SPORTS TEASER By George Hassell
Happy New Year to all my Sports Teaser fans. I know there are dozens of you out there (maybe) and wish you the best in 2020. It’s hard to believe
that it’s the start of yet another decade! 2020 happens to be the 40th anniversary of the last Georgia Bulldogs National Championship. Will we have to
wait another 40 years? If so, a lot of us won’t be around. But enough negativity, let’s get on with it!
In college football, the playoff is set. The field is down to 4 with Clemson, Ohio State, LSU and Oklahoma being the last 4 standing. I feel pretty
confident that we will see Clemson and LSU in the finals and that’s going to be one hell of a game. I would give a slight advantage to LSU but don’t
sleep on Clemson as they’re every bit as good. Of course our Georgia Bulldogs did not make the field, as their offense of words finally caught up with
them in the SEC championship game where they were pretty much crushed 37-10. The problems at wide receiver with the early exits to the NFL last
year and injuries this year were a major reason, but the offensive line that was supposed to be one of the best in the country never did live up to its
billing. How many times can you run the ball on first down and get 1 to 2 yards? I would think Georgia came close to leading the country in that statistic.
Most possessions seemed to be run, run, pass, punt. And when they did get into the red zone they settled for way too many field goals and not enough
touchdowns. Clemson, LSU and Ohio State pretty much scored touchdowns, and a lot of them. Georgia only scored 30 points or more in one game after
the Tennessee matchup in early October. That’s not going to get the job done, and it didn’t. The defense had a great year and hopefully will continue to
excel in 2020. Some are calling for a new offensive coordinator, but I am calling for some recruiting and some healing of injured current players. But,
as always, it’s great to be a Georgia Bulldog!
Now on to the NFL where we are about to embark on the playoffs. As of this writing, it seems that the NFC teams are stronger than most of the
AFC teams, other than Baltimore. I do think Baltimore will represent the AFC in the Super Bowl but there are several teams in the NFC that warrant
consideration. San Francisco looks strong but watch out for Minnesota, New Orleans and Green Bay. One thing I do know is that my prediction of The
LA Chargers in the Super Bowl was way off. Now I know what it’s like to feel like Sports Illustrated when they make predictions! Our Falcons and
Jaguars are competing for the fewest wins in the league and draft position. It’s been a long and frustrating season for both, but we are used to it for
the most part, right?
With the New Year we will sadly see football wane and the winter sports pick up in earnest. Basketball and hockey are in full swing, but golf is about
to start up with the Hawaii and California events. It does make those cold winter days a little better when you see the guys slapping it around in those
locales. Just a little over 3 months until The Masters folks!
Well, that’s a wrap on the first Sports Teaser of 2020. Here’s wishing everyone the best year ever! Happy New Year!
38 TYBEE BEACHCOMBER | JAN 2020