Bowl scenarios: It’s anywhere from Sugar Bowl to Chick-fil-A for Dogs
Where is Georgia going to play in a bowl game?
Excellent question, and one that’s impossible to answer at this point. Now if you couch it to ask, where might the Bulldogs go bowling?, we can give that one a go.
Much is going to depend on the outcome of today’s game between Georgia and Georgia Tech, and other rivalry games as well. Suffice it to say, a Bulldogs’ win — which would be their 10th in a row – puts them in a very favorable position. However, a loss to the Jackets followed by another one to LSU makes Georgia a bit of a problem for the bowl bosses.
Regardless, Georgia should end up in one of these five bowl games:
- Allstate Sugar Bowl, New Orleans, Jan. 3: The Bulldogs get here only if they beat LSU in the SEC Championship Game. They would be representing the league as SEC champion, then could hang around six days in New Orleans to catch LSU and/or Alabama play in the Allstate BCS National Championship Game on Jan. 9.
- Capital One Bowl, Orlando, Jan. 2: The Cap One folks have a tough decision — take a 10-2, top-10-ranked Arkansas team or a Georgia team that will be coming off a loss in the SEC championship game. Go ahead and cross off this option if the Dogs lose to Georgia Tech. And even if Georgia beats the Jackets, it still might look like an easy choice for the Razorbacks based on record and ranking. However, economic factors such as travel and attendance make it less obvious. The majority of the fanbase being within easy driving distance could work in UGA’s favor.
- Outback Bowl, Tampa, Jan. 2: This would seem the most likely destination if the Cap One passes on the SEC loser. But you never know what this volatile bowl selection group might do. They could decide to pick South Carolina on the argument the Gamecocks won head-to-head against Georgia, especially if they can beat Clemson. Auburn could enter the picture with a win over Alabama or Florida with a win over FSU.
- AT&T Cotton Bowl, Dallas, Jan. 6: Expect a real tug-of-war between the Cotton Bowl and the Cap One for Arkansas. Dallas is a traditional destination for the former Southwest Conference-dwelling Hogs and their fans will certainly travel well there, especially not having been back since 2007. Then again, Georgia hasn’t played there since beating Texas 10-9 in 1984 and a lot of Bulldog fans have expressed interest in going back.
- Chick-fil-A Bowl, Atlanta, Dec. 31: Lopsided losses to Tech and/or LSU could seriously jeopardize the Bulldogs cachet in the bowl hierarchy. But the SEC now has a “protection system” designed to keep the loser of the SEC title game from slipping too far. By contract, Commissioner Mike Slive can call on any of the non-BCS bowls in the SEC’s alliance and ask them to protect the SEC loser. It’s unlikely Slive would let Georgia slip past the Outback or Cotton. Nevertheless, Chick-fil-A Bowl President Gary Stokan told me himself he would protect Georgia from getting past them.
As you can see, the outcomes of today’s rivalry games will have a profound effect on the bowl scenario as we know it. So you might as well settle in and watch. By Saturday night, the picture should sharpen considerably.
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293 comments Add your comment
Bowl scenarios: It’s anywhere from Sugar Bowl to Chick-fil-A for Dogs – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) | Dog Shop Blog
November 26th, 2011
8:34 am
[...] webmaster@technorati.com wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerpt [...]
CHDawg
November 26th, 2011
8:35 am
I looked at what Sports Ill’s guys were saying on their site, and they seem to hate the UGA. Mandel picks Tech to whip us, and another SI genius has us ranked at 16 with a very disrespectful description of our team. Sometimes the disrespect helps, so hopefully the Dawgs will come out with something to prove. I would love to see big victories this week and next. It isn’t likely, but that would really throw the talking heads into a spin…Go Dawgs.
CHDawg
November 26th, 2011
8:38 am
Coarch, SC lost their QB and the spark plug of their O, Lattimore since playing UGA. UGA is a young team and has improved a lot. Finally, UGA lost to SC through turnovers. The Dawgs really should have won that game by two or three scores. I do think Georgia is better than Ark, though. You know what they say about elbows and opinions, though…
TampaGator
November 26th, 2011
8:39 am
sarfdawg…..
Maybe because past today…..all you have to look forward to is playing LSU. That thought can end almost anyone’s delusions or wake anyone up from a dream…..Bama fans, Arky fans (and coach)…and then……Georgia fans.
Coarch
November 26th, 2011
8:40 am
The guys at SI don’t hate UGA. They just don’t have access to the Red Kool-Aid that you guys are all buzzed up on.
dawgcrzy
November 26th, 2011
8:41 am
if LSU loses the SECCG and plays for the MNC,and Bama plays for the MNC without winning the division or the SECCG,then the SECCG is the MNC and we are in it.But today just beat the nerds at the joke!
Coarch
November 26th, 2011
8:41 am
“Woulda, Shoulda, Coulda” is second only to “Wait ’till Next Year” in Athens.
TampaGator
November 26th, 2011
8:42 am
King Gator…..
