Georgia football: 5 questions the Bulldogs must answer in 2020

2. Can Georgia football boast the nation’s best defense?

Georgia was one of the best teams in the country a season ago in terms of scoring defense and limiting opposing touchdowns. But for as good as they were in that capacity a year ago, they have the potential to be even better in the 2020 season under defensive coordinator Dan Lanning. In fact, they could legitimately be the best defense in college football.

The front seven is deep and loaded with players who are stars in the making, even if they aren’t necessarily in the national forefront right now. Malik Herring and Travon Walker are studs at defensive end while Monty Rice is one of the best linebackers in the country. Meanwhile, Nolan Smith, Azeez Ojulari and Nakobe Dean could all be elite SEC talents and early NFL Draft picks.

But for as talented and deep as the front seven is, the true strength of the Bulldogs defense is in the secondary. Eric Stokes appears primed for a breakout season, as do DJ Daniel and Tyson Campbell, at cornerback. Meanwhile, Richard LeCounte is one of the nation’s best safeties and can hold things down on the back end.

With some uncertainty on the offensive side of the ball, however, the question is if Georgia’s defense can live up to the billing as one of the top units in the country. They clearly have the coaching, the deep talent pool and even a strong 2019 performance as evidence. But now it’s about putting it into practice in the 2020 season.