Can Anyone Stop Georgia?

College football has certainly seen its fair share of dominant programs over the years. Nick Saban led the Alabama Crimson Tide to three titles in four years from 2010-13, the Tebow era at Florida produced two championships, and back in the mid ‘90s, the Nebraska Cornhuskers were borderline unstoppable. But the Georgia Bulldog dynasty, the one we’re currently in the midst of, may soon be in a tier of its own 😤

• Since the adoption of the AP Poll in 1936, no college football team has ever been national champs for three straight seasons. But Kirby Smart’s Dawgs are fresh off back-to-back titles, and if the dominance they displayed in their latest run is any indication, they’re hungry for a third. Here’s a friendly reminder ⬇️

No Stetson this year? No problem, says Vegas. The veteran QB may have finally moved on to the NFL, but oddsmakers are still backing the two-time defending champs to make history. With just over a month left until the season kicks off, take a look at this year’s College Football Playoff favorites 👇

Odds to Win 2023-24 National Championship

• Georgia Bulldogs: +220

• Alabama Crimson Tide: +600

• Ohio State Buckeyes: +750

• Michigan Wolverines: +850

• LSU Tigers: +1200

• USC Trojans: +1600

• Clemson Tigers: +1600

• Penn State Nittany Lions: +2000

As you can see, the Bulldogs aren’t just the favorite — they’re a pretty substantial favorite…even more nuts when you consider we don’t even know who their starting QB is yet 🤔

• On one hand, does it really even matter all that much? I don’t want to discount Bennett’s performance as a Heisman finalist last season, but with a ridiculously good supporting cast on both sides of the ball for two years in a row, it’s fair to wonder how much of the success can be attributed to his play

• On the other hand, when you’re a program like Georgia, you typically aren’t lacking options in the QB room anyway. Junior Carson Beck, sophomore Brock Vandagriff and redshirt freshman Gunner Stockton are all former 4-star recruits, and the victor of the three-headed competition will be in great position to carry the torch 💪

Barring a late push from the other two, Carson Beck is looking like a clear frontrunner to be the guy. A deep receiving corps, All-American TE Brock Bowers, a strong O-line and business as usual from the brick wall of a defense should certainly make things easier on him 👀

But if you’re a believer that inexperience at the game’s most important position will ultimately be Georgia’s undoing, you’ll find great value amongst the other contenders 🤞

• Alabama and Ohio State find themselves near the top of the odds board, and they are typically as safe of a bet as any to be among the four teams in the CFP field — a field that will soon be expanding. But with the top two picks Bryce Young and CJ Stroud now suiting up in NFL camps, both teams are dealing with QB questions of their own 🤷🏻‍♂️

• However, two teams that hves nothing to worry about at the position are the USC Trojans and the Michigan Wolverines. The hype is justified for Caleb Williams, and if next year’s presumptive first overall pick (-550) is fully unleashed this season, those +1600 title odds will look like a steal 📈

A January date between Williams and the Georgia defense is a title matchup worth dreaming about. But then again, maybe another underdog can recreate the run we saw from TCU last year. The national runner-ups were +20,000 longshots before the season began — but I think the boldest pick I can get behind this year is Penn State at +2000, Washington at +3500 or UNC at +10,000 😏

Trivia Question: Who was the USC Trojans’ QB the last time they won the National Championship?

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Trivia Answer: The USC Trojans last won the National Championship in 2005, when QB Matt Leinart led them to a 55-19 victory over Oklahoma (box score)