Greetings Bulldogs fans … it’s great to be back in front of my computer on a Sunday putting the final touches to another issue of Bulldawg Illustrated. While it’s an awesome honor for our entire BI team to be entering our 21st season, it’s an even bigger thrill to be talking about a Georgia football team that begins the 2023 season as back-to-back defending national champions. 

    Pinch me. What I said above is 100% true and Saturday’s game versus UT Martin begins the quest for this football team and its incredible fan base to make modern college football history. 

    So let’s get this sucker started … 

    First up, don’t you just love the stellar cover photo that BI’s Rob Saye captured at the Collaring Ceremony at G-Day? As I like to do sometimes with our covers, I mixed Georgia Football with something fun out there in pop culture land. 

    SUCCESSION!

    If you’re not aware, the highly acclaimed HBO (now MAX) television show Succession wrapped up its final season earlier this year. And while the succession of Uga surely can’t match the diabolical highs and lows of the uber-rich Roy family, you can assume that bringing on a new “dog” has plenty of challenges for the Seilers.

    Yet the Seilers have always done it with grace, eleven times now, which is so appreciated by not only everyone at BI, but the entire Bulldog Nation. A big Bulldog thank you to the Seilers. 

    For this issue, BI’s UGA student contributor Hamilton Culpepper and I reached out to Charles Seiler this summer about heading to Savannah for an interview with Uga XI and him. Unfortunately Uga XI was under a strict gag order this summer, so the University and their marketing and PR folks could have the first crack at media coverage.  

    Don’t you just love there is such a demand for access to our beloved university’s mascot?

    Hammy and I would have to pivot for this issue, so we made the decision to have a final proper salute to Uga X’s historic reign (in his regular What’s the Word column on page 52). I know you will enjoy what Hammy came up with for his Uga X’s Top 10 greatest moments. And please don’t fret because Hammy will hopefully be catching up with Charles and Uga XI at some point this season. 

    Moving along to this issue’s sports coverage, I’m pleased to announce some new bells and whistles to BI.  

    On page 20, you will find a From the Intern column. Each issue one of our UGA student interns will be in charge of that week’s space. I have encouraged them to write whatever they want since it represents a perfect opportunity for them to show both their creativity and writing skills. In the space this time out, Clay Watkins tackles the start of the Carson Beck era as Georgia’s QB1. I’m also happy to announce Clay as Bulldawg Illustrated’s first ever Student Editor. He’s already done a terrific job of helping organize our small staff of student contributors. Welcome to management, Clay 😉

    Also in Sports, we have revamped a few of Jeff Dantzler’s regular offerings. On page 18, you will find THE FIVE. As we all know JD has a ton of knowledge in that noggin of his, so this new format allows him to expand on various point of interests regarding the Georgia football team/program. And back in our More Sports section, you will notice that JD’s Top 15 is now JD’s Top 12. We decided to get a jump on how things will be in 2024 when college football moves to a 12-team playoff. Of course, JD is not a fan of the Playoff change or really many changes to anything, so his willingness to somewhat adjust with the times is quite momentous. Ha, ha … love you JD!

    Finally, in most home game issues, we hope to include the Georgia team roster (page 23). A big shout out to Touchdown Club of Athens member Ron Smith for asking BI to consider including a roster this season. And also, thanks to UGA Athletics for providing it (for our use).

    I realize I probably say this too often in this space, but no issue of Bulldawg Illustrated is complete unless you peruse our Social section. From our very first issue, Cheri declared that covering the awesome and passionate Georgia fan base was an absolute must. Like always, the ladies in our world are usually right. Gosh, did I really just admit that? 

    In the Social section, enjoy our Georgia Girls feature (pages 30, 31) with Atlanta native and resident Adair Rogers Vilella. I love that Adair now uses her very competitive nature to help female owned businesses thrive. And my goodness, swimming Alcatraz five times is mighty impressive. On page 38, St. Simons Island native and resident Wes Gash is featured in our Proust Q&A . Wes has been funny as long as I can remember and his answers certainly deliver on the hilarious front. However, beyond being a Damn Funny Dawg, Wes is also a Damn Good Banker. And on page 37, our MIXTAPE feature continues with Athenian and the director of the UGA Music Business Program, David Barbe.  David is also a terrific musician and his playlist will certainly be enjoyed by anyone who downloads it. And finally, and certainly not least, our Social section is full of fan photos. Enjoy seeing fellow Bulldogs doing what they love best … following Them Dawgs!

