Georgia football takes on Michigan in the semifinals of the College Football Playoffs on Friday after what seemed like the longest month ever.
We finally made it to one of the more anticipated semifinals since the playoffs began as two hard-nosed football teams will face off trying to earn their spot in the national title game.
It’s been since 1980 for the Dawgs and 1997 for the Wolverines, so both are exceptionally hungry to make it.
These two teams were made to face off with each other in the semifinals because they are mirror images. They have similar strengths and weaknesses, plus both are physical football teams who genuinely are similar.
Georgia football will see these six bold predictions come to life against Michigan.
However, there is something brewing inside the Dawgs and their leaders. They know what got put on the field against Alabama isn’t them or what their destiny is. It’s time to prove to the world, the doubters, and the fan base that one game doesn’t define a season, and they will win the games that matter.
This game will come down to who has a better game plan for the other if we’re being general. A lot has to go right for the winner, so they get their shot at ending droughts.
Head coach Kirby Smart will have to reach into his bag of creativity because Jim Harbaugh will be ready to throw tricks at the Dawgs. Georgia doesn’t have to stoop to that, but the Dawgs need to have some fun with the offense. Forget the vanilla offense, drizzle some chocolate syrup on it and prove why you went 12-0.
The defense needs to remember who they are, and the coaching staff needs to trust itself. Georgia has more than enough tools in its belt to win this ballgame, and it’s past time they show it.
That Alabama game came at the right time, and it’s not to prove this season was another year wasted, but instead, a gut check that remaining humble and sticking to their game will lead them to their destiny.
Georgia will have to fight a scrappy Michigan team to get a chance at destiny, but here are six bold predictions that will help them get past the Wolverines and one step closer.
Georgia football rushes for 200 yards dominantly
Sure, Georgia football has five games with over 200-yards, but in most of those games, big chunks of the yardage came when the opponent got worn down, or it wasn’t against a great rush defense. However, this week against the Wolverines, Georgia’s rush attack finally arrives and dominates from the jump.
While the Dawgs will look to the passing game to make some things explosive, this game will feature a big run or two early on as Zamir White or James Cook breaks one to the house. Wouldn’t it be great to see one of them break one loose as Sony Michel did in Pasadena back in 2017?
Yeah, it would, and it would also be nice to see the interior offensive line get a push early so these running backs can dominantly tote the rock. This game will feature two teams with talented running backs, but whoever has more success on the ground will likely be the winner, so get a good start so the passing game can follow suit.
It’s time for White and Cook to remind people who the real RBU is. The Dawgs had the fewest rushing yards all season against Alabama, so now it’s time to get back to work and run it down the Wolverines’ throats.
Between White, Cook, Kenny McIntosh, and possibly Kendall Milton, there is no reason Georgia should have over 200 rushing yards on Friday, but the key here is getting them to keep the momentum on the Dawgs’ side.
Forget about waiting until late in the second half, tote the rock successfully in the first half so your offense can do whatever it wants as the game progresses, plus running the ball makes the clock roll, keeping it out of Michigan’s talented backs’ hands.
Brock Bowers breaks the touchdown record by two scores
The SEC Freshman of the Year is currently tied with Terrence Edwards for receiving touchdowns in a season, but against the Wolverines, Brock Bowers will break it by scoring twice. He has been starting quarterback Stetson Bennett’s favorite target throughout the season, and rightfully so, the kid has been clutch.
While there is George Pickens and other receivers out there, Bowers does so much more, and Friday’s game will not be any different. He helped Georgia get here, and now he will help keep the fight alive. Now it’s time for him to really secure his name in the Georgia record books by being the playmaker the Dawgs need against Michigan.
Bowers has 791 yards on 47 catches and 11 scores, but Friday will see him make it to 13 touchdowns and hopefully another 100-yard game to break another Edwards’ record. The kid is so close it isn’t funny, and wouldn’t it be even more humorous if Bowers did get the 1000-yards without the John Mackey Award even noticing him. No, it doesn’t matter, but at the same time, man, they are silly for leaving him out.
He essentially needs 106 yards against Michigan, and if the Dawgs make the national championship to tie the record, so it is obtainable.
Bowers still has a lot of fight left in him this season, and he wants to help the Bulldogs win, so expect a big game out of him on Friday.
It wouldn’t surprise me if he and starting quarterback Stetson Bennett didn’t connect for an explosive passing touchdown like they have a few times already this season. This year has been the year of tight ends, at least for the Bulldogs, so why stop now? Keep feeding the youngster and let his confidence grow.
Georgia football holds Michigan to under 150 rushing yards
Georgia football fans saw the defense show weakness for the first time against Alabama, and from all reports since then, the defense knows they screwed up that night.
Since they know, the Alabama performance wasn’t even close to their standards. I kind of feel bad for Michigan because this group is motivated to prove they are as good as advertised.
The Wolverines thrive on running the ball and throwing it when needed, so if the Dawgs can force them to throw more than run the ball, that will benefit Georgia.
