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
DP
January 2nd, 2012
7:26 pm
Bradley is still in the tank for Richt, what a shock.
evil empire
January 2nd, 2012
7:26 pm
any idea when the 2012 pre-season national championship trophy caravan will be up here in Dalton…hopin to bring the kids, even if they have to miss school…me an the kids in a picture with the psnc trophy…building memories…for 32 years now…
Dawgs suck
January 2nd, 2012
7:27 pm
So happy Michigan took em out. Next year they have such a light schedule that they should be ashamed. Wonder who they had to slip money to to get that schedule.
LakeDawg
January 2nd, 2012
7:27 pm
A few other observations:
Jarvis Jones is a man! Got his knee hurt on MSU’s first TD and was solely responsible for any pressure Cousins received at the end of the game: IC is a pu$$y. A completely wasted scholarship. He is stealing money from UGA. Boykin played his best game in his final and biggest game. A fotting way for a senior to go out.
Go Dawgs!
lance manion
January 2nd, 2012
7:28 pm
How embarrassing for the state of Georgia! Bad coaching and mistakes on the field, and with all of that talent! Only 49,000 were listed as the attendance with almost no one on either side upstairs. Where was the vaunted bulldawg nation?? Maybe UGA should drop back to Conference USA. You would not be competitive in basketball but would likely do OK in football.
ole dawg
January 2nd, 2012
7:28 pm
fire bobo now!!!!!!!!
give crowell a bonus to transfer to Athens Regional Hospital
fire bobo
fire bobo
open QB tryouts before they all transfer
evil empire
January 2nd, 2012
7:29 pm
rent-a-dawg jones is crazy if he comes back next year…go get your $$$ son…
CMR
January 2nd, 2012
7:29 pm
Next year I’m gettin a hairpiece with dreads…I don’t control my team, it controls me.
RMikel58
January 2nd, 2012
7:29 pm
How is it that you have an avg. of 300lb lineman but cant move their front line back 2ft.? Knowing this how is it that Bobo does it anyway? I saw alot of missed blocks allowing them to zero in on Murray. What are you coaches teaching these players?
This is fundamental football out there and these college players dont know that? Offensive line totally sucked out there and it was all on TV. How embarrassing! Bobo never ceases to amaze me, the best little league OC ive ever seen.
You are so one dimensional and its been this way since he took over and has played any caliber team above .500. No RB can gain yards if he doesnt have a offensive line that can create holes for him.
Murray 1 fumble and 2 interceptions, 2 missed field goals and 14 pts off turnovers.
You can recruit the best RB’s in the country but if your line cant block then it doesnt matter. People this is what we’re to expect from Mark Richt from now on and not until he gets rid of Mike Bobo.
His unwillingness to open his eyes and be in denial about the OC position just dumbfounds me.
Seriously……. Bobo has not improved in 4 years and every year since he’s been in that position, this has been the end result.
Had it not been for Malcolm Mitchell and Boykin then this game wouldve never been close. If the AD doesnt speak up about where the program is heading very soon then im not gonna renew my tickets and my donations will go to West Virginia.
We went thru 7 years with Ray Goff and suffered for Dooley’s recommendation. I dont know if theyre all just a bunch of narcacists with huge ego’s but man youre killing your own program by allowing this.
Im gonna speak up because somebody has to put a stop to this insanity.
Great job for our defense which i know after 80 plays any athlete gets tired. End result is if Bobo doesnt go anywhere then theres no reason to believe Georgia is actually serious about winning but is only looking for the big bucks.
Im getting tired of hearing the same ol BS everytime they lose. Youre either winners or youre losers and if someone isnt pulling their weight and hurting the team, then he must go. (Bobo) BTW since im in a happy mood ya better come off the hip and get you a decent Special teams coach.
Pay now or suffer later!
VVV
January 2nd, 2012
7:29 pm
49000 is twice as many as an ACC championship game.
Erk Russell's Dog
January 2nd, 2012
7:30 pm
Hey Flat tire
Will UGA have a chance to play a ranked team next year?, Maybe SC if they don’t lose any games before the Dawgs play them.They don’t play until October.
evil empire
January 2nd, 2012
7:31 pm
mizzou will be ranked after they kick the ugatards behind back to athens…
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
January 2nd, 2012
7:32 pm
evil empire
the pre-season national championship crowd will be in Dalton the 1st week in March after the DREAM II has all been signed
BTW Dalton is a beautiful place
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
January 2nd, 2012
7:34 pm
Erk Russell’s Dog
Yea SC might be ranked then. But hey even if we lose there will be plenty of chazzo’s on here bragging about a moral victory
Karma
January 2nd, 2012
7:34 pm
72 pages and counting. I haven’t had this much fun…..well, I just haven’t had this much fun since…..well, ever! It’s great watch the Dawg “fans” at their obnoxious best.
