Sec preview 2013 by Vance Leavy

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2/2013

From the Editor

With the SEC Media Days commencing last week, talking about the 2013 football season is certainly now allowed in all corners. No longer will the diehards get blank stares from the fans who can’t fathom talking about football all year long. In just a matter of days, our boys in red and black will report for camp and begin the grueling month-long process of getting ready for the opener at Clemson. But we’re not there just yet, so why not have some fun taking a look at what all went down in Hoover, Ala. last week. Early Tuesday morning, our veteran Murray Poole hooked up with our rookie Logan Booker for the beginning of a three-day pigskin extravaganza. Our two guys were two of the 1,200 media members in attendance. Yes, college football is at an all time high and nowhere is it more prevalent than the good, ol’ SEC. All 14 teams in the conference send their head coach and three selected players to face every kind of media imaginable. It is organized chaos at its best. I won’t go into every facet because Murray and Logan have that covered throughout this issue. But what I took away from SEC MD 2013 was how loaded the conference is with excellent coaches and players. My goodness … Saban, Spurrier, Miles and Richt are veterans who have amassed hundreds of victories. But the rest of the coaches are nipping on their heels week in and week out. And you know what is so scary? The fact that only one man and his team will get to hoist the league championship trophy on the first Saturday in December. Then there’s all the talent in the league. Aaron Murray has amassed about every passing record at Georgia, but guess what? He was merely named to the third All SEC team by the media members at SEC MD 2013. And you know what, you really can’t argue that when the first and second All SEC team signal callers encompassed last year’s Heisman Trophy winner and the other, who has won two national titles. Needless to say, the SEC is the beast of college football. Here’s another fact for you. Georgia’s incredible playmaker, Malcolm Mitchell also only made third team in the media predictions. And looking at who beat him out, it’s hard to argue where Mitchell ended up. I mention Murray and Mitchell because it’s my sincere hope that these two guys play with a chip on their shoulder all season long. There’s no reason the duo can’t abuse defenses throughout 2013. Take no prisoners guys with the goal of being first teamers at the most important All SEC team at the end of the season. Man, I’m so ready for kickoff.

How many more days must I endure? For now, please enjoy this awesome SEC Preview issue our team has created. On page 6, Murray breaks down what Georgia’s main message was at Media Days. Not surprisingly, kicking off at Clemson at night is about all Richt and company cared to talk about. Wow, that place is going to be crazy. Then beginning on page 10, Murray goes team by team looking at the highlights from last week. Let’s hope our freshman players come out of the gate like our rookie Logan Booker did with his coverage. Not only did he pepper our website and social media throughout Media Days, his write up on page 20 is excellent. There’s no doubt he was like a kid in a candy store over in Alabama, capturing his overall experience in a way that should have all our readers feeling like they were there themselves. I can’t wait to see what all our guys will do to thrill our readers during Fall Camp and the season. Also in this issue, don’t miss our other veteran, Jeff Dantzler’s All SEC team (page 21). JD is with me in thinking Malcolm Mitchell is going to have a massive breakout season in 2013. And I love that he also has Arthur Lynch, Todd Gurley, Jordan Jenkins and Damian Swann on his first team. Ok, I need to switch gears and encourage you to enjoy all our fan photos throughout this issue. The Stinchcomb brothers and David Greene were in Athens a few weeks ago for their annual Countdown to Kickoff event. I can’t begin to thank them enough for what they have provided for the Bulldog Nation. Not only does the event raise a ton of money for charities. But the way it gives our fans access to former and current players is so special. I myself was able to tell Musa Smith that one of our Golden Retrievers is named after him. Again kudos to everyone involved with Countdown. Everyone at BI is so proud to be a part of it and look forward to next year. Don’t miss the photos we captured at new UGA president, Jere Morehead’s reception (page 8) a few week ago. It was so special to be on North Campus as it was a reminder of the beauty of UGA’s campus. Without question, it will be fun to watch President Morehead flourish in his new role. Godspeed to him. Ok, I’m completely out of space, but I’ve saved the best for last. On August 1, the Glynn Art Association on St. Simons will have the Jack Davis exhibit running in its gallery all month long. If you’ve been reading our publication for the last 11 years, then you certainly know how much Jack’s art has enhanced our pages. In fact, recently Jack drew art for all 12 of Georgia’s upcoming opponents in 2013. We can’t wait to use them in our coming issue. Besides the exhibit, there are three neat events involving Jack on August 1, 2 and 3 (page 22). Make plans to head to the coast at the beginning of August. It should be an amazing event that will honor not only an incredible artist, but a great man and damn good Dawg. Well, that should do it. Enjoy this issue and the next time we see you will be with our Fall Camp issue in mid August. Our team will be in full pads and the hype and hoopla will be through the roof. Until then …

SEC Preview Cha Cha Cha Publishing Inc. Editor Vance Leavy

Creative Director Cheri Leavy

Sports Guru Jeff Dantzler

Sales Caroline Kinney, Holly Stanfill

Multimedia Specialist Greg Poole

Sports Logan Booker, Murray Poole, Trent Smailwood

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No conference had ever produced more than three straight national championships from its member schools. Well the rough and tough Southeastern Conference has doubled that and added another. Yes, the SEC has produced a magnificent seven straight national titles, won by four different schools. During that stretch, four other SEC schools had a final ranking in the nation’s top eight. Over the seven year run of national championships, 12 schools, as SEC members, have recorded at least one nine-win season. Eight league members have made it to the SEC Championship Game since 2006. It’s power, depth and balance. In the six Bowl Championship Series title games not pitting the SEC vs. the SEC (Alabama defeated LSU 21-0 in New Orleans for the 2011 national title in January of 2012), five have been won by double digits. That includes Florida’s 41-14 blasting of Ohio State to start the streak, and Alabama’s 42-14 mauling of Notre Dame this past season to extend it to seven. And a year ago, the SEC was at its most dominant. At the conclusion of the regular season, there were six teams ranked in the top sporting double digit victory totals. After Alabama’s heart-stopping victory over Georgia in the SEC Championship Game, the Crimson Tide were 12-1. The Bulldogs were 11-2. Florida was 11-1, while South Carolina, LSU and Texas A&M were all 10-2. All 10 of those losses came to one another. Alabama fell to the Aggies, who lost to Florida and LSU. The Gators lost to Georgia, who came up short against Alabama and South Carolina. The Gamecocks lost to Florida and LSU. The Fightin’ Tigers went down to Florida and Alabama. Four of the six won their bowl game, with LSU’s onepoint loss to Clemson bouncing the Bayou Bengals from the top ten. Florida’s letdown Sugar Bowl loss to Louisville dropped the Gators to No. 9, or the SEC would have likely had five of the top seven in the land. All six of those SEC powers have their starting quarterbacks returning for 2013. All have recruited well, and though some have more talent to replace and reload than others, expectations are sky high across the board. As they are at Ole Miss, which had seven wins, Mississippi State, which won eight, and Vanderbilt, which went 9-4 and 5-3 in the SEC. The Commodores enter this season with a seven game winning streak, the longest active in the league. A Plus there is a quartet of SEC programs – Auburn, Arkansas, Tennessee and Kentucky – welcoming in new coaches. The Razorbacks went 4-8 last season, yet the lure of the SEC drew Bret Bilemma, coach of Big Ten champion Wisconsin. There are some coaches around the country – no doubt tired of hearing of and being asked about the league’s dominance - who try to knock the SEC by knocking down the teams in the bottom of the league. Amongst them is Oklahoma’s highly successful Bob Stoops. But there is simply no argument. First of all, obviously it is mathematically impossible for every team in any conference to have an outstanding record. Somebody has to lose the head to head match-ups. And in the SEC in 2012, here were three of the four worst teams – Tennessee, Arkansas and Auburn. The Volunteers rank in the top ten of all time college football wins. The Razorbacks finished No. 5 nationally in 2011, going 112, losing only to national title combatants LSU and Alabama. The Tigers won the national title in 2010. Case dismissed. There are a myriad of reasons for the

photo by Logan Booker

SEC’s dominance. But at the root is excellent coaches getting great players. It’s a cycle of power. The league gets the best recruits – most every season, five or six of the top classes in America are produced by SEC schools. Then the league with the most talent produces the most draft picks and the most first round choices. This attracts even more elite recruits. Rinse and repeat. Take Alabama tailbacks – Mark Ingram to Trent Richardson to Eddie Lacey to T.J. Yeldon. LSU signed Patrick Petersen at corner. The next season Morris Claiborne came. The year after, it was the “Honey Badger” Tyran Mathieu. Jarvis Jones was a two-time All-American at Georgia and the Pittsburgh Steelers first round pick. Freshman All-American Jordan Jenkins is up next. Where the talent has shown most in the BCS Championship Games is along the defensive front. There are swift receivers, backs and corners in every league. But the SEC has the big dominating front seven defenders who can move and wreak havoc en masse like no other league besides the NFL. You can go back year-by-year through the title tilts. It was Jarvis Moss running down Troy Smith’s as the Gators manhandled Ohio State. A year later, the Buckeyes had no answer for LSU’s Rickey Jean-Francois. In 2008, it was Carlos Dunlap of Florida who Oklahoma couldn’t handle. Alabama’s Marcel Dareus was the un-blockable force that Texas couldn’t contain. Nick Fairley of Auburn was literally a Tiger amongst Ducks as Oregon’s line tried to handle him. As for Notre Dame trying to handle Alabama….it looked as though the Crimson Tide was playing with 15 defenders. I’m sorry, does anyone think the Fighting Irish’s Heisman Trophy finalist linebacker Manti Teo would’ve started for Alabama, much less made first team All-SEC? That unit had Georgia’s Jones, Alabama’s C.J. Moseley, and LSU’s Kevin Minter – all of whom made first team All-American. Certainly there are members of the media and the BCS committee who are also sick of the SEC They would love an Ohio State-Oregon, Oklahoma-Stanford or Notre Dame-Texas national title game, especially in the last year before the playoff begins. Perhaps two said schools will go undefeated, and a once-beaten SEC team will be left out here in 2013. If that is the case, the crystal ball will go someplace else, but college football fans everywhere – even those who have grown to loathe the toughest league in the land – would know, even if it’s in those Jack Nicholson “A Few Good Men” deep, dark places that it would be a hollow title. The road to greatness runs through the SEC, and for any league to even think about challenging its supremacy, they’ve got at least a half-decade of championships to chalk up before making a run at the mightiest conference there has ever been.

