Liberty Bowl 2010: Will Georgia Be Excited, Show Up To Play Against UCF?

The Georgia Bulldogs once again won’t be playing in a New Year’s Day bowl.

Once again they can relax and ring in the New Year like normal people—perhaps eat some donuts, ham, cabbage or black-eyed peas to bring them good fortune in the coming year.

But in all honesty, wouldn’t these guys rather being playing the game they love so much on such a prestigious day in college football? Yes, of course they would.

However, I remind you that these very Bulldogs lost four in a row this season, including to Mississippi State and to Colorado. Granted, MSU has done an excellent job this season under Dan Mullen, even beating Florida. But Colorado’s only bright spot this season was beating Georgia. They even fired their coach before the season was over.

I remind you that 11 of these Bulldogs were arrested in 2010, and some were removed from the team. (See Zach Mettenberger, who has now committed to play at LSU.)

2010 hasn’t been quite the year the players nor Bulldog Nation would have expected. But does this mean they hang their heads and play lackadaisically on New Year’s Eve?

They’re headed to the AutoZone Liberty Bowl in Memphis, TN—which is an upgrade from last year’s trip to Shreveport.

These Bulldogs have faced a lot of adversity this season. Starting the season 1-4, believing your coach may be fired soon and perhaps losing all hope is nothing any player or fan wants to see. But that’s how 2010 began for Georgia.  

However, the Bulldogs rallied back, winning six games to become bowl eligible. Yes, they had to wait till the last game of the season to do so, but they’re playing postseason football, which is the goal of any team to start the year.

The Georgia Bulldogs are thrilled to play this game. In a season with a great deal of disorder and turmoil, they are going bowling—and that, my friend, is what it’s all about.

The last time Georgia was not bowl eligible was in 1996. Notable players that year were Hines Ward and current offensive coordinator Mike Bobo.

These 2010 Bulldogs made sure they didn’t make the history books in the wrong way. They may have needed the last game of the season to do so, and they may be 6-6, but hey, who cares? They’re playing in a bowl game. It’s better than them sitting at home this winter prepping for next season.

Notable players who will definitely show up to play:

A.J. Green is more than likely headed to the NFL. He’s guaranteed to be a top 10 pick, which guarantees him millions upon millions of dollars. So in a short season for A.J. that should be his last, he’ll go out with a bang.

It goes without saying that Green is one of the best players ever to wear the silver britches. He’ll make the most of his final game as a Bulldog.

Another player perhaps playing his last game as a Bulldog is Justin Houston. The junior defensive end has had a great season in a defense that has struggled in the new 3-4. Houston will lead the team in tackles and record a couple of sacks to possibly end his career as a Bulldog and head to the NFL.

It hasn’t been the season the Bulldog Nation has hoped for. It hasn’t been the season the players or coaches hoped for. Nonetheless, Georgia is playing postseason football and couldn’t be happier.