Now that we’re two weeks out, I’ll break my silence on my trip to New Orleans and thoughts on the Sugar Bowl.
First of all, I love New Orleans, but I was hesitant about returning after last year’s terrorist attack. I was literally right in the middle of all of it, if you remember. Plus, I was riding a nearly 60-day sober streak from alcohol heading into the trip, trying to cleanse my mind and body, which is something I’ve never done before.
At the start of the trip, I was happy because I was returning to one of my favorite cities and to cover the team I watched growing up play in the College Football Playoff. The horrors of last year went away, and the sting of last season’s loss to Notre Dame took a back seat in my mind as my friend Ken and I hit the road.
The first night, I met up with co-workers from UGASports.com, part of the On3 and Rivals network. We ate at Cochon, a popular New Orleans restaurant. To be honest, I’m picky, but I have always wanted to try boudin balls, so I ordered some, plus a local beer, breaking my sober streak, which was the plan.
The boudin balls were great. The meat was a little spicy, but it was mixed with chopped bell peppers and rice. However, I also tried rabbit for the first time, which is apparently a Cajun delicacy, and it was very good.
The next morning, I interviewed Georgia and Ole Miss coaches and players at the Sugar Bowl media day. After that, it was time to play. Bourbon Street is something, I will tell you that, and so is the Caesars Casino. I spent the next two days having a blast, enjoying beverages with friends, and placing parlays.
I also got some great photos at the Sugar Bowl parade. New Year’s Eve also went off without any problems, as the Louisiana National Guard and New Orleans Police Department lined the streets of the French Quarter. I made sure to personally thank them as I passed by for their service in keeping everyone safe.
Finally, Thursday arrived, and it was time for the game. I can confidently say that by gametime, the crowd was 70-30 in favor of Ole Miss. The Rebels’ fans were loud as can be, but by halftime, Georgia had quieted them.
I felt good about booking my plane and hotel room for Arizona. The Dawgs were playing well on both sides of the ball. Ole Miss couldn’t stop the run, and the defense was keeping Trinidad Chambliss and Kewan Lacy in check. However, the tide turned in the second half, as the Rebels’ quarterback went off, looking like Joe Burrow in the 2019 SEC Championship. Georgia’s offense also went stagnant in the third quarter.
The Dawgs made mistakes, both on the coaching side and in the players’ execution. Still, they had a chance to win it at the end, but settled for a goal to tie it up, only to have their hearts broken minutes later.
(Dammit, Mike Bobo.)
It was a team loss, and it's probably going to sting for a while. Losing two years in a row in the Sugar Bowl has to suck. Regardless, I had a fantastic time in New Orleans, aside from the game. I just hope next year, if Georgia makes the College Football Playoff again, the Dawgs don’t get put in the Sugar Bowl.