Poole Shots

by Murray Poole

Amber McClendon savors off-season time with husband

Bryan, Jr., Bryan, Brooke and Amber McClendon

Amber McClendon, who's been married to Georgia running backs coach Bryan McClendon for nearly seven years, says the summer is about the only time her husband has to spend quality moments with his family, the only time he can catch his breath and take a little respite from the hectic world of college coaching. "Right after the G-Day game the coaches first go back into recruiting," said Amber. "They do a lot of recruiting pretty much from the middle of April until the very end of May and after that, Bryan is doing the summer camps such as the Mark Richt Camp. He works that and he takes our 6-year-old son with him, which he really enjoys. After that, Bryan usually gets a little bit of free time and we normally go down to St. Simons Island and visit some of Bryan's relatives in Brunswick. So we spend about a week there before the fourth of July, before it gets real crowded down there." And also, Mrs. McClendon puts her husband, a standout player himself at UGA from 2002-05 and the son of former Bulldog great Willie McClendon, to work around the house. "Before that vacation, we're pretty much at home trying to squeeze in a lot of the honey-dos that can't get done throughout the year," she related. "So, just things around the house, getting the carpet cleaned, planting of flowers, fixing things around the house, that's what Bryan normally does when he has that extra time and he's here. And he also spends a lot of time with my son and taking him swimming and camping out here and lighting the pit fire in the back. But the two biggest events we look forward to in the summer time, during this time off, would be the week we spend at St. Simons at the beach and the trip to Lake Oconee that we take with the other coaches. It's kind of like a retreat for the families right before the coaches go into their hideaway before they start the August practice." In this question-and-answer with Bulldawg Illustrated, Amber McClendon gives the Bulldog Nation a glimpse into her background and what it's like to be married to a college football coach at Georgia. Years married, children?

We are going on seven years this September. We have Bryan, Jr., who is six years old and we also have Brooke, who is 19-and-a-half months old. Bryan and I have known each other since middle school and we went to high school (Mays High of Atlanta) together so we've known each other for quite some time. I went to Clark Atlanta University for undergrad and I came to Georgia to get my masters so he and I dated maybe beginning about our sophomore, junior year and have just been together ever since. The most gratifying part of being married to a college football coach?

Well, I would say the most gratifying part would be seeing the success of my husband and experiencing this collegiate football atmosphere. I didn't attend Georgia so I really didn't think college football was that big until he and I started dating. And then when he became a graduate assistant and then a coach I really got to see how much college football is loved and how important it is to a lot of people in the state of Georgia. And just to see how important it was to Bryan and see how he affected a lot of people around us and strangers, people we didn't know, I thought that was very gratifying and I thought this has been a good experience that I had never witnessed before ... until he and I started dating. So basically just seeing the success Bryan has had and the way he has touched a lot of these children's lives and the families he's gotten to meet and the way I've been able to network through him, that has been very beneficial to us. The most challenging part of being married to a college football coach?

I think a big challenge for me personally has been to see how much football is glorified and yet critiqued, especially when we're not doing as good as we'd like to do. You know, from behind the scenes, we know the coaches are working their hard-

est, the players are working their hardest but sometimes things just don't go the way you want them to go. And to hear a lot of critique, that's kind of difficult to deal with and you have to maintain a certain attitude. You can't respond the way you'd like to respond and that's a very big challenge, hearing a lot of critique when you know these guys are working really hard both on and off the field and they do a lot more than coaching. There's a lot more to winning football games than coaching and one big thing I think people don't realize is that recruiting plays a big part in coaching ... getting football players and winning games. I think a lot of people probably minimize that when it comes to the coaching. They look at a lot of the things that are on field and not off the field. That would probably be the biggest challenge I've had so far but, other than that, it's been wonderful. Where did you grow up and what made it special?

Bryan and I grew up in Atlanta and what made it special was how close my family and I were together. My aunts have always been like a second mother and my uncles like a second father and we've just always been a close-knit family and are still like that today. I talk to them and to my mother, almost daily, so being around that family and growing up with them and just sharing all my experiences with them and them doing the same with me, that made it special and also to see how they're passing that on to my children. We grew up in the Atlanta city limits but I wouldn't say I'm a big city girl but I'm not a suburban girl, either. I think when it comes to comparing Athens to Atlanta I would say, yes, I'm more of a city girl but I love this suburban life. I love not being around busyness all the time. I give you a prime example. Whenever we go home now to visit Atlanta I get so frustrated with driving because you just don't have that here in Athens, all that traffic and far distance to go.

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Other than rooting on the Bulldogs, what are some of your other passions?

I like to read and I like being very much involved with my children and the activities they take part in. I work part-time as a program coordinator for a non-profit here in Athens so that takes up a big part of my time as well, and we do family intervention for first juvenile defenders. And of course rooting for the Bulldogs takes a lot of time as well. Also, I'm a homebody person so I like to do decorating and such. What do you like most about UGA and living in the Athens area?

The number one thing I love about Athens is how diverse the city is. It's a small city but it's so full of life. There's so many different people from all walks of life and I feel like you never meet a stranger. So I love that about Athens. The events they have here, I know Atlanta has a lot of these same events but it's just different. It's different here in Athens because you're guaranteed to see a few people you know whereas in a big city, you may or may not. If your husband wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a college coach, what career do you envision him having?

If Bryan wasn't a coach, I could almost guarantee he'd be a veterinarian. He just loves animals. Your favorite UGA football moment?

There are so many but I would say one that stood out to me was my very first Georgia-Florida game (in 2007). We were married when I went to this game and I was just shocked to see the amount of people there and what really got my attention was sitting in the stands and seeing the division of colors between red on one side and orange and blue on the other side. I thought that was amazing. Tim Tebow was the quarterback for Florida; Matthew Stafford and Knowshon (Moreno) were here and it was the game where the team ran out on the field when we scored the very first touchdown. And we won that game (42-30).

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Despite Despite accolades, accolades, Bulldogs Bulldogs stay stay focused focused on on Clemson Clemson photos by Logan Booker

By Murray Poole/BI more important for a national ranking situation," Lynch said. "But yeah, I think Clemson is a big game. Fortunately, it's one of those games that doesn't count toward the SEC but it's good for your program if you win. So I think that's how we're attacking it, it's an SEC vs. ACC thing. They're coming off a win against LSU in the bowl season and they're confident, we're coming off the bowl win over Nebraska and we're confident so it's going to be an interesting situation. "I'm excited to play and anxious is the right word," said Lynch. "I'm ready to stop working at my job for the summer and get out and play some football. I fell in love with the tradition here and I know Clemson and Georgia is a rivalry. It's an old-time rivalry and I've talked to some guys who played in the 1980s and '90s and they said, 'you don't want to lose to Clemson' and that's kind of the mindset I have. We don't want to lose to Clemson." Senior quarterback Aaron Murray, who's on a path to shatter all the Georgia and SEC passing records, thinks the way the Bulldogs have worked so diligently in the off-season drills will have the team ready to answer the opening whistle on Aug. 31. "I think we're definitely excited to start off against Clemson," said Murray. "The first two weeks are very challenging games and I think that's why we've had such a successful off-season, that guys realize there's no easing our way into this season. We've got to be in mid-season shape to start the season off, and our guys know that. Attendance (in off-season practice) has been the best since I've been here when it comes to workouts, conditioning, one-on-ones, the guys watching extra film in preparation for that opening game. It's been a great, great summer and I know we're ready to go." Much as has been the case at Georgia this preseason, everybody has talked at length about Clemson's explosive offense but the Tiger defense hasn't seemed to draw a lot of respect. Murray, though, is very cognizant of the unit he'll be facing opening night. "Clemson definitely has a talented defense, a lot of very good skilled guys all around the board," he said. "You could tell from the way they played LSU in the

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bowl game, a very talented team. And also, they're going to have the advantage of it's going to be at their home field. You have to deal with the crowd noise and things like that so it's going to be a challenge. They're going to be hyped, they're going to be excited just as we are so we have to be ready to go." "Clemson is a pretty big game," offered the Bulldogs' third player rep at media days, senior defensive end Garrison Smith. "But like I always say, every game is a big game because every game counts. No matter if you're playing Boise State, Clemson or you're playing Clark Atlanta, it doesn't matter because every game is big. It's a win or loss and them wins and losses are real important," Smith said. "There's no lesser opponents these days. Every team can be beat and you know a couple of years ago, Appalachian State beat Michigan. No team is taken lightly and we prepare like we're in the national championship every game. We're just focused on one goal right now. That's the season opener and we're going to try to do our best to win it." With preseason camp set to kick off on the Woodruff Practice Fields on Thursday, Aug. 1, Smith echoed Murray about the outstanding off-season workouts the Bulldogs have had in preparation this summer. "Most definitely, we've been working out real hard," he said. "Everybody's been training hard together and we're ready to just compete against other and try to make each other better." And much like the Clemson season outlook, Smith isn't worried in the least about prognosticators who are calling the Bulldog defense too young and inexperienced to slow down formidable opposing attacks this season. "As a defense, we're just worried about what we can control and that's how hard we play, how hard we work and following the game plan the coaches give us," Smith said. "We're just going to try to execute to the best of our ability starting with this first game â&#x2C6;&#x2019; that's our focus." The Georgia Bulldogs vs. the Clemson Tigers. The countdown is truly already underway for this gigantic season-opening matchup, which is now less than six full weeks away.

