an extra day to do anything. YES planes are different shapes than buses, and if you look at google map the measuring stick is longer. UGA travel is definetely more aggrivations, but if 19 yers old finely conditioned athlets can’t shake that off by the next day (when in fact they do it approximately every other week during the season), then yes, we have a problem.
By NASCARfan
October 22, 2007 1:42 PM | Link to this
Hey Buck, Jacksonville is as neutral for the Dawgs as Birmingham was for Auburn. Meaning it wasn’t and isn’t.
Buck, there’s holding onto a tradition and then there’s being selfish. If the Iron Bowl, which to me is more vaunted than the OU/UT game, moved to home and home because Birimingham was hostile territory for Auburn, and Auburn and Bammy share a state! Would Tech be happy playing us in Macon every year if they got to split the tickets 50/50 (if there were a big stadium in Macon)? No, they wouldn’t. Just like we shouldn’t be happy playing an extra de facto away game every damn year that takes away from our ability to schedule better teams.
Why can Ohio State schedule Texas or Washington? Because Ohio State plays Michigan at home every other year. Ohio State doesn’t have to give up a home game to play their rival, so why the hell should we?
As to the man who says Atlanta is a dump, what the hell is Jacksonville… Paris? I’m sorry, but I’d rather party in Athens or party in Buckhead than party on The Landing. Jacksonville is the dump of all dumps in the redneck south. Shoot… why don’t we play the game in Charlotte? At least it’s a nicer city, and maybe we can make it so it also falls on a race weekend so we can kill two birds with one stone, right? Atlanta is ten times the city that Jacksonville is for hosting big important games like this. Hello? SEC Championship Game? Hello? Billions of hotel rooms and ginormous convention space! Come on!
By AltamahaDawg
October 22, 2007 1:42 PM | Link to this
you know, kinda like my subject verb aggreement isn’t relavant sometimes.
By mcdawg
October 22, 2007 1:42 PM | Link to this
who cares-knock their teeth out and it won’t matter-these guys need to stop playing scared-for all the criticism heaped on Stafford this year at least he plays like he wants to win-Jeff Owens -or somebody-perhpas M. Washington (i’ve given up on B. Miller) on the D needs to take it to the next level-A. Allen is almost there is something lacking there
By Columbus Dawg
October 22, 2007 1:48 PM | Link to this
Atlanta? Screw Atlanta. The ATL cornered the market on suck. W should resurrect Sherman and get him and an army to finish the job up there. Get this through your thick skulls: NO ONE, AND I MEAN NO ONE, WANTS TO GO TO ATLANTA!!
Also, Jax is hardly a Gator town. At one time (and this may still hold true), it had the largest Bulldog club in the world.
A home and home series is boring. Don’t knock the Cocktail Party until you’ve been there.
By Pat
October 22, 2007 1:50 PM | Link to this
Vince Dooley once polled ALL Georgia fans about their preference on the site of the game. It was overwhelmingly in favor of Jacksonville. Fans south and east of Atlanta, and there are many,love it. They just don’t blog on the AJC.
By R
October 22, 2007 1:50 PM | Link to this
Problem with ATL (even though it’s a good idea):
Alltel: 86,000 seats GA Dome: 72,000 seats
So what do we do with the 14,000 people who are screwed out of a game every other year? Make JAX a UF “home” site and the same for ATL? Each visiting gets 5,000 seats? Im all for home and home neutral sites, but….
By yankeedawg
October 22, 2007 1:51 PM | Link to this
To be truly neutral both teams should have a bye before the game or neither have a bye!Just like UT had a bye week before playing UGA and you see how it helped!
By GW
October 22, 2007 1:55 PM | Link to this
This game will be moved to home and home in 2011. I’m sure that decision was made when Georgia started scheduling Colorado, Arizona St., Louisville, Cinncinatti, Clemson, etc. home and home. Evans can’t afford just six home games like 2008. He’d like to have eight home games I’m sure.
By george in heflin
October 22, 2007 1:57 PM | Link to this
Just win the stupid game a few years in a row and it becomes a party again. Back in the day when Ga. won nearly every year nobody complained. The post about moving Ala/Aub to Legion field will never happen. Legion field will only hold about 40,000 fans now. Iron bowl still the best rivalry in the south.
