Orange Bowl sneak peek: How Georgia, Florida State match up

This year’s Capital One Orange Bowl might just as quickly be called the Alleviation Bowl. Or the Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda Bowl. Or perhaps even the Hornet’s Nest Bowl.While the Georgia Bulldogs and Florida State Seminoles were left to lick their wounds after not being consisted of in the four-team College Football Playoff field, each can make an engaging case for why they should have had a shot at the nationwide title and may enter the game with chip on their shoulder and intent to show they belonged.Florida State, the first unbeaten Power 5 conference champ to not make the playoff in CFP history, has made its ire with the selection procedure clear. Georgia, which had a 29-game winning streak snapped in a three-point loss to Alabama in the SEC title game, was the first team ranked No. 1 by the CFP going into the conference championships to fall out of the last top four.Asked if he would be going into a hornet’s nest when facing the Seminoles, Georgia coach Kirby Smart stated his group in none too delighted either.”We have a hornet’s nest around here, too, of players that are disappointed. That works both methods,”Smart stated.”The bright side is we got each other to go play. I

understand they’ll be up for us and we’ll be up for them.” No. 5 Florida State vs. No. 6 Georgia Capital One Orange Bowl When: Saturday, Dec. 30, 4 p.m., ET Where: Hard Rock Arena(Miami Gardens, Florida)How to view: ESPN and ESPN App Opening line: Georgia -14 Carson Beck was one of the most precise passers in the FBS this season. Picture by Todd Kirkland/Getty ImagesGeorgia (12-1) Key player: QB Carson Beck waited three years to take control of as Georgia’s beginning quarterback. It has actually been worth the wait, as he led the Bulldogs to the brink of a third straight CFP look in his first season as the starter. The Bulldogs won back-to-back national championships in 2021

and 2022 before being up to Alabama this season in the SEC national championship. While Georgia offending coordinator Mike Bobo seemed to bring Beck along gradually at the start of the season, he has been among the most precise passers in the FBS. He was 4-1 against AP top-20 opponents, finishing 74.1%of his passes with 15 goals and 2 interceptions in those games. A lot more excellent, Beck did much of his damage while playing without star tight end Brock Bowers and receivers Ladd McConkey and Rara Thomas, who missed several games because of injuries. Georgia’s offensive line has been one of the sport’s finest, offering Beck plenty of time to work in the pocket. Smart has credited Beck’s intelligence in reading a defense and checking into the proper plays as some of his strengths.Editor’s Picks 2 Associated X aspect: WR Ladd McConkey was supposed to be among Georgia’s most experienced and trusted receivers, but he was afflicted by back and ankle injuries. He missed the very first 4 games with a back injury and didn’t make his debut until the Bulldogs’ 27-20 success at Auburn on Sept. 30. He came up huge with six catches for 135 backyards and one touchdown in a 43-20 win versus Florida, then

had seven receptions

for 95 yards in a 30-21 win versus Missouri. McConkey sprained his ankle in a 52-17 thrashing of Ole Miss and didn’t do much down the stretch. He’s a fantastic path runner, has excellent hands and is quick out of evictions. The break must provide him a chance to get healthy before the game as he was clearly limited in the loss to Alabama (three catches for 38 backyards ). Georgia’s offense has actually been as explosive as any in the FBS when Bowers and McConkey were both on the field.How Georgia wins: Do what it’s done for all however one of the previous 30 games Even in the loss to Alabama, Beck didn’t look overwhelmed by the big stage, and he has actually been assisted by a solid running game and offensive line. He will be breaking a Florida State defense that is tied for third nationally with 45 sacks and has actually gone 9 straight games without quiting more than 20 points. The key will be not turning the ball over and giving FSU brief fields on offense. Georgia’s defense dealt

with crucial injuries at linebacker and cornerback late in the season, but the Bulldogs have outmuscled teams and will aim to make the Seminoles one-dimensional on offense. Georgia is No. 1 nationally in third-down defense, and even in the loss to Alabama, held the Tide to 3-of-13 on third down. Simply put, the Bulldogs are going to attempt the Seminoles to beat them by tossing the ball.– Chris Low Lawrance Toafili’s explosiveness was on display versus Louisville in the ACC championship game. Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports Florida State(13-0)Secret players: RBs Trey Benson and Lawrance Toafili The quarterback position has actually been the focus of this group over the past couple of weeks, and we’ll get to that shortly. However the distinction in a matchup versus Georgia could be the Seminoles’capability (or failure)to run the

ball, and Benson and Toafili are the guys they will lean on(assuming Benson– currently the No. 2 RB in Mel Kiper’s NFL draft position rankings– plays)

. Benson leads the team in skirmish lawns with 1,132, having 905 out of the backfield, and 227 through the air. Toafili was fantastic against Louisville in the ACC championship game with 118 yards on simply 10 brings with a goal. If Florida State has the ability to keep its backs fresh and reliable on the ground, which need to help open up the passing attack, it should be an enjoyable game in Miami Gardens.X factor: QB Tate Rodemaker Presuming Rodemaker remains in health, his performance will be crucial. While his showings against North Alabama and Florida might not motivate a ton of self-confidence, the Seminoles have actually showed in they can win without ACC Player of the Year Jordan Travis (and even without Rodemaker, as they did versus Louisville ). If Rodemaker limits turnovers and has a solid run game behind him, there should be plays to be made on the outside with Keon Coleman( currently No. 9 on Mel Kiper’s big board) if he chooses to play.How Florida State wins: The defense has one last outstanding efficiency Georgia is a more total challenger than the Cardinals were, but the Seminoles’ defense would intend to have a similar impact as we saw in the ACC national championship. Florida State’s defense eliminated downfield passing from Louisville quarterback Jack Plummer, who went 0-for-13 with an interception on passes tossed more than 10 backyards downfield. Attaining that sort of shutout against Georgia won’t happen, but it does not imply this defense can’t make the Bulldogs’life on offense challenging.

The Seminoles also sacked Plummer seven times after he had not been sacked more than 4 times in a game previously. Once again– with the caveat of everybody playing– guys like Jared Verse, Kalen DeLoach, Braden Fiske and others can show how pressure develops diamonds.– Harry Lyles Jr.