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edia members that cover Southeastern Conference football have voted Georgia to win its third consecutive Eastern Division crown in 2013. So, to say the least, that makes the Bulldogs' Sept. 7 SEC opener against South Carolina the most important game on the early-season schedule. At the same time, however, even though the Aug. 31 season opener at also nationally-ranked Clemson won't figure in the conference standings all the Bulldog Nation, and especially the Georgia players and coaches themselves, know the magnitude of this year's opening game. Lose to the Tigers in a nationally-televised, ABC prime-time game that will spotlight two potentially Top 10-ranked teams and you plummet immediately from that ranking and also in the eyes of the national media. Sure, a Georgia defeat in Death Valley can be overcome if the Bulldogs then go on to beat South Carolina for the first time in four seasons, win the East again and then capture Mark Richt's first SEC title since 2005 but, would a crushing opening loss at Clemson stick in the minds of the national pollsters which feed into the BCS process to determine the two teams for Jan. 6's national title game in Pasadena? And, too, if the Bulldogs limp out of Clemson at 0-1, how much will that affect their mental state in turning around and having to face Steve Spurrier's Gamecocks the next week? Yes, a loss to the Tigers could motivate Georgia to rebound with a vengeance against Carolina but, conversely, it could also strip the Bulldogs of some of the confidence they carried into this new season. Certainly, the three Georgia leaders that accompanied Richt to SEC Media Days in Hoover, Ala. this past week realize how a victory over the Tigers on opening night is a must if the team is to realize all its 2013 goals. Senior tight end Arthur Lynch, named to the preseason All-SEC first team offense along with teammate Todd Gurley, after thinking about it for a few moments, said, yes indeed, the Clemson game will be the biggest season opener in his four years in Athens. "I think the Boise State game (2011 opener) was a pretty big one, too, but I think the fact we're both coming off successful campaigns kind of makes this one

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SEC Media Days kick off the 2013 season photos by Logan Booker

By Murray Poole/BI HOOVER, Ala. − One by one they marched up to the podium at 2013 SEC Media Days here July 16-18 and before the opening whistle has sounded this football season, all of the head coaches in the Southeastern Conference − including the new faces at Auburn, Tennessee, Kentucky and Arkansas − seemed cautiously optimistic about their teams' chances this fall. We all know, however, once the season-opening kickoffs on Aug. 29 and Aug. 31 transpire, some of those coaches' preseason optimism will fade into stark reality. But, certainly, here before the new campaign begins, every team is on equal 0-0 footing so let's take a look at how things shaped up from each school coming out of this season's media days and heading into the August fall camps. Alabama Now, the big question as the 2013 season draws near, is this: Can the Alabama Crimson Tide pull off an amazing threepeat? Can Nick Saban’s football team roll to a third consecutive national championship this coming fall, which would give the Alabama mentor his fourth national crown on the Capstone? Certainly, I don't know who would bet against that happening. From last season's 13-1 squad, the one that lost only to Johnny Manziel and Texas A&M, held off a red-hot Georgia team in the SEC title game and then hammered Notre Dame 42-14 in the BCS title game in Miami, the Tide returns no less than seven defensive starters and six offensive regulars. And, too, the 2013 schedule is most favorable for Saban's team. Alabama goes to Texas A&M Sept. 14 for the longawaited rematch but welcomes Ole Miss, Arkansas, Tennessee and the LSU Tigers all to Bryant-Denny Stadium this fall. Offensively, however, the Tide will have to find capable replacements for the three all-star players it lost up front ... guard Chance Warmack, former Outland Trophy winning center Barrett Jones and right tackle D.J. Fluker. But outstanding junior tackle Cyrus Kouandjio is back as is starting left guard, senior Anthony Steen, whom Saban brought to Media Days, along with senior quarterback AJ McCarron and senior linebacker C.J. Mosley. McCarron, of course, will be guiding the 'Bama attack after landing third-team All-America honors in the 2012 season when he passed for 2,933 yards and 30 touchdowns while amazingly being intercepted only three times. And McCarron will again be throwing to his top two receivers from last year, sophomore Amari Cooper (59 catches, 1000 yards) and senior Kevin Norwood (29, 461). Although Alabama lost leading rusher Eddie Lacy to the NFL, the Tide returns its other 1,000-yard runner in sophomore T.J. Yeldon (1,108 yards, 12 TDs). Defensively, while the Tide lost All-America cornerback Dee Milliner and powerful nose guard Jesse Williams, it has plenty of firepower returning in 2012 starters DE Ed Stinson, outside linebackers Adrian Hubbard and Xzavier Dixon, inside backers Trey DePriest and leading tackler and Butkus Award finalist Mosley, cornerback Deion Belue, and All-America safety candidate HaHa Clinton-Dix. This Alabama team is a consensus No. 1 preseason pick in all the polls and until somebody proves differently, that's where they'll stay over the course of the upcoming season. Head coach Nick Saban: "I just think it's crazy to specu-

late because of the fact that each year you have a different type of team. This year, you know, our team probably has a little better skilled players on offense. We have a very experienced quarterback who has done a wonderful job and has developed and improved every year, has continued to do that, has been a leader on our team in A.J. McCarron. We have questions about the development of the offensive line, but that seems to go very well. We have some very good skill players at wide receiver who have been very productive. So we may have a little different type of team." Arkansas One of four new head coaches in the SEC, former Wisconsin mentor Bret Bielema will be attempting to lead Arkansas back to prominence after the Razorbacks suffered through a 48 season (2-6 in SEC) in their one season under John L. Smith.

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Bielema especially inherits experience on defense, what with eight starters back from the 2012 unit. Senior defensive end Chris Smith and senior tackle Byran Jones are the Hogs’ allstar candidates and should get ample assistance from junior end Trey Flowers, sophomore linebacker A.J. Turner, sophomore cornerback Will Hines, junior cornerback Tevin Mitchell, senior safety Eric Bennett and sophomore safety Rohan Gaines. Offensively. the cupboard is not quite as full as only four starters from last year return. They are senior center Travis Swanson, an All-SEC second-team selection in 2012, senior offensive tackle David Hurd, senior tight end Austin Tate and sophomore wide receiver Mekale McKay. But the Razorbacks are expecting big things from senior fullback Kiero Small, a strong blocker who returns to the lineup after missing the final 11 games of last season and being granted a medical redshirt. At quarterback, with the record-breaking Tyler Wilson now gone, sophomore Brandon Allen made a move in the spring to wrest the starting job from senior Brandon Mitchell. At tailback, sophomore Jonathan Williams is the leader heading into August camp but will be pushed at the spot by big Kody Walker, swift Nate Holmes and blue-chip signee Alex Collins. So how high can Arkansas climb in Bielema’s first season in Fayetteville? Well, the Razorbacks aren’t going to scale consensus pick Alabama and division contenders Texas A&M and LSU but if the Hogs can get good production at the QB and running back spots, they could possibly find themselves in a battle with Ole Miss and Mississippi State – even a new-look Auburn team – for a fourth place finish in the wild, wild West. Head coach Bret Bielema: “I'm going to start with the offensive line and defensive line, two staples I believe are important for winning games that I want our team to play. Doesn't matter if we're in the SEC, Big Ten, Pac-12, whatever it is. It's something I emphasize from day one. I'm so excited. For us at Arkansas, one of our better players, Travis Swanson, is a center. I've always been taught back from Hayden Fry, if you can build a team from the inside out on both sides of the football, you have a chance to be good.”

Auburn After what was arguably the very worst season in Auburn’s football history, the Tigers are hoping to return to SEC power in 2013 and the man leading the way on the plains is former offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn. Coming off that dismal 3-9 overall and winless (0-8) SEC finish which included shutout losses to rivals Georgia (0-38) and Alabama (0-49), Malzahn inherits a good bit of experience on defense where no less than nine Tiger starters return. Offensively, only five regulars are back but then, with Malzahn installing his fast-paced spread option attack, Auburn should be much better on that side of the ball as well. After the Tiger quarterbacks threw only eight touchdown passes last season, against 15 interceptions, Malzahn is certainly banking on improved play from junior signal-caller Kiehl Frazier and sophomore Jonathan Wallace could also be a factor but then Tiger fans are most anxious to get a look at former Georgia signee Nick Marshall, who dazzled in the junior college ranks last season and has true dual-threat capabilities. Junior tailback Tre Mason leads the running back corps after going for 1,000-plus yards in last season’s anemic attack and paving the way up front will be the likes of tackles Greg Robinson and Patrick Miller, guard Chad Slade and junior center Reese Dismukes, who is the anchor of the Tigers’ O-line. Auburn’s experienced defensive unit is spurred by senior end Dee Ford, who recorded two sacks of Clemson’s Tajh Boyd in Auburn’s one-touchdown loss to the other Tigers in the 2012 season opener, third-year starting senior cornerback Chris Davis and junior strong safety Jermaine Whitehead. Other Tiger leaders on defense this fall should be senior tackle Jeffrey Whitaker, senior end Nosa Eguae, senior linebacker Jake Holland, junior cornerback Jonathon Mincy and senior free safety Demetruce McNeal. While Auburn can’t help but be improved over the 2012 debacle, the Tigers still look to be a ways off from being able to look state rival Alabama, LSU and Ole Miss in the eyes in the SEC West Division.

