NCAAF Top 25 futures: Does Georgia have what it takes to three-peat?

The Georgia Bulldogs were a perfect 15-0 last season and they are gunning for their third national championship in a row, something that has not happened since the 1930s. It seems like every year they graduate elite talent to the NFL and then come back looking loaded to make another title run. 

This year is going to be a little different because the quarterback that has led them to those national titles (Stetson Bennett) is gone, and per usual so is half of the defense. Nevertheless, it looks like the Dawgs have more than enough to make the playoffs.  

No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs 2023 Win Total

Over 11.5 +115 / Under 11.5 -135

This win totals line is pretty amazing because the only way to cash on the over is with another perfect regular season, which is not that far-fetched for Georgia. It is against logic to have to need that 12-0 mark to win your play, but actually not terribly uncommon for championship teams so if you think Georgia has not lost its fastball then at least you are getting a decent payoff to take on the risk. Yes, it feels weird. 

The Georgia schedule is very light this season. The non-conference is a joke for an elite program — UT Martin, Ball State, and UAB (plus Georgia Tech) — and in this last season of divisions, being in the SEC East is still very advantageous. The only game on the schedule that looks like it might give them some trouble is at Tennessee. However, by then, their new quarterback (Joe Milton) should have found his legs. At Auburn in September might have a big game feels but it is going to be too soon into the Hugh Freeze regime for the Tigers to take down the Dawgs. 

Georgia is in a similar spot to Alabama this season in that they need a new quarterback to take the job and run with it. They have talented options, but until it happens you never know. Like Alabama, there is a ton of surrounding talent if they just want to run the ball and pound opponents into submission. Plus, Brock Bowers is the best tight end in the country. On defense, they are reloading per usual. Maybe this group is not the absolute best unit in the country but until someone scores more than 20 points on them let's assume it still is ... if that even happens (nine of 12 regular opponents last year did not). This team is loaded, even with some unknowns. 

It is wild to recommend taking the over at 11.5 but that is where I am leaning. This is far from the best win totals bet among the Top 25 teams that have been previewed, but at least the payoff there is solid. Just don't make this call if you are not actually a Dawgs fan or are rooting against seeing a three-time champion, because you will be checking their scores all season long.