As is always the case, the annual Georgia-Florida game once again delivered on all fronts. And as is always the case, the result is a host of Georgia fans that weren’t very productive when they returned to work on Monday.
I say this sort of jokingly, however the beauty of the Georgia-Florida game is that it’s not just a Friday and Saturday affair. For many lucky folks, they make a week vacation of the annual battle between the Dawgs and the Gators.
The Golden Isles is the hub for many of these folks, so golf, shopping and dining start as early as the Monday before the game. Each day, there is something fun and entertaining to do in anticipation of the 3:30 p.m. kickoff on the banks of the St. Johns River.
Being a St. Simons Island native, I’m clearly biased, but the revelry of Georgia-Florida really doesn’t get much better. That even stood during the dark days of Steve Spurrier’s domination of the 1990s. However, under Kirby Smart’s leadership, the Bulldog Nation not only wins the party, but also gets to bask in the glorious glow of sending Gator Nation slithering back to Gainesville as losers.
Boom … Georgia 34 Florida 20!!!
Let’s be honest though, the Gators gave our Bulldogs all they wanted, so deserve some credit. And unfortunately, Carson Beck continues to have some problems with costly turnovers that occur simply because he’s trying to force passes to receivers who are well covered. At some point, Beck and his offense aren’t going to be able to overcome this sloppiness. However, at least on this Sunday (the day after the game), I’m choosing to remain positive that this 2024 Georgia Bulldogs team can still achieve a championship level of execution.
They darn sure better or this weekend’s road trip to Oxford, Mississippi may be just as disappointing as the last time Kirby Smart faced the Rebels in Vaught-Hemingway stadium. Jeez, what a forgettable day. It was the perfect (you know what) storm … the dreaded 11 a.m. kickoff, it was hot as hell, The Grove was dusty and the Rebels jumped on the Dawgs from the start.
Of course, that was a different Georgia team. And for that matter, a different Kirby Smart, who was barely into his first year of being a head coach. Still, it’s worth a reminder particularly since this Ole Miss team is also way different under Lane Kiffin. And this season, these Rebels have a ton of talent on their defense that will surely be licking their chops for a Georgia quarterback and offensive that are still trying to find solid footing.
As BI’s Jeff Dantzler said on the Bulldog Brunch, our Dawgs certainly don’t want to get in a shootout with Kiffin’s high-flying offense led by quarterback Jaxson Dart. My goodness, Dart hung 515 yards and six touchdowns in beating Sam Pittman’s up and down Arkansas Razorbacks last week.
Now, to the fun part … the Bulldog Nation and Rebel Nation converging in Oxford for what is always a glorious merging of fan bases. The all-time series between Georgia and Ole Miss is very one sided in the Dawgs favor. However, the Rebels awesome fans are certainly neck and neck with Georgia in the hospitality department. To say everyone will certainly have a good time in Oxford is an under statement. Oxford is such a gem of a college town. Some quality rest is definitely recommended to those incredible Dawgs fans that have already been to Lexington, Tuscaloosa, Austin and Jax/Golden Isles. My goodness, what a run.
As our cover says … See Y’all in Oxford!
This issue of BI should get you ready. After all, the BI camera hit triple digits with over 100 fan photos starting on page 24. And much like many in Bulldog Nation, our sports guys are concerned with the Georgia offense that continues to be both stellar and sloppy.
Keep the faith Bulldog fans, your 2024 Georgia team is 7-1 … See Y’all in Oxford, Go Dawgs!!