Ranking teams most likely to end Dawgs' back-to-back title bid

[bpalmer28]

CBS analyst: Tennessee would win a rematch with Georgia in 2022 College Football Playoffs

 

[Sarms58]

They say it’s hard to beat somebody twice so I’ll go with Tennessee - not that we are a better team but that we will adjust on both sides of the ball, play on a neutral field and probably not have Georgia kick a 75 yard punt that rolls out at the one. Kirby had an excellent defensive game plan but in Game 2 Heupel gets to attack that plan. Plus our guys will be playing for revenge and the Georgia players might take the game more lightly than the first one.

I think of all the other teams, Michigan might be the most difficult matchup for Georgia. It would also be a bit of a rematch. Michigan has a pretty good D - better than any of the other teams in the top 6 except Georgia - so they might keep Georgia’s offense from putting up very many points. And while Georgia’s D will be hard for anyone, Michigan has a big physical offense that might be able to actually grind it out and wear down that front. I said might - that’s a tough task.

OSU is very talented and capable of scoring on just about anyone but points against the dawgs will be tough for anyone. My concern for OSU playing Georgia is that Georgia would probably score in the mid thirties and I don’t know that OSU could match that without some non offensive touchdowns or very short fiends. I just don’t see anyone having multiple long sustained drives against Kirby’s D - even OSU. There won’t be open receivers like Stroud sees when playing teams in the big 10. There is no D in the big 10 anything like what Georgia plays. So just like Hooker, Stroud would be holding the ball and getting sacked. I’m sure he would win some downs but without help from special teams or defensive scores, OSU won’t score more than 17.

TCU looked good against Texas but they would figure out real quick that Georgia ain’t Texas. I think Georgia’s big offensive line and big running backs and huge tight ends would be happy to average about 5 to 6 ypc and have several 7 minute TD drives in the first half. Last year Alabama - not really a big rushing team - played Cincy and just ran, ran, ran…I think Kirby would do the same. And on the other side, I think the TCU offensive line would have a very hard time keeping their QB (and running backs) healthy for 4 quarters. It would be like a heavyweight fighter going against a middle weight guy - the middle weight guy would have some quickness and score some points early but once the body blows start to land it would be an ugly ass whipping.

USC really has no shot at winning their next three games so I don’t think Georgia has to worry about them.

 

[DaddyChad]

CBS analyst: Tennessee would win a rematch with Georgia in 2022 College Football Playoffs

Honestly as much as I like the praise I would rather be overlooked by everyone. We do better with that chip on our shoulder.

 

[SLODAWG]

They say it’s hard to beat somebody twice so I’ll go with Tennessee - not that we are a better team but that we will adjust on both sides of the ball, play on a neutral field and probably not have Georgia kick a 75 yard punt that rolls out at the one. Kirby had an excellent defensive game plan but in Game 2 Heupel gets to attack that plan. Plus our guys will be playing for revenge and the Georgia players might take the game more lightly than the first one.

I think of all the other teams, Michigan might be the most difficult matchup for Georgia. It would also be a bit of a rematch. Michigan has a pretty good D - better than any of the other teams in the top 6 except Georgia - so they might keep Georgia’s offense from putting up very many points. And while Georgia’s D will be hard for anyone, Michigan has a big physical offense that might be able to actually grind it out and wear down that front. I said might - that’s a tough task.

OSU is very talented and capable of scoring on just about anyone but points against the dawgs will be tough for anyone. My concern for OSU playing Georgia is that Georgia would probably score in the mid thirties and I don’t know that OSU could match that without some non offensive touchdowns or very short fiends. I just don’t see anyone having multiple long sustained drives against Kirby’s D - even OSU. There won’t be open receivers like Stroud sees when playing teams in the big 10. There is no D in the big 10 anything like what Georgia plays. So just like Hooker, Stroud would be holding the ball and getting sacked. I’m sure he would win some downs but without help from special teams or defensive scores, OSU won’t score more than 17.

TCU looked good against Texas but they would figure out real quick that Georgia ain’t Texas. I think Georgia’s big offensive line and big running backs and huge tight ends would be happy to average about 5 to 6 ypc and have several 7 minute TD drives in the first half. Last year Alabama - not really a big rushing team - played Cincy and just ran, ran, ran…I think Kirby would do the same. And on the other side, I think the TCU offensive line would have a very hard time keeping their QB (and running backs) healthy for 4 quarters. It would be like a heavyweight fighter going against a middle weight guy - the middle weight guy would have some quickness and score some points early but once the body blows start to land it would be an ugly ass whipping.