While yes, the Wolverines have the best offensive line in the country, they haven’t faced a defensive front like the Dawgs’ have. Friday will be a true test for them to see how their line matches up to one of the most talented front sevens in all of college football.
This defense will hold Hassan Haskins and Blake Corum to under 150 yards. We will give them that because they have one of the better rush attacks in the country, so we expect them to make some plays, but once Georgia gets the advantage, it could be a long day for Haskins and company.
The Dawgs are mad at how they left the SEC Championship game and know if you win this one, that revenge game could very well happen. Regardless, you win, you’re still in, and if you lose, then the season is over, so this game will test how bad Georgia wants it.
That defense is generationally good and should be able to get enough stops against Michigan. Georgia has a fast and agile defense, so it’ll be interesting to see how the Wolverines prepare for that.
Georgia football sees its defense create 25 havoc plays
Georgia football struggled to get any momentum going against Alabama, especially when putting pressure on the quarterback. However, on Friday, the Dawgs will go off against the Wolverines and make them remember the day they took on the best defense college football has seen since 2011.
The Dawgs have a whopping 193 quarterback hurries on the season, 52 pass breakups, 83 tackles for loss and 41 sacks. They know how to wreak havoc on opponents.
Georgia will look to do that against the Wolverines because to win this game — havoc must happen.
The Dawgs need to get in Michigan starting quarterback Cade McNamara’s head and stay there. Nakobe Dean, Channing Tindall, Travon Walker Nolan Smith, and the rest of the defense need to put pressure on him and keep it on him.
Georgia will see 35 havoc plays, which is steep but overdue. The Dawgs have the capabilities to make this happen because if they get pressure on McNamara, it’ll be at 35 before they know it.
Michigan is a physical team that will make a team pay if they don’t do their due diligence. The Dawgs saw seven sacks against Clemson and six against Tennessee. It’s time for them to do that once more. Plus, making sure that they handle their business and wrap up entirely if they reach a Wolverine behind the line of scrimmage.
Plus, it’s time for another pick-six as Oct. 30 is far too long to go without one. A pick-six could swing the momentum the right amount so Georgia can put it to the Wolverines.
Havoc is key for the defense but also making sure they play smart football.
Georgia football swings momentum with massive special teams’ play
Georgia football has shown it can make big plays on special teams with blocked kicks, which will happen on Friday against Michigan. Being able to force a big play in the third phase of the game will only elevate the Dawgs’ chances of winning.
However, it could be something other than a blocked kick. Kearis Jackson has been so close to running a punt back for a touchdown, and that could be what happens on Friday or maybe a kickoff return.
Either way, this kind of momentum swing is just what could force Michigan to make a mistake and allow the Dawgs to capitalize off it.
If the defense does their job, they will have plenty of opportunities to make something like this happen.
Making a big play like a touchdown return often helps teams have confidence in other phases of the game and makes them feel like they can accomplish anything, which only helps Georgia.
A blocked kick, return, forced fumble, or getting Michigan to make a crucial mistake will be something the Dawgs need to do to deliver a demoralizing blow and keep all the momentum to themselves.
Momentum plays a huge part in these big stage games, and it’s important for the Dawgs to win that battle.
Stetson Bennett proves doubters wrong and finally flat out wins a game
Finally, this is the game that Georgia football starting quarterback Stetson Bennett finally flat out wins. There will be no getting bailed out by anything. Instead, he proves every doubter wrong and beats the Wolverines.
Bennett will lead this offense and team to its destiny while putting on a show. The Dawgs have looked upon him all season, and so many people feel it isn’t enough for him to be the starter, but it is. He has done more than enough to win the starting job.
Now he trusts himself fully, and Friday’s game shows Bennett is a championship-caliber quarterback.
He doesn’t care about the haters, but at the same time, it would be so sweet to see him put on a clinic and get the Dawgs to a national championship.
Bennett will throw for four touchdowns, 300-passing yards, and completes at least 65% of his passes. This matchup is where he gets all the anger and frustrations out to prove he earned this job.
The coaches trust him, and now he must trust himself. Bennett has the tools surrounding him to get the job done, plus he can also run, which is an added weapon. This break allowed him to remember who he is and get back to having that moxy which helped him lead the Dawgs to nine straight wins as a starter.
His one blemish is Alabama, and if he puts on a show Friday, that should put to bed the terrible opinions of him. I don’t care what his stats say about his performance against the Tide the last two times, football is a team effort, and it doesn’t just fall on him.
Bennett’s time is now, and he is about to have his coming out party against a team better than 90% of the opponents he has beaten. It’s time for him to blossom and finally believe in himself. He has the game of his life, which gives him even more confidence to know he can lead this team to win it all, which I feel he already knows he can — it’s just time to finally do it.
Georgia football has the opportunity to really prove themselves on Friday against a scrappy Michigan team looking to take down an SEC team. Instead, the Dawgs accomplish these six predictions and find themselves booking a ticket to Indianapolis.