With this being the first ever ugadawgspot blog post, I thought that the best place to start would be with a breakdown of the upcoming 2009-10 Georgia Football schedule. And for entertainment's sake, I'll give my predictions for each game of the regular season.
1. 9/5 @ Stillwater, OK vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys- this has all of the hype (and then some) of the season opener "between the hedges" in 2007. I believe both teams are better than they were we they last played each other. OK state has a very explosive and balanced offense and Georgia has a lot of depth and experience on the defensive side of the ball. I do think the Cowboys offense will do more than they did in 2007, however I think, once again their defense is going to get gashed by the playmakers that UGA has at WR and TE. I'm looking for Orson Charles, Marlon Brown, and Rontavious Wooten to all contribute early on offense for the Dawgs. The defensive front for Georgia is just too strong for OK state and will control the line of scrimmage and set the tone for the defense as a whole. I think the homefield advantage worked for the Dawgs in Sanford Stadium in 2007, but I don't see UGA being affected at all by their surroundings in this match-up. New stadium or not, Georgia is 30-4 in true road games under Mark Richt.
My Prediction: Georgia 30 OK State 21
2. 9/12 @ home vs. South Carolina Gamecocks- This game is always a low scoring affair and the Gamecocks usually play better against UGA than any other opponent all season long. But, even their best shouldn't be enough this year to hold off the Dawgs in their first home game. Too many questions for the SC offense, particularly QB and RB.
My Prediction: Georgia 14 USC 10
3. 9/19 @ Fayetteville, AR vs. Arkansas Razorbacks- I know a lot of the t.v. analysts are saying that this will be the trap game for Georgia this season. They say that it's likely, due to travel, that they could stumble and possibly overlook Arkansas and lose a crucial SEC battle. I really don't see that happening. Ryan Mallett does look like a big man with a big arm, but he's unproven as a starting QB in the SEC. Mark Richt will have the Dawgs well rested and prepared when it comes gametime in Fayetteville.
My Prediction: Georgia 27 Arkansas 13
4. 9/26 @ home vs. Arizona State Sun Devils- This game should not be nearly as much of a big deal as it was last year. Partly because Georgia proved last year that they can and will travel far and wide to take on a team on their home field by beating up on Arizona State 27-10 in Tempe. With the loss of Rudy Carpenter, the star QB for the Sun Devils, many questions remain in the starting lineup for the starting QB position. I don't think Arizona State will enjoy their trip to Athens as much as Georgia enjoyed theirs out west.
My Prediction: Georgia 30 ASU 10
5. 10/3 @ home vs. Louisiana State Tigers- Last season the boys in Red and Black strolled into Red Stick country and showed a whole lot of people why they are one of the best road teams in the nation. Georgia came away with the victory in a high scoring game of back and forth football with the final score being 52-38. I do think LSU will give Georgia some trouble this year with the emergence of Jordan Jefferson at QB, who helped to destroy Georgia Tech in the 2008 Chick-Fil-A bowl 38-3. I'm still not sold on the LSU express (four DE set). It really didn't do much to deter Knowshon Moreno from running the ball all over them last year. This game will be tough for Georgia, but I do think that it is definitely winnable. They have to play the entire 60 min. and not let up like they did in big losses last season.
My Prediction: Georgia 27 LSU 24
6. 10/10 @ Knoxville, TN vs. Tennessee Volunteers- UT will have a good defense this year, just as they usually do. Eric Berry, star Safety for UT, will definitely make some noise in the secondary, but as far as noise on the offensive side of the ball, I'm just not sure that they have anyone who is capable of stepping up against the powerful Georgia defense. Lane Kiffin sure has made some noise of his own this offseason. In my opinion, talk is cheap. He's got a lot to learn as a head coach in the SEC.
My Prediction: Georgia 24 UT 17
7. 10/17 @ Nashville, TN vs. Vanderbilt Commodores- Not much to say about this one. They, like South Carolina, plays the Dawgs pretty tough. But, I think they are still a few years away from competing with the elite SEC teams.
My Prediction: Georgia 17 Vandy 7
{{10/24 Bye Week}}
8. 10/31 @ Jacksonville, FL vs. Florida Gators- I want to think positively and hope for an upset in the annual Cocktail Party, but I just don't see any way that that's going to happen. Tim Tebow and Brandon Spikes will likely be high picks in the NFL draft next year. Until then, it seems like their will be much of the same for this rivalry game.
My Prediction: Georgia 14 Florida 41
9. 11/07 @ home vs. Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles- This is pretty much the only "cupcake" that Georgia has scheduled this season. This should provide a much needed confidence booster for the rest of the season after the bad taste that the Florida game will inevitably leave.
My Prediction: Georgia 44 TTU 13
10. 11/14 @ home vs. Auburn Tigers- Known as the "Deep South's Oldest Rivalry", this game is a great example of two SEC teams battling for bragging rights and a potential trip to Atlanta for the SEC championship. I don't think Georgia will need the black jerseys to pull this one out.
My Prediction: Georgia 31 AU 20
11. 11/21 @ home vs. Kentucky Wildcats- Last season the Wildcats gave UGA quite a scare up in Lexington. Georgia squeaked by 42-38 in a see-saw battle. Randall Cobb gave Willie Martinez fits last year and showed that he could be a versatile and mobile QB. By this point in the season, Georgia will be tired and weary. But, I believe they'll bow their necks and play that junkyard dawg defense of years past to win in Athens this year.
My Prediction: Georgia 23 UK 17
12. 11/28 @ Atlanta, GA vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets- Well, what did we learn in last season's in state rivalry game? No, shoulder tackles don't slow down a 240 lb. RB. No, being in your home stadium doesn't guarantee a win. We also learned that it takes every player on the field to be aware and play every down as if the outcome of the game is riding on it. Against GT in 2008, Georgia played 3 quarters and didn't show up at all, on defense, for one of them. You'd think scoring 42 points against any team would get you a win. Well, not against the triple option of Paul Johnson apparently. Last year specifically, Willie Martinez had problems defending the option schemes (i.e. Florida, Kentucky, GT). I'm not convinced that given all the time in the world, Willie Martinez (defensive cord.) could stop the triple option. I hate to say it, but Tech's got our number.
My Prediction: Georgia 21 GT 41
Final Prediction: This may be wishful thinking for Georgia to go 10-2 and be back in the dome playing for an SEC title, but if they stay focused and play Georgia football, the way it's supposed to be played, anything is possible.
GO DAWGS!!!
