Liberty Bowl preview: Can Dogs avoid first losing season in 14 years?
Please join the conversation on Jeff Schultz’s live blog during the game.
Previewing Georgia vs. Central Florida in the Liberty Bowl (3:30 p.m. Friday on ESPN):
3 storylines
- 1. Winning season or losing season? Georgia enters the game with a 6-6 record. A victory would keep give the Bulldogs their 14th consecutive winning season, albeit barely. A loss would give the Bulldogs their first losing season since a 5-6 record in 1996, Jim Donnan’s first season as coach.
- 2. A program-building game? Central Florida has made substantial strides in seven seasons under coach George O’Leary, winning two Conference USA championships and becoming nationally ranked for the first time (No. 24 in the latest coaches’ poll). A nationally televised bowl win over an SEC opponent would be a significant next step in the growth of the UCF program.
- 3. Battle of the freshman quarterbacks. UCF’s Jeff Godfrey and UGA’s Aaron Murray are the nation’s top two freshmen quarterbacks in pass efficiency rating. Godfrey, a true freshman, ranks No. 8 overall with a 165.28 rating and Murray, a redshirt freshman, No. 9 with a 162.72 rating. The 5-foot-11, 182-pound Godfrey is a dual-threat quarterback who has passed for 2,042 yards and 13 touchdowns and run for 546 yards and 10 touchdowns. Godfrey has completed 68 percent of his passes, Murray 62 percent of his.
A Georgia win would …
- Extend the Bulldogs’ bowl winning streak to five games.
- Give the Dogs a 6-2 finish to this season after a 1-4 start.
- Be the Dogs’ first victory this season over a ranked opponent.
A Central Florida win would …
- Be UCF’s first-ever victory in a bowl game after losses to Nevada in the 2005 Hawaii Bowl, Mississippi State in the 2007 Liberty Bowl and Rutgers in the 2009 St. Petersburg Bowl.
- Set a school record for victories in a season by the Knights, who are 10-3 entering the bowl.
- Be the Knights’ ninth win in 10 games since a 2-2 start this season.
Keep an eye on …
- For Georgia: Murray could break records held by Matthew Stafford, D.J. Shockley and Mike Bobo. Two touchdown passes would break Stafford’s UGA single-season record of 25, set in 2008. One touchdown pass or run would surpass Shockley for most total TDs accounted for in a UGA season, Murray already having matched Shockley’s 28 (24 passing, four running) in 2005. And Murray could clinch the UGA single-season record for pass-efficiency rating, bettering Bobo’s mark of 155.8 in 1997.
- For Central Florida: Bruce Miller was an all-county and all-region player at Woodstock High School, but he had no major-college scholarship offers until UCF discovered him. He has grown into the star of the UCF defense. The senior defensive end is the NCAA leader among active players in career sacks with 34. Two sacks on Friday would tie Miller with former Georgia star David Pollack for third place on the NCAA career sack list (since 2000, when the NCAA began keeping the stat).
The numbers game
- 26-16-3: Georgia’s all-time record in bowl games. (The Bulldogs rank fourth nationally in bowl victories and are tied for fifth in bowl appearances.)
- 1-1: Georgia’s record in the Liberty Bowl, losing to Jim Donnan-quarterbacked N.C. State 14-7 in 1967 and beating Arkansas 20-17 in 1987 on freshman John Kasay’s 39-yard field goal on the game’s final play.
UGA-UCF history
- Previous meeting: Georgia escaped with a 24-23 victory at Sanford Stadium on Sept. 25, 1999, in the only previous football game between UGA and UCF. The Knights missed an extra point after scoring a touchdown with 5:21 to play but threatened to win the game on their final possession by driving to the Georgia 20-yard line. Two penalties and a sack pushed the Knights out of field-goal range, and a Jamie Henderson interception ended the game.
The line
- Georgia is a 6 ½-point favorite.
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213 comments Add your comment
mark
December 31st, 2010
6:55 am
Georgia doesn`t play Arkansas next year
NOTagain!
December 31st, 2010
6:57 am
Dawgs will be drinking those blues away tonight after they get upset in this game.
