The Georgia Bulldogs will hold their annual G-Day spring game on Saturday afternoon and these are five storylines to keep up with heading into G-Day.
2017 is a pivotal year for Kirby Smart’s Georgia Bulldogs. In his first year coaching his alma mater’s football program, Georgia went a so-so 8-5 (4-4). Though Georgia beat teams like Auburn, North Carolina and TCU, losses to schools like Georgia Tech, Ole Miss and Vanderbilt weren’t a great look for the Bulldogs.
Georgia’s schedule is more favorable than it was last year. An early road game at Notre Dame will be tough, but Georgia has a chance to be 7-0 heading into Georgia/Florida should the Bulldogs win in South Bend and on the road in Knoxville.
With their stout running game headlined by seniors Nick Chubb and Sony Michel, Georgia is a sexy pick to win the SEC East and play in the 2017 SEC Championship Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. For now, it’s all about the annual G-Day spring game on Saturday. Here are the five storylines of note heading into G-Day.
5. How will the special teams look?
Nothing cripples a solid football team like bad special teams play. Like a leaky bullpen in baseball or poor goaltending in hockey, special teams can be the bane of a championship contender’s existence. Not to say Georgia is a serious threat to make and win the fourth annual College Football Playoff, but special teams aren’t looking overly tremendous this spring.
The field goal kicking game was solved last fall with the emergence of freshman Rodrigo Blankenship. He looked to be in the same vein of consistency like Marshall Morgan or Blair Walsh. However, he may have to leave the program if he is not granted a scholarship due to financial reasons.
Punting was an issue for the Bulldogs. Marshall Long showed promise before injuring his knee cap as a freshman. He could be a big boost for the Georgia special teams this fall. However, he won’t have Bryce Ramsey backing him up, as the former scholarship quarterback has elected to transfer.
If the kicking game’s issues weren’t enough, who will be returning kicks now that Reggie Davis and Isaiah McKenzie are not with the program. Terry Godwin and Mecole Hardman have some work to do. Having electricity in the return game will be a big boost for the Georgia program if Smart can find it this spring.