Georgia Bulldogs

Georgia Bulldogs

Georgia faces a rebuilding project this year as they lose their most productive offensive weapons at quarterback, running back and receiver. Last year the Bulldogs entered the season as the preseason #1 team. Injuries and a tough schedule landed the Dogs to a three loss season and the Capital One Bowl. This year Georgia hopes that their ability to recruit can lead them back into the national picture. The Dawgs will be tested early and if the replacements at the skill positions can fill in with little drop off the Bulldogs can be a dark horse in the 2009 season.
OFFENSE

Fresh faces at the skill positions will be the story early in Athens. Georgia replaces three year starter Mathew Stafford with senior Joe Cox at quarterback. Cox, although a senior is untested, but seen as a leader amongst his teammates. Gone also is running back Knowshon Moreno. His replacement is sophomore Caleb King. King got some experience last year as he gained 247 yards and averaged 5.1 yads per carry. The running game might be stronger than last year’s due to a healthy offensive line. The line returns all five starters and returns 2 starters from the 2007 season that were out with injuries last season. This line should be one of the strongest and deepest in college football. A lot of hope rest on the cohesion of this unit. At receiver look for A.J Green to continue putting up good numbers; in his freshman season last year, Green led the Dawgs in receptions (56), yards (963), and touchdowns (8).
DEFENSE

The defense returns 8 starters and should be primed for a better year. Last year the Bulldogs were 8th in SEC defenses. This can be attributed to so many injuries to the defensive line. This year the front 7 returns 2 All SEC players in defensive tackle Geno Atkins and Will linebacker Rennie Curran. The defensive backs look to be a weak spot as they lose 3 of their top performers. Look for teams to test their pass game early as the Bulldogs are projected to have a youth movement at the corner positions.

SEASONAL PREDICTION
Having to replace veteran leadership is tough for any school even the schools that get top 10 recruiting classes yearly. Once again the Bulldogs will be tested early, they face Oklahoma State in Stillwater to begin the season, then play back to back conference games before hosting Arizona State and traveling to LSU. In fact, the Bulldogs youth and inexperience might put them in a hole before getting out of the first week of October. Look for Georgia to lose games early.

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