Equipped with multiple weapons in the run game, a dynamic playmaker on special teams and arguably the most talented defense Mark Richt’s had in Athens, is it time to mark Georgia at the SEC’s Playoff favorite this season?

Not quite, but close.

First, the Bulldogs must avoid an early-season letdown against South Carolina, a thorn in Georgia’s side over the last five years. Beating the other five division rivals and splitting the cross-divisional slate against preseason Top 10s Alabama and Auburn should be enough to push the Bulldogs in Atlanta for the league’s grand prize before the postseason.

This fall could make for a heckuva rollercoaster ride for Richt’s team.

THE CASE FOR GEORGIA

No team in the SEC, perhaps the country, possesses Georgia’s level of depth in the backfield. There’s 1,500-yard returning rusher Nick Chubb and home run threat No. 2 Sony Michel followed by Keith Marshall, Brendan Douglas and A.J. Turman — all capable of shredding the opposition on the ground.

Here are a few other reasons why the Bulldogs could make the College Football Playoff in 2015:

  • Limited downfield at times last season with Hutson Mason, Georgia’s propensity for the long ball should increase this fall. The quarterback situation isn’t yet solved, but Georgia’s confident any of its three competitors — Brice Ramsey, Faton Bauta and Greyson Lambert — are more than capable of leading this team through the air with smart and accurate throws.
  • There’s tremendous talent at linebacker, the most important position group within Jeremy Pruitt’s defense. Pruitt makes no qualms that he likes to blitz and he’s planning to literally unleash the ‘Dogs this fall with three future NFL draft picks on the outside. Leonard Floyd’s the headliner, but Jordan Jenkins is the multi-year anchor and Lorenzo Carter’s a sophomore freak. Georgia’s set of outside linebackers will challenge for the nation’s lead in sacks and tackles for loss at the position.

THE CASE AGAINST GEORGIA

Blame for the Bulldogs’ ineptitude in big games often falls at Richt’s feet, whether it’s fair or not. The man has averaged 9.7 wins per season over the last 14 years in Athens but his last SEC Championship came in 2005 — the only relevant statistic elite coaches are judged on these days.

Here are a couple other reasons why Georgia may not reach the Playoff:

  • A gift and a curse. We’ve mentioned a possible offensive strength being a penchant for big plays in the passing game, but with that being said, the pressure on a first-year quarterback in the SEC is considerable. Georgia’s banking on its first-team signal caller to be a precise decision-maker in Brian Schottenheimer’s scheme and be able to find open receivers in space. It’s like handing the keys to a Lamborghini over to a novice driver (maybe Chubb should drive?).
  • Like every perceived elite in the SEC, the schedule isn’t favorable and may be the toughest in the country from a cross-divisional standpoint, but the Bulldogs can take some solace in the fact three crucial games will be played between the hedges — South Carolina, Mizzou and Alabama.
  • If there’s a concern offensively heading into August, it’s at the wide receiver position where the Bulldogs are struggling with inexperience outside of senior Malcolm Mitchell. Sophomore Isaiah McKenzie will likely start alongside Mitchell at the Z, but the remaining two-deep is anyone’s guess in August. Junior Reggie Davis and true freshman Terry Godwin will be in the mix, as will Justin Scott-Wesley who had knee surgery in July.

THE ODDS

There are three legitimate Playoff threats in the SEC this season and Georgia is one of those teams. Obviously many elements must fall into place for the Bulldogs, none more important than a 7-0 start heading into the bye week post-Mizzou in late October. Six league wins will probably be enough to win a top-heavy East and then a rematch vs. Alabama or Auburn would determine this team’s Playoff fate in Atlanta.