ESPN College Football

ATHENS, Ga. -- Complacency is always a concern when bringing back a top-rated team or unit. Players can’t hide from the fact that they’re good and everyone around them will make sure they know it and make sure they remember what they did.

Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham doesn’t want his defense, which ranked fifth nationally in 2011, to forget either. But it’s what he doesn’t want his players to forget that has this unit ready to pick up and surpass last year’s success.

“You don’t let guys forget where they came from,” Grantham said. “Don’t let guys forget what got them there and you build from there.”

That’s why Grantham is making sure he gets back to the basics with his players. We’re talking hustling to the ball, right form and playing physical basics. Every year, his plan has always been to go right back to simple fundamentals.

Losing those loses a defense.

“To me, you break it down into five phases and you go back every year and you start over,” Grantham said.

Five phases:

1. Pre-spring workouts
2. Spring practice
3. Summer workouts
4. Fall camp
5. Regular season

Fundamentals 101 comes in right when spring ball starts. Proper footwork is harped on. Correct field placement is set up over and over. The right tackling technique is perfected … and then perfected again.

In order to combat complacency, the same motions run by All-American linebacker -- and sack master -- Jarvis Jones are run by wide-eyed nervous freshmen. The goal is to have the older guys pick things up quickly and then assist the youngsters. Grantham wants his players to get better individually, but then focus on improving the team as a whole from the ground up.

That’s why Grantham thinks his defense was much better in 2011. Fundamentals made that group even more comfortable in Grantham’s 3-4 and helped it evolve as the season progressed. The Bulldogs allowed 277.2 yards per game (51 yards less than 2010), forced 32 turnovers and recorded 100 tackles for loss for minus-439 yards.

“Yeah, we knew our system better, but I thought we were a more mentally and physically tough team and we played defense the way you’re supposed to play it -- physical and aggressive,” Grantham said. “When you’re all on the same page and speaking the same language, those things can happen.”

This spring, players bought right into what Grantham preached. Rising senior linebacker Christian Robinson said no one seemed concerned about being content. He said players looked at what they didn't do last year as a spark for the spring. Players dwelled on the 35 points given up to Boise State, the 45 to South Carolina, the 42 to LSU and the 33 to Michigan State -- all losses.

Even when players felt good, Robinson said coaches directed them to video screens to bring them down a notch.

“We’re not perfect, so when we go in our meeting rooms we watch the tape and there are always things to get better at,” Robinson said.

And if film work doesn’t help, coach Mark Richt can cut into the confidence when needed.

“You’re really not a great defense until you play great and we haven’t done that in 2012,” he said. “We haven’t had a chance to do that yet. There’s an anticipation of having a chance to be pretty good if everybody keeps it together, stays healthy and does their part.”

One humbling thought is that Georgia will be without four key starters suspended early for poor off-field behavior. The secondary takes the biggest hit with All-American safety Bacarri Rambo and cornerbacks Branden Smith and Sanders Commings out. Inside linebacker Alec Ogletree is also suspended.

Grantham and his players agree that while they’re disappointed in the boneheaded decisions made, they aren’t dwelling on the situation. Grantham used it as an opportunity to create better depth by inserting younger players. He’s no stranger to changing lineups, as he had 11 different ones in 14 games in 2011.

He also received a boost when star wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell moved to corner. He should start the season on defense.

Richt hopes this turns into a situation like last year when linebackers Michael Gilliard and Amarlo Herrera stepped up when Robinson and Ogletree were injured. It also gives coaches a chance to cross train players more, something Grantham prides himself on. (Look at safety Shawn Williams playing linebacker last year).

Earlier this spring, Jones proclaimed that Georgia had the nation’s best defense. Time will tell on Jones’ statement, but after going through the spring motions, at least one of his teammates sees where Jones is coming from.

“We have an opportunity to do something special, as a defense and as a team,” Robinson said. “If we go out and do what we know and what we’ve learned, we could be one of the best ever to play at Georgia.”

Georgia linebacker Christian Robinson talks about heading into his senior year with the Bulldogs and building off the 2011 season.

ATHENS, Ga. -- Christian Robinson and his Georgia teammates were instructed to block out the noise.

Noise that began well before the 2011 season and bellowed throughout Athens immediately following Georgia’s 0-2 start. The veteran linebacker left Twitter for a week because of all the “hateful” comments he received -- mostly from overzealous Georgia fans.

Things reached a boiling point for Robinson when he saw a picture of a distraught Mark Richt with his headset on the ground during the South Carolina game taped to a professor’s door in Georgia’s Terry College of Business. On it, Robinson said someone wrote something to the effect of “This is like the beginning of the end.”

Every day after his management class, Robinson walked by that picture, taking it personally each time.

Robinson watched as part of a fan base that was supposed to be supportive had turned to its nasty side and it hurt. So Robinson and his teammates channeled that rage. The disrespect became a motivator. The noise became an advantage.

Georgia reeled off 10 straight wins and ended up in the SEC championship game sans picture.

“Ten weeks later, where are those posters and where are those hateful tweets, now?” said Robinson who appeared in 12 games last fall, making four starts, recorded 47 tackles with 6.5 for loss and recovered a fumble.

Fast-forward to the spring of 2012 and Georgia is dealing with a new type of noise -- noise of the hype machine.

Georgia returns 15 starters (nine on defense and six on offense) and 49 lettermen. Only two defenders are gone from the nation’s fifth-ranked defense and quarterback Aaron Murray could be an early Heisman contender. Georgia should enter the fall ranked in the top 10 and will have BCS aspirations strapped to its name.

As spring winds down, that sort of talk is merely a blip on the Bulldogs’ radar, but it’s something this team will have to deal with more as the season approaches. So far, Richt has shielded his players from the noise, but once his hands aren’t around them this offseason, he hopes they’ll be smart enough to ignore it.

When asked about maintaining his team’s focus, Richt was reminded of the 2008 team that entered the year No. 1. That team had star power, like Matthew Stafford, Knowshon Moreno, Mohamed Massaquoi, A.J. Green, Rennie Curran and Geno Atkins.

Stafford and Moreno had Heisman aspirations and the entire team expected BCS fame. However, none of it came. Robinson, who was a freshman then, said selfishness and immaturity lingered throughout the team, as Georgia lost three games that season.

