Look, guys, if I’m not slitting my wrists over Georgia’s loss to Alabama, it’s not because I wasn’t disappointed in the outcome. Trust me; I was there and I wasn’t celebrating at the game’s end.
Let me put my current even keel in perspective for you with a simple question: at this very moment, is there any other program in the country besides Alabama — duh — that you’d trade places with Georgia for? I can’t think of one. Considering where we thought Georgia was before the season started, I count that as remarkable progress. Sue me for being optimistic as a result.
Kirby Smart’s already accomplished something that genuinely concerned me at this time last year. He’s managed to overcome the limitations of an athletic department I wouldn’t trust to find its way out of a paper bag if I gave it a flashlight and pointed it in the right direction first. If he can do that, is it really that hard to imagine he can’t lead this program to a national title in the near future?
Get The Picture 
Told a friend (Florida fan) of mine last night that it looked to me like Kirby would win several national championships at UGA. Hard to argue with the direction of the program right now.
LikeLike
Great question posed on the radio this morning … Most of us said the same thing in 2002 after Richt led UGA to an SEC title and a Sugar Bowl victory … Do we really believe Kirby’s going to be the one to get us over the hump? One caller gave a great answer … History proved that Richt didn’t get it done not only because of a little bad luck, but also because he NEVER recruited the lines of scrimmage needed to win it all. I agree with this and Kirby/Pittman have already shown they’re building a more solid foundation for the years to come.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My thoughts exactly. The recruiting, the facility improvements and relentless nature of how Kirby and staff go about it is astounding and SO different from the past. I think we will be mildly shocked in a very good way at what we see on the field in 7 2/3rds LONG MONTHS from now.
LikeLike
I’m on the same page. It hurt like hell the night of the game, but in the cold light of the next morning my feelings were hopeful and much less than after the 2012 SECCG.
LikeLike
feel the same, well said.
LikeLike
The glass is way past half full.
LikeLike
I needed a hug. I suppose this will suffice
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m still pissed about the officiating, but I loved this season, and while next year might not quite reach this level, Georgia isn’t going anywhere.
LikeLiked by 2 people
This is where I’m at I think…especially with the officiating…
I was thinking on Tuesday morning, I think we just lost to the only team that would have beat us in that game this year. Maybe Clemmons but, maybe not…
Sure woulda been cool to have gotten some of those calls we deserved…
LikeLike
Clemson would not score against our D.
LikeLike
+1
LikeLike
Need to figure out how to beat the refs and Alabama (or whoever) next time….that is all.
LikeLike
I’m in this camp as well. I don’t remember ever having complained about officiating, but this one won’t leave my mind. One of my guests called each hold beyond the obvious ones repeated by ESPN; were ones I didn’t see until the play was repeated …in the line and mostly at the ends…and should have been seen and called by the officials. They were at the edge of every scene of the ‘Bama offensive plays in the second half and were numerous. You could readily see that they prevented our rush from getting to the QB as many holds continued in action to within a few feet of their QB.
This season and the peaks achieved are balm to this old farts heart and signifies that these Dawgs have forever placed FIGHT into their game. That and the athletic ability to perform well is the standard that we have been treated to periodically, but now it is seared into this team’s soul. Great going Dawgs of 2017-18 and may your rewards in life meet your play on the field while carrying our banner.
LikeLike
It’s really funny because I can’t stop thinking about the officiating either and I don’t know how I’m supposed to react. Everyone says, don’t blame the officials, but when Brown doesn’t get ejected, our QB gets his head slammed, they hang all over Ridley, don’t call the face mask and as Cojones points out, overlook multiple holds, not to mention our side line infractions it’s really hard not to be extremely puzzled by this and not blame the officiating.
Not sure who was mad that you weren’t mo mad, but I just read it as you looking at the bright side. I couldn’t be happier with the direction of the program and, let’s face it, we’re Georgia- shouldn’t we have expected this shitty ending? HAHAHA
LikeLike
And look back at the biggest play of the game – Tua’s third and eight scramble. R. Smith is literally TACKLED by 77 when he’s about to close in on the tackle. Insane.
Bama had the same number of flags, but the situations when ours where thrown (or NOT thrown) were BRUTAL.
LikeLike
And none of you even mentioned the negated blocked punt which put us in the red zone, or the false start by the Bama wide out on the 4th down, TD play which tied the game. I don’t ever argue the interior OL holds because every team has those, nor the pass interference calls that are so close, but these 4-5 plays that occurred in open areas are inexcusable misses. And still, it took crazy bad play calling to beat us. UGA is OK, and will be back to a similar level in the next couple of years, but that doesn’t mean we should be happy about what happened that night.
LikeLike
It is unrealistic to expect a team to overcome BOTH the most well stocked roster in the game and an unlevel standard of officiating. I challenge anyone to go back and review the 2nd half without coming to the conclusion that a predetermined outcome was in at least the line judge’s head.
