Georgia easy pick by Mainland media
By Mike Griffith
Special to The Advertiser
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Here's a Mainland perspective on how the Hawai'i-Georgia Sugar Bowl game will turn out, from collegiate football writers from around the country:
"As a Florida graduate, it pains me to pick Georgia, but I have to put journalistic obligations over loyalty to alma mater. If Colt Brennan gets hot, though, I can see Hawai'i giving the Bulldogs a tough game. More likely, I see Georgia winning by 10-14 points. Let's call it 38-27.''
Mark Anderson
Las Vegas Review-Journal
"What's the word for sorry in Hawai'i? The Warriors would be 5-3 at best in the SEC. Georgia scores 41, and give Hawai'i 30. It will be interesting for a while and a fun game.''
Thomas Murphy
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
"I expect that to be a blowout in Georgia's favor. I don't think Hawai'i will be up for the physical game that Georgia has. That's my main thought. I would say 38-17, Georgia. Hawai'i will score a couple touchdowns, but it will be a rout.''
Lya Wodraska
Salt Lake Tribune
"I think this is a great game, and I hope it plays out like last year's game between Boise State and Oklahoma. I think Georgia will wear them down eventually and win 42-28.''
Mark Blaudschun
Boston Globe
"I think it's an intriguing match-up. I'm anxious to see if this will be like Boise State and Oklahoma, but now it's the WAC versus the SEC. I've watched Hawai'i a couple of times and they move the ball. Unless they come into the game extremely tight with everything surrounding the game, I think they'll move the ball and I like Colt Brennan. I think Hawai'i has some athletes. I like Hawai'i 28, Georgia 21."
B.G. Brooks
Denver Rocky Mountain News
"I think Georgia will be able to control the ball. I think the time of possession could be lopsided. I don't think Hawai'i has seen the speed they will see. I don't know how they will tackle (Knowshon) Moreno. Georgia might not have played a passing offense as good as Hawai'i's, but I think Georgia controls the clock and doesn't give Hawai'i many chances. Georgia 35, Hawai'i 21.''
Andy Staples
Tampa Tribune
"I think it will be 45-21 Georgia. I definitely will watch it because I love Hawai'i's quarterback. I think Hawai'i will be shocked seeing an SEC team after playing a weaker schedule. I don't blame Hawai'i for not playing anyone, because no one wants to play them. But it will be a shock to their system lining up against Georgia, just like it was a shock when they played Washington. They should have lost that game if not for a dropped pass.''
Ted Miller
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
"I'm excited to see Hawai'i, because I think their offense is unbelievable and I don't think they get their just dues. I'm curious to see how they do against an SEC team. I think Georgia will win 35-31.''
Brian Dohn
Los Angeles Daily News
"The best way to stop Colt Brennan is to hand the ball to Knowshon Moreno 40 times. This game is great for college football. Often you get the same old, same old, and this is a match-up you couldn't even imagine to put together on a PlayStation 2. Georgia 34, Hawai'i 24.''
Ron Higgins
Memphis Commercial Appeal
"I think it's going to be Georgia 55, Hawai'i 42. There are too many bowls to watch, but this is one that I have circled. Everyone who saw Boise State-Oklahoma and loves to watch the first round of the NCAA basketball tournament will love watching this. Colt Brennan said it best when he was in New York, he said, 'We know the monster that awaits us.' Well, no he doesn't."
Lenn Robbins
New York Post
"I wish I could watch it but I'll be covering the Rose Bowl. It might be like last year, where we arrived back at the Beverly Hilton after the Rose Bowl about 10 seconds before Boise State pulled the hook and lateral. Other than the national title game, and the Rose Bowl — because I'm covering it — the Sugar Bowl is by far the most interesting and compelling bowl. My question is, will Georgia take a team from the WAC serious enough to put forth its best effort? I suspect it will, make it Georgia 44, Hawai'i 34."
Teddy Greenstein
Chicago Tribune
"I like the matchup, and I think it will be an interesting game and an opportunity for Hawai'i to perhaps duplicate last year's Boise State-Oklahoma Fiesta Bowl. It's the perfect venue, and the perfect opponent for Hawai'i to make a statement. I'll go out on a limb and say Hawai'i 45, Georgia 42.''
Tommy Hicks
Mobile Register
"Colt Brennan will make this one close for a half. But can the Hawai'i defense really stop anybody with a pulse? Georgia has too many athletes and will turn this one into a rout by the end of the game as Knowshon Moreno starts his push for the 2008 Heisman a little early. Georgia 44, Hawai'i 14."
Tim Griffin
San Antonio Express-News
"I think it will be interesting how Colt Brennan and the Hawai'i offense does against an SEC defense, and it will be interesting to see if the Hawai'i defense can stop Georgia more than once or twice. I don't do scores."
Mike Knobler
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"I think it's going to be a great game. Hawai'i's offense is so potent and this is a big chance for them to prove something. If they go undefeated, it would throw everything off. As much fun as it would be to see Hawai'i win it, they will have a tough time against Georgia, a big-time program in SEC country. I'm going to go with Georgia, but I don't want to go with Georgia, I want to pick Hawai'i. Georgia is the smart pick, make it Georgia 31, Hawai'i 28."
Heather Dinich
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