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How to Prepare for the Georgia-Clemson Season Opener: Read the Book, Know the History

USA TODAY Sports

On August 31, just 59 days hence, the Georgia Bulldogs and the Clemson Tigers will renew their storied rivalry in a nationally-televised night game featuring top ten teams and showcasing top-notch quarterbacks. This high-profile clash of potential national title contenders not only will begin the 2013 college football season with a bang, it also will revive, and rekindle interest in, a longstanding series between border rivals dating back to 1897.

Though the rivalry is among the oldest and biggest in the history of both schools---in the 20 years from 1897 to 1916, the only team Clemson played in all 20 seasons was Georgia, and the only team Georgia played in all 20 seasons was Clemson---the heyday of the border war kicked off in 1977, which began an eleven-year stretch during which the two teams went 5-5-1 against one another, saw nine showdowns settled by single-digit margins, and won national championships in consecutive seasons.

As many of you know, I researched and wrote a manuscript called Fighting Like Cats and Dogs, which chronicles the history of the rivalry that will be rejoined on Labor Day weekend. I am pleased to report that Fighting Like Cats and Dogs is soon to be published by Clemson University Digital Press. I trust the fact that the book was written by a University of Georgia graduate and season ticket holder, and published by Clemson University’s academic press, attests to the evenhandedness of the book’s treatment of this rivalry.

Because I have a tendency to be longwinded, the publication of the book will be done in stages, with the chapters covering the earlier series meetings to be available for digital download at the Press’s website and the accounts of the modern history of the rivalry, from 1977 through 2003, being available in a print edition, complete with period photographs. Here is how the print edition of the book will look when released:

The print edition of the book, which will be released before the start of the 2013 football season, is currently available for pre-order. I am presently in the process of setting up a website for on-line orders, but, in the meantime, you may download, print, and complete this .pdf order form and mail it to the address shown on the form, together with your check or money order, and I will send you your copy of the book as soon as it becomes available. If you would like your copy (or copies) autographed, there also is a space on the form for you to let me know for whom the autographed edition should be personalized.

I am working on scheduling broadcast and podcast appearances, speaking engagements, and book signings to promote Fighting Like Cats and Dogs, so, if you would like to keep abreast of where I will be, you may follow me on Twitter and join the Facebook group devoted to the book. If you would like to arrange such an appearance, engagement, or signing, feel free to e-mail me about it. As we count down to kickoff, please join me in reliving the greatest days in one of the most storied rivalries in the history of college football.

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