The Georgia quarterback was pinned with the query about his future, whether he was headed for the NFL after his junior year, which ended Thursday with him as the Capital One Bowl MVP in Georgia's 24-12 win over Michigan State.

The two-part question asked first about whether he will stay at Georgia and, if not, was he satisfied with his career.

"I'll answer the first part of that question: I'm not sure yet," he said.

The answer has particular relevance to fans in Michigan because Stafford projects as one of the draft's top two quarterbacks, with another early-entry candidate, Oklahoma's Sam Bradford, becoming possible targets of the first-pick Detroit Lions .

Asked whether the teams at the top of the draft will determine his decision, Stafford flatly said no.

"It's been an awesome time and it's something I'm contemplating continuing," he said. "Obviously, there's the lure of the NFL but, to tell you the truth, I'm 50-50 right now."

Despite winning the MVP award, 50-50 is almost how his game went.

A year after MSU was a bowl-game victim to the first quarterback taken in last year's draft, Boston College's Matt Ryan, Stafford was expected to arrive and play his part in the show.

Yet for 2 1/2 quarters, he looked nothing like an NFL quarterback and barely like Georgia's starter.

At halftime, Stafford was 6-for-14 for 71 yards and an interception. The pick came deep in his own territory, and with Georgia leading, 3-0, it was a potentially painful mistake.

His strong arm was evident, but he lacked the execution.

"The wind didn't affect it, I didn't perform the way I should; I wasn't throwing the ball well," Stafford admitted.

But on Georgia's second drive of the third quarter, with the Spartans ahead, 6-3, Stafford showed the moxie and skill needed for the NFL.

Starting on his own 4, he marched the Bulldogs 96 yards for a touchdown in 5:51. After bouncing his first pass of the drive, he completed six straight passes, throwing several different types of balls. He capped it by leading flanker Michael Moore on a crossing pattern for a 35-yard touchdown.

With MSU silencing his usual top three receivers, Stafford had to work down to Moore, who was No. 4 in season receptions.

"That long, 96 yard drive was huge -- I thought it was the turning point of the ball game," Georgia coach Mark Richt said.

Stafford opened the next drive -- already deep in MSU territory -- with a 21-yard touchdown strike to even less-used receiver Aron White, who only had two catches all season.

And when he threw a beautiful rainbow to Knowshon Moreno in the corner of the end zone for his third score in the fourth quarter, the talent was obvious -- he is now the Georgia single-season touchdown record-holder with 25.

MSU cornerback Ross Weaver said he saw Stafford's ability on film. But on the field it came fast, and once Georgia was rolling, Stafford looked like a different player. He was 14-for-17 in the second half, for 179 yards and three touchdowns.

Which leaves Lions fans with a few questions: Will he declare? Do you want him? And, following this Jekyll-and-Hyde show -- which Stafford would you get?

By Jan. 15, the NFL underclassman deadline, you will be able to answer at least question No. 1. The other two are potentially months away.

Contact MARK SNYDER at 313-223-3210 or msnyder@freepress.com

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