Georgia head coach Kirby Smart had played it coy when asked about player opt-outs leading up to the Orange Bowl clash against Florida State.
“Right now we’ve got our guys that are healthy playing,” Smart had stated. “Guys that are completely healthy cleared to play, they’ve all said they’re going to play.”
However, just a few hours later, a cloud of uncertainty looms as reports suggest that two standout Bulldogs may be absent from the showdown. According to an On3Sports report, tight end Brock Bowers and offensive lineman Amarius Mims are noticeably absent in Miami, where the Orange Bowl showdown is set to take place.
“Tight end Brock Bowers and offensive tackle Amarius Mims were not seen disembarking from the team’s plane at Miami International Airport on Tuesday night,” noted Palmer Thombs.
In the buildup to the Orange Bowl, Coach Smart had been quizzed about Bowers’ situation.
“That’s up to Brock. Brock’s been with us the whole time and he’s been doing all the things he’s got to do,” Smart had commented. “It’s more important, though, that he’s 100%. The guy probably played earlier than he should have, came out there and competed his butt off. He’s done everything he can for Georgia. He’s not 100%, so it makes it a little harder to do.”
With the Georgia Bulldogs set to face off against Florida State, kickoff at 4:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, the absence of these key players raises questions about the team’s Orange Bowl prospects.