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UGA (too soon) Summer Preview
Posted on 5/17/12 at 7:44 am
Posted on 5/17/12 at 7:44 am
Feel free to comment, add things or correct any mistakes.
1) Biggest story line
Suspensions (again) including possibly 3/4 starting DBs for the Missouri game in Colombia. Quote of the off-season: “I sort of always liked playing them that second game because you could always count on them having two or three key players suspended,” Steve Spurrier
The defense ranked fifth (5) in yardage last season, 23rd in scoring and third (3) in third-down efficiency. They return, more or less, 10 of the 11 starters. This will be player’s third season under DC Grantham and he has things moving in right direction.
2) Biggest question mark or concern
Will players make it through summer w/o further suspension? More UGA players are facing suspension with ongoing court cases. TBD.
Can Aaron Murray & company win a big game? UGA was an underdog in four games in 2011. Three out of the four by 3 pts or less. UGA lost all four of these games SU and was 0-3-1 ATS. UGA ATS record rest of the season- 8-2.
Special teams- UGA lost a kicker and punter who are currently on NFL rosters. Their return specialist was also drafted last month.
O-line depth- Two starters return, depth is an issue. There could be a potential true freshman starting at RT.
3) Impact player, position battles
Murray's top five wide receivers from a year ago all return. In fact, Georgia is so deep at wide receiver that their best player at the position, sophomore Malcolm Mitchell, worked at cornerback all spring. He was recruited as a DB and will be needed vs the Mizzou spread second game of season.
4) Outlook
UGA should be the favorite in the SEC East. This team does not play back to back games v. 2011 bowl team. Avoid LSU, Alabama, and Arkansas for second straight year.
Best case: The SEC East will again be wide open. Florida and Will Muschamp are still at least a year away. Derek Dooley at Tennessee had to replace seven assistant coaches. South Carolina lost its defensive coordinator and its go-to receiver. The Gamecocks' best player, running back Marcus Lattimore, is still recovering from knee surgery.
There is no reason why UGA will not be favored in every regular season game with a possible exception of South Carolina. If the lines makers are accurate, a 12-0 regular season is not out of the question. In the SEC Championship Game they catch the West winner on an off night and play for a national championship. It’s possible, maybe except for SECCG.
Worst case: Three backup DBs have been kicked off team. Three starting DBs do not play against Mizzou and UGA’s early season woes continue. They do not beat Florida in back to back years (something Richt has never done) and Spurrier, who has always owned UGA, gets the win in Columbia. Either Auburn or GT shocks the Dawgs late in season, the team finishes 8-4 and gets a return trip to Atlanta in December, this time in the Peach Bowl (or Fried Chick Bowl or fried chicken with peaches or whatever.)
If I’m setting season over/under line I put out 10 with heavy juice on over. Such an easy schedule (relatively speaking) v. past failures. Incredible talent v. history of under-performance.
5) Anecdotes and everything else
UGA lost its first two games v. top 10 teams, won it’s next 10 before dropping SECCG and Cap One Bowl (blew 16-0 lead).
Only four of the 10 opponents during UGA’s 10 game win streak finished with winning records: Mississippi State (7-6), Florida (7-6), Auburn (8-5) and Georgia Tech (8-5).
Georgia won seven straight SEC games after losing 45-42 against South Carolina in Athens, but those seven teams had a combined conference record of 14-42. Auburn was 4-4 and the other six opponents had losing records in the SEC. Included in that group were 0-8 Ole Miss and 1-7 Tennessee.
UGA had a “dream team” recruiting class in 2011. This will be the groups second year led by SEC FOY RB Isaiah Crowell.
1) Biggest story line
Suspensions (again) including possibly 3/4 starting DBs for the Missouri game in Colombia. Quote of the off-season: “I sort of always liked playing them that second game because you could always count on them having two or three key players suspended,” Steve Spurrier
The defense ranked fifth (5) in yardage last season, 23rd in scoring and third (3) in third-down efficiency. They return, more or less, 10 of the 11 starters. This will be player’s third season under DC Grantham and he has things moving in right direction.
2) Biggest question mark or concern
Will players make it through summer w/o further suspension? More UGA players are facing suspension with ongoing court cases. TBD.
Can Aaron Murray & company win a big game? UGA was an underdog in four games in 2011. Three out of the four by 3 pts or less. UGA lost all four of these games SU and was 0-3-1 ATS. UGA ATS record rest of the season- 8-2.
Special teams- UGA lost a kicker and punter who are currently on NFL rosters. Their return specialist was also drafted last month.
O-line depth- Two starters return, depth is an issue. There could be a potential true freshman starting at RT.
