6-0; Ranked in the Top 5; In the driver’s seat for the SEC East title – that is where the Bulldogs will be if they stay focused and play to their potential. As I noted in my analysis of the first half of the season, Georgia opens the season with a number of question marks – most notably a revamped defense. But they have the talent and the schedule to start the season undefeated. The biggest test will come on the road at South Carolina, and I am sticking to my guns – the Gamecocks will stumble at home for the first time in 18 games.
So can the Dawgs handle the pressure of being the frontrunner in the SEC East, or will they crack under pressure and let South Carolina back in the race? Here’s my analysis of the second half of the season:
2014 Georgia Bulldogs Schedule Analysis: Games 7-12
October 18th – at Arkansas, TBD Time, TBD Network
The UGA-Arkansas game is the second in a stretch of four in a row the Dawgs play away from Sanford Stadium. The Razorbacks have seen their fair share of issues over the past few years, with the Bobby Petrino scandal, followed by a truly horrendous season last year. With Bret Bielema at the helm, this year’s team could show some progress, but this year can be chalked up to rebuilding, no matter what even the most optimistic supporters say. After giving up nearly 500 yards per game last year, the Razorbacks welcome a new defensive staff, but it won’t be enough to knock off Georgia this year. Dawgs win on the road.
Prediction: Georgia 35-21
Record: 7-0 (5-0 in SEC)
November 1st – vs Florida (Jacksonville, FL), 3:30 p.m. EDT, CBS
Here it is – the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party. This is the game both teams circle on the schedule each year. Ever since Will Muschamp – who played for the Dawgs in the early 90’s – took over in Gainesville, the Gators have not been able to find a way to best Mark Richt’s squad. Last year may have been the worst of the worst for the Gators, who managed just 25 total offensive touchdowns all season. This year’s Gator offense will likely be much improved, with Kurt Roper taking over as offensive coordinator. But can QB Jeff Driskel bring Florida back to the Promised Land? After an injury-shortened 2013 campaign, he returns ready to try. Expect a good game, but Georgia will come out on top for the fourth year in a row.
Prediction: Georgia 24-21
Record: 8-0 (6-0 in SEC)
November 8th – at Kentucky, TBD Time, TBD Network
Kentucky has long been the laughing stock of the SEC, but Mark Stoops has the program on the rise, and this game could pose a serious threat to the Dawgs, as they play their fourth straight road game. If you’re looking for the definition of a trap game, this is it. Georgia faces an Auburn squad the following week that will likely be in the Top 10. With a stronger offense centered on talented RBs and an improved defense, Kentucky is a dangerous team. If the Dawgs aren’t careful, they’ll be leaving Lexington with a letdown. I don’t think Richt will let that happen this year. Georgia wins and clinches the SEC East.
Prediction: Georgia 27-21
Record: 9-0 (7-0 in SEC)
November 15th – vs Auburn, TBD time, TBD network
With three games left on the schedule, the UGA-Auburn game will feel like a de facto playoff to the College Football Playoff. Following a brutal loss to Auburn last year that will stick with Georgia fans for years to come, the Dawgs will come into this game with an undefeated record and a chance to put that heartbreak in the rearview mirror. One thing working against Auburn this year is they no longer have the element of surprise, but that doesn’t mean they won’t continue to dominate the competition. Expect this game to be an entertaining battle between two top-10 teams (likely under the lights “Between the Hedges”), but Auburn’s vaunted offense will be too good for a young Georgia defense.
Prediction: Auburn 38-31
Record: 9-1 (7-1 in SEC)
November 22nd – vs Charleston Southern, Time TBD, Network TBD
After a disappointing loss to Auburn, Georgia needs to remember that its season is not over. Sitting at 9-1, and likely still in the top 10, the Dawgs will be in good shape with an appearance in Atlanta slated for early December to take on the SEC West champion – likely a rematch with Auburn. Charleston Southern comes at a good time for the Dawgs, as they will pose little threat to them heading into their battle with in-state “rival” Georgia Tech. Expect Georgia to take its anger out on an inferior opponent.
Prediction: Georgia 48-7
Record: 10-1 (7-1 in SEC)
November 29th – vs Georgia Tech, Time TBD, Network TBD
The Georgia-Georgia Tech rivalry is known as Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate, but the hate generally exists more in Atlanta than it does in Athens. Last year, Georgia Tech led the Dawgs 20-0 in Hutson Mason’s first start. Their offense was clicking on all cylinders, and it looked like the Jackets would add to the misery Georgia faced last season. But Huston Mason and Todd Gurley picked up the Dawgs in a relatively miraculous comeback in 2OT, handing Georgia Tech its 12th loss in the last 14 games in this series since the turn of the century. Ouch. This year, Paul Johnson’s squad will continue to try and take down Georgia with its triple-option offense. They replace Vad Lee at QB, and have some question marks on defense after losing six starters. Georgia Tech will take a step back this year, and Georgia will take advantage.
Prediction: Georgia 35-21
Record: 11-1 (7-1 in SEC)
The ceiling for this year’s Georgia team is as high as it can be, as they truly have the talent to go all the way (as Dawg fans seem to hear every year…). With a talented QB in Hutson Mason looking to make a statement in his one year of eligibility, couple with the sour taste left from last season, Georgia will achieve many of its goals, taking down Auburn in the SEC Championship – a rematch of a close meeting just three weeks earlier – and heading into the College Football Playoff as a two seed behind the likely undefeated Pac-12 champion. Could Georgia hoist the brand new College Football Playoff trophy this year? Absolutely. The sky is the limit for this team.
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