I Didn’t See A Tech Alumn Win Jeopardy

My life is in a pretty set routine.  Come home, play with the baby, eat supper, then watch Jeopardy while giving the baby a bottle.

I have a new respect for anyone who is on Jeopardy.  I’ve been a fan of the show since I was a kid, and I tried taking the online test last year.  I didn’t do so well.

If you follow @grittree on Twitter, you’ve seen the last week and half a UGA grad has been on the show.   Andrew Moore from Buford not only won, he dominated.  Andrew got 6 victories and $137,803 (only about $22K per night).  If you saw it, he defeated his fellow contestants with little trouble.  Most nights, he went into to Final Jeopardy with an insurmountable lead.  His last night, he was in a close game.  No one got the final answer right, but Andrew wagered a bit too much.  By the end of the run, I had my wife watching intently pulling for him too.

Also, Andrew didn’t appear on Jeopardy with of course mentioning his alma mater and wearing red and black every outing.

Andrew, if you ever see this-GATA in the Tournament of Champions!

Corbindawg

Something Similar for UGA and South Carolina

I had a thought yesterday while thumbing through my Phil Steele.  For whatever reason, last year I didn’t crack mine open near as much, and that is something I have been trying to rectify so far this summer.

2011 was a big year for a couple of SEC programs-Georgia and South Carolina.  Prior to the 2011 season, I said that a program can fall down pretty quickly, but can also rebound and have success again.  You could argue that if either one of those teams didn’t have a big year of improvement, you could make the case that one-if not both-of these schools would be looking for a new head coach.

I had this conversation with someone not too long ago:  how long would South Carolina hang on to Spurrier?  Here is his win/loss record from 2005-2010:  7-5, 8-5, 6-6, 7-6, 7-6, 9-5.  You could give him a pass for a couple of years  coming into a mess of a program, but even in year 4 and 5 they were losing six games.  How many new head coaches, six years into their career at a school, would be allowed to stay on with a 6-6 record?  Shoot, Georgia fans were ready to send Mark Richt off for a couple of bad years.

Prior to 2011, South Carolina’s bowl record was staggeringly bad.  Carolina went 1-4 in bowl games in Spurrier’s first 6 seasons.  Didn’t even make a bowl in 2007 when at one point in the season they were #6 in the country (before losing to Vanderbilt without even scoring a TD).

Even in 2010 when Spurrier guided the Gamecocks to the SEC Championship Game, he did so under auspicious circumstances.  Tennessee, Florida, and Georgia were all very bad.  South Carolina won the SEC East with 3 losses-the first time in the Division’s history that has happened.  In 2010, two of Carolina’s three conference losses were losses to Kentucky by 3 and Arkansas by 21.

Now, Spurrier being Spurrier gave him a pass and he did inherit a mess.

Richt’s success from 2001-2007 is well documented, and just as well documented are the struggles from 2008-2010.  The low point for me was after the Boise State game in 2011.  I thought we were going to be much improved following the disaster that was 2010.  I actually had a sense of encouragement after the heartbreaker against South Carolina.  But losing two games in a row to non-SEC opponents was tough.   I really thought Georgia might go 4-8 that season.

And there was a mirage in 2009.   Going 8-5 is not great, but after losing Knowshon, Stafford and Massaquoi, well a step back is to be expected.  But in reality, that 2009 team was awful. AWFUL.  UGA Got extremely lucky to not have a losing record in 2009.  Just think if there were back to back losing seasons in 2009 and 2010-that is another post for another day.   The 2010 team was actually improved in just about every way-except the one that counts in W/L.

But all of this is water under the bridge now.  South Carolina is rolling along.  They have only lost 4 games the last two seasons.  Georgia has been the beneficiary of fortunate breaks in the schedule, but won the games they were supposed to and only have two conference losses the last two seasons (both the Carolina), have made the SEC Championship game in consecutive years, was a mere 5 yards shy of a National Championship, and is the preseason favorite to go back to Atlanta for the third year in a row (for the record, my early lean is on Carolina making it back to Atlanta).

Neither school had to make a tough decision for a coaching change following the 2011 season, as they were both able to get the ship turned around.  Both schools are poised for good 2013 seasons.  I’ve rambled on long enough, but the interesting question is a couple of years from now, both programs will be losing key talent, so will the success continue?  I think it is more likely for Georgia to continue to be good than Carolina.

But this season, Carolina’s schedule is very favorable.  The 2013 match-up will determine the SEC East winner, and if Carolina wins, should put them in the driver’s seat for a spot in the National Championship game.

