As you may recall, last year I predicted the score of each regular season game several months out from the season, and this year ... I'm just as bored during the summer as I was then.
Last year, I predicted that the Dawgs would go 9-3 (spot on), though I was certainly caught off guard with how bad the offense would ultimately become, but incorrectly pegged who Georgia would lose to. (I guessed losses to South Carolina, Tennessee and Florida.)
This year, with essentially an open QB competition, a new head coach and the uncertainty of Nick Chubb's health, it feels like even more of a dice roll than last year with these predictions.
But, hey, you never know.
SEPT 3, GEORGIA VS. NORTH CAROLINA (GEORGIA DOME)
I suspect this game will either be a blow out, or go right down to the wire, though the latter seems more likely. I just can't see this as a 10-point kinda game. Does Chubb play? Will the defense keep up from where it left off in 2015? My guess is Greyson Lambert starts the game at QB, along with Sony Michel at RB. Chubb gets a few carries, and Jacob Eason sees the field for a few drives. The defense makes enough plays, and the offense plays keep-away to eek out an ugly win. Georgia 27, North Carolina 21
SEPT 10, GEORGIA VS. NICHOLLS STATE
Here's the chance to see what kind of tune-ups might be in order, and to, perhaps, get a longer look at Eason, who will undoubtedly get plenty of snaps. The Colonels went 3-8 in 2015, including a 47-0 loss to a Louisiana Monroe team that Georgia beat 51-14. So, basically we should just hope there aren't any injuries. Dawgs cruise in this noontime beatdown. Georgia 45, Nicholls State 3
SEPT 17, GEORGIA @ MISSOURI
Mizzou is another mystery in this conference. Like Georgia, the Tigers are breaking in a new head coach, but have questions at QB. My guess is this one turns into an ugly defensive battle, much like the 9-6 victory in Athens last year. If Chubb is back to full strength, I think he's the difference. Georgia 17, Missouri 10
SEPT 24, GEORGIA @ OLE MISS
Here's the game that most folks think is the first "real" test for Kirby Smart and this team. The Rebels figure to be contenders in the SEC West, and they'll be playing in front of that crazy crowd in Oxford. Incidentally, this is the only team in the entire conference (outside Texas A&M, who didn't join until 2012) that Mark Richt never lost to. My guess is that Smart starts out 0-1. Ole Miss 28, Georgia 17
OCT 1, GEORGIA VS. TENNESSEE
It isn't often that we get all the way to October and we're talking about the second home game of the season, but 2016 is such an occasion. The Vols come to town as the odds-on favorites to win the SEC East, but I have to admit ... I'm not buying them. They might win the East, but a lot of pundits list them as playoff contenders. I'll believe it when I see it. Eason takes over as the starter, and — playing at home — out duels Josh Dobbs in a close one. Georgia 31, Tennessee 28
OCT 8, GEORGIA @ SOUTH CAROLINA
The last time the Bulldogs beat the Gamecocks in Columbia, Matt Stafford was the QB. It's been since 2008, but I think the monkey finally comes off Georgia's back, since South Carolina figures to be just a touch above dreadful this season. Will it be close? Probably. It pretty much always is when the Dogs travel to Columbia. I'm thinking Chubb/Michel wear down this defense, and Georgia pulls away in a clunker. Georgia 27, South Carolina 10
OCT 15, GEORGIA VS. VANDERBILT
The Commodores look like, once again, they will have a good defense, but not much bite on the other side of the ball. I think this game stays close into the third quarter, but once the running game starts to find some holes in a tired defense, the Bulldogs turn it into a blowout. Don't be surprised if we wind up with two 100-yard rushers. Georgia 38, Vanderbilt 14
OCT 29, GEORGIA VS. FLORIDA (JACKSONVILLE)
The last three Bulldog head coaches all posted losing records in the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party. Can Smart finally turn that trend around? My guess, for year one, is no. It's worth noting that both teams are off the week before, so there's always the possibility of each side having a few tricks up their sleeves (like some guy named Faton...), but until I see otherwise, fool me once... Florida 24, Georgia 14
NOV 5, GEORGIA @ KENTUCKY
The Bulldogs haven't lost to the Wildcats since 2009, and by this point in the season, I don't expect Kentucky to be at full strength. Still, this game has "trap" written all over it, since it follows Florida and precedes Auburn. I think the Cats keep it close into the fourth quarter (It's never easy in Lexington.), but, once again, the running game proves to be the difference. Georgia 34, Kentucky 24
NOV 12, GEORGIA VS. AUBURN
I have a feeling Auburn is going to be better than expected this year, especially if they can find a QB. Title contenders? I doubt it, but I bet they'll wreck one of the big boys' seasons next year. When they come to Athens, I suspect it'll be with more division title implications pegged on Georgia than Auburn, but it might be a non-factor, too. This one goes down to the wire, and the Dawgs' continued success against the Tigers continues. Georgia 27, Auburn 24
NOV 19, GEORGIA VS. UL LAFAYETTE
This Sun Belt team (unlike the last one to grace Sanford Stadium, nearly pulling off the upset) went 4-8 in 2015, and doesn't look to be much of a threat once again. I suspect the Bulldogs will look lazy that day, coming off the Auburn game and looking ahead to the Georgia Tech game. It's too close for comfort at half time, but Georgia pulls away with some second half offense. Georgia 48, UL Lafayette 10
NOV 26, GEORGIA VS. GEORGIA TECH
One advantage to having a Bulldog alum as your head coach is that he understands the importance that comes with beating the Yellow Jackets. He knows that their fans are your neighbors and coworkers. They're people you see at church or the grocery store. And when Tech gets a win, they make sure to milk it for everything it's worth. Ergo, we can't let that happen. Smart has shown a pattern of struggling with these kinds of offenses in the past, so I absolutely do not think this game will be a blowout, despite the Jackets' 3-9 record in 2015. It comes down to the wire, with somebody making a play late to win it. Georgia 35, Georgia Tech 31
So, by my estimation, that puts the Dawgs at 10-2, at least giving themselves a shot at the SEC East. I have to admit, though, that I'm shooting a bit higher than what I initially thought. I figured Georgia would go 9-3, plus/minus two wins. I figure there are at least six games that could be close enough to a coin flip: North Carolina, Missouri, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Florida and Georgia Tech. Odds are you won't go 0-6 or 6-0. Maybe you get lucky and win five of them, or maybe the football gods frown upon you, and you go 2-4. More likely, you go right about 3-3.
We shall see.
