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
Average Joe
January 2nd, 2012
1:27 pm
Wow.
dawg555
January 2nd, 2012
1:28 pm
dang it!
Justafan
January 2nd, 2012
1:28 pm
lost yd
san diego steve
January 2nd, 2012
1:28 pm
not even close
J.J.M.
January 2nd, 2012
1:28 pm
and this o line ways more than nfl o lines? I cant tell
The Grinch
January 2nd, 2012
1:28 pm
As I asked earlier, whatever happened to the toss sweep. We ran right up the middle again.
i'm from Columbus, GA
January 2nd, 2012
1:28 pm
good thing we got the biggest o-line in football.
80sDawg
January 2nd, 2012
1:28 pm
We need a big fullback to carry that ball.
Average Joe
January 2nd, 2012
1:28 pm
Why do coaches seem to call the same plays when they need a few inches? A HB dive? WTF. Do a toss sweep or something.
OkieDawg
January 2nd, 2012
1:28 pm
Right into the strength of MSU. BOBO!
Dawgs1965
January 2nd, 2012
1:28 pm
Let’s go, D.
"Chef" Tim Dix
January 2nd, 2012
1:28 pm
have to take the points there.
St. Bernard
January 2nd, 2012
1:28 pm
I’m okay with not getting the first, but maybe play action there?
J.J.M.
January 2nd, 2012
1:28 pm
*weighs
DawgNation2010
January 2nd, 2012
1:29 pm
Why not do a roll out pass or fun play on 4th and 1 not run straight up the middle.
80sDawg
January 2nd, 2012
1:29 pm
Took a timeout to call that?
i'm from Columbus, GA
January 2nd, 2012
1:29 pm
if IC had run on that 4th down, we woulda scorred.
Dosta Dawg
January 2nd, 2012
1:29 pm
what a typical Bobo call.
The Grinch
January 2nd, 2012
1:29 pm
Those 3rd and 4th down calls were awesome.
cptzzggyy
January 2nd, 2012
1:29 pm
Amen to that F for play call
lanier
January 2nd, 2012
1:29 pm
sorry Bradley ive been told that was your twin Dowdle at the coin toss
Dave
January 2nd, 2012
1:29 pm
Is that some of that greatness richt spoke about?
bill
January 2nd, 2012
1:29 pm
Some things never change…we remain the biggest & softest offensive line in college football! The Richt way…
Jimmy Crack
January 2nd, 2012
1:29 pm
AO/KO
Justafan
January 2nd, 2012
1:30 pm
The answer: BO_BO
Mark Bradley
January 2nd, 2012
1:30 pm
Open man. First down.
J.J.M.
January 2nd, 2012
1:30 pm
now thats great play calling
The Grinch
January 2nd, 2012
1:30 pm
THAT’S how you run a third and short.
Average Joe
January 2nd, 2012
1:30 pm
I hate ZONE COVERAGE!
ricker
January 2nd, 2012
1:30 pm
I HATE MIKE BOBO I HATE MIKE BOBO I HATE MIKE BOBO I HATE MIKE BOBO I HATE MIKE BOBO I HATE MIKE BOBOI HATE MIKE BOBO I HATE MIKE BOBO I HATE MIKE BOBO I HATE MIKE BOBO I HATE MIKE BOBO I HATE MIKE BOBO I HATE MIKE BOBO I HATE MIKE BOBO I HATE MIKE BOBO I HATE MIKE BOBO I HATE MIKE BOBO I HATE MIKE BOBO I HATE MIKE BOBO I HATE MIKE BOBO I HATE MIKE BOBO…did I mention I HATE MIKE…oh, never mind…
Dawgs1965
January 2nd, 2012
1:30 pm
Ugh. Really hoped we could keep them pinned down back there.
Don
January 2nd, 2012
1:30 pm
Dogs will get smoked by a good qb
Mark Bradley
January 2nd, 2012
1:30 pm
Cousins completes pass while being swarmed.
dawg555
January 2nd, 2012
1:31 pm
whenever we get stopped on the opening drive, it’s usually a long afternoon
80sDawg
January 2nd, 2012
1:31 pm
Has somebody called Commings and let him know there is a game
Don
January 2nd, 2012
1:31 pm
About to be 7-2
Pago Pago DAWG
January 2nd, 2012
1:31 pm
4th and 1 with biggest OL in the USA…..sad..
OkieDawg
January 2nd, 2012
1:31 pm
Jones pancakes the DT!
Joe Dawg
January 2nd, 2012
1:31 pm
Jarvis Jones is a monster
Mark Bradley
January 2nd, 2012
1:32 pm
On the one hand, Georgia didn’t pull a Central Florida and settle for the field goal. On the other, it didn’t run a much of a play.
80sDawg
January 2nd, 2012
1:32 pm
Commings can’t cover or tackle
The Grinch
January 2nd, 2012
1:32 pm
Way to go D!!
Average Joe
January 2nd, 2012
1:32 pm
Shawn Williams will be an All-SEC safety next season
Mark Bradley
January 2nd, 2012
1:32 pm
Shawne Williams blows up a reverse.
Jimmy Crack
January 2nd, 2012
1:32 pm
Please no closeups of the bucktooth lady!
OkieDawg
January 2nd, 2012
1:32 pm
Safety blitz?
Ha
January 2nd, 2012
1:32 pm
Look at that empty stadium. Thought the rednecks travelled better than this.
Jimmy Crack
January 2nd, 2012
1:33 pm
Enter your comments here
Average Joe
January 2nd, 2012
1:33 pm
GREAT D
The Grinch
January 2nd, 2012
1:33 pm
HELL YEAH. BIG D!!!