Taking note of Georgia-Texas A&M
If you missed it, here’s my story on Georgia and Texas A&M accepting Independence Bowl invitations.
Now, a few more things:
– If Georgia had not blown a 20-6 halftime lead with four second-half turnovers against Kentucky, the Bulldogs would have finished the regular season on a four-game winning streak -– and probably would be headed to Tampa for the Outback Bowl.
– Let’s hope the weather in Shreveport on Dec. 28 doesn’t resemble that for Texas A&M’s last appearance in the Independence Bowl – the 2000 game known as the “Snow Bowl.” A driving snowstorm began during pregame warmups and continued throughout the game, a 43-41 Mississippi State overtime victory. .
– Georgia and Texas A&M had two mutual opponents this season –- Oklahoma State and Arkansas. Both lost to Oklahoma State -– Georgia 24-10 and Texas A&M 36-31. Georgia beat Arkansas 52-41, while Texas A&M lost to the Razorbacks 47-19.
– No. 5 in the nation in total offense and No. 107 in total defense. That’s Texas A&M.
– Pretty interesting that a team without a defensive coordinator (Georgia) will go up against the fifth most prolific offense in the country. Even if Georgia hires a new DC before Dec. 28, he wouldn’t work this game.
– The Aggies’ defensive coordinator is Joe Kines, who was on Georgia’s staff as DC from 1995-98 and as assistant head coach in 1999. These Aggies aren’t typical of Kines’ defenses through the years; they’ve allowed 47-plus points four times, including 60-plus twice.
– Last year’s Independence Bowl matchup? Louisiana Tech (coached by Derek Dooley, son of Vince) vs. Northern Illinois. That was because neither the SEC nor the Big 12 had enough bowl-eligible teams to fill their slots in the game.
– Georgia and Texas A&M might be the last SEC and Big 12 teams to play in the Independence Bowl. The bowl’s tie-ins with those conferences end after this game. Starting next year, the bowl will match an ACC team vs. a Mountain West team. The Gator Bowl replaces the Independence on the SEC bowl roster.
– The last time Georgia played Texas A&M, Herschel Walker was a freshman and the Bulldogs were in the second week of what turned out to be an undefeated, national-championship season (1980).
– And the last –- and only previous -– time Georgia played in the Independence Bowl, Damon Evans was a wide receiver for the Dogs. Georgia beat Arkansas 24-15 in that game Dec. 29, 1991.
– For the second time, Georgia has pushed back the start of bowl practices – this time until Saturday. There’s a lot of juggling going on, what with the staff three coaches short, recruiting demands and Mark Richt in hiring mode. Plus, past practice patterns don’t exactly work for this bowl, which is earlier than the Dogs are accustomed to playing. The tentative plan now is to practice Saturday morning, then resume with daily sessions after final exams end Dec. 16. Richt said the team might be in Shreveport on Christmas, although he wasn’t sure of that yet.
– Richt said, by the way, that he doubts any position switches, such as the rumored-to-be-under-consideration moves of Logan Gray to wide receiver and/or Richard Samuel to linebacker, would occur during bowl practices. “We’re going to have our hands full just preparing for this game,” Richt said. “I’ve always had the opinion that it’s very crucial to try to win the game. . . . Not to say we won’t have some opportunities for some young guys to scrimmage a little bit, but our main focus is preparing to play this ballgame.”
– In just 22 career starts, Texas A&M quarterback Jerrod Johnson has broken the school record for touchdown passes with 51. He has accounted for 306 yards per game total offense this season, sixth best in the nation.
– Another Aggie name to note: Defensive end Von Miller leads the nation in sacks (17).
– Georgia rarely has any trouble selling football tickets. But lotsa luck selling out its 12,000-ticket allotment this time.
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129 comments Add your comment
BuzzFactor
December 7th, 2009
1:20 pm
Pittbull, No I don’t think the “ADVOCARE V100 INDEPENDENCE BOWL” on 12/28 is quite as bad as a few of our bowls in recent history. The key word being history! The loss to UGA considered, we are still pleased with Tech’s season.
P.S. – I’m really sorry you only have a few friends though, maybe you can make some new ones in Shreveport….
In all seriousness, I hope Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate, next year or soon, features 2 undefeateds
Willie Martinez
December 7th, 2009
1:20 pm
Well, I am not there anymore that should brightent things up!
