Georgia Football: Bulldogs 2017 season preview and predictions
2017 Schedule
| WEEK | DATE | OPPONENT | LOCATION |
| 1 | Sept. 2 | vs. Appalachian State | Athens, GA |
| 2 | Sept. 9 | at Notre Dame | South Bend, IN |
| 3 | Sept. 16 | vs. Samford | Athens, GA |
| 4 | Sept. 23 | vs. Mississippi State | Athens, GA |
| 5 | Sept. 30 | at Tennessee | Knoxville, TN |
| 6 | Oct. 7 | at Vanderbilt | Nashville, TN |
| 7 | Oct. 14 | vs. Missouri | Athens, GA |
| 8 | Oct. 21 | OFF | |
| 9 | Oct. 28 | vs. Florida | Jacksonville, FL |
| 10 | Nov. 4 | vs. South Carolina | Athens, GA |
| 11 | Nov. 11 | at Auburn | Auburn, AL |
| 12 | Nov. 18 | vs. Kentucky | Athens, GA |
| 13 | Nov. 25 | at Georgia Tech | Atlanta, GA |
Final thoughts
The Dawgs could easily take the first four games of the season, but Appalachian State is never a cupcake game. The Mountaineers always give their opponents a challenge, so expect a few nail biting and head-shaking moments in this one.
ESPN FPI has Notre Dame as a favorite over the Georgia in week two, but I don’t think that there is any way the Irish can take on the Dawgs on either side of the ball. Their quarterback situation is iffy and their defense is terrible. Samford and Mississippi will be cupcakes this year.
Where UGA will struggle is in midseason. They take on Tennessee, Vandy, and Missouri in a brutal three-week stretch. Both history and the Dawg’s own tendencies to self-destruct may work against them. We can opine that the Dawgs will lose at least one of these games, and probably the one we’d least expect. Georgia has a marked tendency to lose to teams that they should readily beat. This year, it might be Missouri. They may beat Tennessee, but it is going to be close.
The game that will change the season for the Dawgs will, of course, be Florida. That game never has anything to do with talent or with records–it’s all about emotion, and emotions run high at this one. Since both teams are running with full-throttle defenses this year it’s going to be a brutal, physical matchup. If it comes down to the offensive line, UGA has the edge, but only slightly.
Auburn will also be a nasty one for the Dawgs. The game is at home for Auburn this year and the Tigers will be looking for some revenge after their loss in Athens last year. They’ll be gunning for the Dawgs in preparation for the Iron Bowl two weeks later. I think Georgia will go down to Mizzou, Florida and Auburn but will take the SEC East anyway.
Prediction: 10-3
Georgia should start the season 4-0 mainly through the talents of a powerhouse defense. Their offense will gain confidence by beating Tennessee and Notre Dame at home, but they won’t be able to take down Florida. Missouri may account for the second loss but they’ll come back with a vengeance to beat Kentucky, Georgia Tech, and South Carolina. Despite a loss to Florida, the Gators will lose to Tennessee and lock up a spot for the Dawgs in the SEC East title game.