Georgia Bulldogs Football: Game-by-Game Predictions for 2012

Many think that one of the greatest benefactors of SEC expansion, at least in the short term, is the University of Georgia.  

There will be no LSU or Alabama on the schedule for 2012, but the Bulldogs do go on the road to kick off conference play against Missouri, and play their usual rivalry games in Florida, Auburn and Georgia Tech. 

Though UGA's schedule isn't as daunting as it has been in recent years, there are still some losable games in the mix.  

Let's take a quick look at each game on the schedule this coming season.  

Buffalo (Sept. 1)

2011 Record: 3-9

The Bulls of Buffalo make their way to Athens to kick off the 2012 season, and they will look for an early upset.  They will be, however, disappointed to find an overpowering Bulldogs squad ready for a fight.  

Buffalo is no pushover, and will pose more of a problem than an FCS opponent, but they simply don't have the talent or coaching to beat an SEC opponent, especially one as talented at Georgia will be this season.

Prediction: Win 

At Missouri (Sept. 8)

2011 Record: 8-5

Missouri will get its first taste of the big time when the Bulldogs travel to Columbia to kick of league play in the Tigers' first ever Southeastern Conference matchup.  

There is no doubt that the 75,000-plus at Faurot Field will be bursting at the seams with anticipation during their SEC debut.  

With a solid coach, a good young quarterback and the entire Mizzou community behind their team, I believe the Dogs will have a tough day on the road.  

Prediction: Loss

Florida Atlantic (Sept. 15)

2011 Record: 1-11

The Owls of FAU will likely be the easiest game on the UGA schedule this next season, and yes, that includes FCS Georgia Southern. 

The Bulldogs will put up video game-like numbers on Florida Atlantic and may even get a chance to rest starters by the second half.  

Dogs roll.  

Prediction: Win

Vanderbilt (Sept. 22)

2011 Record: 6-7

This ain't your mama's Vanderbilt.  James Franklin has seemingly erased the dismal past from his players conscious thought, and has them believing that they can win.  

One advantage UGA has in this game is the fact that it is at home in Sanford Stadium, but after nearly getting taken down by the Commodores last season in Nashville, and with the postgame heated exchanges between players and coaches, a hungry Vandy squad is out for blood.   

Georgia should win this game, but will they?  

Prediction: Loss

Tennessee (Sept. 29)

2011 Record: 5-7

The Volunteers have a lot of work to do to be competitive again in the SEC.  Even with the East down last season, Tennessee didn't even manage a bowl bid.  

This team will continue to struggle in 2012, and as they finish up a three-game homestand, Georgia should have no trouble with Derek Dooley's Vols in Athens.  

Prediction: Win

At South Carolina (Oct. 6)

2011 Schedule: 11-2

The Gamecocks will be talented, well-coached and playing at home when they face the Bulldogs this coming season.  This was also true for Georgia when they got beat in Athens by Carolina last season.  

In what has become one of the most anticipated matchups in all the SEC East on a yearly basis, throw the records and all reasoning out the window.  

Predicting this game is a toss-up, but the Bulldogs will be hungry for revenge this season.  

Prediction: Win

At Kentucky (Oct 20)

2011 Record: 5-7

Kentucky, as always, looks to play spoiler in the SEC East.  They draw Georgia in Lexington this next season, and would love to put the Dogs in their place.

To do that it would take a ton of talent and great preparation, neither of which the Wildcats showed last year, and don't look for that to change much.  

Dogs will roll in the bluegrass state this year. 

Prediction: Win

Florida at Jacksonville (Oct. 27)

2011 Record: 7-6

The Gators will likely be better in 2012, but better than not great still isn't going to make much of a splash in the SEC.  

Georgia is more talented, better coached on both sides of the ball, and has the better quarterback.  The game is usually competitive, but there's no reason the Bulldogs shouldn't beat the Gators this year.  

Prediction: Win

Ole Miss (Nov. 3)

2011 Results: 2-10

Under a troubled Houston Nutt, Ole Miss football was an absolute dumpster fire in 2011.  The Rebel Bears, or whatever they call themselves, managed to beat two mid-majors for a grand total of two wins.  

There's a new sheriff in town, and Hugh Freeze will have the Mississippi program whipped into shape soon, just not soon enough to beat Georgia in November.  

Prediction: Win

At Auburn (Nov. 10)

2011 Record: 8-5

Auburn's defense in 2012 should be better under former UGA defensive head man Brian Van Gorder, good enough to defend the Dogs better than last season.

The problem with Auburn is that nobody is quite sure how the offensive side of things is going to pan out.  Georgia should be able to get enough points on an improved Tigers defense to beat them.  

Don't count Auburn out, but Georgia should win this year's matchup in a close one.  

Prediction: Win

Georgia Southern (Nov. 17)

2011 Record: 11-3

Last season Georgia Southern took the Crimson Tide to the wire in a game that put a little scare in the team that would be the eventual BCS title winner.  

It's no mistake that UGA gets a look at Paul Johnson's offense a week before the Georgia Tech game and it should be a leg up the following week.  

The difference in this game will be defense, and though GSU is good, they simply will not be able to stop the Dogs, at least not enough to win.  

Prediction: Win

Georgia Tech (Nov. 24)

2011 Record: 8-5

Anything can happen in a rivalry game.  Fortunately for the Bulldogs, "Clean Old-Fashioned Hate" has gone their way most of the time over the past 10 seasons.  

The Dogs get a look at the option a week before, but with an improving Tech defense and a senior quarterback, they'll have a tougher time this season with a hungry Jackets squad.

Dogs lose a close one in Athens.  

Prediction: Loss

Predicted Regular-Season Record: 9-3