[su_spacer size=”20″] Georgia and Louisiana-Monroe are set to kick off the campaign between the hedges at high noon Saturday. For this one, all eyes will be on who Georgia’s starting quarterback is going to be? This is the most muddled and question mark riddled the position has been in the past 25 years. Georgia should obviously still have plenty of material to get past the War- hawks, who have done damage against sec foes.
[su_spacer size=”20″] For all of the excitement over the game, the renewal of another year of fans, friends, tailgates and so many traditions has the Bulldog faithful grinning from ear to ear. Every team is undefeated and thinking, ‘maybe this is our year.’
[su_spacer size=”20″] Enjoy it Bulldog fans, and watch out for that heat!
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1. The Quarterback Quandary
[su_spacer size=”20″] It has been the biggest sporting question in the Peach State this summer, who will start behind center for the Bulldogs? Brice Ramsey, Faton Bauta and University of Virginia graduate transfer Greyson Lambert have been battling for the starting nod. Ramsey played a majority of the Belk Bowl and got some significant time last season. Bauta is an excellent runner who figures to at least get red zone duty. Lambert had his ups and downs at Virginia, starting most of the 2014 campaign before being passed on the depth chart. Nobody separated themselves in preseason camp, perhaps a “gamer” will emerge. But the odds are, this competition could go on through at least the first couple of games.
[su_spacer size=”40”] 2. High Noon Heat
[su_spacer size=”20″] Remember the Buffalo game that kicked at high noon to start the 2012 season? It was blazing hot. Fans were falling out and players were gassed. Last year’s opener, though it was at night, against Clem- son was a steaming sauna. This one could be just like the Buffalo game. That means depth, especially along the line of scrimmage for the big boys will be important and should favor the Bulldogs. Keeping the “troops fresh” will be at the top of the coaching staff’s list.
[su_spacer size=”40”] 3. Opening Excitement
[su_spacer size=”20″] It has been nine months since the Bulldogs last played, and ten since the season for all intents and purposes was brought to a devastating halt between the hedges. There is a tremendous amount of optimism around the immediate future and the Bulldog faithful are looking for a fast start to the campaign. And a strong finish. And middle. That first game, even though it is not a high profile opponent, always gets the juices flowing. A pair of SEC games – at Vanderbilt and the South Carolina showdown between the hedges – follow the opener with the Warhawks and the Bulldog faithful certainly want to see their beloved boys on point for when the heat gets turned up.
[su_spacer size=”40″] 4. Fresh(man) Faces
[su_spacer size=”20″] One of the highlights of the first game is seeing the newcomers don the pads with the band playing. Georgia signed a highly touted recruiting class in February, several of whom graduated high school early and took part in spring practice. That next generation of Georgia standouts, including the likes of Trenton Thompson, Johnathan Ledbetter, Natrez Patrick, Roquan Smith, Terry Godwin, Michael Chigbu and Pat Allen, will have their first taste of action between the hedges. There is always a bit of extra excitement for the Georgia faithful because of what happened 35 years ago.
[su_spacer size=”40″] 5. Schotty O
[su_spacer size=”20″] Brian Schottenheimer makes his debut as Georgia’s offensive coordinator, stepping in for the highly successful Mike Bobo, who is the new head coach at Colorado State. “Schotty” came to Georgia after several years in the NFL, most recently as the offensive coordinator of the St. Louis Rams. Though the playbook likely won’t be fully opened up, the Georgia faithful are surely anxious to get that first taste of what differences there may be in the offense. There are two other newcomer coaches on the offensive side. Former Bulldog running back Thomas Brown is back at his alma mater, coming home from Wisconsin. New offensive line coach Rob Sale has provided a huge boost on the recruiting front, and a position that far too often in the 21st century has been far too light on depth of talent has a bright future
[su_spacer size=”40″] For more articles like this, including player and fan photos as well as videos, check out Bulldawg Illustrated’s 2015 Season Opener digital issue:
[su_spacer size=”60”] Bulldawg Illustrated
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