I have long believed that waiting for football season as an adult is a lot like waiting for Christmas as a kid. It just won’t ever get here.
But finally it has. The start of a new football season, the most glorious time of the year, is mere days away.
I love the start of a new football season because of the great optimism it can bring. Everybody still has a shot at 12-0 and a national championship. There are a few sports writers who think my beloved Georgia Bulldogs will be in the title conversation.
I’m conflicted. My head tells me 8-4, maybe 9-3. We have a lot of pieces in place, but is the whole puzzle together?
On the other hand, my heart likes to think big. Win when you are supposed to. Get a break or two against the better opponents. Avoid the injury bug. Who knows? It might just play out like this:
Georgia vs. Appalachian State: Everybody likes to remind me about that time Appalachian State shocked Michigan in the Big House. Sorry, Appy State. We ain’t Michigan. 38-17.
Georgia at Notre Dame: I’ve had this date circled for a long time. It’s a trip to the home office of college football (plus we’re squeezing in a trip to Wrigley Field and Soldier Stadium). As Lewis Grizzard once wrote, they’ve got the hunchback, but we’ve got the tailback. 17-10.
Georgia vs Samford: Really? Samford surrenders at halftime to avoid further embarrassment. 42-3.
Georgia vs. Mississippi State: After a few good years, thanks to QB Dak Prescott, the Faux Bulldogs returned to their usual spot near the bottom of the SEC. Dan Mullen may have wished he had left with Dak. 28-20.
Georgia at Tennessee: The Vols beat us last year on a miracle, last-second play, so we owe them one. Plus, if we can get a lead, maybe it will cut down on the number of times the Tennessee band plays “Rocky Top.” (What am I thinking? Nothing cuts down on the number of time the Tennessee band plays “Rocky Top.” Note to self: Pack ear plugs.) 31-27.
Georgia at Vanderbilt: There goes Chubb! There goes Michel! 35-14.
Georgia vs. Florida: When I was younger, Georgia always won this game. Then things changed, and Florida always won. It’s past time to turn this around. Later, Gators. 26-21.
Georgia vs. South Carolina: A Gamecock ain’t nothing but a chicken. And chicken makes great eating. Time for dinner. 27-24.
Georgia at Auburn: Auburn has one of the coolest college pre-game traditions in football, when their eagle mascot takes flight, circles the stadium and lands at midfield. Unfortunately for the Tigers (or War Eagles or whatever they are), that will be the only cool thing they see all day. 21-17.
Georgia at Kentucky: The only good thing about playing Kentucky is touring bourbon distilleries outside of Lexington. Unfortunately, this game is in Athens. 28-10.
Georgia at Georgia Tech: This is a rivalry? Yeah, I know they won last year. But The Georgia Institute of Whatever-it-is has beaten the Dawgs only 14 times in my lifetime, and not back to back since the Clinton administration. Tech gets wrecked. Again. 35-14.
From there, we beat Bama in the SEC Championship, Ohio State in the semifinals and Florida State in the national title game. Nothing to it, right?
OK, back to reality. My head still says 9-3. But a fan can dream, can’t he?
