Game by game: How UGA will go 11-1 and win the SEC East
Spoiler alert: This will be Georgia's lone regular-season loss. (Photo courtesy of The State)
Sept. 1, Buffalo, noon. Last year’s opener was against the Boise State Broncos, and for Georgia it didn’t go well. This year’s opener brings the Buffalo Bulls (not to be confused with the Buffalo Bills) to Sanford Stadium. This should work out rather better. The Bulls were 3-9 last season, 2-10 in 2010. They played Tennessee in October and lost by three touchdowns, and the Vols wound up 5-7. In sum, no sweat. Bulldogs win.
Sept. 8, at Missouri, 7:45 p.m. Sweat will be required in Week 2. This is the Tigers’ inaugural game in their new conference, and Memorial Stadium, forecasts coach Gary Pinkel, “will be pretty cramped.” Mizzou has lost only one home game the past two seasons, that to No. 4 Oklahoma State last year. In 2010 it beat No. 1 Oklahoma in Columbia. This is a very dangerous and losable game for the visitors. That said … Bulldogs win.
Sept. 15, Florida Atlantic, 7:30 p.m. A less dangerous game. The Owls were 1-11 last season. Their first three games were against Florida, Michigan State and Auburn — all of which Georgia would play, two of which it would beat. Florida Atlantic lost the three games by an aggregate 98 points. Not much else to say about this one except that FAU’s coach is Carl Pelini, whose older brother Bo coaches Nebraska. Bulldogs win.
Sept. 22, Vanderbilt, TBA. The lasting memory of last season’s Georgia-Vandy game was of Bulldogs defensive coordinator Todd Grantham’s postgame squabble with Commodores coach James Franklin. The Bulldogs nearly squandered a 16-point lead, and Franklin wasn’t pleased with Georgia’s decorum. Franklin got mileage out of his we’re-nobody’s-doormat message, but now his team must play in Athens. Bulldogs win.
Sept. 29, Tennessee, TBA. Big year for the Volunteers. Bigger year for coach Derek Dooley, who’ s 11-14 at Tennessee, 4-12 in SEC play. The Vols already will have played North Carolina State at the Georgia Dome and Florida at Neyland Stadium, so there’s a chance they could be ranked when they arrive in Athens. There’s also a chance they could be 2-2 and playing to stay above .500. If so, the Dooley Watch will be on. Bulldogs win.
Oct. 6, at South Carolina, TBA. Both teams should exit September unbeaten. (South Carolina has a tricky Thursday night opener at Vanderbilt.) Both should be ranked in/near the top five. South Carolina beat Georgia in Columbia in 2010 and won the SEC East, beat Georgia in Athens last season and didn’t win the East. Gamecocks fans are convinced theirs was the better team in 2011. A big-time game in a big-time setting. Bulldogs lose.
Oct. 20, at Kentucky, TBA. With its front-loaded schedule, Georgia benefits from a week off. It also benefits from having to resume hostilities against Kentucky, which has stalled under Joker Phillips. The UK alum is 4-12 in SEC play, 11-14 overall. Coming off its loss to South Carolina, Georgia again is in the position of having to win out in SEC play and hope the Gamecocks stumble twice. They did last season. Bulldogs win.
Oct. 27, Florida (in Jacksonville), 3:30 p.m. Under Mark Richt, Georgia has never beaten Florida two years running. (Then again, Georgia under Richt has beaten the Gators only three times.) But he is 1-0 against Will Muschamp, which is semi-significant. Richt was 0-1 against former Florida coaches Steve Spurrier, Ron Zook and Urban Meyer. Muschamp might well get it going against his alma mater, but not just yet. Bulldogs win.
Nov. 3, Ole Miss, TBA. How bad were the Rebels in 2011? They were 2-10 overall, 0-8 in SEC play. They lost to LSU and Alabama by the collective score of 104-10. They lost to Vanderbilt, long the standard for SEC misery, by 23 points. They lost to Kentucky by 17. They lost to Mississippi State, itself a raging disappointment, by four touchdowns. But they have a new coach, having gone from a Nutt (Houston) to a Freeze (Hugh). Bulldogs win.