    Wow, I’m just under 1,000 words, which means I’ve gotten long. My apologies, but there is always a ton to cover for the first football season issue of BI. I’m not going to pontificate about this 2023 Georgia team in this issue. Instead I encourage you to read JD’s column (page 10)  Greg Poole’s From the Field (page 52) and Loran Smith’s column (page 48). The common theme of these three writings is the fact that our UGA football team truly is at an elite level. It’s incredibly impressive. And now, when toe meets leather at 6 p.m. on Saturday Between the Hedges, we all begin the weekly journey towards a three-peat. In my opinion, it’s ok to say it. And even more importantly, let’s embrace it. See you there for kickoff versus UT Martin … Go Dawgs!!

    Don’t you just love there is such a demand for access to our beloved university’s mascot?

    Hammy and I would have to pivot for this issue, so we made the decision to have a final proper salute to Uga X’s historic reign (in his regular What’s the Word column on page 52). I know you will enjoy what Hammy came up with for his Uga X’s Top 10 greatest moments. And please don’t fret because Hammy will hopefully be catching up with Charles and Uga XI at some point this season. 

    Moving along to this issue’s sports coverage, I’m pleased to announce some new bells and whistles to BI.  

    On page 20, you will find a From the Intern column. Each issue one of our UGA student interns will be in charge of that week’s space. I have encouraged them to write whatever they want since it represents a perfect opportunity for them to show both their creativity and writing skills. In the space this time out, Clay Watkins tackles the start of the Carson Beck era as Georgia’s QB1. I’m also happy to announce Clay as Bulldawg Illustrated’s first ever Student Editor. He’s already done a terrific job of helping organize our small staff of student contributors. Welcome to management, Clay 😉

    Also in Sports, we have revamped a few of Jeff Dantzler’s regular offerings. On page 18, you will find THE FIVE. As we all know JD has a ton of knowledge in that noggin of his, so this new format allows him to expand on various point of interests regarding the Georgia football team/program. And back in our More Sports section, you will notice that JD’s Top 15 is now JD’s Top 12. We decided to get a jump on how things will be in 2024 when college football moves to a 12-team playoff. Of course, JD is not a fan of the Playoff change or really many changes to anything, so his willingness to somewhat adjust with the times is quite momentous. Ha, ha … love you JD!

    Finally, in most home game issues, we hope to include the Georgia team roster (page 23). A big shout out to Touchdown Club of Athens member Ron Smith for asking BI to consider including a roster this season. And also, thanks to UGA Athletics for providing it (for our use).

    I realize I probably say this too often in this space, but no issue of Bulldawg Illustrated is complete unless you peruse our Social section. From our very first issue, Cheri declared that covering the awesome and passionate Georgia fan base was an absolute must. Like always, the ladies in our world are usually right. Gosh, did I really just admit that? 

    In the Social section, enjoy our Georgia Girls feature (pages 30, 31) with Atlanta native and resident Adair Rogers Vilella. I love that Adair now uses her very competitive nature to help female owned businesses thrive. And my goodness, swimming Alcatraz five times is mighty impressive. On page 38, St. Simons Island native and resident Wes Gash is featured in our Proust Q&A . Wes has been funny as long as I can remember and his answers certainly deliver on the hilarious front. However, beyond being a Damn Funny Dawg, Wes is also a Damn Good Banker. And on page 37, our MIXTAPE feature continues with Athenian and the director of the UGA Music Business Program, David Barbe.  David is also a terrific musician and his playlist will certainly be enjoyed by anyone who downloads it. And finally, and certainly not least, our Social section is full of fan photos. Enjoy seeing fellow Bulldogs doing what they love best … following Them Dawgs!

    Wow, I’m just under 1,000 words, which means I’ve gotten long. My apologies, but there is always a ton to cover for the first football season issue of BI. I’m not going to pontificate about this 2023 Georgia team in this issue. Instead I encourage you to read JD’s column (page 10)  Greg Poole’s From the Field (page 52) and Loran Smith’s column (page 48). The common theme of these three writings is the fact that our UGA football team truly is at an elite level. It’s incredibly impressive. And now, when toe meets leather at 6 p.m. on Saturday Between the Hedges, we all begin the weekly journey towards a three-peat. In my opinion, it’s ok to say it. And even more importantly, let’s embrace it. See you there for kickoff versus UT Martin … Go Dawgs!!