Georgia Football: 10 New Year's Resolutions for the Bulldogs

A new year means a new beginning for most people.

They may not had a great 2011, and their goal for the new year is to make better decisions and be happy.

The Bulldogs had a good 2011, as they won the SEC title and won 10 games for the first time since 2008. However, they know they can have a better 2012 if they improve on some things and get the right players to help for the upcoming season.

Here's 10 New Year's resolutions for the Bulldogs.

Win the Outback Bowl

Michigan State is one of the best opponents the Bulldogs will face this season, so a good way to start 2012 is a win over the Spartans.

Many experts say this should be one of the better bowl games this season, as both teams are evenly matched.

It's a game the Bulldogs should win, but it would be huge for them to end a season with a win against of the better teams in the country.

Get Tougher on Offense

One of the things the Bulldogs could have been more consistent at in 2011 was being tougher on offense, and by that, I mean being able to run the ball when they wanted to against any opponent they faced.

Getting more offensive line help is key, but also getting a physical running back will help the Bulldogs as well.

With OL John Theus and RB Keith Marshall committed to the Bulldogs for 2012, it looks like the Bulldogs are on their way to being a physical offense.

Get Better on Defense

I know Georgia was a top-10 defense, and they also have two great players in Jarvis Jones and Bacarri Rambo. But this defense struggled against teams that can score at will such as Boise State, South Carolina and LSU.

The defense does not have to do anything drastic, but they just have to tighten some things up in order to be a elite group.

Get Another Dream Team Class

Last year's recruiting class was named the Dream Team because the class had some of the best players in the state of Georgia as well as a few of the top players in the country. Isaiah Crowell, John Jenkins and Malcolm Mitchell were part of the Dream Team and all had great rookie seasons.

Can the Bulldogs pull off another class like that? They are on their way, with Theus and Marshall joining the class of 2012.

Cut Down the Penalties

Penalties can hut a team if they commit too many of them. The Bulldogs averaged 50 penalties yards per game, and while it did not hurt the Bulldogs too much, it could hurt them next season if they are not careful.

This something that has plauged the Bulldogs for the last two years, and it's something that has to be corrected as soon as possible.

Get Better on Special Teams

This is another aspect of the Bulldogs game that has to be fixed because this will cost them games next year if they are not careful.

They almost lost to Vanderbilt because of special teams play and could have lost to Florida for the same reason.

The Bulldogs had issues with making field goals, as well as kickoff and punt coverage.

In fact, they had issues with Tyrann Mathieu in the SEC title game in punt coverage, and he changed the game for the Tigers because of the two big punt returns.

Beat Florida Again

I know this is a goal for the Bulldogs every year because thew Gators are in the Bulldogs' division. But it would just be nice the see the Bulldogs get on a win streak against Florida because it's something that hasn't happened since the late 80's.

The Gators are on a downward spiral, and this is the Bulldogs' chance to get a couple more wins against them before they bounce back and become a power again.

The win last year proved the Bulldogs can win in Jacksonville. But they have to do it consistently in order for them to regain the psychological advantage against Florida.

Win the SEC

Georgia was glad to reach the SEC title game for the first time since 2005, but were disappointed when they were upended by LSU.

Now, the Bulldogs have to aim higher. If the offensive line gels quickly and the defense is better than what they were in 2011, they have a really good shot of winning the conference title.

Alabama, Arkansas, LSU and South Carolina will have something to say about that, but the Bulldogs are a team on the rise and there should be no turning back.

Reach a BCS Game

If the Bulldogs win the SEC, they will play in a BCS game, either the Sugar Bowl or possibly the championship game, depending on how the season goes.

The last time the Bulldogs were in a BCS game was in 2008 when they demolished Hawaii. With the team they will have next season, the Bulldogs are a strong candidate to win the SEC and go to a BCS game.

But they can't be happy with just going to the game; they have to be sure they are focused on the task at hand in order to get that final win of the year.

Be a Beter Team

When it comes down to it, the Bulldogs just have to be a better team in 2012 than what they were in 2011.

They were good in 2011, but in order to reach their goals, they have to play better on offense, defense and special teams.

Can the Bulldogs do it? Yes, because they have a good quarterback, a much-improved defense, another solid recruiting class and one of the better coaches in all of college football.

Yeah, I think 2012 will be a very good year for the boys in red and black.