The six months between national signing day and the beginning of fall camp is finally over for the Dawg Nation. The month of June generated some news with a rash of commitments but nothing compares to the month leading up to opening day. Everyone, even South Carolina fans feel like this is going to be the year.
With only three seniors on offense, there are some questions to be answered but with all of the injured defensive players returning and a new kickoff specialist on campus the most asked question is:
"Where is Kwame Geathers?"
The answer is, nobody knows.
Geathers is the last of the class of 2009 to arrive and is still listed as MIA until the clearinghouse finishes all the paperwork.
The offensive line will be the strength on that side of the ball, Trinton Sturdivant and Vince Vance are healthy again and the two deep is as good as anyone in the SEC.
After A.J. Green and Mike Moore, the receivers are young and untested but very talented. The talk of the summer has been Orson Charles, the hybrid tightend slash wide receiver that should make an immediate impact.
Joe Cox will be the starting quarterback and Shaun Chapas will be the fullback.
Caleb King reportedly had a fantastic summer and may be poised to show the skills that made him so highly coveted as a junior in high school, he will be pushed by Richard Samuel and a trio of freshmen.
The tightend positon looks to be greatest area of need with starter Bruce Figgins suspended for the first six games and contemplating a redshirt year, the load will be shifted to Aaron White, Brice Ross or incoming freshman Arthur Lynch.
Over on the defensive side, the return of Jeff Owens is huge, he along with Geno Atkins, Kade Weston, DeAngelo Tyson and Brandon Wheeling will form the best defensive line in the conference.
Roderick Battle is healthy again and will need to have a big senior year to help make up for some of last years lack of production at the defensive end positon. The suspension of Justin Houston will hurt the Dawgs for the first two games, Demarcus Dobbs will have to apply the outside pressure but should benefit by having Owens and Atkins playing to his left.
Rennie Curran and Akeem Dent lead a talented, fast and hard hitting linebacker corps that will be strong up the middle with the return of Marcus Washington.
The secondary will see a new face at short corner where Brandon Boykin will take over for Asher Allen, he will be pushed hard by incoming freshman Brandon Smith. Reshad Jones and Bryan Evans will man the safety positions while returning starter Prince Miller covers the wide side of the field.
Kickoff specialist Brandon Bogotay has arrived from California and the Dawg Nation is praying that he can do more than aim for the corner on short directional kicks. That had to be the most frustrating aspect of last years kicking game, to see opponents consistently playing with a short field following kickoffs. Blair Walsh will handle field goals and Drew Butler looks to take over the punting duties.
If the Dawgs can just avoid the injury bug that attacked them last year, this season could become another great memory by January.
Will they win ten games again? I would bet on it.
Will they play in a bowl? I would bet the farm on this one.
Will they beat the Gators? Asked Santa in North Pole, Alaska and he said YES!
Will they play in Atlanta in December? See above question.
Will they win the SEC? Beat the Gators and it is theirs.
Will they challenge for a national title? If Santa knows his football, they will be in the top five and could well be in position to enter the race if they can stay healthy.
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