Georgia lost its offensive coordinator, starting quarterback and top two receivers from last season's 10-win team.
Any guesses as to which side of the ball will be under the microscope this afternoon at G-Day?
The Bulldogs are holding their 15th spring game under Mark Richt and the first without Mike Bobo, Georgia's play-caller for the past eight-plus seasons who became Colorado State's head coach in December. Brian Schottenheimer is the new offensive coordinator, and he has been working the last several weeks with a trio of quarterback hopefuls -- Brice Ramsey, Faton Bauta and Jacob Park -- working to replace Hutson Mason.
Throw in a receivers group that no longer has the reliable tandem of Michael Bennett and Chris Conley, and it's little surprise the passing game has yet to bloom.
"There have been too many balls on the ground," Richt said earlier this week in a news conference. "By the first three days, I think I said we had dropped around 90 balls in all the drills. That was at all the positions and not just receivers, and we have improved drastically from that."
The three quarterbacks have taken turns with the first-, second- and third-team units, though Ramsey has worked with the starters in each of the first two scrimmages. Bauta also worked with the first team in the second scrimmage.
Junior flanker Reggie Davis said this week that it has been difficult at times adjusting to all three, with Davis and other veteran receivers having developed a rhythm with Aaron Murray two years ago and with Mason last season.
"If you get a play where you protect and you get a guy open and you put the ball on the money, you've got to catch it," Richt said. "If you're going to hit 60 to 70 percent of your passes, which is what we're kind of shooting for, you've got to take advantage when the times are good."
Georgia's offensive strength should be a running game that returns four starters up front and sophomore tailback Nick Chubb, who rushed for 1,547 yards and 7.1 yards per carry last season. Chubb could be a blink-and-miss participant at G-Day, having carried the ball just three combined times during the first two scrimmages.
The G-Day game will start at 2, and it will be part of the SEC Network's coverage of several spring football contests throughout the league.
Spring winners announced
Georgia announced its spring football winners Friday, with right tackle Kolton Houston being named offensive MVP. A defensive MVP was not listed.
Chubb and receiver Isaiah McKenzie won the offensive hustle awards, while UAB inside linebacker transfer Jake Ganus was the defensive recipient in that category. Davis and tight end Jay Rome were the most improved offensive players, while inside linebacker Tim Kimbrough was the most improved defensive player.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.