And the holds, well everyone knows that Alabama is too good to commit such infractions. Those are never enforced. I find it not a coincidence that Saban is a Belichick protege in light of extralegal nature of their respective paths.
Like Smart said, the Dawgs “deserved” to win that game.
LikeLike
Samesies. But, I’m thrilled that we were able to push them around for a few quarters. We were beating Alabama at their own game, and their loss of composure on the sidelines tells us that all of the talk about focus/discipline in the face of adversity is just that: talk.
Football is such a brutal and complex sport. Both of the teams on the field on Monday night are coaching by people who don’t just understand those realities – they embrace them. Beyond that, it’s a matter of momentum and coaching decisions. We had an edge in each of those facets. The only thing keeping them in the game was the officiating.
That’s a damn shame. But, life ain’t fair. If there were ever a program that would shake it off and get back to work, it’s Kirby’s. My confidence is rooted in THAT.
In sum: I’m bought-in entirely. Proud of those guys, and grateful for their hard work, courage, and perseverance. This team made a believer out of me again. They deserve nothing less.
LikeLiked by 1 person
*are coached by people who don’t just…
LikeLike
My only (significant) frustration is with the NCAA. I’m left with the feeling that world class athletes and coaches are simply too skilled for avaerage officials doing officiating as a part time gig. The players are doing superhuman things super fast and the officials simply can not comprehend it. All those replays and several calls and no calls were simply made because they couldn’t comprehend what was happening. I seriously feel that officiating must be addressed with more competency relative to the level of athleticism being displayed at the highest levels. It was disgraceful.
LikeLike
It’s the same problem at the high school level – middle-aged guys with a pot belly trying to keep up with kids who can run a 4.5.
It’s the same problem at the NFL. Men who are getting old and do this on the weekend trying to keep up with the best athletes in the world.
Imagine officials trying to run with Usain Bolt to determine whether someone steps out of their lane. It’s not possible to get it right. The problem is the “not getting it right” isn’t consistent. Just as the Patriots hey away with stuff the Browns can’t, teams like Bama and Ohio State get away with stuff other teams can’t.
LikeLike
I expect to be in the voting for the playoffs next year. The two teams that could challenge us on next year’s schedule is LSU and Auburn. I don’t see losing them both and could possibly be undefeated going to the SECC. IF we lose to Bama in the SECC, we could be that team like Bama was this year.
LikeLike
Even with the disappointment of losing the big one (and we all have the knowledge of how it went down to help assuage our but-hurt), I’m happy too.
The real..honest…attainable …expectations of this fan have been realized.
!. An elite program. Draws top recruits from everywhere.
2. Doesn’t play down to lower opponents..faceplant…etc.
3. Beats the shit out of GT, TN and UF with acceptable regularity.
4. Wins the East with acceptable regularity.
5. Wins the SEC with acceptable regularity
6. Makes the CFP with acceptable regularity. (I can live without a NC as long as we’re often in close, close reach)
(of course, everyone has a different idea of what “acceptable regularity” is)
This was one season.
It can’t constitute “regularity”.. But anyone can see that, barring something bizarre happening, UGA has achieved or is on the cusp of achieving it.
The only caveat that I fear is that this season was magical because of and mainly because of the chivalry of returning seniors.
That’s not going to happen every year.
If that is the main ingredient to the success of 2017, and not just one wonderful part,.then we have to take pause and hold our breath for one more year.
I think it was the gift that will keep on giving. I believe they were the ones that kept the team focused. I think they’ve set a standard and the youngsters learned it.
LikeLike
Your last four words pushes the bar over to LeCounte, et al, to keep leading players they helped recruit last year and this year. We have a small corps of leaders in place to pick up the baton and keep on runnin’.
In full agreement of your post and these Dawgs are at the beginning of the best team in College Football that will be repeated with fight.
LikeLike
Honestly, my life is no different now than if we had of won. I enjoyed the season. Lived up to my wildest expectations. I could have used a new MNC Hat, that would have been nice. 🙂
LikeLike
That, plus no smug Bammers to deal with this week, is about right. Fact is, title or not, this team appears poised to get where I always hoped to see UGA: playing and recruiting like they did when I coached them in dynasty mode on NCAA ’12 on my xbox 360. 🙂
LikeLike
Don’t feed the trolls. Anyway I think the same as you. The game was crushing, people who take the longer view, as opposed to instant gratification, have to be pretty happy where the program is. I’m not going to rehash all of your posts detailing how far some specific categories of the team’s performance have improved since Kirby arrived, but we all know the player performance has significantly improved. The organization, management, planning, practicing, coaching, recruiting……everything has improved. I am pleased as punch with the state of the program which is distinct from my disappointment in the specific game’s outcome.
