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Georgia Football 2018 Preview: Austin Peay Governors

By Alistair Penny

CINCINNATI, OH - AUGUST 31: Kentel Williams #5 of the Austin Peay Governors runs the ball as Linden Stephens #9 of the Cincinnati Bearcats makes the stop at Nippert Stadium on August 31, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - AUGUST 31: Kentel Williams #5 of the Austin Peay Governors runs the ball as Linden Stephens #9 of the Cincinnati Bearcats makes the stop at Nippert Stadium on August 31, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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CINCINNATI, OH – AUGUST 31: Head coach Will Healy of the Austin Peay Governors is seen during the game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Nippert Stadium on August 31, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – AUGUST 31: Head coach Will Healy of the Austin Peay Governors is seen during the game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Nippert Stadium on August 31, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

How does 2018 stack up:

The heartbreak of missing those playoffs hurt the players. They will be coming into 2018 thinking that this is the year that they can right that wrong. Nobody expects them to come in and beat Georgia, but they can set up their season with a strong performance. Other than UGA, the Governors have a reasonable schedule and they have a shot to make those playoffs. Making a stand against UGA would be great optics for their program.

The team returns a lot of talent. Most of the players who did well last year were young. Healy is an excellent recruiter and brought in two fantastic FCS classes the past 2 seasons. Jeremiah Oatsvall impressed as a QB last season and he will be just a sophomore this year. So will their leading rusher Ahmaad Tanner.

They are a young team looking to prove themselves so UGA should expect their best shot. They will be preparing all summer for this game so it will not be as easy as some expect. Georgia will also have to win without showing too much to their rivals. With a big game against South Carolina the following week, UGA will likely try and run a very vanilla scheme and attempt to save plays for the following week.

That could be risky against a team that figures to be one of the better FCS opponents. Georgia will still be heavy favorites, but this is a very different team to the one from just a few years ago.

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