The Three Keys for the Dawgs' to Hunker Down a National Championship

95 days...

All of Bulldawg Nation anxiously awaits the start of the '08-'09 season.

Standing on the precipice of greatness, some ask if the hunt for the national title is going to be an uphill battle. Some not so in tune UGA fans, with their sappy ideologies and uninformed tendencies, seem to believe that UGA will easily walk away from the upcoming season as not only SEC champs, but National Champs as well.

Tisk, tisk.

This UGA fan is no dummy. As much as I sincerely hope and believe we have the best shot since the Walker days' to scoop up the trophy, I still stand adamantly aware of the rigid climb that lies ahead. With that said, I give you my three keys for UGA to prove its ability and stake its claim as one of the elite college football programs in the modern era.

KEY 1: Wade the Wicked Schedule

Sat, Aug 30	Georgia Southern	Athens, Ga.	TBA
Sat, Sep 06	Central Michigan	Athens, Ga.	TBA
Sat, Sep 13	South Carolina *	at Columbia, S.C.	TBA
Sat, Sep 20	Arizona State	at Tempe, Ariz.	8:00 p.m.		ABC
Sat, Sep 27	Alabama *	Athens, Ga	TBA
Sat, Oct 11	Tennessee *	Athens, Ga.	TBA
Sat, Oct 18	Vanderbilt - Homecoming *	Athens, Ga.	TBA
Sat, Oct 25	LSU *	at Baton Rouge, La.	TBA
Sat, Nov 01	Florida *	at Jacksonville, Fla.	TBA
Sat, Nov 08	Kentucky *	at Lexington, Ky.	TBA
Sat, Nov 15	Auburn *	at Auburn, Ala.	TBA
Sat, Nov 29	Georgia Tech	Athens, Ga.	TBA

Wow.

If anyone can show me a tougher schedule, please stand up now. Some might say that UGA has two cream puffs at the top and its typical, moderately challenging SEC conference schedule down the stretch. However, I submit that this schedule is a lot more than talk, and these teams are ready to pack the punch as well.

Georgia Southern is a perennial powerhouse in I-AA and could give UGA fits on the ground.

Central Michigan showed the nation how powerful its offense is during last year's bowl season. They led their conference in passing attempts and yards. So, they could give UGA fits in the air.

Either way, UGA's defense and its schemes are going to be tried during the first two games. Martinez' bunch will either accept the challenge and perform, or UGA will be out of the race early in Athens.

Simultaneously, UGA has to face ASU, LSU, Florida, and Auburn on the road. Not to mention, the LSU and Florida games are consecutive weeks. If heading into the Georgia Tech game undefeated, there will not be anyone in the nation who can say UGA is not a number one contender for the championship.

KEY 2: Watch Out for Turf Toe

Well, not turf toe exactly, but the injury bug. UGA has to have all its components in place to make a run. Not only do Stafford, Moreno, King, Massaquioi, Chandler, Green, Southerland, Ellerbe, Owens, Atkins, etc. have to stay healthy, but so does the most important part of the UGA attack—its offensive line.

If UGA is to perform at the level it's capable of, then coach Stacey Searles will have to keep his O-line in tact and operating on all cylinders. Drive blocking for Moreno and pocket formation for Stafford are notable (and obvious) areas of UGA's recent success. UGA will live and die in the trenches.

KEY 3: Do as Richt Does

The key factor in UGA's recent dominance and consistency is most certainly Mark Richt. During last season, all of Bulldawg Nation saw a different side of Richt. He was loose on the sideline and he thus allowed his team to be loose. This new strategy proved awfully effective.

However, with everything on the line this year, Richt has to show discipline like never before. He has to keep his players' minds and eyes on the prize. It must be a team effort. No more keg stands for Stafford or random fistacuff's with high schooler's. These guys should breathe football and academics. As a whole, the team must realize the potential it has and then do everything it can to achieve and maximize that potential.

So, these are my keys. You may agree or disagree. Either way, if these three keys turn out in the Dawgs' favor, then I think you have to agree that the trophy is coming home to Athens.