Georgia Football 2008:National Championship Bound

Pete Porter — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:43:34 -0400

I know, seems like an easy pick being that they're number one. Every year it seems like the media wants to pick either Ohio State, Southern Cal, or some other overrated team. But I believe that, even with probably the hardest schedule in football, that Georgia will continue the dynasty of the SEC as National Champions. The schedule will present a few bumps along the way, but I believe that UGA has the depth and power to get it done, UNDEFEATED.

OFFENSE: On this side of the ball, the Dawgs are sound. They have a veteran QB in junior Matthew Stafford, who won't make the silly mistakes he has made in the past. The Dawgs are fortunate to have one of the best running backs core in the nation.

My Heisman favorite, Knowshon Moreno, has emerged as the team's "cheerleader" you could say, trying to pump up his teammates after every play. He will be backed up by highly recruited freshman Caleb King, who will get plenty of time on the field.

The wide receiver core has been something the Dawgs have needed to step up, and this year they will step up. Veteran seniors Mohamed Massaquoi and Kenneth Harris will be happy to welcome highly recruited freshman AJ Green, who will step up and show he's the real deal.

The big question is the offensive line. The Dawgs only bring back three starters, but only one true starter, Trinton Sturdivant. The O-line has plenty of talent to fill the holes and they'll get the job done.

DEFENSE: The Dawgs' defense in my opinion is one of the best in the country. At defensive line, the Dawgs are so deep that they will rotate six defensive ends and five defensive tackles. The leader of the D-line, Geno Atkins, is tenacious and will get lots of tackles and sacks. T

he linebackers, Dannell Ellerbe and Rennie Curran, though not very big, have a keen sense of the game, move well, and have emerged as the leaders of the defense.

SPECIAL TEAMS: The Dawgs were disappointed at the departure of veteran kicker Brandon Coutu, but freshman Blair Walsh is up to the task. Asher Allen will be the returner for both punts and kickoffs.

Overall, the Dawgs will be sound. The real question is whether or not they'll survive their brutal schedule. After two easy dates with Georgia Southern and Central Michigan, a trap sets up with two road trips to South Carolina and Arizona State.

After a home date with Alabama (should be as thrilling as last year), the Dawgs get a breather before a pivotal home game against Tennessee. The Dawgs then can't look past Vanderbilt, which shouldn't be a problem.

The following two weeks will be make or break for the Dawgs, with a road trip to Baton Rouge to visit the Bayou Bengals, and then one of the two biggest games of the year, the Cocktail Party against Florida. The winner could go to the national title, by the way.

The next week could be another trap with a road trip to Kentucky and Auburn looming in the distance, but the Dawgs won't be fooled. The road trip to Auburn will be another pivotal game, as both teams are national title capable.

The regular season ends with the in-state battle (it won't be much) with Georgia Tech. Then the SEC Title game comes with a rematch against Auburn, and the Dawgs will edge the Tigers again to go to the National Title. There, whoever they play, the Dawgs will win the National Title.

PREDICTION: (12-0,8-0 SEC), SEC Champs, National Champs

SEC: Best Conference in the Nation

Pete Porter — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 17:55:55 -0400

Every year, there's a huge argument over which conference is the best in the nation.

Some think that it's the Big 12, most think it's the Big 10, and some are even foolish enough to think the Pac 10.

However, every year, the conference that gets no respect always dominates the rest and always has the best team in the nation, even if they do get cheated out of a national title berth (Auburn in 2004).

To prove that the SEC is the best conference, let's examine the past two seasons.

Two years in a row, the press and ESPN said that Ohio State was the best team in the nation and would win the national title. Both years, the Buckeyes got hammered by an SEC opponent (Florida and LSU) by a combined score of 79-38.

In addition, for the past two years an SEC team that could have played in the national title game (LSU and Georgia) went to the Sugar Bowl and pounded two teams that were supposedly good enough to contend for the national title (Notre Dame and Hawaii) by a combined score of 82-24.

It's just hilarious to think that people believe that teams like Notre Dame and Hawaii can be that good when they play two of the easiest schedules in the nation. Notre Dame managed to win only three games this season on their bread and butter schedule.

Let's compare teams like Ohio State's schedules with the SEC teams' schedules.

Ohio State plays maybe three tough games all year (Michigan, Wisconsin, maybe Illinois) and goes undefeated or has one loss—and everyone thinks they're awesome.

However, compare that to LSU's schedule this year. They had to play teams like Auburn, Florida, Alabama, Kentucky (they were good this year), and Arkansas. Comparing the SEC schedule to the Big 10, Pac 10, Big 12, or even the WAC isn't even close.

People can say what they want. The SEC doesn't deserve the praise of Mark May (who loves Ohio State and Southern Cal) or any other ESPN analyst to prove they're the best. They just show it on the field.

So go ahead, put Ohio State at number one again. Let 'em go undefeated so they can go to the national title game. Just let Georgia, Florida, LSU, or Auburn play them and see how badly they can get beaten three times in a row.

Bring Southern Cal on too, they'll get demolished! The SEC is on a whole 'nother level, and no one can come close to touching them.

Bleacher Report - Articles by Pete Porter

Georgia Football 2008:National Championship Bound

SEC: Best Conference in the Nation