Saturday is our first and only "real" glimpse of Georgia football until toe meets leather on Labor Day weekend in Athens against Appalachian State.
Inevitably, we always come out with these because-we-have-nothing-else-to-talk-about story lines that read way too much into one scrimmage between players on the same team.
So, I've decided to go ahead and fan those flames, and just let you fill in some of the blanks after G-Day wherever needed with these story lines, one or more of which will inevitably become reality.
1) (Quarterback) is set for a breakout/terrible year!
The more likely story that fits this example will be "Jake Fromm is pushing Jacob Eason, and Eason better watch his back!"
Here's what makes that story likely: Fromm will be going up against the No. 2 defense, which might provide more opportunities for receivers to get open, and, thus, put up some good numbers.
But, before you're ready to anoint From the starter, or declare that Eason is a bust, let's not forget that Aaron Murray, who would go on to become the most prolific passer in SEC history, looked shaky in his first G-Day. Meanwhile, Zach Mettenberger, who would later get dismissed from the team, lit up the stat column ... against the No. 2 defense.
And let me just say, if Fromm is legitimately pushing for the starting spot, Georgia is in big trouble in 2017.
2) Something about the offensive line!
One of the larger story lines of 2016 was the severe under-performance of the offensive line, which frequently got pushed around, including at home against Nicholls State, which still isn't even a real state.
Missed assignments and missed blocks were frequent, to say the least.
HOWEVER.
Let's take into account everything that will go down in the stat sheet as it relates to the O-line.
The first is the fact that quarterbacks will not be tackled. They need only be touched to be considered "down."
That can inflate the number of sacks substantially when a defensive end only needs to get a hand on the quarterback, instead of wrapping him up and taking him down. There might be a few "sacks" that Eason or Fromm would have likely escaped in live game action, but none of those will go down in the final stats.
The second is the fact that both sides of the ball will likely be in 100-percent vanilla mode. (Don't want to show too much, right?)
That tends to favor the defense, so don't be surprised if it's yet another low-scoring snoozer with poor rushing stats and a slightly inflated number of sacks.
Everyone panic!
3) Something is wrong with (star player)!
Spring games, and spring practice in general, are rarely a time for star players to hog the field or the spotlight. At this point, what else do Nick Chubb and Sony Michel need to prove offensively, or Dominick Sanders and Lorenzo Carter defensively?
All four guys are proven commodities, and all the coaches get by playing them more is an increased risk of injury.
In other words, don't be surprised if Chubb's stats are somewhere along the lines of seven to 10 touches for about 80 yards, or if Sanders only plays in the first half.
No, nothing is wrong with them, and it isn't a predictor of a failed 2017 season. It is just the coaching staff realizing that a full scrimmage of a star player isn't worth the risk of a torn ACL.
Calm down.
4) (Obscure backup) is going to be a star!
Consider this the unintended consequence of the previous storyline.
Every year, some backup, getting the most playing time he will perhaps ever get in Sanford Stadium, tears up G-Day and starts getting hyped for a breakout year — or at the very least, significant playing time.
I remember 2009, when Carlton Thomas shredded Georgia's defense on G-Day. Get ready for stardom, young man.
Remember G-Day in 2014, when A.J. Turman scored a pair of touchdowns, and was suddenly on the cusp of grabbing some playing time in Georgia's stacked backfield?
Turman has since transferred.
G-Day success does not a successful fall make.
5) (Early enrollee freshman) disappoints!
Let's go ahead and say that any early enrollee should not be expected to tear it up. In fact, any production at all at this point is great, considering most of those guys would otherwise be attending their senior prom this time of year.
Chances are, this focus will be almost exclusively on Fromm, though receiver J.J. Holloman, who's gotten plenty of praise this spring, might get a few nods as well, at least on the offensive side of the ball.
Don't be surprised if Fromm throws a few interceptions, or has more than a few bad throws. And don't be shocked if Holloman isn't "taking the lid off" the secondary just yet.
If they do, great!
But don't be shocked if the freshmen look like ... well, freshmen.
