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Can Georgia take the final step toward elite status? That’s a question college football fans around the country ask every offseason. And again, going into the 2021 season, ESPN has identified that as the biggest question surrounding Georgia’s 2021 campaign.
Since Kirby Smart’s arrival in Athens, he has had Georgia in prime position to make a run in all but one year, his first.
Georgia’s played for a national title, beaten Florida with ease (minus last year) and has hung with Alabama each time the two teams have met.
But he just has not been able to get the Dawgs over that hump.
From ESPN:
For the past decade, it has been Alabama and Clemson. Getting into the playoff has been a good accomplishment for anyone, but it has been pretty clear that doesn’t add up to great odds at winning a national title, or in many cases even playing a competitive game. Georgia came close in 2018 against Alabama before Tua Tagovailoa and DeVonta Smith cemented themselves in college football history. In 2021, the Bulldogs open against Clemson before running through their SEC slate. The offense should be in a much better spot with JT Daniels, and defensively, should be able to reload despite a significant amount of talent departing. If they’re able to come out with one loss at the end of the season, perhaps Georgia finally breaks through. — Harry Lyles Jr.
This coming season, Georgia opens with Clemson in Charlotte. That’s about as tough of a non-conference opponent you can possibly ask for. If the Dawgs win that one, they’ll be rolling from there. Florida and Auburn are on the schedule as always, but I don’t see either of those teams providing a real threat to UGA this year. For Florida, Kyle Trask is gone, in addition to last year’s offensive coordinator, Brian Johnson, who took a job in the NFL. The Gators will also need to replace tight end Kyle Pitts and leading receiver Kadarius Toney.
As for Georgia, the Bulldogs have their quarterback in Daniels, but the biggest question mark on the team has to be in the defensive secondary, where UGA lost a plethora of starters.