Issue 18, Bowl Preview, 2012

An amazing season from an amazing team ...

Finish the Drill at the 1/1 @ 1pm

Culture

vs agriculture

H o s p i t a l i t y G ro u p Athens, GA

Benson’s Hospitality Group salutes an Amazing ending to an Amazing season!

Hi-Athens.com

390 East Washington Street Athens, GA 30601 (706) 353-6800

513 West Broad Street Athens, GA 30601 (706) 546-8122 197 East Broad Street Athens, GA 30601 (706) 549-4433

3500 Daniels Bridge Road Athens, GA 30606 706-353-8484

RESTORING FUNCTION. RESTORING QUALITY OF LIFE.

l to r: Frank Clements, PA-C; Beau Sasser, M.D.; Buck Cavalier, M.D.; Gary M. McClain, M.D.; Michael J. Sullivan, M.D.; Katherine L. Maurath, M.D.; J. Melvin Deese, M.D.; Denny A. Carter, M.D.

LOCATIONS

Musculoskeletal conditions and injuries can cripple your quality of life.

The physicians at Summit Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Surgery focus on reducing pain, restoring function and improving your quality of life by using the latest treatment techniques and a minimally invasive approach.

Summit Professional Plaza 1111 Glynco Parkway Bldg. 1, Suite 35 and Bldg. 2, Suite 100 Brunswick, GA 31525 912-262-9961

The board-certified physicians and orthopaedic surgeons at Summit Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Surgery offer treatment options for everything from simple fractures to sports injuries to the most complex conditions. Our orthopaedic specialists offer comprehensive care in all areas of orthopaedics including: Foot and ankle

Hand and wrist

Joint replacement

Physical medicine and rehabilitation Spine Sports medicine

Wellness Way Medical Complex 7000 Wellness Way, Suite 7110 St. Simons Island, GA 31522 912-466-5570 Camden Medical Pavilion 2040 Dan Proctor Drive, Suite 120 St. Marys, GA 31558 912-576-6355

For more information or to make an appointment, please call the Summit Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Surgery location nearest you.

summitsportsmedicine.com

A strategic affiliate of Southeast Georgia Health System

© 2012 SGHS

Southeast Georgia Health System is a tobacco-free organization.

8/2012

From the editor : vance leavy Wow. How should I start my last editor’s note of 2012?

It’s been over a week since what my wife described as the greatest, worst game in Bulldog annals. When the clock hit zero Alabama was the team running out onto the field to not only collect the SEC championship trophy, but even more importantly a birth in the national championship game in January.

For everyone in the Bulldog Nation, from the players to the coaches to the fans, it was brutal. We were five yards away from our dreams becoming reality.

While in the end the 2012 season wasn’t meant to be the Bulldog Nation’s magical year, it was damn close. And I cannot begin to describe how proud I am of our players and coaches.

Now, the question that remains is where our boys in red and black go from here?

Will getting so close to the ultimate prize be a motivator to finish the drill in the coming year? Or was 2012 merely an occasional brush with greatness?

To answer this question, I look to Mark Richt. And I can tell you first-hand from watching the dejection in his face as he walked to the back of the endzone when the game ended that his passion to lead Georgia to the promise land is stronger than ever. Our coach wanted it so bad, but it wasn’t meant to be … at least for this season.

On page 4, Jeff Dantzler brilliantly sets the stage for what the future can hold. Many great teams in all different sports have come up just short before finally getting over the last hurdle.

And for our team, the drive for bigger and better things begins January 1 versus the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the Capital One Bowl. They need to end the 2012 season in high fashion. Not only will it be a springboard for the 2013 campaign, but it’s huge for the final weeks of recruiting.

Last night, I was lucky enough to attend the Senior Gala in Athens and am happy to report the evening proved to be an upbeat celebration of our player’s terrific season. As well it should have been.

Aaron Murray and Jarvis Jones were named recipients of the Vince Dooley Most Valuable Players of the Year Award, Murray was named the team’s Most Valuable Offensive Player, and Jones and Ogletree shared Most Valuable Defensive Player honors.

Connor Norman and Blake Sailors were named Most Valuable Special Teams players.

Senior tailback Richard Samuel and

senior defensive end Abry Jones were named winners of the David Jacobs Award as the players who, by example, portray courage, spirit, character and determination.

Jarvis Jones was also named the team’s overall permanent captain for 2012. Murray and senior wide receiver Tavarres King were elected as the team’s offensive captains, senior safety Shawn Williams was chosen as the defensive captain, and senior snapper Ty Frix was named the special teams captain.

The Leon Farmer Award for dedication to the strength and conditioning program was presented to Murray and sophomore center David Andrews. Outstanding Scout Team Awards went to redshirt sophomore fullback Corey Campbell, senior fullback Dustin Royston, freshman quarterback Faton Bauta, junior quarterback Luis Capella of Augusta and redshirt sophomore safety Lucas Redd.

Most Improved Player Awards were presented to junior tight end Arthur Lynch, fullback Alexander Ogletree , sophomore defensive back Damian Swann and sophomore safety Corey Moore.

Newcomer of the Year Award winners were freshman tailback Todd Gurley, freshman tailback Keith Marshall, freshman linebacker Jordan Jenkins, freshman cornerback Sheldon Dawson and freshman punter Collin Barber.

Coaches Leadership Awards went to Andrews, Murray, Williams and redshirt sophomore linebacker Kosta Vavlas.

The Charley Trippi Most Versatile Award was presented to sophomore wide receiver/defensive back Malcolm Mitchell, while the Frank Sinkwich Toughness Award was presented to Shawn Williams.

And the Governor’s Cup trophy for the victory over Georgia Tech was officially presented by Shelton Stevens from Healthcare of Atlanta.

With that, now it’s time for me to wrap things up. Please enjoy our final issue of 2012. There are great photos from the Gala and the SEC Championship and plenty of good info to get you ready for the bowl trip to Orlando.

I would like to thank everyone who helps put out our amazingly, fun publication. We couldn’t do it without you. And a special thanks goes to our advertisers and subscribers for their incredible support.

Our next issue comes out in February after signing day.

In the meantime, please keep in touch by joining our new social network at www.WeAreBulldawgs.com In 2013, BI begins its second decade in business and Mark Richt enters his 13th season. Sounds like the perfect ingredients for an undefeated, national title to me. Look forward to being there with you the entire way.

Happy Holidays … Happy New Year and Go Dawgs!

Bowl Preview Cha Cha Cha Publishing Inc. Editor Vance Leavy Editorial & Ad Director Cheri Leavy Sports Guru Jeff Dantzler Sales Caroline Kinney, Holly Stanfill Sports Murray Poole Travis Ragsdale Layout/Design Cheri Leavy, Vance Leavy Cover photos Rob Saye Sports Photography Rob Saye Columnists Carlton DeVooght Al Hickson Rob Sherrell Loran Smith Chad White Student Online Editor Travis Ragsdale Interns Anne Maxwell Douglass, Fan Hughes, Katherine Parke, Pierce Persons.

Mary Sloane Stribling, Annie Trice Delivery Hatton Abernathy, Martin Cameron Jake Davis, Will Hayes, Frank Sinkwich IV, Champ Vance

Bowl Preview, December 11, 2012 FOR ADVERTISING OR TO SUBSCRIBE:

1-877-456-4624 www.bulldawgillustrated.com

happy holidays FROM

Come In And Celebrate With Us!

*R 'DZJV

)DPLO\ 2ZQHG 6LQFH www.bulldawgillustrated.com

Let Us Cater Your h o l i d a y f i e s ta 3

2230 W. Broad St 706-549-4265

jeff dantzler

475 US Hwy. 29 706-549-0067 1124 Prince Ave. 706-543-0522

Beat Nebraska, recruit great. make a run in ’13 ...

