UGA Has A Chip On Their Shoulder

The University of Georgia is gearing up for another great season under Head Coach Kirby Smart. They will be returning some key players on both sides of the ball including starting quarterback Carson Beck. The Bulldogs had an undefeated regular season last year, but fell in the SEC Championship Game to Alabama, 27-24, to miss the College Football Playoffs.

This season the playoffs are going to be very different as they are moving to a 12-team playoff. The playoff teams will be comprised of the five highest ranked conference champions, plus the next seven highest ranked teams. The four highest ranked conference champions will get a bye in the first round, with the teams seeded 5-12 playing in the first round at the home field of the higher ranked team. The quarterfinals will be played in the New Year’s Six Bowl Games. The National Championship will continue to be held at a neutral venue. No conference will qualify automatically, and there will be no limit on the number of teams from a conference.

UGA will again have one of the deepest and most talented teams in the nation as they will return some of college football’s top players and have filled more roles with top rated transfers.

Beck announced in January of this year that he had decided to return for one more season, and he will be coming in with a chip on his shoulder. Beck had one of the best passing seasons in school history and is looking forward to continuing this season. He is in a good spot to make a run at the Heisman and becoming the #1 pick in the NFL draft.

The Bulldogs are having to replace several players at receiver with the loss of the best tight end in college football in Brock Bowers, along with Ladd McConkey and Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint. They also lost Rara Thomas after he was arrested recently on felony charges and was removed from the team.

At receiver, Beck will have a lot of players to pass it to, though. In spring ball, senior slot receiver Dominic Lovett came up big and will be a top guy for Beck this year. They will also have a speedster in Arian Smith and Miami transfer Colbie Young could make a huge impact.

In the backfield, they are getting Florida transfer Trevor Etienne, who is a preseason All-SEC pick at running back. They should also have Branson Robinson back from injury. Roderick Robinson is expected to take on a bigger role this season, and Nate Frazier was a top prospect who could make an impact.

Up front for the Bulldogs, they only lost two players off last season’s team to the NFL draft. They return a lot of talent including guard Tate Ratledge, who could have gone pro but decided to stay around for one more year. They will also have Earnest Greene, who is a top lineman in the country and Xavier Truss, who has a lot of talent, will be back at tackle.

Over on the defensive side, they don’t have a lot of experience overall, but they do have a lot of speed. Mykel Williams will lead the defensive as he is transitioning over to linebacker. It is currently a question on backer Smael Mondon as he was recently arrested on reckless driving charges, but he should remain with the team and should be a big player for them. They will also have Jalon Walkeer, CJ Allen, and Raylen Wilson at linebacker.

In the secondary, freshman Ellis Robinson and KJ Bolden are guys to keep your eye on. Malaki Stats was an All-American last year and is back this season. He will lead the young defensive backs.

Up front on the defense, they will be led by Nazir Stackhouse and Jordan Thomas. They have a ton of size up front, but they are going to need to develop a better pass rush this season.

One of the big things this season for UGA is winning ranked SEC games on the road. Under Coach Smart they are just 8-11 when facing a ranked SEC team on the road. This season they will likely play four of those games when they take on Alabama, Texas, Ole Miss, and Kentucky. But Kentucky just went under probation for violations so that may change things there.

UGA will open their season up in Atlanta as they take on the Tigers of Clemson at noon. They will play Kentucky in week 3 and then Alabama in week five after a bye week.