Senior cornerback Chris Davis: “Last year was very frustrating, to be Auburn and go 3-9. Coach Malzahn came in and said we’ve got to get Auburn football back to where it used to be and get our edge back, but the best thing about it is he always says, it’s a new day. You know we use last year every day as a motivation. It’s always going to be stuck in the back of your head, that you went 3-9 and 0-8 in the SEC …that’s not Auburn football and we’ve got to get it back to where it used to be.”

Florida They’re not exactly going to become “Air Florida” a la Spurrier’s Gators in the 1990s but it’s a safe bet you will be seeing Will Muschamp’s third UF edition having more success with the passing game this coming autumn. After averaging only 146 yards through the air in 2012, Muschamp thinks Florida’s aerial attack is now better suited to complement a Gator run game which produced a 1,000yard rusher last season in senior Mike Gillislee. Still, for that to happen, Florida is going to have to come up with some people to catch Driskel’s passes. Wideouts such as Quinton Dunbar, Latroy Pittman and Trey Burton clearly have to step up their performances over last year and enable the Gators to go over the top when opposing defenses load up to stop the running of new starting tailback Matt Jones and touted freshman backup and Kelvin Taylor, son of former Florida great Fred Taylor. And of course, Driskel is a pretty fair ball carrier himself, having run for 400-plus yards last year, including a school quarterback record of 177 yards against Vanderbilt. The Gators, hoping to challenge Georgia and South Carolina for the SEC East title after posting an 11-2 overall record and 7-1 SEC mark (only loss to rival Georgia) in 2012, should once again be formidable on the other side of the ball, where Muschamp has injected his mindset after being a defensive back at Georgia and tutoring the defenses at LSU, Auburn and Texas, before coming to Gainesville. All-star candidates Loucheiz Purifoy (CB) and Dominique Easley (DL) are the Florida leaders on defense and get plenty of help from the likes of linebacker Antonio Morrison and safety Jaylen Watkins. To win the East this year, however, the Gators will have to hold serve away from Gainesville. They go to LSU and South Carolina while of course squaring off against the Bulldogs in Jacksonville, where Florida will be attempting to snap a two-game losing skid vs. Georgia. Junior quarterback Jeff Driskel: “The loss to Louisville (by 33-23 in the Sugar Bowl) was definitely embarrassing. They tore us up, on offense and defense. Louisville played a great game. It’s not like we weren’t prepared, we were very prepared for the game. We didn’t take them lightly, they just beat us. That’s the end of the story there. That’s a huge motivation we brought into the off-season and we’ll be ready to go. We have a huge chip on our shoulders and we’ll be ready to go in camp here come a couple of weeks.”

Georgia Five agonizing yards away from it being the Georgia Bulldogs, not the Alabama Crimson Tide, in the BCS National Championship game against an outmanned Notre Dame team, Georgia in 2013 is being expected to make another run at the SEC championship and that coveted – and long awaited – slot in the biggest game of them all. To accomplish as much, of course, the Bulldogs will have to get excellent play from a rebuilt defensive unit … what with most of last year’s regulars having moved on to the National Football League. From the 12-2 team of 2012 (71 SEC), head coach Mark Richt greets just three returning defensive starters … senior end Garrison Smith, junior inside Amarlo Herrera, sophomore outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins and senior cornerback Damian Swann. But the coaching staff feels good about the young and athletic guys who will be filling the remaining starting spots this season.

SEC Media Days kick off the 2013 season photos by Logan Booker

People like nose guard Mike Thornton, ends Sterling Bailey and Ray Drew, inside linebacker Ramik Wilson, exciting freshman safety Tray Matthews, corner Sheldon Dawson,outside linebacker James DeLoach and “Star” Josh Harvey-Clemons, once he’s over his opening-game suspension against Clemson, will all be counted on heavily to keep the Bulldogs from being pummeled by opposing offenses. Certainly, Georgia doesn’t have those questions on the other side of the ball where a whopping 10 starters return to give the Aaron Murray and Todd Gurley-led attack potentially one of the best offenses in the country. While senior QB Murray will continue to shatter school and SEC passing records, the running back tandem of sophomores Gurley and Keith Marshall could also be among the best in America. The bruising Gurley ran for 1,385 yards and a freshman record 17 touchdowns (beating Herschel by two) in his UGA debut while the mercurial Marshall added 759 yards and eight scores, many of them being from long distance. Although the Bulldogs lost leading receiver Tavarres King, Murray still has a slew of able targets in Malcolm Mitchell, Michael Bennett (back from a 2012 injury), Chris Conley, Justin Scott-Wesley, Rantavious Wooten and tight ends Arthur Lynch, a preseason All-SEC selection, and Jay Rome. Up front, all road-grading starters are back in the persons of Kenarious Gates, John Theus, David Andrews, Chris Burnette (All-SEC preseason) and Dallas Lee and pushing for a starting tackle slot in the spring was sophomore tackle Xzavier Ward. Critical for Georgia’s national aspirations is the Aug. 31 season opener at explosive Clemson and critical for the Bulldogs’ hopes of returning to the SEC title game is the Sept. 7 home opener against South Carolina, a team that has defeated Georgia for three consecutive seasons. If Richt’s team can leap over those two hurdles, this season could indeed turn into something magical. Head coach Mark Richt: “It was a tremendous season last year. We really, I thought, played extremely well. Got a taste of how close you can get and not quite get it done. I think that will serve to motivate us throughout this off-season, what's left of it, and throughout our camp. Once again, the goal is to get back to Atlanta. That's it for us. You get to Atlanta, once you get there, you win that game, you got a chance to play for a national championship. Sounds like a broken record, but that's the real deal.”

Kentucky The 2013 Kentucky Wildcats return six offensive starters and the same amount of defensive starters from last year’s football team. Only thing is, these are the starters from a team that won only two of 12 games and thus, the challenge facing new Cat mentor Mark Stoops seems an enormous one. Stoops, the former defensive coordinator at Florida State and brother of Oklahoma head coach Bob, will be attempting to get Kentucky back to some of the winning ways it experienced under Rich Brooks, prior to the three losing seasons the Wildcats went through under Joker Phillips in 2010, 2011 and 2012. But certainly, the Big Blue Nation is enthusiastic about Stoops injecting new life into the program and that was apparent in this year’s spring game, when over 50,000 turned out to watch a sport that admittedly takes second fiddle to basketball in Lexington. The Wildcats will be looking to the likes of offensive linemen Darrian Miller, Zach West and Kevin Mitchell for leadership up front and like the way sophomore Jalen Whitlow, a dual threat quarterback, is coming on directing the UK attack. The key name in the Wildcats’ running game is elusive senior Raymond Sanders, from Stone Mountain, Ga. Defensively, Kentucky is counting on end Bud Dupree, tackle Donte Rumph, linebackers Avery Williamson and Miles Simpson and safety Ashely Lowery to show the way for the Wildcats’ new starters on that side of the ball.

Senior running back Raymond Sanders: “It’s very special when I go against Georgia. I know a lot of those guys on the team and being from Georgia, you always look forward to that game. When we play them, it’s that game when family and friends and everybody will be watching and everyone will be there. So it’s always a big game on the schedule. T.J. Stripling, I’m friends with him and of course I know Michael Thornton (former Stephenson High teammate) and Garrison Smith, I know a bunch of guys on that team and check up on them and see how they’re doing and how they’re working. I’m eager to see Big Mike play and I’m proud of him. I’m glad he’s been working hard. He’s been working his tail off and waiting his time behind those big guys (John Jenkins and Kwame Geathers) that were ahead of him. I hope he can be successful, except for one week, when we play them.”

LSU No team has been hit harder by attrition than the LSU Tigers. From last season’s West Division runners-up to Alabama, the Bayou Bengals team that went 10-3 overall and 51 in the SEC, head coach Les Miles lost his normal bunch of seniors but also, had a whopping 10 juniors that declared for the NFL Draft. Especially jolted by the Tiger migration was the LSU defensive line, which six key players were lost. Thus, Miles is faced with reconstructing his squad while inheriting only three returning defensive starters. Not an enviable position when attempting to battle the two-time defending national champion, Alabama, for the right to make it to the SEC title game in Atlanta. Offensively, the outlook is a bit better as the Tigers return seven to eight players who started at one time or another in 2012. That includes senior quarterback Zach Mettenberger, the transfer from Georgia who passed for 2,609 yards and 12 touchdowns last fall, against seven interceptions. And Mettenberger has talented targets to throw to this season in the persons of junior wideouts Odell Beckham, Jr. and Jarvis Landry. Landry led LSU in receiving last year with 56 catches for 573 yards while Beckham led in total yards with 713 on 43 receptions. With leading rusher Jeremy Hill’s playing status uncertain at this juncture, after off-the-field transgressions, the Tigers will lean heavily on senior tailback Alfred Blue and junior tailback Kenny Hilliard to keep the LSU running game going. Up front, junior tackle La’el Collins, sophomore guard Trai Turner and sophomore tackle Vadal Alexander will be counted on heavily to lead the Tigers’ young offensive line. Defensively, as mentioned, all kinds of new faces will be on the field for LSU and it will be up to incumbents Lamin Barrow (sr. LB), Jalen Mills (soph. corner) and Craig Loston (sr. safety) to show the new starters what has to be done to slow opposing offenses. Senior linebacker Tahj Jones is another Tiger who has tasted starting action. But, certainly, with his new-look defensive unit, Miles and company are facing a prodigious task this season. The Tigers have to go to Alabama Nov. 9, get Texas A&M in Baton Rouge two weeks after that and also must encounter East Division powers Georgia and Florida. Senior quarterback Zach Mettenberger: (On possibly being too hyped in his Sept. 28 return to Athens to face the Bulldogs) “It can be easy for someone to let themselves, I mean I don’t know anybody else that’s had to go back and play the team they got kicked off of. Yeah, it can be easy for myself to go out there, and try to throw for 500 yards, and 8 touchdowns, but you can’t force that. You just have to play within yourself and put the ball in the coaches’ hands and trust the coach that he’ll call the right play at the right time.”