Get The Big Picture.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We’re at a point where we can compete with anyone on any given Saturday. We haven’t been able to say that in a long time. We still have areas to improve upon, but wholesale changes are no longer needed. I do believe the East will become more competitive after the coaching changes, but Georgia is now the team to beat on that side. It takes an awful lot of good things to happen for a team to be in the final game, but it is now realistically conceivable for Georgia to be in that hunt again.
LikeLike
In a couple of years, the same question posed to an Alabama fan will have “besides Georgia” inserted. That is phenomenal progress! Go Dawgs!
LikeLike
As someone who has read your posts but not the comments for the last couple of days (need a break), I truly appreciate your even keel and optimism. I didn’t sleep Monday night, but slept again last night. Life marches on, and I love my Bulldogs. As much as I hated that these seniors couldn’t quite win the ultimate prize, they are lifelong DGDs. And Kirby is just getting started…
LikeLike
Senator this group of young men took the Dawgnation on a magical ride during the season, giving us all the opportunity to experience victories at Notre Dame, Jacksonville, the SEC Championship and in Pasadena, so I thank them for the lifelong memories they created. I am disappointed in the fact this group of seniors did not get to experience victory in the last game but that does not diminish my pride and excited anticipation for what is to come. The 3.5 hour drive out of Atlanta yesterday only solidified these feelings. Tip of the Cap to Coach Saban, pulling your starting QB for a freshman with little meaningful experiences shows why he is the absolute best coach of all time.
Also thank you for delivery words to description the ins and outs of the entire season, your site added to the season long magic.
LikeLike
Well said. I feel bad for the players – who did so much this year. They didn’t get many breaks along the way, particularly from the refs in the last game.
Us on-lookers shouldn’t be griping after getting a front row seat to this amazing season.
LikeLike
I still love everybody.
LikeLike
He’s managed to overcome the limitations of an athletic department
This really is UGA football’s most significant accomplishment
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hate to continue the “Kirby is Saban Jr.” meme but it is pretty remarkable when you look at the 2007 & 2008 Alabama teams vs the 2016 & 2017 UGA teams. I know Kirby had more to work with starting out but Saban never had to overhaul the Georgia Way.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would put it about even. Bama had play makers and was coming out from under scholarship limits
UGA had play makers but under signed and has to fight the UGA way.
I do agree the 1st 2 seasons are much alike. I was thinking the reasonably expected best scenario was a loss in the SECCG to Bama in a game that went 4 full quarters.
LSU 2011 was the lat time a pro-style offense beat Bama. UGA took them to OT in year 2. Hopefully the recruiting and continued building of depth can put UGA over the top. I am as optimistic as I have been in a decade, likely more so with the facilities upgrades, paid analysts etc.
LikeLike
“Fans” of most teams can be hard to bear. That’s why, for me, I can hardly stomach the thought of some teams beating us or winning it all. The thing that helps bring some perspective, though, is thinking about the 10 years old there. There’s something inside of me that would like for all 10 years to experience the thrill of that magical season when their team wins it all.
With that being said, I’m thrilled we won but sad for some of y’all (even though you aren’t 10) that didn’t get to finish out the magical season.
To answer one of the Senator’s questions: I can think of maybe a couple of other programs that are worthy of a trade. Clemson comes to mind and maybe Oklahoma. Clemson is the king of the ACC, recruits at a high level and has been to the playoffs three years in a row, played for two titles and won one. I think they are in good shape. Y’all are too, though.
BD
LikeLike
well said.
My 12 y/o bawled her eyes out. I was really shocked at how serious she takes it but my wife (always a clever one) pointed out that she takes it serious because her dad takes it serious.
Of course I think some of the calls were bad but my final analysis is that Bama was the better team (5 to 10 players better than Georgia and by the end of the game, it showed). I’m happy with year 2 of the Kirby-nator and look forward to the future.
LikeLiked by 2 people
My 18-year old daughter didn’t bawl, but she took it hard because I did, too.
LikeLike
For both of you..Normaltown and EEThomas…your daughters were most likely upset because they love you and hated seeing you so disappointed. That’s about as sweet as things get in life. I’m betting you’re great dads!
LikeLike
My son went to Alabama, and he’s having a difficult time celebrating because as he said “my parents, and so many of my friends are heartbroken”. He’s still celebrating a little, though. May we be able to turn the tables next season.
LikeLiked by 1 person
MKD, it sounds like you have a son to be proud of.
LikeLike
“I’m betting you’re great dads.”
In their eyes, it depends on the day! My girls were definitely emotionally invested on Monday night.
LikeLike
Coming from being a teenager with season tickets during the Goff years, making WLOCPs that were Goff vs SOS, the decline of Richt, and an athletic department that did not spend to keep up. I am very happy to see where the program after 2 years with Smart, and very eager to see the future.
I would not trade with Clemson. They are kings of the SEC, Auburn would be too if the 2 schools traded conferences and both depend on recruiting a very good QB.
