Georgia Bulldogs' Midseason Progress Report

(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

So let's backtrack a little bit. At the beginning of the year, I was very hopeful that Georgia was going to rather fluidly replace Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno with ease and drastically improve defensively.

I saw this team as a clone of the 2005 team, also led by a fifth-year senior quarterback, that went 11-2 with a tailback by committee approach and a quarterback following in the footsteps of a Georgia great.

Not quite the result so far we were looking for this season. The Dawgs are at 4-3, which from a personal perspective is the worst midseason record Georgia has in at least a decade.

The low point so far has to have been the 45-16 trouncing from Tennessee, and Lane Kiffin.

The other two losses were respectable, one (LSU) was in fact very respectable. However, Georgia just isn't in sync.

They are not that SEC East powerhouse that makes every opponent tremble. They are playing that dirty Bulldawg defense we all associate with Georgia football. And, that potent offense has turned into the most schizophrenic in the country.

Georgia has one convincing win, at this point, against still winless Vanderbilt.

Their other wins came with a combined margin of 18 total points. However, we can shed some light on those victories. South Carolina and Arkansas have proven to be very competitive and dangerous football teams.

And, forgivingly, I might just blame the weather for the 20-17 win against Arizona State. Georgia dominated the entire game, and nearly gift wrapped a comeback for the Sun Devils.

Their quarterback has sometimes looked like an All-SEC candidate, and other times looked like Joe Tereshinksi The Fourth.

The running game has failed to churn behind that heralded offensive line. This team is looking pretty rough, so what Georgia team can we compare it to now?

Well, In 2007, Georgia got off to a rough start, losing at home to South Carolina with an anemic offense, And by getting pummeled 35-14 in Knoxville. Hmm, familiar territory for Richt and crew.

Going into the bye week, Georgia's upcoming contest against Florida is their chance to prove they are capable. For the first time in the Richt era, people are losing their confidence in the coaching staff in players.

With the type of recruiting and success this club has had, it is almost tragic to think such a thing.

However, in the Richt era, teams that have started slow have always finished strong. The 2006 and 2007 seasons are perfect examples. People just need to remember, that the same team that lost 35-14 in Knoxville two years ago finished the season ranked No. 2.

Now I'm not saying Georgia is going to finish No. 2, but they could easily finish strong and win back the support they really do not deserve to lose.

I am guilty. I was so heated after the Tennessee loss, but after things have died down, I once again feel this team has tons of potential.

Five Standout Performers

A.J. Green - Green has quickly blossomed into who many believe is the best wide receiver in the entire country. He has the ability to completely dominate games, and despite the loss, made one of the greatest catches in Sanford Stadium history.

Rennie Curran - Curran is a tackling machine and an eraser. He does not make the huge plays, but he does what he is asked to do—every time. It's a shame because he gets little national attention.

Brandon Boykin - Boykin not only is proving to be an electric special teamer, with two 100-yard kickoff return touchdowns, but he also has two interceptions. Only one other starting defensive back has a pick. Boykin is bigger and more physical than Asher Allen was and he has a chance to be a great corner in this league.

Orson Charles - The frosh tight end seems to have made every one of his catches on a post pattern this season. I'm sure he doesn't mind. Charles has added another dynamic to Georgia's passing game which it has not had; a go-to tight end since Leonard Pope. Good stuff coming from a freshman.

Justin Houston - Houston came onto the scene during the spring game with four "sacks." Well, since his return from a two-game suspension to start off the year, Houston has overwhelmingly helped the Georgia pass rush. He has totaled four sacks in five games, and seems to be the answer to Georgia's rush end problems. If only the Dawgs could have two Justin Houstons...

Other notables: Michael Moore, Geno Atkins, Prince Miller (returning), Drew Butler, Blair Walsh, and the offensive line (pass protection).

Five  Disappointments

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