Nov. 10, at Auburn, TBA. In Gene Chizik’s first three seasons at Auburn, he won a BCS championship while compiling a losing record against Alabama, LSU, Arkansas and Georgia. The Tigers have new offensive and defensive coordinators, Scot Loeffler having replaced Gus Malzahn and Brian VanGorder (formerly of UGA, Georgia Southern and the Falcons) having succeeded Ted Roof. There is as yet no replacement for Cam Newton. Bulldogs win.
Nov. 17, Georgia Southern, TBA. This could either be a great or a grievous bit of scheduling. On the one hand, Georgia could have just clinched the SEC East title at Auburn and might be ripe for the picking, and the Eagles won’t bring anything short of maximum effort. On the other, playing Georgia Southern should help the Bulldogs prepare for their next game, coach Jeff Monken having apprenticed under Paul Johnson. Bulldogs win.
Nov. 24, Georgia Tech, TBA. The first three meetings between Georgia and the Johnson-coached Tech were ferocious. Last season was a relative snooze. Playing without its best backs, Georgia still won easily. That seemed an indication that a narrowed gap — before Johnson arrived, Georgia under Richt had never lost to Tech — has again begun to widen. We’ll see this year if that was the cold truth or a red herring. Bulldogs win.
By Mark Bradley
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242 comments Add your comment
WDE
August 26th, 2012
2:15 pm
@whiskey breath why don’t you give the race baiting a rest….
bubba4dawgs
August 26th, 2012
2:18 pm
I’m going with the DAWGS vs. SC this time! They shoulda won last year save for one no block against none other than Clowney! Kenarious, this is your time to shine and keep that beast on the other side of the line! DAWGS are better than last year and better than SC. Plenty of RB’s to not miss IC. GO DAWGS!!
Douglas
August 26th, 2012
2:19 pm
For those of you who keep whining about UGA’s schedule, just shut up. We are tired of hearing about it. We had one of the toughest schedules a few years ago when we had to play Bama and LSU — did you whine then? No. So just shut your trap. If you can’t, let me buy you a pacifer to put in your mouth so you will shut up and stop crying. The SEC East used to be tougher than the SEC West — now it’s not — it goes in cycles.
GATiger
August 26th, 2012
2:20 pm
Bradley wrote another column titled, “How the Falcons will go 12-4 and reclaim the NFC South title”. That should put his 11-1 pojection for UGA in perspective.
Red Stick
August 26th, 2012
2:23 pm
@WDE, my concern with LSU is with the pass defense. Losing the Honeybadger forces the Tigers to start a true or RS freshman at corner. Loston, a former 5 star safety, has been battling injuries since he’s been at LSU and he’s hurt agian. If he’s not a go, then another inexperienced player will be in his place. My biggest concern is our LB corp. We lost 2 starters but have Kevin Minter back as a returning starter and Barrow who started some games last year. We have 3 very talented true freshman that will be playing alot there but that’s a concern.
Losing the HB was a big loss but our offense should be much better so we shouldn’t have to depend on getting good field position from our special teams. I think the defense will be good but not quite like last year’s bunch. Our punter and FG specialist return and they are among the best in the nation.
Overall: offense is much better, defense not quite as good but solid and special teams are really good.
LSU could be undefeated by the time Bama visits on Nov 3. But Auburn, SC and Florida could upset us if we aren’t ready to play.
