ATHENS — A funny thing happened on the way to the College Football Playoff. No. 10 Georgia, fully absorbed on that singular task, learned late Saturday night that it’d be playing in the SEC Championship Game.
The Bulldogs, we found out Monday, weren’t even considering it as a possibility this past weekend.
With SEC Title Game Looming, Georgia Bulldogs’ Focus ‘100 Percent on Georgia Tech’: Reality or Strategy?
As the Georgia Bulldogs prepare for the annual showdown against in-state rival Georgia Tech, the narrative coming out of Athens is clear: focus is 100 percent on the Yellow Jackets. With the SEC Championship Game against Alabama just a week away, some are questioning whether this stance is genuine or merely a tactical media strategy to avoid distractions.
The Bulldogs’ Tightrope Walk
Ranked #1 in the nation and riding a historic winning streak, Georgia has been nothing short of dominant this season. Yet, the prospect of facing a rejuvenated Alabama Crimson Tide in the SEC title game has fans and analysts buzzing. The stakes in that game are monumental, potentially determining Georgia’s path to a third consecutive College Football Playoff championship.
However, head coach Kirby Smart insists that the Bulldogs are laser-focused on Georgia Tech.
“We don’t overlook anybody. Georgia Tech is a good football team, and this rivalry means a lot to our players, fans, and alumni,” Smart said earlier this week.
But how much of this is coach speak? Can a team with so much on the line truly block out thoughts of Nick Saban and the Tide?
Georgia Tech: A Potential Trap Game?
At first glance, Georgia Tech may not appear to pose a significant threat. Sitting at 6-5, the Yellow Jackets are bowl-eligible but far from elite. However, rivalry games have a history of producing unexpected outcomes. Georgia Tech, led by head coach Brent Key, would relish the opportunity to spoil Georgia’s perfect season and shake up the playoff picture.
For Georgia, this game is not without its challenges. Injuries to key players like Brock Bowers and Ladd McConkey have tested the team’s depth. While both players are expected to return for the postseason, the Bulldogs cannot afford to take unnecessary risks or fall into complacency.
A Calculated Strategy?
Critics argue that Georgia’s “100 percent on Georgia Tech” mantra might be more psychological warfare than truth. By publicly downplaying the SEC Championship, Smart could be shielding his players from the immense pressure that comes with a high-stakes matchup against Alabama.
Additionally, keeping the focus on Georgia Tech serves as a reminder to players that overlooking an opponent—even one deemed inferior—can lead to disaster. It’s a lesson Kirby Smart likely learned from the infamous 2019 South Carolina upset, a game Georgia entered as heavy favorites only to lose in overtime.
Alabama Looms Large
Regardless of Georgia’s rhetoric, the shadow of Alabama cannot be ignored. The Crimson Tide are playing their best football of the season, with quarterback Jalen Milroe hitting his stride and the defense tightening up. Alabama’s recent victory over Auburn, highlighted by a miraculous fourth-and-31 touchdown pass, only adds to their mystique.
Fans and media alike have already begun dissecting potential matchups: Georgia’s physical defense against Alabama’s explosive offense, Carson Beck’s consistency versus Milroe’s dual-threat capabilities, and Kirby Smart’s chess match with his former mentor, Nick Saban.
The Risks of Looking Ahead
While Georgia Tech might not seem like a formidable foe, the Bulldogs have too much to lose by overlooking their rival. An upset would derail their perfect season, jeopardize their playoff hopes, and tarnish their dominance over the past three years.
Yet, the balancing act is delicate. Georgia must handle Georgia Tech decisively while keeping their eyes on the bigger prize—a feat that requires discipline, depth, and perhaps a touch of luck.
The Verdict
Is Georgia’s focus truly “100 percent on Georgia Tech”? For now, only the Bulldogs know the answer. What’s clear, however, is that the stakes in the next two weeks couldn’t be higher. A slip-up against Georgia Tech would render all talk of Alabama irrelevant, while a lackluster performance might expose vulnerabilities the Crimson Tide can exploit.
Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs have built a dynasty on preparation, resilience, and execution. Whether they can maintain that focus amid the looming SEC title showdown will define not just this season, but Georgia’s place in college football history.
For now, the Bulldogs’ mantra holds: “One game at a time.” But with Alabama waiting in the wings, it’s hard not to wonder if one eye is already looking ahead.