[su_spacer size=”20″] The Georgia offense looks to be solid across the board anchored by an excellent offensive line, riches at tailback, and lots of potential at receiver, and a group of solid tight ends.  The big question is who will take snaps on the first play from the line of scrimmage on September 5 between the hedges.  The other question is how well is new offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer adjusting to the realities of the college game with his pro-style attack.  If the Dawgs can answer both of those questions positively, this offense has the potential playmakers to generate yards and points similar to the last 3 years under Mike Bobo.  If not, we’re going to need the defense to protect the team while the offense finds its stride. Let’s get to a few questions:
[su_spacer size=”40″] 1) Where does the quarterback race stand?
[su_spacer size=”10″] If Richt & Schottenheimer know who will be under center 3 weeks from now, they’ve done a really good job of protecting the decision. Maybe we should put them in charge of the nuclear security codes. I personally still believe the job is Brice Ramsey’s to lose. He looked good at times last season in relief and mop-up duty and then also made some head-scratching decisions with the ball as well.  He appears to have the best physical skill set to run our pro-style offense with its need to get the ball down the field off play-action and to make the deep out/back shoulder throw.  The question seems to be whether he has the trust of the coaches to run the offense and make all of the adjustments at the line of scrimmage. Faton Bauta seems to be the pick of all of the armchair QB coaches in the Bulldog Nation with his dual threat capability, his grittiness, and his leadership potential.  Greyson Lambert is the wild card in the competition with his starting experience at UVA before his transfer back home.  The big question about Lambert also is his starting experience at UVA where he struggled mightily at times.
[su_spacer size=”10″] If I were a betting man, I would wager on #12 as the man to take the first snap against ULM.
[su_spacer size=”40″] 2) Can the running game be as lethal as it was in 2014?
[su_spacer size=”10″] The Georgia running game pounded most teams into submission with the Gurley/Chubb/Michel combination last year starting with Clemson and ending with Louisville and their 2,900 yards combined.  The position is just as deep in 2015 with Heisman candidate and All-America Nick Chubb as the headliner and Sony Michel as the primary change of pace.  The guy everyone in Sanford will cheer when he steps on the field will be Keith Marshall.  If he can find the confidence he had prior to his injury in Knoxville, I believe Georgia could have at least 2 guys with the potential to hit 1,000 yards each.  His ability to pass protect and to catch the ball out of the backfield would be very welcome this season.  Don’t forget about A.J. Turman, who starred at G-Day, and Brendan Douglas, who has been a DGD the last couple of seasons.
[su_spacer size=”40″] 3) Is this the best offensive line of the Richt era?
[su_spacer size=”10″] With 4 returning starters, many would likely say yes.  While I believe this line is very talented, they are missing a lynch pin in Boss Andrews, so at this point, they may have more potential, but I don’t think they are better.  John Theus and Kolton Houston have become rock solid book-end tackles with Theus likely headed for a big pay-day next spring especially if he continues to improve like he did last season. With his 6th year of eligibility, Houston may be one of the “feel good” stories on the team this season, but he also has become more than a human interest story with his fight with the NCAA.  Guard Greg Pyke may have the highest up-side of any player on the offensive line, and he demonstrated his ability to dominate the line of scrimmage in multiple games last year especially his mauling of Montravius Adams in the Auburn game.  Isaiah Wynn takes over at left guard in order to allow Brandon Kublanow to move to center which may be Kublanow’s natural position.
[su_spacer size=”40″] 4) Can the receiving corps take the pressure off the running game?
[su_spacer size=”10″] With the questions at QB, most teams are going to bring a safety (or 2) down close to the line of scrimmage to attempt to slow the running game. This group of receivers and tight ends is going to have to punish teams that decide this strategy is the best to slow down the offense. There’s a lot of potential in this group led by potential All-SEC picks, Malcolm Mitchell and Jeb Blazevich.  Another player who has the ability to be a big play threat is Justin Scott-Wesley, who also hasn’t been the same player as before his injury on the cow pasture that is Neyland Stadium.  A lot of additional talent including Isaiah McKenzie and Jay Rome will be at the ready, but wide receiver appears to be the position on offense where some freshmen are going to play early and play a lot with 5-star Terry Godwin and 4-stars Jayson Stanley and Michael Chigbu.  This group which is a question entering the season will be a strength of the team by season’s end.
[su_spacer size=”40″] 5) What will it take for this offense to gel quickly especially with a new offensive staff?
[su_spacer size=”10″] Only one coach (John Lilly) is in the same place he was last year with the tight ends.  Every other coach is either new (Schottenheimer, Sale, and Brown) or coaching a new postion (McClendon).  The glue that holds this group together is Coach Richt with his emphasis and experience on the offensive side of the ball.  I have had people ask me my opinion of Schottenheimer, and my response has always been consistent.  You don’t stick around in the NFL as an offensive coordinator for 9 years because of your last name.  It’s because you know what you’re doing.  I’ll go ahead and go on record and say I’ll probably howl the first time we run it up the middle on 3rd and long for 2 yards.  I like that we have a couple of games that should be relatively easy wins to start the season including one on the road.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Outlook
[su_spacer size=”10″] I’ll be very surprised if we match last year’s scoring average of 41 points per game.  I hope I’m wrong, but with the potential of our defense, I’ll take an average of 32-34 points per game and let people shoot at it all year.  Of course, we’ll find out how good this offense is on October 3 when Alabama comes to Athens and on Halloween afternoon on the banks of St. Johns River for the Cocktail Party.  This offense will be as good as the line of scrimmage takes them, and I like the athleticism and talent of the starting five.  If they stay healthy, I’m not sure it makes a difference who the QB is because #27, #1, and #4 with a sprinkling of play-action can take this team where we all hope it will go.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Those are my thoughts.  Let me know what you think in the comments.