Corbindawg

Why All The Fredi Hate?

I just can’t understand something.  For the life of me, I can’t understand why there is so much disdain for Braves skipper Fredi Gonzalez.

Now, in his 2 and half seasons with the Braves, they had a meltdown on the last day to avoid getting to the playoffs in his first season and lost the play in game last year.  This year, they are poised to be making another deep post season run.  It has been 8 years since the team of the 1990s won the NL East, and it is long past due.  Fredi has got the Braves in position to make the playoffs, something that couldn’t be consistently said the final few years of the Cox era.

This post probably could have had more traction before the Braves hit their dry spell in June against subpar competition.  The month of June has not been kind to the Braves, posting a 12-11 record this month.  However, the case reamains that the Braves have a 6 game lead in the NL East, are only 3.5 games back for the overall NL lead, and if the Braves played in the AL, would only be .5 game off for the top spot in the AL.

I love Bobby Cox.  Great manager.  But Bobby did somethings that drove me crazy.  His treatment of his bullpen was paramount.  That is the biggest complaint against Fredi.

But what do we expect?  Fredi was Bobby Cox’s hand picked choice to follow him.  Bobby’s admiration for Fredi was obvious when he spoke out against the Marlins firing of him.  The Marlins firing Fredi made it easier for the Braves to get him to come back home and follow in the footsteps of his mentor.

Aside from the love of Copenhagen long cut and cussing out umpires, Fredi manages in a style similar to Cox.  Now, they aren’t the same person, but very similar.  If by saying you don’t like the style of Fredi, you are saying you didn’t like the style of Bobby Cox.

Be paitent fans.  Baseball is a long season.

Corbindawg

Corbindawg

Hindsight is 20/20, but wrong is still wrong

I came across an old post that linked to an article our friend Bill Shanks wrote after the embarrassment that was the 2010 Liberty Bowl.  Following that loss and the 2 more to open the 2011 season, fans were in full on panic mode, and rightfully so.

But Shanks is a clown with zero credibility.   He has a personal vendetta against Richt, and hasn’t been able to let it go, despite the fact that Mark Richt has gotten the UGA program turned back around.

It is one thing to have concerns and another thing to say stuff like this (from January 2,2011):

There is no reason to believe Richt can turn this around. The talent level is so far off that even Central Florida looks far superior to Georgia. Georgia is, at best, the seventh best program in the SEC right now, and that’s just not good enough. And there’s nothing to show it’s going to get better overnight.

It’s now not a question of if Richt will be let go, but when. Athletics director Greg McGarity says Richt will be back in 2011, but it’s just delaying the inevitable. A year from now, McGarity will be looking for a new head coach.

And since then, there has been no mention of a mea culpa.

Not that anyone really expects one.

Corbindawg

Glad This Didn’t Happen

I really thought the guy walking the tightrope across the Grand Canyon wasn’t going to make it last night.  I had this thought earlier in the day, but didn’t want to post it in case he didn’t make it across.

Well, that crazy dude did make it so this is funny now.

But when they were talking about doing this stunt, all I could think of was this classic clip from The Simpsons. Man, I wish these old episodes were played on sydication somewhere.

Corbindawg

Closer Look at 2013 SEC Schedules

There is always complaining going on about the schedule.  A few years ago, Alabama was complaining about every team they played having a bye week before them.  Last year, Spurrier complained about his team’s difficult schedule and Georgia’s easy one.  This year, Les Miles is complaining about LSU having to play the top two teams from the East and Alabama and Texas AM& not.

This year, there shouldn’t be a complaint about the top teams having a grueling grind. Now, SEC football is different-the lower teams are still physically superior than most other places.  But the top teams by and large have tune up games or a bye week before their biggest matchups.  There are a few exceptions.

As far as the difficult schedule, it is all cyclical.  It probably breaks even after a while.

Here is how the 2013 schedule fares for the most relevant 8 teams in the conference.

As we’ve heard, the schedule sets up well for Alabama.  Not only do they avoid the 3 big teams from the SEC East, they have favorable timing.  They have all preseason to prepare for Virginia Tech and bye weeks before LSU and Texas A&M.  Their other two toughest games-Ole Miss and Iron Bowl-they get tune up games the week before.  Oh, and they get LSU at home.