What a losing program? I think I will stay at home and watch monday night football.
BuLLdawg needs a life
December 7th, 2009
1:23 pm
Until BuLLdawg stops posting 12 pages blog entries, get used to a big cup of:
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Hi Georgia Basher, I see You're Back!
December 7th, 2009
1:40 pm
You must be still umployed today. Go get a job. You seem bored.
You have to be depressed after your Gators got DOMINATED.
Come on, post at least 5000 more posts here or you’re not a real Gator fan and you’re admitting Georgia is better than Florida.
State Champ
December 7th, 2009
2:42 pm
If we were still in high school a state championship would mean something. Funny how Bulldawg nation justified last season and their response to this season. It is hilarious reading this stuff. Still best five loss team in the SEC though. Saw you guys got 1 vote in the coaches poll. Wonder who cast that one.
Toccoa
December 7th, 2009
3:21 pm
Why did Auburn, who we beat, get to go to the Outback Bowl on Jan 1? Can anybody explan thaat?
charles
December 7th, 2009
3:30 pm
Why move Logan Gray to WR where he probably won’t play much? Can he play CB?
David Polelock
December 7th, 2009
4:05 pm
We were wanting that Independence Bowl from the first day of the season. The dawgs know it’s the best bowl ever. The Orange bowl is irrelevant. Georgia Tech is irrelevant. Florida is irrelevant. Alabama is irrelevant. The BCS and the AP top 25 is irrelevant. Go dawgs! Where are my meds?
Chuck
December 7th, 2009
4:09 pm
Hey, aggie, how did you boys look against national powerhouse Kansas State? Did they get to 70 before the clock ran out? How about Oklahoma? A&M has been completely irrelevant since they were dumb enough to fire RC Slocum in favor of Fran. COMPLETELY irrelevant. Don’t come in here talking because you managed to keep up with Texas. Go back to the Bush library and check out another coloring book until you can play in your big boy pants.
CPJ
December 7th, 2009
5:03 pm
The Dawgs are the true ACC champs. How can you be the ACC champs if you are not even “State Champs”? My nerds are trying to calculate this now but their computers starting smoking and crashed.
DawgNation
December 7th, 2009
6:00 pm
Awesome @
December 7th, 2009
11:54 am
Now that was funny. Don’t care who you are.
DawgNation
December 7th, 2009
6:02 pm
It figures. I can get tickets now and it is on the only GD day that I can not leave town. The bowl may stink but it is still Georgia football and I am looking forward to what CMR has worked out for the defense.
DawgNation
December 7th, 2009
6:04 pm
Needs a life I agree but it doesn’t matter if you spam for hours he will still write his novels.
David Polelock
December 7th, 2009
6:37 pm
I sure do want to be a coach and all of you people talk it up. I can do some great recruiting also. I can show them boys the basket I made in class and use my big word “irrelevant”.
mark PRICHT
December 7th, 2009
6:42 pm
from preseason #1 to the toilet bowl in 12 short months…I couldnt be more proud of my guy swill they show my carpet commercial at halftime? This bowl plays so little I cant afford my tanning bed
Ag4lyf09
December 7th, 2009
7:11 pm
As and Aggie who is trying to be as objective about this game as possible, here are my thoughts:
I think A&M wins this game in a very close shootout. Here’s Why:
-A&M is a completely different team now than the one that played against the hogs. At that point in the season, the offensive line was still being shuffled around and had a completely different look than it does now. That o-line had a couple of freshman trying to man the tackle spots and Arkansas D-Ends killed us. At this point in the season, A&M’s O-line has improved significantly and that was evident against Texas’ then #1 ranked rush defense and some freak athletes the whorns have where we racked up 190 net rushing yards and allowed maybe 2 sacks total. What many people dont know is that a&m also has 18 TRUE FRESHMAN playing SIGNIFICANT roles on this team which are at least somewhat improved by game 12 against t.u. than against arkansas in game 4.
-The obvious is the dawgs missing their defensive staff members.
-A&M players and fans are pumped for this game and see it as an opportunity. Georgia sees this as a game they almost wish they weren’t in. Plus ags travel real well and will most certainly sell out their tickets—>huge reason we were picked for this bowl.
-Joe kines defense gives up alotta yards in the pass happy big 12, but there are some encouraging stats such as sack numbers and 3rd down defense. Not to mention speed in the secondary and a rather smart coordinator.
