"Same old Georgia"

Is a phrase I heard numerous times today while driving around our great state of Georgia. Where was it coming from you might ask. From Heisman Trophy winner, MNC coach and downright blowhard Steve Spurrier himself. The Ol' Ball Coach has had it in for the Dawgs ever since DB Lynn Hughes housed one of his passes in 1966 to knock the ever-hated Gator's from the ranks of the unbeaten. Many years have passed since that fateful Fall evening and the rage and hate inside Spurrier for the University of Georgia has never subsided. Uncoincidentally, the feelings are mutual.

This quote came via the victorious coach after last season's debacle in Athens. Many fans, not including this one, believe that game cost us a shot at the National Championship. Whether or not you agree the feelings for Spurrier after last year's upset only grew darker and more overwhelmingly towards pure, unadultured hatred.

Heading into the 2007 matchup the Dawgs appeared to be unbeatable after having trounced overhyped Oklahoma State in the opener. Many UGA supporters, including this one, thought there was absolutely no way that we would not destroy the overmatched Fighting Spurriers, much less cover the -4 point spread. Well we didn't, ask my bookie.

Spurrier relayed his comments in the post-game interview, saying this was "the same old Georgia." Truth be told, it was. We have seen a number of uber-talented teams lose to inferior opponents not just during the CMR era but also under Donnan, Goff, Butts and even HOF Vince Dooley.

This year's clash involves two squads headed in seemingly opposite directions. South Carolina looked awful offensively against NC State and was outcoached, outplayed, outhustled and other out's I can't even think of in their loss to Vanderbilt. Georgia is coming off of a thrashing of CMU that saw our running game show it's brute force and breakaway wheels as well as an above average improvement in the passing game. Every sign is pointing towards a blowout in COLA town, a letdown here would probably ruin our chances at the MNC before the season really even gets under way.

Is this the "same old Georgia?" We will know Saturday evening. I for one am betting that it's not.