re: So what does UGA have to do to have a "successful" season next year?

It's a big part sure, but all? No.

Let's say you take a team like vanderbilt. You give them 2 years off from playing any football games, and tell them that in september of 2017 they're playing alabama in nashville. Alabama is unaware of this, and they continue to play normal seasons with normal schedules.

By the time the game rolls around, vandy would have had a full 2 years worth of film study and game breakdown and would have the unbelievably MASSIVE advantage preparation wise going into the game. But the bottom line is they simply don't have nearly as good of players or coaches that alabama does.

Yeah preparation matters...for evenly matched teams. Sometimes, no amount of preparation will matter.