By the ritz blitz
October 22, 2007 1:58 PM | Link to this
ya’ll need to quit your whining… The days of neutral site college football games our being kick to the curb? Why? M O N E Y!!! What’s left? Army-Navy, Oklahoma-Texas, and Georgia-Florida, and if Damon Evans has his way the game will be in Athens as soon as the current contract expires. Dooley used to look at the Ga.-Fla. game as a reward for all of south Georgia fans that make the trip to Athens year after year. (I’m going on 30) What other game in our season do we get a bowl game atmosphere in the middle of the season. If they move the game it will be a travesty! Enough said… P.S. Does anyone believe in history?
By War Eagle
October 22, 2007 2:03 PM | Link to this
Auburn and UGA played in Coumbus, Ga(Memorial Stadium),until 1958, first game in Athens.Florida and UGA should play home and home, forget the party, win SEC East? Florida has advantage,although,Jacksonville area has many dawg grads…I think Florida with all that water , and UGA with all those beautiful pine and maple trees…
By AltamahaDawg
October 22, 2007 2:15 PM | Link to this
I was never a big believer in the off-week theories. In the old schedule, would have just had to play UF and then AU back to back, and AU has always been just as important in the big picture. HOWEVER, I am starting to see the value after last year when we didnt get any break till late in the year. (and our schedule with AU changed)Its not just a bye week before this game, its a bye week mid season. Looking at FL getting beat up, and the guys UGA has been able to recover a bit looks like a huge factor. (OH for a bye week in 2005) I dont know if it means we might win, But I am certain without it, we wouldnt have had a chance.
By AltamahaDawg
October 22, 2007 2:20 PM | Link to this
War Eagle, I was very disappointed that you guy lost. Selfishly though. In the UGA/AU game, its usually the team with the best season going, that ends up playing the poorest.
By Brandon
October 22, 2007 2:53 PM | Link to this
NO!
By GWJ
October 22, 2007 3:03 PM | Link to this
Bill, The BEST blog you have ever written. Exactly right on student tickets. Ridiculous!!!
By mdbatl
October 22, 2007 3:10 PM | Link to this
Nascarfan,
Every time this argument comes up the same thing happens- the younger Georgia fans call for the game to go home and home or to Atlanta (?) while the older fans want to keep it in Jacksonville. Count me as an actual UGA student in the latter group.
NascarFan, clearly you haven’t been to JVille if you think CHARLOTTE is a better city for the game. My grandmother left Charlotte because she was bored. Jacksonville is 10x the city Atlanta is- and I’m from ATL. Plus the monolithic, drab Georgia Dome doesn’t even compare to JVille Stadium, set next to the river.
Basically what provokes this argument each time is the losing. Yes, we’ve lost 15 of 17. Jacksonville’s fault? Doubtful- the teams go through the same routine to get there, and there always seem to be more Georgia people in the city than the jean-shorts wearers. Plus, the game can serve as a recruting tool for both schools- name a better atmosphere for a college football game?
Ultimately, winning would quiet all the whiners. Do y’all want some cheese too?
GO DAWGS! Beat Florida!
By chesrire cat
October 22, 2007 3:10 PM | Link to this
hey NASCAR, why not stick to Jeff. I can see the ‘bacca on your chin. Please stop spiting that crap on the streets and sidewalks. I can just imagine how that dually with a Hemi of yours smells. Do you have the ding dong lights also? Sharp and very cosmopolitan!!Gotta love those left turns. Now that’s talent!
By CoastDog
October 22, 2007 3:30 PM | Link to this
Johnny Griffith was the coach my freshman year and the Florida game has been a home game once since then. I don’t care if you call it neutral or whether Florida likes it or not. And it doesn’t matter who won where. Many love the present arrangement but I want this game in Athens on a regular basis-a real HOME game.
