Georgia fared pretty well in illogical world of bowl pairings
“The first man gets the oyster, the second man gets the shell.” — Andrew Carnegie
“Nobody remembers who came in second.” — Charles Schulz
The SEC no longer allows the loser of its championship game to plummet to a third-tier bowl and Mark Richt’s Dawgs weren’t exactly forgotten as the team that finished No. 2 in the conference this season.
But it’s one of those typical quirks of the crazy world of college football that the SEC runner-up Dawgs and the No. 6 team in the BCS, Arkansas, both were passed over by the Capitol One Bowl in favor of South Carolina, which finished behind Georgia in the SEC East. Of course, the Gamecocks are ranked higher in the polls than Georgia and their fans are known for buying up all the bowl tickets they can get their hands on.
Another oddity: While getting pasted in the second half of the SEC championship apparently knocked Georgia down a notch in the bowl pairings, the ACC runner-up, Virginia Tech, managed to crack the BCS (also on the basis of its well-traveling fan base) despite suffering a similar loss in its championship game.
And, of course, Alabama, which didn’t even make its conference championship game, gets to play for the BCS national title. Basically, the only way making the SEC championship game helps you is if you win it.
One other bowl note: Georgia ended up with a much more prestigious postseason game than Boise State, the team that got the Dawgs’ season off to such a poor start. The Broncos, who only had one regular season loss, will be in the pre-Christmas Las Vegas Bowl.
I actually was hoping Georgia would end up returning to Dallas, where it’s still 10 to 9, but after getting blown out in the second half Saturday Tampa seemed the inevitable destination. The Cotton always prefers an SEC West team for ticket sales and probably would have gone with Georgia only if the SEC game with LSU had been a nail-biter. Which is fine; the Cotton and Outback are on equal footing and both are traditional New Year’s Day bowls (post-New Year’s this year). Plus, with Arkansas and Kansas State, the Cotton gets to match two Top 10 teams, which makes sense.
Also, in Michigan State, Georgia gets a higher ranked opponent than South Carolina, who will play Nebraska, which ranks a couple of spots behind Georgia in the coaches’ poll. And it seems fitting to match the runners-up in the SEC and Big 10 in a bowl game.
While the Spartans are higher ranked in the human polls, Georgia finished just ahead of Michigan State in the final BCS rankings at No. 16. It’s interesting that the human polls, where emotion and perception rule, all had the Dawgs falling to No. 18 (where even their own coach ranked them in the coaches’ poll) while they finished higher in the BCS thanks to the computer rankings, whose detached crunching of the numbers placed Georgia at No. 12.
Georgia and Michigan State look to be a pretty good match, with both having highly ranked defenses and occasionally prolific offenses.
The weekend might not have ended with sugar falling out of the sky like we dreamed, but this year’s bowl picture is certainly a lot brighter for Georgia than the past couple. I’m pleased. How about you?
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740 comments Add your comment
Evelyn
December 6th, 2011
12:59 am
Has anybody told you, Damn,You sure are ugly.!!!
BIRDAWG44
December 6th, 2011
1:31 am
Enter your comments here
aladawg
December 6th, 2011
2:12 am
Honkey Talking, saw your wife with a bro and she looked very happy.
A person SMART enough to know......
December 6th, 2011
2:21 am
aladawg I saw your wife with a sista and she was damn happy.
aladawg
December 6th, 2011
2:28 am
Yes, Pinebum does have a national following but the people who follow him and call into his radio show are idiots, morons, nit wit inbred scum bags. I listen to his show for laughs man are those people stupid especially the ones from Alabama. And that bald headed jerk Pinebum acts like he is a big movie star because all his nit wit subjects make him feel like that. But still he and his callers are good for laughs.
