With the semifinals looming, I'm still bummed we're not there. We were better than that team in New Orleans, but they are solid and you can't gift wrap points on turnovers and special teams to a team like that. They were simply more sound that day. And reflecting on these 2024 Dawgs, we were as frustrating as all get out to watch. We hardly had a game outside of Austin, Texas that was just plain fun to watch (maybe Tennessee). Just never seemed to hit on all cylinders.
And yet we're SEC champs, and they don't hand those things out for free. Adolph Rupp (who won a whole bunch of them) used to send Coach Dooley a note every time we won the conference that said, "Coach Dooley, Congratulations on the SEC Championship. Those things are hard to come by." We have been very fortunate to be at the top of the mountain in this stretch, and we all want to taste the gold again. Nevertheless, I was super proud of the 2002 Dawgs for winning that SEC. In a way, this team reminds me of the 2005 Dawgs. That team was flawed and caught the injury bug at the wrong time. It had to fight and scratch to win some games (14-7 over Tech in Atlanta), but it showed up against LSU in the Dome. We lost the Sugar Bowl, but I was so happy DJ went out a champion. I think this team will be remembered a little like that 2005 team. Flawed, inconsistent & yet...champs.
We've got some holes to fix. I suspect Kirby will. He has won 2 outright (and AP) national championships and 3 SEC Titles. Do you know the list of coaches who have done that? There are 3.
Not Vince Dooley or Wally Butts. Not Shug Jordan, General Neyland or Johnny Vaught. Not Urban Meyer or Steve Spurrier.
Bear Bryant
Nick Saban
Kirby Smart
That's the list, guys. Believe there's more to come.
And yet we're SEC champs, and they don't hand those things out for free. Adolph Rupp (who won a whole bunch of them) used to send Coach Dooley a note every time we won the conference that said, "Coach Dooley, Congratulations on the SEC Championship. Those things are hard to come by." We have been very fortunate to be at the top of the mountain in this stretch, and we all want to taste the gold again. Nevertheless, I was super proud of the 2002 Dawgs for winning that SEC. In a way, this team reminds me of the 2005 Dawgs. That team was flawed and caught the injury bug at the wrong time. It had to fight and scratch to win some games (14-7 over Tech in Atlanta), but it showed up against LSU in the Dome. We lost the Sugar Bowl, but I was so happy DJ went out a champion. I think this team will be remembered a little like that 2005 team. Flawed, inconsistent & yet...champs.
We've got some holes to fix. I suspect Kirby will. He has won 2 outright (and AP) national championships and 3 SEC Titles. Do you know the list of coaches who have done that? There are 3.
Not Vince Dooley or Wally Butts. Not Shug Jordan, General Neyland or Johnny Vaught. Not Urban Meyer or Steve Spurrier.
Bear Bryant
Nick Saban
Kirby Smart
That's the list, guys. Believe there's more to come.
