UGA vs. Michigan State in Outback Bowl; homecoming for Murray, Charles
Georgia and Michigan State, both with 10-3 records and losses in their conference championship games, will meet Jan. 2 in the Outback Bowl in Tampa.
The matchup was set Sunday, one day after Georgia lost 42-10 to No. 1 LSU in the SEC Championship game and Michigan State fell 42-39 to Wisconsin in the inaugural Big Ten title game.
Georgia was among three SEC teams, along with South Carolina and Arkansas, that were in the running for the Capital One, Outback and Cotton bowls.
Orlando’s Capital One Bowl, which had the next choice of SEC teams after LSU and Alabama were tabbed for the BCS national title game, selected South Carolina. The Gamecocks (10-2, 6-2 SEC) finished second to Georgia in the SEC East, but defeated the Bulldogs 45-42 in Athens on Sept. 10.
The Outback and Cotton bowls, equals in the SEC’s bowl pecking order, were next in line to make selections from the league. The Outback preferred the East team (Georgia) and the Cotton the West team (Arkansas).
The Outback, which will kick off at 1 p.m. and be televised on ABC, will be a homecoming for two of Georgia’s top players, quarterback Aaron Murray and tight end Orson Charles, who were teammates at Tampa’s Plant High School.
“Heading home for the Outback Bowl!” Murray said Sunday night via Twitter.
“It’s a great destination for our student-athletes and our fans –- warm weather, wonderful attractions, a first-class stadium -– and we look forward to competing against a great Michigan State team,” Georgia athletic director Greg McGarity said in a statement. “Our fans have been a big part of our success this season, and I’m confident they will support the team with attendance in this bowl game.”
Michigan State is ranked ahead of Georgia in the latest polls, released Sunday. The Spartans are No. 12 in the Associated Press poll and No. 13 in the USA Today coaches’ poll, while the Bulldogs are No. 18 in both.
While Georgia won the SEC East, Michigan State won the Big Ten’s Legends division. Both teams were 7-1 in regular-season league play.
This is the 15th consecutive season that Georgia has reached a bowl. The Outback is a step up in the bowl landscape from the Bulldogs’ destinations the past two seasons, the Independence Bowl in 2009 and the Liberty Bowl last year.
Georgia and Michigan State have met twice previously in football, with Georgia winning both times.
The first meeting was in Jacksonville’s Gator Bowl at the end of the 1988 season. Georgia won that game, Vince Dooley’s last as the Bulldogs’ coach, 34-27.
The other meeting was in the Capital One Bowl at the end of the 2008 season. Georgia won 24-12 in the final college game for quarterback Matthew Stafford and tailback Knowshon Moreno. Stafford threw three touchdown passes in the second half, the last one to Moreno.
“This promises to be a great match-up,” Michigan State athletics director Mark Hollis said in a statement. “The last time these two teams met … the outcome wasn’t decided until the fourth quarter, so we anticipate another competitive game.”
Georgia has played in the Outback Bowl three times previously, winning all three, while this will be Michigan State’s first trip to the Tampa game.
Michigan State seemed on the cusp of a potential game-winning touchdown in Saturday’s Big Ten title game when the Spartans returned a Wisconsin punt inside the 5-yard line with less than two minutes to play. But a running-into-the-punter penalty negated the return and gave Wisconsin a first down, ensuring its victory and a Rose Bowl berth.
Georgia coach Mark Richt and Michigan State coach Coach Mark Dantonio will discuss the Outback matchup in a joint media teleconference Monday. In a news release from the bowl Sunday night, Richt was quoted: “… Playing a top quality opponent like Michigan State will be a challenge we’ll look forward to.”
Both teams rank in the nation’s top five in total defense. Georgia is No. 3, allowing 268.5 yards per game, and Michigan State is No. 5, giving up 272.7 yards per game.
– Tim Tucker
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522 comments Add your comment
sting'um
December 5th, 2011
8:33 am
MSU line is physical and explosive on O!!!!!!!!! MSU wins 36-17
after Murray collapses yet once again.
deaddog
December 5th, 2011
8:34 am
Another beatdown. Imagine we will follow up our 32 beating by LSU with a 24 point beating by State.
Who cares I have a new contract.
sting'um
December 5th, 2011
8:35 am
Hairy Dawg- Its called strenght of schedule (RPI) they dropped that much
because they had a very WEAK schedule.
