While NFL fans are looking forward to seeing QB Matthew Stafford and RB Knowshon Moreno in the pros, Georgia certainly wasn’t looking forward to losing them.

The draft may be an exciting time for NFL teams, scouts, and fans, but in its wake it leaves plenty of headaches. With the early departure of both of Georgia’s most talented offensive players, the Bulldogs have their work cut out for them in filling these holes.

Last year Georgia entered the season at No. 1 in the polls, but was bested during the regular season by Florida, Alabama and Georgia Tech. They finished with a 10-3 record overall, and a 4-6-2 record against the spread. At 6-6-0, there was no distinct trend in Over-Under betting.

With their two best players on offense now departed, Georgia will have a totally different look this season when the ball is in their possession. Who will fill these holes, and will they lead to any trends that bettors can take advantage of?

Quarterback
Likely Starter: Joe Cox
On his heels: Logan Gray, Aaron Murray, Zach Mettenberger

While there is a good chance that Mettenberger and/or Murray may end up getting redshirted for their freshman year, considering how wide open the position is, we still need to follow them closely over the off season, namely Aaron Murray. While Mettenberger is also a four star recruit, Aaron Murray was the third highest rated quarterback of the 2009 class. With an exceptional spring, it wouldn’t be shocking for him to at leasy get his name involved in the mix, especially if Cox or Gray do not step up and claim the position.

Senior Joe Cox only has 58 passing attempts over the course of his collegiate career with the Bulldogs, but he enters camp the prohibitive favorite to be the starter, as he has paid his dues and worked under this system since 2005. That said, it is hard to believe he will have a very long leash with so much talent and potential right below him on the depth chart. Logan Gray will likely get snaps to add some versatility to the Bulldogs offense; he has the talent to be a good dual threat option and can use his arm or his feet to pick up yards.

No matter who ends up being the starter, there will undoubtedly be growing pains. Expect a heavy dose of running the football to try and keep the pressure off of the quarterback.

Running Back
Likely Starter: Caleb King
On his heels: Richard Samuel, Carlton Thomas

Caleb King, the redshirt sophomore, will very likely be the man in the backfield to start games off for the Bulldogs. King has the potential to be a great college back; he is both fast and strong and has shown great signs of vision. He may get first dibs at the starting job, but he will have to perform at a high level to continue getting the bulk of the carries with Samuel and Thomas on the roster as well.

Carlton Thomas has been turning some heads early during spring workouts. An undersized back at only 5’7, 165, Thomas uses his size to his advantage with blazing speed and elusiveness, making him very difficult to wrap up and take down. He will break plenty of long runs from scrimmage before this season is over, and just might juke and jive his way to second on the depth chart over Richard Samuel if he keeps impressing.

Samuel is a more powerful back at 6-2, 215 pounds and is the type of player that defenders hate to tackle. He can lower his shoulder and do some damage to an oncoming tackler while fighting for those extra few yards. On third and shorts and goal line situations this year, Samuel will likely get the call; that is of course if he is able to overcome that bad habit of losing the football.

One thing these position battles tell us more than anything is that this offense is raw, and it will undoubtedly make some mistakes. That said, I’m expecting Georgia to come out with a game plan that is very safe and very heavy on running the football, and I believe that this offense will be efficient in running a safe offense with three capable young backs in the backfield.

Georgia’s defense took a hit in losing CB Asher Allen, but they have the depth and talent to still have an effective year next year. A defensive team running a safe offense in the SEC? I’ll be taking a healthy dose of the Under in 2009, and with so many no-names on offense the Bulldogs will likely be drawing some pretty favorable spreads to start the season, and I’ll take my chances on some inflated spreads when the price is right.

(http://sbrforum.com/Betting+Articles/NCAAF/10866/georgia-bulldogs-enter-2009-plenty-questions.aspx)

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