LIVE: Georgia tries to forget SEC ending, close with win
Aaron Murray high-fives Xzavier Ward before the Capital One Bowl. (Brant Sanderlin)
ORLANDO — When asked the other day if he viewed this season as a missed opportunity to win SEC and BCS championships, Georgia coach Mark Richt said, “Every year is a missed opportunity, I think.” And that’s probably the right thing to say, even if it’s not every season the Bulldogs come within one tipped pass of winning the SEC title and going to the BCS championship game.
When Georgia faces Nebraska today in the Capital One Bowl, the question is whether we’ll witness any hangover from the last game. The Dogs (11-2, coming off a 32-28 loss to Alabama, No. 7 BCS) may be a more talented team than the Cornhuskers (10-3, coming off a 70-31 loss to Wisconsin, No. 16 BCS). But that doesn’t always mean anything in bowl games. Witness Georgia Tech vs. USC. Or witness Georgia’s last two bowl efforts — losses to Central Florida in the Liberty Bowl two years ago and Michigan State in the Outback last season.
I ran into this guy in the parking lot. Who's his dentist?
OK, a few quick things about today’s game and then I’ll open the cyber-venting lines:
– The Dogs’ defensive front will have to put up a better effort than it did against Alabama (350 yards rushing). Nebraska ranks ninth in the nation in rushing at 254.5 yards per game but only 81st passing, although quarterback Taylor Martinez has thrown 21 touchdown passes.
– The defensive line will be missing nose tackle John Jenkins, who is academically ineligible, and possibly end Abry Jones (ankle), who is questionable. Kwame Geathers will start for Jenkins.
– Nebraska’s defense ranks first against the pass, but that’s a little misleading. Opponents seldom have had to throw against the Huskers because they’re so weak against the run (97th, 194.8 per game). Also, the Big Ten is not full of wide open offenses. So expect a heavy dose of Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall today.
Final thought: I think Georgia wins today. Finishing the year with a win and losing the last two bowl games should be motivation enough. A victory also could leave the Dogs as one of the top five ranked teams in the nation.
But if Georgia players are thinking about the SEC championship or the NFL draft, everything goes out the window, and they’ll lose today.
What are your thoughts? The floor is yours.
– Jeff Schultz
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1,585 comments Add your comment
Jeff Schultz
January 1st, 2013
2:12 pm
Malcolm Mitchell out for game. Might be head injury. Rambo is out but expected to return.
5150 UOAD
January 1st, 2013
2:12 pm
Was that HERSHEL running that ball? No it is a kid regulated to be called 1/2 the name of UGa’s greatest RB.
Call him GURLY not part of Gurshall.
Flat Tire doesnt live in Delusionalville Ga.
January 1st, 2013
2:12 pm
How about Gurley playing defense too
kingdaddy
January 1st, 2013
2:13 pm
Jeff
We can look forward to a NEW DEFENSE…
gethimoffmyteam
January 1st, 2013
2:13 pm
Way to stick your nose in there kid..
Pete
January 1st, 2013
2:13 pm
Ward, I agree with you about the defensive staff. We need to clean house. I’ve always thought Grantham was over-rated. Is Van Gorder still available?
Jason
January 1st, 2013
2:13 pm
Offense will be great next year.
5150 UOAD
January 1st, 2013
2:13 pm
UGA with a PERSONAL FOUL? That NEVER HAPPENS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jeff Schultz
January 1st, 2013
2:13 pm
Hitting out of bounds, there’s another 15 . . .
kingdaddy
January 1st, 2013
2:14 pm
Crap…
LagDawg
January 1st, 2013
2:14 pm
Somebody needs to iform the UGA ILBs that they have tto meet the RB at the line not five yards down the field. I hope with all the ILBs coming in that they actually like to hit people. Both sides need to be more physical.
J.J.M.
January 1st, 2013
2:14 pm
refs just throwing flags for fun now
Jason
January 1st, 2013
2:14 pm
Defense falling apart. Personal fouls galore. No discipline.
goFalcons
January 1st, 2013
2:14 pm
back to back personal fouls………Come on Dawgs
Question
January 1st, 2013
2:14 pm
Was Chuck Dowdel made leave the sideline or just the center of the field??
blamegame
January 1st, 2013
2:14 pm
GREAT come on
GT Fan
January 1st, 2013
2:14 pm
Rambo just got the flag..that hurt.
