The first College Football Playoff rankings are still a week away, but Georgia already looks like a team that will be in the conversation from the jump.
At 6-1, the Bulldogs have the kind of résumé that tends to travel well with the committee, and their best victory so far came on the road against No. 10 Alabama. Georgia is also sitting at No. 3 in the AP Poll, and if the Bulldogs take care of business this weekend - which is hardly a sure thing - that case only gets stronger.
Around the national media, Georgia is being treated like a team that belongs in the playoff field.
ESPN’s Heather Dinich wrote that “Georgia’s statement win against Alabama is better than anything Indiana and Notre Dame have on their résumés,” adding that “The 20-17 win at Alabama is Georgia’s lone win against a ranked opponent, while Indiana and Notre Dame are searching for a statement win. Bama beating Texas A&M by double digits Saturday was a boost for Georgia. The Dawgs are still one of the SEC’s best on both sides of the ball, ranking in the top three in both scoring offense and defense.”
Dinich has Georgia at No. 3 in her rankings, trailing Miami and Ohio State.
CBS Sports’ John Talty is even more bullish on the Bulldogs, slotting them at No. 2 while projecting Georgia to win the SEC. Right now, Georgia is one of only two one-loss SEC teams, alongside Kentucky.
Andy Staples of On3 also has Georgia at No. 3, but he takes an interesting view of this weekend’s matchup by placing Florida at No. 10 in his rankings.
Staples pointed to the Gators’ wins over Ole Miss and Texas, noting how a crowded SEC picture has helped Florida’s resume stand out.
“Florida, meanwhile, has wins at Texas and against Ole Miss,” Staples wrote. “Whether Florida and Texas have the same record after next week is another story.
If the Gators beat Georgia, they’ll rise. If they lose, they’ll drop out and make room for a team that hasn’t picked up defeat No.
3.”
Georgia has won five straight against Florida, but the Gators are operating under new coach Jon Sumrall.
And the Bulldogs know this matchup will still demand their full attention. Georgia faces a Florida offense that can make things plenty uncomfortable.
“They’ve got great scheme, got really good players,” Smart said. “They’re playing in this tough conference that we’re in.
But lot of respect for Buster (Faulkner) obviously, was on our staff. Just think he’s one of the best offensive minds in the country.
It’s really hard to defend, but I’m so happy for his success and how well he’s done. Close friend and a lot of respect.”
In Other News...
Georgia Backfield Just Got An Encouraging Chauncey Bowens Update
Georgias backfield has been waiting on Chauncey Bowens, and there is at least some encouraging movement after a two-game absence. The running back has been dealing with an injury described as being between the toes, and his return to practice this week offered a sign that the recovery is heading in the right direction. He has been working through agility drills, which is a step forward for a group that has had to keep adjusting without him.
Bowens still is not cleared for full contact or game action, so the Florida matchup appears to come too soon. Even so, the fact that he is back on the field at all gives Georgia reason to think he may factor in later this season, depending on how the injury responds over the next stretch. For a team trying to manage depth in the backfield, that kind of progress matters, even if the finish line is still a little ways off. [Read more 🡒]
Georgias Auburn Loss Exposed A Problem Kirby Smart Cant Ignore
Georgias home loss to an unranked opponent was the kind of setback that can linger well beyond one Saturday in Athens, especially when the details point to self-inflicted damage. Costly penalties and turnovers helped drag the Bulldogs into an avoidable defeat, and even with some bright individual performances, the overall picture was hard to miss for Kirby Smart and his staff.
Freshman receiver Craig Dandridge gave the offense a spark with a team-high 88 receiving yards, while linebacker Raylen Wilson turned in a busy day with 10 solo tackles and a sack. Still, the most jarring number belonged to Auburns Byrum Brown, whose 115 rushing yards topped Georgias entire ground game, a mismatch that underscored a problem the Bulldogs cant afford to shrug off as the season moves on. [Read more 🡒]
Georgia Fans Are Suddenly Eyeing Sanford Stadium For A Huge Reveal
Georgia fans have spent the day trying to decode a simple butterfly image posted by the athletic departments official social media accounts, and the lack of explanation only added to the buzz. In Athens, even a vague tease can turn into a full-blown guessing game, especially when it appears tied to Sanford Stadium and the kind of announcement that could bring a different crowd to campus for a big fall reveal.
One theory making the rounds points to a concert by Grammy-nominated artist Noah Kahan, with the butterfly imagery echoing what is on his tour website and a countdown timer adding to the speculation. Nothing has been confirmed yet, but the clock is clearly ticking, and Georgia fans will not have to wait long to find out whether the tease is about football, music, or something else entirely. [Read more 🡒]