3825 Atlanta Hwy 706-613-0340 150 Gaines School Rd. 706-543-8010 1741 Epps Bridge Pkwy.

706-227-9200

photo by Rob Saye

The

Place to Retire in Athens

Retirement & Personal Care

801 Riverhill Drive

706.369.7100

www.wesleywoods.org a community of WESLEY WOODS + affiliated with Emory Healthcare + United Methodist Church/North Georgia Conference

%UHDNIDVW ‡ /XQFK ‡ 'LQQHU

EHVW SDQFDNHV LQ WKH ZRUOG 2125 N. Decatur Rd.

404.634.6294

Decatur, GA 30033

Go Dawgs!

6HUYLQJ 0RQGD\ 6DWXUGD\ DP XQWLO SP KRPH RI WKH SHU SHUVRQ FDWHULQJ WD[ OLPLWHG GHOLYHU\ DUHD LQFOXGHG

Whether you’re having fun with your local chapter, supporting scholarships and endowments, or plugging into a worldwide network of more than 270,000 graduates, the UGA Alumni Association is the best way to stay connected with YOUR alma mater!

We invite you to support your University and your Alumni Association by making a gift to the Georgia Fund for the UGA Alumni Association.

Give Every Year.

Make a Difference Every Day! 4

www.alumni.uga.edu 1-800-606-8786

There was the 1927 Tech game. There was Auburn in 1942, 1971 and 1983. There were the back-to-back Sugar Bowls with Pitt and Penn State following the 1981 and ’82 seasons. There was Florida in 2002.

But the 32-28 Southeastern Conference Championship Game loss to Alabama goes down as the most devastating in Georgia annals. It was a shot to play for the national title.

It was for the SEC crown. It was the defending national champion. It was the Bulldogs biggest game in 30 years. It was five yards short and the clock ran out.

So where does Georgia go from here?

Alabama lost its biggest game in 16 years in 2008. With a berth in the BCS Championship Game on the line, in a winner-take-all showdown with Florida, the Crimson Tide lost. It goes down as one of the biggest losses in Alabama history. But Bama got back the next year and won. Then won it all. And they haven’t looked back.

So how to move on.

Beat Nebraska.

Sign a great class.

Get back in another game of this magnitude.

Soon.

And next time win.

All of the resources are available for Georgia to do what Alabama has done for the last five years and what LSU has done in the 21st century – that is being outstanding almost every year and in the conversation for the SEC and national championships.

Georgia has the history. Georgia has the tradition. Georgia has the alumni. Georgia has the fan base. Georgia is the alpha king in one of the most talent rich states for prep prospects in all of America.

The Bulldogs were on the verge of playing for college football’s biggest prize. Alabama will be striving for it for a third time in four years. This despite losing four first round picks in each of the last two drafts. But Alabama has recruited GREAT every year for the last five years. That’s what Georgia must do.

Two of the last three classes have yielded 17 players for Georgia. That’s eight shy of the NCAA maximum. Combined with attrition, the Bulldogs headed into this season with 69 players signed out of high school or junior college plus the great transfer Jarvis Jones. The NCAA allows 85.

Georgia’s run defense was crippled by Alabama’s powerful run offense. The Bulldogs defense simply didn’t have the depth.

Clearly the Bulldogs have been getting a lot of outstanding players. Jones, sensational freshman tailback Todd Gurley and electric wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell are amongst the elite players in college football. Tackle John Theus, outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins and Gurley are amongst the top freshmen in the country.

But to do what Alabama and LSU have done, it takes great recruiting EVERY year.

The Bulldogs have the nucleus for what should be another strong class for 2013.

There are some elite, elite, elite players sitting out there that Georgia is in the mix for. A win over the Cornhuskers and landing the big ones heading into signing day could set the course for the Bulldogs to be back in this position in the near future.

There are six SEC teams in the top ten this season. Astounding. Those six teams – Alabama, Florida, Georgia, LSU, South Car-

olina and Texas A&M – lost a total of 10 games, all going at least 10-2. All 10 of those losses were to one another.

Well check out the various recruiting rankings come February. There will be at least five or six SEC teams in that top ten as well. So when someone says that their school had a top ten class, it’s all relative.

The beauty of Georgia is that it can live and thrive almost exclusively on in-state talent, and then cherry-pick elite out-of-state prospects like Gurley, Theus and Keith Marshall from this past class, and Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno from six years ago.

Want to make the SEC shiver? Get 20 of the best players from Georgia every year and five elite out-of-staters. No, you are not going to get them all at Georgia, but every year the Bulldogs should get at least, if not more than, their fair share.

That’s how you reload. That’s heir apparent stars in waiting for veteran standouts.

Dare to be great Georgia. It’s right there for the taking, especially with the struggles and coaching changes at Auburn and Tennessee.

The Bulldogs were right there, right there.

That’s what makes that loss so excruciating.

Now it is up to the powers that be to keep pushing the program up so that it is not another 30 years until Georgia plays in another game of this magnitude.

The playoffs are coming. The 2013 campaign will be the last one where the regular season still means everything. Then the fourteam format comes about. That will likely last for a year or two, assuming that those powers that be, figure out just who and how the four are. The cries will double. Within a year or two, the playoffs will double in size. That’s a pretty safe bet. Well whether it stays four for a while, or immediately jumps to eight, the expectations should be for Georgia to be a regular.

The Dogs were so close. The Dogs got a taste. The Dogs got a lot of national respect.

Despite the loss, a lot of people are still talking about Georgia and what was college football’s game of the year in 2012 and the greatest SEC Championship Game ever.

As bad as the Georgia people are hurting, the Bulldogs are a hot team, “trending upward.�

To reiterate, the best medicine – beat Nebraska, recruit great, have another excellent season, recruit great again, rinse and repeat.

In this league, with six top ten programs here in 2012, if you are not moving forward and winning in the fall and February every year, someone is passing you.

For two years straight, the Bulldogs have beaten Tech, Florida, Auburn and Tennessee.

Even though Georgia loses a lot of talent off of this year’s squad, that is within reach again next year. Of course it will take a lot more wins – and the schedule is much tougher with a trip to Clemson to start the season followed by visits from South Carolina and soon after LSU – to get back into a spot like the Bulldogs were in this year. But there’s no reason the Bulldogs shouldn’t have a chance. And then again the year after, the first year of the playoff.

Georgia coach Mark Richt said last month that he felt Georgia was on the verge of greatness. He was right. It is there for the taking. It starts with Nebraska, a 12th win and the drive and hunger to some season soon be college football’s very best.

Bulldawg Illustrated

poole shots

By Murray Poole

2012 Model Year End Clearance e

Of athletic board members and great UGA season Wow, what a football season it’s been!

No, these 2012 Bulldogs didn’t make it to Miami and the BCS National Championship tilt, as we predicted back in August that they’d do, but when you come thisclose to winning the Southeastern Conference title and playing for all the marbles against top-ranked Notre Dame and have a chance to close out the season at 12-2 with a bowl victory, then I’d say Mark Richt’s current Georgia squad will always hold a prominent place in all the hearts of Bulldog Nation.

But, more about the Dogs a little later in this space.

