Next up on the Triple Option Attack is #19 Georgia
Music to listen to: Inventions by Maserati
I’ve lived in the state of Georgia for several years at various points of my life. Athens, the city where the University of Georgia is located, produces some excellent music. Many people know about R.E.M and the B-52’s, and more recent groups like Of Montreal, but I’m a big fan of the instrumental group Maserati. Here’s a track from their last album. The new one comes out later this year, looking forward to it.
The Story: Back when current head coach Mark Richt took over the Georgia program from Jim Donnan several years ago, the hope was that the Bulldogs would not only continue to produce talent worthy of professional careers but was also able to compete for championships. Going into his ninth season in Athens, Richt has won 90 games, including a 7-2 bowl record, won two SEC championships and increased the national profile of the program. However, after a “disappointing” season by some standards, fans and analysts alike are wondering if last season was an aberration or a sign that Georgia is slipping within the pecking order of the SEC.
Last Season: Finished the season with a record of 8-5 but had an odd season. The losses included Florida, Tennessee and Kentucky, two of which are rivals that fans never want to lose to. The Bulldogs also barely got wins over South Carolina and Auburn. The saving grace was a victory on the road at eventual ACC champions Georgia Tech and a win in the Independence Bowl.
Offense: Many expected the offense to struggle last year after losing NFL first-round draft picks Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno. However, the promotion of Joe Cox to quarterback proved to be a mistake as the same offense in 2009 became below average despite the presence of excellent talent.
With Cox gone, the quarterback position will now go to red shirt freshman Aaron Murray, who had a stellar high school career and has had a year to get adjusted to the Georgia system but he hasn’t even played a college game, let alone start, so caution must be exercised.
The good news is that Murray will throw to arguably the best receiver in the nation and unanimous All-America player, A.J. Green. This will most likely be Green’s last year in Georgia and may go down as the best receiver in school history. The offense also returns two running backs, Caleb King and Washaun Ealey, both of whom have the potential to rush for 1,000 yards this season. Also, the offensive line may be the best that Richt has had in years, maybe in his entire tenure at UGA. Three seniors and two juniors are expected to start but even the backups have seen action.
Defense: While the offense had its struggles last season, some may argue that the defense had an even worse year.
The defense only got 12 turnovers last season, which is embarrassing for the talent it uses on the field.
The numbers that UGA gave up on defense were some of the worst during Richt’s time at the school. 37 points to South Carolina. 41 points to Arkansas. 45 to Tennessee. 41 to Florida. These numbers prompted the Bulldogs to make a change at defensive coordinator and hired former Dallas Cowboy defensive line coach Todd Grantham to install the 3-4 defense to turn things around.
The good news for the Bulldogs is that the defensive unit does return some excellent players such as Justin Houston at linebacker and Brandon Boykin at cornerback but the transition to a new defensive scheme may take time so expect some initial struggles from the unit.
Georgia does also have arguably the top punter and kicker in the nation with Blair Walsh and Drew Butler respectively.
The Schedule
9-4-10 Lousiana-Lafayette
9-11-10 @ South Carolina
9-18-10 Arkansas
9-25-10 @ Mississippi State
10-2-10 @ Colorado
10-9-10 Tennessee
10-16-10 Vanderbilt
10-23-10 @ Kentucky
10-30-10 Florida (in Jacksonville)
11-6-10 Idaho State
11-13-10 @ Auburn
11-27-10 Georgia Tech
That Idaho State contest is going to be tough. Seriously, outside of the Florida contest and maybe Georgia Tech in a stretch, Georgia should be a favorite to win every other contest. The game at South Carolina has always served as a litmus test for Georgia on how its season was going to go and this year will be no different. Kentucky may give them a game on the road and Auburn may be in full swing by that game but this is a workable schedule for the Bulldogs.
Most Famous Sports Alum: Tougher call than you would think. If you’re looking at name value, some may say Dominique Wilkins. If you’re an older fan, an argument can be made for Fran Tarkenton. I’ll go with Herschel Walker, the Heisman Trophy-winning running back who may be on the short list of best college football players ever. Furthermore, he was an Olympian. Remember when he was a bobsledder? He now is a mixed martial arts fighter? He has to be the choice. Who’s with me? Am I right?
Celebrity Crush Alum: Another impressive list to go over. You have Deborah Norville, Amy Robach, Julie Moran if you like journalists. Kim Basinger gets some love as well. However, I’m going to take a reality show contestant, Parvati Shallow, of Survivor fame.
Prediction: 9-3
I’m marking a loss to Florida and South Carolina. However, if the Bulldogs pulled out those wins, it wouldn’t surprise. It also wouldn’t surprise me to see a loss to a team it shouldn’t like Mississippi State or Tennessee. Three losses seems about right.
Sports Inquirer Top-25 Preseason College Football Poll:
The Sports Inquirer 
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