Georgia-Ohio State: DawgsHQ Staff Predictions
ATLANTA — Well, it’s been about a month since Georgia was last on the football field so it’s been awhile since we did one of these. But with the Bulldogs back in action, so too is the DawgsHQ crew, sharing our predictions for Georgia and Ohio State in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
Jake Reuse
I keep coming back to the same thing on this game, which is how well Georgia has played to its competition this year. That was the case against Missouri, but it was also the case against Tennessee and Oregon. That’s quite encouraging from where I’m sitting, and admittedly, I’d be a bit more concerned if Jaxon Smith-Njigba were in this one. But he’s not. I think Kelee Ringo answers some questions Georgia fans have had about his performance in this one, and Stetson Bennett plays characteristically efficient, if not more so. Ohio State can win this, but I can’t convince myself they do. Georgia 35 – Ohio State 24
Jake Rowe
There are a couple of different ways to look at this game. The first is the one most are mentioning right now. It’s that Ohio State is a bad matchup for Georgia. The Buckeyes have the passing game to exploit UGA’s relative weakness on defense. But you can also look at it this way — if Michigan is such a tough matchup for Ryan Day’s squad, Georgia will be too. It’s going to come down to which team holds its water the best and which one finishes stronger. If the Bulldogs avoid mistakes and score touchdowns in the red zone, they’ll be really tough to beat. I think that’ll happen. Georgia 34 – Ohio State 27
Palmer Thombs
I’ve gone back and forth on how I feel like this game is going to go. Coming into the season, there were three teams I felt were talented enough to win a National Championship. Two of those teams are going to be on the field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday. That’s why I truly do believe Ohio State COULD win this game. However, I think Georgia WILL win this game. Similar to what I said ahead of the Tennessee game, the Bulldogs and Buckeyes are very evenly matched when Ohio State is on offense. It’s strength on strength, and I think both units are going to win their battles. When Georgia’s offense is on the field though, the difference in ability more heavily favors the Bulldogs, something that I think decides this game. Georgia’s offense has to get going early and the defensive front has to win enough to help out the secondary some. If the Dawgs do that, this one goes their way. Georgia 34 – Ohio State 28
Wes Blankenship
It’s been a few weeks, but it’s good to be back making picks again. Georgia has a marvelous opportunity on a national stage to show everyone what the ‘G’ is all about with Alabama’s dynasty reeling. Can the Dawgs take it to another College Football blue blood? They already handled Michigan and Bama last season. Ohio State has revenge on the brain. The Buckeyes are angry. Personally, I think Ohio State’s players and coaches did a poor job hiding their eagerness to reach a Michigan rematch when I watched their press conferences this week. For that reason – among other, more football-specific reasons – my gut tells me Georgia will win and cover. However, I have to ride with my Costanza Method of taking what I think, and putting the opposite on the record. I’ve only lost once with it all season. Hope I’m wrong about being wrong. Georgia 34 – Ohio State 30
