UGA Heads to Orlando

No official announcement yet (those Cap One folks sure can drag their feet) but the Outback Bowl has already announced South Carolina will be its SEC entrant, while the Ole Miss Web site has the Rebels headed to the Cotton Bowl. I'm not mathamagician, but I think that means Georgia will be at the Cap One.

UPDATE: Michigan State's Web site confirms the Spartans-Bulldogs matchup.

UPDATE: Statement from UGA Athletics...

The Georgia Bulldogs (9-3) were extended, and accepted, a Capital One Bowl invitation Sunday to face Michigan State from the Big Ten in Orlando on Jan. 1, 2009. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. ET and will be televised nationally on ABC.

This will mark the 20th anniversary of Georgia's only encounter with the Spartans which took place in the 1989 Gator Bowl game in Jacksonville. The Bulldogs came out on top, 34-27, in Vince Dooley's final game as head coach.

The Bulldogs have played in the Orlando bowl game on four previous occasions: lost to Miami (Ohio), 21-10, in Dec. 21, 1974, Tangerine Bowl; tied Florida State, 17-17, in the Dec. 22, 1984, Citrus Bowl; defeated Ohio State, 21-14, in the Jan. 1, 1993, Florida Citrus Bowl; and defeated Purdue, 34-27, in the Jan. 1, 2004, Capital One Bowl.

"We are overjoyed with the selection of our team to represent the Southeastern Conference in the Capital One Bowl," said UGA Director of Athletics Damon Evans. "It's an opportunity to return to one of the great destination cities in the country and face a quality opponent from the Big Ten in Michigan State. And it's an opportunity to earn another ten-win season for our team. We are greatly appreciative of the Capital One Bowl for the invitation and look forward to bringing our team and fans to Orlando over the holidays."

"I'm really happy and proud for our team and especially our seniors to have this great opportunity," said UGA head coach Mark Richt. "I know our team and coaches will prepare well to represent the Southeastern Conference against Michigan State who I'm sure will be ready to play as well. Our last trip to the Capital One Bowl was one of the great bowl experiences we've ever had and I know our team and fans are looking forward to returning to Orlando."

The Bulldogs are currently 17th in the USA Today/Coaches poll and 16th in the AP poll. The Spartans are 18th in the USA Today/Coaches poll and 19th in the AP poll.

This will be Georgia's 44rd bowl game—sixth most of any team in the country.

UPDATE: Ticket Info

Tickets to see the 16th ranked Georgia Bulldogs take on 19th Michigan State Spartans in the Capital One Bowl on Thursday, January 1, 2009, are on sale now.

Capital One Bowl tickets can be ordered online via www.georgiadogs.com starting at 9:00pm tonight and by calling 1-877-542-1231 between 8:30am – 4:30pm starting tomorrow. All orders will be filled in the order in which they are received and upon availability.

All Hartman Fund donors will receive the number of tickets to the Capital One Bowl they requested during the pre-order process and will also receive priority on ticket assignments based on their cumulative score.

The Bulldogs will be making their 44th appearance in a bowl game. Georgia currently has a 24-16-3 record in bowls. This will be the Bulldogs’ eighth straight bowl appearance under Coach Mark Richt.

Also, travel packages to see the Bulldogs take on Michigan State in the Capital One Bowl are available through Total Sports Travel online via www.totalsportstravel.com/georgia and by calling 888-367-8781 Monday through Friday between 9:30am-6:30pm EST.