By bill king sux
October 22, 2007 3:43 PM | Link to this
Bill King is a bed wettin mommas boy!!! Hey Bill why dont you quit bit$#ing about everything!!! The game in Jax is just fine if we would win everything is exactly equal from the nights stay to the locker rooms to the fans,so what is the big deal??? About our stadium not being loud enough I’ve been a season ticket holder since I graduated 26 years ago and if I want to sit down and watch the game I shouldnt have to listen to sissys like you say thats why we lost the game!!!!! If we have a team worthy enough to win the game it shouldnt matter about the (crowd noise)!!!!! So Bill why dont you just pull on the dawgs the way you want to and quit crying about everything, if we win noboddy cries so lets focus on that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Noyellowinthisblood
October 22, 2007 4:01 PM | Link to this
Moving the game would take so much out of college football. I and many others have had many great times in Jax. Did TX. want the red river shootout moved when they went through their funk? I never heard it. The Dawgs need to win about 3-4 straight and get out of this funk.
By John
October 22, 2007 4:15 PM | Link to this
I am a UGA graduate and an avid supporter of the Dawgs. My son is a senior at UF ( Don’t ask, I’ve yet to figure it out )and he loves it their. I’ll certainly pull for the Dawgs against the Gators every time. I’ve had the opportunity to attend many games in the Swamp over the past four years. I can say that comparing the home field advantage between the Swamp and Sanford stadium is like ” night and day “. Its a no contest! The Swamp, to me, is probably as an intimidating place for visiting teams as their is in college football. I would like to think that one day, Sanford Stadium could be the same.
By Columbus Dawg
October 22, 2007 4:17 PM | Link to this
The biggest reason for a quiet Sanford Stadium is that most games are now played at 3:30 or later and everyone is drunk as hell by then. There is a big difference in being 21 and drunk versus being 40 and drunk. A drunk 21 y.o. student is going to raise hell. A drunk 40 y.o. alumni stays seated to keep from falling over.
By Spike
October 22, 2007 4:19 PM | Link to this
Big Dave.. You are exactly right. We used to kick their rears in Jax in years past. It is not the location, but rather we choke every time we go down there. We need to toughen up like in the Dooley years and play hard like we used to. Let’s grow a pair, and for the love of Pete, BEAT THE GATORS!!!
By TheGatorDude
October 22, 2007 4:37 PM | Link to this
I loved my picture in the photo gallery. I’m the redhead
By june_baby
October 22, 2007 4:43 PM | Link to this
i’ve been to jacksonville, gainesville,and athens numerous times, and none of them are worth a dime. the best place to play a big game would be in atlanta it has more to offer fans and teams, than all those other cities put together(including charlotte). and if you want a river, you can alway’s go jump in the “hooch”. most of the fans are to drunk to be near water anyway. plus maybe if they played some games in atlanta, they would get more five-star recruits out of metro-atlanta, where 4/5’s of the talent out of the state come from, instead of allowing that talent to cross the state line.
By Mike Bobo 17 INT
October 22, 2007 4:43 PM | Link to this
After thsi year, UF will have won 16 of 18, thus increasing their winning percentage to .888. Nice!!
By BulldawgBill
October 22, 2007 4:50 PM | Link to this
Take a look at who is in the “sky boxes” in Jax. They are all Gators. This gives FL quite a few more fans in the stadium. Sky Box seats only go to the lease holders who are big Jagual fans and 90% Gator fans. It’s not fair to GA citizens to lose all the tax revenue from this game every year. It should be played somewhere in GA every other year.
By colascdawg
October 22, 2007 5:26 PM | Link to this
It boils down to this, if you are talking about the actual playing of the game it is definitely a neutral site with the tickets being divided evenly and Jax catering to both schools fans. If you are talking about money, then no it is not neutral the city of Jacksonville and the state of Florida get the bulk of the money with St. Simons/Savannah/Brunswick getting some.
Honestly, I could care less about the financial impact of the game, I just want Georgia to win the damn game and do not think Jax in anyway contributes to the losses. Better talent and better coaching was the reason for the losses in the ‘90’s. Lately the games have turned on one or two plays that for whatever reason have not gone in the Dawgs favor.
As far as those who want home and away. I realize it will always be a big rivalry game (a la Tech, Auburn), but I think part of what makes this series unique/fun to not just the fans, but the players as well is the neutral setting and the excitement that builds during the week becuase of it.
