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The Georgia Bulldogs can hardly wait for next season to get started.
That enthusiasm is understandable, considering they ended this season with a seven-game winning streak, have most of their key players returning and are counting on another top recruiting class.
All things considered, it adds up to a team that surely will be mentioned as part of the national championship race right from the start in 2008.
"I think we'll be at least No. 1 or 2 next year," linebacker Dannell Ellerbe said.
He wasn't the only one willing to talk boldly about the future after the Bulldogs dismantled Hawaii 41-10 Tuesday night in the Sugar Bowl.
After slogging through the first half of the season, which included a touchdown-less loss to South Carolina at home and a 21-point blowout at Tennessee, the Bulldogs looked unbeatable from mid-October on. They scored at least 40 points in four of their last seven games, while the defense displayed as much speed and quickness as any unit in the country.
Nearly all of the players who made it happen will be back next season, including running back Knowshon Moreno, quarterback Matthew Stafford, defensive tackle Geno Atkins, linebacker Rennie Curran and cornerback Asher Allen.
All were freshmen or sophomores in this 11-win year, which leaves plenty of room to grow and improve.
"We have a very young team and we got some valuable experience in a championship atmosphere," said Allen, who led the Bulldogs with nine tackles and had two of their four interceptions against previously unbeaten Hawaii. "Hopefully next year we can get back and play in the championship game."
Only six seniors started for Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, including game MVP Marcus Howard — a tour de force with three sacks, two forced fumbles and one recovery from a touchdown. The Bulldogs also bid farewell to running back Thomas Brown, center Fernando Velasco, offensive tackle Chester Adams, receiver Sean Bailey and safety Kelin Johnson.
But the list of returnees is staggering.
Starting on offense, Moreno rushed for more than 1,200 yards, even though he didn't take over the No. 1 job until midseason. Stafford had a solid season and showed the potential to put up much bigger numbers. Three freshmen — Trinton Sturtivant, Chris Davis and Clint Boling — started up front.
Turning to defense, Atkins, Jeff Owens and Roderick Battle lead a deep group of linemen who should have little trouble overcoming the loss of Howard. The entire linebacking corps returns, including freshman star-in-the-making Curran. The loss of Johnson notwithstanding, the secondary appears loaded with sophomores Allen and Prince Miller at the corners and freshman Reshad Jones ready to step in at safety.
Several promising freshmen didn't get on the field this season, including running back Caleb King. He is expected to take Brown's place in a potent 1-2 punch with Moreno. Plus, the Bulldogs have just about put the finishing touches on a recruiting class that should again rank among the top 10 nationally.
Coach Mark Richt, who might have done the best job of his career even though he no longer calls the offensive plays, certainly understands why everyone is so optimistic about 2008.
Then again, he knows the Southeastern Conference is primed for another strong year, with Florida and Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow in the same division. Remember, every team in the league lost at least two games this season, including national finalist LSU, which arrived in New Orleans for next Monday's BCS championship game a few hours after the Bulldogs headed home.
"We're going to return a very good football team," Richt said. "But in the Southeastern Conference, it doesn't matter how good you are, there's going to be at least seven, eight teams just as good as you are. And to think you can predict being in contention at the end is pretty brash. I'm not going to do that.
"But," he added, "I do think we're going to have a more veteran team than we've had in a while, and I think we'll have some good depth, and I think we'll have a chance to make a run at it."
If nothing else, the Bulldogs should start the season in the neighborhood of No. 1, an important factor in determining which teams get to play at the end. LSU and Ohio State both started the season highly ranked, which undoubtedly helped them overcome late-season losses when it came time to tally up the numbers.
Georgia didn't get a shot at the championship game, though it's clear the Bulldogs finished up playing as well as anyone, including the two finalists.
"We should have been No. 1," Howard said. "We could have jumped Ohio State. I feel we had the hottest team in the nation toward the end of the season."
And next season looks even better.
© 2008, The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
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Posted by tngeoff on January 3, 2008 at 2:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
But...wait they must! Just like every year...they'll falter once again. No Dawgs!
Posted by jcherrie on January 3, 2008 at 2:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
They're already too cocky after blowing out a very mediocre WAC team. I look for them to finish 3rd in the combined SEC.
Posted by GoVol on January 3, 2008 at 2:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hawaii had no business in this game to begin with, so it was combination of GA playing really good and Hawaii really bad. GA will be tough to beat next year in Sanford Stadium...but I'll be there as always.