3) Impact player, position battles
Murray's top five wide receivers from a year ago all return. In fact, Georgia is so deep at wide receiver that their best player at the position, sophomore Malcolm Mitchell, worked at cornerback all spring. He was recruited as a DB and will be needed vs the Mizzou spread second game of season.
4) Outlook
UGA should be the favorite in the SEC East. This team does not play back to back games v. 2011 bowl team. Avoid LSU, Alabama, and Arkansas for second straight year.
Best case: The SEC East will again be wide open. Florida and Will Muschamp are still at least a year away. Derek Dooley at Tennessee had to replace seven assistant coaches. South Carolina lost its defensive coordinator and its go-to receiver. The Gamecocks' best player, running back Marcus Lattimore, is still recovering from knee surgery.
There is no reason why UGA will not be favored in every regular season game with a possible exception of South Carolina. If the lines makers are accurate, a 12-0 regular season is not out of the question. In the SEC Championship Game they catch the West winner on an off night and play for a national championship. It’s possible, maybe except for SECCG.
Worst case: Three backup DBs have been kicked off team. Three starting DBs do not play against Mizzou and UGA’s early season woes continue. They do not beat Florida in back to back years (something Richt has never done) and Spurrier, who has always owned UGA, gets the win in Columbia. Either Auburn or GT shocks the Dawgs late in season, the team finishes 8-4 and gets a return trip to Atlanta in December, this time in the Peach Bowl (or Fried Chick Bowl or fried chicken with peaches or whatever.)
If I’m setting season over/under line I put out 10 with heavy juice on over. Such an easy schedule (relatively speaking) v. past failures. Incredible talent v. history of under-performance.
5) Anecdotes and everything else
UGA lost its first two games v. top 10 teams, won it’s next 10 before dropping SECCG and Cap One Bowl (blew 16-0 lead).
Only four of the 10 opponents during UGA’s 10 game win streak finished with winning records: Mississippi State (7-6), Florida (7-6), Auburn (8-5) and Georgia Tech (8-5).
Georgia won seven straight SEC games after losing 45-42 against South Carolina in Athens, but those seven teams had a combined conference record of 14-42. Auburn was 4-4 and the other six opponents had losing records in the SEC. Included in that group were 0-8 Ole Miss and 1-7 Tennessee.
UGA had a “dream team” recruiting class in 2011. This will be the groups second year led by SEC FOY RB Isaiah Crowell.
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Posted on 5/17/12 at 7:48 am to jdutto3
Most people won't read all that. 
Posted on 5/17/12 at 8:05 am to jdutto3
quote:
UGA
Should win the east. The USCe game will be interesting.
Posted on 5/17/12 at 8:15 am to jdutto3
Not bad. 
Posted on 5/17/12 at 8:26 am to jdutto3
Not to worry. Georgia will frick it up. One way or another.
Posted on 5/17/12 at 8:33 am to AUTiger83
I really think Mizzou is going to work them over and it would happen regardless of the suspensions.
This post was edited on 5/17/12 at 8:34 am
Posted on 5/17/12 at 8:39 am to jdutto3
Good read. Seems like there are still some questions, especially with the suspensions and lack of DB depth. Certainly can understand moving a WR or two into the defensive backfield. At least part time.
Posted on 5/17/12 at 8:41 am to jdutto3
quote:
UGA (too soon) Summer Preview
Yeeeesssss, now I have something to do this morning.
quote:
1) Biggest story line
I guess I agree, although it's not THAT big of a deal. Every school has suspensions every year, especially us. Also, I'd much rather face MU without our guys than SC like normal. Not taking away from Missouri, but I just don't think they are quite "SEC caliber" yet. Rambo being out will hurt since we'll be plugging in a young guy at a safety spot along with S. Williams. At CB (correct me if I'm wrong bc I'm not sure on this), the suspensions still have a chance to be lessened so I'm not sure if those guys will definitely be out for MU. At any rate, Malcolm Mitchell was the #1 CB in the country in HS and has played a year in the SEC, so he'll be ready. Swann looked good in his time last year. And we'll have enough pressure from our very good DL and LB to make sure their passing game isn't just sitting back there all day. It will be more difficult for us of course, but I don't think it puts our season in jeopardy, especially since it's only 1 tough game (3 of our other 4 opening games should be gimmes)
quote:
2) Biggest question mark or concern
I'd say OL for sure. You say only 2 starters return, but we'll return several guys with starting experience. We'll replace our LT from last year who played out of place (should've been a G). I'm not saying we'll be great, but we probably won't be any worse than last year, if at all.
I'm not worried about Murray. The kid is a gamer and he knows he's made silly mistakes. Nobody knows that more than him, so I'm sure he'll work on correcting them. Especially after he's had a year to review film and see those stupid mistakes.
