First things first: There's a new Uga in town, and he's got a familiar face. The new Bulldog mascot, Uga IX, is none other than Russ, a frequent interim Uga during the line's tumultuous few years.
The Athens Banner-Herald reports that Russ first saw Uga duty in 2009, when his half-brother, Uga VII, died.
The selection is not without controversy, as some students the Banner-Herald interviewed are unhappy he's not a direct descendant of the original.
Meanwhile, the human Bulldogs are preparing for their with some serious study. ESPN's DawgNation blog reports that coaches and quarterback Aaron Murray are burrowing into old game tapes from Buffalo's new defensive coordinator, Lou Tepper.
The Macon Telegraph's Seth Emerson says Georgia's own defense, which was fifth nationally last year in terms of yards allowed, has work to do on another measure: points allowed. "[U]ltimately that's how Georgia will judge its defense this season," Emerson writes, "and whether it is merely good again, or takes the next step to greatness."
Georgia's offense, The Red and Black says, is "operating on all cylinders."
There are still questions about some high-profile disciplinary moves. In his news conference Tuesday, head coach Mark Richt didn't have a lot to say about linebacker Alec Ogletree and safety Bacarri Rambo.
As for UGA's fans, are they happy at Sanford Stadium? Is the venue quite cool enough for 21st century spectating? The AJC's Bill King reports that Auburn's stadium is adding wireless Internet access, Alabama is offering an app that shows statistics as they happen, and Tennessee's stadium is loading up on flat-screen TVs.
How are analog hedges going to compete with that kind of technology?
How are you feeling about the start of UGA football? How far will the team go this year? Tell us in the comments.
