Georgia Football: 5 Reasons the Bulldogs Will Still Win the SEC East

Scott Cunningham/Getty Images

A big portion of the Bulldog Nation is ready to throw in the towel and send Mark Richt packing.

Part of me can't blame them.

Georgia looked woefully bad against Boise State and were embarrassed on national television.

There is hope, Dawg fans.

If Georgia can sneak past South Carolina they'll have a leg up in the SEC East and could very well make another trip to the Georgia Dome at the end of the season.

Let's look at five reasons why Mark Richt and the Bulldogs will turn it around and take home the SEC East crown.

LSU, Alabama and Arkansas Are Not on the Docket

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

When you look ahead at the schedule, it only gets better for the Dawgs.

They avoid playing the SEC West juggernauts LSU, Alabama and Arkansas, and instead only play Auburn, Mississippi State and Ole Miss.

Ole Miss and Auburn scuffled in Week 1, and Georgia could do some damage against their western foes.

Two League Losses Will Win the SEC East

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

I'm of the belief that South Carolina is not as good of a team as some are saying.

But even if the Gamecocks play well, they're still going to have a hard time losing fewer than three SEC games.

Mississippi State and Arkansas will give South Carolina fits, and I just don't see them running the table in the East.

If, and that is a very big "if", the Dawgs can sneak past South Carolina, they will be in the driver's seat for the Eastern Division.

Toughest Remaining Games Are at Home

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

Every one of Georgia's remaining tough games will be played between the hedges.

They play South Carolina, Mississippi State and Auburn at home, and losing two of those games could still put the Dawgs in decent position for the East title.

If they win two of those three contests, they will have all but punched their ticket to head back to the Georgia Dome for the SEC Championship.

Brandon Boykin

One could make the argument that after Week 1, Boykin is Georgia's best overall player.

Boykin is Georgia's best defensive back and best return man and is the only spark the Dawgs had against Boise State.

Mike Bobo and company have got to get him more involved in the offense.

Aaron Murray Will Put the Dawgs on His Back

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Aaron Murray is one of those players who refuses to quit.

He won't let the Dawgs slowly sink to the bottom of the SEC, and I'm convinced he'll pick up his play for the rest of 2011.

Murray will be the reason Georgia knocks off the favored Gamecocks next weekend and head back to the Dome on December 3rd.