The Georgia Bulldogs had a disappointing 8-5 season last year and if not for injuries it could have been a much better year. This year they have 14 starters back, a new DC and the 9th best recruiting class in the nation, which should mean that they will be a real threat to win the SEC East this year. Preview & schedule are below.
The Georgia offense has been very high powered the last few year and could be so again, even with the loss of QB Aaron Murray. Hutson Mason looks to take over at QB and really impressed his coaches in spring practice. He did hit 61% of his passes last year for 968 yards and 5 TDs, so he does have experience in this offense. Hutson will have the luxury of handing the ball off to the nd best RB tandem in the nation in Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall, who were both hit with injuries, but back in 2012 when both were healthy they combined for 2144 yards. The Bulldogs also have a nice tandem at WR in Chris Conley and Michael Bennett, who combined for 1189 yards and 8 TDs last year, plus the get back Malcolm Mitchell, who was lost for the year in game 1 of 2013, but just may be their best WR on the team. The OL is a question mark on this team with just 2 starters back. The defense was a problem for the Bulldogs last year as they allowed 29 ppg on the season, including 31.8 ppg in SEC play. The Bulldogs have back 8 starters on this side of the ball and have a plyer at each starting position was highly touted when the cam out of HS, with 9 of their starters being rated 27th or better. The LB corps is the strength of this defense and actually rates as the best in the nation. The group is led by Leonard Floyd, Ramik Wilson and Jordan Jenkins, who combined for 15.5 sacks, 17 more TFL and 6 PBUs last year. The DL is solid, with 2 of 3 starters back, while the secondary is slightly above average.
Georgia was hit by many injuries and it allowed them to play some younger players, which helps with depth. The offense could be a bit weaker with the loss of Murray and a weak OL, but still a huge dropoff should not be expected with some explosive skill players. The defense had their struggles last year, but they look to be much improved, especially with what just may be the best LB corps in the nation. The schedule isn’t too tough, but they do face South Carolina and Missouri on the road, have a neutral site game with Florida and get Clemson an Auburn at home. Still I can’t see them losing more than 2 of those games, but one of the losses should be at South Carolina, which will keep them from winning the SEC East. KEY TREND: 13-1 ATS off a DD win vs an opponent that is off a SU win as a dog.
2014 Georgia Football Schedule
Aug. 30 Clemson
Sep. 6 OPEN DATE
Sep. 13 at South Carolina
Sep. 20 Troy
Sep. 27 Tennessee
Oct. 4 Vanderbilt
Oct. 11 at Missouri
Oct. 18 at Arkansas
Oct. 25 OPEN DATE
Nov. 1 Florida (in Jax)
Nov. 8 at Kentucky
Nov. 15 Auburn
Nov. 22 Charleston Southern
Nov. 29 Georgia Tech
Info gathered From Phil Steele's CFB Preview and Athlon Sports
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