'Sorry, Georgia': Dan Marino picks FSU to win Orange Bowl, reminds Bulldogs of 1982 Sugar Bowl

Emilee Smarr, Palm Beach Post

MIAMI GARDENS — Florida State University is a favorite in somebody's eyes for the Orange Bowl.

Hours before kickoff at the Capital One Orange Bowl Fan Fest, Miami Dolphins quarterback legend and Hall of Famer Dan Marino took the stage amid a sea of what was mostly Georgia fans.

When asked who his pick for the day was by host Theo Dorsey of WPTV, Marino was pretty quick to answer.

Miami Dolphins legend and NFL Hall of Fame member Dan Marino walks the sidelines before the game against the New York Jets at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Dec. 17, 2023.
Miami Dolphins legend and NFL Hall of Fame member Dan Marino walks the sidelines before the game against the New York Jets at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Dec. 17, 2023.

"Since we're in Florida, I'm going to go Florida State," Marino said.

"Sorry, Georgia," he quipped.

He was determined to pour more salt in the wound, reminding Bulldogs fans of the 1981 football season. "I'm sorry about 1981, too. You can look it up on your phones," Marino said.

Vince Dooley led Georgia's 1981 team to a 10-2 record and No. 2 ranking heading into the Sugar Bowl. For as many great memories as there are after climbing back atop the polls following a 13-3 loss to the eventual national champion Clemson Tigers in the third week of the season, UGA's final game of the year was one Bulldogs would like to forget.

The defending national champions fell in an upset to an eighth-ranked Pittsburgh team commanded by Marino, who took MVP honors for his performance in the 24-20 victory. That fateful New Year's Day over four decades ago saw Marino, then a junior, break down the Bulldogs' blitz. He went 26-for-41, for 261 yards and three touchdowns.

After taking All-American honors and finishing fourth in the Heisman race for his efforts in 1981, Marino would go on to be a first-round pick for the Dolphins in 1983.

No Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback has yet to break Marino's records. Nor has any Miami Dolphin.

Original Filename: HIST Dan Marino bw only (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette file photo) ORG XMIT: ORG XMIT: MER0706181052021293
Original Filename: HIST Dan Marino bw only (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette file photo) ORG XMIT: ORG XMIT: MER0706181052021293

Dan Marino says current Dolphins won't break his team records

Despite some smack talk from coach Mike McDaniel days ahead of the Orange Bowl, at the Fan Fest, Marino stood on his belief that his records won't be beaten by this year's team, which currently stands 11-4 with a playoff berth after its Week 16 win over the Dallas Cowboys.

On the sidelines before the Dolphins 22-20 victory, McDaniel jokingly remarked to Marino:

"F_____ your records, Dan," he said. "We're coming for your records, Dan."

Dec 24, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel talks with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 24, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel talks with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Marino said McDaniel was "cool," but he was "glad to tell Mike to his face" that this won't be the year. For the record, Marino, currently a special advisor with the team, singularly holds 23 Miami regular-season records, 35 if you include the playoffs.

Rest assured McDaniel, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and friends will be happy to shove the Lombardi Trophy in Marino's face should they make it to Las Vegas and win Super Bowl 58.

Emilee Smarr is a sports reporter for the Palm Beach Post. She can be reached via email at esmarr@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Dolphins legend Dan Marino picks FSU to beat Georgia in Orange Bowl

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