Better Know an Opponent: Georgia Bulldogs

Last year, Georgia went 7-20 in conference. That means the Dawgs had nearly half as many postponed games that no one bothered to make up(3) than wins (7) in SEC play. This isn't just a team that's bad, it's a team that's been so bad that the conference literally treats games against them as if they do not matter.

Georgia Bulldogs

Record: 14-8 (1-2, 5^th SEC East)
RS/RA: 149/116
RPI/ISR: 50/65

At one point, Georgia was even undefeated in SEC play, so there's that. Maybe Georgia isn't entirely hopeless and they have made important progress this season. It's possible, and this series will go a long way in telling us where the Dawgs stand.

Google Image Search

Instead of old logos, this year I will put the team in the old Google search bar and post the first image result that is not a team photo.

via djurmaphotography.com

Yeah, it appears the most popular image of Georgia baseball is a guy getting thrown out at first base. Then again, we can't see the ball, maybe he beat the throw. Wait... this is Georgia baseball. He was definitely out.

Notable Alumni

All 4 members of REM

Kim Basinger (L.A. Confidential)

Bill Goldberg (WWE)

Mike Chapman (Homestar Runner)

Ryan Seacrest (luckiest human being on earth)

Pat Dye (Auburn football)

Jake Scott (former Super Bowl MVP)

Herschel Walker (bobsled)

Maxine Clark (founder of Build-A-Bear)

Phil Gramm (Texas Senator)

Chip Caray (sportscaster)

Ralph Reed (Christian Coalition)

Col. Charles Beckwith (founded DELTA Force)

Pretentious Film of the Week

via ecx.images-amazon.com

It's been a good week for Star Wars fans, as the producers have released some info about the plot of the upcoming film and a few casting decisions. Also, for you true Star Wars nerds, Hidden Fortress was released on Blu Ray this week, the film that Lucas claimed that he based Star Wars on. The problem is, the film is not one of Akira Kurosawa's best, so you should instead seek out one of his masterpieces. Rashomon is the best introduction to his work. First off, it's awesome. Secondly, it's one of the most ripped off movies of all-time so it should seem familiar to you even if you haven't seen it. It tells the story of a murdered samurai and the rape of his wife. The only three direct witnesses testify at the trial, including the dead samurai. A priest and a woodcutter, who also testified at the trial, recount their stories and the trial on the long journey home. It is a classic movie which delves into bias and perception, as every story contradicts the other. Even the woodcutter is eventually forced to admit he changed important details. This style of storytelling, revealing the unreliable narrator, is my personal favorite trope. You don't need to be a film geek to like it, it's just a good yarn, well-told.

Pitchers

So. LHP Ryan Lawlor (2-1, 4.50 ERA, 24.0 IP, 10 BB, 16 SO)

Fr. RHP Robert Tyler (1-1, 2.13 ERA, 25.1 IP, 5 BB, 17 SO)

Sr. LHP Patrick Boling (2-2, 3.33 ERA, 24.1 IP, 9 BB, 13 SO)

Aaron Nola should destroy Lawlor in the Friday matchup, but you have to give Georgia the edge from there. Robert Tyler's been incredibly effective so far this year and while Boling doesn't blow you away, he sure beats "To Be Determined". This is a solid, yet unremarkable staff. However, one of the keys to a good rotation is not just aces, but not having any obvious holes. Georgia lacks an ace, but they also lack a guy that makes you wonder how the hell they are starting in the SEC.

Hitters

3B Hunter Cole 360/466/488

DH Daniel Nichols 333/492/438

SS Nelson Ward 298/444/452

Georgia has got some hitters. They get on base at a .399 clip, and the name of the game is not getting out. This is a team that can get on, extend rallies, and have a deep enough lineup to drive these guys in. They also like to run, attempting 33 steals already. Wrenn and Ward have combined for 15 steals on 19 attempts, so they not only get extra bases, they are fairly efficient at it. For a program that has been down in the dumps so long, this is a surprisingly dynamic offense. It's got star power, depth, speed, power, and the ability to get on. They do a little of everything. Looking at the offense, you can see a team ready to turn the corner.

Poseur's Unreliable Prediction

LSU could really use a sweep here. You want to build a lead by beating up on the SEC's bottom dwellers. That said, I just don't see it. LSU isn't playing poorly right now, but they also aren't playing particularly well. There's a giant hole in the back of the rotation, and Georgia has a decent staff and an even better lineup. This is not the automatic win they were last season. LSU still takes two of three to get back to even in the SEC standings, but I think the sweep will be too much to ask for.