GAME NOTES: The top-ranked Georgia Bulldogs put their lofty ranking on the line this weekend at home, as they open their 2008 schedule against instate foe Georgia Southern.

There is plenty of excitement and anticipation in Athens this year, as Mark Richt's squad was a bit inexperienced a year ago, but that didn't hinder the team, as Georgia went 11-2, including a 41-10 thrashing of Hawaii in the Sugar Bowl. With many of the same players returning, this should be a special year for the Bulldogs.

Standing in their way in week one will be Georgia Southern. Chris Hatcher's Eagles are a high-powered FCS squad coming into the 2008 campaign ranked 17th in the nation. The Eagles posted a 7-4 record, including a 4-3 mark in the Southern Conference, while their signal-caller, Jayson Foster captured the Walter Payton Award as the nation's top player in the FCS.

This is just the fourth all-time meeting between these two teams, with Georgia winning all three previous matchups.

Coach Hatcher has turned things around in Statesboro in a hurry and a prolific offense is a big reason for it. However, with Foster (3,283 total yards and 30 TDs including 24 rushing) gone, where exactly will the production come from in 2008.

Under center, Hatcher will look to either sophomore Antonio Henton (Ohio State transfer) or redshirt freshman Lee Chapple.

Redshirt freshman Zeke Rozier will be the top tailback on the team, but he will miss this game and the next one due to off-the-field issues. He was averaging 6.3 yards per carry as a backup before suffering a knee injury early on last season. The backfield as a whole is young and a number of players could earn playing time, like Darrell Norman (redshirt freshman), Jarrell Crawford (junior), Samair Baker (freshman) and Adam Urbano (freshman)

Wide receiver Raja Andrews (38 catches, 10.2 average) returns, but he also has been suspended for this game, leaving the Georgia Southern offense a bit thin to begin the season. Players like senior Tim Camp and freshman Demarcus Watts will need to step up in 2008 to give the vertical game some life.

To make matters worse, the Eagles lost all five offensive line starters, including two All-Americans in guard Marcelo Estrada and tackle Russell Orr.

Defense will be the Eagles' strength, with nine starters and 11 of their top 12 tacklers returning.

Senior Chris Covington has developed into an impressive safety after leading the team in rushing in 2006. The 5-11, 200-pounder was an All-American and First-Team All-SoCon selection in 2007, his first season on the defensive side of the ball. Covington made a smooth transition, leading the Eagles in tackles (67) and interceptions (four) last year.

Seniors Dakota Walker, Damon Suggs (Second-Team All-SoCon in 2007) and Larry Beard (First-Team All-SoCon in 2007) anchor a top-notch defensive line, with true freshman Brent Russell in the mix as well. Beard led the team with four sacks and three fumble recoveries last season.

Georgia has a chance to be an offensive juggernaut in 2008, thanks to eight starters returning to the field, including quarterback Matthew Stafford (2,523 passing yards and 19 touchdowns a year ago). Stafford is poised for a big year, and while he does not play in a pass-happy offense, he plays well within Richt's system.

If there is a concern on the offensive side of the football, it is up front. Sophomore tackle Trinton Sturdivant, who started all 13 games as a freshman last year, has been lost for the season with a torn ACL. An unproven line is something that concerns Richt a bit.

"We were thinking there would be three returning starters, but with an injury and a suspension, we have one returning starter. Chris Davis played guard, and now hes our center. Everyone else is a first time starter."

Tailback Knowshon Moreno made a splash as a freshman, rushing for 1,334 yards and 14 touchdowns on 248 carries and now is viewed as one of the premiere rushers in the country. He is an explosive back who big-play ability, and he is an early favorite among the top Heisman candidates, despite being just a sophomore.

Seven starters return from a Georgia defense that ranked 14th nationally in total defense and 18th in scoring defense. With a great nucleus, the Bulldogs could improve on those rankings in 2008.

The defensive line is a major strength, led by standout tackle Geno Atkins. The 6-1, 290-pound junior was unblockable at times as a sophomore (41 tackles, 7.5 sacks) and will demand attention from opposing offensive coordinators.

The linebacking group has speed to burn, highlighted by sophomore Rennie Curran and senior Dannell Ellerbe. In 2007, Ellerbee registered a team-high 93 tackles, with 7.5 TFLs and 4.5 sacks.

The secondary is led by junior cover corner Asher Allen (64 tackles, three INTs). Not an imposing figure by any stretch of the imagination, Allen (5-10, 198) is tough and experienced. Sophomore safety Reshad Jones (6-2, 203) has a bright future, after posting 57 tackles and two INTs as a freshman.

Richt knows there is a bulls eye on the Georgia program this year and recognizes that Georgia Southern can not be overlooked.

"They are a team that has had tremendous success over the years. Appalachian State only lost one game last year and that was to Georgia Southern, so that gets my attention. We have a high level of respect for Georgia Southern. Most of their kids are from in-state just as ours are. We think it will be a pretty heated rivalry."

Still, it is hard to imagine a depleted Georgia Southern program giving the top-ranked team in the country much of a fight. The Bulldogs have all the pieces in place to run the table. They should start the journey in fine fashion this weekend.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Georgia 44, Georgia Southern 7