I may have mentioned that my day job is teaching math to high school seniors. Our Fall Break is this weekend, and when Brother Podunk and I looked at the schedule to plan his annual trip to come watch the ‘Dawgs with me, he chose this weekend so we would have more time together rather than choose a game that was more likely to be eventful.
A 4:15 game time meant we didn’t have to set any alarms, but could get up at our leisure, and still have plenty of time to get to the Classic City, get parked and get to the Tate Center early enough to get our preferred spot for the Dawg Walk.
In this week’s ‘Dawg Debate the question was “is the priority fan experience or operating in the black?” I’d like to think these things are not mutually exclusive. The ‘Dawg Walk is always packed, the bookstore is always packed, plenty of people tailgate (and I’d venture that the majority of people who tailgate are not actually attending the game inside the stadium). I’m with MaconDawg – the Battle Hymn is inviolable – it was one of Podunk’s favorite parts of the day when she came, and one of the reasons she preferred games in Athens to anywhere else. I’d say Saturday Night’s alright for fighting needs to stay too – it’s definitely high energy and gets the crowd going.
As we entered the stadium, USCjr was giving Alabama fits, so we stopped to pull up that game. That may have been a mistake, as Alabama came back to win the game. Could the powers that be have maybe shown highlights or *gasp* even shown the game on the Jumbotron as the fans were coming in? I do like the rotating view of all the Ugas, and the former Dawgs in the NFL, but maybe??? Or maybe have the presentations of boosters, other athletes, etc. during pregame?? I just know that hearing Brother P holler “Go Gamecocks” made me want to smack him (but understanding whence came the sentiment, and actually wanting them to beat Bama myself…..).
But I agree – if you don’t know anyone to tailgate with (I don’t) and/or if you don’t know how/when to be at the Dawg Walk, then the fan experience could be improved. I may not have all the ideas, but I’m game to try them out and give my feedback.
However, it is our intention to celebrate Georgia Bulldog Football Wins whenever and wherever they occur. The ugliness or beauty of any particular win is irrelevant for the purposes of the Winning Smart Victory Post. It is therefore my deepest honor and privilege to bring to you this week’s edition of: The Winning Smart Victory Post.
Coach Kirby Smart coached his 116th game this week for the Red & Black. He currently boasts a 99-17 record and a 0.8534 winning percentage, having carded his ninety-ninth win overall in the sixth game of the 2024 season against the Bizarro Bulldogs of Mississippi State.
At the identical juncture in their careers:
- Vince Dooley’s 116th game as head coach resulted in a Georgia Bulldogs win over the Ole Miss Rebels in the fifth game of the 1974 season, giving Coach Dooley a record of 79-33-5 and 0.7026 percentage.
Coach Mark Richt was 89-27 (0.7672) after a loss to the Tennessee Volunteers in the eleventh game of the 2009 season.
One hundred and sixteen games into his head coaching career Kirby Smart is ten games ahead of Coach Mark Richt and ahead of Coach Vince Dooley by 20 games. As of now, he is holding his own versus the two winningest coaches in Georgia Football History.
As always . . .
Go ‘Dawgs !!!!