5 Keys to a Georgia Victory Over App State

Photo Credit Georgia.247sports.com

By: Donny Karr (@1788sports, @donnykarr)

Georgia fans nervously await the opening game of the 2017 season against last year’s Sun Belt Conference Co-Champs, the Appalachian State Mountaineers. Will Dawg fans see the same characteristics that have tormented the program in recent years, or will Kirby Smart introduce a new-and-improved Georgia Bulldog unit?

There has been lots of focus on Appalachian State’s near-upset of Tennessee in last year’s opener, but let’s be clear, this is not the same matchup.

The No. 15 ranked Dawgs kick off their season at 6:15 p.m. on Saturday between the hedges, but first, let’s look at 5 keys to a Georgia victory over App State.

1. Offensive Production

They say defense wins championships, but Georgia will need to perform better offensively than it did in a dismal 2016 season to beat the Mountaineers.

According to Vegas betting odds, the Bulldogs are favored to win by 14.5 points. If that proves to be the case, it will be the first time Georgia has beat an opponent by more than 14 points since November 7, 2015.

The Dawgs averaged 39 points during the 2013 and 2014 seasons and many fans still called for the head of then Offensive Coordinator Mike Bobo. Since that time, Georgia has struggled in offensive production, and some in Dawg nation are regretting the amount of criticism hurled at Bobo.

Georgia’s offense has a prime opportunity to change the recent trend and light up the scoreboard in 2017. Jacob Eason returns for his second season with more knowledge of the Bulldog’s offensive system. The Dawgs have what is billed as the best running back duo in college football in senior running backs Nick Chubb and Sony Michel.

If Georgia’s front can open some holes for its backs, and if Eason can connect with his receivers, Georgia might be able to cover that 14.5 point-spread after all. If not, Offensive Coordinator Jim Chaney may need to start touching up his resume.

2. Improved RedZone Defense

Georgia all but let opponents walk into the endzone from 20 yards out last year, ranking 103rd nationally in redzone defense.

The Dawgs will need to contain Mountaineer running back and 2016 Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Year Jalin Moore. Smart expects big things out of Georgia’s front 7, and Appalachian State’s ground attack will be an early test for the Dawgs.

3. The Return of Nick Chubb…For Real This Time.

After rebounding from a gruesome knee injury in 2015, Nick Chubb wasn’t quite the same in 2016. Doctors said he would need more than a year to fully recover from the incident, and Kirby Smart says he is starting to see the old Chubb—the one who pulverized would-be tacklers, and cut through defenses like a hot knife through butter.

Smart recently told reporters that Chubb looks to be fully healed from his injury and ready to lead a much-improved rushing attack for the Dawgs. With more than enough backs to help carry the load, Chubb should have opportunities to rest throughout the game.

The Bulldogs’ star running back claimed he returned for his senior year because he had unfinished business. Let’s hope his business in running over defenses…and that business is good.

4. Dominate the Line of Scrimmage

Georgia couldn’t muster an effective blocking performance in 2016. Kirby Smart’s blockers were young and under a new coaching staff. This year, the Dawgs should show a big improvement—literally.

The Bulldogs have some massive linemen on the roster, but their size needs to equal their effectiveness this season. App State’s defensive front is small, but it is scrappy.

Averaging just over 250 pounds apiece, the Mountaineer defenseive line managed to stifle Tennessee’s rushing efforts in 2016.

Smart recently praised senior tackle Isaiah Wynn for emerging as a leader among an improved blocking unit.

“I’m pleased with Isaiah’s leadership,” said Smart. “He’s the one guy who’s not afraid to be in command. He has been a great leader and we expect him to play that way.”

For the Dawgs to pull out a convincing win, they will need to bulldoze the Mountaineer defenders and allow Chubb and company to gash them for big plays early and often.

5. A New Bulldogs Culture

Much can be said of Mark Richt as a coach, and as a leader. He is an outstanding role model who sought to instill wholesome, Christian values in his players. Richt was ousted because he made it a habit of falling short—especially to inferior talent.

Georgia fans should be very concerned that their team could still be stuck in the rut of underachieving and playing down to inferior talent. For the past decade, Georgia has been notorious for minimizing top talent, and maximizing mistakes.

No matter what transpired during the game, Mark Richt stood with the same nonchalant expression on his face, arms often crossed as if he cared nothing about winning or losing.

Smart comes from a Saban coaching culture that has zero tolerance for mistakes. One miniscule mistake—even when his opponent is being steamrolled—would send Saban into a cataclysmic meltdown.

A college coach’s influence has a huge impact on how his players perform. If Georgia is going to be victorious against Appalachian State, it must not fall victim to the program’s old ways. The Dawgs have to get ahead early, and continue to build its lead as the game progresses.

Final Prediction

Although Georgia looks great on paper against a seemingly inferior opponent, this game will be much closer than fans might think.

Georgia 24

App State 14

The game will be televised on ESPN.  

Catch the matchup on local radio station in Macon -- 106.3 FM; Columbus -- 1460 AM/100.1 FM; Athens -- 960 AM/106.1 FM; Atlanta -- 750 AM/95.5 FM.

Sirius XM 134/192

Weather: Sunny with temperatures in the mid-eighties during the day, falling into the upper sixties after sunset.