With Aaron Murray returning, Isaiah Crowell in the backfield, Blair Walsh and Drew Butler in the kicking game and the second year of Todd Grantham’s 3-4 defense, Athlon expects the Bulldogs to improve on their 6-7 record in 2010 and play in the 2011 SEC Championship Game.
The Bulldogs dipped last year, then they lost their best players on both sides of the ball, among other starters. The optimism rests with the influx of recruits, the return of Murray, the second year in the 3-4 defense, and a favorable league schedule that does not include Alabama or LSU — the two top teams in the West. This might not be a vintage Georgia team that is capable of competing for a national title, but the Bulldogs should be in the hunt to win the relatively mediocre SEC East.
For the record, Athlon ranked Georgia 15th in their 2010 Preseason Top 25. That’s probably where the Dawgs would have ended up if not for A.J. Green’s suspension and some lackluster play, especially against UCF.
The schedule does set up for the Dawgs if they can beat both Boise State and South Carolina to open the season. Along with not playing Alabama or LSU, Georgia has Auburn and Mississippi State at home, travels to a down Tennessee and plays Florida with an entire new coaching staff.
What do you thing of Athlon’s prediction and where do you think the Dawgs will end up? Let us know in the comments below.
View Comments (8)
We deserve to be unranked heading into 2011...
I have made my own top-25, and the Dawgs rank 16th. I believe that, with their fairly weak schedule,and the return of Murray, the Dawgs should definetely get to the Dome.
Going 6-7 last year doesnt equal a top 25 ranking in my opinion. Thats something we should earn.
I like Mark Richt and all of the coaching staff at Georgia. Mike Bobo may have reached ‘coordinator’ status a little early; but it was not my call and he has done fairly well (no I couldn’t do it better). One thing that sticks out about last year is the horrible start to the season after the first year of no ‘two-a-days’ in the late summer. I really think they need to re-think it and hold two-a-days this year because the first game will be against a team (Boise State) that will arrive in full fighting physical form, with the idea of embarrasing us! Go Dawgs!
Robert, thanks for the comments. Can't say I disagree with anything you said. Go Dawgs!
Bobo should have never had Murray throw the ball on his first ever snap against Fla. What a disaster that was. Just more insult to injury for 2010. As far as Boise State they are bringing back a ton of starters that will be willing to fight to the death. I hope Richt watches the West Virginia and UCF games to remind him of what happens when you underestimate non-SEC teams. I'm not sure what happened to the Dogs last year, but I think the staff can ill afford a repeat. This is a new year Ga so how 'bout tear into your opponents LIKE REAL BULLDOGS! GO DOGS!
I appreciate the confidence in our program, but after last season's embarrassment, I'm not so sure the Dawgs deserve a Top 25 ranking. I'd rather see them come out and earn it, whooping Boise and USCe to open the season.
Rankings don't depend on whether or not you deserve it, they depend on your skills and if you have what it looks like a good team. A lot of teams probably don't deserve some rankings. Georgia appears to have the skills and the players to be one of the top 25 teams in the nation. Preseason rankings are all about appearence and the hype you build. Georgia has a positive appearence and positive hype, leading to a high preseason ranking.