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
DAMON
January 2nd, 2012
6:38 pm
I will be offering “an aching heart support group”. You must meet one or two criteria: a stingless bee or a lame puppy. If a bee and puppy attend together, half price…….whatca say
Colonel V
January 2nd, 2012
6:38 pm
As a Tech fan ( who actually went to Tech ) and unlike most UGA fans who probably cannot spell TECH….I feel your pain….But, atleast I have a life…LOL…..
DecaturJim
January 2nd, 2012
6:38 pm
I agree with Dawgz4Life. What a really poor game plan. Folks, MSU was “reading our mail” all day long. Seems they knew just what Bobo would call, especially on the running plays.
From here on, I’m NOT sold on Murry. How long can he hold the ball?
But, will all that said, what they Hey in switching to a prevent defense in a little over 1-minute left and them having NO timeouts?? O M G!!!!
And, even with all of that – you just don’t miss the game winner at the end. You just don’t.
FIRE BOBO
January 2nd, 2012
6:38 pm
“I would not have kicked it then” — Suzanne Yoculan
disappointn' dawgs
January 2nd, 2012
6:38 pm
Once again, the #5 SEC team (behind LSU, Bama, ARK, tied with SC) disappoints. With the opportunity to add to the most dominating SEC season in the history of College Football, the Dawgs give one away to a team with a decade-long history of losing bowl games. Give CMR a raise, give Crowell his own personal medical team, and beg Murray not to go pro. These guys are performing in the best tradition of UGA football. 31 more years before a natl chmpionship.
moonbat dawg
January 2nd, 2012
6:38 pm
I wish Tech could’a played the dawgies again…
We woulda whipped them, for sure, man.
Perhaps, Johnson will take over for Bobo and bring the “Wing-T” to UGA!
Then UGA might, just might have a sniff at a national championship.
jojo
January 2nd, 2012
6:39 pm
Offensive Line play was as bad as ever played in a bowl game….run blocking.
Two of the worst picks ever thrown in a bowl game.
Defense played lights out for a long time. Offense tried not to back up on 1st down.
Embarrassing.
MS is a very good team.
Georgias running backs are like place kickers or offensive guards.
Our kicking game finished the year the way it started.
One of the best tight ends in the country, no throws too?
SACK…..take one
Offensive line have their video camera out watching it happen.
I cant wait till the kid from NC comes in with some CHARACTER.
#1 acts just like he did in HS, great when things are good, surrenders when times are tough.
Sad Dawg
January 2nd, 2012
6:39 pm
This game, unfortunately, undid a lot of the accomplishments that occurred during the regular season. The old flaws (poor execution of bad calls, individual mistakes that cost the entire team far too much, bad play-calling, poor clock management, terrible play-calling, etc.) are still there, and there will always be a game that will trip UGA up. It’s kind of fitting that the offense spent the entire game undoing what they had just done. It endemic to the program.
dawgfan
January 2nd, 2012
6:39 pm
DawgVoiceofReason.- Good points made but I think a change at OC or some input from CMR on off. plays will make some difference. My point is, what’s the difference if we play to win and lose in regulation or play not to lose in regulation and lose in OT. We still lose. We need to play like we did against Florida on the last drive and play to win.
dawginduluth
January 2nd, 2012
6:39 pm
I hear the big $$ backers aren’t showing up with the $$ anymore. I don’t blame them.
GTT
January 2nd, 2012
6:39 pm
On the other hand, I would have made Bogotay the kicker at least six games ago. He has a future in the pros, whereas I think Walsh no longer does.
Georgia fans eats idiots sandwiches
January 2nd, 2012
6:39 pm
4 more years of Mark Richt yeah yeah yeah!
bitter QB
January 2nd, 2012
6:39 pm
@hairydawg——right, we could be penn st.—————–now i fell better
you too can close your trailer door
Patrick
January 2nd, 2012
6:40 pm
Yes to NYC Dawg and Old Fan is pretty spot-on too. We were out coached today and our superior talent did not show up. To be a top ranked team CONSISTENCY is just as important as talent. Consistency is based mostly on desire–some call it heart. The leader of any organization –and the key word here is leader– is responsible for bringing the heart out of the team whether its on the field or in the business world. CMR is not leading. 10-4 is a second rate team and we will continue in this vein until someone leads. Good year dawgs! Just not great.
FORTY TWO to 10.....
January 2nd, 2012
6:40 pm
THIRTY-THREE to thirty
Toccoa
January 2nd, 2012
6:40 pm
As long as BOBO is calling plays we will remain an average team which is hard to take because we have TOP 10 recruiting classes every year. Teams that don’t ever have top 20 classes are far beyond us.