Mississippi State Mississippi State head coach Dan Mullen begins his fifth season at the helm of the Bulldogs and will be out to post a fourth consecutive winning campaign when the maroon Dogs kick off the 2013 slate on Aug. 31 against Oklahoma State in Houston.

From last season’s 8-5 team (4-4 SEC), which fell to rival Ole Miss and then to Northwestern in the Gator Bowl in the final two games, the Bulldogs bring back six starters on each side of the ball. Senior Tyler Russell is back to guide State’s spread offense after throwing for 2,897 yards and 24 touchdowns, with 10 interceptions, in the 2012 season. Second-team All-SEC selection Ladarius Perkins is the top gun at running back after running for 1,024 yards and eight scores during his junior season last year and Mississippi State’s leader up front is high future draft choice and first-team All-SEC selection Gabe Jackson, a 6-4, 310-pound senior guard. A big question, however, is who will step up at wide receiver, where the Bulldogs lost all three starters to graduation. Defensively, Mullen is looking to senior end Denico Autry and sophomore linebacker Benardrick McKinney to help shore up a unit that was also pelted by graduation. Other returning starters being counted on heavily are end Kaleb Eulls, linebackers Deonte Skinner and Matt Wells and safety Nickoe Whitley. Certainly, the State program under Mullen has evolved into a position to deliver another winning season for the Bulldog Nation but again, don’t look for Mississippi State to seriously challenge national powers Alabama and LSU for SEC West supremacy. Head coach Dan Mullen: “I'm very excited about this year coming back. What we've tried to do in building a program at Mississippi State is build consistency, build a team that can consistently win. As you consistently win, at that point you're going to have the opportunity to go on and continue to take those next steps and go compete, which our ultimate goal is to find a way to get to Atlanta and compete for an SEC Championship. Every year, that is always our number one goal, try to find a way to get to Atlanta in December.”

Missouri Pretty much as expected, the Missouri Tigers found the road rocky in their first season in the Southeastern Conference, going only 5-7 overall and 2-6 in the league in 2012. But with head coach Gary Pinkel welcoming eight offensive starters and six defensive regulars back to the lineup this year, the former Big 12 team is expected to have an opportunity to at least knock out a winning record and thereby earn a post-season invitation. Inconsistent and injury-plagued in his junior season last fall when he did pass for 1,562 yards and 10 touchdowns (with 7 picks), Tiger QB James Franklin is hoping to return to the form of his outstanding sophomore year. He’ll be joined in the Missouri backfield by junior tailback Henry Josey, who sat out the entire 2012 season while rehabbing a knee injury he suffered in the 10th game in 2011 … after running for 1,168 yards. Of course, Franklin will again have a big target to throw to in the person of 6-6, 210-pound Dorial Green-Beckham who was maybe the most touted freshman recruit in America last year when he hardly set the woods on fire but did catch 28 passes for 395 yards and five touchdowns. Defensively, Missouri will sorely miss NFL signee Sheldon Richardson but still are looking to be better on that side of the football, what with defensive ends Kony Ealy and Michael Sam, tackle Matt Hoch, middle linebacker Andrew Wilson, cornerback E.J. Gaines and free safety Brayton Webb all returning to their starting roles. Head coach Gary Pinkel: “I think we certainly understand how great it is to be in the SEC. People ask me, ‘What did you learn from the SEC after your first year into it?’ The SEC is what I thought it was going to be. It's a line-of-scrimmage league. I knew that coming in. Great football teams start at their line of scrimmage. I don't care what skill positions you have, you got to be good up front. I knew that going in.”

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SEC Media Days kick off the 2013 season photos by Logan Booker

Ole Miss Hugh Freeze is proving he can recruit very well, drawing in one of the nation’s top five classes this year. Now, Freeze had to prove he can coach as well and place his Ole Miss Rebels in title contention in the rugged SEC West division. Entering his second season in Oxford, Freeze will be attempting to take a step up from last season’s 7-6 finish(3-5 SEC), which included closing maulings of state rival Mississippi State (41-24) and Pittsburgh (38-17 in the BBVA Compass Bowl). And the Rebels look to be pretty well fortified to accomplish that, bringing back no less than eight offensive starters and seven defensive regulars from the 2012 squad. Among the offensive stalwarts are junior wide receiver Donte Moncrief, who rated one of the very top receivers in the league last season with 66 receptions for 979 yards and 10 touchdowns, and junior quarterback Bo Wallace, who threw for 2,994 yards and 22 touchdowns, though he also had 17 interceptions. Wallace also kept the ball for 390 yards and eight scores. Then there is senior running back Jeff Scott, who rambled for 846 yards and six touchdowns. These Rebels will be operating the team’s hightempo attack behind an offensive front that has four returning starters. Defensively, Ole Miss is expected to get ample production from all-star sophomore linebacker Denzel Nkemdiche, an AllSEC second-team selection in his redshirt freshman season and the older brother of Rebel recruit Robert Nkemdiche, the nation’s No. 1 prep signee. Other Ole Miss leaders on defense are junior free safety Cody Prewitt, senior corner Charles Sawyer, senior linebacker Mike Marry and junior defensive end C.J. Johnson. Head coach Hugh Freeze: “Our task in year two is to maintain the enthusiasm and energy from both our fans and our players and everyone that is involved in our program, as we continue to strive to be relevant in the SEC West. We have made strides. But, again, those young men we've recruited to help us with our depth issues, they're 18-year-old kids. How quick they'll adjust to this game and this league, you really don't know.”

South Carolina Steve Spurrier has brought unparalleled success to the University of South Carolina, already having won more games than any coach in Gamecock football history. But what Spurrier hasn’t done in his now nine years at the SC helm is win a Southeastern Conference title which of course he managed to do no less than seven times at Florida, while also guiding the Gators to a national championship in 1996. But coming off last season’s sparkling 11-2 record, which included a 6-2 SEC mark and a 35-7 victory over eventual East Division champion Georgia, Spurrier is expected to once again field the kind of football team that will give the defending champion Bulldogs and his old school, Florida, all they want in the quest to make the SEC championship game at the Georgia Dome. With quarterbacks Connor Shaw and Dylan Thompson throwing to junior wideout Bruce Ellington and several other capable receivers, Spurrier should have the potent air game he always covets but despite South Carolina bringing back four starting offensive linemen from last season, the big question is what kind of running attack the Gamecocks will muster now that great tailback Marcus Lattimore has migrated to the NFL? Spurrier is hoping that Mike Davis, a 215-pound sophomore from Lithonia, will now step up and be the complement to Shaw and Thompson’s passing arms. Defensively, South Carolina may sorely miss linebacker Shaq Wilson and free safety D.J. Swearinger as well as ace punt returner Ace Sanders but with America’s No. 1 defensive player, Jadeveon Clowney, again setting the pace on the flanks and Victor Hampton, Jimmy Legree and Brison Williams all having starting experience in the secondary, the Gamecocks could still prove extra tough to move the ball against. Clowney, a 6-6, 272-pound junior who is surely playing his last season in Columbia, is a once-in-a-lifetime player and a bonafide Heisman Trophy candidate. But, there again, South Carolina isn’t without question marks on this side of the ball, either. For one thing, the Gamecocks will be starting three new faces at linebacker, meaning Mr. Clowney may be facing with even more doubleteam blocks than he’s encountered in the past.

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Certainly, South Carolina, if it can topple Georgia for a fourth consecutive year in the two teams’ SEC opener Sept. 7 in Athens, will take a big step toward that coveted Eastern Division crown. Head coach Steve Spurrier: “We’ve been pretty fortunate. Last year Georgia, they didn’t play very well at all (35-7 Carolina win). The first play of the game, their kid was getting ready to intercept it, and Damiere Byrd sort of plucked it out of their hands, we went down and scored. Everything went our way the first half, second half. But then they came back. So you got to give Georgia credit. We’ve beaten them the last two years, then they’ve won all their conference games. That game is important, but it didn’t determine the division champion. So we’re going to try to beat ‘em like we always do, and they’re going to try to beat us. But should be a heck of a game.”

Tennessee Derek Dooley is no longer in Knoxville and Big Orange fans are looking to highly-energized new head coach Butch Jones to steer the Volunteers back to the championship days the program enjoyed under Phil Fulmer. From Dooley’s final team in Knoxville, the one that compiled a second consecutive 5-7 record, Jones, the former Cincinnati mentor, inherits five defensive regulars and eight guys who started at one time another on defense. Tennessee especially looks formidable in the offensive line where all five starters rate NFL potential. They are rugged junior tackle Antonio Richardson, expected to be playing his final season at UT, senior center James Stone, senior guards Zach Fulton and Alex Bullard and senior tackle Ja’Wuan James. Junior Justin Worley appears to have the inside track toward becoming the Vols’ starting quarterback after backing Tyler Bray in 2012. He will, however, certainly miss throwing to ace wide receivers Justin Hunter and Cordarrelle Patterson, who were both drafted in April. Worley will be handing off to running backs Rajion Neal and Marlin Lane. The two rushed for 708 and 658 yards, respectively, last season. Defensively, the Volunteers have that very solid nucleus back led by the SEC’s leading tackler in 2012, junior linebacker A.J. Johnson. Johnson recorded a total of 138 stops last season. Other Tennessee defensive regulars returning to help spur a Volunteer revival this fall are senior defensive tackle Daniel McCullers, junior linebacker Curt Maggitt, junior corner Justin Coleman, senior safety Byron Moore, senior linemen Maurice Couch and Jacques Smith and senior DB LaDarrell McNeil. How much progress the Vols will make under Jones this season is hard to gauge as preseason camp draws near. Tennessee does welcome defending East champion Georgia to Neyland Stadium this season and also will play host to Spurrier’s Gamecocks two weeks later. But road trips to Florida and Alabama look to be too formidable for the rebuilding Volunteers to overcome and, at the moment, Tennessee’s best opportunity would seem to be holding off Vanderbilt, Missouri and Kentucky for a fourth place finish in SEC East. Junior offensive tackle Antonio Richardson: “Nobody expected Johnny Manziel or RGIII (Robert Griffin) to be Heisman candidates when they were. You never know what’s going to happen in college football so that’s why we’re optimistic thinking and knowing we’re going to win because you never know what’s going to happen in college football. Coach Jones is really great; he brings a lot of energy every single day. And as a player, that’s all you can ask for, that consistency, and as we as players see that, we’ll try to emulate that.”

