The Georgia Bulldogs are off to 6-0 start and have dominated their competition from the opening game against Clemson to this past weekend's dismantling of Kentucky.
The prevailing mindset is that UGA is far-and-away the best team in the nation and the National Title is theirs to lose, so what could go wrong? Who is in the way?
Tied for 7th: Michigan, Oregon, Notre Dame, Oklahoma St., Penn St., or Michigan St.
Look, Wake Forest is not going unbeaten. So the rest of the gaggle has to clear itself out. None are a true threat but we've seen hot teams on end-of-season runs get cranked up. Michigan State isn't a real contender but can create havoc. Penn State is really the best of the bunch but key injuries have taken their toll. If one of these gets a shot at UGA in a semi it probably won't be very close.
6th: Oklahoma
There are lots of 'ifs' here. If 5-star QB Caleb Williams is up to the challenge of a playoff run. If their defense doesn't buckle under the slightest pressure. If they even beat Oklahoma State or win the Big-12 Championship game. So many ifs that they aren't a major concern, but still OU has explosive talent that can be tough to deal with.
5th: Florida
Rivals are rivals. And the Gators are not devoid of talent. While UGA should corral them, if 'that game' happens in Jacksonville - the one where all the calls and bounces go the Gators way - a loss might mean UGA would be in a 'must win' in the Championship game. Florida isn't a killer, but it's an issue.
4th: Ohio State
Here's what many are missing. Since they were upset by Oregon, the Buckeyes have gotten their act together. Frankly if they played Oregon again they might win by 20. CJ Stroud has now settled in at QB and OSU still has roster talent that trails only UGA and Alabama in its quality and depth.
3rd: Cincinnati
It's not that the Bearcats are better or more dangerous than other teams, it's they have something no one else does: the most recent experience of any contender facing off against UGA. The Dawgs beat Cincy in the Peach Bowl, but it wasn't a rout, and Cincinnati surely felt it could hang with UGA. That confidence is worth quite a bit.
2nd: Alabama
Pedigree, talent and Saban. It's quite possible to the Dawgs would have to face Bama twice in a 3-game stretch from the SEC Championship game to the National Championship Game. They don't have to win both, a win in either would do the trick.
1st: Georgia
Dawgs fans know this program has been it's own worst enemy. The only way UGA should lose now is if it beats itself. Getting over that hurdle won't just win them the title this season it will likely propel them into multiple title runs over the next decade.
