Georgia Bulldogs season preview 2014: Offense

It is game week for Mark Richt and the Georgia Bulldogs, and with that, it is time to wrap up our preview series. Part one covered the new-look defense under Jeremy Pruitt, and in this space, we will break down the offensive side of the ball under the new direction of first-year starting quarterback Hutson Mason.

Let’s take a look at the position groups.

Offensive Line

Aside from quarterback (we’ll get there), the biggest question mark on offense for Georgia comes on the offensive line. Three starters, all of which made 30 or more starts in Athens, are gone from the 2013 team, and as a group, that offensive line was solid but not elite. Center David Andrews is the most seasoned of the returning starters with 27 starts under his belt, and if he isn’t an All-SEC performer, he’ll be close. John Theus is the other returning starter from last season, and while he is moving to left tackle (at least he is expected to), he’ll be solid or better on either side.

Senior Greg Pyke and sophomore Brandon Kublanow are penciled in as the starters at the guard spots, and a great deal of emphasis will be placed on the duo in opening up running lanes for Todd Gurley and company. The “other” tackle position (likely on the right side) will be manned by either Mark Beard or Kolton Houston, and regardless of who wins that job, the line should be solid barring a rash of injuries.

Pass Catchers

The receiving corps is not blessed with a singular talent that makes opponents shiver, but this is an insanely deep group. Seniors Michael Bennett and Chris Conley will start on either side of the field, and while both battled injuries last season, Mike Bobo is more than comfortable in deploying them in prominent roles. Junior standout Malcolm Mitchell is hurt (again), but could be back by the start of the SEC schedule, and at worst, he is a high-upside player that will serve as a luxury. Justin Scott-Wesley and Jonathan Rumph have both played meaningful minutes for the UGA offense in recent seasons, and if they are your fourth and fifth wide receivers, everything is just fine.

At the tight end spot, Jay Rome will get the first crack at things (providing health), and he was solid in a reserve role during the 2013 season. Behind him, the Bulldogs have two freshmen, Jordan Davis and Jeb Blazevich, and junior “fullback” Quayvon Hicks that could provide flexibility and depth.

Running Backs

Todd Gurley is the best running back in the country.

Rather than taking a deep dive into Gurley, let’s just say that if he is healthy, this offense will be dynamic by default. Obviously, health has been a concern for the junior running back, but provided that he is upright, he will be a 20-carry per game player who is in the mix for All-SEC and, potentially, Heisman Trophy honors.

Remember Keith Marshall? Well, the former “1-A” running back is still in the fold as he enters his junior season, and should anything happen to Gurley, he would be prominently featured. Brendan Douglas was serviceable when thrust into duty last season, and much like the wide receiving corps, he is an excellent third option.

To cap off what is an embarrassment of riches, freshmen Sony Michel and Nick Chubb are on campus, and if Todd Gurley didn’t exist, each would likely be competing for starting reps. “Loaded” is a good word for the depth at the running back spot.

Quarterbacks

If all goes well, Georgia will have one of the best collections of skill position talent in the country, and yet, that will be for naught of Hutson Mason does not excel. Because we got a small look at Mason last season, doubts about his abilities are tempered, but at a minimum, there is a likelihood that Mark Richt’s team will be taking a step back at the quarterback position from four-year starter and All-SEC contender Aaron Murray.

Still, Mason was very solid when he played last season (61% completion, 5 TD, 3 INT in limited action) and he has had plenty of time to develop in this offense. The talent is real, and while he certainly can’t be expected to fill Murray’s shoes in full, the array of talent in the backfield and on the perimeter should ease the transition.

If Mason goes down, it would be very interesting to see what the coaching staff would choose to do with sophomore Faton Bauta and the freshman duo of Brice Ramsey and Jacob Park, but Bulldog Nation can’t entertain that scenario without weeping a bit.

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On paper, this is an excellent group that possesses upside as one of the best offenses in the country. Gurley is a one-man show, the receiving corps has depth that the majority of college football fantasizes about, and the offensive line should be solid at worst. Still, Hutson Mason holds the keys, and when the range of outcomes is as wide as it could be with an unproven player under center, no one can be fully comfortable.

This should be interesting.