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
I'm just say'in
December 5th, 2011
1:54 pm
Since you seem to think UGA and MSU will be a good match up, I guess MSU must make a lot of careless mistakes during their games like dropping passes for touchdowns, making stupid penalties, missing numerous tackles especially on returns and kicking to guys after they’ve just returned a punt for a touchdown the week before that changed the game…
iitssimple
December 5th, 2011
1:54 pm
UGA getting steamrolled by LSU has nothing to do with the play of Murray or Crowell.
UGA won the games they were suppose too and lost the ones they were expected too.
Life’s easier when you accept reality.
PressCoverGuy
December 5th, 2011
1:55 pm
It’s really sad, the defense is top 5 in the country, and then you have
Mr Superman, Aaron Murray, who panics again under pressure, and turns the ball over 3 times.
Something HAS to change.
If Richt won’t bench Murray, Richt needs to be FIRED!!
Alt energy
December 5th, 2011
1:56 pm
They have a 10-3 record Honky Talkin and just played for SEC champ.. That’s how. You that stupid? I guess you are.
Mark (another one)
December 5th, 2011
1:56 pm
What’s a catchable pass? Murray hit people between the numbers and they dropped the ball. That’s like the old “Stafford throws too hard” complaint. At this level, when a receiver gets two hands on the ball he should catch it.
The Dawgs real issue is lack of quality depth. Its the lines, the running backs and the defensive backfield. Want to pass on Georgia, go at our corners for two or three plays and get them winded. There’s no one behind them.
The Dawgs had a good year but they need to keep improving if they want to compete with the best. That’s improving as individual players and creating depth on the team. LSU plays four tailbacks on a regular basis. Their depth is one reason they are number 1 in the country.
Honky Talkin
December 5th, 2011
1:56 pm
@Come on Man: Pretty sad when the QB has 30 yards passing and rolls off 35 unanswered points. Where was UGA’s 5th ranked defense?
DawgInaTruck
December 5th, 2011
1:56 pm
PressCoverGuy, do you know what a pen is?
PressCoverGuy
December 5th, 2011
1:57 pm
Murray, just like last year, lost to ALL teams ha faced who ended up in the top 25.
That’s not good.
Only 3 teams ended up there in 2011: LSU, Boise, SC.
0-3, Murray loses all again, what’s new?
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/ncaa/polls/ap/
Outback Bowl Bound
December 5th, 2011
1:58 pm
Going to be fun in Tampa. Beats the heck out of El Paso..
PressCoverGuy
December 5th, 2011
1:58 pm
Best way for this team to start winning again in big games, against teams who end up in yop 25, is to fire Richt. Why? Because Richt won’t bench Murray. So get rid of him.
PressCoverGuy
December 5th, 2011
2:00 pm
I hope McGarity gets rid of Richt, who won’t get rid of Murray.
PressCoverGuy
December 5th, 2011
2:01 pm
Hopefully, President Adams will see that Richt can’t pick the right guy at QB, so Richt has to go. Get a new coach in here, who brings in a winning QB who can win a big game.
...Mark Richt...
December 5th, 2011
2:01 pm
I’ve read these comments and it seems like everyone here knows more about football than I do. So here’s what I’ve done for the Outback Bowl:
1. Not only did I bench Aaron Murray, but I had a couple of the defense “thugs” breaks his legs so he couldn’t even think about playing.
2. Installed Paul Johnson’s option offense. Tech scares me, even though I’ve only lost one game to them.
3. Submitted a petition to the NCAA so that next season our schedule is never set and all we do is play the top 6 teams in the AP poll, always on the road. No BS about an easy schedule next year.
4. I’ve not only fired myself, but I’ve also decided to move to Greenland and open up a rehab clinic for off-the-ice Inuits.
5. Turned over all playing calling duties to UGA I. Yeah, the dog’s been dead for years, but he can still call a better game than me.
