Daily Archives: September 23, 2023

September 23, 2023 · 11:30 AM

Your game day post, UAB edition

In retrospect, given the spate of injuries, the change at offensive coordinator, and the break in time for a new starting quarterback, perhaps we were a trifle optimistic expecting the Dawgs to pick up right where they left off against TCU.  Even so, they’re 3-0, 1st in the country and haven’t suffered an embarrassing loss as certain other programs which shall remain nameless have.  Things could be much worse, in other words.

So now, UAB comes to town.  They probably won’t offer a lot of resistance.  Which probably means two things.  One, don’t count on seeing any of the walking wounded play tonight.  They’ll want every available body ready for Auburn, including, for example, Bullard and McConkey.  Two, it’s the last glorified preseason game, so to speak, and I expect the emphasis to be on working out the kinks we’ve seen in the first three weeks as well as giving the youngsters valuable game experience, rather than emphasizing style points.  (Pessimists, look on the bright side:  you’ll likely have another week to dog Mike Bobo.)

UAB throws the ball about 1/3 of the time more than it runs, so expect the secondary to get another workout.  Also be aware that their quarterback is the second leading rusher on the team, so watch to see how well the front is able to contain him in the pocket.

I’ve already talked about their defense, which runs five DBs in their base.  I expect them to try to defend Georgia’s offense much the same as we’ve seen — load the box and dare Beck to beat them with over the top throws.  Maybe this will be the week he accepts the challenge in the first half.

The only other thing I’ll be curious to see is how, or, more accurately, who will handle place kicking duties.  It’s been a while since things have been up in the air in that department and it’s not a situation that is sustainable from what we watched last week.

Finally, here’s hoping Mews doesn’t get bottled up tonight, and that nobody gets added to the injury list.

What are y’all looking to see?

Of course, feel free to add your comments during and after the game.  (Not that anyone’s been shy about that lately. 😉 )

182 Comments

Filed under Georgia Football

September 23, 2023 · 10:30 AM

Your (ND) game day post, Week 4 edition

Finally, we get ourselves a big day of college football!  Here’s what we’re looking at:

And what I’ll be watching:

  • Florida State at Clemson.  Hard to believe that Clemson could be out of the CFP race after Week 4, but if they lose, it’s damned likely.  What will Dabo do?
  • Auburn at Texas A&M.  Auburn doesn’t have near TAMU’s talent, but maybe Freeze figures after conducting that mass baptism last week, having Jesus on his side will be enough.
  • Colorado at Oregon.  If Coach Prime pulls this one off, he should be national coach of the year.
  • Ole Miss at Alabama.  Is it worth noting that Saban has lost three of his last four games against former assistants?  (The exception being Ole Miss last season.)
  • Ohio State at Notre Dame.  Urban Meyer’s comments this week about scheduling have made me a fan of the Irish temporarily.
  • Iowa at Penn State.  If ‘Bama loses, can Danielson avoid talking about that during a Big Ten broadcast?

What’s on your viewing agenda today?

48 Comments

Filed under College Football

September 23, 2023 · 8:30 AM

Another crack in the amateurism wall

I see the NCAA’s litigation streak continues unabated.

A federal district judge on Friday granted class-action status to the portion of an anti-trust lawsuit against the NCAA and the nation’s top college conferences that challenges the association’s remaining rules regarding athletes’ ability to make money from their names, images and likenesses.

Based on the lawsuit’s allegations, an injunction against the NCAA’s remaining rules regarding athletes’ ability to make money from their names, images and likenesses (NIL) could create the possibility of athletes being able to get NIL money from their schools for any reason.

That’s just the start.

Lawyers for the plaintiffs in the case also a seeking class-action status for a damages claim that, according to filings by the NCAA, could be worth more than $1.4 billion. Friday’s ruling by U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken expressly does not address that issue, with Wilken writing that she resolve that matter in a separate order.

Now we’re talking real money.

Friday’s ruling was not a surprise. In its written filings in the case, the NCAA had not contested the plaintiffs’ request for an injunction that would change the association’s rules. And during a hearing Thursday on all class-certification matters, a lead attorney for the NCAA, Rakesh Kilaru specifically said the association and the conferences were not contesting this issue.

Hmmm.  Maybe the NCAA is finally listening to its lawyers when it comes to pushing absurd arguments in Judge Wilken’s court.

Okay, maybe not.

Who wins the race, Wilken with her ruling, or Congress with an antitrust exemption?  You know what the NCAA is hoping…

14 Comments

Filed under See You In Court, The NCAA

September 23, 2023 · 7:30 AM

To the highest bidder

Okay, so riddle me this…

If everyone is so sure the Cocktail Party is moving out of Jacksonville because Kirby wants that extra day of ‘crootin’ every other year, why is Brooks considering neutral site locations for the game in ’26 and ’27?  I mean, home and home should be a no-brainer.

That was a rhetorical question, peeps.  In college football, there’s only one thing that’s undefeated year after year and that begins with a dollar sign.  Sorry, Jax haters.

55 Comments

Filed under Gators, Gators..., Georgia Football

September 23, 2023 · 7:00 AM

It’s Saturday! GYAIG!

Get Your Ass In Gear.

5 Comments

Filed under Georgia Football