G-Day Preview

Saturday will usher in the annual spring game into Athens, Ga. Called the G-Day game, it will be the first real chance for Bulldog fans to come out and see the progress that the team has made in the off-season.

Following the examples of fellow SEC schools Alabama and Florida, Coach Richt and Georgia will attempt to surround the game with more hype than traditionally.

For starters, the game will be free of charge for everyone in an effort to bring in a great deal of attention. If that doesn't work, the fact that the game will be covered on ESPN should do the trick as national television coverage often does.

As always, the competition pits Red vs. Black as the first string offense and second string defense team up to take on the second string offense and first team defense. This keeps things fair and balanced.

Game play is slightly different than a normal football game. There are no kick or punt returns. Quarterbacks are 'sacked' when touched by a defensive player. And of course, the home team always wins.

Much like last year, the Red team led by the primary offense should emerge the victor. Offense usually dominates in these spring games, and with the depth at both offensive line and wide receiver, the offense has the upper-hand.

Don't look for all too many points to be scored, but expect to be thrilled as we get to witness key third and fourth-string players getting first time action. G-Day is just one more chance for coaches to get a good look at what they have to work with and a chance for players to begin to adjust to minimal crowd factor.

Watch the defense closely; after a fall full of criticism, they have vastly improved. Despite the loss of a starting linebacker, and two defensive backs, the defensive line should be among the most dominate in the conference.

At tailback, the electric Carlton Thomas will surprise many and should contribute coming off of a redshirt year. At quarterback, fifth-year senior Joe Cox looks to imitate the success last guy in his position, D.J. Shockley. Second-string QB Logan Gray may be more similar to Shockley with his dual threat abilities.

It may only be the previews, but they should be an indication of things to come.