Georgia Bulldogs 2017 NCAA Football Preview

College Football Predictions – Georgia Bulldogs 2017 NCAA Football Preview

2016 Recap

2016 Record – 8-5

2016 ATS – 6-7

The Bulldogs had reeled off 10+ wins in four of the previous five seasons but could only manage an 8-5 mark under new HC Kirby Smart. To be fair, they lost a pair of games by a single point, and were “Hail Mary’d” by Tennessee. They were no juggernaut from a statistical standpoint and we feel that 8-5 was a decent measure of how well they performed. They got a great look at their QB of the future (?) as Jacob Eason took almost every snap. On to 2017.

2017 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating

SEC – TBD

East Division – TBD

OFFENSE

Jacob Eason did a pretty good job as a true freshman and should be able to make a big step forward this season. There were some growing pains but he got a good taste of SEC football. The running game will be the star of the show as they return their potent 1-2 punch of Nick Chubb and Sony Michel who combined for almost 2,000 yards and 12 TDs rushing last year at over five yards a carry. We are worried about the offensive line that loses quite a bit of experience and only returns a pair of starters to the mix. The WR group takes a hit from the early departure of Isaiah McKenzie who led the team last year in receptions, receiving yards and TDs. They have some experience returning at WR and a budding star in TE Isaac Nauta. Hopefully with improved QB play we will see some better production. Overall ? There is some definite upside but the best laid plans can go down the drain if the offensive line play is sub-par. Stay tuned.

DEFENSE

This could be fun. The Bulldogs return 10 (!) starters to a defense that is loaded with ability and experience. Georgia allowed just 327 yards per game (#4 SEC, #16 FBS) last season but did allow 24 points per game which was disappointing. There is no reason to believe that defensive mastermind Kirby Smart and DC Mel Tucker cannot have this defense performing at a REALLY high level. It will be helpful if the Bulldogs find a way to get more PENETRATION as they have not had a 30+ sack season since 2013. There is a potential star at each level of the defense – DT Trenton Thompson, LB Roquan Smith (leading tackler 2016) and S Dominick Sanders.

SPECIAL TEAMS

PK Rodrigo Blankenship nailed 14/18 FGs last year including 4/7 from 40+ yards. Georgia had the worst punting average in the SEC last season and P Marshall Long will have to do a better job. They are going to miss INSTANT TD MACHINE Isaiah McKenzie on punt returns.

Potential ATS Trouble Spot

Don’t really see one. They only play back-to-back road games once and the easier games are pretty nicely spread out over the course of the campaign.

MEGAmazing Tidbits

The Bulldogs return 14 of the top 15 tacklers from last season’s defense.

Despite playing something called Nicholls last season the Bulldogs only outscored opponents by a total score of 319-312 over 13 games.

MEGALOCKS ATS Value Rating (10) 6.5

MEGALOCKS says:

Overall, we give the BULLDOGS a 6.5 ATS Value Rating (Above Average) this season.

Ok. We are drinking the Kool-Aid.

The talent at RB and the defense look really good. The offensive line has us a bit worried but they do play on the right side of the SEC. The schedule has a couple of tough ones but we see no “unwinnable” games on the docket. If the defense lives up to potential, and we think that is going to happen, they are gonna cover more than their fair share of games.

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