I can’t wait to go later this week. Go Dawgs!
By TWK
October 22, 2007 5:50 PM | Link to this
The game should be played in a state other than Georgia or Florida. For all those Florida fans who say it is a neutral site are full of crap. How about New Orleans. That would be neutral.
By So Ga Dawg
October 22, 2007 5:59 PM | Link to this
What difference does it make if we fans yell or not at the game? Georgia football players don’t play for the fans. We know that because they said so!
By SW
October 22, 2007 6:16 PM | Link to this
Moving the game would be a let down. I live near Athens and grew up in Atlanta and I DO NOT want the game at the Dome. BORING!! The dome is not in a good area, as anyone from Atlanta knows and there is not really much to do, except the aquarium and world of coke, whoopie! I love going to J’ville for the game every year, even if we do lose. At least I get a mini vacation!
By nathan
October 22, 2007 6:20 PM | Link to this
just learn how to win the game and stop complaining. The dawg nation is PATHETIC. 50-50 tickets. Cant be much more neutral than that. Cant wait to see the pups gag one again Sat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By S.E. Dawg
October 22, 2007 7:21 PM | Link to this
I certainly tend to agree with coach richt. A 6 hour drive vs. a 1.5 to 2 hour drive for the Almightys. I would say that’s hardly neutral. For the pro Jacksonville folks if it wasn’t for the drinking and partying you wouldn’t care if the game was played on the moon. Not that I’m against drinking and partying.
By Harry Balls
October 22, 2007 7:52 PM | Link to this
Big Dave: You Stupid son on a Bitc h. One thing that is not split 50-50 is the dollars that goes to the city of Jacksonville. Why can’t the state of GA get that money every other year?
By War Eagle
October 22, 2007 8:56 PM | Link to this
Alt.Dawg, you are correct about UGA-Auburn game. You can go to the Bank, it will be close and exciting, just hope we can keep the tradition going…Auburn wins at Sanford..Dawgs win at Jordan-Hare..good luck against Tebow and Gators.Thanks for all the good coaches UGA has sent Auburn,Jordan, Dye, Nall, Muschamp, Of course Auburn has done its share, Dooley,Eaves, Callaway, Searles, E. Russell
By ATLDawg
October 22, 2007 9:48 PM | Link to this
It’s not whining about the spot if you admit the Gators dominate…and that’s a fact that they do. I don’t want the game moved for that reason. As a UGA alum that has driven and flown to Jax for the past decade—it gets old. It is not a neutral city. It is in FLORIDA. You catch your “Gator City” taxi to the Landing, you are greeted by giant orange/blue banners while the UGA banners are on posterboard on the back sides of the columns, and just by the mere nature of being a Georgian—you are an outsider in “their” state. Why not mix it up and have it in Atlanta? I mean, everyone likes a roadtrip—some folks may not like Atlanta—but Jax isn’t some gorgeous resort town, either. Just give everyone a break from having to drive so far just to get beer poured on them and pushed and shoved and cursed out (like we have been). All I’m saying is I would be for mixing it up.
By NASCARfan
October 22, 2007 10:04 PM | Link to this
I’m sorry, but whomever thinks J-ville is better than Atlanta is retarded, I hate to say it, but it’s true. And I’ve been to 5 Cocktail Parties. Jax is Over-Rated!!!
If a better rivalry like the Iron Bowl can go home and home, then we should at least be able to split it between Jax and the far better Atlanta, where there is tons more stuff to do.
By AltamahaDawg
October 22, 2007 11:37 PM | Link to this
Ah, so now its all about the “tax revenues”?
By AltamahaDawg
October 22, 2007 11:48 PM | Link to this
ATLDawg..”everyone” doesnt have to drive so far. Everyone doesnt live in Atlanta. Don’t you basically get a break driving to Athens for 6/7 games a year. Know how long that drive takes me? This is ONE game down here.
And you folks that have had such a problem in the rude unfreindly nasty Jville, I gotta say, you just dont know what the hell your doing down there. Or Stay in beautiful Coastal Georgia if you feel like such an outsider across that mysical state boundary. And the good news is, that 45 minute trip to the stadium will be a lot easier and a heck of a lot more scenic, than the marta bus ride to get to the game in Atlanta would be. (and on that note, does the term tailgate mean anything to anyone?)
