First to Worst

ATLANTA - For diehard fans of the University of Georgia, the 2008 season can be summed up in the seven words of immortal Atlanta columnist Louis Grizzard, 'I don’t want to talk about it.'

Rarely has a team been greeted with more promise and excitement than the 2008 Georgia Bulldogs who were ranked #1 by USA Today, AP, and ESPN and featured an offense including two potential Heisman trophy candidates in Knowshon Moreno and Matthew Stafford.

But like a freight train coming off the tracks, the season quickly turned from well-oiled power and speed to a mounting pileup of disappointment and frustration.

A Look Back at Nine Days That Will Live in Bulldog Infamy

09/22/08 - LEGENDARY voice of the bulldogs Larry Munson retires

09/27/08 - In arguably the most eagerly anticipated Georgia home game ever, Georgia collapses out of the blocks as Alabama builds an insurmountable 31-0 lead.

11/01/08 - After climbing back into the Top 10, Georgia suffers its largest defeat under Mark Richt falling 49-10 to the hated Gators.

11/29/08 - Outscoring the Bulldogs 26-0 in the third quarter, Georgia Tech’s “perfect option” offense runs all over the Georgia-D and captures the 2008 War Between the State.

12/01/08 - SEC-East rival Tennessee hires a coach and recruiter to be feared in Lane Kiffin.

01/03/09 - The Atlanta Falcons’ bandwagon, now packed with frustrated Bulldog fans, loses in the first round of the playoffs in a game sealed by a blown coverage from former Georgia Tech linebacker Keith Brooking.

01/07/09 - Knowshon Moreno, the first Bulldog player truly feared by Tech fans since Herschel Walker, heads to the NFL 1 – 1 lifetime against the Yellow Jackets.

01/07/09 - Matthew Stafford, the most highly touted Georgia quarterback since….well, ever….heads to the NFL after three years and no championships in Athens.

01/08/09 - Florida wins the national championship.

01/09/09 - Tim Tebow announces he will be back to lead the Gators in 2009.

The Light at the End of the Tunnel

But, have no fear, while next season’s UGA team will not be better than this year’s club, the 2009 season is virtually guaranteed to be far more exciting and fun thanks to two simple words: road trip.

If there is one thing Mark Richt’s teams have always delivered, it’s a hell of a road trip. From the “Hobnailed Boot” at Tennessee in 2001 to “70-X-Takeoff” at Auburn in 2002 to taking down ASU and LSU in 2008, the Georgia Bulldogs have been magical on the road.

So get out your calendar and your credit card because there are only 206 days remaining to purchase a 14-day advance flight for the season opener.

Flying High Again in 2009

Sept. 5th - Get some much needed bedlam - Be a Man! - head to Stillwater as UGA vs. Oklahoma State sets bragging rights for an entire season of which is the best conference - the Big XII or the SEC?

Sept 19th – Win at Arkansas, go to 3-0 and start planning your trip to New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl.

Oct. 10th – Tennessee Two-Step Part I: Hit Knoxville before Lane Kiffin has the Volunteers on top again.

Oct. 17th – Tennessee Two-Step Part II: See the site of last year’s week-6 Gameday broadcast (was broadcasting from Vandy a line item in the new $2B SEC-ESPN TV deal?) and show the Commodore fans how to get rowdy and make some noise.

Oct. 31st – World’s Largest Outdoor Halloween Cocktail Party: Imagine the uniform combinations and celebrations Coach Richt is brewing up for Halloween night.

Nov. 28th – Georgia Tech on the Flats – it can’t possibly go to two in a row – can it?