Football practice is finally underway at Georgia, and the start of the season is rapidly approaching. For the first time in 15 years, the Bulldogs will take the field without Mark Richt at the helm. The Kirby Smart era has begun, bringing new hope and plenty of uncertainty to the program.

All eyes will be on Georgia for Smart’s first year at his alma mater, to determine if the longtime Nick Saban assistant can build the same type of program he left behind at Alabama. The team he’s inheriting doesn’t closely resemble those he’s used to working with, but there is talent across the board.

With the 2016 season in sight, here are the best- and worst-case scenarios for the Bulldogs in Kirby Smart’s first season.

Best-case scenario: 11-2, SEC East champion

Looking at the schedule, and assuming Nick Chubb is healthy for every snap, it’s not completely insane to say Georgia could run the table and win the SEC outright and make the Playoff. But that might be a little too best-case. It’s much more possible that the Bulldogs earn some statement wins and build momentum as the season rolls along before earning a birth in the SEC Championship Game.

For many fans, Georgia can achieve a major victory before the season even begins if freshman quarterback Jacob Eason wins the starting job. Eason, expected to be the quarterback of the future, showed his immense talent during the spring game and has fans clamoring to see him in the opener against North Carolina.

Since divisional play began in 1992, no true freshman quarterback has won the SEC championship. That’s Eason’s challenge.

With Eason behind center, Georgia captures a strong win against a talented Tar Heels team in the Georgia Dome. Following that victory, the Bulldogs have two games against Nicholls State and Missouri to build an identity and use a wide array of players. A 3-0 start would be a strong statement by the new regime, but the meat of Georgia’s schedule could prove tricky.

In back-to-back weeks, the Bulldogs will travel to play a dangerous Ole Miss squad before returning home for a game with Tennessee, which could decide the SEC East. Of course, Florida also figures to be a factor, and Smart will need to make a statement in his first Cocktail Party as Georgia’s coach. The team should have Chubb and Sony Michel back in the fold by that point, but it’s a tough stretch nonetheless.

Those three games, along with the opener against North Carolina, pose the biggest threat to the Bulldogs in 2016. A 4-0 start is possible but not likely. Assuming Georgia starts 3-1, and best case would be an out-of-division loss, the Bulldogs would still be in good shape to capture a division title.

The outcomes of the games are what ultimately matter, but the context of the wins and losses are always important. Georgia has plenty of talented youth, and the maturation of players is something Bulldogs fans will want to see.

Wide receiver Terry Godwin had a strong freshman campaign and looks to be a budding star. Trenton Thompson is another sophomore to monitor, and the defensive tackle could emerge as the monster Smart wants on defense. There are plenty of freshmen alongside Eason to watch as well including, Isaac Nauta, Ben Cleveland, Mecole Hardman and Elijah Holyfield. Winning will help Smart make a statement in his first season, but the performance of the players will set the tone for his future at Georgia.

Capturing a division title in 2016 would be a huge success for Smart and Georgia. A birth in the SEC Championship Game would have ramifications within the program and on the recruiting trail. Georgia hasn’t been to the SEC title game since 2012. It hasn’t won the SEC since 2005.

It’s difficult to say right now that the Bulldogs have enough talent to compete with the winner of the SEC West, so it’s tough to say an SEC title will happen. But that’s why the context of the wins and losses are so important. Best case, come December, Georgia may not only be back in the Georgia Dome but also favored.

Worst-case scenario: 7-5

As with the best-case scenario, it’s conceivable that Eason plays like a typical true freshman quarterback, the wheels fall off and Georgia turns in a worse performance, but there is too much talent to believe it falls below .500.

Fans wanting to see Eason play immediately understand that there will likely be growing pains associated with starting a freshman quarterback. The Georgia faithful may be willing to accept that inconsistency, but the coaching staff may opt to go with the veteran, Greyson Lambert. The senior may provide leadership, but he doesn’t have the ability to take over games in the same way that Eason might.

If Chubb and Michel are limited or unavailable early on in the season, the passing game will need to carry the Bulldogs. Against North Carolina’s prolific offense, Georgia likely won’t have enough firepower to keep up. Dropping the opener would hardly doom the season, but it would highlight the transition that comes with hiring a new coach.

Bouncing back with wins against Nicholls State and Missouri would create excitement for the Bulldogs’ matchup with their next quality opponent, Ole Miss, but facing a tough team on the road is hard for even veteran squads. Fluctuation at the quarterback position might prevent Georgia from creating an identity and rhythm, especially if Chubb and Michel are out or ineffective. Losses to both Ole Miss and Tennessee are likely if this is the case.

Tight games against South Carolina and Vanderbilt would do nothing to build confidence among fans heading into a game against Florida, especially if Georgia drops one.

Even in a down year, it’s hard to imagine the Bulldogs don’t have at least one signature win.

Why can’t it happen in Jacksonville? A win in the Cocktail Party would provide a bright spot in the midst of a rocky start, and give the team some confidence heading into the home stretch.

With games remaining against Kentucky, Auburn and Georgia Tech, however, it’s possibile that the Bulldogs are caught sleeping and lose a game against a less-talented team. Smart has been upfront about Georgia’s talent, but it would still be a major disappointment to lose at this stage in the schedule.

Losing five games in Smart’s first season would be a tough pill to swallow, but it would be made easier if there was consistent growth from the team’s youth, particularly Eason. Injuries, misuse or lack of production, however, wouldn’t just hurt the team in 2016 but would affect the confidence surrounding the program moving forward.

These are only two possible scenarios for the 2016 season. A new era is dawning and we know anything can happen.

What do you think? Are these predictions way off or spot on? Let us know in the comments, and share your own best- and worst-case scenarios for Kirby Smart’s first season with the Bulldogs.

William McFadden covers the University of Georgia for Saturday Down South. For news on everything happening between the hedges, follow him on Twitter @willmcfadden.