...is very juicy, to say the least. But color me skeptical.
The rumor is that Georgia will play Boise St. in the Chik-fil-A Kickoff Classic at the dome to start the 2011 football season. I like it. What better way to boldly enter a "new era" for UGA football after two sub-par seasons than to challenge the upstart national Top 5 ranked giant slayer? The game would garner UBER national attention. For instance, the VA Tech/Boise St. kickoff game was the most talked about game to start the season. Imagine the attention the game would get if it involved an SEC team? Especially if Boise St. finishes this season undefeated and misses out on the BCS title game. Especially if an SEC slides into the national title game instead. Especially since UGA is the only SEC team that has played them in recent memory, and we beat them a few years ago when they had just been put on the map. It would be huge. And it would be good visibility for a UGA program in terms of recruiting. Moreover, as The Senator points out, taking on the Boise State game in 2011 could allow UGA to drop the now unattractive home/home series against Louisville, which begins in 2011. This would free up a later opening in the schedule to fit in another home game that comports with McGarity's new philosophy.
Why am I skeptical? Let's face it, a win over Boise St. - even in Atlanta - is no sure thing. And after what happened against Oklahoma State in 2009, does Richt really want this sort of pressure to start what will already be a high pressure 2011 season for him? Moreover, this sort of game would almost directly contradict McGarity's recently, highly publicized philosophy regarding out-of-conference games, ie, getting "easy wins" against lesser teams and playing the games AT HOME so as to maximize financial and fan support. As with Oklahoma State, a loss in that game to start the 2011 season could severely deflate the hopes of a fan base with high expectations and could put the distracting hot seat talk back to the fore front.
Given the more conservative philosophy of both Richt and McGarity, I wouldn't bet on UGA moving their schedule around for the 2011 season in order to schedule a high-risk game like Boise State to start the season - unless they really, really want to get rid of the Louisville home/home and this is the best and most financially beneficial way of doing it.
UPDATE:
Well... My skepticism was misplaced. Glad I was wrong. Georgia will indeed play Boise State at the dome next season to start the season. Looks like McGarity is going all-in next season, and putting Richt on notice. I think this sends a message that big things will be expected from the team next season. I like it. Finally... some guts. Let's see if Richt can match it.
I'm all for it. If next year is "the year" for Richt, we might as well know it early on. If we lose, might as well get some new blood in here. If we win, it's a huge stepping stone for the right direction.
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