Week 9 Impressions
What a fantastic experience at the Georgia-Florida game! My eldest son took me to the game for my birthday/Christmas present this year, and it was a blast. I had not been since my senior year at UGA, in 1985. The stadium sure was a lot nicer than I remembered (I know, it was rebuilt and upgraded), and construction was everywhere on the city streets, but the biggest impression was the two huge video boards (that were actually 6). We were able to watch 3 games in the lead-up to the pregame show, and they did a fairly nice job of keeping us up-to-date statistically throughout the game. They also showed the TV feed during the game, so we saw all the replays.
Stephen and I weren't able to leave North Georgia until around 10:00 pm on Friday night, so we didn't arrive at our motel in Kingsland, Ga until about 3 am. After a brief night's sleep, and watching ESPN Gameday, we headed for Jacksonville. The ride was only about 35 minutes, but the park-and-ride lot we planned to park at was full. We went to the second address listed (for another park-and-ride), but it didn't exist! We started driving around and saw a public parking garage: $2 for the first hour, $1 each additional hour, $6 maximum for the day. We decided that was a pretty good deal, so we parked and made the 2-mile trek to the stadium, which involved crossing the St John River. Needless to say, with the walk to and from the stadium, plus our seats high in the stadium, I definitely got my steps in!
Our seats were in the Florida section, probably because they were the ones selling their tickets in the lead-up to the game. While we were surrounded by Gator fans, there were pockets of Dawg fans throughout our section. The game itself was wonderful! The Dawgs got off to a quick start, jumping out to a 21-0 lead in just seven and a half minutes. At that pace, the Dawgs would have won 168-0! Obviously, that didn't happen, but they did dominate from start to finish, though I was a little disappointed they didn't get the shutout. Basically, the game came down to two bursts: 21 points in a short span in the first quarter, and another 21 points in a short span that lasted from late in the 3rd quarter to early in the 4th.
The offensive and defensive lines dominated the game, and Georgia's run game was more than adequate. Florida dominated the time of possession, and had a few nice drives, but Georgia scored quickly and often. Georgia is now 4-1 versus Florida when I am in attendance. Feel free to suggest to the UGA athletic department that I am open to them paying my way to and from the game so that I can continue to bring my good fortune to the team! (On a side note, I was also at Georgia's victory over Auburn last year...)
Since I spent most of the day engaged with the game, and other activities related to the game, I did not get a chance to watch a lot of football, though I saw the three that were being played on the big video screens, and a few at the restaurant where we ate dinner. However, I will offer a few opinions on the results.
There were quite a few overtime games, but the expected winner prevailed in most. Eastern Michigan pushed a much better team in Northern Illinois to overtime, but lost. Eastern Michigan has played very well in most games, but has not been able to finish them. Georgia State appears to be much better than I anticipated, as they are now 3-1 in the Sun Belt Conference. Stanford struggled versus Oregon State, but that may have been because of the absence of Bryce Love, their outstanding running back. Hopefully he returns soon. The real shocker of the pre-Saturday games was Boston College blowing out FSU to the tune of 35-3!
Wisconsin and Miami continue to win, as both remained undefeated, but they still fail to impress. Arkansas had a tremendous comeback from a 31-7 deficit to beat Ole Miss on a last second field goal. Wake Forest pummeled Louisville, whose defense is just plain awful. Pitt surprised me by winning easily over Virginia. Ditto for Colorado over Cal. I'm not surprised they won, but by how easily they won. Same for FIU over Marshall, Air Force over Colorado St, and FAU over Western Kentucky.
Ohio State's comeback win over Penn State was one for the ages. Other notable results were: Notre Dame over NC State; Iowa State upsetting TCU; Northwestern over Michigan State in 3 overtimes; UMass over Appalachian State in 2 overtimes; Houston over a previously undefeated USF; Mississippi State winning easily over Texas A&M; and Tennessee losing to Kentucky.
The AAC East looks like it will still come down to the UCF-USF game. The West could be decided when Memphis meets SMU on Nov 18. The NC State-Clemson game this weekend will go a long way toward deciding the ACC Atlantic, as will the Miami-Virginia Tech game for deciding the Coastal. The Big 12 has a 4-way tie at the top: Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, TCU, and Iowa State. Only Iowa State has faced and beaten 2 of the other 3 top competitors. Oklahoma has only faced one (and lost) and TCU has faced 2 (1-1). Oklahoma State has only lost to TCU, but faces Oklahoma this weekend.
The Penn State-Michigan State game this weekend could serve as an elimination game, as neither can withstand another conference loss. Ohio State meets Michigan State in 2 weeks, and a win there would all but eliminate the Spartans. Wisconsin is in no danger of losing the division title to anyone, as it has a 2-game lead over Northwestern and Nebraska, both of whom they have already beaten.
Both divisions of Conference USA are still wide open, as is both divisions of the MAC, the Pac 12 (both divisions) and the Sun Belt Conference. Fresno State is clearly in the driver's seat in the Mountain West Conference West Division, despite their loss to UNLV last weekend. The Mountain Division was thrown into disarray by Colorado State's loss to Air Force; Boise State takes the lead on the strength of their 4-0 conference record. Their game at Colorado State on Nov 11 could decide the division.
The SEC East has all but been decided; Georgia could clinch with a win over South Carolina and a Kentucky loss to Ole Miss. If Kentucky wins, Georgia may have to wait until they meet the Wildcats on Nov 18 to clinch (assuming they beat South Carolina, which is no sure thing, and Kentucky beats Vandy on Nov 11). Alabama, surprisingly, has a tougher road, still having to face each of the other challengers. A loss to either LSU or Auburn could knock them out of the SECCG!
