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SEC media Day expectations

By Max Tolbert

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JANUARY 10: Head Coach Kirby Smart of the Georgia Bulldogs shakes hands with SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey after the Georgia Bulldogs defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide 33-18 in the 2022 CFP National Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JANUARY 10: Head Coach Kirby Smart of the Georgia Bulldogs shakes hands with SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey after the Georgia Bulldogs defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide 33-18 in the 2022 CFP National Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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With SEC Media days this week it’s time for talking season to commence. SEC Media Days is a benchmark in the calendar to notify us that the fall is around the corner. Georgia players and Head Coach Kirby Smart will be at the podium on Tuesday of this week. What should we at home expect the questions to be on? Well here are some predictions that are heavy favorites.

Institutional Chaos!!!!

One thing that has clouded Dawg’s offseason has been the players speeding and the AJC article about sexual misconduct among his players. Smart, himself held a meeting among the beat writers last week to address the sexual misconduct allegations and the allegations that Smart and the staff try to do away with the charges brought on the players. With the university sending the letter to the AJC to retract the story, plus the recent news released about the writer’s misconduct himself, it has seemed that this story has lost some steam. However, the speeding issue will be brought up by the media covering the event. It will be interesting how Kirby addresses it. Hopefully, he does not dismiss the questions. He should answer for it and at least let fans know he trying to figure out the solution. It could be worse at other places across the country; but, with the tragic accident in January that took Devin Wilcock’s life, it has been a bad look.

Beck! Beck! Beck! 

The past two SEC media days Kirby has had the luxury of knowing who his starting QB is. In 2021, it was J.T Daniels and in 2022 it was Stetson Bennett, who both attended the event. 2023 that is not the case and Kirby has not said who will be the starter. I think the consensus is it will be Carson Beck. The QB question will be asked a million different times in a million different ways. It would be shocking if Smart came out and flatly said that it is Beck on Tuesday. Also, I can promise there will be a question about how the next QB will be able to fill Stetson Bennett’s shoes. The same media criticized Smart for playing him in 2021. Crazy what two National Championship does for a person.

Defense 

The Georgia 2022 Defense was not as great as the 2021 defense. But, it was a close second. Losing key players to the NFL like Jalen Carter, Nolan Smith, Chris Smith, and Keele Ringo, has many wondering who will fill those spots. Many die-hard fans will be probably wondering why this is even brought up. But, I do however think it is a valid question. There is a ton of talent on the defensive side of the ball this season and a lot of experience. But, who will be the young guys that have been stepping it up this offseason? Is there some under-the-radar guy who might get some reps early in the season? These are valid questions but also it will be interesting to hear what Coach Smart has to say. Hopefully, we get some insight into the D-Line and D-Backs depth. I think those are some of the deeper spots on the roster, but many guys in those spots do not have a ton of experience.

Bobo

With Monken leaving for the Ravens in the NFL, there has been some concern if the Georgia offense will be able to keep up with what it was doing last year. The question I’m sure will be about why Bobo? It is not the sexy hire that many would have picked but it is probably the right hire at the time. Hopefully, it is the right hire. Monken left a great legacy at Georgia and will probably go down as one of the very best OC ever at Georgia. The guy who used to be the best OC at Georgia, Bobo, is returning for his second stint. I’m sure many in the media will ask if the offense identity will remain the same and I’m doubly sure Kirby will say yes. Georgia football’s identity has not changed since Vince Dooley took over. Control the line of scrimmage, run the ball, and do not turn the ball over. It’s pretty simple. That is the Georgia way. So in Kirby’s mind, the identity of the offense has not changed. Also, it will be unwise to play the SEC Media Day UGA edition drinking game. The Bobo question and answer “add different wrinkles” will be said ad nauseam. If you do play along, however, you’ll end it with a trip to the ER.

Future of the Program 

Finally, the question of what is next for this Georgia program will be asked a few times. Georgia being the premier program right now, it does not feel like there is much left for Dawgs and Smart to achieve. However, there is a ton that is still left for this program to achieve and a lot to be desired. Many programs around the country would be thrilled that they won back-to-back titles, but Georgia fans, coaches, and players know there is still a lot left. If Georgia could stay at this level, it could do things no other program has ever done before. Georgia is chasing history now. There is also uncertainty in all of College football. N.I.L, Transfer Portal, Playoff expansion, and Conference realignment, all have brought a lot of difficult questions and decisions asked and made. College Football right now is in a transition phase. Where does Georgia stand in all of this? Does it help or hurt the program? These questions will be interesting to see how Smart sees where Georgia football is and where it will stand in the future.

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