Texas A&M Yes, Texas A&M has the great Johnny Manziel, the first player to win the Heisman Trophy as a mere freshman but, the question is, does “Johnny Football” have enough of a supporting cast back in College Station to put the Aggies in position to challenge defending national champion Alabama in SEC West? From his 11-2 squad (5-1 SEC) of 2012, head coach Kevin Sumlin returns six offensive starters and five defensive regulars. Manziel, who hasn’t enamored the collegiate football world with his numerous off-the-field troubles, became the first SEC player to reach the 5,000-yard plateau in total offense for a season with 5,116 total yards, an NCAA freshman record and No. 9 on the NCAA all-time list. With his prolific running

and passing he will guide an Aggie offensive attack which also features all-star candidates in senior tackle Jake Matthews and sophomore wide receiver Mike Evans. But again, how will the losses of star offensive linemen Luke Joeckel and Patrick Lewis, as well as leading wide receiver Ryan Swope, affect the A&M offense this coming fall? Defensively, the Aggies will have six new faces taking the field and the exodus of middle linebacker Jonathan Stewart and outside ‘backer Sean Porter could especially be felt. Texas A&M’s five returning regulars will thus be counted on to step up big time. They are nose guard Kirby Ennis, end Julien Obioha, outside linebacker Steven Jenkins and cornerbacks De’Vante Harris and Deshazor Everett. The Aggies, the only team to take down the eventual national champion Crimson Tide last season, will be bracing for a surely revenge-minded Alabama on Sept. 14 in College Station. But A&M must go on the road to play West foes Arkansas, Ole Miss and LSU in 2013. Sophomore quarterback Johnny Manziel: “I wouldn’t say (the criticism of his away-from-field actions) it’s fair or unfair. I would say at times it’s blown a little bit out of proportion and at the end of the day I hope people still see that I’m still a 20-year-old kid in college. I was a freshman, gonna be a sophomore in college. I was trying to enjoy my life and hopefully that doesn’t upset too many people. I’m continuing to learn as the days and weeks go on. I made my mistakes, obviously, and I continue to learn from them and not make the same ones twice. For the most part, at some points in time, I feel like it’s been a little blown up but maybe that’s just the way things are.”

Vanderbilt No question about it, James Franklin has truly revived the Commodore football program, Last season, in just his second year at the Vandy helm, Franklin steered the Dores to a 9-4 overall record, which included a 38-24 win over N.C. State in the Music City Bowl, and a 5-3 SEC mark. And with a good nucleus (seven offensive starters, 6 defensive regulars) back from that team, Vanderbilt fans are hoping for even better things in the fall of '013. But for that to happen, Franklin must find a way to fill the big vacant shoes of quarterback Jordan Rogers, who ended his career on a seven-game winning streak, and leading rusher Zac Stacy, who galloped for 1,141 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. Those two enabled the Commodores to field its highest-scoring offense (30.0 per game) since the 1940s. Junior Austyn Carta-Samuels, the transfer from Wyoming, is the heir apparent to Rogers at the signal-calling spot and the Dores will have a three-man rotation to fill in for Stacy at tailback ... senior Wesley Tate and sophomores Jerron Seymour and Brian Kimbrow. Vanderbilt is all set at wide receiver with two of the best in the league in senior Jordan Matthews, an All-SEC firstteamer who led the conference with 94 catches for 1,323 yards and eight touchdowns, and junior Chris Boyd. Jonathan Krause is another returning starter in Vandy's three-receiver set and set to pave the way up front are returning regulars Wesley Johnson, Joe Townsend and Andrew Bridges. Defensively, the Dores will be paced by returning starters Walker May (DE), Chase Garnham (MLB), Karl Butler (OLB), Andre Hal (2nd-team All-SEC CB), Javon Marshall (SS) and Kenny Ladler (FS). The Commodores, who will welcome Ole Miss to Nashville for the Aug. 29, Thursday night nationally-televised opener, don't figure to leap over Georgia, South Carolina and Florida in SEC East this year but right now, look like a solid pick for a second-consecutive fourth place finish, ahead of Tennessee, Missouri and Kentucky. Head coach James Franklin: "To put a little bit of perspective for everybody, before we arrived at Vanderbilt, Vanderbilt had won four bowls game, had been to four bowl games, excuse me, in 122 years. We've been to two bowl games in two years. Very, very proud of that. We were able to win nine games last year. Haven't won nine games at Vanderbilt since 1915. Very proud of that fact. We were able to win our last seven games. Longest winning streak to end the season in the SEC last year was us."

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FFAN OF THE WEEK WEEEK Matthew McDaniel M from Floyd Flo oyd y Knobs, IN I Q: Other Other than than Herschel, Herschel, who who h is your your favorite favorite B ulldog aand nd w hyy? Bulldog why? Matthew: M atthew : On tthe he fie field ld IIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;d h have ave tto o ssay ay R Rennie ennie C Curran. urran. Y You ou co couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t uldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;t ggoo tthree hree p plays layys aatt Sa Sanford nfford without without h earing hi ame w hen h as h ere. A bbsolutely do minant. B ut IIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve â&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve ggot ot tto o ggive ive a sshout hout oout ut tto oT avvarhearing hiss n name when hee wa was here. Absolutely dominant. But Tavarrres es King, King, too. too. I had had a cchance hance to to get get to to know know him in a geography geograaphy class class a few few years years ago, ago, and and heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s aabsobbsoact. Really excited play Broncos llutely utely a cclass lass ac t. R eally ex cited ttoo ssee ee him p lay ffor or tthe he B roncos oon n SSundays. undays. y Q: Who Who is your your favorite favorite player player on on the current current UGA roster roster aand nd w why? hyy? Matthew: M atthew : A Att tthis his p point oint T Todd odd G Gurley. urley. I tthink hink h hee co could uld bbee oone ne ooff tthe he bbest est in tthe he co country u try tthis un his yyear. ear. Looking L ooking forward forward to to one one of of those thos o e young young guys guys on on D stepping stepping up up to to make make some some plays, playys, though. though. Q: What What makes makes you you a true true Bulldog? Bulldog? Matthew: M atthew : I ggo o tto o bbasketball asketball games. gaames. Q: What What is the most m t memorable mos memorable p play lay yyou ou ha h have ave eexperienced xperienced in p person? erson? Matthew: M atthew : P Probably robably B Brandon randon B Boykin oykin sscoring coring oon n ooffense ffeense against ff against B Boise oise SState tate in tthe he G Georgia eorgia Dome Dome in 2011, just just because because of of the the energy energy of of the the ga me aand nd tthe he fac hat w had to to do a double double take take to to make make sure sure it it was w sB wa oykin. game factt tthat wee aallll had Boykin. Q: Which Which one one of of our our rivals rivals do do you you enjoy enjjoy beating beating the most? most? Matthew: M atthew : K Kentucky. entucky. I ggrew rew u up p aand nd w will ill always alwaayys be be a Hoosier Hoosier first first and and foremost, foremost, ssoo ttoo co come me tto o aan n SSEC EC sschool chool aand nd wa watch atch aallll of of the the disappointed disappointed UK fa ns le aving Sa anfford, w ell, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s something somethiing sspecial. pecial. fans leaving Sanford, well, Q: What What makes makes your your tailgating tailgating scene scene sso o sspecial? pecial? Matthew: M atthew : O Our ur program prog o ram (MBA) (MBA) has has just just aabout bout tthe he bbest est sspot pot oon n ccampus, ampus, s rright ight in ffront ront ooff tthe he li library. braary. IItâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ggreat reat tto o bbee oout ut oon n a nice autumn autumn d day, ay, p art of of that that awesome awesome UGA energy. energy. L etâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s jjust ust ttry ry ttoo sschedule chedule some some eevening ven ning ga mes tthis his yyear. ear. IIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m â&#x20AC;&#x2122;m ttoo oo oold ld tto o ttailgate ailgaate aatt 10 in tthe he morning. morning. part Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s games

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SEC Media Days: It’s football and it’s here photo by Logan Booker

