Should auld acquaintance be forgot and never blah blah blah… it’s the second B1G/SEC tilt of the day, and should be airing right about the time that you find your keys in the bottom of the guacamole.
Georgia (11-2, 7-2 SEC) vs. Nebraska (10-3, 7-2 B1G)
January 1, 2013 1:00 PM ET ESPN
The History: This is one of the oldest games in the country, and was formerly the “Tangerine Bowl”. Because of it’s location, African American players were not allowed to participate, causing Hillsdale to decline their team’s offer to the game in 1955, and Buffalo choosing to do the same in 1958. In 1966, Morgan State (a historically black college) won the game and finished their season undefeated.
The “gifts that you can’t sell at all” for the student athletes in this game include yet another Fossil Watch and a $420 shopping trip to a local Best Buy. 420. Seriously. While this is awesome in and of itself… if I was participating, I’d really want something a bit more connected with the game’s sponsor, like, say “cash” or medieval weaponry.
Ohio State is 1-3 in this game, with their only win coming against BYU in 1985. The last B1G team to win this game was… wait for it… TTUN, giving Urban Meyer his only loss in Llllloyd Carr’s final game. Alec Baldwin was not involved in any way.
Georgia Scouting Report – At the beginning of the season, the Bulldogs’ head coach found himself on a short list of coaches that might be replaced in January. A brilliant campaign that led to a three way tie in the SEC East and a berth in the SEC Championship Game has certainly stopped those whispers. The Dawgs’ best win was the “upset” of Florida in the Swamp, where they held the Gators to nine points; their most heartbreaking loss was against Alabama in the SECCG- a game that was decided by really poor clock management at the end of the contest. Georgia’s offense is led by the aerial attack of Aaron Murray and Tavarres King, while Todd Gurley’s 1260 yards on the ground help balance the Bulldogs’ game plan. However, it’s linebacker Jarvis Jones who gets the headlines most often, his numbers are among the tops in the nation and certainly better than a certain Heisman candidate.
Buckeye Connection– The Buckeyes are 1-o against Georgia, although any chance for a more current assessment went by the wayside when the proposed series against the Bulldogs was cancelled to set up the B1G/PAC challenge… which was then cancelled. If it helps, Urban Meyer owns Mark Richt.
Nebraska Scouting Report- The Huskers return to the scene of last year’s loss against South Carolina with wounded pride after the B1G championship game. They’re still the same team we’ve enjoyed watching all season, thunder and lightning in the backfield in the Burkhead/Abdullah combo, Kenny Bell stretching the defense at receiver. The wild card, in more ways than one, is Taylor Martinez, the B1G Coaches First Team Quarterback. At moments, he’s flashed brilliance… great passing accuracy, elusive running; other times, though, there’ve been distinctive struggles. The defense has been a bit up and down as well this season, and certainly doesn’t reflect the “Blackshirt” legacy of dominance that Big Red has been accustomed to. The Huskers’ best win was probably the come from behind victory against Penn State, while their biggest non-championship game loss was to our favorite squadron.
Buckeye Connection- Ohio State is 3-1 versus the team from Lincoln, and had a pretty epic series of games since the Huskers joined the B1G. Obvious conference connection aside, Coach Bo Pelini was a captain at OSU during his senior year… although this recent season has his seat heating up as many wonder if he’s the right man for the job. Pelini is on thinner ice, while Richt is now the conquering hero… How one season changes things, right?
Predictions: Here’s what we think will happen
- Eric- Georgia
- Gary- Georgia
- Janelle- Georgia
- Jason- Georgia
- Mali- Nebraska*
- Tim- Georgia
- WVa- Georgia
I don’t think the Huskers can establish their run game against Georgia’s defense, and the Dawgs offense is pretty balanced- something that Nebraska has struggled against all year long.
*Shhhh… I really picked Georgia, but there’s no way I want my wife to find that out. I’m sure she won’t read this, right?
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
