2012-13 Football Previews – (SEC) – Georgia Bulldogs
Head coach Mark Richt enters his 12th season as the main man Between the Hedges at Sanford Stadium, holding the clipboard for the Georgia Bulldogs. Various times during his tenure, he has been on the hot seat and also been lauded for being a brilliant motivator.
This season should be a real projection of Richt’s legacy, as he has what is probably the most talented team in the SEC East division.
Expectations should be high in Athens this season, and while rival Florida is on its way back to elite status, the hordes of ’Dawg fans know that the time to strike is now.
2012 Preview: Georgia Bulldogs
Coach: Mark Richt
2011 Record: 10-4
Georgia Gambling Odds from Bovada.lv to win BCS: 15-1Georgia Team Page – Players Stats – Roster – 2012 Schedule –>
First and foremost, Georgia will be led in 2012 by one of the top-notch QBs not just in the SEC, but in the country. Junior Aaron Murray makes up for what he lacks in size (6”1, 210 lbs) with passing acumen and moxie. He’ll have an experienced wideout corps to throw to; seniors Tavarres King and Marlon Brown should start and sophomore Malcolm Mitchell had an excellent freshman campaign (45 receptions for 665 yards and four TDs).
But there’s more to the Bulldogs’ offense than just aerial fireworks. Sophomore RB Isaiah Crowell is a great runner in the SEC, as evidenced by his 900 yards rushing in 2011. Freshman Keith Marshall is also a top recruit and should provide a nice change of pace from Crowell. The offensive line has three new starters, but they should still be big and nasty.
The defensive front seven for Georgia will be absolutely terrifying. Huge nose tackle John Jenkins is a force, providing some athleticism in a colossal frame (6”3 and a rotund 351 lbs). Defensive end Abry Jones is a great ballplayer and the LB corps could be the best in the nation. Jarvis Jones and Alec Ogletree, in particular, are the cream of the crop in FBS football. In the secondary, the ’Dawgs will be led by safety Bacarri Rambo. In addition to having a downright sinister name, Rambo is a helluva ballplayer, with 55 tackles and 8 INTs a year ago. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Basically, Georgia will play defense with any team in the conference, and should also generate enough scoring to be a tough competitor in a very tough SEC. If Richt can keep his kids motivated like he’s shown he can, the Bulldogs will be a team that no one wants to meet.
2012-13 Georgia Football Prediction: 12-2
In addition to being talented on offense and defense, the schedule makers have been kind to Georgia this season. The Bulldogs avoid LSU, Alabama and Arkansas in the West division; the toughest tests on the slate will be travelling to South Carolina on Oct. 6 and Auburn on Nov. 10. Georgia of course gets their neutral-site game against Florida in Jacksonville on Oct. 27, but this is a ’Dawgs team that has the capability to beat Florida and most, if not all, other comers. The fact that Richt and Georgia have nurtured Murray as a starter for the past two years is very promising for his development as an elite QB. Having him as an upperclassman under center will be a tremendous boon to an experienced and skilled team. There are some concerns – the offensive line is inexperienced and Georgia will have a freshman kicker/punter duo – but Georgia is intimidating in the right places and has the look of an SEC East champ, if not more.
2012 Schedule
9/1/12 TBD BUFF
9/8/12 TBD @MISOU
9/15/12 TBD FLATL
9/22/12 TBD VAN
9/29/12 TBD TENN
10/6/12 TBD @SOCAR
10/20/12 TBD @KENTY
10/27/12 3:30 PM ET FLA
11/3/12 TBD MISS
11/10/12 TBD @AUB
11/17/12 TBD GESOU
11/24/12 TBD GATCH
