Oklahoma State

September 1

Why they will win: Georgia has not lost a season opener at home since 1996 to Southern Miss. and doesn’t want to break that trend this year. Despite a young team, the Dawgs have been hitting each other since the spring and will be ready come September first to lay into their first opponent in Sanford Stadium. A 6:45 kickoff should only help the team as the fans cool down and settle in to watch the Bulldogs.

Why they will lose: Oklahoma State will be coming in under the radar with some hidden gems including quarterback BobbyReid and wide receiver Adarius Bowman. While the team struggled last season and ended 7-6, an offseason of work can make all the difference in the world. With Georgia young in many areas and without the help of several key players who are suspended, the Bulldogs may be on their way to a rough start of the season if they can’t stop Reid.

South Carolina

September 8

Why they will win: Georgia has not lost to South Carolina since 2001. The Gamecocks come into the game with Blake Mitchell at starting quarterback, the same Mitchell who was benched last season.

While Spurrier might have some better talent, the Gamecocks are still fourth at best in the SEC East. Georgia fans love nothing more than to get on the old ball coaches nerves, and a 5:45 p.m. kickoff will only make Sanford louder and more obnoxious for the garnet and black.

Why they will lose: Steve Spurrier is leading the Gamecocks for the third year and has begun to build up some star power. The Bulldogs and Gamecocks always play close tough battles and one or two mistakes by a young Bulldog team could mean the difference between a win and a loss.

Western Carolina

September 15

Why they will win: The Catamounts of Western Carolina finished the 2006 season 2-9 in the Division I-AA Southern Conference. The Bulldogs will win this game because if they don’t, fans will burn down Sanford stadium and wreak havoc on campus for years to come. Look for some back ups to get some key playing time in this one as the Bulldogs chew on some Catamount in preparation for their first road game in Tuscaloosa the following week.

Why they will lose: The team confuses the schedule and goes to Cullowhee for the game. Then the band would be forced to play the game instead. They might still keep the score close but then lose by a field goal after the tuba player fumbles the ball on the goal line as the clock runs out.

@ Alabama

September 22

Why they will win: Even with Nick Saban at the helm, the Alabama Crimson Tide are still a work in progress.

The team finished 6-7 last season under Mike Shula including losing five of their last six. Even if Alabama proves to be surprisingly skilled, the young Bulldog players should be ready for anything by the fourth game.

Why they will lose: Playing at Bryant-Denny Stadium in front of an energized Alabama faithful is never easy, especially when it’s Georgia’s first road game with a young team.

Alabama returns 16 starters on offense and defense including junior quarterback John Parker Wilson. If Saban has the team running on all cylinders, the Bulldogs will have a tough time in Tuscaloosa.

Ole Miss

September 29

Why they will win: The Matthew Stafford that Ole Miss saw a year ago is completely different. Last year, Stafford went 7-18 for 91 yards but should fare better with a year’s experience. The Rebels have to replace cornerback Trumaine McBride from a team that only compiled three interceptions for the season. Ole Miss also loses all three starting linebackers, and if Georgia’s offensive line can gel by game five, the Bulldogs should provide a balanced attack.

Why they will lose: Ole Miss returns 10 starters on offense, including four out of five offensive linemen. Georgia’s success on defense will rely on how well the new defensive linemen adapt, but this could be a nightmarish match-up for them. Ole Miss’ RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis ran for 135 yards last year and finished third in rushing yards in the SEC.

@ Tennessee

October 6

Why they will win: While Tennessee’s running game should be one of the best in the SEC, they lost wide receivers Robert Meachem, Jayson Swain and Bret Smith. Assuming that Georgia’s corners will be handling Tennessee’s new receivers, the front seven can load up and key on running backs LaMarcus Coker and Arian Foster (assuming Coker is back from his suspension). The Vols have to replace three members in the secondary and will have to improve their run defense, which gave up 10 100-yard rushing games last year.

Why they will lose: It depends on senior QB Erik Ainge. Did Meachem make him look better than he was or did offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe fix all of Ainge’s problems from his disastrous 2005 campaign? If Ainge can find a rhythm in the passing game then Georgia’s defense could be on its heels all game.

