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The SEC has run up an impressive 8-2 bowl record so far, and Alabama will get the chance to make it 9-2 next Monday night in the National Championship Game. The SEC East contributed a 2-1 record in its bowl games, with Tennessee and Georgia picking up victories against Big Ten schools. Let’s take a look at what we learned from the three SEC East bowl games:
TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS
Bowl result: Defeated Northwestern 45-6 in the Outback Bowl
What we learned: Tennessee earned some national love on New Year’s Day for hooking us all up with free Bloomin’ Onions after its emphatic bowl win over Northwestern. The Volunteers got it done on the ground, as Jalen Hurd piled up 130 of the team’s 226 rushing yards and Joshua Dobbs ran for a couple of touchdowns. It was a dominating day for the defense as well, as the Wildcats managed only 261 yards and a single TD. It was also the team’s sixth-straight win to finish the season, and the buzz is already building around the Vols as the likely SEC East favorite in 2016.
FLORIDA GATORS
Bowl result: Lost to Michigan 41-7 in the Citrus Bowl
What we learned: While Tennessee finished the season on a high note, the Gators were decidedly out of tune in a lopsided loss to the Wolverines. The same offensive woes that plagued the team late in the regular season were still on display in the bowl game as Treon Harris struggled to make plays at quarterback (8 of 21, 146 yards and an interception). Florida’s defense wore down in the second half as Michigan put up 24 points after intermission. The three-game losing streak to close out the season is troublesome, but the Gators did win 10 games and the SEC East title under first-year coach Jim McElwain. Even with the poor finish, it was a remarkable season.
GEORGIA BULLDOGS
Bowl result: Defeated Penn State 24-17 in the Taxslayer Bowl
What we learned: The Bulldogs started fast, then held feisty Penn State for a bowl victory. Georgia played within a familiar script, getting good efforts from the offensive line and running attack while dealing with inconsistent quarterback play. Sony Michel had 85 yards and a score and Keith Marshall added 62 more yards on the ground to augment TD passes from Greyson Lambert and Terry Godwin. Penn State QB Christian Hackenburg left in the second quarter with a sprained shoulder, but backup Trace McSorely threw a pair of late TD passes to make the game close. The Bulldogs can now move on from the Mark Richt era, though they’ll have to wait a few days for new coach Kirby Smart’s full attention.
Randy Capps is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers SEC football, South Carolina and Georgia.