Hope that makes you happy.
[/sarcasm]
Vince Dooley
December 5th, 2011
2:02 pm
I guess I should accept Coach Richt and his mediocrity. All these good recruits wasted year after year. I kind of wish Jim Donnan was available but the FBI’s investigating him for a Ponzi scheme. Maybe Lane Kiffin’s available.
DawgInaTruck
December 5th, 2011
2:03 pm
@Outback Bowl Bound – Going to be fun in Tampa
Yes it will. I admit I wanted the Cotton Bowl but I have friends and family in the Tampa area so my family and I get the benefit of free lodging. We will spend six days, celebrate the New Year, and attend the game. A bit of a tan in January is never a bad thing.
McDragon
December 5th, 2011
2:03 pm
Crowell should be escorted with his bags to the county line. He has the genetic make-up of Terrell Owens & Randy Moss, while having the ability of a D-III back.
Outback Bowl Bound
December 5th, 2011
2:05 pm
I’m going too…….Free Lodging???????? Geeez……I don’t mind staying with your family. Take me w/ you. LOL!
Mrs. Mathieu
December 5th, 2011
2:05 pm
Mark Richt, can you please explain the thought process of kicking to my little Honey Badger not once , not twice but three times?
Outback Bowl Bound
December 5th, 2011
2:06 pm
Like LSU fans really enjoy wearing the color purple. Please…………………..
Vince Dooley
December 5th, 2011
2:07 pm
@Alt energy: That’s my point. UGA is 10-3 but 0-3 against current ranked teams. Yes, you went to the SEC title game, but 5-loss Auburn is the only SEC team you beat with a winning record. I’ll ask my question again: How is UGA in the top 25?
iitssimple
December 5th, 2011
2:07 pm
Looking at LSU roster, seems like the majority of their players are from LA and TX with a few sprinkles from FL and even GA. So does TX and LA have bigger, faster high school players than GA? LSU basically has two starting D-1 teams. I thought GA was suppose to have some of the top high school talent in the country.
just a fan
December 5th, 2011
2:09 pm
@ClassicCity
I totally agree we need to keep IC he had a ton of pressure on his shoulders this year did he always handle it well? No but he also is 18 does he need to tough out some of these injuries? Yes can he but a good/great back for UGA? Yes if he gets his head right, the upperclassmen need to get in his ear this off season and throughout spring and summer practice. Also competition makes someone better instantly i.e. Keith Marshall and Todd Gurley
Joey
December 5th, 2011
2:09 pm
Murray is not choker, dimwit. He tries to make plays when he should just take a loss, occasionally.
I wonder why Richt didn’t have Butler kick the ball out of bounds, or do the “running punt” that teams used against Boykin this year.
No way would I have ever kicked to Mathieu.
Alt energy
December 5th, 2011
2:09 pm
Vince,
10-3. It’s the overall record baby!!
...Mark Richt...
December 5th, 2011
2:10 pm
Mrs. Mathieu -
I wish I could explain that thought process, but as everyone on this blog knows, I don’t actually think anything through. I’ve been brain dead since I left Florida State.
[/sarcasm]
WDE
December 5th, 2011
2:10 pm
@UGA=Pretenders which of the 10 teams we beat this year is your team…loser.
P. Bull Terrier
December 5th, 2011
2:12 pm
Judging from the bowl match-ups and the bowl names it looks like UGA did pretty well.
Arkansas vs. Kansas St. (Cotton Bowl)- Both teams spent time highly ranked before slipping a little toward the end. One of the few interesting match-ups that might be worth watching. Without looking at the polls, I would guess this was a match-up of teams ranked in the 14 – 20 range. (The Cotton Bowl sounds like a real bowl. The best name of the major bowls featuring SEC teams.)