By Logan Booker/BI or people throughout the south, it is widely accepted that college football is a 365 days a year season. The only argument that could be made regarding this notion is when exactly one season turns its pages to the next. Some would argue that the unofficial start to the new season begins at the precise moment when the charcoal returns to a cool temperature somewhere in the early evening of that Fourth of July barbeque. Others may argue that the new season begins at the exact moment the final out of the Major League Baseball All-Star Game is recorded. But if you ask any members of the media who have any ties to the Southeastern Conference, they would likely unanimously tell you the season turns its page when conference commissioner Mike Slive takes the podium at the Wynfrey Hotel in Hoover, Alabama to open SEC Media Days. For many years now, my dream assignment has been to wear the coveted Media Days credential around my neck, getting the privilege to walk through the seemingly thousands of Alabama fans who congregate in the lower lobby of the Wynfrey, proceeding up the guarded escalator to the second floor where all the media magic happens. With much thanks to Bulldawg Illustrated, I set off for Hoover this past week to meet up with BI’s Murray Poole to experience the mania first hand. When I arrived at the Wynfrey, the magnitude of the event became obvious within the first few moments I spent in the lobby, waiting for the credential office to open. Radio Row, which stretched as far as you could see down the main hallway was working early, hosting notable voices such as UGA greats Matt Stinchcomb and David Pollack, along with ESPN personalities with names like Paul Finebaum, Dari Nokwah, and Tom Luginbill. The complete ESPN College Football Live set had been erected, soaking in the bright lights as the equipment was being tested in preparation to go live that afternoon. ESPNU had their bright lights and cameras set off to one corner, as personalities known to college football fans like Tracy Wolfson, Tony Barnhart, and Mark Schlabach walked around the same lobby I was in, ready to conduct the same type work I was there to do. I had arrived. This year’s “SECMD13” (as the SEC called it, in obvious attempts to look hip for the twitter-obsessed members of the media) played host to a record 1,200 credentialed media members, all scrambling around the hotel lobby and conference rooms where the coaches of all fourteen SEC schools, along with a few standout players from each, were shuffled through in a time sensitive, meticulously planned circus. Good news came for Bulldawg fans in Hoover, as the media voted UGA to finish first in the SEC East, which would be the third year in a row they will have done so. Tell any fan wearing red and black on New Year’s Day of 2011 that this would be a possible scenario and any of them would have shaken your hand and smiled. Well, that is a real possibility, and a bunch of people wearing credentials around their necks feel it is more likely than seeing Steve Spurrier or Will Muschamp march his team into the Georgia Dome the first Saturday in December. The same group who picked UGA out of the East, overwhelmingly picked Alabama to play against the Dawgs on that December

20 • Bulldawg Illustrated

weekend. Unfortunately though, the vote to win that game failed to go in UGA’s favor. There was no shortage of action throughout the entre three-day event. On day one, Will Muschamp, who always seems to be the most serious natured coach in these settings, spent a long time on the podium giving what seemed like more of a metaphoric halftime speech than giving a preview of his upcoming season. I’d like to think his record as the Gator coach in Jacksonville contributed to his demeanor. While answering questions, Muschamp may or may not have taken a bit of a stab at current Ohio State, and former Florida head coach Urban Meyer when he talked about how coaches should be held 100% accountable for their players’ actions. This all in the wake of the horrific scenario involving former Gator tight end Aaron Hernandez, while the media has seemingly been on a witch hunt aimed at Urban. But on a lighter note, Steve Spurrier certainly stole the Media Days spotlight, once again, as he gave his annual goofy speech full of memorable moments and laughs on the podium. When asked by a member of the media how his fiftieth high school reunion went this summer, Spurrier paused, went into a few seconds of seemingly deep thought, and gave an unexpected one word answer. “Quiet,” he proclaimed, as the entire room broke out into laughter. In addition, Spurrier gave his annual comments on how the schedule needs to be more fair for each team, and how players should be compensated in some way; nothing too new, and nothing unforeseen going into the event. Day two brought with it the most circus-like atmosphere of the circus-like event. And this had absolutely nothing to do with four first-year coaches taking the stage for their initiation into the SEC fraternity. Instead, some quarterback named “Johnny” from the Texas A&M Aggies, who was virtually unknown to these same members of the media just 365 days prior, was the most anticipated interview of the entire event. This proved to be the case, as there was more media swarmed around Johnny Manziel’s small table in the corner of the main room than for any single player or coach the entire week. I was quite surprised that he was not given the main podium in the same way Tim Tebow was given treatment back in 2009. Johnny answered a plethora of questions, ranging from why he left the elite Manning Passing Camp the previous week under bizarre circumstances, to which golf club he would use in a certain golf scenario. All in all, Manziel handled the media very well, refraining from giving us anything shocking or controversial. The final day of “SECMD13” saw UGA have its time in the spotlight. Coach Richt brought with him three seniors who many would consider the class of the 2013 Bulldawgs’ roster: star quarterback Aaron Murray, defensive lineman Garrison Smith, and tight end Arthur Lynch. Everybody was eager to get the first quote from Aaron Murray in response to the declarations that “all-world” South Carolina defensive lineman Jedeveon Clowney gave on day one that Murray plays scared of him. Several UGA beat writers, along with invited members of the national media, were invited by UGA’s communications team to a private suite to get all of our questions in prior to the entire media onslaught that awaited them in the main rooms. As expected, Murray handled the allegations from Clowney with

class, laughing them off and making it clear that he instead plays with great deal of respect for Clowney, not fear. Also during UGA’s time in front of the media, Coach Richt talked about how coming so close to a trip to the BCS Championship this past season will certainly play as motivation to “finish the drill” this fall. Richt also answered many questions about the magnitude of opening up the year with a trip to a likely top ten opponent in Clemson. Richt emphasized that the team has been in a race to get into mid-season form by week one, and that race began the moment the clock hit zeroes in Orlando this past January at the conclusion of the Capital One Bowl victory over Nebraska. Another tidbit of interest for Bulldawg fans on the final day of “SECMD13” took place when former UGA quarterback Zach Mettenberger answered questions about returning to play in Athens on week five of upcoming season. We asked him how he thought the fans were going to react when he comes out of the tunnel for the first time between the hedges, and he told Bulldawg Illustrated “They’re going to boo the crap out of me! I wouldn’t be surprised if somebody throws a brick at my head.” This was said with tongue in cheek, but he may be right to an extent. But in reality, nobody in Athens is the least bit upset that Aaron Murray has been the guy these past three seasons, and will be back for his fourth this fall. It goes without saying, the stars of the final day in Hoover were the members of the Alabama Crimson Tide, both among the media and the several hundred rabid fans that overwhelmed the lower lobby just to catch a glimpse of their little general, Nick Saban, walk by with his public relations entourage. These fans stayed for the duration of the day, spontaneously breaking out in “Roll Tide” cheers, and going absolutely crazy whenever they would catch a glimpse of the little general, or one of the players brought with him. And once Saban did take the podium, like a robot, he began to talk of mistakes his team made last year, despite becoming the first, and what will be the only, team in the history of the BCS to win back-to-back crystal footballs. In addition, Saban was adamant that the SEC should expand to a nine game schedule, so that any player who commits to play for an SEC school will get the opportunity to play every team in the conference during his tenure at the school, assuming they stay for four seasons. He also stressed the importance of keeping the traditional cross-divisional rivalries that are of such importance to fans such as Georgia-Auburn and AlabamaTennessee. I must say I agree with Saban’s take on this issue wholeheartedly. SEC Media Days, the 2013 edition, has wrapped from Hoover, and the 2013 football season is officially upon us. The boys in the Classic City, along with thirteen other campuses across the south, will open up practices in just a couple short weeks, and we can all start drooling over practice reports and rumors of depth chart movement. The humidity will soon break, bringing with it a chill to the air, which will in turn create a buzz across this nation that is rivaled by no other sport. Many across the state will gather up their coolers, chairs, grills, and good friends and family to make their fall pilgrimages to Athens to watch the Dawgs hunker down, one more time. It’s football. And it’s here.

Jeff Dantzler’s preseason All-SEC team Easley. Arguably the second best defensive lineman in the league, he has All-American and early first round potential. DL – Anthony Johnson, LSU – The Tigers have churned out more elite defensive linemen and corners than any program in America in the 2000’s. Johnson is the next star. He has tremendous strength and power, and is fully capable of collapsing the pocket and blowing up the run. LB – C.J. Moseley, Alabama – A first team All-American a year ago, Moseley’s return gives Alabama’s defense is a big bump. Moseley can run and deliver the big hit. He’s the next in Alabama’s great linebacker lineage. LB – Jordan Jenkins, Georgia – A sterling freshman, the heir apparent to Jarvis Jones steps into the headlining role at outside linebacker. Jenkins is strong and quick with great discipline. He plays his assignments as well as any “edge” player in the league. LB – A.J. Johnson, Tennessee – Far and away the Volunteers best defender since the departure of the great All-American Eric Berry, Johnson is a lethal sideline to sideline run stuffer. The Vols defense was bad last year, but this future first-rounder is one of the league’s best. CB – Damian Swann, Georgia – A breakout star in 2012, the Bulldogs standout junior cornerback has an uncanny nose for the football. If the ball is in the air or on the ground, Swann has that unique ability to attack the pigskin. CB – Andre Hall, Vanderbilt – The Commodores defense was superb in the second half of last season as they closed the campaign with seven straight wins. A stellar front seven combined with one of the league’s top cover men in Hall gives this “D” a chance to be even better. S – Craig Loston, LSU – The Tigers run of elite corners has been well documented. They have also produced a slew of stellar safeties, including the departed Eric Reid. Loston is the next standout to step up for a defense that lost a lost of stars and starters. S – Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Alabama – Nick Saban is a secondary coach. Kirby Smart played safety. Almost every year under their watch, a Bama defensive back gets taken in the first round. Clinton-Dix follows in the footsteps of recent All-Americans Mark Barron and Robert Lester.

