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
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3,667 comments Add your comment
Mark Bradley
January 2nd, 2012
3:22 pm
Michigan State looks like a real team now.
Average Joe
January 2nd, 2012
3:22 pm
Here we go. 2nd half is not our half. Tighten up.
kerryb
January 2nd, 2012
3:22 pm
Give them hope and see what happens
Deep Breath
January 2nd, 2012
3:22 pm
Take a deep breath Dawg fans…………………….
The Grinch
January 2nd, 2012
3:23 pm
That looked bad. We sent 5 guys rushing and no pass rush.
Snoop Dawg
January 2nd, 2012
3:23 pm
this is the problem with Richt’s little Florida Dandy Murray. He throws a stupid interception, making a mistake again under a little pressure. This then gives the other team the momentum. Now the entire game’s feel has changed. This can all be traced to poor judgement by Murray. We have lost Mettengerger and may soon lose Mason because Preacha Man and Booboo always play their favorites. Mettenberger will avenge his transfer with a vengeance next year al LSU.
Yeah, let’s all give Richt a contract extension for leading us to the Outback Bowl with the easist schedule in UGA’s history…
Oily Rags
January 2nd, 2012
3:23 pm
if UGA holds true here’s where we will see the late hits and unsportsmanlike penalties.
phil
January 2nd, 2012
3:23 pm
Jon gruden is worse at color than bobo is at play calling.
And that’s saying a lot!
paint
January 2nd, 2012
3:23 pm
thanks for the update on jones, mark
DIT
January 2nd, 2012
3:23 pm
They told our defense what they are going to do on TV and they did it. Great job defense…. They are now calling their shots..
Mark Bradley
January 2nd, 2012
3:24 pm
We’ve gotten no update on Jarvis Jones. Except that he’s playing as we speak.
BingoBanjo
January 2nd, 2012
3:24 pm
Aaron Murray turnover watch:
2 turnovers
phil
January 2nd, 2012
3:24 pm
Mettenberger is trash…. A good riddance after the way he did that woman.
waytogoricht
January 2nd, 2012
3:24 pm
Richt you’re a POS as a coach. You’re in the process of doing exactly what Tech’s Owl Man did. Sit on a lead, and dare the opponent to beat you. You and your genius offensive coordinator are well on the way to defeat by running between the tackles. Many bloggers have noted also that Murray is oh-fer against ranked opponents. After the intercept looks like that is going to continue. Blink once and State is going to be ahead and on to the victory dance.
BingoBanjo
January 2nd, 2012
3:24 pm
Murray doesn’t trust his defense.
thinks he’s Brett Favre.
Murray is a woman
January 2nd, 2012
3:24 pm
UF is up on OSU. SC up on Neb. UGA up on MSU. who says the East is so weak?
DIT
January 2nd, 2012
3:25 pm
We need an INT!
Dawgs Man
January 2nd, 2012
3:25 pm
Crowell is a Pu**y.
Snoop Dawg
January 2nd, 2012
3:25 pm
Bulldog Nation. Please rise up and demand that Bobo Gogo…
DIT
January 2nd, 2012
3:25 pm
Wide open!!!
paint
January 2nd, 2012
3:25 pm
got it, thx
Mark Bradley
January 2nd, 2012
3:25 pm
A stop. And much needed.
Dawg '85
January 2nd, 2012
3:25 pm
Alshon was just ejected from Cap One bowl for fighting!
BingoBanjo
January 2nd, 2012
3:25 pm
Bobo calling a great game, Murray just can’t execute.
NEED A NEW QB!
Average Joe
January 2nd, 2012
3:25 pm
Only gave up 8 points in 3 quarters so far. Can’t complain.
dawg555
January 2nd, 2012
3:25 pm
Come on now! The D needs a rest!
i'm from Columbus, GA
January 2nd, 2012
3:26 pm
jarvis get on the sideline with IC.dont mess up your $$$ man. you dont owe this bunch nothin. be smart.
DIT
January 2nd, 2012
3:26 pm
OH CRAP!
Snoop Dawg
January 2nd, 2012
3:26 pm
Crowell is a sissy. He is more fragile than a Baccarat champagne flute. Dump this loser… He is in love with himself and an energy vampire to the team.
BingoBanjo
January 2nd, 2012
3:26 pm
Is Murray the worst QB in the history of UGA in big games against top 20 teams? 0-8?
kerryb
January 2nd, 2012
3:26 pm
Field position is just killing us
Mobile Dawg
January 2nd, 2012
3:26 pm
I’m chilled kat, just saying, I’ve seen this drill before. Sometime a change at QB can be a spark, I’m not blaming Murray, I blame Richt for his lackluster coaching, JMO. Mason wouldn’t be prepared if he had to come in, Richt hasn’t given him any game experience. You called me a troll.
Jimmy Crack
January 2nd, 2012
3:26 pm
It’s BOO time!
Mark Bradley
January 2nd, 2012
3:26 pm
Good bounce on the punt. And good coverage.
Can’t blame Boykin for not trying to field a bouncing ball. That’s the way you turn it over.
The Grinch
January 2nd, 2012
3:26 pm
Here comes a HUGE test.
phil
January 2nd, 2012
3:26 pm
Mark Bradley
January 2nd, 2012
3:24 pm
We’ve gotten no update on Jarvis Jones. Except that he’s playing as we speak.
******
then that’s the update.
HENRY
January 2nd, 2012
3:26 pm
MY GOD MAN, GEORGIA IS ABOUT TO GET BEAT…….WHAT THE HELL IS THIS RECORD CRAP?
dawginduluth
January 2nd, 2012
3:26 pm
Boykin for MVP? He wussied out on that punt.
Orange11
January 2nd, 2012
3:27 pm
Hope Murray doesn’t serve it up here.
Ooltewahdawg
January 2nd, 2012
3:27 pm
Another 4th down. Dawgs ball on the 1. Field position now in MSU’s favor.
80sDawg
January 2nd, 2012
3:27 pm
Bobo, up the middle!
DIT
January 2nd, 2012
3:27 pm
Someone needs to tell the O-line that is is alright to block
Average Joe
January 2nd, 2012
3:28 pm
Why do we still run the ball straight up the gut?
phil
January 2nd, 2012
3:28 pm
i’m from Columbus, GA
January 2nd, 2012
3:26 pm
jarvis get on the sideline with IC.dont mess up your $$$ man. you dont owe this bunch nothin. be smart.
******
typical…
Dawgs Man
January 2nd, 2012
3:28 pm
Dawgs will lose today unless something miraculous happens.
80sDawg
January 2nd, 2012
3:28 pm
Bobo, up the middle again!
i'm from Columbus, GA
January 2nd, 2012
3:28 pm
see yall cant block. it aint IC fault.
Mark Bradley
January 2nd, 2012
3:28 pm
Up the middle. On third down. For the first down. Wow.
kerryb
January 2nd, 2012
3:28 pm
Thank you Boo
The Grinch
January 2nd, 2012
3:28 pm
BOO!