USC really has no shot at winning their next three games so I don’t think Georgia has to worry about them.

I agree with much of your analysis. As for a rematch between UGA and TN, it's often said that its hard to beat a team twice. The UGA - Bama games from last season are used as examples. The difference between UGA -Bama last year and UGA-TN this year - and I'll get the wrath of some Vols fans for this - is the Dawgs and Tide were pretty even in terms of talent. Not the case with UGA and TN. The Vols are better at QB and WR. And it isn't like the Dawgs are deficient in those groups. No where else the Vols have an advantage.

 

[OHvol40]

I agree with much of your analysis. As for a rematch between UGA and TN, it's often said that its hard to beat a team twice. The UGA - Bama games from last season are used as examples. The difference between UGA -Bama last year and UGA-TN this year - and I'll get the wrath of some Vols fans for this - is the Dawgs and Tide were pretty even in terms of talent. Not the case with UGA and TN. The Vols are better at QB and WR. And it isn't like the Dawgs are deficient in those groups. No where else the Vols have an advantage.

If you look at the entirety of the season, I could argue UT’s OL and RB as well. ST have been pretty good for UT too. The big disparities in talent show up when you compare defenses.

With that said, I want to understand what you’re implying. UT can’t beat UGA because the talent discrepancy is too wide? Is that your contention?

 

[SLODAWG]

If you look at the entirety of the season, I could argue UT’s OL and RB as well. ST have been pretty good for UT too. The big disparities in talent show up when you compare defenses.

With that said, I want to understand what you’re implying. UT can’t beat UGA because the talent discrepancy is too wide? Is that your contention?

No. That's not what I said. Certainly not the impression I intended to leave. Of course Tennessee could win but I do think UGA has a big advantage in talent and depth. To beat UGA the Vols are going to need big plays. I think its doubtful they are going to sustain many long drives against that Georgia defense. If a rematch looks anything like game 1, Hooker will have no time to throw and no one to throw to. And no one, not even the Vols, are going to run on UGA

 

[BubbaDoc]

We beat GA in the first round of cfp. End of discussion. GOOD OL' ROCKY TOP...WOOOOOOOOOO

 

[OHvol40]

No. That's not what I said. Certainly not the impression I intended to leave. Of course Tennessee could win but I do think UGA has a big advantage in talent and depth. To beat UGA the Vols are going to need big plays. I think its doubtful they are going to sustain many long drives against that Georgia defense. If a rematch looks anything like game 1, Hooker will have no time to throw and no one to throw to. And no one, not even the Vols, are going to run on UGA

It sounds like that’s exactly what you’re saying. I hope we see the rematch.

 

[Jeff Clark]

Tennessee and Ohio State are most likely to beat Georgia. I think Georgia wins their next three games

Georgia 55
Kentucky 0

Georgia 56
Georgia Tech 0

SECCG

Georgia 41
LSU 21

 

[LittleVol]

I agree with much of your analysis. As for a rematch between UGA and TN, it's often said that its hard to beat a team twice. The UGA - Bama games from last season are used as examples. The difference between UGA -Bama last year and UGA-TN this year - and I'll get the wrath of some Vols fans for this - is the Dawgs and Tide were pretty even in terms of talent. Not the case with UGA and TN. The Vols are better at QB and WR. And it isn't like the Dawgs are deficient in those groups. No where else the Vols have an advantage.

The game isn't played by compartmentalization. It's a team game.

UGA had a very sound game plan. Along being more talented.

But are they "well ahead " in talent? No they're not.
And Tennessee will be better able to apply their style and talent next go around.
That still might no be enough to beat UGA.
But it won't be that disaster it was in Athens....

 

[VFL-82-JP]

Ranking teams most likely to end Dawgs' back-to-back title bid

The new College Football Playoff rankings were released on Tuesday night, and there were no surprises.

Georgia is No. 1, Ohio State and Michigan sitting at 2 and 3, respectively, and TCU at 4. If the Dawgs win out in the regular season, they’re in (likely) no matter what. If the Horned Frogs win out entirely, they’re in. The winner of the Ohio State-Michigan game? In.

But there are still other contenders.

Tennessee looms at No. 5, looking very likely to sneak into the top 4 after Ohio State and Michigan face off. LSU is suddenly in the mix, sporting a real chance to become the first 2-loss team to make the CFP. And USC is bringing up the rear, holding out hope for just a little bit of chaos in the season’s final weeks.

