Dawgs, Noles try to make most of Orange Bowl after missing CFP
Noles #Noles
Advertisement Advertisement
Today at 4:00 p.m.
AP photo by Rebecca Blackwell / Georgia football coach Kirby Smart, left, and Florida State counterpart Mike Norvell shake hands as they pose for photographers Friday in Dania Beach, Fla., during a news conference ahead of Saturday’s Orange Bowl.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Football players for both Florida State and Georgia have said all the right things this week.
They’re happy to be in South Florida. They’re aware of the Orange Bowl’s rich history. They’re eager for the opportunities that await them during Saturday’s game in Miami Gardens, a 4 p.m. matchup that will be televised by ESPN.
What’s unsaid is this: “But …”
Let’s be honest. Neither the Seminoles (13-0), who are No. 4 in the AP Top 25 but were fifth in the College Football Playoff committee’s final rankings for the four-team field, nor Georgia (12-1), ranked sixth in both cases, really wanted to be here.
The reason is obvious. They’d rather be at the Rose Bowl or the Sugar Bowl, competing in Monday’s CFP semifinals with a chance to make the national championship game in Houston a week later.
Title Advertisement Advertisement