Georgia junior cornerback, Asher Allen, listens to a reporter’s question during the press conference at B.B. King’s Blues Club in Orlando, Fla.
Orlando, Fla. — The common theme when comparing the Southeastern Conference to the Big Ten is this: The SEC has speed, the Big Ten has power.
The speed of the SEC has won out against the Big Ten numerous times during the past few years, most notably in back-to-back losses to SEC opponents by Ohio State in the BCS National Championship Game to cap the 2006 and 2007 seasons.
Once again, the speed vs. power issue is coming up as No. 14 Georgia (9-3 overall) gets ready to face No. 19 MSU (9-3) in the Capital One Bowl at 1 p.m. Jan. 1 in Orlando, Fla.
“It’s expected, you want to see how the two conferences compare,” senior wide receiver Mohammed Massaquoi said. “People know the South for speed and they know the Big Ten for more power and strength. “Both teams have power, both teams have speed and it’s going to be a
great game to watch”
Although those were Massaquoi’s sentiments, fellow teammate Corvey Irvin answered “no, not really” when asked if the Spartans looked as fast as an SEC team.
Dobbs questionable
Sophomore defensive end Demarcus Dobbs suffered a sprained ankle during Sunday’s practice, which may hurt the Bulldogs when it comes to stopping MSU’s All-America running back, senior Javon Ringer.
“(Dobbs is) 50-50 right now, we don’t know if he’s going to play or not,” Irvin said. “That’s a big factor. He’s a special part of our defense and losing him means the other guys, including myself, are going to have to take the opportunity to step their game up.”
Ring-worthy?
After Georgia Tech beat Georgia on Nov. 29 for the first time since 2000, the Yellow Jackets got a ring to commemorate the win with the final score of 45-42 etched on it.
Irvin’s response to the Georgia Tech loss was simple — it’s over.
“They won the game, that’s over and it’s about Michigan State right now,” Irvin said. “Georgia Tech beat us, it was a great ball game, they beat us, but that’s in the past; we’re trying to start the 2009 season off by beating Michigan State.”
When asked if any of the four players had won a game that meant so much to them they would put the score on it, Massaquoi replied by saying “not really.”
Stafford not looking ahead; which may be a good thing
Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford is projected by many NFL scouts and executives as the top quarterback for next April’s NFL Draft even though he is only a junior. With the NFL regular season officially over, the Detroit Lions will be the team to judge whether or not Stafford truly is the No. 1 overall pick.
With Sunday’s 31-21 loss to Green Bay, the Lions etched their way into NFL futility becoming the first team in history to go 0-16.
“I didn’t watch any NFL games (Sunday),” said Stafford of potentially playing for an 0-16 team. “Truthfully it’s not on my mind at all. I’m here to win a bowl game and that’s why we’re all here.”
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