re: Georgia 2015 edition

What's not to like compared to the rest of the conference?

On offense we return 4/5 on the OL, FB, 3 very talented RBs, 2 TEs with starting experience and 2 WRs with starting experience. C and QB are the two positions where we will lack experience, which is significant, but we'll be more talented at each position. I loved Andrews, but he wasn't invited to the combine and likely won't be drafted. He was a marginal talent with years of experience, leadership skills and a big heart. Mason wasn't invited to the combine and won't be drafted. He'll be replaced by an Elite 11 guy. My bigger concern would be an almost entirely new coaching staff on offense, but the one area where I have the most faith in Richt is putting together a competent offense via intelligent QB play. Most of the pieces are already in place.

On defense we return 3/4 DBs, 2 DL with starting experience, 2 OLBs with starting experience and Lorenzo Carter. You'll likely see Floyd moved to ILB some to create a spot for Carter. Somebody has to step up at ILB, but we'll have 4 guys with at least 3 years of college experience at that position plus Roquan Smith. We'll be in year 2 of a new defensive scheme. Year 2 under a new coach is typically characterized by an uptick in production.

On special teams we return a very solid returner in McKenzie, a very good kicker in Morgan and experience at punter.

We finished in the top 10 last year and 2 of our losses were mind boggling. We certainly have our warts, but look around the conference. I can't point to anybody and say they will be desicisvely better than us. Bama is probably the default due to the front 7, but let's see their offense first. Auburn is getting a lot of hype, but they lost 4 in a row to P5 schools to close 2014. Let's actually see Muschamp turn that D around first and see how Johnson does when he's the man. LSU returns abysmal QB play and has a new DC. UT has one of the worst OL situations in the conference, a new OC and Butch Jones still hasn't beat anybody of note. UF has an entirely new coaching staff and an undesirable QB situation. Mizzou has a new DC and was boatraced by UGA last year at Mizzou and Bama in Atlanta. Ole Miss is about to start Chad Kelly at QB. Miss St lost more than anybody in the conference. The list goes on and on.