Oklahoma is a very tradition rich program with a new Head Coach. But the league is not producing national champs, and I question if they can produce the defense needed.
Bama and UGA can be a collision course to trade blows for titles, if Smart can keep the path.
LikeLike
Bryant Denny, very well said. My sons are 15 and 16; and I was 15 years old when UGA won it all in 1980. I was disappointed in my own terms about the loss to Bama, but somehow even more so about not getting to experience it through the eyes of my boys. Nothing is as magical as when we were kids.
LikeLike
Agreed I was in my teens for the Bama/Miami 92 Sugar Bowl. It was a work of art against a team which had seemingly all the other teenagers sporting their hats and jackets.
LikeLike
I’m ecstatic on the 2017 season; not hanging my head and I hope none of our players do. Tremendous work by Kirby and staff. What would make my day is Roquan and Trent saying they will be coming back next year! Losing a lot of leaders from this senior class and need to have some of those younger pups to step up. Go Dawgs!
LikeLike
If Roquan and Trent say they’re returning, nobody’s going to be safe for a couple of hours in my neighborhood!.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It hurts now but long turn losing that game may turn out to be the best thing that ever happened but I still would rather have won. I didn’t shoot myself the last 10 years so why would I now?
LikeLike
I don’t see how anyone could take Monday night for anything except another step in the right direction. I’ll admit I was skeptical of everything about the program after last year. The performances against Nicholls, Ole Miss and Vandy scared the hell out of me. The last quarter of the tech game had me thinking Kirby may be in over his head. My opinion began to turn when the 5 of the 6 rising seniors (especially the running backs) who could have left decided to stay. It was a sign that the team was buying into what Kirby was selling the team. When we went to ND and won with a true freshman in his first start, I thought this team is going to be competitive. When we went to Tennessee and Kirb-stomped them, I thought this team could win the East. After Jacksonville, I thought we could make the SECCG competitive. After tech, I knew Kirby got it and had not had his Georgia roots surgically removed by The Process. Everything after that has made me a true believer that we have the right guy to lead the program. I don’t know if we’ll win a national title in the next 3-5 years, but I do know this program is going to be nationally relevant. We’re one of the programs that will be fighting it out in the sport’s toughest neighborhood. If you can be the best in that neighborhood, you have to like your chances to win the whole darn thing soon.
LikeLike
Excellent summary. I’m right there with you. I was a doubter last year, but as this season played out, it was clear to me Kirby’s plan was working. With the talent he’s bringing in, I fully expect to be back in ATL next year, with another shot at Bama. That will be our shot at the playoffs. I’ll take it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Kirb-stomped Tennessee” Nice!
LikeLike
I can’t take credit for that. I’m sure I read it somewhere else. I’m not that creative!
LikeLike
So as someone who’s a little more doom and gloom the answer to your question is: no, maybe Clemson. Point taken. I can only speak for myself but I think what makes the game so frustrating is that we came so close to finally and fully exorcising some demons Monday night, couldn’t take advantage of the opportunities, and in the cold light of morning get to watch Alabama celebrate their 5th national championship under saban for which we’d give our left nut for just one. Yes, this season was special and things are on the upswing but opportunities like this are rare and we could be looking back in a few years and realizing this was the moment the tide was the most vulnerable and that was our best chance at ending the national championship drought. Future opportunities are not guaranteed which is why not being able to take advantage of them when they present themselves is so heartbreaking.
LikeLike
Not specifically directed at you, Charlotte, but if we’re consistently playing for the SEC championship and winning it but don’t win a “natty” (I hate that term, by the way), is anyone willing to step out and say Kirby should get fired for that?
Maybe this means I don’t demand excellence, but I wouldn’t be in that camp. The national championship drought is something for the national media to prattle about. Does anyone right now believe Gene Chizik or Larry Coker is a better head coach than Kirby Smart because both of them have a natty? I don’t.
LikeLike
This.
To me, winning a national title is like winning a beauty pageant. You’re kind of picked as the winner. It’s out of your control in many respects.
Winning the SEC is done on the field. You’re not backing in to that title in my opinion.
LikeLike
According to some, the previous guy backed into 2 of them.
I agree with you. Win the SEC and let the chips fall where they may … I’ll NEVER be disappointed with an SEC championship regardless of how it was won.
LikeLike
Amen. “Best of the best” is a damn fine achievement. Doesn’t satisfy everyone but you are in the neighborhood where you want to be and where you are respected. Immediately, we are already picked high for next year and have a player considered the early leader for the over hyped Heisman race.
LikeLike
Clemson has Trevor Lawrence coming in and Alabama came back with a freshman RB and freshman QB. We went further than we deserved to with what we had to work with and it’s not going to get any easier in the future.
What it takes to win it all is so much harder than than the last time we did it.
24 hours is up. Time to get back to work.
