UL Monroe @ Georgia preview

Georgia turns to Nick Chubb to continue its tradition of star running backs, but who plays quarterback is less certain as the ninth-ranked Bulldogs entering Saturday’s season opener at home against ULM. Virginia transfer Greyson Lambert will start the opener under center, but sophomore Brice Ramsey figures to push for playing time throughout a season Georgia hopes will result in a SEC championship.

There is no doubt surrounding Chubb, a Heisman candidate who burst onto the national scene last season as a freshman with 1,547 yards rushing. Defensively, the Bulldogs figure to be better in Jeremy Pruitt’s second season as defensive coordinator, thanks in part to Leonard Floyd and Jordan Jenkins, who are among the best linebackers in the SEC. Expectations are high for Georgia, which has won 10 or more games nine times in coach Mark Richt’s 14 years at the helm but not finished in the top four nationally since 2007. The Warhawks have pulled two upsets in season openers over the past four years, downing Arkansas in 2012 and Wake Forest in 2014, and return nine starters on defense.

TV: Noon ET, SEC Network. LINE: Georgia -35

ABOUT ULM (2014: 4-8): The Warhawks rushed for just 834 yards last season, so ULM will look to the passing game as senior receiver Rashon Ceaser seeks to build on his strong finish last season. ULM’s top receiver averaged 107 yards per contest in his final five games while second-leading rusher Tyler Cain moves back to receiver this season. ULM’s strength rests in defensive linemen Lorenzo Jackson and Gerrand Johnson, while the linebacker corps is good but will miss Hunter Kissinger Saturday due to what coach Todd Berry called a “non-football related” lower body injury.

ABOUT GEORGIA (2014: 10-3): Chubb rushed for 14 touchdowns last season and paired with Sony Michel and Keith Marshall form one of the nation’s most potent backfields. Lambert passed for 1,632 yards and 10 scores in nine games for Virginia in 2014, but threw 11 interceptions and lost his starting job in the spring, while Ramsey totaled 333 yards passing and three scores in limited duty a year ago. Georgia allowed 30 points or more six times a year ago but return six starters on defense.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Georgia K Marshall Morgan, an All-SEC first-team selection, set a school record with 67 extra points last season which converting 16-of-21 field goals.
2. ULM plays eight of its 13 games away from home this season (the only FBS program to play eight road games in 2015), including trips to No. 3 Alabama (Sept. 26), Idaho (Oct. 24) and Hawaii (Nov. 28).
3. Georgia has won all three previous matchups with the Warhawks, the last meeting a 44-7 Bulldogs victory in 2005.

PREDICTION: Georgia 51, ULM 17