Lester Miles
December 6th, 2011
2:43 am
The game is on Monday afternoon with most people working. Only UGA and MSU fans will be watching. Not a national stage and recruits will not be watching. UGA has itself to blame for the seven dropped passes and three turnovers (plus the dumb decision to punt to the honey whatchamacallit—would have been better to punt out of bounds) With a 24 point lead LSU would have been forced to throw the ball and they are not capable of overcoming a big lead with just throwing the ball. Punt return 7 pts, interception return 7 pts. fumble inside own 20 yd line 7 pts, punt return inside 20 yd line 7 pts equal 28 points that LSU offense hardly had to earn. 42 – 28 equal 14 points for lsu offense on drives. Not very impressive for a nr 1 ranked team.. Give UGA the two dropped TD passes and lsu would have been defeated. Although ala doesn’t deserve to play in a NC game since they didn’t win their conference I expect them to beat lsu in the rematch. Ala was duped in the last game with that phony interception by lsu. The ala player had the ball in both hands when his back hit the ground and then lsu player grabbed the ball from ala player after the reception and therefore it could not have been an interception. I do not like either team but the SEC refs have been on the crooked side since and maybe before the Fla-Ark game when Ark was robbed and even the bad call against AJ that resulted in a lsu win ove UGA. Just remember that LSU did not have a first down in the first half and only had yds offense in SEC game. Without the above mentioned goofs by UGA then LSU would not have been called one of the all time great teams. They are good but my team is overrated.
Lester Miles
December 6th, 2011
2:45 am
only had 12 yards
Jalen
December 6th, 2011
3:35 am
No Im not happy. I looked at the bowl matchups and couldn’t believe Georgia got a crappy game AGAIN. I thought we would get the spot that South Carolina got. TERRIBLE bowl destination for Georgia.
Also will they PLEASE bring back power running game to Georgia! Im tired of seeing these small, poor man’s, wannabe Warrick Dunn types. Georgia just isnt Georgia without solid run game.
Richard
December 6th, 2011
5:43 am
Bill,
Those of us who travel to bowl games are sick of the same destinations and the same teams over and over again. Purdue twice, Wisconsin twice, Michigan State twice, Virginia 3 times! Awful…
barneyfife
December 6th, 2011
6:20 am
Even if Crowell did indeed “flunk out”, (where his grades are so bad he can’t pass even with making 100 on his finals), it’s my understanding that he would be placed on academic probation for the Spring semester before being launced out of UGA. Maybe somebody with intimate knowledge can elaborate.
That said, I think it’s abundantly clear that Crowell is another Caleb King and a cancer to this team. No heart, “Doesn’t like getting hit”, (unless it’s hits off a bong),and UGA should look to Arshall and other running back prospects. Crowell is another dud. And they voted him SEC Freshman of the Year? What were they thinking? What a joke.
Old Dog
December 6th, 2011
6:26 am
“And Finebaum said something about Richt will get another contract extension and that UGA was basically going to regret it”
That is what I believe will happen. We will regret it.
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December 6th, 2011
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SuperB
December 6th, 2011
7:45 am
All the GT idiots on this blog probably have figured out how Gt is the #2 team in the ACC! By the way, don’t you have your own blog??? Just asking. Gt has the worst case of P—- Envy I have ever seen. You get your tails kicked every year by UGA, then go on-line to denegrate them. P—- Envy?
Preston
December 6th, 2011
8:29 am
I wonder why UGA is dragging it’s feet on giving CMR his extension. We all know by now that it’s immanent and it’s affecting recruiting big time. They better get it done quick if they want to land more blue chippers.
Preston
December 6th, 2011
8:33 am
Crowell is a very good running back with all the potential in the world. He just needed to get through the shock of moving to this level. Plus, he’s been banged up. Hopefully the rumors of academic trouble are just that….rumors, and he’ll be ready to compete with Marshall next spring. You don’t get SEC freshman of the year easy guys.
J.T. Keene
December 6th, 2011
8:36 am
The problem with that recruiting gimmick of Cro Wellll being lined up in the empty tailback slot ws that coach didn’t tell him come game time there would be 11 guys on the other side of the line waiting to hit him. Does anyone doubt that even if honey badger threw the ball to the ref on the l yard line that LSU would not have still scored?????