5150 UOAD
January 1st, 2013
2:14 pm
2 PERSONAL FOULS against UGa? How could that happen with all the Christian Teachings RICHT gives then UGa players?
CigarDawg
January 1st, 2013
2:14 pm
back to back PF’s on UGA – Is it groundhog day? AAARRRGGGHHH!!!!
45 ACP
January 1st, 2013
2:15 pm
Dawgs are playing with passion now!
son's who?
January 1st, 2013
2:15 pm
Mitchell out? Crap!
Flat Tire doesnt live in Delusionalville Ga.
January 1st, 2013
2:15 pm
Typical undesciplined coached team
But hey according to Richt penalties dont matter; FSU policy
Jason
January 1st, 2013
2:15 pm
To be honest, I think we may need a new ILB coach. They don’t meet the RB head up. The RB usually gets outside.
gethimoffmyteam
January 1st, 2013
2:15 pm
Shawn Williams is Over-Rated! Come up and make the play.
Steve
January 1st, 2013
2:15 pm
Is that really all ya got 5150? Still sad about the annual loss to UGA?
Jeff Schultz
January 1st, 2013
2:15 pm
Ward — correct, 2.
"Chef" Tim Dix
January 1st, 2013
2:15 pm
It is classless to use various spellings of profanity on this blog sir.
Wes Durham
January 1st, 2013
2:15 pm
Jeff, you think Murray’s going to declare for the draft?
50 ways to leave your lover
January 1st, 2013
2:16 pm
Even the announcers are commenting about how UGA players are out of position. Why is that?
It’s the coaching, stupid.
son's who?
January 1st, 2013
2:16 pm
Another mad scramble by Johnny Manz—— oops
Bali
January 1st, 2013
2:16 pm
WTF?? No pressure on martinez
5150 UOAD
January 1st, 2013
2:16 pm
M Mitchel is OUT………that is BAD………..
kingdaddy
January 1st, 2013
2:16 pm
UNs qb should be nicknamed “twinkle-toes”!!!
gethimoffmyteam
January 1st, 2013
2:16 pm
Is cornelius washington even playing..he never shows up! Lmao.
Wes Durham
January 1st, 2013
2:17 pm
Wow! Nebraska has to takeaway time out!
Jeff Schultz
January 1st, 2013
2:17 pm
Wes Durham — Yes, but I’m just speculating.
icedawg
January 1st, 2013
2:17 pm
Story of the past few seaons. No run defense. No NC. That’ll stand.
Jason
January 1st, 2013
2:17 pm
Who the hell is Cornelius Washington? Never heard of em
goFalcons
January 1st, 2013
2:17 pm
Dawgs looking good, we just need to keep it up and when the 4th Qtr comes,,,our depth and talent will be to much for them to handle…..go dawgs
UGA89
January 1st, 2013
2:18 pm
What’s wrong with M. Mitchell????
5150 UOAD
January 1st, 2013
2:18 pm
45 ACP
January 1st, 2013
2:15 pm
Dawgs are playing with passion now!
——————————–
That is what I told the COP when I was a lil Excited with my Girlfriend. I didn’t HURT or Assault her I was just full of passion. LOL
50 ways to leave your lover
January 1st, 2013
2:18 pm
Murray has already thrown for four TDs. That should really impress the NFL scouts!
Wes Durham
January 1st, 2013
2:18 pm
I think Murray will go too. He’s done about all he can at UGA save a national title. And that ain’t gonna happen next year.
gethimoffmyteam
January 1st, 2013
2:18 pm
I live my life thru my eyes. U don’t like it clown, skip it, pass it, read over it, really doesn’t matter to me Chef.
Dawg Patrol
January 1st, 2013
2:18 pm
It’d be nice to hold these guys to a fg on this drive.
GT Fan
January 1st, 2013
2:19 pm
5150..they like most people they hear the word but don’t live it ..Richt does..I wouldn’t go there.
blamegame
January 1st, 2013
2:19 pm
YEESS
goFalcons
January 1st, 2013
2:19 pm
2nd sack for UGA,,,,,,,,Here we come with the pain now
DawgNole
January 1st, 2013
2:19 pm
Mariage Parfait Gueze
January 1st, 2013
2:02 pm
Is it possible Nebraska is a better team than you thought?
______________________
No.
Jeff Schultz
January 1st, 2013
2:19 pm
Martinez might’ve been audiblizing to go up top but protection broke down.