Geaux Tigers
Go SEC
USC Forever To Thee
August 26th, 2012
2:23 pm
Any team that plays at the Willie B this year will experience so much noise they won’t be able to hear themselves fart. Uga and others have no idea of what excitement they will witness on the field and in the stands. You won’t be able to stand it. The Gamecocks and fans are so pumped this year. The team is cohesive, coached well, and what uga has not been in several years, A TEAM. This is our year, mark it down. We will have some games that will be close as no season is perfect. Uga will be a close game, but Cocks will win. Vandy will be a nail biter Thursday night and wonder about Missouri. They are out to impress. LSU could go either way, so will see. Garnet and Black comes to Atlanta in December. Playing in early October vs the traditional 2nd game of the season will be interesting. Both teams should be hitting their stride by Oct. 6th USCe 21 – dawgs 14.
LogicalUS
August 26th, 2012
2:36 pm
“Georgia 35 SC 21.I’m calling it”
Bahahahahahhaa….delusional nonsense and the reason that college football fans laugh at UGA fans so much.
UGA hasn’t scored 35 pts TOTAL over the past 5 trips to Columbia but this below average OL, no RB, possession WR and Turnover happy QB is going to score 40? Bahahahahahaa…
UGA is averaging 9pts a game in Columbia with better talent that his average bunch so SC handles UGA by at least 10 or more.
UGA fans will then become huge SEC West fans so that they can get backed into SECCG again…so let me start the cheers…
Geaux Tigers!!!
LogicalUS
August 26th, 2012
2:40 pm
Delusional…
I'm flying a Georgia Tech flag right now
August 26th, 2012
2:42 pm
# 1 offense in the ACC
# 2 rushing attack in the nation
Defense wins Titles
August 26th, 2012
2:50 pm
Coach Richt, You know this fact. Georgia has never, will never lose to usc chickens three years in a row. Heck they are lucky to beat Georgia even once in a row. Lou Holtz beat us two years in a row and later got caught for cheating. Cheating Chicken Chits. They have to be cheating now also. sos is also recruiting Georgia harder than any state. He is trying to beat us with our own states players. Them and clempscum. Put up a fence around Georgia Coach. It will keep your job and keep our enemies down. Go Dawgs. No Way Dawgs lose to usuc.
GTBob
August 26th, 2012
3:18 pm
Looking at UGA’s schedule, it shouldn’t be possible for UGA to lose to anyone on their schedule except South Carolina. This is kind of a boring year for them. No real big games.
tigerfan
August 26th, 2012
3:27 pm
That second game against Mizzou in Columbia will be a L
Ward Gailey
August 26th, 2012
3:29 pm
Let’s go, Gamecocks! I’d rather seem the cocks beat the dawgs even more than Clemson.
Highly Respected Southern Troll
August 26th, 2012
3:31 pm
Georgia’s schedule isn’t as easy as everyone seems to believe. They’ll lose two SEC games and then get beaten by either Southern or Tech at the end of the season. Do you honestly think that Grantham can handle the flexbone two weeks in a row? Not going to happen.
SportsFan31313
August 26th, 2012
3:36 pm
I believe that the Bulldogs will beat South Carolina this year.
Wow
August 26th, 2012
3:52 pm
Prediction – UGA goes 8-4
Breakdown – Richt still HC – check
Bobo still OC – check
Murray still starting QB – check
Enough said
CHDawg
August 26th, 2012
4:07 pm
These blogs are pretty funny. You have a bunch of CF addicts arguing to the death over strength of schedules before *anybody* knows exactly how good any of the teams are in ‘12; arguing over the scores of games that haven’t been played yet; arguing over everything else imaginable! People are quoting prognosticators who are wrong *every* year…relax boys, SC and Vandy are on TV Thursday and you will be revived! I’m buying into the team–our team, our time, no regrets. That is exactly how I’m running my TIVO player–with reckless abandon. GLTA and let the Big Dawg eat all year–especially the great Cuban food in Miami in January of next year!
Pitbull
August 26th, 2012
4:25 pm
I agree that Georgia needs to toughen up the schedule by booting Tech off the schedule and adding a decent team.
Pitbull
August 26th, 2012
4:29 pm
PS: Coach Richt, you will avoid at least two losses this season if you can find an offensive tackle and a tight end who can protect QB Murray’s blind side.
