In general, I would say you don't want to play on the road at night (Tuscaloosa last year notwithstanding) and there are certain teams you definitely don't want to play at night. How will starting times, TV, etc affect the outcome of the season? Well, looking at our schedule this morning, I got a surge of optimism. Here's why ...
Aug 30: GSU
Guessing we get a 1:00 start of something. Home opener + GSU = A$$ whipping
Sep 6: C Michigan
Again, assume a 1:00 start, someone earlier predicted Raycom might pick this up. the danger here is finding some focus and motivation but the danger is relatively small. I'm sure you will hear it said many times that CMU went to a bowl last year.
Sep 13: @ SC - CBS 3:30
Thank goodness we play these guys when we do or else this is looking like a big trap game. It still won't be easy but here's hoping our overwhelming talent differential takes over. Their defense is going to be superb and we didn't exactly light them up last year. But this is supposed to be about TV and time and in this case, the fact that it will be on CBS (just announced) and it won't be a night game plays in our favor. SC is coming off an opener with NCState and @ Vandy.
Sep 20: @ ASU - ABC 8:00
ABC ... the dessert ... these things are foreign to us but for a program that gets bored pretty easily, this is a good thing. My understanding is 8:00 is the default time for these guys and I think this actually plays right into our hands. Assuming we come in 3-0 after SC but people are now starting to wonder if UGA is really as good as everyone said, (Carolina will have a GOOD defense!) by the time this game rolls around, the country, and the state, will have turned ASU into a collosus. Much like we did to Hawaii, and Boise, and OSU. Plus, ASU will be 3-0 after 3 patsies. In other words, this isn't an opponent that will be taken lightly, and I'm thinking we go in there anticipating a hostile crowd and the real shock will be how many Dawg fans show up and how big a beating we put on the Sun Devils. Just a hunch. But a hunch based on the fact that MR is a master of coaching when the scenario has us against a wall and on the road.
Sep 27: Alabama - ESPN 7:45
Back home for Bama. Ah, Bama. I doubt the Saban-ites will be very impressed with Athens at night as they will have opened at Clemson and will have just played at Arky. If you don't know it, Arky is no Tempe but it is a long, long way away and while good for Bama in that they'll have a young team with some road experience, it ain't happenin' in Athens. The time plays in our favor here and I was glad to see ESPN pick this one as a priority as we may need that little extra oomph. A 1:00 game here would scare the crap out of me. This can be a big game with an opportunity to finally establish ourselves at home. We have simply lost too many big games at home to consider Sanford an intimidating place. Here's hoping we step it up in this game - I'm guessing we might break out the black on this one if it isn't too warm.
Oct 11: Tennessee - CBS 3:30
I just realized this. We're off before this game. I'm guessing on the 3:30 time but here's the bottom line folks. If we are anywhere close to as good as people say, Tennessee gets their A$$ kicked. Time doesn't matter in this one, it is payback time and that's that.
Oct 18: Vandy - Raycom 12:30
Guessing again on the time. If I'm right, it isn't good. Wedged in between UT and LSU, we play a team against whom we're almost always flat. Time is not in our favor for this one, I anticipate an ugly UGA win. Maybe they can get some juice from the guys from the last Vandy trip to UGA and the fact that they almost beat us last year. Vandy will probably be hurting depth-wise coming off Auburn and @ MSU.
Oct 25: @ LSU - CBS 3:30
Here's the one you hope against hope that it gets CBS 3:30 status. You don't want to play them at night. And you hope they still don't have a proven qb although I have heard from an LSU buddy that the kid from Harvard is legit and had a fine choice of D1A schools. Time is in our favor and we can just hope that LSU is off and we're not too banged up for this one. LSU isn't coming off a stroll in the park. @ Auburn, MSU, off, @ FL, @ SC
Nov 1: FL - CBS 3:30
I assume CBS but in truth, this might be like the State of the Union address where every network broadcasts this game. I'll leave it at that.
Nov 8: @ Kentucky - Raycom 12:30
A trap game but I think KY is somewhat depleted.
Nov 15: @ Auburn - CBS 3:30
I'm guessing at the time. I would love a 12:30 start and would hate a 8:00 start. Auburn has a favorable schedule and if they take care of LSU at home, they will be riding high. This one will be tough and might depend on our injury situation at the time.
Nov 29: Tech - CBS 3:30
Whenever, whomever, whatever.
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