Last year was a magical one for the Georgia Bulldogs, who made it all the way to the National Championship Game in coach Kirby Smart’s second year.

However, if they’re going to repeat as SEC champions, they need to replace some key players — RBs Nick Chubb and Sony Michel, LBs Roquan Smith and Lorenzo Carter, a slew of defensive backs and several other important pieces of their 2017 squad — before they kick off against Austin Peay on Sept. 1.

On Saturday, fans will get their first look at the 2018 squad, as the Bulldogs will host their annual G-Day game at Sanford Stadium. Kickoff is at 4 p.m. Eastern time and can be seen on ESPN.

Here are five things I’ll be watching for during the action on Saturday afternoon:

1. Big games from Elijah Holyfield and Brian Herrien

Holyfield and Herrien have been the forgotten guys in Georgia’s backfield the past couple of years, as stars like Chubb, Michel and D’Andre Swift have stolen the spotlight.

This year, Swift is the top guy, and freshmen Zamir White and James Cook will be pressing for playing time, but Herrien and Holyfield can earn more carries with a big spring game.

They combined for 558 yards and three touchdowns last year, but they should be in line for increased roles this fall. Whoever steps up big in the spring game will be the front-runner to be Swift’s backup in September.

2. Who will step up in the secondary?

The Bulldogs lost key defensive backs like Aaron Davis, Dominick Sanders and Malkom Parrish, which means new guys are going to have to step up to fill those roles.

This spring, incoming freshman Divaad Wilson has already suffered a torn ACL, which puts even more pressure on a thin unit. Saturday will provide the newcomers a chance to prove they deserve a starting job.

The secondary was vulnerable at times last season, and if it becomes a weak spot in 2018, the Bulldogs might take a step back from their spectacular 2017 season.

3. Justin Fields

Jake Fromm is the Bulldogs’ starting quarterback, but that doesn’t mean he’s guaranteed to keep the job.

Just like Fromm took the job when Jacob Eason got injured in Week 1 last year, Fields will be eager to earn more playing time as soon as he possibly can. Saturday’s game will give us our first look at just how close Fields is to being a viable college starter.

If he outplays Fromm, you can expect the calls for him to start to heat up heading into the summer practice session.

Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

4. Who gets first-team reps at right tackle?

The Bulldogs got a great year from then-freshman Andrew Thomas at right tackle last year, but now that Isaiah Wynn is off to the NFL, Thomas is sliding over to the left side of the line.

That means the Dawgs need someone to once again lock down the right tackle position, and this spring, it seems as if rising sophomore Isaiah Wilson and rising redshirt senior Kendall Baker are the two favorites to land the job.

While it might eventually go to 5-star 2018 signee Cade Mays, Mays has mostly been working along the interior this spring. That leaves Wilson and Baker to battle it out over the summer and fall. We’ll get a good look at who Smart is leaning toward when Fromm and the first-team offense take the field Saturday.

5. Riley Ridley’s coming out party

Ridley had six catches for 82 yards in the National Championship Game, setting career-highs in both categories.

Now that Javon Wims is gone and Terry Godwin is nursing an injury this spring, Ridley can step into a leading role Saturday. I’ll be looking to see what sort of chemistry he has with Fromm, and if Fromm relies as much on Ridley as he did on Wims.

Ridley’s brother, Calvin, is likely going to be a first-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft this time next week, and now it’s time for the younger Ridley to step into the spotlight and draw some NFL attention his way.