The University of Georgia’s recent football history can be summed up in four simple words: Good but not great.
The Bulldogs have won at least eight games 13 seasons running and claimed two SEC titles over the last eight years, but, alas, no national title.
And that’s the argument that Georgia critics will continue to use against the Bulldogs whenever their place in the college football hierarchy is discussed.
In fact, an
Orlando Sentinel columnist recently called Georgia the most overrated program of all time.
With Georgia starting a new quarterback and breaking in a new defense, it’s safe to say UGA’s next national title won’t come this year.
The Bulldogs look like an eight-win team, which is well, good but not great.
Here’s a game-by-game breakdown of how the year will play out:
•Georgia vs. Louisiana-Lafayette: The Bulldogs will play it close to the vest in the opener, settling for a lot of Blair Walsh field goals.
Georgia 33, Louisiana-Lafayette 14
•Georgia at South Carolina: Georgia has narrowly escaped the Gamecocks the last two years, and the luck runs out this time.
South Carolina 27, Georgia 14
•Georgia vs. Arkansas: Coming off a disappointment against Carolina, Murray breaks out against the Hogs, and Georgia will play just enough defense to contain Ryan Mallet.
Georgia 30, Arkansas 27
•Georgia at Mississippi State: The trip to “Starkvegas” has all the makings of a disaster. Mississippi State came within inches of upsetting LSU last year and hung with Florida. Georgia survives, barely.
Georgia 17, Mississippi St. 14
•Georgia at Colorado: A cross-country, high-altitude trip to Boulder will be arduous — even if Colorado isn’t that good.
Georgia 20, Colorado 7
•Georgia vs. Tennessee: Vince Dooley’s son, Derek, comes to Athens wearing Vol orange, having heisted Georgia’s top recruit in February. Oh yeah, Georgia also lost 45-19 last year to Tennessee. Dogs get payback.
Georgia 24, Tennessee 14
•Georgia vs. Vanderbilt: The Bulldogs historically underwhelm against the Commodores but should have enough athletes to get by Vandy.
Georgia 31, Vanderbilt 17
•Georgia at Kentucky: Since beating the Wildcats 45-13 in 2005, this series has turned into one big struggle for Georgia, including two losses (2006 and 2009). Dogs win a tough one.
Georgia 21, Kentucky 20
•Georgia vs. Florida: Next.
Florida 34, Georgia 7
•Georgia vs. Idaho St.: Barring the worst day in the history of Georgia athletics, the Bulldogs beat Division I-AA Idaho State, which is 2-21 the past two seasons.
Georgia 40, Idaho St. 13
•Georgia at Auburn: Watch out for the War Eagles. Auburn may be even better equipped on offense with expelled Florida quarterback Cameron Newton at the controls. Georgia isn’t beating Auburn five years in a row either.
Auburn 34, Georgia 20
•Georgia vs. Georgia Tech: As long as Paul Johnson is the Jackets’ coach, there will be a lot of back-and-forth in this series. Georgia won last year. This time, it’s Tech’s turn.
Georgia Tech 28, Georgia 21
•Regular season record: 8-4
•Bowl: Outback
Ben Munro is a reporter for The Jackson Herald.
