The 2009 Capital One Bowl will pit your Georgia Bulldogs against the Spartans of Michigan State. The two teams arrive in Orlando from opposite directions. Coach Mark Dantonio leads MSU to its first New Year's Day bowl since Nick Saban's last year in East Lansing. Georgia, meanwhile, will finish a bittersweet season in Orlando after a disappointing 9-3 campaign. Here are a few initial glances at the Spartans.A look at the schedule doesn't impress. State has beat a single currently ranked team, #22 Northwestern. They beat only three teams with records better than .500, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Northwestern. When they met ranked competition, they got thumped, losing by 38 to Ohio State at home and by 31 at Penn State.
While the Spartans may not have an overwhelming body of work this season, they do have one of the finest rushers in the country. Javon Ringer (pictured above) has 1,590 rushing yards this season, which is good enough for third best in the nation. Plus, he's never fumbled in his college career. Ringer's a real talent, but he racked those yards up on a whopping 370 carries, first in the nation by 64 carries. Ringer isn't in the top 100 in the country in yards per carry. He's still an absolute beast. In State's three losses, Ringer was held to under a hundred yards and had three of his four worst rushing performances of his year. Stopping Ringer will be Willie's primary objective.
Statistically, their defense gives up an average of 21.9 points per contest. That's good enough for #40 nationally, which is respectable. The problem for Pat Narduzzi's crew is yardage. The Spartan total defense numbers are worse than every BCS team we played this year. Worse than Arizona State. Worse than LSU. Worse than Kentucky.
Michigan State is excited about the bid. Just like us, the Spartans had chances for national, showcase wins this year and blew them badly. Just like us, they lost to the best two teams in their conference and a legitimate out of conference foe. State has their final chance for a signature win and they are excited. For Georgia, the Capital One bowl, considering the preseason hype, is likely a huge letdown. Analysts love to talk about how excited a team is about their bowl destination when discussing picks. If you care about who the talking heads pick, expect several to predict a Spartan win.
Quinton
37 comments:
The phrase I always refer back to in situations like this is "Kansas State Syndrome" -- i.e. Kansas State in 1998 was geeked out of their minds about their first-ever national-title shot, but proceeded to lose the Big XII title game in double-OT and, because bowls were wary w/r/t ticket sales of a team with such a scant postseason track record, got bumped all the way down to the Alamo Bowl. Where they lost to an unranked Purdue team that was basically Drew Brees and nobody else.
You see it happen all the time to teams that are disappointed rather than excited about their bowl bid and let their down mental state force them into losses to lesser-ranked (or in some cases demonstrably inferior) opponents -- Tennessee in '03, California in '04, Oregon in '05, and those are just the ones I can name off the top of my head. If we're not pumped about this bowl, we better find a way to get there, and we better take MSU seriously. Nobody on this team (except maybe Rennie) has been tackling well enough over the past few weeks to be able to take this game for granted with Javon Ringer on the other sideline.
I really wish Ohio State would have landed in this game. A win against them would have earned UGA a lot of respect. And a loss to them would have only dropped us a few spots in the rankings.
I hope some analysts will pick MSU to win this game. Richt's Dawgs have had trouble in bowl games when they're heavily favored (against West Virgina and Boston College).
I'm glad we're playing MSU and not OSU. We're getting enough crap from our rivals right now without being the team to break the SEC's win streak against OSU after Beanie Wells gashes for 300 yards.
Not sure if anyone's interested but the Rosen Centre Hotel - 4 stars (Across from Pointe Orlando and Sea World on International) is on Hotwire for $61 a night for New years eve and the night of the game.
Its about 10 minutes from the stadium but I don't think you're gonna find much better on the price.
Willie's D couldn't stop my fist from moving. Can it stop Ringer? I think not. We're gonna lose.
To anon 12:39: I am so sick of these fans--I am not excited about how inconsistent we have played or how our season ended--HOWEVER, we are still UGA and one great rusher on a crappy big 10 team is NOT going to beat us, nor stop our amazing offense. Go join another bandwagon. On another note--do you think anyone was excited to play Hawaii last year? And guess what--we dominated. KState syndrome--give me a break.
Go Spartans!
