Speaking candidly, as a Georgia fan, I both love and hate that statement by Hamilton. I love knowing the team is doing all it can to avoid losing a big game, on a national stage, in the first game of the season. However, at the same time, I hate that the Boise State game has become the only reason some guys are so motivated to play because, while it would definitely be a great thing to see them win, it means nothing in the grander scheme of it all."Every time we go out there, that’s what we think about — getting better to beat Boise State on Sept. 3rd."—(Georgia defensive back, Jakar Hamilton, AJC, 4/13/2011)
Photo Credit: David Tulis
Point blank, I've seen Georgia play Boise State before and, while I respect everything Chris Petersen has done over the past five-years, I cannot say that I feel Georgia is the inferior team going into this match-up. Despite what these teams look like on paper, Georgia is capable of beating Boise State—if they play their brand of football.
That said, I am more concerned about the September 10th game against South Carolina than the one September 3rd against Boise—no disrespect intended to the Broncos—because all I want to see Georgia do in 2011 is get back to the SEC Championship game and Boise State has absolutely nothing to do with that happening.
Of course, the natural response to that last statement will be that the Boise game will set the tone for the rest of the year. Well, I only have one response to that: Virginia Tech.
The Hokies lost to Boise State to start last season, got embarrassed in week two by a Division I-AA opponent, but went on an 11-0 tear afterward and ended up winning the 2010 ACC Championship Game. So, you'll have to forgive me if I don't necessarily bite on the whole tone-setting approach.
Georgia could lose to Boise State and still be just fine.
Sure, it would be nice to have a repeat of 2005—defeat Boise in a big way and secure bragging rights over a team that many feel is one of the best in the country—but, if that happens, I can assure you that there will be a lot of unimpressed fans who were already feeling that Georgia was the better team anyhow—regardless of their mediocre 2010 record.
That said, quite a few people will be looking past Boise—win or lose—and pointing to South Carolina as the true barometer of what Georgia will be in year two with a more experienced Aaron Murray under center, bolstered by a second season of a Todd Grantham executed defense, with a new offensive line coach to lead the way, minus a few "cancers", led by a new approach to the strength and conditioning, and minus the talents of either an A.J. Green or a Justin Houston.
The level of exposure the game against Boise State offers may have injected some needed life into the program but, in my very humble—yet honest—opinion, Boise is the least of Georgia's concerns. The true questions will be answered in Knoxville (where Derek Dooley is spearheading a great turnabout for the Vols), in Jacksonville (where the changing of the guard has taken place and Georgia is desperate for a win), and in Athens (where the defending national champs (Auburn) and SEC East Champs (South Carolina) will come to play in 2011).
Sure a win against Boise State would be a great start, but I'd trade that for an SEC Championship and wins over Florida, Auburn, Tennessee, and South Carolina—just being honest.
So, hopefully, the coaches at Georgia are selling more than just Boise as motivation for the guys who will be representing the red and black because, as I said, Boise is the least of their concerns.