Watch the film from last year’s games if you need more clarification.
catlady
August 26th, 2012
4:44 pm
I hope you are right, but I predict 6 and 5. We have seen it too much: Georgia is generally over-rated, but reality hits by the 4th or 5th game. 2 and 3 at that point. Gets worse.
chuck
August 26th, 2012
4:57 pm
The best thing about this team is they have some depth despite the low scholarship numbers. We actually have a second team offensive line that can play against many of the teams on this schedule. Richt and Bobo HAVE to develop a killer instinct to blow out teams so the reserves can keep the starters fresh and healthy. That hasn’t been the case in the past.
indianman
August 26th, 2012
5:02 pm
georgia bulldog 12 and 0 for the season
Mark Richt's Goatee
August 26th, 2012
5:11 pm
UGA runs the table, meets LSU in the Dome in DEC and wins that game because there’s no Honey Badger to punt to.
dawg4u
August 26th, 2012
5:23 pm
There is nothing better than talking smack about how our 18 to 22 year olds are gonna whup your 18 to 22 year olds. It all comes down to coaching and recruiting and last time I checked – Saban, Miles, Spurrier and Richt are the four best recruiting coaches in the SEC (now that Meyer is gone and also Petrino). I’m a UGA fan but the last time I checked Saban and Miles have much better teams than anyone else and we could still repeat last year’s SEC East title but until UGA shows me that we can beat the Bama’s and LSU’s then we are still playing second fiddle to the SEC West.!
dawg4u
August 26th, 2012
5:23 pm
Enter your comments here
dawg4u
August 26th, 2012
5:26 pm
Don’t state to strong of an opinion or it will be deleted as my last post was concerning UGA. No finger pointing or vulgarity but no free speech either. Way to go King Bradley!
being realistic
August 26th, 2012
5:35 pm
Dawgs go undefeated.
being realistic
August 26th, 2012
5:39 pm
Lol at gtu fans. You all need to be concerned your own weak arse conference
Sergeant Joe Frida, LAPD
August 26th, 2012
5:42 pm
You people are way too serious…it’s just a football game. I would hate to think what you all do in the off season to “entertain” yourselves. Don’t worry, I’m sure Warden Richt has those thugs under control.
BILLY JACK
August 26th, 2012
5:44 pm
For the last time UGA has nothing to do with conf schedule if South Carolina would have beaten a very avg Auburn team at home last year they would have been eastern champions.Everybody fails to mention that South Carolina didnt play Alabama or LSU last year either.If you go undefeated in the SEC you will play in the national title game regardless.
BILLY JACK
August 26th, 2012
5:49 pm
And to all the nerdy tech fans if we could get your pathetic school off our schedule our strenth of schedule would really go up.
GTBob
August 26th, 2012
5:53 pm
I agree that Georgia needs to toughen up the schedule by booting Tech off the schedule and adding a decent team.
I would donate 10 grand right now if I thought it might help that happen. Our rivalry needed to end a long time ago. Hopefully expansion kills it somehow.
GTBob
August 26th, 2012
5:55 pm
If you go undefeated in the SEC you will play in the national title game regardless.
I honestly think there is a chance that UGA’s schedule could keep them out of the National Championship game if there are two other undefeated teams. It would be similar to Auburn in 2004.
Woofy One
August 26th, 2012
5:58 pm
Let’s just play ball then we will know
GFJacket
August 26th, 2012
6:19 pm
If UGA does not win the SEC East this year, will UGA fans demand a change?
joe in tucker
August 26th, 2012
7:17 pm
Dawgs win it ALL! the rest just shut up and go home!
dawg4u
August 26th, 2012
7:29 pm
Mark I am sorry for my comments. Bad choice of words. I usually enjoy reading most of your columns. I still don’t know why my earlier post was deleted. Enlighten me if you can or if not I still don’t understand why.
dawg4u
August 26th, 2012
7:41 pm
Let’s see – the writer writes an op-ed piece which the reader can comment on and either agree or disagree with the article. If the writer feels a response by a reader is either showing racism or name calling or foul language then the post is subject to being censored or deleted by the writer of the article. The writer therefore has all the power over the readers and responders because he can control which responses are printed or deleted. I guess it really gives you a feeling of power and if that is the case then I am finally figuring this blog thing out. You should be glad that the standards that apply to the readers and responders don’t also apply to the writer. Many years ago it would have but with the newspapers a dying breed – it no longer applies. Sad!