LSU’s schedule is slightly tougher as they have a tough grind September 28-October 19, playing at UGA, at Mississippi State, Florida, and at Ole Miss in consecutive weeks.  Then, they have to play at Alabama and then Texas A&M.  Fortunately, though, LSU has a tune up game before Alabama and bye week before Texas A&M.

Texas A&M has a favorable schedule.  They replace Florida from the East with Vanderbilt (and get them at home).  The Aggies have a bye week before LSU and two gimmie games to start the season before hosting Alabama.  They can basically prepare all offseason for the Crimson Tide (apologies to Rice and Sam Houston State, but come on).

Ole Miss has a tough beginning of the season with a Thursday night opener against Vandy, then a mean 6 week stretch starting September 14.  They go to Texas to play a hopefully improved Longhorns team, have a bye, then go to Alabama, to Auburn, then host Texas A&M and LSU in back to back weeks.

We all know that Georgia has a tough opening month of September.  At Clemson then hosting South Carolina.  Fortunately, the Dawgs have a bye and tune up with North Texas before hosting LSU then the crucial bye week before Florida.

Arkansas has nasty 4 game stretch beginning September 28.  They host Texas A&M, go to Florida, host South Carolina and Alabama all in back to back weeks.  Bret Bielema, that ain’t no Big 10 schedule there son.  Welcome South, brother.

Florida fortunately has tune ups before the tricky interstate non-conference games with Miami and Florida State, a bye before UGA, Vandy before South Carolina..  If I were a Florida fan (thank goodness I am not), I would be concerned about Arkansas and LSU in back to back weeks.  Looking at Arkansas’ run, their only winnable game in their 4 game stretch would be the Florida game.  Not sure what improvements Bielema will bring to the Razorbacks, but Florida better not look past Arkansas before their big tilt against LSU.

South Carolina has to open up against UNC and then travels to Georgia before hosting Vanderbilt to start the season.  Vandy has been able to give the Gamecocks fits, so I guess they should watch out for that one but the rest of their schedule fares pretty well.  They have to travel to Arkansas, Tennessee and Missouri in consecutive weeks, but they get Arkansas in the middle of their bad stretch so that should be good.  They get a bye prior to Florida and a tune up prior to Clemson.

Corbindawg

BBQ Thursday: What Makes Good Stew?

The Grit Tree Contributors had a heated discussion the past few days about what constitutes traditional Brunswick Stew.

The great thing about stew, and any BBQ dish, is it all depends on your own preference. There is no right or wrong way to approach it (although putting mustard in your sauce is simply not right and it ain’t Christian). The thoughts fall in three camps: extremist on each end and a more moderate opinion.

I won’t name names, but there were three differing opinions. The general consensus was that corn, tomatoes, and onion are staple ingredients.

The first was Brunswick Stew can have whatever you want in it. Vegetables, peas, corn, potatoes-hell, even spaghetti noodles. As long as it isn’t too thick and served over rice like that unholy creation also known as hash, anything in your stew is fair game because it is all about a local touch. A stew is what you make it, and no right or wrong way, as each person has their own personal touch.

In the middle was the opinion that although vegetables were not a preference, it was acceptable and sometimes necessary to thicken the stew.

Then finally, the other end of the spectrum was the opinion that if you want vegetables, have vegetable soup or gumbo. Not to say the inclusion of peas, lima beans or potatoes isn’t tasty, and it will get eaten, but it is also judged and looked down upon.

So readers, what is your opinion? Are you an extremist or do you fall somewhere in the middle?

The Grit Tree

Jimmy Williamson Report

I know last week we gave Chief Williamson a hard time and may have unintentionally pointed some fingers at the way his office arrest people of color.  After all, we only had one weeks worth of arrest to go by and I know I would not like to be judged by such a small set.  So throughout the summer we will conduct a running total of how UGA’s finest are protecting the streets of Athens.

Recap from last week; there were twelve arrest, 9 Caucasian, 1 Asian, 2 African American.  Of the twelve only the two African American arrest came from something other than DUI, drugs or resisting arrest.  One was a seat belt violation and one was failure to dim headlights.  Both were booked on license issues.

UGA police arrested eight individuals; 3 African American and 5 Caucasian over the past week.  Half of the individuals arrested were booked for DUI and half were booked for license issues which I feel like is probably  a normal summer average.

