DawgsHQ Staff Predictions: Georgia-Florida State and other bowl games

It’s been a while since the last set of staff predictions, but we’re back for bowl games. Georgia takes on Florida State in an Orange Bowl matchup of the first two teams on the outside of the College Football Playoffs. Below are the predictions from the DawgsHQ crew for the matchup of the Bulldogs and Sooners in South Florida.

Jeremy Johnson (33-39-4)

Georgia is out to clean a bad taste from their mouth. Florida State is limping in. Carson Beck launches a Heisman campaign. (Georgia 41, Florida State 13)

Rusty Mansell

Georgia comes out motivated with something to prove after Alabama loss. Carson Beck has strong showing to head into offseason well. Defense does its job against a Florida State team that’s down several stars. Going to be hard for backups to hang with these Bulldogs. (Georgia 37, Florida State 13)

Jake Reuse (35-37-4)

I wish I could’ve gotten this line at -14, because I absolutely think Georgia is covering that. 20 is a bit of a harder sell for me, but FSU is decimated due to opt-outs. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs aren’t expecting to miss many major pieces, and they’ve played chunks of this season without most of those that will be missing. That’s where the advantage lies. FSU may be able to pull some trickery with some of its players Georgia hasn’t been able to scout, but I have to think the Seminoles are a bit demoralized by missing the playoff AND so many stars. A shame, as this was a fun matchup on paper when slated. (Georgia 38, Florida State 17)

Jake Rowe (34-38-4)

I know that Florida State is going to fight. That team has been through a lot over the past month and while it has been hammered by opt outs, I expect the Seminoles to come out swinging. With that said, I just think Georgia will have more firepower and it will be too much. FSU is going to have a tough time generating consistent offense and I see the Bulldogs controlling the game because of that. UGA finds bit plays in the second and third quarters and the reserves get some work in the fourth. I think this is a game where Carson Beck finds Dillon Bell and Ladd McConkey for some explosive plays. (Georgia 38 – Florida State 6)

Palmer Thombs (47-25-4)

This might be the hardest game to pick this year for Georgia just because we don’t know what the Bulldogs are going to be up against. Florida State is good, but good enough to overcome as many opt outs as it has? I don’t think so. However, good enough even with those opt outs to not lose by more than 20? That’s the question we’re faced with here.

I do think that Georgia comes out motivated, and we’ve seen that with the number of players that have chosen to play in this game that could’ve decided against it. I also have a feeling we see some of the younger guys that’ll be part of the team’s identity for 2024. Ultimately, Carson Beck and company take care of their business while the defense shuts down a new-look Florida State offense. Great momentum going into the new year for the Bulldogs. (Georgia 38, Florida State 14)

National Games of the Week (Against the Spread)

COTTON BOWL: No. 9 Missouri vs. No. 7 Ohio State (-3.5) / 8:00 p.m ET (12/29), ESPN
Jeremy: Missouri
Reuse: Missouri
Rowe: Missouri
Palmer: Missouri

PEACH BOWL: No. 11 Ole Miss vs. No. 10 Penn State (-4.5) / 12:00 p.m. ET (12/30), ESPN
Jeremy: Ole Miss
Reuse: Penn State
Rowe: Ole Miss
Palmer: Ole Miss

FIESTA BOWL: No. 23 Liberty vs. No. 8 Oregon (-17) / 1:00 p.m. ET (1/1), ESPN
Jeremy: Oregon
Reuse: Oregon
Rowe: Oregon
Palmer: Liberty

ROSE BOWL: No. 4 Alabama vs. No. 1 Michigan (-2) / 5:00 p.m. ET (1/1), ESPN
Jeremy: Alabama
Reuse: Alabama
Rowe: Michigan
Palmer: Alabama

SUGAR BOWL: No. 3 Texas (-4) vs. No. 2 Washington / 8:45 p.m. ET (1/1), ESPN
Jeremy: Texas
Reuse: Texas
Rowe: Washington
Palmer: Texas

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