The Georgia Bulldogs showcased their trademark resilience Saturday night, rallying from an early deficit to dominate the No. 7 Tennessee Volunteers 31-17 at Sanford Stadium.
With this crucial victory, Georgia remains firmly in contention for both the SEC Championship Game and a potential spot in the College Football Playoff.
The Bulldogs started the game under pressure, falling into a 10-0 hole early in the first quarter. However, Georgia responded emphatically, outscoring Tennessee 31-7 over the final three quarters with balanced play on both sides of the ball.
Needless to say, head coach Kirby Smart was proud of his team’s ability to rise to the occasion, especially after hearing from the critics all week long following their lopsided loss to Ole Miss.
“A week ago, we were dead and gone. People had written us off,” Smart said.
Quarterback Carson Beck echoed that sentiment and made it clear that anyone who doubts the Dawgs does so at their own risk.
“The way we were able to bounce back from last week, I’m just so proud of these guys,” Beck said. “The word that really identifies us is resilient. We stay so composed in high-pressure moments. Although it might not look perfect, it might not look pretty, we’re gonna get the job done.”
The impressive win over Tennessee comes at a pivotal moment for Georgia.
Entering the game ranked No. 12 in the CFP standings (and actually on the outside looking in) following the Week 11 loss to Ole Miss, the Bulldogs needed a statement victory to keep their postseason hopes alive.
A third loss would have likely eliminated them from CFP contention. Smart expressed frustration with the CFP selection process, calling for greater transparency in how teams are evaluated.
“I don’t know what they’re looking for. I really don’t,” Smart said. “I wish they could really define the criteria. I wish they could do the eyeball test where they come down here and look at the people we’re playing against and look at them. You can’t see that stuff on TV, and so I don’t know what they look for. But that’s for somebody else to decide. I’m worried about our team.”
Georgia’s two losses this season, coupled with significant wins, made a strong case for a higher ranking. Smart highlighted the difficulty of Georgia’s schedule and the environments his team has faced.
“They’re not in that environment,” Smart said. “They’re not at Ole Miss in that environment, playing against that defense, which is top five in the country with one of the best pass rushers in the country, and they’re fired up. They got a two-score lead, and they’re coming every play. They don’t know. They don’t understand that.”
As for Beck, his consistency has been questioned this season, but he delivered one of his best performances when his team needed it most.
Beck completed 25 of 40 passes for 347 yards and three total touchdowns, including a pivotal rushing score in the third quarter that gave Georgia the lead for good.
Without star running back Trevor Etienne, Georgia relied heavily on Beck to move the ball against a formidable Tennessee defense. Time and again, he stepped up, making precise throws to sustain drives and keep the Bulldogs ahead.
Georgia’s defense was equally impressive, shutting out Tennessee in the second half and forcing the Vols into a one-dimensional attack. The Bulldogs’ relentless pass rush and disciplined secondary play stifled Tennessee’s high-powered offense.
With the win, Georgia moves into prime position for a CFP berth and remains a strong contender for the SEC Championship. If the Bulldogs continue their upward trajectory, they figure to be as tough of an out as anyone in the country.
As Smart put it, the focus remains on the team’s growth and execution. They know they have to win every game going forward in order to get to where they want to be. This past Saturday was an impressive step in the right direction.
Georgia’s path forward is clear: keep winning, and let the results speak for themselves.
What are your thoughts on Kirby’s comments regarding the playoff selection committee? … Do you think their evaluation process is flawed???