If you’ve been able to catch our Bulldawg Illustrated issues dating back to this spring, you have noticed the profiles of the members of the UGA athletic board we’ve run in this column. We all see what’s played out on the football field where, every Saturday, Richt and his Georgia assistant staff and of course the players themselves put their work on display for 92,000 people to judge, both favorably and unfavorably. Yes, that gigantic fish bowl that envelops Sanford Stadium doesn’t allow the Bulldogs and their coaching staff to keep anything from view; there’s no place to hide a mistake, and how many of us in our jobs today are as closely scrutinized as that? We all make errors in judgment on a near daily basis but we’re able to correct them without thousands of people critiquing our every move.

So I know what the Georgia athletic teams do, good or bad. And such is reflected right there in the Bulldog teams’ won-loss marks. But what I didn’t know, when I began this athletic board series during spring practice with veteran board member Bob Bishop, was what all went on in the UGA athletic department away from the playing arena. And what these men and women brought to the table in their ongoing efforts to make the Georgia athletic program the very best in America, which it arguably surely is right now.

I didn’t really know many of these board members when I started this series but as I recorded their comments, as I delved back into their childhood, where they grew up, their education, their families and discovered how excited and honored they are to serve on the board of directors of the Georgia Athletic Association, and the expertise they’re able to bring to the table in the building up of the university’s athletic program, I continually gained a sense of pride and thankfulness for what these people are doing for the Georgia Bulldogs.

From the faculty members of the athletic board I interviewed – UGA president and chairman Dr. Michael Adams, vice chairman/provost Jere Morehead, secretary David Shipley and treasurer Tim Burgess; to the appointed faculty members – vice-president of student affairs Dr. Rodney Bennett and professors Anne Sweaney and Gregory Robinson; to the faculty elected by the university council – professors Jeff Dorfman, Jennifer Samp and Luke Naeher; to the alumni reps on the board – Bill Archer, Mack Guest, Pat Pittard, Swann Seiler and Bob Bishop, and to student representative Ryan Scates, all of these dyed-in-thewool Bulldogs were a pleasure to talk with. All were most cooperative and from every one of them – despite the fact I’ve been covering the Bulldogs some 47 years now – I learned something new about the University of Georgia.

And as he heads into his much deserved retirement as UGA president with the conclusion of the 2012-13 school term, a special shout out goes to Dr. Adams, who has guided this university to

new and greater heights during his term in office these past 16 years while also presiding over the athletic board with a firm and steady hand.

OK, enough of the slaps on the back for all these able people behind the scenes in UGA athletics. Let’s go back now and talk about this special football team that, entering the Jan. 1 Capital One Bowl in Orlando against the Nebraska Cornhuskers, has stormed over 11 opponents while coming up short against only two. And you know full well which games those were. But what a contrast in those two Bulldog defeats … a dismal night in Columbia, S.C. where absolutely nothing went right in a 35-7 setback to the Gamecocks to a nearly historic night in the Georgia Dome where third-ranked Georgia went toe-to-toe with mighty, second-ranked Alabama the night long before absorbing the agonizing 32-28 setback. As I wrote in my SEC championship game story on our website, it was “Heartache by the Numbers” as the Bulldogs came up five yards and four points, and mere seconds, too, from the conference crown and a trip to the national championship game.

Sure, this team encountered some other bumps along the way – less than impressive performances against Buffalo, Florida Atlantic and Kentucky, a bit of a defensive meltdown against Tennessee and having to rally like crazy to beat a Missouri team that struggled mightily in its first year in the SEC, but from the week senior safety Shawn Williams called out his defensive buddies for being a little “soft,” the Bulldogs went into Jacksonville, beat the hated Gators and never looked back. They pretty much played lights out over the final six games, including the title loss to the Crimson Tide.

Now, it’s time to finish strong against the 103 Cornhuskers – and I’ve called it the Bulldogs by 31-17 elsewhere in this issue – and then begin making ready for 2013. I tell you what, if one record-breaking Aaron Murray returns for his senior season, Mike Bobo’s offensive team is going to rank among the very best and most explosive in the land. The entire O-line comes back and Will Friend should develop them into a bigger, stronger and quicker-striking unit; all of the talented receiving corps returns except for the talented Tavarres King and Marlon Brown, and that includes the team’s top receiver prior to his injury, Michael Bennett, and of course I don’t have to tell you about how good “Gurshall” is going to be. Todd Gurley is the best true freshman tailback at Georgia since the legendary Herschel, and the mercurial Keith Marshall seems destined to rank right up there with Mr. Walker when it comes to breaking off long-distance touchdown jaunts, before he plays his last game in a Bulldog uniform Of course, Georgia’s biggest question mark next fall will be on the other side of the ball where some eight or so outstanding starters will either graduate or make an early jump to the NFL. But, that said, I’ve got to think all those talented young guys under Todd Grantham’s tutelage – the ones who saw some starting or backup action this season or who have been patiently awaiting their time to get on the field – will step up in 2013 and make the Bulldogs a much better defensive team than any of the college “experts” will be predicting. And Georgia will have truly outstanding kickers for the next three years in punter Collin Barber and placekicker Marshall Morgan.

Yes, indeed, a splendid football season it has been, and that Aug. 31 opening kickoff in Clemson’s Death Valley next year can’t arrive soon enough.

Accord EX-L V-6 Sedan dan

0.9

nancing a available vailable o on na allll n new ew 2 2012 012 H Honda onda Accords Accords % fifinancing

now thru th hru September 4th. See See dealer for for details. details.

APR now

Proud supporters sup pporters of the Georgia Bulldogs Bullldogs since 1976 3200 320 00 Atlanta Hwy Athens, Ga G 1-800-969-0347 w w w . p h i l h u g h e s h o n d a . c o m ©2012 ©20 12 American Honda Motor Co., C Inc. All information information contained contained herein n applies to U.S. U.S. products only. only.

Please see our o Privacy Privacy Policy Policy and Legal Legal T Terms e erms and Conditions.

C

LUMINOUS®

www.bulldawgillustrated.com

5

Capital One Bowl preview After coming five yards short of BCS title game, the 2012 Bulldogs need to make a final statement

By Travis Ragsdale

W

hile playing in the Capital One Bowl is not the outcome that most Georgia fans were hoping for, it’s still arguably the biggest out of the non-BCS bowls. Dawg fans will be pretty familiar with Orlando as they’ve had to travel down two times recently; once in 2003 and once in 2008. This year, they’ll line up against the Nebraska Cornhuskers. This is the second year in a row that Nebraska has played in the Capitol One Bowl but they’re coming off a an embarrassing loss to Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship game.

It is an extremely interesting game from the outside looking in and will be a great challenge for the Dawgs.

Bounce back

Both of these teams are coming off devastating losses in their conference championship games but both of those losses were experienced in different ways. You know the story for the Dawgs; five yards away from playing for a National Championship. It might have been the best game that any Georgia team has played in years. Heartbreak was the result and has left Dawg fans with a sour taste in their mouth. Nebraska’s devastating loss was entirely different. Rather than being so close, they were so far away. In a brutal, 70-31 game, Wisconsin waxed Nebraska for all they were worth. Many Cornhuskers’ fans called it the most embarrassing loss in the history of Nebraska football. Ouch. A win in that game would have resulted in them heading down to Pasadena for the Rose Bowl. Both teams were one game from going to a BCS bowl and now they’re matched-up in Orlando. The question now becomes which team is able to bounce back, regroup and get ready to play in this game. Being so close, Georgia has a tougher task ahead than Nebraska.

It’s going to be hard for the Dawg’s coaching staff to motivate the team to prepare well for an ultimately meaningless bowl game. The Nebraska staff can easily motivate their young men by asking them if that’s the way they wanted to end their season. For Georgia, the SEC Championship game essentially was the end to their season. It will be on the shoulders of the seniors and leaders of this team to motivate the other players.

