Georgia Football: Is 2010 Bowl Eligibility in Danger?

We are four games into the season. There is a lot of football left to be played. However, Georgia fans should worry about making it to a bowl game.

After losing to Mississippi State this past weekend, the Bulldogs find themselves 1-3 and bowl eligibility is in jeopardy. They still have some tough contests against Florida, Auburn, and Georgia Tech. Not to mention they play at Kentucky and host Tennessee. Those are two teams that aren’t doing well, but always give it their all when they play Georgia. Teams are no longer afraid to play Georgia.

In the past two road games, they struggled to find ways to score. Turnovers and penalties prevented Georgia from scoring in both games, but it’s no excuse for a loss. Georgia needs to execute its offense effectively in order to win games and make it to a bowl game. Postseason football should be the goal for every team. Let’s take a look at their remaining schedule and the odds of them making a bowl game this season.

At Colorado

This should be a win. Hey, that’s what everyone thought last week, so there’s no guarantee. The Buffaloes are weak on both sides of the ball. They average 20 points a game and give up an average of 22 points a game. Not a good stat. They rank 68th in rushing yards and 96th in passing. Granted, the Bulldogs rank 86th in rushing, but the Dawgs are more talented and should scrap out a W in Boulder.

Vs. Tennessee

Both teams are off to bad starts, and this noon game will be a tough one to watch. Tennessee can feel happy about their season if they can manage to beat Georgia. The Bulldogs might want to quit all together if they drop one to UT.

This is always a tough close game, and the fact that both teams are horrible this year doesn’t make it any better. But, because this is at home, I have to give the edge to Georgia. Not to mention: double OT against UAB. 

Vs. Vanderbilt

The homecoming game should never be a loss. The Vandy game is also likely to be Uga VIII’s debut. Yes, Vandy beat Ole Miss, but Georgia isn’t that terrible. They have a cohesive group, and come Oct. 16th, they should hit their stride and groove on by the lowly Commodores.

At Kentucky

Georgia struggles on the road. It’s obvious they don’t travel well—something Richt has lost his touch on in the past year or two. Entering this season, his road record was 33-6, and we all know how they’ve fared this year. Being at home for two weeks, Georgia will forget how it feels to play away, and this trap game will be ugly.

Randall Cobb is the difference maker. He tore up Georgia last year (two late touchdowns that gave UK the lead) and will look to do it at home this year. Georgia needs to find a way to score earlier on the road. I give the nod to UK because Georgia can’t score on the road.

At Florida

I know it technically isn’t an away game and that it’s played on a neutral field in Jacksonville. But, who travels further?  That would be Georgia, thus making it an away game for the Bulldogs. The game formerly known as The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party is going to be a beat down.

The emergence of Trey Burton this past weekend puts Florida in a whole other level of offensive firepower. Georgia can fight to keep it close, but Florida has pulled away in the fourth quarter in all their games. Florida continues their dominance over Georgia.

Vs. Idaho State

This is a win. There is nothing more to say.

At Auburn

This seems like a year of streaks ending. Four-game win streak at Columbia, gone. Six-game win streak against Arkansas, gone. And now the nine-game win streak over Mississippi State is gone. Currently, Georgia holds a four-game win streak over Auburn. Could it be gone as well?

These Bulldogs do not play well on the road, and Auburn is a much better team this year than in the past four years.  Cam Newton is a baller. Without him, the Tigers wouldn’t be 4-0. The Bulldogs will have a tough time on the road against the 6'6", 250 pound quarterback. He finds a way to win games and will do the same on Nov. 13th, ending Georgia’s four-game win streak

Vs. Georgia Tech

Last year, Georgia torched Tech on the ground, rushing for 339 yards. The Bulldogs ended the season well and gave hope to the 2010 season. Hope that was crushed by a 1-3 start. The running back tandem of King and Ealey should be rock solid at the end of November much like last year.

The Bulldogs will have a full season to find their run game, and by this contest, it will be a force to be reckoned with. After the road loss, the Bulldogs will come home ready for some clean, old fashioned hate. Blair Walsh is the difference maker in this tough-fought battle, and the Bulldogs come out on top.

So there you have it, 6-6 is bowl eligible. Not a very good bowl, but still a chance to play postseason football. However, getting those six wins won’t be easy. The way they’ve been playing, they could easily lose to Tennessee or Georgia Tech. It’s going to be a long season for Georgia and bowl eligibility is in danger.