DawgInaTruck
December 5th, 2011
8:37 am
Do they use RPI in football? I’m not a stat-geek but I thought that was only used in basketball.
chanceman
December 5th, 2011
8:38 am
This should be a great game! Leave Crowell at home and start Malcome!
DawgInaTruck
December 5th, 2011
8:38 am
Do they use RPI in football? I’m not a stat-geek but I thought that formula was unique to basketball.
DawgInaTruck
December 5th, 2011
8:39 am
Sorry for the double-post, the page refreshed the first time with nothing.
DawginLex
December 5th, 2011
8:40 am
Dogs smell
What bowl game is Tennerseeee in this year?
Missed their name being called last night.
Must have just been an oversight?????????????
Adam
December 5th, 2011
8:42 am
This looks like it will be a really good game
Cherry Picker
December 5th, 2011
8:43 am
I saw the replay of that Bama vs. GSU game. Bama’s defensive line was stepping back from the cut blocks on every snap to avoid injuries. They didn’t need to play their A game – and they didn’t. One of the coaches said after the game that they would have never scheduled GSU had they known they were going to run that gimmick offense. It’s not worth losing players just to rack up a cupcake win in a money game.
McDawg
December 5th, 2011
8:44 am
yes wanted Nebraska but really important to win this game
chilidawg
December 5th, 2011
8:49 am
Someone please tell me again why the Big East gets an aq bid. And wth was the Sugar Bowl thinking?
McDawg
December 5th, 2011
8:50 am
yeah right Bobo is the reason we lost–get a brain
Dawg_Mike
December 5th, 2011
8:55 am
Hey- all you ” leave Crowell at home” folks may be right but with a month to heal he could just have a breakout game. ( insert sarcasm here ).
I am willing to wager he will come out after 2 or 3 runs and will sit on the bench and pick his fingernails.
GRAY GHOST OR WHITE KNIGHT
December 5th, 2011
8:56 am
EXACTLY HOW FAR OUT IS THIS OUTBACK BOWL? OUTER MONGOLIA ?
GA NEEDS THE EXPOSURE. UGA NEEDS LESS EXPOSURE..
Dawg Fud
December 5th, 2011
9:04 am
If we had nto been crushed in the SECCG, just kept it close, would Cotton have taken us?
dawgpost
December 5th, 2011
9:18 am
In response to SE GA dawg Fan, South Carolina deserves the Capitol One and the higher ranking than Jawja. First they beat them doggies on their own turf. Second they played a tougher schedule. And third they ended their season on a high note drubbing the ACC champs — Clempson. USC is the better team at this point and will most likely put y’all in the same position to begin the season next year.
Wake up and More are Fed-Up
December 5th, 2011
9:19 am
I know there’s nothing to say
Someone has taken my place
Wake up and more are fed up
Every day, more join up
I know there’s nothing to say
Someone has taken my place
When times go bad
When times go rough
Every day, someone else takes my place
All he does is to lay down
I know I got nothin’ on you
Know you’re the better fan
When times go bad
And you can’t get enough
Every day, someone else takes my place
Wake up and more are fed up
Every day, more join up
I know there’s nothing to do
Discipline gone been that way too
All he does is to lay down
Won’t you let our men get on with rest of us
And let us do our stuff ?
