HOOVER, Ala. — Georgia was a few seconds and five yards away from an SEC Championship and a likely spot in the BCS National championship game last season.
The Bulldogs hope this will be the year they finally get over the hump that will put them among the elite programs in the SEC.
“[We] got a taste of how close you can get and not quite get it done,” Georgia coach Mark Richt said. “I think that will serve to motivate us throughout this off-season.”
Georgia will feature an offense that may rival any in the country in 2013, as it returns 10 starters from last season’s 12-2.
Quarterback Aaron Murray decided to forego the 2013 NFL Draft, making the senior a legitimate candidate for All-America honors and Heisman Trophy consideration.
Murray led the SEC in passing last year, throwing the ball for 3893 yards and 36 touchdowns.
He will have no shortage of time or options to throw the ball to in 2013, as Georgia also returns all five of its starters on the offensive line and a deep and experienced corps of wide receivers.
“This is the best offense I have ever been a part of,” Murray said. “We have a lot of work to do. We have to stay hungry, stay dealing.”
Georgia will have a dangerous one-two punch in the backfield in sophomore running backs Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall.
Gurley rushed for 1,385 yards and 17 in his true freshman campaign, earning him All-SEC and Freshman All-America honors. Marshall contributed with 759 yards and eight touchdowns himself.
The Bulldogs will have a couple question marks on defense going into this season. Their secondary took a blow when losing NFL first-round draft picks in linebackers Jarvis Jones and Alec Ogletree.
“We don’t take it personally; we take it as a challenge,” said senior defensive end Garrison Smith on players leaving early for the NFL Draft. “… We can execute and play, and the young guys definitely feel that way. They have a point to prove.”