Tag: Peach Bowl
No. 1 Georgia ‘home’ in Atlanta as No. 4 Ohio State targets final
Ohio State’s blueprint for winning the College Football Playoff championship will be staring the No. 4 Buckeyes in the face when they play No. 1 Georgia in a semifinal game at the Peach Bowl in Atlanta on Saturday.
The Buckeyes (11-1) are coming off a 45-23 thrashing by second-ranked Michigan on Nov. 26 in Columbus, Ohio, and are only in the playoffs thanks to Southern California losing to Utah in the Pac-12 championship game, enabling Ohio State to be awarded the final spot.
Critics would say the Buckeyes don’t deserve a shot at the Bulldogs (13-0) after being manhandled by the Wolverines for the second year in a row.
Ohio State coach Ryan Day said his players understand their underdog role.
“I see a team that realizes that not a lot of people give us a chance,” he said. “We know what we’re in for, we know what the challenge is. Years and seasons and life doesn’t always go the way you plan. It’s about how you react to it and how you respond to it.
“As much as that (Michigan) loss hurts, we’re not going to overreact on it. It’s not worth it. We have a game against Georgia ahead of us that we’re focusing on.”
Day has never coached in the Peach Bowl, and he understands Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs have the perceived “home” edge in Atlanta. Smart played in the Peach Bowl twice and has also been a coach in the game.
This is Georgia’s second game in Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta this month. The Bulldogs whipped LSU, 50-30, on Dec. 3 to claim another SEC title.
All the Buckeyes wanted was another opportunity to redeem themselves, just as Georgia did a year ago. The Bulldogs lost 41-24 to Alabama in the 2021 SEC title game but as the No. 3 seed in the CFP downed No. 2 Michigan 34-11 before defeating No. 1 Alabama 33-18 for the national championship.
The Bulldogs have continued to dominate, beating LSU for their first conference crown since 2017.
“I feel like this year, coming off of a conference championship win we have worked harder than we did last year coming off of a loss,” Georgia wide receiver Kearis Jackson said. “It’s crazy because people may look at it as we’re complacent, we’re happy, it’s just another box we wanted to check, one of our goals. Our season is not complete yet. We still have goals that we want to reach. The Peach Bowl is the next thing we want to accomplish.”
The Bulldogs are second nationally in scoring defense (12.8) while the Buckeyes are 13th (19.2). Ohio State is second in scoring offense with 44.5 points a game compared to the Bulldogs’ 11th (39.2) in a matchup of Heisman Trophy finalists.
Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud led the nation in passer efficiency rating. He threw for 3,340 yards, 37 touchdowns and six interceptions but will be without receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and running back TreVeyon Henderson due to injuries.
Even so, Marvin Harrison Jr. had 72 receptions for 1,157 yards and 12 touchdowns, and the Buckeyes have plenty of big-play ability.
“One of the most talented (receiver) groups we’ve faced,” Smart said. “When you combine it with the talent of the quarterback, it really grows because he has the ability to get the ball to him all parts of the field — vertically, horizontally, side to side.”
Stetson Bennett returned for a chance to win another title. He powered Georgia’s passing game with 3,425 yards, 20 TDs and six picks and is 27-3 as a starting quarterback. Bennett will look for Brock Bowers, the recipient of the John Mackey Award as the nation’s top tight end.
“Obviously he’s shown up big and that comes through in all the preparation that we do,” Bowers said of Bennett. “It’s his personality to show up in these bigger games and be able to perform on the biggest stages.”
Ohio State, playing in the Peach Bowl for the first time, is 3-3 in four previous CFP appearances, having won the inaugural championship after the 2014 season and finishing runner-up to Alabama in 2020 the last time they made the playoffs.
In the Buckeyes’ three wins they’ve averaged 44.3 points. In the losses they’ve averaged just 15.6.
Former Bulldogs coach Mark Richt, who was at the helm at Georgia for 15 seasons with six SEC division titles and a 145-41 record, will be honored with enshrinement to the Peach Bowl Hall of Fame along with former Miami (Fla.) playmaker Devin Hester.
Georgia is 3-1 in their two playoff appearances. In 2017, they lost to Alabama in the title game before last season’s triumph over the Crimson Tide.
The winner Saturday plays either Michigan or TCU for the championship in Inglewood, Calif., on Jan. 9.
–Field Level Media
No. 10 Michigan State rallies past No. 12 Pitt in Peach Bowl
In a game more notable for who didn’t play than who did, No. 10 Michigan State scored two touchdowns in the last 2:51 Thursday night to beat No. 12 Pittsburgh 31-21 at the Peach Bowl in Atlanta.
Payton Thorne found Jayden Reed for a 22-yard touchdown pass to wipe out a 21-16 deficit and put the Spartans on top. Cal Haladay thwarted the Panthers’ final drive by intercepting a Davis Beville pass and returning it 78 yards for the clinching score with 22 seconds remaining.