Do it
Do it
Do it
To the rest, settling for nothingness
One thing I think you should know
I ain’t gonna miss you when you go
Just as you don’t miss the 33 now gone too
Transfers out
Suspensions everyday
We’re just Second Tier news
We’re just Second Tier news
Dot dot dot dot
Dot dot dot dot
Uh uh uh uh
Uh uh uh uh
We’re just Second Tier News
We’re just Second Tier News
Wake up and More are Fed-Up
December 5th, 2011
9:20 am
Been down so long DISNEYdawgs.com
I’ve been tossed around enough
Aw Couldn’t you just
Let our men get down and do our stuff
Instead of all this mediocre football
Won SEC in 02
Won SEC in 02
Never mind only other SEC 4-Loss Auburn
Coaches’ Top 25 in 02
Won SEC in 05
Won SEC in 05
Seven (7) Seasons ago
But, ended up # 3 SEC team in polls
Uh uh uh uh
Uh uh uh uh
I know you’re hopin’ to find
Someone who’s gonna give you peace of mind
When times go bad
When times go rough
Sprint Draw on 3rd and long
Sprint Draw on 3rd and long
Lay down in the tall green Sanford Grass
Lay down in the tall green Sanford Grass
Bow Bow Bow Bow
Bow Bow Bow Bow
All he does is to lay down
So, no one cares about us
Let me get my Bible out
Apologize for cussing my own man out
But, he is still dumb
a bum
Bum Bum Bum Bum
Bum Bum Bum Bum
Take the curse words back
But, he’s still dumb
Not me
Not me
Let me lay down, don’t wanna do my stuff
Such a cushy job
Wake up and More are Fed-Up
December 5th, 2011
9:21 am
All the kool-aid drinkers to let me off
3 and half million
3 and half million
Can give it all away to charity
then I’m the good guy
Call my own man a DUMB***
Call my Scholar DUMB***
I recruit so well
I recruit so well…
Bow Bow Bow Bow
Bow Bow Bow Bow
I’m the 4th best in nation ever
I’m the 4th best in nation always
Not vain
Not vain
Bow Bow Bow Bow
Bow Bow Bow Bow
Such easy job
Such an easy job
God knows
God knows
Bulldog fans don’t
Bulldog fans don’t
Got them right where I want them
Got them right where I want them
Uh uh uh uh
Yah Yah Yah Yah
I know there’s nothing to say
I know I got nothin’ on you
When times go bad
When times go rough
I know I got nothin’ on you
Chip Towers says extend contract
BEFORE SEC Championship Game
When times go bad
When times get rough
No one cares about us
Just you
Just as he doesn’t care about us either
Or why call our own scholars Dumb*** ?
Wake up and More are Fed-Up
December 5th, 2011
9:22 am
Who’d we beat now ?
Just who’d we beat now ?
We’re just second tier news
We’re just second tier news
Yah Yah Yah Yah
Yah Yah Yah Yah
3 wins 14 games vs top 10
3 wins 11 years vs top 10
Dot dot dot dot
Dot dot dot dot
17 beat us not otherwise top 25
11 years and 17 such losses
Uh uh uh uh
Uh uh uh uh
What’s a CUPCAKE ?
What’s a CUPCAKE ?
We are
We’re just second tier news
We’re just second tier news
Yah Yah Yah Yah
Yah Yah Yah Yah
Wait until next year
National Championship year
Best quarterback in conference
Greg McGarity a tennis player here
What’s he know about football ?
We haven’t done a thing in years
17 losses 11 years vs teams who’d not be ranked
But they beat us
We’re just second tier news
We’re just second tier news
17-27 all 11 years vs teams finishing top 25
Yah Yah Yah Yah
Yah Yah Yah Yah
That’s why I’m in here
Cuz Mark Richt is such a lovely man
Yah Yah Yah Yah
Hires such a great staff
Uh uh uh uh
Uh uh uh uh
Can’t log on fast enough to tell everyone they the problem
Certainly not he
I love Mark Richt
I love Mark Richt
Nah Nah Nah Nah
Nah Nah Nah Nah
Wake up and More are Fed-Up
December 5th, 2011
9:22 am
Don’t care if we’re Second Tier News
Don’t care if we’re Second Tier News
Yah Yah Yah Yah
Yah Yah Yah Yah
Keep on whistling past the Graveyard
Michael F. Adam$
We’re not Second Tier News
We’re not Second Tier News
Now bowl game 1pm on a Monday
Bow Bow Bow Bow
Bow Bow Bow Wow
We’re not Second Tier News
We’re not Second Tier News ?
I know there’s nothing to say
Someone else now has taken my place
Meow Meow Meow Meow
Meow Meow Meow Meow
MoreIsLess
December 5th, 2011
9:23 am
I noticed it didn’t take long for the AJC to get the story of the SEC Championship game off their website. I’m sure we would still be reading about it had Georgia won.
TampaDawg
December 5th, 2011
9:34 am
@Dogs Sme “already bragging about next year is the reason your fans are hated. Next year Next year is all you ever have.”
Are you serious? Your team doesn’t even have that to say so why bother commenting?
Here’s some facts for you. The Dawgs were given up for dead after the 0-2 start, many stating they would be lucky to finish the season at 8-5. Now with 10, possibly 11, wins for the season, trolls like you who’s team got beat by those same Dawgs are still on here like you have something viable to say. You obviously don’t but you’re gonna spout of anyway. Way to hang tough though troll nation.
Preston Thompson
December 5th, 2011
9:40 am
Can someone tell me who that no 18 for Ga is? In all the years of my years of football I’ve never seen such fear as he exibited Saturday night. Let’s LSU run past him, made no attempt to make a tackle, then has the gaul to act as though he was chasing him. Ga’s back field quit on the team.