Richt said the 2008 team didn’t have the veteran leadership 2012 does. As many as 14 starters were underclassmen in 2008, while 2012 will be filled with vets.

“We have to understand that we have to earn it and nothing's going to be given to us,” Richt said. “We just have to wait and see.

“I hope they’re not believing the hype. I have to make sure they understand that they gotta earn everything they get and I can reference 2008.”

Robinson said this team is smarter and more mature than 2008. Their minds are clearer and their bodies are better. This team has handled adversity, going from an embarrassing 6-7 to a win away from a BCS birth. The focus is right with these Dawgs.

“This is a totally different team,” Robinson said. “You don’t read your press clippings and start believing.”

However, more adversity is on the horizon for the Bulldogs. Georgia will be short staffed to begin the season as defensive starters Bacarri Rambo, Sanders Commings, Branden Smith and Alec Ogletree were suspended for poor off-field behavior.

The distraction of having four defenders out -- three being a part of an already thin secondary -- has truly frustrated Richt and his players, but in a twisted way, Robinson said, losing those players will help the Bulldogs band together even more. Adversity brings the good teams together, he said, and Robinson sees this team working harder knowing it will be down early.

Richt said there have been private meetings to address the boneheaded decisions that have hurt Georgia and expects “many more” before the fall. Murray has also taken it upon himself to be more outspoken about these issues. In the last few weeks, he’s seen a more levelheaded group and hopes it carries over to the fall.

“Our guys understand that you can’t be doing anything too crazy right now,” Murray said. “This could be a very special season. This could be a season you remember for the rest of your life.

“If we work hard, the sky’s the limit for us.”

It’s still way too early to tell what kind of team Georgia will have this fall, but it’s hard not to make the Dawgs a preseason favorite in the SEC East. The schedule sets up nicely (no Alabama, Arkansas or LSU again), the staff is settled and just about everyone is back.

It’s a recipe for success, but then again, so was 2008.

ATHENS, Ga. -- It's never too late to put up some quick notes and thoughts after a visit to a college campus. While you should expect more from my day in Athens with the Georgia Bulldogs in the next few days, here are some notes and thoughts from my visit that really stood out to me:

• Georgia players and coaches have every reason to be jumping ship and freaking out about with the recent suspensions of defenders Bacarri Rambo, Sanders Commings, Branden Smith and Alec Ogletree. Three of those players call the secondary their home, while one, Ogletree, looks like he's ready to be a real star at linebacker in this league. But the first thing you notice when patrolling Georgia's facilities is that everyone is calm and collected about the matter. Sure, players and coaches are pretty frustrated with the situation, but they have moved on. They are working together to find the pieces to replace those guys come the start of the season. Inside linebacker Christian Robinson said that Ogletree's spot is still wide open because the Bulldogs have so many options, and it doesn't sound like the coaches will really name a starter anytime soon. Don't forget that Mike Gilliard, who really came on last year as the season progressed, and Amarlo Herrera will get reps with Robinson at middle linebacker. Robinson also said rising sophomore Ramik Wilson is getting good reps at middle linebacker.
• The secondary isn't exactly blooming with numbers, but defensive coordinator Todd Grantham said he isn't concerned with the amount of bodies he has out there. He's happy with the production so far, but added that this group still has a ways to go, especially with three starters out to begin the 2012 season. Rising sophomores Damian Swann and Corey Moore have turned heads in practice. Swann looks like he'll grab one of the starting cornerback spots to start the season. Also, Malcolm Mitchell, who moved from wide receiver, is coming along more and more as the days go by, so there's no need for the Bulldogs to hit the panic button just yet.
• Another player turning heads in practice this spring is nose guard Kwame Geathers. He and Jon Jenkins rotated in and out last season, and while both are expected to do the same this fall, linebacker Jarvis Jones said that he's been very impressed with Geathers, especially the shape he's in. He's still big, but Jones said he's moving better and more often. He also said that he's been gigging Jenkins about possibly losing time to Geathers because of how well he's doing. Georgia will really benefit from having both those players at full speed up front this fall.
• The Bulldogs are pretty excited about true freshman running back Keith Marshall. The early enrollee had some iffy moments with the offense at first, but he seems to be progressing more and more with the playbook. Coaches are hoping that he and Isaiah Crowell can be a dynamic duo this fall. He's been impressive in open space, and offensive coordinator Mike Bobo said he's improving his play between the tackles, which will really help Crowell when he tires. "His head's spinning a little bit right now, but he has a chance to be very special here," Bobo said of Marshall. "He's got great vision and isn't afraid to stick it up in there."
• Speaking of Crowell, the consensus in Athens is that he's a new person and player. He's working harder and is taking his workouts and practices more seriously. The coaches haven't had to push him as hard this spring, like they did last summer. Quarterback Aaron Murray said he felt he had to baby Crowell at times last year, but hasn't had to say much in terms of pushing the sophomore-to-be this spring.
• Another running back impressing is Ken Malcome. He almost transferred last season, but has really started to come along this spring. He's building off the bowl game in which he tied a carrier high with 12 carries and had a career-high 51 yards. "He had an awesome spring for us," Bobo said. "Really clued in to what we're doing more, more conscientious of about every little detail."
• Murray is also looking to improve and really wants to calm things down with his play. He knows he was erratic at times last year, especially in big games. He won't change much to his regime, but wants to improve his mental reps and his thought process during plays. "I put a lot of pressure on myself to improve on my mistakes," Murray said. He also said he feels "10 times better" with his pocket mobility and footwork -- two areas that he said he struggled with the past two years. He's making sure that he keeps two hands on the ball when he runs, isn't chopping down and isn't in an awkward stance with the ball.
• When talking with Georgia players it's easy to tell which game meant the most for the Bulldogs. Each one talked about how important the Florida win was for the season and the program. It not only gave Georgia's seniors a win over the Gators, but it helped put the Dawgs in cruise control on the way to the SEC championship game. Jones, who grew up a fan of both Florida and Georgia (very strange, I know) said he took it upon himself to make sure the Bulldogs came out with the win. He did his part with four sacks, including one that basically ended the game. Robinson said it was "the greatest feeling" he's had since his arrival. That win coupled with South Carolina's loss to Arkansas propelled Georgia into the SEC championship game.

