Right now, Georgia football isn’t just in the national conversation - it is the conversation. Whether you believe they’re the top program in college football or not, there’s no denying they’ve earned a seat at the head of the table. And according to On3’s Josh Pate, Georgia sits at No. 2 in his latest program rankings, trailing only Ohio State.
That’s where things get interesting.
Pate’s rankings are based on a combination of factors: on-field results, talent acquisition, resources, organizational stability, and a forward-looking projection - though he didn’t elaborate much on what “looking to the future” entails. Still, it’s a comprehensive framework. And by those standards, Georgia checks every box - arguably better than anyone else in the country.
Let’s break it down.
**Talent acquisition? ** Georgia’s recruiting has been elite for years.
They’re consistently stacking top-five classes with NFL-ready talent, and the development pipeline in Athens is as efficient as it gets. Whether it’s five-star quarterbacks, dominant defensive linemen, or explosive skill players, the Bulldogs aren’t just bringing them in - they’re turning them into stars.
**Organizational stability? ** Kirby Smart has built a machine.
Georgia’s leadership, culture, and infrastructure are rock solid. There’s no drama, no coaching turnover carousel, no identity crisis.
It’s a program that knows exactly who it is and how it wins - and that kind of clarity is rare at the highest level.
Resources? Georgia’s facilities, support staff, and investment in football are second to none. They’re operating with the kind of budget and backing that only a handful of programs in the country can match.
So if those areas are essentially neck and neck with Ohio State, the tiebreaker has to be what’s happening on the field. And that’s where Georgia pulls away.
Yes, Ohio State won a national title two years ago - a massive achievement and a worthy feather in their cap. But zoom out and look at the broader picture.
The Buckeyes haven’t won the Big Ten since 2020. They’ve beaten Michigan just once in the past five seasons, and that rivalry - once a guaranteed Buckeye edge - has become a serious thorn in their side.
Georgia, meanwhile, has been dominating the SEC - arguably the toughest conference in college football - with ruthless consistency. Three SEC titles since 2020, including back-to-back crowns the past two years.
That’s not just impressive; that’s dynastic behavior. And when it comes to rivalries, Georgia’s been steamrolling through theirs.
It’s getting hard to remember the last time they didn’t come out on top in those matchups.
So while being ranked No. 2 behind a blueblood like Ohio State is hardly a slight, it’s fair to question whether the Buckeyes have done enough recently to deserve that top spot over Georgia.
At the end of the day, the real takeaway here isn’t about who’s No. 1 and who’s No. 2 - it’s that Georgia is firmly entrenched in the elite tier of college football. And based on recent performance, program health, and future outlook, you could make a very strong case that they’re the standard everyone else is chasing.