Missouri entered a sizzling cauldron. Facing the number one team on the road and favored to lose by more than five touchdowns made confidence a hard sell. The Bulldogs are on a level of their own and had little interest in giving the Tigers a peek at their view from the top.
A rare noon kickoff forced Georgia fans to summon their fervor quickly. The pregame Dawg Walk became the epicenter of Athens as fans cheered wildly for their Bulldog heroes. Joining Hairy Dawg, the spirit squad, and the Redcoat Band was Blooper, the Atlanta Braves mascot. With the World Series championship being captured by the Braves earlier in the week, celebrations bled far beyond Atlanta’s perimeter. The Tomahawk chop and cheer blended with “Glory, Glory” and “Go Dawgs!” offering a unique blend of these slices of Americana.
From calling the Dawgs at kickoff to the final gun, Georgia maintained control. Missouri focused on stopping the run, which only opened up the Bulldog passing attack. As usual, Georgia’s stifling defense led the way keeping the SEC’s leading rusher to 41 yards. It was a business-like effort with less flash and more follow-through. The 43-6 final seemed perfectly expected.
Riding high atop the standings, it’s challenging for Bulldog fans not to look ahead. At the moment, it’s hard to imagine them losing, but college football can be painfully unpredictable. If all goes as planned, the Braves won’t be the only ones in this state to hoist a championship trophy.