Posted by johnlg00 on January 3, 2008 at 2:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
No doubt UGA will be a load next year, and I am not looking forward to the Vols' upcoming trip there, but the games are still decided on the field, not in post-bowl euphoria, so we'll just have to see how it all plays out. The win over Hawaii was impressive, if only to shut up the Warriors' boosters in the national media. The Gators and the Hogs kinda let the league down this year, but the SEC still rules! Geaux Tigers against the OSU pretenders!
Posted by 87UTVOL on January 3, 2008 at 2:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Georgia was a good team this year and will be next. It will be a tough trip to Athens for the Vols. But, acting as is blowing out Hawaii is a defining moment is ridiculous. Georgia was simply bigger, faster, stronger and better at almost every position. But, Florida, Tennessee, LSU, Auburn and about a dozen other teams would have matched that description. Hawaii learned that all the war dances in the world help you deal with a player who's 6'5", 290 and can run short distances almost as fast as your running back.
I'm glad the Dawgs blew 'em out. Don't come back South thinking you belong at the top.
Posted by volfan1511 on January 3, 2008 at 2:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If i am thinking correctly then Georgia played in the deep south in Louisiana so technically they never left south and they would have to be going back north to belong at the top. Sorry couldnt resist.
Posted by tnocvolfan on January 3, 2008 at 3:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Who won the SEC east this year??!!!
Posted by Classof70Vol on January 3, 2008 at 3:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Living in Georgia, articles like this are old hat. Agree with tngeoff, the dawgs are always waiting for next year - just like the gamecocks.
Looking at the dawgs schedule for 08, if I were a GA fan,I would not plan on seeing them in the dome in December for the SEC CG.
Also didn't see anything impressive in the Hawaii win. Most SEC teams could have handled that team with few problems.
Posted by AlpharettaVol on January 3, 2008 at 3:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Living in Georgia, I have become used to this kind of unrealistic bluster. Once they lose a game or two, the fans will change their tune and start claiming that they really did not think 08 would be "their year" and that 09 will be the one for the UGApuppies. Let's just see what they do on the field. Better yet, let's see how many of them are still around when the season opens next year. Their record of having players getting in trouble in Athens bars or racking up DUIs is now a regular occurance.
Posted by cdldoc on January 3, 2008 at 3:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sounds like the Puppies believe their press too much. How could they forget the drubbing Fulmer and his boys gave them this year? They put on some black uniforms and it somehow makes them better players? Fulmer will have to march thru their state like Sherman again next year. history repeats.
Posted by MajorVol on January 3, 2008 at 4:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Please......try winning your division first, after that, win your conference, then and only then do you have a right to whine!
Posted by BOASoldier on January 3, 2008 at 4:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
87 Was talking about Hawai'i not coming back South thinking they belonged at the top "volfan1511" reading comprehension starts with phonetics... hooked on phonics worked for me.
Posted by pdhuff on January 3, 2008 at 4:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Just remember, in Ga, the girls are sharp and the guys are, err.. woof , woof and Herschel still lives large in their minds. Do not be too hard on them since many of them were not born when they last won the grail. They're almost to getting over the 80 we've put on them the last two years.
Posted by imavol on January 3, 2008 at 5:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Beating a team (Hawaii) who only beat 3 teams all year that had won more than 5 games doesn't make you a National Champion.
Posted by jamcdaniel79 on January 3, 2008 at 5:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Let UGA get themselves all fired up....starts to remind me of when they played us in the late 90's as the undefeated team (us coming off another beating from UF)....we always pushed them around. next year should be no different.
Posted by DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu on January 3, 2008 at 5:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I remember the days when we had articles like this written about us.
I live in Atlanta and half my family went to GA. This is the real deal, folks. GA will be awesome next year -- and the next few years, given the recruiting class that's shaping up for them.
Maybe we can steal back Rodney Garner (defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator) from them and find a place on our coaching staff.
Posted by jamcdaniel79 on January 3, 2008 at 5:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
its not the real deal, its typical UGA hype. I have live in ATL my whole life....3 losses next year for UGA.
Posted by ctownvol on January 3, 2008 at 5:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow. Lots of Georgia Vols around. I was worried I might be one of only a few. I too hear this empty threat year after year from UGA fans.."This will be our year" and then, as always, they lose 2 or 3 and it's "just wait til next year". As someone who will remain nameless says on here ALL the time..."Yawn" I'm certainly not scared of a team that we(UT) have beaten so soundly the last two years and even longer for that matter.
Posted by Buckley on January 3, 2008 at 5:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am amazed about how Georgia was so good after the Vols wacked them. This is not to take anything away from Vandy, but they were lucky to beat them by a field goal. You could say the same about tennessee but we were not whiped the whole game like Georgia was against Vandy. So bring them on next year, they will have no idea what our offense will do next year and when they did the last two years we wiped their behinds!