Unique running game

It was so great to see Johnny Manziel win the Heisman this weekend. He deserved it; what an incredibly dynamic player. Georgia needs to be aware that Nebraska has a quarterback that is very similar to Manziel in Taylor Martinez. In twelve games this year, Martinez leads the Cornhuskers in all the major RUSHING categories. That’s right, the dreaded running quarterback. Martinez has gained just over 1,200 yards on the ground this year for ten scores. He has a long run of 92 yards. You can understand why there needs to be some concern about what this guy can do with his feet. Now, the difference between Manziel and Martinez is that Martinez is nowhere near the prolific passer that Johnny Football has shown to be. 21 touchdown passes on the year for Martinez but that also comes with 10 picks. He’ll turn the ball over in some situations. But this isn’t a one trick pony up at Nebraska; they’ve got two other talented backs that can cause a defense fits as well. First it’s Ameer Abdullah who has been the feature back throughout most of year racking up 1,100 yards rushing. There’s also another guy whose name is pretty recognizable and that’s Rex Burkhead. Burkhead was up for Heisman consideration in 2011 after posting some really obnoxious numbers while rushing the football. An injury sidelined him for about half of the year for Nebraska but he’s now. A trio of Abdullah, Martinez and Burkhead is something to be feared by Georgia. Especially, since all of the last three opponents Georgia has played have rushed for over 300 yards against them.

6

photo by Rob Saye

Nebraska’s defense: Uh Oh

Apparently, after it was announced that Georgia and Nebraska would be matched up against each other, the sentiment amongst the Nebraska faithful was “Uh Oh.” Nebraska has had a lot of struggles with their defense this year and they haven’t seen an offense as fast or explosive as the Dawg’s yet this year. Two good examples of how bad the Cornhuskers defense has been this year are of course the Wisconsin game in the Big Ten Championship. But they also gave up 63 points to Ohio State earlier in the year. As Nebraska fans look at Georgia’s offense, they see nothing but trouble. An offensive line they has only gotten better, a QB who is the only guy to throw for 3,000 yards in the SEC for three straight years EVER, two phenom freshmen running backs and more wide receivers than they know what to do with. Expect Coach Bobo to throw everything but the kitchen sink at this porous defense to throw some points up on the scoreboard early. If they don’t make mistakes, Georgia could easily hang half a hundred on Nebraska. It’s now easy to understand why their fans had that feeling of “Uh Oh” when this game was announced.

Intangibles

It’s so hard to talk about intangibles in what amounts to a meaningless bowl game. The two teams don’t play each other enough to have any kind of emotional or mental advantage over one another. Neither team really has any momentum either after losses in their conference championship games. Even if they did have momentum, it would have died after a month layover between games. Both teams are also going to have to fight off disappointment after those last losses. It’s going to come down to which team has better leaders to help the younger guys through the grind of bowl practice and prep.

Hopefully the cobwebs will be shaken off by the time kickoff rolls around and we’ll get a quality game.

Bulldawg Illustrated

GIVE THEM A LITTLE

jekyll island THIS CHRISTMAS jekyllisland.com/shop

T

his holiday season, skip the rush of the mall. Toss the stress of department stores. Instead, simply Shop Jekyll. Our newly launched Jekyll Island Online 6WRUH LV RIÀFLDOO\ RSHQ DQG VWRFNHG ZLWK LVODQG WUHDVXUHV IRU everyone on your gift list.

From Georgia Sea Turtle Center toys and jewelry, to Jekyll Island golf shirts and our signature coffee table photo book, the new shop has something to bring a smile to every face. <RX PD\ HYHQ ÀQG VRPH LVODQG WUHDVXUH IRU \RXUVHOI

Golf Memberships A Great Gift for the Golfer on your List!

FREE GOLF! Seeing is believing! $ *UHDW *LIW IRU WKH *ROIHU RQ \RXU /LVW Our golf course conditions are so good we want you to ¶WU\ EHIRUH \RX EX\ · 3UHVHQW WKLV DG DQG UHFHLYH D )5(( URXQG RI JROI RQ DQ\ RI -HN\OO ,VODQG·V IRXU FRXUVHV Hurry, offer expires December 31, 2012

ANNUAL INDIVIDUAL: $115/mo.

ANNUAL FAMILY - $225/mo.

21-ROUND PUNCH CARD - $700

SEC Championship Georgia 28 Alabama 32 Spence Pryor, Lissa Pryor, Olivia Pryor and Mary Marshall

Daphne Bush, Laurie Wilder and Porsha Williams

Denise Mitchell and Leslie Meshad

Reagan and Julia Wolfe

Susan Frobos, Laren Munpower and Sarah Nathanson

Denny Murray and Josh Murray

David Allen and Davis Knox

Demi Fitzgerald and Pierce Persons

Jay and Natalie Moore with Lee and Kelly Jordan

Stephen Woods and Steve Woods

Justin Rocha, Laura Disque and Andrew Miller

Pam and Al McKinnon

Amy Moulton, Claire Dever and Eleanor Spruill

Jane Hill and Molly Rutherford

Lib and Neal Quirk, Mary Katherine Hall and John Quirk

Barbara Miller, Betty Hatcher, John Hatcher, Betsy Glass, Bill Hatcher, Bob Miller, Eddie and Conoly Flynt and Ann Hanlon

Stephen Conatser and Rick Willingham

Susan Farmer, Steven Farmer and Betsy Minshew

Katie Brown and Kathy Waters

Katie Ledford, Lisa Eichler, Shannon Speice, Kathy Ramsey

Clay Westbrook, Mike and Tamara Perciful, Scott Tonneson, and Holly and Bill Evans

Brian and Misty Hawkins

Phillip Archer, Michael and Lauren Youngblood, Brooke Thomas, Amanda Archer and Chad Youngblood

Margot Wallis and Molly Lloyd

Kim Horne, Mitch and Tracy Hires and Julie Bumgardner

Ryan and Brooke Duncan

Maddie Meeks, Katherine Parker, Emma Meeks and Bear Meeks Phoebe Hughes, Renee Couvillon, Stan Stanfill, Apryl Stanfill and Thananya Kerdpoka

Jeremy Fort, Trummie Patrick, Scott Helnbrook and Josh Schneider

AWARD-WINNING WINGS â&#x20AC;˘ BURGERS â&#x20AC;˘ SANDWICHES â&#x20AC;˘ SALADS

Are You Worthy of the Crown?

Unique Graduation Gifts & Holiday Gifts for BULLDAWG alumni and fans!

Harris Street

This Game of Wings starts every Tuesday at 9 p.m.

Enter the wingbone-ďŹ lled battleďŹ eld by 8:15 p.m.

3 Contestants will be drawn each week to compete.

Each contestant gets 20 jumbo hot wings to eat within 15 minutes. Wing plates are pre-weighed and then weighed again following the buzzer.

The contestant who ate the most (in weight) wins a $50 Locos gift card!

All contestants (winner or not) get those 20 wings FREE!

LOCOSGRILL.COM

581 S. Harris St. â&#x20AC;˘ LOCOSGRILL.COM 706.548.7803 â&#x20AC;˘ Athens, GA 30605

8

Bulldawg Illustrated

Buy a piece of the University of GeorgiaÂŽ historic hedge.