LikeLike
“Yes” concerning observations of those teams, but we are out-recruiting them at this moment and have the #1 recruiting class for 2019 (three 5-stars and four 4-stars total). Their training and conditioning at Georgia will make the diff going forward that can catch and overcome those programs.
LikeLike
There ain’t nothing promised tho. Gotta convert it. We have to take it. In order to do that, we gotta get to work.
One thing for damn sure is we don’t need anymore tight fucking games in the finale. We need to Nebraska 1995 people. Between fucktarded or bought refs and shitty damn luck, we’ve got to take this to a whole new level. We need to make people lay down and quit.
LikeLike
Well said.
LikeLike
I believe we can do that with the present training and conditioning coaches.
LikeLike
The only positions Georgia is better than Alabama are MLB and PK. OL and DL go to Alabama and that’s where the game was won. As long as Kirby maintains the level of recruiting like the 2018 class Georgia will be as good as anyone. Alabama has had ESPN darling tag which allowed them to get in the 2011 BCS and this year’s CFP. Georgia doesn’t have Herbie’s like Saban or Baker.
LikeLike
I think our DL was the equal (or better) of their OL. Our OL was good this year, and is in for a major upgrade with the talent coming in.
The area I saw the biggest difference in talent was the secondary. We really need one or both of those 5* corners in this class.
LikeLike
Don’t forget that their O-line was reduced to holding-while-cheating to win that game. And that doesn’t make them the better team.
LikeLike
Why would you ever trade uga? Win or lose.
LikeLike
Ride or die. No doubt. But forgive me if I bleed.
LikeLike
Monday night is why I hate the College Football Playoffs. Georgia wins the SEC for the first time in 12 years, then plays in and wins the Rose bowl for the first time in 75 years. We then lose by 3 points to Alabama in OT and the world has come to an end. It was the best season since 1980 yet we lost. Damn just enjoy the fact that we had one of the best teams in my 70 years and wait till next year. Go Dawgs and thanks to all the seniors that stayed to improve the program.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I’m still on a Rose Bowl high. Monday night sucks, but takes little away from the season for me.
LikeLike
Well put! I agree! I wish we still had the pre-BCS bowl system. It was all finished on New Years day and the AP and UPI announced the top 20 a couple of days later. We discussed and argued about who should end up where with our friends and acquaintances. It was fun but that was then and this is now.
It’s really something to think about. Imagine..after the successes of this season (which you eloquently described) we feel less than elated.
LikeLike
Under the old system of conference tie in bowls Oklahoma (Big 12) and Clemson (ACC) would have played for the National Championship in the Orange Bowl. Ohio State (Big 10) and USC (Pac 12) in the Rose Bowl, probably Penn State(At large) and Alabama (At large)in the Fiesta Bowl and we would’ve ended up with Wisconsin (At large) in the Sugar. The Orange Bowl winner would have probably gotten the most votes followed by Ohio State, Alabama and us if we won our bowls. The past may not have been all it was cracked up to be.
LikeLike
Very true. It is why I call all titles beyond conference champs “MNC”. Few agree, but the past “titles” are ceremonial and inconclusive, imo.
LikeLike
Also, as stated earlier, how many teams in the recent memory could beat with the heisman winner and #1 offense in 2OT then immediately fly across country to stand toe to toe and force the #1 smash mouth/defensive team and greatest dynasty in cfb history to bench their 25-2 qb to comeback and win in OT on a 40 yard broken coverage td?
I still maintain that we should’ve won that game but I’ve never been prouder to be a lifelong UGA fan. Just like Donnan elevated UGA to respectability, and Richt from respectability to prominence, Kirby will raise reasonable expectation for the program.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excellent!
LikeLike
^^^^^^^Good shit.
LikeLike
Am I not allowed to still be pissed off about the hosejob on Monday night and also optimistic about the duturw of the program?
I don’t see it as either/or.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Long time reader, infrequent commenter, and Bama fan. I think year two of Kirby shares many of the same experiences Bama fans had in year two of Saban:
UGA/Notre Dame and 2008 Bama/ Clemson- hey we might be pretty good.
UGA/UF and 2008 Iron Bowl- spanked their ass as expected. Feels good!
SECCG and 2008 Bama/UGA- wow, we ARE good!
National Championship and 2008 SECCG- it fucking HURTS! But players will remember the sting and be motivated for next year.
I think Kirby is going to break some records at UGA/SEC and maybe in CFB.
Just my two cents.
LikeLiked by 1 person
True and frank statement. We look forward to it.
LikeLike
It is hard to get into the playoffs.
Best ticket is SEC champ.
Getting there is difficult.
Returning in 2018 will be very difficult. This will be the season Smart and staff will be more closely looked at. These three teams will be better in 2018, Florida, South Carolina, and Tennessee, and throw in Auburn.
