Not today, Gators.
Daily Archives: October 28, 2023
Your game day post, Cocktail Party edition
For those of you who think the statistical portrait I’ve painted this week is too rosy a take, I have a question: agree or disagree with this ($$)?
Every Georgia game the rest of the season I think just comes down to Georgia. If you get focused, sharp Georgia, shut it down. The Georgia team that showed up in that Kentucky game, nobody can beat that team…
If the Dawgs bring their “A” game today, how close can the Gators keep it? (Remember, the team that Georgia wiped out to the tune of a 38-point margin beat this same Florida team by nineteen.)
I’m not offering that as a prediction. Instead, what I’m suggesting that the only team on the field that can beat Georgia today is Georgia. So, given that premise, what does Georgia have to do to blow the game? Disinterested play and turnovers — at least enough of those — would probably do the trick, along with UF playing a great game.
I tend to think the Dawgs show up today. They’ve had two weeks to get ready. They’ve got Bowers’ injury and the pundits’ automatic dismissal to rally around. And it’s Florida, for Crissakes. If Georgia can’t get up for this game… well, I simply can’t imagine Kirby Smart can’t rally the troops to kick some righteous ass.
But they’re not playing against air. Despite all the “look at Mertz!” talk lately, I think Napier wants this game to be a grind. That being said, one thing I hope the Dawgs have worked on hard during the bye week is this:
Grinding may work for a while, but I don’t think ultimately it’s enough in and of itself. But it may be enough to cover the spread, albeit barely.
By the way, Dan Mullen is calling for the upset today. If you’re pessimistic about Georgia’s chances, consider the company you’re keeping.
Feel free to add your thoughts and observations in the comments.
Filed under Georgia Football
Your 10/28 (ND) game day post
Competing for your attention with the Cocktail Party today:
What I’ll be watching when my eyes aren’t glued to the doings in Jacksonville:
- Oklahoma at Kansas. I keep wondering if the Sooners are really all that this season.
- South Carolina at Texas A&M. Hope Shane doesn’t break his other foot after this one.
- Oregon at Utah. This one could be a real doozy. The Utes are tough at home.
- Mississippi State at Auburn. So you’re saying there’s a chance…
- Tennessee at Kentucky. Are the ‘Cats still in hangover state after the bye week?
What’ll you be watching?
Filed under College Football
Danielson on Georgia
Because of the NFL departures, Danielson compared Georgia to a growth stock, and the Georgia players feel like “it’s our turn, our opportunity to play.”
“I still think there’s the hunger in Kirby, he coaches with that chip on his shoulder,” Danielson said. “Every question you ask him, it’s almost like you’re picking a fight with him. And as the team takes on that personality, I think Carson Beck is a lot better quarterback than people — well there was an anticipation will Carson Beck be able to take the next step and really he has some tools and the way he throws the football that Stetson didn’t have, the way he sees the field and throws it.”
To me, that take is interesting, because if we’re honest, there have certainly been times this season when this team hasn’t seemed hungry. Maybe Gary’s picking up a vibe this week that will carry into the game.
Filed under Georgia Football
“Then, Saturday night.”
Oh, brother.
There isn’t much room in the current quarterback culture for signal callers who have the temerity to blossom in their fifth year at their second school. Joe Burrow did it, but there have only been a handful of Joe Burrows…
That South Carolina game redefined Mertz to the point there was a bit of social media karma. Some of those trolls were now complaining about Mertz being “underutilized” at Wisconsin.
Forget them. What was once a slog is now bright with possibilities. We’ve already seen how the likes of Burrow (Ohio State to LSU), Michael Penix Jr. (Indiana to Washington) and Bo Nix (Auburn to Oregon) — among others — have thrived in new environments.
Consider the words of a father who wants the best for a son in his fifth year at his second school.
“If he goes big on Georgia, I think we’ve got something crazy going,” Ron said. “It could be a Burrow 2019 coming out party.”
Mertz’ best passer rating this season, 200.65, came against Charlotte. In 2019, Burrow had eight games when he exceeded that number, all of them against P5 defenses. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, pops.
Filed under Gators, Gators..., Stats Geek!
Pay to play
The problem with moving the Cocktail Party out of Jacksonville is about to get an early stress test.
… then the facility the Jacksonville Jaguars call home won’t be available for a two-year period in 2026-27. That’s for the Jaguars, as well as Georgia-Florida and the Gator Bowl.
At issue, then, is what Florida and Georgia do with their game in the interim. The easy solution is to simply go home-and-home those two seasons. That’s something Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart certainly would like. That would bring the Gators to Sanford Stadium in 2026 and take Georgia to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium – aka “The Swamp” – in 2027.
The problem with that solution is it would create a budget shortfall of at least $6 million for both schools over those two years. Their new agreement with Jacksonville nets each school about $4.5 million a year, or $9 million over two seasons. A typical home-and-home arrangement nets the teams about $2.5 million over the same period.
One solution being discussed is playing the game at neutral sites during the 2026-27 seasons. For Georgia, which is the home team in 2026, that could be Mercedes-Benz Stadium. For Florida, that could be Orlando’s Camping World Stadium or Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium.
Another possibility is the respective schools simply charging higher ticket prices for Georgia-Florida home games. But school officials are withholding comment at the moment.
I bet they are.
I’m sure local businesses in Athens would be happy to pony up the shortfall, right?
Here’s Josh Brooks talking to Finebaum about it.
Filed under Gators, Gators..., Georgia Football, It's Just Bidness
“Sweet Dreams”
This week’s hype video… is kinda ominous.
Which, I suppose, is the message they’re trying to get across to the other team.
Anyway, it’s Saturday! GATA!
Filed under Georgia Football
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