Despite Alabama’s loss, SEC enjoys surprising bowl efforts

By David Moorman  |   Monday, January 05, 2009  |  Comments( 1 )

College Football
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Alabama’s disappointment in the Sugar Bowl may have overshadowed everything else, but the SEC turned in some surprisingly strong showings during a bowl season that preceded Florida’s appearance in the national championship game.

A look back, then, at the league’s winners and losers, and what it meant to their programs:

CAPITAL ONE BOWL: Georgia junior quarterback Matthew Stafford saved his best for last in throwing three touchdowns in the last 18 minutes to lift the Bulldogs past Michigan State, 24-12. It may have been Stafford’s final game for the Bulldogs, although he said he hasn’t reached decision on whether he’s leaving early for the NFL.
CHICK-FIL-A-BOWL: In redeeming itself after a lackluster 7-5 regular season, LSU routed Georgia Tech, 38-3, two miles from the Yellow Jackets’ campus in Atlanta. In only his second career start, true freshman quarterback Jordan Jefferson completed 11 of his first 12 passes in engineering the upset. A much-maligned defense had no trouble stopping Georgia Tech’s triple-option attack. Days after the game, LSU hired former Tennessee defensive coordinator John Chavis for the same position.
COTTON BOWL: Ole Miss quarterback Jevan Snead elevated his national stock even more with a three-touchdown performance that led the Rebels to a 47-34 upset of Texas Tech.
The Rebels’ sixth consecutive victory marked their longest winning streak since 2003 when Eli Manning was a senior. That also was the last time Ole Miss had been to a bowl. It’s no coincidence that Snead has drawn comparisons to Manning.
LIBERTY BOWL: Kentucky coach Rich Brooks did something even the venerable Paul “Bear” Bryant couldn’t do. With the Wildcats’ 25-16 victory over East Carolina, Brooks guided Kentucky to its third consecutive bowl triumph -- a first-time feat in school history. Kentucky used a fourth-quarter comeback to secure the win.
MUSIC CITY BOWL: Wonders never cease. In beating Boston College, 16-14, Vanderbilt won its first bowl in 53 years. The Commodores hadn’t even played in a bowl game since 1982, which was the last time they had a winning record until finishing 7-6 this past season.
OUTBACK BOWL: South Carolina never gave Iowa any competition in the Gamecocks‘ 31-10 loss. In dropping its final three games, South Carolina was outscored by a combined 118-30.
SUGAR BOWL: After 12 consecutive wins and a No. 1 ranking, Alabama ended its year in disastrous fashion with a loss to Florida in the SEC championship game and a 31-17 humbling against undefeated Utah in New Orleans. Alabama coach Nick Saban showed uncharacteristically poor judgment with his choice of pregame words that Utah took as a personal affront. Coupled with Alabama’s suspension of All-America left offensive tackle Andre Smith, the Utes left the Crimson Tide red-faced.
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About David Moorman

Dave Moormann is an award-winning journalist, who has covered LSU athletics since 1980. He began his coverage with the Baton Rouge Advocate, where he was a writer and editor from 1980-98. In 1996, he authored a book on the history of LSU football entitled, "Fighting Tigers Handbook: Stories, Stats ...
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