| The Georgia Bulldogs are coming off an 8-5 | | | | Defense: |
| season, one in which they went just 4-4 in SEC | | | | New defensive coordinator Todd Grantham has |
| play. Certainly, it's not up to the standards that | | | | installed a 3-4 scheme this season with attacking |
| head coach Mark Richt has set for his program, | | | | the opposing backfield becoming a priority. Only |
| as he's 90-27 in his nine years coaching the | | | | five starters return on defense, but Georgia is |
| Bulldogs. The bar that he has set makes anything | | | | happy with a pair of newcomers at defensive end |
| short of a 10-win season a failure. Ten wins is | | | | in Abry Jones and DeMarcus Dobbs. Though they |
| possible, but it won't be easy for this year's | | | | did not start a year ago, this duo combined for 12 |
| Georgia team. | | | | sacks and 36 QB hurries. They will help ease the |
| I preview the Bulldogs below, showing which | | | | transition up front, while three starting linebackers |
| players they will put on the field offensively and | | | | come back. Justin Houston is the leader of this |
| defensively. I also list more predictions on this | | | | group and this experienced linebacking corps is the |
| team in terms of the SEC. | | | | strength of the defense. |
| Offense: | | | | Returning starters in CB Brandon Boykin and SS |
| The Bulldogs return ten starters offensively, but | | | | Bacarri Rambo return to lead the secondary. |
| the one starter they need to replace is at | | | | Vance Cuff had a solid spring and could break |
| quarterback which is also concerning to any team. | | | | through at cornerback in his senior season. FS |
| Freshman Aaron Murray appears to have the | | | | Jakar Hamilton should start here over Nick |
| inside track to the starting job, but Logan Gray | | | | Williams, but each will see plenty of time on the |
| will be pressing him for playing time all year. WR | | | | field. Hamilton is a junior college transfer, while |
| A.J. Green is the star of this offense, who had 53 | | | | Williams is a converted linebacker. |
| receptions last year despite playing in just eight | | | | SEC Prediction: 2nd East Division - I fully expect |
| games. | | | | Georgia to give Florida a run for their money in |
| All five starting offensive linemen return, so the | | | | the East. The X-factor that I haven't talked about |
| Bulldogs should have a solid running game and | | | | yet could come from the kicking game, where PK |
| should also be able to keep their QB upright. The | | | | Blair Walsh connected on 20 of 22 field goals last |
| tandem of Caleb King and Washaun Ealey in the | | | | year and P Drew Butler was a first-team All |
| Georgia backfield is a potent one, and this backs | | | | American last season while averaging 48.1 yards |
| should carry the load while splitting time this | | | | per punt. The only reason I have the Bulldogs |
| season. Sophomore WR's Tavarres King and | | | | listed behind the Gators is due to having an |
| Rantavious Wooten will be asked to step up this | | | | unproven quarterback under center. Aaron Murray |
| season and take some pressure off of Green, | | | | was highly touted out of high school, though, and |
| while TE Orson Charles figures to be a bigger part | | | | could certainly prove his doubters wrong this |
| of the passing game this year as well. | | | | season. |
