Last season, it was Tennessee. This season, it’s going to be Georgia. The Bulldogs will be favored in the East.

Needless to say, predicting the SEC’s lesser division has proven to be futile recently. Florida is the two-time defending champion, yet both times the Gators supposedly overachieved after not being given much respect at Media Days.

Because it is still unsettled at quarterback and has lost a ton of talent on the defensive side of the ball, UF likely won’t be the toast of Hoover — writers like me usually learn our lessons the hard way — come July. Most of the high-profile Volunteers you remember from 2016 left Knoxville, so UT might be in rebuilding mode.

The stage is set for UGA to return to Atlanta. With second-year coach Kirby Smart more established and rising sophomore Jacob Eason ready to explode at QB, the Dawgs appear to have the inside track on Florida and Tennessee.

With the annual G-Day Game scheduled for Saturday, here are the five most important questions Smart and Co. need to answer as spring ball concludes.

better protection for eason

Of the 12 SEC quarterbacks with enough attempts to qualify, Eason finished a disappointing 11th in passer efficiency rating a season ago.

There were many factors, including Eason’s own topsy-turvy play at times as a true freshman. The running game wasn’t as effective as expected, plus the receiving corps failed to get open and dropped too many passes.

But most paralyzing to the Georgia aerial attack was the lack of adequate protection up front, as Eason was chased — he’s a decent athlete but far from a scrambler — repeatedly and rarely had a chance to set his feet properly before firing. Isaiah Wilson, a 5-star offensive tackle, may have been Smart’s most important signing in February.

Wilson wasn’t an early enrollee, so he won’t be on the field Saturday, but one way or another Eason needs to feel more comfortable.

a happy running back rotation

It was a pleasant surprise when both Nick Chubb and Sony Michel returned to Athens, as both hope to end their career on a more positive note.

Despite the fact that Chubb shredded North Carolina for 222 yards in the opener, he clearly wasn’t all the way back from the knee injury that cut his 2015 short. Michel also dealt with a broken arm and took a while to get rolling.

Sep 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Brian Herrien (35) runs for yards during the 2016 Chick-Fil-A Kickoff game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Georgia Dome. Georgia won 33-24. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

They’re not the only mouths the Bulldogs have to feed in the backfield, though. At times last year, Brian Herrien (above) — his yards-per-carry of 5.8 exceeded Chubb and Michel — looked like the best runner on the roster. Additionally, Elijah Holyfield was heavily recruited for the class of 2016. So was D’Andre Swift this past cycle.

Like Wilson, Swift isn’t on campus yet. But even without him, keeping four ball carriers ready and interested won’t be easy.

consistent weapons outside

It’s difficult to find reliable statistics for dropped passes, although the eye tests suggests that the Dawgs had a ton last season.

Somewhat surprisingly, Isaiah McKenzie bolted for the NFL Draft a year early — he reportedly had some academic problems coming down the pike — and thins the depth chart at wideout even further. He’ll be missed.

Smart brought three 4-star pass catchers aboard on National Signing Day, so reinforcements seem to be on the way in terms of pure skill. While Riley Ridley put a few highlights on the reel as a freshman, Terry Godwin didn’t make the leap from freshman to sophomore. Javon Wims and Michael Chigbu must do more, as well.

Between the hash marks, tight end Isaac Nauta is a star in the making. Imagine if he had some legit support on the outside.

getting after the quarterback

Georgia has finished outside the Top 5 in the conference in sacks each of the last three years. That trend can’t continue.

A big deal was made about linebackers Davin Bellamy (below) and Lorenzo Carter returning to school instead of turning pro, but they only had 5.0 sacks each in 2016. Each has been more potential than production in a Bulldogs uniform.

Apr 16, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Davin Bellamy (17) on the sideline during the second half of the spring game at Sanford Stadium. The Black team defeated the Red team 34-14. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

But infinitely more concerning — for reasons both on and off the field — is the status of Trenton Thompson, UGA’s sensational D-tackle. He didn’t participate in spring practice and won’t be available Saturday as he continues to come back from injuries and medication issues. He’s the straw that stirs the drink defensively for this squad.

The Dawgs need to rush the passer better in 2017 and also protect their own. Presumably, one or the other will be improved on G-Day.

security on special teams

After William Ham started the season 3-of-7 on field goals, Rodrigo Blankenship came out of nowhere to nail 14-of-18 attempts.

Unfortunately, Blankenship — he did what he did last year as a walk-on — was in the middle of some scholarship drama this offseason. Smart committed to Blankenship as his kicker this spring, although he’s yet to reward him with a scholly.

As for the other phases on special teams, Smart needs to settle on a return man for both punts and kickoffs. McKenzie was the only player on the roster to return a punt this past season, and his 5 career punt-return touchdowns set a school record. While the departed Reggie Davis was the primary kick returner, he didn’t excel there.

Getting back to the kicker situation, Smart added some non-scholarship competition for Blankenship. His mental toughness will be tested.

John Crist is the senior writer for Saturday Down South, a member of the FWAA and a voter for the Heisman Trophy. Send him an e-mail, like him on Facebook or follow him on Twitter.