Last week was a good one for Dawg fans.  First of all, Georgia had the week off which means they didn’t lose.  But more importantly, Tennessee lost a heart breaker to Alabama which keeps hope alive for Georgia in the SEC East. Auburn lost a heart breaker as well which doesn’t really help Georgia, but it can’t be a bad thing for the Bulldogs.  In the south, college football is king, and during the fall, many social activities revolve around football.  Therefore, when your team has an “off week” the calendar can fill up in hurry.  For instance, this past weekend I will guarantee you lots of Bulldogs got married.  It is also a good time to take a break from football and just enjoy the weekend another way.  Earlier this year,  I agreed to play in a charity golf tournament that was scheduled for this past Saturday. The weather was great, my team was fun, but we lost by 1 dang shot.  I guess we just missed too many putts.

The rest of the weekend I focused on yard work with help from the wife and kids, and we carved a pumpkin to get ready for Halloween.  All Dawg fans know that Halloween marks the annual “Cocktail Party” down in Jacksonville.  I know, I know we are not supposed to refer to it anymore as the “The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party”, but that’s asinine.  It is what it is, and what it is, is a big d@#n party.  It’s not exactly a game to bring your kids too.  They are best left at home for this one.  So since it is GA/FL week, let’s take a look back at last week and a look ahead to Saturday.

ALABAMA vs. TENNESSEE – This turned out to be a very entertaining game.  In fact, Tennessee probably should have won this game.  But Bama found a way to pull it out in the end which they often do.

That is one of the major reasons Bama is so good. They have bad games just like everyone, but they find a way to win more often than not.  To me this game represents a “return to normalcy”in the SEC.  For example, Tennessee has athletes again, and even though they have lost four games I think they are pretty d@#n good.  My point is that they are real close, and maybe they shouldn’t bail on Butch just yet.  Normalcy in the SEC to me means that in the East you have Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee fighting it out.  In the west, you have Bama, Auburn, and LSU fighting it out.  That doesn’t mean that other teams shouldn’t be good it just means the big 3 should be clearly defined on each side of the conference.

FLORIDA STATE WHAT HAPPENED! –  Crazy finish for sure.  But I don’t think I will comment anymore on this game.  That team from North Ave will get no applause from this guy.

GUS BUS, UNLOADING? –  Well Auburn lost a heart breaker in overtime to Arkansas, and I don’t feel sorry for them one little bit.

My prediction is proving true, and Auburn still has to play Ole Miss, Georgia, and Alabama.  Like I said earlier this year, “I wonder how full the Gus Bus will be in Decemeber?”  Personally, I think there will be plenty of room.  Auburn has shown us before they have a short memory and little patience.  But maybe that’s why they have played for 2 nationals in the last 5 years.

CLEMSON – Good for Clemson.  Don’t misunderstand me, I am no Clemson fan.  But you have to admit they look pretty good despite Miami’s awful display of football last week.  The real thing for Clemson to worry about now is losing to Florida State.  If they take care of business they are in the playoff.  And if that were to happen, it will provide Georgia fans with even more frustration.

GEORGIA/FLORIDA – Please take note that the game is called “Georgia/ Florida” and NOT “Florida/Georgia.”  The game this week is not as big as it could be, but it is still very important.  If Florida pulls this out they are basically in the dome for the SEC Championship.  If Georgia wins they will be in control and can still make it to Atlanta.  We all know Georgia seems to be struggling on offense, and many fans aren’t feeling great about their chances on Saturday.   But there is a reason they play the games.  Just look at the FSU game last week.  It goes to prove that you just never know.  Not to mention it is a rivalry game that will be played on Halloween under a full moon.  The circumstances are primed for a crazy game.  I think a lot of Florida fans are taking this one too lightly which doesn’t surprise me.  But it does recall a memory from 3 years ago.   In 2012, I went to the UGA/Kentucky game instead of GA/FL.  And you just can’t visit Lexington without hitting the horse races at Keeneland.   At the time, UGA had been whipped badly by South Carolina and Florida was undefeated.  At Keeneland, I ran into a Florida fan wearing an “Aaron Hernandez” jersey.  Basically, this guy was just brimming with class (please sense my sarcasm).  I was not wearing a “G” anywhere so he had no idea I was a Bulldog, but since Kentucky was playing Georgia you would think he could’ve figured it out.  Regardless, he told me all Florida had to do was beat South Carolina, and they would face Bama again in the dome.  I then expressed that I thought Florida would beat S. Carolina, but they shouldn’t over look Georgia.  He laughed at me and said, “There was no reason to worry about the Dogs this year.”  Of course, his prediction proved wrong, and Georgia won the game.   A year later, Aaron Hernandez was indicted for murder and later found guilty.  I wonder if that guy still has his Aaron Hernandez jersey.  Surely not.

I know it seems unlikely that Georgia will win, but you just never know.  Maybe, just maybe the Dawgs have a little fight left.  On the other hand, you know what sure would be nice this week?  A D@#N indoor practice facility. The forecast  is calling for rain here in Athens.  And it sure would help to have a place to practice indoors.  Honestly,  I cannot believe it has taken this long to get plans for one underway.

I am hoping to have time to write another blog later this week focused on the game.  Go Dawgs!  Boo Gators!