Georgia football: 3 predictions for the Bulldogs' game against Mississippi State
Finally, there’s a game to look forward to for the Georgia Bulldogs.
The Dawgs were supposed to play Missouri last weekend, but that was one of 4 SEC games postponed and among a host of others across the college football world. But all things look to be full-go for now, as they’re set to host Mississippi State between the hedges on Saturday.
This season won’t end with a College Football Playoff appearance for Georgia, or with an SEC East title for that matter. But there’s still potentially a New Year’s 6 bowl to play for if they run the table. And they will be favored down the stretch: MSU has limped to a 2-4 mark in a disappointing debut for Mike Leach, South Carolina is adrift after firing Will Muschamp and losing a pair of defensive stars, and Vanderbilt is, well, Vanderbilt.
So the notion that there’s nothing left to play for is far from accurate. Kirby Smart would disagree with that sentiment, and the players certainly would, too. Still, starting Saturday and continuing through the remaining games, the Dawgs will be going up against teams looking to play spoiler and having nothing to lose.
Here are 3 (somewhat bold) predictions I have as Georgia takes the field for the first time since their loss to Florida:
JT Daniels throws for at least 350 yards in his first start for Georgia
Stetson Bennett IV, as decent as he looked early in the season, won’t be able to take the Dawgs much further than he has already, with or without a bum shoulder. I doubt we see D’Wan Mathis, either.
That means the starting job will fall to the transfer from Southern Cal. And I think he has a debut to remember, breaking the 350-yard mark. He nearly got there against Notre Dame in 2018 (he threw for 349 yards), and while it might take him a little bit to settle in after not having played since the first week of the 2019 season, I think he’ll end up setting that mark.
Whether Daniels should have been given the job weeks ago will be another debate. But I think that with a chip on his shoulder, he’ll demonstrate the same level of play that won him the starting gig with the Trojans as a true freshman.
Zamir White records 3 rushing touchdowns for his first multi-score game
The redshirt sophomore has scored a touchdown in each game he has played this season. One thing he has never done: score more than 1 in a single game.
I think that happens against Mississippi State. These Bulldogs have slipped a little in their run defense over the past 3 games, and though they’ve given up just 4 touchdowns on the ground all season — including 2 in 1 game to Texas A&M — I feel that White gets them for 3 on the night. I don’t think he hits South Carolina running back Kevin Harris’ mark of 5 set against Ole Miss on Nov. 14, but let’s be real: The Rebels defense is bad. Really bad.
(Of course, this is contingent on the staff actually getting White involved in the offense, as opposed to the loss at Florida, but I’d like to think they’ve learned their lesson. Hopefully.)
Georgia forces Mississippi State into 4 turnovers
Four seems like a nice number to go with here. I’ll take it a step further and say that Mississippi State’s starter, which could very well be Will Rogers, throws 3 interceptions, with a forced fumble by MSU making it 4 on the evening.
Credit Leach’s team for playing turnover-free football against Vanderbilt in their last outing on Nov. 7, but for the season, they’ve given it to their opponent 19 times. That includes 6 combined picks thrown by Rogers (2) and K.J. Costello (4) on Oct. 10 against Kentucky.
I doubt the Bulldogs from Starkville will be as fortunate against the Bulldogs from Athens on Saturday, though.
Even though all the major goals of the season are all but eliminated there are still important things to work on for this team, all pretty much focused on improving for next season. The offense is obvious but with the slew of defensive injuries can see guys lower on the depth chart get real game time.
Agree. Kirby needs to get all of these 4* and 5* backups some meaningful reps so there are no defections headed into 2021, which looks to be another loaded class.
Sounds like we’re gonna win this game 150-0 if all this comes true lol
Pretty much what I was thinking. The more I read the more anxious I was to see the predicted score.
Coming from an MSU fan, I’d say you’re about right unfortunately.
I thought the same thing. This looks like a recap from playing a video game.
I think that UGA could win by whatever score they want. However, they will use the opportunity to rest players and give lots of faces playing time and win by something like 49-0.
The stat I’ll call for this game is UGA gets over 200 yards rushing. Not sure about any of the other stats, those seem more like bold predictions than just predictions.
