Truthfully, it's a fair bet that Boise State isn't exactly taking this game lightly. They have been in this position twice before under the guidance of head coach Chris Petersen—beating both Oregon and Virginia Tech in 2009 and 2010, respectively—so they know what it feels like to play a big time game, under the lights, with a lot to prove.
So what of the argument that this game will prove how good they really are? After all, they haven't been nearly as successful against the SEC as they have against other conferences and Georgia dismantled them in 2005 at Sanford. Why should any Georgia fan be worried that this second meeting will be any different?
Well, for one, this isn't 2005 and Kellen Moore is a far better quarterback than Jared Zabransky ever hoped to be. And second, while it's true that Boise State plays a perennially weaker conference schedule than their BCS counterparts, that also works to their advantage where games of this magnitude are concerned.
Boise State's 2011 schedule—beyond the opener against Georgia—isn't exactly worthy of much conversation. Honestly, if they beat Georgia, they have a legitimate shot at going undefeated. This game is their one big one for the regular season and they can afford to place it all on the line.
By contrast, Georgia has to be ready for this game and then be ready to get back to work against South Carolina in week two. That's two emotionally charged weeks of college football for a team that—let's be honest here—still has a lot of questions to answer about their toughness, their offense, and their defense—will that 3-4 be markedly better in year two?
So, why aren't more people concerned about the possibility that Georgia could lose?
For the record I do not expect to see Georgia lose their first two games, but I also can't say for certain that I know which game they will win—just being honest.
As much as Boise State can be viewed as a lesser opponent—unworthy of competing with the SEC—there can still be no denying the fact that Boise has consistently risen to the challenge each and every time they have been put to the test.
By contrast, Georgia has shown an heir of entitlement over the last two seasons, drunk off the fame and notoriety of winning so many games from 2001-2008. Has that attitude finally left the Butts-Mehre building or are their still guys that believe their own press, who couldn't tell you what GATA means if spotted the 'G' or the 'A'?
Georgia fans should be leary of having too much confidence until the 2011 product is seen on the field, because, until then, talk is cheap.
85 days and a wake-up folks, who's ready for some football?
