While it would be awesome to reminisce about the out-of-body experience of whipping Alabama in the SEC Championship several Saturdays ago, there simply isn’t time. The reason is simple … the Ole Miss Rebels await the Dawgs in the upcoming College Football Playoff Quarterfinal Sugar Bowl on January 1.
Much like the Georgia team and its awesome fan base experienced in winning the SEC, Ole Miss Nation just enjoyed its own epic triumph by advancing past the First Round of the CFP-Playoffs. That accomplishment is even more impressive in the wake of Lane Kiffin’s draining exit to Baton Rouge.
Give Ole Miss a ton of credit. Rather than wallowing in losing Kiffin, the Rebels quickly rallied under their new head coach, Pete Golding, and looked mighty impressive versus Tulane. I can only imagine the after-parties in The Grove and The Square.
So the scene is set … Georgia versus Ole Miss in New Orleans. As this cover proudly reflects ‘NOLA IS GOING TO BE LIT!’
Not only do Georgia and Ole Miss have the two best fan bases in the country, both of their football teams are extremely tough and talented. The shootout back in October (in Athens) certainly proved that to be true. Boy, oh boy, the festivities and the game in New Orleans are going to be one for the ages … ‘NOLA IS GOING TO BE LIT!’
This issue of Bulldawg Illustrated will certainly get you ready and is dropping just in time for Christmas. So who is going to win the game? For that answer, I encourage you to quickly turn to page 18 and read Jeff Dantzler’s The Five. And for the pageantry of the Sugar Bowl, don’t miss JD’s ‘A View From’ (page 20) featuring Jeff Hundley, who is the CEO of the Sugar Bowl. Thanks so much to Jeff for participating and for your organization always putting on such a dandy of an event.
In our Social section, the fan photos from the SEC Championship (pages 28-38) are sure to bring a smile to your face. What a day and night in The Benz for everyone that loves the Red and Black! Also, don’t miss our fan photos from last month’s RSM Classic (pages 26, 27) held at the Sea Island Golf Club. The UGA Dawg House on the 17th hole is always such a treat.
For our two Social section features, we chose New Orleans natives/residents by design. I know you are going to love Hunter Higgins’ all-NOLA tracks for our MIXTAPE on page 24. I had some great times with Hunter and a handful of his New Orleans buddies who matriculated at UGA. I can guarantee you that Hunter knows his music, so enjoy. And while I didn’t know (while at UGA) this issue’s Proust Q&A participant (page 40), Kerith Foley Amen, I’m thrilled to know she is a Franklin College of Arts & Sciences grad. While she spent most of her time at Park Hall, Hunter and I were next door at LeConte Hall mastering our history studies (among other things). Thanks, Kerith!
That’s going to do it for me. Time to put this Sugar Bowl issue to bed, so Cheri and I can quickly get ready for Christmas on the coast. We look forward to joining everyone in New Orleans next week because ‘NOLA IS GOING TO BE LIT!’ Finally, here’s hoping Team BI will be bringing you a CFP-SEMIFINAL Fiesta Bowl EXTRA issue in early January.
Ho, Ho, Ho and Go Dawgs!!