CHOMPING FLORIDA
Steve Spurrier hasn't coached Florida for nearly 20 years, but the Gators continue to enjoy a lot of success at Georgia's expense in Jacksonville. Since the hiring of Spurrier in 1990, the Gators are 21-6 in the rivalry, with Spurrier and Urban Meyer having combined for a 16-2 record in what was known for ages as the "World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party." Even Ron Zook partied to a 2-1 record. Current Florida coach Jim McElwain has won both meetings against the Bulldogs by a combined count of 51-13. Yes, McElwain's Gators needed overtime to defeat Florida Atlantic two years ago and lost last season at Arkansas by three touchdowns, but they have continued the tradition of celebrating in Jacksonville. For Georgia to get back to Atlanta in early December for the first time since 2012, defeating Florida is almost a requirement - and at least be competitive.
SPECIAL TEAMS
How bad were Georgia's special teams a year ago? The Bulldogs lost 17-16 at home to Vanderbilt despite compiling 421 total yards while holding the Commodores to 171. Vandy's Darrius Sims took the opening kickoff 95 yards to Georgia's 4-yard line to set up Ralph Webb's 1-yard touchdown run, and Georgia's Reggie Davis mistakenly stepped out of bounds at his 3-yard line on the second-half kickoff. Georgia went three-and-out after the gaffe, and Vandy's 17-yard punt return to Georgia's 28 set up a Tommy Openshaw field goal for a 10-6 lead for the Commodores. There has been competition at kicker with Rodrigo Blankenship and Wofford graduate transfer David Marvin, and at punter as well with Marshall Long and Cameron Nizialek, a grad transfer from Columbia who has the lead for that role. Coach Kirby Smart is hoping freshmen can help on coverage teams that struggled mightily a year ago.
ENHANCED OFFENSE
Georgia's offense set a program record for points in Mike Bobo's final season as coordinator in 2014, but points and productivity slid drastically two seasons ago under Brian Schottenheimer and slid further last year under Jim Chaney. The Bulldogs tallied their fewest points in a 12-game regular season, though they did head into the offseason with a little momentum following the 31-23 win over TCU in the Liberty Bowl. Sophomore quarterback Jacob Eason should be improved this season, but whether he's vastly improved remains to be seen. Senior tailbacks Nick Chubb and Sony Michel are claiming that each "didn't come back for nothing," and the receiver position should be improved with reliable junior Terry Godwin and with the way senior Javon Wims played late last year. Isaac Nauta is among the best tight ends nationally, but will this offense be improved up front?