The spread on this game is going to be double digit in UGA favor no question.
This is Knowshon's, Matt's, Mohommad's, Brandon's, and Dannell's final game. Expect those guys to be motivated to win.
Doug- True, but KSU really got the shaft (even with lousy OOC scheduling). This particular Georgia outfit has been solid for the Capital One since late October. They should feel *lucky* they didn't far any farther.
Their coach is a 'Cock. That's all that needs to be said...
Are there any other good deals on hotels? Any good places to go for New Year's Eve?
Anon @ 8:50: All of those guys were motivated to win the Tech game. I'm sure they'll be motivated to win this one too, but those guys can't do it all. It's not enough for the offense and a handful of defensive players to show up to play.
I kind of got a negative vibe about MSU from this post - not disrespectful, but definitely not really positive about them as an opponent. But their record is about as good as ours. So they only beat one team that's ranked as of year-end - that's still more currently-ranked teams than we beat. We only beat 4 teams with winning records, one of which is a Division I-AA team. We got just as badly trounced in two high-profile games against ranked opponents as they did. I might add that Michigan State was never expected to be a national title contender this year and they've probably over-performed relative to their initial expectations. I certainly don't think Dawg fans have any business scoffing at their record when ours isn't really any better (and it a weak SEC, to boot).
"State has beat a single currently ranked team, #22 Northwestern."
Hate to say it: but that's one more currently ranked team than the Dawgs have beat.
"Plus, [Javon Ringer]'s never fumbled in his college career."
Happy to say it: Knowshon too.
Don't be shocked to see MSU pass all over the place. Their numbers have been plagued by drops all season, but their guys are very good at getting open by 5 yards or more.
Javon Ringer's performances against the best of MSU's opponents:
Cal: 98 total yards. 2 TDs.
Iowa: 94 total yards. No TDs.
OSU: 86 total yards. No TDs.
NW: 140 total yards. 2 TDs.
Wisc: 64 total yards. No TDs.
PSU: 69 total yards. 1 TD.
Granted. Ringer had good games against Cal and NW, but those two teams are hardly world beaters. The other games are mediocre. Ringer put up HUGE games against the likes of Eastern Michigan (5 TDs), Florida Atlantic (almost 300 total yards and 2 TDs), Notre Dame (200 and 2 TDs), Indiana, Michigan and Purdue...
I am being optimistic. I think UGA is more like the OSU, PSU, Iowa and Wisconsins of the world and not the FAU, Eastern Michigans and the Indianas of the world.
Also, MSU LOST the Cal game and only scored over 30 points in 5 of their games (Cal (Loss), EMU, Indiana, NW, and Michigan).
Bascially, I am not scared of Ringer. There are many other players on MSU's team that will have to step up. If Ringer can have 300 yards and 2 TDs in a game against FAU and MSU only win 17-0??? They will surely lose to the Dawgs!
Kevin said: ""Plus, [Javon Ringer]'s never fumbled in his college career."
Happy to say it: Knowshon too."
actually Knowshon did fumble the ball in the Florida game this year...
We'll see how well Richt and Martinez can get the defense pumped, fierce, and able to tackle. That will be the difference in the game. If Georgia's defense isn't going to tackle Ringer, then he'll start busting off big runs in addition to opening up the play-action game for Hoyer. UGA must stop the run early and often. Otherwise, it might be a long day for the defense.
Also, don't count out a Dantonio-coached defense. He was the DC for the 2002 Ohio State championship team. That defense won an MNC for the Buckeyes, rescuing Krenzel time and time again. Dantonio will have an effective scheme waiting for the Dawgs (whether he has the personnel to execute it on the field is another question). MSU's defense will be fired up and ready to play.
The best way to stop MSU's offense is to keep them off the field. Look for Knowshon to have a big day. If we can make it to where our defense doesn't have to play as much, we should win. You can't win games with one guy.
Kris..
