SEC East Champions: What's Next for the Georgia Bulldogs?

Georgia players celebrate with head coach Mark Richt.

It wasn't pretty and whether you'd like to admit it or not, Georgia fans, you were worried at some point last Saturday.

In a game that was sloppy for both teams, it was the Dawgs who came out on top with a 19-10 victory over the Wildcats. The win clinched an SEC Championship Game birth for Georgia.

It was the Bulldog defense, which has been great since week three, that was able to keep a pesky Kentucky team quiet. 

Allowing just 165 total yards and a measly 23 rushing yards on 21 carries form the Wildcats, Georgia improved their winning streak to nine games.

"Their 'D' is good and made plays when they needed to, and we didn't execute well enough," said Kentucky running back Raymond Sanders, who led the Wildcats with 37 yards rushing.

The positive from the past weekend—aside from clinching a trip to the SEC Championship—was that maybe the Dawgs don't have to play their best ball to get a victory.

While that may be the case for some opponents, they are going to need to be at their best in their upcoming trips to Atlanta.

Georgia will travel into Bobby Dodd Stadium on Saturday to take on the No. 23-ranked Yellow Jackets in what 

could be a shootout of a ball game.

While the Bulldogs rank second in rush defense, Georgia Tech comes into the game ranked second in rush offense. And for those who think the Techies can't pass the ball, quarterback Tevin Washington might have something to say about that.

Washington averages 11.9 yards per attempt through the air, which is first among all FBS quarterbacks with at least 10 attempts. A large part of those yards may come by way of catching opponents off-guard, as Washington only attempts 11 passes per game.

QB Tevin Washington runs the speed option.

The Georgia Tech run game has given the Bulldogs trouble in the last three meetings between the two schools, averaging 34.3 points and 341.7 rushing yards.

It's the Georgia offense which may be forced to win the game for the Dawgs. That shouldn't be too much of a problem—considering Tech is giving up more than 25 points per game against a less-than-stellar ACC schedule.

Freshman running back Isaiah Crowell, who missed almost all of last week's game against Kentucky due to an ankle injury, is expected to play against the Yellow Jackets.

This should provide a huge boost for a Bulldog offense which struggled mightily versus a weak Kentucky defense—in large part due to Crowell in my opinion.

Quarterback Aaron Murray had a tough time against the Wildcats, completing 16 of 29 passes for 162 yards with a touchdown and an interception. 

With Crowell back in action look for Murray to have an explosive game against a Georgia Tech secondary that has given up 10 plays of 30 yards or more in its last five games.

While I do expect the Georgia defense to struggle against the fast-paced speed option the Jackets present, I see the Bulldogs prevailing in what may come down to turnovers.

It's going to be a close one, but for all of you gamblers, Georgia covers the spread of -6.

Prediction: Georgia 38, Georgia Tech 30