2017 looked like a 9-4 season to me with road games at Notre Dame, Tennessee, Florida, and Auburn. Schedule more favorable in 2018. Now East teams are aware of the Dawgs, now the hunted.
If Bama is the standard we are not there yet by any means and it showed in the second half, refs or no refs. The line of scrimmage on both sides remains an issue and definitely the secondary.
The 2018 playbook. With Fromm rising and Fields on campus, the QB should be come a more threatening and mobile position. Please note how Saban is tweaking his with a more mobile QB and passing attack.
To beat Bama, and I guess we can still say they are the team to beat, teams have to have a very good passing attack. Lot of folks rail against Hugh Freeze, but what he did was expose how to beat the Tide with a fast paced
passing attack, ie, Clemson last year, too.
Happy and satisfied? Nope. Bet Smart and staff feel that way too.
Ticked about the Bama game. For sure.
Tired of the Dawgs lightly knocking on the door. Want to see an old fashion kicked it off the hinges and lay it on the deck.
LikeLike
Some good points.
RE your last one , “Tired of the Dawgs lightly knocking on the door”
I submit to you that on Monday night, Georgia Bulldawg Tyler Simmons knocked the door off the hinges and plundered the house of ‘Bama and was arrested for it.
It was a moment that should have gone down in the same book of Dawg Lore as “Run Lindsay run”. ‘Bama’s goose would have been cooked.
That will always be wrong. We can finally let the Jasper Sank’s fumble rest in relative peace.
Sometimes you just need just an even break and these Dawgs didn’t get it.
If any of you see Tyler around, tell him he’s a hero!
LikeLike
The fact that the flag came out of the pocket AFTER the punt was blocked should scream to anyone what was at play in this game.
LikeLike
Same ref “missed” the false start on the 4th down play.
LikeLike
Exactly my point.
LikeLike
Hope this motherfucker gets outed.
LikeLike
Saban is 66 years old and time is already working against him. Can he promise recruits with a straight face that he will be around when he is 70? I can’t think of single college head coach I’d rather have in Athens today than Kirby Smart. We just need to keep an eye on Greg McGarity.
LikeLike
No one can see the future, but considering the current state of the UGA program and the youth of our coach, I wouldn’t even trade places with Alabama at this point.
Yes, they won the title on one perfect pass in OT…and, yes, their roster is full of 4 and 5 star players (so is ours)…but their coach will be retiring soon (ours has a ways to go) and when he does, Alabama will hard pressed to replace him with a coach of equal measure. Look what happened to them after they had to replace Stallings; they are due for some suffering. It may not be next season, it may not be the season following that…Saban can beat a lot of teams, but one he’ll never beat is time.
Now, consider your humble Georgia Bulldogs. We’ve got a loaded roster that seems to be getting stronger each year. We’ve got a very young head coach (now with HC experience in the playoffs and big game). We’ve got a burning hunger and fire in our bellies considering the way this past season ended. We’ve got a division that we can dominate for at least the next two or three seasons (and maybe longer depending on the way a coaching hire or two at other schools pans out).
Do I wish we had held them at 2nd and 26? Of course. Every Dawg fan does and every Dawg fan was crushed by the way that game ended. That play will never leave my memory…in the same way Murray’s pass and Conley’s catch at the end of the 2012 SECCG will never leave my memory. They will both haunt me forever…but would I trade everything Georgia has going for it right now with Alabama for that one title?
Nah.
Georgia can’t play for second place. We, as a program, have to adopt that “if you ain’t first, you’re last” mentality and accept nothing less than perfection going forward. We, as a program, have to use that bitter disappointment and let it fuel us in 2018 and beyond. We, as a program, need to remember the way we all felt when that last pass was caught and use it as motivation to never let it happen again or come down to a play like that…but with all of that being said, I’d not trade places with ANYONE else considering where we are as a program right now and going forward. That includes the Crimson Tide.
LikeLiked by 1 person
One big difference we realized this year was lack of injuries and that plaudit goes straight to the conditioning program and practice coaching. This year we heard of big hits in practice without the usual injuries that follow and I haven’t seen the shoutout to them (probably because I haven’t read the comments since Mon). Anyway, that group alone kept us in all the games this year and we didn’t have to contend with the injuries that ‘Bama did with the same caliber players.
LikeLike
I believe S&C played a big part, but I’m sure there’s an element of luck. I hope regression to the mean isn’t mean to us next season.
LikeLike
A lot posts here I agree with, I certainly agree our future looks bright, but I also spent the 24 hours after the game sorting out my feelings about it. The old ABC Sports tag “the thrill of victory, and the agony of defeat” applies here.
It was thrilling that we could keep them out of the end zone on their last drive in regulation. It was agonizing when we could only manage a FG in OT. Then when we got the huge sack in their OT, it seemed like we were going to win (more thrills), only to agonizingly watch them score.