Lose big to FSU tonight……and the Liberty might be just where the Gators will be heading. Big game tonight…..playing the hated Noles…..Gator or possibly the Outback Bowls on the line…..and about 30 big time recruits sitting in the south end zone. Big night for the Gators. Could be a season changer….or the conclusion to a nightmare. I hope it isn’t the later. Go Gators!
CHDawg
November 26th, 2011
8:43 am
Coarch, no CMR doesn’t run it up, even when he should. We were ahead of KY by 9 its, and he ran it on 4th down when he could have tried a 30+ yd FG. I thought they should have kicked it for the pollsters. He stopped passing against AU in the second half when Mason really needs the work, and he did the same, but a little later with NMST.
Coarch
November 26th, 2011
8:43 am
@TampaGator
Florida should be healthy again by now. I expect a close game.
CHDawg
November 26th, 2011
8:45 am
Coarch, your problem is that you say things that have no logic behind them, like CMR runs up the score. He doesn’t even when it hurts the team, and yes, SI doesn’t think much of UGA. Maybe, unlike your case, it isn’t personal.
Mobile Dawg
November 26th, 2011
8:47 am
We think the Dawgs take care of business in a tough game today, LSU, they are scary. They seem to be as good as they need to be. Don’t see the Dawgs hanging with them 4 quarters. It’s a given, our bowl stock has improved since the last couple of years.
Outer Banks Dawg
November 26th, 2011
8:47 am
@ Frank,
That is exactly what happened to UGA in 2007. Not playing in the SEC CG allowed other teams to jump over us. That being said, Alabama is one of those programs that gets a lot of respect. Herbstreit and the ESPN talking heads are all in love with Saban and the Tide. And probably for good reason… The Tide is a very strong team this year. It will be interesting to see what the voters decide to do.
I couldn’t be more excited about the Dawgs vs. Jackets today! Tech will be tough as always, but I’m looking for Georgia to get it done on defense. One good thing: you haven’t heard a lot of talk from the UGA camp about playing LSU or what bowl they might get to go to. Seems we are focused squarely on Ga Tech. Let’s not let the Jackets ‘win the SEC east.’ We’ll never hear the end of it up here.
GO DAWGS!
BullDogMike
November 26th, 2011
8:47 am
I believe we will take care of business today against the bumblebees. After all they are a second tier ACC team. But we have bigger fish to fry.( as some coach told us once). I know we hate Tech and they hate us, but all it is ..is bragging rights for one season. Beating them does not get us a SEC champion banner hanging on our wall. Doesn’t give us the big shiney trophy for our trophy case, Doesn’t give us a bid to Sugar bowl. A SEC championship is what you play for, it’s what your goal is from the first day of practice. Yes, we will beat the Nerds, but for those who believe this is the most important game of the year…..get real……..
CHDawg
November 26th, 2011
8:48 am
its=pts..
Coarch
November 26th, 2011
8:48 am
I understand CHDawg. It’s the Kool-Aid. I won’t even try to argue the point with you. You see the world through a crimson colored pitcher.
Coarch
November 26th, 2011
8:51 am
“That is exactly what happened to UGA in 2007. Not playing in the SEC CG allowed other teams to jump over us. That being said, Alabama is one of those programs that gets a lot of respect. Herbstreit and the ESPN talking heads are all in love with Saban and the Tide.”
Nonsense. Georgia excluded themselves in 2007 by losing early to a 6-6 SC team and then being absolutely dismantled by Tennessee. Alabama hasn’t done that this year. They are the Number 2 team based upon their record. It has nothing to do with respect. It has everything to do with on-field performance. Always has…
Bowl scenarios: It’s anywhere from Sugar Bowl to Chick-fil-A for Dogs – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) | Dog Blog Online
November 26th, 2011
8:53 am
[...] webmaster@technorati.com wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerpt [...]
CHDawg
November 26th, 2011
8:59 am
Coarch, nice dismissal of the facts. UGA hasn’t run it up, and they could have had much better stats if they did like other teams do. So enlighten us from the burden of having to see things through the red pitcher. How badly will Tech and LSU beat us today and why?
LESD
November 26th, 2011
9:02 am
Isn’t it true that SEC standings figure into what’s possible? You say Auburn or Florida could enter the picture for the Outback. Georgia’s 7-1 conference record should make it impossible for Florida (3-5) or Auburn (4-4 or 3-5) to jump ahead in the pecking order.
CHDawg
November 26th, 2011
9:03 am
The problem for Alabama is that they lost their division and didn’t even participate in a conference championship game. On field performance just didn’t work out for them. The pollsters will bypass them for a conference champ unless something strange happens. i.e.- if Ok St. wins their conference and LSU wins they Ok St will jump back above Bama. That is how it should work, too.
Slapdatious
November 26th, 2011
9:04 am
“resides in a state of Alabama ”
Which one, oh erudite one?
Coarch
November 26th, 2011
9:04 am
@CHDawg
I expect Georgia to win today. As for the Dome… Anything is possible, but a victory over LSU is highly unlikely.
The truth hurts
November 26th, 2011
9:06 am
Tampa Gator, I don’t think your team is even bowl eligible!.Losers like you worry about everybody else when you need to take care of your own business. So keep on trashing the Dawgs as your team is on a downward spiral with no end in sight!