ATHENS, Ga. -- Jarvis Jones isn't what you think.

Regardless of what you think you thought you knew about his stellar SEC debut with Georgia last season, Jones says his performance was a bit of a mirage.

Sure, he was galloping around making play after play and clobbering quarterbacks, but the speed and strength you thought you saw was more of an optical illusion.

“I’m not fast at all, man,” said Georgia’s rising junior linebacker, who led the SEC in tackles for loss (19.5) and sacks (13.5) in his SEC debut season last fall. “That’s what people don’t understand. I’m not big. I’m not strong.”

While probably bigger, stronger and faster than the average individual, Jones said his year of SEC success following his transfer from USC happened because of his brain power. His time in the film room and time analyzing every move and twitch of his opponents helped him be the monster and All-American he was in 2011.

It does help being 6-foot-3, and 241 pounds, but it doesn’t help you understand what’s going on. When playing out on the Left Coast, Jones mostly survived on physical ability. But when he moved down south and things around him picked up, Jones had to adjust.

For him, taking hours to dissect film of a left tackle’s movements, finding any sort of trends he might have, benefited him much more than hitting the weight room or sprinting until his legs gave out. Jones knows that football is just as mental as it is physical.

“I had to catch up,” Jones said.

And catch up he did. Even before he was eligible to play in 2011, defensive coordinator Todd Grantham noticed something special about Jones. He was versatile enough to move around all the different linebacker spots, so before settling on the outside, Grantham used him inside during bowl preps for the 2010 Liberty Bowl.

Jones, who was working with the scout team, impressed, but really shined outside. He hounded the quarterback, stuffed the run and dropped back in coverage when needed. Grantham felt he was a perfect fit to play outside and help ease the loss of star Justin Houston.

“He has the complete package as an outside backer,” Grantham said. “He’s a guy that we depend upon to make a lot of plays.”

Fellow linebacker Christian Robinson said he wasn’t surprised at how well Jones performed in 2011 after seeing him dominate some of Georgia’s best offensive linemen.

“When you go up against top college competition -- NFL players now -- you get used to playing at that level,” Robinson said of Jones. “Then, you put him up against guys who can’t keep up and don’t realize how fast he is and how strong he is.

“He’s quick and he’s going to get lower than you and he’s going to get underneath your pads. He really knocks some people around.”

But to make those plays, Jones said he had to sharpen his mental skills and get smarter in the film room.

So he started dissecting plays like a skilled surgeon and decided to break his game down into steps. They came during the 17 or so seconds that it took for an offense to line up and get set to the two-to-three seconds it took for a play to take place.

Here’s a quick look at what went through Jones on any given play:

Pre-snap:

Look at the formation and the personnel -- he should know what each player can and can’t do and what plays can be run.

Line up and find tendencies of linemen -- he should determine whether linemen (especially the left tackle) are in a pass set or a run set. He should know how long it takes them to get out of their stances and where most of their weight is planted.

Remember the snap count -- this is crucial to providing the most disruptive pressure possible.

Snap:

Get off the ball and remember technique -- quick moves are essential and making sure he has a move to give a tackle and one to combat his retaliation will make or break his progress.

Quarterback movements -- is it a five-step or seven-step drop? Is it play-action? Or is it a run?

“That’s a whole lot in a little bit of time,” Jones said.

This isn’t revolutionary stuff Jones is doing, but it was very important and made life easier last year.

Now, it’s carried over to spring and has helped slow things down in practice. There is no pausing, only reacting.

Building off of last season will be hard, Jones said, and he expects to receive much more attention from opposing offenses. He noticed in the last two games of the season when LSU and Michigan State game planned his side more than other teams had.

The result? Four total tackles, none for loss.

So improvements have to be made, Jones said. He’ll have to study harder and think faster when he’s on the field. Maybe even lift a few more weights.

The good thing is that Georgia’s defense won’t depend solely on him. He has plenty of help around him, making the thought of double-teaming pretty silly.

“I’m always a team player, so if they’re going to focus on me there are 10 more other people they have to block,” he said. “Stats for me, I really don’t care because at the end of the day if we win and I get zero tackles and no sacks I don’t care.”

We move to linebackers today in our postseason position rankings.

Defensive lines are very important in this league, but there are other guys in the box who have to be pretty reliable as well in this league. This league has done a pretty solid job of producing some top talent at this position as well.

You can see what are preseason linebacker rankings looked like here.

And here are our postseason rankings:

1. Alabama: This unit was at the top of our preseason rankings and didn't budge throughout the season. When you have two All-Americans in Courtney Upshaw, who was the defensive MVP in the Allstate BCS National Championship Game, and Dont'a Hightower it's pretty understandable to see why. Those two combined for 136 tackles, including 29 for loss. Nico Johnson was fourth on the team in tackles, while C.J. Mosley added 37 of his own. Alabama's defense was first nationally in total defense and first in rushing defense, allowing 74.2 yards per game.

2. Georgia: Linebackers are essential to any 3-4 defense, and the Bulldogs' group did quite well in 2011. Georgia ended up with one of the nation's best linebackers in Jarvis Jones, who led the SEC with 19 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks. He also had 49 quarterback hurries. Michael Gilliard was third on the team behind Jones with 65 tackles. While Alec Ogletree missed part of the first half of the season, the speedster still finished with 52 tackles, including 7.5 for loss. Cornelius Washington, Amarlo Herrera Christian Robinson combined to add 101 more tackles, as Georgia's defense ranked fifth nationally.

3. Arkansas: Arkansas' defense had a lot of bend in it last season, but the linebackers found ways to make plays. Newcomer Alonzo Highsmith was third on the team with 80 tackles, led with 12.5 tackles for loss and had 4.5 sacks. The star continued to be Jerry Franklin, who led the team in tackles (101) for the fourth straight year. Then there was Jerico Nelson, who was all over the field as that hybrid linebacker/safety. He came away with 70 tackles, two sacks and two interceptions. Ross Rasner, who played outside with Nelson, added 53 more tackles and two sacks.

4. Florida: The Gators' defense ranked eighth nationally in part because of the aggressive play of its front seven. Jon Bostic commanded the middle, leading the team with 94 tackles, including 10 for loss. Jelani Jenkins seemed to come more into his own outside, finishing third on the team in tackles. The big surprise was Lerentee McCray, who played both Sam linebacker and the hybrid Buck. He was one of Florida's most active linebackers and grabbed 7.5 tackles for loss. Ronald Powell started at the Buck, but saw most of his production from defensive end.

