Georgia’s dominant start to the season was enough to move the Bulldogs up in the latest US LBM Coaches Poll.
Kirby Smart’s team climbed to No. 2 in the rankings released Tuesday, Sept. 8, after rolling past Tennessee State 63-3 in Saturday’s opener at Sanford Stadium. Georgia also benefited from Oregon’s narrow 34-27 escape against Boise State, which dropped the Ducks from No. 2 to No. 6.
Ohio State stayed at No. 1, while Texas checked in at No. 3, Notre Dame at No. 4 and Indiana at No. 5.
The ranking gives Georgia its highest spot in the coaches’ poll since it was No. 2 on Dec. 7, 2025, after beating Alabama in the SEC championship game.
The Bulldogs are 1-0 and head back home Saturday, Sept. 12, to face Western Kentucky, which is 0-1. Kickoff is set for 12:45 p.m. on the SEC Network.
LSU made the biggest jump near the top of the poll, rising from No. 13 to No. 8 after a 51-10 rout of Clemson.
Smart also came away pleased with the atmosphere around Georgia’s opener, even with the kickoff temperature listed at 101 degrees.
"I thought to come out in 120 degree feels like, whatever heat index, you can't ask everybody to do that," he said. "Look at some of the other programs around the country.
How many do they have in that heat? We don't have that problem here.
Our fans love it. Our fans love coming to see each other.
And they'll be here next week too."
The rest of the top 25 has Miami (Fla.) at No. 7, Texas A&M at No.
9, Oklahoma at No. 10, Ole Miss at No.
11, Alabama at No. 12, Texas Tech at No.
13, USC at No. 14, Brigham Young at No.
15, Penn State at No. 16, SMU at No.
17, Tennessee at No. 18, Washington at No.
19, Utah at No. 20, Iowa at No.
21, Houston at No. 22, Missouri at No.
23, Virginia at No. 24 and Florida at No. 25.
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The reaction has already spilled onto social media, where some Georgia fans have pushed back on the idea of charging a minimum monthly payment just to watch a video that used to be shared openly. It is a small piece of content in the grand scheme of a season, but it also reflects how quickly the business of college football keeps creeping into the everyday fan experience, even for something as routine as a hype video. [Read more 🡒]
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For Georgia and the rest of the SEC, the next step matters because expulsion would require a two-thirds vote from league presidents, with that meeting expected soon. Even before any vote, the complaint has turned a coaching-side issue into a conference governance test, and the silence from LSU is now part of the broader argument hanging over one of college football's most powerful leagues. [Read more 🡒]
Kirby Smart Is Already Raving About One Georgia Freshman Receiver
Craig Dandridge wasted little time making an impression in his first college game for Georgia, popping up in multiple spots during the Bulldogs season opener against Tennessee State. The freshman wide receiver finished with two catches for 36 yards and also handled a 30-yard punt return, a small but noteworthy glimpse of the versatility that has already made him stand out in the receiver room.
Kirby Smart has been quick to notice more than just the box-score production. The Georgia coach praised Dandridges intelligence, versatility and quickness, even while noting the freshman had missed part of camp. With other receivers also contributing in the opener, Dandridges debut did not have to carry the entire passing game, but it did offer an early sign that he may have a larger role ahead. [Read more 🡒]