AltamahaDawg
December 6th, 2011
8:39 am
Most businesses will be closed Jan 2. Be plenty of national viewership, including recruits, same as the other bowls that day. Although if you are a bank teller that loves a big parade, it stinks.
Corn Dawg
December 6th, 2011
8:40 am
The Events Leading Up To The 2007 BCSCG:
Top 10 – Week 11
1. OSU 10-0
2. LSU 8-1
3. Oregon 8-1
4. Oklahoma 8-1
5. Kansas 9-0
6. WVU 7-1
7. Mizzou 8-1
8. BC 8-1
9. AZ State 8-1
10. Georgia 7-2
Top 10 – Week 12
1. LSU 9-1
2. Oregon 8-1
3. Oklahoma 9-1
4. Kansas 10-0
5. WVU 8-1
6. Mizzou 9-1
7. OSU 10-1
8. Georgia 8-2
9. AZ State 9-1
10. VA Tech 8-2
Top 10 – Week 13
1. LSU 10-1
2. Kansas 11-0
3. Mizzou 10-1
4. WVU 9-1
5. OSU 11-1
6. Georgia 9-2
7. AZ State 9-1
8. VA Tech 9-2
9. Oregon 8-2
10. Oklahoma 9-2
Top 10 – Week 14
1. Mizzou 11-1
2. WVU 10-1
3. OSU 11-1
4. Georgia 10-2
5. LSU 10-2
6. VA Tech 10-2
7. Kansas 11-1
8. USC 9-2
9. Oklahoma 10-2
10. Florida 9-3
Top 10 – Week 15
1. OSU 11-1
2. LSU 11-2
3. Oklahoma 11-2
4. Georgia 10-2
5. VA Tech 11-2
6. USC 10-2
7. Mizzou 11-2
8. Kansas 11-1
9. Florida 9-3
10. Hawaii 12-0
Enough of the whining. Get over it already. Georgia eliminated themselves when they lost to a 6-6 South Carolina team, just like Oklahoma State eliminated themselves this year by losing to Iowa State. Losers don’t get themselves voted into the top two poll positions. Doesn’t matter what ESPN thinks.
Rope-a-dope in the Dome
December 6th, 2011
8:47 am
At this point I say Crowell is a bust. No doubt he has the physical tools but he lacks the one thing that an SEC RB needs – HEART or COURAGE if you will. Little Brandon Harton, a former walk on, displays more heart and determination than the so-called #1 RB in the nation last year. As Esmeralda told Quasimodo “If only Pheobus had your heart.” Regardless, UGA MUST get Marshall and Gurley or risk a bad year next year. Malcome impressed me the second half of the LSU game. He ran hard and refused to go down. Maybe the lightbulb finally came on. As we saw in the LSU game our offense does not function well against a top tier team if we cannot run the ball adequately. Give credit to LSU — they used the “rope-a-dope” strategy like Ali did to Foreman. They took our best shots, wore us down and pulverized us in the second half. Georgia must get either Marshal or Gurley or better yet both because Crowell and Samuel are not durable.
Garfield
December 6th, 2011
8:47 am
it’s not really a thing that matters, like WHO Georgia plays in a Bowl game.
Remember guys, Aaron Murray is 0-7 vs. teams who finished in the top 25.
Think of him as the ANTI-TEBOW.
evil empire
December 6th, 2011
9:07 am
McGarrity will wait till after the bowl game before any extension is discussed…gonna see another performance like the LSU debacle against Mich St…10 in a row was smoke and mirrors people…if CMR was a championship capable coach he would have won one by now…but, I hate UGA, so I hope he signs a lifetime deal…
crossdawg
December 6th, 2011
9:11 am
There’s a sign on a street corner in Columbus “Reserved For Isiah Crowell”.
seabass
December 6th, 2011
10:41 am
Please someone explain to me how Michigan ends up in a BCS bowl and Boise St. does not. I would have thought Michigan St. would have gotten a better bowl than Michigan. Being conference runner up and all. And how did UCLA even make a bowl with 6-7 record.
