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No. 16-ranked Georgia (9-3) and No. 19-ranked Michigan State (9-3) both came into the Capital One Bowl with the requisite hype. After all, when you get past the 5 featured BCS bowl games, the next best bowl game among the 34 being played this year is the Capital One Bowl. Unfortunately, what could have been a great game became a yawner with the Spartans on the losing end, 24-12, New Year's Day (1-1-09).
Mark Dantonio's Michigan State players led 6-3 at the half, not because of a tremendous defensive effort but because the Spartans could not block for their star running back Javon Ringer. MSU's offensive line play was horrid and never improved. Ringer went nowhere about 1,000 miles an hour (47 yards on 20 carries). He did, however, score another touchdown, giving him a school-record 22 on the season.
Georgia's star running back, Knowshon Moreno went nowhere as well (62 yards on 23 carries). So much for the big time running match-up. Moreno, a sophomore is already talking about going pro.
Georgia's star quarterback, junior Matthew Stafford, did not play well in the first half but did eventually complete 20-of-31 for 250 yards and 3 touchdowns. After the game he was busy talking about whether he would enter the NFL Draft or not.
Spartan QB Brian Hoyer, a star only in the eyes of the blind, was, well Hoyer-that is to say, hardly impressive on his best day. Not every team can have a great quarterback.
Having said that, it seems that an inordinate amount of college QBs are convinced the NFL owners are going to put out millions for their future services. My message to the QBs who are already convinced of their own future greatness: Good luck and God speed. What are agents whispering into the ears of these naïve kids?
Georgia really controlled both sides of the line in a game that could have brought the peanut vendors to tears. It seemed that fans on either side were not enjoying the game. In truth, it was not a great offensive game or a great defensive game; it was really a lot of nothing.
The Bulldogs started this season as the No. 1 pick in the preseason AP Top 25 Poll. While their season did not live up to their expectations, the Bulldogs did finish 10-3 and coach Mark Richt did notch his 6th win in 8 bowl appearances.
Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio is making substantial progress. His Spartans learned how to finish some games this year. His first two years has netted two bowl appearances, stepping up from last year's Champs Sports Bowl to the much more prestigious Capital One Bowl and better competition.
Dantonio needs more and better players at every position and needs speed at every position even more. Speed kills and Michigan State does not even have a license to do so yet, much less the talent.
Copyright © 2009 Ed Bagley
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