Dooley, Obama and other college football musings

Here's a few mid-week college football thoughts to whet your appetite:

THE GREATEST EVER? When Georgia head coach Vince Dooley retired after the 1988 season at age 56, he had done more than many other coaches ever will. He finished his career with 201 wins, 77 losses, six Southeastern Conference titles and a national championship.

Florida State's Bobby Bowden (78) and Penn State's Joe Paterno (81), who are tied for most career victories by a Division I coach with 374, are still active. What if Dooley had kept coaching as well?

In 25 seasons, Dooley averaged a shade more than eight wins a season. If he had not retired, and kept his average of eight wins a season, he would've added 152 wins in the following 19 seasons. Dooley then would be 2-0 this season. So a conservative estimate: he'd own 355 wins.

Now consider this: Dooley is almost three years younger than Bowden, who turns 79 in November. Dooley would be on pace to pass both Bowden and Paterno by the time he turned their age.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BORDER BASHING

WHY GEORGIA WILL WIN THIS WEEK: The Bulldogs have won three in a row in Columbia and are 16-6-2 all-time at Williams-Brice Stadium. In 2006, Georgia posted an 18-0 shutout.

Also, the Bulldogs lead the Southeastern Conference in rushing. South Carolina is 10th in run defense.

WHY SOUTH CAROLINA WILL WIN THIS WEEK: Coach Steve Spurrier owns a 12-3 record against Georgia (11-1 at Florida, 1-2 at South Carolina). The 'Ol, ahem, Head Ball Coach irritates Bulldog fans worse than a bad case of poison ivy, which they'd rather have than another loss to Spurrier.

Also, the Gamecocks  have defeated the Bulldogs 14 times. Ten of those wins have come in back-to-back years. South Carolina won last year in Athens, Ga., 16-12.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OBAMA AND THE 'NITTALY' LIONS: Appearing at a campaign stop in Pennsylvania earlier this month, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama mistakenly called Penn State the 'Nittaly' - instead of "Nittany" Lions. As one observer mentioned, at least he didn't call them the Detroit Lions.

To see the gaffe, go here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQLTekcur-E