Game 8: #17 Michigan St at #16 Georgia

If you missed the introduction post about the Playoff, no problem! Read it here: http://short-sideoption.blogspot.com/2012/02/ok-cowboy-cardinal-and-duck-fans-this.html

The last game of the first round in the virtual playoffs is on its way, but first here are some reality bites:

The vote opposing multi-year scholarships came up short Monday, read about it here: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/story/2012-02-17/multiyear-scholarships-survives-close-vote/53137194/1

Jordan Schultz of the Huffington Post has a good Q&A with Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delaney here:  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/20/big-ten-commissioner_n_1231831.html

UGA President Michael Adams supports a playoff which is discussed here:  http://blogs.ajc.com/mark-bradley-blog/2012/02/17/a-college-football-playoff-uga-prez-adams-blazed-that-trail/?cxntfid=blogs_mark_bradley_blog

BCS Founder Roy Kramer says that only Conference Champions should play for the National Title, read more here:  http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/story/17310262/bcs-founding-father-kramer-in-favor-of-amendment-to-system

Now on to the Playoff!

Game 8:  #17 Michigan St at #16 Georgia

December 17, 2011

Kickoff:  2:30 pm

Location: Athens, Georgia

Weather: 53 degrees, clear, 10 mph wind

EA Sports Ratings:        Georgia, Overall: B+, Offense: B+, Defense: B+

                                        Michigan St, Overall: B+, Offense: A-, Defense: B+

This is an interesting matchup to simulate because these two teams actually met up during bowl season, Michigan St won that matchup in reality 33-30 in OT.  Like in reality, this should be a very even game in simulation as both these teams have very similar strengths and weaknesses.  Both have a very accurate although streaky QB, and both have very stingy defenses capable of disrupting any offense they face.

1^st Quarter:

            -Michigan St takes the opening kickoff and scores the qtr’s only points with a 1 yard

             TD run from Edwin Baker.                                                                                                    (7-0 MSU)

2^nd Quarter:

            -Michigan St strikes first in the 2^nd qtr with a 31 yard FG from Dan Conroy.                    (10-0 MSU)

            -Georgia responds on the next possession with a 16 yard TD pass from

              Aaron Murray to Orson Charles.                                                                                       (10-7 MSU)

-After trading punts, Michigan St takes the next possession into FG range

 and scores with a Dan Conroy 38 yard FG                                                                     (13-7 MSU)

-Michigan St scores the last points of the 1^st half with a Dan Conroy

 30 yard FG                                                                                                                         (16-7 MSU)

3^rd Quarter:

            -Georgia starts the second half with the ball and marches down the field

 Ending with a 4 yard TD run from Isaiah Crowell.                                                            (16-14 MSU)

-Michigan St hits on a 80 yard screen pass for a TD from Kirk Cousins

 to Le’Veon Bell.                                                                                                                  (23-14 MSU)

-Georgia responds on the very next drive with a 5 yard TD pass from

 Aaron Murray to Taverres King.                                                                                       (23-21 MSU)

4^th Quarter:

            -Michigan St scores the first points midway through the 4^th qtr with a

             8 yard TD pass from Kirk Cousins to B.J. Cunningham                                                   (30-21 MSU)

            -Georgia’s comeback falls just short as they score their final points with

 a 7 yard TD pass from Aaron Murray to Isaiah Crowell.                                               (30-28 MSU)

Georgia Stats

Passing:           Aaron Murray, 22/34, 279 yards, 3 TD

Rushing:           Isaiah Crowell, 26 att, 100 yards, 1 TD

Receiving:        Orson Charles, 7 rec, 72 yards, 1 TD

                         Taverres King, 3 rec, 72 yards, 1 TD

Defense:           2 Sacks

Total Offense:   402 yards

Passing:             279 yards

Rushing:            123 yards

Michigan State Stats

Passing:           Kirk Cousins, 20/32, 330 yards, 2 TD

Rushing:           Le’Veon Bell, 20 att, 89 yards

                          Edwin Baker, 18 att, 91 yards

Receiving:        BJ Cunningham, 6 rec, 89 yards, 1 TD

                          Keshawn Martin, 5 rec, 77 yards

Defense:           1 Fumble Recovery

Total Offense:   522 yards

Passing:            330 yards

Rushing:            192 yards

Box Score

           

                                    1Q        2Q        3Q        4Q        T

Georgia                          0          7        14          7        28

Michigan St                    7          7          7          7        30

Next Game:  #10 Wisconsin at #2 Alabama

I will post a new game every weekday before noon.

If you missed the introduction post about the Playoff, no problem! Read it here: http://short-sideoption.blogspot.com/2012/02/ok-cowboy-cardinal-and-duck-fans-this.html