Welcome to a new installment of “From the Interns” … collaborating the thoughts of Will Hearn and Matthew Herren. Two stellar Georgia fans that have been going to Georgia games since birth. Now, Will and Matthew are both sophomores at the University of Georgia and are interns for Bulldawg Illustrated. Join them for their weekly column throughout the season.

Through this column, we both hope to inform Bulldog Nation about our unique perspectives both as fans and journalists from the sidelines and the press box. Also included at the end of this column will be our “hot take of the week” which will provide an educated prediction on certain players in situations that most fans will not expect. 

    Over the past few years, Georgia has climbed the mountaintop of the college football realm, winning two national championships over the last three years. With that comes the expectation that the Dawgs will be every team’s best game. The Dabo Swinney-led Clemson Tigers are no exception. Georgia opens against the Tigers in Atlanta on Saturday. The Dawgs last faced Clemson in their opening game of the 2021-22 national championship year. With his unwillingness to adapt to the new era of college football, we believe that head coach Dabo Swinney could very easily find his way onto the hot seat. After a disappointing season, fans and alumni will have extra expectations of their players and coaching staff’s performances. In the Tigers’ press conference last week, Clemson Tight End Jake Briningstool stated, “We’re not the underdog. We’re just laying low right now. We’ll be ready.” Every team will have this mentality heading into their long awaited matchups with Georgia. 

    Looking ahead to other September games, Kentucky has two new members that aren’t too new to Dawg fans. Quarterback Brock Vandagriff and linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson will face off against their former team. There will always be a familiar face on the field when Georgia faces the Wildcats. Both players are aware of the team’s tendencies, which can provoke a challenge for Kirby and Co. The team will travel to Lexington for their first night game of the season. The only other time the Dawgs played Kentucky this early in the season was September 19, 1942 when Heisman-winner Frank Sinkwich led Georgia to a 7-6 victory in Louisville. The ’42 Dawgs took the momentum from the close call with the ’Cats and went on to win the University’s first national championship.

    After hopefully surviving and winning in Lexington (which would make it 15 straight over the Cats), these 2024 Dawgs will have an extra week of preparation before heading to T-Town(Tuscaloosa). Former Alabama coach Nick Saban had a history of breaking the Dawgs’ hearts. Thankfully, his time as Bama’s head coach has come to an end. Though fans across the country think that Alabama might decline, new head coach Kalen DeBoer certainly wants to make his mark as the new face of the Tide. This game will feature DeBoer’s first SEC matchup in his new backyard, which in his eyes is a perfect opportunity to gain the trust of Alabama fans.

HOT TAKE OF THE WEEK – NATE FRAZIER

    Unfortunately, the injury bug stung one player in Georgia’s running back room during Fall Camp. Kirby Smart told the media that Roderick Robinson has been dealing with turf-toe. We’ve both seen him around campus with a boot since this report. With that being said, there is also speculation surrounding Trevor Etienne’s potential punishment for his arrest last spring. If both Robinson and Etienne happen to be out, it leaves a relatively inexperienced RB room. Our hot take involves a new face: true freshman Nate Frazier will see the field. Yet, we don’t only think he will see the field, we think the young back will dominate in his first showing. He played at one of the most prestigious high schools in California, Mater Dei. Former college athletes such as Bryce Young, JT Daniels, and Amon-Ra St. Brown all attended the same school. Frazier prepared in a professional environment. Sitting behind Branson Robinson and Cash Jones, Frazier wouldn’t be Georgia’s first freshman running back to make a name for themselves as a freshman. Nick Chubb rushed for over 1,500 yards as a freshman. And of course there was the greatest collegiate running back ever … Herschel Walker who as a freshman led the 1980 Georgia team to an undefeated national championship. Could Frazier be the next freshman standout? We believe so.