JB
December 31st, 2010
7:07 am
70 tons of trash………………..Nice showing against Air Force……7 points…..really……. With the worlds greatest offense ? LOL
Dave from GT
December 31st, 2010
7:35 am
OLeary has your number Dawg breaths! I don’t think AJ or Murray will make it thru the 1st half. UCF hits……. unlike that idiot Groh !
nobody
December 31st, 2010
7:53 am
football comments rank at the top of “talk’s cheap”…..positive comments rare…otherwise, negativity 24-7….advice to all you negative folks for a new year’s resolution….get a life
WinderDawg
December 31st, 2010
7:56 am
UCF is in the top 30 defensive teams in the country by playing who? The QB is talented and will make some plays. The only way UGA loses this game is by turning the ball over 4 times. Keep B Smith on the defensive side of the ball and don’t let him near a punt return or kick off return. UGA needs to pass first then mix in some draws and screen plays to off set the rush. We don’t have a dominate running back so we are a pass first then run team. Unless UCF runs the triple option or wing t formation I don’t see them racking up a lot of yardage. UGA 35 UCF 17.
TheXman
December 31st, 2010
8:07 am
richt will be signing his new contract after next year when the dogs win the east and in the hunt for a national title and all you tech fans can sream fire richt for at least another 7 years..haha
UGA will crush UCF and Boise ST simply because of the talent level in the SEC is so much better. the young dawgs will be jr an srs next year with some very talented red shirt sophs as well to pretty much beat any team they face next year.
by the way joe the bulldogs were 8-5 last year and 10-3 the year before and 11-2 the year before that. next year will be the beginning of a few more sec titles and possible national titles in the next 3 years.
UGA future is looking really bright. with the one of the top 7 coaches in all of college football secured and another top 10-5 recruiting class coming in. im a liking what im a seeing ; )
TheXman
December 31st, 2010
8:10 am
ucf? conf usa champs? haha..no way the bulldogs lose this game and the only way its close if uga gives the ball up 5 times on there own 15.
the UCF hasnt really played anyone like the dogs all year and when they see how much bigger and stronger these guys really are look for ucf to lay down.
Michael T
December 31st, 2010
8:19 am
U-C-F! U-C-F! Go Knights! This will be their first bowl win. Too bad it can’t be against a better team than UGA.
GaDawg1
December 31st, 2010
8:43 am
Hopefully the Dawgs can finish up on a high note.
http://thesportsdebates.com/2010/12/29/the-tsd-best-of-2010-debate%E2%80%A6-to-fire-or-not-fire-tops-the-list/
Smith
December 31st, 2010
8:49 am
Not sure Richt can survive losing the Bowl game. He’s on the hottest seat in the SEC.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/543129-mark-richt-on-the-hottest-seat-in-the-sec-in-2011-at-georgia
Smith
December 31st, 2010
8:51 am
Esteemed journalist Mark Bradley says Richt must win the SEC East, or get fired.
http://blogs.ajc.com/mark-bradley-blog/2010/12/13/if-uga-cant-win-the-sec-east-next-season-thats-it-for-richt/
JB
December 31st, 2010
8:54 am
Dave from GT……..7 points ? Air Force? You still sold on this guy in year 3 ? Team ought to on the rise….Looks like the program is nose diving.
Snake Doc
December 31st, 2010
9:22 am
Some of you boneheads wouldn’t know talent if it bit you in the behind.
Murray is a great talent, a winner on a poorly coached team. You boneheads complain about all the arrests, lack of discipline and now you’re waiting for Christian LeMay to come in and be the savior of MR and the UGA football program. LeMay hasn’t played in a year, His senior season in H.S., he was suspended for some type of sex violation.
Hmmm, a sexual deviant and pervert coming to save UGA football for MR a bunch of brain dead morons. How fitting!
Paul N Destin
December 31st, 2010
9:22 am
It doesn’t matter what Mark does in 2011 because he will not coach UGA in 2012. The jury(folks with Money) has already made the call on Mark.
jorjiafeetballstinks
December 31st, 2010
9:32 am
So the stupid dog is sick, with all the problems in the world, who in the LIVING HELL ives a STUPID jeorjia mascot as $hit, die you stupid dog and jeorgia feetball is as worthless as hell !!!!!!
Russ, the Temporary Mascot
December 31st, 2010
9:32 am
I have it on good authority that Big Bad Bruce was arrested last night. I will be on the job today. No more a$$ paintings. They have to accept me for what I am.
Snake Doc
December 31st, 2010
9:38 am
Schultz why don’t you actually use your brain and write an article on the state of sports radio in Atlanta. 3 college bowl games were played yesterday and not one was broadcast by what passes for sports radio in this town.
Oh yeah, you work for one of the feeble attempts at sports radio so you can’t criticize them
Atlanta Sports Radio = A joke!!!!!!!!
Snake Doc
December 31st, 2010
9:46 am
sorry – last post was on wrong blog.
Still ATL sports radio is a joke!
Orange10
December 31st, 2010
9:48 am
News flash – Murray was The University of Florida’s MVP for this years FL/GA game. As far as surpassing any Stafford or Shockley records, those guys were winners, Murray – big disapointment. The only thing Murray will be remembered for is leading UGA to the their worst season in modern history.
