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
LagDawg
January 1st, 2013
1:53 pm
Can someone tell the UGA D that this is football and not dance class. Too much arm tackling and not enough hitting. Grantham is going to have to step it up now and next year. D does not look good.
Mr. Football
January 1st, 2013
1:53 pm
Richt is simply more comfortable losing than he is winning. He feels it draws him closer to Jesus. It builds character to lose and keep your head up when speaking to the media. Jesus would be proud. Nick Satan is laughing.
son's who?
January 1st, 2013
1:53 pm
It has been an entertaining 1st Quarter, I’ll give it that. lol
45ACP
January 1st, 2013
1:53 pm
I SAW PERSONAL FOULS on the Jackets yesterday too!
5150 UOAD
January 1st, 2013
1:53 pm
Why not GO FOR IT in that Area? Punt on good. FG long. give UGa the ball back with a LONG field but a chance to get a 1st down.
kingdaddy
January 1st, 2013
1:53 pm
Uwooooo…
Jeff Schultz
January 1st, 2013
1:53 pm
This is the eighth possession of first quarter.
Flat Tire doesnt live in Delusionalville Ga.
January 1st, 2013
1:53 pm
We lose 9 basically to the NFL on defense and yet again we look sloppy on D
Next season is looking real promising
Jason
January 1st, 2013
1:53 pm
Howcome we always have trouble blocking undersized teams?
son's who?
January 1st, 2013
1:54 pm
Wow, both lines are getting whipped.
Dawg Patrol
January 1st, 2013
1:54 pm
It’s hard to prepare a defense against a team like this with so many options.
DawgNole
January 1st, 2013
1:54 pm
Benjamin
January 1st, 2013
1:28 pm
You didn’t look “stupid” before, Jason, Just saying that, in general, you always take the touchdown over the safety in that particular situation.
___________________
In what “particular situation” would you EVER take a safety over a TD?
gethimoffmyteam
January 1st, 2013
1:55 pm
This team has MAJOR holes..and whoever thought #61 is a SEC Center is a fucin MORON!
Jeff Schultz
January 1st, 2013
1:55 pm
End of wacky first quarter: 30 points and 8 possessions.
DawgFan
January 1st, 2013
1:55 pm
Exciting quarter. Nebraska came to play. They are more physical right now.
Mariage Parfait Gueze
January 1st, 2013
1:55 pm
goFalcons
January 1st, 2013
1:52 pm
We are the better team and will soon pull away from Neb.
——————————————————————————————————————————————-
You rare basing this on?
Dawg Patrol
January 1st, 2013
1:56 pm
We keep this up and our defense will be worn out by halftime.
50 ways to leave your lover
January 1st, 2013
1:56 pm
This game obviously is not important to UGA. These defensive all-Americans are too lazy to actually wrap around and get their uniforms dirty.
We need to fire every coach on the team.
This should embarrass everyone associated withUGA I anyway.
Good thing they choked against Alabama because they would have embarrassed the SEC in. TheNC game.
Dawgs1965
January 1st, 2013
1:56 pm
We’re lucky to have a lead the way we’ve played. Here’s hoping we get it together.
Raiderbeater
January 1st, 2013
1:56 pm
So our defense and quarterback is experienced and graduating? Great! They look like our worst players today!!
kingdaddy
January 1st, 2013
1:56 pm
Mr football, try not to be a bigger @$$ than you already are. You’ll pay for statements like that one day…
Wes Durham
January 1st, 2013
1:56 pm
Pretty sloppy first quarter there Jeff
5150 UOAD
January 1st, 2013
1:56 pm
45ACP….i will call fun…GT is not and has NEVER been at the top of the conference in Personal Fouls but UGa has more than ANY SEC team the last 4 years. that is a FACT. Tech made some Stupid and BAD Persona Fouls late but UGa players do it from start to finish in EVERY game and the records PROVE that. LOL
45ACP i guess with how BAD the world is you LOVE that 45 and your target practice…..I love my SIG for damn sure. LOL
blamegame
January 1st, 2013
1:56 pm
huskers brought the wood— Dawgs gotta punch harder. damn 2 quarter just starting?
