Final Score Predictions for Georgia vs. Ball State
The Georgia Bulldogs are coming off of a week one victory over the UT Martin Skyhawks by a score of 48-7 and hope to continue their win streak past week two as they take on the Ball State Cardinals. Unsurprisingly, the Bulldogs come into this game as a massive favorite, with the current line being 42 points in favor of the reigning national champs.
This is Georgia's final non-conference game before South Carolina rolls into town for the Bulldogs' first SEC game of the season. Quarterback Carson Beck got his first collegiate start last weekend, along with offensive coordinator Mike Bobo making his official return to the play call sheet at Georgia, and they will be looking to build off of what they accomplished in week one.
Georgia is also on the verge of extending their current win streak to a total of 19 games this Saturday, and based on the matchup, there's a very high chance they do so. Here is how we at Dawgs Daily predict the game to shake out on Saturday:
Jonathan Williams: UGA 49, Ball State 3
Georgia's offense got off to a bit of a slow start last week against UT Martin, which is to be expected with a new starting quarterback and offensive coordinator, but they are able to find a groove this Saturday. Even with the early struggles, Carson Beck still nearly threw for 300 yards, so I expect a big first-half showing from him, with Brock Vandagriff and Gunner Stockton taking the majority of the reps in the second half of the game. Ball State only managed to get 295 yards of total offense against Kentucky a week ago, so I don't see them finding a way to get anything going against this Georgia defense. Dawgs roll big in week two.
Kyle Funderburk: Georgia 55, Ball State 7
Georgia got off to a slow start last week, so look for the Bulldogs to do what they can to avoid that this week. That starts up front with more variety in the run game and more consistent blocking from an offensive line that's now battle-tested. But it ends through the air with a greater emphasis on the vertical passing game. Explosive will be the word of the day Saturday.
On defense, expect more of the same. Georgia's veteran led defensive backfield and aggressive front seven will pester Ball State's quarterback all afternoon. Expect a few sacks and maybe an interception from that group. The Cardinals are also looking for an identity in the run game, but they won't find it in Athens.
Georgia wide receiver Mekhi Mews (87) after Georgia’s game against UT Martin on Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. (Tony Walsh/UGAAA)
Tyler Graves: Georgia 52, Ball State 7
Despite the 48-7 final margin, Georgia clearly did not play up to its standard in its season-opening victory over UT-Martin. Sure, injuries and the coaching staff's desire to get reps for an assortment of young, inexperienced players contributed to that, but the focus and attention to detail wasn't where it needed to be. The silver lining of a performance like that, though, is that it gave the Bulldog coaching staff plenty of ammunition to get the attention of its players heading into a matchup against another over-matched opponent.
On the field, expect the Georgia offense to feature its top playmakers more than it did in week one and attempt to push the ball vertically down the field more in an attempt to build momentum heading into the conference opener next week. The return of Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint and Daijun Edwards should also give the offense a shot-in-the-arm.
Defensively, this is a favorable matchup for the Bulldogs. Ball State wants to feature Marquez Cooper, who rushed for over 2,500 yards combined the past two seasons at Kent State, but Georgia has had one of the most consistently dominant rush defenses in the country for three years running. The Cardinals played three quarterbacks in their week one loss to Kentucky and none of them are talented enough to threaten Georgia enough through the air to keep the Cardinals in the game. The Dawgs are significantly more talented than Ball State, possess the matchup advantages, and will bring a stronger level of focus into this game. That is the recipe for covering the 42.5-point spread.
Ethan Offutt: UGA 48, Ball State 10
Just a week ago, Ball State’s defense looked fairly well against Kentucky’s passing game. Picking up an interception and some QB Hurries along with it. Despite that fact, their defense still gave up over 100 rushing yards to the Wildcats starting running back. It was a game that Ball State lost 44-14.
Week one for Georgia held a different story compared to Ball State’s in week one. In their victory over UT Martin QB Carson Beck racked up over 300 yards of the 559 yards of total offense from the Bulldogs last week. With an offensive line that will likely want to have a bounce back game, I don’t see the pass rush from Ball State effecting him too much. Ball State will get a field goal against the starters and a touchdown during “garbage time.” But the Dawgs will handle the Cardinals early. Georgia wins 48-10.
Other Georgia News:
- WATCH: Kirby Smart Previews Week 2, Talks Carson Beck's Performance
- Kirby Smart Updates Injury Report Heading Into Week 2
- LSU Finds Out it Isn't the "Two-Time National Champion Georgia Bulldogs" in Loss to FSU
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