A lot of talk out there right now about this 2008 Georgia team and the Bulldogs of 1980. And I can understand why. There are some simularities. One of them is not the pre-season ranking. These 'Dogs start #1 and we were #16, with a big climb ahead of us.
    Vince Dooley's coaching staff in '80 was an all-star cast: Erk, McDuffie, Cavan, Lewis just to name a few. Richt's staff has some stars too. Searels, Bobo, Martinez, Garner are all top-quality guys. Outstanding coaching can figure out ways to win a championship. And please, someone try and explain how the great Erk Russell is not in the NCAA Football Hall of Fame? 
    On offense, the FB, TE and OL positions are very simular. Back in '80, we were running a heavy dose of the I-formation, so the fullback was key. Jimmy Womack and Ronnie Stewart were a linebackers worst nightmare. Next time you see a Herschel Walker highlight, watch what kind of damage Womack and Stewart were doing. They could both catch it too. Southerland, when he returns from that foot injury, is a complete player too. 
    At tight-end, we had an athletic Norris Brown racing by DB's on a play-action shot down the weakside sideline that was a big-play any time we wanted it. Dude could block that sweep for Herschel too. Chandler is a dependable weapon for Stafford. The O-Line comparison is close. We had Nat Hudson. They have Tripp. Amazing athletes who can run, pull and block. They have Boling bringing it. We had Harper, Morrison and Nall mixing it up. Blakewood, Radloff and Happe were also quality players. Much like Chris Davis. The only big difference was our OL included 4 seniors, 2 juniors and a sophomore. This group is young...1 junior, 3 sophomores and 3 freshmen. 
    We're talking about two world class RB's here. Herschel was as dominant as any RB who has ever played college football. Moreno is perhaps the best back in the country in his second season. What's not to like. Run it inside or out and catch it too. Stafford is in his junior season, as I was, when we won it all. Experience, game management, confidence, and the ability to make plays in crunch time...we both were blessed with this (sure wish I had the size and arm strength Matt has).
    Defensively, both teams trot out big-time players up front. Weaver & Payne were as good as any tandem in  college football in 1980. These 'Dogs feature Atkins and Owens. They can play rough too. The LB comparison works. Erk sent out 2 physical tacklers in Nate Taylor and Frank Ros. These guys feature Ellerbe and Curran. They get'm on the ground too. Both teams are strong up the middle. And both teams have players that could be described as under-appreciated at DE. In '80, McShea and Miles roamed and made plays. This group is hoping that Lomax, Battle and Houston can be those type players.
    Another simularity comes in the secondary, where playmakers are needed to win big games. Scott Woerner was our big-play guy. Asher Allen is the playmaker now. Excellent cover guys and outstanding return men. Welton, Fisher and Hipp played big all season in '80 and Byrd, Jones, Evans and Miller appear to be clutch too.
    The kicker position doesn't fit the story. Rex Robinson was an All-SEC Senior. Blair Walsh is just getting started.
Sure hope he's as clutch as Rex. 
    1980. Man, those were the days. We lined'm up and knocked'm down. One right after another. And we had fun every week doing it. Sure would be nice to see these guys experience a trip like that.