Vanderbilt vs UGA . . .Unfinished Business

Certainly can't argue with you thriller. Guess we'll just have to see. If Rogers is out their backup won't be happy. I think we drill them.

TN Dawg wrote: There will be several reasons Franklin and Vandy will be motivated to try and beat UGA. Not only did Franklin come off as a baby last year, Josh Dawson committed to Vandy and came to UGA instead. Below is the story and in it they say Vandy and Franklin not too pleased. It happens, get over it. Would not put it past Vandy players to try something. Hopefully they will use better sense and won't.

The humor in all of this is that big time recruits commit and de-commit all the time.
It happens to us, it happens to Tennessee... hell, occasionally it even happens to
Alabama. Guess what Franklin? When you are a big time program going after big time
recruits... it happens. Isn't that what you and Vandy aspire to be? A big time program?

Deal with it. It comes with the territory when you are in the big leagues. Stop your crap
about honor and stop trashing kids who change their mind. I'm just as disappointed
when it happens to us, but stop acting like it's never supposed to happen to Vanderbilt.

Buc, everyone here knows that Richt will always be the calm, cool, collected coach in all of his interviews...it's etched into his personality. BUT, I couldn't agree with you more...reading between the lines with CMR this year, facial expressions (and facial hair) here and there, little sly comments and words not normally used...something (McGarity, Grantham, both, who knows) has changed. Maybe it's having a team, of both coaches and players, after several thin years that he knows could be something truly special, but something has definitely changed.

Richt is, by all accounts, an honest man, but don't think for a second he doesn't know how to "manipulate" the media. A few comments (see Cornelius Washington) are going to slip through the cracks, and that's fine, but he's going to do everything in his power to keep the focus of this week off of last years confrontation and solely on the game...in the eye of the public. Obviously I'm not on the practice field so I can't say for sure, but something tells me this new Richt and his coaches have been and will continue to constantly remind the troops of the disrespect shown by Vandy coaches, not only through the confrontation, but through the questionable play (chop-blocking, etc.) that they allowed, and probably instructed, their players to use last year.

Grantham stated last year and continues to state this year that he will always have his players backs...hence why he went after Franklin last year. Every one of those players feel the same way about their coach and I'm sure they'll do everything they can to have his back on Saturday. No prediction from me on scores or outcomes, but I'm CONFIDENT that motivation will not be an issue on Saturday.

TN Dawg wrote: Going with the goose-egg!

27 - 0

Sorry TN Dawg but I can't look at our "D" that gave up big play to Buff and FAU and expect a shut out. I'm thinking 34-17.

Our D should get much better when Ogletree and Rambo return but we aren't there yet.

Southern, definitely agree with you about Rambo and Tree, but I also think, even if it was against FAU, having players like Dawson, Jordan Jenkins, etc. get real playing time under their belts will make our D much better too. And obviously it can't be stated enough how much of a difference having Jarvis out there makes...not just from personal production, but from offenses having to always know where he is and gameplan for him.

As the saying goes, practice makes perfect, but the only way these younguns (Dawson, Jenkins) really get better is by playing in a game, watching their mistakes from the game on film, and then having something tangible to improve upon during practice. Having Commings back (hopefully with a bit more of the rust off from playing last week) with Jarvis on the field too should make a dramatic difference over the first half of the FAU game.

Mike, I am seriously on board with what I have seen thus far this season. If the same attitudes continue, the following years are going to be much better for all of us wearing the Red and Black.

This is probably the first year that I can remember thinking that the coaches and players were on the same page and their intentions are to keep it that way. Mark Richt is doing and showing what time in grade does for any performer that wants to improve not only himself, but those that are around him. Took Richt a while, hoping as I have said a couple of times, Richt is no longer that young coach from Tallahassee, he now truly understands what is expected of him.

In my opinion, the hot seat made Richt wake up and realize that what McGarity said was not just words, it was basically a "real wake up call". Many of us have had that issue in our lives, regardless of age or type of employment. Swift kick in the butt can produce rewards.

There is not a doubt in my mind that Todd Grantham is what was needed at UGA. The man is a teacher, not like some out there (Franklin) that are looking outward, not inward. While we have not played the best teams we will face this year, it is easy enough to see the attitudes of the young pups getting stronger. Vandy is a good fit for our program at this juncture in the 2012 season, can do nothing short of getting better as a team with competition improving.

I have spent much of today trying to read all I can about Vandy . . . . Franklin is playing the "I don't know who our starting quarterback is at this point". As DawgnLA pointed out yesterday, appears that the young man from Wyoming has a very good chance to start. 6'1", 220 lbs. Runs and throws the ball well, has played against some good competition prior to transfering to Vandy. If my guess is close to fact, young man has never played against the quality and quantity he will face Saturday in Athens, if he is the starter. At this point, either of their quarterbacks will not make that much of a difference.

One thing that I have to do as this season moves along . . . . I have to look at each game, whether a win or a loss and be honest with myself as to what I see. Who last week would have bet on Stanford beating Southern California? I thought it would be a good game, did not expect the outcome. I look at Arkansas, clear case of what coaching means to a team. There are many examples already this season of couda shouda wouda. This is what I hope for . . . . play the games and hope that we get better each game, whether a win or loss. Guess I am on board with watching our football team grow and continue to get better each week and season. We have talent.

Like you Mike, not going to play the point game, do think we are the better team, also do not expect Vandy to roll over and play dead. Some of what I have gathered looking around today . . . the Vandy offensive line has been down on themselves, looking to shore their game up. When you are unsure who your starting quarterback is when playing between the Hedges with 92,000+ fans and a solid defense and offense looking you in the eye, does not bode well. Pigskin bounces funny sometimes, that cannot be helped.

Sorry again to be so long, really want to repay a debt, need my credit rating to stay in the "TOP FIVE" . . . . Vandy is next up.