There were two huge reasons why people had Georgia ranked numero uno in nearly every preseason poll before the 2008 season started.
One, Matthew Stafford.
And two, Knowshon Moreno.
After two disappointing losses that ruined Georgia's national title expectations, many have already begun looking into the Dawgs' chances of a national championship next season.
It's funny. The overwhelming consensus is this: Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno MUST return to Georgia next season.
The window of opportunity for a national championship is usually very small in college sports. Georgia had that window open for three years with no success, with David Greene at the helm.
Georgia will have the luxury of trying to forget what happened to them this season, and basically get a redo next fall.
Why? Because Georgia returns nearly every player from this season. They will play a similar schedule, that includes Oklahoma State and Arizona State as early chances to assert their dominance.
Also, in college sports, teams rarely go two seasons with the same team and chemistry as the year before.
Remember the 2005 Bulldogs? This team lost to Florida by four, and Auburn by one. Led by DJ Shockley, this team looked capable of beating anybody.
Too bad Shockley was gone the next season. Opportunity, gone.
With so many players returning next year, and a chance to get two All-American caliber players back on the defensive and offensive line, Georgia has to be looking up and thanking someone, somewhere, for giving them a second chance.
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However, the crucial puzzle piece that will put Georgia over the top next year, will be the presence of Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno.
The cornerstone of all championship teams are their quarterbacks and their running backs.
If Georgia can return the two, their national championship chances will be great!
However, if Stafford and Moreno leave for the big bucks, the rest of Georgia's talented roster will finish their careers playing with an inexperienced quarterback and the lack of that superstar tailback.
And, instead of fans in Athens buzzing about a national championship, they will be cringing at the thought of starting a freshman or sophomore quarterback, and a slew of inexperienced runners.
Granted, Caleb King is the biggest recruit to come to Georgia in years. Also, Georgia does bring in five-star recruit Aaron Murray (ironically, both suffered broken legs in their senior years in high school).
But a quarterback like Stafford and a running back like Moreno are irreplaceable.
Georgia will have the opportunity to post a 22-4 record over the past few seasons, and nearly everyone involved in that run (considering so many Georgia starters as of now have at least a year left) will be back next season.
Next season, Trinton Sturdivant will return to the Georgia offensive line. The offensive line will be better, and this offense will have the opportunity to hit their full potential (this considering that Georgia already leads the SEC in total offense).
The offense hasn't played at their full potential yet. That is scary.
On defense, Jeff Owens will return as an All-SEC candidate, and nearly the rest of the Georgia defense from this season will return.
Without offensive and defensive line issues, Georgia will have the opportunity to get the most out of their offense and defense; something they have not been able to do this season.
However, if Stafford and Moreno aren't there, none of that will matter.
Stafford and Moreno will be eligible to enter this years NFL Draft. Both are projected to be first round choices.
Not good news for Georgia fans.
Many also claim that Stafford, who hails from Dallas, and Moreno, who is a Jersey native, may not have that emotional connection to Georgia that would keep them in school next year.
Only time will tell of these two future stars, but if the two return in red and black next season, all from this season will be forgiven.
Georgia will essentially have a second chance, and I know every Bulldog fan would give an NFL contract-sized check to see that.
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about 1 month ago
Nice article Mike. I think that if they both leave we can still make a run. It reminds me of the T Martin year at UT. Peyton left and T Martin came in with little experience and led the Vols to the title.
Joe Cox is capable to lead the Dawgs, especially with the strong WR group we will have back.... and between Samuel and King, we would be in good shape at the RB...
If the lines stay healthy, next year could be a great one.... even if they both leave.... I hope at least one of them stays, but my gut tells me they are gone!!
about 1 month ago
I agree with GeorgiaDawg. Cox is a great QB and would start at any top school, who didn't happen to recruit the top QB in the country. We will also be fine with King/Samuel. Don't forget we've got a stud RB coming in this year too who can also contribute.
The keys for us in 09 is, can our DEs improve and can we keep our OL/DL healthy. We'll need all of our D to get better than this year, but I think a lot of their issue is the breakdown on the DL. Our D works best when we've got our front 4 putting pressure on the QB.
Bob
about 1 month ago
We lost to Alabama and Florida at the tenches. We need to improve the quality and depth of our offensive and defensive linemen. I like and respect Stafford, but he has shown only flashes of greatness. Overall, his performances against elite teams have been inconsistent. Joe Cox may not be as flashy but from the little I've seen him play, he seems to protect the ball well and perhaps would throw less interceptions than Stafford. Moreno would be a bigger loss inmy humble opinion, but Claeb King and other highly recruited backs well step up and play well.
about 1 month ago
If Georgia doesn't learn to tackle, and doesn't get serious about penalties, it really does not matter who the stars on the offense are. This is the most inconsistent GA team I've ever seen. Brilliance and blunders, lots of both. After all the emphasis on penalty free play, when someone commits a boneheaded penalty, why doesn't the coaching staff sit him down, or send him to the showers?
about 1 month ago
The only disagreement I have is the statement about Moreno and Stafford not having emotional ties to UGA. Stafford's father graduated from UGA and his sister goes there as well. Moreno has family that lives in Georgia and last I heard, was dating one of the GymDawgs. Of course, those big bucks are still enticing...
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