5. Vanderbilt: The Commodores entered the season needing to replace three starting linebackers and ended the year with a very impressive linebacking corps. It was led by vet Chris Marve, who was 10th in the league in tackles. Archibald Barnes had a solid year at the Will, ranking fourth on the team in tackles and grabbing two interceptions. Chase Garnham and Al Owens manned the Sam position and combined for 72 tackles and 7.5 tackles for loss. Against conference foes, Vandy's rush defense ranked fourth in the league.

6. LSU: The Tigers were in search of that dominant middle linebacker all season and might have found a budding star in Kevin Minter, really grew into the position by the end of the season and was fifth on the team in tackles. He started 11 games, but shared time with Karnell Hatcher, who finished with 24 tackles. Ryan Baker was LSU's best linebacker, was an outstanding leader and was fourth on the team with 64 tackles. Stefoin Francois was the starter at Sam, but he accumulated just 11 tackles, while backup Tahj Jones registered 27. Still, LSU owned the No. 2 national defense.

7. South Carolina: The Gamecocks saw improvement from this group as the season went on. While the defensive line got a ton of credit, the linebackers did their part in securing the defense's No. 3 national ranking. Antonio Allen spent some time in the box at the Spur position and led South Carolina with 88 tackles and had 9.5 for loss. Rodney Paulk and Shaq Wilson, who returned from injury, rotated at the Mike and combined for 109 tackles. Will linebacker Reginald Bowens added 44 tackles.

8. Kentucky: The Wildcats owned the SEC's top tackler in Danny Trevathan (143), who should have received more national attention. Trevathan was one of the most active defenders around at the Will. Winston Guy played the hybrid linebacker/safety and was third in the SEC with 120 tackles. Ronnie Sneed added 71 more tackles. Kentucky's defense was much more aggressive under new defensive coordinator Rick Minter and got more exotic looks from its linebackers.

9. Mississippi State: Cameron Lawrence was a beast for the Bulldogs in 2011. He was second in the SEC with 123 tackles, and had 49 solo. Senior Brandon Wilson added 94 more tackles. Brandon Maye, who transferred from Clemson, was expected to make a bigger impact for the Bulldogs, but played behind Wilson and was 11th on the team in tackles. Sophomore Deontae Skinner added 69 tackles and Mississippi State ranked in the bottom half of the SEC in total defense.

10. Tennessee: The Vols' top three tacklers were linebackers. The leader was senior Austin Johnson, who finished the season with 81 tackles, including 41 solo. Next were two true freshmen on the outside in A.J. Johnson (80) and Curt Maggitt (56). Both freshmen experienced up-and-down seasons, but were SEC All-Freshman selections. Herman Lathers, who was a projected started, missed 2011 with a fractured ankle, and after the big three, the Vols didn't get a ton out of their linebackers, as Dontavis Sapp was their next most productive linebacker with 20 tackles.

11. Auburn: The Tigers' defense really struggled in 2011 and gave up more than 200 rushing yards a contest. Auburn had to basically start over at linebacker, but lone returning starter Daren Bates had a heck of a year, ranking fourth in the league with 104 tackles. He really tried to make sure he played all over the field last fall. After that, the play was up-and-down. Senior Eltoro Freeman took over in the middle halfway into the year and finished with 58 tackles, while Jake Holland and Jonathan Evans combined for 83 tackles.


12. Ole Miss: The Rebels' defense had all sorts of problems defensively, including allowing 256.5 yards per game and 21 rushing touchdowns. The linebackers took a major hit with the absence of D.T. Shackelford, who missed the season with a knee injury. Mike Marry stepped up at the Mike and led Ole Miss with 81 tackles and five for loss. Freshman Serderius Bryant and junior Joel Kight combined for 122 tackles. Damien Jackson played the Spur and added 64 tackles, but Ole Miss' defense ranked dead last in the SEC.

DawgNation has more from current Georgia players as well as future Bulldogs:

Kipp Adams writes : Excitement was everywhere Saturday for the Bulldogs' SEC East championship, and UGA's 2012, 2013 and even 2014 commits added plenty of happy interjections.

Videos of Dawgs reaction: Christian Robinson | Jarvis Jones | Branden Smith

Recruiting : Top targets remaining on the board were watching, and they resoundingly applauded Georgia's efforts in going from 0-2 to the SEC East title.

DawgNation looks at Georgia's run defense, talks with linebacker Christian Robinson about this weekend's game, and more.

ATHENS, Ga. -- With a third of the season in the books, Georgia's defensive results against the run yield obvious questions.

Should fans expect the stout run defense the Bulldogs (2-2, 1-1 SEC) played in three of their four games, limiting opponents to fewer than 4 yards per carry and 100 rushing yards in the last two games? Or was their 253-yard allowance against South Carolina, where Heisman Trophy contender Marcus Lattimore eventually wore them down, closer to the Bulldogs' true identity?

Saturday's game could provide the answer, as visiting Mississippi State (2-2, 0-2) will bring a physical, run-first offense to Sanford Stadium.

"They run a lot, and we know they run a lot, and we're just going to get ready and strap up for a bloody type game," Georgia defensive end Cornelius Washington said. "They're going to come out and they're going to try to pound us, but we're ready for it."

David Ching writes : Mark Richt is still smarting from last year’s loss to Mississippi State.

Radi Nabulsi writes : Outside linebacker commit Kent Turene was supposed to be on the field this season but was sidetracked by the NCAA Clearinghouse.

Nabulsi interviews Georgia linebacker Christian Robinson and finds out what Georgia's mindset is heading into this weekend's matchup with Mississippi State.

Linebacker was one of those areas where Georgia couldn't afford to have any injuries this season.

Two games in, the Bulldogs are already without both starting inside linebackers.

The latest to go down was junior Christian Robinson, who injured his left foot last Saturday in the 45-42 loss to South Carolina and will be out "at least a couple of games," according to Georgia coach Mark Richt. The Bulldogs were already without sophomore Alec Ogletree, who broke his foot in the opener against Boise State and isn't expected to return until sometime in October. Ogletree had been one of the Bulldogs' top defenders during the preseason after moving over from safety and was a guy Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham was counting on being one of his top playmakers.

