Bold Predictions

This week's Brain Droppings comes with a story and dedication. Upon graduating from college, a small group of us has made it our mission to get together at least one time every year and pretend we are in college again (to a certain point, at least). This outing is always centered around a UGA away game. We've been to Columbia, SC, Knoxville, TN, Oxford, MS, and even Lexington, KY. For some reason or another, I've had to miss a trip here or there but the point is it's been a time to get together, relive some old memories, and catch up. The four (and occasionally five) of us have had a great time doing it over the years. And a new tradition formed. Prior to the season, we would each pick UGA's record game by game. I think 3 out of the 4 of us took it pretty seriously and would pick records that were realistic based on our expectations. However, I am pretty sure we have all picked UGA to be National Champions at least once.

Not Matt though. Had all of Matt's predictions come to fruition, UGA wouldn't have lost in 10 years and would have a dynasty to rival that of UCLA basketball under Coach John Wooden. To make things more interesting, Matt had to make outlandish claims like the time he predicted Kendrell Bell would hit Kentucky QB Jared Lorenzen so hard he would immediately decapitate him and then pick up his head (still in helmet) and dance around with it to celebrate. This year will be our first without Matt's wild observations. We lost him in a car accident in January and though the other guys have made the trip without him before, I think it will be my first year. Though I know it will be fun, there will definitely be something missing. He'll be toasted not only on that trip, but throughout the season by those who knew and loved him even if only through the magic of UGA football.

We also are robbed of his searing wit and what, no doubt, would be another prediction of an undefeated season and national championship for the team. So, here, as part of Brain Droppings, I bring you this year's predictions for UGA as I think Matt would have seen it...

1) UGA vs Clemson - The Dawgs will looking for revenge against Clemson this year as they lost a heartbreaker last year. The offense will be breaking in new QB, Hutson Mason, while new DC Jeremy Pruitt will try and improve on what was a historically bad defense last year. Not a problem as the Tigers hail from the ACC. UGA wins 42-14

2) UGA @ South Carolina - Normally Matt would've picked a romp against Carolina but as much as he hated the ol' ball coach, he respected him and this game would've scared him. That being said, it will probably be the closest UGA plays all year but the Gamecocks can't stop Todd Gurley on a last second drive to win 24-20

3) UGA vs Troy - Yawn. Offense gets a practice game. 51-6

4) UGA vs Tennessee - Tennessee will be slightly better than Troy in Butch Jones 2nd year. UGA wins 45-17.

5) UGA vs Vandy - We don't have to worry about Humpty Hump coaching Vandy this year. Dawgs roll 38-7

6) UGA @ Mizzou - It's too bad I don't feel as if I can spew forth the cursing Matt would have laid down at a team like Missouri. Despite winning the East last year they would be wannabe SEC members. Only being admitted for their academics. He would remind me of the 'grown man football' it takes to win in the SEC and pick the Dawgs 44-17.

7) UGA @ Arkansas - How can a proud football program like Arkansas take the crappy Big 10's sloppy seconds for a coach. UGA 50-10

8) UGA vs Florida - I once watched Matt taunt Florida fans after a Gator score by letting them know it was ok because they would one day be serving him french fries at McDonalds. Safe to say he hated the Gators. But they'll be better under that turncoat Muschamp. UGA 30-20

9) UGA @ Kentucky - Our group has a pretty dang good record when we take our trips. If we were all there, we never lost one. We visited UK on the next to last one we were all at together and had a blast. We're going again this year. Dawgs win 41-17. Jared Lorenzen will manage to keep his head this time as Kendrell Bell no longer plays for UGA.

10) UGA vs Auburn - The whole secondary that gave up the hail mary last year either was kicked off the team or transferred to Louisville. Actually, one of them transferred to Auburn. UGA won't need a miracle though. They win 41-30

11) UGA vs Charleston Southern - 48-6

12) UGA vs Tech - If there was one team Matt hated above all others (and he hated all of them), Tech was the worst. I had the pleasure of getting to watch last year's game with and his family over Thanksgiving and we celebrated heavily after a Dawg victory. This year, there will be no need for a major comeback and the Todd Gurley show in OT. Dawgs 38-0.

13) SEC Championship: UGA vs Alabama - In a rematch from 2 years ago, the Dawgs will be in for their biggest test of the season. Both Matt and I had thought we had them beaten two years ago after the Alec Ogletree field goal return only to have our hearts ripped out at the end. However, this game will be different and the Dawgs will prevail 31-20.

14) CFB Semi-Final: UGA vs Oregon - The Dawgs are rewarded with a #1 seed going into the inaugural playoff. Despite their prolific offense, Matt would've dismissed Oregon as not playing enough physical football. He would cite our running game and nasty defense as the difference in the game and predict a UGA victory 38-28

15) CFB National Championship: UGA vs Florida State - This game will be over before it starts. As the FSU mascot, Osceola comes out of the tunnel to bury his flaming spear in the ground, UGA player, Quayvon Hicks comes off the sidelines and proceeds to slay his horse, Renegade, as if it was a dragon. FSU players are now terrified. UGA wins after they clean up the mess 45-0

Unlikely? Maybe. Outlandish? Yes. But that's how the man thought about football season. At least before it began. Lord knows, as a UGA alum, I always hoped he was right. Now I hope I am too. Go Dawgs!

Next week, I'll bring you full SEC predictions...