The Red and Black

Issue date: 3/24/09 Section: Opinions

CHRIS GIALLANZA

Energy and anticipation rattle your chest and electrify your body as you stare across the field at a sea of team colors and face-painted lunatics going just as berserk as you. There are just two problems: they're cheering for the other team and there are a lot more of them than us.

To any Georgia fan the distinction is clear, but I'll make it once again - them is Florida and us is obviously Georgia.

Anyone who has ever attended Jacksonville's "World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party" knows that it's not exactly a neutral site. Jacksonville is less than a 60-mile swim for the slimy Gators, while our Dogs journey almost 600. Sound neutral to you?

Consider the Dogs' dismal record in Jacksonville and we finally can start calling the game what it really is - an away game. But it seems Georgia could have the slight advantage in location as decision-makers consider having the SEC East juggernauts face off in the Georgia Dome.

I say stop searching for giant contracts in pseudo neutral cities and give the Dogs a chance to fry up some Gator tail between the hedges.

Who really doesn't want to see Florida quarterback Tim Tebow crying in a news conference because his last few minutes at Sanford echoed with more than 90,000 crazies chanting "warm the bus up" while thousands of jingling keys escorted him off the field?

Ah, such a beautiful symphony of hatred.

This is far from a selfish idea. The Bulldogs would have to wade into the Swamp where those slimy lizards and their fans can be just as unmerciful. Isn't that what college football's about?

Not only must you battle the opposing team, but a knowledgeable and rowdy crowd has massive impact on the outcome of a close game.

Each year, we clamor to buy season tickets and complain when we get split packages or anything less than every single game for an affordable price. Why should tickets to see our biggest rival cost so much and be so hard to get?

Sure, some people make the trek to Jacksonville not to attend the game but to see old friends and maybe throw back a few brews in the charged atmosphere. Jacksonville's Landing is an exciting place for the tension between opposing fans to reach dangerous levels once combined with alcohol.

There are three things we can count on no matter if Georgia plays Florida on some deserted island or the frozen tundra: there will be fans, they will be drinking and each side will despise the other.

I challenge Mark Richt and whoever is involved in this decision-making process to fight for a real rivalry that doesn't hide behind "neutrality."

That way the Gators can bring those nasty orange and blue uniforms up to a real football town. Oh, and don't worry Tebow - there's a box of tissues in Georgia's press room with your name on it.

- Chris Giallanza is a senior from Snellville majoring in journalism.

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