Dawgland
January 2nd, 2012
7:35 pm
sitting here watching wisconsin block folks…..
actually make contact and get movement…..
I know oregon does not have the defense MState has…..
but refreshing to watch offensive line compete…..
wisconsin and oregon….
UGA has more money than they know what to do with…..
put some bucks out and get the O staff we need to move up to the next level and stay there.
Duckafawg
January 2nd, 2012
7:35 pm
And all of those empty seats….hmmmm…I’ve been told time after time how UGA has the best fans in the world…that the sun rises and sets in Ahens….geez….guess I’ll have to re-think that…BTW….is PJ now coaching special teams at Georgia?
evil empire
January 2nd, 2012
7:36 pm
hey flat, i thing ole vince himself will be here on the 3rd for a book signing at krogers…i’m sure the dawg faithful will be lined up around the block…dalton is a dying, third world sinkhole…about time for me to move on…
lance manion
January 2nd, 2012
7:36 pm
Not sure why UGA fans are so upset. You had a good season, and beat your rivals.
You just are not in the same league as LSU, Bama, Michigan State and other top programs. You had an easy schedule and played it well, until you played real top 25 teams. What an embarrassing finish to a good season.
Funniest thing about board
January 2nd, 2012
7:36 pm
Love all the jealous trolls from other teams, if you weren’t jealous you wouldn’t be here. And quit saying “we” while referencing your team. YOU don’t play football! Uga sucked today, all teams suck some days. Ga fans should pray bobo is gone, other than that they will be much improved next yr.
UGA football = Joke
January 2nd, 2012
7:37 pm
Mark Richt is stealing money. Auburn, LSU (2x’s), FL (2x’s), and Alabama have all won titles on his watch. His only success was during the Ron Zook era. What a joke.
LakeDawg
January 2nd, 2012
7:38 pm
@Boom Boom
You’re obviously a dumba$$ with no reading comprehension skills. Did you read the whole post before making your stupid post. Of course they’re improved. Hell, the lost to ICF last year! If you were smarter than a bag of rocks you would’ve also read that I thought coaching cost UGA the game.
Please refrain in the future from trying to post what you think is a smart, witty comment.
To dawgland....
January 2nd, 2012
7:38 pm
Hey dawgland, they gave up 28 at by half. Now have given up 38 by third. Nice d! Really? The team we should have beat today beat wisky.
GT Rules
January 2nd, 2012
7:39 pm
My hatred for everything UGa knows no bounds and watching today’s game was oh so sweet. Big lead, overconfident fans and players and then boom! Future NFL stars, Orson Charles and IC (yeah right) – totally irrelevant. UGa was overrated as they always are just because they are in the SEC and have a big stadium….by the way ….lots of empty seats in Tampa leg humpers…I thought you guys travelled well. Guess not.
lance manion
January 2nd, 2012
7:40 pm
How embarrassing for UGA. You had the game won and blew it. You should not be too upset with your season. You beat your rivals, but could not compete with the top teams like Bama, LSU and Michigan State. CMR, lost control of his team and this is what happens. Lots of talent, no heart. Wow, how pitiful.
Jadeveon Clowney
January 2nd, 2012
7:40 pm
“Finish the Drill” Guess what, I’m gonna be all up in Murray’s grill next year too. Put the ball on the ground.
J. Clowney
YellowJacket
January 2nd, 2012
7:40 pm
UGA sux. It’s important that they do it well.
Duckafawg
January 2nd, 2012
7:40 pm
Also loved how Saint Richt talked about GA being on the verge of greatness….guess you will have to lower those 2012 pre-season expectations….but no worries….since you have worked out a deal to avoid LSU and Bama until sometime after 2020, the schedule will take care of you…
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
January 2nd, 2012
7:41 pm
evil empire
Trust me live in south ga with Altamaha Dawg and you will change your mind about Dalton
DP
January 2nd, 2012
7:41 pm
the “psnc” trophy, that’s a classic! Please post a picture of you and your kid posing with it next summer!
