As 4.5-point underdogs, the No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs upset the No. 1 Texas Longhorns 30-15 last Saturday. Over the past few years, Georgia has established itself as a dominant force in college football, winning two of the last three national championships and compiling a 92-12 record since 2017. Despite their talent and success, head coach Kirby Smart often embraces the underdog mentality. He’s aware of outside opinions, such as predictions from analysts on “College GameDay.” Last Saturday, the show’s panel unanimously picked Texas to win. ESPN’s Marty Smith texted Smart, saying, “Not everyone doubted you. I know what we said on our (ESPN) side, and I’m sure you all said the same.” On the “College GameDay Podcast,” Smith revealed that Smart responded by saying his team deserved to be doubted: “Bro, we’re playing the number one team on the road in the SEC in prime time. We’re supposed to be doubted.”
Smith went on to talk about Georgia’s 41-34 Week 5 loss to Alabama, explaining that Smart realized his team had true national championship potential after they clawed back from a 28-point deficit. “He was so relieved because, despite the loss, the comeback in Tuscaloosa showed him he had a national championship-caliber team,” Smith said. “In that moment, he knew, ‘I have a team that can win it all.'” Now 6-1 and ranked No. 2 in the AP Poll, Georgia will have a bye in Week 9 before heading to Jacksonville in Week 10 to face the Florida Gators. That game is set to kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
🚨The @CollegeGameDay Podcast🚨@ReceDavis, @PeteThamel, @ESPNMcGee and I talk Tennessee over Bama//Georgia over Texas.
Kirby likes to say nobody believes in Georgia, but he now knows he has a team capable of winning the national championship.
Full show: https://t.co/Vb4EaU8VFw pic.twitter.com/DjtX3PMaVP
— Marty Smith (@MartySmithESPN) October 21, 2024
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