Sad Dawg
January 2nd, 2012
6:40 pm
Oops, ANOTHER tackle for a loss in the UGA backfield…
JB
January 2nd, 2012
6:40 pm
Crowell injured ankle putting his socks on
Hoss Cartwright
January 2nd, 2012
6:40 pm
Voice of Reason no disagreement here. I only believe if he was going to put the game on Walsh’s foot, why not give the already suspect kicker more of a chip shot to win instead of taking the knee and giving the the kid a 40 plus fg to win.
Dawg Tired
January 2nd, 2012
6:40 pm
If I were Hutson Mason I would be transferring immediately. If CMR won’t put him in with the way AM played in the 3rd and 4th 1/4 today, he will never be given the opportunity to even try to compete for the starting QB job.
SCDAWG
January 2nd, 2012
6:40 pm
Dawgvoiceofreason: This game should not have been placed at Blair Walsh feet. We Know our strength on offense(perimeter game) and our defense is pretty damn good. Been trying to defend our play calling all year on offense and am at a loos to defend Bobo today!
moonbat dawg
January 2nd, 2012
6:41 pm
I called Bobo’s plays almost .80, actually, .7845.
But I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt, because it’s actually the magic 8 balls fault.
Damn the Magic 8 Ball.
AGAIN!
TampaGator
January 2nd, 2012
6:41 pm
“in 2012, ga beats florida again—book it! Fla will be down for a long time! Ga wins the sec east again1!!”
For that to happen:
Florida will not get better on offense.
SC will get all their best players hurt and dispose of their starting QB during the season.
Georgia will get the easiest schedule in the SEC East.
Well…..one out of three ain’t bad.
Fair n Balanced
January 2nd, 2012
6:41 pm
Murray had both good and bad numbers today. I dont think he ever threw a spiral all day. Most passes looked liked wounded ducks. 2 picks and a fumble…..qb position at Ga could open up some. Play calling suspect again. Defense got 3 to’s but that was not enough for an anemic offense. No running game. Only 1 completion in 3 ot’s, psychotic field goal kicker (his stock way down now….choked in ot) and defense finally got worn out. Ga can be good but gotta fix the Oline. Good season but really need this win to solidify position as a powerhouse. Still haven’t beaten a real good team…. Lost to every quality we played and Murray has no wins of quality in 2 seasons. We are an oK team but not a real good team and a long way from being a great team. Murray does not need to ask for evaluation from NFL….that might be too discouraging after today’s performance.
TailBack U
January 2nd, 2012
6:41 pm
39 rushes for 51 yards— TAILBACK U– Need a QB, O-Line and 2 RB’s
Dosta Dawg
January 2nd, 2012
6:41 pm
Every bad thing said about us on this blog by GT,UF,UA, etc fans is deserved. We played like crap. How in hell do we ever expect to win anything with the offensive coaching staff we have now. WE CANT RUN THE FREAKIN BALL! We need an attitude adjustment and a new focus on recruiting.
1. BoBo needs to be replaced as OC. Keep him as QB coach if you want, but not as play caller.
2. Recruit offensive lineman who can run block. No back can gain yardage when there is no hole to run through.
3. For Gods sake, develop a killer instinct. We can not put people away when we get a lead.
4. Do whatever you have to to keep Grantham. He is the best we have. Give him some help with an offense that can run the ball and we will become great again.
I hope we see major changes in coaching staff before spring practice.
RedPanties
January 2nd, 2012
6:41 pm
OUT COACHED AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
01HAWK
January 2nd, 2012
6:41 pm
Please sign CMR TO A RICH 10 YEAR CONTRACT…………………………….PLEASE !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Boom Boom
January 2nd, 2012
6:41 pm
27 second half points
Georgia fans eats idiots sandwiches
January 2nd, 2012
6:42 pm
4 more years of mark richt yeah yeah yeah
moonbat dawg
January 2nd, 2012
6:42 pm
SSDD.
deandog
January 2nd, 2012
6:42 pm
What I would give to have the ole ball coach as head coach at GA……………………
NOW, if we can just drop....
January 2nd, 2012
6:42 pm
SCAR, FLA, TN, Vandy, KY, and AUB from our schedule.
bawbie
January 2nd, 2012
6:42 pm
Fire Dave Perno and Mark Fox!
Losersville USA
January 2nd, 2012
6:42 pm
Question-How can Alabama get Saban, South Carolina get Spurrier, LSU get MIles. and UGA get Richt? Just lucky? I think not, Search committees are the starting point for success or dumba$$ frustration.
I remember seven out of seven Florida losses under Richt in years Florida was good and Georgia was supposed to be good. Richt had no answers.
I remember the West Virginia/Georgia Bowl with Pat White. Georgia was supposed to be better, but lost. Richt had no answer.