Michigan State (11-2) outscored Pitt 21-0 in the fourth quarter.
Thorne completed 29 of 50 passes for 354 yards and three touchdowns with one interception. Playing without star running back Kenneth Walker III, who opted out to prepare for the NFL draft, the Spartans rushed for just 56 yards on 36 attempts.
Pittsburgh (11-3) didn’t have star quarterback Kenny Pickett, who also opted out to prepare for his pro career. Starter Nick Patti was 2 of 5 for 21 yards before leaving after two drives due to injury. Beville hit on 14 of 18 attempts for 149 yards with a touchdown and the game-sealing pick.
Jordan Addison caught seven passes for 114 yards for the Panthers, while Jalen Nailor had six grabs for 108 yards for the Spartans.
Michigan State took a 7-0 lead just 1:49 into the game, taking advantage of a short field set up by a mishandling of the opening kickoff by Pittsburgh and a 16-yard punt return by Reed. Thorne hooked up with Reed for a 28-yard touchdown.
The Panthers equalized on their next drive, although it wasn’t without significant cost. Patti sustained a game-ending left shoulder injury as he scored on a 16-yard run with 7:57 left in the opening quarter. He returned to the sideline later with a sling protecting the arm.
Matt Coghlan’s 36-yard field goal just over five minutes later gave the Spartans a 10-7 edge, but Beville led a beautiful 87-yard march down the field and gave Pittsburgh a 14-10 halftime lead at the 1:01 mark of the second quarter with a 4-yard touchdown pass to Jared Wayne.
A 26-yard touchdown on a fumble return by Pitt’s Cam Bright on the third play from scrimmage in the second half gave the Panthers a 21-10 edge.
Michigan State cut into the deficit with Thorne’s 15-yard scoring pass to Connor Heyward with 8:06 to play in the game. A two-point conversion pass was unsuccessful, leaving the Spartans behind 21-16.
–Field Level Media
Stars to sit as No. 10 Michigan State meets No. 12 Pitt in Peach Bowl
The Peach Bowl had a nice matchup, complete with marquee offensive stars, when it announced that No. 10 Michigan State would be facing No. 12 Pittsburgh on Dec. 30.
But then the teams’ star players opted out of the game to guard against injury and to prepare for the NFL draft.
Michigan State (10-2) won’t have premier running back Kenneth Walker III, recipient of the Doak Walker and Walter Camp Player of the Year awards.
Pittsburgh (11-2) will be without Kenny Pickett, potentially the top quarterback prospect in the draft.
Their now-former college teams will still face each other Thursday night at Atlanta.
Walker finished the regular season with 1,636 rushing yards (136.3 yards per game), ranking second in the country.
“He always gave us everything he had,” coach Mel Tucker said. “He’s a tremendous player and a difference maker and that’s reflected in the awards he did receive. … If it’s not in their best interests to play, I’m going to support them.”
Pickett exploded onto the national scene in his senior season, throwing for 4,319 yards and 42 touchdowns while leading the Panthers to the Atlantic Coast Conference championship. He finished third in Heisman Trophy voting, three spots above Walker.
“I can’t help it if guys end up opting out,” Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi said. “Everybody’s got to make a decision on their own, but bowl games are outstanding for the team, the coaches and the families. It’s part of the game everybody should enjoy.”
The Spartans likely will replace Walker with a combination of running backs, including Jordon Simmons and Elijah Collins.
They also have a solid passing attack behind quarterback Payton Thorne, whose 24 touchdown passes are one shy of the school’s single-season record (set by Kirk Cousins in 2011). Wide receiver Jayden Reed caught eight of those scoring passes, while his 53 receptions averaged 17.9 yards per catch.
Tucker might also get some freshmen and sophomores ready for next season.
“There’s going to be opportunities to give more reps to some younger players,” he said. “Some guys who maybe haven’t played as much, they’ll show up in the game.”
Tucker was rewarded with a 10-year, $95-million extension after his second season at Michigan State. After a 2-5 mark in the pandemic-wracked 2020 campaign, the Spartans won their first eight games of 2021, capped by a triumph over archrival and eventual Big Ten-champion Michigan.
Losses to Purdue (40-29) and Ohio State (56-7) prevented them from reaching the Big Ten Championship Game but they ended the season with a 30-27 victory over Penn State.
“People are taking note of what we’re doing here at East Lansing,” Tucker said. “The tide is turning and we’re moving in the right direction.”
Pittsburgh’s losses came against Miami and nonconference opponent Western Michigan. The Panthers finished strong, winning their last five games, including a 45-21 romp past Wake Forest in the ACC Championship Game.
Nick Patti will get the start at quarterback in place on Pickett.
“Nick is a guy that this entire room trusts,” Narduzzi said. “He’s a good football player. He can throw the ball. … We’re excited to see what Nick (can do). It’s his time in this game to show everybody who he is.”
Patti attempted only 14 passes this season but completed 12 of them for 140 yards.
