There’s a new leader on the sidelines for Georgia heading into 2016.
The question is, will Kirby Smart find success in his first season? That’s what we’re here to find out.
With the season only several weeks away, it’s time to roll through Georgia’s schedule and predict how things will shake out for the Bulldogs.
Let’s jump right in.
vs. North Carolina (Sept. 3 in Atlanta, GA)
What a great game to start the season. Both of these teams seem pretty even.
One glaring difference is that the Tar Heels know exactly what they’ll be getting from Mitch Trubisky at quarterback, while Georgia may be going back and forth on Greyson Lambert and Jacob Eason.
Admittedly, I changed this pick multiple times before publishing.
But I settled on North Carolina winning this game. The Tar Heels will be further along on offense at this point, and Georgia will still be working out a few tweaks on defense.
Prediction: Loss (0-1, 0-0 SEC)
vs. Nicholls State (Sept. 10)
You really hope that Nicholls State doesn’t overlook Georgia. After all, the Colonels have a huge showdown with Incarnate Word the following week.
Nicholls State won three games in 2015 and went winless in 2014.
You know the pick.
Prediction: Win (1-1, 0-0 SEC)
at Missouri (Sept. 17)
Some people seem to think that Missouri will be good. I’m not one of those people.
The Tigers took a hit to their defensive line when head coach Barry Odom announced that Walter Brady and Harold Brantley would not be on the team. And then there’s the fact that Missouri’s offense will likely struggle once again.
Georgia wins this game by a few touchdowns.
Prediction: Win (2-1, 1-0 SEC)
at Ole Miss (Sept. 24)
The next two games will define Georgia’s season.
The problem is, without knowing how the quarterback situation will unfold, it’s tough to pick the Bulldogs to go on the road and beat a good Ole Miss team.
I may revisit this pick before the start of the season. For now, the Rebels sneak out the win.
Prediction: Loss (2-2, 1-1 SEC)
vs. Tennessee (Oct. 1)
All eyes are on Butch Jones this season. Tennessee enters the year as the most talented team in the division, but this game won’t be easy.
Obviously, this game will go down to the wire. The Vols will also be coming off a highly emotional victory over Florida the previous week.
I just think Tennessee is the better team and will find a way to win.
Prediction: Loss (2-3, 1-2 SEC)
at South Carolina (Oct. 8)
Playing on the road in the SEC is always tough, but Georgia will be the superior team this season.
Will Muschamp is gonna struggle in year one, and Smart’s defense will dismantle the South Carolina offense.
Prediction: Win (3-3, 2-2 SEC)
vs. Vanderbilt (Oct. 15)
I actually like this matchup for Vandy due to their incredible defense. But back-to-back road trips to Lexington and Athens will be a challenge.
By this point in the season, the Bulldogs should have things settled at quarterback and running back.
This will be closer than the experts think.
Prediction: Win (4-3, 3-2 SEC)
vs. Florida (Oct. 29 in Jacksonville, FL)
The game that Georgia and Florida fans wait for every single season.
The Gators have a lot of question marks on offense. That’s why I see Smart causing all types of havoc with the Georgia defense in this game.
For the first time since 2013, the Bulldogs beat the Gators.
Prediction: Win (5-3, 4-2 SEC)
at Kentucky (Nov. 5)
A tricky game for Smart’s team. It’s sandwiched between rivalry games, so Georgia may be caught looking ahead.
Still, there are way too many concerns about Kentucky’s defense right now.
It’ll be sloppy, but the Bulldogs grind out the win.
Prediction: Win (6-3, 5-2)
vs. Auburn (Nov. 12)
Things are not looking good for Gus Malzahn. He’s clearly on the hot seat entering the year, and he’s already had to dismiss his best running back in Jovon Robinson.
The Tigers won’t have the offensive firepower to win this game.
Prediction: Win (7-3, 6-2 SEC)
vs. UL Lafayette (Nov. 19)
With the SEC grind over, the Bulldogs face an interesting challenge from Ragin’ Cajuns.
This feels like a game that will be closer than it needs to be since UL Lafayette won’t be bad this season. But Georgia wins.
Prediction: Win (8-3, 6-2 SEC)
vs. Georgia Tech (Nov. 26)
Georgia closes out the season with a home game against the Yellow Jackets, which is never an easy matchup thanks to the triple option.
However, the Bulldogs win this one.
Prediction: Win (9-3, 6-2 SEC)
Overall Thoughts
A nine-win season feels right to me. There’s a lot to like about the Bulldogs’ schedule, which certainly helps.
The two biggest questions for Georgia are at quarterback and linebacker. The good news on the latter part is that the Bulldogs won’t face many elite offenses this season.
It may take Smart a little while to get this team into a groove. That’s why I ultimately went with North Carolina winning the season opener.
But with a few bounces going their way in that game, the Bulldogs have the potential to be a 10-2 team this year.
Season Prediction: 9-3 overall, 6-2 SEC
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What are your game-by-game predictions for Georgia this season? Log into Facebook to comment below or hit me up on Twitter (@theblakelovell) to share your thoughts.
Blake Lovell has worked in sports media for over 10 years. He currently covers SEC football and basketball for various publications.