ST doesn't bother me much. UGA has almost always had outstanding K and P under Richt. Walsh (for 3 years at least), Coutu, Bennett, Butler, Kilgo, Ely-Kelso, etc. Not to mention that the K and P that we brought in for this year were 2 of the most highly ranked at their position in the country. It's not like we just held open tryouts on campus. And especially in Blair's case, we couldn't be much worse this year than last year.
quote:
3) Impact player, position battles
We have many impact players, too many to list here. As for position battles, there's really only 2 that I can think of; TE and RB.
TE will either be Arthur Lynch or Jay Rome. Lynch is a big white Yankee with game experience who can block and make short catches in traffic. Will be used a lot in the running game. Rome is more like Orson was in that he's super athletic and can stretch the field. He even saw some time with Mark Fox on the basketball court. He was a 5* in high school as well, so I think we're fine either way here.
RB we have a great problem on our hands. We'll either turn to:
1)Crowell, who everyone knows about. All the talent in the world but was only healthy for like 2 games last year. He rushed for abotu 850 yards despite not being healthy and missing like 4 games!
2)Ken Malcome- Sophomore who really came on strong last year. Kind of like a young Musa Smith in body type and style. Not a burner, but not a bruiser, he'll pick up the tough yards and get about 3 or 4 at a time. Could be a starter at a lot of colleges.
3/4)Keith Marshall/Todd Gurley- true freshmen with a ton of potential and accolades. I would expect Gurley to redshirt, but Marshall will surely play. He beat Malcolm Mitchell in a race this spring, guy has speed to burn.
quote:
4) Outlook
If we don't win the east Richt should be fired. It is almost certain that we will win the east looking at who we return, the strength of the east, and our schedule. I fully and wholeheartedly expect us to return to the SECCG. Missouri (and ONLY because of the suspensions) and SC are the only games we should be in any real trouble. I believe we're better than every team on our schedule.
Posted on 5/17/12 at 8:47 am to SouthOfSouth
quote:
Certainly can understand moving a WR or two into the defensive backfield. At least part time.
It is just part time, and it's not like we just grabbed a WR at random. MM played CB in high school, and as mentioned was the #1 CB in the country. He's more than capable of playing CB for essentially 1 game, especially since he'll have game 1 against a scrub to get his feet wet.
Posted on 5/17/12 at 8:56 am to WG_Dawg
c'mon, somebody else talk about Georgia.
Posted on 5/17/12 at 9:00 am to WG_Dawg
I read the OP, I think it's a damn good write-up.
Don't really have much to disagree with it.
Don't really have much to disagree with it.
This post was edited on 5/17/12 at 9:01 am
Posted on 5/17/12 at 9:02 am to Swoopin
Find something to disagree with so I can argue with you about it.
Posted on 5/17/12 at 9:03 am to WG_Dawg
I think the "best case scenario" is definitely not going to happen.
Like my esteemed Auburn colleague said,
Georgia always finds a way to frick it up.
Unfortunately for me that's not usually against GT or Auburn as of late
Like my esteemed Auburn colleague said,
Georgia always finds a way to frick it up.
Unfortunately for me that's not usually against GT or Auburn as of late
Posted on 5/17/12 at 9:05 am to Swoopin
eeehhh nevermind, it's not the same when I know it's contrived.
Posted on 5/17/12 at 9:08 am to WG_Dawg
Well the original reason I didn't disagree with anything outright is because it is in fact a best case scenario, and with the east still being a game of patty cake there's not much denying that it's all possible.
But if it is LSU there against you in Atlanta it is going to be an outright bloodbath, they'll be focused if not just for their missed opportunity to win it all this year.
But if it is LSU there against you in Atlanta it is going to be an outright bloodbath, they'll be focused if not just for their missed opportunity to win it all this year.
Posted on 5/17/12 at 9:14 am to Swoopin
quote:
they'll be focused if not just for their missed opportunity to win it all this year.
You can't really measure something subjective like focus and desire, but if anything I would think UGA would have more in their corner in that regard than LSU. We won the east last year, had LSU on the ropes, then got stomped in the second half. I've gotta think when it comes to focus we'll want that game just as much if not more than LSU.
Posted on 5/17/12 at 9:20 am to Swoopin
quote:
Georgia always finds a way to frick it up.
Posted on 5/17/12 at 9:23 am to Robot Santa
Posted on 5/17/12 at 9:23 am to Robot Santa
Nice summation. Fingers crossed to stay out of the Fulmer Cup standings this offseason. #socrow
Posted on 5/17/12 at 9:31 am to jdutto3
UGA will be UGA. perennial under-achiever in the SEC
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