In some people’s minds, Saturday marked the official start of the football season in Athens. It was the annual fan’s picture and autograph day at Sanford Stadium, which seemingly draws as many fan’s into the tight squeezes of the main concourse of the stadium as it does into the seats on gameday.

For Mike “Big Dawg” Woods of Athens, just as much attention was turned to him as was the players during the event.

Woods, an Athens native, is the super-fan that you have probably seen on television and at games with the Bulldog painted onto his head. Woods was walking the concourse with his brand new cane, donned with a bulldog on the handle, that his friend gave to him that day.

But Woods said that the people coming up to him for photo-ops does not bother him one bit.

“I love it. They’re fans, that’s why I’m here,” Woods said. “My Daddy started this in 1980 for Erk Russell and I’m doing it to keep his memory going.”

If you happened to drive by the ticket window outside of Sanford Stadium Friday night, you more than likely noticed the throng of people lining the sidewalk to be one of the first 150 fans to get their place for a picture with UGA VII or be one of the first 250 in line for an autograph with head coach Mark Richt.

At the head of the line Saturday to see Richt was Russell King from Lavonia, a member of the wounded warrior program, which is for those who have been injured in Iraq or Afghanistan. Because of his situation, King was awarded the spot at the head of the line.

“I called the athletic director’s office and talked with some people there because I can’t stand in line for four or five hours and they moved me to the front of the line,” King said. “I’m a big fan, been a big fan pretty much my whole life and I’m here to meet Mark Richt for the first time.”

Though the hype of the upcoming season doesn’t compare to what the Bulldogs were experiencing at this time last year, the number of people attending fan day didn’t seem to diminish, which is something Athletic Director Damon Evans is excited to see.

“It’s always great [to see the fans],” Evans said. “It shows you the support we have at the University, and the fans make us who we are. If we don’t have them we have an empty stadium. It’s great that they’re excited and have high expectations every year.”

Those expectations aren’t as high as they were last season when the Bulldogs entered the season at No. 1 in most polls. But fans are still excited for what could be in store for the upcoming season.

“I think we are going to surprise some people,” Woods said. “I think everybody’s feeling like I’m feeling, that [quarterback] Joe Cox is going to surprise some people. The team is gathering around him … I think we’re going to surprise some people.”

Added King: “I think we’re underrated, but we got a lot to prove because of the disappointment from last year. We’ll definitely make a bowl game, and hopefully the SEC championship.”

The lower ranking is something fans believe will be a positive, but Evans doesn’t mind Georgia being hyped.

“A lot of people like the fact that we’re flying under the radar. That has its advantages, but I don’t mind being preseason No. 1, it’s a great thing,” Evans said.

Not all fans believe that this is the season for Georgia, however. Jenny Fitzpatrick from Grayson prefers to think with a more open mind.

“I will just predict that we will go 9-3 … I don’t think we can beat Florida, is that bad [for me to say]?” Fitzpatrick said. “I’m a very realistic UGA fan, I hope we do, but I’m realistic. I love them no matter what their record is.”

Evans, however, believes Georgia will have a good season.

“This is a good year because I think the team is confident, a little bit more relaxed and they don’t have this heavy burden on their shoulders of trying to live up to the expectations of being No. 1,” he said.

Video by Online Editor Marc McAfee