In terms of talent management and retention, Kirby’s on the mother.
No doubt the most solid unit on the team is the defensive side of the ball, and seeing some guys coming back who’ve developed well in their time in Athens leaves on wondering what can be with this group.
There’s an embarrassment of talent on both sides of the ball, and both of the offensive and defensive sides of the ball are solid, although questionable in depth. There’s hardly a place out there where I can say we have an area of concern, although out biggest opponent (outside of the ACCPD) will be the one that’s plagued us for years: injuries.
Stay healthy, and there’s a high ceiling. Start losing guys at key positions, and the impact of NIL on roster management and stacking five stars may become apparent…but based on the graphic above, Kirby may have been quietly working the Kirby formula throughout the tumultuous NIL/Portal shifts that we’ve seen throughout the years.
What’s your ceiling and floor for the Dawgs this year? Who do you see being our trap game opponent, and why?
The ceiling as always is the NC. It has been that way since CKS’s second season as HC and I don’t see it changing especially given the new playoff system.
I think the floor is not winning the SEC title and another first game playoff exit.
It will be another exciting year and better than us longtime fans have been used to having.
Yeah, I’m looking forward to this season. I started looking forward to it in the middle of last season when I could see who was potentially coming back and how they were developing. Going to Bama and Ole Miss will suck but hopefully we get through both of those in fine fashion.
I think Oklahoma could be a dangerous game for us, but since itās at home we should have it somewhat in the bag if weāre as good as weāre capable of being. Ceiling, all the way, floor, giving away any do or die game, kinda sorta like we have the last three years. Iām tired of that. If we just simply get beat then thatās one thing, if we beat ourselves then it leaves a smudge on an otherwise awesome season. Go Dawgs!
Been saying this for a while. The team is excellent and the schedule is favorable. Itās all about the D-line creating havoc and stopping the run.
On the defensive side, I totally agree. On the offensive side, Phil Rauscher is such an upgrade over CSS that I am looking forward to a competent coach for our OL talent and where that takes us in the running game.
We have a great roster as usual. The only thing that worries me what Indiana did with 1 or 2 blue chips.
Ceiling: Natty
Floor: Natty runner-up
Go Dawgs. sic ’em. woof woof
Defense will be stout and I expect more aggressive again. Our ceiling is how far Stocktonās few but real limitations plus his playcallerās lack of innovation take us. OU lost a lot of their D. Weāll want revenge at OM. Bama always a problem but hopefully weāre over the hump on them like we are the gators. Playoffs are a crap shoot so just get us there as a floor. SEC plus NC is an attainable ceiling.