Georgia Football Weekend – Opening Week 2017

The 2017 College Football season is here and Kind of Like Sports is back after a long hiatus. This weekend there are big match-ups all around the country and the big boy programs in Georgia all have some action. So KLS has breakdown of the opening week and what to expect in these early season match-ups.

The Mountaineers from App State head to Athens to take on the UGA Bulldogs in an early evening kick-off. Georgia is in their 2nd year under Kirby Smart and come into the contest ranked 15 in the nation. Now of course this is the 10-year anniversary of App State upsetting Michigan and making college football history. A lot has changed since then as the Mountaineers are in FBS and coming off a 10-3 season. That being said they still probably won’t beat the Dawgs. With a retooled offensive line Nick Chubb and Sony Michel are back to rack up some yards on the ground. Jacob Eason is in his 2nd year under center and will not make the same rookie mistakes as last year. A team picked by many to challenge for the SEC East they will pound this Sun Belt Conference team early and often.

Prediction: Georgia 27 App State 13

The Eagles of Georgia Southern travel to Alabama tonight to face the Tigers of Auburn. This game starts about 90 minutes after the UGA game so if it’s no longer interesting. This game probably won’t be interesting past the first half either but it will be late give it a shot. Southern comes in with a fresh set of quarterbacks to try to run that triple option offense. Auburn is starting out as the number 12 ranked team in the country. It is believed that 2017 can be one of those special years for the Tigers. They are led by Jarret Stidham who had a good 2015 at Baylor. There are high hopes for him in this Gus Malzahn offense. Auburn is loaded and looks to show and prove early in front of their home crowd.

Prediction: Auburn 34 Georgia Southern 10

On Monday Night the Tennessee Volunteers come to Atlanta to face off against Georgia Tech in the new Mercedes Benz Stadium. Both teams are looking to replace their starting quarterbacks as Joshua Dobbs and Justin Thomas have both graduated. The Vols are currently ranked #25 in the nation and look to finally win the SEC East this year. Paul Johnson’s Yellow Jacket team looks to pick up where they left after 2016’s 9-4 campaign. Tech returns 16 starters but has lost leading rusher Dedrick Mills who was kicked off the team right before the season started. This match-up will get a lot of attention because it’s on Monday Primetime and the new rivalry between the ACC and SEC. The ACC is tired of being the little brother. When Paul Johnson has a seasoned offensive line and a decent quarterback his teams do well. Tennessee has a lot of talent that can play on Sunday’s but will they not get trapped by the deceptive triple-option is the question? The Volunteers are favored by 3 points by most odds makers.

Prediction: Tennessee 30 Georgia Tech 21

Keith B. Holt

Follow on Twitter @Kholtjr