|
|
If Georgia can survive and thrive with all the adversity it faced last year, it should be positively dominating if everything breaks the right way. That's asking a lot considering several key players have histories of injuries, but there's so much depth and so many great athletes that things should be O.K. when the unexpected happens.
That means it's time to take the next step and get to the national title game. Enough experience returns on both sides of the ball to be ranked among the top three in the nation. The schedule is always scary in the SEC, but great teams can get through a slate like this. The bar is set high now, and this could be the Georgia team that leaps over it on its way to Miami in early January.
The Schedule: Considering Georgia has national title hopes and that there's an SEC schedule to face, this slate isn't unmanageable with LSU and Tennessee coming to Athens. If Marshall rebounds, there's a chance Georgia will play eight bowl teams. The key will be finding a way to get past Florida in the Cocktail Party and to get by a very dangerous road game at Auburn late in the year.
Best Offensive Player: Junior QB David Greene. He hasn't received the national respect he deserves, but he's an extremely talented player and a superior leader. All he does is win, win and win some more while showing a knack to make every big throw needed.
Best Defensive Player: Senior DE David Pollack. You know you're good when your 92 tackle, 7.5 sack, 13.5 tackle for loss, 32 quarterback pressure season was considered a disappointment. Pollack started to rock by the end of last year and looks back to his old form losing a little weight and getting his quickness back.
Key player to a successful season: The linebackers will be better than fine with the return of Odell Thurman in the middle and Arnold Harrison to the strongside. This was going to be on the short list of the best corps in the country until Tony Taylor tore up his knee in the spring game. Now Derrick White goes from being a key reserve to a key starter on the weakside.
The season will be a success if ... Georgia wins the SEC title. There will be hopes of a national title, and they're not unrealistic. When you have a schedule facing Florida, Tennessee, LSU, Auburn, Georgia Tech, and possibly an SEC title game, just winning the league is enough to ask for.
Key game: Oct. 30 vs. Florida. The Gators continue to be the thorn in Georgia's side with an almost mystical hold over the series over the last several years. While this is a neutral site game, it'll be the second of four games in a row away from home and a big one for the SEC championship drive.
2003 Fun Stats:
- First quarter scoring: Georgia 80 - Opponents 18.
- Penalties: Georgia 110 for 1,032 yards - Opponents 91 for 784
- Third down conversion percentage: Georgia 43% - Opponents 28%
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| The Trusted Name in Gaming | |||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |