Kirby Smart might finally be ready to lead the Georgia Bulldogs to their third national championship. It’s been four decades since the Bulldogs last ruled college football, but they have come close a few times in recent years. Smart looks to have his best quarterback yet in USC transfer J.T. Daniels, and this offense flourished with him under center in 2020. Daniels started the last four games of the season and this offense looked much better with him at the helm. The Bulldogs might have the best quarterback in the SEC now, and Georgia can win it all if he can play at a high level given their talent elsewhere.
Georgia Bulldogs Season Win Total
Over 10.5 -117
Under 10.5 -104
Georgia Bulldogs Preview
It’s puzzling why it took so long for J.T. Daniels to get his shot under center. Neither Stetson Bennett IV nor D’Wan Mathis were impressive, and Daniels had starting experience during his time with the Trojans. Regardless, Daniels was clearly the best quarterback in red and white once he got his opportunity. He completed 67.2% of his passes for 1,231 yards (10.3 YPA) with 10 touchdowns and two interceptions in 2020.
The ground game should thrive again with the top five running backs from last fall all back in action for Georgia. All five of the Bulldogs’ ball carriers averaged at least 5.3 YPC, but the two best options were Zamir White and James Cook. White ran for 779 yards and 11 touchdowns as the top option, while Cook was the most explosive runner with a 6.7 YPC average.
Three starters return on the offensive line, and the left side of the line should be fine with tackle Jamaree Salyer and guard Justin Shaffer holding it down. However, the right side of the line is a concern due to underclassmen filling the two-deep.
Losing George Pickens for most, if not all, of the 2021 campaign is a huge blow. Pickens is the team’s most talented receiver, and he was set to have a breakout season with Daniels throwing the ball. He had 12 receptions for 261 yards and three scores in Georgia’s last two games. Kearis Jackson, Jermaine Burton, and LSU transfer Arik Gilbert will have to step up in his absence.
There are few worries about this defense. Georgia stands to have one of the best front sevens in the country. Jordan Davis is a Preseason First Team All-SEC selection and can clog the middle, while several others are ready to make an impact on the defensive line including Devonte Wyatt and Jalen Carter.
Leading tackler Nakobe Dean is back for at least one more season in Athens, and both Quay Walker and Nolan Smith figure to be solid players too. There is a lot of buzz about Adam Anderson, as he had 6.5 sacks opposite Azeez Ojulari last fall.
This secondary is the only unit that might have some problems. Georgia lost its top four cornerbacks this offseason, so the Bulldogs might have a tough time against good quarterbacks. Clemson transfer Derion Kendrick provides some much needed experience, as there are largely freshmen aside from him at the position. Safeties Christopher Smith and Lewis Cine are solid though.
2021 Georgia Bulldogs Schedule
September 4 vs. Clemson*
September 11 vs. UAB
September 18 vs. South Carolina
September 25 @ Vanderbilt
October 2 vs. Arkansas
October 9 @ Auburn
October 16 vs. Kentucky
October 30 vs. Florida*
November 6vs. Missouri
November 13 @ Tennessee
November 20 vs. Charleston Southern
November 27 @ Georgia Tech
Georgia Bulldogs Win Total Prediction
This is a manageable schedule for the Bulldogs. They don’t have tough back-to-back games as we have seen in years’ past, as the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry with Auburn has been moved from November to early October.
Georgia’s three toughest games will be neutral site tilts against Clemson and Florida and a road trip to Auburn. The Bulldogs play the weakest team in the SEC West (Arkansas) in their other cross-division game, and the only tough road game is in Auburn.
Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs have a chance to run the table, but they are underdogs to Clemson in the season opener and might be underdogs against both Auburn and Florida. This team can’t afford another loss if Georgia loses the season opener to Clemson, so it’s tough to bet the over.
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