What to Expect from the Upcoming Georgia Football Game This Season

As a longtime observer of college football and someone who has followed the Georgia Bulldogs through more seasons than I care to admit, the anticipation for this upcoming campaign feels different. It’s not just the usual post-championship hangover or the standard reloading narrative. There’s a tangible weight of expectation in Athens, a complex blend of legacy and future that makes predicting this season’s journey particularly fascinating. Now, speculating on the exact outcome of every Saturday is a fool’s errand—now that’s getting a bit ahead of the story. But based on the roster, the schedule, and the unmistakable culture Kirby Smart has built, we can certainly map out the terrain this team will navigate.

Let’s start with the undeniable: the defense, yet again, will be the cornerstone. Losing a historic talent like Jalen Carter to the NFL is a blow, but the depth along the defensive line is almost unfair. I’m especially keen to see Mykel Williams take that next step; his combination of size and agility at 6'5", 265 pounds is a nightmare for offensive tackles. The secondary, led by Malaki Starks, might be the best in the country, and I’ll go out on a limb and say they’ll hold opponents under 185 passing yards per game on average. The real question mark, if you can even call it that, is at inside linebacker. Smael Mondon Jr. is a stud, but replacing the defensive quarterbacking of Jamon Dumas-Johnson is a subtle, crucial task. I think we’ll see some early-season growing pains there, maybe a missed gap assignment or two against a team like South Carolina, but the talent is too plentiful for it not to gel by October.

Offensively, all eyes are on Carson Beck. I was impressed with his poise last season when called upon, completing a crisp 72% of his passes in his limited action. But stepping into the full-time spotlight is a different beast. The good news? He has an embarrassment of riches at his disposal. Brock Bowers isn’t just the best tight end in America; he’s a legitimate offensive weapon who demands a double-team on every play. I expect Beck to lean on him heavily, especially on critical third downs. The running back room is deep, but I have a personal preference for the bruising style of Branson Robinson—if he’s fully healthy, he could be the workhorse by season’s end. The offensive line, returning three starters, should be a strength, giving Beck the time he needs. My concern, and it’s a minor one, is the vertical passing game. We need to see someone like Dominic Lovett or Rara Thomas consistently stretch the field to keep defenses from crowding the box. If that deep threat emerges, this offense shifts from very good to virtually unstoppable.

Now, the schedule. On paper, it sets up nicely. The early non-conference games should be tune-ups, though I never take any game in Sanford Stadium for granted. The real season starts with the SEC slate. The trip to Auburn in late September always makes me nervous—Jordan-Hare Stadium is a house of horrors for ranked teams, no matter the Tigers’ record. I’ve got that one circled as a potential trap game. The Florida game in Jacksonville is, as always, a season-defining cocktail of rivalry chaos. But the elephant in the room, the game that will likely decide the SEC East and a playoff berth, is November 18th in Knoxville. Facing Tennessee on the road, in what will be a frenzied, revenge-minded environment, is the single biggest hurdle. I think Georgia matches up well against their offense, but containing a quarterback like Joe Milton requires near-perfect discipline. It’s the kind of game that championship teams find a way to win, even when they’re not at their best.

So, what should you expect? You should expect a team that might look a touch vulnerable in September as the new leaders solidify their roles. You might see a game where the offense sputters and the defense has to carry the day—a 17-13 kind of grind that isn’t pretty but reveals character. But by the time the leaves turn, expect to see a polished, ruthless machine. Kirby Smart’s process isn’t about rebuilding; it’s about relentless regeneration. The goal isn’t just to win games; it’s to compete for a national title, full stop. Anything less would be a disappointment in this era of Georgia football. Will they go 12-0 again? The odds are against it in the brutal SEC, but I’d put my money on them being in the mix come playoff selection time. They have the talent, the coaching, and most importantly, the ingrained expectation of excellence. The story of this season won’t be about if they are good—we know they are. It’s about how they navigate the target on their back and which new stars rise to cement the next chapter of the dynasty. And that’s a story worth watching unfold, one Saturday at a time.