NCAA Football Early Predictions With Georgia Bulldogs as Favorite to Win

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Every team saw some level of disruption in 2020, with some conferences in college football refusing to play altogether. Even those that did play had to deal with postponements, players opting out, and a host of other issues that made the season a bit of a wash for some. All of that said, we saw a lot of teams battle through some serious adversity and deliver seasons that were perhaps a little better than expected. We also saw a couple show that they could well be very dangerous this coming season. The Georgia Bulldogs certainly fall into that category, and we need to look at what went down in 2020 to reveal why many see them as a legitimate playoff candidate this year. With all that in mind, let’s get right to it so you can plan your bets against their NCAAF odds.

2021 College Football Betting | Georgia Bulldogs Preview for the Upcoming Season

The Bulldogs in 2020

In a perfect world, it would have been JT Daniels under center for Georgia at the start of last season. The USC transfer had an injury that kept him out, though, with D’Wan Mathis getting the start and just not looking good at all. Georgia went through the first 6 games of the season with their 3^rd string QB at the helm, going 4-2 during that run. By the time their blowout loss to Florida came to an end, Daniels was ready to go, and the Bulldogs looked like a different team.

Daniels looked outstanding in his return, leading the Dawgs to 3-straight wins to close out the regular season. He then led them to victory over a very good Cincinnati team in the Peach Bowl, but there were questions as to whether or not he would return this season, but he made his decision quickly and will come in as the starter in 2021.

The Bulldogs Odds and Outlook for 2021

You could argue that the Bulldogs have taken a bit of a backward step since losing to Alabama in the National Championship Game in 2018. The failed to win their division last season and were never really a playoff threat, but their current lineup and the way they closed out last season suggests that this could potentially be a bounce back year.

Under Kirby Smart, the Bulldogs have always been defensively sound, but the offense has left a little to be desired. That should not be a problem this season, though, especially with Daniels running the show. Losing George Pickens for the season is definitely a blow, but there are more than enough weapons on the ground and through the air for the Bulldogs to overcome that loss.

Georgia arguably has one of the best front sevens in college football, and they are going to be as aggressive and disruptive as always. Where things could prove to be a problem for the Dawgs is at cornerback. They lost their top 4 at that position in the offseason, and while it looks as though the group that they have in place are good, we won’t really know for sure until they get tested in the regular season. We will get to see what this team is all about right from the off, as they open the season against the Clemson Tigers. Georgia are in among the early favorite to win it all this season, with the bookies listing them at +500 to win the National Championship.

College Football Betting News

Previous Betting News

While the hiring of former Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart as the school’s new head coach in 2016 almost immediately transformed the Georgia Bulldogs into perennial powerhouses, Georgia will enter the upcoming 2019 regular season with a couple of simple goals in mind. The first would be, finally getting past the perennially-powerful Crimson Tide to claim the SEC Championship – and oh yeah, getting back into the four-team College Football Playoff. With the 2019 regular season quickly approaching, I’m going to share a bunch of insightful information about the Bulldogs in an effort to help you cash in consistently on the Dawgs all season long.

Georgia Bulldogs 2019 College Football Season Betting Guide

2020 National Championship Odds: +900
2019 Win Total Odds: 10½

Betting Statistics

ATS: 11-3 (W-L) / 8-6-0 (ATS) / 6-4-0 (Home) / 2-2-0 (Away) / 8-4-0 (Grass) / 0-2-0 (Turf)
O/U: 6-6-2 (W-L) / 2-6-2 (Home) / 4-0-0 (Away) / 5-5-2 (Grass) / 1-1-0 (Turf) / 57.1 (Total)

Georgia had a solid 2018 season that saw them win an impressive 11 games. The Bulldogs were a solid, but not outstanding, ATS pick as well by covering the chalk a whopping six times at home. The longtime SEC resident also went a dead-even 6-6-2 against their Over/Under total odds while going a perfect 4-0 O/U on the road.

2018 Team Leaders

Georgia has an outstanding running back in gifted junior D’Andre Swift. The sure-fire NFL prospect rushed for a team-high 1,049 yards on just 163 carries last season and should be even better in 2019 with more touches. The Bulldogs also have another fine NFL prospect in junior quarterback Jake Fromm. The accurate signal-caller completed a blistering 67.4 percent of his passes while throwing for 2,671 yards with 30 touchdowns and just six interceptions. Senior wide receiver Riley Ridley had 43 catches for a team-high 559 yards and nine scores while senior cornerback Deandre Baker recorded a team-high two interceptions. All of Georgia’s 2018 team leaders are back in 2019 excepted for the graduated Baker.

Offense

Led by Fromm and Swift, Georgia was quite potent offensively in finishing the 2018 campaign ranked 19th overall, 70th in passing, a stellar 16th in rushing and even more impressive 14th in scoring (37.9 ppg).

Defense

As good as the Bulldogs were offensively, they were even better on defense in closing out the 2018 campaign ranked 13th in total defense, an identical 13th against the pass, 31st against the run and a stellar 15th in points allowed (19.2 ppg).

Outlook

One of the first things you need to know about Georgia as they get set for the 2019 regular season is the fact that Kirby Smart has now produced three consecutive Top 3 recruiting classes and that basically means Smart is going to have a bunch of elite talent to replace the talent the program loses on an annual basis. Just this past offseason, Smart and the Bulldogs landed six five-star recruits, as well as this year’s top junior college recruit in defensive lineman Jermaine Johnson.

