Well, it was a little bit of a split on the joy meter last night when it comes to our Diamond Dawgs.
Shot:
Chaser:
With the win, the Diamond Dawgs have a magic number of 2 to take the regular season SEC title. Should both Texas and Texas A&M lose today, and Georgia wins, we’re SEC Champs (I believe I have the math right on that).
As for our Softball Dawgs, they are projected as an 8 seed in the upcoming NCAAs. Great season, hate to lose – ever – to Texas, though.
Okay…so FSU and Georgia cancels their home and home series…and agree to a neutral site game? We love our home and home games, but why neutral? What might be driving the decision to take it from campus to neutral you ask? Oh, hell, money, you should’ve known the answer to that one, precious!
The Duke-Amazon package — three neutral site games this coming season against UConn, Gonzaga and Michigan (maybe Michigan) — is not a novel concept. In fact, plenty of college sports teams hold neutral-site games across the pond internationally, some even outside their television package.
But within the United States? And within their own TV rightsholder’s geographic footprint? That’s the big difference here.
For some, it has cracked open what’s always been a steel trap, a locked box, an impenetrable wall: a conference’s exclusive media rightsholder contract.
Media rightsholders such as Fox and ESPN — the most prominent entities in the college market — pay millions to leagues for the rights to their schools’ home games and for the rights to their schools’ neutral site games played within their territory (in the simplest explanation, a network owns the territory where at least one of their school partners resides).
At the crux of this is that the Amazon package is probably a no-go with Michigan as Fox and the B1G have already pushed back as the game would occur withing their media footprint. Doesn’t mean they can’t move it to somewhere outside of the media footprint for both schools, like a site in the Bahamas or overseas to Italy, for example.
So what does this mean for a proposed Georgia vs. Florida State neutral game? Well, if something like the Duke-Amazon deal is afoot, then don’t expect it to be a the Benz, folks.
So, where are you willing to shell out money to travel to? If they pursue an independent media deal for a neutral site game for extra money, we’re gonna pay a heavy price to see it, especially if you wish to see it in person. And it won’t be in the southeastern United States.
Here’s some ideas:
Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada
Why not. It’s “out of the footprint” and it’s in Vegas. I’d say the Rose Bowl, but if it’s September that’s going to be hot as hell without all the Rose Bowl pageantry, and would be let down compared to the 2018 Rose Bowl. So, if we have to crap out, let it be where it’s historically happened, and you can catch a good show afterwards if the game sucks. BUT…remember, the ACC media footprint extends to California (Sanford, Cal), so Cal is off the table and maybe even Vegas…so, it’s overseas we go!
Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland
Florida State will remember this well as the place where Georgia Tech restored hope that they may be a competitive football program again, so the Seminoles might balk at this idea. But to be where Georgia faithful could visit the Bushmill and Jameson Distilleries, Dubliners may discover that there’s a Dublin in America, named Athens, Georgia. And we may actually drink more.
Wembley Stadium, London, England
Something about this just seems right. Sight of numerous famous concerts and a visiting contingent that loves music, and this might be a fun trip. Expensive as hell, but fun. Manchester, home of the Smiths, Joy Division, New Order, Oasis, and the Happy Mondays, is a light four hour drive north from there. Spend a week, why not.
Estadio Azteca (Mexico City Stadium)
Folks, let’s not fool ourselves, we love a good Mexican joint. A bucket of Dos Equis and a plate of street tacos and we’re in heaven if you put the game on the big screen. What better than doing it all right in the heart of Mexico? If you’re feeling froggy, head to one of the beaches and get some sun and maybe even a ride in the back of Ford pickup truck with a black bag over your head from one of the friendly local cartels.
Circus Maximus, Rome, Italy, Circa 720 AD
Hop in Elon’s latest invention, the WABAC Machine, and let’s head to Rome in the 6th Century. Drink real wine, watch someone who fumbles the ball have to fight lions or tigers, and see if Leo III gives you the thumbs up or down to see if he survives. Nestled in Constantinople, we can ask They Might Be Giants to do the halftime show, to boot.