And that Crowell, what a prima donna. That boy just ain’t got any balls. If things get rough, he gets gone. That dwarf they have in the backfield has more guts that Crowell does. What a bust he is.
Ga best find a runnin back back with heart and power. That boy ain’t gonna get it done. But he surely has a big mouth and worms under his helmet.
And to the game, Ga’s coaches cost them the game. What in tarnation are they doing on the field? That was stupid and Richt allowed it. What is it with those idiots?
ole dawg
December 5th, 2011
9:42 am
play the ENTIRE game=all of the minutes=every single minute 200%=or go to the dog house and stay!!!!!!!
AFDawg
December 5th, 2011
9:43 am
UGA fans — remember when The Outback Bowl gave UGA that atrocious snub in favor of Auburn a few years back. They totally disrespected the Dawg Nation and we all swore we would never support that bowl again. So, now is the time to make them remember. Also, who the heck wants to see us play Michigan State again — what a stupid match-up. Lastly, Tampa is a nasty city with a very high crime rate. Boycott the Outback Bowl!!!!!!!!
ole dawg
December 5th, 2011
9:47 am
send crowell to GA Southern, i will give him the bus allowance,against tougher teams he has shown nothing,darn it CMR, get you a walkon that has fire and desire to play and let Crowell get the hell out.
RedandBlackDawg
December 5th, 2011
9:57 am
Gasouthernor,
You are a tech. fan in disguise, and not a good one at that. No Southern Georgia person would be so ignorant as that, to state what you did.
GO DAWGS and GATA
Evansdawg
December 5th, 2011
9:59 am
Georgia Southern talking smack? Don’t they know they would hardly exist without UGA? They were born out of our rib. Get over yourselves…you don’t have one player that UGA would heavily recruit unless its a kicker.
RedandBlackDawg
December 5th, 2011
10:01 am
AFDAWG,
I am wondering, have you ever be stationed at McDill. It was one of my better stateside assignments in my career, and Tampa probably has less crime than Atlanta to boot. I am assuming that AF means Air Force. This bowl is an adequate rewards for these young DAWGS and a nice reward for a season well played.
GO DAWGS and GATA
Evansdawg
December 5th, 2011
10:03 am
It’s also HIGHLY laughable that these Techies have to come here to pull for other teams (other than their own) to beat Georgia. I guess thats life in the ‘who cares’ Sun Bowl playing Utah. Get ready next year Tech, for yet another beatdown at the end of the season. We get to warm up on the triple option against Southern the week before. You guys are doomed.
Thank God for Reggie Ball
December 5th, 2011
10:04 am
I said it before, I’ll say it again and then i’m done with the topic:
when the UCLA Bruins come closer to winning their conference that you do, you do not deserve to play for a national title.
Dogs Smell,
who’s your poor team, Tennessee, Florida, Auburn, Tech, who’s your guys that got butt-hurt by the Dawgs
JB
December 5th, 2011
10:13 am
Let’s see… TAMPA OR EL PASO….. Mummmmm??????
OZZFEST
December 5th, 2011
10:15 am
@TAMPAGATOR
…SELLS OUT EVERY YEAR?
YOU MEAN THE LOWER LEVEL? THE LAST FEW TIMES I HAVE BEEN TO THE OUTBACK, IT WAS 70% FULL AT BEST…AND THAT WAS IN A GOOD ECONOMY.
OZZFEST
December 5th, 2011
10:18 am
OH YEAH….OUTBACK STEAKS FOUNDER CHRIS SULLIVAN IS A KENTUCKY GRADUATE.
HE INSISTED THE BOWL TAKE THE CATS OVER GEORGIA A FEW YEARS AGO, RIGHT AFTER UGA HAD BEAT KENTUCKY.
THIS IS THE YEAR I SPIT MY BLOOMIN’ ONION BACK IN HIS FACE…I AM STAYING HOME.
OZZFEST
December 5th, 2011
10:19 am
ONE MORE….
BOBO…..
MARK,
IT IS TIME TO CALL HIM IN TO YOUR OFFICE….
Mobile Dawg
December 5th, 2011
10:19 am
Tampa’s a great destination. Lived in the area for 7 years, best part, the gulf, worst part, UF fans and old yankees. Dawgs have got their work cut out for them against MSU. Some of you are still delusional if you think that CMR is a great coach. I hope there’s no extension and McGarity continues to push for changes. Dawgs played a great first half, we were outmanned obviously, but still not near tough enough to compete at championship level. Recruiting, conditioning, accountability, and mental toughness need to be the focus. I’m just not sure Richt is “mentally tough enough”, players follow the lead of their coach. Richt is soft IMO. Hope we play four quarters against MSU.