OFFENSE QB – A.J. McCarron, Alabama – This is a tough call with so many worthy candidates, including the reigning Heisman winner, who has had a noisy off-season. McCarron has been behind center for a pair of Crimson Tide national championships and is extremely efficient. RB – Todd Gurley, Georgia – A phenom who many think is Georgia’s best tailback since Herschel Walker, Gurley is the total package. He has speed, power, size, vision, footwork, a nose for the end zone and finishes the run. He is the nation’s best tailback. RB – T.J. Yeldon, Alabama – The next in line of Alabama’s great tailbacks, Yeldon just might be the country’s second best. He and McCarron will be the centerpiece of an Alabama offense that must replace most of an all-time great line. WR – Jordan Matthews, Vanderbilt – One of the most decorated players in school history, Matthews has a chance to put a serious dent into the SEC record books this year. He has the hands and the speed. If the slippery Matthews gets a step, he’s gone. WR – Malcolm Mitchell, Georgia – One of the best players on the Bulldogs talented roster, Mitchell is a big-play threat who should be in line for a fantastic season since he can focus exclusively on offense. Alabama’s Amari Cooper is right here in the conversation with Matthews and Mitchell. TE – Arthur Lynch, Georgia – A fine blocker and big target who can go over the middle, Lynch gives Georgia’s offense yet another element. He and Jay Rome may be the best tight end combination in college football. OL – Jake Matthews, Texas A&M – A year ago, he and Luke Joekel, the second pick in the NFL Draft, formed a truly dynamic tackle duo. They were a big part of Johnny Manziel’s Heisman Trophy run. Matthews figures to be a top five pick next spring as well. OL – Cyrus Kouandjio, Alabama – One of the greatest offensive lines in school history lost three sensational starters, but does return one of the nation’s best tackles. Kouandjio was a five-star blue chip prospect who now steps into the starring role. OL – Anthony Steen, Alabama – The other returning starter on the Crimson Tide’s offensive line, Steen teams with Kouandjio to give Alabama a strong one-two inside/outside punch. He has muscle and is an exceptional run blocker. OL – Chris Burnette, Georgia – This should be a fine Georgia line, and Burnette is a big reason. This talented veteran is strong, athletic and extremely smart. With the dynamic skill position players behind them, the Dogs O-Line could pave the way for a great year. OL – Antonio Richardson, Tennessee – The offensive line is Tennessee’s strength and gives Butch Jones some first year hope. Richardson and JuWaun James are a stellar tackle combination. Before JaDaveon Clowney made the play of the game a year ago, Richardson held his own with the All-American.

DEFENSE DL – JaDaveon Clowney, South Carolina – Well on his way to being the greatest defender in South Carolina history, this once-ina-decade talent is a sure-fire All-American and the likely No. 1 overall pick next spring. He is the total package the ultimate offensive disrupter. DL – Kelsy Quarles, South Carolina – While Clowney is the All-American at defensive end, Quarles gives the Gamecocks a onetwo inside/out punch as good as any in the land. Quarles is powerful and quickly sheds blocks. He is a run-stuffer supreme. DL – Dominique Easley, Florida – While the Gators lost a lot of talent to the NFL, they bring a whole bunch back, headlined by

KICKERS P – Kyle Christy, Florida – A year ago, Christy teamed with AllAmerican field goal ace Caleb Sturgis to give the Gators the best kicking combo in America. With a nasty and talented defense,Christy’s big leg is an enormous asset for the Gators. PK – Carey Spear, Vanderbilt – A candidate for the Lou Groza Award, Spear was 20 of 24 a year ago on field goals and 27 of 27 on extra points a year ago, earning second team All-SEC honors behind Sturgis. With so many tight ones in the league, kicker is one of the most valuable positions on any team.

UGA Day - Savannah

Holton Barwick and Barry Dotson

Vance Leavy and Jason Jones

Chase Mouchet and Matthew Parrish

Mark Fox, Briana Bowen and Mark Richt

Leiston Shuman and Hi Roby

Uga IX and Melinda Thomas

Beth Haberman, Chris Haberman and Ann Shealy

Mark Fox, Raymond Patricio, Gretchen Patricio, Edwin Chase, Mark Richt

Uga IX and Ben Watson

John and Peggy Perkins

Camille Russo and Talmadge Johnson

Patrick Lowe, Julie Hahn, Kelly Hahn and Patrick Hahn

Uga IX with Wendy Seiler and Cecil Seiler

Melissa Crump and Brian Thompson

Jamie Wallace and Whitney Millwood

Mark Slonaker, Laura Jolly and Keith Oelke

Hunter Odum, Mike Odum, Cliff McCurry and Adam Montgomery

Alyssa Lampertz, Lindsey Willingham, Gretchen Pearce, Mary Catherine Kenney, Carolyn Browning Molly Grady

Loran Smith Each year building a team is a challenge AUGUST 1–30 presented by

Glynn Art Association in honor of our 60th year

meet the minds behind MAD & more! Thurs, Aug 1 Panel Discussion 5:30-6:30pm Reception 6:30pm advance ticket purchase only— available online at glynnart.org or by phone at 912.638.8770

$35 Jack Davis retrospective presentation Fri, Aug 2

10 –11am

complimentary

cartooning 101 !

ages 7-11 Fri, Aug 2

photo by Logan Booker

3:00–4:30pm

complimentary

inking demonstration adults Sat, Aug 3

10 –11am

complimentary

Jack Davis exhibit runs August 1-30

Glynn Art Association 529 Beachview Drive St. Simons Island 912.638.8770 tickets & info: www.glynnart.org

Nearly 40,000 4 fans s visited bulldawgillustrated.com bulldaw wgillustrate ed com ed.com in June to o keep up with w the #dawgs Bulldawg Illust Illustrated trated is proud to an announce nounce that we merged wit with th the popular Leath Leather her Helmet Blog Now its founder Blog. ffounder,, Greg Poole, Poole e is serving e, in the role of our o Multi-Media Spec Specialist. cialist. W We e are extremely excited to have exp expanded anded our digital of offerings. ferings.

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WeAre eBulldawgs s.com WeAreBulldawgs.com 22 • Bulldawg Illustrated

Pre-season forecasts are often as unreliable as the weatherman’s predictions. There are the unknown factors, which influence results—from injuries to attitudes—those vicissitudes that are never reflected on the surface. There may be a bonding that takes place that enables a team to win the close games, which usually is the difference in whether or not a team wins a championship. That ability to win close games is the most critical circumstance in sport. You come to believe, you are imbued with confidence that you can win, and favorable results often ensue. In 1983, when Herschel Walker turned pro, Georgia was left without an established running back. During Herschel’s years at Georgia, it was understandable that the Bulldogs would not be signing any highly regarded ball carriers. In addition, there was uncertainty at quarterback until John Lastinger finally became established. Nonetheless, the Bulldogs “knew” how to win. A stirring comeback against Florida highlighted a season that ended in the Cotton Bowl where the Bulldogs defeated No. 2–ranked Texas, 10-9, which eliminated Longhorns' hopes for winning the national championship. Every December after one of the high schools wins the state title, the star of the team will be quoted about a pre-season meeting in which the players got together and vowed they would win the state championship. More than likely a couple of dozen teams had players making that same vow. For one of those teams, the vow became reality—but not by design. Emotion is a big part of football, and you would be disappointed if there are not several Bulldogs, led by quarterback Aaron Murray, who don’t think that Georgia has as good a chance to win a championship as anybody. Even though it is best to "lay" low, you want the players to have confidence that they are as good as the next team. Certainly, you don’t want your team to be outspoken. I remember a conversation with longtime Dodger manager Tommy Lasorda who said he always told his players, “Believe you are the best, but just don’t tell anybody.” Each year building a team is a challenge that never ends. You would think with the seasoning that characterizes the current Georgia offense along with the ultimate in experience at quarterback that the offense should be highly productive. Losing all those starters on defense has many forecasters holding the view that for the Bulldogs to succeed, they will have to outscore opponents. Sometimes in such situations, funny things happen

along the way—the defense surprises and the offense struggles. On offense, what Mike Bobo, as has been the case since he became the coordinator, wants is consistency. There is experience and proficiency at every position. There is something to work with across the board. Todd Grantham, the defensive coordinator, will have to count on youth coming to the party. Think about the losses—Jarvis Jones, John Jenkins, Kwame Geathers, Sanders Commings, Cornelius Washington, Baccari Rambo, Jarvis Jones, John Jenkins, Alec Ogletree and Shawn Williams—all of whom will likely be playing on Sunday this fall—and the tendency is to think negatively. Accentuating the positive, however, is a daily focus with Grantham. He likes the talent he has to work with and believes one factor can make a difference with the Dawg defense this fall; although the defense is inexperienced, there will be depth. Last season, the Bulldogs played with 29 players total on defense. Normally, there would be a complement of at least 40 to 41. That depth deficiency showed up in the third quarter of the SEC championship game when Alabama began running the football with gashing success. Big yardage gains resulted against a very tired defense, which couldn’t roll its players in and out of the lineup—a very important routine in today’s game. Georgia seems to have the best grasp of things in years. Richt has settled in as the chairman of the board with an involvement and commitment in which he oversees with leadership, direction, and a timely touching of the bases befitting the dean of SEC coaches. He has two competent coordinators and a recruiting approach that includes both expertise on identifying the best players and selling them on playing for the Bulldogs. He could not have better support from the corner office on the fourth floor. Athletic Director Greg McGarity is an ally and an asset whose deepest desire is helping the football team win a championship. McGarity expects Georgia teams to compete consistently. He understands how difficult it is to win, but he knows that the right ingredients and a constant of underscoring the fundamentals can bring Athens a championship trophy. Putting Georgia in a position to annually compete for the SEC East title is the ongoing goal of both Richt and McGarity. The Bulldogs have reached that position today. Other schools are at that point, too. It is never easy, but the first step is being in position to compete for the title. Georgia has reason to believe that it can do that.

INTRODUCING THE BUD LIGHT PLATINUM

SLEEK CAN