How will the high pre-season ranking that UGA will receive at the end of the summer affect the mentality of the team in the fall? This question has been going through the heads of the people of the Dawg nation since the University of Georgia ending their season as arguably the best team in the nation last year.
In the past the Dawgs have not done well with the high pre-season ranking. In recent history the Dawg fans have had to live through this bad omen before. Everyone remembers the dreaded 2004 season which had Georgia pre-season ranked no. 3. We crushed the national champion LSU tigers at home and then we got our hearts broken the next weekend by the Vols in Sanford stadium. Also, who could forget the Terrence Edwards drop in 2002 against Florida that would have cemented Georgia’s national title appearance? We were ranked eighth in the pre-season polls that year and before that game we had moved up into the top five.
With the season ahead of us the schedule looks very demanding. With away games like South Carolina and Arizona State back to back and the four game away gauntlet that consist of LSU, Florida, Kentucky, and Auburn can the Dawgs navigate this schedule without a loss?
Normally, with the recent history that we have gone through as Georgia fans I would have a negative attitude saying “no way not going to happen,” but I have never seen a Georgia team with this much enthusiasm and drive to be the best. Did the pile up in the Florida game, which brought every player to the middle of the field, change the mentality of this Georgia team for the next few years; will that momentum carry on to the season where the Dawgs will certainly need it the most? Well, the Dawgs have won seven in a row since that afternoon in Florida and I haven’t seen any indication that suggests the momentum won’t continue on especially since Georgia is returning a ton of people. I have never seen a more dominate Dawgs team in my lifetime. Regardless of schedule this team has the confidence, rarely seen in a Dawgs team, which can keep the Dawgs on top. Fall can’t come soon enough for college football fans. For the Dawg fans this might be a special one.
Duke Lee
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March 3rd, 2008 at 8:18 am
I would have to argue some about UGA aruguably being the best team in the Nation last year. They were a Vanderbilt fumble away from not making it to a BCS bowl. You still need to win your conference as well. Playing Hawaii though not UGA’s fault really did not show us much, as they were the weakest of the BCS teams. That being said, UGA brings back a great team. This season will show just how good a coach Richt is with all this talent. He will have to avoid those games that always seem to get him. Like South Carolina last year and not being prepared for Tenn. Richt is a good coach and should learn from his mistakes. Good article , well written,enjoyed the passion for the Dawgs, look forward to reading more abot the Dawgs , counting the days until the fall