Coarch
November 26th, 2011
9:06 am
I don’t see where Alabama has a problem. They are the undisputed Number 2 team in the BCS poll. Their only potential problem is a loss to Auburn today. Then again… Anything is possible.
claytondawg
November 26th, 2011
9:07 am
1969 Graduate earlier said it right: Today is our bowl game for now. focus on responsibility with Tech.
dawgcrzy
November 26th, 2011
9:07 am
@coarch You are a 100% wrong my friend,Herbstreit and his band of idiots and also Les Miles,who was just doing what any coach would do,stood up on there soap boxes and said there was no way a team that did not win their conference or division could play for the MNC. Georgia was ranked #2 and got jumped by Ohio St without losing a game.If its the two best teams in the country it should have been GA and USC. The BSC sux.
Chinny
November 26th, 2011
9:09 am
CHDawg….I don’t see Bama falling in the polls (regardless of what happened in 2007). With a win over Auburn, Bama appears to be a lock for the BCS title game. And that’s okay. The best team doesn’t always win or even play for the conference championship (again, see UGA in 2007).
Coarch
November 26th, 2011
9:11 am
@dawgcrzy
Relax man… It’s only the Kool-Aid.
You’ll be fine, once the inebriating effects wear off. Just remember to use a designated driver until you’re sober again.
Chinny
November 26th, 2011
9:11 am
Herbstreit has come out and said he has changed his opinion about having a non-conference champion playing in the NC. Doesn’t help UGA, but at least people are coming to their senses.
Coarch
November 26th, 2011
9:14 am
I can remember when folks accused ESPN of being biased for USC. Could it be that they were merely reporting the fact that USC had the best football team in the nation at the time?
Things that make you go Hmmm…
dawgcrzy
November 26th, 2011
9:15 am
I figured all i’d get was stupid was something silly as a response,facts are facts.
CHDawg
November 26th, 2011
9:15 am
Chinny, I think Bama is probably better than Ok St., but remembering the way things happened in 07, I strongly suspect Ok St will jump Bama. Remember, Bama will be idle and Ok St. will keep winning big games. If either team loses, it would change obviously. The BCS doesn’t sit still when teams keep playing and OK St. will play if LSU if they both keep winning. They do have a point. Both one loss teams, but Ok St. will have won their conference. Bama has to hope they will lose to have a chance. Also, LSU losing to us could put them there, but that is tricky. If we beat LSU by a couple of TDs, how could you send an Alabama team that isn’t the Conference champ over the champ? Especially considering Bama was whipped by LSU at home. It would be a mess, to say the least.
Coarch
November 26th, 2011
9:16 am
See how the Kool-Aid has affected your speech?
Designated driver man… Trust me.
Coarch
November 26th, 2011
9:17 am
Bama didn’t lose to Iowa State.
Hard to ignore that.
Coarch
November 26th, 2011
9:18 am
Besides, the most likely outcome for OKS is to lose to the Sooners.
CHDawg
November 26th, 2011
9:20 am
I’m sounding illiterate….and Ok State will keep playing, while Bama will stop. If both LSU and OK St keep winning, they will likely be in the BCS game.
Coarch
November 26th, 2011
9:21 am
If Georgia should manage to defeat LSU, then there will not likely be an SEC team playing in the BCSCG.
LakeDawg
November 26th, 2011
9:22 am
Gators lose big tonight. Dawgs win.
CHDawg
November 26th, 2011
9:23 am
Kool aid doesn’t do that, Coarch, but I haven’t been drinking. I’m off to the gym, and then I hope to diagram some sentences before the game!
Coarch
November 26th, 2011
9:23 am
OK State hasn’t yet played a “big game”. They have one more game to play, and that is against OK. Even if they defeat that 2 loss team, they won’t jump Bama.
dawgcrzy
November 26th, 2011
9:25 am
A Bama/LSU rematch will not be the best revenue, it’s all about the money,it’s a boring game for offense minded people.I watched the first one probably would’nt watch it again.
Coarch
November 26th, 2011
9:26 am
There was some Kool-Aid at Woodstock that did things you couldn’t even imagine!
LakeDawg
November 26th, 2011
9:28 am
TV execs probably don’t want a LSU/AL rematch. 3/4 of the country wouldn’t be interested.
dawgcrzy
November 26th, 2011
9:28 am
Bama played one big game and lost,probably lose again
Coarch
November 26th, 2011
9:28 am
You guys are so paranoid that you think there are hidden puppet-masters controlling a public poll. I understand that there is a bias against the SEC, but pretending that Alabama is in the same situation as was Georgia in 2007 is simply delusional.
dawgcrzy
November 26th, 2011
9:30 am
coarch is all about some Kool-aid, his is crimson
Coarch
November 26th, 2011
9:30 am
Boise State could have bumped Bama out of second place – if they hadn’t lost to whomever that little team was that beat them.
dawgcrzy
November 26th, 2011
9:30 am
back it up with some facts
JaxDawg
November 26th, 2011
9:31 am
We just need to beat Tech, LSU looks really strong and they just keep getting better. A good showing for the Dawgs in that game could go along way in determening where they end up in the bowl scenarios.