Georgia’s 63-3 rout of Tennessee State was exactly the kind of opener voters had in mind when they moved the Bulldogs up in the Week 2 AP Poll.
The Bulldogs jumped one spot to No. 2, passing Oregon after the Ducks’ uneven win over Boise State opened the door. Ohio State stayed put at No. 1, so Georgia remains right behind the Buckeyes for now.
The difference in how the two teams looked on opening weekend mattered. Georgia handled Tennessee State from the opening kick and never gave voters a reason to flinch.
Oregon, meanwhile, spent much of its game with Boise State on edge. Boise State never led in the first half, but Oregon didn’t grab its first lead until the middle of the third quarter.
The teams kept trading scores after that, were tied again in the fourth quarter, and Oregon finally broke through with the game-winning touchdown halfway through the final quarter.
That kind of contrast clearly carried weight with AP voters. Georgia moved up despite facing an FCS opponent, while Oregon fell to No. 6.
The poll also showed the same hard line with Michigan. The Wolverines dropped completely out after needing an extra second on the clock and a Hail Mary to escape Western Michigan by one point. Western Michigan was a four-touchdown underdog and still pushed them all game.
For Georgia, the path to No. 1 is still blocked by Ohio State, at least for now. But with the Buckeyes heading to Texas this weekend, the top spot could be up for grabs when the next poll comes out.
The SEC is well represented in the Week 2 AP Poll, with Georgia at No. 2, Texas at No.
4, LSU at No. 8, Ole Miss at No.
9, Texas A&M at No. 10, Oklahoma at No.
11, Alabama at No. 12, Tennessee at No. 18 and Missouri at No.
In Other News...
Georgia May Have Found An Unexpected Answer On The Offensive Line
Georgias offensive line got a fresh look in the opener against Tennessee State, and one of the more notable developments was true freshman Zykie Helton earning the start at right guard. For Kirby Smart, it marked the third time a true freshman offensive lineman has started a season opener in his tenure, another sign that Georgia has not been afraid to trust a young player when the competition and the preparation point in that direction.
Helton got there by putting together a strong spring and arriving early to get a head start, but his path has also been shaped by far more than football. He dealt with Crohns disease and major health challenges in high school, and Smart pointed to both his toughness and his growth as reasons he has worked himself into a meaningful role up front. For Georgia, the larger question now is how quickly that early opportunity turns into something lasting along the line. [Read more 🡒]
Georgia May Be Hiding A Big Part Of Gunner Stocktons Game
Gunner Stocktons debut in Georgias opener against Tennessee State offered only a glimpse of what the Bulldogs may eventually ask of him. In a comfortable win, he never ran the ball, and there was little reason to force the issue with Georgia controlling the game so thoroughly. For now, the emphasis is on easing him into the offense and letting his passing game take center stage.
Western Kentucky should provide another chance for Georgia to keep Stockton upright and keep the plan simple. The expectation is that the Bulldogs will continue to limit his rushing attempts in the near term, using these early games to sharpen his development as a passer before the tougher SEC stretch arrives, when his full mobility is more likely to become part of the equation. [Read more 🡒]
Stetson Bennett Gives Georgia Fans A Reason To Smile Amid NIL Anger
Stetson Bennetts climb with the Los Angeles Rams keeps giving Georgia fans a familiar reminder of how far the former Bulldogs quarterback can go. The Rams named Bennett their backup for the first time in his NFL career, a notable step for a player who became a staple of Georgias championship run and remains one of the programs most recognizable success stories.
Back in Athens, the week has brought a different kind of chatter, with Kirby Smart again leaning on his message about continuous improvement as Georgia prepares for Western Kentucky. But the online noise has centered on the Bulldogs NIL collective, Glory Glory Georgia, which put week one game highlights behind a $20 monthly paywall and drew criticism from fans who were quick to voice their frustration. [Read more 🡒]