That's all for now! Until next time, may your day and your loved ones be blessed!
Stephen and I weren't able to leave North Georgia until around 10:00 pm on Friday night, so we didn't arrive at our motel in Kingsland, Ga until about 3 am. After a brief night's sleep, and watching ESPN Gameday, we headed for Jacksonville. The ride was only about 35 minutes, but the park-and-ride lot we planned to park at was full. We went to the second address listed (for another park-and-ride), but it didn't exist! We started driving around and saw a public parking garage: $2 for the first hour, $1 each additional hour, $6 maximum for the day. We decided that was a pretty good deal, so we parked and made the 2-mile trek to the stadium, which involved crossing the St John River. Needless to say, with the walk to and from the stadium, plus our seats high in the stadium, I definitely got my steps in!
Our seats were in the Florida section, probably because they were the ones selling their tickets in the lead-up to the game. While we were surrounded by Gator fans, there were pockets of Dawg fans throughout our section. The game itself was wonderful! The Dawgs got off to a quick start, jumping out to a 21-0 lead in just seven and a half minutes. At that pace, the Dawgs would have won 168-0! Obviously, that didn't happen, but they did dominate from start to finish, though I was a little disappointed they didn't get the shutout. Basically, the game came down to two bursts: 21 points in a short span in the first quarter, and another 21 points in a short span that lasted from late in the 3rd quarter to early in the 4th.
The offensive and defensive lines dominated the game, and Georgia's run game was more than adequate. Florida dominated the time of possession, and had a few nice drives, but Georgia scored quickly and often. Georgia is now 4-1 versus Florida when I am in attendance. Feel free to suggest to the UGA athletic department that I am open to them paying my way to and from the game so that I can continue to bring my good fortune to the team! (On a side note, I was also at Georgia's victory over Auburn last year...)
Since I spent most of the day engaged with the game, and other activities related to the game, I did not get a chance to watch a lot of football, though I saw the three that were being played on the big video screens, and a few at the restaurant where we ate dinner. However, I will offer a few opinions on the results.
There were quite a few overtime games, but the expected winner prevailed in most. Eastern Michigan pushed a much better team in Northern Illinois to overtime, but lost. Eastern Michigan has played very well in most games, but has not been able to finish them. Georgia State appears to be much better than I anticipated, as they are now 3-1 in the Sun Belt Conference. Stanford struggled versus Oregon State, but that may have been because of the absence of Bryce Love, their outstanding running back. Hopefully he returns soon. The real shocker of the pre-Saturday games was Boston College blowing out FSU to the tune of 35-3!
Wisconsin and Miami continue to win, as both remained undefeated, but they still fail to impress. Arkansas had a tremendous comeback from a 31-7 deficit to beat Ole Miss on a last second field goal. Wake Forest pummeled Louisville, whose defense is just plain awful. Pitt surprised me by winning easily over Virginia. Ditto for Colorado over Cal. I'm not surprised they won, but by how easily they won. Same for FIU over Marshall, Air Force over Colorado St, and FAU over Western Kentucky.
Ohio State's comeback win over Penn State was one for the ages. Other notable results were: Notre Dame over NC State; Iowa State upsetting TCU; Northwestern over Michigan State in 3 overtimes; UMass over Appalachian State in 2 overtimes; Houston over a previously undefeated USF; Mississippi State winning easily over Texas A&M; and Tennessee losing to Kentucky.
The AAC East looks like it will still come down to the UCF-USF game. The West could be decided when Memphis meets SMU on Nov 18. The NC State-Clemson game this weekend will go a long way toward deciding the ACC Atlantic, as will the Miami-Virginia Tech game for deciding the Coastal. The Big 12 has a 4-way tie at the top: Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, TCU, and Iowa State. Only Iowa State has faced and beaten 2 of the other 3 top competitors. Oklahoma has only faced one (and lost) and TCU has faced 2 (1-1). Oklahoma State has only lost to TCU, but faces Oklahoma this weekend.
The Penn State-Michigan State game this weekend could serve as an elimination game, as neither can withstand another conference loss. Ohio State meets Michigan State in 2 weeks, and a win there would all but eliminate the Spartans. Wisconsin is in no danger of losing the division title to anyone, as it has a 2-game lead over Northwestern and Nebraska, both of whom they have already beaten.
Both divisions of Conference USA are still wide open, as is both divisions of the MAC, the Pac 12 (both divisions) and the Sun Belt Conference. Fresno State is clearly in the driver's seat in the Mountain West Conference West Division, despite their loss to UNLV last weekend. The Mountain Division was thrown into disarray by Colorado State's loss to Air Force; Boise State takes the lead on the strength of their 4-0 conference record. Their game at Colorado State on Nov 11 could decide the division.
The SEC East has all but been decided; Georgia could clinch with a win over South Carolina and a Kentucky loss to Ole Miss. If Kentucky wins, Georgia may have to wait until they meet the Wildcats on Nov 18 to clinch (assuming they beat South Carolina, which is no sure thing, and Kentucky beats Vandy on Nov 11). Alabama, surprisingly, has a tougher road, still having to face each of the other challengers. A loss to either LSU or Auburn could knock them out of the SECCG!
That's all for now! Until next time, may your day and your loved ones be blessed!
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