By AltamahaDawg
October 23, 2007 12:02 AM | Link to this
One thing to consider in terms of revenue is a matter of relativity. That part that goes to SSI/JI/Sav is more than some, its huge in actual dollars. And when weighed in term of importance, it means far more to those areas than what it would mean to throw it in the pot of Atlanta revenues. Sure you take the revenues away from Jville, Fl. and send it to Atlanta Ga, but you also take it away from those areas (beleive it or not, also in the State of Georgia). So the net gain is not as great as argued, and the distribution would be quite slanted. Hell, just send us our money and tell me where to set up my gril in phillips arena, and I’m there.
By David Fraser
October 23, 2007 1:18 AM | Link to this
No the “neutral” site is not fair. The game is played in the Gators backyard every year. A true neutral site would be somewhere where neither team would feel like they were playing with a homefield advantage. I.E. the Superdome in New Orleans.
By Lane
October 23, 2007 4:13 AM | Link to this
SPURRIER CONSIDERS JAX, AS A HOME GAME FOR THE GATORS.
PLAY EVERY OTHER YEAR IN ATHENS, WE NEED TO START WINNING - FORGET TRADITION!!!
By Lee
October 23, 2007 5:22 AM | Link to this
Re: student tickets. There is no excuse for every current UGA student not to be able to attend ALL UGA home games.
Also, my daughter was a Redcoat Band member for her four years at GA. As a parent, I would have appreciated the opportunity to go to a few home games - you know, maybe open up a block of seats to sell to band parents. But no, we were expected to pay hundred$ in uniform/equipment purchases but never got the opportunity to purchase tickets unless we went through the lottery process and gave big donations. There are many band parents who never saw their student perform the entire time they were at UGA.
Bottom line, the UGA Athletic Association cares only about one thing, and that one thing is money. After four years, we were burned out on the entire money-grubbing process.
By AltamahaDawg
October 23, 2007 9:45 AM | Link to this
Auburn/Alabama moving had way more to do with capacities, than any of these arguments. Legion field as well as being a antiquated facility hold less than 50,000. When JH expanded way beyond that is when Auburn lobbied to move thier “home” game. Alabama still considered legion field as home away from home because they played several games year there. UF does not play in Jville regularly. Its not even close to the same situation. Alabama eventually pulled it back the Tville because of capacity as well.
Geography is another issue thats not even related. Both of those shools are fairly centrally located, not like Athens is to South Georgia. The Iron Bowl was never about having a game closer to some fans, never about revenues to some other part of the state, never about a fun roadtrip.
If you just want the game to move so its more convenient for the north georgia fans, fine. I have the same motivation. But lets stop making up this rationale. There are equal arguments the other way and TRADITION. I’ve never heard a single person in Jville complaining about being there, I’ve never read a single word from any player in 30 years, that says they wish they didnt have this game in JVille. History proves the venue is not related to the outcome of the game. As far as Coach speculating, I’ve noticed that report seems to come from the Atlanta events. I have heard Mark Richt speak in the Golden Isle many times and I have yet to hear him say that down here. Which just tells me he recognizes there is other considerations.
By AltamahaDawg
October 23, 2007 9:54 AM | Link to this
Lee, thats a shame, tell any of those parents who never got to see thier kids perform even once , that sometimes people do things like SELL ticket to UGA games, and for a fraction of the price that the donors have in them, after going through the process. In fact, right there are literally hundreds of ticket for every ball game that they can get from the comform of thier computer, delivered to their door. Not to mention, prabably 2/3 ganme per year when you could purchase tickets for or under face value in Athem on game day. I’ve had folks GIVE me tickets outside of the stadium before. Thats just sad never to go see thier children perform. And to think it was as easy as putting forth the minumal effort to walk a few step to the stadium. If only they had known.
