(SEC) The Bulldogs play on a grass field at Sanford Stadium (seats 92,746).
- Mark Richt is in his 12th year as head coach of Georgia. While the Bulldogs started the season 0-2, they won their next 10 straight, before falling to LSU in the SEC Conference Championship game and to Michigan State in triple overtime in the 2012 Outback Bowl.
- Richt entered 2011 on the hot seat, coming off his only losing season as the head coach of Georgia (and the first losing season for the Bulldogs since 1995). But after winning the SEC East last year, things look like they are secure (for now).
- Quarterback Aaron Murray’s second (and sophomore season) running the offense showed a slight dip in productivity. His completion percentage went down from 61% to 59% and he threw 14 Interceptions (but had 35 touchdowns). Perhaps the dip in efficiency was due to the fact that the offense only returned about 5 starters last year (including him). Whereas, the previous year the only new starter on the offense was him.
QB Aaron Murray (courtesy of AJ Reynolds)
- More running back drama. In 2011 the top two running backs were off the team. Caleb King was declared academically ineligible and entered the supplemental NFL Draft and then Washaun Ealey, the #1 rusher from 2010’s team transferred. Easley left because of the emergence of freshman Isaiah Crowell, who ultimately started and led the team in rushing last year. But in typical Georgia running back fashion (In 2010 the running game suffered due to injury and suspension), Crowell was kicked off the team this year. The good news is that this group is experienced and deep this year (Crowell only rushed for 850 yards and 5 touchdowns so the production is not going to be difficult to replace).
- The offensive line loses three starters who were NFL draft picks this April. This is a less experienced group for sure. But at least the experience of the QB and RB’s will help make their job a little easier.
- Five of the top 6 receivers return this year. The only losses were at tight end and possibly #2 receiver Malcolm Mitchell, who may be playing defensive back. Tavarres King led the team in receptions, receiving yards and had 8 TD’s, which actually wasn’t too far off from1st round NFL Draft pick A.J. Green the year before.
- Defense is theoretically in great shape with 9 starters returning and coming off a season where it was ranked 5th in the nation in total defense. Everyone is back except for 4th NFL draft pick Brandon Boykin at corner back and 7th rounder Tyson DeAngelo on the defensive line. The linebacker group returns in tact—including backup. But then the question of suspensions arises. All-American safety Bacarri Rambo and starting linebacker Alec Ogletree will miss at least the Bulldogs’ first two games, and as many as four, for a violation of team rules (according to team sources). Plus linebacker Chase Vasser will also miss the first two games. The secondary further takes a hit as Safety Sanders Commings was suspended for two games following an arrest for domestic violence/simple battery and Branden Smith faces suspension after he was arrested in Alabama for marijuana possession. Defensive backs Nick Marshall and Chris Sanders were dismissed from the team this offseason. It makes sense while Georgia shifted one of its top wide receivers in Malcolm Mitchell to defensive back during spring ball.
- Georgia is still playing the 3-4 defense that they implemented in 2010 (after all four defensive assistants were fired). The most important part of the 3-4 defense is the Nose Tackle who is front and center and is responsible for 2-gap blocking. Last year they benefited from junior college transfer at nose guard in John Jenkins and Jenkins is back again this year. Jenkins is big (6’3, 351 lbs) but somehow moves well.
- Georgia has a great schedule again this year, putting them in a good position to win the SEC East, again. South Carolina may be their only real competition for it and also perhaps their toughest game of the season (played at SC). If this team doesn’t have double digit wins, I’ll be surprised.
