Pre-Season Preview: Georgia

Georgia Bulldogs
Head Coach- Mark Richt
106-38 in 11 seasons at UGA


Review of 2011 Season

Last season the Bulldogs got off on the wrong foot coming up short in their season opener to Boise St 35-21, and falling to South Carolina at home the following week in a shootout 45-42. They would recover however and reel off 10 straight wins to close out the regular season and represented the East division in the SEC title game. A combination of running out of steam and LSU flat out being the better team led to a 42-10 victory for the Tigers and set up the epic rematch (sarcasm) of Alabama-LSU in the BCS title game. UGA would also come up short in the Outback Bowl and fell to Michigan St. 33-30 in a 3OT thriller. There are some questions marks on the offensive line that have to be addressed but at first glance, it looks as if Georgia should contend for a spot in the SEC championship game again this fall.



Key Losses/Key Returners 

On offense, Aaron Murray has lost his star TE Orson Charles as well as FB Bruce Figgins. Due to some off the field issues and an arrest, Isaiah Crowell is no longer with the team and will likely be replaced by freshmen Keith Marshall, who enrolled early and participated in spring practice with the Dawgs. The line needs some rebuilding and will have to replace its' center and both tackles. On defense, Georgia will be a force. The nation's third ranked defense only lost three starters and looks to be stout again this year. LB Jarvis Jones is among the nation's best and will help anchor the defense.

2012 Schedule 

Sept   1    Buffalo 
Sept   8    Missouri
Sept  15   Florida Atlantic
Sept  22   Vanderbilt
Sept  29   Tennessee* 
Oct.   6     South Carolina*
Oct    20   Kentucky
Oct    27   Florida#*
Nov    3    Mississippi
Nov   10   Auburn*
Nov   17   Georgia Southern
Nov   24   Georgia Tech

*-Denotes Key Game
Home games in BOLD
#-Game played in Jacksonville, FL

Schedule Analysis 

Georgia has lucked up again this year and will not have to play LSU, Alabama or Arkansas during the regular season. They will still have their work cut out for them though as they have road trips to SEC newcomer Missouri, as well as division rival South Carolina and lastly, Auburn. Georgia will most likely have a stronger start this year and the more you look at it, that October 6 clash in Columbia will probably be between two unbeaten teams. Last year's game was no disappointment and I expect no different this time. The Bulldogs end the season with back to back home games as they host Georgia Southern and rival Georgia Tech. In my opinion it is a very favorable schedule and one that UGA should do well with.






My Thoughts 

The road to the SEC title game will not be easy of course but UGA arguably has the best route to Atlanta. Last year they lost to Carolina (who went undefeated in the division) but thanks to how the system works, they went to the title game over South Carolina. I'm pretty sure the Gamecocks haven't forgotten about that and will be ready to knock them off again and position themselves in the drivers seat. Like Clemson, Georgia's big questions marks are up front. If they fill these voids, they are a 10 win team, if not...it could be a long and disappointing year in Athens. Some people are saying Tennessee will have a good season this year which is why I have it down as a key game for the Dawgs. It should be interesting. UGA can't afford to look past the Vols with a showdown against South Carolina the following week. I'm also interested to see how successful Will Muschamp will be in Gainesville this season. I think Florida will soon be back to competing for SEC titles, but not sure how much of a glimpse of that we will see this season.