GeorgiaDawg's Top Five Bulldog Rivals

This rivalry has really picked up some steam since the "Evil Genius" has come to town. Steve Spurrier brings his dislike for Georgia to Columbia and suddenly the Gamecocks are a threat year in and year out.

The series record would make you wonder why the Cocks would be on the list. Georgia leads the all-time series, 45-14-2. Coach Mark Richt has won six of the eight games he has coached against SC.

But ugly wins they have been.

Despite winning five straight under Richt from 2002 through 2006, Dawg fans always look at this one and cringe.

Winning ugly may be an understatement. Scores like 13-7, 20-16, 17-15, 18-0, and 14-7 make most Dawgs shake their head and walk away, just happy with a "W." When the Gamecocks do win, it's just as ugly, with wins of 16-12 and 14-9.

While Georgia may be the favorite every year, this is not a game that most of us look forward to. One friend of mine is already picking the Cocks to upset Georgia this year in Athens!

No way! But I'll bet it will be ugly either way.

Yes, I know. Phil is gone. The great pumpkin is no more.

But he has certainly played a major role in this rivalry. The Vols lead this series, 16-20-2 all time. From 1989 until 1999, the Vols dominated the Dawgs with nine straight wins.

Those were ugly days in Athens. In Knoxville, however, Phil and his boys were the toast of the K-town.

Coach Mark Richt has fared much better against the men from Knoxville. Since 2000 (the year before Coach Richt came to Athens), the Dawgs have won six of 10 from the Vols, including four straight from 2000-2004.

The Dawgs won at home last year, 26-14. This year, the rivalry will move back to Knoxville, where new head coach Lane Kiffin will hopefully leave his shirt on when he coaches.

Rumor has it that no grandmothers will be allowed at practice this season in Knoxville, since they have been known to influence recruits.

Since arriving in Knoxville, Kiffin would easily win the "just shut up" award. The future for the Vols could be interesting.

I work in North Georgia, where many Vol fans seem to gather...all that orange in one place cannot be good for the eyes. In the words of my friend, and loyal Dawg fan, Reid...

"Nothing sucks like a big orange."

If I've heard "War Eagle" shouted by one drunk Auburn fan, I've heard it shouted by a thousand drunk Auburn fans.

This rivalry could easily be No. 2. After all, it is "The South's Oldest Rivalry."

The Dawgs and the Tigers have been going at it since 1892. The Tigers came out on top that day, 10-0. It was a close game, and it has stayed close ever since.

Auburn leads the all-time series, 51-53-8. Georgia has won three straight and five of the last seven.

When it comes to this one, home field means nothing. Both teams sport winning records on the opponent's home field.

This rivalry really is a family kind of rivalry. After all, Pat Dye played at Georgia and coached at Auburn, while Vince Dooley played at Auburn and coached at Georgia.

If you live near Columbus, Georgia, you might have Auburn ranked a little higher. It's hard to hate Auburn, but it is easy to dislike them.

One thing I will say...it's a pretty cool sight to see the "War Eagle" circle the field before the game and land near the 50 yard line.

One question though...if Auburn's mascot is the Tiger, why do they shout "War Eagle?" Confusing?

At times, this rivalry can get downright silly. Georgia fans don't always take their state rival very seriously. Tech fans hate Georgia like no other. The blogs are full of name calling, finger pointing, and just downright hatred.

This one can be described as big brother versus little brother. Big brother normally wins. But little brother will fight you daily, and even win one every now and then.

Of course, the best way to describe it is "Clean Old Fashioned Hate"...Bill Cromartie has written a book entitled just that. It's a great read for anyone who loves college football.

On the field, the Dawgs lead the series, 59-37-5. Tech won last year in Athens, and a parade followed in downtown Atlanta.

Since 1970, the Dawgs are 28-11 against the Jackets.

Since 1990, the Dawgs have won 14 of 19. Those 14 wins were made up of two seven-game win streaks.

Ahhhhh, good times!

The Jacket faithful are convinced that coach Paul Johnson will bring the Dawg fans to their knees in the coming years. Time will tell.

Despite the dominance by the Dawgs, this remains a fierce rivalry. If nothing else, last year's win under a new head coach has put the sting back in the mix.

November is a great month for college football. In the state of Georgia, everyone looks forward to the Saturday after Thanksgiving, when the Dawgs and the Jackets renew this historic rivalry.

I hate the Florida Gators.

I hate the "Swamp," I hate that ugly shade of orange, I hate that stupid chomp thing they do...you get the picture.

First, let me say to all the Gator fans out there that I know...I respect the team. They have great fans. A great program. So no disrespect is intended.

It would be hard for me to put any other team in this top spot. Tech, Tennessee, and Auburn are all deserving, but the Florida Gators, in my mind, are the No. 1 rival for Georgia these days.

Did you know that Georgia leads the all-time series, 47-38-2?

Amazing, considering the fact that Georgia has lost 16 of 19 to the Gators since 1990.

Once again, the "Evil Genius" raises his head. Steve Spurrier beat Georgia every way possible while he was the head man at Gainesville. Urban Meyer has not done a bad job himself since taking over.

Since Buck Belue hit Lindsey Scott ("Run, Lindsey, run"), there has been little for the Dawgs to hang their hats on. Georgia ended the decade that was the '80s with three straight wins...they have managed only the same since.

Seriously?

Many great players have tried their hand at turning around this rivalry. Robert Edwards, DJ Shockley, David Greene, David Polack, Eric Zeier, to name just a few. Many have tried and, yes, many have failed.

Things were looking up in 2007, when the Dawgs danced their way to a 42-30 win. Matt Stafford and Knowshon Moreno led the way in that one. They were coming back to Athens for another year, and would surely take another victory from Coach Urban and his mates.

Not to be.

The Gators got their revenge on the field in 2008, beating the Dawgs soundly, 49-10.

No dancing allowed. Exit Stafford, exit Moreno.

As the Dawgs prepare for 2009, many Dawg fans are wondering if this trend can be turned. Can the Dawgs once again take charge of this series and win two or three straight?

My heart says yes! My head says...maybe. After all, Georgia has won two of the last five games played.

Like I said, I hate the Gators!!