Now, Grantham is without both of his inside guys and has very little experience behind them.

True freshman Amarlo Herrera started last week in place of Ogletree, but senior walk-on Jeremy Sulek and junior Mike Gilliard also played. All three will see their snaps increase the next few weeks with both Ogletree and Robinson out. Richt said there's a chance that true freshmen Ramik Wilson and Chase Vasser could move from outside linebacker to insider linebacker. Richt said he doesn't envision Richard Samuel moving back to linebacker from running back.

Richt said the early indication was that Robinson's injury wasn't as serious as the one suffered by Ogletree and that Robinson should be back earlier.

The Bulldogs should be OK without their two starting inside linebackers this week against Coastal Carolina, but then travel to Ole Miss the next week and get Mississippi State at home on Oct. 1 followed by a road trip to Tennessee on Oct. 8.

Georgia's defense played better against South Carolina after a rough opener against Boise State. The Bulldogs held the Gamecocks to three offensive touchdowns, one of those set up by a fumble return to the 5. But if they're going to recover from this 0-2 start and get back into the East race, they can't keep losing starters on defense.

No. 5 Boise State and No. 19 Georgia square off Saturday night in one of the top nonconference games of the season. So who is going to win and why? How about a little debate between college football nation blogger Andrea Adelson and SEC blogger Edward Aschoff.

Andrea Adelson: So I hear you want to debate me on Boise State versus Georgia, Edward. I am glad to see you are not too scared to take on a little sister of the poor. Now I know you are new around these parts, but that does not mean little sister here is going to take it easy on you. I am in this debate to win it, just like Boise State has agreed to travel across the country to play in what is hilariously called a "neutral-site game" in Atlanta to play Georgia. The Broncos are in this to win it, and to show -- yet again -- they can beat the so-called big boys. Wait. What? Oh, right. You are going to bring up 2005, and the 48-13 shellacking Georgia delivered to Boise State. Well, if I am not mistaken, this is 2011 and Boise State has a fellow named Kellen Moore at quarterback. He just finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy race. Advantage, Boise State. Tell me where Georgia has an advantage.

Edward Aschoff: No, I won't bring up that 2005 game where the Broncos didn't belong on the same field. I also don't need to bring up that the Broncos are 0-4 all-time against SEC opponents -- all of those losses came in the past decade. But what are Georgia's obvious advantages? Well, besides the fact this game is going to literally be played in Georgia's backyard, the Bulldogs have tremendous speed on defense. Speed that I don't think Boise's offense can match. Georgia has one of the most athletic front sevens in the league. Boise's line is going to have to try to stop the likes of Kwame Geathers and big ol' John Jenkins in the interior. Together, they weigh close to 700 pounds. Plus, DeAngelo Tyson is going to drive tackles crazy on the outside. But even if the Broncos manage to squeeze by that front line, they'll have to meet one of the fastest linebacker corps around. Alec Ogletree dropped down into the box from safety and can absolutely fly around the field to make plays. With Christian Robinson joining him in the middle and the likes of Jarvis Jones and Cornelius Washington in there, the Broncos are going to need jet packs to get through the box. Kellen Moore might be back, but without Titus Young or Austin Pettis (142 catches, 2,166 yards and 19 touchdowns gone) to throw to, Boise is going to have to rely more on its running game and that wreaks of trouble.

AA: Does it, Edward? Doug Martin is one of the most underrated running backs in the nation, running for 1,260 yards and 12 touchdowns last season, averaging 6.3 yards a carry. Forget all that mumbo jumbo about playing against bottom-feeders. Scouts Inc. lists Martin as the top senior running back available in the 2012 NFL draft. He runs the 40-yard dash in 4.48. Same time as Arkansas running back Knile Davis, and faster than Alabama running back Trent Richardson. Martin also ranks No. 2 in the Scouts Inc. power/balance evaluation and No. 1 in competitiveness. I should also mention he is a terrific pass-catcher, with 28 receptions last year for 338 yards. His offensive line also has a stud in left tackle Nate Potter, who made the ESPN.com preseason All-America team. Mel Kiper lists Potter as one of the top senior offensive tackles in the nation as well. So your argument about the plodding, unathletic Broncos makes little sense. Boise State is way more athletic than UCF, and I do recall the Knights beat Georgia last season.

EA: While we're discussing future NFL prospects, you might as well look at Georgia's offensive line. The same Scouts Inc. that you referred to ranks senior Cordy Glenn as the top-rated guard in the 2012 draft and senior Ben Jones as the top center. Glenn could have easily left school early for the NFL, but will be lining up at left tackle for the Dawgs on Saturday. Good luck to those Broncos trying to get by deceptively agile 6-foot-5, 348-pound monster. Also, left guard Kenarious Gates isn't well known yet, but he's extremely athletic and can move along the line if needed. Those guys will be blocking for the SEC's best quarterback in Aaron Murray, who set all sorts for school and SEC freshman records in passing and total yardage in 2010. He'll have one of the nation's best in tight end Orson Charles, an ESPN.com preseason All-American, who is too fast for most linebackers to keep up with and he's too big for most corners to guard. And while Tavarres King doesn't have the clout A.J. Green had, he's been tremendously consistent and has been Murray's go-to guy at flanker. Also, two freshmen to keep an eye on are running back Isaiah Crowell and receiver Malcolm Mitchell. Crowell could have a Marcus Lattimore-like impact, and word out of Athens is that Mitchell has been turning heads and breaking ankles in practice. Don't sleep on Georgia's offense.

AA: Well, I did fall asleep on them watching the bowl game against UCF last season. Murray, Charles and Glenn were on that team, right? Joking aside, I know Georgia will be much better on offense and defense. But I’m not sure the Bulldogs will be good enough against a veteran team with a senior class that has lost twice in their careers.

EA: The Broncos are in a must-win situation, meaning the pressure is on. For Georgia, the Bulldogs can lose this game and still make a run at the SEC title and maybe even the national championship if a ton of pieces fall into place. With that said, Boise has been in this situation many times before, and it's tough to pick against them in this situation. I think Georgia takes it down to the wire, but comes up just short in its opener against the Broncos.

