Early look: What to like about No. 17 Georgia in 2017
Each week, USA TODAY Sports will give a more detailed look at the teams listed on our early top 25 for the 2017 college football season.
Up next: No. 17 Georgia. Kirby Smart will get a mulligan for his debut season, which saw the Bulldogs hover around the middle of the pack in the SEC. Much more is expected in 2017.
Why No. 17?
1. A nearly unmatched recruiting class. Georgia has long recruited at an elite level — but not at this level. Smart’s first full recruiting class was a consensus top-five group, according to every major recruiting service, and will achieve two ends: one, greatly increase Georgia’s depth on both sides of the ball, and two, continue the process of providing Smart with pieces that fit his particular philosophies. This class alone likely won’t vault Georgia to the top of the SEC in 2017; it’ll take time to reach Alabama’s level, for example. But the East Division? This class alone might make Georgia the favorite.
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2. The schedule. Georgia will head to Notre Dame on Sept. 9 in a game that will provide the victor with a nice early season boost — while knocking the loser down a peg before the midway point of the first month. But the Bulldogs draw Mississippi State and annual rival Auburn from the West Division, and get divisional rivals Missouri, South Carolina and Kentucky at home. In short, it’s as kind a schedule as you’ll find in the SEC, one that misses a leader from across the opposite division and features extended periods of manageable competition from September through the end of November.
3. Buying into the vision. On Dec. 15, just weeks after a crushing loss to Georgia Tech to cap the regular season, four key contributors with bright NFL potential — Davin Bellamy, Lorenzo Carter, Nick Chubb and Sony Michel — opted to return for their senior seasons. These decisions, and their likely impact on the Bulldogs’ success in 2017, speak at least in some part to the roster’s embrace of the coaching staff’s vision.
Even if that’s a reach — admittedly, making such a broad statement might be a reach — let’s consider the bottom line: Georgia will have the ability to balance its impressive signing class with an unexpected level of senior leadership. As much as the influx of talent and Eason’s projected growth into an all-conference contender, that a number of upperclassmen have bought into Smart’s blueprint is perhaps the most positive factor to consider entering his second spring with the Bulldogs.
Why not higher?
1. The offensive line. Here’s the Bulldogs’ potential weak link, as was the case in 2016: an offensive line that must take a drastic step forward in nearly every phase, from protecting the quarterback through opening lanes on the ground. though February’s recruiting class included several prospects with immense potential, it’s not a workable solution to rely on true freshmen to plug the gaps on the two-deep. Instead, the Bulldogs will be heavily reliant on their returning personnel to simply improve — a possibility, but it doesn’t necessarily inspire confidence.
2. Eason’s development. He wasn’t great as a true freshmen. But how many rookies shine when thrust into a starting role straight out of high school? Jalen Hurts did so at Alabama, but that’s not an apropos comparison; Hurts was at Alabama, and Eason in a slight rebuilding project at Georgia. But he played well enough to maintain, if not heighten, the massive expectations that greeted his arrival. Whether he’s ready to take that step is up for debate: Eason is a future star, but it takes time for almost every pro-style prospect to match his potential — Eason should be no different. If he can reach an all-conference level of production, however, Georgia will almost certainly be the best team in the East Division.
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Early look: What to like about No. 25 UCLA in 2017
3. Special teams. How to describe Georgia’s special teams in 2016? The kicking game was ineffective. The return teams were inconsistent. The Bulldogs’ ability to coverage was sometimes miserable, particularly on kickoffs. In short, there’s enormous room — and need — for growth in this area, and any improvement, even if slight, could mean the difference between victory and defeat. A year ago, for example, Georgia lost three games by a combined five points.
Biggest games
► At Notre Dame, Sept. 9
► At Tennessee, Sept. 30
► Vs. Florida (in Jacksonville), Oct. 28
Three players to know
1. DT Julian Rochester. After starting six games as a freshman in 2016, Rochester might become an even more vital piece of the puzzle for Smart’s defense given fellow lineman Trenton Thompson’s indefinite absence from the program.
2. WR Terry Godwin. The Bulldogs need Godwin to step into the void left by Isaiah McKenzie as Eason’s most consistent target in the passing game.
3. OL Lamont Gaillard. If he moves to center, Gaillard may be able to give this offensive front the solidifying force it needs in the middle.
PROJECTING THE PRESEASON TOP 25
