Two games are officially in the books for our 2025 Dawgs and unfortunately the latest contest versus Austin Peay (this past Saturday) didn’t go near as well as the Marshall opener. While many of the (Mike) Bobo Boo Birds are chirping away, I have no problem that this young team struggled a bit versus the Governors. The reason is simple … everyone in the Bulldog Nation is about to find out what this Kirby Smart team is all about at 3:30 p.m this Saturday on Good ol’ Rocky Top.

Throughout this issue, there are a few common themes you will digest as you work your way through all of our sports pages.

The first one being the absolute dominance our Bulldogs have enjoyed over the Volunteers in recent years. However, on page 10, I absolutely love how Jeff Dantzler reminds our readers of the misery that occurred against Tennessee in the ’90s. Believe me, I was in school at Georgia during those dark days. While my crew of friends and I always made the road trips to Knoxville, we were really kidding ourselves thinking “this was the year we finally beat the Vols.”

Don’t believe me? Try this on for size for road trips to Knoxville in the ’90s …

1993 – Vols 38 Dawgs 6

1995 – Vols 30 Dawgs 27

1997 – Vols 38 Dawgs 13

1999 – Vols 37 Dawgs 20

Like I said above, the misery and carnage of those days were very much real, which is what makes Georgia’s current run of eight straight victories over Tennessee oh, so sweet. But as JD (and others) in this issue point out Tennessee, under the leadership of Josh Heupel, finally turned the corner against their other rival foes (Bama and Florida) with recent victories.

All summer long and even the last few weeks when asked my thoughts on the 2025 Georgia team’s chances of a big year, I have told folks that Georgia’s four rivals games are what I’m most concerned about this season. The bottom line is that Tennessee, Auburn, Florida and Georgia Tech are all due for a victory against our Dawgs. Don’t believe me? Then just google All-time series or look in the Georgia media guide. Unfortunately the good guys don’t win every game.

I will stop there with my Dooley and Munson speak, but I hope all Georgia fans realize that a massive battle awaits our Dawgs this Saturday in Knoxville. So as our cover says, ‘See you on Good ol’ Rocky Top!’

Don’t you know Neyland Stadium is going to be rocking, so the question is can Gunner Stockton keep his wits about him to make sure the Georgia offense is focused and poised in such a hostile environment? And can the Georgia defense that many are saying may be one of Kirby’s most athletic be disciplined enough to remember their assignments to avoid Tennessee’s high-flying offense from connecting on explosive plays? I sure hope so because when the Vols are scoring touchdowns in Knoxville it is both deafening and annoying on Rocky Top.

This match-up is going to be a great one, I can’t wait until Saturday. This issue of BI will certainly get you ready. Beyond our normal Sports offerings, I encourage you not to miss Anna Williams’ inaugural ‘From the Intern’ column (page 17). In her space, Anna dives into what makes a true Bulldog, which is most interesting seeing that she is from Maryland, so the last four years that she has been at UGA is her very brief snapshot of the Bulldog Nation.

As Anna astutely points out, we were once again reminded of our fans incredible persistence by the amount of them that came back into Sanford Stadium after the nearly two hour rain delay this past Saturday. It was an incredible effort and without a doubt it helped our team finally put away the scrappy Austin Peay Governors. With that being said, don’t miss our fan photos beginning on page 22.

Also, in our Social section, you will enjoy getting to know Nashvillian Frank Downey in our Proust Q&A (page 32). Frank gives a nod to the renowned UGA history professor Phinizy Spalding, while throwing down Larry Munson’s famous Hobnailed Boot call as his ‘Quote to Live By.’ Hilarious and brilliant, like so many others who graduated from Georgia with a Franklin College/BA History degree.

Well, once again, I have run out of space, which means I must bid farewell. Enjoy the issue and then tighten up your chinstrap because it’s time to make the journey north to Knoxville … ‘See you on Good ol’ Rocky Top!’ … Go Dawgs!!