Now, which one do you want (or more accurately, not want) the Dawgs to play? Which teams scare you? Which teams give you no concerns at all?

Below are my rankings from most concerning to least concerning for Georgia in potential matchups in the CFP (or, in the case of LSU, in the SEC Championship Game).

1. Tennessee
Say what you will about me. Call me the Boy Who Cried Smokey. Remind me how wrong I was the last time Georgia played Tennessee. Gently tell me how little I know about college football.

I know what happened a couple of weeks ago. I know how dominant the Dawgs looked. All that aside, the Vols are still the 1 team that gives me the most pause about Georgia’s repeat aspirations.

I think it’s clear from the 1st showdown that the Dawgs are a better team right now. I think it’s clear that they had answers for Tennessee’s offense that no other team has come close to having so far this season.

But still, rematches are unpredictable. No one knows that better than Georgia.

Remember 12 months ago? When the Dawgs were absolutely manhandled by Alabama in the SEC Championship Game?

That was it.

The season was over.

There was no chance that Georgia was going to fair better against the Tide in a rematch between the teams in the College Football Playoff.

And then it did.

And the rest was history.


There is just something about this potential matchup that leaves me thinking that the last chapter of this rivalry for 2022 hasn’t been written yet. It’s for all the reasons I gave 2 weeks ago in anticipation of a challenge from the Vols — Hendon Hooker, the wide receivers, the versatility — but it’s mainly just because I don’t like rematches.

2. Ohio State
The Buckeyes would be No. 1 on this list if not for the injuries that have stacked up throughout the season. That this team is still undefeated and ranked No. 2 in the latest CFP poll is a testament to its resilience (and its relative lack of a challenge on the schedule).

C.J. Stroud is an elite quarterback who is the current betting favorite to win the Heisman. Even with the injuries, Ohio State has a balanced offensive attack that can get even better should TreVeyon Henderson and Jaxon Smith-Njigba reemerge from their injury purgatory.

The defense can get pressure — 26 sacks to its name this season — though Georgia’s would be the best offensive line it would face all season.

Really, it all comes down to health, though.

If the Buckeyes get to full strength, they are absolutely good enough to run with the Dawgs in a potential CFP matchup.

3. LSU
Of all the teams, this one is the hardest for me to figure.

On paper, Georgia is better. By the eye test, Georgia is better. And yet I can’t shake the feeling that this is a tricky game for the Dawgs.

This is the only game on this list that is already officially going to happen. These 2 teams will face each other in the SEC Championship Game. Georgia, quite likely, will be in a similar situation to last season: Probably already assured of a Playoff spot facing off against a team that could sneak in the back door with a win.

More to play for makes the Tigers dangerous.

It’s the defense that gets the most attention. Harold Perkins, BJ Ojulari, Mekhi Wingo and Sa’vion Jones are all great players. They will give Georgia’s offensive front all it can handle.

Quarterback Jayden Daniels, meanwhile, has had a great season with over 2,000 yards passing and 14 touchdowns to go with 629 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns.

He’s a unique challenge but also won’t be the first versatile quarterback the Dawgs have faced this year. Anthony Richardson wasn’t a challenge for Georgia, and Daniels might not be either.

Still, an impressive run for a hot team, and that is always tricky to deal with at the end of the year.

4. Michigan
It’s the rematch that I’m not sure anyone outside of Ann Arbor is really clamoring for.


Georgia dismantled Michigan in the CFP semifinal last year, and I think most on the outside would expect a similar result this season. With that said, you have to imagine the Wolverines are at least somewhat hungry for revenge.

They might have been higher on this list if not for the fact that they have to face No. 2 Ohio State just to get into the Playoff (unless, of course, they play the Buckeyes so competitively that the committee chooses to keep them in the top 4 … unlikely).

Running back Blake Corum is having a bona fide Heisman-caliber season with over 1,300 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns, and J.J. McCarthy has been consistent and efficient at quarterback.

Still, I’m not sure the Wolverines have the weapons to match up against Georgia on either side of the ball. Not like their rival Ohio State does, at least.

5. TCU
Look, don’t let anyone tell you TCU isn’t for real.

The Horned Frogs have 5 wins over teams that were ranked at the time they played them. Granted, only 2 of them remain ranked in the CFP poll and neither is within striking distance of the top 10.

Still, you have to give this team plenty of credit. Undoubtedly, people will look at TCU like they did at Cincinnati a year ago, and those assumptions were proved largely true when Alabama easily topped the Bearcats in the CFP semifinal.