News Flash for Orange10
December 31st, 2010
10:04 am
Murray played very well and he is on track to be one of the best qbs to ever play at Georgia. He did outstanding considering he had NO rushing attack in his offense plus the defense was terrible.
Its not Murrays fault that Georgia has the crappiest defense $750,000 can buy.
It’s not Murrays fault that Washout fumbled the ball on two game winning drives that more than likely would have led to UGA wins.
It’s not Murrays fault that the Georgia defense got toasted by Ryan Mallet on that passing play to choke in the Arkansas game.
It’s not Murrays fault that idiot Bobo called a HORRIBLE set of plays in overtime of the Georgia/Florida game.
It’s not Murrays fault that he passed for THREE touchdowns in the FIRST QUARTER against #1 Auburn ON THE ROAD but his defense let them come back.
This season’s failures have nothing to do with quarterback play. Look at Murrays stats, the kid is breaking school records as a freshman. Murray didn’t have a running game, or defense this year and if you don’t have neither of those ANY qb will struggle in the SEC.
Junk Yard Dawg
December 31st, 2010
10:08 am
Did anyone see the Tennessee/North Carolina game last night? Derek Dooley has the fire in him to be a good coach. They had some sloppy games but he is a first year SEC coach with freshman everywhere so they will make mistakes. I’m telling you guys right here, UT will give us all we can handle next season. That Bray kid looks very good and he really put on a show last night. I think Tennessee beats us in Knoxville next season. Who would like for us to can Richt, and bring in another Dooley?
blazerdawg
December 31st, 2010
10:09 am
MT – man, even Valdosta State owns Central Florida.
Benji Lebeaux
December 31st, 2010
10:14 am
I hope we take this game seriously. Hunker down Hairy Dawgs.
Wild Blue Yonder
December 31st, 2010
10:22 am
David, UGA owns TECH and always will. Sad you have to hope so fervently for your main rival, whom you will never beat except on the rare occasion, to fail for you to feel some sort of victory.
42-34 Dawgs STILL Run This State!
December 31st, 2010
10:45 am
tech still has a losing record
AltamahaDawg
December 31st, 2010
11:02 am
Dooley seems like a young coach with a future but I didn’t particularly notice him demonstratively showing any more “fire” than any other of the coaches on the sidelines this bowl season. Less than some, more than others. Not sure what your gauge is. Safe to assume any young coach in his first years on a new job is going to bring some energy, but that would be true of anybody TN would have hired. I did notice his kids jumped up and showboated after an awful lot of plays. I don’t think they scored a single time without a very blatant display (beyond what was a penalty in other games). That’s not freshman mistakes. It seemed pretty condoned by his staff. May we assume that you are a fan of that?
San Francisco Dawg
December 31st, 2010
11:22 am
Has anyone actually looked at UCF’s schedule? Cupcake does not even describe it accurately..Dawgs could score 50 in this one….
Daisy Mae
December 31st, 2010
11:24 am
It would be heartwarming to see UCF’s student athletes beat UGA’s thugs. UGA’s morons are more of a gang than a team, and millions of decent, moral people would love to see these punks go down today.
There’s a reason why UGA is known as The Cesspool of the South.
AltamahaDawg
December 31st, 2010
11:28 am
As opposed to the hundred of people that watched Tech’s thugs go down?
AltamahaDawg
December 31st, 2010
11:45 am
Joey, I honestly have never one time in here heard anybody every say that criticising he coach made you “less of a fan”, not by anyone serious anyway. I have though heard countless times heard folks proactively defending themselves against such a claim. As if they felt like they needed to. Any reason for that? Commentors who choose not to simply repeat the hyper-negative boring and lazy banter in here get called name WAY more often that those that do, trust me. Don’t even try to put up that straw man.
There are however plenty of occasion when folks try to debate comments that seem unfair or overly simplistic to them, if not downright inaccurate. That’s all just opinion either way of course.
HOUDAWG
December 31st, 2010
11:57 am
Everett ……… your knowledge of football is SQUAT. Your posts would need improvement just to be idiotic …… go home little boy.
AltamahaDawg
December 31st, 2010
12:01 pm
And to answer your question about why anybody would have reason to expect 9-10 wins next year: Simple……..just basic math.
If Uga wins today, which I expect they will, they will have finished up winning 6/8 of thier last games. I would think any reasonable person would accept that if you were looking at some indication of what a team is going to do next season, the way they finished the previous season would be a pretty good place to start. So simple math, .75 is 9.75 victories. And I would say the past 8 games is a pretty fair representation of the 2011 schedule.
