Hutson Mason: A Dawg "On Hold"

Hutson Mason seriously considered transferring from the University of Georgia. He had accepted the fact there that would be no significant playing time for him as long as Aaron Murray was around. To make matters even worse, he and Murray were on the same eligibility run. The only way Mason figured he could realistically remain a Bulldog would be to red-shirt this season and give himself a season without Murray around (2014).  So the deal was made, and Hutson Mason is still a Dawg waiting for his chance to be Georgia's starting quarterback. However, in making that deal, the UGA coaching staff left itself with no options beyond Murray. Even though there was a condition to the deal concerning the availability of Murray early in the season, there was not an actual line drawn in the sand as far as a cutoff time for this.With no disrespect toward backup Christian LeMay, the Bulldog depth chart at the position directly behind center is basically one. No resting Murray, no spotting Murray when he's having an 'off day', no replacement for Murray in case of an injury of any kind. If this was a deal made with the devil, then so far Satin is holding up his end of the deal. The devil wouldn't dare tempt Mark Richt's hand would he? Just sayin...

Alabama at LSU: Whose Dreams Will Die in Death Valley?

For the third time in two years, the LSU Tigers and the Alabama Crimson Tide meet again on the gridiron. It isn't No. 1 against No. 2 as it was last year, but nevertheless it is a big ball game. Where last year's contests were virtually toss-ups, 'Bama enters the game as a solid 9 1/2 point favorite over their division rival. I don't look for the Tigers to get steam-rolled by Alabama as Mississippi State did last week, but I don't see the Tide losing either. Death Valley is a tough venue for opposing teams, but the 12th man theory won't be enough to pull the home team through this time. Les Miles said opposing teams dreams come to die in Death Valley, but there will be no tragedy inflicted on Alabama dreams Saturday night.

Georgia -vs- Ole Miss: 1980

I read a review of the 1980 UGA-Ole Miss game and the quote in the write up that really caught my eye was: "Rarely is Georgia-Ole Miss easy." In '80, the Dawgs jumped out in front of the Rebels 17-0, and it did indeed appear to be easy. However, the guys from Oxford fought back to within three at 14-17 in the third quarter. The game ended up as a 28-21 Georgia victory, though hardly an easy one to be sure. Even though Ole Miss came to Athens that day with a record of 1-4, they pushed an undefeated Georgia team until the final gun sounded. The Rebels return to Sanford Stadium again as an underdog, but also as a revamping program that is playing quite well. Defeating a heavily favored UGA team 'Between the Hedges' would be Ole Miss' signature win for the season. I don't see it happening, but I don't see it being a cake walk for Georgia either. After all, rarely is anything easy in the Southeastern Conference.

Tennessee Volunteers: A Touch of Class

I've given Tennessee a rough time on this bog in the past, and being a Georgia fan, I'm sure I will again in the future. However, I need to give credit where it is due. I was very impressed with the Volunteer football team for the way they responded to the Marcus Lattimore injury Saturday in their game with South Carolina. Most of the Tennessee players gathered at midfield opposite the Gamecock team to show respect for the kind of player and person Lattimore is. Football is a tough game and the SEC is a tough, physical conference. I imagine that the punishment is hard to withstand week end and week out over the course of a full season. Regardless of one's distaste for another school, I don't think anyone likes to see a kid get seriously injured. Ever. Well done Tennessee.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Very Fitting For Halloween

The Pittsburgh Steelers wore 1934 throw-back uniforms Sunday in their games with the Washington Redskins. Could it have been a typo and they meant throw-up uniforms? Ugh! And to think, Pittsburgh actually won the game. Just sayin...

Marcus Lattimore: A 'Robert Edwards Type' Knee Injury?

