2009 Georgia Schedule and SEC Predictions

2009 brings in a year filled with a lot of question marks for a talented Georgia Bulldogs football team. In looking at UGA's schedule, I will give a short analysis and prediction for each game, followed by my projected end of the year SEC Standings...

@ Oklahoma State- Sure, Oklahoma State averaged 487 yards/game on offense last year, and yes, they return Dez Bryant, Kendall Hunter, and Zac Robinson...but, Oklahoma State did not even finish in the top 50 last year in total defense. Further, not to take anything away from Oklahoma State's potent offense, but conference foe, Oklahoma, similarly put up huge offensive numbers last year, averaging nearly 548 yards/game.  However, when the Sooners played the Gators in the BCS National Championship, they only produced 363 yards of total offense, noticeably down from 548 yards.  I am in no way saying that UGA's defense this year will be as good as Florida's last year, but a trend I am noticing is that the SEC teams play better defense in general than the Big 12 teams.  If Bryan Evans, a UGA cornerback who moved to safety this offseason, finds a home at safety, I expect UGA to silence OSU's offensive attack...at least enough to allow Joe Cox to manage a very talented, but young UGA offense. UGA 35 OSU 24

vs. South Carolina- Assuming UGA beat OSU, they should waltz right into the South Carolina game at Sanford Stadium, right? Not so fast.  While Mark Richt has only lost twice to South Carolina during his previous 8 year tenure at UGA, the average margin of victory against the gamecocks is small.  If someone wanted an NCAA coach to prepare his team for one game, Spurrier would be among the best. And, it seems to me that South Carolina takes UGA a little more seriously than vice versa.  So, expect a monumental struggle in this game for the Bulldogs.  UGA's 2007 loss will be avenged this year, but much closer than people think. UGA 17 USC 14

@ Arkansas- UGA is now 2-0 and probably a top 10 team that has surprised many people at this point, but they now face a very dangerous darkhorse in the Arkansas Razorbacks. Looking back at recent SEC history, top-level coaches, such as Mark Richt, Urban Meyer, and Nick Saban, have done exceptional in their second year as head coaches, as UGA won the Sugar Bowl in 2002, Florida the National Championship in 2006, and Alabama went to the Sugar Bowl during the 2008-2009 season.  Expect the same from Bobby Petrino. After struggling against South Carolina, the Bulldogs will lose to Arkansas on the road. Arkansas 21 UGA 10

vs. Arizona State- Like last year, it will take UGA a little while to get things going against Arizona State, especially after their loss to Arkansas.  UGA will win, but will struggle. UGA 31 Arizona State 24

vs. LSU- After losing to Arkansas, and struggling against Arizona State, UGA should lose to LSU, right? Wrong. While LSU will be a very solid team, and probably undefeated at this point, there is no doubt in my mind they may overlook UGA, looking to the following week's game vs. Florida.  Further, Mark Richt has enjoyed a lot of recent success against LSU, destroying them in 2004, defeating them in the 2005 SEC Championship, and scoring over 50 last year in Baton Rouge. UGA always seems to play better when people don't expect them to. UGA 21 LSU 17

@ Tennessee- Who knows how UT will be fairing at this point under new coach, Lane Kiffin. This game is hard to predict because it will be at Neyland Stadium, where it is usually difficult to win.  I think the Bulldogs will use their momentum off the LSU win and continue to play well, beating UT. UGA 24 UT 13

@ Vanderbilt- Vanderbilt seems to always give SEC teams a hard fight, but fall short. Expect no difference this game. UGA 24 Vandy 21

vs. Florida (Jacksonville)- I'm sorry for a lack of analysis for this game, but is it really worth it? I hate to say it, but it seems the only team that could beat Florida this year will be Florida themselves.  Yes, I think the Bulldogs are talented and able to beat Florida, but I just don't see it. "Some guy" on Florida has a bunch of intangibles. Florida 31 UGA 24

vs. Tennessee Tech- Yea, UGA will be down following the UF loss, but do I really need to say much about this one? It will be the only yawn in UGA's monster of a schedule. UGA 42 Tenn Tech 10

vs. Auburn- Like Tennessee, Auburn represents another rival with a new head coach in Gene Chizik. No one really knows how good Auburn will be.  But, I do know Auburn has some major QB issues. After 3 offensive coordinators, Kodi Burns still isn't the clear cut starter, which represents a problem. Despite the fact that Auburn generally plays well at Sanford Stadium, the Bulldogs have been a thorn to Auburn lately. UGA 31 Auburn 17

@ Kentucky- Rich Brooks has done a great job with Kentucky, and given UGA several scares the last several year, including a win over the Bulldogs in 2006. UGA will struggle, but pull out a victory late. UGA 28 UK 24

@ Georgia Tech- How did Georgia Tech overcome a 28-12 halftime deficit last year vs the Bulldogs? Bad defensive strategy on the part of UGA, and Georgia Tech being more hungry than UGA in the second half. Teams will start to figure out Tech's offensive system and neutralize Dwyer & Co. UGA 38 Tech 31

Capital One Bowl: UGA vs. Penn State, UGA wins 24-21

UGA Finishes 11-2 (6-2 Conference)

Final SEC Standings:

SEC East

1. Florida 2. Georgia 3. South Carolina 4. Kentucky 5. Tennessee 6. Vanderbilt

SEC West

1.Arkansas 2. LSU 3. Alabama 4. Ole Miss 5. Auburn 6. Miss State

SEC & National Champion: Florida (over Arkansas & Ohio State)