A rumor that percolated throughout the summer became fact on Tuesday, as Georgia AD Greg McGarity confirmed to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution the Bulldogs will bring back their black jerseys for one to-be-determined game this fall.
"We already have them," McGarity told the paper. "It will be one game a year. It’s not that big a deal; it’s one of our team colors. But we still think our red jersey is one of the best in college football."
Let's review that recent history, shall we?
Sept. 27, 2008: For the third time in school history, Georgia breaks out black uniforms to christen a much-anticipated visit from Alabama. (To be fair, Georgia wore black the previous season against Auburn and Hawaii; they won both games.) Tide strength coach Scott Cochran famously proclaimed the game to be a funeral for the Bulldogs, and, boy, was he ever right. The eight-ranked Crimson Tide jumped out to a 31-0 second quarter lead en route to a 41-30 rout of No. 8 Georgia. A season that began with national championship hopes -- Georgia began the season ranked No. 1 in both polls -- ends, while Alabama uses this night as to officially springboard the Nick Saban dynasty.
Oct. 31, 2009: "Okay, maybe black wasn't the problem. Maybe it was just black jerseys."
Uh, no.
Georgia dons white jerseys with black helmets and black pants against Florida. The end result isn't much better: Florida 41, Georgia 17. The hated Gators extend their nation's best winning streak to 18 games, while Georgia drops to 4-4 overall and 3-3 in SEC play.
Sept. 3, 2011: "Alright, fine. No black against SEC teams. What if we scrapped our regular uniforms, mix in all three of our colors and wear them to open the season?"
Georgia let Nike nix one of college football's most revered looks for an entirely new uniform Georgia might wear if they weren't, you know, Georgia. The kits aren't received well and neither is the end result as the Bulldogs fall to No. 5 Boise State 35-21 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.
McGarity said Georgia will wear the black jerseys for a home game, and it won't be Nicholls State. So that leaves Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Auburn, Louisiana-Lafayette or Georgia Tech. We know the Bulldogs like to wear them in high-leverage situations, so that leaves Tennessee, Auburn or Georgia Tech. My bet is on one of the first two.
