ATLANTA — Fourth-ranked Georgia realized its dream of playing a postseason game in the Louisiana Superdome this season. It's just not THE game it wanted.

The Bulldogs (10-2) will take on the nation's only major college unbeaten team when they face No. 10 Hawai'i (12-0) in the Sugar Bowl on New Year's night — a week before the desired BCS championship game in the same arena for college football's national championship.

Georgia was ranked No. 4 on the Bowl Championship Series list before the two top teams, Missouri and West Virginia, lost their finales, the Tigers in the Big 12 Conference title game.

The Bulldogs expected to move up to No. 2 for a championship game date with No. 1 Ohio State, but fellow Southeastern Conference member LSU surged from seventh to second in the BCS after winning the SEC championship game.

The Bulldogs will have to beat Hawai'i to avoid the same fate that befell Oklahoma in last year's Fiesta Bowl when the Sooners took on Boise State, like Hawai'i a member of the Western Athletic Conference. Boise State upset the Sooners on the same field where Florida knocked off Ohio State the following week to win last season's national championship.

Georgia coach Mark Richt wants his team to realize how important a victory could be in setting the stage for next year.

"We have a lot to gain with this victory," Richt said. "I think the underclassmen realize a victory here could set the stage for the future. The way the BCS is set up, it's very important where you're ranked in the preseason. I hate to say that much about it, but that's the way it is."

It won't be an easy task stopping Colt Brennan's effectiveness in an offense Hawai'i coach June Jones has loved for years — the run and shoot, one he used during his tenure as coach of the Atlanta Falcons.

With his background in Georgia, Jones knows a good deal about the Bulldogs and their history.

Jones fretted a little over the lengthy period between when the Sugar teams were named and the game was to be played.

"It gives them a lot of time to prepare for us," Jones said. "We play a kind of different style of football and when you have more time to practice against the defensive schemes and the offensive schemes, it changes a little bit. So you have to be physically as good as they are."

Brennan passed for 4,174 yards and 38 touchdowns this season and has 131 career TD passes, an NCAA record.

Georgia's more conventional offense features an exciting freshman tailback, Knowshon Moreno, who ran for 1,273 yards and 12 touchdowns, sparking the Bulldogs to a six-game winning streak to end the regular season.

The Bulldogs are a 7 1/2-point favorite to spoil Hawai'i's dream season, something they will do. ... Georgia 31-17.

Central Florida (minus 3) vs. Mississippi State in Liberty Bowl: UCF's Kevin Smith needs 181 yards to break Barry Sanders' NCAA rushing mark of 2,628 yards in a season. Sanders did it in 11 games for Oklahoma State. This will be Smith's 13th game, and it comes against a pretty good defense built by Sylvester Croom. Mississippi State, 17-14.

Alabama (minus 3 1/2) vs. Colorado in Independence Bowl: "It's a great opportunity for our seniors to try to change the tide of how the season ended and go out on a winning note," coach Nick Saban said of Bama's second straight trip to the Independence for its NCAA record 55th bowl appearance. In a battle of teams with 6-6 records, the slight edge goes to ... Alabama, 24-21.

Kentucky (minus 10) vs. Florida State in Music City Bowl: Academic problems have left FSU a mere shell of itself. Andre Woodson has thrown for 3,351 yards and 36 touchdowns to lead the Wildcats. He'll add some numbers to both. Kentucky, 28-17.

No. 15 Clemson (minus 2 1/2) vs. No. 22 Auburn in Chick-fil-A Bowl: The Clemson Tigers have too much offense for the Auburn Tigers with Cullen Harper handling the aerial game and James Davis the ground game. Clemson, 27-24.

No. 16 Tennessee (minus 2) vs. No. 18 Wisconsin in Outback Bowl: Erik Ainge gives the Vols the edge. Tennessee, 27-21.

Missouri (minus 3) vs. Arkansas in Cotton Bowl: This one has plenty of firepower. Chase Daniel passed for more than 4,000 for the Tigers and two-time Heisman Trophy runner-up Darren McFadden and Felix Jones ran for more than 2,800 yards. Missouri, 34-28.

No. 9 Florida (minus 10 1/2) vs. Michigan in Capital One Bowl: This will be Lloyd Carr's swan song as coach of the Wolverines. It will be Tim Tebow's first appearance as the only sophomore in history to win the Heisman Trophy. Tebow prevails. Florida, 31-17.

Last week's totals: 1-0 straight, 0-1 vs. spread. For year: 75-22 straight, 34-51 vs. spread.

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