[3]
If you’ve never been to Hawaii [4], you should go. Absolutely amazing place.
I was fortunate enough to go to Maui for my honeymoon a few years back. TV shows
can somewhat capture the pure beauty of the place (especially now that HD is
the 
norm…although
Magnum PI tried), but the atmosphere and amazing climate were really something.
Think Florida [5], only better in every possible way, including the presence of
mountains and the general lack of Gator fans. OK, pretty much the only thing
Florida and Hawaii have in common is the ocean and that ain’t even the
same, so forget that comparison.
There’s almost no way to voice displeasure over the outcome of the BCS without sounding like a whiny UGA fan so I won’t go into too much detail, but you know I have to say something. I don’t think there’s some vast ESPN conspiracy to keep UGA out of the MNC, but I do have to say I was completely disappointed in the way ESPN lobbied so strongly across the board for two teams. I was particularly disappointed in Herbstreit for tossing UGA out of the picture so quickly and repeatedly under the premise that they didn’t win their conference championship when he lobbied hard for a Michigan-OSU rematch last year. Lastly, my one question to those ESPN talking heads would be that had Notre Dame been ranked #4 in the last week of the season, not played and had #1 and #2 both lose, do you think there’s any chance at all they wouldn’t be in the title game? But wait, they wouldn’t have won their conference title either. Oh, I see, it doesn’t apply to everyone, just those schools with guts enough to be in a conference that plays a conference title game.
While I think most UGA fans would have preferred a matchup against a team like USC in a bowl like the Rose that we so rarely have an opportunity to play in, I think most would agree that a primetime New Year’s Day bowl in a game that everyone is saying is one of the top 2 or 3 “must watch” bowls is a nice fall back plan. I hope the Rose enjoys dismal ratings.
As I’m typing this particular part of the writeup, Central Michigan [6] is driving to their bowl with Purdue at 48 apiece. Ugh. They are our 2nd easiest opponent next year. Our schedule is absolutely brutal next year, especially that 4 game stretch that goes @LSU, UF in Jax, @UK and @AU. That is as bad as it gets although Kentucky [7] will likely take a big step back next year.
OK, some end of season recognition for a few things:
We’ll be wearing the black jerseys again. That went well earlier. If we can bottle a fraction of the emotion we channeled for that game we’ll be OK. If we bribe the PA system controllers to play Back in Black we should be good to go. I was also pleasantly surprised to hear 2 o the ESPN radio guys talking about the black jerseys and how they were the best college football jerseys they saw all year. Impressive. Looks like we’ll be wearing them once a year from here on out, late in the year each time. I imagine Auburn [8] can expect to see us wearing them in Athens every other year. It wouldn’t surprise me to see it cycle each year between Auburn and GT with whichever game is in Athens.
I like the Haka (or Ha’a as I believe Hawaii refers to it). For those who don’t know, it’s a traditional warrior dance that’s performed to an opponent. Hawaii does it and personally I think it’s great. It’s unique. I don’t think it’s done to show up an opponent at all. If that’s the case, there are a ton of rugby teams that would be offended. Personally I hope the NCAA relaxes and lets Hawaii perform the dance. But I’m not counting it. The NCAA stopped being practical years ago. Now they just make money.
Have a safe weekend,
Jody
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I am not counting a UGA blowout, I expect the score to be in the 45-30 neighborhood. Hawaii will score their points, we have to outscore them. I know they basically played a high school schedule, but they are still good. Our defense has to step up and make plays, and our offense will need to score early and often. My prediction, UGA wins 45-30. Go Dawgs!!! We will win the SEC the next year and be in the BcS title game.
Comments
I have appreciated your column for some time and just wanted drop a line in thanks. I believe your piece allows me to objectively assess the situation our beloved DAWGS face in NOLA. I've noticed that a good grip on the facts seems to be the most solid base from which to form expectations. (It must be my Cobb County public school education). Again, thanks Jody.
In my opinion, UGA will play this game with a chip on their shoulder. That attitude is completely justified. The DAWGS have been subjected to disrespect by the ESPN clowns. It's too bad we can't set the DAWGS loose on the set at ESPN. I would dearly love to see them maul Granny, May and Herbstreit. That won't happen. But, someone has to pay and that someone is the UH football team.
This is a statement game for the UGA program. It is the response to Herbstreit and ESPN for abusing their position. It is a paragigm shift for all non-DAWGS who watch this game. It is the launch pad at Cape Canaveral and the DAWGS are the new Space Shuttle. Look for CMR not to throttle back when the DAWGS have shredded UH thoroughly. Look for 60+ points from the DAWGS and a horrendous beating for the UH Warriors. This is the game which will set the tone for 2008, The Year of the DAWG.