Live from the Outback: UGA should win this bloomin’ bowl
The press box food preparation table, shown after hungry scribes descended. (Photo by M. Bradley)
Tampa – The nice thing about covering the Outback Bowl is the sponsor. It’s the only bowl that serves steak and a bloomin’ onion as a pregame meal. I mention this so you’ll know not to expect much in the way of back-and-forth from this correspondent over the next half-hour.
As for the game … well, here’s what you need to know about Michigan State. The Spartans are 7-14 in bowls. They haven’t won won since Dec. 31, 2001. They’re 0-4 under Mark Dantonio. Even Nick Saban was 0-3 in bowls as MSU’s coach.
The Spartans are 0-3 in bowls against teams from Georgia. (Lost to the Bulldogs in Vince Dooley’s final game and in the Capital One in 2008, lost to Georgia Tech in the old Hall of Fame Bowl in Birmingham in 1985. Georgia fans will remember that as the game in which John Dewberry, who transferred from UGA and became Tech’s quarterback, did not partake — he’d been suspended for missing curfew in Birmingham, which isn’t easy to do.)
It’s possible Michigan State could win today, but recent history shows it’s not smart to bet against the SEC in a bowl against the Big Ten. (Example: The Spartans lost to Alabama 49-7 in the Capital One last January. Though Michigan State did beat Florida in the Citrus on the first day of this century.)
Enough. Georgia should win. I make it 27-17, but I’m often wrong. Sometimes even bloomin’ wrong, which reminds me …
Discuss among yourselves. I’ll be back in a few. And happy bloomin’ New Year.
By Mark Bradley
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
3,667 comments Add your comment
i'm from Columbus, GA
January 2nd, 2012
2:40 pm
hey ricker, beer didnt make them stupid. they came like that.
NJ Dawg
January 2nd, 2012
2:40 pm
Lol ricker,
I guess you have a point if you consider coming on to a team that you hate’s blog and talking trash about them “contributing”. LOL
Average Joe
January 2nd, 2012
2:41 pm
@ Ricker, we hate GT, and their fans, and if you’re one, then screw you too. GT fans are pathetic and so jealous of UGA that they actually come on our blog and bash us when we’re up 16-0. No matter who we beat, there will always be an excuse.
The Grinch
January 2nd, 2012
2:41 pm
GTBob
January 2nd, 2012
2:40 pm
We may not agree, but I’d be willing to say our defense has had a hand in MSU not having any intensity. 72 yards at half?
Erk Russell's Dog
January 2nd, 2012
2:41 pm
The Tech trolls even make excuses for Michigan State.
AtlNative what would happen if Tech played an elite team?
Hawaii Dawg
January 2nd, 2012
2:42 pm
SEC speed difference in this game
Mark Bradley
January 2nd, 2012
2:42 pm
MSU: Two first downs, 72 yards, six punts.
The Grinch
January 2nd, 2012
2:43 pm
NJ Dawg
January 2nd, 2012
2:40 pm
Average Joe
January 2nd, 2012
2:41 pm
Harumph, harumph!!
Dear Santa
January 2nd, 2012
2:43 pm
Please help us get Mike Davis and Gurley and tell Crowell goodbye!
Mark Bradley
January 2nd, 2012
2:43 pm
I’m not expecting Georgia to lose this one by 32 points. Let me go on record.
ricker
January 2nd, 2012
2:43 pm
Hey NJ Dawg, I WENT to UGA, and I’m a huge fan…I’m just saying, when we happen upon their blogs, and say reasonable things, I don’t think we would otr should expect to get attacked…man, it’s just a friggin’ football game, and it’s a new year–try having some class, just for a day…if that’s possible.
GTBob
January 2nd, 2012
2:44 pm
We may not agree, but I’d be willing to say our defense has had a hand in MSU not having any intensity. 72 yards at half?
Your defense is playing good and their offense is about 3/4 ths asleep. It looks like they are just running the clock out so they can go home.
i'm from Columbus, GA
January 2nd, 2012
2:44 pm
IC aint goin nowhere. he gonna leave uga with all they records.
GTBob
January 2nd, 2012
2:45 pm
MSU: Two first downs, 72 yards, six punts.
Their punter appears to be the only one who came to play.
Average Joe
January 2nd, 2012
2:45 pm
GTBob, once again you suck. As does your team. You honestly think MSU wouldn’t like to win this game? Are you serious? They didn’t come here to lose. Ask GT about how it feels to go up against UGA. They should know.
phil
January 2nd, 2012
2:45 pm
Happy new year, JB!
Will we come out flat and let MSU come back?
I want a 30-0 shutout or else fie CMR!!!
dawg555
January 2nd, 2012
2:46 pm
I see GTBob has trolled his way on here. What else is there for a Tech loser to do, I suppose….
BingoBanjo
January 2nd, 2012
2:46 pm
Murray turnover watch:
Only 1 in first half
phil
January 2nd, 2012
2:46 pm
i’m from Columbus, GA
January 2nd, 2012
2:44 pm
IC aint goin nowhere. he gonna leave uga with all they records.
******
Are you a proud grad of our public school system?
i'm from Columbus, GA
January 2nd, 2012
2:46 pm
why yall think its ok to just attack people. just like a bunch of rednecks.
Send'em Uhauls
January 2nd, 2012
2:46 pm
Whatch Bobo and Richt blow this game by not making halftime adjustments. OUR RUN GAME STINKS!
san diego steve
January 2nd, 2012
2:46 pm
who are the top candidates to replace Mularkey if he gets the Jacksonville job?
Erk Russell's Dog
January 2nd, 2012
2:47 pm
Bzzzzzz
your life and career appears to be trolling the UGA blog.
phil
January 2nd, 2012
2:47 pm
Red and proud!
