Dawn of the Dawg
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2016 Georgia Football game-by-game previews and predictions

By Jay Hawkins

Jan 2, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; The Georgia Bulldogs come out of the tunnel prior to the 2016 TaxSlayer Bowl against the Penn State Nittany Lions at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; The Georgia Bulldogs come out of the tunnel prior to the 2016 TaxSlayer Bowl against the Penn State Nittany Lions at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 28, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Greyson Lambert (11) prepares to snap the ball in the fourth quarter of their game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium. The Bulldogs won 13-7. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Greyson Lambert (11) prepares to snap the ball in the fourth quarter of their game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium. The Bulldogs won 13-7. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

Nov. 16     vs. Georgia Tech

Players to Watch: QB Justin Thomas, BB Marcus Marshall, LB P.J. Davis

Preview: After an ultra-successful 2014 season, which saw Ga Tech win 11 games including the 2014 Orange Bowl and make an appearance in the ACC Championship Game, things took a turn for the worse. 3-9 worse. Head coach Paul Johnson’s worst record at Tech by far.

The main reason Georgia Tech was so awful in 2015, in a year they were perceived to be dark horse CFB Playoff contenders, was their abysmal offensive line. The skill position players aren’t bad. Justin Thomas had a so-so 2015, but again, most of that was due to the offensive line play or lack thereof.

In 2014, the dual-threat Thomas had a phenomenal season during which he passed for over 1,700 yards and rushed for 1,086 more and was responsible for 26 touchdowns. Hopefully for the Yellow Jackets, Thomas gets more help from his offensive line and puts up similar numbers this year.

All Tech linebacker P.J. Davis is make plays. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
All Tech linebacker P.J. Davis is make plays. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

The most important position on Johnson’s triple option offense is easily the full back or the B-back in Tech terminology. The Jackets seem to be in good shape in that department as Marcus Marshall (younger brother of former UGA running back Keith Marshall) returns to man the position this year after having a solid season last year rushing for 654 yards and four touchdowns and averaged 7.6 yards per carry.

Clinton Lynch returns at A-back for his sophomore season, and the position should be in decent shape.

Ted Roof’s defense was a mediocre unit last year, but hopes are that Tech will improve on this side of the ball. The Yellow Jacket defensive line should be pretty good this year led by Patrick Gamble. However, the playmaker on this defense is star linebacker P.J. Davis. Davis may be a bit undersized for his position, but all he does is help his team. He’s the top returning tackler this year and should have an outstanding season once again.

Bottom Line: Georgia Tech should be better in 2016. Then again, it’s hard to be much worse than last year. If Tech gets decent offensive line play, they could be dangerous. However, Georgia will not lose this game. The Bulldogs have more talent than GT, and Kirby Smart will want to make a statement in his first game as a coach against the hated rivals. Also, Tech won the last time they played in Athens, so there is some extra motivation. I think this year’s edition of Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate will be a sneakily good one though.

Prediction: Georgia 31-Georgia Tech 24

Next: Considered one of the NFL's best, Gurley prepares for sophomore season

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