Preston
December 6th, 2011
10:47 am
I hope the true freshman makes all of you eat your words! I expect him to have a great year next season. He will know what to expect and be better prepared, physically and mentally! You guys need to stop expecting another Herschel Walker. There will never be another one like him so stop putting so much pressure on today’s athletes.
Preston
December 6th, 2011
10:48 am
seabass, it only takes 6 wins to be bowl eligible. The only reason they had a losing record is because they played for a conference championship and lost. That’s how.
Easy Money
December 6th, 2011
11:03 am
GA will beat mich state easily—lay the points and bet the house. The SEC rules!!!! Ga wins big!!!
AltamahaAlibi
December 6th, 2011
11:22 am
@seabass
Losing the conference championship playoff game doesn’t make the loser the second best team in the conference. UCLA had to get special permission to play in a bowl with a losing record. It would have probably not been granted had USC been bowl eligible this year.
Old Dog
December 6th, 2011
12:29 pm
“I wonder why UGA is dragging it’s feet on giving CMR his extension. We all know by now that it’s immanent and it’s affecting recruiting big time”
Maybe what is affecting recruiting is knowing if they play for Richt, they probably won’t be winning the SEC or a NC. That is where your lights really shine. Maybe the best players want to go to WINNING teams. How does LSU and Alabama get the “depth” that they get to be champions? Is it the extension thing? If UGA were winning, CMR wouldn’t hae to even worry about an extension, it would just be there. Georgia would be falling over themselves to give the extension to keep at bay all the other colleges vying for our coach. Seen any?
SoakingDry
December 6th, 2011
1:24 pm
Pretty obvious Richt’s agent is reaching out to Penn State and Texas A & M. Looks like Richt’s heading somewhere else. Anyone heard this?
Bobby Sinnott
December 6th, 2011
2:12 pm
The comments on this blog show the most insane level of lack of football knowledge anywhere.
That said, Boise got burned in the bowls because their fan base has no travel / ticket purchasing power. VT got a big bowl because their fan base is fanatical and travels.
And all this stuff about recruiting: You’re lucky if 30% of a recruiting class works out. those star ratings only measure POTENTIAL… there are no guarantees. Crowell, for example, clearly has five star talent… but one star toughness and a half-star brain. It’s almost impossible to divine this stuff in advance.
Finally, how anyone on this blog could possibly know what Richt’s agent is or isn’t doing is beyond me.
4.29 GPA
December 6th, 2011
2:56 pm
Walked on stage, said he prayed about it. Georgia. Walked off stage.
Uga
December 6th, 2011
3:37 pm
Honky Talkin:
Ok we all know your a Yellow Jacket but did you know that your Mama’s a Dog?
Old Dog
December 6th, 2011
5:40 pm
“Pretty obvious Richt’s agent is reaching out to Penn State and Texas A & M. Looks like Richt’s heading somewhere else. Anyone heard this?”
Can we hope? Don’t tease me.
NiceUni
December 6th, 2011
7:12 pm
I’ve never read a bigger collection of idiot posts and rants than on this blog…how do some of you have/keep jobs that allow you to afford the Internet and computers.
Roll Tide
December 6th, 2011
8:52 pm
Hey Georgia homer – Bama beat Michigan State last yr 49-07 in Capitol One Bowl. Lets see Jawga top that. You will be fortunate to win.
Columbus
December 7th, 2011
5:29 am
Crowell played hurt and instead of applauding him like most players, you people hate him and boo him? His ankle was hurt before the game and he gave so much he was in pain and you heartless fans boo him?! He tried so hard to cut and make yards he went too far and you BOO HIM?! HE HAS PLAYED HURT ALL YEAR! He was thrilled to come and help OUR BELOVED BULLDOGS AND YOU BOO HIM ON NATIONAL TV AND YOU TURN ON HIM AND SAY TERRIBLE HEARTLESS COLD THINGS ON HERE?!!!!!!!!