UGA vs. Michigan St. – SEC runner-up vs. Big Whatever runner-up doesn’t sound too bad. Without looking at the polls, I would guess this was a match-up of teams in the 8 – 14 range. (The Outback doesn’t sound too bad. It would be really cool if it was played in Australia, but Tampa isn’t a bad place to visit.)
S. Carolina vs. Nebraska – Yawn. A has-been vs. a never-was. Withouth looking at the polls, I would guess this was a matchup of teams in the 20 – Ga Tech range. (The Capitol One bowl sounds just a step above the Kraft Fight Hunger bowl.)
If I remember correctly, the SEC teams share bowl revenue evenly so there isn’t any real financial advantage for being in one bowl over the other. South Carolina should have the easiest bowl to win and Arkansas should be able to handle Kansas St. Depending on which UGAteam shows up at the Outback Bowl, they will either blow Mich St off the field or struggle to look like they belong in a bowl game. Your guess is as good as mine.
Boise St. has more reason to complain about the bowl pairings than any other team, including OK St. The Sugar bowl is a joke this year. Neither Michigan nor Va Tech belong in a BCS game. If the Sugar was bound and determined to take Michigan, they should have at least paired them with Boise St.
Evansdawg
December 5th, 2011
2:12 pm
This time last year, I was convinced we would have a hard time winning 7 games this season, and be looking for a new head coach. 10-3 with an Outback Bowl berth? I’m ecstatic!
WDE
December 5th, 2011
2:12 pm
@Vince Dooley how many of the teams we played were in the top 25 when they played us and weren’t after we played them??
DawgInaTruck
December 5th, 2011
2:13 pm
Outback Bound, it just might work. I’m already planning to start at a relative’s place with plans to hop around a little so we don’t get totally in somebody’s way for six days and also so we can visit with as many people as possible while we are in town. I’ll just tell my relatives that are a fellow DGD and you’ll be welcome there. By the time we arrive at the second desitination you’ll know enough (disturbing) family secrets to pass yourself off as family. They’ll never know the difference.
Honky Talkin
December 5th, 2011
2:14 pm
@iitssimple: Georgia gets top recruits, but CMR and his prayers don’t motivate them to produce. It’s always “Next Year” and “the Dream Team”. As Florida and Tennessee rebuild, the Dawgs will keep slipping into mediocrity.
RealDawg
December 5th, 2011
2:14 pm
@ UGA=Pretenders Your kidding, right? LSU took in the QB we kicked off for sexual battery, you had your highest profile players suspended for drugs and bar fights and your commenting on us embarrsing the conference? You are so right, USC that has never even won a division championship is going to dominate us for years to come. Our team is so pitiful you couldn’t even get a friggin first down against us in the first half. We had to have four turnovers and drops two touchdown passes to allow you to succed. Keep telling yourself your offense isn’t crap if it makes you feel better.
? Mysterion ?
December 5th, 2011
2:14 pm
As a GT fan, I can tell you VT doesn’t travel as well as you believe and no where near as well as UGA. VT’s support in Atlanta at GT games is mediocre at best.
Outback Bowl Bound
December 5th, 2011
2:15 pm
@ Dawginatruck.
LOL!!! Now that’s funny!
Evansdawg
December 5th, 2011
2:17 pm
Can all you Tech fans that pose as fans of other schools, please go to your own page and discuss the mighty Sun Bowl. Thanks.
iitssimple
December 5th, 2011
2:19 pm
UGA=Pretenders~ R U a Jimmy the Greek inbred?? just sayin
ideas
December 5th, 2011
2:19 pm
OK AJC reporters, get on this story. The NCAA has been advised to look at the LSU punter, Wing, as to whether he is not eligible because he has played profession sports in Australia and also how his mother and father got to move to the US, the house they live in and who gave the dad a job. Hummmmmm can you spell violations and not eligible for bown or BCS next year????
Scraping Teeth!
December 5th, 2011
2:22 pm
vote LSU; the team that allows its starting to QB to beat up and kick a MARINE in the face U! that is classless
iitssimple
December 5th, 2011
2:24 pm
You have quite a few professional baseball players that legally play NCAA football.