By kyle
October 23, 2007 11:31 AM | Link to this
UF ahead of UGA in academic rankings, too (big shocker) http://209.200.252.69/~gnnsite2/forum/index.php?topic=123.msg173;topicseen#new
By ATL Gator
October 23, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this
Do you really want to move the game to an inside venue like the Georgia Dome? I am not quite sure why UGA fans thinks that would give UGA an advantage. The Atlanta Gator Club is one of the strongest alumni groups in the nation. The Dome would be 50/50 just like Jax. Plus, do you REALLY want to play the Gators on the fast carpet of the Georgia Dome?
Finally, check the Gators’ record in the GA Dome - I guarantee UF’s winning percentage there is a lot better than it is in Jax!!!!
By Brunswick Marsh Dawg
October 23, 2007 2:00 PM | Link to this
Hey ATL Gator - Do you really beleive the gators are really any faster than the Dawgs? Give me a break!!! The carpet has nothing to do with the outcome of the game, period!!! Besides, it’s field turf and is basically just like grass. It comes down to X’s and O’s. Whoever executes better will win the game.
By ATLDawg
October 23, 2007 2:46 PM | Link to this
Gee AltamahaDawg— you’re right—“everyone” doesn’t have to drive that far…just the STUDENTS who are in Athens. It is a college game, after all and that’s where the college is.
Good grief, dude—we’re supposed to be on the same side here? I’ll let you continue running this board now…
By AltamahaDawg
October 23, 2007 3:18 PM | Link to this
egg shell much?
By ATLDawg
October 23, 2007 3:23 PM | Link to this
Dictionary much?
By AltamahaDawg
October 23, 2007 7:01 PM | Link to this
good one. nah, its a sports blog. Seriously I wasnt trashing you, I was making a point. You chose to ignore my point, but that ok. As far as the student complaining, things must have changed a lot since I was there. As I recall Jville was one of the highlight of the (quarter back then).
As I understand your morphing point, the game should go campus and campus.
By Dorsey Hill
October 23, 2007 7:29 PM | Link to this
Kyle,
UF is also the world wide leader in mullets and jorts. Something to be proud of there.
I have also noticed that UF is the leader in fat, ugly and obnoxious bull dikes.
UF is also alone in claiming 2 NC’s while never ever posting an undefeated record.
UF is also the world leader in most obnoxious and arrogant fans of a team that didn’t even exist, for all practical purposes, before 1990.
Congrats.
By G8TR
October 23, 2007 9:35 PM | Link to this
Apparently this is the Dawgs’ world today: Complaining about bye weeks… whining about neutral sites…alumni are too quiet…always having a young, “rebuilding” team…and looking up at South Carolina in the SEC standings. What happened to those Silver Britches teams of the 70s/80s? Honestly, we feared you then. We were nauseous each and every time we drove into Duval County, stepped foot into Jacksonville and saw the old Gator Bowl looming. It was sheer terror inside a chain-link fence.
It’s how you play. Not where you play.
By dwdawg
October 23, 2007 10:47 PM | Link to this
coach MR needs to show the team films of years we won, in Jax, like 84 (if I remember right) when FL was no. 1 and Keith Henderson and Tim Worley ran through them like crap through a goose, it can be done…also the year Donnan won with Robert Edwards, and the year CMR won with David Greene
By G8TR
October 23, 2007 11:20 PM | Link to this
1984: Gators, 27, Dogs 0. UF defense holds UGA four consecutive tries inside the 5 for no score. Kerwin Bell throws to Ricky Nattiel for an 80+ yard TD. (One of the few good games for UF in the 80s.) You must be thinking of ‘86.
CMR won only against CRZ (Ron Zook). As someone said, your head coach is a Miami-playin’ Nole dressed in Dawg clothing. You’d think “Mr. Look-at-My-Road-Wins-in-Games-Played-in-Opposing Teams-Stadiums” would not be telling alumni UGA can’t play in FL in a stadium half-filled with fans wearing Red & Black.
