The first Coaches Poll of the 2020 season debuted on Thursday, with the Georgia Bulldogs debuting as the No. 4 team in the country.
The Bulldogs joined Clemson, Ohio State, Alabama and LSU in the top-5. Georgia was one of six SEC teams ranked in the preseason top-25. Florida, Texas A&M and Auburn also joined Georgia, LSU and Alabama in the initial top-25.
Georgia ended the 2019 season ranked No. 4 after going 12-2 and winning the Sugar Bowl against Baylor. The Bulldogs do have to replace a number of contributors from that team, specifically on the offensive side of the ball. Georgia saw three of its offensive linemen from last year’s team get drafted, along with star running back D’Andre Swift and quarterback Jake Fromm.
The Bulldogs will also have a new offensive coordinator, as Todd Monken replaces James Coley. Monken spent the past four seasons working as the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Cleveland Browns. He was also the head coach at Southern Miss and the offensive coordinator at Oklahoma State.
Related: Preseason is critical for Georgia football offense, Todd Monken
The strength of the 2020 Georgia team will once again be the defense. A year after leading the country in scoring defense and rushing defense, the Bulldogs bring back eight of 11 starters, along with a host of talented sophomores looking to make even bigger contributions to the team. Georgia also returns its entire defensive coaching staff, with defensive coordinator Dan Lanning now in his second year in charge of the group.
Georgia once again signed the No. 1 ranked signing class in the country, making it the third straight season the Bulldogs signed a top-3 recruiting class. Among the big-name freshmen to know are cornerback Kelee Ringo, defensive tackle Jalen Carter and wide receivers Marcus Rosemy and Jermaine Burton.
Due to COVID-19 and the disruptions caused by it, Georgia does not yet know its schedule for the 2020 season. The SEC announced it would start the season on Sept. 26 and play 10 conference-only games for the 2020 season. The Bulldogs will still play Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Tennessee, Missouri, Kentucky, South Carolina and Vanderbilt to go along with two yet to be announced SEC West opponents.
You can see the full 2020 preseason coaches poll below. The first Power Five game scheduled is a Sept. 3 contest between Ohio State and Illinois. The Pac-12 will also begin its season on Sept. 26, while the ACC will start its season on Sept. 10. The Big 12 has not yet announced its schedule for the 2020 season.
2020 Preseason Coaches Poll
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