Just how overrated at the Georgia Bulldogs in college football? It’s a question some as asking in the wake the of team being the No. 2 ranked team in the NCAA for college football via the AP. Sure, they play some good football. But, are they overrated? Especially with the team’s recent bad game, to me, it doesn’t make much sense to have them still ranked No. 2.
Georgia Bulldogs Ranked No. 2 in the AP Poll
Athlon Sports has a Sept. 15 feature out about the most overrated teams in college football. They have the Georgia Bulldogs towards the top of their tally.
“It is understandable that so many voters would be reluctant to drop Georgia too far based on one bad performance — and a win on the road against an SEC team, no less,” college football writer and expert Dan Lyons stated. “Saturday’s game against an overmatched Kentucky team, one that was absolutely dominated at home by South Carolina a week ago, was not a positive result for the Bulldogs.”
A few notes about that game. Quarterback Carson Beck was limited to 160 yards and didn’t throw a touchdown. It was simply a bad game for him. Players are always allowed bad games, of course, but to have it come early in the season makes me think it could happen again.
“Neither team impressed on offense, but Kentucky outgained Georgia 284 yards to 262,” Lyons stated. “The Bulldogs held the Wildcats out of the end zone, but UK’s running backs did find room to work, with Demie Sumo-Karngbaye (98 yards) and Jamarion Wilcox (42 yards) each averaging at least 4.5 yards per attempt. Other programs with solid running games will probably be able to convert some of their sustained drives into touchdowns, rather than field goals.”
So, ESPN’s SP+ efficiency metric took Georgia from No. 1 to No. 5 after the game. But, the AP college football rankings has them at No. 2, only behind Texas. It just doesn’t add up, in my opinion.
“This loss doesn’t do any real harm to Georgia’s championship outlook, and the Bulldogs can absolutely rebound and gain back that No. 1 ranking in short order. A win over Alabama in Week 5 would go a long way,” Lyons noted. “Until then, even a No. 2 ranking feels hollow at the moment.”
Georgia Bulldogs Make 247 Sports’ Tally of Overrated Teams
This isn’t a new idea. Back in June, 247 Sports released an article naming the most overrated teams in college football since 2010, and the Bulldogs were there. According to the article, since 2010, Georgia has started a season ranked inside of the top 25 and finished unranked four different times.
“Only once during Kirby Smart’s tenure have the Bulldogs been ranked in the preseason and not in the final AP Poll, that coming in 2016 when he was a wet-behind-the-ears, first-time head coach. Since, Georgia has won two national championships and — most likely — will be the preseason No. 1 in August,” writer and college football expert Brad Crawford stated. “Under Mark Richt, the Bulldogs finished unranked three times since 2010 after opening the season inside the top 25 (2010, 2013, 2015).”
So, time will tell if the Georgia Bulldogs, indeed, are really so underrated.