Race	Reason
African American	License Required
African American	License Required
African American	DUI
Caucasian	Suspended License
Caucasian	Suspended License
Caucasian	DUI
Caucasian	DUI
Caucasian	DUI

I am aware that this does not show who was stopped and only ticketed and I know it is a small sample size.  We are just hoping to show that UGA police do not unfairly target one group over another.  Arrest percentages since June 4th

	African American	Caucasian	Other
DUI	5%	45%	0%
Drugs	0%	15%	0%
Resisting	0%	0%	5%
License	20%	10%	0%

Top 10 SEC Rivalry Games

A couple weeks back, I wrote how rivalries are important to the fabric of college football.  The rivalries, along with the passion of the fans and the overall pageantry of sport, are what make College Football the best competitive sport in the world.

Nationally, there are some great rivalry games-both historic and newer ones.  The Red River Shootout (political correctness be damned), Michigan-Ohio State are traditional big games, and newer rivalry games like Florida State-Clemson and Stanford-Oregon are fun to watch and are appointment television for any college football fan.

Since it is the preseason and there ain’t much else to talk about, I decided to quickly run through the best rivalries in the SEC.  This might be different depending on your allegiance (a Mississippi State fan is going to put more emphasis on the Egg Bowl than me).  I tried to look at it from a wide perspective-historical importance, level of hate, competitiveness, and how much attention is given to it (is it appointment television?).

Like all of these arbitrary lists, this one is just my opinion and is certainly up for debate.  Each one I offer my reason why it is ranked where it is, and something that sticks out in the rivalry to me. If you have a different interpretation, please share.

10.  THE MAGNOLIA BOWL

Why ranked here:  I initially had another LSU rivalry listed (The Battle for the Golden Boot), but Granite suggest that I move the LSU-Ole Miss game in its place.  This is a big one for the Rebels, as they hate LSU as much as anyone else on their schedule.  LSU has won most of these games, but in recent years it has provided some excitement.

Big moment:   No matter how old you are, you’ve seen the famous replay of Billy Cannon’s punt return.  The 2009 Ole Miss win was one of the most fun games I’ve watched on TV.  I watched it with Uchee at his house, and he had small wager with Granite he ended up losing.  There have been other close, exciting games here.

9.  TENNESSEE-FLORIDA

Why ranked here:  If blogs existed back in the 1990s, this one would probably be near the top of the list.  Not a lot of historical merit here, as these teams played intermittent until the SEC went to division play in 1992.  When Georgia was down in the 1990s, this was the premier match-up in the SEC East, if not the SEC or the entire country.  We all know Spurrier’s famous quips, and if he wasn’t gigging at UGA or FSU, he was gigging at Tennessee.  But in recent years with Tennessee’s decline, this hasn’t been much of a game.

Big Moment:  Fulmer only got the best of Spurrier 4 times, and the biggest was the final time when these two teams faced off to end the regular season in 2001.  Each team had one loss, and the winner went to the SEC Championship game (with a potential BCS title game).  In Spurrier’s last game as Florida’s head coach in the Swamp, Tennessee pulled off the big upset and went on to the SEC Championship game (only to lose to LSU).

8.      EGG BOWL

Why ranked here:  This is a long standing, interstate rivalry between two fan bases who hate each other.  It is the 10^th longest uninterrupted series in college football.  Also, you have the beauty of Ole Miss and the Grove contrasted perfectly with the trashiness and Cedartown-esque feel of Starkville.  It is a fun game to traditionally watch on Thanksgiving night when you get tired of watching the Lions lose during the day.

Big moment:  This is one where I enjoy watching the game and respect the rivalry, but I mean, come on.  It’s Mississippi State and Ole Miss.  I’d say the big moment I remember was watching in 2003 after Jackie Sherrill’s last game.

7.      ARKANSAS-TEXAS AM

Why ranked here:  This is an old Southwest Conference rivalry game that was played annually from 1934-1991.  Played at Jerry’s Dome before TAMU moved to the SEC, and you got to think the ties to Arkansas was a major factor in their decision to jump ship (aside from all the cash money and their ability to give the finger to the Longhorns).

Big moment:  Not really in tune to this rivalry game, but the recent renewal at Jerry’s Dome has produced some exciting games in 2010 and 2011.

6.      FLORIDA-LSU

Why ranked here:  Despite what Les Miles wants you to believe, this is a big deal.  These two teams played every year from 1953-1967 and annually since 1971.  When the SEC split into two divisions, this game was permanent cross divisional game.  Funny, Les didn’t complain about playing the Gators in 2010 and 2011?  Always a classic SEC game, and you can expect hard hitting action.

Big moment:  The 2007 game was classic Les Miles football.  The Tigers went for it on 4th down 5 times.  They converted 5 times.  The brass balls of Les Miles strikes again.

