So here is the season before us guys, we win the next two weeks, we win the east regardless of what we do against Auburn or regardless what the other two teams tied with us do. This is a BIG moment for not only our players but also our coaches. We have out recruited our division by a LARGE margin the past 3 years since Kirby took over. The first year was a wash, and to me an average UF team played in the SEC title game. Last year we totally dominated the east and of course won the SEC title.

Now, if you look at our games against the E this year, you have to feel somewhat encouraged.

@SCarolina 41-17
@Missouri 43-29
UT 38-12
Vandy 41-13

Average margin of victory 163/4=40.75 to 71/4=17.75, so talking about 23 points per game.

If you look at last year, our scores against the east
@UT 41-0
@Vandy 45-14
Missouri 53-28
South Carolina 24-10

Average margin of victory 163/4=40.75 to 52/4=13 so talking about 27.75 per game.

I think coming into this season we all thought the defense would take a step back and I believe they have, especially against the run, but the offense has remained identical against what is likely the bottom 4 in the east.

Now take a look at our games against UK and UF last year, 42-7 UF and 42-13. Yep, that is 84 to 20, I do NOT think this year will shape up anything near that but it does make you wonder, shouldn't this team take care of the next two opponents, and then couldn't the AU game resemble the Miss State game from last year potentially??


I guess what I am saying is this, we can all talk about this team being young, replacing all the SR's, QB controversy, you name it but this team is truly in remarkably the same type position it was last year with an ugly loss to a west opponent that was in a must win situation. I don't think LSU/UGA this year are as good as AU/UGA last year, but it is remarkable how those games played out and now all that is left is to see if we can finish like last year. I don't THINK LSU can stun Bama but it is amazing how that game sets up just like last year as well.

So to me this week and next are huge in proving that UGA is back and ready to control the east. Should we falter this year, sure next year we do appear to be even stronger but there is no way you can tell me that we are not the best in the east this year. To lose the east this year would feel much like the Richt's years when we lost to east to Missouri back to back, after winning in 2012. To be a dominant force in college football is to show you are consistent, year in and year out. This is why Clemson to me is viewed as a better program right now than UGA, you can't argue with 3 straight trips to the final 4. I don't think we have to make the playoff this year to prove we are up with the elite, but I do believe winning the east is a must and it all starts this Saturday.

Haney.....everything you said is pretty spot on. Just a couple of things I'll point out....
I think us and the Gators both having a bye week will work in our favor simply because we have had two weeks to stew and get angered over a tough loss. This team has heard a lot of criticism and a lot of folks in the media and even amongst the fanbase talking about how they are overrated, etc. 2 weeks of hearing you are lousy and how wonderful Bama and UF and LSU will do nothing but make this team come out at the Cocktail party with a mountain-size chip on their shoulder and ready to shut up the naysayers.

I think UF is a bit overrated...true, they beat LSU, but they also were down 21-3 and was trailing all the way into the 4th quarter against a Vandy team that we trashed.

As far as Bama and LSU, there's been a whoooole lot of love spewed at Bama the last month, but if they do to LSU what they've done to all of the teams they've run the score up on so far, then I'll be impressed. I'm not saying they're bad, they've just had the luxury of having a pitiful schedule so far. If LSU does win and we beat the Gators, then, LSU will be no worse than the #2 team in the country probably behind Clemson and with that our only loss and win over a highly ranked Gators, we're gonna be back to scratching at the top 5 in the nation with another ranked Kentucky team coming up next. Win that one and we'll solidly be back in the top 5 and back in the Playoff picture for sure.