There really isn’t anything finer in the land than seeing Gator fans slithering out of Jacksonville with another loss … How ‘Bout’em … Georgia 24 Florida 20!

Let’s be honest, our Dawgs play on the field in the latest version of the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail party was a mixed bag. This team is infamous and notorious in having to climb their way out of deficits. Yet somehow, some way, they keep doing it.

I so encourage all of you to read both Anna Williams (page 16) and Greg Poole’s (page 20) column. Being a senior at UGA, Anna doesn’t have any scar tissue when it comes to the Gators. She simply has the faith that her Dawgs are going to find a way for victory over Florida. Where as Greg, in his 70s, has seen it all when the Dawgs and Gators go to battle. And Greg is 100% on point when declaring that the rest of the SEC best know that you must be prepared to finish our team because the 4th quarter reigns Dawgs’ supreme!

That is a good thing sports fans because I have to tell you that Saturday’s 11 a.m. CT kickoff in Starkville absolutely terrifies this scribe. Yes, the Maroon Bulldogs notched a terrific SEC road win in Fayetteville last week, but the opportunity to take down the Top 5 Bulldogs at home would be glorious for the Hail State Nation. And guess what, this Jeff Lebby led bunch is without question playing well enough to shock the world on Saturday.

For this reason, Gunner Stockton flanked by UGA students celebrating the Florida win was perfect for this issue’s cover. Take a close look at Gunner’s eyes. Yes he is thoroughly enjoying the moment, but in my opinion he’s also dialed-in already focusing on what is ahead for his team … ‘EYEING STARKVEGAS!’

Like me, Jeff Dantzler has been around long enough to know that Saturday’s 11 a.m. CT brunch game is mighty dangerous. In his column (page 8), he admits to channeling his inner Vince Dooley and Larry Munson ways. The message is simple … never overlook any opponent. And thankfully, nobody adheres to that belief more than Kirby Smart.

Coach Smart will have our men ready on Saturday and I’m hoping our fans have enough time to shake the cobwebs off from another rip-roaring Georgia-Florida. As you will see from our 130 fan photos (beginning on page 24) good times were plentiful in the Golden Isles and Jacksonville this past week.

Thankfully, the BI Camera captured so many photos that my space on this page is super tight. I’ll take it because Team BI needs to batten down the hatches on St. Simons and get back to Athens, so we can then head to StarkVegas. Enjoy the issue … all eyes now must be on the Maroon Bulldogs … Go Dawgs!!