Mike Stowe gives you his predictions for the Georgia Football team in 2017.
Related Story: Some more expectations for the 2017 season.
Well, Dawg fans, here we go. It’s officially game week! We made it! I hope you all maintained your sanity during the off-season and are pumped up and ready to bark. This season is going to be a fun ride. I’m more than ready. I love Christmas. I really do. But as I’ve grown older and my blood has run redder and blacker, right around Labor Day has become the “most wonderful time of the year” for me. So let’s go ahead and take a final look at the season before it’s time to tee it up between the hedges and make a few final predictions.
Overall Record:
10-2 and UGA takes the SEC East. I think quite a lot of the teams that we go up against this year are weaker then they have been. I think Georgia is the strongest team in the East and should take the division. However, there are going to be a couple of losses. A 10-2 season would be a fantastic achievement for a second year coach like Kirby Smart.
Rivalry Wins.
The two I care about the most and I personally feel are most important for the short term and long term good of the program are Florida and Tech. I feel good about both of these games this year.
The Gators QB situation is an absolute mess. You ever heard people talking about it being a problem if a team can’t decide between 2 quarterbacks? Well, Florida has 3 including Notre Dame transfer Malik Zaire, Luke Del Rio, and Felipe Franks. There is a good chance that Del Rio could begin the season as the Gators’ starter. That doesn’t bode well for Franks or Zaire. If either were a solution at QB and an answer to Florida’s offensive woes, one should have beat out Del Rio. The Dawgs are due a win in Jacksonville and I think they get it this year.
And then Tech……oh Tech. I would tell you how I truly feel about them, but I don’t think those words are allowed on here. The debacle in Athens last season where Tech sneaked out of Sanford with a victory and a few pieces of our hedges has not been forgotten. UGA will be a team that is clicking by the Tech game, especially on defense. I see the Dawgs rolling Tech in Atlanta. If you consider South Carolina a rival, there’s another win. I’m not buying the whole “South Carolina being a dark horse” thing.
I see the Dawgs rolling Tech in Atlanta. If you consider South Carolina a rival, there’s another win. I’m not buying the whole “South Carolina being a dark horse” thing. Auburn is going to be the toughest. Even though I believe we will be a really good team by that point, a close loss there at their place wouldn’t surprise me. But I think we will have done enough at that point to win the East even with a loss on the Plains.
Offensive player of the year:
Surprise, surprise. Nick Chubb. Word out of practice lately is that the beast is back. And if that ends up being the case, he’s the best player on this offense. Heck, he’d be the best player on most offenses. So while I know there are going to be players like Michel and Eason who could potentially be just as important to Georgia’s success, Chubb is the only player I believe will have a truly historic season. Look for 1400+ yards rushing with decent offensive line play and good health. A return of 2014 Chubb will likely mean a return to the SEC championship game.
Defensive player of the year:
Trenton Thompson. Even though he had some off the field issues during the off season and at one point even left the team, this is the guy. The dude who can make our really good defense great by having the type of season I think he’s about to have. He’s already a household name around Dawgnation. Look for him to become a household name across the entire nation in 2017.
Next: Who could end up starting for Malkom Parrish?
Conclusion:
A double digit win season and a division title would be a huge achievement for this team. If Georgia is able to find its way to Atlanta and the SEC title game, that’s a big step forward. We still have a ways to go to be a serious Playoff contendor, but I do think 2017 will be a step in the right direction.