Today we take a look at the SEC linebackers. The front sevens in this league are always good and 2011 shouldn't be any different.

Here's how the teams stacked up:

1. Alabama: There are a lot of strengths on this Alabama team, but the linebackers should be very fun to watch this fall. Courtney Upshaw and Dont’a Hightower are back to full speed and are considered top players at their positions. With them back, the Tide should have a much more aggressive pass rush. Nico Johnson and C.J. Mosley improved even more this spring and will get time in the middle when Hightower is outside at the "Jack" position. Mosely blossomed as a freshman and could be a star in the making. Jarrell Harris seems to finally be coming around and Chris Jordan gives them another body in the front seven.

2. Florida: This group struggled to stay consistent at times last fall, but the new coaching staff was pleased with the progress it made this spring. There is a lot talent out there and now there are two distinct leaders in Jelani Jenkins and Jon Bostic, who should occupy the middle when the Gators go to the 3-4. Both are tremendous athletes and should be a solid duo this fall. Florida also has former No. 1 high school prospect Ronald Powell playing that linebacker/defensive end hybrid spot called the Buck. He’ll stand up a lot this season and should elevate himself near the top of the SEC pass-rushing list. Cal transfer Chris Martin earned a ton of praise last year on the practice squad and will be a hybrid as well. Converted safety Dee Finley will play outside and there is some good, but young, depth in the wings.

3. Arkansas: This area of the team improved a lot during the season and this spring. It’s headlined by Jerry Franklin, who has led the Razorbacks in tackles the last three seasons. He has 271, including 21.5 for loss in his career. Strongside hybrid Jerico Nelson was second on the team in tackles and has the speed to get all over the field. Nelson will occasional drop back and play safety as well. This linebacker tandem will be one of the best out there this fall. The major plus for the Razorbacks is that there is finally some really good depth at the position. Bret Harris, Jarrett Lake and Terrell Williams came on strong on the outside this spring, while Ross Rasner was making strides until he was arrested and suspended indefinitely this spring.

4. Georgia: There is no shortage of athleticism in Georgia’s linebacker corps. Alec Ogletree moved down from safety and while he’s bulked up, he’s still got tremendous closing speed and will make a ton of plays at middle linebacker. Next to him is defensive leader Christian Robinson, who left spring as one of Georgia’s most consistent linebackers. On the outside, USC transfer Jarvis Jones will occupy the weak side and the coaches feel he might be more of a complete player than Justin Houston. On the other end, Cornelius Washington might not be getting a ton of publicity, but he’s no slouch and can run with the best of them.

5. LSU: Like most of the Tigers’ positions, this one might not have a ton of in-game experience, but the athleticism is too good not to praise. LSU lost leading tackler and monster in the middle Kelvin Sheppard, but there should be enough able bodies to make this unit one of the tops in the league this fall. Ryan Baker is now the leader out there and can keep up with some of the best offensive weapons out there. He’ll play on the weak side, while converted safety Karnell Hatcher moved down from safety and took reps at middle linebacker, but could find his home outside. Sophomore Kevin Minter spent his spring trying to fill Sheppard’s void and has made vast improvements. Senior Stefoin Francois provides veteran depth for the Tigers on the outside, while there are a few young, able bodies ready to contribute as well.

6. Kentucky: Things start with one of the nation’s best in Danny Trevathan. He led the SEC with 144 tackles a year ago and the word out of Lexington is that he’s looking to be even better this fall and wants to move around the field a lot more. Ronnie Sneed returns as the starter in the middle, after grabbing 61 tackles a year ago. He made some nice improvements this spring. Ridge Wilson will be another hybrid on the outside, and will occasionally lineup as a rush end for the Wildcats. The talented Winston Guy, who has played just about everywhere on Kentucky’s defense has finally settled into his home at linebacker and should play closer to the line of scrimmage and be a nickel linebacker.

7. South Carolina: The Gamecocks got an immediate upgrade to this position with the return of Shaq Wilson, after he missed last year with a hamstring injury. Wilson is known as the quarterback of the defense and led South Carolina in tackles in 2009. The player that could really make noise in this unit is DeVonte Holloman, who is moving from safety to the hybrid Spur position. He’ll drop back into coverage and rush from the outside to give the Gamecocks another weapon in the pass rush. Upperclassmen Reggie Bowens and Rodney Paulk will get some reps in the middle this fall, while Damario Jeffery and Quinn Smith will compete for time outside.

8. Tennessee: The Volunteers are still trying to find out what this group is made of. Junior Herman Lathers will be back after he heals from an ankle injury this spring and he’s the most experienced player at the position. He had 75 tackles last season and will man the weak side for the Vols when he returns. Senior Daryl Vereen should get time at strong side, but he still has some developing to do. Senior Austin Johnson, a converted fullback, will get time in the middle with All-SEC freshman pick John Propst. The jury is still out on this unit and youngsters like A.J. Johnson, Curt Maggitt and Christian Harris will have to develop quickly.

9. Auburn: The Tigers are almost back to the drawing board at linebacker. Both Josh Bynes and Craig Stevens are gone, leaving Daren Bates as the lone returning starter. Bates is a converted safety, but settled nicely into the linebacker position well last fall. Inexperience looms after that as sophomore Jake Holland is a projected starter in the middle and junior Jonathan Evans will get time at weakside. Former junior college standout Eltoro Freeman, has the potential to be a menace, but has yet to truly step up for the Tigers. They’ll need that light bulb to go on this year.

10. Mississippi State: First thing’s first -- the Bulldogs must replace three starting linebackers this season. That won’t be easy or fun in Starkville. But help could be on the way in Clemson transfer Brandon Maye, who was a three-year starter with the Tigers. Coach Dan Mullen said he’s a player they expect to come in and take one of those openings at linebacker. Mississippi State still has senior leader Brandon Wilson, who players fed off of this spring. Chris Hughes and Cam Lawrence also made strides, but expect a lot of rotation from new defensive coordinator Chris Wilson.

11. Vanderbilt: Chris Marve is one of the top linebackers in the nation. He’s got great field instincts and matches his skill with the best of them. Just having him on the field makes this group better. But after him, the Commodores have a lot of questions. Vanderbilt must replace outside linebackers John Stokes and Nate Campbell, and though there are six candidates, they have just start among them. Coming out of spring, juniors Tristan Strong and Archibald Barnes and sophomore Chase Garnham are the leading candidates to see valuable playing time.

