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
DIT
January 2nd, 2012
3:37 pm
If Murray can’t play in the big games we need a change at QB and a new OC to ever have a chance on getting to the next level.
sparks
January 2nd, 2012
3:37 pm
Mark sets em up….I hit em out. Thanks.
Average Joe
January 2nd, 2012
3:37 pm
If not for Boykin, we’re losing this game.
Rooster
January 2nd, 2012
3:37 pm
Murray has had 23 interceptions in the last two years and countless fumbles. We should have kept Ealey.
i'm from Columbus, GA
January 2nd, 2012
3:37 pm
IC is the future fool. when he got hurt cause yall wasnt blockin for him you was winnin big. now you bearly holdin on. IC makes you win. keep doggin on him b.
Wet Willie...keep on smiling
January 2nd, 2012
3:37 pm
LOL…UGA….You aint Alabama…just ask MSU!
Sinclair
January 2nd, 2012
3:37 pm
I am the only one who is beginning to think Murray is overrated?
Since Vince
January 2nd, 2012
3:37 pm
This game is OVA …UGA to go in meltdown mode…..
ricker
January 2nd, 2012
3:38 pm
Mark Richt, keep him or not, may well have the worst judgment of any Div I coach in the country…very, very sad that this man is going to be allowed to continue this shameful display of football at the hallowed halls of UGA…this is so disheartening to me.
phil
January 2nd, 2012
3:38 pm
Amen, JB.
Fire FG!
RiffRaff
January 2nd, 2012
3:38 pm
Murray is a real game changer…..against USC ( pick-6, 2 fumbles, 1 for another TD ), against LSU ( pick-6, 2 int’s and a fumble ). This game, same thing…. Bring in Mason or kiss this game goodbye.
NJ Dawg
January 2nd, 2012
3:38 pm
Come on Murray, wake up!!
G
January 2nd, 2012
3:38 pm
Why are people picking UGA over SC next year? SC has the better QB coming back and running game. Plus they are proving right now that they are the better team.
Big 10
January 2nd, 2012
3:38 pm
UGA the Purdue of the SEC.
afan
January 2nd, 2012
3:38 pm
Now thats funny~~average joe questions Bobo~~1st half we were great~~lol
Mobile Dawg
January 2nd, 2012
3:38 pm
Simply, anyone who knows football knows what things could be like with “good” coaching. Not the players fault we underachieve. Go ahead and give that extension, gurantee us mediocrity for the next decade.
Snoop Dawg
January 2nd, 2012
3:38 pm
Who wants to be that Mason will not get a rep today? That is just criminal…He should lodge an EEO complaint against Richt and Bobo…
UGAKev
January 2nd, 2012
3:38 pm
Murray will never win a national championship. Lemay on the other hand will bring one to Athens. That kid is a gamer and will bring alot more to the table than Murray. Mason will never be the QB at UGA with Lemay waiting in line. I hope Richt actually gives Lemay a fair shot to compete with Murray next season but we all know that is wishful thinking.
Silver Classic
January 2nd, 2012
3:39 pm
In case you didn’t notice……the ball was tipped on second interception. wasn’t as bad a pass as it first appeared
Mark Bradley
January 2nd, 2012
3:39 pm
Third and 20
Average Joe
January 2nd, 2012
3:39 pm
Bobo may need to go. If he’s back next season, we won’t win the big one. Our defense is capable. Our offense is our weak link and it’s because of coaching. Howcome Richt won’t overtake playcalling? He had offensie juggarnauts at FSU and he was the OC.
DIT
January 2nd, 2012
3:39 pm
BOBO SUCKS!!!!
Richt's Butt Cut
January 2nd, 2012
3:39 pm
Murray just doesnt have “IT”.. Doesnt help that Bobo is a moron…
Cajun Boy
January 2nd, 2012
3:40 pm
Dawg fans will always have the first half to talk about. Still haven’t stopped talking about the first half of the SEC championship game. Guess there’s a new standard for success in Athens. Half a loaf is better than none, right?
tony
January 2nd, 2012
3:40 pm
YEAH, blame BoBo…….blame Murray……..but anyone in their right mind knows Mr.Richt is the problem.
