Georgia Bulldogs

Although Georgia head coach Mark Richt is the Dean of SEC coaches, the last three seasons of Georgia Bulldogs football have left many wondering if his days in Athens are numbered. 2010 saw the Dawgs finish with a disastrous 6-7 record - Richt’s first losing season - including an embarrassing loss to Central Florida in the Liberty Bowl. Georgia
seems to be a team on the decline since being tabbed as the pre-season #1 pick in 2008, yet finishing that campaign with a disappointing 10-3 record.

The slide continued in 2009 as Georgia finished with an 8-5 mark, leading up to the 2010 losing record. As the 2011 season begins, Mark Richt is clearly on the hot-seat which could become a raging inferno right out of the gate. The Dawgs open with two difficult match ups to start 2011: Boise State on September 3rd in the Chik-Fil-A Kickoff Classic
in Atlanta and at home against South Carolina on September 10th.

Georgia certainly has talent. Quarterback Aaron Murray had a remarkable breakout season a year ago as a red-shirt freshman, throwing for 3049 yards, 24 touchdowns and only 8 interceptions with a passer rating of 154.4. Murray’s main targets A.J. Green and Kris Durham made the jump to the NFL, but Murray still has many weapons, most notably junior TE Orson Charles and junior flanker Tavarres King. Attrition has left the running back corps razor thin and Georgia must rely upon red shirt junior Richard Samuel and highly-touted true freshman Isaiah Crowell.

The defense should be improved in year 2 of defensive coordinator Todd Grantham’s 3-4 scheme. Grantham’s 2010 squad was inconsistent, partly because of inexperience and because it lacked a true space-eating nose tackle which is vital if the 3-4 is to be effective. There is hope as sophomore Kwame Geathers (6’6”, 350 lbs.) had a breakout spring and JUCO transfer Jon Jenkins (6’ 3”, 351 lbs.) appears ready for SEC competition. Georgia also added linebacker Jarvis Jones, a transfer from Southern California and a converted safety in hard-hitting sophomore Alec Ogletree to bolster a thin group of linebackers.

Georgia has perhaps the best special teams unit in the nation, with PK Blair Walsh (20/23 field goals), P Drew Butler (44.5 yards/kick avg.) and return man Brandon Boykin (4 career KO returns for TD), who is versatile enough to play on offense and is a starting cornerback on defense.

The team's 2011 schedule sets up favorably for a run at the SEC Eastern Division title. Georgia does not have to play Alabama, Arkansas or LSU from the SEC’s Western Division.

2011 could be a make or break year for Mark Richt. The key issue for this team could be depth and confidence, especially if the Dawgs stumble out of the gate.