RedandBlackDawg
December 5th, 2011
10:21 am
It is interesting to see tech. fans and others posing behind a fake name, still bitter about getting your butt handed to you for 10 out of the 11 years CMR has been coach, come onto a blog about UGA and still spout your crap. UGA is headed to a very decent bowl in sunny Florida, and you are headed to the Sun Bowl, in El Paso Texas. Having seen that place, just across the border from a poor Mexican city with a crime rate that makes Atlanta look like Disney Land. I should think you would keep your mouth shut. Don’t worry though, you will be able to get from your hotel suite, with the armed guards provided to teams playing in that bowl. The stadium capacity is about the size of yours, and since you can’t even sell out for home games, you should feel right at home there. No need to travel there since armed guards are not provided for the fans. Don’t eat too much of the food though as it would give you gas. Your team will stink enough as it is, and there is no need to to wipe out the half filled stadium of fans that way. Your play will have them leaving by the third quarter. Oh, and one other thing to remember. DON,T DRINK THE WATER.
Alphare
December 5th, 2011
10:22 am
Speaking of justice, dawg fans even want to put 07 UGA in the NC. Dawgs had 2 losses with a blowout.
Now they all cry BAMA doesn’t deserve, who lost to the #1 team in overtime.
Yeah, if justice is up to dawg fans, it would be the 3-loss dawgies in the NC instead of OSU or BAMA.
PT
December 5th, 2011
10:23 am
I’m not real excited about the bowl match ups, just look at the Sugar Bowl. What a absolute debacle by the BCS.
JB
December 5th, 2011
10:23 am
WE need 3 RB’s in this class and about 4 more OL and some depth on defense. And another good year in the weight room under coach T……. Are we taking a QB this year? I wouldn’t think so unless a 4 or 5 star blue chipper falls in our lap.
robodawg
December 5th, 2011
10:24 am
Better matchup than Kansas State in the Cotton. I’d rather play Nebraska since we played Michigan St just a few years ago, but this isn’t bad.
How about Florida playing Ohio State?! What role will Urban play?
JB
December 5th, 2011
10:28 am
Mobile Dawg…..Happy Holidays to ya…..You are correct but the POWER in Athens in Doc Adams who’s loves Mark….and at 10-2 and in a Florida bowl, he’s peeing in his pant with joy……. Add Murray to the list of concerns….When he’s on, he’s a pretty good QB….But he gets rattled…and not just against LSU, mere mortal teams also….and when he does…..we play like crap on the O. Lot’s to think about.
Abnerish
December 5th, 2011
10:29 am
Outback Bowl = Championship Game Loser Bowl. Glad to see South Carolina get a better bowl than us. This whole system is stupid. I’m so done with the bowls. I’d rather save ourselves for games that really count, aka next season. Only bad things can happen in this bowl – injuries, a loss. Even if we win and no one gets hurt, it’ll be no big deal. So what if we beat Michigan State. I couldn’t care less. Bring on the playoffs.
Mobile Dawg
December 5th, 2011
10:29 am
I think there is at least one QB on the radar. I would like to see more playing time for the one/one’s we have now. Don’t understand why Mason saw no quality playing time. Everything I hear he has the tools, and size. I know Murray is highly respected around the league, and his receivers didn’t help him a lot, but he also threw quite a few bad balls. And it isn’t the first time. All I’m saying is give Mason some playing time so we have an alternative if needed.
1eyedJack
December 5th, 2011
10:30 am
“Are we taking a QB this year?”
Faton Bauta QB. Tim Tebow lite.
JB
December 5th, 2011
10:31 am
I’m glad this young man in North Carolina is announcing tomorrow at Rb, because Richt seems to put ALL his eggs in one basket at RB…and if we get jilted, it will give him time to find at least 2 more somewhere.
Mobile Dawg
December 5th, 2011
10:32 am
JB, read my 10:29. I was posting it as you posted. You sound like a reasonable, knowledgeable, realistic Dawg. Enjoy reading your comments. Have a good day, it’s easy to spend to much time here, gotta get some work done. Are you going to Tampa?
JB
December 5th, 2011
10:34 am
No, I’ll be doing inventory at work.