Folks, I’m tired of talking about the weather. Are you tired of talking about the weather?

God bless those still hoping a light bulb will pop on soon and those experiencing flood conditions in other parts of our state and Florida.

In the aftermath of Irma, we will have football for the Colquitt County High Packers on Friday at Brookwood just like we had on the Friday night before when we were wondering just where the massive storm would go and how bad it would hit southwest Georgia.

Even on Saturday, middle school games in Moultrie went on as planned, plus there was another game of slight interest going on that evening in a state well outside of any projected paths.

O.K., there was more than slight interest in a ball game between the University of Georgia Bulldogs and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in South Bend, Ind. There was more than slight interest in how a certain true freshman quarterback would fare in his first start amid such an historic setting.

Taking all things going on here and way up there into consideration, plus with it being a non-conference game, it seemed appropriate to take a subdued approach to the football game in the minutes leading up to kickoff. We certainly got a history lesson of the 1981 Sugar Bowl, the only other time these two programs met on the gridiron. We found out how much tickets were going for (four figures, ouch), and the Bulldog Nation was out in droves for a once-in-a-lifetime occasion.

As things transpired, I got more into it and was as excited as coach Kirby Smart was to win that game. It helps the profile when College Football Playoff rankings are debated. Now it’s a matter of taking care of SEC business to be in that CFP conversation.

But back to South Bend and analysis of just how Georgia won that contest. If Jake Fromm, that freshman quarterback, was talking trash to his own defensive teammates during practices, he better be reading them love poetry and passing out bouquets after what they did to the Irish. The top four out of five vote getters for Player of the Game come from the defensive unit.

(Hey, how do you think the defense got motivated? Don’t get them all sappy before another non-conference tilt that would be humiliating to also only win by one.)

It looked to me like some guys in white did exactly what I told them to: play like you want to be a Georgia Bulldog for your senior year. Lorenzo Carter is a great example. Roquan Smith, though not a senior, also showed up, as did Tristan Thompson and DeAndre Baker. Then, we get to know some players for the first time, like safety J.R. Reed and Cairo freshman Walter Grant (84).

As for Fromm, let’s face it, he had an average game. To do that in only his second college game in that environment is an above-average accomplishment. In other words, he didn’t lose the game. Yes, he fumbled an exchange and threw an interception, but came back each time.

His best throw wasn’t the touchdown caught by Terry Godwin but finding Riley Ridley open on the sideline as he’s running that way himself. The late hit would have resulted in a first down in this game-winning drive anyway, but the completion meant more yards to get in field goal range.

Congratulations to Rodrigo Blankenship, the kicker, for earning a scholarship. As good as he was last year, I don’t see where there was any question as to who would be the Bulldog placekicker this fall.

Yes, the Godwin touchdown was all about the catch. You could say this plus the first one Fromm got in the App State game were not good throws, but great plays from the receiver. That’s part of it being a team game. Speaking of receivers, we learned we have a new exciting all-purpose guy in Mecole Hardman. Plus, I look forward to seeing what D’Andre Swift – also a true freshman – can add to the running game.

Smart I am sure looked over the video (come on folks, there’s no film involved anymore) and saw who needed to be cussed out as well as praised. How about this: 127 penalty yards! That’s with a Southeastern Conference officiating crew (all of whom hate us Dawgs, right?).

I believe a good percentage of those yards came from the same call: facemask or some kind of hands to the face. Tackle Julian Rochester, whom I believe is a star in waiting, does it twice. Then a senior who didn’t appear to be focused on being a Bulldog, Dominick Sanders, also does it.

If they like grabbing the mask so much, give them screwdrivers and tell them to tighten them on other players’ helmets. That’s their new job if this keeps up.

Things get serious for Georgia on Sept. 23 when Mississippi State visits Athens for a 7 p.m. kickoff. Who starts at what position is up to Smart and his cronies to decide. I want to see the guys who give the real Bulldogs the best chance to win. Make them kick four field goals; we got a guy who could make five straight if necessary.

Is it just me, or are there similarities between Georgia and the Colquitt County Packers? A two-headed rushing attack, stiff defense, solid kicking game. Eerie.

Other things thought about:

The Falcons play the first regular season game in new Mercedes-Benz Stadium Sunday night against the other Packers from Green Bay. Winning here could mean the difference between playing the NFC Championship indoors or on the frozen tundra in late January.

Finally, a few articles ago I mentioned how Northside High football set the state record for consecutive 10-win seasons with 17. Well, Buford High broke that mark last season with 18.