Borrowing from the late, great sportscaster and Georgian, Keith Jackson … “Whoa Nellie” it was an absolutely barnburner on the Plains this past Saturday evening.
This version of The Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry had it all …
Auburn’s offense absolutely dominated the first half only to fumble on the goal line with an opportunity to take the score to 17-0 just before halftime. Without question everyone watching, whether in Jordan-Hare Stadium or on television, witnessed possibly the longest replay ruling in the annals of all of football.
Dawgs ball and then the fun began for everyone who loves the Red and Black … Auburn 10 Georgia 3 at halftime.
The second half was all Bulldogs as the Georgia defense flexed their muscles and the Gunner Stockton led offense sliced and diced Aubie much to the delight of the barking Bulldog fans in attendance.
“Whoa Nellie’” … Georgia 20 Auburn 10 … How ‘Bout Them Dawgs!!!
While Auburn fans will forever chirp about the awful officiating, I completely agree with the SEC Network’s Chris Doering in his post game commentary. However you look it, the fact is War Eagle failed to respond to the said zebra adversity. And our Dawgs did just the opposite. What a win for the good guys from Athens!
Despite the thriller on the Plains, our team and its incredible fan base must now turn the page because guess what another dynamic SEC team is up next on the Gauntlet Express.
The success that Lane Kiffin has had in Oxford certainly deserves high praise. Ole Miss now expects to win every game they play. And a ton of that battle mentality was earned last November when the Rebels gave our Bulldogs a sound whipping. The goal posts game down in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium and were marched all the way to The Square. I was there and it was college football jubilation at its best.
Unfortunately for the Rebel Nation, a disastrous loss to the not so Mighty Gators two weeks later in Gainesville ended up costing Ole Miss a spot in the College Football Playoff.
I don’t bring this up to taunt Coach Kiffin and his team. Instead I mention it because I firmly believe the Ole Miss football program continues to grow (with each game) into a true national contender in college football.
While this cover of BI says “Smoke the Rebels,” I certainly don’t think our Dawgs will hang 52 points on Kiffin’s squad like they did the last time Georgia and Ole Miss teed it up in Sanford Stadium (2023).
There are two reasons …
Number one, through sound use of the portal and NIL, Coach Kiffin has transformed both of his lines of scrimmage into stout units. And combine that with the additions of plenty of playmakers at the skill positions, the current Ole Miss team is 100% legit.
The second reason is a really easy one unless you haven’t been watching college football this season. Each week, more and more games are going down to the wire with unreal finishes. It’s awesome for college football fans and cardiologists, but not so fun for college football coaches, who know better than anyone the agonies of defeat. Just ask former Penn State head coach, James Franklin.
This issue of BI will get you ready for the Ole Miss game. As Jeff Dantzler says every week, ‘’just give me a one point win.” Although smoking the Rebels would be just fine too!
On the sports side, make sure to read JD’s column on page 10. He was absolutely honored to yet again emcee the Evening in the Endzone event in Atlanta last week that benefits the Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation. As you will read, it was an absolute Who’s Who of honorees and attendees for the evening’s celebration. BI intern Anna Williams is back with another clever From the Intern column on page 19. The Five Stages of being a Bulldog Fan are so real, particularly of late. Also, don’t miss Greg Poole’s Old and In the Way piece on page 68. Greg nails how our Dawgs were able to methodically tame the Tigers for a ninth consecutive time. Finally, Loran Smith is back in this issue with a sports column (page 64). Without a doubt, the Georgia Basketball men’s program is in great hands with head coach Mike White. First tip is less than a month away and the expectations are that our Hoop Dawgs will take another step forward in the 2025/26 season … Woof, Woof, Woof!
In our social section, all our home game issue franchises are back in this issue. All three of our featured participants share a common theme. Each person exudes upbeat personalities. In Georgia Girls (pages 26, 27), enjoy getting to know Athenian Susie Mobley. Susie has turned her love of traveling to Italy into a business. And I couldn’t agree with her more about her admiration for Athens restaurateur extraordinaire Peter Dale. Current UGA Alumni Association president Corey Dortch is busting out some incredible tracks in our MIXTAPE installment (page 28). Nice job, Corey! And finally, our Proust Q&A participant Paul Carling is such a happy fella. Enjoy what his Kindergarten teacher had to say about him as a young lad.
On pages 57-60, Hamilton Culpepper updates our readers on the incredible growth of The Fight Against Suicide organization. It is so amazing that UGA Sigma Chi fraternity brothers (now alumni) created this terrific cause. And don’t miss fan photos galore from Auburn that start on page 28. What a weekend and win on the Plains!
Wow, I have written almost 1,000 words after being in Auburn for three nights. My time and space allowed tells me I must bid farewell, so let’s pack Sanford early on Saturday and ‘Smoke the Rebels!’ … Go Dawgs!!