Georgia Football: Top 5 spring 2019 storylines to follow
By Matt Oglesby
![ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 08: Deandre Baker #18 of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrates a play during the second quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 08: Deandre Baker #18 of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrates a play during the second quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/5166d22b560b4066ea79564bbae8272fc84f301eed267d1a092ff796add4d550.jpg)
Georgia football has come mighty close to winning big in 2017 and 2018. What needs to happen in Athens to push the Bulldogs over the edge?
The Georgia Bulldogs are winning in a big way. In both 2017 and 2018, the Bulldogs have come within scratching distance of winning the whole shebang, losing both opportunities to the Tide.
With aspirations high, it is little consolation to play Texas in the Sugar Bowl. And the Bulldogs looked pathetic. Tom Herman’s resurgent Longhorns dominated Georgia, pounding quarterback Sam Ehlinger like an 18-wheeler to a declarative victory.
But the Dogs will be back. It is truly astonishing the level to which—and quickness with which—head coach Kirby Smart has turned things around in Athens. In 2018, the Bulldogs dethroned the mighty Tide as the No. 1 recruiting class in the nation, ending an eight year streak of dominance in the top spot. In 2019, the Tide prevailed on the recruiting trail, with Georgia close behind.
It’s no longer enough to win the SEC championship or a very thrilling playoff game. The Bulldogs don’t just want to dominate one half of a national championship game. It’s time for the Bulldogs to win it all. If not now, when?
Here are five storylines worth watching as the Bulldogs chase this dream in 2019.