The two explosive offensive predictions are interesting considering that msu’s defense has been above average and seemed to be their strength.
barring some errant throws and/or more yac than actual downfield throws, i’d be happy to just see 250 yds passing from daniels in his first game action in a year and a half. the 350 yd # is doing nothing but setting up the perception of failure.
I’d just like to see solid QB play, a productive pass game, and TDs in the red zone.
There’s literally no way in Hades that a guy coming off his entire knee getting ripped the wrong way, having not played live SEC ball in over a year, is throwing for 350 yards in his debut.
Has a QB ever thrown for 350 yards under Kirby?
Even worse, having *never* played live SEC ball
MSU is not a good team… The UGA defense should give the offense plenty of chances to score and move the ball. I believe SB could hit 300 yards passing on MSU..
I’d have to agree with you. This should be the perfect match-up to tinker with offense and have fun with it, knowing it’s low risk of any repercussions should a play fail.
I think MSU had another defender opt out
Barring disaster, I would expect around 200 to 250 yards passing.
There you go Georgia fan, all your problems on offense will be a thing in the past. Your shiny new QB will prove to be a stud, your RB will have as many rushing yards as your QB passing. You will score in the high 80s and your defense will have multiple turnovers. Too bad you can’t play MSU every week
Say’s the Florida fan, who’s team turned around 180, when they finally found a decent QB….
Congrats on the win, but lets not start acting like this is going to be the norm, just yet.
Oh, and at least Smart didn’t stick with SBIV as long as Mullen stuck with Franks. Who knows we could’ve had this conversation years ago. Enjoy your “shiny new QB”.
**literally every Georgia fan in the comments decrying the absurd predictions above**
Ya, can’t say I agree with you here. Outside of the Terrible Trio, the UGA fanbase on this site is pretty awesome to talk to. Not a lot of chatter agreeing with the author on this one.
None of these will happen
@Real blow jones. Your mama needs the meds you took to sell.
What’s the point in talking about someone’s family?
I agree, its all in fun, no family’s should be involved.
But, BamaTime, I’ve literally never seen you post in a Bama article.
Not sure why it matters But I post on plenty of Bama articles…
If you see it or not isn’t something I concern myself with..
In reply to below.
It matters not, just an observation. All UGA articles typically have an appearance, while the few BAMA ones that spike my interest and I’ve looked at do not.
In his defense, the vast majority of articles/comments on this site are UGA related. So, it’s hard not to comment on the UGA page.
Well the UGA trolls that tend to frequent other teams articles has sort of vanished. You can find a few posts from them sticking to UGA article but they have backed off of other teams articles…
I can’t think of a reason as to why though….
Marine dog has an obsession with accusing others of looting and rioting and now he’s getting personal. Poor sap has nothing real to hold on to just petty and random insults
1. 200 yards
2. yeah
3. yeah
It seems unlikely UGA will want or need to throw the ball that much. With a new QB, it seems more likely we will see UGA rush for over 300 yards.
@blowjones…at least I served my country. You serve to riot, loot, and destroy it.
Hey man thank you for your service but you know nothing about me so when you say “You serve to riot, loot, and destroy it” without any evidence of me ever promoting that behavior makes me think you either have a brain injury or a more nefarious reason having something to do with my chosen name. Feel free to elaborate
@ I don’t want your thanks and you can go to hell.
I don’t think he was insincere with his thanks and your reply was nothing but rude. Your service allows people free speech. Even people who troll or disagree with you. Jones isn’t any worse that TDOW, Queen Negan or the racist Coach that posts as UGA fans. I thought you were better than using someone’s mother to roast someone. Neither of his replies reached the rules of yours. I have nothing but respect for the Corp and happy belated birthday from November 10th.
Yes dark but you’re the proverbial kettle calling the pot black. All you do is instigate and troll. So shut up or get real.
I talk football. My opinions are based on experience and facts. I know you don’t like that I have criticized your coach but I haven’t posted anything false. If stating a fact is instigating & trolling than you need to shut up or read a dictionary.
Sorry..darth, that is. Dang! Why do I always wait till after I’ve posted to check it?
I was 100% sincere and I still don’t get what all his references to looting, rioting and stealing are all about.
But whatever makes him feel better