5.      THIRD SATURDAY IN OCTOBER

Why ranked here:  From a historical perspective, probably should be ranked a little higher.  The last time this game was really competitive was in 2009 when Lane Kiffin almost pulled the rabbit out of the hat.  Had it not been for Terrance Cody’s massive hand, the Vols could have very well beaten the Crimson Tide.  Still, as far as historic SEC rivalries go, this one is still one of the best.

Big moment:  Phillip Fulmer being served a subpoena while attending SEC media days tells you the sheer hatred this rivalry still has.

4.      DEEP SOUTH’S OLDEST RIVALRY

Why ranked here:  I think I’ve covered this adequately enough in previous posts.

Big moment:  Two of the best football games I have ever been to in person are the 2006 and 2007 Auburn games.  Both were special for a variety of reasons.

3.      WORLD’S LARGEST OUTDOOR COCKTAIL PARTY

Why ranked here:  Florida’s dominance in the 1990s took some of the luster off, but UGA has won 3/6 and 4/9 to help turn the tide.  I refuse to dignify the swamp boat paddle that is used now.  If When Georgia wins in 2013, it will be 5 wins in 10 attempts.  I think the ship has been turned around there, don’t you?

Big moment:  I have been to 8 WLOCP since 2003.  I was so pissed after 2008’s debacle that I flat refused to go in 2009, and 2010 hurt my heart so bad, and other things kept me from going in 2011.  The wins in 2012 and 2004 I was there to witness in person were sweet, but nothing compared to the 2007 ass whipping we put on the Gators.  Nothing.

2.      ALABAMA-LSU

Why ranked here:  A newer rivalry game, this one has extra emphasis since Nick Saban’s arrival to Alabama.  This might be the most controversial ranking on my list, but I contend that no other SEC game has received as much national attention the last few years than this one-3 times!  It may be recent, but these two teams have played annually since 1964.  Since the Bear left, LSU is close in the all-time series.

Big Moment:  My dad grew up in Alabama and is huge fan of the Crimson Tide.  He naturally doesn’t care for Auburn, but one team he HATES is LSU.  He came down to my house to watch the 2011 classic and we had a great time grilling out and watching football all day, and this instant classic capped off a wonderful day.  He cursed Nick Saban’s name after that game.

1.      IRON BOWL

Why ranked here:  When Bear Bryant took over Alabama in 1958, the series was in Auburn’s favor 13-9-1.  The Bear knew how important it was to beat the Tigers, going 19-6 in the rivalry.  Interestingly enough, 2 of the losses came in his first and last season.  Recent history has helped Auburn make up ground, as they won 6 in a row in the middle 2000s.  Saban is 4-2 against Auburn.  You can’t really make a case for any other SEC rivalry.  The entire state of Alabama is focused on this one, and the likes of Harvey Updyke and Paul Finebuam have just added unnecessary fuel to the fire.

Big moment: Auburn’s comeback one point win over Alabama en route to an undefeated 2010 season in Tuscaloosa.

Corbindawg

Call For Advice

Dear reader,

I would like some help with something.  First off, a little back ground.  I am an OK griller.  I am not good at anything fancy, but I can grill a mean hamburger, steak, and piece of chicken.  We all have particular things we are good at, and though it is pretty simple, I am good at those things.

You must also know your own limitations.  I am leary of trying new things, for fear of messing them up.  I tried to grill a pork tenderloin one time, and it didn’t turn out so hot (literally, it was badly  undercooked), so I just stick to what I know and do well.

Anyway, this past weekend we grilled out in celebration of Father’s Day.  My in laws aren’t big grill people, so at any family gathering I am the designated griller.  They like my burgers, I like sneaking a cold beer around my teetotaling extended family, so it is a win-win.  We were discussing an upcoming beach vacation and who was doing meals, and I said I’d handle burgers and hot dogs.  My father-in-law said some ribs would be good, and I replied I don’t know how to grill ribs.  He said I could learn how.

I don’t want to seem unmanly in the eyes of my father-in-law, and since there will be other food options available, I am open to experimenting with some ribs while we are in Florida.  I am sure many of you are superior grillers, so I am asking for an easy recipe or way to grill ribs.  The house we are staying at does not have a charcoal grill that I am aware of, so I will be having to (unfortunately) be using gas.

Please supply any suggestions in the comment section.  Not only suggestions on how to actually cook them, but any marinade would be good.

Kind regards,

Corbindawg