UGA's football season rests on the shoulders of redshirt freshman QB

Redshirt freshman QB Zach Mettenberger was expected to challenge fellow redshirt freshman Aaron Murray for the starting job at UGA in 2010. Regardless of who won, UGA would have healthy competition and a backup with a lot of potential. That all changed in April when Mettenberger was arrested and dismissed from the team by coach Mark Richt. With UGA set to start practice in a couple weeks, it is becoming more apparent how critical Murray's performance will be to this team in 2010. Yesterday, UGA offensive coordinator Mike Bobo spoke about UGA's lack of depth at QB and what they would do for a backup.

"I'd say naturally it would be Logan Gray if something happened because he's got experience and he's been in the position for three years," Bobo said. "Unless the freshman, (Hutson Mason), lights it up to where we feel 'Hey, we've got something here.' You never know who will surprise you, but right now I'd say that person would be Logan."

However, Gray will be practicing full time at wide receiver and will not be getting many reps at QB. Scout team reps will be going to incoming freshman Hutson Mason. For UGA coaches, the idea of relying on anyone beside Murray in 2010 is kind of scary.

"It's looking that way right now. It is scary. It's scary starting any season with a new quarterback who hasn't played a lot. The depth is scary at that position but that's where we're at as a football team," said Bobo. "We're really going to depend on our offensive line and hope (knock on wood) that we stay healthy, stay together and play like we think we can play."

To be fair, Murray has the potential to be a solid SEC quarterback. Out of Plant High School in Tampa, FL, Murray was rated the #3 QB in the nation in 2009. Murray better live up to that ranking quick, because UGA's season rests on his shoulders.

UGA head coach Mark Richt also announced that they were doing away with 2 a days. He said the decision was made after talking to other coaches. NCAA rules require a whole day off following a 2 a day, so he thinks it makes sense just to practice everyday (except Sunday).

"I think they (players) know when fall camp hits we're going to go to work," Bobo said. "In their minds mentally they're probably going to think it's a break but we're still going to have 29 practices just to get ready for the first game no matter how you break it down."

Many people believe 2 a days help prepare teams for grueling 4th quarters, over time games, and situations where a starter has to play almost every snap of the game. For a team like UGA who has been called "soft" as of late, this move will only support such arguments and could come back to hurt Mark Richt if the season doesn't turn out well.