This is an unconfirmed report:
News is leaking out about Marcus Lattimore's tragic knee injury, and it doesn't look good. The South Carolina running back reportedly broke his femur and patella and tore four ligaments in his right knee -- his ACL, MCL, PCL and LCL according to Brian VanOchten of WDGM. Lattimore tore a ligament in his left knee in 2011, and had finally made a full comeback from that injury.
I wonder if it compares to this:
After four hours of surgery on Tuesday, when surgeons discovered he had injuries to all four ligaments in his left knee as well as nerve damage, the Patriots' orthopedist, Bertram Zarins, said he was ''pessimistic'' that Edwards would play again.
I'm sure everyone, and especially Robert Edwards, hopes this is not the case.
UPDATE

Georgia -vs- Florida: "Stagger Lee" Style

"The night was clear and the moon was yellow, and the leaves came tumbling down.
I was standing on the corner when I heard my Bulldawg bark,

he was barkin' at two men who were gamblin' in the dark. "

 

Georgia 17 - Florida 9

 

Malcolm Mitchell: "The Mouth of the South"

I love Malcolm Mitchell. There is absolutely no question he has unbelievable football talent. His skill level in all three phases of the game is off the charts. But sometimes he plays the game from the shoulder pads up like a chump and not a champ. He's been in the face of opponent's all year long, pounding his chest and talking trash. I remember back in the Missouri game, he did that after he knocked a receiver out of bounds who had just caught a pass in front of him. I wondered then what that was all about because he really did nothing exceptional on the play. He made the game wining touchdown yesterday against Florida with great down-field running, but his play came after he cost his Bulldogs 15 critical yards for 'unnecessary running off at the mouth'. He admitted later he had been doing that the entire game but just got called for it on that particular play. The bottom line is that he doesn't need all that trash talk as part of his game; his game speaks volumes by itself. Come on Malcolm, let your talent do the talking. Please.

Jarvis Jones: "That's A Beast Right There"

Jarvis Jones is a beast; that’s a beast right there,” senior linebacker Mike Gilliard said. “He’s a hard worker; he’s a passionate, passionate guy; he loves this sport. He came out here and showed up like we knew he would. Big-time players make big-time plays in big-time games.”
Just let these numbers soak in with you: 13 tackles, 3 sacks,2 forced fumbles & 2 fumble recoveries. All of that in just one game. All of that on a bum ankle and a chronic sore groin. All of that. Period. Enough said.

Jarvis Jones: Jacked About Jacksonville

When Georgia defeated Florida last year 24-20, Jarvis Jones had four sacks, five tackles, and just for good measure, a forced fumble. That performance propelled the Bulldog junior to All-American honors. Now he returns to Jacksonville as healthy as he has been since the Missouri game when he suffered a groin injury. He has missed to games for Georgia, and his practice regimen until this week has consisted mainly of treatments and rehab. He is ready, willing, able and excited to be back on the field again. His return could not be more timely for the Dawgs, and his presence back on Georgia's defense could not be more untimely for the Gators.

Mississippi State at Alabama: Perception & Respect

Let's face it. No one expects Mississippi State to defeat Alabama on national TV Saturday night. Even though both teams have unblemished records this season, the number 1 ranked Crimson Tide really has no equals in the SEC this year. You certainly would not expect that to change with 'Bama playing host to the Bulldogs from Starkville. But the question most purists have is whether or not State can play with Alabama? Can they be competitive with the Tide for four quarters? Can the Bulldogs stand toe-to-toe with the boys from Tuscaloosa? And is Alabama 23 point superior to Mississippi State as the line indicates? State desperately wants to change the perception of their program. If they walk in to Bryant-Denny Stadium and play four physical quarters and make Alabama work for everything they get, then they will walk out with the respect their program seeks.The perception of the Bulldog program will have changed, and Vegas might have to eat those 23 points. Just sayin...

Honey Badger: How'd That Rehab Work For Ya?

Tyrann Mathieu was dismissed from the LSU football team back in August for failing a drug test. He underwent two weeks of rehab under the tutelage of former NBA player John Lucas, and enrolled for fall classes at LSU in hopes of being reinstated back on the Tiger football squad at some point. Today, the "Honey Badger" was arrested, along with three others, at his apartment and charged with simple possession of marijuana. I suppose the rehab didn't go so well. I wonder if there is any such thing as an 'invincible complex'? Evidently there is, because some kids just keep making the same mistake over and over, as if they're immune to the consequences. It's sad, it's frustrating, and it's hard to understand. I don't get it. Just sayin...