But quarterback Max Duggan is effective and protects the ball well. The team doesn’t commit many turnovers, and it does such an effective job at balancing its attack between the pass and the run.

If you’re asking me whether I think TCU can beat Georgia in a potential Playoff matchup, my gut says it’s a longshot.

But crazier things have happened.

6. USC
We’ll call this a matchup of the future.

USC poses the least danger to Georgia, for one because it is very unlikely to make it into the Playoff. A 1-point loss (at Utah) might be all it takes to keep the Trojans out of the running, even with potential wins over No. 16 UCLA and No. 18 Notre Dame in their final 2 regular-season games.

USC is a talented bunch, though, starting with quarterback Caleb Williams. Williams is still on the Heisman shortlist for 2022 and will undoubtedly be among the top favorites heading into 2023.

I just don’t think this matchup is going to happen this year and if it does, I think Georgia is far too complete for Lincoln Riley’s squad. But bank on this: USC will be in the mix going forward. The Trojans are recruiting gangbusters right now and Riley is among the very best offensive minds in the country.

We’ll consider this the matchup of the future.

And who knows what the future holds.


Georgia football: Ranking teams most likely to end Dawgs’ back-to-back title bid

See, here's the thing.

Five years ago, you were a respectable, if boring, perennial contender for the 2nd or 3rd place spot in the SEC East.

Five years from now, you're going to be exactly that, again.

Enjoy your heyday, this is it, you're right in the middle of it. But it's about to end, so don't get too comfortable.

Go Vols!

 

[Vfl2407]

We beat GA in the first round of cfp. End of discussion. GOOD OL' ROCKY TOP...WOOOOOOOOOO

I don’t want to do that.
Heres what I want:
Semifinal in Atlanta:
Michigan 10
Georgia 31

Semifinal in Tempe:
TOSU 37
VOLS 41

Title game in Los Angeles:
UGA 31
VOLS 34

 

[Vol in Buckeye Land]

Pretty solid analysis. I agree, and don’t think I’m being a homer, that UT is Georgia’s greatest threat. Honestly, I think UGA and the Vols may be the two best teams in the country by a fair margin. It’s just so hard to know what you have with the top B1G schools until the post season. OSU’s offense could well flummox the Dawgs defense where the Big Orange failed to do so…but that seems unlikely in extremis. What I’ve seen from the Bucks against PSU, Northwestern, and others has left me saying “O-H…N-O”

LSU is on a nice run right now. I don’t see them pushing your guys much, but never say never, I suppose.

It would be interesting to see if Michigan, and particularly their offensive line, could fare any better this year. I think they’re a dynamic quarterback away from being a special team, but I doubt they have it in them.

UGA, the Vols, and probably the aforementioned Big Ten squads, would slaughter TCU. All of their quarterbacks, unlike Quinn Ewers, are capable of walking while chewing gum, and all of them have offensive lines far superior to anything that TCU has yet faced.

 

[Proud Army Wife]

UGA are probably repeat champions. I’m just thrilled we have a shot at making the playoffs, and if we do, I hope we can knock off whatever team we get paired with in the semis (please not UGA).

 

[DawgBite]

See, here's the thing.

Five years ago, you were a respectable, if boring, perennial contender for the 2nd or 3rd place spot in the SEC East.

Five years from now, you're going to be exactly that, again.

Enjoy your heyday, this is it, you're right in the middle of it. But it's about to end, so don't get too comfortable.

Go Vols!

WTF are you talking about? Georgia has owned the EAST!

2017 SEC East Champs & National Champion Runner-up
2018 SEC East Champs
2019 SEC East Champs
2020 SEC East Runner-up
2021 SEC East Champs & National Champions
2022 SEC East Champs & odds-on-favorite to repeat Natty.

So, we've won the SEC East 5 of the last 6 years! Not a "contender for 2nd or 3rd place"

Also, if you follow the recruiting class rankings, Kirby has built a machine and has shown no signs of slowing down.

Recruiting Class Ranking for the entire country: (source: 247 Sports composite)
2017: #3
2018: #1
2019: #2
2020: #1
2021: #4
2022: #3
2023: #2 currently
2024: #2 currently

You should stay off the shine until gameday, friend. (just sayin')

 

[Sarms58]

I agree with much of your analysis. As for a rematch between UGA and TN, it's often said that its hard to beat a team twice. The UGA - Bama games from last season are used as examples. The difference between UGA -Bama last year and UGA-TN this year - and I'll get the wrath of some Vols fans for this - is the Dawgs and Tide were pretty even in terms of talent. Not the case with UGA and TN. The Vols are better at QB and WR. And it isn't like the Dawgs are deficient in those groups. No where else the Vols have an advantage.

