This is the most important opener I can recall since I've been closely following Georgia football (1997). I believe that the entire season is contingent on the outcome of this game, because it will set the tone and the tempo for the rest of the way.
Why is this so?
The Boise State and South Carolina games come as a package deal. Either we win both or we lose both.
If the Dawgs do not beat Boise State in the dome tomorrow, then they will not beat South Carolina between the hedges the following weekend. If Georgia starts the season 0-2, that losers' mentality that has plagued the team these past couple seasons will come back and this crew will be a mirror image of last years team that goes out and loses to a George O'Leary coached Central Florida because they have no heart and no sense of pride in what they do and don't believe they can win.
However, if the Dawgs manage a victory over BSU, then I think that gives them the momentum to get past the Gamecocks, and winning the first two would be huge and catapult this team right into the thick of the national title race. With a string of relatively weak opponents after that, I think Georgia goes into Jacksonville undefeated if they beat Boise and USC out the gate.
So, I offer two sets of predictions, depending on the outcome of tomorrows game in Atlanta:
Assuming we lose to Boise State:
Boise State 35, UGA 24 -- Moore is the real deal.
South Carolina 27, UGA 17 -- Latimore runs, the Dawgs lose.
Georgia 50, Coastal Carolina 10 -- Dawgs take out frustrations on the little guy.
Georgia 27, Ole Miss 21 -- Dawgs beat the poor SEC west team, but much closer than it should be.
Mississippi State 24 Georgia 21 -- Mullen outcoaches Richt again. Dawgs lose.
Tennessee 37, Georgia 17 -- Dawgs have a penchant for being embarassed by Tennessee teams they shouldn't be embarassed by. The Tennessee from the last half of last season shows up for this one against a much more comfortable and settled in Dooley. Dawgs act like they don't care at this point.
Georgia 41 Vanderbilt 28 -- Georgia roles but gives up lots of unnecessary TDs.
Florida 31 Georgia 21 -- Brantley settles into pro-style offense for a better than expected Florida.
Georgia 55 New Mexico State 7 -- Dawgs crusie against worst team in college football.
Georgia 21 Auburn 17 -- Dawgs consider this a quality win even though Auburn is depleted big time and will probably be a 4-5 loss team.
Georgia 35 Kentucky 27 -- Kentucky plays us much tougher than they should.
Georgia 31 Georgia Tech 28 (overtime) -- Another nailbiter.
Bowl: Music City.
Assuming we beat Boise State
Georgia 31 Boise State 28 -- Overtime thriller in the Dome gives Dawgs win over top 5 team.
Georgia 21 South Carolina 20 -- Another thriller between these two schools. Dawgs kick winning field goal as time expires.
Georgia 59 Coastal Carolina 3 -- Self explanatory
Georgia 45 Ole Miss 17 -- Georgia asserts itself against inferior SEC foe.
Georgia 35 Mississippi State 24 -- Close for 3 quarters, but Dawgs pull away in 4th.
Georgia 31 Tennessee 28 -- Trap game. Dawgs control time of possession that makes the difference.
Georgia 48 Vanderbilt 20 -- self explanatory. Dawgs give up a cheap TD late.
Florida 31 Georgia 27 -- Still can't get the job done in Jax. Stupid mistake because "it's the Florida game" cost us the win.
Georgia 65 New Mexico State 0 -- Dawgs are angry and they show it.
Georgia 35 Auburn 24 -- Georiga gets back on track against depleted Aubrun squad.
Georgia 45 Kentucky 19 -- self explanatory
Georgia 37 Georgia Tech 27 -- Dawgs pull away late to cap an 11-1 regular season. Florida loses to South Carolina and Alabama. Dawgs win the east.
SEC championship game: Alabama 31 Georgia 24 Bama to national championship game. Dawgs to Sugar Bowl.
As of this very moment, I'm feeling the odds are about 70/30 in favor of the first scenario (lose to Boise, lose the season) materializing.
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