No. 2 - Bulldawg Illustrated II: UGA vs. Miss St, 9/25/10
Sometimes I Feel Like I’ve Been Tied to the Whipping Post
So it’s Sunday afternoon, and I’m putzing around the house in my boxers and loafers (what a sight, I know), watching the Tour Championship at East Lake and listening to the Allman Brothers belt out Whipping Post (kind of felt that way after the game). I just put Annabelle down for a nap, and Corinne is at a baby shower. For all the dads out there, I’m sure you can understand why I’m enjoying myself—opportunities like these are about as rare as Spurrier holding his tongue.
I had my Saturday planned for a 12:00 kickoff, but I guess the powers that be saw fit for an evening game… so much for my tee time. I’ve got a neglected golf course where I like to play because no one frowns upon me for playing barefoot. The sand traps have no sand, and it’s not uncommon to see someone take a dip in the pond when the weather calls for it—not exactly Augusta National. But like I said, my plans changed with the late kickoff… guess I’ll have to wait until spring to play barefoot again.
I usually don’t get too excited for Mississippi State games, as I, under normal circumstances, put them in the same category as Bunker Hill Community College. Lord knows I wouldn’t drive to Starkville. Scratch that—I’m always game for a road trip… it’s just that some are prioritized higher than others. But for reasons I do not care to discuss, this game had a lot riding on it. And how did we get here? I’ll just go ahead and say it—this is GEORGIA FOOTBALL! We don’t go 0–3 in divisional play, and we certainly don’t lose to Mississippi State!
I don’t know what’s going on with our boys, but I have a feeling if they don’t get their act together, Richt will soon have more time for mission trips. I hate to think about losing him—least of which is his 91–30 record since taking over the program—but I’d be remiss if I didn’t recognize the average fan expects a lot more than 1–3, especially coming off an 8–5 season.
Now to the game. I brought out my lucky tie for this one… you know, the one that’s in about as good a shape as the golf course where I play. Like I said last week, this tie is for special games (again, it’s hard to believe Mississippi State is a special game).
Annabelle cuddled up next to me for the first half. Despite scaring the hell out of her when I couldn’t help but abruptly yell at the television, we had a good time together. Sorry, kiddo—Daddy gets a little excited when our Bulldogs take the field.
As you know, my wife is an Auburn gal, so we had to switch between games for most of the evening. As if it wasn’t bad enough watching the Dawgs get killed, I had to watch Auburn win. The only redeeming part of the night was a Spurrier loss. Either way, it wasn’t a good night for a Georgia guy. Luckily, Corinne is a good sport and didn’t rub it in.
So where do we go from here? Personally, I’m going back to the bow tie for the Colorado showdown. Better luck west of the Mississippi, gentlemen.
P.S. Now when you ask Annabelle, “What’s the bulldog do?” she’ll provide the most feminine bark you’ll ever hear—hardly audible and something afforded only to innocent baby girls. Love it!
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second in a periodic series of online journal entries from a suburban dad who, every weekend, longs to be in Athens—but more often than not ends up watching the game from home. He’s dressed in a red and black bow tie, bourbon in one hand, cigar in the other, seated beside his Auburn-grad wife and their daughter, who’s about to receive her first cheerleader uniform: half UGA, half AU, stitched right up the middle.
