The Georgia Bulldogs were quite possibly the most maddening and entertaining team to watch last year, with a star-studded offense, a questionable defense, and one close nail-biter after another. The 2013 season started with a bang, as the Dawgs battled through Clemson, South Carolina, and LSU in the first quarter of their schedule. With immense passion and heart, Georgia entered October with a 3-1 record and ranked number six in the country. But, after traveling to Neyland Stadium to face the Vols, the season outlook changed drastically. After surviving in overtime by literally inches following “Pig” Howard’s costly fumble, Georgia entered the locker room with the sobering realization that three of its offensive weapons – Keith Marshall, Justin Scott-Wesley and Michael Bennett – were facing serious knee injuries. Ultimately, Georgia would lose its next two against Vanderbilt and Missouri, and then the heartbreaker against Auburn on the Plains, finishing the year with a loss to Nebraska in the Gator Bowl and a career-ending injury to its record-breaking quarterback Aaron Murray. 8-5 was not the expected result from a campaign that started with so much promise.
The 2014 Bulldogs look extremely different, with Aaron Murray no longer at the helm, a new defensive coordinator in Jeremy Pruitt, and a number of dismissals and defections from defensive starters. But the public intrigue and the indefatigable optimism of the Georgia fan base is alive and well. The offense returns a majority of its star power, led by Todd Gurley and an exceptionally powerful corps of wide receivers – when healthy. Hutson Mason will get his chance in the spotlight, and he has the talent to shine. The defense is the true wild card. Will Jeremy Pruitt’s system stick? Will Georgia’s defensive players be up to par with the other SEC (and ACC) powers? Dawg fans certainly hope so.
The schedule for 2014 looks favorable, with its toughest game on the road coming early in South Carolina. But home games against Clemson, Tennessee, Auburn, and Georgia Tech give UGA the immediate edge in those games. Here is an analysis of the first six games of 2014. The remaining six games will come in a later segment.
Georgia Bulldogs Schedule Analysis: Games 1-6
August 30th – vs Clemson, 5:30 p.m. EDT, ESPN
Georgia opens the season the same way it did last year – against a Clemson team looking to prove itself in the ACC with a statement game against a perennial SEC power. Last year’s back-and-forth battle saw the Bulldogs come up a field goal short, as the defense was unable to stop Tajh Boyd. This year’s game looks quite different, as both teams are breaking in new quarterbacks and have seen a fair share of offseason troubles. The rematch will go Georgia’s way as Pruitt’s defense will play aggressively enough to force some mistakes and the Georgia offense will slowly find its rhythm against a talented Clemson defense. Dawgs win between the hedges.
Prediction: Georgia 24-17
Record: 1-0 (0-0 in SEC)
September 13th – at South Carolina, 3:30 p.m. EDT, CBS
After a much needed bye week – as much needed as a bye can be after one game – the Dawgs schedule doesn’t let up. UGA travels to Columbia, South Carolina to face off against Steve Spurrier and his Gamecocks. For the past five years, the UGA-SCAR game has set the tone of the SEC East race, and this year, South Carolina is looking for revenge. After a thrilling 41-30 win in Athens last year, UGA comes into this game with a little bragging rights, as last year’s team put up 538 yards of total offense against a solid defensive front. Like in the UGA-Clemson game, both teams will be starting new quarterbacks. But this year, South Carolina will struggle defensively early in the season, giving Georgia the upper hand to make it two in a row in the series and snap South Carolina’s record 18-game home winning streak.
Prediction: Georgia 38-17
Record: 2-0 (1-0 in SEC)
September 20th – vs Troy, 12:00 p.m. EDT, CBS
As the alma mater of Lawrence Tynes (former New York Giant), Osi Umenyiora (Atlanta Falcons) and DeMarcus Ware (Denver Broncos), Troy has produced a number of studs currently playing in the NFL. This year’s Troy team, however, will likely pose little threat to the Dawgs. In what seems to be a trend, Troy is also replacing a four-year starting quarterback, and they need to bounce back from a rough year defensively. Georgia will simply overwhelm Troy, and though the Dawgs like to the let the smaller teams hang around too long, they will ultimately win in a blowout.
Prediction: Georgia 45-14
Record: 3-0 (1-0 in SEC)
September 27th – vs Tennessee, TBD time, TBD network
This is the stretch of the schedule where Georgia needs to be careful. The so-called trap games lie with Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Missouri in consecutive weeks. Tennessee will be looking to get back at Georgia for last year’s close loss in Knoxville, and they will bring plenty of passion and talent to Athens. Simply enough, if Todd Gurley is healthy, look for him to dominate the Vols like he did in 2012 (24 car, 130 yds, 3 TD). Hutson Mason will do enough with his arm to free Gurley’s reign of terror on the Tennessee defense, and the Georgia defense will continue to mesh under Pruitt’s system. Georgia wins in a relatively close match.
Prediction: Georgia 31-21
Record: 4-0 (2-0 in SEC)
October 4th – Vanderbilt, Time TBD, Network TBD
Last year’s game against Vanderbilt was played in less than ideal conditions, and it was a sloppy game for both teams, ultimately going Vandy’s way. UGA’s Ramik Wilson was called for one of the more questionable targeting calls on 4th down and 4, setting the tone for a couple tough judgment calls that went against the Dawgs in the loss. This year, Vandy is a very different team. Coach James Franklin left for Penn State, they lost their starting quarterback and two top wide receivers, and eight defensive starters are gone from last year’s squad. Mark Richt will need to hype up his players so that they don’t overlook Vandy, but there will be a home crowd and a revenge factor in place that will fuel Georgia to an easy victory.
Prediction: Georgia 31-10
Record: 5-0 (3-0 in SEC)
October 11th – at Missouri, Time TBD, Network TBD
The UGA-Missouri matchup is turning into an interesting rivalry, and the last time UGA traveled to Columbia, they handed Mizzou their first-ever SEC loss with a little “Grown Man Football.” Not many outside of the state of Missouri saw the Tigers’ success coming last year, and that squad was truthfully very talented. After losing starters in critical positions on defense, as well as their quarterback, top three receivers and leading rusher, Missouri will regress slightly this year. Though Missouri will be a challenging opponent for Georgia again this year, the Dawgs will escape Faurot Field with a hard-fought, close win en route to a 6-0 start to 2014.
Prediction: Georgia 24-21
Record: 6-0 (4-0 in SEC)
Be on the lookout for analysis regarding the remainder of Georgia’s schedule in 2014. Spoiler alert: They will be solidly in the conversation for the College Football Playoff leading up to the SEC Championship game. More to come.
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