The Compass

Issue date: 2/4/08 Section: Sports

The Dawgs huddle up before another play at their annual 2007 G-Day game. After defeating Hawaii 41-10 in the 2008 Allstate Sugar Bowl at the beginning of January, many fans have their eyes on next year's potential.

Ask any Georgia Bulldogs fan during the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1 where their team should have been playing, and they'll probably give you similar answers. Here's a hint: They wouldn't have had to leave the Louisiana Superdome. They'd just have to wait six more days.

Luckily for those fans, the idea of Georgia playing in the BCS National Championship Game in 2009 may not be that outlandish of an idea. The Bulldogs defeated Hawaii 41-10 in the 2008 Allstate Sugar Bowl at the beginning of January, primarily with a young team that will return many of its key players next season. As a result, many fans have their eyes on next year, which could offer even more success. History shows that Georgia playing for a national title next season would be no fluke, as the past two champions have both been from the Southeastern Conference.

So what's in store for Georgia fans come next fall? Not much less than what they're used to. The Bulldogs only lose seven starters to graduation this season, meaning that much of the lineup that produced a still-impressive 11-2 overall record will appear between the hedges once again. Fans will see familiar faces on the offensive side of the ball, including the backfield, where quarterback Matthew Stafford will take the reins once again as starter during his junior season. He will be supplied with dependable targets, as juniors Mohamed Massaquoi and Tripp Chandler will once again suit up at their respective positions of wide receiver and tight end. Up-and-coming sophomore receiver Kris Durham will also see more playing time next year.

Joining Stafford in the backfield will be SEC Freshman of the year Knowshon Moreno, who despite sharing play time with senior Thomas Brown, rushed for 1,334 yards and scored 14 touchdowns. Now that Brown has graduated, Moreno will become the team's tailback on every snap. With a year of experience under his belt, expect to see a more mature and elusive running back, which will elevate Georgia's stellar rushing game. Also returning for his senior season is fullback Brannan Southerland, who will provide Moreno with solid blocking in the backfield.

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