AJC > Blog > Archives > 2006 > November > 08 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USFeeling Blue, and seeing Red
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
No, the headline’s got nothing to do with this week’s elections, but the moods of the two underdogs in Saturday’s games involving the biggie state college football teams.
In her rather limited edition of The Best Campuses Rated Almanac, Enemy Watch has lovely Chapel Hill very, very high on the list. Just about at the top, in fact. UNC-Chapel Hill is about as bucolic as it gets, folks, and not just the leafy grounds and The Old Well landmark.
And not necessarily for the Deandome Hoops Emporium, which actually sticks out like something of a sore thumb.
Several years ago, when Enemy Watch trod the ACC beat, she was dazzled by the then-newly refurbished Kenan Stadium, complete with an unbelievable football locker room and training facility. State O’ the Art, i’twas.
This was during the Mack Brown Era, when Tar Heel football was respectable nationally, but the coach was itching to go to a place that wasn’t overshadowed by basketball. And so he did.
A coupla coaches later, Carolina’s got the Gridiron Blues again. Saturday’s game with Georgia Tech could be the ACC Coastal clincher for the Yellow Jackets, and it will be the last Homecoming tilt at Kenan for outgoing coach and alum John Bunting, who wasn’t able to recruit or win.
Now the name most likely mentioned as his successor is drawing some second thoughts from folks who think the Heels shouldn’t have to settle for second-rate footy.
Will ex-U. Miami and Browns coach Butch Davis really be a savior, or is he even the right fit? There are suspicions he may be a short-timer, using UNC as a springboard back to the college game.
For the most part, however, the Carolina media are pinin’ for a big name to take the reins. Here’s one major endorsement, while this one says the school should go the Full Monty and really make the gridders big time.
If UNC officials had taken action a couple years back regarding the perpetually embattled Bunting, they might be on their way. One of the names tossed around in some circles then was the Ol’ Ball Coach, who’s toiling at the Other Carolina.
Still, Helmetball’s getting some attention at the start of what should be another stellar Hardwood season. And that’s something of an upset.
As for the game, itself, The Hivesters are warning not to take this one for granted. That’s very wise advice.
Down on the Loveliest Village on the Plains, the setting isn’t quite Chapel Hillian, but there’s no doubt football’s the main course.
Georgia. Auburn. South’s Oldest Rivalry. Usually with SEC stakes on the line.
But not this year, at least for one team. The lowly Bulldogs are seeing Red, the prospects of a bad bowl or none at all, and the most jarring lack of confidence in the Richt Era that before the season was declared as possibly even surpassing Doolian Days.
We know now that was highly premature, but Tuberville’s Tigers aren’t exactly roaring like they have in the past.
Auburn’s got just one loss, but needs some help to reach the SEC championship game that for the moment is advantage, Arkansas.
Despite that one hiccup, there’s still plenty of worrying: How good are the Tigers?
Will the emotions of this rivalry stoke the Dogs, much like the Heels may be moved to win one for their departing coach? There always is that playing-your-in-laws feel to this game.
Is that UGA’s best shot at stopping the bleeding?
Comments
By JustMe
November 8, 2006 02:57 PM | Link to this
What is ugag’s best shot at stopping the bleeding? I hope that it is a shot in their head!!!! Kill the dogs!
By Chris
November 8, 2006 02:58 PM | Link to this
Oh my gosh! What a totally pointless piece of writing this was!
By Jason
November 8, 2006 03:07 PM | Link to this
Was there any piont to this article. Did I miss something?
By pdawg
November 8, 2006 03:21 PM | Link to this
You should be fired for this article. I can do better than that and that should let you know that it is a bad piece. Delete it
By greg
November 8, 2006 03:49 PM | Link to this
I don’t see the problem? UGA almost upset UK this week. I think was is most disrespectful is we were there homecoming?!?
By Raleigh Dawg
November 8, 2006 03:50 PM | Link to this
Some one on the UGA coaching staff take a look at Nick Williams of Fitzgerald. He had 250 yds rushing last week as a fullback!!! UGA could use him!
By Buck Cochran in the NW
November 8, 2006 03:51 PM | Link to this
I thought it was a rather unique way to write about the two games. A break from the some old, same old.
By Jim Williamson
November 8, 2006 03:59 PM | Link to this
Goodness Gracious! Such rambling. Whatever you were trying to rant about, the fact is that the Dogs have some very serious issues. Character counts. Georgia is running lean.
By 2N4YEARS
November 8, 2006 04:39 PM | Link to this
OMG!! Is this for real??? This has got to be THE WORST article I’ve ever attempted to read! A 3rd grader could do a better job. I kept finding myself going back & forth, then back, trying to figure out what the *ell this was about! I thought something was wrong with my glasses or something! Is this some sort of joke by the ajc?
By sushi
November 8, 2006 04:45 PM | Link to this
Are you kidding me, comparing Chapel Hill to Athens, what a joke, hey Bradley , go eat sushi
By GREG
November 8, 2006 05:06 PM | Link to this
DONT WORRY,I BLEW SH$$ ALL OVER MY COMPUTER!!!
By Dave
November 8, 2006 07:44 PM | Link to this
“Usually with SEC stakes on the line.” Usually, implies more often than a few times every twenty year.
I guess with Moore, Bradley, and Schultz seeing the light the AJC needs at least one writter to stroke the mutt’s fragile egos.
By MW
November 8, 2006 11:20 PM | Link to this
RUN THE BALL, RUN THE BALL, RUN THE BALL. GIVE STAFFORD THE CHANCE TO GROW UP A BIT
By Vito
November 9, 2006 05:38 AM | Link to this
Well,Since it is the time of year to vote,Throw up the Vote to see just how many fans wat Willie Martinez gone..I don’t think you would have enough yes votes to go around,It is apparent,He is a major factor of why and where the Dawgs are Today..Impreach Martinez,We need a defensive coordinator,It’s apparent we don’t have one now….
By Terry
November 9, 2006 06:22 AM | Link to this
On Sat., teams with their backs to the wall come out on top. Favored teams take win for granted.
Dawgs win, Jackets lose.
By WFC
November 9, 2006 06:52 AM | Link to this
Terry… you are whistling in the graveyard. I’ll take GT and Auburn this weekend for any amount of money you can raise!
By JohnnyReb147
November 9, 2006 10:35 AM | Link to this
Terry…step away from the glue.
By Dawg70
November 9, 2006 12:14 PM | Link to this
Kept hearing about ‘73 season and how we lost to Vandy and Kentucky so I looked it up. Interesting season. We ended the season beating Auburn,Tech and then Maryland in the Peach Bowl.
By 91Wreck
November 9, 2006 12:42 PM | Link to this
Those are some interesting facts Dawg70. But as Lee Corso would say “Not so fast my friend”!
In 1973 GT was a dismal 5-6. Auburn was 6-6, but had a 2-5 record in the SEC.
However, despite UGA’s slide right now, I do believe they have the talent to turn things around quickly. I just hope they wait until after Nov. 25th.