The roadie to Starkville was just what the doctor ordered for both the Bulldog Nation and 2025 Georgia Bulldogs team.

Some fortunate Georgia fans enjoyed world class golf at Old Waverly Golf Club and Mossy Oak , while all Red and Black fans experienced some of the best hospitality in the SEC. I’ve written it before in this space … a road trip to Starkville is a must, if you enjoy a fun environment and some of the nicest folks around.

On the field in Starkville, our Dawgs put on a clinic after first allowing an opening touchdown to the home team. 35 points straight and the game was basically over, which was a delight for all Georgia fans that have endured a ton of thrillers this season.

How ’Bout Them Dawgs … Georgia 41 Mississippi State 21!

Now all eyes turn to Athens this week as the Texas Longhorns arrive with everything on the line (for both teams). Like the nice folks in Starkville, Georgia fans are also very hospitable, so let me be one of the first to welcome all Texas fans to the best college town in America. We hope you will find it as charming as we do … welcome!

However, the niceties will have to come to an end when toe meets leather at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday night. As our cover says … ‘It’s Time to Bulldog Bevo!’  When BI’s Rob Saye captured this terrific photo of Uga XI a few weeks back, I immediately decided it must be our cover for the Texas game. After all, who can forget when Texas’ mascot, Bevo, tried to dust it up with Uga X a few years back at the Sugar Bowl.

So here we go … two of college football’s most storied programs with both having two of the most elite mascots squaring it off Between the Hedges. Man, this is going to be a whole lot of fun.

This issue of BI will certainly get you ready …

Beyond our normal sports coverage, both Jeff Dantzler (page 10) and Loran Smith (page 24) are waxing poetically about past battles between the Dawgs and the Horns. Sorry Texas fans, there is a heavy dose about the 10-9 Georgia victory in the 1984 Cotton Bowl. Touchdown John Lastinger … point after good by Kevin Butler … Dawgs win!

In our Social section, you are going to enjoy getting to know our Georgia Girls participant Tina Taylor (pages 28, 29). Tina played hoops for the Lady Dawgs back in the early 2000s and now applies the skills she learned on the court to being a Tax Professional.

And we have a first for our Proust Q&A (page 64) this time out … profiling the sitting governor of Georgia … Brian Kemp. What more can you say about Governor Kemp? He’s a stand up man and Bulldog, who proves that hard work can take anyone a very long way. Thanks for your service and for taking the time with our interview.

Finally, enjoy our MIXTAPE featuring Brennen Cox (page 63). It’s no surprise (for the folks that know him) that this articulate Carlyle scholar would also include unique podcasts to his music selections. Thanks Brennen!

Alright Georgia fans … get your work done early this week because Athens is the place to be. See you out on the town and on the gridiron. The mission and message is clear … ‘It’s Time to Bulldog Bevo!’ See you in Sanford … Go Dawgs!!