Early lines have Bulldogs as underdogs in biggest games of 2017

Georgia quarterback Jacob Eason (left) and tailback Nick Chubb return for another season to Athens.

Credit: Curtis Compton

Credit: Curtis Compton

Georgia quarterback Jacob Eason (left) and tailback Nick Chubb return for another season to Athens.

The Georgia Bulldogs finished the 2016 season 8-5 and 2nd in SEC East.

While they notched key wins over North Carolina, South Carolina and Auburn, their losses included a barn-burner against Tennessee; an offensive misstep at Jacksonville against the Gators; and a shocking flub at home against state rival Georgia Tech.

The team returns offensive starters Jacob Eason, Nick Chubb and Sony Michel. Still, Vegas doesn't appear sold on Kirby Smart's prospects in 2017.

The early lines for these five Georgia games has the Bulldogs as underdogs in four contests:

Sept. 9 @ Notre Dame

ajc.com

Credit: Ronald Cortes

icon to expand image

Credit: Ronald Cortes

Georgia at Notre Dame (-3)

The Irish went 4-8 last year. Brian Kelly enters 2017 with new offensive and defensive coordinators and revamped roster.

Sept. 30 @ Tennessee

ajc.com

icon to expand image

Georgia at Tennessee (-1) 

Butch Jones enters his fifth season at Tennessee coming off back-to-back wins over Georgia. The Bulldogs are still reeling from Hail Mary that gave the Volunteers their most improbable comeback in Athens.

Oct. 28 vs. Florida

ajc.com

icon to expand image

Georgia vs. Florida (-1), at Jacksonville 

The Gators have won 21 of the last 27 meetings between the two team. Florida have won back-to-back SEC East Division championships.

Nov. 11 @ Auburn

ajc.com

Credit: Curtis Compton

icon to expand image

Credit: Curtis Compton

Georgia at Auburn (-10)

The Bulldogs held the Tigers to 32 yards with no first downs in the second half. Hype is building up to the matchup of Eason vs. Jarrett Stidham.

Nov. 25 vs. Georgia Tech

ajc.com

Credit: Hyosub Shin

icon to expand image

Credit: Hyosub Shin

Georgia (-2.5) at Georgia Tech

The Yellow Jackets have beaten the Bulldogs twice in the last three years. "Not bad for a bunch of 80th-ranked recruiting classes," coach Paul Johnson quipped last season.