Mark Richt's Georgia Bulldogs head into the preseason as the favorite to win the SEC's Eastern Division despite the departure of Isaiah Crowell and with several key defensive players facing suspension in the early going. Despite being undermanned the Bulldogs and Aaron Murray are in position to breakthrough as a favorite and claim another division crown for Mark Richt.
However, as SB Nation SEC Blog Team Speed Kills points out that it may not be such an easy feat despite not having to play Alabama, Arkansas or LSU this time around.
Indeed, there's no guarantee the team will even win 10 games. The team will play at Missouri without several key suspended secondary starters, and it has to travel to fellow East contender South Carolina as well. Despite winning three of the last eight in the series, the Florida game in Jacksonville might still be a bit of a psychological hurdle (and the Gators will likely be better than they were last year anyway). Georgia's slate is about as friendly as they come because the team doesn't have to play either the three West division heavyweights or itself, but enough pitfalls exist that UGA is no more a lock than anyone else is.
The Bulldogs season could be treacherous especially considering the depth issues the team is facing with less than 70 scholarship athletes on the roster currently. A rash of injuries or more unfortunate suspensions could easily derail what is a promising season for the Bulldogs.
For more on Georgia head over to Dawg Sports.