TAMPA, Fla. — The 18th-ranked Bulldogs completed their fourth practice in Tampa, Fla., Friday morning as they prepared for their meeting with 12th-ranked Michigan State in the Outback Bowl.
Georgia will face the Spartans at 1 p.m. on Monday, January 2 at Raymond James Stadium. The Bulldogs wrapped up their day on Friday with a trip to Clearwater Beach.
Thursday night, the Bulldogs enjoyed a night at Splitsville bowling. The Bulldogs squared off against the Spartans in an eight-on-eight challenge. The Bulldogs topped the Spartans 970-848 when the final round was complete.
While Georgia head coach Mark Richt was pleased his team won the bowling battle, he is well aware of the threat the Michigan State offense and defense presents on the football field.
“Michigan State has a very mature team,” Richt said. “(Kirk) Cousins is a three-year starter and he’s got talented receivers he can get the ball to. They are very balanced in terms of running and throwing the ball. Their defense is about as good as ours as far as statistics go. So it’s going to be a challenge, no doubt.”
The Bulldogs have compiled a 10-3 record this season and recently claimed the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division title.
Georgia’s success came after the team went 6-7 in 2010 and fell in last year’s Liberty Bowl.
“The catalyst for the change we had in this program this year was how everyone felt at the end of last season,” said Richt. “I enjoyed coaching this year’s team almost as much as any team I have ever coached. The whole group bought in to what we were trying to do.”
Georgia had its final practice of the week Saturday morning.