The people in Ann Arbor, Mich. probably haven’t forgotten what happened on Sept. 1.

Neither has Jeff Owens.

With many members of the media penciling the Bulldogs into the national championship, Owens said the Appalachian State over Michigan upset is just a reminder that anything can happen.

“I mean you can’t live in the preseason hype because you saw what happened to Michigan last year,” Owens said. “Appalachian State came in and beat them. We have to focus on Georgia Southern.”

Helping Georgia not think too far ahead is the strength and conditioning staff, which has been working with the Bulldogs all summer.

“The offseason has been rough. They’ve been getting onto us,” Owens said. “We know we have a task ahead of us, and they’re pushing us and motivating us. They’re always reminding us of who we have to play. It’s a tough road ahead so we’ve got to train hard.”

Owens said that in his three previous seasons, the Bulldogs had not been pushed as hard as they are right now simply because of the high expectations for this season.

“Most definitely, it’s a whole lot harder than the past,” he said. “My freshman year was nothing like how it is now. Times have changed.”

Bulldogs No. 1 in new video game

While EA Sports thought highly enough of Georgia to give it the

No. 1 spot in its new NCAA Football ’09 video game, it made two blunders that has some real-life Bulldogs scratching their heads.

In the new game, backup Logan Gray, who is considered a dual-threat quarterback with a lot of speed, saw his speed rated low at 70 – four points behind starter Matthew Stafford.

“A 70? He’s faster than some of our running backs and cornerbacks and receivers,” Owens said.

Gray reacted with laughter and shrugged off the low speed grade.

“I guess that’s what they think, but I could probably get (Stafford) in a race,” he said.

EA Sports also omitted linebacker Rennie Curran from this year’s game. At all the linebacker positions, there is no No. 35 to choose from.

“Then who do they have starting at linebacker?” Owens asked.

Safety would love to pick new Uga

Safety C.J. Byrd admitted he felt excited when he found out Uga VII will be revealed during the first game of the season.

“It’s a little bit of excitement just to find out who the dog is and what kind of role he’s going to play this season, with it being a big season,” Byrd said. “I want to see how he can be the Uga.”

Sonny Seiler, whose family has kept the Uga lineage for 52 years, said the new mascot will make its first appearance against Georgia Southern. When asked if he would like the chance to play a part in picking Uga, Byrd said he would love the chance.

“Oh definitely. I would definitely love to pick the Uga,” Byrd said. “I like the small ones. Not too small, but the medium-sized Ugas.”

- Jason Butt