Entering Year 1 of the Kirby Smart era, Georgia fans are anxiously awaiting many offseason questions.

How will Smart handle leading a team from the sidelines as a head coach for the first time in his career? How well will the rest of the new staffers perform? When will true freshman Jacob Eason earn the starting quarterback role? And most importantly for the hopes of a successful 2016 season, how soon can junior running back Nick Chubb return from injury?

According to the man himself, Chubb fully expects to return to action against North Carolina for the Sept. 3 season opener.

“It’s going to be something to see,” Chubb said on the SEC Network. “I’ve been working hard everyday. My team’s pushing me, my family is pushing me, we have an amazing strength staff and athletic trainers. We are going to be in Atlanta (vs. North Carolina) and I’ll be back for opening game.”

— GATA Dawgs (@BassinDawg) June 20, 2016

Chubb of course tore his PCL and other other ligaments associated with his left knee last October against Tennessee and has yet to return to the field since that time. While the typically recovery time from such an injury is over 12 months, if ever, Chubb is prepared to beat the odds and suit up against the Tarheels in Atlanta.