Well, boys, it’s only 45 days away. We’ll be at six weeks on Saturday and it will really start speeding up. A few observations:
· Can you imagine us heading into this year with Mark Richt as coach? 8 months ago we were days away from the Tech game and thinking surely he stays if we win. I just can’t believe the difference in vibe. But will it translate onto the field?
· I’m not sure coaches think like this, but do you even consider the emotional edge you get in the Dome if 10 and 27 are on the field for the first snap? I think 27 is there for sure. We will hold our breath every time he touches the ball for the entire season. Get used to it.
· Speaking of 10, Kirby says he wants to have a starter determined by end of the 2nd scrimmage. Think he announces it? I wouldn’t
· It’s not unreasonable to think that we are on the brink of a dynasty. Kirby is so much younger than Saban and Miles. Saban will be 65 in October. Miles will be 63 in November. In five years, where will they be. Right now, we are #2 on the composite 2017 recruiting rankings. Florida is #27. I don’t think the guy down there can recruit, and Richt will also help us a great deal, as I think he’ll get those South Fla kids to stay home. And I’m pretty sure the guy in Knoxville can’t actually coach. It’s feasible that it becomes a foregone conclusion in a year or so that we are going to win the East every year. As good as the West has been, Bama has won it in 2008, 2009, 2012, 2014, 2015. That’s 5 of 8 years. And you have to be darn good (like go to the NC game to win it over them). I see our talent rising like Bama’s, but I don’t see the same kind of rise out of UT and Florida.
The older I get, the less I know. I cannot remember a year when I knew less about what to expect from this team. But I think it’s going to be fun to watch.
What are your gut feelings?