We lost the MVP of the last 4 CFP games, we’re picked #1 for the first time since 2008 (look how that went), running backs are going down like my GameStop investment, the new OC is like the old OC, we have to break in a new Uga, and you won’t even be able to find the game on TV. What, me worry?  

Here is what I’m NOT worried about as we open up a football season after consecutive National Championships:

1. What is a Skyhawk anyway? The history seems to be a little murky or at least not definitive. Is it a bird? A pilot? A preacher? The “concept of a mythical hawk that flies a plane” only leaves me with more questions. Does the hawk go to the bathroom while in the plane? What exactly is the hawk using the plane for? Wouldn’t the maintenance, fuel, and storage costs make owning a plane prohibitive for a raptor, or at least economically inefficient? Maybe I’m actually worried about this one. Forgive me, I’m not in mid-season form yet.

2. UT Martin finished with 7 wins and 4 losses in 2022. For comparison, Georgia’s 4^th most recent loss was to Joe Burrow in the 2019 SEC Championship. Think about that for a minute. The world has changed quite a bit since that game. So while UT Martin might be contenders in the Ohio Valley Conference, I haven’t seen them contend much with Power 5 4 programs. Much less one coming off 2 perfect regular seasons, and a 15-0 record just last year.

3. The Skyhawks allowed 43 offensive touchdowns and surrendered over 400 yards per game. In the Ohio Valley Conference. UGA only allowed 22 touchdowns and less than 300 yards – that’s right at half the touchdowns and only 75% of the yards. Many may say “losing that much talent to the NFL on defense is going to hurt”, well, I just don’t think it’s going to hurt in this particular contest.

Glen Schumann and Will Muschamp’s squad did slip from the 2021 season (when we did lose that much talent on defense to the NFL), but that is somewhat tempered by the fact in 2022 Georgia faced the #1, #6,and #9 teams in total offense, and 7 teams ranked in the final CFP top 25. And it worked out alright. So, yeah, I’m not worried about the defense.

Now forgive me, as I was weaned at the nipple of Larry Munson’s scratch. So here’s what does worry me about facing the Fightin’ Martins (Martians? Martinians? Martinites?):

1. Special teams. Jack Podlesny missed the last kick of his college career, a point after touchdown attempt and that’s not a good trend. Had he made all 73 prior PAT attempts? Technically, yes. Was he perfect from under 40 yards for the season, and kicked a 50 yarder earlier in the season? Admittedly. But he missed a 47 and 52 yard field goal in the semi-final, and missed that last PAT. Maybe his leg was tired from having to kick so many times. I blame Scott Sinclair and the S&C staff, and hope Jared Zinkel begins his starting PK career with some better results.

2. Boom. No, not that one. The new Uga. Que has retired as the winningest Uga of all time. Not only do we have to start a new quarterback, a new kicker, a new running back, a new secondary, and a new D-line, we also have to start a new mascot. He ain’t played nobody.

And how is he going to handle the heat? I hope the Seiler’s (RIP Sonny) are training Boom on how to utilize ice bags on the undercarriage, and when to visit the A/C. You’re either elite at staying cool, or you’re waking up with an IV line.

3. Robert Michael Bobo. I love me some Coach Bobo, I really do. Of course a lot of that loves comes from the fact he is a homegrown ‘Dawg from Thomasville, the Hutson Mason of the mid-90’s, and just seems to live and breathe UGA.

But he’s now back under the headset as the OC. The last game he had the same responsibilities on the Georgia sideline/booth didn’t turn out so well. Ending a season having already lost to both Florida and South Carolina (shellacking Auburn, Tennessee, and Clemson though), Georgia could only muster up 398 yards of offense against Georgia Tech. In Athens. Which we lost. Georgia was 4-11 on 3^rd down conversions that game, which still makes me shudder.

Cherry picking stats aside, CMB put up some of the most prolific offenses Georgia has seen. And while he did have NFL talent, it was not what Todd Monken was working with across the board, and what Bryan McClendon, Dell McGee, and Todd Hartley have restocked. So I’m hopeful. I’m also worried.

Call me crazy, just don’t call me late for dinner. Sound off in the comments below what worries you about the Bulldogs of Georgia versus the Skyhawks of UT Martin. And as always…

GO ‘DAWGS!!!