As part of my series on simulating seasons with NCAA Football 14 on XBOX 360, one of the teams I’ll be simulating is the Georgia Bulldogs. I’ll simulate each game during the season and provide a game recap, which will post in the week leading up to the actual game on the field. It’s all in good fun and I’ll have no control over the outcome of any of the games. I’m simply here to report how the computer thinks the Bulldogs will do. Let’s take a look at how NCAA Football 14 views the Dawgs as we prepare for the season.
Preseason Outlook
National Poll: 5th
SEC: 3rd
SEC East: 1st
Todd Gurley: All-SEC First Team
Arthur Lynch: All-SEC Second Team
Georgia starts the season ranked in the Preseason Top 5. The game clearly thinks very highly of the team and projects them to beat out South Carolina and Florida to win the SEC East. However, it also projects Alabama and Texas A&M as the top two teams in the SEC. There is an abundance of talent in the league and only two Bulldogs made the Preseason All-SEC teams - Todd Gurley & Arthur Lynch. We’ll see how Aaron Murray responds to being snubbed.
Team Ratings
Overall: 91
Offense: 95
Defense: 88
NCAA Football 14 gave the Bulldogs one of the top offenses in the country. The backfield and skill positions are loaded with playmakers and the offensive line is experienced and physical. The bigger question mark will be on the defensive side of the ball, where the Dawgs have a young and inexperienced secondary. This appears to be a team built for some shootouts.
Impact Players
#11 Aaron Murray, Quarterback - Overall: 96 | Awareness: 91 | Throw Power: 95
The senior quarterback and leader of the team can make all the throws and puts up great stats. Now he needs to lead Georgia through a difficult schedule.
#3 Todd Gurley, Running Back - Overall: 92 | Acceleration: 96 | Break Tackle: 88 |
Gurley has that rare combination of power and speed that makes him extremely difficult to stop as the game wears on.
#4 Keith Marshall, Running Back - Overall: 89 | Speed: 95 | Acceleration: 99
Despite being the back-up running back, Keith Marshall is too talented to keep off the field. Look for UGA to figure out ways to get the ball to this explosive playmaker.
#33 Chase Vasser, Outside Linebacker - Overall: 88 | Acceleration: 92 | Tackling: 88
In a bit of surprise, Vasser is the highest rated player for the Georgia defense. He’s been overshadowed by other UGA linebackers during his career but now is his time to step up.
Key Games
8/31 @ No. 9 Clemson - Georgia opens the season on the road with a difficult contest against No. 9 Clemson. The Tigers have an extremely explosive offense and the Bulldogs defense, particularly the secondary, will be tested early.
9/7 vs. No. 8 South Carolina - The inside track to winning the SEC East begins here. Georgia must snap it’s current three game losing streak to the Gamecocks and figure out a way to slow down the monster that is Jadeveon Clowney.
11/2 vs. No. 10 Florida - Last season’s game was full of penalties and turnovers but the Dawgs figured out a way to get a win. It will be interesting to see how Georgia’s elite offense fares against Florida’s fantastic defense.
Upset Alert: 10/5 @ Tennessee - After having to face LSU the week before in what will surely be a physical game, the Dawgs travel to Knoxville to take on a Tennessee team that is rebuilding and looking to gain momentum in Butch Jones’ first season as head coach.
Preseason Outlook
National Poll: 5th
SEC: 3rd
SEC East: 1st
Todd Gurley: All-SEC First Team
Arthur Lynch: All-SEC Second Team
Georgia starts the season ranked in the Preseason Top 5. The game clearly thinks very highly of the team and projects them to beat out South Carolina and Florida to win the SEC East. However, it also projects Alabama and Texas A&M as the top two teams in the SEC. There is an abundance of talent in the league and only two Bulldogs made the Preseason All-SEC teams - Todd Gurley & Arthur Lynch. We’ll see how Aaron Murray responds to being snubbed.
Team Ratings
Overall: 91
Offense: 95
Defense: 88
NCAA Football 14 gave the Bulldogs one of the top offenses in the country. The backfield and skill positions are loaded with playmakers and the offensive line is experienced and physical. The bigger question mark will be on the defensive side of the ball, where the Dawgs have a young and inexperienced secondary. This appears to be a team built for some shootouts.
Impact Players
#11 Aaron Murray, Quarterback - Overall: 96 | Awareness: 91 | Throw Power: 95
The senior quarterback and leader of the team can make all the throws and puts up great stats. Now he needs to lead Georgia through a difficult schedule.
#3 Todd Gurley, Running Back - Overall: 92 | Acceleration: 96 | Break Tackle: 88 |
Gurley has that rare combination of power and speed that makes him extremely difficult to stop as the game wears on.
#4 Keith Marshall, Running Back - Overall: 89 | Speed: 95 | Acceleration: 99
Despite being the back-up running back, Keith Marshall is too talented to keep off the field. Look for UGA to figure out ways to get the ball to this explosive playmaker.
#33 Chase Vasser, Outside Linebacker - Overall: 88 | Acceleration: 92 | Tackling: 88
In a bit of surprise, Vasser is the highest rated player for the Georgia defense. He’s been overshadowed by other UGA linebackers during his career but now is his time to step up.
Key Games
8/31 @ No. 9 Clemson - Georgia opens the season on the road with a difficult contest against No. 9 Clemson. The Tigers have an extremely explosive offense and the Bulldogs defense, particularly the secondary, will be tested early.
9/7 vs. No. 8 South Carolina - The inside track to winning the SEC East begins here. Georgia must snap it’s current three game losing streak to the Gamecocks and figure out a way to slow down the monster that is Jadeveon Clowney.
11/2 vs. No. 10 Florida - Last season’s game was full of penalties and turnovers but the Dawgs figured out a way to get a win. It will be interesting to see how Georgia’s elite offense fares against Florida’s fantastic defense.
Upset Alert: 10/5 @ Tennessee - After having to face LSU the week before in what will surely be a physical game, the Dawgs travel to Knoxville to take on a Tennessee team that is rebuilding and looking to gain momentum in Butch Jones’ first season as head coach.
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