Outback Bowl: What They're Saying About UGA vs. Michigan State

Excitement is building with just days to go before UGA, the 10-3 SEC runners-up, and Michigan State, the 10-3 Big Ten runners-up, . The bulldogs wrapped up their Athens practices last Tuesday and will regroup in Tampa the day after Christmas. Here's a taste of what's been going on:

• Ryan Black of The Red and Black offers observations from Monday's practice.
• The Spartans and Bulldogs are evenly matched heading into the game, says Anthony Odoardi of The State News, Michigan State's student paper.
• "At first glance, Georgia seems set at quarterback for two more seasons with (Aaron) Murray, one of the top at his position in the SEC," writes Seth Emerson at macon.com. "But the Bulldogs’ situation at the most important position is actually full of questions."
• Apparently the NCAA doesn't like it when head coaches pay other coaches out of their own pockets. Mark Richt did that and ended up with a letter of admonishment in return, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Judging by reactions in the AJC story's comments, nobody else is too upset about it.
• If there's any doubt about whether Michigan State is motivated for the Outback Bowl, note this headline from CBSSports.com: "WR Nichol: Beating UGA bigger than defeating Michigan." The Spartans hate Michigan.