College Football is in the air. The season kicks off this weekend with Week 0. There aren’t many tantalizing matchups, but for college football nuts, does it really matter? I will be glued to my couch watching Notre Dame versus Navy like it’s the College Football Playoff.
The real stuff begins Labor Day Weekend, as Georgia begins their trek towards an unprecedented third consecutive National Championship. They are the prohibitive favorites to win it all, once again boasting the most talent of any team in the country.
There are some questions about this Bulldogs team, though. Most notably, how will Carson Beck handle the duties as the new starting quarterback? I don’t think there will be much of a drop-off, but the bigger concern for me is new offensive coordinator Mike Bobo. Todd Monken was a wizard for the Bulldogs, and while Bobo was around last year, being the guy is much different, especially with a lot of new pieces on the offense.
Regardless, there is little doubt the Bulldogs will be in the College Football Playoff picture come December. So, let’s go game by game and see where their biggest tests lie this upcoming season.
Georgia vs. UT Martin
This was supposed to be Oklahoma, but with the Sooners coming to the SEC this season, they were replaced with UT Martin. That’s not Georgia’s fault, and for those complaining about the Bulldogs’ schedule, it’s not like the Sooners were going to give Georgia much more competition. Do we really need to see them beat Oklahoma 49-3 like they did Oregon to open last season?
Georgia 63, UT Martin 0
Georgia vs. Ball State
Ball State’s offense struggled to score last season, and there’s not much hope that will change in 2023. That’s not a recipe for success against perhaps the most talented defense in the country.
Georgia 56, Ball State 3
Georgia vs. South Carolina
The Bulldogs season really kicks off Week 3 against the Gamecocks in Athens. This is one of the more underrated rivalries in the SEC, but the Bulldogs absolutely throttled South Carolina last season in Columbia. The Gamecocks, led by Shane Beamer, have a lot of positive momentum heading into 2023 and will surely have this game circled. Unfortunately for them, I don’t see the Bulldogs looking ahead to UAB. This will be another beatdown between the hedges.
Georgia 45, South Carolina 17
Georgia vs. UAB
Trent Dilfer is a fun hire for UAB and perhaps it leads to a lot more consistency, but it’s going to take a while for him to get his guys in the building. This will be an adjustment year for the Blazers, making this another game that will get out of hand early.
Georgia 41, UAB 0
Georgia @ Auburn
This is the game I have circled as the most dangerous on the schedule for the Bulldogs. Hugh Freeze takes over at Auburn, which I believe to be a fantastic hire. He’s going to win a lot of games, and Brian Kelly showed last season that winning can happen overnight in the SEC. I don’t expect Auburn to compete for the SEC West, but they are going to upset someone, if not multiple teams, at home this season. This will be Georgia’s first real test in a hostile environment, but I expect them to escape with a win.
Georgia 24, Auburn 17
Georgia vs. Kentucky
Kentucky could also pose some problems for the Bulldogs, especially if they come into this one sleepwalking after a tough road contest at Auburn. The Wildcats always feature a high quality defense, and Devin Leary is a very good quarterback. However, their offensive line has had issues, which will allow Georgia to control this game at home.
Georgia 27, Kentucky 7
Georgia @ Vanderbilt
I don’t have to say much here. Vandy doesn’t have near enough talent to compete with the Bulldogs, but Georgia fans should definitely make a trip to Nashville, the best city in the SEC.
Georgia 52, Vandy 14
Georgia vs. Florida
One of my favorite rivalries in college football, the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party hasn’t been very competitive of late, and I hope that changes soon. However, I’m on record saying Billy Napier will be fired sooner rather than later. I don’t think he has what it takes to succeed in the SEC, which means this game will not be close.
Georgia 31, Florida 10
Georgia vs. Missouri
Missouri might be the third-best team in the SEC East this season behind a very good defense. They nearly upset the Bulldogs last season, but I think that will work against them this time around. Georgia won’t be caught off-guard, and they are at home.
Georgia 30, Missouri 13
Georgia vs. Ole Miss
These next two weeks feature the only teams that are ranked in the preseason top 25. Ole Miss has the potential to be a tricky matchup for the Bulldogs. It precedes what has the potential to be one of the games of the year when Georgia travels to Neyland Stadium to take on the Volunteers. If this were a road game, I might give the Rebels a little more of a shot. However, in the trenches, the Bulldogs should dominate this one. I have it closer than some might expect, but Georgia still pulls out a double-digit win.
Georgia 30, Ole Miss 20
Georgia vs. Tennessee
This is undoubtedly the hardest game on Georgia’s schedule. Not only is Tennessee the most talented football team they face in the regular season, but Neyland will be the most hostile environment they enter this year. I’m a Josh Heupel guy, and while a lot of people are expecting a drop-off from the Volunteers, I don’t believe that’s what’s going to happen. This is going to be a much more difficult game than it was a year ago, but I have Georgia escaping Knoxville with a win by a field goal.
Georgia 24, Tennessee 21
Georgia vs. Georgia Tech
Perhaps one day the Yellow Jackets return to being a competitive team, but it won’t be this season. The Bulldogs roll over their in-state rival once again.
Georgia 52, Georgia Tech 7
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Photo: John Adams/Icon Sportswire
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