Capital One Bowl Game prediction: Michigan State 34 – Georgia 31

This is the highest show case game the Spartans have been in a looooong time.. not so for Georgia, They have been in 12 consecutive Bowl games… The Bull Dawgs started the year out as undisputed #1 in the Nation.. and had plans to play for the BCS championship on January 8th in Miami.. they dropped to 16th in the polls and to a January 1.. Disappointing for the Dawgs.. not so with the Spartans… MSU is pleased with the Season and with the Bowl opportunity…

As for inertia.. The Bull Dawgs are trying to salvage a season…. While the Spartans have started on a course to prominence and Big Ten eventual dominance…. Georgia has more to lose… The Spartans have more to gain….. And that’s Key to the game…. . the motivation of more to gain….

Georgia started the Season with legal troubles… other blogs have reported of Baldwin’s’ bar fight, Henson‘s alcohol arrest (Second in 12 months), Lemon’s arrest, Dewberry damaging property… then during the season, Vance was arrested for driving without a license, Perez and Wood were charged with DUI…. Eight players in were serving suspensions this season, three were kicked off the team, and many others were punished internally.

Then there were the injuries… 24 players suffered season ending injuries (http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/ajc/uga/entries/2008/12/18/you_asked_for_i.html ) … including LT Sturdivant and LG Vance on the “O”line and DT Owens, ML White and SS Banks on the “D”.

Georgia had the 3rd most penalties nationally this year… They Lost to #4 Alabama, #1 Florida, and #14 Georgia Tech… but did beat LSU in an away game… While the Spartans lost to Cal, #6 Penn State, #10 Ohio State, and did beat #21 Northwestern…. The Records are even and comparable, and their Strength of Schedules are both in the top 20 of the NCAA….

Georgia had a BAD year......At least Britney Likes them...

Like Britney... Georgia sounds like the team that fell from grace this year... Unlike Britney they could rebound the same year they disintegrated...

They still can be a scary good team… , and they have a ton of weapons to use… A very talented QB in Matthew Stafford comp. 215 passes, attempted 362 for a 61% ratio (3.209yrds)…. 2 receivers over 900yrds: Massaquoi 910 for a 16yrd per rec., Green 951 for 17 yrds per rec. As for Rushing …TB Moreno 1395.. And along with Javon Ringer, was a runner up or the Doak Walker award..

I believe Georgia is ranked up there with talent with the likes of Penn State, Ohio State… But with all of the damage internally from injuries and discipline issues.. SpartyMSU doesn’t feel that can run with the Big Dogs.. they are a middle of the pack team this year.. Georgia, though a tough team, won’t manup for the Bowl game…. While the Spartans are climbing the ladder to success, The Bull Dawgs were in a freefall for 2008….

Keys to the game for the 18th ranked Spartans are the Defense and the Offensive line…. The Spartan Defense must put pressure on Stafford and Seal up Moreno.

Spartan Offense should have little problems putting up points.. The Spartan Receivers are finally as healthy as they have been all year.. I am sure it will make a difference to have a healthy Dell, Curry and Cunningham in the lineup along with the Blair White project... If Hoyer is as focused as he can be.. Big Day for the catching corps… But the Key is Brian… and a balanced attack… The “O” Line must give Hoyer time and choices.. Giving Hoyer time = good chance to win…

Javon Ringer is back to a weight that he was at prior to the bout he had with the flu for the last 2 games of the year… Georgia had difficulty stopping the run this year..Their DL is manned by mostly freshman and sophs... and gave up 409 yrds against Georgia tech.. and had trouble stopping LSU, Kentucky, Alabama and Florida. Javon is Healthy again, and runs the ball 30+ times… Ringer should see a career day..

Spartan “D” will be tested… Moreno will be a load to stop… Got to get him in the back field before he gets up a head of steam.. Stafford is touted as a NFL ready QB.. Spartans must be in his face all day.. and blanket Massaquoi and Green. Weaver, Rucker, Otis and a healthy Kendal Clark-Davis need to make sure receivers don’t make any big plays.. and possibly the speed of Otis Wiley can add some additional pressure on Stafford. Eric Gordon, Greg Jones, and Adam Decker will seal up the holes and seams for Moreno.

Georgia will put up points, so will the Spartans.. MSU has to make sure they are better defensively than Georgia is offensively for us to win… With the Motivation of a Spartan Team on the rise, vs. the Overrated Georgia team finishing a disappointing season will lead the Spartans to a Bowl Victory.

Though Vegas has money on Georgia…. They will be proven wrong once more…

Spartans win this Capital One Bowl game.. Prediction...

Michigan State 34 – Georgia 31