With the first practice of the season ahead it is time for predictions. Is it finally Georgia’s year? Find out below.
@ Vanderbilt
The season opener in Nashville will be an electric atmosphere with the Bulldawg Nation doing their best to take over Vanderbilt Stadium. Derek Mason’s will have his team well prepared and fired up. They will be loading the box on defense trying Fromm and his unproven receivers to make plays. Offensively Vanderbilt will be breaking in a new starter at QB and Ke’Shawn Vaughn and Kalija Lipscomb are the Commodores only proven weapons. The Dawgs start the season locked in and ready to go. Georgia 37 – Vanderbilt 10
Murray State
The weakest opponent the Dawgs will face all season, Murray State is completely outclassed by the Dawgs. This will be the first opportunity for the true freshmen to receive significant playing time and they will receive significant snaps. Coach Smart will also want to allow Stetson Bennett to sling the ball around as well as Dwan Mathis if he is cleared. Georgia 52 – Murray State 7
Arkansas State
The final week before the national showcase against Notre Dame it is only natural for the Dawgs to be lack focus. Coach Smart and staff will do their best to have them locked in but a minor letdown is likely and Arkansas State has enough athleticism to take advantage on occasion. Regardless, Georgia is far to talented for this game to be competitive. Georgia 41 – Arkansas State 17
Notre Dame
Athens, GA is going to be the center of the college football universe when the Fighting Irish arrive in town. The wait for the 8:00PM kickoff will feel like an eternity of the players, staff and Bulldawg Nation. However, once the players take the field for pregame warmups the electricity in the stadium will be out of this world. Notre Dame is well coached and has athletes that can compete with Georgia but don’t have the same depth. Georgia makes a statement to the nation in this game that they are clearly one of the best teams in America. Georgia 31 – Notre Dame 20
@ Tennessee
Kirby Smart will be very thankful that the Dawgs have a bye week after the victory against the Fighting Irish. He might need the bye week to convince the team that they aren’t as good as they think and need to continue to “Do More”. Jarrett Guarantano has made strides and Tennessee is increasing their talent base but they are still young and lack depth. Georgia will get the Volunteers best shot but it won’t be enough. Georgia 34 – Tennessee 17
South Carolina
Will Muschamp circles this game every season and for him personally, Georgia may be his biggest rival. In 2018, the Gamecocks were the most physical opponent the Dawgs played outside of LSU. Their front seven on defense is loaded with seniors and Jake Bentley has some talented playmakers on the perimeter. However, the Gamecocks offensive line and tailbacks lack talent and will be exposed against elite teams making them one dimensional. Georgia 37 – South Carolina 10
Kentucky
Mark Stoops has done a tremendous job at Kentucky but last season was their best shot at taking down the Dawgs and we all saw how that went. This a rebuilding year for Kentucky and they head into Athens to face a Georgia team that is starting to hit its stride. With Terry Wilson at QB the Kentucky offense will not be able to muster any offense. Georgia 38 – Kentucky 3
(n) Florida
The Dan Mullen offseason of trash talk has put a bullseye on the Gators backs in this game. There is no doubt that Florida has the most talented roster the Dawgs will have seen to this point in the season. Their receiving corps is loaded with talent and they secondary is one of the best in the country. The Gators will come out on a mission to prove a point but the Georgia offensive line flexes its muscle and the Dawgs defense plays their best game of the season. Kirby doesn’t take his foot off the gas as he responds to Mullens trash talk on the field. Georgia 44 – Florida 16
Missouri
After an emotional victory over the Gators the Bulldogs head back to Athens to face a scary Missouri team. With Kelly Bryant leading a veteran laden group the Tigers will be come to Athens believing they can win. Their offensive is solid, Albert Okwuegbunam is a star and Larry Rountree is the most underrated tailback in the country. Defensively they are not the most talented group but Barry Odom always puts them in a position to make plays. Georgia 27 – Missouri 20
@ Auburn
This is where the physical toll of the season begins to show itself. At this point in the season their are two options for Auburn, either they are hitting on all cylinders flying high or Gus Malzahn is going out in a blaze of glory. Either way, Auburn will be pulling out every trick in the book against the Dawgs and Jordan Hare will be rocking. The Auburn defensive line is loaded with studs and it will be a war in the trenches. Auburn will make some big plays on offense but won’t be able to consistently move the ball. Georgia 26 – Auburn 21
Texas A&M
For the first time since Texas A&M joined the SEC seven years ago they will face off against the Georgia Bulldogs. This is where the Dawgs elite recruiting comes in very handy. After physical games against Florida, Missouri and Auburn the Dawgs will undoubtedly be a battered and bruised team. Kellen Mond is an explosive playmaker and he has a group of freakish athletes at receiver that are a mismatch for nearly every defensive back. The Aggies also lack depth and this late in the season they will likely be banged up as well. This has the makings of an offensive shootout. Georgia 38 – Texas A&M 35
Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech will face a Bulldawg team looking to complete their first undefeated regular season since 1982. With the SEC Championship game looming on the horizon the Dawgs come out fired up and ready to leave no doubt. Georgia Tech is in for a major down year in 2019 as they attempt to play a pro-style offense with triple-option personnel. Coach Smart calls off the Dawgs in the second half to get his players as much rest as possible heading into a monster rematch against Alabama. Georgia 30 – Georgia Tech 6