Capital One Bowl Overview:
The Georgia Bulldogs began the NCAA season ranked No. 2 in the nation and quickly climbed up to No. 1 after the loss of the USC Trojans. Tough play from the dangerous Florida Gators and aggressive Alabama Crimson Tide knocked the Georgia Bulldogs back to earth. The Michigan State Spartans suffered an early loss to the California Golden Bears but quickly went on a win streak that dropped opponents like the Michigan Wolverines and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Fans with Capital One Bowl tickets will see this surprising matchup of Cinderella and the victims of Murphy’s Law in beautiful Orlando, Florida.
Georgia Bulldogs Offense:
Quarterback Mathew Stafford was the primary reason the Georgia Bulldogs were ranked so high, and the savvy leader with a cannon arm will be a top-5 NFL Draft pick when he comes out. Mathew Stafford has ripped apart defenses all year long with his veteran WR Mohammed Massaquoi and freshman WR A.J. Green. Sophomore RB Knowshon Moreno has been the surprise player of the year and is seen as another top NFL prospect. Fans with Capital One Bowl tickets will see why the arm of Mathew Stafford and the legs of Knowshon Moreno have the Georgia Bulldogs sitting atop most offensive rankings.
Georgia Bulldogs Defense:
Defensive tackle Geno Atkins could be the best defensive lineman on the field, and his ability to penetrate from the three technique makes him a dangerous weapon against the run or pass. Capital One Bowl tickets will feature WLB Rennie Curran, who has stepped up as a dominant player against the pass and is a difficult blitzer to handle. CB Asher Allen has developed into a feared shutdown corner, and his ability to play in space opens up room for more blitzes and safety movement. Fans with Capital One Bowl tickets can expect the Georgia Bulldogs defense to go hard after the run.
Michigan State Spartan Offense:
Fans with Capital One Bowl tickets know that the heart of the Michigan State Spartans offense is their best player, RB Javon Ringer. With nearly 1,600 yards on the ground and 21 touchdowns, the hardy Javon Ringer can carry the load like no other and can reach 40 carries without tiring. The Michigan State Spartans offensive line has done a dynamite job of opening running lanes for Javon Ringer along with FB Andrew Hawken leading the way. QB Brian Hoyer has not been the picture of consistency but has come up big when the pressure is on the line or the chains need to be moved.
Michigan State Spartans Defense:
An excellent defensive line anchors the stout Michigan State Spartans defense, and they hold up in the trenches like the school’s nickname. DT Justin Kershaw is the leader of the defense and is a classic three-technique player. NT Antonio Jeremiah is a load next to Justin Kershaw and eats blockers for breakfast and lunch. DE Trevor Anderson brings a great pass rush from the outside. Will LB Greg Jones leads the Michigan State Spartans in tackles and is a rangy playmaker. FS Otis Wiley will impress fans with Capital One Bowl tickets with his leadership and aggression.
Georgia Bulldogs Game Plan:
With their dynamic passing game, the Georgia Bulldogs would like to get out to an early lead and force the Michigan State Spartans to throw. Mathew Stafford needs some time in the pocket to find his receivers, but hitting burner WR A.J. Green deep should not be a problem. The deep ball will let the Michigan State Spartans know the speed of the offense and to respect it. When the Michigan State DBs start giving a cushion and the safeties leave the box, it will be Knowshon Moreno’s time to do some damage. The screen to Knowshon Moreno will be key early.
Georgia Bulldogs fans with Capital One Bowl tickets will see their team win if Javon Ringer is limited to less than 100 yards. The entire Michigan State offense is built around the great RB, and without him they are nothing. The Georgia Bulldogs will minimize stunts and spin moves on the defensive line so they can maintain their gaps and keep blockers off the linebackers. If the offense can get them the lead, then the Georgia Bulldogs defense can sit back and let the Michigan State Spartans bleed themselves dry of time with their running game.
Michigan State Spartans Game Plan:
Everyone with Capital One Bowl tickets know that RB Javon Ringer will get the ball a ton of times. Since this attack will not be a mystery to anyone, then the Michigan State Spartans have to execute. The Georgia Bulldogs have too much mass in the middle so running to the outside is the only option at the start of the game. If the Michigan State Spartans can run the ball in spite of all the Georgia Bulldogs efforts, they can win the psychological advantage as well as the physical side. QB Brian Hoyer will have a ton of plays off of play action and must take advantage of them.
The talented defensive line of the Michigan State Spartans needs to penetrate to get pressure on Mathew Stafford or stop Knowshon Moreno. The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and Florida Gators have left a great pattern for the Michigan State Spartans to follow, and they know that getting to Matthew Stafford is the key. Forcing turnovers is the only way to defeat the offensive machine of the Georgia Bulldogs and allow the offense to run their ball-control style to burn up the clock.
Capital One Bowl Game Outlook:
Michigan State Spartans fans with Capital One Bowl tickets are getting a special treat as their team is playing well beyond expectations. The Georgia Bulldogs fans think their team has underperformed but is clearly one of the best in the NCAA. Both of these energized fan bases will fill up the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida. These fans with Capital One Bowl tickets expect their teams to play their hearts out, and they know that each athlete on the field will give his all for his school on a national stage.
Momentum and recent games favor the Michigan State Spartans in an upset. The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets won over the Georgia Bulldogs by exclusively running the ball down their throat. The Alabama Crimson Tide and Florida Gators also were able to pave over the Dawgs on the ground. The Georgia Bulldogs offense is a thing of beauty, but the Michigan State Spartans can stun it by keeping the ball away from it. It will be a physical fight to the end, but fans with Capital One Bowl tickets will see the Michigan State Spartans reign victorious.