Georgia Football: Game-by-game predictions for 2017
Georgia football is entering its second year with Kirby Smart at the helm, but what are expectations for the Bulldogs in 2017?
After a reloading year of sorts under first-year head coach Kirby Smart, there are big-time expectations in Athens for the 2017 season.
The SEC East once again looks ripe for the taking, especially given that former five-star quarterback Jacob Eason has another year of experience under his belt. Add in running backs Nick Chubb and Sony Michel both returning for their senior seasons and a stingy defense, and the Bulldogs have a real shot at double-digit wins.
Here’s how we see the UGA schedule playing out, game-by-game.
Most college football fans don’t need to be reminded of Appalachian State’s propensity to pull upsets over higher-ranked schools. The Mountaineers, of course, knocked off Michigan in the Big House in 2007, but they’ve only been trending upwards since. Just last season, they went 10-3 and nearly beat Tennessee in their season opener.
The Bulldogs can’t look past App State, but Kirby Smart will be sure that his team knows this in advance. The Mountaineers will likely lean on their defense and running game to survive– particularly the legs of Jalin Moore, who was one of two App State players to eclipse 1,000 yards on the ground last season. Their best shot will be to play ball control and keep Eason, Chubb and company off the field.
It may work, for a time. It won’t work for the whole game. The Dawgs’ defensive front will stiffen up in the second half, and Chubb and Michel will give UGA some breathing room down the stretch with a couple of big, late touchdown runs.