In case you're wondering when the last time the Dawgs went down to Jax to face the #1 team in the country, that one didn't work out too well for the Gators. Ironically, 1985 was also the last time UF won in Starkville. That was not a memorable UGA team. We went down to the game w/ a 6-1-1 record. We lost the season opener to Alabama and tied Vandy 13-13 a few weeks before we played Florida. That fun day in Jax would also be our last win of the season, as we'd drop the final 2 to Auburn and Tech and tie Arizona in the Sun Bowl.
But that was a season w/ a couple of memorable moments. We won in Clemson in red pants, as our All-American Center Peter Anderson fell on a fumble in the endzone to score a TD against the Tigers, and we had that moment in Jax, waxing #1 Florida 24-3. It was the epitome of the spell Dooley held over the Gators. They were way better than us that season…but not that day. Florida's schedule looks eerily similar, winning in Baton Rouge and Starkville and beating UT in Gainesville.
1985 Galen Hall
9/7 Miami (Miami) (5/NR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . W 35-23
9/14 Rutgers (Gainesville) (3/NR) . T 28-28
9/28 Mississippi State (Starkville) (11/NR) . W 36-22
10/5 LSU (Baton Rouge) (11/8) . W 20-0
10/12 Tennessee (Gainesville) (7/14) . . . . . . W 17-10
10/19 Southwestern Louisiana (5/NR) . W 45-0
(Gainesville) HC
10/26 Virginia Tech (Gainesville) (2/NR) . W 35-18
11/2 Auburn (Auburn) (2/6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . W 14-10
11/9 Georgia (Jacksonville) (1/17) . L 24-3
11/16 Kentucky (Gainesville) (11/NR) . . . . . . W 15-13
11/30 Florida State (Gainesville) (6/12) . W 38-14
I think the most intriguing thing about all of this is the strange range of emotions that all dawg fans are feeling right now. We all desperately want to put it together and spoil the seasons of our 2 most bitter rivals. We want to upset Florida and pull for the Evil Genius to catch lightning in a bottle against his old team and send us to Atlanta. We want to sneak into the SECCG. Or, at worst finish 9-3, end on a high note and go destroy some ACC team in Atlanta, some Big 12 team in Dallas or some Big 10 team in Tampa. We all want something like that. We want to get better and play like we're capable of playing. But, here is the million dollar, gut-check, dark places you don't talk about question: would you trade a miracle SEC title if it meant Willie Martinez keeps his job. Or the better question is probably: would you take and 9-3 turnaround and bowl win if it meant CWM keeps his job? Those are dark questions, my friends. I'm not sure I know the answer. And if I do, you probably don't want to know which way I'm leaning.
Uh, yes... I would take a SEC title over willie martinez losing his job. Is that even a serious question?
ReplyDeleteI would definitely take the title. FWIW - Willie Martinez, thought not a great coordinator, is not our defensive problem. With better players, he is perfectly able to put together a good defense. We need more Seymour's, Moses', Pollack's, Stroud's, Grant's, Thurmans, Davis, Jones'. A lot of those guys didn't have the recruiting ranking our current guys had, but the reality is they were better players.
ReplyDeleteI also agree...of course I would take the SEC title. It's bad that question has to even be asked.
ReplyDeleteBelieve it or not, some people would rather Willie be gone and play for the future titles we should be able to get with the talent, schedule breaks, and the players our opponents will be losing. It's not a dumb question, just a really deep, dark thought.
ReplyDeleteI would personally say, If Willie keeps his job I'm not sure I would take a title. I would rather take a shot at not getting embarrassed 1 or 2 games a year and be competative in every game and titles will come.