Despite being members of the same division of the same conference, Vanderbilt is not really a rival of Georgia. This is because, as the SEC’s whipping post, Vandy is typically lurking around the bottom of the conference standings. Georgia usually looks forward to the Vanderbilt game as a mid-season break. They’re often the homecoming victim for the Dawgs and the other conference big boys. Vandy can be pesky, though and the sometimes pull off the upset. 

For example: October 14, 2006 in Athens, Georgia. A fine autumn day and the University of Georgia’s homecoming weekend. (For those of you outside of the USA, homecoming is a chance for alumni to return to their university, get drunk like they’re still 19 and watch their football team humiliate some sub par opponent. Good times.) A week previous, another team from Tennessee had come in to Sanford Stadium and beaten us down. But spirits were high, I mean this is just Vandy, right? Should be no problem.

Fast forward a few hours and , in a silent Sanford Stadium, the scoreboard reads Vanderbilt 24, Georgia 22. 

I had to go searching for a Vandy fan to serve as this week’s guest blogger, there ain’t many of them. Jason of Hire Joe Girardi valiantly stepped up for the Dores. I suspect that Jason and I could come up with a number of topics to debate (Topic: The New York Yankees are the root of all that’s evil. Topic: Libertarianism represents the human race at its most selfish and petty.) We’ve restricted the debate to the task at hand – Vanderbilt at Georgia. First, Jason for the visiting team:

Funny how A Free Man said he wanted “revenge” on Vanderbilt for the ‘06 loss in Athens.

Perhaps you forgot last year in Nashville, when VU’s RB fumbled on UGA’s 5 yard line late in the 4th? Then the Georgia field goal to win the game and the stomping on the V at midfield by Georgia’s players? Yes, we remember that, and I don’t want to hear how Richt put a stop to it. I was at that game and Richt watched as his team gathered and then began to celebrate at midfield…he could have stopped them way before he did.

So both teams are 5-1, Georgia spanked by Saban and his crew while VU lost
a close game at Starkville.

Why is VU going to win?

1) GA’s offensive line: Much ink has been spilled by the media after the loss of Sturdivant. Georgia’s o-line must adapt to a multi-front, multi-blitz package by Coach Bobby Johnson’s (CBJ’s) defense.

2) Adams at QB: His wheels and his efficient passing arm make him a serious threat to UGA.

3) Special Teams…CBJ’s special teams don’t make mistakes and D.J. Moore will hurt the bulldogs on Saturday.

This Vanderbilt supporter sees Georgia as the third most hated team in the SEC, behind Tennessee and Florida.

Final Score: VU 27, GA 21.

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And in response, your underwhelming correspondent:

As an academic, I actually have a great deal of respect for Vanderbilt – a private, academically rigorous university in a conference full of land grant football schools that are not. Schools like Auburn University, Mississippi State University and the University of Florida that are known more for TDs than Ph.Ds. But, Vandy put a hurting on us a couple of years ago that still stings a bit, and I’m afraid its time to beat them down on the gridiron.

Jason would like you to think that Georgia’s three point win in Nashville last year was revenge enough. He brings up the regrettable incident in which some of our players decided to stomp on Vandy’s star at midfield. And yes, I will remind you that Coach Mark Richt went out and pushed his players around to stop that ridiculous behavior. The University of Georgia does not celebrate a three point win against the ‘Dores.

That game and its aftermath was a season changer for the Dawgs. After the Vandy “win” and CMR’s outburst, we were a different team. We went 6 – 0 for the remainder of the season and finished ranked number 2 in the nation. The Dawgs are at a similar point in the season this year, the Alabama loss through us for a loop, but we could turn this season around and still be in the hunt for a National Championship. But first, there’s Vandy. Like an annoying little mosquito that you can’t get rid of and occasionally get’s a bite in – that’s Vandy. They’re coming back to Athens this year and again it’s Homecoming. This, Jason, is where revenge is carried out.

The ‘Dores had a cute little start to the season, but Missy State showed them for what they were last weekend. Jason’s tried to brush it off, but any loss in Starkville is a bad loss. I suspect that Vandy will struggle for bowl eligibility again this year. On paper, there’s no contest and it’s time to swat these boys.  You don’t get to come to Athens and beat us on our Homecoming*. Last year was just prequel, this year is the real deal. Watch out ‘Dores.

Georgia 31, Vandy 10

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The good news for expat Dagws is that ESPN’s got video coverage of the game on their Gameplan scheme. The bad news is that kickoff is 12:30 p.m. Eastern (3:00 a.m. Sunday in Adelaide). Looks like Boy Z will have to wear some of his new Dawg gear to bed and I’ll be watching alone.

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* Actually, I’ve just been informed that Vandy has beaten us at homecoming three times, 1922, 1994 and 2006. All the more cause for revenge.

“Accelerate”, the latest from Athens, Georgia’s own R.E.M., is available from R.E.M. - Accelerate.

 
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