With one week to go before kick-off, Georgia (No. 23) sits behind five SEC teams in the AP preseason poll. Low expectations plus untapped potential led Kirk Herbstreit and Pat Forde to pick Georgia as the SEC dark horse team in 2010 (August 23, SEC Preview Show). Do they have what it takes to go from underdog to top dog?

The road from Athens to the SEC championship game in Atlanta is littered with unknown X and 0 factors. It could be a make-or-break year for the program and Mark Richt, who last delivered a conference title in 2005.

Here's a rundown of pluses and minuses as the Dawgs prepare for the season opener against Louisiana-Lafayette on September 4:

Washaun Ealey: Georgia's leading rusher, Washaun Ealey, will sit out the first game. He was arrested in the pre-dawn hours of August 27 in downtown Athens. He was charged with hit-and-run of a parked vehicle and driving with a suspended license.

Offensive Line: The health of Georgia’s offensive line has been a pesky and recurrent theme. This year the Dawgs hope to buck the trend. They return five starters, including eight lettermen.

Despite some preseason health problems, most of the ill and injured are expected to suit up on September 4, including: Ben Jones (C), who is recovering from knee surgery; backup center Chris Burnette, who suffered a concussion in practice; Cordy Glenn (OG), who had mononucleosis; and starter Trinton Sturdivant (OT), who missed 2008 and all but one game last year with a knee injury.

Quarterback: Redshirt freshman Aaron Murray (QB) is Georgia's third starter in three years. His backup on September 4 is true freshman Hutson Mason. The strength of the O-line will be a critical factor for Murray, who has to improve on some shaky stats. Last year, Georgia was ranked No. 8 among SEC teams in average yards per game. Joe Cox posted a 55.9 percent completion rate and 15 interceptions.

Murray shares one unavoidable stat with Cox: height. At 6’1”, Murray is the shortest starting quarterback in the SEC. Nearly half a foot separates him from starters at Arkansas and Auburn. The SEC is known for its huge, fast defensive players—more than 30 were drafted into the NFL in 2010. In a conference where every advantage is necessary, it helps to have a big guy in the pocket.

Scoring Potential: Georgia has lots of talent capable of adding points to the scoreboard. All-SEC wide receiver A.J. Green missed three games last season but still posted 808 yards and six touchdowns. Caleb King, who led the Dawgs in touchdowns with seven, was locked in a battle for starting rights with Ealey. He gets the nod by default following Ealey's suspension.

Other notables include Orson Charles (TE), Georgia’s third-leading receiver with three touchdowns, Aron White (TE) with two, and fullback Shaun Chapas who can block and catch. Tavarres King (SE) had 18 receptions for 377 yards and 1 touchdown last year but will sit out the season opener following a mandatory suspension for underage possession.

Defense: Todd Grantham's new 3-4 defense is a big question mark for the Dawgs and for opponents who've never played against it. Louisiana-Lafayette head coach Rickey Bustle put it this way: "You don't know what they're going to do. It's really tough to go into an opening game not knowing, other than a 3-4 defense, what they're going to do."

While the new alignment may give Georgia an early edge, long-term success depends on how well its players adjust to their new positions and plug gaping talent holes left by Rennie Curran (All-SEC LB), Reshad Jones (S), Geno Atkins, Jeff Owens (DT), and Kade Weston (DT).

Demarcus Dobbs is the only returning starter on the front, although he'll be playing a different role. All-SEC player Justin Houston is transitioning to outside linebacker along with Cornelius Washington, who had four sacks last year. Inside linebackers include Akeem Dent, who is recovering from a broken toe, and rising sophomore Christian Robinson, who was named Most Improved Linebacker following spring drills.

Secondary: The secondary lost three starters but has eight returning lettermen. Notable playmakers include Brandon Boykin (CB), who had three interceptions and returned three kick-off returns for touchdowns, and Bacarri Rambo (FS), who had two interceptions last year.

Special Teams: Drew Butler (P) and Blair Walsh (K) are among the best in the country. Butler averaged 48.1 yards per attempt last year. Walsh hit all 42 attempted extra points and 20 of 22 field goals, including four at more than 50 yards.

Special teams surprise weapon in 2010: A.J. Green on punt returns.

Georgia's most glaring 2009 stat is a minus 16 turnover margin and only two forced fumbles. Georgia ranked 118 of 120 in the country just ahead of Tulane and Miami University. The Dawgs have to turn that margin on its head to make a run for the SEC title.

After last year's disappointing 4-4 SEC finish, Bulldog fans are recalibrating expectations in 2010. Most of the preseason hype centers on last year's top finishers. Reigning national champ Alabama returns most of their offense but only three of the top 16 on defense. Florida is without Tim Tebow but returns with Urban Meyer, who inexplicably retired following the SEC Championship game and then rehired himself a few days later.

Can Georgia slide under the radar and pull out a surprise in the SEC? Speak out in the comment section below.