Marc James: "The Last Time Georgia Football was Prominent: 2007"
As I prepared for my show in the morning (6-10 A.M. Mon.-Fri.) with Randy Cross better known as "Marc & Randy" (on Atlanta Sports Radio 92.9 "The Game"), something hit me like a ton of bricks. Speaking with our executive producer Sean "The Peanut Gallery" Thompson, we came to the realization that the University of Georgia Football program has NOT been to a Major, High Profile Bowl Game in SEVEN Years!?! Yes, SEVEN Long Years. Can you believe that?
Let's go back in a time capsule. The Dawgs with sophomore quarterback (Future #1 Overall Draft Pick) Matthew Stafford started with a 35-14 blow-out of Oklahoma State with a young freshman by the name of Dez Bryant. Following that win, Georgia lost a home heart breaker to fellow SEC East Rival South Carolina 16-12.
After back-to-back wins over Alabama with their first year head coach Nick Saban and Ole Miss, the Dawgs got trounced by Rocky Top Tennessee in Knoxville 35-14. That loss cost UGA. the SEC East Title to the Vols. It was Subsequently followed by a 7-game win streak highlighted by victories over Florida with Heisman Trophy Winner Tim Tebow, Auburn, Georgia Tech, culminating with a BCS Blow-out over Hawaii in the Sugar Bowl. Coach Mark Richt capped off a memorable 11-2 Season with a Final A.P. Ranking of #2.
So, what were you doing the last time Georgia football was in a High Profile Bowl Game way way back in 2007? Better question, what was going on in the world of Entertainment, Sports, and Pop Culture? Let's look back:
- Kevin Durant (Future NBA MVP) was a rookie for the Seattle Sonics...
- Derrick Rose (Future NBA MVP) was a Freshman at the University of Memphis...
- Lady Gaga was a Nobody (until 2009)...
- George W. Bush was still the President of the United States of America...
- Russell Wilson (Future Super Bowl Winner) was a Senior in High School...
- Bobby Petrino was the coach of the Atlanta Falcons. Uggh!!! Don't Remind Us...
- The First Ever I-Phone came out...
- The Movies released at the time: American Gangster, The Simpsons Movie, Ratatouille...
- "The Sopranos" had its Final Ever Episode...
Last, but not least, the "ACC Player of the Year" was a guy from Boston College by the name of Matt Ryan!?!? Yes, Our current Falcons Franchise QB Matt Ryan. That is a microcosm of the "Glorified Mediocrity" which has permeated the Georgia Bulldog Football over the last 7 Years (2008-14).
Bottom Line: Patience is a Virtue, but "Dawg Nation" is beyond impetuous. Mark Richt has had nearly FOUR Presidential terms to win the big one or even just get there, but it still hasn't happened.
He must bring a National Title to Athens ASAP... Like in 2015. PERIOD.
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