Final Score Predictions for UT Martin vs. Georgia

Finally, it is here. Football between the hedges is back when UT Martin visits Georgia. The Dawgs Daily staff gives their score predictions and analysis leading to Saturday night.

The defending national champion Georgia Bulldogs begin their quest towards a third straight national championship this Saturday night when the UT Martin Skyhawks come to town in a bout with the Bulldogs. The Dawgs Daily staff is here to give you our final score predictions for the first game of the 2023 season. 

Brooks Austin: UGA 55, UT Martin 10

Georgia has a starting quarterback who hasn't started a football game since December of 2019 in Carson Beck and an offensive coordinator who hasn't called plays for his alma mater since 2014. This is going to be an offense led by a core that's been itching to play football for quite some time. Georgia has the weaponry to "accidentally" run the score up on football teams this season. Scoring in bunches when already up big is something that's counterculture to Kirby Smart's standards, but he may not have much of a choice at this point this season, his second-string offensive line unit is reportedly good enough to start at most programs. Backups are hungry too. 

Ethan Offutt: UGA 45, UT Martin 3

The Skyhawks come to town after posting some impressive stats in 2022. They boasted a 1,000-yard WR and RB, but neither player is on the team anymore. They also lost their starting QB, this will be a part of Glenn Schumann and Kirby Smart's gameplan. The Dawgs also have a new starting quarterback, but various weapons surround him in the receiving core. What will be interesting for the Dawgs is how effective the run game will be against a solid tackling team. Defensively, a few cornerbacks could touch the field and contain a receiving core for UT Martin, who averaged above 10 yards per catch just a season ago.  But Georgia will be up to the task and ready to dominate the Skyhawks. 

Jonathan Williams: UGA 45, UT Martin 7

While this first game may not have the same anticipation that Georgia's previous season openers have had, it will be a great opportunity for the Bulldogs to really settle into the new season. Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo and quarterback Carson Beck will get their first in-game run with one another, and I expect the Bulldogs to come out swinging on offense. With it being the first game of the season and UT Martin being the opponent, Georgia will be rotating in a lot of bodies throughout the game, and I don't think it's until late in the game when the Skyhawks get their first points on the board. Dawgs roll through week one and get their first victory in the win column with ease.  

Tyler Graves: UGA 55, UT-Martin 6

While a game against on overmatched FCS opponent hardly gets the fans fired up, it's the season opener and after a month full of hitting each other, the Bulldogs will be ready to turn their attention to a new opponent- any opponent. As is the rule in college football, Georgia has some key contributors to replace and will be working in a number of new faces, but Kirby Smart's team also has a load of impact players returning. UT-Martin simply cannot match up with the likes of Brock Bowers, Amarius Mims, Jamon Dumas-Johnson, and the rest of Georgia's talented roster. If history is any indication, Georgia will likely have a game or two during the 2023 season where it does not play up to its standard, but it won't be this game. The Bulldogs will rotate liberally throughout the game and Kirby Smart will want to see what he has with his young players. He will give those players opportunities to showcase their talents, which will lead him to keep the foot on the gas pedal longer than he typically does. Georgia's overwhelming talent edge and the focus that comes with the first game of the season will lead the Bulldogs to start their march to the 3-peat in style.

Kyle Funderburk: UGA 45, UT-Martin 0

The pomp and hype surrounding the debut of the back-to-back National Champs, combined with Carson Beck's first start at quarterback and an injury-riddled running back room could lead to a flat start for the Bulldogs. However, they'll overcome that quickly thanks to a stingy and aggressive defense. Expect an early turnover and a quick score to open the floodgates late in the first quarter. Georgia probably won't let up, even with the game out of reach since Brock Vandagriff and Gunner Stockton both need quality reps, and they'll aim to make the most of them.