2013 Georgia Bulldogs Football Preview

By Scott Sergent

Will the Georgia Bulldogs Contend for the SEC East Title in 2014?

Posted By Brent Larson in Georgia Bulldogs Sports Blog

May 24, 2014

Few teams were struck by the injury bug worse than the 2013 Georgia Bulldogs, as a number of key players missed time with injuries throughout the year, and a year that started with a lot of promise ended with a disappointing 8-5 record. However, the Dawgs return more than enough talent to contend for the top spot in the ultra-competitive SEC East. With a little better injury luck and some quick development on the defensive side of the ball, the Bulldogs should be right in the thick of the race for College Football tickets.

The Good: Can this be the best Georgia offense in school history?  With eight starters back from a team that came within less than five yards of playing for the National Championship (And after seeing what Alabama did to Notre Dame, they probably would be National Champs) this is going to be one very scary team.  Aaron Murray is back, as well as all of his offensive line.  Throw in super sophomore RB's Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall, and they are going to light up scoreboards like a pinball machine.

The Bad: As powerful as the offense is, the defense is just as much a question mark.  Only three starters return from last year and two All-Americans, Jarvis Jones and Alec Ogletree are gone.  Usually, this would be all right, especially since UGA has recruited well and has talent.  Most years they could bring the pups along slowly, but that is not a luxury this time.

The Ugly: Marshall Morgan's BUI might cost the Dawgs, especially if the early games are high scoring and come down to a field goal.  Morgan had his struggles early last year, but did convert two kicks over 50 yards and was dependable as the season went along.

Starters Returning: 8 – Offense / 3 - Defense.

Schedule: Georgia is suffering from what South Carolina faced last year, and that is a tough rotatingSEC opponent.  Ironically, it's the same team as LSU replaces Ole Miss on the Georgia schedule.  The first two games are at Clemson, home to South Carolina, then a visit from the Purple Tigers to round out the first month of the season so we will see if Georgia is for real early.  If the Dawgs can navigate through that, they should be able to run the table as only Florida stands in their way.

Apr 6, 2013; Athens, GA, USA: Georgia Bulldogs red team quarterback Aaron Murray (11) runs out of the pocket past black team lineman Mike Thornton (96) during the Georgia Spring Day Game at Sanford Stadium. Photo courtesy by Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports.

Outlook: This offense is going to be incredible as they can burn you from a variety of options.  Aaron Murray should be in the thick of the Heisman talk, and if they can sweep or at least go 3-1 through September, this is going to be a team that will challenge for the SEC and nation championship.  The only reason why they will finish second is the schedule.  It will be too much to ask an inexperienced defense to be able to hold up through the onslaught that will hit them at the beginning of the year.  Even though they are the best team in the East, that doesn't mean they will win the division because they will start in a hole they will not be able to recover from when November arrives.

Prediction: 2nd SEC East.


Read more about Top 3 Returning SEC QB/WR Duos.

Look out 2013 SEC Football Preview and Predictions.


Individual 2013 SEC Football Team Previews and Predictions (Listed in Order of Predicted Finish):

1. 2013 South Carolina Gamecocks Football Preview
2. 2013 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Preview
3. 2013 Georgia Bulldogs Football Preview
4. 2013 Florida Gators Football Preview
5. 2013 Texas A&M Aggies Football Preview
6. 2013 LSU Tigers Football Preview
7. 2013 Ole Miss Rebels Football Preview
8. 2013 Tennessee Volunteers Football Preview
9. 2013 Vanderbilt Commodores Football Preview
10. 2013 Mississippi State Bulldogs Football Preview
11. 2013 Auburn Tigers Football Preview
12. 2013 Missouri Tigers Football Preview
13. 2013 Arkansas Razorbacks Football Preview
14. 2013 Kentucky Wildcats Football Preview

More Georgia Bulldogs Football Pages:

• Review of 2012 Georgia Football Season
• 2012 Georgia Bulldogs Football Preview
• 2011 Georgia Bulldogs Football Preview
• 2010 Georgia Bulldogs Football
• 2009 Georgia Bulldogs Football
• 2008 Georgia Football
• 2007 Georgia Football
• Georgia Bulldogs Football History
• Mark Richt Biography -- Current Georgia coach
• Vince Dooley Biography -- Former Georgia Coach
• Best All-Time SEC Football Player -- (Herschel Walker)
• Best All-Time NCAA College Football Player -- (Herschel Walker)
• Herschel Walker Biography -- SEC and NFL icon
• David Pollack Biography -- Defensive Lineman
• Terry Hoage Biography -- Defensive Back
• Top All-Time SEC Offensive Football Player -- (Frank Sinkwich)
• Top Offensive Rushing Team in SEC History -- (1980 Georgia Bulldogs
• Best All-Time SEC Football Team -- (1980 Bulldogs are a finalist)
• Best All-Time SEC Football Rivalry Games
• SEC Football Traditions
• SEC School Mascots
• Origins of SEC School Colors
• Best SEC Football Stadium (Sanford Stadium is a finalist)
• University of Georgia Athens Trip
• SEC Football Predictions
• 2011 SEC Football Tickets
• Georgia Bulldogs Apparel
• Georgia Bulldogs Merchandise
• Georgia Bulldogs Tailgate Party Shop
• Georgia Bulldogs Fathead
• Georgia Bulldogs Fan Store

Top of this Page