Georgia Bulldogs: Lucky vs. Good

By W. Michael Lawson, [email protected]

Fathers are commonly known for a number of things: grilling, practical advice,  accountability, working hard, terrible jokes, and witty “common folk” sayings are just a few.  My father exhibited many of these, especially idioms and aphorisms when on a golf course.  You see, he started the golf program at Byne Memorial High School in the 1990s, and through his leadership, our team went to six straight state championships, winning five of them. “The price of poker just went up, boys” was one of those sayings. This meant that a crucial moment was upon us. “They don’t grade them, they score them.” This usually meant a sloppy round that ended up winning. But the one that always got me was, “I’d rather be lucky than good”. Never really understood this one. But it usually came after a terrible shot that ended up ok. The Georgia Bulldogs exhibited all of these in Tuscaloosa this past Saturday, especially that last one.  

In a game that had the entire college football world watching, with storylines from hurricanes to previous epic battles to individual injuries, it had it all. Another war between two top-10 teams to decide who is identified as the number one team in the nation. Sound familiar? And it didn’t disappoint.  

First, let’s speak to the caterwauling from the Bama fans about “missed calls”. Yes, the game was atrociously officiated. Were there missed pass interference and facemask calls that went Georgia’s way? Absolutely. Were they instrumental to helping Georgia win a three-point slobber-knocker under the lights at Bryant-Denny? Unequivocally. My response to those complaining about it is this: Nobody cares about your whining.  

You know what else helped our Georgia Bulldogs win at Alabama Saturday? How about 455  total yards gained on oƯense. How about rushing for 163 yards in the 2^nd half? How about winning time of possession with 33:28 of ball control. How about a QB with an 81%  completion percentage during the game? How about converting over 50% of third-down attempts? How about 10 different receivers with a catch, with 7 of them averaging over 10  yards per reception. How about holding Bama’s dangerous and prolific offense to just three 2nd-half points? How about UGA’s defense generating four sacks on that Quarterback. I have news for you: That ain’t luck. That ain’t the refs. That is just good football.  

Now, was there luck involved? Uhh, most definitely. Four fumbles in one game, but recovering all of them? That’s lucky. A missed field goal in the 4^th quarter, but still winning?  Kind of lucky. Doesn’t happen often. A veteran Alabama defensive back openly punching a player with the clock running down? All of that is pretty lucky. 

Reality is that Georgia went into that game down seven starters, including its top three running backs to start the season, top two wide receivers at the “X” position, and a number of defensive linemen, and found a way to win on the road, at night, in a very tough environment.  

The lousy oƯiciating didn’t begin that night, either. It is just the first time Alabama was a  clear victim of it. There have been multiple times Bama was the beneficiary of terrible officiating, not the least of which was the phantom oƯsides call on Tyler Simmons when he blocked a punt in the 2018 national championship game that eƯectively gave Alabama the game and title. In this particular game Saturday, film has shown at least five blatant “would-be” holding and facemask calls on Bama that the refs missed. In short, Georgia fans don’t want to hear it.  

And now that game is behind us. Next up is the 2026 version of the “Deep South’s Oldest  Rivalry” with Auburn coming to the Classic City. Georgia has owned this “rivalry” in the 21^st century. Overall, UGA leads the series (66-56-8). In this century, the Dawgs have won 20 of  27 games and have a current win streak of nine games. Do Auburn fans “fear the other thumb” come Saturday?  

A word of caution here, though. This is a dangerous game for Georgia. Coming out of an all-out physical war against Bama to have to turn around and play an Auburn team that is a  little down recently is a recipe for a malaise disaster. It is the quintessential “let down”  game where one team can’t get up mentally or physically, or both, two weeks in a row, and the lesser of the two teams shows up on fire and lathered up looking for a kill shot. Auburn is coming off of a bye week. That’s not nothing. 

Was Georgia a little lucky to get a win in Tuscaloosa last week? Sure. But they were also  good. Now we are about to see if this 2026 Georgia Bulldogs team has the markings of a  great one. The ability to flush last week away mentally, practice effectively, get proper rehab physically, and play with urgency against a loathed and rested rival the very next week is something that not many teams can show. Only the great ones have that ability.  Championship teams win this game.  

As for the Bama game, as my Dad would say, “They don’t grade ‘em, they score ‘em”. They grade that one as an SEC road win. And I guess “I’d rather be lucky than good” is applicable.  

As for this Auburn game, as my Dad would say, “The price of poker just went up, boys.” is definitely applicable. This Auburn game is not just a conference game against a hated rival,  although it is certainly that. It is also a test of what this 2026 Georgia team is made up of inside. Is it a team made of championship steel and fiber? Is it a team that loves the 

scoreboard, or do they love the process? Is it a team that can strain mentally,  psychologically, and physically for two consecutive weeks and play winning football?  

We’ll see Saturday, “Between the Hedges”. Let’s hope our Georgia Bulldogs are both lucky and good again against Auburn.