2021 Georgia college football preview: Is this the year the Bulldogs win it all?

The Georgia Bulldogs landed two talented quarterbacks in the transfer portal last season but before either of them took the field, it was too late for a national title run. Jamie Newman opted out of the season, and JT Daniels took over in the seventh game of the year, though Georgia already had a pair of losses.

The offense operated much better with Daniels on the field for Georgia, who saw Stetson Bennett under center the most in the first six games. Daniels is clearly the guy in 2021, and the Bulldogs should be among the favorites to win a national championship for good reason. With their recent recruiting classes, it’s a bit of a surprise Georgia has yet to win the title under Kirby Smart, who is heading into his sixth year in Athens.

2020 Season Review

• 8-2, 7-2 SEC (2nd East), Won Peach Bowl (24-21 vs. Cincinnati)
• Started 4-2 with blowout losses to Florida and Alabama, won all four games with JT Daniels against lesser competition

2021 Talent

2021 247Sports Composite Ranking: 4
ESPN Returning Production: 62% overall (92nd): 84% offense (20th), 39% defense (126th)
Returning Talent Index: 1.73, 2nd in SEC
Returning starters: 8/11 offense, 5/11 defense
* All rankings out of 130 FBS schools

Key Player

Quarterback: JT Daniels (Junior)

Quarterback was a major issue for the Bulldogs last season, and Stetson Bennett did all he could to lead Georgia. Now, the program is expected to play a full season with JT Daniels, who can play the position at a high level in major college football. He hasn’t played a full season since 2018 but in the four games he appeared in last year, Daniels completed 67.2% of his passes for 1,231 yards with 10 touchdowns and two interceptions. If he replicates those numbers against some of the top teams in the sport, Georgia is in for a big year.

Offense (non-QB): RB Zamir White (Junior)

Georgia will return all of their running back production from last year, and it will be led by Zamir White. He led the team with 144 attempts for 779 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground last season. With an upgrade at the quarterback position, the Bulldogs will likely throw the ball much more than they did in 2020, but White has the talent to keep defenses honest in trying to stop the run.

Defense: NT Jordan Davis (Senior)

Georgia’s defensive line will be tough to move this season with plenty of talent and experience that makes this group one of the best in the country. Nose tackle Jordan Davis is a massive human up front at 6-foot-6 and 340 pounds. The strength of this defense will be the ability to stop the run, and it all starts with Davis, who is incredibly athletic for his size.

Team Stats Projections

2020 SP+ final: 5th overall: 21st offense, 1st defense, 30th special teams
2021 SP+ projection: 6th overall: 15th offense, 5th defense

Odds from DraftKings Sportsbook

To win national title: +750
To win SEC: +250
Win total: 10.5 (Over -134, Under +105)

2020 Against The Spread: 4-6-0
2020 Point Total: Over 6-4-0

2021 Georgia Schedule