SEC Football: 3 teams with the most to prove during 2020 season

4 of 4

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 01: Head coach Kirby Smart of the Georgia Bulldogs looks on during the game against the Baylor Bears during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 01, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

1. Georgia Bulldogs

Does any team in the SEC, or even in college football, have more to prove than the Georgia Bulldogs? After replacing Mark Richt, Kirby Smart was expected to elevate the program to new heights. And while recruiting’s been great and the overall record is solid (44-12), the overall outcome hasn’t changed much.

They did compete for the national championship in 2017 after winning the SEC Championship Game, but ultimately lost to Alabama in crushing fashion.

The following season saw the Bulldogs climb as high as No. 2 in the polls, but they fell to the Crimson Tide again, this time in the SEC title game, and then lost to Texas in the Sugar Bowl. They again reached No. 3 in the polls in 2019, but dropped games to South Carolina and eventual-national champion LSU before redeeming themselves in the Sugar Bowl against Baylor.

Ultimately, Smart’s 3-2 bowl record at Georgia is underwhelming with the talent he’s fielded.

How can this upcoming season be different? For starters, they’ll need to beat Alabama in the regular season (Sept. 19) before looking toward the postseason. They also have a season-opening bout with the ACC’s Virginia Cavaliers. But first, they’ll need to replace quarterback Jake Fromm and running back D’Andre Swift — two key components of their offense the past few seasons.

dark. Next. Ranking college football's top 50 fanbases

The Southeastern Conference is seemingly wide open for 2020, though. And while the Bulldogs have holes to fill, so do the other top-tier programs in the conference. With the right coaching and a little bit of luck, 2020 could finally be the Bulldogs year to be the final team standing.

Home/SEC