Now that you mention it I do remember that botched pitch. However, ESPN's lines say 0 fumbles, 0 lost. Wonder if they missed that one or don't consider it a fumble by some screwy rule
Re: Anon 10:15
Right. We're both comparable teams with comparable schedules. And we just lost to a team that completed one (1) pass against us whilst rushing for over 400 yards. Michigan State doesn't have an all-conference QB or anything, but he is at least familiar with the forward pass as a method of picking up yardage. And Javon Ringer's exploits have already been sounded upon. We shouldn't underestimate them, and we better be focused for a chance to get to ten wins and prepare for next season.
Paul, a "bittersweet" season implies that there was some good along with the bad.
Just "bitter", IMO
Waaaah!
You guys sound like a bunch of crybabies. We lost 3 damn games -- it's not awful, and it's not good. We should be happy that we didn't end up in Tampa (or worse). This could be a solid matchup for us to lock in our 10th win. But MSU will come strong.
In that regard, ESPN News showed "Georgia to face LSU in Chik-fil-A bowl" for about 30 minutes yesterday shortly before the BCS games were announced. ESPN = smart.
K'shon fumbled last year against Troy after completing one of his patented spin moves...ball hit directly on a helmet and popped out.
Knowshon also fumbled against Kentucky last year.
Anon at 12:36 - perhaps you don't remember any of the 9 wins? Auburn come to mind? UT? ASU? I agree the season basically sucked, but there were certainly bright spots. GO DAWGS! Sic Sparty!
Reshad Jones made second team all SEC?!??!?! that has to be a joke
Have fun in Orlando... Chomp!
Regards from Gainsevile.
I'm leaving this one up because you're such a dumb ass that you don't even know how to spell your school's location.
To RingerisNottheOnlySpartan:
Unfortunately, UGA's defense may be more like FAU, Eastern Michigan, and Indiana than OSU, Wisconsin, Iowa, or Penn State.
There was only one team in the SEC that gave up more yards per play than UGA. (That eliminates all the field position excuses.)
There was only one team in the SEC that beat us in offensive time of possession.
That means that despite spending the second least amount of time on the field of any defense in the conference, we were still next to last statistically. Imagine how bad this defense would have been with just an above average offense.
I appreciate you leaving my post, and the misspelling has been duly noted, Paul. My secretary has since been fired (she can't transcribe worth a lick). Despite the typographical error, I feel obligated to remind you of something Timmy's father said awhile back... I think it had something to do with those without sin casting stones. You should look it up, it's in some big book Timmy's always gushing about...
By the way, did you see where I ranked your beloved Dawgs in the final coaches poll? Maybe a little love from the unofficial voice of my enemy could have convinced me to be more forgiving of their most recent performance in Jacksonville.
Good one... Oh no, wait, it wasn't.
As I told my Florida buddies today: I hate your coach, and I hate your QB, but congratulations and good luck.
You wouldn't see any Florida fans extending the same niceties.
Gah I hope the Dawgs crush em
"Plus, he's never fumbled in his college career."
Spartan fan here. Somebody's giving you a bum stat here. He fumbled at least once this year, trying to stretch for a TD against EMU. I'm pretty sure I recall others.
How's the Georgia o-line? We're a bit undersized at two or three positions on the D line and we could much stop Shonn Green from Iowa or John Clay and P.J. Hill from Wiscy. We were probably lucky to win both those games.
Another Spartan fan here, and witless is correct Ringer fumbled against EMU. I remember him dropping a pitch on a sweet this year, possible the UofM game, it was after Leggett had also dropped a nice pitch from Hoyer on a sweep.
Makes me wonder about all of ESPNs stat lines.
As for the game, Georgia will undoubtedly be heavy favorites but I expect the Spartans to show up and play a great game. A few have mentioned how its the last game for some of Georgia's players. It is also the last game for some MSU seniors, Ringer, Hoyer, Kershaw, Wiley, etc. My point here is that both teams should and will be fired up to play in what should be a great game to watch. Lets just be happy its a 1:00 start instead of 10:30 like the Outback..Ouch.
Witless chum- Georgia's o-line is very young and extremely injury-riddled but has somehow held their own this year. We're leading the SEC in a lot of offensive categories so they've actually done really well considering. We, too, have had major difficutlies on defense. Tech had over 400 yds rushing on us so Ringer is probably going to be a bit of a problem unless we can get that figured out. Should be a pretty good match-up. I'm looking forward to it.
Go Spartans!
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