ESPN doesn't see the big bully of college football in the 2025 CFP field.
The Bulldogs' slow decline has piled on mixed expectations for head coach Kirby Smart's 2025 season.
ESPN's David Hale argues that with a loaded SEC conference, Georgia has plenty of chances to stumble from both their CFP chances and their standard of absolute dominance.
"For the better part of three seasons, the Bulldogs seemed invincible. Only an injury-plagued one-score loss to Alabama in the 2023 SEC title game might have prevented Georgia from winning three straight national championships," Hale wrote.
"And yet, by the end of 2024, it was clear some of the shine was off the once-dominant program. Carson Beck struggled without much help from his skill positions. The Dawgs lost to Alabama, were whooped by Ole Miss, and nearly fell to Georgia Tech before escaping in eight overtimes. By the time Notre Dame eased past Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, it was pretty clear Kirby Smart didn't have a championship-level team."
Then came Smart's biggest loss of the season: Carson Beck transferring to Miami.
How his offense adapts to Beck's absence still remains to be seen. And that's not even considering Gunner Stockton starting for the first time.
"So, will 2025 be a return to greatness? It's possible, but the SEC is stacked, and with games at Tennessee, home vs. Alabama, Texas, Ole Miss and the rivalry showdown vs. Florida, there are ample opportunities to stumble. Is 8-4 possible? Would a 9-3 Georgia be a sure bet for the playoff? Could things get worse? When the standard is dominance, it's hard to maintain the standard for long in today's college football," Hale pondered.
Smart will be under the microscope to reclaim his undisputed status.