Coming off another season that saw Georgia play for the SEC Championship Game, win 10+ games and come oh so close to making a return trip to the College Football Playoff, there are reasons for both optimism and skepticism in 2020.
In Mark Schlabach’s ‘Way Too Early CFB Top-25’ for 2020, he placed the Dawgs at No. 6 in the country. A pretty safe location for a team that has both serious question marks and returning talent.
From Schlabach:
Outlook: Georgia fans who weren’t happy with the team’s offense in 2019 will get their wish with a complete face-lift. Fromm, a three-year starter and most accurate passer in school history, is off to the NFL draft, along with three starting offensive linemen. Sophomore Cade Mays decided to transfer to Tennessee. Georgia scoured the graduate transfer market for a starting quarterback, and Wake Forest’s Jamie Newman has enrolled in classes at Georgia and will participate in spring practice. Changes are expected on Kirby Smart’s offensive staff as well. Keep an eye on former Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Todd Monken. Georgia’s defense carried the load in 2019 and should be stout again, especially with safety Richard LeCounte, linebacker Monty Rice and cornerback Eric Stokes electing to return. The Bulldogs open the season against Virginia in Atlanta and play at Alabama on Sept. 19 and against Florida in Jacksonville, Florida, on Oct. 31.
Georgia rivals and opponents also ranked:
Clemson (1), Alabama (3), LSU (4), Florida (7), Auburn (12), Tennessee (25).
I think No. 6 is a fine spot to be right now for Kirby Smart and Georgia.
For starters, the Dawgs are losing so much talent on an offense that left plenty to be desired in 2019.
Jake Fromm, D’Andre Swift, Lawrence Cager: Gone.
Four starting offensive linemen (Andrew Thomas, Isaiah Wilson, Cade Mays, Solomon Kindley): Gone.
All-American kicker Rodrigo Blankenship: Gone.
On defense, the Dawgs lose safety J.R. Reed, who many considered the heart and soul of Georgia’s incredible defense in 2019.
That sounds bad, yes. But there’s still a lot of reasons why the Dawgs should be back in Atlanta playing in its fourth consecutive SEC title game.
Practically the whole defense returns. That’s the same defense that was the nation’s best in 2019.
And despite all the losses on offense, the Dawgs have plenty of returning and incoming talent.
For starters, Georgia recently landed Wake Forest graduate transfer quarterback Jamie Newman. If you have not seen his tape from last season, check it out. The dude is a baller.
At running back, Georgia will reload as it always does and has Zamir White and James Cook returning. Not to mention the addition of 5-star back Kendall Milton.
Our receivers will be fine. George Pickens is destined for a massive sophomore season and we have four 4-star wide receivers.
And the offensive line. That is what hurts the most. We had depth last season, which is what made them so great. Next season, there will be elite talent, but the depth will not be close to what it was this year. Fingers crossed that everyone stays healthy.