Top Dawg Take: Tradition over Recruiting? Should the Georgia-Florida game Stay in Jacksonville?7/29/2019 The Georgia-Florida game is one of the most traditional rivalries in College Football today. Dating back to the 1950s it has always been held in Jacksonville, Florida. The one game all year that Dawg fans from around world would travel just to go to be apart of this tradition. Even though it is held in Florida, the fan turnout is 50-50 split between Georgia and Florida fans.
Many great players have played in the rivalry dating back to the 50s and many more to come will play in this historic tradition that will go on. For many years it is was a no brainer that the rivalry would stay in Florida, because of the great tradition. Herschel Walker and Tim Tebow are just some of the players that have taken part in the tradition. It could all end in 2021 as the contract that was made between the Universities of Florida and Georgia, and the city of Jacksonville, come to an end in 2021. Head Coach Kirby Smart promised to shake things up in Athens when he took over as Head Coach. And, so far he has done just that. Kirby has started recruiting the top talent in each class, to come to the University of Georgia. This hardcore recruiting by Smart and co have contributed to the record that the Bulldogs have put up in Kirby Smarts first three seasons in between the hedges. Back at the spring meetings, Coach Smart said this about moving the rivalry game, “You are always to see what you can do to make your program better,” He also went on to say “nothing is off the table, but nothing has been decided.” It is very well known that recruiting opportunities are lost for Georgia while having the games in Jacksonville. One less weekend for the coaches to be in Athens and hosting a recruit in town. Which is opposed to having the game hosted in Athens every other year. Smart spoke to this point as well, “Yeah, absolutely it costs you a recruiting weekend. You don’t get to have anybody, they don’t get to have anybody,” We all know that Smart has made recruiting one of his priority at Georgia, as he has be ready to replace departing talent each year. Which is why he wants to go to a home and home series with Florida as it would be more conducive to recruiting. I understand his point of view and many Dawg fans do, but there is another side to the argument as part of the fanbase want to keep it in Jacksonville. The Georgia-Florida game is known as the “World’s Largest Cocktail Party.” This game has been a tradition for both universities as it is a representation for the greatest rivalry in College Football. Coach Smart and his staff should be able to use this game and its location as a pitch to recruits, they should be able to tell them about all the greats that have played in that game. Every NFL player, and Heisman winner, that has come out of Athens, has played in this rivalry and has played in Jacksonville, Florida. Every school has a different culture and different traditions that should never be broken. That also applies for the University of Georgia, which has its own tradition and culture which is unlike Alabama and any other school. We want Georgia to live up to those cultures and traditions that have been built over many, many years. The Georgia-Florida game is a tradition and is what makes Georgia so great. The rivalry is one of the few things in College Football that doesn’t change.
1 Comment
Ray Reno
7/29/2019 02:38:57 pm
The NCAA should allow both Georgia and Florida to bring recruits to the Georgia Florida game in Jacksonville. I think it would be a great recruiting experience for the recruits. That game is a special experience for the players and fans. The no recruits at neutral sites is a dumb rule and should be done away with/
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
Harrison Reno
Is the founder and author of Top Dawg Blogging. Harrison has been blogging for the past 4 years Archives
April 2020
Categories |