By King
October 23, 2007 11:33 PM | Link to this
Rivalry on the River instead of Worlds largest coctail party . WHAT A JOKE. DO THE FANS AND MEDIA KNOW THAT THE exclusive right to sell T Shirts and caps in the stadium has been give to a avowed porno websight owner and porn shop owner in Rome Georgia. Yes Mr Charles T. Craton currently operates with his wife a wife swaping / swingers websight and a porn shop in Rome Ga. He was thrown out of his country club , resigned from his church. Do a web search ,the articles are public. Call him he won’t deny his lifestyle. 770-312-3563. I am having difficulity understanding the City of Jacksonville, XPEvents, The University of Georgia and University of Florida approving and allowing Mr Craton to sell t -shirts and caps in the Stadium exclusively. At the same time trying to replace Worlds largest outdoor coctail party with Rivalry on the River .What Hipocracy. WHAT A JOKE
By mexdawg
October 24, 2007 1:28 AM | Link to this
why in the hell would we want to move the world’s largest cocktail party.it’s a classic.it means a lot to our south georgia fan base and to our recruiting in florida,not to mention the national attention and exposure from tv.and the idea of playing in atlanta makes me wanna puke.i think i would rather stay home and watch it on tv.maybe mark richt and bill king don’t understand the tradition of this game buti sure as hell do.i say don’t screw up a good thing.i remember when dooley owned florida and and we would see huge billboards that said jacksonville is bulldog territory and we believed it.to florida’s credit they never complained about moving the game.don’t you understand that recruits come to georgia to play in a special game like this.there is nothing else in college football like it.FOR GODS SAKE PLEASE DO NOT MOVE THIS GAME.
By Urban Meyer
October 24, 2007 11:40 AM | Link to this
Nice to see the AJC published some old black and white photos from way back in the day when you flea bags actually won games against us. That was then, this is now. You mutts should really quit living in the past. Now come on down and get your yearly butt whipping.
Love,
Urban
By DecaturDog
October 24, 2007 1:53 PM | Link to this
Hey Bobo 17INT…
I bet your mouth makes a nice fit too…
Think about it…
By Ed
October 24, 2007 2:06 PM | Link to this
The 40,000 Georgia fans who attend the Ga-Fla. game have made some deafening noise that sounds a lot like the Swamp and other SEC snakepits. I think the problem with Sanford Stadium is acoustics. It’s a beautiful, historic stadium, but it’s not a very loud place.
By DecaturDog
October 24, 2007 2:08 PM | Link to this
DWG:
Based on your statement, the only REAL dawg fans are the ones wealthy enough to have tix and afford the time off, the expense of a family trip to Florida, etc.?
IF I can’t go for ANY of those reasons, that means I am not a REAL Georgia fan? Please clarify.
By 6NAROW
October 27, 2007 1:17 AM | Link to this
First of all, if you think the Dawgs ride a bus to Jacksonville you’re smoking crack, they fly. Second, alternating ATL and J-ville is the best option as a “neutral site”. Atlanta is not the worlds best venue but I assure you it can’t get much worse than that craphole Jacksonville. How the Dawgs agreed to play an extra away game every year against Florida baffles me every time I think about it.
By jlaneusmc
October 27, 2007 11:48 AM | Link to this
Trust me, you don’t want to go to Gainesville and play. They spread the away fans across the field 10 rows deep and you sit right in front of the FL student section. The cheese U. students throw beer, p**, and God knows what else on you. The FL security bubbas will kick the away students out of the game for looking at them sideways, and there is nothing to do after the game but go to techno clubs and see whose jean shorts are tighter. Jacksonville is special, and if you’ve ever been on a winning weekend, there’s no better celebration. I agree with big Dave, winning is an attitude, just like Defense is an attitude. We’ve got to find us one and GATA!
By liferdawgfan
October 28, 2007 5:19 PM | Link to this
Ed,
You nailed it my friend!! Sanford is a beautifull venue, but….. it is more spread out as it has been built out instead of up for the last 40 years. UGA has the same fire spittin football crazed drunk students/younger alum as all the strong SEC teams do. My guess is that any 70 year old alum at a college game is prob just quieter and a little intimitaded by all the “youth”
We need SOUND REFLECTORS installed like Alabama did in Bryant/Deny stadium. Man do they work!!! Sanford when most fans scream thier voice out still is not 75% as loud as Leyland or the swamp, Tiger stadium etc…. for its size its prob the “quietest” stadium in our league. The fans screaming escapes up and out!!! I would love to see the sound reflectors installed and lets get some home field advantage back dawgs!!!!!!!!!