Georgia definitely has a more talented roster…one thing for sure, Tennessee doesn’t stand a chance against Georgia unless we get a shot at playing them. I’m hoping we do. Like I said, Georgia is the more talented team but we could pull off the upset if we play a near perfect game. I remember when NC State beat Houston for the NCAA basketball title…probably would have lost to Houston 9 out of 10 games but they won that one.

 

[ptcarter]

UGA is better than Tennessee... they proved it. But I'd still like to see what we can do on a neutral field. If you take false starts out of it and the ability to time blitzes with the silent count, it may change the game enough to give us a shot.

Bama fans understand this post. Home field is definitely and advantage to evenly matched teams. We've been blown out by Ga and Bama in the Pruitt and Butch years in Neyland, so it's not always true. Was this year with Bama though.

 

[Hopeful Vol]

A fully healthy osu beats ugh.

Ohio St. usually chokes when it matters most especially against SEC teams.

 

[Hopeful Vol]

From what I have seen, I think Mich beats osu in Columbus. Neither team have played anyone outside of Penn State which is a good team but not LSU or Alabama.

uscWest is garbage and won't win more than 1 of the next two games. They would lose to Ole Miss, Arkansas, Florida.

Lol they would beat Arkansas and Florida probaly lose to Ole Miss

 

[Vol#17]

And no rain. it played some part no matter how small

The rain may have given us an advantage. We believe it or not scored more points while it was raining.

 

[AthensVol2007]

I agree with much of your analysis. As for a rematch between UGA and TN, it's often said that its hard to beat a team twice. The UGA - Bama games from last season are used as examples. The difference between UGA -Bama last year and UGA-TN this year - and I'll get the wrath of some Vols fans for this - is the Dawgs and Tide were pretty even in terms of talent. Not the case with UGA and TN. The Vols are better at QB and WR. And it isn't like the Dawgs are deficient in those groups. No where else the Vols have an advantage.

In game 2 they were not even tho. Bama was missing Metchie and Williamson went down early and never returned. That completely changed Bama’s capabilities. UGA adjusted no doubt but they didn’t beat Bama a their best; we saw what happened when they played them at their best a month earlier.

 

[SLODAWG]

In game 2 they were not even tho. Bama was missing Metchie and Williamson went down early and never returned. That completely changed Bama’s capabilities. UGA adjusted no doubt but they didn’t beat Bama a their best; we saw what happened when they played them at their best a month earlier.

Georgia also had players out. Arien Smith, the Dawgs' fastest WR was injured and didn't play. The fact that Bama's backup, 5 star receivers failed when called upon isn't UGA's problem.

 

[ProudVOLfan]

UGA would run TCU off the field. Baylor may do it this weekend, at least I hope they do

 

[Lurker]

WTF are you talking about? Georgia has owned the EAST!

2017 SEC East Champs & National Champion Runner-up
2018 SEC East Champs
2019 SEC East Champs
2020 SEC East Runner-up
2021 SEC East Champs & National Champions
2022 SEC East Champs & odds-on-favorite to repeat Natty.

So, we've won the SEC East 5 of the last 6 years! Not a "contender for 2nd or 3rd place"

Also, if you follow the recruiting class rankings, Kirby has built a machine and has shown no signs of slowing down.

Recruiting Class Ranking for the entire country: (source: 247 Sports composite)
2017: #3
2018: #1
2019: #2
2020: #1
2021: #4
2022: #3
2023: #2 currently
2024: #2 currently

You should stay off the shine until gameday, friend. (just sayin')

View attachment 515400

I honestly think what he was referring to the years earlier than your last 5 or 6 year run.

 

[JohnnyJava]

UGA is better than Tennessee... they proved it. But I'd still like to see what we can do on a neutral field. If you take false starts out of it and the ability to time blitzes with the silent count, it may change the game enough to give us a shot.

Correct. But Alabama was better than Georgia last year in the SECCG and yet one month later their 17 point win turned into a 15 point loss in the NCG. If a 32 point swing can happen in one month from two neutral sites then Georgia fans can’t be thrilled by the thought of protecting a 14 point victory margin in a rematch played at a neutral field with UT having 2 months to scheme a plan.