Georgia Bulldogs Football Preview Predictions and 2011 Schedule
After opening the year with a 55-7 win over UL LAfayette the Georgia Bulldogs proceeded to lose 4 straight, losing close Games to South Carolina, Arkansas, Miss State and Colorado. They had to play their first 4 Games without star wide receiver A.J. Greene, not just the best receiver in school history, but one of the most talented wide receivers to come down the pike in recent college football history. Many attribute that suspension, for selling an autographed jersey, to the downfall of Georgia last season. They went 5-3 their last 8 and earned a Liberty Bowl appearaNCe against UCF, where they lost 10-6.
In 2011, aside from having to replace Greene, they also have to replace key starters on both sides of the ball, particularly offense, but they do return QB Aaron Murray. Defensively they return 7 starters from a unit that was 23rd in total defense giving up just 22 points per Game and ranking 17th in the nation against the pass. They also finished +10 in turnovers ranking 19th in the nation in that category.
Certainly there is plenty to build on. The Georgia program isn’t used to 6 win seasons. Over the last decade their records show 10, 11 and even 13 win seasons. In fact, last years 6 win season was the worst of the last 10 seasons.
We’ll have a great idea of just where Mark Richt’s Bulldogs stand very early on as Georgia opens up against Boise State and then hosts SEC rival South Carolina in their 2nd Game. After those first two Games, every Game the rest of the way is a winnable Game. In fact, the Boise State and South Carolina Games are winnable as well. Georgia is a program that recruits well and will always have talent. While they had their worst year of the decade last year, no one but eventual National Champs Auburn was able to beat Georgia by a wide margin. They were in every Game they played.
The fact that they were competitive every time they took the field a year ago will likely present us with some nice spots to take a close look at Georgia this year from a betting perspective. Particularly September 10th when they host South Carolina. They’ll get a chance for revenge for last year’s 17-6 loss and you can expect added emphasis on the Gamecocks who most believe will be one of the top SEC teams in 2011.
In fact, all of Georgia’s chances for revenge will come at home this year as they also host Miss State and Auburn. There other revenge Game come with the annual Florida Game, played at a neutral site in Jacksonville.
Bottom Line? Despite suffering losses particularly on the offensive side of the ball, Georgia should be a contender in the SEC this year and has the potential to win 10+ Games. No question Georgia goes bowling and it will likely be a late December or early January Game.
2011 Georgia Bulldogs Football Schedule
9-3-11 Boise State @Atlanta, GA
9-10-11 SOUTH CAROLINA
9-17-11 COASTAL CAROLINA
9-24-11 at Mississippi
10-1-11 MISSISSIPPI STATE
10-8-11 at Tennessee
10-15-11 at Vanderbilt
10-29-11 vs. Florida @Jacksonville, FL
11-5-11 NEW MEXICO STATE
11-12-11 AUBURN
11-19-11 KENTUCKY
11-26-11 at Georgia Tech