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
moonbat dawg
January 2nd, 2012
6:45 pm
Tech’s front five is up there with the best.
If they are executing, the Chicago Bears couldn’t stop them.
TailBack U
January 2nd, 2012
6:45 pm
39 rushes for 51 yards– need a QB, O-line and 2 RB’s– No TBU at UGA
JB
January 2nd, 2012
6:45 pm
What did Richt do with all that new time last year studying football?
I Crowell
January 2nd, 2012
6:46 pm
Where my weed?
virginia dog
January 2nd, 2012
6:46 pm
I told you Aaron Murray can’t get us to the next level.
Ed dawg
January 2nd, 2012
6:46 pm
Time to move on. Coaching lost it today. They guessed wrong
by not going for the kill, several times! Murray opened the door for Msu..but what am I saying.. you guys saw the frigging game. The “dye is cast” for next year, so no point in bitching about CMR and Bobo. Let’s hope our coaching gets better and let’s give it (the griping) a rest and move on to next year.
JB
January 2nd, 2012
6:46 pm
DawginLex must be throwing up somewhere.
TampaGator
January 2nd, 2012
6:47 pm
68 pages of Dawg moaning and groaning……..only 32 more pages to 100…….YOU CAN DO IT!
moonbat dawg
January 2nd, 2012
6:47 pm
I saw some stuff on the the front line that GTech did, that freaked out Stephen Hawking.
GT is re-writing how you play american futbol.
InsectInside
January 2nd, 2012
6:47 pm
JB…same stuff you guys have said about everyone Tech played.
RedPanties
January 2nd, 2012
6:47 pm
fire richt
SanDiegoJacket
January 2nd, 2012
6:47 pm
Richt can’t win the big games….Ugag deserves him!! Maybe next year…..
2012 MNC
TO HELL WITH GEORGIA, EVERY DAY IN EVERY WAY
over rated, over hyped
January 2nd, 2012
6:48 pm
Same ol’ ga.
TampaGator
January 2nd, 2012
6:48 pm
You summer dreams almost came true…..you almost won the National TItle in the Outback Bowl…..but you had to play 4 quarters, not 2.
Harkle
January 2nd, 2012
6:48 pm
DP
I agree with you but I do think CMR lets Bozo – I mean Bobo do all of the play calling even in tight game situations. Not sure it would have mattered – MSU wanted this game more than us.
Scrod
January 2nd, 2012
6:48 pm
So the might DAWGS finish like the started: 0-2. Move over for the new SEC-East champs – Michigan State!
TampaGator
January 2nd, 2012
6:49 pm
The University of Georgia……the best two quarter team in America. Yeah boy!
RoswellMike
January 2nd, 2012
6:49 pm
UGa is an embarrassment to the SEC
timbo
January 2nd, 2012
6:49 pm
This is why UGA dropped Alabama from their schedule. They want a chance to pad their record against weak teams, get another SEC East championship, then get blown out against a better team in the SECCG and lose their bowl game. But, they can say, ‘hey, we only lost 2 games all year, we ought to be ranked in the top 5 in 2013′. And the vicious cycle continues.
RedPanties
January 2nd, 2012
6:49 pm
I hope DawginLex must be throwing up somewhere.
51 yards rushing
January 2nd, 2012
6:49 pm
High school offense?
TampaGator
January 2nd, 2012
6:49 pm
I will come back when you reach 95 pages…….sweet dreams.
Playing Not to Lose
January 2nd, 2012
6:50 pm
This game should have never gone into OT. Three runs ups the middle when you know if you gained a yard, you would be lucky!!!! Georgia deserved to lose this game.
Bgness
January 2nd, 2012
6:50 pm
What happened to walsh anyway? He was a finalist for the best k award and all of sudden he’s garbage now? Walsh hope you studied well in school because you won’t be going to the nfl t
SCDAWG
January 2nd, 2012
6:50 pm
deandog’, I live in Columbia,SC and am happy for USC. I would eternily prefer CMR to Spurrier for my kid!
