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Georgia Football: Game-by-game predictions for 2017

By Ryan T. Smith

ATHENS, GA - NOVEMBER 12: Quarterback Jacob Eason #10 of the Georgia Bulldogs throws a pass during their game against the Auburn Tigers at Sanford Stadium on November 12, 2016 in Athens, Georgia. The Georgia Bulldogs defeated the Auburn Tigers 13-7. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)
ATHENS, GA - NOVEMBER 12: Quarterback Jacob Eason #10 of the Georgia Bulldogs throws a pass during their game against the Auburn Tigers at Sanford Stadium on November 12, 2016 in Athens, Georgia. The Georgia Bulldogs defeated the Auburn Tigers 13-7. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images) /
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ATHENS, GA – NOVEMBER 26: J. J. Green #28 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets gets set for a collision with Aaron Davis #35 of the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium on November 26, 2016 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATHENS, GA – NOVEMBER 26: J. J. Green #28 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets gets set for a collision with Aaron Davis #35 of the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium on November 26, 2016 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Ask any UGA fan what the team’s biggest game is this season, and they’ll likely respond with the regular season finale. That’s not necessarily because it carries the biggest implications, but because it carries the most emotional weight. Not only is it a bitter rivalry game, but things got heated last year after the Yellow Jackets toppled the Bulldogs in Athens and tore up parts of the hedges in celebration.

More: Georgia Football: Isaac Nauta is Bulldogs’ secret star for 2017

Rest assured, the Dawgs will be headed to Atlanta with revenge on their minds. Will they pull off the road win? That’s a harder question to answer. The Jackets return a lot from last season’s nine-win team, but also lose do-everything quarterback Justin Thomas.

It’s a safe assumption that Tech’s triple option offense will be clicking behind Thomas’ to-be-named successor at this point in the season, but the Jackets’ defense was prone to surrendering big plays in 2016, which is not an attribute that leads to success against the likes of Eason and Nauta.

In the end, this game will come down to Chubb and Michel, the two NFL-caliber running backs who opted to come back to school in part because of this game. The Dawgs write a fairy tale ending for their two super seniors with a thrilling comeback win, ending the regular season at a remarkable 10-2.

Next: College Football: Top 50 breakout candidates for 2017

Final Score: Georgia 23, Georgia Tech 20 (10-2, 7-1 SEC) 

If the Dawgs’ season does in fact play out like this, they’ll be facing a likely top-five foe in the SEC Championship Game (one would assume Alabama, but Auburn could make things interesting). With a win, would UGA be headed to the program’s first ever College Football Playoff? It’s very possible. Either way, a ten-win season and a division title would be a marvelous step forward in Kirby Smart’s second year, no matter the team’s postseason fate.

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