Only $30.00 plus shipping and handling. &HUWLĂ&#x20AC;FDWH RI $XWKHQWLFLW\ LV LQFOXGHG

Available for sale or pick up at the Baxter Street Bookstore

360 Baxter Street, Athens, Ga. 30605 LAST CHANCE for Pick-Up before the Holiday!

December 14th

980-475-4740 OR ORDER ONLINE at

thehedgefun.com www.bulldawgillustrated.com

ATHENS

{BMW & Bulldawgs} The ULTIMATE Driving Machines Â&#x2039; -HTPS` V^ULK HUK VWLYH[LK ZPUJL Â&#x2039; <3;04(;, JV\Y[LZ` KLSP]LY` ZLY]PJL HSS V]LY [OL )\SSKH^N 5H[PVU

3040 Atlanta Hwy. 800-362-0498 www.athensbmw.com

Â&#x2039; ,_WLY[ WYVK\J[ ZWLJPHSPZ[Z ^PSS [HRL [OL [PTL [V L_WSHPU [OL ]LOPJSLÂťZ MLH[\YLZ ^P[O `V\ Â&#x2039; -\SS ZLY]PJL KLWHY[TLU[ WYV]PKLZ YLWHPYZ HUK YV\[PUL THPU[LUHUJL PUJS\KPUN VPS JOHUNLZ VU HSS )4> TVKLSZ

9

SEC Championship Georgia 28 Alabama 32

Keanan Rush, Pam McAbee, Gus Holbrook, Terry McAbee, Ben McAbee, Joe Holbrook, Bill Holbrook, Black Holbrook, Chris Dilerenzo, Jason Haney and Chris Jefts

Dallas Lee and Dillon Lee

Jeff Miller and Mike and Amy McMillen

Jen Jewell and Lisa and Joe Devaney

Rob Saye and John David Crow, 1957 Heisman Trophy Winner

Andrew Waguespack, Mike Perciful and Bill Evans

David Faulkner and Eric Burns

Jim Douglas and James Douglas

Vanessa Manley, David Greene and Aimee Miners

Carl and Karisse Mamay

Cory Delamater and Karen Askins

Sam Herman and Mitch Coffee

Edward Hires and Sonny Hires

Katie Smith and Patrick Smith

Mindy Cobb and Joseph Daniel

Andrew Yakman and Gabe Dominguez

Shaun Bush and Courtney Williams

Lauren Schoenborn and Christine Thombley

Mike Blanton and John Barrett

Stephen Thombley, Todd Damato and Mia Parris

Susan McDonald Morgan and Bobby Donlan

Lee and Tricia Turner

Suzanne Conner, Susan Driscoll and Mandy Munfort

David Grabow and Kristie and Kyle Wood

Kenny Corry and Steve Smith

Courtenay Taylor and Kaylee Gulich

10

Bulldawg Illustrated

JD’s Bowl Preview

By Jeff Dantzler Vanderbilt vs. North Carolina State December 31, High Noon Nashville

Southern Cal vs. Tech December 31, 2 p.m.

El Paso

LSU vs. Clemson December 31, 7 p.m.

Atlanta

Mississippi State vs. Northwestern January 1, High Noon Jacksonville

What a season it has been for the Commodores, who posted an 8-4 record and 5-3 Southeastern Conference mark.

Understanding that the two programs are down, but for Vanderbilt to beat Auburn and Tennessee in the same season is an enormous deal for the Commodores. James Franklin has done quick and excellent work in the Music City. They lost at home to South Carolina in the season opener, then fell at Northwestern and at Georgia. After dropping a 31-17 decision in Nashville to Florida, the Commodores won their last six games.

That’s the longest winning streak for the Commodores since 1955. Zac Stacy is a terrific tailback and Jordan Matthews an elite receiver. North Carolina State is going through a coaching change. They let Tom O’Brien go.

The highlight of the Wolfpack season was a 17-16 upset of Florida State. Vanderbilt went 8-3 in 1982, then lost to Air Force in the Hall of Fame Bowl to finish 8-4. The Commodores have made history, making it to bowls in back-to-back season for the first time ever. Now they can get to 9-4 and finish ranked in the final national polls.

This is an intriguing match-up between two teams that had their share of disappointments.

Southern Cal was a consensus preseason top three pick, but slumped to 7-5. The Trojans have all kinds of offensive firepower, but the defense was disappointing. Especially against the run.

Tech boasts one of the country’s top running attacks, but the defense is very leaky. This could be a high-scoring shootout. The Yellow Jackets bottomed out with a 49-28 loss to Middle Tennessee State at Grant Field, but came back strong to win four of five. Tech fell hard 42-10 at Georgia, then rallied back to scare Florida State in the ACC Championship Game. A win would get Tech to 7-7.

Southern Cal lost for a fourth straight tie to Stanford, got outgunned by Oregon, and upset by Arizona. Then came season-ending losses to arch-rivals UCLA and Notre Dame. Lane Kiffin’s seat is very warm.

Once again, because of the proximity, date and time, and interest of the two leagues involved and the match-up, the Georgia Dome gets a grand slam game. The Fightin’ Tigers and Clemson Tigers both had 10-2 seasons, and want to close it out strong. LSU is loaded with talent, led by a typically tough defense. Clemson has one of the country’s most explosive offenses. The key is whether Zach Mettenberger, that excellent stable of backs and the LSU offense can be consistent, like they were against Ole Miss.

Jeremy Hill is an outstanding freshman tailback. LSU is one of the teams that is asking what if? The Tigers fell 14-6 at Florida and lost that 21-17 heart-breaker to Alabama in Baton Rouge. Clemson lost at Florida State, letting a second half lead get away, and fell in the finale to arch-rival South Carolina yet again. Sammy Watkins is an electric wide receiver. Clemson opened the season in the Georgia Dome, beating Auburn. It would be a feather in their cap to take down LSU, too. The Tigers open next season at home with Georgia.

These are two programs that don’t exactly have the richest of football history, but they have had good success under their coaches. Two years ago, Dan Mullen led Mississippi State to a 9-4 record, beating Georgia, Florida and Michigan. The Maroon Bulldogs were 7-0, but struggled home, losing to Alabama, Texas A&M, LSU and Ole Miss. Still, a win would mean 9-4 for the second time in three years and that’s something to be proud of in Starkville. Pat Fitzgerald, who was an AllAmerican linebacker, on their famed Big Ten championship teams of 1994 and 1995, has done a stellar job at the helm in Evanston. Northwestern just missed out on a trip to the Big Ten Championship Game. In all of their losses, the Wildcats had second half leads get away. Northwestern’s offense could give State problems. They are looking for a second win over an SEC foe this year. Northwestern edged Vanderbilt in September.

South Carolina vs. Michigan January 1, 1 p.m.

Tampa

Wisconsin vs. Stanford January 1, 5 p.m.

Pasadena

Florida State vs. Northern Illinois January 1, 8:30 p.m.

Miami

Louisville vs. Florida January 2, 8:30 New Orleans

Brady Hoke has Michigan going in the right direction. The Wolverines got smoked by Alabama in the season opener and lost to Notre Dame.

They got things going in the Big Ten, but lost a tight one to Ohio State in the big one to end the year. Michigan won the Sugar Bowl last season and went 11-2. South Carolina is riding its greatest wave ever under the watch of Steve Spurrier, one of the elite coaches in college football annals. The Gamecocks went to the SEC Championship Game in 2010. Last season the Gamecocks set a school record for wins going 11-2. Now they are 10-2 again, losing only at LSU and at Florida. The highlight victories came over Georgia, Tennessee and Clemson. The fact that they are doing this for a second straight season, for around half the year, without the magnificent Marcus Lattimore is more incredible. Last year, the Gamecocks beat Nebraska on New Year’s Day. Adding another royal program in Michigan to the hit list would give the loyal Gamecock faithful even more pride. Over the last three years, they are 9-0 against Georgia, Tennessee and Clemson, 2-1 vs. Florida, and the Gamecocks have wins over Alabama and Nebraska. Incredible.

