As Kirby said, the Orange Bowl was about culture. The Dawgs were there to win a football game, to make a statement about what kind of team they were. To win the senior class' record 50th game. Several payers played in the game before opting out of their remaining college eligibility to turn pro. Kicker Jared Zirkel played in the game before entering the transfer portal. Seventeen other Bulldogs opted out. All America tight end Brock Bowers missed the game, but traveled to Miami to cheer on his teammates. UGA was disappointed that they were missing out on a playoff birth after spending all year as the number one team, winning 28 straight games before losing their only game of the season by only three points to playoff bound Alabama.
What kind of team was undefeated FSU? What kind of culture did they have? How would they respond to being left out of the playoff after winning the ACC championship? How would they respond to having to play without their star QB? Unlike the Dawgs, the Noles decided to quit. So many FSU players opted out and entered the transfer portal. It wasn't about team. It was about the individual.
Actions and decisions have consequences. The FSU president chose to delay the expanded 12 team playoff until next year. That hurt FSU this year. The FSU head coach had said they'd be shopping for QB's in the transfer portal. Not wanting to compete, the second string QB chose to transfer himself, missing out on a chance to start the Orange Bowl. So the Noles were forced to start their third stringer instead.
Too bad that all this crap overshadowed the actual football game. The Dawgs played hard, coasting to a 42-3 lead at halftime. Then they started their third string QB in the second half, and the Bulldog backups outscored FSU 21-0 in the second half. Instead of going for 70, on the final possession Kirby alternated the 4th string QB with a walkon freshman. The long drive ran out the clock, with the starters on the sidelines cheering them on.
Fifty weeks earlier the Dawgs set the bowl record for largest margin of victory as they trounced TCU in the national championship game. In the Orange Bowl, UGA beat their own record. They've won 46 of their last 48 games, playing in the SEC.
If you missed the Orange Bowl, you didn't miss much (except history being made). I was happy to get a good long look at 3rd string QB Gunnar Stockton. Also the 4th string QB Muschamp, as well as #28, a walk on true freshman QB. That big true freshman RB #0 is hard to tackle. Also several true freshman defenders.
After the game Kirby used his platform to address the opt outs. So many issues: coaches being fired, recruiting deadlines during bowl practices, players chasing more lucrative NIL deals. Why would a team want a player who turns his back on his teammates? Buckeye Marvin Harrison didn't play in the Cotton Bowl for fear of injury. Ohio State lost. USC QB Caleb Williams didn't play in the Trojans bowl game.
Lots of issues. If players can be paid and transfer, perhaps their NIL deals and / or scholarships should stipulate they play in all games. I know coaches opt out of contracts, blah blah. All I know is that the game is going down hill. Makes what UGA has accomplished all the more amazing.
Always nice to hear a game called by Joe Tessatore. Did you hear commentator Jesse Palmer mix in a reference to Hall of Fame center Mel Hein, whose #7 was retired by the New York football Giants?
Bama beat UGA by 3 points. Two years ago in the Orange Bowl the Dawgs beat Michigan 34-11. How bad will Bama beat Michigan?
Texas backup QB Malik Murphy opted out of the Sugar Bowl, so 3rd string true freshman QB Arch Manning is one play away from being thrust into the college football playoff against undefeated Washington.
