This came out a month ago, but it’s worth a look again given the earlier post. Here’s the actual schedule, which, unlike previous seasons, isn’t just the inverse of the prior season:
Honestly, there’s not an easy month on there, but September is going to decide our fate early. Get through September with one loss, we have a chance. Drop back to back against the Vowels and the Gumps, and I think we’re done. Based on some of the end of season projections, as well, we are likely facing two ranked teams each month (Bama and Vols in Sept, Auburn and Ole Miss in Oct, and the Lagway Lizards, Texa$$, and Tech in November…Yeesh).
We already have the narrative to break in 2025 that the SEc was overrated all these years, so going 1-1 against Tennessee and Alabama won’t necessarily be viewed like it used to be. What’s worse, we all know that Tennessee seems to do better early in the year and fades late, so how Tennessee looks early along with whatever Kirby’s curse is with Alabama, and we’re in for a tough September.
All that with a new QB under center (rumors are Puglisi is giving Gunner a run for QB1, supposedly) a rebuilt offensive line and lots of gaps to fill on defense.
At least our special teams will be solid, right?
What hesitations to do you have about the schedule? Will $a key give us the evening prime time slots for the home games like he did when we visited these teams in 2024?
Not an easy schedule but because we’re playing most of our toughest games at home or on a neutral field, I don’t think it’s as daunting as last year’s. That said, there are a lot of questions about not just UGA but also every other team we’re playing.
Is Bama now just a pretty good but not great team that we should beat? Even if it is, can we slay that demon (more than once, I mean)?
Is Rocky Top going to get over the hump or regress? Until I see otherwise, I’m going to assume the latter.
Did Ole Miss squander its best chance last year and are they back to an 8-4 ceiling?
Is Florida really getting better?
Is Texas going to move to elite status? And if so, is that enough to beat us?
Can Tech take us to (and beyond) the wire two years in a row?
With all the roster changes, I don’t know what to expect from the Dawgs. But the same holds true for every single opponent we face.
I like the strategically placed off weeks or relatively easy games around the hardest games. The Auburn/OM weeks are by FAR the hardest two in a row that we have. That ain’t bad.
Last year I predicted that 2024 was about splitting Bama and Texas and OM and UT. 2-2 there and don’t slip up to a lesser team and you’re good. And we were
For 2025, the keys are going to be 1 loss or less at home and 1 loss or less away from Athens. Do that and we’re fine.
As far as qb, if Gunner is no better at execution in the passing game then what I saw in NOLA or second half vs. UT, play any kid that can move.
As we saw with ND, if you have to defend the qb power run and the guy can throw a few easy completions, matched with a respectable defense, you are ok.
Among the many disappointments in the Sugar Bowl was that there was not one single moment when Stockton showed off some athletic ability/speed.
Not once.
He does have a cannon. If, like Stetson did in the 2022 offseason, Gunner can go to work on processing the offense the way it needs to be processed: checks/changing plays/progressions/quick and accurate delivery he/we may be ok.
But everyone needs to up their game too. And stay fucking healthy!
my Alpha & Omega…what kind of O and D line play + QB1 play will we have in 2025?
We will probably score close to 40 in several games. There are a couple where we might not hit 20. Par for the course with our offense.
We need a running game. Lack of one last year (OL, injuries, depth) just put too much pressure on the rest of the team. Fix that or find Leach’s old playbook. Man I wish we could get Kliff Kingsbury to come be OC but he’s NFL talent and may get another HC job at that level.
Why do we need a guy who has a 53-77 record as a HC? At least Leach had a mediocre record. This guy’s is terrible.
Our qb’s aren’t going to turn into Jayden Daniels because of the OC.
I am most interested in our QB situation. I don’t assume that Stockton is automatically QB1 because he started the Sugar Bowl and hope that, if he wins the job, it’s because he’s the best that we have and not because of any loyalty that Bobo or Smart have towards him. I’ve seen articles where it’s been speculated that Rashada may actually come back next year and I also wouldn’t be surprised if UGA brought in a portal QB prior to the season. Regardless, the QB position is a question mark.
I am also interested with our running game and losing Etienne. Many are excited about Frazier, but unless he fixes his fumbling issues, he isn’t going to be RB1 as Kirby won’t put up with that. Unless the O-line improves, it won’t matter who the RB is if there aren’t any holes. What was the longest run for a RB last year? Did anyone break a long run? Nothing comes to mind.
What about the WRs? Can they learn how to catch the football? Will the new WRs that are coming in play? Can they create separation?
This is the most uncertainty that I can remember being around a Kirby Smart UGA team since 2016 and I certainly feel it too. I don’t have any confidence in this team at this moment.
Kinda hard to predict what next year holds until we get through the spring portal. We could gain or lose key pieces. For that matter so can everyone else. Bama could look like a shell of its former self by September.
Finally a really good home schedule. The schedule is very hard also being the bad news. Extending that home win streak record will be very difficult.
Blocking and running backs are my main concerns for the offense. If we have to establish a good running game and better QB protection to reach our goals. I think the QB options are good enough. WR position already seems greatly improved. TE position group is a big strength with lots of quality options.
Defense for me it’s the line of scrimmage that again worries me. I trust there’s plenty of talent behind them. Most importantly with that schedule is finding quality depth and avoiding serious injuries. Kirby and company have a lot of heavy lifting in their future. We’re blessed to have Kirby and an administration that supports his needs.
Other than few those minor concerns it’s 🔥 the boats 16-0 here we go.
Tuck Fexas, my most hated orange team and we maybe the team that stands in their otherwise cupcake by SEC standards path to the SECCG
Too early for me to evaluate next season. Need to see about staff changes, spring development of the OTs and DL, and of course, the QB battle. Could see the Dawgs anywhere from 9-3 to 12-0 with that schedule though.
I’m not expecting this team to magically become elite this year.
That schedule is still a killer… I’m guessing 9-3 .
I hate Texas but Manning is going to be a great one…esp with their schedule.
I see 10-2 as the ceiling. 9-3 seems likely and if we finally lose to Tenn, FL or the barners we could be 8-4. Until I see that O line function and us replace Mykel, Jalon and Malakai I feel we are in for some bumps. Then, with all the price changes, if we go 9-3, 8-4 the tickets will get cheaper by far……………