Spring Break
Bulldogs, Spartans share similarities amid disappointments
TYLER ESTEP
Issue date: 12/31/08 Section: Sports
ORLANDO, Fla. - The tenor of Tuesday's Capital One Bowl press conference said it all.
Michigan State players fielded questions that almost all had to do with their next opponent, Georgia. But the Bulldogs' questions were more retrospective - questions about failed national championship expectations, big plays throughout the season, and the NFL. Not many about the Spartans.
For the Bulldogs, a trip to Orlando seems more like a consolation prize, a reminder of preseason hype not lived up to and once realistic dreams of Miami now shattered.
"Looking back, we wanted to be in Miami, of course. Every team wants to win the national championship and their conference," said Georgia receiver Mohamed Massaquoi.
"But it's not something we're pouting about because we're not in Miami. We know we have a great opponent to play."
The Spartans, however, are happy to be here. They're happy to have another shot in Orlando after falling to Matt Ryan and Boston College in the Champs Sports Bowl at the end of a 7-6 2007 season. They're happy to have one more chance at a "big time opponent," and they're happy it's Georgia.
"They were the preseason No. 1 team in the country, had a couple tough losses just like we did, and this is just one last chance to, at least for us as seniors, to get some respect. To get some respect for the Big Ten conference and for our program," said Michigan State quarterback Brian Hoyer.
"People questioned how we did in big games and I think it's a great opportunity to prove that."
The similarities between both teams' seasons are striking - both were handled easily in disappointing losses to respective conference powerhouses (Ohio State and Penn State for the Spartans, Alabama and Florida for the Bulldogs). Both have a third loss to a tough out of conference team (California for MSU, interstate rival Georgia Tech for Georgia), and both played close games against supposedly lesser opponents all season.
But that may be where the likenesses end.
A victory would give Michigan State, a team that has averaged less than six wins a season in the 2000s, its first 10-win campaign since Nick Saban left in 1999.
"The coaches remind us every day. We have the opportunity to prove to ourselves, to our teammates, to the seniors and to our underclassmen that we have a great program," said Michigan State tailback Javon Ringer.
"And Georgia does too. This matchup's going to be great and we can prove to the country that we have a great team."
On the other hand, a win over Michigan State, an opponent they're favored to beat, probably wouldn't prove much for the Bulldogs. The only thing really at stake for Georgia is a 10-win season, something they've done five times in the last six years.
And, of course, their pride.
"I think there are still some things on the table for us," Bulldog quarterback Matthew Stafford said. "We have a chance to get 10 wins, and send these seniors out with 40 wins in four years."
Michigan State players fielded questions that almost all had to do with their next opponent, Georgia. But the Bulldogs' questions were more retrospective - questions about failed national championship expectations, big plays throughout the season, and the NFL. Not many about the Spartans.
For the Bulldogs, a trip to Orlando seems more like a consolation prize, a reminder of preseason hype not lived up to and once realistic dreams of Miami now shattered.
"Looking back, we wanted to be in Miami, of course. Every team wants to win the national championship and their conference," said Georgia receiver Mohamed Massaquoi.
"But it's not something we're pouting about because we're not in Miami. We know we have a great opponent to play."
The Spartans, however, are happy to be here. They're happy to have another shot in Orlando after falling to Matt Ryan and Boston College in the Champs Sports Bowl at the end of a 7-6 2007 season. They're happy to have one more chance at a "big time opponent," and they're happy it's Georgia.
"They were the preseason No. 1 team in the country, had a couple tough losses just like we did, and this is just one last chance to, at least for us as seniors, to get some respect. To get some respect for the Big Ten conference and for our program," said Michigan State quarterback Brian Hoyer.
"People questioned how we did in big games and I think it's a great opportunity to prove that."
The similarities between both teams' seasons are striking - both were handled easily in disappointing losses to respective conference powerhouses (Ohio State and Penn State for the Spartans, Alabama and Florida for the Bulldogs). Both have a third loss to a tough out of conference team (California for MSU, interstate rival Georgia Tech for Georgia), and both played close games against supposedly lesser opponents all season.
But that may be where the likenesses end.
A victory would give Michigan State, a team that has averaged less than six wins a season in the 2000s, its first 10-win campaign since Nick Saban left in 1999.
"The coaches remind us every day. We have the opportunity to prove to ourselves, to our teammates, to the seniors and to our underclassmen that we have a great program," said Michigan State tailback Javon Ringer.
"And Georgia does too. This matchup's going to be great and we can prove to the country that we have a great team."
On the other hand, a win over Michigan State, an opponent they're favored to beat, probably wouldn't prove much for the Bulldogs. The only thing really at stake for Georgia is a 10-win season, something they've done five times in the last six years.
And, of course, their pride.
"I think there are still some things on the table for us," Bulldog quarterback Matthew Stafford said. "We have a chance to get 10 wins, and send these seniors out with 40 wins in four years."
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