@ Vanderbilt

October 13

Why they will win: Georgia’s rushing attack should be clicking by this game, and it helps that Vanderbilt finished 91st in the country last season in rushing defense. The Commodores have to replace two starters on the defensive line, so it would be OK to assume the Bulldogs’ offensive line should be able to open holes for its running backs. Vanderbilt’s defense will be improved, but Stafford and company should be able to have their way.

Why they will lose: Could Vanderbilt seriously make it two in a row? They return all 11 starters on offense, they return RB Jeff Jennings, who missed last year with a knee injury, and all-SEC MLB Jonathan Goff comes back to help anchor the defense. Vandy’s lone SEC win came against Georgia last season and this year the meeting is in Nashville. Dual-threat QB Chris Nickson could provide problems and WR Earl Bennett may be the best receiver in the SEC.

Florida

October 27

Why they will win: The Bulldogs have to be due for a win in Jacksonville and this would be the year to do it. The Gators are returning only two starters on defense and six on offense. Florida is down at every facet on defense, and Georgia’s skill position players should be able to take advantage. If Georgia’s front seven can get a rush on Gators’ QB Tim Tebow, then the Bulldogs finally may grab a win in the game formerly known as the World’s Largest Cocktail Party.

Why they will lose: It’s Florida. The Gators could put out a team full of trained monkeys and Georgia would still be at risk of losing to its rival. Florida’s offensive line returns four starters, two of which were second team all-SEC last year in Phil Trautwein and Drew Miller. Wide receiver Percy Harvin is as dangerous as they come and Florida coach Urban Meyer excels at getting his playmakers the ball.

Troy

November 3

Why they will win: It will be Homecoming Saturday in Athens, and the Bulldogs will be fresh off a tough matchup with Florida in Jacksonville. Good teams win the games they’re supposed to win, and Georgia is supposed to beat Troy.
If the Bulldogs take care of business at home, the Athens fans should see a lot of backups by the end of the game.

Why they will lose: Well, the Bulldogs lost last year’s homecoming game to Vanderbilt 24-22. Troy is no pushover, coming into this season with a win in last year’s New Orleans Bowl.

Georgia also will be the third SEC team the Trojans will play this season, as Troy will start its season at Arkansas and at Florida. By the time they get to Georgia, the Trojans should be ready for another SEC crowd.

Auburn

November 10

Why they will win: The 37-15 beatdown Georgia administered last season should give the Bulldogs confidence. Players like QB Matt Stafford and TB Kregg Lumpkin made a lot of plays at Auburn last season to secure the victory. If the defense can rattle Auburn QB Brandon Cox again, the Bulldogs will run away with another win.

Why they will lose: It’s the Oldest Rivalry in the South, and every rivalry game is tough. A win last season doesn’t guarantee a win this season. The Tigers definitely will have a talented team, and the fact Georgia will be at home could be a problem. The Bulldogs have been a stellar road team under Richt and some of their worst losses in his tenure have been at home.

Kentucky

November 17

Why they will win: The Wildcats won’t sneak up on Georgia. The Bulldogs underestimated Kentucky, made too many mistakes and lost in Lexington last year. Georgia is much more talented than the Wildcats, and if they can start fast at home, they’ll put Kentucky away easily on Senior Day.

Why they will lose: Kentucky has talent in the right places. QB Andre Woodson is the SEC’s best quarterback and should prove to be a challenge to a young Bulldog defense. Rafael Little is a terror in the running game and the return game, and if the Bulldogs don’t watch out, they could drop two straight to Kentucky for the first time since 1956.

@ Georgia Tech

November 24

Why they will win: The Bulldogs haven’t lost to the team in Atlanta since Mark Richt took over as head coach. The Yellow Jackets lost a lot of key players, including wide receiver Calvin Johnson who went second overall in April’s NFL Draft. The two teams are fairly even talent-wise, but momentum and history are both on Georgia’s side.

Why they will lose: Reggie Ball doesn’t play for Tech anymore, unfortunately. The Techies now have a quarterback they can be proud of in Taylor Bennet and return outstanding players, including running back Tashard Choice, on both sides of the ball. The game will be in Atlanta so all the “engineers” will be out in droves trying to win their first game against the Bulldogs in seven years.