12. Ole Miss: Losing D.T. Shackelford was an enormous blow to the Rebels. Not only was he Ole Miss’ best defensive player but he was the emotional leader of the team. He was going to carry this team as far as he could go. Now, the Rebels have a wealth of inexperience to deal with. Things got even worse when sophomore linebacker Clarence Jackson was dismissed following his arrest for public drunkenness. The pressure is now on incoming freshman C.J. Johnson, who was the top prospect coming out of the state of Mississippi. He could jump right into Shackelford’s spot. Mike Marry and Ralph Williams worked in Shackelford’s spot this spring and Joel Knight returns as a starter outside.

Wednesday's blog about the Pony Express Award Watch List certainly garnered a lot of attention from SEC fans.

No one seemed overly upset with the tandems listed. It was more about the tandems that were left off that got some fans all hot and bothered.

There were a few combos that I thought would make the list, but not everyone can. It just doesn't work that way.

But that's the beauty of this blog. You people have expressed your frustration and I've looked at the numbers. So here are some other tandems around the league that you should keep your eyes on this fall:

Arkansas: LB/S Jerico Nelson, LB Jerry Franklin -- Franklin and Nelson led the Razorbacks in tackles last season, combining for 187, including 24 for loss. Franklin was second on the team with 6.5 sacks, while Nelson had 2.5.

Florida: DE/LB Ronald Powell, DT Sharrif Floyd, DT Dominique Easley -- This young group could be the heart of Florida's defense this fall. Powell should be the Gators top pass rusher off the edge, while Floyd and Easley should plug holes and frustrate offensive linemen when they line up next to each other.

Georgia: QB Aaron Murray, WR Tavarres King, TE Orson Charles: These will be Murray's main playmakers to start the season. King moved to A.J. Green's flanker spot and showed this spring that he's ready to be the guy. Charles is athletic enough to flex out and play receiver and should be even better in his third season. Both combined for 926 yards and five touchdowns last fall.

Georgia: LB Christian Robinson, LB Jarvis Jones, LB Alec Ogletree -- Alabama might have the most intimidating group of linebackers, but Georgia could have the fastest, most athletic. Robinson is the leader in the middle and Ogletree will be a tackling machine alongside him. Jones should help lessen the blow of losing Justin Houston outside and could be a more complete player than Houston.

Mississippi State: QB Chris Relf, RB Vick Ballard -- Relf showed last fall that he's one of the most athletic quarterbacks in the league, rushing for 713 yards and five touchdowns while passing for 1,789 and 13 more scores. That second number should increase this fall. Ballard rushed for nearly 1,000 yards and scored 19 rushing touchdowns in 2010. These two should be quite the combo this fall.

Mississippi State: CB Johnthan Banks, CB Corey Broomfield, S Charles Mitchell, S Nickoe Whitley -- The Bulldogs might have the most athletic defensive backfield around. This group is a big play waiting to happen. Banks, Broomfield and Whitley each had three interceptions last season, while Mitchell was third on the team with 94 total tackles in 2010.

Ole Miss: RB Brandon Bolden, Jeff Scott -- Bolden was one of the SEC's top rushers a year ago, gaining 976 yards on the ground and 14 touchdowns. Scott added 429 yards and three scores and he's the home run threat in the Rebels' backfield. He and Bolden will get a lot more action this fall with Ole Miss throwing an inexperienced quarterback onto the field this fall.

Tennessee: QB Tyler Bray, WR Justin Hunter, WR Da'Rick Rogers -- This group grabbed the most votes from fans out there. Hunter showed he’s a playmaker by turning his 16 receptions into 415 yards and seven touchdowns in 2010. Rogers had a very impressive spring and will start opposite Hunter. Rogers can play both receiver and in the backfield, so expect his touches to dramatically increase this fall. Bray went 4-1 as a starter and set Tennessee freshman records for passing yards (1,849) and touchdowns (18).

Vanderbilt: RB Warren Norman, RB Zac Stacy, RB Wesley Tate -- This group didn't put up monster numbers in 2010, but it will be the strength of the Commodores offense this season. Norman should be fully healthy this fall and will be the lead horse, while Stacy should continue to put up solid numbers. Tate might be the most athletic of the bunch and he's bigger than Norman and Stacy.

Georgia yet again has the talent to win the SEC East, but will everything come together to get coach Mark Richt off the hot seat?

Biggest reason for hope: Quarterback Aaron Murray and talented linebacker unit

Murray is arguably the most talented quarterback in the SEC. He's got a huge arm and has great touch on his passes. He went through a few growing pains during his freshman season and endured a 6-7 season, but this spring he really took hold of his team. He stepped up as a leader and made it a point to not only improve his own game but tried to improve the guys around him as well. Georgia's coaches found Murray hanging out in the film room a lot more this spring and could see the subtle changes he was making that made him a much more efficient passer this spring. On defense, Georgia's linebacker unit could be the most athletic in the league. Losing Justin Houston hurt, but two names to remember are Jarvis Jones and Alec Ogletree. Jones was praised countless times for his play this spring and should shine at strongside linebacker, while Ogletree, a converted safety, will play in the middle. Ogletree will be able to fly all over the field to make plays. Christian Robinson will also be very good in the middle with Ogletree.

Biggest reason for concern: Unproven offensive skill players

The Bulldogs have a ton of offensive talent, but only Murray, wide receiver Tavarres King and tight end Orson Charles have really made any sort of impact. Those three are reliable, but the rest of the group has yet to prove themselves. The Bulldogs haven't found that elite running back. Washaun Ealey's future is unknown and senior Caleb King was solid this spring, but has yet to really break out. Ken Malcome and Carlton Thomas struggled with injuries this spring. Incoming freshman Isaiah Crowell will have a ton of expectations to live up to when he arrives and he will immediately be in the thick of the running back competition. At receiver, King will be the go-to-guy, but after him there is a cloud of uncertainty. Marlon Brown seemed to come along at times this spring, but was inconsistent. Rantavious Wooten might be the most athletic receiver, but he, too, was inconsistent this spring and didn't play in Georgia's spring game. The rest of Georgia's group hardly has any experience.