Buzz 2011
January 2nd, 2012
6:50 pm
Bradley kept calling out at around 2pm ( 2nd quarter) that State only had 43 tards.. In football Mark, they play 4 quarters… Do you think Michigan State held up their end in this game? By the way the Spartans also came close to hitting that 43 point total you gaffed about…………It is a dream team Mark, a dream team…………….Dreaming of beating top 20 teams..
SAL
January 2nd, 2012
6:51 pm
To CMR: The dreads have to go!!!!
start 0-2
January 2nd, 2012
6:51 pm
finish 0-2
Rob
January 2nd, 2012
6:51 pm
Not taking up for Murray, but the play calling is so bad, that you just don’t know how he would do if it was better. The second INT for the TD was barely tipped at the line, looked at it in slow motion and the ball rotation changed to a flutter.
NYC Dawg
January 2nd, 2012
6:51 pm
This is a terrible way to end a good year. Here’s what gives me hope. I was a freshman at UGA in 1979…we went 6-5, with no bowl trip. And we were 0-3 against the ACC (lost to Wake, So Car and UVA for crying out loud!) But one recruit later (#34) and we were 12-0! So there is hope for next year.
RedPanties
January 2nd, 2012
6:51 pm
TampaGator
January 2nd, 2012
6:49 pm
The University of Georgia……the best two quarter team in America. Yeah boy!
DITTO
DAMON
January 2nd, 2012
6:51 pm
GA So—boom!
GT——- BOOM!
UGA—- BOOM,BOOM!!!!
FALCONS——-??????? don’t let me down dirty birds
Hoss Cartwright
January 2nd, 2012
6:51 pm
A few squirts of WD 40 here and there and this team will be a well oiled machine. Got find a replacement for Boykins back there and for Ben Jones. Looking good everywhere else for 2012. Oh got find punters and kickers too. Should be favored to win the SEC east, now they just got to do it.
this dawg want hunt!!
January 2nd, 2012
6:51 pm
Richt,Bobo, and Murray=3stooges, and UGA will NEVER and i mean NEVER win a big game again as long as these losers are running the UGA offense. Richt is the most pathetic head coach in the SEC for allowing his kicker that has no confidence and no skills anymore to win the game in O.T. Richt doesnt even try to get into scoring position, instead he plays conservative and puts the game on this kicker who is making 50% of his F.G.. No coach in his right mind would allow this pathetic kicker to win the game for his team. But good ol’ boy Richt shows how stupid he is by allowing his Bobby Bowden loyalty lose him another game. He will never learn, first Martinez, next Bobo, and now a player. Good for the loser McGarity to even consider giving this loser of a head coach an extention, and if this A.D. doesn’t demand the firing of Bobo, then he should leave as well. How many more games does it take watching the worst Q.B. in UGA history when it comes to throwing pick 6;’s continue to start, and never be benched for his dumbass throws. It only shows how GOD awful UGA’s O.C, Q.B and head coach really are. UGA will NEVER and i mean NEVER win a big game with Richt, Bobo, and Murray running the UGA offense. If you cool-aid drinkers haven’t realized it by now, then you never will. If you cant’t see that Murray is a joke, and he throws almost as many t.d’s to the opposing team in crunch time as he does his own team, then you are blind. His pic 6 t.d’s killed UGA agaisnt S.C, LSU, and now Mich.St. The guy is a loser, what else do you need to know, but the worst thing is, his O.C, and head coach don’t realize it. That is where the problem is with UGA. THe worst O.C, Head Coach and Q.B.=disaster. Add McGarity to the list and the future isn’t very bright at UGA.
Birdhair
January 2nd, 2012
6:51 pm
Been watching a lot of these bowl games and I’ve seen a lot of creativity on offense in these games minus uga’s play calling. Where was Orson Charles today? Where was Aron White? Branden Smith? Does Richard Samuel run in mud?
