Georgia fans have become accustom to winning ten games a season. It is a precedent that fans expect out of the football team. Now that there is a new head football coach, there is a lot of talk about whether this precedent is achievable.
There is speculation from people to see if Coach Kirby Smart will have success. The majority of the verdict has been that Coach Smart will not lead the Bulldogs to their usual for various reasons.
When the University of Georgia fired Coach Mark Richt on November 30, 2015, just days after the win against Georgia Tech,the program wasn’t on a downhill slump with a losing season. This team was a nine-game winning team that was heading to yet another bowl game. Yet the university decided to let him go.
There are various reasons why Coach Richt was terminated, the most common is that he couldn’t win games that would take the program to a higher level. There was just something missing, whether it was a mental aspect or a physical one, things just did not click enough to produce a championship team.
Richt only had one losing season while at the University of Georgia in his fifteen seasons. This is something that coaches and teams dream of, but this was not enough for UGA and their football program. They wanted more.
Now, fans worry that the protocol will not be there since firing one of the best coaches in the history of the program. Reporters, and such agree as well, they think UGA will go down before rising again. Some believe that Smart will be a bust. Only time will tell but there are some aspects that not a lot of people look into that could turn this first season for Coach Smart into a memorable one.
SCHEDULE:
This is a key part to the Bulldogs winning at least ten games this season. They have a schedule that is, or could be almost perfect. By opening up against a strong ACC team such as UNC, it gives the Bulldogs a confidence boost early on. It will be a great opportunity for the team to showcase their depth and talent.
After a short trip home, Georgia begins a five week trek of SEC play, however the way the schedule plays out it could turn into a beautiful thing. The Ole Miss game will be their first real challenge of the season. Ole Miss will be looking to wreck the Bulldogs after being on a ten-game losing streak against them.
Then the challenge of the East comes when UGA plays Tennessee in a showdown. The Vols are the East favorite and are coming off of last year’s big win against the Bulldogs. The last time the Vols beat UGA in Athens, was in 2006. When it comes to playing between the hedges, Tennessee seems to have a mental block, another critical aspect for UGA to be successful. Georgia needs to take the mental aspect of the game and turn it into a strategy this season.
Georgia has three games that could potentially give them troubles, but if they utilize their talents and leaders emerge, UGA will come out on top.
DEPTH:
Reporters, writers, broadcasters all have said that one of Georgia’s weaknesses this upcoming season is the lack of depth across the offense and defense. However, after a majority of the way through fall camp that doesn’t seem to be such an issue. On both sides of the ball there is plenty of talent in each position and some with more then enough talent.
Individuals worry that the running back sector, after losing Nick Chubb last October from a horrendous knee injury, will be hurting. Chubb is back and is stronger than ever. Behind him there is Sony Michel, Brendan Douglas, Elijah Holyfield, and more. The running back position is something that UGA has plenty of depth in and will be utilized to the max this season.
Another position that is in question with depth is the tight end position. UGA finally has four powerful tight ends that will add another weapon to the offense. The Bulldogs have Issac Nauta, true freshman and number one tight end in the country. Then they have Jeb Blazevich and Jackson Harris. These three will be intertwined with the offense and it will give UGA another edge.
On the defensive side of the ball the depth is always a rising question. This years defense is full of talent and athletes that can play anywhere needed. Specifically in the linebacker position, UGA has some of the most talented group in the East side of the SEC. Lorenzo Carter, Davin Bellamy are just two of the talented guys. Behind them is Chuks Amaechi, Reggie Carter, Roquan Smith, etc. The raw talent they possess and the ability to be coached are another key aspect for success.
BUYING IN?
There are questions floating around about whether the players at the University of Georgia are bought into Kirby Smarts vision. Some of these guys, especially on the defensive side of the ball, have had three to four different coaches.
The change in coaching though, is not affecting this team. The way this team comes together during practice and gives a 150% every single play, the atmosphere is different. Instead of worrying if these athletes are buying into the program, the media should look at this team and see how well they handled change.
The athletes have bought into Kirby’s vision of a winning football team. The way they carrying themselves and how focused they look, even in the off-season, should catch the media’s attention.
Kirby has the attention of these athletes, and it is only bringing the team closer together. He is producing leaders and forcing guys to stand up and become leaders of their position. UGA is no longer going to be the team that solely focuses on just one leader. They are gong to be a team of leaders who stand up and take charge motivating each other into conquering anything.
A lot of people believed that UGA was down after firing Coach Richt. However, UGA isn’t the slightest bit down. Coach Kirby Smart is taking a program that was on a plateau in every aspect of the game and is making them strive for more. This team is special, and the way the schedule is, definitely puts the Bulldogs in play to do something extraordinary. Especially with the depth that Kirby Smart inherited from the previous team and the players completely buying into this system.
This team is not your average Georgia Bulldog football team. This is a squad that is out for revenge and redemption to everyone who said they couldn’t win. Georgia will not bow down this season and let a new coach stop them from their usual ten wins. They are going to prove to the world how great they really are.
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