Georgia Football: 5 Reasons Why the Bulldogs Offense Will Be Better in 2012

The Bulldogs were fourth in the SEC in scoring offense last year with 32.2 points per game. They were also third in the conference in total offense with 413 yards per game.

Those numbers are good, but the players on offense know they can do better.

Despite having a statistically good running game, the Bulldogs did not have a 100-yard rusher. They also did not have a 1,000-yard receiver and the offensive line had issues staying healthy.

But with Aaron Murray returning for his junior year, two new running backs looking to make an impact and a new-look offensive line, the offense has a chance to be better in 2012 than in 2011.

Here's five reasons why.

The Offensive Line Will Be Stronger

Even though the Bulldogs lost Ben Jones, Justin Anderson and Cordy Glenn, the offensive line could be better than last season.

Kenarious Gates and Chris Burnette are the returning starters and Dallas Lee will also be back. Lee started seven games before breaking his leg.

Junior college transfer Mark Beard has a chance to start at right tackle and highly recruited transfer John Theus will also be in the mix for one of the tackle spots.

Also, David Andrews, Austin Long and Watts Danztler will be in the rotation.

Coach Richt said there are eight or nine offensive lineman that should be game-ready, which is always a good thing.

Tavarres King Will Build off Outback Bowl Success

All throughout the 2011 season, the talk has been about Malcolm Mitchell, Chris Conley and Michael Bennett being the next great trio of Bulldog receivers.

But let's not forget about Tavarres King, who is coming off a six-catch, 205-yard performance in the Outback Bowl.

King wanted to put up the type of numbers A.J. Green did last year, but because of the success of the younger receivers, things did not work out that way.

With Mitchell playing some cornerback this season, that will give King an opportunity to really make a name for himself.

The Running Game Will Be Better

When spring practice begins, the running back competition will be fierce.

Isaiah Crowell will look to have an injury-free 2012 season and Ken Malcome will look to get more touches since he did a solid job towards the end of the season.

But we can't forget about Keith Marshall, who reportedly impressed Richt by dicing right into the playbook in his first team meeting.

Then, when you add Brandon Harton, Richard Samuel and Todd Gurley, who will join the team this summer, the running back position is one crowded area, but this is the only way to make sure the coaches can choose the best players to put out on the field each game.

Jay Rome Will Continue the Trend

It's clear that Georgia is never short on great tight ends. Last year it was Orson Charles, before that it was Leonard Pope and before that it was Ben Watson.

This time around, Jay Rome is expected to be the next great tight end and he is ready to take that next step after redshirting last year.

He will have to beat out Arthur Lynch for the starting spot, but because of Rome's work on the basketball team, he should have an edge and should have no problems getting a lot of catches from Murray.

Another Year for Aaron Murray

And speaking of Murray, he will be entering his third year as the starting quarterback and there have been early Heisman talks surrounding the rising junior.

That's what happens when you throw for a school-record 35 touchdowns and finish in the top three in the conference in every major offensive category.

The only thing he needs to do is improve his accuracy, as he threw for just under 60 percent last year. If he can get his accuracy up to 65 percent this year, the offense will be unstoppable.