The Panathenaic Stadium, Athens, Greece
If they can rip out the hedges for the Olympics, let them return the favor and rip out rows of marble so we can play a pointless college football game for hooting and hollering American fans to watch. No worries, Amazon will pay for the repairs, and, meanwhile. visiting revelers from the real Athens will enjoy the late night club scene around the coast of Greece. Good times.
Barrow High School Football Field, Barrow, Utqiagvik, Alaska
Hell, it’s September, it’s hot, but it’s not hot on the edge of the Arctic Ocean, is it? What’s better, it’s likely to be a day game, since the sun rises around 6 am and sets at 9 pm. Get disoriented, cool, and bring a cooler to sit on because there’s obviously no seats. But it’s broadcast on Amazon, so who cares?
Where would you most like to see an out of country game for the Bulldawgs?
Don’t look now, but the Lady Dawgs are on a tear.
Down 5-0, they came roaring back with ten unanswered runs…and not to be outdone by their Diamond Dawg counterparts, but these girls can RAKE.
Go Dawgs!
The Ladies take on the Longhorns today at 7:30 pm on ESPN.
Also, don’t forget…the Diamond Dawgs take on the Corndogs today at Foley at 6 pm, on ESPN SEC+.
Fill it up. I’m planning to be there … free tickets.
The beautiful game comes back to Athens to commemorate the USWNT gold medal in 1996.
This is interesting, if for nothing else, to see what might’ve been under the AFCA Board approved 24-team expansion.
Personally, I think the format shouldn’t have Tulane AND James Madison both in it, but it is what it is. I’d much rather see a first round Alabama vs. Texas and let JMU and Tulane slug it out against each other…but aside from that, most of those first round games seem quite entertaining.
We would’ve gotten some unappealing possible second round rematches, Alabama and Oklahoma, possibly Michigan vs. Ohio State, but a Texas-Texas Tech tilt would’ve been unique as would be a Notre Dame versus Ole Miss game…and I personally would’ve taken Virginia over Vandy and seen the Senator’s matchup of UGA-Virginia.
I’ll say that’s intriguing…but what would 2024 have looked like? Based on end of 2024 CFP Final Rankings, you’d have had this:
First Round:
#9 Boise State vs. #24 UNLV – Winner Plays #8 Indiana in Second Round; Third Round versus winner of #1 Oregon vs. Clemson/BYU
#10 SMU vs. #23 Colorado (!) – Winner Plays #7 Tennessee in Second Round; Third Round versus winner of #2 Georgia vs. South Carolina/Iowa State
#11 Alabama vs. #22 Army – Winner Plays #6 Ohio State; Third Round versus winner of #3 Texas vs. Ole Miss/Mizzou
#12 Arizona State vs #21 Syracuse – Winner Plays #5 Notre Dame’ Third Round versus winner of #4 Penn State vs. Miami/Illinois
#13 Miami vs #20 Illinois – Winner Plays #4 Penn State
#14 Ole Miss vs #19 Missouri – Winner Plays #3 Texas
#15 South Carolina vs #18 Iowa State – Winner Plays #2 Georgia
#16 Clemson vs #17 BYU – Winner Plays #1 Oregon
First, for equity’s sake, you’ve got 3 G5 teams here, and I’m a fan of a Service Academy getting a shot at the tournament, for sure. By sheer accident, Indiana, as the lowest first round Bye seed, gets the easiest draw only because Boise State was gloriously overhyped and overranked for the purposes of sneaking them into the CFP12. If they knew if was going to be 24 instead of 12, maybe Boise State is ranked a touch lower. Who knows.