I have defended Murray up ’til now. He’s a young qb, with plenty of skill, but I didn’t see the killer instinct at the end of the game today. Just go back and watch the replay. Look at Murray’s face.
Murray crumbled under pressure in the SC game. He crumbled against LSU. Bring David Greene in to work with this guy. I am prepared for Huston Mason & Lemay time
I truly believe, like many folks, that Mike Bobo has to go. I am not a huge X and O guy, but I can predict his maddening run up the constant middle play calls and lack of creativity.
Tech Equipment Manager
January 2nd, 2012
6:51 pm
Paul Johnson will fill in at A-Back nect year.
32 Turkey neck right
32 Turkey neck right
set
hut
collegeballfan
January 2nd, 2012
6:52 pm
“WE CANT RUN THE FREAKIN BALL!”
Dawg fans you do not run the football against solid defenses because your coach is a passing attack coach. He spent his entire pre-UGA career with Bobby “passing game” Bowden.
It is the opposite of Johnson and GT. They are a running team and look to pass last. UGA is a passing team and look to run last.
UGA this season had the biggest offensive line on the North American continent but could not run the ball.
Miamidawg
January 2nd, 2012
6:52 pm
Out coached and our prepared. Again.
I know what to do. Lets sign our underachieving HC to a lifetime contract for as much money as he wants.
Harkle
January 2nd, 2012
6:52 pm
Does anyone know what happened to Walsh this year? He has been automatic from just about anywhere on the field until this year. I think he was pegged as a 1st team All-American before the year started. You talk about a fast fall from grace….
RedPanties
January 2nd, 2012
6:52 pm
RoswellMike
January 2nd, 2012
6:49 pm
UGa is an embarrassment to the SEC
Ditto
he liked being over rated, over hyped
January 2nd, 2012
6:52 pm
What happened to walsh anyway?
RedPanties
January 2nd, 2012
6:53 pm
Nite, nite Tampa Gator
deandog
January 2nd, 2012
6:53 pm
SCDAWR, Thank you
Mekim6
January 2nd, 2012
6:53 pm
Georgia will never get to the next level with Bobo as OC or Murray as QB. They cannot produce against the good teams. Defense is Georgia’s only saving grace.
Rob
January 2nd, 2012
6:53 pm
Tech Equipment Manager
January 2nd, 2012
6:51 pm
Paul Johnson will fill in at A-Back nect year.
32 Turkey neck right
32 Turkey neck right
set
hut
That’s funny as hell
Just like FTs in Basketball ....
January 2nd, 2012
6:54 pm
Football games are won-lost from “the FG line” ………. GT & GA both lost their bowl game b/c neither had a RELIABLE FG kicker.
Boom Boom
January 2nd, 2012
6:54 pm
Reuben Foster
Lose in the Outback Bowl/Liberty/ or play for BCS Titles?
RedPanties
January 2nd, 2012
6:54 pm
Out coached and our prepared. Again.
What’s new?
Tech Equipment Manager
January 2nd, 2012
6:54 pm
Good job, Ga tech yellow jackets.
You are a very good team.
DG
January 2nd, 2012
6:54 pm
DawgVoiceofReason, I see your point, but that does not explain how drastically different UGA plays in 2nd half of games, esp Murray. Bobo is not only the OC, but he is also QB coach and Murray seems less prepaired in the 2nd half than he is the first. If Murray is not playing well then set him up to be successful. The problem is other teams adjust at the half, and Bobo doesn’t.
Bobo runs certain plays at questionable times. For example, at the end of the 3rd. UGA gets a 1st down on a shotgun hand off to Boykin. Bobo runs that same play 3 more times in a row! How many yards did you think we gained after getting that 1st down? Something like -8. They ended up punting. What good did it do? When you see play calling like that, and the OT play calling it looks more like OC quit, not the kids.
Bobo is a great recruiter and a fine OC, but he’s strategically in over his head against better DCs. Like Murray, he’s not a closer. This game proves it.