Georgia: WOOF or woof?

You know what they always say: The early games define the Dawgs.

As always, there's more than enough talent at Georgia to reverse the downward glide of Mark Richt's program. But no team in the SEC has more riding on its early games. Beat Boise State and South Carolina, the Dawgs could find a higher gear that leads them all the way to the SEC Championship Game. Lose one of first two and, given how UGA's remaining schedule sets up, a good year is still in reach.

Lose both, the baying of one of the country's most passionate fan bases will ring out from Valdosta to Vinings, and the long, slow close on the Richt Era will begin.

Georgia has excellent talent at quarterback, tight end, defensive line, linebacker and special teams. But they have very little proven experience at receivers, none at running back, and, up to now, their offensive line, long touted but injury bugged, has gotten older as a group but not better. Defensively, expect Georgia to be tougher against the run but vulnerable to the pass.

Richt's recruiting class, the so-called Dream Team, was excellent, though generally ranked behind the groups from Alabama, Auburn and LSU. We won't have to wait long to see if the kids can play. Isaiah Crowell is the likely first-game starter at running back, and remember the name of Malcolm Mitchell, who may already be the best receiver on campus.

More here.