Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm (11) during the Bulldogs' game against Austin Peay at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. (Photo by Philip Williams)
Georgia has always attracted blue-chip talent, but the recruiting in Athens has seen a meteoric rise under Kirby. While that hasn’t yielded a win against the mighty Crimson Tide yet, it certainly seems inevitable.
2019 could be the year it finally happens as the Dawgs’ top-tier recruiting class joins a veteran lineup lead by junior quarterback Jake Fromm. Fromm’s decision making and leadership abilities make him one of the elite signal callers in the game, but he will need to gain chemistry with an unproven core of receivers after losing Riley Ridley, Mecole Hartman, and Isaac Nauta to the draft and then the dismissal of Jeremiah Holloman in June. The hope is the former five-star recruit and California Golden Bear, Demetris Robertson will be that guy, and this will be his chance to prove he can play up to his potential. The backfield is stocked with explosiveness and the offensive line is massive and experienced. So even if that chemistry between Fromm and a new group of receivers takes time, the Dawgs can lean on their running game to score points.
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- Georgia tailback D’Andre Swift (7) Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm (11) (Photo by Steven Limentani)
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- Georgia head coach Kirby Smart Georgia outside linebacker D’Andre Walker (15) Athens, Georgia – October 6, 2018: Sanford Stadium, the number 2 ranked University of Georgia Bulldogs vs Vanderbilt University Commodores. Final score Georgia 41, Vanderbilt 13.
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- Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Jeremiah Holloman (9) catches a pass down the middle for a touchdown in the first half of the game against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders at Sanford Stadium, September 15, 2018. Photo by Al Eckford
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- Georgia receiver Jeremiah Holloman (9) catches a successful touchdown pass during an NCAA football game between the University of Georgia Bulldogs and the University of Florida Gators in TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Fl., on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018. (Photo by Lauren Tolbert)
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- Georgia outside linebacker Adam Anderson (56) during the Bulldogs’ game against Austin Peay at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. (Photo by Jim Hipple)
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- Georgia head coach Kirby Smart Athens, Georgia – November 24, 2018: Sanford Stadium, the number 5 ranked University of Georgia Bulldogs play the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Final score UGA 45, Georgia Tech 21. (Photo by Steven Limentani)
Defensively, this team still has some growing up to do. After leaning on an elite unit two years ago, they lost a little ground in 2018, but were still good enough to win it all. I expect this year’s squad to be improved but not impenetrable, which will be more than enough to win the East and get a rematch all Bulldog fans want but must be wary of after the heartbreak of the past two seasons.
On special teams, Rodrigo Blankenship and his glasses return for his senior campaign after considering turning pro. The kid is good enough and will kick in the NFL, but it is not often that kickers reach Rockstar status. He has in Athens, so he wisely decided to enjoy it for another year. At punter, Jake Camarda, is perfectly serviceable.
2019 Schedule:
August 31 at Vanderbilt
September 7 vs. Murray State
September 14 vs. Arkansas State
September 21 vs. Notre Dame
October 5 at Tennessee
October 12 vs. South Carolina
October 19 vs. Kentucky
November 2 vs. Florida (Jacksonville, FL)
November 9 vs. Missouri
November 16 at Auburn
November 23 vs. Texas A&M
November 30 at Georgia Tech
It is hard to imagine fans getting restless in Athens but with success comes expectations, and Dawg Nation already had those when they weren’t overwhelmed with five-star recruits. The expectation is getting back to Atlanta, which will be decided in the month of November when they play Florida in Jacksonville, Missouri in Athens, Auburn on the Pains and Texas A&M Between the Hedges. I only see them losing one of those games if any all season, which will be good enough to win the East. It’s hard to imagine anyone else other than Alabama waiting for them in Atlanta.
Third time is a charm, right?
2018 Results: 11-3, 7-1 SEC
2019 Projection: 11-1, 7-1 SEC
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- Fans cheer on the Bulldogs during an NCAA football game between the University of Georgia Bulldogs and the University of Florida Gators in TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Fl., on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018. (Photo by Lauren Tolbert)
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- Fans cheer on the Bulldogs during an NCAA football game between the University of Georgia Bulldogs and the University of Florida Gators in TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Fl., on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018. (Photo by Lauren Tolbert)
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- Cheerleaders cheer on the Bulldogs during an NCAA football game between the University of Georgia Bulldogs and the University of Florida Gators in TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Fl., on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018. (Photo by Lauren Tolbert)
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- football fans 2018 Athens, Georgia – November 10, 2018: Sanford Stadium, the number 5 ranked University of Georgia Bulldogs play the number 24 ranked Auburn University Tigers.
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- Georgia head coach Kirby Smart after winning the SEC Championship game against Auburn at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga., on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017. (Photo by Steffenie Burns)
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- Georgia crowned the SEC Champions following the Bulldogs’ SEC Championship game against the Auburn Tigers in Mercedes Benz Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017 in Atlanta, Ga. (Photo by John Kelley/UGA)
