2013 Outlook - Georgia

Entering his 12th year at the helm of the Bulldogs, Mark Richt has quite possibly the most talented roster he has ever assembled.  There are studs on both sides of the ball, and this is a team that will be right in the mix for the SEC East all season long.

The offense, as we know, starts with the QB, and the Bulldogs have one of the two best in the conference.  Aaron Murray is a very talented signal caller, and last season he set the record for a Georgia QB, tossing 35 TDs.  If he can reduce the 14 picks that went along side that, he could make the jump to the NFL after his JR season.  If SO RB Isaiah Crowell stays healthy, he could be the best back at UGA since Moreno turned pro.  The receiving corp should be a strength of this team, and I think with Murray throwing to both Tavarres King and Marlon Brown, the Bulldogs could be the pest passing team in the SEC.  Neither King nor Brown have AJ Green type talent, but both could be 3rd or 4th round considerations next draft.  The only weakness on this Georgia offense is up front.  Although I really like what JR OG Chris Burnette brings to the table, I have concern about the lack of experience from the rest of the unit. Losing both Cordy Glenn and Ben Jones will hurt, but if this line can hold it together, the Bulldogs will score a lot of points.

The defense for this Bulldogs is even better stocked than the offense.  The front seven here is as good as any front seven in the country.  Big bodied John Jenkins will plug up the middle making it very hard to run against these guys.  It will also allow for the speed off the edges to be very disruptive.  Cornelius Washington moves from linebacker to DE, and Jarvis Jones, who is one of my personal favorites, will come off the edge as an OLB.  This combination will be nightmarish for opposing teams to handle. If you decide to throw on the Dawgs, you still have to deal with SR Sanders Commings at corner, and returning all-american SR Bacarri Rambo at safety.  They will both miss some time at the beginning of the year due to suspension, but when they return, watch out.

Looking over the schedule, the Bulldogs have as easy a schedule as you can ask for playing in the SEC.  They play Mizzou on the road in the early season, but then won't face another stiff challenge until October 6th at South Carolina.  A game against Florida in Jacksonville and then to close the year at home against Tech are the only other stumbling blocks I see.  Georgia most certainly can be a factor this year.