Will Georgia football run the table again in regular season? Our game-by-game predictions
Predicting Georgia football on a game-by-game basis for the 2023 season isn’t exactly like pulling an all nighter for an organic chemistry class.
Spoiler: The Bulldogs will win just about every week. Maybe every week.
The two-time reigning national champions are still a beast.
So let’s put the opponents in three categories: No chance to win (four games), could keep it close (three) and could be a real deal ballgame with an upset possible (five).
Let’s break it down
Sept. 2 vs. UT Martin
Last season: Did not play. The Skyhawks went 7-4.
The buzz: Hey, it’s a chance to see new starting QB Carson Beck and watch another national championship highlight video on the big screen. UT Martin lost to Missouri State and Kennesaw State last season.
The pick: Georgia 70, UT Martin 3.
Our final prediction: What will UGA's depth chart look like in season opener?
Five bold predictions for Georgia in 2023: Carson Beck, October test and more
Sept. 9 vs. Ball State
Last season. Did not play. The Cardinals went 5-7.
The buzz: Ball State opens at Kentucky so if it starts 2-0, will Greg Sankey have to award the MAC team the SEC East title? If not for SEC adding Oklahoma, Georgia would be playing this week vs. the Sooners in Norman. Ball State ended last season with losses in four of its last five games.
The pick: Georgia 63, Ball State 7
Sept. 16 vs. South Carolina
Last season: Georgia 48, South Carolina 7. The Gamecocks went 8-5.
The buzz: The Gamecocks have lost by a combined 88-20 in two games against Georgia under Shane Beamer, but wins over Tennessee and Clemson to end the regular season in 2022 made a splash. QB Spencer Rattler has a new offensive coordinator in Dowell Loggains from Arkansas.
The pick: Georgia 42, South Carolina 13
Sept. 23 vs. UAB
Last season: Did not play. The Blazers went 7-6.
The buzz: Trent Dilfer’s path from Super Bowl winning QB to TV analyst to coaching Elite 11 QBs and then high school has him at a now AAC program. Former Baylor quarterback Jacob Zeno is expected to be behind center for Dilfer.
The pick: Georgia 51, UAB 10.
Sept. 30 at Auburn.
Last season: Lost to Georgia 42-10. The Tigers went 5-7.
The buzz: Hugh Freeze’s first SEC home game comes against the Bulldogs. Michigan State transfer Payton Thorne beat out Robby Ashford for the starting quarterback job. Auburn must improve on defense where it ranked 98th in the nation at 29.5 points per game allowed.
The pick: Georgia 38, Auburn 13
Oct. 7 at Kentucky
Last season: Lost to Georgia 16-6. The Wildcats went 7-6.
The buzz: Kentucky’s offense was a dreadful 11th nationally in scoring and 115th in total offense even with Titans second-rounder Will Levis at QB. N.C. State transfer Devin Leary replaces him and the Wildcats also added Vanderbilt RB transfer Ray Davis. DT Deone Walker had 40 tackles as a freshman.
The pick: Georgia 28, Kentucky 17
Oct. 14 at Vanderbilt
Last season: Georgia 55, Vanderbilt 0. The Commodores went 5-7.
The buzz: Vanderbilt Stadium is undergoing major renovations while Clarke Lea’s program remains a work in progress after going 7-17 in two seasons. The Commodores gave up 36 points per game last season, 124th nationally.
The pick: Georgia 51, Vanderbilt 0.
Oct. 28 vs. Florida in Jacksonville
Last season: Georgia 42, Florida 20. The Gators went 6-7.
The buzz: Florida is riding Wisconsin transfer Graham Mertz at QB. Former Georgia staffer Austin Armstrong takes over as Gators defensive coordinator. Florida surrendered 175 yards a game rushing. Defensive lineman Cam Johnson (Memphis) and safety R.J. Moten (Michigan) are transfer additions.
The pick: Georgia 31, Florida 16.
Nov. 4 vs. Missouri
Last season: Georgia 26. Missouri 22. The Tigers went 6-7.
The buzz: This looks like an important season for fourth-year coach Eliah Drinkwitz who is 17-19 in Columbia. Will he be coaching for his job by November? New OC Kirby Moore has taken over as playcaller and has WR Luther Burden to build around. The defense returns 8 starters.
The pick: Georgia 42, Missouri 10.
Nov. 11 vs. Ole Miss
Last season: Did not play. The Rebels went 8-5.
The buzz: Ole Miss faded with a four-game losing streak to end last season and will get early SEC tests in September at Alabama and home against LSU. Pete Golding is DC after moving over from Alabama and Jaxson Dart could again start at QB. Quinshon Judkins can build off his 1,699 rushing yards from 2022.
The pick: Georgia 37, Ole Miss 20
Nov. 18 at Tennessee
Last season: Georgia 27-13. The Volunteers went 11-2.
The buzz: This is the most anticipated game on Georgia’s schedule and the Volunteers figure to be sky-high getting the Bulldogs this time at home. Will the Vols stumble at Florida or home against South Carolina or Texas A&M before a game at Alabama? Can QB Joe Milton ride the momentum of an Orange Bowl win over Clemson?
The pick: Georgia 30, Tennessee 24
Nov. 25 at Georgia Tech
Last season: Georgia 37, Georgia Tech 14. The Yellow Jackets went 5-7.
The buzz: Brent Key went 4-4 as head coach after Geoff Collins was fired. Buster Faulkner, former UGA quality control coach, is the OC and will start former Texas A&M QB Haynes King. WR Dom Blaylock and TE Brett Seither transferred from UGA. The defense will be bolstered by Texas A&M transfer LB Andre White.
The pick: Georgia 45, Georgia Tech 13.
This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Georgia football game-by-game predictions 2023: Here's how it will fare
