By: Drayton Hogarth

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

The 2016 football season for the Georgia Bulldogs is one that certainly has the Bulldog Nation’s full attention and fascination.

There is so much that is unknown heading into the season, which is scary, but also brings even more anticipation to see what the season will bring.

Who are the players that become the new leaders and playmakers? What are the games that can make or break the Bulldogs season?

For the first time in 15 seasons, there will be a new head coach roaming the sidelines of Sanford Stadium. Kirby Smart returns after calling Athens home during his collegiate playing days.

Smart has brought a renewed enthusiasm and energy back to the program. The biggest unknown of the coaching staff will be Kirby Smart himself and how he handles the little things that come with being the top decision maker of a major program.

Things like clock management and when to make decisions that may go against the “book” are just a couple of things that are not made as a coordinator, but the head coach must anticipate the proper timing of how to handle such things.

Or, who to name starter at quarterback, which is the biggest question of discussion of the UGA offseason; Eason, Lambert, or Ramsey? The long money is on freshman Jacob Eason to get the starting nod, especially if the running backs are back and healthy, which leads us to taking a look at the rest of the roster.

Fortunately for Coach Smart, the cupboard is not bare in Athens. Smart is inheriting a team that is very talented. There are 14 returning starters on both sides of the ball.

Let’s start on offense. Nick Chubb is back doing Nick Chubb things despite the horrific knee injury suffered on the pasture otherwise known as Neyland Stadium.

Sony Michel has had the cast removed from his forearm, broken in the offseason. If running back is not one of the best position groups in the country then tight end certainly is, led by Jeb Blazevich and Jackson Harris.

The offensive line returns three starters, plus multiple returning lettermen in the rotation. Terry Godwin leads an underrated wide receiving corp, which will also include returning players Jason Stanley and Michael Chigbu.

Coach Smart has been lauding the play of the incoming freshman class including Elijah Holyfield, who appears to be the real deal (pun intended). As well as, freshmen pass catchers will be Riley Ridley and Tyler Simmons, plus the freshmen tight ends who will boost that position even more as Isaac Nauta and Charlie Woerner will look to have big seasons.

Defensively, the linebacking group led by Lorenzo Carter and Davin Bellamy will look to replace Leonard Floyd and Jordan Jenkins.

The secondary, which led the nation in passing yards, allowed returns mostly intact, plus the huge addition of graduate transfer from Alabama, Maurice Smith; this should be a very solid group. The defensive line will be led by Trenton Thompson, Daquan Hawkins, and John Atkins. Jonathan Ledbetter and Michael Barnett will take big strides forward under defensive line coach Tracy Rocker.

Again, the freshman class should be major contributors as Michail Carter and David Marshall learn on the job. One wildcard player to keep an eye on is athlete Mecole Hardman, who could play a major role on offense, defense, special teams, or all three.

Schedule wise, the Georgia schedule sets up nicely for the Bulldogs. While it is always a tough row to hoe to play an SEC schedule, a challenging opening matchup with North Carolina, and back to back road games at Missouri and Ole Miss will be tough.

Plus, the home game against east division favorite Tennessee will be pivotal. The season most likely will come down to the three rivalry games, versus Florida in Jacksonville and at home against Auburn and Georgia Tech.

Again, the schedule is tough, but certainly doable. Georgia could win every game or more likely the grind will get to some of the freshmen, and a first year head coach.

A 10-2 record would be a great start to the Smart era, anything over that is icing on the cake.