Georgia’s game against Texas in the Allstate Sugar Bowl should be a blowout in favor of the Dawgs. There are a few reasons why I think that will be the case.

First, Georgia will have an entire month of practice under its belt following one of the Bulldogs best games of the season in the SEC Championship. Lots of players have gotten a chance to show their chops this season and have earned themselves playing time, so at this point, I believe the best team Georgia can possibly field during the 2018 season has been found. Those are the guys getting starting reps. Those will be the guys who will show up ready to play on New Year’s Day.

Second, Georgia will have an entire month of rest. Some of the Dawgs’ best players have been sitting on the bench due to injury. The offensive line in particular is getting on the sparse end, but the fact that the Dawgs were able to go toe-to-toe with Alabama fielding an offensive line filled with second and third stringers shows just what caliber of talent Kirby is recruiting up there in Athens. With rest and recovery will come a rejuvenated team ready lock horns with the Longhorns.

Third, anyone who watched Kirby’s post-game presser at the SEC Championship game knows where he and his team stands in terms of who is a Top Four team. Georgia believes the Playoff Committee got it wrong—that Georgia belonged in the mix, despite losing by 20 points to LSU and in a nail biter against Bama in the SEC Championship. As a result, I think the Dawgs will come out looking to crack skulls. They will want to prove something: that the committee got it wrong and Georgia is a Top Four team. I expect to see quarterback Jake Fromm’s best game of the season and some excellent individual performances from players on the defense as well.

I personally believe Georgia is one of the Top Four teams in the country. But I also think the Playoff Committee got it right. There is no disputing who the Top Three teams are (Bama, Clemson and Notre Dame). That fourth spot belongs to Oklahoma, who despite losing by a field goal to Texas, avenged that loss in the Big 12 Championship. Georgia got smoked by LSU and lost to the Crimson Tide, the game that was their chance to say they belonged. Unfortunately, those games slipped through Georgia’s fingers. I am more than thrilled with a Sugar Bowl Appearance and a potential 12-2 record in Kirby’s third year.

After all, this has been dubbed a “reload” year. Hopefully Georgia can strike back next season and win it all.