News

The call-in show prior to the Tech game covered a variety of topics. With kickoff at 3:30, Dawg Walk will be around 1:45 on Saturday.

Munson talked about rivalry games in his wrapup of last week’s action. Ohio St-Michigan lead off. Munson seemed amazed that many want a rematch of that in the national title game. Auburn over Alabama led off a list of other rivalry games, which included USC breaking away from Cal. GT is headed for a championship game as well as a good bowl game. As UGA works out carefully, you have to wonder if we have enough bodies for one more big game.

Munson asked CMR if the open date would have been of more help if it were in front of Tenn. or Fla. CMR said if it were perfectly set up, it would be in the middle of the schedule before an eastern division game. Now that the ACC has a title game, it would be of benefit to them in that area too. Will open dates be changed around? CMR said next year it is in front of Fla. In 2008 we have two open dates – we’re shooting to have one prior to Tenn. and to GT. The year after that it goes back to being prior to Fla., then after that it sits before Auburn.

Clay in Guyton mentioned the commitment from Caleb King this week, and added that the team they play this week in the playoffs has a big name RB (who the caller hopes we get to come to UGA). CMR reminded the caller he can’t comment on specific players. We are excited about our recruiting class to this point. It is always good to have highly regarded players commit to your school. There is momentum in recruiting too just like in any facet of the program.

Ashley in Waycross asked for an update on the TBs. CMR said Lumpkin was able to go through practice and participate in all drills today, which included lots of inside drills and – especially this week – blitz pickups. Lump should be ready to go Saturday. Ware is doing better. His knee is better but his ankle is still a little stiff when he puts pressure on it and has resistance against it. We also worked Jason Johnson a lot and got Southerland some work at TB just in case.

I wanted to know if the coaches took good notes on how Clemson and North Carolina kept GT’s offense in check (in particular #21) and what we can learn from it. CMR said we studied the games of opponents that had the most success vs. GT and also went over how we defended them last year. One thing is both programs haven’t changed a lot. All those games are very valuable. There are lots of different ways to attempt to stop Calvin. But the first thing you better do is stop their running game. If you worry about doubling him and don’t pay enough attention to their run game, you’re in trouble.

Fred in Calhoun wonders about having 3 Jr. RBs. Is there any chance any of the 3 could go to the NFL next season? CMR knows it’s a possibility with guys going into their 4th or 5th year of eligibility. CMR doesn’t think any of them are. There were guys we thought might be going who ended up staying. We hope they all stay and want them all to graduate. We need strong leadership on our team next year.

Jeremy in Memphis hopes we can dominate the line like we did against Auburn. Also, about the WRs – lots of defenses are playing press coverage. How important is conditioning for them in the offseason? CMR says they’re getting stronger as a group. The guys who really work hard in the offseason are the guys who hold up better during the season. We need to work hard at it for blocking and for getting off jams. Young kids who are coming up are excited about coming. There are guys in younger age groups we feel comfortable about.

Jerome in Cleveland wants to know about the overall health of the OL. Right now Turner is the one who had missed the Auburn game. Turner practiced vs. the scout team today and may be able to work against our defense tomorrow. Adams had an ankle problem but is fine now. Inman has had a chronic ankle/foot problem most of the year but the off week really helped him.

Peggy in Eatonton asked about the bleachers and who sits there – recruits? CMR isn’t sure, but he knows some of the coaches’ kids sit out there and sometimes some little league teams.

Steve in Athens asked about bowl bids. CMR says it is very difficult to predict. It will help us a lot if we win this game. If we win this game and two SEC teams got into the BCS it would help. There are lots of scenarios where two SEC teams get into BCS bowls. The only thing we can do is fight like mad. The biggest motivating factor is that it’s Ga. Tech we’re playing this week. Munson asked if any bowl is motivation. CMR says any bowl is an honor and it would be disappointing to not be invited.

Munson wonders about Tech’s defense, depth and that star receiver. CMR says anytime you play a team that is well coached and playing well. We know what its like when you have a bunch of momentum.

Munson notes their QB has been running well and may hold the keys to this game. CMR agrees and notes Stafford played his best game at Auburn while Cox (Auburn QB) may have played his first game. Munson also thinks we could use another five linemen for this game. CMR laughed and said we have as much depth on the OL as we’ve had all year.

John in SC hopes we can get back to the same level of play as against Auburn. CMR agrees and hopes that game was a boost for our confidence. Hopefully the open date gave us the rest we needed and gave the coaches confidence that we went over the game plan enough.

Davis in Kennesaw wonders how we feel about being marked men, since GT’s coaches get bonuses if they beat us. CMR hasn’t heard of that but is sure it exists somewhere. It speaks well for our program and what we’ve done and the importance of this ball game.

Brett in Albany wants to know if we have Ely-Kelso and Coutu come back next year. CMR said Gordon is a senior this year, and Brandon Coutu will be a senior next year. Coutu is feeling better and coming along - he is even trying to get in the coaches’ ear that he could be ready for a bowl game but CMR isn’t sure it’s the wise thing to do.

James in Savannah wonders how CMR & Munson feel about dealing with the internet. Munson says it depends on who has taken something and put it online for people to repeat. Coaches say it was one of the worst things. CMR says people could have an alter ego and just start rumors. It does generate a lot of excitement and gives fans another avenue to talk about their favorite team. But there are so many things that could go wrong. It could also get ugly because people could say things they would never say in public. Anything you wouldn’t say in public you shouldn’t say online.

Greg in Kennesaw congratulated CMR on how the team played vs. Auburn. He’s also glad to be back in Ga. after being stationed in Ft. Bragg for some time. Greg wants to know how much of our struggles this year can be attributed to injuries and to young players learning their way. CMR says its some of both. But the biggest number is turnovers. For example - we have fumbled 19 times and lost 14. Tech has fumbled 16 times this season but has lost only 4. We’ve had our interceptions too – 14 INTs. (Tech has thrown 13 INTs this season.) We’d probably be 9-2 and hovering around the top 10 without the turnover problems.

Chris in Lawrenceville asked about senior day, and especially if Joe T might get some playing time. Also, why do we play off WRs a lot? We seem to play 5-6 yards off the line. Will we do it this week? CMR loves the start of senior day when all of them get to come out and greet their families, and he gets to get in the middle and take a picture with each of them. CMR wants Joe T to play but won’t predict when or if.

As for the defense and how we’ll play Calvin, we’ll have to try to disrupt his routes at times. We just have to mix it up. If their coaches know we’ll play him a certain way they’ll get a play for it.

Jane in Cumming asked how much home field advantage is really worth. CMR said people who set numbers or spreads think 3-5 points but he’s not sure what it really means. We’re 22-3 at opponents’ home fields, and we lost 2 or 3 at home this year.

William in Albany doesn’t think teams like Ohio St., etc. couldn’t handle the week-in, week-out competition in the SEC. CMR says he also thinks coaches here figure we have enough to handle with each other. He also mentioned some of the OOC games we have added for future years. It may not be perennial powerhouses but these are quality teams from BCS conferences.

Chad in Douglas (listening to radio) wonders if Sean Bailey will be back next year. CMR says Bailey has been practicing and should be full speed in the spring. Also, Gartrell and Goodman should be back for spring practice. We also add Tony Wilson to the fold at WR.

CMR wishes everyone in the Bulldog Nation a Happy Thanksgiving.