Chris Low talks with Georgia linebacker Christian Robinson.

ATHENS, Ga. -- Mark Richt doesn’t have to peruse the Internet message boards or listen to radio talk shows to know what the climate is like among Georgia’s fan base heading into what is easily the most pivotal season of his career.

“I know what’s out there because when I go to church, everybody comes up to me and says they’re praying for me. I say, ‘It must be bad out there,’ ” cracked Richt, flashing his easy smile.

It’s impossible to coach in the SEC for one season and not know the stakes.

Richt, who has been at his school longer than any other SEC head coach, has coached for a decade in this league. For much of that decade, he’s coached at a very high level.

He knows all about the stakes, especially coming off the first losing season of his career and a total of 12 losses over the past two seasons.

So while everybody else may view this as a win-or-else season for Richt, he views every season that way.

If you’re going to make it for as long as he has in the SEC, there is no other way to approach a season.

“I don’t feel any differently going into this year than any other year I’ve been here, and that is that we have a tremendous opportunity to win the Eastern Division,” Richt said. “We’re not that far away. Even last year, we weren’t.

“We just have to be a team that finishes stronger and be a team that makes the plays when they count the most. We lost seven games last year, and six out of the seven were lost somewhere in the fourth quarter. It’s not like we were getting blasted off the field by any means.

“We just didn’t finish.”

As for Richt being finished at Georgia if the Bulldogs don’t rejoin the SEC’s upper crust in 2011, he offers the kind of shrug you might expect from a coach who’s one of only seven men in Division I-A history to record 90 or more wins in his first nine seasons.

“That’s just the way it is, but it’s also what makes it great,” Richt said of the pressure to produce in the SEC. “The challenge is like none other, in my opinion, in any sport. I’m sure the NFL compares, or maybe we compare to the NFL.

“But when you win in this league, you’ve done something special.”

And Richt has certainly won plenty in this league.

In six of his 10 seasons at Georgia, he’s won 10 or more games. He’s pocketed two SEC championships and been to three SEC championship games.

What he hasn’t done is win any SEC championships or make any SEC championship game appearances within the past five years, and he also hasn’t been able to break the Florida stranglehold. The Gators have beaten the Bulldogs eight of 10 times since Richt arrived.

Of course, in Richt’s defense, it’s not like Georgia was beating up on Florida before he took the job. The Gators have won 18 of the past 21 games in the series.

The other thing Richt’s critics point to is his recent record against nationally ranked foes. He’s just 2-9 in his past 11 games. But in the 11 games prior to that stretch against nationally ranked opponents, he was a remarkable 10-1.

In this league, it will always be: What have you done for me lately?

“I don’t read the blogs. I don’t read the 'net. I just don’t do it,” Richt said. “Now, I’ve got family who do, and they start to try and tell me what’s being said, and I say, ‘I don’t care.’

“You’ve got to stay the course. Now, staying the course doesn’t mean you never change anything. But you can’t have a knee-jerk reaction to everything going on out there.”

Still, as the losses have mounted the past couple of years, Richt hasn’t been one to sit pat.

He overhauled his defensive staff two years ago, which included the agonizing decision to fire one of his best friends, defensive coordinator Willie Martinez, who's now the secondary coach at Oklahoma. More recently, Richt reassigned longtime strength and conditioning coach Dave Van Halanger and promoted Joe Tereshinski in a revamping of the Bulldogs’ strength program.

Too many games in which the Bulldogs faded in the fourth quarter was the biggest impetus for the change, although the reality is that Bulldogs simply haven’t performed up to their talent level the past few years.

“We’ve had some high expectations and had some great talent, but we just haven’t brought it every day. We haven’t brought it every game,” said sophomore quarterback Aaron Murray, who accounted for 28 touchdowns last season as a redshirt freshman, tying a Georgia single-season record.

“There are flashes where we look unbelievable and games where we look unbelievable, and then there are games you just can’t explain.”

Sort of like the 10-6 flop against UCF in the Liberty Bowl last season.

“It’s the worst feeling I’ve ever had at Georgia,” senior cornerback Brandon Boykin said. “That wasn’t us out there. It still hurts.”

Don’t think that game hasn’t been mentioned more than a few times this offseason, which has been unlike anything the players on this team have ever experienced.

One of the biggest differences is the way the players are eating.

Nutrition is as much a part of the plan as running and lifting weights. The players are required to eat all three meals and stick to a strict diet.

No fried foods. No fast food. No ice cream.

What they eat at each meal is photographed by a strength and conditioning staffer, and Tereshinski keeps a file on every player.

“It starts out sounding kind of funny, but it’s legit,” Richt said. “The kids are seeing it. We’re seeing it. It’s being documented. Kids are changing their bodies in a big way.

“Already, there’s some proof in the pudding and has given the kids a belief that this is the way to go.”

Richt’s optimism that things are about to turn around for the Bulldogs also stems from the fact this will be Year No. 2 in Todd Grantham’s 3-4 defense and Year No. 2 with Murray at quarterback.

“Any time you’re breaking in a new system, offensively or defensively, there’s some learning curve to it,” Richt said. “We were a team that was learning a new system defensively last year. We also had a freshman quarterback.

“If you look at head coaches coming into programs and coordinators putting in new systems, normally in Year 2 there’s a lot of success. Look at what happened to me in Year 2. Look at what happened to [Gene] Chizik, Urban Meyer and Nick Saban.”

Richt’s sense is that this will also be more of a player-driven team, something the players say was long overdue.

“I think we have some great leaders and a bunch of guys who want to follow,” Murray said. “In years past, we’ve had some great leaders and some guys who wanted to follow, but also some guys who didn’t want to buy in and were pulling away. They were pulling those followers toward them instead of those guys really trying to lead the team in the right direction.

“I don’t think we have those guys this year. I can’t name one guy who’s trying to pull this team back. We don’t have that anymore. We have the leaders and the followers who are working their tails off to follow those leaders.”

Something else these Bulldogs have is a keen sense of what this upcoming season means for everybody in the program.

“This is it. We don’t have time to sit and wait,” junior linebacker Christian Robinson said. “If something’s going to happen, it has to happen now. We have to have that urgency every day.

“That is, if we’re going to get back to where Georgia belongs.”