Outback Bowl 2012: Predictions and Spread Info for Michigan State vs. Georgia

The Michigan State Spartans and Georgia Bulldogs head into the 2012 Outback Bowl with explosive offenses and solid defenses, which should make this a must-watch game to start off the new year.

The Spartans are led by quarterback Kirk Cousins on offense and defensive tackle Jerel Worthy on defense.

The Bulldogs are led by sophomore quarterback Aaron Murray on offense and linebacker Jarvis Jones on defense.

Both teams are coming off tough losses against ranked opponents.

The Spartans had won 10 straight games before falling to LSU on Dec. 3, 42-10.

Where: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL

When: Monday, Jan 2, 1:30 p.m. ET

Watch: ABC

Listen: WRFC 960 AM in Athens, GA; WJR 760 AM in Detroit, MI

Betting Line: Georgia -3 (According to Bovada)

Key Storyline: Aaron Murray vs. Kirk Cousins

Georgia and Michigan State are ranked 34th and 37th, respectively, in points per game this season, and a lot of that has to do with their quarterbacks, Aaron Murray and Kirk Cousins.

Murray, a sophomore, has passed for over 2,800 yards and 33 touchdowns to 12 interceptions this season.

Cousins, in his senior year, has passed for over 3,000 yards and 24 touchdowns to seven interceptions.

Who Might Not Play for Michigan State

Bennie Fowler, WR, Questionable

Jonathan Strayhorn, DT, Doubtful

Who Might Not Play for Georgia

Drew Butler, P, Probable

Carlton Thomas, RB, Probable

Isaiah Crowell, RB, Probable

Austin Long, T, Probable

Richard Samuel, RB, Probable

Derrick Lott, DT, Questionable

Michael Gilliard, LB, Questionable

Jordan Love, CB, Questionable

Dallas Lee, G, Questionable

DeAngelo Tyson, DE, Doubtful

What It Means for Michigan State

The Spartans are looking for their first postseason win since beating Fresno State in the 2001 Silicon Valley Classic. They are also looking for their first bowl victory under head coach Mark Dantonio.

What It Means for Georgia

The Bulldogs will be entering their 15th consecutive bowl game. Their last bowl victory was in 2009, defeating Texas A&M in the Independence Bowl 44-20. They will be looking to continue building their reputation in the SEC.

What They're Saying

Said Spartans defensive back Trenton Robinson, via ESPN:

"

Everybody thinks the SEC is better than the Big Ten, and you know how it goes, so to go out here and get this win, it would be great for our program.

"

Said Dantonio:

"

We've done a lot of things that haven't been done in 40 years, 20 years, whatever. The one thing that has escaped us thus far is winning our bowl game. That's something that we've got to be able to rectify.

"

Said Georgia head coach Mark Richt of MSU's defensive line, which includes standout Jerel Worthy:

"

They've got a couple of really big guys up front that can push the pocket into the quarterback's face. If you run the ball well, then you tend to have less 3rd-and-long situations. If you play-action pass, you might get a linebacker out of position.

"

Michigan State Player to Watch: Jerel Worthy, DT

Cousins will be a big part of this game, but Worthy has the potential to truly turn the tide.

Worthy, who is projected by some to be a first-round prospect in the 2012 NFL draft, has led a Spartans defense allowing just 17.5 points per game this season (ninth in the nation).

His impact won't show up in the box score, but he commands enough double-teams to allow the rest of his teammates to find holes in the offensive line.

Pressure will be critical against Murray and the Bulldogs.

Georgia Player to Watch: Aaron Murray, QB

Murray has had a great season this year and is a big reason why the Bulldogs have gone 10-3, but he's coming off a rough game against No. 1 LSU that saw him go 16-of-40 for 163 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

You can't exactly blame him, given he was faced up against perhaps the best defense in the country; nevertheless, he is coming off a bad game.

Key Matchup: Quarterbacks vs. defenses

Both Murray and Cousins lead explosive offenses.

However, both Michigan State and Georgia have solid defenses.

Michigan State ranked fifth in the country, allowing 272.7 yards per game. Georgia ranked third in the nation, allowing 268.5 yards per game.

Georgia is led by All-American linebacker Jarvis Jones and first-team safety Baccari Rambo.

The explosive offenses going up against top defenses is a reason why this should be a great game all around.

Prediction: Georgia 27, Michigan State 24