Posted by TommyJack on January 3, 2008 at 6:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Bum: I lived in Atl. for 30+ years, so I know the feeling. Most of those years (even in the bleak Ray Goff days), GA had great recruiting with not always great results. Not saying they won't be great next year, but strange things happen...We shall see.
Posted by ballou1024 on January 3, 2008 at 6:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Georgia's record against Tennessee the last 15 games 4 wins 11 losses! Enough said!
Posted by TommyJack on January 3, 2008 at 6:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Bum: BTW, I'm not sure TN ever got over the loss of Rodney Garner.
Posted by OneTrueVol on January 3, 2008 at 8:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If other schools can have as much production out of a true freshman running back as GA did why cant UT? Where is the coaching? I know we had Foster carrying most of the load but what did any of the backups do? With all the hype of some of our freshman why could the coaching staff not get them on the field? I know this type of question has been raised most of the year but I would still like to see a better output from some of the skilled postions...
Posted by rockytopjeff on January 3, 2008 at 8:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I Bet The Gators have Georgia game date circled,interesting to see that 1 next year I also live in GA and HATE the dogs. I beleive EVERYONE will over look us next year.Stay out of trouble guys and go to class.Next year could be special.
Posted by dallasdog1 on January 3, 2008 at 9:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I have lived in GA since 1990 and what you have to understand about the bull pups is that if they win the Red and Black game in April they think they are going all the way. So this is just an early, bourbon infused version of the spring game mania that sweeps dogs annually...........we shall see. QB is hot/cold and they finally have a tough non conf game. We shall see.......congrats on smacking the pineapple eaters. I think man for man hawaii was the fatest group I have seen in sporting event since i saw sumu wrestling....every guy had an extra 30 minimum......they really need to mix in some salads.
Posted by inswhiz on January 4, 2008 at 9:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I believe the whole SEC has Georgia game with them circled. Im a UT fan but can see Ga kicking our butts next season no matter where we play the game. Plus the fact Ga has a championship style coach in Richt how can they not fail? Georgia should be ranked in top 3 for next season's pre-poll
Posted by spam247buster on January 4, 2008 at 10:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Fulmer has beaten Richt 3 out of the last 4 times.
Posted by TommyJack on January 4, 2008 at 10:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Whiz: They has the same "championship style coach" when they came to K-town this year.
Posted by VOLinDAWGland on January 4, 2008 at 4:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Merano is not a true freshman, he's a red-shirt fresh and if he has another big year will probably be gone.
Posted by VOLinDAWGland on January 4, 2008 at 4:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I like Richt, but not sure why inswhiz labels him a 'championship style' coach. His offenses have been underwhelming with a lot of fan grumbling. He finally turned over OC and playcalling duties to his former QB. GA will be good although I can't stand them, but they'll find a way to underachieve. They've also traditionally padded their schedule with some incredibly weak out of conference apponents. They happen to be a media darling at the moment for whatever reason.
Posted by ballewville6 on January 5, 2008 at 2:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
i believe we can go into georgia if new d line comes to play and can put pressure on qb,s and stop the run along with the best secondaey in sec next year and elix wilson is a fine linebacker so as long as mayo dont leave and i doubt he will because they predict him to be at best a 2 round pick our lb,s will be good,and as long as johnathon gets plenty reps throwing the ball he has had to learn sitting and waiting his turn un less we some how get back in race for pryor ,whoever it will be ut will be fine and once again lead the big orange back to atlanta cause flordia and bama will be at home uga on road but there beatable and ut will win sec east with 1 loss so if uga does managa a win no biggie there fired up because they beat a team in sugar bowl who in my opionion had no business playing in sugar hawaii played a real easy scedual out side conference play and there conference is a lame duck so let dawg get big head will mash that big head ,and stafford is the most overrated qb in country so bring em on
Posted by CrankE on January 5, 2008 at 10:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I live in Cartersville, GA and have heard it all too. Georgia crushes Hawai'i. Fans chant "overrated!" at Hawai'i. Georgia players talk about being #1 at the end of the game. Georgia homers predict championhsips galore in 2008.
If Hawai'i is so overrated, then the beating should be expected-like UT beating ULM. In which case, there's nothing to gain-no matter how large the margin of victory. The coaching staff is inflating the ego of these kids with regard to how good they are, their ranking, etc. That's good news for other SEC teams. Never interrrupt an opponent while he's making a mistake.
UGA is talented, and they can do a lot of good things. Stafford is gaining confidence, but he's not David Greene. Neither is nono another Herschel.
I wonder what UGA and the national press who has anointed them will say when they lose at home, in the black jerseys to an underdog Tennessee?
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