-Finally, Jerrod Johnson showed what he can do on turkey day and hes verrrrry good.
-One thing the dawgs will be able to do is throw the ball since they will throw against 2 sophs and a true fresh and one walk on(yes a walk on guarded shipley on turkey day and thats why we got torn up cuz our true fresh above him was hurt).
-However, ags will win this game….barely.
PHIL
December 7th, 2009
7:21 pm
This is a no win situation for Georgia. Win….no big deal. Lose….look worse than already do.
Alabama Jack, 2 years ago your team was in Shreveport with a worse record than we have. Not to mention a loss to Louisiana-Monroe. We’ve never lost to LA-Monroe. In our last two meetings we are 1-1 against you. There is a reason there are so many Al jokes here. People like you live there.
Ag4 I don’t think many over here would agree with you that losing our defensive staff gives you an advantage. I think most believe it takes an advantage you had away.
mark PRICHT
December 7th, 2009
7:21 pm
reminds me of an ols song…”i think that were headed for a whole lot of trouble”
Tebow is Overrated!!
December 7th, 2009
8:13 pm
see proof here:
http://blogs.ajc.com/jeff-schultz-blog/2009/12/06/in-the-end-dogs-probably-got-what-they-deserved/comment-page-8/
Tebow is da man
December 7th, 2009
8:29 pm
I am in no way a FL fan, but Tebow has impressed me to no end…thank you for your platform to share Jesus Christ with thousands of college students and fans for the last 4 years
Ron B.
December 8th, 2009
10:36 am
To Chuck:
A&M stands for Agricultural and Mechanical
virgdawg
December 8th, 2009
11:27 am
murfdawg, are you who I think you are, Judge? Anyway, if you are, then you and I certainly would be looking for food joints!
JMc12203
December 8th, 2009
12:11 pm
Look at all the fair weather fans. Everyone complaining that the puppies were jobbed all season. The Dogs are going to the bowl that most closely fits their season. You think your team should be in a better bowl?? Then they should have played better during the season. The only reason they beat Tech was that played Tech style offense. RUN, RUN, RUN, and pass only when necessary. And even with that, IF Thomas catches that pass, Tech would have won 31-30, even though they were dominated.
BOOGIE'S THE MAN IN HARTWELL,GA
December 8th, 2009
7:42 pm
LET GA. PLAY CLEMSON ………………BOTH WOULD TRAVEL WELL……………
Bremen Dawg
December 9th, 2009
6:12 pm
To the idiots that post 1.4 million bowl to 14 million dollar bowl. The SEC has more teams in better bowls than the ACC, nationial championship, sugar bowl, etc. That means more money for all of the SEC teams than the ACC. We still get more money that you Techies.
dawgrific
December 10th, 2009
12:03 pm
the tech nerds’ team loses to us, then gets lucky enough to get their first decent bowl bid in about 20 years, only because they play in a JOKE CONFERENCE, and yet they STILL TALK SMACK??????!!!!!!!!!!
My Lord, how truly clueless and obnoxious are these morons??!!
THE BOOGER MAN IN HARTWELL, GA
December 10th, 2009
8:19 pm
UH, BOOGER, THE BOWLS ARE ALREADY SET DUDE. YOU SEE THE DAWGS ARE PLAYING IN SHREVEPORT, WHICH ISN’T CLOSE TO HARTWELL BY THE WAY. AND CLEMSON IS ANOTHER OVERRATED ACC TEAM WITH ONE DECENT PLAYER AND A REDNECK IMBECILE FOR A COACH. GO DAWGS!
Erk Russell
December 18th, 2009
3:03 pm
Dawgs come on and support your team. We played one of the hardest schedules in the nation with a subpar QB, one bad call vs LSU and a major let down against UK and we still had a better sec record that most of the other 7-5 teams. Let’s go to Shreveport and kick some butt and get ready for 2010.
GO DAWGS 30-24 WE run this state even in a down year!
AgBob
December 19th, 2009
7:46 pm
A&M does not stand for agricultural and mechanical. It’s part of the name of the best University in Texas. Does anyone make informative comments in this comment section except Aggies? You guys should just get together and compare sizes while we go to Shrevport and spank the “dawgs”. Hope they are tolerant on animal spanking in Shreveport.