This is one of the more intriguing Rose Bowl matchups in quite some time.

Wisconsin will be coached by their athletic director Barry Alvarez, the acclaimed coach who rejuvenated the program and led the Badgers to a trio of Rose Bowl victories in his days on the sideline. Bret Bilema bolted Madison for Arkansas, despite a third straight trip to the Rose Bowl. The Badgers are an ordinary 8-5, with four losses coming by a field goal and one by a touchdown. But because Ohio State and Penn State are on probation, the Badgers found their way in the Big Ten Championship Game. Once there, Wisconsin embarrassed Nebraska 70-31 behind an epic ground performance. Stanford is having its third straight great year. Jim Harbaugh left. Then Andrew Luck turned pro. Everyone thought Stanford would go away. But David Shaw has kept the program going strong. The upset win at Oregon was one of the biggest stories of the year. The lone losses were a heartbreaker at Washington and controversial overtime decision at Notre Dame.

This game that has given college football fans games like Miami-Nebraska and Alabama-Michigan once again gets a dud. The Atlantic Coast Conference was not very strong this season. Florida State came out on top, bouncing back to edge Tech after getting beaten badly at home by Florida. The Gators have an athletic defense and firepower on offense.

Northern Illinois is the first “BCS buster” to come in with a loss. The Huskies are 12-1, downing Kent State in a thriller in the Mid-American Conference Championship Game. This has been one of the best mid-major programs in the country for a long time. Now they are on college football’s big stage.

The BCS has done a phenomenal job getting No. 1 vs. No. 2. But they’ve failed, in many ways due to different rules, regulations and stipulations, in getting great games in the other major bowls. This is another case.

Charlie Strong rebuffed Tennessee to stay at Louisville and got a big raise out of it. He led the Cardinals to the Big East title and now wants a major bowl victory over an Southeastern Conference power – one he used to coach. Strong was a standout defensive coordinator for both Ron Zook and Urban Meyer. The Gators don’t want to slip up and spoil what would be one of the best seasons in school history. Florida’s only loss was 17-9 to Georgia in Jacksonville. The Gators resume is extremely impressive, highlighted by four wins over 10-2 teams – Texas A&M (on the road), LSU, South Carolina and Florida State (on the road). Florida was also extremely fortunate to beat Louisiana – Lafayette and struggled to down Bowling Green and Missouri. The Gators defense is outstanding.

Florida’s kicking game could be the country’s best, led by Al-American Caleb Sturgis. Jeff Driskel and Mike Gillislee are a top-notch quarterback/running back duo.

Oregon vs. Kansas State January 3, 8:30 p.m.

Glendale, AZ These are two teams that had national championship dreams spoiled on the same night. Oregon lost a thriller at Stanford, while Kansas State got drilled by Baylor. Both bounced back.

The Ducks beat Oregon State and Kansas State took down Texas. Oregon and Kansas State are both 11-1, and the winner could finish as high as No. 3 or No. 4 in the country. Bill Snyder is an incredible story. The return and second time rebuilding the program is an all-timer.

Chip Kelly has been a magician at the Oregon helm, taking what Mike Belotti did, and jacking it to another level. The Ducks offense is one of college football’s best. There is sure fire star power in this one with Collin Klein and Kenjon Barner

Texas A&M vs. Oklahoma January 4, 8:00 p.m.

Arlington, TX

Ole Miss vs. Pittsburgh January 5, 1 p.m.

Birmingham

Alabama vs. Notre Dame January 7, 8:30 p.m.

Miami

This is one of the best games of the bowl season.

This one-time major bowl gets major match-ups every year with the SEC and Big XII locked up. With Northern Illinois getting into the BCS, that bumped Oklahoma to Dallas. The Sooners get former Big XII foe Texas A&M, which went 10-2 in Year One in the SEC, led by record – setting redshirt freshman quarterback Johnny Manziel. The Sooners lost twice at home – a first in the Bob Stoops era – falling to 11-1 Kansas State 2419 and 12-0 Notre Dame 30-13. Oklahoma won a couple of thrillers over West Virginia and Oklahoma State down the stretch. The defense has some holes. The Aggies highlight was the famous 29-24 victory over then – No. 1 Alabama in Tuscaloosa. The two losses were at home to Florida 20-17, a game the Aggies led 17-7 at intermission, and to LSU 2419, a contest in which Texas A&M had a 12-0 first half lead. This will be one of the toughest tickets this season. Oklahoma, on its last trip to Dallas, blew out Texas in the Red River Shootout.

What a turnaround for the Rebels, who were pretty bad the last few years. Hugh Freeze and his up-tempo offense made waves in the SEC West. Ole Miss hung tough with Alabama and lost heart-breakers to Vanderbilt, Texas A&M and LSU. They were handled by Georgia and Texas. Most teams in the SEC are grumpy after going 6-6. But Ole Miss took down Mississippi State to become bowl eligible, and after this drought, getting to the postseason is a big deal for the Rebels. Pittsburgh started slowly but came on and posted a strong second half of the season. Bo Wallace is one of the better quarterbacks in the SEC, and the Rebels have a lot of weapons, including speedy tailback Jeff Scott. Birmingham is a short drive for most of the Rebel fan base – it’s just three hours from Oxford – so they figure to travel.

Alabama had five of the top 35 picks in the NFL Draft.

The year before, the Crimson Tide lost four first round selections. But Nick Saban and his staff recruit great every year. Now Alabama, which won an all-time great classic 32-28 over Georgia in the SEC Championship Game, will play for a third national title in four year. Not even Bear Bryant did that. The Bear also never beat the Irish.

Notre Dame has had the dream season. The Fightin’ Irish won at Oklahoma and Southern Cal. They survived against Pitt, Stanford and Purdue. Brian Kelly has done excellent work in short fashion in South Bend. The Notre Dame defense, which features a lot of southern standouts like defensive end Stephon Tuitt, and the great AllAmerican linebacker Manti Teo, from Honolulu, is fierce.

They gave up only nine touchdowns all seasons. Bama has a superb defense as well, led by All-American linebacker C.J. Mosely, and All-American corner Dee Milliner.

It is the Bama offense that makes the difference. It is an exceptional unit with a pair of All-American offensive linemen in Barrett Jones and chance Warmack, a sterling tailback duo of Eddie Lacy and T.J. Yeldon, an accurate quarterback A.J. McCarron, and fleet Amari Cooper at receiver. Notre Dame may have the better defense – may.

But Alabama’s offense is far superior. Notre Dame will have a harder time scoring.

