2008 AllState Sugar Bowl - LiveBlogging (sort of)

Okay, it's the end of the first quarter in the AllState Sugar Bowl, and my beloved Bulldogs are up, 14-3. Colt Brennan is just as accurate as they say, but so far the Georgia defense and penalties have kept the Hawaii offense in check. And the Bulldog offense has taken the tactic advocated by the press all week, and has kept the ball mostly on the ground and in Thomas Brown's hands, with a few key carries by the questionable Knowshon Moreno, most auspiciously the most recent touchdown. Matt Stafford has been 3-4 for 33 yards, I believe, so he hasn't been much of a factor, but he's been helpful when necessary. It so far looks like the Hawaii defense just can't deal with such an explosive ground game, but we'll see how they adapt.

I wish Hawaii wasn't playing Georgia, because I'm a sucker for an underdog and I would have liked to see the Warriors stay undefeated. But of course, not at the expense of my Dawgs, who with a win may be set up to run for the national championship next year.

I'll be back again at halftime to discuss further. Go Dawgs!!

UPDATE: Okay, not halftime, but... INTERCEPTION! The vaunted Colt Brennan intercepted at 9 1/2 minutes left in the second quarter, setting up for a big gain on third down (and a near fumble). And...TOUCHDOWN!! 24-3, midway through the second quarter. Much as I hate to see a blowout (if only for entertaining football), I'm glad to see Georgia dominating, to put to rest the naysayers that thought Hawaii was really in the same league. Also those who doubt the legitimacy of the SEC as a powerhouse conference.

More later.

UPDATE: Another turnover forced by Georgia! Hawaii just can't keep up with the Bulldog defense. 6 1/2 minutes left in the second quarter.

UPDATE: 24-3, Georgia, at halftime. What was Hawaii thinking with that last play of the half?? Why not throw it downfield, with 6 seconds left? Also, I hear from the announcers that Hawaii is the highest-scoring offense in college football, and Georgia has just shut them down entirely. They are clearly faster than Hawaii is used to seeing.

Bands are on. Former band geek in me must go watch. Based on the pre-game assessment, the Hawaii band might be way better than the Georgia band, which plays the fight song really well, and not much else unless they are standing still.

UPDATE: Early in the third quarter, Hawaii throws another interception! It just cannot handle the Bulldog defense. The Dawgs are knocking on the door once again.

UPDATE: Well, Bruce came back to the hotel and bogarted the computer, which I couldn't really object to since he cares so little for football. So I couldn't update. But Hawaii had one interception not long after that last update that has been the only bright spot for the Warriors. I almost feel bad for them, and certainly not like crowing about it any more tonight. Brennan has been hit so many times he's leaving the field in a daze. His throwing hand has been crushed. The Warrior's offense has been a non-starter. And really, in the second half, other than that one interception, the wheels have really come off Hawaii's game. I don't know if the pressure got to them, or they are all having a bad night, or just Brennan is, or they really were unprepared by their WAC schedule to face a team like the Bulldogs. Probably it's a combo of all of those things. But it's gotten painful, and if not for the fact that it's the last time I will see my Dawgs before next fall, I would go to bed and not finish this one. There's 11 minutes left in this slow moving game, and Georgia is up 41-3.

UPDATE: Hawaii just made it 41-10 with 10 1/2 minutes left.

FINAL UPDATE: It's over, 41-10. Georgia put in their second string quarterback at some point, and still had it down inside the 10 at one point. I'll say that the TV announcer who was busting on them for going for it on 4th and goal was kind of jerky about that. It was either kick the field goal- for a definite three points- or go for it. They went for it, and the pass was dropped after going through the receiver's hands. It actually crossed my mind that the receiver was told not to catch it, because it was just an easy pass. But in any event, it worked out to no additional points, where the field goal would have run it up even higher. The other announcer defended Georgia, saying that they have to set up for next year, which I unfortunately agree with. It's a flaw in the BCS, but there is is. The bottom line is, what was Georgia supposed to do? They had 4th and goal, with non-starting personnel, and they chose the option that ultimately netted no points for them. What is so wrong with that?

Anyway, Hawaii's backup quarterback came in at some point as well, and acquitted himself admirably. Brennan just wasn't getting it done tonight.

So, no more Georgia football for the season. Despite the BCS tragedy that vaulted LSU above Georgia despite the voters knowing that Georgia wasn't playing for the conference championship and still voting LSU lower the week prior, thereby leaving LSU playing for the national championship, while the hottest team in the country, undefeated in their last now 7 games, went to the Consolation Bo- I mean, the Sugar Bowl, despite the early losses that denied Georgia the chance to play LSU fair and square for the conference championship, despite all of the mess this year, it was a successful season, and we're well set up for next year. (I should note that I don't have a problem with requiring the team that is playing for the national championship to have won its conference. But don't make it about votes if the voters are going to rank a team that cannot play for its conference championship higher than the team that will play for the conference championship, because that is in no way fair to the higher ranked team).

Anyway, I hate that it happened to a nice team like Hawaii. But we're in good shape for August. For the last time this season, I have to add:

GO DAWGS!