To boars trolls
January 2nd, 2012
7:42 pm
Sure Is a lot of jealousy of Athens and uga here on board. Heck it was one game vs a good team. You folks need to go back to your team board and whine. Why the hate? Look in mirror, calm down and take a deep breath, sun will come up tomm. When bobo is fired uga will be fine.
GT Rules
January 2nd, 2012
7:42 pm
you gotta speak Spanish to live in Dalton
tony
January 2nd, 2012
7:42 pm
tc
January 2nd, 2012
7:17 pm
For all of you calling for bobo to be fired. GET THIS! CMR likes Bobo, he thinks he is a good OC. Bobo has been horrible since day one. Everyone knows this except CMR! CMR needs to be fired. He can not assess the talent of his players or coaches. Murray should not be blamed, he has incompetent coaches telling him what to do
____________________________________________
The fans in the state of ga are ok with Mark Richt because he claims to be a Godly man so don’t expect any changes. UGA need someone like George Steinbrenner who will not tolerate mediocrity to run that university.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
January 2nd, 2012
7:43 pm
Pick up your 10 win season T-shirts at either chazzo columbus or Altamaha Dawg’s house
DAWG with two bags back over head
January 2nd, 2012
7:45 pm
JB’s right. We’re in for 3-4 more years of Bobo and the mediocrity that the Richt apologists seem to love. It’s beyond sad. This could be a top flight program if we DEMANDED that our program get the best coaches available at every position, including special teams.
Old Prof
January 2nd, 2012
7:45 pm
My students said they did, but I didn’t believe it. I thought it was just the lazy talk of juveniles. So I watched the game. And my students were right! The Dawgs really suck—so much that they could draw a basketball through a garden hose. I won’t waste my time by watching them again.
evil empire
January 2nd, 2012
7:46 pm
until you have a housecleaning in athens, things will really never change…you cannot win in the sec with small, quick backs…it works at oregon….oregon didn’t work against auburn and lsu…all of your linemen, o and d, look fat and out of shape…lsu’s line doesn’t look that way…thats where sec speed takes over games…big 10 linemen are just as strong as sec linemen…sec linemen can get to the corner or the second level much quicker…thats the difference…you need a big 10, old school, run first coach…i would like to see what the coach at wisconsin would do with sec talent…or brady hoke at michigan…
garydawg
January 2nd, 2012
7:47 pm
We knew in our hearts the winning streak was a fraud but we fell victim once again to this administrations great tease. Will I see redemption in my lifetime? Class of ‘77.
east t-shirt
January 2nd, 2012
7:47 pm
where can I buy an SEC east champion t-shirt? Will they be on sale online (large size)? If so, can I use a prepaid debit card?
orson?
January 2nd, 2012
7:48 pm
where orson? did he go home from the game early?? hello??
UGA IS CURSED
January 2nd, 2012
7:49 pm
THANK GOD MARK WREAK GOT A RAISE,HOPED MIKE BOZO DID TOO!
evil empire
January 2nd, 2012
7:52 pm
an sec east championship shirt would sell up here, especially if it were “georgia” themed…something like a bass and a 12 point buck simultaneously jumping over a ‘81 camaro on blocks…superimposed over the sec emblem…man, that sounds great…i’d buy it…
deandog
January 2nd, 2012
7:53 pm
Flat tire no i love your posts… i just wasn’t keping up ..saw some one mention you…i was feeling sorry for you if you were still on I-95….keep those posts coming
kissing man
January 2nd, 2012
7:53 pm
richt’s wife will refuse to kiss him tonight after that choke! She wanted that big bonus check for a bowl win.
JESUS IS NOT WITH RICHT & TEBOW
January 2nd, 2012
7:54 pm
I GUESS MARK RICHT PRAYERS WERE NOT ANSWERED TODAY! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
January 2nd, 2012
7:56 pm
deandog
yea Im still on I-95 with a coach that cant fix my flat
deandog
January 2nd, 2012
8:00 pm
cmr has no sense of direction
evil empire
January 2nd, 2012
8:02 pm
orson asked a good question…where was the te today?…not even part of the game plan…could have used him to help on gholston if nothing else…
deandog
January 2nd, 2012
8:05 pm
Lake Dawg do you think anyone on this post know what SELAH means???
win!
January 2nd, 2012
8:11 pm
did uga win? mark said they would and richt said ga on the verge of greatness! they should win!!! YESS