I just wonder how I would feel if we had been the ones down 13-0 at the half, and if we had been the ones to tie it and force OT, but they still won would I feel any different?
LikeLike
“Show me a good loser and I’ll show you a loser”. – Stewy “the kid” Unger. The greatest Texas Hold’em and gin player who has ever lived.
LikeLike
There’s a difference between a good loser and a gracious loser. A gracious loser understands the context of a loss while accepting the outcome. Sorry, but I’ll never take advice about how to behave about winning and losing from a professional card player.
LikeLike
I agree with you ee, I just think the line is awesome. “The kid” had almost supernatural abilities when playing cards. Several times he was offered tremendous sums of money to throw a game to a rich guy, so the guy could say he beat Unger at gin. Near the end of the game when he was far down, he just couldn’t bear losing and come storming back and crush the opponent, completely humiliating him. He didn’t win many friends like that.
LikeLike
Too bad he loved coke and whores more than life or winning.
LikeLike
I get that. I hate to lose and never let my kids win at anything whether that was Monopoly or Mario Kart. When they beat me fair and square, I gave them the thumbs up. When I think of the epitome of the gracious loser, Jack Nicklaus comes to mind at the Duel in the Sun at Turnberry. He and Tom Watson tried to beat each other’s brains in for 72 holes. When Tom finally beat him on the last hole, Jack shook his hand and they walked off together as competitors who respected one another immensely. That’s how to lose.
LikeLike
Some moron even has a memorial chair outside the weight room at the Athens Y with that bullshit written on it.
LikeLike
he’s probably one of the old guys that complains about allowing women in the Y and how better it was when you could swim in the pool nekkid
LikeLike
Women and. . . .
LikeLike
Stuey Ungar is an example of somebody who’s done an amazing job and is being recognized more and more, I notice.
LikeLike
If you are any other program in the country besides Bama, OSU and maybe Clemson/OU (maybe…) you watched the game and are seeing the recruiting and shaking your head that there is another juggernaut set to monopolize talent and take up a seat at the table of the playoff discussion for the foreseeable future. The only possible consolation is the fact that UGA and Bama will likely be playing each other in the SECCG every year to possibly knock each other out. Even if you are a Bama fan, you know Nick’s only going to be around a handful of years, and who can mimic what he’s done? Kirby ain’t going anywhere and I can’t even imagine the pros are a place he’s interested in.
LikeLike
While I’m optimistic about the future. All future National Championships will be running through Tuscaloosa as long as Nick Saban is the Tide’s Head Coach. There’s a reason Saban has beat every former coach underneath him. Saban is simply the best, that’s just a fact.
LikeLike
Kirby came close to beating him his second year and seems to be slightly ahead in recruiting so far, so I’m pumped to see if we can pull ahead eventually given enough time. But you are right, the Championship runs through Tuscaloosa until further notice.
LikeLike
And Kirby wasn’t working with the last 4 no. 1 classes. Coaching is important but so is talent.
LikeLike
yep! Like it or not, it’s a fact. And at he seems to be a reasonable and gracious man..
LikeLike
For my money, Saban is 11 and 1 against former assistants. That game was taken from UGA plain and simple.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I hate this sort of thinking quite frankly. Saban beat us twice barely with far superior talent. He’s no genius x’s and o’s guy or master motivator. What he did was our recruit everyone for years. That simple.
Yeah he’s 12-0 vs. former assistants but not one of them, including Kirby, has shown up with a comparable roster.
This is like taking the Golden State Warriors and winning the NCAA tourney in overtime and patting yourself on the back.
And guess what? He ain’t out recruiting Kirby.
I don’t give a fuck what he does. He can retire or coach until he’s 92. His days of owning the SEC are numbered either way.
LikeLiked by 1 person
agreed!
LikeLike
I think we, as long-suffering UGA fans have come to be ok with accepting moral victories. Part of why Alabama is so damned good so damned consistently is that their fan base demands victory. Kirby is doing great in crootin’, setting the standard, etc., and he definitely seems to be the right guy, but he failed to close out the biggest game of his career with it in his grasp. He needs to learn from that. It needs to be said, out loud, so that it can be learned from. It shouldn’t be ignored, and we shouldn’t be ok with moral victories anymore. We need to up our expectations.
LikeLike
Really?
LikeLike
I guess this is what a winning attitude looks like:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2013/12/02/deadly-shooting-over-alabama-loss-to-auburn/3819905/
LikeLike
That’s quite a stretch from my saying that we should not keep looking for moral victories.
LikeLike
Whose looking for moral victories?
I think you’re an idiot looking for something to be a bitch about.
To sit there and type my attitude is perhaps a problem connected to that L is fucking stupid and it’s insulting. Go away and fuck you.
LikeLike
Oh, bullshit.
So if Kirby doesn’t win the big one, it’s our fault? Oy.
