Wait till next year! That should be the motto of the Bulldogs. I have been saying it all my adult life. Well, finally next year is upon us. After coming so close last year most Bulldog fans believe we have a better than even shot at winning it all this year. But first they have to get through the regular season and make it to Atlanta. In the SEC nothing can be taken for granted, there are too many opportunities to fall to SEC teams if they don't play their best every week. Read on and you can see where I think the big risks are.

The opponent and 2017 record.

Austin Peay 8-4

Austin Peay State University is a four-year public university located in Clarksville, Tennessee. Named for then-sitting Governor Austin Peay, I guess that's why they are the "Governors". A couple of alum have made it to the NFL including Bonnie Sloan the first deaf player in the NFL. Yeah, and none of that matters during this football game. Ga wins 56-0.

@South Carolina 9-4

Some think SC is our biggest test. The venerable Ga alum Tony Barnhart actually picks SC to win this game. Muschamp recruits defense well and this year his offense might make some noise too. The new OC, Bryan McClendon, likes to run up tempo with a pro-style passing game and lots of RPOs. His junior QB Jake Bentley will be in his second season at the helm and will have some good WRs to throw to, most notably Deebo Samuel and Bryan Edwards. If they can get any offense going SC is a formidable opponent. I am still taking the Dawgs 27-24 in Columbia. 

Middle Tennessee St 7-6

The Blue Raiders are from Murfreesboro Tennessee and a bit over-matched in this game. They tend to have a competitive team and played in the Raycom Media Camellia Bowl last year. They certainly don't shy away from the big boy teams playing Ga, Vandy and Kentucky this year. Good for them. Good for Ga. Ga wins 49-13


@Mizzou 7-6

Don't laugh but I have Mizzou finishing 2nd in the SEC East this year. Mainly because Barry Odom is building a solid program and coaches his team well. Derek Dooley is the new OC and he has a legit pro prospect with Jake Lock at QB. Lock isn't surrounded by the greatest skilled players but they have a solid O-line. All this spells trouble for the Dawgs. Don't be surprised if this is one of the best games of the year. Ga wins a tough one 37-27.

 

Tennessee 8-4

I am not buying whatever Jeremy Pruitt is selling. Tennessee always has talent but not as much lately as in the past. Their O-line was horrible last year ranking 112th in rushing and 117th in scoring. There's lots of hope in Knoxville but hope won't win you games. Pruitt gets crushed 43-10.


Vanderbilt 5-7

It's easy to root for Vandy because we usually beat them. This year should be no different. Derek Mason has been there for a while and hasn't really been able to get over the hump. Kyle Shurmur is returning as QB so I expect Vandy to be able to limit their mistakes. However, the defense lost 7 starters and that's going to be a problem. No surprise, Ga wins 43-6.


@LSU 9-4

This is going to be interesting because no one knows what to expect from Orgeron. I don't expect much. This will be the seventh game of the season and may Orgeron's last if we embarrass them. Say what you will, LSU fans have pride. They do have solid O-line and 7 returning starters on defense so we can't look past them. For me it's all about coaching so hopefully Orgeron is still there on Oct 13th. Exciting for the first half and Georgia wins the coaching battle with second-half adjustments. Ga wins 31-17


Florida 4-7

It warms my heart to see Florida fans hopeful again. And they have reason to be hopeful with Dan Mullen. He knows the league, he's been successful coaching QBs and he isn't prone to emotional outbursts like some of the past Gator head coaches. Most think the issue is the QB Franks returning. I think the defense is going to have to perform extremely well if Florida expects to win more than 8.  Ga won by 35 last year, they will win by 36 this year. Ga wins 42-6.


@Kentucky 7-6

It's not basketball season. I just hope Kentucky can beat Florida this year. They won't beat Ga. For their sake I hope it's not their homecoming game. Ga wins 34-0.


Auburn 10-4

What can I say? We should never lose to Auburn but we do regularly. Last year was no exception. This is the last of the big three SEC games Georgia has to worry about. Auburn lost 4 from the O-line but it looks like they have the talent to replace them. Stidham at QB is a Jr with plenty of experience and success. And... there is no reason to question the stout defense. Georgia's big advantage is the game is between the hedges. This one makes me nervous. Ga wins 34-31 in overtime.

 

Massachusetts 4-8

I am glad to see Georgia supporting some of the smaller schools. Ga wins 49-0.


Georgia Tech 5-6

This is the biggest game of the year...for the Ramblin' Wreck of Ga Tech. They are well coached and disciplined. Tech is going to have a tough year. Their QB can't throw a lick so they are more one dimensional than usual. It's always a fun game and it will be even more fun this year. Ga wins 38-3.

Overall

So there you have it. Georgia 13-0 in the regular season and hopefully playing Bama in the National Cham.... well uh... the SEC Championship game. The three games that are iffy are SC at Columbia, Mizzou at Columbia and Auburn between the hedges. SC has the advantage of catching us early but it's early for them too. Mizzou has pro prospects at QB and TE working with a new OC. Georgia may have some issues due to the player turnover in the defense. And then there is Auburn. A team I love to hate. If they never win another game they will have already won too many. 

It's going to be THE year for the Dawgs. But if it's not, it's going to suck. I can handle it, I have been here before.