By: Joe Delaney

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

Well, soon we will be back watching our favorite college football teams on the gridiron.

Most everyone is picking the Georgia Bulldogs as the nation’s number one team entering the fall. There are a lot of reasons to lean that way. I’ll get into them down below.

So, the Dawgs are preseason numero uno. After 2 national championships back-to-back, the Dawgs fumbled against Alabama last year in a 3-point loss.

The result was they were #5 in a 4-team playoff if you get what I mean. Were they one of the top 4 teams at the end of last year? Oh yeah.

But Nick Saban stuck it to Georgia in the SEC Championship one last time so they got what they deserved.

What they deserved was a bowl game with a Florida State University team that pretty much said “we don’t wanna play”. Well Georgia was pissed and came to play and the result was a 63-3 shellacking. That loss to Alabama cost Georgia a chance to 3-peat.  It also showed why Kirby Smart and the Dawgs are so highly thought of going into this year.

They could have had numerous players opt out of the game including Carson Beck, Tate Ratledge, Javon Bullard, Tykee Smith, Kamari Lassiter and on and on. Instead, the Dawgs opted IN.

My point is that these Dawgs are a different breed under Kirby Smart. They try to win every game no matter what. Several of the 2024 Dawgs could have moved on last year but to a man they pretty much felt and said they had unfinished business. That’s why they are #1 going into the season.

Offensively this could be the best team of the  Kirby Smart era. Back are starters Carson Beck, Dominic Lovett, Dillon Bell, Earnest Green, Dylan Fairchild, Tate Ratledge, Xavier Truss and Oscar Delp.

Now add in Trevor Etienne, Ben Yurosek and Colbie Young via the portal. This offense is loaded and there is depth all around.  The Georgia second string offense is as good as half of the SEC’s STARTING offenses. Look for the Dawgs to light up the scoreboard.

Defensively it’s the same story. They are loaded. This group will need to play well in order for Georgia to win another Natty. Back are Nazir Stackhouse, Mykel Williams, Chaz Chambliss, C. J. Allen, Smael Mondon, Daylen Everette, Dan Jackson, and Malaki Starks. Add in Warren Brinson,  Gabe Harris,  Raylen Wilson, Jalon Walker and others and the Red and Black are talented, deep and angry.

And let’s not forget the 2023 recruiting class. Another top class that is absolutely loaded on the defensive side of the ball. Many of these pups are making their marks on the practice field as I type this.

Remember the names K.J. Bolden, Nate Frazier, Ellis Robinson IV, and Justin Williams. They will all play vital minutes this fall. And some of this class may be starting by the end of the year. Like I said, these Dawgs are loaded.

Back to do the punting is the seldom used and always appreciated Brett Thorson. He has been consistent and consistent as a  two-year starter. Handling the kicking will be Peyton Woodring, who grew into the role last year as a freshman and is very solid.

The return game will be handled by Dillon Bell and Anthony Evans III. Watch out for Michael Jackson III also. He is a portal addition from Southern Cal.

Finally, the schedule……… Ah yes……..The truth be told this team could lose 2 games and still win the National Championship. Alabama, Texas, Ole Miss ON THE ROAD.  Add in the opener with Clemson in Atlanta, and games with Kentucky (Away) Auburn, Tennessee, Florida (Jax) and Tech. It is Brutal.

In closing, I don’t expect Georgia to go undefeated. I do expect them to win the 2024-25 National Championship. They are physical, fast, deep and well coached.

And above all these Dawgs are HUNGRY. I see them taking out either Ohio State or Texas in the big one. We’ll see.