Some of you Bulldog fans are the worst fans in ALL OF SPORTS. CLASSLESS AND INHUMAN AND YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED. THE REST OF US ARE ASHAMED OF YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE IN THE SAME SPECIES AS WE ARE. HOW WE HAVE FAILED
GROW UP YOU LITTLE SELFISH IGNORANT HEARTLESS DONT HAVE A CLUE CHILDREN!
YOU SHOULD BE THANKING AND SUPPORTING CROWELL! YOU DONT KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TAKING ABOUT OR DOING TO THIS YOUNG MAN! YOU LIFT HIM UP? NO YOU GANG UP AND KICK HIM OVER AND OVER AND OVER!!!! MAY YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW!!!
If I was a player today I would NEVER go to UGA to get judged and criticized and BOOED by a bunch of selfish ungrateful ignorant rednecks when I was doing my best and you stab me in the heart?!! You guys SUCK!
Corn Dawg
December 7th, 2011
6:56 am
@Columbus
Nice to see that you can put down the Kool-Aid pitcher occasionally and express your true opinion.
bubba4dawgs
December 7th, 2011
8:57 am
No doubt, there is some major overhauling needed on Crowell if he is to don the red and black come Spring! If left entirely up to Crowell, I rather doubt that will happen! I shutter to think what he is going to do once he starts strutting his stuff around Columbus flipping his locks and sucking on weeds with that “look at me” strut! He needs daily “book cramming” and head shrinking along with Coach “T’s” best workouts!! With what he brings to the table, I’m not expecting any sunshine news from his corner! Prove us wrong, Crowell!! Show us what you can do!! CMR, PULEEZZZE take that #1 and put it in a locker somewhere! It’s simply an “EGO FEEDER” and he sure does not need that!! Welcome Marshall!!!! GO DAWGS!!!!
7576DAWG
December 7th, 2011
9:19 am
Columbus
It does amaze me that anyone can criticize Crowell. He won Freshman of the year for the SEC and had 800 yards plus which for a Freshman is very good.
Keep in mind that a lot of the negative stuff said about Crowell on this blog are Tech fan’s that are posing as Georgia fan’s trying to stir things up and a lot of the stuff said are from 12 to 15 years old children that are 10 more immature than Crowell ever thought to be. They are on an adult web site and if you could see everybody that are making a comment you would dismiss most of the negative stuff because you would understand just who is making the comment’s. That’s why I hope players don’t monitor web sites like this. Because they cannot filter the non Georgia supporter’s.
But, also you have got to realize some of the negative stuff was justified. The turning his back on Richt is perceived as disrespect when a kid does it to an adult that is responsible for him. He is only a Freshman and get’s busted for pot smoking in his dorm room. Most fan’s of the 70’s know that pot mellows you out and relaxes you, the direct opposite of what you want from your starting Tailback . They question whether he is 100% dedicated to his team. You have an 18 year old who has the maturity of an 18 year old . This is why most coaches red shirt their Freshmen because just being in college your Freshmen year is bad enough but to have the responsibility of a starting Tailback in the SEC is just too much pressure. I’m sure CMR didn’t want to put that much pressure of Crowell but the team needed him and that’s why a lot of the mess was over looked. That is also why Ealey is no longer at Georgia. CMR will look the other way just so much. A lot more leadership and maturity will be demanded from Crowell next year.
Overall I think Mr. Crowell did a great job and I think CMR handled it about as good as one could expect.
JayJay the Japanese Jet Pilot
December 9th, 2011
4:35 pm
Isabelle Crowell simply has no heart, and isn’t durable. All the scouts said before we signed him that he wasn’t the kind of back that could “Carry the Game”. Can’t come close to being a Garrison Hearst, not a Knowshon Moreno, and not even thinking about being in a class with Terrell Davis. Ken Malcome and Bruce Figgins got the fans up our of our seats more often than Isabelle.