I remember two SEC championship games against LSU(one by Miles, one by Saban)
Georgia loses both by blowouts. Richt had no answers.
I remember a preseason number one ranking which lasted one week, and then Alabama-Georgia in Athens. Guess who embarassed Bulldog Nation and got hosed? Richt had no answer but he had Knowshon Moreno and Matthew Stafford. Didn’t matter. Richt had no answer,
I painfully remember last year’s Memphis Bowl against Central Florida, who Georgia was supposed to be better than, they weren’t. Richt had no answer.
There are other Richt stupid-a$$ flubs that I vaguely remember, but Tommy Turbeville got axed for similar results and he was better than Richt. Maybe not the best analogy but does this guy deserve a contract extension? The nays may outnumber the ayes after his latest fiasco.
Baby Ruth
January 2nd, 2012
6:43 pm
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
InsectInside
January 2nd, 2012
6:43 pm
All of your viscious trolls seem to be eating their young back on their own blog for a change.
Sad Dawg
January 2nd, 2012
6:43 pm
Toccoa,
You’re right. Bobo is who he is, and he isn’t going to improve, at least not under Richt. The HC needs to change the OC, or the Dawgs will remain stuck in the mud.
JB
January 2nd, 2012
6:43 pm
Tech would not rush for 100 yards against this MSU team. They were covering for passes and look how tough they were. Can you imagine not worrying about the pass?
moonbat dawg
January 2nd, 2012
6:43 pm
Man, I wish GTech coulda played Michigan State in the Outback Bowl.
We would have dominated them!
S Spurrier
January 2nd, 2012
6:43 pm
Well….ya know I could beat ga with their own players.
nolongerdogfan
January 2nd, 2012
6:43 pm
Today was the last straw. Georgia fan for over 50 years. No longer, will not watch or listen or support this program. Georgia is a 3rd tier program, only competes with Vandy’s and Kentuck’s. Go Bama , go LS and U. Real football programs year after year.
Steve
January 2nd, 2012
6:43 pm
I said it a month ago and I will say it again…Georgia winning the SEC East was the worst thing that could happen for the Georgia fans! Now you are stuck with Richt for a long time!!
Boom Boom
January 2nd, 2012
6:44 pm
was that a Big 12 or PAC 14 Defense wearing red in the second half?
McGarity's got hampster ballz
January 2nd, 2012
6:44 pm
Bob
January 2nd, 2012
6:32 pm
Call it devine intervention or McGarity’s scheduling, but Richt is set up to go 10-2 again next season and contend for nothing but another raise. A change in coaching culture is the only solution.
Bob,
I posted earlier this week about McGarity’s hampster balls when it comes to scheduling, and some idiot jumped all over me saying McGarity, the AD, has no control over scheduling. I specifically called-out McGarity’s hampster-ball OOC schedules while he was UF’s AD, and next year’s OOC schedule for GA is very reminiscient of a UF OOC schedule under McGarity. The OOC schedule next season is a TOTAL laugher. Espically since the balless wonder put GA Southern on the schedule THE WEEK BEFORE his Dawgs play the fearsome GT Yellow Jackets. Guess they need and extra GAME (not week of practice) to prepare for the high-schoolers from the ATL in 2012.
McGarity is GUTLESS, Dawg fans. He’s already replaced the out-of-this-world road trip/college football experience by removing the upcoming trip to Eugene, Oregon from the schedule. Maybe he’s replaced that with Savannah State, William & Mary or someone just as exciting.
I know tons of Dawg fans, win or lose, who AB..SO..LUTE..LY loved road tripping to Ok St, Colorado, and Ariz St.
Grow a pair McGarity! You’re the smarmy high school nerd that nobody liked!
moonbat dawg
January 2nd, 2012
6:44 pm
Tech should be SEC East Champions!
Patrick
January 2nd, 2012
6:44 pm
Oh…and Crowell has to go,,,,maybe Ga State???
Bgness
January 2nd, 2012
6:45 pm
Defense played like they’ve played all year but the offense…I mean come on man!! its like jekyll and hyde! Our defense gets the stops and pics for them, but our offense simply gives it right back our sites 3 an out!! I mean rambo put this game on a freaking silver platter!! You can’t blame
Coach for kicking it on third down because that’s amove that coaches generally make, but for walsh to miss a simple kick that would end a very bad season for him is unfathomable, at the very least. This loss is squarely on his shoulders.
Steve Spurrier
January 2nd, 2012
6:45 pm
I’m the Head Ball Coach, dean. An ole ball coach is a Mexican soccer coach. Thanks for learning the difference.
01HAWK
January 2nd, 2012
6:45 pm
UGA won the EAST, BUT………………………………….YOU ARE THE 5TH BEST TEAM IN THE SEC.