11 - Georgia

There’s just something right about a bulldog named Uga.

Although Georgia’s first mascot was a goat, the English bulldog with the spiked collar may be the most recognized mascot in all of college sports.

Uga has appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated, had a cameo in the movie “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil," and traveled with Herschel Walker to the Downtown Athletic Club in New York for the Heisman Trophy presentation.

The first five Ugas are buried near the south stands and flowers are placed on their graves before each home game.

“Uga is the best mascot a team could have," Bulldogs receiver Clarence Kay once said. “He’ll lay on you. He’ll lick on you. Give him a bone and he’ll love you for life."

In the Tuscaloosa News’ Best College Football Rankings, which will rate the Top 25 programs throughout the summer, Georgia scored points in every category except grades.

It was fourth in recruiting and active pro players, fifth in attendance, and despite a narrow 38-35 loss to West Virginia in the relocated Sugar Bowl still finished last season ranked in the Top 10.

The Bulldogs have won two consensus national titles (1942 and 1980, and were voted No. 1 by various polls in 1927, 1946 and 1968), 12 SEC championships and played in 49 bowl games.

They’ve had two players win the Heisman -- halfback Frank Sinkwich in 1942 and Walker in 1982 -- 14 players inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame and 24 players selected in the first round of the National Football League draft.

But when it comes to icons, like Uga, Georgia can compete with any college football program in the country.

It’s a program that’s been led by Wally Butts and Pop Warner. It’s renowned for “between the hedges" and “silver britches." It’s ringing the chapel bell until midnight following Georgia wins and the historic arch that freshmen were told to avoid walking under.

Before there was “How about them Cowboys?" popularized by Dallas during its most recent Super Bowl run, “How ’bout them Dawgs?" first caught on nationally after a victory against Notre Dame.

In 2001, the latest chapter in Georgia football opened when Mark Richt was hired as the program’s 25th head coach. In addition to coaching Heisman quarterbacks Charlie Ward and Chris Weinke at Florida State, Richt had also been an outstanding quarterback prospect at Miami under Howard Schnellenberger.

“I figured I’d start my first year, be an All-American my second year, win the Heisman Trophy my third year, and then go pro after that," Richt said.

Instead, he spent most of his collegiate career backing up future NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly, and during one season his teammates included Vinny Testaverde and Bernie Kosar.

In 2002, Georgia advanced to make its maiden appearance in the SEC Championship Game, where it dominated Arkansas 30-3 to win its first conference title in 20 years.

As part of the Bowl Championship Series, Georgia was paired against Florida State in the Sugar Bowl. Musa Smith rushed for 145 yards, cornerback Bruce Thomas returned an interception 71 yards for a touchdown and Billy Bennett kicked four field goals as the Bulldogs won 26-13.

“To beat Florida State is a great feeling, since I have a great respect for the Florida State program," Richt said. “I’m so proud of these kids. They deserve to go out like this."

With the victory, Georgia had found yet another icon, Richt, who’s retuned the Bulldogs to their perennial power status and frequently tells his players to “finish the drill."

Reach Christopher Walsh at christopher.walsh@tuscaloosanews.com or at (205) 722-0196.