No other hc in america would put up with this type of offense every year. I tried to tell the blind people that Mr.Richt dislike GA FANS.
80sDawg
January 2nd, 2012
3:40 pm
Can we punt on third down?
Mark Bradley
January 2nd, 2012
3:40 pm
That’s about all you can run on third-and-20. Screen pass. Then punt
St. Bernard
January 2nd, 2012
3:40 pm
UGA may have the worst OC in the country.
Average Joe
January 2nd, 2012
3:41 pm
GT is the Ole Miss of the ACC
kerryb
January 2nd, 2012
3:41 pm
I don’t think losing 3 starters on THIS offensive line is going to be a bad thing.
(STILL) 3-10 against ranked teams
January 2nd, 2012
3:41 pm
We have to be THE most overrated team in history!!!!
tony
January 2nd, 2012
3:41 pm
????????????????????????
DawgNation2010
January 2nd, 2012
3:41 pm
Why is Bobo running the ball on 2nd and 14. The man is not very smart.
Snoop Dawg
January 2nd, 2012
3:41 pm
Dufus, Richt cannot call plays any better than Bobo. Richt hasn’t called a play in almost ten years…
NJ Dawg
January 2nd, 2012
3:41 pm
The 1st and 2nd down production is kind of pitiful. If this is our blocking up front on offense with 3 veterans on the line that doesn’t bode that well for next year with more inexperienced guys on the O-line.
Average Joe
January 2nd, 2012
3:41 pm
Great coverage. All we can brag about is our defense.
80sDawg
January 2nd, 2012
3:41 pm
Need a big defensive play
Mobile Dawg
January 2nd, 2012
3:41 pm
Relax, CTG’s D can still win this game.
UGAFan
January 2nd, 2012
3:42 pm
Our Offense is going to let Michigan State win this game just like they did along with special teams against LSU. The Defense hasn’t given anything up. I wondered if Bobo thinks the first half wasn’t going to hold in the second half. Ridiculous with the run, run, run and NOTHING.
Dawgs Man
January 2nd, 2012
3:42 pm
As long as we can keep Murray off of the field we have a chance.
phil
January 2nd, 2012
3:43 pm
Win the big one?
Huh?
We won’t be anywhere near a big one as long as passive, pathetic Richt is coaching us….
UGAFan
January 2nd, 2012
3:43 pm
Bobo’s play calling and Murray play ability in this half STINK. Hand in there D, you haven’t given up anything.
DIT
January 2nd, 2012
3:43 pm
Need a big time turnover!
kerryb
January 2nd, 2012
3:43 pm
I noticed that their tackle could not block Jones at all earlier so he has resorted to just cutting him on every play.
Snoop Dawg
January 2nd, 2012
3:43 pm
If we win, Grantham will have done it in spite of Richt and Bobo. Richt really doesn’t like Grantham because of Richt’s giant narcissistic ego.
LagDawg
January 2nd, 2012
3:43 pm
Do the coaches of UGA know how to make adjustments at halftime? No. This is pathetic and the playcalling and execution on the O is horrible. Murray needs to benched. For all of you that thinks Bobo is a good OC, he will cost us the game for not having a better gameplan and will defnately cost us next year. UGA needs a new OC and OL coach. 10 wins and I’m still not convinced of CMR coaching. The game should be at least 28-0. Two dumb Int. and lackluster play of the O. Crowell hurt again. What a joke!!! UGA needs to bring in at least 3 solid RBs and a qualified OC.
i'm from Columbus, GA
January 2nd, 2012
3:44 pm
man jarvis need to be on the sideline. dont listen to them pie face clowns in athens. they aint gonna have nothin for you if you tear your knee up for good.
phil
January 2nd, 2012
3:44 pm
A new OL can’t be worse than this pitiful bunch…
Fire CMR!!
(STILL) 3-10 against ranked teams
January 2nd, 2012
3:44 pm
Agree G…..how the Dawgs can be rated ahead of Carolina is beyond me….
Imagine if the Dawgs lose this game….Richt will be 1-4 against ranked teams this year…and THAT deserves a contract extension???
tony
January 2nd, 2012
3:44 pm
It’s not BoBo and Murray fault……it’s Mr.Richt’s fault. Open your eyes people.