DawginLex
December 5th, 2011
2:28 pm
As florida and Tennessee rebuild?
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!
Stop it! Stop it!
I’m spewing Diet coke out of my nostrils!!!!!!
Tennessee is in shambles. They are not rebuilding. Florida has no QB and no running game.
We are the team on the rise in the East along with SC and Vandy.
The other 3 will be looking up to us for awhile
BigTimeTECHFan
December 5th, 2011
2:29 pm
UGA will be a lot better next year, they were young
Now they saw 1st hand from LSU what it takes to win
Run the ball, pass maybe 13 times a game like LSU did in the SEC title game and you can win the SEC.
Tech has the formula down. Just need the horses like LSU has
rickm
December 5th, 2011
2:31 pm
Looks like the dogs were given doggie downers instead of puppy uppers at halftime.
DawginLex
December 5th, 2011
2:31 pm
pretenders is a Tech fan who is all of a sudden an LSU fan since they beat us
For 10 straight weeks he was a fan of
Ole Miss
Miss St
Tennessee
florida
Vandy
Coastal Carolina
New Mexico St
Auburn
Kentucky
Tech
Finally found one. 1 out of 11 ain’t bad
WestCoastDawg
December 5th, 2011
2:32 pm
Any bowl who selects a team other than UGA based on “traveling well” must not have talked to the business owners in Tempe and Boulder.
Kelly
December 5th, 2011
2:32 pm
GT 3 LSU 33 = 30 point loss.
UGA 10 LSU 42 = 32 point loss.
Maybe Tech’s D would have kept the game closer.
LOL…thanks again for another Tech-spawned laugh. I think the one that matters is the following:
31-17
RxDawg
December 5th, 2011
2:33 pm
Well.. the Spartans have a pretty solid D. And we still don’t have any running backs. I’m afraid were going to lose the bowl game. But who knows, maybe the Dawgs will be pumped to be finally playing in a decent bowl game. Maybe…
BigTimeTECHFan
December 5th, 2011
2:33 pm
That LSU team tech played was not as good as this years team
Kelly
December 5th, 2011
2:35 pm
itssimple – Thed blacks in LA are a more dominant breed of colored folks. The africans that take up residence in Ga are week uncoordinated and uneducated trash. We have the dominant blacks.
Wow!
junkyarddawg
December 5th, 2011
2:36 pm
ENOUGH already. Everyone on here that wants to talk strength of schedule, where opponents were/are ranked, etc obviously are “fans” of some team that will be sitting at home or playing in a lesser bowl. Schedules are set so far in advance noone, I repeat NOONE knows where anyone will be ranked at game time. THEREFORE, it does not matter, not in current BCS calculations. IF it did OK State not AL would be playing LSU for NC. Of course, there will be those who will want an adjustment to the system to eliminate this problem from every occuring again which will of course will create a different problem. Bottom line we started 0-2, went on great 10-0 run, got to play in the SECCG and lost to the best team in the country. We were picked to play in Tampa vs MSU, END OF STORY!
TampaDawg
December 5th, 2011
2:38 pm
PressCoverGuy
December 5th, 2011
1:55 pm
It’s really sad, the defense is top 5 in the country, and then you have
Mr Superman, Aaron Murray, who panics again under pressure, and turns the ball over 3 times.
Something HAS to change.
If Richt won’t bench Murray, Richt needs to be FIRED!!
—————————
Ok, AGAIN, if your team has no running game and the line is not gelling enough to hold their blocks, the QB will never win the games against a great defense like LSU BY THEMSELVES. This is football common sense but obviously not for some. Shore up the line and keep recruiting at RB until we get what we need. Murray will be fine and the haters will still talk. The guy could have thrown for 400 yards with 5 TDs but if they still lost, the haters would still hate.