NJ Dawg
January 2nd, 2012
2:47 pm
My bad ricker.
I promise I’m not a classless redneck just because I went to UGA. I usually remain relatively dormant, respectful and peaceful until I see the Techies on here bashing the team I love the most. There’s a few on here regularly that can’t get any satisfaction from their team’s performance so their only way to get satisfaction is coming here and talking trash to UGA fans. It’s really quite pathetic and I just can’t resist snapping back sometimes.
i'm from Columbus, GA
January 2nd, 2012
2:47 pm
what you mean by that phil?
BingoBanjo
January 2nd, 2012
2:47 pm
Only way we lose is if Murray turns ball over, like he did in 2nd half against LSU…..
JB
January 2nd, 2012
2:47 pm
phil?…………………As usual, athletes just better in the SEC. MSU feeling it.
The Grinch
January 2nd, 2012
2:47 pm
Dear Santa
January 2nd, 2012
2:43 pm
Since it’s halftime I may as well mention something I’ve heard about Davis. Could be some attitude issues. Was told we need only one “IC” type RB on the team. Who knows?
oompa loompa Dawg
January 2nd, 2012
2:48 pm
Our midget QB needs better protection… too many sacks so far.
phil
January 2nd, 2012
2:48 pm
Anyone is better than mularkey….
Hire lee corso.
ricker
January 2nd, 2012
2:48 pm
Man, I give up…Average Joe, I know you’re a Georgia fan, but you are one childish, ignorant fool…I’d rather talk to the guys from Tech any day than a dumba$$ like you.
JB
January 2nd, 2012
2:48 pm
BOBO….. HEAR ME….WE CAN NOT RUN INSIDE ON THESE GUYS. GIVE IT UP.
dawg555
January 2nd, 2012
2:48 pm
I just don’t want to see Bobo sit on a lead. Again. Hopefully, Grantham will make sure the D keeps it’s intensity
i'm from Columbus, GA
January 2nd, 2012
2:48 pm
if hes like IC we gotta get him.
kerryb
January 2nd, 2012
2:48 pm
A lot of Tech trollers on here. They never seem to have anything to do or watch during New Years day bowl games.
ARdawg
January 2nd, 2012
2:48 pm
GTBoob
Thats a good one. MSU is just running out the clock so they can go home. Afterall they have 10 wins this year and don’t want anymore right?
Rather than give kudos where due you’ll state something so asinine only a bitter Tech fan could dream up huh?
GTBob
January 2nd, 2012
2:49 pm
They didn’t come here to lose
I’m pretty sure that they didn’t want to come to this game at all. Their coach doesn’t seem to care, the players don’t seem to care. If they could have declined the bowl they probably would have.
BingoBanjo
January 2nd, 2012
2:50 pm
A lot of disgruntled UGA fans here today….
BingoBanjo
January 2nd, 2012
2:51 pm
Throw it long on 1st down.
only play that worked.
The Grinch
January 2nd, 2012
2:51 pm
ARdawg
January 2nd, 2012
2:48 pm
“…bitter Tech fan… ‘
Any other kind?
phil
January 2nd, 2012
2:51 pm
GTBob
January 2nd, 2012
2:49 pm
They didn’t come here to lose
I’m pretty sure that they didn’t want to come to this game at all. Their coach doesn’t seem to care, the players don’t seem to care. If they could have declined the bowl they probably would have.
*******
Same as Utah the other day….yet they still won.
You Tech guys have the analytical ability of an old shoe.
BingoBanjo
January 2nd, 2012
2:53 pm
What’s our offensive gameplan, bubble sreens, run up middle, throw long with max protect 1x quarter???
ARdawg
January 2nd, 2012
2:53 pm
The Grinch
Actually, yes there is I must begrudingly admit. Just not many of them show up on the UGA blog.
GTBob however, certainly isn’t one of those
Average Joe
January 2nd, 2012
2:54 pm
IGNORE Tech fans. They are going to make up every excuse possible to downplay what UGA has done. That’s signs of jealousy. Go look it up. Before the game it was “Georgia will lose today because they can’t beat a good team.” Now it’s “MSU doesn’t want to be here, and it shows.” Damned if we do, damned if we don’t. Oh well. Screw em.
Erk Russell's Dog
January 2nd, 2012
2:54 pm
GT Bob
MSU’s dissatisfaction with their Bowl selection is why they haven’t won a bowl game in 10 years. Good thing or Tech might catch their streak for bowl losses.
GTfan
January 2nd, 2012
2:54 pm
Average Joe–hope you just a fan and not a student as I wouldn’t wish my daughter to meet you on campus with all your hate.. Have fun on your blog..(thought it was Mark’s). I’m gone but you need to get medical help–you’re sick!
To all you good UGA fans–Hope you win. Richt is a great Coach and Man.
GTBob
January 2nd, 2012
2:54 pm
Afterall they have 10 wins this year and don’t want anymore right?
Winning this game wouldn’t do anything for them and is basically a consolation prize after the season they had. Why would they care about win number 11?
The Grinch
January 2nd, 2012
2:55 pm
Just think, UGA fans, it could be worse. We could be experiencing what UT fans are dealing with in Knoxville.
“Tennessee is losing two key members of its defensive coaching staff, as coordinator Justin Wilcox and linebackers coach Peter Sirmon have agreed to join Steve Sarkisian’s staff at Washington, sources told ESPN.com on Monday.”
Players decommitting, coaches leaving, Derek Dooley in charge…..just sayin’.
BingoBanjo
January 2nd, 2012
2:55 pm
we played good for 2 minutes there, and up 16-0, can’t complain…