Georgia Bulldog Head Coach & Michigan State Spartan Head Coach Mark Dantonio Looking forward to the Outback Bowl Rematch

On Monday, Coach Mark Dantonio and Mark Richt from Georgia joined Outback Bowl President/CEO Jim McVay and members of the media on a conference call. It was a

On Monday, Coach Mark Dantonio and Mark Richt from Georgia joined Outback Bowl President/CEO Jim McVay and members of the media on a conference call. It was a call no one wanted to have under these circumstances except McVay.

 

While others may sulk at the Spartans and Bulldogs placement in non-BCS bowl game, McVay made it abundantly clear that others loss is definitely his bowl game’s gain. He was excited to have two division winners meeting from two of the most elite conferences.

 

On Monday, January 2nd two of the best teams in the nation will be meeting for more than a bowl win. They’ll be competing for national recognition both feel they lacked on Bowl Selection Sunday.

 

The obviously elephant in the room was the ever looming question of why others from their respective conference and some other at-large picks beat them out?

 

Dantonio was asked about the situation and more specifically the University of Michigan being selected to the BCS Sugar Bowl; his answer, “No Comment.”

 

But was this much of a surprise?

 

Even after the Spartans loss and throughout his tenure at MSU, Dantonio has held himself and his program to higher standards both on and off the field. He said he only concerns himself with this program, and wherever they were playing at the end of the season, the goal was the same; to win the last game they played.
Whether he or Richt actually echo much of the sentiments around the bowl systems both made it clear they are actually excited to play each other, because in a sense they are very similar teams.

 

The two played each other in the ’08 Capital One Bowl and have a mutual respect for each other that only adds to the game. Dantonio said he hasn’t forgot about the loss and either have Seniors Kirk Cousins and BJ Cunningham how got time in the game. But he said it’s a very different team on both sides.

 

Richt admitted he’s watched a few games by the Spartans this year and both were against the Badgers. He said he was very impressed by defense and team as a whole.

 

I guess the sentiments of Dantonio summed up the feelings of the call as it pertains to moving beyond the Big Ten Championship Game and SEC Championship Game respectively. He said going into last night’s banquet it was either going to be one of celebration of a time of healing. Obviously it’s the latter for both, but that his team is doing a great job of moving on, and what better way than to head to Tampa after a long season, finals (before the bowl game) and all the other obstacles the college football season has to offer and finish this season on a good note.