Final pre-game Cap One thoughts

First, I’ll outsource to Bill Connelly.

2. The array of possible outcomes is enormous. Georgia almost lost to Kentucky, needed a fourth-quarter surge to beat Missouri, needed a late defensive stand to beat Tennessee and got destroyed by South Carolina. The Dawgs also handed Florida its only loss, emasculated Vanderbilt and Georgia Tech, and came within five yards of the national title game. Nebraska, meanwhile, beat Michigan, Michigan State and Penn State in successive weeks … and got outscored by Ohio State and Wisconsin (the second time) by a combined 133-69.

Georgia has ranged from average to great, Nebraska from poor to very good. Both teams played their best ball of the season in November, though Georgia played even better on December 1 (Alabama 32, Georgia 28) while Nebraska fell apart (Wisconsin 70, Nebraska 31). Georgia holds the edge, but after a month of reflecting on how close they came to a national title berth, there is no guarantee that the Dawgs will bring their A-game to Orlando.

No, there’s not.  But there’s also no guarantee that Nebraska shows up at its best, either.  And if the Huskers don’t, there’s no reason to think Georgia can’t pull off a, say, somewhat sloppy win.

Honestly, the whole motivation thing has been done to death.  The contrarian in me thinks it won’t end up mattering today.  That leaves me looking at two keys to the game:  (1) Gurshall and (2) turnover margin.  If Georgia can run the ball with authority and win the turnover battle, I have a very hard time seeing how the game goes south for Richt.  Neither of those possibilities seem like much of a stretch, so put me down for a red and black win.