SEC Media Days in Dallas, Texas, featured two new additions to the storied football conference this week.
Texas and Oklahoma officially joined the SEC on July 1. However, according to several national polls, the Georgia Bulldogs are back on top, ranked No. 1 in the country heading into 2024.
Kirby Smart, Carson Beck, Malaki Starks, and Mykel Williams represented the Bulldogs in Dallas. Here are a few storylines surrounding the program there.
Tough schedule
Georgia arguably has the best roster top-to-bottom in the nation and one of the best head coach-quarterback combos. However, the Bulldogs also face a challenging schedule ahead.
They will play Clemson on Aug. 31 in Atlanta, followed by several tough road games as the season goes on: Alabama (Sept. 28), Texas (Oct. 19), and Ole Miss (Nov. 9).
Georgia has the leadership to stay composed on the road in pressure situations. The Bulldogs will be tested weekly, though, and will get every opponent’s best shot. If they survive, a CFP berth will be deserved.
Beck’s second chance
Carson Beck showed he could win big games for Georgia last season. Now, with a year’s experience under his belt, he has something to prove.
Beck stayed one more season to accomplish his dream to win a national championship as the Bulldogs’ starting quarterback. He also has some new weapons in his arsenal that he’ll need to develop chemistry with to bring the offense to new heights.
Other talented quarterbacks in the SEC include Jalen Milroe, Quinn Ewers, and Jaxson Dart. However, the Georgia signal-caller has to stand out as the best if he wants to lead the Bulldogs to the College Football Playoff title.
Replacing Bowers and McConkey
Brock Bowers and Ladd McConkey were cornerstones of the Georgia program and proved essential in securing two national championships. Last season, however, the Bulldogs’ offense struggled to produce explosive plays when McConkey and Bowers each dealt with injuries.
In the SEC Championship game against Alabama last season, Bowers and McConkey were still managing those injuries and were less effective than usual. Those injuries potentially cost the Bulldogs the SEC Championship game and a College Football Playoff berth.
Wideouts Dominic Lovett and Dillon Bell are primed to be Beck’s top targets this year based on their experience. Rara Thomas, Colbie Young, Oscar Delp, and Lawson Luckie also bring different skill sets and likely will round out the top pass-catchers for Beck and offensive coordinator Mike Bobo.
Can the defense be elite?
The team’s virtually impenetrable defenses made Georgia’s back-to-back national title runs possible.
The Bulldogs still have freakish athletes who can be difference-makers on that side of the ball. Malaki Starks, Smael Mondon, and CJ Allen will lead the way as known defense stars, but who else can/will take that next step?
Mykel Williams will be one of the most significant deciding factors in how high the ceiling is for this Georgia defense. He needs to become the disruptor he was projected to be.
Georgia has one of the best linebacker groups in the country, especially on the inside with Mondon and Allen. However, linebackers Raylen Wilson, Jalon Walker, Justin Williams, and Chris Cole are each athletically gifted enough to see the field.
The secondary is Georgia’s biggest question mark, despite having First-Team All-American Malaki Starks as an explosive playmaker on the back end.
With the losses of Javon Bullard, Kamari Lassiter, and Tykee Smith, all multi-year starters, the Bulldogs must find guys who can play disciplined and physical in coverage.