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College football Week 1 schedule and predictions

By Nicholas Ian Allen

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 31: Head Coach Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide team take the field during the 2016 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at the Georgia Dome on December 31, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 31: Head Coach Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide team take the field during the 2016 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at the Georgia Dome on December 31, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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OXFORD, MS – SEPTEMBER 24: Nick Chubb (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
OXFORD, MS – SEPTEMBER 24: Nick Chubb (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

Appalachian State Mountaineers at No. 15 Georgia Bulldogs

Kickoff: Saturday, Sept. 2, 6:15 p.m., ESPN

Year 2 of the Kirby Smart era at Georgia begins with high expectations, but the Bulldogs face one of the best Group of Five teams in the country – and one with a history of major Week 1 upsets.

App State at Georgia: Three Things to Watch

1. Talent on Defense

The Bulldogs will have their hands full with Appalachian State running back Jalin Moore, who ran for 1,402 yards and 10 touchdowns last season while splitting carries. Quarterback Taylor Lamb is an effective runner and passer as well. But the talent edge is huge in favor of the Georgia defense.

Simply put, Georgia should be one of the best defenses in the nation in 2017. NFL prospects Lorenzo Carter and Devin Bellamy lead one of the best linebacker units in the country, but the Bulldogs are loaded with talent at all three levels. Georgia is also experienced, and welcomes back 11 starters and 14 of its top 15 tacklers from last season.

2. Nick Chubb and Sony Michel

There is a lot of reason to be optimistic Georgia quarterback Jacob Eason can take the next step as a sophomore, but the Bulldogs’ best plan of action in 2017 would be to feed the ball to the running back duo of Nick Chubb and Sony Michel, who passed up the NFL to return to Georgia for their senior seasons.

Chubb, an All-SEC performer as a true freshman, gained 1,130 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground last season – a strong bounce back performance for the senior after he missed the second half of 2015 with a major knee injury. Michel stepped up and gained 1,161 rushing yards in 2015 and followed up with 840 yards and four TDs on the ground last year. A dangerous receiver out of the backfield, Georgia offensive coordinator Jim Chaney should be creative to get the ball to Michel in the passing game in order to make the most of his talented tailback combo.

3. Pace of Play

Appalachian State orchestrated its program-defining win over Michigan in 2007 using an up-tempo spread option attack fueled by dynamic playmakers. However, head coach Scott Satterfield used a methodical pace of play in 2016 to nearly upset Tennessee, and we’re likely to see a similar plan of attack against Georgia.

The Mountaineers ran 62 plays in regulation against the Vols last season, and took Tennessee to overtime before falling 20-13. App State controlled time of possession, holding the football for 33:29 and keeping the clock moving to keep the game close. The team averaged just over 70 plays per game last season.

Georgia averaged 71 plays per game a year ago, so the Bulldogs aren’t especially fast-paced offensively, either. Unless Georgia picks up the pace to exploit its talent edge, the Mountaineers have an opportunity to bleed the clock, keeping the game close into the fourth quarter and giving themselves a chance to win.

Prediction:

Expectations are high for both teams, but Georgia is expected to compete for an SEC title and potentially a spot in the College Football Playoff. Nevertheless, Appalachian State is a tricky Week 1 opponent, and a close call – or even an upset – is a distinct possibility.

Georgia 24, Appalachian State 17

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