“Come Play it”
Those words rang throughout Nashville and through the State of Georgia. Kirby Smart was asked about the “cupcake” schedule the Dawgs are perceived to have nationally.
Georgia’s Kirby Smart asked about the perception the Bulldogs have a cupcake schedule this year: “Come play it.”
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) July 18, 2023
Let’s be honest with each other here, Georgia, for Georgia standards, does have an easy schedule. But it is not their fault at all. Look at the annual rival teams Georgia faces and what is going on in their programs
South Carolina: Although the Gamecock finished the 2022 season off with wins over Tennessee and Clemson, they still went 8-5. Pretty good for South Carolina. This year they have 10 starters coming back and only 4 starters coming back on defense. Last year the South Carolina O-line was awful giving up 20 sacks in SEC play. They not only have a new OC this year, this is the O-lines coach’s first full year. The total wins expected by most gambling outlets have South Carolina at 6.5 wins. Give me the over on that, but the ceiling for this team is an 8-win team. They could make the first SEC game for Georgia a little scary, but given that it is at home the Dawgs should win easily.
Auburn: With Hugh Freeze coming to town, many in the fan base are excited. I would be too. Freeze has had a winning record as a coach and has turned around programs. Let’s not worry about the scandals he gets himself into. Freeze a fantastic offensive mind. It also seems like Auburn has rebuilt their entire team out of the transfer portal. We will see if that helps them at all. The War Eagles/Tigers/Plainsmen are predicted to win 6.5 wins. For a first-year coach and a program as bad as they have been, I think this is a pretty good number. This will be Dawg’s first true road game. Playing in Jordan-hare Stadium is no joke. Scares me a little but the dawgs should out talented them.
Florida: Billy Napier is in his second season at Florida. There hasn’t been any happy news for the Gator fans in recent months. The only thing Napier is doing well is recruiting. But Florida fans expect to win and win right now. I can’t argue with that logic. That should be the standard in Gainesville. Do I enjoy they are in turmoil? Yes! The Gators are expected to win 5.5 games this year. I’m not sure they win 5 games this year. The inside scoop around the program is that they will struggle on offense this year. Jacksonville is a funny place to play. The ball down there bounced funny. But the Dawgs should win this one.
Georgia Tech: The Yellow Jackets are in their first entire season under Brent Key. Georgia Tech in the last decade has been left rendered useless. I feel bad for them. Key overhauled the roster through the portal and got Haynes King, the former QB for Texas A&M. The Jackets O-Line has 4 returning players. Last year, Tech hung tough against Georgia for a half. I don’t expect anything from the tech they should be A little better than last year. They are projected to win 4.5 games. I think they should win 4-5 games this year.
The only team that is a rival of Georgia’s that is going to threaten them is Tennessee. But Joe Milton, the QB, has a lot of questions to answer going into this year. Most if not all Georgia’s rival opponents this year are down.
The SEC grind is no joke, but it is easier than it has been for some time. Kirby is right, most teams wouldn’t be able to play through the schedule. Georgia expectations are higher and therefore, people want them to play the best. Given the schedule, the Dawgs should play the best in the postseason.