Bulldogs pushing to win SEC East
Orlando Sentinel college insider Matt Murschel ranked all 130 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in the country entering the 2017 season. The Sentinel staff takes a closer look at a new team daily, counting backward from No. 130 to our projected No. 1 team.
Georgia Kirby Smart (8-5, entering second season; 8-5 overall)
8-5 overall, 4-4 Southeastern Conference; tied for second in East Division
The Bulldogs got off to a shaky 3-0 start under first-year coach Kirby Smart, Alabama coach Nick Saban’s defensive coordinator during four national championships. A 45-14 loss to Ole Miss exposed Smart’s defense and raised questions about whether the former Bulldog safety was better suited to be an assistant coach. To Smart’s credit, he and his staff simplified their scheme, but the Bulldogs still dropped three of their next four games, including a 24-10 loss to SEC East rival Florida.
Smart’s team would win three of five games to close the season, culminating with a 31-23 win over TCU in the Music City Bowl.
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The return of running backs Nick Chubb and Sony Michel for their senior seasons was a welcome surprise. Chubb looks to regain his 2014-15 form — he averaged 7.4 yards a carry — prior to a knee injury that lingered into last season. Michel is expected to have an expanded role, lining up either at tailback, Wildcat quarterback or slot receiver.
Meanwhile, sophomore QB Jacob Eason looks to smooth out the rough edges and develop the consistency to match his talent.
Defensively, the Bulldogs are stacked, returning all 11 starters. Roquan Smith, Natrez Smith and Lorenzo Carter form arguably to nation’s top linebacking unit.
The Bulldogs’ offensive line could be the key to Smart’s second season. Already a weak link a season ago, the unit now must replace two threeyear starters (C Brandon Kublanow and OT Greg Pyke).
Georgia’s wide receivers also are on the spot this season. Terry Godwin caught 38 passes, but no touchdowns in 2016.
Smart enters his second season with much to prove after replacing Richt and winning two fewer games than Georgia did in 2015.
But Smart’s program is positioned to take a nice step forward and is favored to win the SEC East.
everything is structured and we can reload a play.
“In a scrimmage, we’re going to let them play to see where they’re really at.”
McElwain’s focus Friday night extended beyond his quarterbacks.
This was to be the first time many of his freshmen had set foot in the Swamp, though the stands were empty.
“Even in a sterile environment, there’s something pretty special about that,” McElwain said. “To see those guys even kind of perk up when they come out of that tunnel for the first time ever playing in The Swamp. I’m excited to see the environment, how they handle that piece of it.”
Whoever handled it best would make a strong case for increased playing time going forward.
In fact, McElwain likened the scrimmage to tryouts for his first-year players.
“It’s something we talk about with the young guys, this is their opportunity to make the team,” McElwain said. “Be it on special teams, which they will be stressed against the 1s, and I’m really looking forward to seeing where they and how they compete to go get a job.
“That’s to me the big stress on this first scrimmage is see those guys who are ready, willing, able, all that kind of stuff.”
McElwain said several players were not expected to participate Friday night as a precaution, not due to serious injury.
They are: redshirt junior tight end C’yontai Lewis, redshirt sophomore linebacker Kylan Johnson, redshirt senior defensive end Jordan Sherit, freshman offensive tackle Kadeem Telfort, freshman defensive tackle Elijah Conliffe and redshirt freshmen defensive backs C.J. McWilliams and Quincy Lenton.