After being left out of the College Football Playoff, No. 6 Georgia is headed to the Orange Bowl to play No. 5 Florida State, which was snubbed after going undefeated and winning the ACC Title.
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said his team is ready for the game, despite being left out of the CFP following Saturday’s 27-24 loss to Alabama.
“We at the University of Georgia are honored and excited to get to go down to sunny South Florida and are looking forward to an incredible environment,” Smart told reporters in a press conference Sunday night. “Although our players are very disappointed today with the outcome of our game last night, we are looking forward to this opportunity. I don’t think there’s another team that we would love to be able to go compete against more than Florida State.”
The Bulldogs (13-1) will be facing the Seminoles (13-0), who were left out of the playoff mainly due to quarterback Jordan Travis suffering a season-ending injury Nov. 18 against North Alabama.
FSU replaced Travis with backup Tate Rodemaker, a Valdosta native, but he was injured at Florida in the regular-season finale. So, the Seminoles were down to third-stringer Brock Glenn against Louisville in the ACC Championship. He struggled with only 55 passing yards in the win.
Smart emphasized how excited his team is about getting the chance to play another game.
“I did talk to our team, and they’re very excited. Of all the bowls outside the playoffs, this is where our kids wanted to be,” Smart added in his press conference on Sunday. “So, that part is good. We’ve got a very high-character team. It’s a fun team to coach. The guys who are going to play in it, are going to enjoy it, the guys who are going to continue with us, they are going to enjoy it.”
There will be opt-outs on both teams as players are preparing to transfer or go to the NFL Draft, but Smart believes his team is very motivated coming into this game and he will have it ready.
According to Smart, this is just the new normal in the world of college football.
“It’s not just about this game, it’s about the practices that you get to have for this game. A lot of guys are going to be guys that play for us next year that get 15 practices to get ready where it’s almost like an extra spring practice,” Smart said.
“Not to mention the mid-years that come in and get to practice with you, too. This is a tremendous time to develop and get better, and we’re going to do all we can to get our team in the best shape to be ready to go compete against Florida State.”
The Orange Bowl will be held at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Dec. 30, with kickoff set for 4 p.m.