I still see a somewhat easier pathway here for eventual Championship game participants Ohio State and Notre Dame, especially since I think the 1-4 seeds would draw a potentially more challenging opponent in the second round than the 5-8 seeds. Alabama versus Ohio State would be an exception, but that’s Milroe’s Alabama and I think that Ohio State defense would’ve eaten Alabama alive. Just me thinking out loud.
Would Tennessee have beaten SMU or Colorado (yes) and see a rematch with Georgia? The only way to make it sweeter is to allow the third rounds to be played on campuses, make Tennessee head to Athens. YES. Some of the other potential matchups would’ve been unique…Clemson heading to Oregon, Iowa State in Athens…I was hoping there would be more mention of potentially more home contests in the expansion, but that doesn’t seem to be the appetite.
I’ll give it credit…it looks interesting, in both 2024 and 2025. I guess we’ll know soon enough, like it or not, if it’s this interesting when it gets played out…and also knowing that the Committee is really going to screw around with the 20th-30th ranked teams and will lilkely still screw someone in the process.
And if Notre Dame finishes 50th, do they still get in at the 24 seed?
Now, for further consideration…what if we dialed it back to 2018? What would that have included at the bottom half of the Top 24?
Let’s face it, there shouldn’t be a place where a 5 loss college football team is included in a Championship Tournament. Northwestern? And how the hell were they the 22nd ranked team in the nation at that point?
So it’s not perfect, maybe. We’ll find out soon enough.
There’s a guy on Twitter blowing up the feed with throwback images of Athens and UGA, and this one came up…brought back memories.
Still miss the Senator.
Spring Kirby is much more fun to listen to than Fall Kirby. I know some of you really don’t like Pate (I have my problems with him, too), but this is a pretty good discussion across a number of topics.
Many of you have probably watched or listened to this, but if you haven’t, it’s worth your time especially if you’re on a boring work phone call.
Refugees, discuss.
Here’s a throwback picture that I came across on Twitter:
Apparently, the picture is from 1982 when Burt Reynolds and Jim Nabors were in Atlanta filming Stroker’s Ace. Too bad they didn’t bring Loni with them.
What do you think they’re talking about?
Here’s a picture that might resonate with some of our older readers:
I’ve heard stories about the crowd on the tracks. Seems like it was a fun time, and that’s an understatement. It also sounds like it was the Athens equivalent of the seating area for Los Angeles Raiders (not Vegas, the old school rough and rowdies) diehard fans.
The thing that gets me the most about the picture is the simplicity. A KFC bucket, a brown bag, and I’m assuming a cooler for the beer.
No pop up tents, priority parking passes, HDTVs, buffets, and a full bar. Honestly, the beer is a simple selection before there were eleven million types and microbrews. It was just simple. Hell, probably even cheap. Oddly, everyone isn’t wearing the latest $100+ Georgia gear that abounds in our modern era.
The thing I miss the most in the new era of Georgia football – at least for attending games – is the simple tailgate experience. We tailgated for years in the dark days of the 90s under an oak tree across from the practice field by Butts-Mehre, in what I think was the Credit Union parking lot.
We could just park, take out a few folding chairs, eat Publix chicken and drink beer. You threw the trash in a black plastic bag at the end, threw the chairs and cooler back in the car, and you were done. We might’ve had a radio going or playing music out of the back of the Jeep, but aside from that, it was easy and we threw a football around for entertainment. For games being played elsewhere, you heard the scores on the radio.
And no freaking phones or tablets.
That’s my old man gripe for the day…but for today’s Wondering:
What do you miss the most about attending Georgia football games from the days gone by?
You can play concerts in Sanford, you play football in Sanford, you can have commencements and Olympic soccer at Sanford. But, by God, you’d better not let the Savannah Bananas play there:
I mean, it seems like the kids had fun, and people were out to tailgate and see them like it was a home football game. Methinks it’s kind of popular.
I mean, if you let Yell Leaders exist at your home stadium, you can’t really argue with allowing a parody baseball team playing there, can you?
Would you have this reaction if The Bananas came to Sanford Stadium?