Another good thing that the SEC title hopefuls have going for them is the fact that Jake Fromm will no longer have to look over his shoulder despite being a two-year starter. Former five-star recruits Justin Fields and Jacob Eason have transferred to Ohio State and Washington respectively. Fromm is one of the nation’s top NFL quarterback prospects, so he should be going all-out to raise his draft stock. In addition to that, I also believe running back D’Andre Swift is a player that could challenge for some national awards, not to mention the fact that the Bulldogs also have an experienced offensive line that will provide great pass protection while consistently opening up holes for Swift to maneuver through.

While there are some question marks at wide receiver, tight end, cornerback and along the defensive line and some inexperience at linebacker, the fact of the matter is that Kirby Smart has employed the same program-building tactics as Nick Saban at Alabama. Play some powerful defense, run the ball down our opponents throats and pass it just enough to keep defenses honest.

I’m thinking the Dawgs should be able to run the table at home with their toughest matchup coming against Notre Dame in Week 4. If Georgia can avoid road upsets against Florida and Auburn, they could possibly finish the 2019 season unbeaten, although I am expecting one, inexplicable, head-scratching loss. I’m expecting another double-digit winning season out of Georgia in 2019, but when it comes to the Dawgs taking down Alabama, I’m still not seeing that come to fruition and neither should you.

Previous Betting News

The Georgia Bulldogs start a new era this season as very successful coach Mark Richt was somewhat surprisingly let go after last season, and former Georgia player and Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart was hired to replace him in his first head coaching gig. Can UGA win the SEC East in Smart’s first season? The Dawgs have a wins total of 8.5 on college football odds.

Let’s Have a Closer Look at the 2016 Georgia Bulldogs Betting Predictions

Dawgs Won’t Miss Beat With Smart

Richt landed on his feet at his alma mater, Miami, and the Canes will be better off with him. Just as I think Georgia will be with Smart — sometimes, you just need a change and that was the case in Athens. The fans already love Smart. He is one of the Bulldogs’ own. A native of Bainbridge, Ga., he played safety for the Bulldogs from 1995-98 and served as a team captain his senior season. He coached running backs for Richt in 2005 and also has worked at Valdosta State, LSU and for the Miami Dolphins. At Alabama, Smart was considered Nick Saban’s right-hand man, both as a defensive coach and as a recruiter.

The Tide won four national titles with Smart working Saban’s defense. Since 2008, Smart’s Alabama defense ranked first in the FBS in points per game, yards per game, yards per play and Total QBR. It’s not all numbers. Smart is a players’ coach who has brought new energy to Athens. He’s also a stellar recruiter. Smart, who worked the metro Atlanta area and the rest of the state for much of his tenure at Alabama, was a key component in the Tide’s three consecutive No. 1-ranked recruiting classes.

Jacob Eason Will Start Week 1

Smart’s first big recruiting job was to keep the nation’s No. 1 quarterback, Jacob Eason, committed to Georgia. Eason had second thoughts after Richt left but did choose to stay and now is in a fierce QB battle that I believe Eason wins — the fans certainly want him to. A decision should be made after Saturday’s scrimmage. He’s battling Greyson Lambert and to a lesser extent Brice Ramsey. Lambert went 10-2 as a starter a year ago (Faton Bauta started Georgia’s other loss against Florida). Ramsey has been through it all as he begins his fourth year at Georgia, as the offensive coordinators have been a revolving door in Athens. Eason, Lambert and Ramsey all possess different skill sets.

“They have to figure out what they do good and do it as best they can and work on their weaknesses. I feel comfortable in saying they’re all doing that right now,” offensive coordinator Jim Chaney said.

Nick Chubb Will Finish 2nd In SEC In Rushing

LSU running back Leonard Fournette is the Heisman Trophy betting favorite and should lead the SEC in rushing this year. But Georgia’s Nick Chubb will be No. 2. Chubb was off to a great start last year before suffering a season-ending injury against Tennessee. Chubb has proclaimed in no uncertain terms that he is just as fast as he was before the injury, which tore every ligament in his left knee but the ACL. He knows because he said he has outrun some of Georgia’s fastest defenders when they had an angle on him. Chubb claims his cutting ability is just as good as well.

“As you’ve seen, Nick hasn’t missed a beat,” senior tackle Greg Pyke said. “He’s pretty much better, faster, stronger. That kid is one of the hardest working people in this building. He’s a funny dude, too. And he’s working to be out there with us.”

One Receiver Must Step Up

I say Chubb will have a huge season because I’m not sold on UGA’s receivers. The No. 1 target from last season, New England Patriots rookie Malcolm Mitchell, accounted for nearly half of Georgia’s receptions by wide receivers 46.4 percent. The top returner at the position, sophomore Terry Godwin, drew criticism from Smart this week. Godwin had 35 receptions for 379 yards and 2 touchdowns, playing in all of the Bulldogs 13 games in 2015 and starting nine of them. The leading returning receiver after Godwin is Reggie Davis, who had 12 catches for 187 yards and a touchdown in 2015. The next most experienced receiver for Georgia is Isaiah McKenzie. However, McKenzie only has 16 catches in 22 games and has yet to score a touchdown reception. Behind Davis, Godwin, and McKenzie, there a slew of freshmen and sophomores.

Georgia Will Go Over 8.5-Win Total

I don’t believe Georgia wins the SEC East as I give that to Tennessee. But I’d go over the 8.5 wins on college football lines. I believe the Dawgs go 10-2 (maybe 9-3), losing at Ole Miss and home to Tennessee; the Vols will win the East Division that head-to- head tiebreaker.