Joel Klatt identifies biggest questions for Georgia in 2023

The back-to-back national champions reside in Athens. Many are even picking Georgia to three-peat, fully launching into one of the best runs in college football history. Even so, FOX’s Joel Klatt has two main questions surrounding the Bulldogs heading into the 2023 season.

Neither of them involves the on-field product, though. Klatt wants to see if the offseason troubles surrounding Kirby Smart‘s program bleed into the year. And then there is the fact of getting complacent after winning two titles.

Klatt is more sure of one than the other.

“Questions for me about Georgia,” Klatt began. “Complacency. Distraction. We’ve seen the offseason issues. Will that become a distraction? We’ll wait and see. Complacency, will it set in? Doubt it. Why will complacency not set in at Georgia? Competition. Not competition from opponents. Competition from within.”

Multiple Georgia players have been involved in speeding incidents this offseason. None more devastating than the death of player Devin Williock and staffer Chandler LeCroy. Happening just days after the national championship in December, the speeding problems occurred throughout the summer as well.

Georgia needs to avoid complacency with practice

It’s no secret Georgia does not have the most intimidating schedule in the world.

Oklahoma would have been a nonconference opponent this season but due to the Sooners joining the SEC, it was canceled. Instead, in-state rival Georgia Tech plus three buy games will make up the noncon for the Bulldogs. Even if the program was not on a roll, none of the four would be pressing games.

Georgia will face off against the usual SEC East opponents, a division they have dominated over recent years. Looking at the West crossovers, traditional rival Auburn under first-year head coach Hugh Freeze features, while Ole Miss will come to Samford Stadium.

Where Klatt sees Georgia keeping their competitive fire is in-house. Alabama and Ohio State are the only two schools comparable from a recruiting standpoint meaning, there is talent between the hedges. If players want to keep their roles, they will have to continue to work hard in practice.

“When you recruit at the level Georgia has recruited, these guys have got to be so hungry and have such a sense of urgency on a day-to-day basis just to be a starter,” Klatt said. “That’s how you fight complacency. That’s how Alabama has fought complacency, that’s how USC fought complacency during their dynasty, and that’s how Georgia is going to fight their complacency.”