The No. 7 spot in the college football playoff rankings heading into Week 14 is no small feat, and Kirby Smart’s Georgia Bulldogs made it happen. With a little help from favorable results across the SEC, the Dawgs secured a ticket to the SEC Championship Game. Their recent blowout win over UMass, 59-21, wasn’t just a confidence booster—it cemented their status as a force to be reckoned with in the conference.

Despite early-season stumbles against Alabama and Ole Miss, Georgia had a solid 9-2 record before their game against Georgia Tech. Along the way, they took down ranked rivals like Texas and Tennessee, finishing 6-2 in the SEC. But let’s be real—it’s not just about their wins. The struggles of fellow SEC powerhouses like Alabama, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M played a huge role in clearing Georgia’s path to the championship.

The mighty Alabama Crimson Tide (8-3) took a shocking 24-3 loss to Oklahoma, dimming their playoff hopes. Ole Miss (9-3) also slipped against the Florida Gators in a 24-17 upset. And let’s not forget Texas A&M, who fell to Auburn in a wild 43-41 shootout. With these SEC heavyweights faltering, Georgia’s chances of clinching a playoff spot got a major boost.

Now, the Dawgs are set to face the winner of the Texas Longhorns vs. Texas A&M matchup in the SEC title game. A win for Texas, who sits at 7-1 in the SEC, would lock them in as the top seed. But if Texas A&M pulls off the upset, their 6-2 record would send them to the title game via tiebreakers. Either way, Georgia’s playoff hopes are looking bright.

Sure, this season hasn’t been without its challenges. The Dawgs dropped multiple regular-season games for the first time since 2020 and had to fight through a rocky start. But they proved their resilience in their last regular-season matchup against Georgia Tech. In a Black Friday thriller, Georgia edged out the Yellow Jackets 44-42 after a jaw-dropping eight overtime. Talk about a nail-biter! And even a CFB GOAT is oozing his confidence in them.

Nick Saban’s take on Kirby Smart’s Georgia

Despite the ups and downs, Georgia’s still in the CFP conversation, and for good reason. The Dawgs started their 2021 campaign ranked No. 4 in the CFP and went on to win their first national championship in nearly 40 years. This year, they’re hungry for another run, and even Nick Saban agrees they’ve got what it takes. The legendary former Alabama head coach recently said Georgia is the only SEC team with a real shot at a CFP berth—even if they were to suffer a third loss in the SEC title game.

“You got some other teams that maybe didn’t play the same competition, but they didn’t lose games to average teams either. So I think that matters,” Saban said. “And the only team that could have an argument to get in with three losses, if Georgia actually plays in the SEC championship game, they really shouldn’t be penalized. If they would happen to lose the game, they would end up with three losses.”

Fortunately for the Dawgs, they’re sitting at 10-2 and aren’t part of the three-loss club that has plagued so many SEC teams this season. With 13 out of 16 SEC squads taking three or more losses, Georgia has set itself apart as a serious contender. The playoff committee surely can’t ignore their grit, tough schedule, and impressive wins.

As the Dawgs gear up for the SEC Championship Game, they’re not just playing for a title—they’re staking their claim as one of the best in college football. Kirby Smart’s squad is ready to make noise, and with a spot in the playoffs all but locked, the stage is set for Georgia to remind everyone why they’re a powerhouse. Keep your eyes on the Dawgs—this season’s story is far from over.