SEC PREVIEW GEORGIA

Smart's choice

FILE - In this Sept. 19, 2015, file photo, Georgia running back Nick Chubb (27) tries to break free from South Carolina linebacker Skai Moore (10) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Athens, Ga. No. 13 Alabama takes on No. 8 Georgia on Saturday in Tuscaloosa. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)

HOOVER, Ala. -- Kirby Smart passed on many head coaching opportunities while working for Nick Saban over the past decade.

When the right offer came along, to replace Mark Richt at Smart's alma mater Georgia, Smart made the long-awaited jump to take over a program in a state of flux.

Bulldogs at a glance

Schedule

Sept. 3;North Carolina#;4:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Sept. 10;Nicholls State;11 a.m. (SECN)

Sept. 17;at Missouri*;6:30 p.m. (SECN)

Sept 24;at Ole Miss*;TBA

Oct. 1;Tennessee*;TBA

Oct. 8;at South Carolina*;TBA

Oct. 15;Vanderbilt*;TBA

Oct. 29;vs. Florida*$;TBA

Nov. 5;at Kentucky*;TBA

Nov. 12;Auburn*;TBA

Nov. 19;Louisiana-Lafayette;TBA

Nov. 26;Georgia Tech;TBA #Georgia Dome, Atlanta

*SEC game

$Jacksonville, Fla.

Last season 10-3, 5-3 (tied for second in SEC East)

Coach Kirby Smart (first year at Georgia and overall)

Returning starters 15 (offense 8, defense 6, special teams 1)

Key returning players TE Jeb Blazevich, RB Nick Chubb, OL Brandon Kublanow, QB Greyson Lambert, S Quincy Mauger, RB Sony Michel, S Dominick Sanders

SEC title scenario The Bulldogs, picked to finish third in the SEC East, have a wealth of talent on offense, and they return a solid core from a dominating defense. Finding a quarterback to take charge of the offense and getting production from a banged-up running back group could propel Georgia back to the SEC title game in Atlanta for the third time in six years.

The Bulldogs have no certainty over who will be in the backfield as starting quarterback or tailback for their season opener against North Carolina in the Chick-fil-A Classic.

Senior Greyson Lambert is the returning starter at quarterback, but hotshot freshman Jacob Eason, a 6-5, 211-pounder, is expected to push for playing time. Both are considered ahead of junior Brice Ramsey, who was the starter in last year's opener.

"The options we're going to weigh are what give us the best option to win," Smart said at SEC media days about the quarterback battle. "I didn't say we're going to play the best player."

Smart and first-year offensive coordinator Jim Chaney, the former Arkansas assistant, likely will assess the position throughout camp before making the call.

"I know a lot of coaches in the SEC are going through this," Smart said. "I've sat through a lot of meetings at Alabama making that same decision. A lot of that is how that person affects the rest of the offense. Does he make everybody else better?

"That's hard to measure. Coach Chaney and I will make that decision, hopefully sooner than later."

Injuries to top tailbacks Nick Chubb, a 1,547-yard rusher as a freshman in 2014, and Sony Michel leave Georgia's running game a question mark. Chubb damaged ligaments and cartilage in his knee in a loss to Tennessee on Oct. 10. He went through drills in spring practice but did not undergo full contact.

"The psychological part of going through the first tackling is going to be a big thing for him," Smart said. "We have people working with him on that aspect of it."

Michel rushed for 1,161 yards and eight touchdowns last year, most of it after Chubb's injury. He suffered an open fracture to his left forearm during an ATV accident July 3, and the Georgia medical staff isn't certain when he'll be ready for football.

"Our identity is being big and physical, and we want to run the ball," Smart said. "Well, our two backs that are the best at doing that have two question marks by them."

If Chubb and Michel are delayed, playing time will be available for senior Brendan Douglas, sophomore Shaquery Wilson and freshmen Tae Crowder, Brian Herrien and Elijah Holyfield, son of former heavyweight boxing champion Evander Holyfield.

New offensive line coach Sam Pittman, who spent the past three seasons as assistant head coach at Arkansas, has three starters back in center Brandon Kublanow, guard Greg Pyke and versatile Isaiah Wynn, as well as tight end Jeb Blazevich.

"We're still developing our identity as an offense, so that's what fall camp is for and this summer in particular," Blazevich said. "From what I've seen, [Chaney] being at Arkansas and Pitt, his offense has options. Just seeing what he can do with the tight ends ... the style of play he can introduce, in terms of where he can put our bodies, it's really exciting."

Six starters are back for new defensive coordinator Mel Tucker, another Saban protege and a seven-year NFL defensive coordinator. That group includes four defensive backs in corners Aaron Davis and Malkom Parrish and safeties Quincy Mauger and Dominick Sanders.

Georgia had a premier defense in 2015, leading the nation in pass defense by allowing 156.5 yards per game, and ranking seventh in total defense (305.9) and eighth in scoring defense (16.9).

"We hope to have the best secondary this year," said Sanders, who also offered a critique of Eason at SEC media days. "The kid can throw. The kid is very talented and a very hard worker. It's a pleasure going against him every day."

Smart originally approached Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema about talking to Dan Enos, who had a noncompete clause with other SEC schools in his contract, before moving on to Chaney, who left the Hogs for Pittsburgh last season.

Tennessee in 2012 and Arkansas in 2013-14 with the Chaney-Pittman combo were going through rebuilds, with those teams combining for a 3-18 conference record.

The Bulldogs have three former Arkansas assistants on staff, with former Auburn All-American Tracy Rocker serving as associate head coach and defensive line assistant.

SEC media picked Georgia to finish third in the East, behind Tennessee and Florida. The Bulldogs host Tennessee on Oct. 1 and face Florida in Jacksonville, Fla., on Oct. 29.

Sports on 07/20/2016