Jason
January 1st, 2013
1:56 pm
Our O-line is garbage. I hope these guys are put through competition drills in the offseason and put to the test. They are horrible. Can’t sustain blocks in the run game, can’t pass protect even against a smallish defense. Bama’s O-line dominates people. Rarely, if ever, do you see Alabama’s O-line straight up whipped. Why can’t we get the O-line they have?
son's who?
January 1st, 2013
1:57 pm
How many times have we seen Grantham’s D look confused and out of position prior to the snap? Maybe CPJ was right when he said that an overcomplicated defense doesn’t work.
Hairy Dawg
January 1st, 2013
1:57 pm
If we look sloppy on D with all of these guys leaving, then maybe we’ll have a bunch of guys who play smarter and together on D next season? After all, if our defensive players had played their roles better in 2012, we’d have one of the best defenses in the history of our program. The talent is huge, but the commitment to focus on the task at hand has been inconsistent. Some of that comes from the top, but a lot of that comes from the players we target in recruiting. I’m interested to see the type of mental makeup of the players we bring in with Rodney Garner out of the program. I know that aspect can improve.
Bigdawg63
January 1st, 2013
1:57 pm
Wiffle ball practice and ragamuffin day is really showing up on the field right now! This is what I dislike about cmr when it comes to preparing for a big game!
Scrappy
January 1st, 2013
1:58 pm
Just a terrible throw.
gethimoffmyteam
January 1st, 2013
1:58 pm
Nebraska didn’t blow that coverage, Tavares King just made a great play! This fucin clown murray is emabrassing. Can’t wait to see Hutson Mason!!!
Wes Durham
January 1st, 2013
1:58 pm
Bobo’s play calling ain’t impressing no school looking for a head coach
Dawgs1965
January 1st, 2013
1:58 pm
Wisconsin hung 70 on these guys.
Jason
January 1st, 2013
1:58 pm
Nebraska is just playing much faster than UGA is.
Dawg Patrol
January 1st, 2013
1:58 pm
MURRAY ! Players catch the ball with their hands not their feet.
kingdaddy
January 1st, 2013
1:59 pm
Yeah…
Larry
January 1st, 2013
1:59 pm
Jeff Schultz,
In your view is Todd Gratham getting more, less or about what one should expect of this defense given the talent and seniors among the starters?
Other than the Florida game with we nearly blew save for the Jarvis forced fumble at the goal line I’d have to say TG has under achieved this season…what say you?
50 ways to leave your lover
January 1st, 2013
1:59 pm
Snoop Dawg sees very little preparation for this game.
GT Fan
January 1st, 2013
1:59 pm
SC over Michigan 21-10 in 2nd Q…….
Wes Durham
January 1st, 2013
2:00 pm
Time to ban getoffmyteam
Sid
January 1st, 2013
2:00 pm
well back to being UGA….that almost-moment-of-greatness now a distant memory. Aaron Murray….
45 ACP
January 1st, 2013
2:00 pm
5150- CMR says it’s playing with passion.
Flat Tire doesnt live in Delusionalville Ga.
January 1st, 2013
2:00 pm
When have we ever been or looked prepared in a big game
2005 SEC championship game was the last and only time I can remember
DawgFan
January 1st, 2013
2:00 pm
Tackle by Ray Drew
son's who?
January 1st, 2013
2:00 pm
Ahhhhh, the heady scent of Trolls is overpowering.
gethimoffmyteam
January 1st, 2013
2:00 pm
Who the hell are we recruiting on the offensive line?? These kids are soft, unathletic, and terrible..especially #61…Lmfao..he wouldn’t even be on Alabama scout team! Lol. Pathetic.
Ward
January 1st, 2013
2:00 pm
Why even have bowl games if this is how hard teams are going to play… if you aren’t playing for a National Championship teams just play sloppy and not inspired… Also, PLEASE GO PRO MURRAY. I rather take a step back than have to put-up with his stupidity.
5150 UOAD
January 1st, 2013
2:00 pm
KingDaddy…..you at home for this game? Are you and Mustang Sally heading out tonight?
Jeff Schultz
January 1st, 2013
2:01 pm
Larry — Some games this year UGA defense underperformed but overall think he’s a good coach.
Flat Tire doesnt live in Delusionalville Ga.
January 1st, 2013
2:01 pm
Grantham is laughing all the way to the bank
blamegame
January 1st, 2013
2:01 pm
I see where Manchester united won 4-0 THANKS ESPN