Game day post, battle of the Titans edition

I think Saban’s coaching tonight.  I don’t think it makes any difference.

My head says that if Georgia can concoct an effective passing attack, it wins the game.  My heart says it doesn’t matter; it’s in Georgia’s DNA to lose to Saban’s Alabama.

Speaking of intangibles, what’s the effect of nothing really being on the line, ultimately speaking, in this game?  It’s not the SECCG.  The national title isn’t at stake.  The loser, unless there’s some sort of a stunning blowout, will still be favored to win its division.  These two should play each other again.  Does that affect the way Kirby coaches the game?

It sure would be fun to hear the pundits’ take in the aftermath be “hey, maybe you can still win a title with great defense”.

My heart says Alabama 35 Georgia 31.  My head is telling my heart to shut up.  What say you?

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Wear it, and be wonderful.

Greg Sankey strikes.

As you'd expect, the fines are primarily connected to sideline mask-wearing behavior from coaches, support staff members, strength staffers, etc.

One administrator told me today: "This will get everyone's attention – mask up."

— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) October 16, 2020

As you’d expect, Junior was being Junior about it.

So we’re just not gonna talk about whatever this is? pic.twitter.com/uwHSPgqjCP

— Alex Scarborough (@AlexS_ESPN) October 10, 2020

Pruitt should have been fined simply for offending the style police.

Jeremy Pruitt is wearing a mask covering every part of his face but his mouth pic.twitter.com/QcYH0iUJbV

— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) October 10, 2020

Yeah, in the vast scheme of things, $100 grand ain’t much… except the fines escalate with each offense — first offense is $100,000, followed by $200,000, $300,000 and $400,000 for a fourth violation.  I know SEC ADs are a bunch of weenies, but forking over a million dollars because your head coach is behaving like a dick seems like a bridge too far to cross, even for them.

Your 10.17 game day post, non-Dawg edition

Today’s slate of games looks like this:

Share your wisdom with us in the comments.

The part of the game nobody’s talking about

For all the chatter about Georgia’s defense versus Alabama’s offense and Georgia’s offense versus Alabama’s defense, there’s been little discussion about special teams.  To me, that’s a little shortsighted and even a little strange, given Georgia’s special teams coach.

Anyway, to rectify that a little, I thought I’d do a quick statistical check on the two’s conference rankings (stats, as always, from cfbstats.com).

• Punt returns:  Alabama 5th; Georgia 10th.  (Note that ‘Bama has only returned one punt in its first three games.)
• Kickoff returns:  Georgia 1st; Alabama 12th.
• Opponent punt returns:  Alabama 3rd; Georgia unranked.  (Georgia has yet to allow a returned punt in its first three games.)
• Opponent kickoff returns:  Alabama 2nd; Georgia 6th.
• Punting:  Georgia 1st; Alabama 14th.
• Kickoffs:  Georgia 7th; Alabama 14th.  (Alabama’s touchback percentage is 30.77%.)

Neither team has missed an extra point.  Alabama is 2-2 in field goals; Georgia is 7-8.

Alabama’s coverage teams look to be doing excellent work.  Georgia has one huge advantage at punter — that could have an impact on field position — and another decent one at kickoff returns.  The main thing I see there is that Alabama’s opponents have done an excellent job keeping the ball away from Jalen Waddle.  I would suggest that Scott Cochran instruct his charges to do the same.

Death, taxes and…

… Greg McGarity accommodating the SEC.

The SEC is adjusting its football schedule following the postponement of two games originally scheduled for October 17 due to positive tests and quarantine of individuals related to COVID-19.

On Monday it was announced that, due to positive tests and quarantine in the Vanderbilt football program, the Vanderbilt at Missouri game of Oct. 17 is rescheduled for Dec. 12.

On Wednesday it was announced that, due to positive tests and quarantine in the Florida football program, the LSU at Florida game of Oct. 17 is rescheduled for Dec. 12. In addition, due to an extended pause of team activities for the Florida football program at the advice of health officials, the Missouri at Florida game originally scheduled for Oct. 24 is rescheduled for Oct. 31 and will be televised on the SEC Network Alternate channel at 7:30 pm ET/6:30 pm CT.

Also, the Kentucky at Missouri game of Oct. 31 is rescheduled for Oct. 24 at 4 pm ET / 3 pm CT on the SEC Network and the Georgia at Kentucky game of Oct. 24 is rescheduled for Oct. 31 at Noon ET / 11 am CT on the SEC Network.

In addition, the South Carolina at LSU game of October 24 will change game times and is now scheduled for 7 pm ET / 6 pm CT on ESPN.

SEC Football Schedule Adjustments:

• Kentucky at Missouri moves from Oct. 31 to Oct. 24 at 4 pm ET/3 pm CT on SEC Network
• South Carolina at LSU remains on Oct. 24, changes game time to 7 pm ET/6 pm CT on ESPN
• Georgia at Kentucky moves from Oct. 24 to Oct. 31 at Noon ET/11 am CT on SEC Network
• Missouri at Florida moves from Oct. 24 to Oct. 31 at 7:30 ET/6:30 CT on SEC Network Alternate
• Vanderbilt at Missouri moves from Oct. 17 to Dec. 12, time and network TBA
• LSU at Florida moves from Oct. 17 to Dec. 12, time and network TBA

So, it appears that once Florida lost its bye week before the Cocktail Party, Georgia decided to give its up, too.  In return for what, if anything?

I know McGarity just wanted to do a solid for his old employer, but can you imagine what Spurrier or Meyer would have said to such a request if the situation had been reversed?  And they’d have been right.

It’s a miracle!

Perhaps the least surprising thing you’ll see today.

Nick Saban has tested negative for COVID-19 on Friday. He has taken a test this morning and should get results of that test this afternoon. If that test is negative, he will be allowed to rejoin the team for the Georgia-Alabama game tonight, per College GameDay. pic.twitter.com/7Kj1tDuvGd

— 960 The Ref (@960theref) October 17, 2020

That sound you hear is Pete Golding’s sigh of relief.

************************************************************************

UPDATE:

Kirby: “I think we know what two negative tests mean.” Indicating he expects nick Saban to coach Alabama tonight.

— DawgPost (@Dawg_Post) October 17, 2020

Indeed.