Add to that that UGA as literally 7 points away from winning 3 more games (10 games) this year, while none of the wins were close, so the percentages just simply work in thier favor.
Add to that the damage to the record was during the very first games of new defense under a completely new defensive staff that had never worked together, and a QB making his first appearances in a college game, why would you NOT expect the record to be better next year?
Dawg Tired
December 31st, 2010
12:04 pm
Question # 1 – Will the Dawgs be ready to play hard, or will they be like some of our posters on here and think it’s only UCF? If the former, we win; if the latter we lose.
Question # 2 – Will our defense play aggressively, or will we sit back and watch a freshman QB pick us apart?
Question # 3 – Will we play all four quarters, or will we wilt at the end?
Question 3 4 – Which team really wants this game the most?
While this game should be a lock for the Dawgs based on the talent levels, these questions cause real concern.
Dawg Tired
December 31st, 2010
12:07 pm
I’m hoping San Fran Dawg is right on this one.
Dawg Tired
December 31st, 2010
12:09 pm
Daisy – get back in the front set.
Gatorman
December 31st, 2010
12:52 pm
The NCAA has allowed the bowl picture to get disgusting. Simple, have all of the Bowls complete by Jan 1, and the championship one week later to allow the BCS location to get ready. Any other other scenario is simply adding crap to the massive crap that is already there now.
Paul Johnson
December 31st, 2010
1:18 pm
I want to congratulate UGA for beating my team and its gimmick offense once again. Good luck against UCF. I’m going to be hanging out with your favorite knucklehead Caleb King.
how2fish
December 31st, 2010
1:19 pm
Daisy Mae decent and moral people?? Like Auburn and Bug fans??
Aaron Murray
December 31st, 2010
1:19 pm
I hurt my thumb flipping through a book while studying for my final exams.
ugaclassof2004
December 31st, 2010
2:09 pm
People who dog out Aaron Murray are idiots. The offense scored 30 or more points 6 times vs. Div. I opponents, including Florida and Auburn. When you can score 30 points or more, you are doing what you need to do to as an offense win games. It not Murray’s fault that the defense can’t keep opponents out of the freakin endzone or force a 3 and out! There is nothing but 3 star nobodies on that side of the fall. Its not Murray’s fault that Mark Richt and Co. have not built a team around him to be more successful.Aaron Murray AS A FRESHMAN is the engine that makes this offense go! Has Murray made some mistakes? Of course! But without Aaron Murray and AJ Green, this team would be LUCKY to be 5-7!
Snake Doc
December 31st, 2010
3:25 pm
Anyone criticizing Murray know NOTHING about football! I’m sure those criticizing him are waiting for the next great dope, pervert, sexual deviant to come in and save MR’s behind! That says more about the MR and the morons wanting Lemay to be the QB to save UGA than it does about the rest of us.
FIRE MR today!
Hit A Single
December 31st, 2010
3:40 pm
Can’t wait until Coach Joe T. takes over the weight room. He is by for the most intense person on the Dawgs sideline. I have already heard that some players may not make it. He is already on some ass. He is a true dawg and knows what it means to be a Dawg on Sat. night.
Will Stockdale
December 31st, 2010
3:41 pm
Bulldogs suck. I hope the get HAMMERED ! They continue to embarass the state.
hbcuclassics
December 31st, 2010
3:47 pm
HBCU Classics All-Americans
Offense:
QB Matthew Johnson, Bethune**
QB Stanley Jennings, Albany St**
RB Walter Sanders, St. Augustine
RB DeAngelo Branche, Norfolk St
RB Frank Warren, Grambling – broke Walter Payton’s rushing records
WR Raymond Webber, UAPB
WR Ronnie Childs, Albany St
WR Lennel Elmore, SC State
OL David Mims, VA Union
OL Johnny Culbreath, SC State
OL Mike Mavromichalis, Albany St
OL Natiel Curry, Bethune
OL Josh Harrison, SC State
http://www.hbcuclassics.com
Walmart Fans
December 31st, 2010
3:47 pm
Ealey is a punk/thug. fighting after every play
Hit A Single
December 31st, 2010
3:50 pm
Walmart Fan – go get your foot powder and go home.
Hit A Single
December 31st, 2010
3:51 pm
Will Stockdale – I didn’t know you were still alive. Of course you still ain’t worth a _____________!
dawgmatic
December 31st, 2010
5:14 pm
Too bad the NERDS couldn’t beat Air Force. That’s embarrassing!
WOW
December 31st, 2010
6:23 pm
Losing 9-6 to UCF —- WOW