Georgia Bulldogs

In-depth analysis of North Carolina vs Georgia

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Week One of the college football season is this weekend, so let us take a closer look into Georgia’s first game against 2015 ACC Coastal champions North Carolina.

The game will be played on a neutral site (2016 Chick-Fil-A Kickoff Game) at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, so neither team will have a home field advantage. This game along with many others occurring that week will shake up the CFB’s Top 25 rankings.

[College Football Preseason Rankings]                        [Week One Top 25 Match Ups]

Georgia fans may not want to hear this, but this game will be a lot closer than many expect. The Tar Heels bring back nine starters on offense which includes five 2015 All-Conference players: RB Elijah Hood, WR Ryan Switzer, WR Mack Hollins, OG Caleb Peterson and OT Jon Heck. The Tar Heels lost a huge offensive weapon in QB Marquise Williams, but he will be replaced with junior QB Mitch Trubisky. Even if Trubisky is a sub par quarterback, he will have the protection of five veteran linemen, who will give him enough time to pass against a very young, inexperienced Bulldogs defensive line.

Sep 27, 2014; Athens, GA, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jalen Hurd (1) is tackled by Georgia Bulldogs defensive end Sterling Bailey (58) linebacker Ramik Wilson (51) and linebacker Jordan Jenkins (59) during the first quarter at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

The Bulldogs defense took a big blow losing defensive end Sterling Bailey, defensive end James DeLoach, linebacker Jordan Jenkins, linebacker Jake Ganus and linebacker Leonard Floyd. The transfer of Tim Kimbrough, Georgia’s leading tackler last year (67 tackles) does not help the Bulldogs either.

Clearly Georgia will have a lot of inexperienced players filling in on the defensive line and the line backing corps, but the return of an experienced back field with cornerback Malkom Parrish, cornerback Aaron Davis, safety Quincy Mauger and safety Dominick Sanders will hopefully hold the Tar Heels passing offense at bay.

On the opposite side of the ball, Georgia is bringing back plenty of playmakers along with many new additions from the 2016 recruiting class. Returning offensive players include running backs Nick Chubb and Sony Michel, wide receivers Isaiah McKenzie and Terry Godwin, tight end Jeb Blazevich, offensive guard Greg Pyke and 2015 All-Conference center Brandon Kublanow.

There are a few things to be considered. Georgia has no former starting players at offensive tackle returning, which will probably lead to the start of true freshmen Ben Cleveland, who was a highly sought after recruit for the 2016 class. Cleveland will make a huge impact on the offensive line because he can play both on the left and right side.

He will probably play left tackle to help cover presumed starting quarterback Jacob Eason’s blindside, which still leaves the right tackle position vacant. Luckily, the Bulldogs have Junior College transfer Tyler Catalina to fill that position and solidify the running game.

Apr 16, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Nick Chubb (27) on the sideline during the second half of the spring game at Sanford Stadium. The Black team defeated the Red team 34-14. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Nobody knows if Chubb is truly 100 percent physically and mentally after his ACL tear. Michel also fractured his forearm this past July, which could affect his ball protection and his presence in the game is doubtful. If worse comes to worst, touches could be spread out between freshman Elijah Holyfield and senior Brendan Douglas.

Georgia has a new tight end weapon with freshman Isaac Nauta, who can line up and block if need be. Do not be surprised if Georgia uses a two tight end set using Nauta and Blazevich in the offense which will prove valuable for blocking and baiting the Tar Heels defense resulting in huge passing gains.

North Carolina brings back six returning starters on defense in defensive end Dajaun Drennon, defensive end Mikey Bart, defensive tackle Nazair Jones, cornerback Des Lawrence, strong safety Donnie Miles and 2015 All-Conference cornerback M.J. Stewart. The Tar Heels defensive ends may be able to exploit the Bulldogs lack of offensive tackles which may disrupt the Georgia running offense but will have a rough time stopping the passing game.

With all this taken into account, it will be a high-scoring affair. Expect both teams to score more than 28 points a piece. The winner of this matchup will be whoever can retain the ball longer on offense and the team whose defense can make big plays forcing fumbles and interceptions.

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