Georgia has put itself right back in the thick of the national title race, and the path ahead is starting to take shape. After that baffling home loss to Auburn, Kirby Smart’s team has answered with two straight convincing wins over Florida and Ole Miss, including a 42-7 demolition of the Rebels that never felt close.
That kind of run has the Bulldogs sitting in a strong position even if they stumble once more over the final three weeks against Mizzou, at South Carolina, or against Georgia Tech. Georgia still looks like a near-lock for the College Football Playoff, and there’s a real chance the Bulldogs land at No. 1 when the new Playoff top 25 rankings are released Tuesday night.
So if Georgia gets into the bracket, which teams should it want - and which ones should it hope to dodge?
The cleanest draw would start with Wake Forest. The Demon Deacons have had a terrific season and could still be headed for the final ACC Championship Game, but there are clear cracks in the profile.
Their defense has been strong, yet the pass defense has been a problem, ranking No. 117 nationally per Game on Paper. Wake Forest’s only game against a truly elite opponent ended in a loss to Miami, and even though that one stayed competitive, Georgia would be the side to trust in that matchup.
Tennessee would also be a favorable opponent for the Bulldogs. The Vols have earned their reputation as a tough team, and that part isn’t up for debate.
But stylistically, they line up poorly with Georgia. Their offense leans heavily on DeSean Bishop and doesn’t offer much beyond that, and the neutral-site setting would strip away the edge they get at Neyland Stadium, where they are almost unbeatable.
In a Playoff game, Georgia would like that setup a lot.
BYU rounds out the list of ideal opponents. The Cougars own one of the season’s best wins, knocking off Notre Dame, but the recent stretch has been rough.
The loss to UCF was stunning, and they also let a big chance slip away against Utah in the Holy War. Bear Bachmeier has played well, but asking him to deal with Georgia’s defense would be a brutal assignment.
On the other side of the bracket, there are three teams Georgia should hope to avoid.
Miami is the first one. That warning gets even louder if star wide receiver Malachi Toney is healthy enough to return for the postseason.
Even without him, the Hurricanes have an offense that can stress a defense, and Darian Mensah is already in the Heisman Trophy conversation. Georgia’s offense might be able to move the ball against a Miami defense that isn’t as stout as it was a year ago, but the Hurricanes’ attack is one of the few in the country that could really give the Bulldogs trouble.
Alabama is another team Georgia would rather not see again. The Bulldogs already won in Tuscaloosa this season, but these two could still meet in the SEC Championship Game, and a third showdown in the Playoff would be a grind for both sides. Georgia can absolutely beat Alabama again on a neutral field, but the better move would be to avoid the Tide entirely.
Then there’s Notre Dame, a matchup that feels almost too even. Both teams are built on strong defenses, solid quarterback play, and good coaching.
On a neutral field, it would be hard to separate them. There are simply better title-game possibilities for Georgia than that one.
In Other News...
Josh Heupels DaSaahn Brame Update Gives Vols Fans Some Relief
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Josh Heupel eased some of that worry after the game, saying Brame is doing well and is expected to be in good condition for the upcoming matchup with Texas A&M. Tennessee still has to get through the first availability report, which comes Wednesday night, but for now the update gives Vols fans a little relief heading into a game week that already has plenty of attention on it. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee's Playoff Standing Suddenly Looks Less Comfortable Than It Seems
Tennessees spot in the latest College Football Playoff conversation looks secure on paper, but the broader SEC picture is starting to feel crowded. In ESPNs latest round of predictions, 11 of the networks 12 writers projected four SEC teams into the 2026 bracket, with Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and Texas showing up most often as the leagues presumed heavyweights.
For the Volunteers, the takeaway is less about being in the mix and more about how little margin there may be if the conference keeps stacking contenders around them. Kentucky, despite sitting No. 6 in the initial CFP rankings, did not appear in any of the new projections, a reminder that early positioning can shift quickly once the selection debate starts to narrow. The full set of ESPN picks only reinforces how tightly the race is being judged at the top. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee's Defense Just Sent Texas A&M A Brutal Message
Tennessees defense kept rolling in a 34-6 win over Kentucky, and Arion Carter was at the center of it with 13 tackles, four for loss and two sacks. The Volunteers smothered the Wildcats from start to finish, forcing three turnovers and shutting down fourth-down chances as the game tilted decisively in Tennessees favor.
That kind of performance lands with extra force this week because Texas A&M is next on the schedule, and the Aggies are already in a precarious spot after a loss to South Carolina. They need to win two of their final three games to become bowl eligible, and now they have to do it against a Tennessee defense that just spent an afternoon sending a very clear message. [Read more 🡒]