2008 Georgia Bulldogs College Football Predictions & Season Preview
The team at Info Plays gives you their 2008 Georgia Bulldogs football predictions. We’ll discuss the Bulldogs’ offense, defense and special teams. Georgia fans have to be happy knowing they have the No. 1 team in the country before the season even starts. It was Florida and LSU the last two seasons to win the National Championship from the SEC. Is 2008 the Bulldogs’ year to break through?
Offense:
It was clear that Georgia’s offense prevented them from winning even more than 11 ball games last season. But when you look at Mathew Stafford’s passer rating of 128.9 last year, an offensive line that had to be completely rebuilt last season, just one receiver gone from the 2007 squad, and the fact that the Bulldogs scored 40 or more points in four of their last six games last season, it’s very tough to take the Bulldogs our of the No. 1 ranking in the country. And then there’s Knowshon Moreno, the country’s top returning player. Moreno rushed for 1,332 yards and 14 touchdowns last season. He will take pressure off of Mathew Stafford, who threw for 19 touchdowns last season.
The main concern for this offense would be the chemistry of their offensive line. Right tackle Kiante Tripp is the only new starter to this offensive line, but two of the four returning starters will be playing in different positions than they did last season. Head coach Mark Richt is comfortable running the ball. But if the Bulldogs are to be unstoppable in the SEC, they will have to be much more effective in the passing game. Senior receiver Mohamed Massaquoi has the talent to be a big-time wideout in the SEC, but hasn’t increased in production from his freshman season. He will have to have a breakout year this season to become a dangerous target for Stafford on the outside.
Defense:
This stout defense that ranked 14th nationally last season in fewest yards allowed returns nine starters in 2008. That’s a very bad sign for SEC opponents standing in Georgia’s way. Ever since Mark Richt took over, the Bulldogs have flaunted one of the best defenses in the country. What’s scary is this could be the best defense he’s ever had. Tackles Jeff Owens and Geno Atkins are back to plug the middle. These All-SEC candidates will help open up ends Roderick Battle and Jeremy Lomax to sack some quarterback this season.
Senior Darnell Ellerbe shined at middle linebacker last season after moving over from the weak side. His intensity sets the tone for the Bulldogs. Sophomore Rennie Curran is already one of the top weak side linebackers in the SEC. Akeem Dent and Darius Dewberry will compete for the strong side job. The Bulldogs have plenty of depth at linebacker with reserves Darryl Gamble and Akeem Hebron to back up the starters. Asher Allen and Prince Miller combine for one of the best cornerback tandems in the country. Allen had three interceptions and finished with 64 tackles last year. C.J. Byrd is back at strong safety while sophomore free safety Rashad Jones replaces Kelin Johnson, the team’s leader in interceptions last year. Jones might actually be an upgrade with his freakish athletic ability.
Georgia Bulldogs Predictions at Info Plays: 1st in SEC East
The Georgia Bulldogs have all the ingredients for a run at the National Championship. The offense is more balanced than last season and the defense is fast and physical. There’s depth at nearly all positions. The Bulldogs must first win the SEC East, which is expected to be as tough as ever. Tough road games at South Carolina, Arizona State, LSU, Auburn and Florida will tell the story of the Georgia Bulldogs’ 2008 season. We feel this is the year for Georgia to break through after getting snubbed from a National Championship shot last season.
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