Residential and Commercial Moving Local and Long Distance On-site Document Destruction Document Data Storage Go Mini’s Portable Storage Units Packing Materials

Moving Dawgs Across Georgia Since 1972 Lindsay Transfer & Storage, Inc. 180 Trade Street Bogart, GA 30622 Tel: 706.549.8902 Duke Lindsay dlindsay@thelindsaygroup.net

Senior Gala Josh Sailors and Kelsey Sailors

Aaron Murray, Stephanie Murray and Josh Murray

Maxine Green, Hamp Brown, Kitt Brown, JJ Green, Tracolya Green and Donald Green

Susan and Steve Middlebrooks and Will Friend

Al Hickson, Todd Gurley and Angela Hickson

Frankie Sinkwich, Will Hayes, Jarvis Jones and Hatton Abernathy Morgan Gilmore, Jarvis Jones and Marilyn Gilmore

Brooke and Jeff Stortz and Kim Liebowitz

Frankie Sinkwich and Vince Dooley

Watts Dantzler and Nicole Jenson

Alec Ogletree and Xander Ogletree

Lauren Murray and Barbara Dooley

Carline Lynch and Arthur Lynch

Becky Reynolds and Chris Conley

Carole Causby and Jean Dantzler

Adam Lowdey and Bacarri Rambo

Kendall McShane and Ray Drew

Travis Ragsdale and Jon Jenkins

Janie and Ron Smith

Marian Barber and Kirk Livingood

Barbara and Tom Dean

Malcolm Mitchell receives the inaugural Trippi Award from Shawn Williams receives the inuagural Sinkwich Award. Also pictured Charley Trippi. Also pictured with Mike Bobo and Todd Grantham Mike Bobo, Frankie Sinkwich and Todd Grantham

MVPs Connor Norman, Jarvis Jones, Aaron Murray, Alec Ogletree and Blake Sailors

12

Herman Cantrell, Christian Robinson and Ann Cantrell

Keith Marshall, Mike Bobo and Todd Gurley - Offensive Newcomers of the Year

Tavarres King speaks for the seniors

Bulldawg Illustrated

WeAreBulldawgs .com

Georgia Bulldogs vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers www.capitalonebowl.floridacitrussports.com

What to do in Orlando for the Bowl Suggestions from Philip Glenn and Susanna Dance with a more extensive list on WeAreBulldawgs.com

1.

2.

3.

CAPITAL ONE FANFEST Tuesday, January 1st 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium – McCracken Field Live music, entertainment, interactive games, inflatables, video board featuring other bowl game action and premier sponsor interactive displays including Capital One highlight the official pre-game party, the Capital One FanFest at McCracken Field is adjacent to the Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium and free to all fans with game ticket. Be there early to see Capital One Venture Card presents: Dierks Bentley Live in a free concert. VIP upgrades available for just $25 via Ticketmaster.com. For more information visit CapitalOneBowl. com/game.

AROUND WINTER PARK The Winter Park suburb of Orlando has a mix of independent shops, bars and restaurants along its Park Avenue and surrounding area. One of the best restaurants to try is called Luma. Winter Park is also the location of Rollins College, which has a beautiful campus on Lake Virginia with buildings designed in old-world Spanish architecture.

Not far from Winter Park is the Antique Row Ivanhoe/College Park district just north of downtown Orlando and within 5 minutes of the Citrus Bowl. This area features a collection of antique shops, and local urban restaurants as well as some cigar bars. One place not to miss is called The Imperial, which is a unique antique store with a full bar and lounge area throughout, so you can enjoy a glass of wine while browsing their collection. Local Food Trucks also frequent this area during the day and at night offering a variety of delicious cuisine. Also, just a few minutes on the other side of Lake Ivanhoe is the College Park neighborhood which is equally enjoyable as well.

4.

5.

6.

7.

DISNEY/UNIVERSAL NIGHTLIFE Universal has a nightlife area called City Walk with cool bars and restaurants, including Hard Rock Cafe, Bob Marley, Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville, Emeril’s Restaurant-Orlando, Pat O’Brien’s, Fat Tuesday, etc. Fun to hang out and check out the scene.

Downtown Disney’s nightlife features House of Blues, Wolfgang Puck Cafe, Cirque du Soleil/La Nouba and an AMC Theater. Also any of the Disney property restaurants are all top-notch quality.

Several restaurants are located at the Disney hotels and don’t require any park admission fees to visit and dine.

ORLANDO CITRUS PARADE Saturday, December 29th 10:00 AM Downtown Orlando Be part of one of Central Florida’s longest running traditions at the Orlando Citrus Parade! Magnificent citrus floats, with marching bands from across the country, university bands from the Capital One Bowl and other exciting entertainment will be marching through the streets of downtown Orlando. Grandstand tickets may be purchased for $28 by calling Florida Citrus Sports at 407-4232476. or by visiting OrlandoCitrusParade.com.

OUTDOORS For an outdoor experience, one of our many beautiful springs is a must see! Very affordable as they just charge by the car. Kelly Park, Wekiva Springs or Blue Springs (a little further but typically have manatees) Canoe and kayak launch as well as great hiking. Campgrounds too.

GOO DAW DAWGS! WGS!!

SHOW SHO W YOUR YOUR GEOR GEORGIA RGIA PRIDE and get your you ur

BOWL BO W T-SHIRT WL T-SHIRT TT TODAY ODAY

/UGABookstore /UGABo okstore

www.bulldawgillustrated.com

13

Scouting the Huskers

Nebraska stars

By Murray Poole

By Jeff Dantzler Location: Lincoln, Neb. #8 Ameer Abdullah, IB 5-9, 185 Soph. Homewood, Alabama (Homewood H.S.)

Conference: Big Ten

Nebraska’s offense is loaded with stars. The “I-Back” duo of Ameer Abdullah and Rex Burkhead is the headlining duo, along with standout quarterback Taylor Martinez, wide receiver Kenny Bell, and All-American guard Spencer Long. Burkhead missed half the season with injury so Abdullah stepped in the primary “I-Back” role and thrived. He carried 219 times 1,089 yards, averaging 5.0 yards per carry, and chalked up eight touchdowns. He’s a slasher with some jets. Burkhead is the classic pounder and Martinez can take it all the way. Georgia’s run defense will be severely tested. The Bulldogs got carved up

by Alabama in the SEC Championship Game and Nebraska will lean heavily on its strength. With a month to get ready, there’s a chance Georgia could see the Cornhuskers put Abdullah and Burkhead on the field at the same time. #22 Rex Burkhead, IB 5-11, 210 Sr. Plano, Texas (Plano H.S.) Nebraska has had a slew of great “I-Backs,” highlighted by 1983 Heisman Trophy winner Mike Rozier, and mid-to-late 1990’s national champion All-Americans Lawrence Phillips and Ahman Green. Rex Burkhead is a different style back, but the Big Red faithful rightfully consider him one of their most beloved runners ever. He’s cut a bit from the cloth of Larry Czonka and Earl Campbell. He’s a bruiser with power who is extremely tough to bring down. Trying to arm tackle him or coming in with a high pad level is a losing proposition. If there’s a back from the SEC he resembles, it is Alabama’s slammer Eddie Lacy, Most Valuable Player of the SEC Championship Game. He missed half the season with injury, but came back late and was big in Nebraska’s division clinching win over Iowa. Burkhead should be close to 100 percent for Orlando and anxious to show what he can do against an SEC foe. #3 Taylor Martinez, QB 6-1 Jr. Corona, California (Centennial H.S.) One of the Big Ten’s top two-way threats, Taylor Martinez is one of three headliners in a potent Cornhusker backfield. A quarterback who is a dangerous runner and thrower is especially lethal when teamed with an outstanding tailback, or in Nebraska’s famed case, “I-Back.” Well Nebraska has two. Powerhouse Rex Burkhead and the shifty Ameer Abdullah combine to give Nebraska big time big play options. Martinez was one of the Big Ten’s top rushers, running for 1,241 yards (sacks and losses cut his net gain to 973 yards), and ten touchdowns, with an average of 5.6 per carry. Martinez worked hard on his throwing mechanics in the off-season and had his beat year throwing, hitting of 212 of 341 passes for 2,667 yards, with 21 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. His top target is wide receiver Kenny Bell, who hauled in 46 passes for 803 yards and eight touchdowns. When that running game is rolling, Martinez thrives with Bell in man-to-man coverages.

Enrollment: 19,345 Cornhuskers in a thumbnail: Going into the 2012 season, Nebraska returned eight offensive starters and seven defensive regulars from the 2011 team that went 9-4 including a 30-13 loss to South Carolina in the Capital One Bowl. Now, the Cornhuskers of fourth-year coach Bo Pelini, the former LSU defensive coordinator, will make their second consecutive appearance in Orlando sporting a 10-3 season record. Nebraska was riding a six-game winning streak before getting routed 70-31 by Wisconsin Dec. 1 in the Big Ten championship game. The Huskers’ victories this fall came over Southern Miss (49-20), Arkansas State (42-13), Idaho State (73-7), Wisconsin in the regular season matchup (30-27), Northwestern (29-28), Michigan (23-9), Michigan State (28-24), Penn State (32-23), Minnesota (38-14) and Iowa (13-7). The other two defeats were

by UCLA (36-30) and unbeaten Ohio State (63-38).

A look at the Nebraska offense: The Cornhuskers now run a spread option attack under second-year coordinator Tim Beck, as opposed to the pure Nebraska option teams of the past, and the Huskers will take an extremely balanced offense into the matchup with Georgia. Averaging 35.1 points per game, Nebraska leads the Big Ten with a 254 yards-per-game rushing average (8th in nation) and is also passing for 207 yards per contest. The Huskers are led by junior quarterback Taylor Martinez (6-1, 200) who has passed for 2,667 yards and 21 touchdowns – with 10 interceptions – while also rushing for 973 yards and 10 more touchdowns. Martinez is the Huskers’ all-time total offense leader with more than 9,000 yards. Nebraska’s leading rusher is sophomore I-back Ameer Abdullah (5-9, 185), who has run for 1,089 yards (5.0 avg.) and eight touchdowns while also rating one of the top kick returners in the country. Senior I-back Rex Burkhead (5-11, 210) follows Abdullah and Martinez with his 535 yards (7.2 avg.) and four touchdowns after running for 1,357 and 15 touchdowns in 2011. Sophomore Kenny Bell (6-1, 185) is Nebraska’s leading receiver with 46 catches for 803 yards and eight scores while junior Quincy Enuwa (6-2, 215) follows with 40 receptions for 459 yards and one score. The Huskers’ scoring leader is senior place-kicker Brett Maher, who has tallied 112 points via 19 field goals and 55 PATs. A look at the Nebraska defense: As you can see, the Cornhuskers’ defensive unit has had its struggles this season. Being hit by opposing offenses for such point totals as 27, 28, 24, 23, 36, 63 and, finally, the 70 salvo by Wisconsin, Nebraska has surrendered 26.2 points per game.

The Cornhuskers, after being pummeled for more than 500 yards rushing by Wisconsin in the Big Ten title game, are allowing an average of 195 yards on the ground. Pass defense, they are somewhat better, giving up just 148 yards per outing, which leads the nation. Senior linebacker Will Compton (6-2, 230) leads the defense with 101 total tackles while senior safety Daimion Stafford (6-1, 205) follows with 89 tackles and has four interceptions. Also formidable for the Huskers are senior end Cameron Meredith (6-4, 260) and senior tackle Baker Steinkuhler (6-6, 290).

What Cornhuskers head coach Bo Pelini says: “I know Georgia’s going to be athletic. I know they’re going to be physical and obviously they’re going to be well-coached. I think Coach Richt does a great job. They’re going to challenge us across the board in every way. They’re a very talented team. (On Nebraska giving up the 500-plus rushing yards to Wisconsin and Georgia allowing Alabama to run for 350 yards) First and foremost, you have to be able to stop the run. If you give up big rushing yards it’s a recipe for disaster. You can’t recover from that. That’s going to be an area both teams try to shore up and an area both teams will try to exploit.”

Game Prediction: It’s difficult to gauge how these two football teams will snap back from their conference title game losses. Georgia’s of course was the most agonizing as the Bulldogs ran out of time on the Alabama 5-yard line in the bitter 32-28 SEC championship game loss, a defeat that kept Georgia from going to the BCS national championship game. Nebraska, meantime, was getting blown away by Wisconsin by that 70-31 tally in the Big Ten title game after having whipped the Badgers in the regular season meeting. But with a month to heal the wounds from those setbacks, you would think both teams will be out to prove something on Jan. 1 in the Capital One Bowl in sunny Orlando. Like head coach Mark Richt has said, these Bulldogs – especially the Georgia seniors – have much to play for: a rare 12-win season, a possible finish in the country’s top five teams and, yes, a big springboard into the 2013 season when Georgia will be seeking to go to its third consecutive SEC title game. With the Bulldog offense continuing its late-season explosiveness and with the Georgia defense reverting to previous form after being jolted for those 32 points and 350 rushing yards by the Crimson Tide, the Dogs achieve that 12-2 finish with a 35-21 shucking of the Huskers.

photo by Rob Saye

Five keys for a Bulldog victory

By Jeff Dantzler

1.

Dictate with the Run – Todd Gurley is the best tailback in the country. There are a lot of outstanding backs out there, but none are better than the freshman sensation. He was brilliant in the Bulldogs win over Florida, and Georgia’s MVP in the heart-breaking loss to Alabama. He’s fast, strong, shifty, powerful and pushes everything forward. Keith Marshall is a speedster of a counter puncher and Ken Malcome has power. Wisconsin ran for 500 yards in a rout of Nebraska in the Big Ten Championship Game. If Georgia is patient and sticks to the ground, the Bulldogs should be able to gash the Cornhuskers front.

2.

Slow Down the Huskers Run – With the exception of the ill-fated Bill Callahan era, Nebraska has always been an outstanding running team. The Cornhuskers have it again this year, especially when bruising tailback Rex Burkhead is healthy. Quarterback Taylor Martinez is a two-way threat and the Huskers will run some option at Georgia. The Bulldogs have given up right at 1,000 yards on the ground the last three games. Alabama cut through the Georgia defense on the ground. The team with the better run defense has a huge edge in Orlando.

3.

Pressure Martinez – Nebraska is a running team. The Cornhuskers quarterback is a big part of that. Georgia’s defense will have to pressure him on straight keeps and the option. When Nebraska does throw it, Georgia’s defensive front must put heat on Martinez. He can come up with the big play, but like any quarterback, is shaky when the heat is on. He’s one of those quarterbacks that can be more dangerous when a play breaks down. When the pressure comes, Georgia’s ends need to keep him in the pocket. That’s where the negative plays come from. Putting Nebraska behind the chains puts Georgia in turnover opportunistic downs.

4.

Big Plays on Limited Throws – Georgia sets the tone with the running game when the Bulldogs are at their best. The extra benefit is what that sets up off of play action. Nebraska’s defense has had some tough days, especially in the Big Ten Championship Game. When Gurley is rolling, that sets up Aaron Murray to hit Malcolm Mitchell and co. for big chunks of yardage without having to put the ball in the air too much. Even without Michael Bennett and Marlon Brown, Georgia’s receiving corps will be the best one the Cornhuskers have faced this season.

5.

Bring the Fire – Georgia’s last two bowl performances have been lackluster. The Bulldogs lost 10-6 to Central Florida in Memphis, then last year in Tampa, blew a 16-0 lead and lost in overtime to Michigan State. Nebraska is a storied program and that has helped to generate some excitement, even on the heels of arguably the most heart-breaking loss in Georgia lore. A victory over Nebraska would stamp a 12-2 season and a final national ranking somewhere in the top six or seven. This Georgia team nearly played for the national title. A team of this caliber needs to finish in excellent fashion. photo by Rob Saye

14

Bulldawg Illustrated

©2012 Anheuser-Busch, Budweiser® Beer, St. Louis, MO