Badgers Continue Outback Bowl Preparations
December 29, 2004 | Football
Wisconsin head coach Barry Alvarez and Georgia head coach Mark Richt each addressed the media at a joint news conference Tuesday afternoon as the teams continue to prepare for their Outback Bowl matchup this Saturday.
The two coaches gathered at following the Badgers' practice at the University of Tampa. Some of the comments of each of the head coaches are below.
After going through a pair of physical practices in full pads during each of their first two practices in Tampa, UW competed in just upper pads Tuesday. Under perfect weather conditions, the practice was spirited despite being slightly shorter in length than each of the first two.
Following the workout, the Badgers took an afternoon trip to popular Tampa attraction Busch Gardens.
Wisconsin will shift to a morning practice Wednesday before joining Georgia for a series of activities at Bowl Beach Day in Clearwater.
Tuesday's News Conference Comments
Wisconsin Head Coach Barry Alvarez
Opening statement
'We've been very pleased with our practices thus far. You're always concerned after a couple days off at Christmas and you initially show up, what kind of practice you're going to have, if the players are sluggish after traveling. And then we had a cold, windy day the first day we practiced on the 26th. We had every reason to have a bad practice, but I was really impressed with our guys and how they got after it. I told them before we left that the first two days would be physical. I felt it was very important for us to get into a game-type tempo and go against ourselves.'
On playing in Tampa
'I have to commend the bowl on how they have scheduled their activities. It's a bowl where the players and coaches aren't just tied up with activities every day. They've done a nice job of spreading things out, giving the players enough things to do to give them a flavor of Tampa yet not wearing them out with all the outside activities. I know the players really appreciate that. Thus far the hospitality and everything that we would anticipate has been excellent.'
On Georgia's offense and defense
'I would think trying to compare with someone else in our league would be difficult. If I had to do so, I would say defensively their front would be similar to Iowa's front. I don't think we have anyone in our league that runs as well as them defensively. I'm really impressed with their linebackers. I don't think there's anyone quite with that speed in our league. Most of the teams in our league, you could overplay them. They were either very strong in the throwing game or very strong in the running game, so consequently you could overplay one phase of it. Georgia's offense; you can't do that. They have homerun threats at receiver. They have a quarterback that can certainly get them the ball. '
On winning 10 games in a season
'Ten wins is very difficult to get. There are a handful of programs in the country, Georgia being one of them, that consistently are able to compete for 10 wins, and that's very impressive. I'll tell you how hard it is, in the history of our school, I believe we've had three 10-win seasons. That tells you how difficult it is to get to 10. To reach that level, you're playing very good football, both in conference and against very competitive leagues. It's very meaningful when you reach that level.'
On a playoff scenario in college football
'I'm not in favor of that. I really like the bowls as they are. I love bowl games, as a player playing in bowl games and the experiences I had, the experience I've had as a coach watching young people enjoy bowl games. I like the bowl games as they are. I think if it were a playoff, I don't know if you have a week. It would probably be playing an away game; it wouldn't be a bowl game. You'd come in the night before, play the game and go home, hope that you win so you could play next week. It would eliminate what bowls are today.'
Georgia Head Coach Mark Richt
Opening statement
'We've had very good practices. Everything started out with everyone getting here safely. We let them all travel separate and that worked out well for everybody to get here on time. Our practices have been very good. Yesterday and today we treat pretty much like what we would normally do on a Tuesday and a Wednesday; yesterday being a full pad day, today what we call shells. Our scouts have done a really good job so far this bowl, and all year long. I like to give them a lot of credit on how things have gone this year.'
On the team's experience in Tampa
'We've enjoyed all the events to this point. I 'm excited about going to Busch Gardens. As soon as we're done I 'm going to hurry over there and catch up with my wife and kids. I want to congratulate everyone involved with this bowl. It's the first time I've ever been to this bowl, and so far it's been beautiful.'
On Wisconsin's defense
'I would say their defense would be one of the top two or three defenses in our league this year, as good as any of them and better than most. They remind me a little bit of the style LSU likes to play in that they really crowd you; they smother you, they're very confident they'll outnumber you in the running game. I really haven't seen anybody have a whole lot of success against them. '
On the importance of a 10-win season
'I think 10 wins is important for any program. The difference between eight and nine doesn't seem as big as nine and 10. You get into double digits; it looks better, it feels better. Personally, I think it's been a very good year for Georgia, if you win, I think it would be a great year. I don't think it's a perfect year, but I think it would be considered a great year for us if we could get 10. Ten wins is a big deal and I think our guys are serious about fighting for that.'
On a college football playoff system
'I'm not a big proponent of the playoff system. I like the bowl system. We enjoy it. I think college football has the best regular season of any sport in America. I think a playoff system could diminish some of the games in the middle of the year. I think people would begin to schedule a little differently too. Now, the way it sits, every game is for the National Championship, every game is for an SEC or Big 10 championship. Every game is so important and so valuable. I'm afraid you might get what you what as far as what everyone would consider more of a true National Championship, but I don't know what we would lose in the process.'
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