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What could go right and wrong against North Carolina

By Kyle Funderburk

Dec 5, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Fans are screened by security personnel as the enter the stadium prior to the 2015 SEC Championship Game between the Florida Gators and the Alabama Crimson Tide at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Fans are screened by security personnel as the enter the stadium prior to the 2015 SEC Championship Game between the Florida Gators and the Alabama Crimson Tide at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports /
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We are now less than a week away from watching the Georgia Bulldogs go head-to-head with North Carolina in the Chick-Fil-A Kickoff Game in Atlanta.

Related Story: Why Jim Chaney will be an instant upgrade from Brian Schottenheimer

Many questions Georgia Football fans have been asking have been answered. Nick Chubb is  100% healthy and is ready to play. According to multiple reports, Jacob Eason will be the starting quarterback although Smart won’t let on. 

The players and coaches have worked hard for weeks to prepare for this game. But even with all that work, a lot could go right and a lot could go wrong.

Here are two things that could likely go in the Bulldogs favor and two more things that could hurt Georgia’s chances of winning.

Right No. 1: Nick Chubb plays like Nick Chubb

Sep 12, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Nick Chubb (27) runs for a first down during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 12, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Nick Chubb (27) runs for a first down during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

By all accounts, Chubb is healthy and ready to go. Will North Carolina’s defense be though? If they have not improved much since the last time they played then the answer will be a big, fat no.

In their bowl game, Baylor had 645 rushing yards and seven touchdowns against the Tar Heels. In Gene Chizik’s second year as defensive coordinator, the defense should be better, but they will need a 180 degree turnaround to even slow down Chubb.

Right No. 2: A wide receiver steps up to help Eason

Of course, we hope Eason plays well, and Nick Chubb will help him out a lot. But besides Terry Godwin, he needs another threat out wide to make his job easier. The inside spots are solid with Isaiah McKenzie and a stable of tight ends that might be the best in the country.

In an electric environment, making his first start, Eason will need all the help he can get to settle in. Reggie Davis has experience, but he has never been relied on as the No. 1 or No. 2 receiver. However, he has been devoted and has said that watching his dropped touchdown pass against Tennessee last year has motivated him to work much harder in the offseason.

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Then, there is freshman Riley Ridley who looked really good in the G-Day Game. His brother Calvin had a great freshman year in 2015 for Alabama. Riley could do the same for Georgia in 2016.

Whether it is Davis, Ridley or someone else does not matter, if one of them steps up for Eason, it will just be on him to deliver passes.

Wrong No. 1: Jacob Eason isn’t ready

Clearly, this is the worry on every fans mind and for good reason. He is a true freshman starting against a very good team, away from the friendly crowd in Athens. He could struggle just as easy as he could shine.

All the pieces around him may be ready, but it is a lot to ask of a quarterback to start in the kind of game he will be this Saturday.

(Read this for a more descriptive reason why Eason might have a tough year in 2016.)

Wrong No. 2: Elijah Hood tears through a rebuilt defensive line

Georgia has a talented defensive line thanks to some good recruiting classes as of late, but besides Trenton Thompson, they are all inexperienced.

Dec 5, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Elijah Hood (34) is pushed out of bounds by Clemson Tigers cornerback Cordrea Tankersley (25) during the second quarter in the ACC football championship game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Elijah Hood (34) is pushed out of bounds by Clemson Tigers cornerback Cordrea Tankersley (25) during the second quarter in the ACC football championship game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports /

That is not a favorable situation to face when your first game is against a running back like Hood. Last year he had 1,463 yards and 17 touchdowns as a sophomore.

Clearly, he is a guy Georgia would rather face with a group of seasoned defensive linemen. Unfortunately, that is not what Georgia has, and fans around the country might be looking at two running backs running free for 60 minutes in the 2016 Chick-Fil-A Kickoff Game.

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