Georgia Football: Game-by-Game predictions for 2015

Putting a bow on our 2015 SEC game-by-game predictions series, here’s a look at the Georgia Bulldogs, the preseason East favorites.

We pride ourselves on knowing college football’s most competitive conference as well as anyone and as one reader pointed out this summer using a weighted point system based on accuracy against other preseason prognosticators, our annual ‘Crystal Ball’ ranks among the nation’s most precise.

We called a couple big-time upsets last fall including Mississippi’s win over Alabama, but whiffed on South Carolina’s abrupt fall from grace in the East along with Mizzou’s second consecutive division title.

We’re ready for another exciting season of SEC football, aren’t you?

2015 CRYSTAL BALL SERIES

GEORGIA BULLDOGS

2014 Crystal Ball Projection: 9-3, 5-3
2014 Actual: 10-3, 6-2

THE 2015 BATTLEFIELD

Sept. 5 vs. Louisiana-Monroe (W): Nick Chubb goes off for 200 yards and three touchdowns in his sophomore debut? It’s possible.

Sept. 12 at Vanderbilt (W): CBS has picked this SEC opener as its Game of the Week in the afternoon time slot which means America will see how deadly the Bulldogs are this season.

Sept. 19 vs. South Carolina (W): Georgia’s expectations will lose serious momentum with a home loss to the Gamecocks, but defensively, the Bulldogs have a considerable advantage.

Sept. 26 vs. Southern (W): The fourth win by double-digits in as many weeks before the real test unfolds in Athens.

Oct. 3 vs. Alabama (W): A gargantuan cross-divisional showdown that will shift college football’s attention between the hedges goes in Georgia’s favor. We’ll all be awaiting the rematch.

Oct. 10 at Tennessee (W): This matchup very well could determine the division champion this season, talent vs. talent at a sold-out Neyland Stadium. The Bulldogs will find a way despite Tennessee’s best shot.

Oct. 17 vs. Missouri (W): Georgia heads into its bye week 7-0 inside the Top 5 with three consecutive victories over nationally-ranked teams.

Oct. 31 vs. Florida (Jacksonville, W): Potentially a season-squasher for the Gators, imagine the disdain Georgia fans would have for Mark Richt if he loses to this Florida team?

Nov. 7 vs. Kentucky (W): Georgia finishes its Eastern Division record 6-0 and holds all meaningful tiebreakers.

Nov. 14 at Auburn (L): Finally, a blemish on the schedule. A College Football Playoff berth is still very much in play for the Bulldogs at this point.

Nov. 21 vs. Georgia Southern (W): Regulars don’t play more than a quarter and Richt’s squad has their way with an in-state foe.

Nov. 28 at Georgia Tech (W): A necessary finish in order to keep Playoff hopes alive. This will be an important tuneup pre-SEC Championship Game.

2015 PROJECTED FINISH: 11-1, 7-1; First in the East

THE LOWDOWN: Despite a brutal schedule, yes, Georgia will survive the gauntlet to win the Eastern Division this season to set up a classic rematch with the Crimson Tide in Atlanta. The stakes will be high for the matchup of Top 10 titans with the winner locking in a semifinal berth. Equipped with Chubb, a veteran offensive line and NFL talent on defense, this is the year Richt exceeds expectations and helps the Bulldogs compete for a national championship.