NCAAF Pick: Over 11½ Wins (+120) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
Join us as we take a look at Georgia’s form, and their prospects and betting odds for the upcoming 2023 season, as well as our best pick for Season Wins, courtesy of the top US sportsbooks.
Key Facts
- The Bulldogs are two-time defending national champions.
- Georgia’s schedule doesn’t include Alabama, Texas A&M or LSU.
- Georgia must replace nine drafted players, including five defenders, two offensive linemen and a quarterback.
New Look for Dawgs
The quarterback that led Georgia to the last two national championships, Stetson Bennett, is in NFL training camp with the Los Angeles Rams, which means that UGA must find a replacement from a number of candidates.
Who Will Be QB?
The leader heading into preseason camp is Carson Beck, according to coach Kirby Smart, who told ESPN in mid-July that Beck, last year’s backup to Bennett, is currently QB1 in Athens. “He’s certainly the leader, but hasn’t done enough to say he’s the starter,” Smart said.
Beck, a junior, will need to beat out redshirt sophomore Brock Vandagriff and redshirt freshman Gunner Stockton. Beck was 26-of-35 passing last year in relief of Bennett, throwing for 310 yards and four touchdowns without an interception. Vandagriff did not complete either of his two pass attempts last season.
New Faces and Returning Players
Quarterback isn’t the only spot where the offense is in transition. Todd Monken, coordinator of the No. 5 offense in the country last year, left for the NFL and is replaced by Mike Bobo.
Despite sending two offensive linemen to the NFL Draft, the Dawgs return four blockers with starting experience including tackle Amarius Mims, who might be the best of the bunch. They also have the nation’s best tight end in Brock Bowers (63 catches, 942 yards, 7 touchdowns) and return their leading receiver, Ladd McConkey (58 catches, 762 yards, 7 touchdowns).
Georgia also adds the top receiver from Mississippi State, Rara Thomas (44 catches, 626 yards, 7 touchdowns), and Missouri’s Dominic Lovett (56 catches, 846 yards, 3 TDs), who transferred in. The Dawgs also return three productive running backs who will combine to try to fill the shoes of departed Kenny McIntosh.
The Defense
In addition to their quarterback and two linemen, Georgia’s nine drafted players include five members of what was one of the top defenses in college. That brings the total to 19 drafted defensive players over the last three years.
Tackle Jalen Carter was taken ninth overall. Linebacker Nolan Smith went in the first round as well. A corner, safety and linebacker also got selected by NFL teams. In Georgia, they call that a rebuilding year. This year’s defense is expected to be even better.
The secondary returns three starters, including Javon Bullard, who was MVP of the national title game. Malaki Starks and Tykee Smith also return and are joined by A&M transfer Smoke Bouie. Kamari Lassiter will also likely make a huge step forward in his second season.
The linebacking corps returns team sack leader Jamon Dumas-Johnson and tackle leader Smael Mondon. The line also returns a deep, talented group of players ready to step up and pressure the quarterback.
The Schedule
The biggest factor working in Georgia’s favor might be the Bulldogs’ schedule. Georgia has succeeded against one of the toughest schedules in college history over recent seasons. UGA has won 29 of its last 30 games and has done it while playing 22 teams that played in bowl games the season before.
This year, however, five of the Bulldogs’ 12 opponents missed out on bowl games last year, including three of four non-conference opponents and two SEC foes.
The Bulldogs don’t play Alabama, LSU or Texas A&M this season, giving the team about the most favorable SEC schedule that could be drawn up. They open with UT-Martin and Ball State and close with Georgia Tech. Their only non-conference foe who made a bowl game last year is UAB, who comes to Athens in week four.
Georgia doesn’t play on the road until its fifth game, and its toughest opponents –Florida (Week 9), Ole Miss (Week 11) and Tennessee (Week 12), come in the second half of the season, after the team’s new quarterback has had time to find his footing. They play the two SEC non-bowl teams on their schedule –Auburn (Week 5) and Vanderbilt (Week 7) – in the first half of the season, in their first two road games.
Our Pick
Georgia has dominated the last two college football seasons, and the only place where the Dawgs seem to be taking a step backward is at quarterback.
Most other spots on the field will be as good as last year, if not better. The schedule makes it tough to imagine that UGA won’t be the heavy favorites to win the SEC and wrap up a spot in the College Football Playoff. It would be a surprise if the Dawgs don’t hit the conference title game with an undefeated mark.
NCAAF Pick: Over 11½ Wins (+120) at BetOnline
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
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