LikeLike
Obviously this is your blog and you’re free to disagree, even to the extent of foul language. But, nowhere in either the text of my post did I say or imply that the outcome of a game is the fans’ fault. Oy, indeed.
LikeLike
You’re right except for that fact that it’s exactly what you said.
LikeLike
Well, obviously, this is your comment and you’re free to give me permission about what I write here, but if you didn’t say or imply that, perhaps you can interpret “… but he failed to close out the biggest game of his career with it in his grasp. He needs to learn from that. It needs to be said, out loud, so that it can be learned from. It shouldn’t be ignored, and we shouldn’t be ok with moral victories anymore. We need to up our expectations” for the class.
Am I wrong to assume that “we” means… well, us fans?
LikeLike
Will The Georgia Way allow us to use the same business incentive / intimidation tactics Alabama, Auburn and Clemson use to gain competitive advantage with the officiating? Kirby knows what these tactics are.
We already know The Georgia Way’s answer on the use of HGHs.
LikeLike
I am interested to hear your theory on how those schools influence officials, because I believe it is clearly in play.
LikeLike
Most football officials are members of the business community first and are football officials second.
This adds many more paths of influence beyond their affiliation with a football conference.
This would explain why other conference’s officials are also on board.
LikeLike
I can appreciate that, but these characters were B10 guys.
LikeLike
Most businesses (especially those benefiting from sports gambling) know no boundaries.
LikeLike
….with a hard-on for Georgia.
LikeLike
Here is my 2 cents: Odds are these refs just blow.
But, it wouldn’t surprise me if Saban indirectly influenced them before the game. If you think back to Clemson’s winning TD last year it was the most obvious pick there could possible be. How it was not called and not even controversial after the game was very surprising. You know Saban had to be seething about the non-call. Saban layed down like a good soldier publicly but he doesn’t seem the type to let that go.
So, I could see a message handed down to the crew that Saban is going to go apeshit publicly about the officials if he gets screwed over again.
LikeLike
My conspiracy theory is that the big 10 wanted the team that kept their champion out to win, to influence expansion and guarantee future conference spots and payouts. .
It’s tinfoil hat shit, sure enough.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This team won the SEC Championship. That’s the most important thing to me. We need to get away from the idea that unless you win a natty you haven’t had a good year. That is total BS!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Also Rose Bowl Champions!
LikeLike
I think it’s the younger guys who never lived through many lean years who don’t fully appreciate an SEC Championship. Learn to view the natty as a cherry on top of a really fantastic cake.
LikeLike
I’m with you. And I’ll add this:
I like hearing and feeling that the players believe that at Georgia, the goal is and should be National Championships. Not winning the east.
That’s a huge change in mentality around here.
LikeLike
I love your perspective. I think it’s a good one. Have no problem with it.
LikeLike
To be honest. I’m happy with our SEC title. That means as much to me as a natty in the Final conversation. I don’t believe anyone should be allowed in the playoff without a conference title. Or at least a division title. To be honest, Auburn should have made it over Alabama. They won their division and beat Alabama head to head. All of that being said. We are 13-2. SEC Champs with Richts boys. No different than year 2 under Richt. 13-1. SEC Champs. With Donnans boys. Would’ve made the 3rd seed in a playoff that year and very likely would have won it all. I don’t see us any different than then. At the moment. And we lose our leadership and studs. And as long as Jim Chaney is eating happy meals in Athens, there will always be hesitancy.
Maybe we can agree to say Kirby brought us back to the standard that Richt set but couldn’t get back to. The worst acceptable record next year is 10-2. Not sure where one author finds 9-3. But 10-2 is the worst possible. I don’t consider entry to the Natty a breakthrough for Kirby. Since that simply means winning your bowl. Which we do a lot.
All of that being said. The point made about OL recruitment is true.
LikeLike
I am going to keep watching the wind off my dvr and celebrate them. I find it interesting one of our refs was part of a crew dismissed by poor calling by the Big 10 in 2002 and also in 2015 for poor performance. How does Capron ever step on a national championship field ever. Our DAWGS are on their way to winning a Natty soon.
LikeLike
LikeLike
35 Years i have been waiting for someone like Kirby! UGA is re-borne!!!!!
LikeLike
Reading these posts today brings to mind that the team and the fans are the Bad News Bears when we throw the second-place trophy into the dirt while telling them to shove it up their ass. Next year can’t come soon enough.
Anyone want to join me in a cookie?
LikeLike
Was there a single holding call against Oklahoma or Alabama?
LikeLike
One meaningless call was made on Oklahoma after their 3rd down was stopped short.
Declined.
Watch Alabama’s right guard on the 4th down TD. When you know you have air cover, you can do more things on the ground.
LikeLike
He practically had Trent Thompson in a sleeper hold. I thought SEC officiating was as corrupt as FIFA. Now I just think college football officiating is bad and corrupt.
LikeLike