2007 record: 11-2, 6-2 (1st-tie in SEC East)
2007 bowl: Beat Hawaii 41-10 in Sugar Bowl
2007 final AP/coaches' ranking: 2/3
Coach: Mark Richt (72-19, 7 years)
Offensive coordinator: Mike Bobo (2nd year)
Defensive coordinator: Willie Martinez (4th year)
Returning offensive starters: 8
Returning defensive starters: 9
Location: Athens, Ga.
Stadium: Sanford Stadium (grass, 92,746)
Last league title: 2005
2008 schedule: [view]
2007 statistics: [view]

Offensive: Scary good. In the preseason, at least, that’s how Georgia looks. Scary good. Were it not for a certain Heisman Trophy winner from Florida, the SEC’s consensus top quarterback would be junior Matthew Stafford, who already has NFL scouts drooling in anticipation of a 2009 early entry into the draft. First things first. Stafford has developed into a top-flight college talent, working through his mistakes, improving steadily and expertly utilizing his weapons. Chief among them is sophomore running back Knowshon Moreno (1,334 yards, 14 touchdowns). And that’s not all. Backup Caleb King, a redshirt freshman, will push for playing time. Senior wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi has slightly regressed, but has big-play capability. The offensive line might be young (three freshman started last season), but it is excellent. The star is sophomore left tackle Trinton Sturdivant. Youth, experience, talent, speed, power, savvy … the Bulldogs seem to have it all.

Defensive: The Bulldogs are fast and aggressive. Intensity noticeably picked up last season during the closing seven-game winning streak. The secondary, led by junior cornerback Asher Allen and senior strong safety CJ Byrd, is talented enough to shut down SEC receivers. And when that happens, Georgia’s pass rush becomes lethal. The interior linemen, senior Jeff Owens and junior Geno Atkins, are space-eaters and play-makers. Their work usually gives the highlights to junior defensive end Roderick Battle, but sideline-to-sideline linebackers such as senior Dannell Ellerbe and sophomore Rennie Curran will also be major factors.

Specialists: Life might be harsh without departed place-kicker Brandon Contu. The Bulldogs are counting on freshman Blair Walsh, who had a pair of 59-yard field goals as a high-school senior. Until he actually goes through SEC pressure, though, fingers are crossed. Senior punter Brian Mimbs (42.3-yard average) is solid.

Coaching: In seven seasons, Mark Richt has guided two SEC championship teams and another (last season) that probably deserved a spot in the league’s title game. As the long-time offensive coordinator at Florida State, Richt had opportunities to jump to other programs, but went for a more selective approach. Good call, coach. Richt has found a home in Georgia, building a stable program that now looks like an annual SEC contender. He has capable coordinators in Mike Bobo, who took over the play-calling, and Willie Martinez, the defensive boss who is a head-coach-in-waiting.

Heisman Hopefuls: It might be premature for Moreno. After all, he’s just a sophomore. Hmmm. Didn’t a sophomore (Tim Tebow) win the Heisman last season? Let’s toss out that stereotype. The new reality: If the Bulldogs run the table, and Moreno tops last season’s statistics, don’t rule him out.

Game of the year Nov. 1 vs. Florida at Jacksonville, Fla. On paper, this has the potential to be the most compelling matchup ever between the rivals. And that’s saying something. It could very well be a game of unbeaten Top 5 teams. Georgia has dropped 15 of the last 18 games in the series (including a 2-5 mark under Richt), but won 42-30 last year in a performance that sparked the Bulldogs’ fast finish.

Overview: Everything points to a championship run by Georgia, which is also ranked No. 1 in the AP and coaches' poll. There are 17 returning starters from an 11-2 Sugar Bowl title team, including potential franchise talents at quarterback and tailback. The defense is nasty. Danger spot? Maybe the schedule. Georgia must go on the road against South Carolina, LSU and Auburn — along with the annual trip to Jacksonville for a meeting with Florida. Then there is a Sept. 20 date at Arizona State, an unusual spot for a program that rarely ventures west of the Mississippi River. You’d expect a land mine in there somewhere. But then you look again at Georgia’s talent and experience. Despite the rugged slate, these Bulldogs have the goods to finish 13-0, earning a spot in Miami on Jan. 8 with an opportunity to give the SEC its third different national-championship team in as many seasons.

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