He’ll have Biletnikoff Award winner Jordan Addison as a prime target. The sophomore wideout caught 93 passes for 1,479 yards and a national-best 17 TDs.
One common opponent is Miami: Michigan State handled the Hurricanes in Miami on Sept. 18, 38-17; the Panthers lost at home against Miami, 38-34, on Oct. 30.
–Field Level Media
Peach Bowl Betting: Pitt vs MSU Pick
Report: Georgia RB Cook to miss Peach Bowl after father’s death
Georgia running back James Cook is expected to miss the upcoming Peach Bowl after his father passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, Saturday Down South reported.
Cook and his brother, Dalvin Cook of the Minnesota Vikings, planned to return home to Miami after learning that their father — also named James — died at the age of 46. The elder Cook reportedly had been suffering from complications of diabetes.
The ninth-ranked Bulldogs (7-2) are facing No. 8 Cincinnati (9-0) in the Peach Bowl on Friday.
Cook, a junior, is second on the team in carries (45), rushing yards (303) and rushing touchdowns (three). He ranks fourth on the team in catches (16), receiving yards (225) and receiving scores (two).
–Field Level Media
Cincinnati swinging for Peach Bowl statement vs. Georgia
Georgia and Cincinnati began the 2020 season with aspirations of spots in the College Football Playoff.
A Peach Bowl meeting in Atlanta on Jan. 1 is expected to draw a lot of attention nationally and represents a worthy consolation prize.
Cincinnati won the American Athletic Conference title to finish the regular season 9-0. The Bearcats remain the subject of debate as to whether the undefeated conference champions were deserving of finishing among the top four teams in the CFP after Notre Dame was soundly defeated by Clemson in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game.
The Bearcats finished No. 8, well out of the running to become the first non-Power 5 team to make the playoff. They were the highest Group of 5 team, ahead of unbeaten and No. 12 Coastal Carolina (11-0), so the Bearcats received the opportunity to play in a New Year’s Six game.
“It’s huge for our program,” Cincinnati coach Luke Fickell said. “If you want to claim you deserve an opportunity or a shot, this is an opportunity, this is a shot.
“Our guys are incredibly excited. I want to make sure everybody knows, there’s no disappointment over here. We are incredibly happy and excited to be where we are.”
Cincinnati defeated then-No. 23 Tulsa, 27-24, on a game-winning field goal in the AAC championship game on Saturday, giving the Bearcats their third win over a ranked team. Cincinnati also beat then-No. 22 Army, 24-10, and then-16th-ranked SMU, 42-13.
The Bearcats are led by quarterback Desmond Ridder, the AAC offensive player of the year who has 2,090 passing yards, with 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He has rushed for 609 yards and a team-high 12 scores. Seven Bearcats have at least 186 yards and a touchdown receiving, led by Josh Whyle’s 318 yards and five scores. Gerrid Doaks has rushed for a team-high 673 yards.
A New Year’s Six game is nothing new for No. 9 Georgia (7-2). This is the fifth consecutive year under coach Kirby Smart that the Bulldogs will play in a New Year’s Six Bowl or the CFP.
Georgia, which saw its streak of playing in three straight Southeastern Conference title games end this year, was essentially eliminated from CFP consideration with a 44-28 loss to then-No. 8 Florida on Nov. 7. Georgia also lost at then-No. 2 Alabama, 41-24, on Oct. 17, though the Bulldogs are the lone team to lead the Crimson Tide at halftime this season.
“I’ll be honest, when your intention is to win the game, that’s not going to change between his guys and your guys,” Smart said. “Every coach is going to try to find an angle that gives their guys an edge or competitive advantage, whether that’s them being ranked ahead of us or whatever. I don’t know Group of Five, Power 5, all those languages, that’s for (media). My language is football, and they’ve got a good team. They haven’t been beaten.”
The Bulldogs played quarterback carousel this season.
Georgia opened with D’Wan Mathis, shifted to Stetson Bennett and settled on JT Daniels, a highly touted transfer from Southern California. Daniels has energized what had been a stagnant offense that relied too much on its rushing attack led by Zamir White (730 yards, 10 TDs), James Cook (303 yards, three TDs) and Kenny McIntosh (234 yards, one TD).
Starting in the past three games, Daniels has thrown for 839 yards, nine touchdowns and an interception in wins over Mississippi State, South Carolina and then-No. 25 Missouri. Georgia averaged 41.6 in those games after the Bulldogs scored at least 40 just once in the previous six games.
Daniels will be challenged by a Cincinnati defense that finished the regular season No. 7 in points allowed (16.0) and 10th in yards (310.8).
“This gives a well-rounded Cincinnati team their chance to dance against a Power 5,” Peach Bowl president Gary Stokan said. “As we’ve seen in our two previous matchups, Houston won against Florida State from the ACC and UCF won against Auburn from the SEC. But on the other side, I really think Georgia’s hitting its stride and is getting some high-scoring offense and playing great on defense.”
–Field Level Media