Georgia Football 2011: 10 Reasons to Be Optimistic and Pessimistic

College football fans love this time of year.

It's only weeks before the 2011 season, and every fan across the country feels their team has a chance to have a great season.

Fans of the Georgia Bulldogs are no different. Most fans feel the moves the team made in terms of recruiting make the Bulldogs a contender again. And with the return of Aaron Murray as well as probably the best special team players in America, some Dawg fans are thinking SEC title.

But there are fans who are not as high on the Bulldogs. There are issues with depth on both sides of the ball as well as the first two games of the season (Boise State and South Carolina) could end badly and could possibly put Georgia in a 0-2 hole if they don't play to their potential.

Here's a list of five reasons to be optimistic and five reasons to be pessimistic for the 2011 Georgia Bulldogs.

Optimistic Reason No. 1: Aaron Murray

This is no surprise, but the top reason to be optimistic is Georgia features the best quarterback in the SEC in Aaron Murray. After a good 2010 season, Murray looks to do better in 2011, and the fact that sophomore quarterbacks usually fare well under Mark Richt's system, expect Murray to have great season, which could mean a great season for the Bulldogs.

Optimistic Reason No. 2: The Dream Team

The Dream Team for Georgia features some of the top recruits not only in the country, but the majority of the top players are signed are from the state of Georgia. Isaiah Crowell, Ray Drew and Amarlo Herrera are expected to see some playing time this year and all three have done well in camp. It will be fun to see these group of players grow the next few years.

Optomistic Reason No. 3: Special Teams

Brandon Boykin is considered one of the best returners in the country. Drew Butler has won the Ray Guy award. Blair Walsh could break the team's scoring record this season. These three players make the Bulldogs the best special teams unit in the SEC and quite possibly, they could be the best in the country.

Optomistic Reason No. 4: SEC East Is Wide Open

South Carolina may be the SEC East champions, but many experts believe Georgia can win the title base on the talent they have coming back this season. There really is not clear cut favorite to win the division, so why can't Georgia win the title for the first time since 2005?

Optomistic Reason No. 5: Second Year in the 3-4

The first year in the 3-4 defense was a mixed bag for the Bulldogs, but that was expected because the alignment and terminology for the players was completely new. But now it's year two, and usually, teams that are in the second year in the 3-4 scheme tend to have better results. Plus, when a team adds a big nose guard like John Jenkins, that is always a good thing.

Pessimistic Reason No. 1: Lack of Depth at Running Back

With Caleb King and Washaun Ealey no longer members of the squad, that leaves the Georgia running back position thin. Richard Samuel was moved to running back from linebacker and has been working with the first team along with Isaiah Crowell. However, both players have been hurt, and even if one of them is out for a long period of time, that position will be in a world of trouble.

Pessimistic Reason No. 2: Lack of Depth at Offensive Line

There is talent at offensive line, which is led by Cordy Glenn and Ben Jones. But if one of those players go down, there really isn't too many players to turn to in terms of experience. Georgia has already lost Trinton Sturdivant to injury, and Brent Benedict left the team, so young players such as Dallas Lee, Kenarious Gates and Kolton Houston will see more playing time than the coaches would like to.

Pessimistic Reason No. 3: SEC East Wide Open

This is also a reason to be optimistic, but in the SEC, there is always that one team that comes out of nowhere and catches everyone by surprise. Could it be Tennessee? Florida? Kentucky? All six teams in the SEC East have one goal, and that is reaching the Georgia Dome in December. It will be a tough road for the Bulldogs to win the title, and they are going to have to play their best game in and game out.

Pessimistic Reason No. 4: Tough Early Schedule

The first five games for the Bulldogs goes like this: Boise State, South Carolina, Coastal Carolina, Ole Miss and Mississippi State. Coastal Carolina is a win for Georgia, and probably Ole Miss. But there is a chance that the Bulldogs could lose the other three games, and if that happens, there won't be a second trip to the Georgia Dome for the Bulldogs.

Pessimistic Reason No. 5: The Downward Trend

After winning the Sugar Bowl in 2007, the Bulldogs win total has decreased each season. Fans don't believe the Bulldogs will only win four games, but it will be hard to believe to see the team win 10 or 11 games after winning six last year. Can it be done? Absolutely. But it's no secret that things have not been the same in Athens since the team won the SEC title in 2005.