WDE
August 26th, 2012
7:52 pm
@LogicalUS SC had a better team last year and we had to hand them the game…keep talking .
uncledaddy
August 26th, 2012
7:54 pm
Mark Bradley’s future column – “How it was Inevitable for Georgia to Lose to Buffalo”
HardTruth Here
August 26th, 2012
8:35 pm
First off Georgia Southern easy? Really a team ranked #2 pre-season in a division one step lower.. Remember Michigan-Appalation State a few years ago? S.C. Not that easy anymore, UF never easy(It’s still UF) Mizzou at Mizzou ain’t know cake walk, and Please don’t sleep on a Vandy team with a coach that is making people take notice. No cake walk, and to finish this, yes you heard it first Alabama falls to Michigan next Saturday night. Trust me on this one. LSU WE’LL SEE YOU IN DEC, AND WE COMING WITH A NASTY ATTITUDE.
DawgNole
August 26th, 2012
8:38 pm
pvbeachdog
August 26th, 2012
7:39 am
Hey Tampa, stop with the “schedule wins out again” bullcrap….Be a different gator fan and have some class.
___________________
No that would be different alright.
DawgNole
August 26th, 2012
8:46 pm
Thomas Brown
August 26th, 2012
8:04 am
I see South Carolina as 9-4 in a 14-game season.
__________________
Geez, not only can you screw up a blog, but you’re not much in math either.
DawgNole
August 26th, 2012
8:51 pm
NorthGaDawg
August 26th, 2012
10:03 am
You GT fans beat all I have ever seen . . . . Go have another fish fry with your Susan Boyle lookalike coach
_____________________
Susan Boyle lookalike. LOL!
Not bad, NGD, not bad.
DawgNole
August 26th, 2012
9:01 pm
Buzz2011
August 26th, 2012
3:20 am
The Cocks from Columbia have taken the Dogs out three years in a row. This year will make four years in a row as the Cocks win the east easily.
___________________
It’s TWO years in a row–not three. And I thought you Tech guys were supposed to be good in math.
DawgNole
August 26th, 2012
9:06 pm
WDE
August 26th, 2012
12:46 pm
@Predictor lets see how exactly is a Mizzou team that went 3-9 and 2-10 the last two years going to beat UGA.
________________________
Don’t know where you’re getting your numbers, but Mizzou was NOT 3-9 and 2-10 the past two years. Far from it. Do your research before coming on here and making a fool of yourself.
trey
August 26th, 2012
9:16 pm
Are my eyes deceiving me? Are the yellow maggots (both of them) actually on here laughing at OUR schedule?
ROTFLMAO
Has anybody seen THEIR schedule? hahahahahahahahahahahaha
If the maggots can’t be undefeated by the time they play UGA then they need to move to Division 2.
Dawgs beat SC.
But Auburn might pull the upset
DawgNole
August 26th, 2012
9:25 pm
Buzz2011
August 26th, 2012
3:20 am
The Coc*s from Columbia have taken the Dogs out three years in a row. This year will make four years in a row as the Coc*s win the east easily.
______________________
It’s two years in a row–not three. And I thought you Tech guys were supposed to be good in math.
DawgNole
August 26th, 2012
9:27 pm
All kidding aside, road games against Mizzou, SC, fla, and Auburn could easily be Ls. It’s how we do in those 4 that will make or break us this year.
JM
August 26th, 2012
9:28 pm
Georgia loses to Missouri, SC, Florida and Auburn.