Georgia and Nebraska are very familiar with one another. The two teams met in last season's Capital One Bowl where Aaron Murray threw for 427 yards and five touchdowns giving the Bulldogs the postseason win. The two schools are back at it for a rematch in this year's Gator Bowl, but both look like much different teams than in 2013.
It is very likely that both Murray and Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez will be watching the game from the sidelines this year making this anyone's game. Murray became the SEC's all-time passing leader with 13,166 yards this season, but wil not be active after tearing his ACL on Nov. 23 against Kentucky. Martinez has played in just four games this who season thanks to a variety of injuries. The senior put up just 667 yards and 10 touchdowns.
The Georgia offense will be led by junior Hunter Mason who tossed 299 yards and two touchdowns in an overtime win against in-state rival Georgia Tech. It was his first career start and he is expected to be the starting quarterback next season when Murray graduates.
Nebraska will be deciding between Tommy Armstrong Jr. and Ron Kellogg III. Both have seen playing time this year. Armstrong is recovering from an ankle injury while Kellogg struggling in the team's season finale throwing for 199 yards, one touchdown and two picks. The Cornhuskers are desperate to break their three-game bowl losing streak and facing Georgia will be no easy task.
With Murray out, running back Todd Gurley will be the man for the Bulldogs on Wednesday. He is averaging 138.6 yards per game. He put up 15 touchdowns in just nine games after sitting out a few games with injuries. Against Nebraska, he put up 125 yards on 23 carries while also getting a score. That type of performance could happen again as the Nebraska defense has allowed 21 rushing touchdowns this season.
Nebraska has their own running star that needs a big game in the wake of the quarterback play. Ameer Abdullah currently ranks seventh in the FBS with 130.7 yards per game. He was given his third All-American status after recording at least 100 yards rushing in every game but two.
The Georgia-Nebraska rematch in the Gator Bowl looks much different from last season. After a string of injuries hit the team, both Aaron Murray and Taylor Martinez will not get a chance to go head-to-head to finish out their college careers. Instead it will be two rookie quarterbacks and two running backs that headline this matchup.
